Twelve Months
THERE was once a widow who had two daughters, Helen, her own child by her dead husband, and Marouckla, his daughter by his first wife. She loved Helen, but hated the poor orphan because she was far prettier than her own daughter.
Marouckla did not think about her good looks, and could not understand why her stepmother should be angry at the sight of her. The hardest work fell to her share. She cleaned out the rooms, cooked, washed, sewed, spun, wove, brought in the hay, milked the cow, and all this without any help.
Helen, meanwhile, did nothing but dress herself in her best clothes and go to one amusement after another.
But Marouckla never complained. She bore the scoldings and bad temper of mother and sister with a smile on her lips, and the patience of a lamb. But this angelic behavior did not soften them. They became even more tyrannical and grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily more beautiful, while Helen's ugliness increased. So the stepmother determined to get rid of Marouckla, for she knew that while she remained, her own daughter would have no suitors. Hunger, every kind of privation, abuse, every means was used to make the girl's life miserable. But in spite of it all Marouckla grew ever sweeter and more charming.
One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some wood-violets.
"Listen," cried she to Marouckla, "you must go up the mountain and find me violets. I want some to put in my gown. They must be fresh and sweet-scented-do you hear?"
"But, my dear sister, whoever heard of violets blooming in the snow?" said the poor orphan.
"You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey me?" said Helen. "Not another word. Off with you! If you do not bring me some violets from the mountain forest I will kill you."
The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen, and with vigorous blows they pushed Marouckla outside and shut the door upon her. The weeping girl made her way to the mountain. The snow lay deep, and there was no trace of any human being. Long she wandered hither and thither, and lost herself in the wood. She was hungry, and shivered with cold, and prayed to die.
Suddenly she saw a light in the distance, and climbed toward it till she reached the top of the mountain. Upon the highest peak burned a large fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of stone on which sat twelve strange beings. Of these the first three had white hair, three were not quite so old, three were young and handsome, and the rest still younger.
There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were the Twelve Months of the Year. The great January was placed higher than the others. His hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his hand he held a wand. At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her courage returned, and drawing near, she said: --
"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the winter cold."
The great January raised his head and answered:
"What brings thee here, my daughter? What dost thou seek?"
"I am looking for violets," replied the maiden.
"This is not the season for violets. Dost thou not see the snow everywhere?" said January.
"I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother have ordered me to bring them violets from your mountain. If I return without them they will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where they may be found."
Here the great January arose and went over to the youngest of the Months, and, placing his wand in his hand, said: --
"Brother March, do thou take the highest place."
March obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over the fire. Immediately the flames rose toward the sky, the snow began to melt and the trees and shrubs to bud. The grass became green, and from between its blades peeped the pale primrose. It was spring, and the meadows were blue with violets.
"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said March.
Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a large bunch she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were amazed at the sight of the flowers, the scent of which filled the house.
"Where did you find them?" asked Helen.
"Under the trees on the mountain-side," said Marouckla.
Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother. She did not even thank her stepsister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries.
"Run," said she, "and fetch me strawberries from the mountain. They must be very sweet and ripe."
"But whoever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?" exclaimed Marouckla.
"Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me. If I don't have my strawberries I will kill you," said Helen.
Then the stepmother pushed Marouckla into the yard and bolted the door. The unhappy girl made her way toward the mountain and to the large fire round which sat the Twelve Months. The great January occupied the highest place.
"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," said she, drawing near.
The great January raised his head and asked: "Why comest thou here? What dost thou seek?"
"I am looking for strawberries," said she.
"We are in the midst of winter," replied January, "strawberries do not grow in the snow."
"I know," said the girl sadly, "but my sister and stepmother have ordered me to bring them strawberries. If I do not they will kill me. Pray, good shepherds, tell me where to find them."
The great January arose, crossed over to the Month opposite him, and putting the wand in his hand, said: "Brother June, do thou take the highest place."
June obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the fire the flames leaped toward the sky. Instantly the snow melted, the earth was covered with verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began to sing, and various flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening strawberries, and instantly they covered the glade, making it look like a sea of blood.
"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said June.
Joyfully she thanked the Months, and having filled her apron ran happily home.
Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the strawberries, which filled the house with their delicious fragrance.
"Wherever did you find them?" asked Helen crossly.
"Right up among the mountains. Those from under the beech trees are not bad," answered Marouckla.
Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself. Not one did she offer to her stepsister. Being tired of strawberries, on the third day she took a fancy for some fresh, red apples.
"Run, Marouckla," said she, "and fetch me fresh, red apples from the mountain."
"Apples in winter, sister? Why, the trees have neither leaves nor fruit!"
"Idle thing, go this minute," said Helen; "unless you bring back apples we will kill you."
As before, the stepmother seized her roughly and turned her out of the house. The poor girl went weeping up the mountain, across the deep snow, and on toward the fire round which were the Twelve Months. Motionless they sat there, and on the highest stone was the great January.
"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," said she, drawing near.
The great January raised his head. "Why comest thou here? What does thou seek?" asked he.
"I am come to look for red apples," replied Marouckla.
"But this is winter, and not the season for red apples," observed the great January.
"I know," answered the girl, "but my sister and stepmother sent me to fetch red apples from the mountain. If I return without them they will kill me."
Thereupon the great January arose and went over to one of the elderly Months, to whom he handed the wand saying: --
"Brother September, do thou take the highest place."
September moved to the highest stone, and waved his wand over the fire. There was a flare of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading leaves which trembled on the trees were sent by a cold northeast wind in yellow masses to the glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were visible. At first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. Then she espied a tree which grew at a great height, and from the branches of this hung the bright, red fruit. September ordered her to gather some quickly. The girl was delighted and shook the tree. First one apple fell, then another.
"That is enough," said September; "hurry home."
Thanking the Months she returned joyfully. Helen and the stepmother wondered at seeing the fruit.
"Where did you gather them?" asked the stepsister.
"There are more on the mountain-top," answered Marouckla.
"Then, why did you not bring more?" said Helen angrily. "You must have eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl."
"No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them," said Marouckla. "I shook the tree twice. One apple fell each time. Some shepherds would not allow me to shake it again, but told me to return home."
"Listen, mother," said Helen. "Give me my cloak. I will fetch some more apples myself. I shall be able to find the mountain and the tree. The shepherds may cry `Stop!' but I will not leave go till I have shaken down all the apples."
In spite of her mother's advice she wrapped herself in her pelisse, put on a warm hood, and took the road to the mountain. Snow covered everything. Helen lost herself and wandered hither and thither. After a while she saw a light above her, and, following in its direction, reached the mountain-top.
There was the flaming fire, the twelve blocks of stone, and the Twelve Months. At first she was frightened and hesitated; then she came nearer and warmed her hands. She did not ask permission, nor did she speak one polite word.
"What hath brought thee here? What dost thou seek?" said the great January severely.
"I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard. What business is it of yours?" she replied disdainfully, turning her back on the fire and going toward the forest.
The great January frowned, and waved his wand over his head. Instantly the sky became covered with clouds, the fire went down, snow fell in large flakes, an icy wind howled round the mountain. Amid the fury of the storm Helen stumbled about. The pelisse failed to warm her benumbed limbs.
The mother kept on waiting for her. She looked from the window, she watched from the doorstep, but her daughter came not. The hours passed slowly, but Helen did not return.
"Can it be that the apples have charmed her from her home?" thought the mother. Then she clad herself in hood and pelisse, and went in search of her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses. It covered all things. For long she wandered hither and thither, the icy northeast wind whistled in the mountain, but no voice answered her cries.
Day after day Marouckla worked, and prayed, and waited, but neither stepmother nor sister returned. They had been frozen to death on the mountain.
