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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/12851-0.txt b/12851-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5aae682 --- /dev/null +++ b/12851-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2930 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12851 *** + +[Illustration: "_She gave him a touchstone and flint_"] + + + +FOLK TALES + + + +FROM THE RUSSIAN + + + +RETOLD BY + +VERRA XENOPHONTOVNA KALAMATIANO DE BLUMENTHAL + + + + +FOREWORD + + +In Russia, as elsewhere in the world, folklore is rapidly scattering +before the practical spirit of modern progress. The traveling peasant +bard or story teller, and the devoted "nyanya", the beloved nurse of +many a generation, are rapidly dying out, and with them the tales and +legends, the last echoes of the nation's early joys and sufferings, +hopes and fears, are passing away. The student of folk-lore knows that +the time has come when haste is needed to catch these vanishing songs +of the nation's youth and to preserve them for the delight of future +generations. In sending forth the stories in the present volume, all +of which are here set down in print for the first time, it is my hope +that they may enable American children to share with the children of +Russia the pleasure of glancing into the magic world of the old Slavic +nation. + + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +THE TABLE OF CONTENTS + +_Foreword_ + +_A List of Illustrations_ + +_Dedication_ + +_Notes_ + + + +FOLK TALES + +The Tsarevna Frog + +Seven Simeons + +The Language of the Birds + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton + +Woe Bogotir + +Baba Yaga + +Dimian the Peasant + +The Golden Mountain + +Father Frost + + + +A LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + +"She gave him a touchstone and flint". + +The Tsarevna Frog + +"Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all directions" + +Ivan learns the language of the birds + +"The old man went begging from town to town" + +"One brother was sent to watch the turkeys" + +The rich brother + +"The children ran away as fast as their little feet could possibly +carry them" + +"Well, I struck a snag" + +"Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, beautiful things" + + + +_TO MY LITTLE FRIEND_ + +EDITH EVANS + +_AND ALL AMERICAN CHILDREN_ + +[Illustration: _The Tsarevna Frog_] + + + + + +THE TSAREVNA FROG + + +[Illustration] In an old, old Russian tsarstvo, I do not know when, +there lived a sovereign prince with the princess his wife. They had +three sons, all of them young, and such brave fellows that no pen +could describe them. The youngest had the name of Ivan Tsarevitch. One +day their father said to his sons: + +"My dear boys, take each of you an arrow, draw your strong bow and let +your arrow fly; in whatever court it falls, in that court there will +be a wife for you." + +The arrow of the oldest Tsarevitch fell on a boyar-house just in front +of the terem where women live; the arrow of the second Tsarevitch flew +to the red porch of a rich merchant, and on the porch there stood +a sweet girl, the merchant's daughter. The youngest, the brave +Tsarevitch Ivan, had the ill luck to send his arrow into the midst of +a swamp, where it was caught by a croaking frog. + +Ivan Tsarevitch came to his father: "How can I marry the frog?" +complained the son. "Is she my equal? Certainly she is not." + +"Never mind," replied his father, "you have to marry the frog, for +such is evidently your destiny." + +Thus the brothers were married: the oldest to a young boyarishnia, a +nobleman's child; the second to the merchant's beautiful daughter, and +the youngest, Tsarevitch Ivan, to a croaking frog. + +After a while the sovereign prince called his three sons and said to +them: + +"Have each of your wives bake a loaf of bread by to-morrow morning." + +Ivan returned home. There was no smile on his face, and his brow was +clouded. + +"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear husband of mine, Tsarevitch Ivan, why so +sad?" gently asked the frog. "Was there anything disagreeable in the +palace?" + +"Disagreeable indeed," answered Ivan Tsarevitch; "the Tsar, my father, +wants you to bake a loaf of white bread by to-morrow." + +"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; the morning hour is a better +adviser than the dark evening." + +The Tsarevitch, taking his wife's advice, went to sleep. Then the +frog threw off her frogskin and turned into a beautiful, sweet girl, +Vassilissa by name. She now stepped out on the porch and called aloud: + +"Nurses and waitresses, come to me at once and prepare a loaf of white +bread for to-morrow morning, a loaf exactly like those I used to eat +in my royal father's palace." + +In the morning Tsarevitch Ivan awoke with the crowing cocks, and you +know the cocks and chickens are never late. Yet the loaf was already +made, and so fine it was that nobody could even describe it, for only +in fairyland one finds such marvelous loaves. It was adorned all +about with pretty figures, with towns and fortresses on each side, and +within it was white as snow and light as a feather. + +The Tsar father was pleased and the Tsarevitch received his special +thanks. + +"Now there is another task," said the Tsar smilingly. "Have each of +your wives weave a rug by to-morrow." + +Tsarevitch Ivan came back to his home. There was no smile on his face +and his brow was clouded. + +"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear Tsarevitch Ivan, my husband and master, +why so troubled again? Was not father pleased?" + +"How can I be otherwise? The Tsar, my father, has ordered a rug by +to-morrow." + +"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; go to sleep. The morning hour +will bring help." + +Again the frog turned into Vassilissa, the wise maiden, and again she +called aloud: + +"Dear nurses and faithful waitresses, come to me for new work. Weave a +silk rug like the one I used to sit upon in the palace of the king, my +father." + +Once said, quickly done. When the cocks began their early +"cock-a-doodle-doo," Tsarevitch Ivan awoke, and lo! there lay the +most beautiful silk rug before him, a rug that no one could begin +to describe. Threads of silver and gold were interwoven among +bright-colored silken ones, and the rug was too beautiful for anything +but to admire. + +The Tsar father was pleased, thanked his son Ivan, and issued a new +order. He now wished to see the three wives of his handsome sons, and +they were to present their brides on the next day. + +The Tsarevitch Ivan returned home. Cloudy was his brow, more cloudy +than before. + +"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Tsarevitch, my dear husband and master, why so +sad? Hast