The inheritance of a small house, a field, and a cow fell to Marouckla. In course of time an honest farmer came to share them with her, and their lives were happy and peaceful.
An old man planted a turnip. The turnip grew to be enormous. The old man started to pull the turnip out of the ground. He pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So he called the old woman over.
The old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So the old woman called the granddaughter over.
The granddaughter took hold of the old woman, the old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So the granddaughter called the dog over.
The dog took hold of the granddaughter, the granddaughter took hold of the old woman, the old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So the dog called the cat over.
The cat took hold of the dog, the dog took hold of the granddaughter, the granddaughter took hold of the old woman, the old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So the cat called the mouse over.
The mouse took hold of the cat, the cat took hold of the dog, the dog took hold of the granddaughter, the granddaughter took hold of the old woman, the old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled--and finally pulled out the turnip!
--In Russian, the name "Zhuckha" is used in place of "dog." Also, the translation loses all the the lyricism of this little tale. In Russian, the similar words repeated patterns combined to make a rhythm that is almost a tongue-twister! Transliterated, the last line of the tale sounds like this:
Myshka za koshku, koshka za Zhuchku, Zhuchka za vnuchku, vnuchka za babku, babka za dedku, dedka za repku, tyanut-potyanut--vytyanuli repku!
"Do bake us a bun, old woman! If you scrape out the flour-box and sweep out the bin, you'll have enough flour."
So the old woman scraped out the flour-box and swept out the bin, she made some dough and she shaped a little round bun out of it. She then lit the oven, baked the bun and put it on the window sill to cool. But the bun jumped out of the window and onto the bench outside, and from the bench onto the ground, and away it rolled along the road!
On and on' it rolled, and it met a Rabbit coming toward it.
"I'm going to eat you up, Little Round Bun!" called the Rabbit.
"Don't do that, Fleet-Feet, let me sing you a song instead," said Little Round Bun.
"All right, let's hear it!"
"Here it is!
"I'm going to eat you up, Little Round Bun!" called the Wolf.
"Don't do that, Brother Wolf, let me sing you a song instead."
"All right, let's hear it!"
By and by it met a Bear coming toward it.
"I'm going to eat you up, Little Round Bun!" called the Bear.
"Don't do that, Brother Bear, I'll sing you a song instead!"
"All right, let's hear it!"
By and by it met a Fox coming toward it.
"I'm going to eat you up, Little Round Bun!" called the Fox.
"Don't do that, Sister fox, I'll sing you a song instead."
"All right, let's hear it!"
Little Round Bun jumped onto the Fox's tongue and began to sing:
Marouckla did not think about her good looks, and could not understand why her stepmother should be angry at the sight of her. The hardest work fell to her share. She cleaned out the rooms, cooked, washed, sewed, spun, wove, brought in the hay, milked the cow, and all this without any help.
Helen, meanwhile, did nothing but dress herself in her best clothes and go to one amusement after another.
But Marouckla never complained. She bore the scoldings and bad temper of mother and sister with a smile on her lips, and the patience of a lamb. But this angelic behavior did not soften them. They became even more tyrannical and grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily more beautiful, while Helen's ugliness increased. So the stepmother determined to get rid of Marouckla, for she knew that while she remained, her own daughter would have no suitors. Hunger, every kind of privation, abuse, every means was used to make the girl's life miserable. But in spite of it all Marouckla grew ever sweeter and more charming.
One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some wood-violets.
"Listen," cried she to Marouckla, "you must go up the mountain and find me violets. I want some to put in my gown. They must be fresh and sweet-scented-do you hear?"
"But, my dear sister, whoever heard of violets blooming in the snow?" said the poor orphan.
"You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey me?" said Helen. "Not another word. Off with you! If you do not bring me some violets from the mountain forest I will kill you."
The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen, and with vigorous blows they pushed Marouckla outside and shut the door upon her. The weeping girl made her way to the mountain. The snow lay deep, and there was no trace of any human being. Long she wandered hither and thither, and lost herself in the wood. She was hungry, and shivered with cold, and prayed to die.
Suddenly she saw a light in the distance, and climbed toward it till she reached the top of the mountain. Upon the highest peak burned a large fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of stone on which sat twelve strange beings. Of these the first three had white hair, three were not quite so old, three were young and handsome, and the rest still younger.
There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were the Twelve Months of the Year. The great January was placed higher than the others. His hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his hand he held a wand. At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her courage returned, and drawing near, she said: --
"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the winter cold."
The great January raised his head and answered:
"What brings thee here, my daughter? What dost thou seek?"
"I am looking for violets," replied the maiden.
"This is not the season for violets. Dost thou not see the snow everywhere?" said January.
"I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother have ordered me to bring them violets from your mountain. If I return without them they will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where they may be found."
Here the great January arose and went over to the youngest of the Months, and, placing his wand in his hand, said: --
"Brother March, do thou take the highest place."
March obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over the fire. Immediately the flames rose toward the sky, the snow began to melt and the trees and shrubs to bud. The grass became green, and from between its blades peeped the pale primrose. It was spring, and the meadows were blue with violets.
"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said March.
Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a large bunch she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were amazed at the sight of the flowers, the scent of which filled the house.
"Where did you find them?" asked Helen.
"Under the trees on the mountain-side," said Marouckla.
Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother. She did not even thank her stepsister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries.
"Run," said she, "and fetch me strawberries from the mountain. They must be very sweet and ripe."
"But whoever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?" exclaimed Marouckla.
"Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me. If I don't have my strawberries I will kill you," said Helen.
Then the stepmother pushed Marouckla into the yard and bolted the door. The unhappy girl made her way toward the mountain and to the large fire round which sat the Twelve Months. The great January occupied the highest place.
"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," said she, drawing near.
The great January raised his head and asked: "Why comest thou here? What dost thou seek?"
"I am looking for strawberries," said she.
"We are in the midst of winter," replied January, "strawberries do not grow in the snow."
"I know," said the girl sadly, "but my sister and stepmother have ordered me to bring them strawberries. If I do not they will kill me. Pray, good shepherds, tell me where to find them."
The great January arose, crossed over to the Month opposite him, and putting the wand in his hand, said: "Brother June, do thou take the highest place."
June obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the fire the flames leaped toward the sky. Instantly the snow melted, the earth was covered with verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began to sing, and various flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening strawberries, and instantly they covered the glade, making it look like a sea of blood.
"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said June.
Joyfully she thanked the Months, and having filled her apron ran happily home.
Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the strawberries, which filled the house with their delicious fragrance.
"Wherever did you find them?" asked Helen crossly.
"Right up among the mountains. Those from under the beech trees are not bad," answered Marouckla.
Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself. Not one did she offer to her stepsister. Being tired of strawberries, on the third day she took a fancy for some fresh, red apples.
"Run, Marouckla," said she, "and fetch me fresh, red apples from the mountain."
"Apples in winter, sister? Why, the trees have neither leaves nor fruit!"
"Idle thing, go this minute," said Helen; "unless you bring back apples we will kill you."
As before, the stepmother seized her roughly and turned her out of the house. The poor girl went weeping up the mountain, across the deep snow, and on toward the fire round which were the Twelve Months. Motionless they sat there, and on the highest stone was the great January.
"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," said she, drawing near.
The great January raised his head. "Why comest thou here? What does thou seek?" asked he.
"I am come to look for red apples," replied Marouckla.
"But this is winter, and not the season for red apples," observed the great January.
"I know," answered the girl, "but my sister and stepmother sent me to fetch red apples from the mountain. If I return without them they will kill me."
Thereupon the great January arose and went over to one of the elderly Months, to whom he handed the wand saying: --
"Brother September, do thou take the highest place."
September moved to the highest stone, and waved his wand over the fire. There was a flare of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading leaves which trembled on the trees were sent by a cold northeast wind in yellow masses to the glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were visible. At first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. Then she espied a tree which grew at a great height, and from the branches of this hung the bright, red fruit. September ordered her to gather some quickly. The girl was delighted and shook the tree. First one apple fell, then another.
"That is enough," said September; "hurry home."
Thanking the Months she returned joyfully. Helen and the stepmother wondered at seeing the fruit.
"Where did you gather them?" asked the stepsister.
"There are more on the mountain-top," answered Marouckla.
"Then, why did you not bring more?" said Helen angrily. "You must have eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl."
"No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them," said Marouckla. "I shook the tree twice. One apple fell each time. Some shepherds would not allow me to shake it again, but told me to return home."
"Listen, mother," said Helen. "Give me my cloak. I will fetch some more apples myself. I shall be able to find the mountain and the tree. The shepherds may cry `Stop!' but I will not leave go till I have shaken down all the apples."
In spite of her mother's advice she wrapped herself in her pelisse, put on a warm hood, and took the road to the mountain. Snow covered everything. Helen lost herself and wandered hither and thither. After a while she saw a light above her, and, following in its direction, reached the mountain-top.
There was the flaming fire, the twelve blocks of stone, and the Twelve Months. At first she was frightened and hesitated; then she came nearer and warmed her hands. She did not ask permission, nor did she speak one polite word.
"What hath brought thee here? What dost thou seek?" said the great January severely.
"I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard. What business is it of yours?" she replied disdainfully, turning her back on the fire and going toward the forest.
The great January frowned, and waved his wand over his head. Instantly the sky became covered with clouds, the fire went down, snow fell in large flakes, an icy wind howled round the mountain. Amid the fury of the storm Helen stumbled about. The pelisse failed to warm her benumbed limbs.
The mother kept on waiting for her. She looked from the window, she watched from the doorstep, but her daughter came not. The hours passed slowly, but Helen did not return.
"Can it be that the apples have charmed her from her home?" thought the mother. Then she clad herself in hood and pelisse, and went in search of her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses. It covered all things. For long she wandered hither and thither, the icy northeast wind whistled in the mountain, but no voice answered her cries.
Day after day Marouckla worked, and prayed, and waited, but neither stepmother nor sister returned. They had been frozen to death on the mountain.
The inheritance of a small house, a field, and a cow fell to Marouckla. In course of time an honest farmer came to share them with her, and their lives were happy and peaceful.
Turnip
The old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So the old woman called the granddaughter over.
The granddaughter took hold of the old woman, the old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So the granddaughter called the dog over.
The dog took hold of the granddaughter, the granddaughter took hold of the old woman, the old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So the dog called the cat over.
The cat took hold of the dog, the dog took hold of the granddaughter, the granddaughter took hold of the old woman, the old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So the cat called the mouse over.
The mouse took hold of the cat, the cat took hold of the dog, the dog took hold of the granddaughter, the granddaughter took hold of the old woman, the old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled--and finally pulled out the turnip!
--In Russian, the name "Zhuckha" is used in place of "dog." Also, the translation loses all the the lyricism of this little tale. In Russian, the similar words repeated patterns combined to make a rhythm that is almost a tongue-twister! Transliterated, the last line of the tale sounds like this:
Myshka za koshku, koshka za Zhuchku, Zhuchka za vnuchku, vnuchka za babku, babka za dedku, dedka za repku, tyanut-potyanut--vytyanuli repku!
The little round bun (Kolobok)
Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman who were very poor and had nothing at all to their name. And they kept getting poorer and poorer till there was nothing left to eat in the house, not even bread, Said the old man:(All used here illustrations belong to the Russian Crafts and represent products which were sold or which are selling at the Russian Crafts store).
"Do bake us a bun, old woman! If you scrape out the flour-box and sweep out the bin, you'll have enough flour."
So the old woman scraped out the flour-box and swept out the bin, she made some dough and she shaped a little round bun out of it. She then lit the oven, baked the bun and put it on the window sill to cool. But the bun jumped out of the window and onto the bench outside, and from the bench onto the ground, and away it rolled along the road!
On and on' it rolled, and it met a Rabbit coming toward it.
"I'm going to eat you up, Little Round Bun!" called the Rabbit.
"Don't do that, Fleet-Feet, let me sing you a song instead," said Little Round Bun.
"All right, let's hear it!""Here it is!
And off it rolled and away. By and by it met a Wolf coming toward it."I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Grandpa,
I ran away from Grandma,
And I'll run away from you, this minute I will!"
"I'm going to eat you up, Little Round Bun!" called the Wolf.
"Don't do that, Brother Wolf, let me sing you a song instead."
"All right, let's hear it!"
And away it rolled."I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Grandpa,
I ran away from Grandma,
And I'll run away from you, this minute I will!"
By and by it met a Bear coming toward it.
"I'm going to eat you up, Little Round Bun!" called the Bear.
"Don't do that, Brother Bear, I'll sing you a song instead!"
"All right, let's hear it!"
And away it rolled and away!"I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Grandpa,
I ran away from Grandma,
And I'll run away from you, this minute I will!"
By and by it met a Fox coming toward it.
"I'm going to eat you up, Little Round Bun!" called the Fox.
"Don't do that, Sister fox, I'll sing you a song instead."
"All right, let's hear it!"
"Sing some more, please, don't stop!" the Fox said. "Hop onto my tongue, I can hear you better.""I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Grandpa,
I ran away from Grandma,
And I'll run away from you, this minute I will!"
Little Round Bun jumped onto the Fox's tongue and began to sing:
But before it could go on, the Fox opened her mouth and - snap! -she gobbled it up."I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin-"
The Golden Hair
This event happened long ago. At that time in the place we will speak about Russians and even Bashkirs didnt settle. Bashkirs needed green fields and wide steppes for their herds but that place was surrounded with the thick forest. Only brave hunters dared to visit that place and hunt there. The most brave and skilful hunter of them was the Bashkir whose name was Ailyp.
One day Ailyp was galloping through the forest and suddenly saw a red fox. The fox was an insignificant prey for such skillful hunter as Ailyp. Nevertheless the young man was bored and decided to amuse himself a little and hunt the fox. He tried to overtake the fox but couldnt do it. He tried to shoot an arrow at it but wasnt successful.
Soon the hunter reached so dense forest that it was impossible to move forward by his steed. He dismounted from his steed and started pursuing the fox on foot. The fox seemed to tease Ailyp; it was always so close to him but when he tried to take aim at it, the fox suddenly disappeared behind thick bushes.
At last Ailyp found himself in the unfamiliar place. The fox disappeared somewhere and the hunter decided to climb the high tree to look about. From the top of the tree he saw the small river running merrily along the valley. In some certain place the river was shinning so brightly that it was impossible to look at. Ailyp was very surprised and tried to look at that place more attentively. Suddenly he saw a beautiful girl sitting near the river on the big white stone behind the bush. Her braid was thrown over her shoulder and the tip of it was dropped into the water. The braid was gold and very long, its length was about 10 sazhen (=2.134 meters). The gold braid was reflected in the water and made the river shine like the sun.
The girl raised her head, noticed Ailyp and said:
" Hello, Ailyp! I know you! My Nanny the Fox has told me about you long ago. You are the most handsome, strong and successful hunter all through the neighborhood. Do you want to marry me? How much bride-money I will have to pay to your father?
What are you speaking about? My father is the owner of the whole worlds gold! He will never agree to part with me voluntarily. If you want to marry me we must run!