thou heard anything unpleasant at the palace?" + +"Unpleasant enough, indeed! My father, the Tsar, ordered all of us to +present our wives to him. Now tell me, how could I dare go with thee?" + +"It is not so bad after all, and might be much worse," answered the +frog, gently croaking. "Thou shalt go alone and I will follow thee. +When thou hearest a noise, a great noise, do not be afraid; simply +say: 'There is my miserable froggy coming in her miserable box.'" + +The two elder brothers arrived first with their wives, beautiful, +bright, and cheerful, and dressed in rich garments. Both the happy +bridegrooms made fun of the Tsarevitch Ivan. + +"Why alone, brother?" they laughingly said to him. "Why didst thou not +bring thy wife along with thee? Was there no rag to cover her? Where +couldst thou have gotten such a beauty? We are ready to wager that in +all the swamps in the dominion of our father it would be hard to find +another one like her." And they laughed and laughed. + +Lo! what a noise! The palace trembled, the guests were all frightened. +Tsarevitch Ivan alone remained quiet and said: + +"No danger; it is my froggy coming in her box." + +To the red porch came flying a golden carriage drawn by six splendid +white horses, and Vassilissa, beautiful beyond all description, gently +reached her hand to her husband. He led her with him to the heavy oak +tables, which were covered with snow-white linen and loaded with +many wonderful dishes such as are known and eaten only in the land of +fairies and never anywhere else. The guests were eating and chatting +gayly. + +Vassilissa drank some wine, and what was left in the tumbler she +poured into her left sleeve. She ate some of the fried swan, and the +bones she threw into her right sleeve. The wives of the two elder +brothers watched her and did exactly the same. + +When the long, hearty dinner was over, the guests began dancing and +singing. The beautiful Vassilissa came forward, as bright as a star, +bowed to her sovereign, bowed to the honorable guests and danced with +her husband, the happy Tsarevitch Ivan. + +While dancing, Vassilissa waved her left sleeve and a pretty lake +appeared in the midst of the hall and cooled the air. She waved her +right sleeve and white swans swam on the water. The Tsar, the guests, +the servants, even the gray cat sitting in the corner, all were amazed +and wondered at the beautiful Vassilissa. Her two sisters-in-law alone +envied her. When their turn came to dance, they also waved their left +sleeves as Vassilissa had done, and, oh, wonder! they sprinkled wine +all around. They waved their right sleeves, and instead of swans the +bones flew in the face of the Tsar father. The Tsar grew very angry +and bade them leave the palace. In the meantime Ivan Tsarevitch +watched a moment to slip away unseen. He ran home, found the frogskin, +and burned it in the fire. + +Vassilissa, when she came back, searched for the skin, and when she +could not find it her beautiful face grew sad and her bright eyes +filled with tears. She said to Tsarevitch Ivan, her husband: + +"Oh, dear Tsarevitch, what hast thou done? There was but a short time +left for me to wear the ugly frogskin. The moment was near when we +could have been happy together forever. Now I must bid thee good-by. +Look for me in a far-away country to which no one knows the roads, at +the palace of Kostshei the Deathless;" and Vassilissa turned into a +white swan and flew away through the window. + +Tsarevitch Ivan wept bitterly. Then he prayed to the almighty God, +and making the sign of the cross northward, southward, eastward, and +westward, he went on a mysterious journey. + +No one knows how long his journey was, but one day he met an old, old +man. He bowed to the old man, who said: + +"Good-day, brave fellow. What art thou searching for, and whither art +thou going?" + +Tsarevitch Ivan answered sincerely, telling all about his misfortune +without hiding anything. + +"And why didst thou burn the frogskin? It was wrong to do so. Listen +now to me. Vassilissa was born wiser than her own father, and as he +envied his daughter's wisdom he condemned her to be a frog for three +long years. But I pity thee and want to help thee. Here is a magic +ball. In whatever direction this ball rolls, follow without fear." + +Ivan Tsarevitch thanked the good old man, and followed his new guide, +the ball. Long, very long, was his road. One day in a wide, flowery +field he met a bear, a big Russian bear. Ivan Tsarevitch took his bow +and was ready to shoot the bear. + +"Do not kill me, kind Tsarevitch," said the bear. "Who knows but that +I may be useful to thee?" And Ivan did not shoot the bear. + +Above in the sunny air there flew a duck, a lovely white duck. Again +the Tsarevitch drew his bow to shoot it. But the duck said to him: + +"Do not kill me, good Tsarevitch. I certainly shall be useful to thee +some day." + +And this time he obeyed the command of the duck and passed by. +Continuing his way he saw a blinking hare. The Tsarevitch prepared an +arrow to shoot it, but the gray, blinking hare said: + +"Do not kill me, brave Tsarevitch. I shall prove myself grateful to +thee in a very short time." + +The Tsarevitch did not shoot the hare, but passed by. He walked +farther and farther after the rolling ball, and came to the deep blue +sea. On the sand there lay a fish. I do not remember the name of the +fish, but it was a big fish, almost dying on the dry sand. + +"O Tsarevitch Ivan!" prayed the fish, "have mercy upon me and push me +back into the cool sea." + +The Tsarevitch did so, and walked along the shore. The ball, rolling +all the time, brought Ivan to a hut, a queer, tiny hut standing on +tiny hen's feet. + +"Izboushka! Izboushka!"--for so in Russia do they name small +huts--"Izboushka, I want thee to turn thy front to me," cried Ivan, +and lo! the tiny hut turned its front at once. Ivan stepped in and saw +a witch, one of the ugliest witches he could imagine. + +"Ho! Ivan Tsarevitch! What brings thee here?" was his greeting from +the witch. + +"O, thou old mischief!" shouted Ivan with anger. "Is it the way in +holy Russia to ask questions before the tired guest gets something to +eat, something to drink, and some hot water to wash the dust off?" + +Baba Yaga, the witch, gave the Tsarevitch plenty to eat and drink, +besides hot water to wash the dust off. Tsarevitch Ivan felt +refreshed. Soon he became talkative, and related the wonderful story +of his marriage. He told how he had lost his dear wife, and that his +only desire was to find her. + +"I know all about it," answered the witch. "She is now at the palace +of Kostshei the Deathless, and thou must understand that Kostshei is +terrible. He watches her day and night and no one can ever conquer +him. His death depends on a magic needle. That needle is within a +hare; that hare is within a large trunk; that trunk is hidden in the +branches of an old oak tree; and that oak tree is watched by Kostshei +as closely as Vassilissa herself, which means closer than any treasure +he has." + +Then the witch told Ivan Tsarevitch how and where to find the oak +tree. Ivan hastily went to the place. But when he perceived the oak +tree he was much discouraged, not knowing what to do or how to begin +the work. Lo and behold! that old acquaintance of his, the Russian +bear, came running along, approached the tree, uprooted it, and the +trunk fell and broke. A hare jumped out of the trunk and began to run +fast; but another hare, Ivan's friend, came running after, caught it +and tore it to pieces. Out of the hare there flew a duck, a gray one +which flew very high and was almost invisible, but the beautiful white +duck followed the bird and struck its gray enemy, which lost an egg. +That egg fell into the deep sea. Ivan meanwhile was anxiously watching +his faithful friends helping him. But when the egg disappeared in the +blue waters he could not help weeping. All of a sudden a big fish came +swimming up, the same fish he had saved, and brought the egg in his +mouth. How happy Ivan was when he took it! He broke it and found the +needle inside, the magic needle upon which everything depended. + +At the same moment Kostshei lost his strength and power forever. +Ivan Tsarevitch entered his vast dominions, killed him with the +magic needle, and in one of the palaces found his own dear wife, his +beautiful Vassilissa. He took her home and they were very happy ever +after. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +SEVEN SIMEONS + + +[Illustration] In an empire, in a country beyond many seas and +islands, beyond high mountains, beyond large rivers, upon a level +expanse, as if spread upon a table, there stood a large town, and +in that town there lived a Tsar called Archidei, the son of Aggei; +therefore he was called Aggeivitch. + +A famous Tsar he was, and a clever one. His wealth could not be +counted; his warriors were innumerable. There were forty times forty +towns in his kingdom, and in each one of these towns there were ten +palaces with silver doors and golden ceilings and magnificent crystal +windows. + +For his council twelve wise men were selected, each one of them having +a beard half a yard long and a head full of wisdom. These advisers +offered nothing but truth to their father sovereign; none ever dared +advance a lie. + +How could such a Tsar be anything but happy? But it is true, indeed, +that neither wealth nor wisdom give happiness when the heart is not at +ease, and even in golden palaces the poor heart often aches. + +So it was with the Tsar Archidei; he was rich and clever, besides +being a handsome fellow; but he could not find a bride to his taste, a +bride with wit and beauty equal to his own. And this was the cause of +the Tsar Archidei's sorrow and distress. + +One day he was sitting in his golden armchair looking out of the +window lost in thought. He had gazed for quite a while before he +noticed foreign sailors landing opposite the imperial palace. The +sailors ran their ship up to the wharf, reefed their white sails, +threw the heavy anchor into the sea and prepared the plank ready to +go ashore. Before them all walked an old merchant; white was his beard +and he had about him the air of a wise man. An idea suddenly occurred +to the Tsar: "Sea merchants generally are well informed on many +subjects. If I ask them, perchance I shall find that they have met +somewhere a princess, beautiful and clever, suitable for me, the Tsar +Archidei." + +Without delay the order was given to call the sea merchants into the +halls of the palace. + +The merchant guests appeared, prayed to the holy icons hanging in +the corner, bowed to the Tsar, bowed to the wise advisers. The Tsar +ordered his servants to serve them with tumblers of strong green wine. +The guests drank the strong green wine and wiped their beards with +embroidered towels. Then the Tsar Archidei addressed them: + +"We are aware that you gallant sea merchants cross all the big +waters and see many wonderful things. My desire is to ask you about +something, and you must give a straightforward answer without any +deceit or evasion." + +"So be it, mighty Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch," answered the merchant +guests, bowing. + +"Well, then, can you tell me if somewhere in an empire or kingdom, +or among great princes, there is a maiden as beautiful and wise as +I myself, Tsar Archidei; an illustrious maiden who would be a proper +wife for me, a suitable Tsaritza for my country?" + +The merchant guests seemed to be puzzled, and after a long silence the +eldest among them thus replied: + +"Indeed, I once heard that yonder beyond the great sea, on an island +called Buzan, there is a great country; and the sovereign of that land +has a daughter named Helena, a princess very beautiful, not less so, +I dare say, than thyself. And wise she is, too; a wise man once tried +for three years to guess a riddle that she gave, and did not succeed." + +"How far is that island, pray tell, and where are the roads that lead +to it?" + +"The island is not near," answered the old merchant. "If one chooses +the wide sea he must journey ten years. Besides, the way to it is not +known to us. Moreover, even suppose we did know the way, it seems that +the Princess Helena is not a bride for thee." + +The Tsar Archidei shouted with anger: + +"How dost thou dare to speak such words, thou, a long-bearded buck?" + +"Thy will be done, but think for thyself. Suppose thou shouldst send +an envoy to the island of Buzan. He would require ten long years to go +there, ten years equally long to come back, and so his journey would +require fully twenty years. By that time a most beautiful princess +would grow old--a girl's beauty is like the swallow, a bird of +passage; it lasts not long." + +The Tsar Archidei became thoughtful. + +"Well," he said to the merchant guests, "you have my thanks, guests of +passage, respectable men of trade. Go in God's name, transact business +in my tsarstvo without any taxes whatever. What to do about the +beautiful Princess Helena I will try to think out by myself." + +The merchants bowed low and left the Tsar's rich palace. + +The Tsar Archidei sat still, wrapped in thought, but he could find +neither beginning nor end to the problem. "Let me ride into the wide +fields," he said; "let me forget my sorrow amid the excitement of the +noble hunt, hoping that the future may bring advice." + +The falconers appeared, cheerful notes from the golden trumpets +resounded, and falcons and hawks were soon slumbering under their +velvet caps as they sat quietly on the fingers of the hunters. + +The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch came with his men to a wide, wide field. +All of his men were watching the moment to loose their falcons in +order to let the birds pursue a long-legged heron or a white-breasted +swan. + +Now, you, my listeners, must understand that the fairy tale is quick, +but life is not. The Tsar Archidei was on horseback for a long while, +and finally came to a green valley. Looking around he saw a well +cultivated field where the golden ears of the grain were already ripe, +and oh, how beautiful! The Tsar stopped in admiration. + +"I presume," he exclaimed, "that good workers are owners of this +place, honest plowmen and diligent sowers. If only all fields in +my tsarstvo were equally cultivated, my people need never know what +hunger means, and there would even be plenty to send beyond the sea to +be exchanged for silver and gold." + +Then the Tsar Archidei gave orders to inquire who the owners of the +field were, and what were their names. Hunters, grooms, and servants +rushed in all directions, and discovered seven brave fellows, all of +them fair, red-cheeked, and very handsome. They were dining according +to the peasant fashion, which means that they were eating rye bread +with onions, and drinking clear water. Their blouses were red, with a +golden galloon around the neck, and they were so much alike that one +could hardly be recognized from another. + +The royal messengers approached. + +"Whose field is this?" they asked; "this field with golden wheat?" + +The seven brave peasants answered cheerfully: + +"This is our field; we plowed it, and we also have sown the golden +wheat." + +"And what kind of people are you?" + +"We are the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch's peasants, farmers, and we are +brothers, sons of one father and mother. The name for all of us is +Simeon, so you understand we are seven Simeons." + +[Illustration: "_Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all +directions_"] + +This answer was faithfully delivered to the Tsar Archidei by the +envoys, and the Tsar at once desired to see the brave peasants, and +ordered them to be called before him. The seven Simeons presently +appeared and bowed. The Tsar looked at them with his bright eyes and +asked them: + +"What kind of people are you whose field is so well cultivated?" + +One of the seven brothers, the eldest of them, answered: + +"We are all thy peasants, simpletons, without any wisdom, born of +peasant parents, all of us children of the same father and the same +mother, and all having the same name, Simeon. Our old father taught us +to pray to God, to obey thee, to pay taxes faithfully, and besides to +work and toil without rest. He also taught to each of us a trade, +for the old saying is, 'A trade is no burden, but a profit.' The old +father wished us to keep our trades for a cloudy day, but never to +forsake our own fields, and always to be contented, and plow and +harrow diligently. + +"He also used to say, 'If one does not neglect the mother earth, but +thoroughly harrows and sows in due season, then she, our mother, will +reward generously, and will give plenty of bread, besides preparing +a soft place for the everlasting rest when one is old and tired of +life.'" + +The Tsar Archidei liked the simple answer of the peasant, and said: + +"Take my praise, brave good fellows, my peasants, tillers of the soil, +sowers of wheat, gatherers of gold. And now tell me, what trades did +your father teach you, and what do you know?" + +The first Simeon answered: + +"My trade is not a very wise one. If thou wouldst let me have +materials and working men, then I could build a post, a white stone +column, reaching beyond the clouds, almost to the sky." + +"Good enough!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei. "And thou, the second +Simeon, what is thy trade?" + +The second Simeon was quick to give answer: + +"My trade is a simple one. If my brother will build a white stone +column, I can climb upon that column high up in the sky, and I shall +see from above all the empires and all the kingdoms under the sun, and +everything which is going on in those foreign countries." + +"Thy trade is not so bad either," and the Tsar smiled and looked at +the third brother. "And thou, third Simeon, what trade is thine?" + +The third Simeon also had his answer ready: + +"My trade is simple, too; that is to say, a peasant's trade. If thou +art in need of ships, thy learned men of foreign birth build them for +thee as well as their wisdom teaches them. But if thou wilt order, I +will build them simply--one, two! and the ship is ready. My ships will +be the result of the quick headwork of a peasant simpleton. But where +a foreign ship sails a year, mine will sail an hour, and where others +take ten years, mine will take not longer than a week." + +"Well, well!" laughed the Tsar. "And thy trade, the fourth Simeon?" he +asked. + +The fourth brother bowed. + +"My trade needs no wisdom either. If my brother will build thee a +ship, I then will sail that ship; and if an enemy gives chase or a +tempest rises, I'll seize the ship by the black prow and plunge her +into the deep waters where there is eternal quiet; and after the storm +is over or the enemy far, I'll again guide her to the surface of the +wide sea." + +"Good!" approved the Tsar. "And thou, fifth Simeon, what dost thou +know? Hast thou also a trade?" + +"My trade, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, is not a fair one, for I am a +blacksmith. If thou wouldst order a shop built for me, I at once would +forge a self-shooting gun, and no eagle far above in the sky or wild +beast in the wood would be safe from that gun." + +"Not bad either," answered the Tsar Archidei, well pleased. "Thy turn +now, sixth Simeon." + +"My trade is no trade," answered the sixth Simeon, rather humbly. "If +my brother shoots a bird or a beast, never mind what or where, I can +catch it before it falls down, catch it even better than a hunting +dog. If the prey should fall into the blue sea, I'll find it at the +sea's bottom; should it fall into the depth of the dark woods, I'll +find it there in the midst of night; should it get caught in a cloud, +I'll find it even there." + +The Tsar Archidei evidently liked the trade of the sixth Simeon very +well also. These were all simple trades, you see, without any wisdom +whatever, but rather entertaining. The Tsar also liked the peasants' +speech, and he said to them: + +"Thanks, my peasants, tillers of the soil, my faithful workers. Your +father's words are true ones: 'A trade is not a burden, but a profit.' +Now come to my capital for a trial; people like you are welcome. And +when the season