I want to marry you very much! I will carry you in my arms! No one will dare to take you away from me!"
As soon as the hunter exclaimed these words, the fox yelped, hid its muzzle in the ground, turned into an old woman and said:
"Dont boast! You even didnt manage to hit and kill me!
Its the truth answered Ailyp But it is my last negligence.
It will be very difficult to kidnap my niece the Golden Hair.
Her father is Poloz, the owner of the whole gold of the world.
Her hair is of gold. Try to raise her braid! It is very heavy."
The girl is chained to the ground with her hair.
Ailyp pulled out the gold braid of the rivers sand and began to wind it round his arm. Then he said:
"Now my dear bride the Golden Hair, we are tied together with your braid. Nobody can part us!"
The old woman gave the hunter scissors just in case. Ailyp took the girl in his arms and they began their journey. Ailyp and his bride were rambling in the forest the whole day. The Golden Hair noticed that Ailyp became very tired and said:
"Ailyp, you are very tired. Let me go by myself and you will carry my braid. It will be easier for us and we will go faster. May be we will manage to go far and get to the place where my fathers power cant reach us. Otherwise my father will attract me into the ground."
" How can he do it?" - asked the hunter - "My father possesses the power of attracting gold. He can attract all gold of the world. If he wishes he may attract my golden hair!
Dont be afraid! We will manage to escape!"
The Golden Hair smiled sadly, she knew how strong and insidious her father was.
So, the girl went down on the ground and went by herself. Ailyp took her heavy golden braid and carried it. They went and went and at last got very tired.
Lets rest! offered Ailyp.
As soon as they sat on the green grass, the mysterious power started to attract them into the ground. The Golden Hair had time to take scissors that her nanny had given them and snip off the golden braid winded round the hunters arm. Then the girl suddenly disappeared under the ground together with her beautiful golden hair. Ailyp was standing alone in the forest glade.
"My bride is taken away! What a shame! I must return her thought the hunter and began to dig the earth at the place where his bride had disappeared."
Suddenly the fox appeared in the forest glade. It hid its muzzle in the ground, turned into the old woman and began to mock at the hunter:
"What are you doing? Are you looking for gold?"
" No", - replied Ailyp -"I am trying to find my bride, the Golden Hair!"
" What a fool! Your bride is sitting near the river on the big white stone where you have seen her for the first time. Her gold braid became longer and heavier, its length now is about 20 sazhen. Now you wont be able to raise it."
" But what should I do? Please, give me a piece of good advice!" -begged Ailyp.
"Go home and wait three years. If you dont forget your bride I will return in three years and show you the place where you can find her. If you begin to look for the Golden Hair by yourself you will never see her!"
Ailyp wasnt used to wait but there was nothing to do and he had to humble.
Three years were dragging on monotonously. Even the spring didnt make the hunter glad. His relatives worried about his health. Every day Ailyp thought about his bride. How he wished to look at her! But he remembered the old womans words and didnt dare to go to seek her. One day he was walking along the village street and met a pretty black haired young girl. He liked that girl very much and thought:
" Ive lost my bride. If people knew this fact they would mock at me. All the young men of my age have been married long ago. May be I shall marry this pretty black haired young girl?! I will pay bride-money to her parents and they will be glad to arrange our wedding."
Then the hunter remembered the Golden Hair and thought:
" However, I cant humble with the fact that my bride is taken away from me! I must return her!"
Sooner or later three years passed and Ailyp saw the red fox. He didnt try to shoot an arrow at the fox but followed it closely. On the way to the river he marked the trees and stones they passed by to remember the road. At last they got to the river and Ailyp saw his bride sitting on the big white stone at the place where he had seen her for the first time. He bowed to her and said:
"Hello, my dear bride the Golden Hair!"
" Hello, Ailyp! Dont grieve! My braid became much easier because you always thought about me. Only in the end of the third year my braid became a little bit heavier. Have you fallen in love with someone?"
Ailyp was ashamed of confirming the fact that he really had fallen in love with the pretty black haired girl but all the same he decided to tell the truth and honestly told his bride everything about the incident with the black haired girl.
The Golden Hair listened to him attentively and then said:
" I am glad that you honestly told me everything. Now I can trust you. Lets go! May be we will manage to escape to the place where my fathers power cant reach us!
Ailyp pulled out the gold braid of the rivers sand, winded it round his arm, took the scissors from the old woman and they began their journey. They were rambling in the forest the whole day long. It grew dark and the hunter offered to rest:
Lets climb that high tree and sleep on the tree branches. May be your fathers power wont reach us there."
They climbed the tree and Ailyp tied the girls braid to the tree branches to preserve her from falling. The Golden Hair fell asleep and the hunter began to guard her. Soon he also began to doze. The eagle-owl was hovering near the tree and screaming desperately as if it wanted to alarm the hunter.
Ailyp slept like a log and dreamt that he and the Golden Hair were sitting at home and drinking tea. His bride was so beautiful! Her golden braid was shinning like the sun!
At midnight the tree caught fire. Ailyp burnt himself and fell on the ground. He saw how the big sparkling fiery ring appeared from under the ground. The Golden Hair turned into the cloud of fine golden sparkles. The sparkles flew to the fiery ring and disappeared. Ailyp ran to that place trying to find his bride but everything was in vain, he managed to find only the tip of her golden braid.
The young man gave way to despair and began to call the fox. It immediately appeared and said:
" If you want to return the Golden Hair you should wait three years more. I wont come to help you any more. You will have to go to look for your bride by yourself. I can advice you only the following: bow to the old eagle-owl and ask it to help you."
At first Ailyp didnt understand what eagle-owl the old woman was speaking about but later he remembered the eagle-owl hovering near the burning tree and comprehended everything.
Next morning the hunter went to the place where he had seen the old eagle-owl. Having reached the place he began calling it. Soon he heard its voice:
" Fubu, fubu! I am here! What do you want?"
Ailyp told the old eagle-owl all about his problems and asked it to help him.
"It will be very difficult to return the Golden Hair, answered the old eagle-owl Her father Poloz is very strong. He is the owner of the worlds gold. He can reach any place where gold deposits are situated with his fiery ring. There is the only place where his power is ineffective. But remember the only thing: if you reach that place you will never come back!"
" Please tell me where is that place!" - begged the hunter.
" You should find the lake with the big stone in the middle. There is the entry under that stone that lead to the underwater kingdom. The power of Poloz cant reach you there.
I know this lake! cried Ailyp gaily It is the Itkul Lake! Go the Itkul Lake to make sure that it is really the lake you need. Remember! If you manage to get to the underwater kingdom you will never come back!"
The hunter thanked the old eagle-owl and went home. Later he found the Lake Itkul with the big stone in the middle. At the place he realized that it was impossible to run to the lake during the day time and at night Poloz can use his power.
" must build a road to the lake to have a chance to get there by horses!"
So, the hunter began to chop trees and build the road.
Three years passed very quickly, Ailyp barely had time to finish building the road. At target date he came to the well-known river bank to find his bride. She was sitting on the big white stone at the place where the hunter had seen her for the first time. They saddled the steeds and galloped at full speed. The red fox was running in advance trying to hurry them. In the evening they got to the lake Itkul and boarded a canoe. In a flash they reached the stone situated in the middle of the river, found the entry and descended to the underwater kingdom. As soon as the hunter and his bride took the shelter, Poloz began to encircle the lake with his fiery rings. Everything was in vain he couldnt reach his daughter and Ailyp. His power was ineffective in the underwater kingdom.
Since that time rich gold deposits appeared at the banks of the Ikul Lake that provoked quarrels between Bashkirs and Russian factory owners. Ailyp and his wife the Golden Hair stayed to live in the underwater kingdom where they possessed horse and sheep herds pasturing in the wild fields and meadows.