for harvest arrives, the time to reap, to bind in +bundles the golden grain, to thresh and carry the wheat to the market, +I will let you go home with my royal grace." + +Then all the seven Simeons bowed very low. "Thine is the will," said +they, "and we are thy obedient subjects." + +Here the Tsar Archidei looked at the youngest Simeon and remembered +that he had not asked him about his trade. So he said: + +"And thou, seventh Simeon, what is thy trade?" + +"I have none, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. I learned many, but not a +single one did me any good, and though I know something very well, I +am not sure your majesty would like it." + +"Let us know thy secret," ordered the Tsar Archidei. + +"No, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch! Give me, first of all, thy royal word +not to kill me for my inborn talent, but to have mercy upon me. Then +only will I be willing to disclose my secret." + +"Thy wish is granted. I give thee my royal word, true and not to be +broken, that whatever thou shalt disclose to me, I will have mercy +upon thee." + +Hearing these kind words, the seventh Simeon smiled, looked around, +shook his curls and began: + +"My trade is one for which there is no mercy in thy tsarstvo, and it +is the one thing I am able to do. My trade is to steal and to hide the +trace of how and when. There is no treasure, no fortunate possession, +not even a bewitched one, nor a secret place that could be forbidden +me if it be my wish to steal." + +As soon as these bold words of the seventh Simeon reached the Tsar's +ears he became very angry. + +"No!" he exclaimed, "I certainly shall not pardon thee, thief and +burglar! I will give orders for thy cruel death! I will have thee +chained and thrown into my subterranean prison with nothing but bread +and water for food until thou forget thy trade!" + +"Great and merciful Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, postpone thy orders. +Listen to my peasant talk," prayed the seventh Simeon. "Our old +Russian saying is: 'He is no thief who is not caught, and neither is +he who steals, but the one who instigates the theft.' If my wish had +been to steal, I should have done it long ago. I should have stolen +thy treasures and thy judges would not have objected to take a small +share of them, and I could have built a white-walled stone palace and +have been rich. But, mark this: I am a stupid peasant of low origin. I +know well enough how to steal, but will not. If thy wish were to learn +my trade, how could I keep it from thee? And if thou, for this sincere +acknowledgment, wilt have me put to death, then what is the value of +thy royal word?" + +The Tsar thought a moment. "For this time," he said, "I will not let +thee die, for it pleases me to grant thee my grace. But from this very +day, this very hour, thou never shalt see God's light nor the bright +sunshine nor the silvery moon. Thou shalt never walk at liberty +through the wide fields, but thou, my dear guest, shalt dwell in a +palace where no sunny ray ever penetrates. You, my servants, take him, +chain his hands and his feet and lead him to my chief jailor. And you +six Simeons follow me. You have my grace and reward. To-morrow every +one of you will begin to work for me according to his gifts and +capacities." + +The six Simeons followed the Tsar Archidei, and the seventh brother, +the youngest, the beloved one, was fallen upon by the servants, taken +away to the dark prison and heavily chained. + +The Tsar Archidei ordered carpenters to be sent to the first Simeon, +as well as masons and blacksmiths and all sorts of workingmen. He also +ordered a supply of bricks, stones, iron, clay, and cement. Without +any delay, Simeon, the first brother, began to build a column, and +according to his simple peasant's habits his work progressed rapidly, +and not a moment was wasted in clever combinations. In a short time +the white column was ready, and lo, how high it went! as high as the +great planets. The smaller stars were beneath it, and from above the +people seemed to be like bugs. + +The second Simeon climbed the column, looked around, listened to +all sounds, and came down. The Tsar Archidei, anxious to know about +everything under the sun, ordered him to report, and Simeon did so. He +told the Tsar Archidei all the wonderful doings all over the world. He +told how one king was fighting another, where there was war and +where there was peace, and with other things the second Simeon even +mentioned deep secrets, quite surprising secrets, which made the Tsar +Archidei smile; and the courtiers, encouraged by the royal smile, +roared with laughter. + +Meantime the third Simeon was accomplishing something in his line. +After crossing himself three times the fellow rolled up his sleeves +to the elbow, took a hatchet and--one, two--without any haste built +a vessel. What a curious vessel it was! The Tsar Archidei watched +the wonderful structure from the shore and as soon as the orders were +given for sailing, the new vessel sailed away like a white-winged +hawk. The cannon were shooting and upon the masts, instead of rigging, +were drawn strings upon which musicians were playing the national +tunes. + +As soon as the wonderful vessel sailed into deep water, the fourth +Simeon snatched the prow and no trace of it remained on the surface; +the whole vessel went to the depths like a heavy stone. In an hour or +so Simeon, with his left hand, led the ship to the blue surface of +the sea again, and with his right he presented to the Tsar a most +magnificent sturgeon for his "kulibiaka," the famous Russian fish pie. + +While the Tsar Archidei enjoyed himself with looking at the marvelous +vessel, the fifth Simeon built a blacksmith shop in the court back of +the palace. There he blew the bellows and heated the iron. The noise +from his hammers was great and the result of his peasant work was +a self-shooting gun. The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch went to the wild +fields and perceived high above him, very high under the sky, an eagle +flying. + +"Now!" exclaimed the Tsar, "there is an eagle forgetting himself with +watching the sun; shoot it. Perchance thou shalt have the good luck to +hit it. Then I will honor thee." + +Simeon shook his locks, smiled, put into his gun a silver bullet, +aimed, shot, and the eagle fell swiftly to the earth. The sixth Simeon +did not even allow the eagle to fall to the ground, but, quick as a +flash, he ran under it with a plate, caught it on that big plate and +presented his prey to the Tsar Archidei. + +"Thanks, thanks, my brave fellows, faithful peasants, tillers of the +soil!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei gayly. "I see now plainly that all +of you are men of trade and I wish to reward you. But now go to your +dinner and rest awhile." The six Simeons bowed to the Tsar very low, +prayed to the holy icons and went. They were already seated, had time +to swallow each one a tumbler of the strong, green wine, took up +the round wooden spoons in order to attack the "stchi," the Russian +cabbage soup, when lo! the Tsar's fool came running and shaking his +striped cap with the round bells and shouted: + +"You ignorant simpletons, unlearned peasants, moujiks! Is it a +suitable moment for dinner when the Tsar wants you? Go in haste!" + +All the six started running toward the palace, thinking within +themselves: "What can have happened?" In front of the palace stood the +guards with their iron staves; in the halls all the wise and learned +people were gathered together, and the Tsar himself was sitting on his +high throne looking very grim and thoughtful. + +"Listen to me," he said when the peasants approached, "you, my brave +fellows, my clever brothers Simeon. I like your trades and I think, as +do my wise advisers, that if thou, the second Simeon, art able to +see everything going on under the sun, thou shouldst climb quickly +on yonder column and glance around to see if there is, as they say, +beyond the great sea an island, Buzan by name. And see if on that +island, as men assert, there is a mighty kingdom, and in that kingdom +a mighty king, and if that king, as the story goes, has a daughter, +the most beautiful princess Helena." + +The second Simeon bowed and ran quickly, even forgetting to put on his +cap. He went straight to the column, climbed it, looked around, came +down, and this was his report: + +"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, I have accomplished thy sovereign wish. I +looked far beyond the sea and have seen the island Buzan. Mighty is +the king there, and he is proud and merciless. He sits within his +palace and his speech is always the same: + +'I am a great king and I have a most beautiful daughter, the princess +Helena. There is no one in the universe more beautiful and more wise +than she; there is no bridegroom worthy of her in any place under the +bright sun, no tsar, no king, no tsarevitch, no korolevitch. To no one +will I ever give my daughter, the princess Helena, and whoever +shall dare to court her, on such an one will I declare war, ruin his +country, and capture himself.'" + +"And how great is the army of that king?" asked the Tsar Archidei; +"and also how far is his kingdom from my tsarstvo?" + +"Well, according to the measure of my eyes," answered Simeon, "I fancy +it would take a ship ten years less two days; or, if it happened to be +stormy, I am afraid even a little longer than ten years. And that +king has not a small army. I have seen altogether a hundred thousand +spearmen, a hundred thousand armed men, and a hundred thousand or more +could be gathered from the Tsar's court, from his servants and all +kinds of underlings. Besides, there is no small armament of guards +held in reserve for a special occasion, fed and petted by the king." + +The Tsar Archidei remained for a long time in thoughtful silence and +finally addressed his court people: + +"My warriors and advisers: I have but one wish; I want the princess +Helena for my wife. But tell me, how can I reach her?" + +The wise advisers remained silent, hiding themselves behind each +other. The third Simeon looked around, bowed to the Tsar, and said: + +"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, forgive my simple words. How to reach the +island of Buzan there is no need to worry about. Sit down on my ship; +she is simply built, and equipped without any wise tricks. Where +others require a year she takes but a day, and where other ships +take ten years mine will take, let us say, a week. Only order thine +advisers to decide whether we ought to fight for or peacefully court +the beautiful princess." + +"Now, my warriors brave, my advisers sage," spoke the Tsar Archidei to +his men, "How will you decide upon this matter? Who among you will go +to fight for the princess, or who will be shrewd enough to bring her +peacefully here? I will pour gold and silver over that one. I will +give to him the first rank among the very first." + +And again the brave warriors and the sage advisers remained silent. +The Tsar grew angry; he seemed to be ready for a terrible word. Then, +as if somebody had asked the fool, out he jumped from behind the wise +people with his foolish talk, shook his striped fool's cap, rang his +many bells, and shouted: + +"Why so silent, wise men? why so deep in thought? You have big heads +and long beards; it would seem that there is plenty of wisdom, so why +not show it? To go to the island of Buzan to obtain the bride does +not mean to lose gold or army. Have you already forgotten the seventh +Simeon? Why, it will be simple enough for him to steal the princess +Helena. Afterwards let the king of Buzan come here to fight us, and we +will welcome him as an honored guest. But do not forget that he must +take ten years' time to reach us, and in ten years--ah me! I have +heard that some wise man somewhere undertook to teach a horse to talk +in ten years!" + +"Good! Good!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei, forgetting even his anger. +"I thank thee, striped fool. I certainly shall reward thee. Thou must +have a new cap with noisy bells, and each one of thy children a +ginger pancake. You, faithful servants, run quickly and bring here the +seventh Simeon." + +According to the Tsar's bidding the heavy iron gates of the dark +prison were thrown open, the heavy chains were taken off and the +seventh Simeon appeared before the eager eyes of the Tsar Archidei, +who thus addressed him: + +"Listen to me attentively, thou seventh Simeon, for I had almost +decided to grant thee a high honor; to keep thee thy life long in my +prison. But if thou shouldst prove useful to me, then will I give thee +freedom; and besides, thou shalt have a share out of my treasures. Art +thou able to steal the beautiful princess Helena from her father, the +mighty king of the island of Buzan?" + +"And why not?" cheerfully laughed the seventh Simeon. "There is +nothing difficult about it. She is not a pearl, and I presume she is +not under too many locks. Only order the ship which my brother had +built for thee to be loaded with velvets and brocades, with Persian +rugs, beautiful pearls and precious stones, and bid my four brothers +come along with me. But the two eldest keep thou as hostages." + +Once said, quickly done. The Tsar Archidei gave orders while all were +running hither and thither, and everything was finished so promptly +that a short-haired girl would scarcely have had time to plait her +hair. The ship, laden with velvets, brocades, with