Sometimes people chanced to see the Golden Hair. She was sitting in the stone in the middle of the lake. Her golden braid was shinning brightly by the light of the moon. She was incomparably beautiful!
One day Ailyp was galloping through the forest and suddenly saw a red fox. The fox was an insignificant prey for such skillful hunter as Ailyp. Nevertheless the young man was bored and decided to amuse himself a little and hunt the fox. He tried to overtake the fox but couldnt do it. He tried to shoot an arrow at it but wasnt successful.
Soon the hunter reached so dense forest that it was impossible to move forward by his steed. He dismounted from his steed and started pursuing the fox on foot. The fox seemed to tease Ailyp; it was always so close to him but when he tried to take aim at it, the fox suddenly disappeared behind thick bushes.
At last Ailyp found himself in the unfamiliar place. The fox disappeared somewhere and the hunter decided to climb the high tree to look about. From the top of the tree he saw the small river running merrily along the valley. In some certain place the river was shinning so brightly that it was impossible to look at. Ailyp was very surprised and tried to look at that place more attentively. Suddenly he saw a beautiful girl sitting near the river on the big white stone behind the bush. Her braid was thrown over her shoulder and the tip of it was dropped into the water. The braid was gold and very long, its length was about 10 sazhen (=2.134 meters). The gold braid was reflected in the water and made the river shine like the sun.
The girl raised her head, noticed Ailyp and said:
" Hello, Ailyp! I know you! My Nanny the Fox has told me about you long ago. You are the most handsome, strong and successful hunter all through the neighborhood. Do you want to marry me? How much bride-money I will have to pay to your father?
What are you speaking about? My father is the owner of the whole worlds gold! He will never agree to part with me voluntarily. If you want to marry me we must run!
I want to marry you very much! I will carry you in my arms! No one will dare to take you away from me!"
As soon as the hunter exclaimed these words, the fox yelped, hid its muzzle in the ground, turned into an old woman and said:
"Dont boast! You even didnt manage to hit and kill me!
Its the truth answered Ailyp But it is my last negligence.
It will be very difficult to kidnap my niece the Golden Hair.
Her father is Poloz, the owner of the whole gold of the world.
Her hair is of gold. Try to raise her braid! It is very heavy."
The girl is chained to the ground with her hair.
Ailyp pulled out the gold braid of the rivers sand and began to wind it round his arm. Then he said:
"Now my dear bride the Golden Hair, we are tied together with your braid. Nobody can part us!"
The old woman gave the hunter scissors just in case. Ailyp took the girl in his arms and they began their journey. Ailyp and his bride were rambling in the forest the whole day. The Golden Hair noticed that Ailyp became very tired and said:
"Ailyp, you are very tired. Let me go by myself and you will carry my braid. It will be easier for us and we will go faster. May be we will manage to go far and get to the place where my fathers power cant reach us. Otherwise my father will attract me into the ground."
" How can he do it?" - asked the hunter - "My father possesses the power of attracting gold. He can attract all gold of the world. If he wishes he may attract my golden hair!
Dont be afraid! We will manage to escape!"
The Golden Hair smiled sadly, she knew how strong and insidious her father was.
So, the girl went down on the ground and went by herself. Ailyp took her heavy golden braid and carried it. They went and went and at last got very tired.
Lets rest! offered Ailyp.
As soon as they sat on the green grass, the mysterious power started to attract them into the ground. The Golden Hair had time to take scissors that her nanny had given them and snip off the golden braid winded round the hunters arm. Then the girl suddenly disappeared under the ground together with her beautiful golden hair. Ailyp was standing alone in the forest glade.
"My bride is taken away! What a shame! I must return her thought the hunter and began to dig the earth at the place where his bride had disappeared."
Suddenly the fox appeared in the forest glade. It hid its muzzle in the ground, turned into the old woman and began to mock at the hunter:
"What are you doing? Are you looking for gold?"
" No", - replied Ailyp -"I am trying to find my bride, the Golden Hair!"
" What a fool! Your bride is sitting near the river on the big white stone where you have seen her for the first time. Her gold braid became longer and heavier, its length now is about 20 sazhen. Now you wont be able to raise it."
" But what should I do? Please, give me a piece of good advice!" -begged Ailyp.
"Go home and wait three years. If you dont forget your bride I will return in three years and show you the place where you can find her. If you begin to look for the Golden Hair by yourself you will never see her!"
Ailyp wasnt used to wait but there was nothing to do and he had to humble.
Three years were dragging on monotonously. Even the spring didnt make the hunter glad. His relatives worried about his health. Every day Ailyp thought about his bride. How he wished to look at her! But he remembered the old womans words and didnt dare to go to seek her. One day he was walking along the village street and met a pretty black haired young girl. He liked that girl very much and thought:
" Ive lost my bride. If people knew this fact they would mock at me. All the young men of my age have been married long ago. May be I shall marry this pretty black haired young girl?! I will pay bride-money to her parents and they will be glad to arrange our wedding."
Then the hunter remembered the Golden Hair and thought:
" However, I cant humble with the fact that my bride is taken away from me! I must return her!"
Sooner or later three years passed and Ailyp saw the red fox. He didnt try to shoot an arrow at the fox but followed it closely. On the way to the river he marked the trees and stones they passed by to remember the road. At last they got to the river and Ailyp saw his bride sitting on the big white stone at the place where he had seen her for the first time. He bowed to her and said:
"Hello, my dear bride the Golden Hair!"
" Hello, Ailyp! Dont grieve! My braid became much easier because you always thought about me. Only in the end of the third year my braid became a little bit heavier. Have you fallen in love with someone?"
Ailyp was ashamed of confirming the fact that he really had fallen in love with the pretty black haired girl but all the same he decided to tell the truth and honestly told his bride everything about the incident with the black haired girl.
The Golden Hair listened to him attentively and then said:
" I am glad that you honestly told me everything. Now I can trust you. Lets go! May be we will manage to escape to the place where my fathers power cant reach us!
Ailyp pulled out the gold braid of the rivers sand, winded it round his arm, took the scissors from the old woman and they began their journey. They were rambling in the forest the whole day long. It grew dark and the hunter offered to rest:
Lets climb that high tree and sleep on the tree branches. May be your fathers power wont reach us there."
They climbed the tree and Ailyp tied the girls braid to the tree branches to preserve her from falling. The Golden Hair fell asleep and the hunter began to guard her. Soon he also began to doze. The eagle-owl was hovering near the tree and screaming desperately as if it wanted to alarm the hunter.
Ailyp slept like a log and dreamt that he and the Golden Hair were sitting at home and drinking tea. His bride was so beautiful! Her golden braid was shinning like the sun!
At midnight the tree caught fire. Ailyp burnt himself and fell on the ground. He saw how the big sparkling fiery ring appeared from under the ground. The Golden Hair turned into the cloud of fine golden sparkles. The sparkles flew to the fiery ring and disappeared. Ailyp ran to that place trying to find his bride but everything was in vain, he managed to find only the tip of her golden braid.
The young man gave way to despair and began to call the fox. It immediately appeared and said:
" If you want to return the Golden Hair you should wait three years more. I wont come to help you any more. You will have to go to look for your bride by yourself. I can advice you only the following: bow to the old eagle-owl and ask it to help you."
At first Ailyp didnt understand what eagle-owl the old woman was speaking about but later he remembered the eagle-owl hovering near the burning tree and comprehended everything.
Next morning the hunter went to the place where he had seen the old eagle-owl. Having reached the place he began calling it. Soon he heard its voice:
" Fubu, fubu! I am here! What do you want?"