Persian rugs and +pearls, and costly precious stones, was ready; the five brothers, the +brave Simeons, were ready; they bowed to the Tsar, spread sail, and +disappeared. + +The ship floated swiftly over the blue waters; she flew like a hawk +in comparison with the slow merchant vessels, and in a week after the +five Simeons had left their native land they sighted the island of +Buzan. + +The island appeared to be surrounded with cannon as thick as peas; +the gigantic guards walked up and down the shores tugging fiercely at +their big mustaches. As soon as the ship became visible from a tower +somebody shouted through a Dutch trumpet: + +"Stop! Answer! What kind of people are ye? Why come ye here?" + +The seventh Simeon answered from the ship: "We are a peaceful people, +not enemies but friends, merchants everywhere welcomed as guests. We +bring foreign merchandise. We want to sell, to buy, and to exchange. +We also have gifts for your king and for the korolevna." + +The five brothers, our brave Simeons, lowered the boat, loaded it with +choice Venetian velvets, brocades, pearls, and precious stones, and +covered all with Persian rugs. They rowed to the wharf, and landing +near the king's palace, at once carried their gifts to the king. + +The beautiful korolevna Helena was sitting in her terem. She was a +fair maiden with eyes like stars and eyebrows like precious sable. +When she looked at one it was like receiving a gift, and when she +walked it was like the graceful swimming of a swan. The korolevna was +quick to notice the brave, handsome brothers and at once called her +nurses and maidens. + +"Hasten, my dear nurses, and you, swift maidens, find out what kind of +strangers are these coming to our royal palace." + +All of the nurses, all of the maidens, ran out with questions ready. +The seventh Simeon answered them thus: + +"We are merchant guests, peaceful people. Our native land is the +country of the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, a great Tsar indeed. We came +to sell, to buy, to exchange; moreover, we have gifts for the king and +his princess. We do hope the king will favor us and will accept these +trifles; if not for himself, at least for the adornment of his court's +lovely maidens." + +When Helena heard these words she at once let the merchants in. And +the merchants appeared, bowed low to the beautiful korolevna, unfolded +the showy velvets and golden brocades, strewed around the pearls and +precious stones, such stones and pearls as had never been seen before +in Buzan. The nurses and the maidens opened their mouths in amazement, +and the korolevna herself seemed to be greatly pleased. The seventh +Simeon, quick to understand, smiled and said: + +"We all know thee to be as wise as beautiful, but now thou art +evidently joking about us or mocking us. These simple wares are +altogether too plain for thine own use. Accept them for thy nurses and +maidens for their everyday attire, and these stones send away to the +kitchen boys to play with. But if thou wilt listen to me, let me say +that on our ship we have very different velvets and brocades; we have +also precious stones, far more precious than any one has ever seen; +yet we dared not bring them at once lest we might not suit thy temper +and thy hearty wish. If thou shouldst decide to come in person and +choose anything from among our possessions, they all are thine and we +bow to thee gratefully for the bright glance of thy beautiful eyes." + +The royal maid liked well enough these polite words of the handsome +Simeon, and to her father she went: + +"Father and king, there have come to visit us some foreign merchants +and they have brought some goods never before seen in Buzan. Give +me thy permission to go on board their wonderful ship to choose what +things I like. They also have rich gifts for thee." + +The king hesitated before answering her, frowning and scratching +behind his ear. + +"Well," he said at last, "be it according to thy wish, my daughter, my +beautiful korolevna. And you, my counselors, order my royal vessel +to be ready, the cannons loaded, and a hundred of my bravest warriors +detailed to escort the vessel. Send besides a thousand heavy armed +warriors to guard the korolevna on her way to the merchants' vessel." + +Then the king's vessel started from the island of Buzan. Numbers +of cannon and warriors protected the princess, and the royal father +remained quiet at home. + +When they reached the merchants' ship the korolevna Helena came down, +and at once the crystal bridge was placed and the korolevna with all +her nurses and maidens went on board the foreign ship, such a ship +as they had never seen before, never even dreamed of. Meanwhile the +guards kept watch. + +The seventh Simeon showed the lovely guests everywhere. He was talking +smoothly while leisurely unfolding his precious goods. The korolevna +listened attentively, looked around curiously, and seemed well +pleased. + +At the same moment the fourth Simeon, watching the proper moment, +snapped the prow and down to mysterious depths went the ship where no +one could see her. The people on the king's vessel screamed in terror, +the warriors looked like drunken fools, and the guards only opened +their eyes wider than before. What should they do? They directed the +vessel back to the island and appeared before the king with their +terrible tale. + +"Oh, my daughter, my darling princess Helena! It is God who punishes +me for my pride. I never wanted thee to marry. No king, no prince, +would I consider worthy of thee; and now--oh! now I know that thou art +wedded to the deep sea! As for me, I am left alone for the rest of my +sorrowful days." + +Then all at once he looked around and shouted to his men: + +"You fools! what were you thinking about? You shall all lose your +heads! Guards, throw them into dungeons! The most cruel death shall +be theirs, such a death that the children of their great-grandchildren +shall shiver to hear the tale!" + +Now, while the king of Buzan raved and grieved, the ship of the +brothers Simeon, like a golden fish, swam under the blue waters, and +when the island was lost from sight the fourth Simeon brought her to +the surface and she rose upon the waters like a white-winged gull. By +this time the princess was becoming anxious about the long time they +were away from home, and she exclaimed: + +"Nurses and maidens, we are leisurely looking around, but I fancy my +father the king finds the time sadly long." She hastily walked to the +deck of the ship, and behold!