Ailyp told the old eagle-owl all about his problems and asked it to help him.
"It will be very difficult to return the Golden Hair, answered the old eagle-owl Her father Poloz is very strong. He is the owner of the worlds gold. He can reach any place where gold deposits are situated with his fiery ring. There is the only place where his power is ineffective. But remember the only thing: if you reach that place you will never come back!"
" Please tell me where is that place!" - begged the hunter.
" You should find the lake with the big stone in the middle. There is the entry under that stone that lead to the underwater kingdom. The power of Poloz cant reach you there.
I know this lake! cried Ailyp gaily It is the Itkul Lake! Go the Itkul Lake to make sure that it is really the lake you need. Remember! If you manage to get to the underwater kingdom you will never come back!"
The hunter thanked the old eagle-owl and went home. Later he found the Lake Itkul with the big stone in the middle. At the place he realized that it was impossible to run to the lake during the day time and at night Poloz can use his power.
" must build a road to the lake to have a chance to get there by horses!"
So, the hunter began to chop trees and build the road.
Three years passed very quickly, Ailyp barely had time to finish building the road. At target date he came to the well-known river bank to find his bride. She was sitting on the big white stone at the place where the hunter had seen her for the first time. They saddled the steeds and galloped at full speed. The red fox was running in advance trying to hurry them. In the evening they got to the lake Itkul and boarded a canoe. In a flash they reached the stone situated in the middle of the river, found the entry and descended to the underwater kingdom. As soon as the hunter and his bride took the shelter, Poloz began to encircle the lake with his fiery rings. Everything was in vain he couldnt reach his daughter and Ailyp. His power was ineffective in the underwater kingdom.
Since that time rich gold deposits appeared at the banks of the Ikul Lake that provoked quarrels between Bashkirs and Russian factory owners. Ailyp and his wife the Golden Hair stayed to live in the underwater kingdom where they possessed horse and sheep herds pasturing in the wild fields and meadows.
Sometimes people chanced to see the Golden Hair. She was sitting in the stone in the middle of the lake. Her golden braid was shinning brightly by the light of the moon. She was incomparably beautiful!
The Fly's Castle
A fly once built himself a castle. Along came a creepy-crawly louse and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "I am: I Spy Fly. And who are you?" "I am Creepy-Crawly Louse." Along came an itchy-twitchy flea and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are. I Spy Fly and Creepy-Crawly Louse." Along came a long-legged midge and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came three voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy-Crawly Louse and Itchy-Twitchy Flea." Along came a tittle-tattle mouse and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came four voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy-Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea and Long-Legged Midge."
Along came a busy-lizzie lizard and called, "Who, who, who is in mis castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came five voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy- Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge and Tittle-Tattle Mouse." Along came Liza the fox and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came six voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy-Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge, Tittle-Tattle Mouse and Busy-Lizzie Liz- ard." Along came bob-tabbit rabbit and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came seven voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy- Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge, Tittle-Tattle Mouse, Busy- Lizzie Lizard and Liza the Fox."
Along came grey-tailed wolf and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came eight voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy- Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge, Tittle-Tattle Mouse, Busy- Lizzie Lizard, Liza the Fox and Bob-Tabbit Rabbit." Along came stumpy-legs bear and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came nine voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy-Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge, Tittle-Tattle Mouse, Busy-Lizzie Lizard, Liza the Fox, Bob- Tabbit Rabbit and Grey-Tailed Wolf. And who are you?" 'T am Crush-'Em-All- Now," said stumpy-legs bear. With that he put his paw on the castle and smashed it to pieces.
Along came a busy-lizzie lizard and called, "Who, who, who is in mis castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came five voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy- Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge and Tittle-Tattle Mouse." Along came Liza the fox and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came six voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy-Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge, Tittle-Tattle Mouse and Busy-Lizzie Liz- ard." Along came bob-tabbit rabbit and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came seven voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy- Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge, Tittle-Tattle Mouse, Busy- Lizzie Lizard and Liza the Fox."
Along came grey-tailed wolf and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came eight voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy- Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge, Tittle-Tattle Mouse, Busy- Lizzie Lizard, Liza the Fox and Bob-Tabbit Rabbit." Along came stumpy-legs bear and called, "Who, who, who is in this castle? Who, who, who is in this den?" "We are," came nine voices. "I Spy Fly, Creepy-Crawly Louse, Itchy-Twitchy Flea, Long-Legged Midge, Tittle-Tattle Mouse, Busy-Lizzie Lizard, Liza the Fox, Bob- Tabbit Rabbit and Grey-Tailed Wolf. And who are you?" 'T am Crush-'Em-All- Now," said stumpy-legs bear. With that he put his paw on the castle and smashed it to pieces.
The Fire-Bird and Princess Vassilissa
In a certain kingdom, in a thrice-ten realm that lay far away, beyond the thrice-nine lands, there once lived a mighty king. The king had an archer who was as brave as he was strong, and the archer had a horse that was as strong as it was fleet of foot. One day the archer got on his horse and rode off to the forest to hunt.
He rode along a road, and a wide road it was, and he saw a fire-bird's feather lying there and flaming like fire.' Said his horse to the archer: "Leave the feather where it is, for if you don't you will know a great misfortune." Now, this made the archer stop and think.
He was sorely tempted to take the feather, for if he presented it to the king, the king would surely reward him, and who is there that does not prize the favor of a king!
In the end, he decided to take it, and, picking it up, carried it away with him and presented it to the king. "Many thanks to you, Archer?" said the king. "But since you were able to fetch its feather, you must fetch me the fire-bird itself If you don't it'll be out with my sword and off with your head?" The archer went back to his horse weeping bitterly. "Why do you weep. Master?" the horse asked. "The king has ordered me to fetch him the fire-bird." "I told you not to take the feather' Still, you must not fear or give way to despair. You are in no great trouble
now, there is worse to come! Just go to the king and ask him for a hundred bags of corn to be strewn over that field yonder." This the archer did, and the king had a hundred bags of corn strewn over the field.
At dawn on the following day the archer rode to the field. He unbridled his horse, let it roam there at will and himself hid behind a tree. All of a sudden the wind swept over the forest and sent it rustling, the sea rose in waves, and the fire-bird came flying to the field. Down it dropped and began pecking the corn, and the archer's horse ran up and stepped hard on one of its wings, pinning it to the ground. The archer then rushed out from behind the tree, and, binding the fire-bird with a rope, got o the horse with it and rode at a gallop for the palace. He presented the fire-bird to the king, who was greatly pleased, thanked the archer for serving him. so well, promoted him and at once set him another task. ''You were able to fetch the fire-bird, so you should be able to fetch me the maid I wish to marry, Princess Vassilissa. She lives at the very end of the earth, where the bright sun rises, and it is her I want and none other. If you bring her to me, I will shower you with gold and silver, but if y ou don't, it'll be out with my sword and off with your head!"
The archer went back to his horse weeping bitterly. "Why do you weep, Master?" the horse asked. "The king bids me fetch him Princess Vassilissa." ''Do not weep or be sad. You are in no great trouble, there is worse to come! Go to the king and ask him for a gold-topped tent and for food and drink for you to take with you on your journey." The king gave him food and drink and a tent with a top of gold, and the archer got on his horse and set off on his way. Beyond thrice-nine lands he traveled, and whether a short or a long time passed nobody knows, but he came at last to the end of the earth, where the bright sun rises from the blue sea. And there on the sea, in a silver boat that she pushed with a paddle of gold, was Princess Vassilissa herself. The archer unbridled his horse and let it roam at will in the green meadow and pick at the fresh grass, and then he set up the gold-topped tent, put foods and drinks on a table, and sat down to eat and drink while he waited for Princess Vassilissa.
And Princess Vassilissa saw the gold top gleaming in the sunlight, paddled to shore, and, stepping out of the boat, stood there looking admiringly at the tent. ''Good morrow to you, Princess Vassilissa!" the archer said. "Pray come in and share of my board and taste of the wines I brought from far-off lands." Princess Vassilissa came into the tent and she and the archer ate and drank and made merry. A whole glass of wine did she drink and was so overcome that she fell fast asleep. The archer called his horse, and when it came running, folded the tent with the top of gold, picked up Princess Vassilissa, mounted the horse with now, there is worse to come! Just go to the king and ask him for a hundred bags of corn to be strewn over that field yonder." This the archer did, and the king had a hundred bags of corn strewn over the field.
At dawn on the following day the archer rode to the field. He unbridled his horse, let it roam there at will and himself hid behind a tree. All of a sudden the wind swept over the forest and sent it rustling, the sea rose in waves, and the fire-bird came flying to the field. Down it dropped and began pecking the corn, and the archer's horse ran up and stepped hard on one of its wings, pinning it to the ground. The archer then rushed out from behind the tree, and, binding the fire-bird with a rope, got on the horse with it and rode at a gallop for the palace. He presented the fire-bird to the king, who was greatly pleased, thanked the archer for serving him so well, promoted him and at once set him another task.
''You were able to fetch the fire-bird, so you should be able to fetch me the maid I wish to marry, Princess Vassilissa. She lives at the very end of the earth, where the bright sun rises, and it is her I want and none other. If you bring her to me, I will shower you with gold and silver, but if you don't, it'll be out with my sword and off with your head!"
The archer went back to his horse weeping bitterly. ''Why do you weep, Master?" the horse asked. "The king bids me fetch him Princess Vassilissa." ''Do not weep or be sad. You are in no great trouble, there is worse to come! Go to the king and ask him for a gold-topped tent and for food and drink for you to take with you on your journey." The king gave him food and drink and a tent with a top of gold, and the archer got on his horse and set off on his way. Beyond thrice-nine lands he traveled, and wheth er a short or a long time passed nobody knows, but he came at last to the end of the earth, where the bright sun rises from the blue sea. And there on the sea, in a silver boat that she pushed with a paddle of gold, was Princess Vassilissa herself. The archer unbridled his horse and let it roam at will in the green meadow and pick at the fresh grass, and then he set up the gold-topped tent, put foods and drinks on a table, and sat down to eat and drink while he waited for Princess Vassilissa.
And Princess Vassilissa saw the gold top gleaming in the sunlight, paddled to shore, and, stepping out of the boat, stood there looking admiringly at the tent. ''Good morrow to you, Princess Vassilissa!" the archer said. "Pray come in and share of my board and taste of the wines I brought from far-off lands." Princess Vassilissa came into the tent and she and the archer ate and drank and made merry. A whole glass of wine did she drink and was so overcome that she fell fast asleep. The archer called his horse, and when it came running, folded the tent with the top of gold, picked up Princess Vassilissa, mounted the horse with her in his arms, and set off home. As fast as an arrow he flew and was soon in the palace.
The king was overjoyed at the sight of Princess Vassilissa. He thanked the archer for having served him so well and gave him a still higher rank. But when Princess Vassilissa awoke and learnt that she was far, far away from the blue sea, she began sobbing and weeping and her face turned dark with grief. And though the king pleaded with her not to be sad, there was nothing he could do. He begged her to marry him, but she said: "Let him who brought me here go to my realm at the end of the earth and fetch my wedding dress which lies under a large rock in the middle of the sea. I will not marry without it!" The king sent for the archer. "Go at once to the end of the earth where the bright sun rises. In the middle of the sea you will find a large rock and under it Princess Vassilissa's wedding dress. Bring the dress here, for I wish to wed without delay! If you bring it, I shall reward you richly, more so than ever before, but if you don't, it'll be out with my sword and off with your head!" Back went the archer to his horse weeping bitterly. '1 will not escape death this time!" said he to himself. "Why do you weep, Master?" the horse asked. "The king bids me fetch him Princess Vassilissa's wedding dress from the bottom of the sea." ''Didn't I tell you not to take the fire-bird's feather? But never fear, you are in no great trouble, there is worse to come! Get on my back and let us go to the blue sea."
Whether a short or a long time passed nobody knows, but the archer came to the end of the earth and stopped on the shore of the blue sea. A huge lobster came crawling over the sand toward him, and the horse saw it and stepped on its tail with its hoof. Said the lobster: "Spare me, Horse, do not let me die! I will do whatever you ask." And the horse said in reply: "There is a great rock lying on the bottom of the sea and hidden under it is Princess Vassilissa's wedding dress. Fetch the dress for me!"
The lobster gave a great roar that carried over the whole of the sea, the sea rose in waves, and lobsters, big and small, came crawling to the shore from all sides. And so many were they that there was no counting them! The lobster who had called them and who was their elder bade them fetch the dress, and they plunged into the sea and came back with it before an hour had passed.
The archer brought the dress to the king, but Princess Vassilissa was as stubborn as ever and said that she would not marry him until he had made the archer take a dip in boiling water. The king at once ordered an iron cauldron to be filled with water, the water to be heated, and as soon as it came to the boil, the archer to be thrown in it. Everything was soon ready, the water began to seethe and to boil, sprays of it flying to all sides, and the archer was led in.
"Poor, unhappy man that I am!" thought he. "What made me take the fire-bird's feather? Why didn't I listen to my horse?" And recalling the horse, he said to the king: "0 great king, my ruler, allow me to bid my horse goodbye before I die!"
"Very well," said the king. The archer went to see the horse, and the tears poured from his eyes. "Why do you weep, Master?" the horse asked. "The king bids me dip myself in boiling water." "Fear nothing and do not weep, you will not die!" said the horse, and he cast a spell over the archer that he might not get scalded by the boiling water. The archer left the stall, and the king's servants seized him and threw him into the cauldron. He took a dip and another and jumped out of the cauldron, and lo!—so handsome had he become as neither pen can write nor tongue tell! Seeing this, the king took it into his head to take a dip himself. He jumped into the cauldron and was boiled alive! And after he was buried the archer was chosen to rule the realm in his stead. He married Princess Vassilissa and they lived together for many long years and were as happy as happy can be.
He rode along a road, and a wide road it was, and he saw a fire-bird's feather lying there and flaming like fire.' Said his horse to the archer: "Leave the feather where it is, for if you don't you will know a great misfortune." Now, this made the archer stop and think.
He was sorely tempted to take the feather, for if he presented it to the king, the king would surely reward him, and who is there that does not prize the favor of a king!
In the end, he decided to take it, and, picking it up, carried it away with him and presented it to the king. "Many thanks to you, Archer?" said the king. "But since you were able to fetch its feather, you must fetch me the fire-bird itself If you don't it'll be out with my sword and off with your head?" The archer went back to his horse weeping bitterly. "Why do you weep. Master?" the horse asked. "The king has ordered me to fetch him the fire-bird." "I told you not to take the feather' Still, you must not fear or give way to despair. You are in no great trouble
now, there is worse to come! Just go to the king and ask him for a hundred bags of corn to be strewn over that field yonder." This the archer did, and the king had a hundred bags of corn strewn over the field.
At dawn on the following day the archer rode to the field. He unbridled his horse, let it roam there at will and himself hid behind a tree. All of a sudden the wind swept over the forest and sent it rustling, the sea rose in waves, and the fire-bird came flying to the field. Down it dropped and began pecking the corn, and the archer's horse ran up and stepped hard on one of its wings, pinning it to the ground. The archer then rushed out from behind the tree, and, binding the fire-bird with a rope, got o the horse with it and rode at a gallop for the palace. He presented the fire-bird to the king, who was greatly pleased, thanked the archer for serving him. so well, promoted him and at once set him another task. ''You were able to fetch the fire-bird, so you should be able to fetch me the maid I wish to marry, Princess Vassilissa. She lives at the very end of the earth, where the bright sun rises, and it is her I want and none other. If you bring her to me, I will shower you with gold and silver, but if y ou don't, it'll be out with my sword and off with your head!"
The archer went back to his horse weeping bitterly. "Why do you weep, Master?" the horse asked. "The king bids me fetch him Princess Vassilissa." ''Do not weep or be sad. You are in no great trouble, there is worse to come! Go to the king and ask him for a gold-topped tent and for food and drink for you to take with you on your journey." The king gave him food and drink and a tent with a top of gold, and the archer got on his horse and set off on his way. Beyond thrice-nine lands he traveled, and whether a short or a long time passed nobody knows, but he came at last to the end of the earth, where the bright sun rises from the blue sea. And there on the sea, in a silver boat that she pushed with a paddle of gold, was Princess Vassilissa herself. The archer unbridled his horse and let it roam at will in the green meadow and pick at the fresh grass, and then he set up the gold-topped tent, put foods and drinks on a table, and sat down to eat and drink while he waited for Princess Vassilissa.
And Princess Vassilissa saw the gold top gleaming in the sunlight, paddled to shore, and, stepping out of the boat, stood there looking admiringly at the tent. ''Good morrow to you, Princess Vassilissa!" the archer said. "Pray come in and share of my board and taste of the wines I brought from far-off lands." Princess Vassilissa came into the tent and she and the archer ate and drank and made merry. A whole glass of wine did she drink and was so overcome that she fell fast asleep. The archer called his horse, and when it came running, folded the tent with the top of gold, picked up Princess Vassilissa, mounted the horse with now, there is worse to come! Just go to the king and ask him for a hundred bags of corn to be strewn over that field yonder." This the archer did, and the king had a hundred bags of corn strewn over the field.
At dawn on the following day the archer rode to the field. He unbridled his horse, let it roam there at will and himself hid behind a tree. All of a sudden the wind swept over the forest and sent it rustling, the sea rose in waves, and the fire-bird came flying to the field. Down it dropped and began pecking the corn, and the archer's horse ran up and stepped hard on one of its wings, pinning it to the ground. The archer then rushed out from behind the tree, and, binding the fire-bird with a rope, got on the horse with it and rode at a gallop for the palace. He presented the fire-bird to the king, who was greatly pleased, thanked the archer for serving him so well, promoted him and at once set him another task.
''You were able to fetch the fire-bird, so you should be able to fetch me the maid I wish to marry, Princess Vassilissa. She lives at the very end of the earth, where the bright sun rises, and it is her I want and none other. If you bring her to me, I will shower you with gold and silver, but if you don't, it'll be out with my sword and off with your head!"
The archer went back to his horse weeping bitterly. ''Why do you weep, Master?" the horse asked. "The king bids me fetch him Princess Vassilissa." ''Do not weep or be sad. You are in no great trouble, there is worse to come! Go to the king and ask him for a gold-topped tent and for food and drink for you to take with you on your journey." The king gave him food and drink and a tent with a top of gold, and the archer got on his horse and set off on his way. Beyond thrice-nine lands he traveled, and wheth er a short or a long time passed nobody knows, but he came at last to the end of the earth, where the bright sun rises from the blue sea. And there on the sea, in a silver boat that she pushed with a paddle of gold, was Princess Vassilissa herself. The archer unbridled his horse and let it roam at will in the green meadow and pick at the fresh grass, and then he set up the gold-topped tent, put foods and drinks on a table, and sat down to eat and drink while he waited for Princess Vassilissa.
And Princess Vassilissa saw the gold top gleaming in the sunlight, paddled to shore, and, stepping out of the boat, stood there looking admiringly at the tent. ''Good morrow to you, Princess Vassilissa!" the archer said. "Pray come in and share of my board and taste of the wines I brought from far-off lands." Princess Vassilissa came into the tent and she and the archer ate and drank and made merry. A whole glass of wine did she drink and was so overcome that she fell fast asleep. The archer called his horse, and when it came running, folded the tent with the top of gold, picked up Princess Vassilissa, mounted the horse with her in his arms, and set off home. As fast as an arrow he flew and was soon in the palace.
The king was overjoyed at the sight of Princess Vassilissa. He thanked the archer for having served him so well and gave him a still higher rank. But when Princess Vassilissa awoke and learnt that she was far, far away from the blue sea, she began sobbing and weeping and her face turned dark with grief. And though the king pleaded with her not to be sad, there was nothing he could do. He begged her to marry him, but she said: "Let him who brought me here go to my realm at the end of the earth and fetch my wedding dress which lies under a large rock in the middle of the sea. I will not marry without it!" The king sent for the archer. "Go at once to the end of the earth where the bright sun rises. In the middle of the sea you will find a large rock and under it Princess Vassilissa's wedding dress. Bring the dress here, for I wish to wed without delay! If you bring it, I shall reward you richly, more so than ever before, but if you don't, it'll be out with my sword and off with your head!" Back went the archer to his horse weeping bitterly. '1 will not escape death this time!" said he to himself. "Why do you weep, Master?" the horse asked. "The king bids me fetch him Princess Vassilissa's wedding dress from the bottom of the sea." ''Didn't I tell you not to take the fire-bird's feather? But never fear, you are in no great trouble, there is worse to come! Get on my back and let us go to the blue sea."
Whether a short or a long time passed nobody knows, but the archer came to the end of the earth and stopped on the shore of the blue sea. A huge lobster came crawling over the sand toward him, and the horse saw it and stepped on its tail with its hoof. Said the lobster: "Spare me, Horse, do not let me die! I will do whatever you ask." And the horse said in reply: "There is a great rock lying on the bottom of the sea and hidden under it is Princess Vassilissa's wedding dress. Fetch the dress for me!"
The lobster gave a great roar that carried over the whole of the sea, the sea rose in waves, and lobsters, big and small, came crawling to the shore from all sides. And so many were they that there was no counting them! The lobster who had called them and who was their elder bade them fetch the dress, and they plunged into the sea and came back with it before an hour had passed.
The archer brought the dress to the king, but Princess Vassilissa was as stubborn as ever and said that she would not marry him until he had made the archer take a dip in boiling water. The king at once ordered an iron cauldron to be filled with water, the water to be heated, and as soon as it came to the boil, the archer to be thrown in it. Everything was soon ready, the water began to seethe and to boil, sprays of it flying to all sides, and the archer was led in.
"Poor, unhappy man that I am!" thought he. "What made me take the fire-bird's feather? Why didn't I listen to my horse?" And recalling the horse, he said to the king: "0 great king, my ruler, allow me to bid my horse goodbye before I die!"
"Very well," said the king. The archer went to see the horse, and the tears poured from his eyes. "Why do you weep, Master?" the horse asked. "The king bids me dip myself in boiling water." "Fear nothing and do not weep, you will not die!" said the horse, and he cast a spell over the archer that he might not get scalded by the boiling water. The archer left the stall, and the king's servants seized him and threw him into the cauldron. He took a dip and another and jumped out of the cauldron, and lo!—so handsome had he become as neither pen can write nor tongue tell! Seeing this, the king took it into his head to take a dip himself. He jumped into the cauldron and was boiled alive! And after he was buried the archer was chosen to rule the realm in his stead. He married Princess Vassilissa and they lived together for many long years and were as happy as happy can be.
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