--only the wide sea was around her like a +mirror! Where was her native island, where the royal vessel? There was +nothing visible but the blue sea. The princess screamed, struck her +white bosom with both hands, transformed herself into a white swan and +flew high into the sky. But the fifth Simeon, watching closely, +lost no time, snapped his lucky gun and the white swan was shot. His +brother, the sixth Simeon, caught the white swan, but lo! instead of +the white swan there was a silvery fish, which slipped away from him. +Simeon caught the fish, but the pretty, silvery fish turned into a +small mouse running around the ship. Simeon did not let it reach +a hole, but swifter than a cat caught the mouse,--and the princess +Helena, as beautiful and natural as before, appeared before them, +fair-faced, bright-eyed. + +On a lovely morning a week later the Tsar Archidei was sitting by the +window of his palace lost in thought. His eyes were turned toward the +sea, the wide, blue sea. He was sad at heart and could not eat; feasts +had no interest for him, the costly dishes had no taste, the honey +drink seemed weak. All his thoughts and longings were for the princess +Helena, the beautiful one, the only one. + +What is that far away upon the waters? Is it a white gull? Or are +those white wings not wings, but sails? No, it is not a gull, but the +ship of the brothers Simeon, and she approaches as rapidly as the wind +which blows her sails. The cannon boom, native melodies are played on +the cords of the masts. Soon the ship is anchored, the crystal bridge +prepared, and the korolevna Helena, the beautiful princess, appears +like a never-setting sun, her eyes like bright stars, and oh! how +happy is the Tsar Archidei! + +"Run quick, my faithful servants, you brave officers of state, and +you, too, my bodyguard, and all you useful and ornamental fellows of +my palace, run and prepare, shoot off rockets and ring the bells in +order to give a joyful welcome to korolevna Helena, the beautiful." + +All hastened to their tasks, to shoot, to ring the bells, to open the +gates, to honorably receive the korolevna. The Tsar himself came out +to meet the beautiful princess, took her white hands and helped her +into the palace. + +"Welcome! welcome!" said the Tsar Archidei. "Thy fame, korolevna +Helena, reached me, but never could I imagine such beauty as is thine. +Yet, though I admire thee, I do not want to separate thee from thy +father. Say the word and my faithful servants will take thee back +to him. If thou choosest, however, to remain in my tzarstvo, be the +tsaritza over my country and rule over me, the Tsar Archidei, also." + +At these words of the Tsar the korolevna Helena threw such a glance at +the Tsar that it seemed to him the sun was laughing, the moon singing, +and the stars dancing all around. + +Well, what more is there to be said? You certainly can imagine the +rest. The courtship was not long and the wedding feast was soon +ready, for you know kings always have everything at their command. The +brothers Simeon were at once dispatched to the king of Buzan with a +message from the korolevna, his daughter, and this is what she wrote: + +"Dear father, mighty king and sovereign: I have found a husband +according to my heart's wish and I am asking thy fatherly blessing. +My bridegroom, the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, sends his counselors to +thee, begging thee to come to our wedding." + +At the very moment when the merchant ship was to land at the island of +Buzan, crowds of people had gathered to witness the execution of the +unfortunate guards and brave warriors whose ill-luck it was to have +allowed the princess to disappear. + +"Stop!" Simeon the seventh shouted aloud from the deck. "We bring a +missive from the korolevna Helena. Holla!" + +Very glad indeed was the king of the island of Buzan, and glad +were all his subjects. The missive was read and the condemned were +pardoned. + +"Evidently," the king said, "it is fated that the handsome and witty +Tsar Archidei and my beautiful daughter are to become husband and +wife." + +Then the king treated the envoys and the brothers Simeon very well and +sent his blessings with them, as he himself did not wish to go, being +very old. The ship soon returned and the Tsar Archidei rejoiced over +it with his beautiful bride, and at once summoned the seven Simeons, +the seven brave peasants. + +He said to them: "Thanks! thanks! my peasants, my brave tillers of +the soil. Take as much gold as you wish. Take silver also and ask for +whatever is your heart's desire. Everything shall be given you with +my mighty hand. Would you like to become boyars, you shall be the +greatest among the very great. Do you choose to become governors, each +one shall have a town." + +The first Simeon bowed to the Tsar and cheerfully answered: + +"Thanks also to thee, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. We are but simple +people and simple are our ways. It would not do for us to become +boyars or governors. We do not care for thy treasures either. We have +our own father's field, which shall always give us bread for hunger +and money for need. Let us go home, taking with us thy gracious word +as our reward. If thou choosest to be so kind, give us thine order +which shall save us from the judges and tax-gatherers; and if we +should be guilty of some offense, let thyself alone be our judge. And +do, we pray thee, pardon the seventh Simeon, our youngest brother. His +trade is surely bad, but he is not the first and not the last one to +have such a gift." + +"Let it be as you wish," said the Tsar; and every desire was granted +to the seven Simeons, and each one of them received a big tumbler of +strong green wine out of the hands of the Tsar himself. Soon after +this the wedding was celebrated. + +Now, honorable dames and gentlemen, do not judge this story of mine +too severely. If you like it, praise it; if not, let it be forgotten. +The story is told and a word is like a sparrow--once out it is out for +good. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +THE LANGUAGE OF THE BIRDS + + +[Illustration] Somewhere in a town in holy Russia, there lived a rich +merchant with his wife. He had an only son, a dear, bright, and brave +boy called Ivan. One lovely day Ivan sat at the dinner table with +his parents. Near the window in the same room hung a cage, and a +nightingale, a sweet-voiced, gray bird, was imprisoned within. The +sweet nightingale began to sing its wonderful song with trills and +high silvery tones. The merchant listened and listened to the song and +said: + +"How I wish I could understand the meaning of the different songs of +all the birds! I would give half my wealth to the man, if only there +were such a man, who could make plain to me all the different songs of +the different birds." + +Ivan took notice of these words and no matter where he went, no matter +where he was, no matter what he did, he always thought of how he could +learn the language of the birds. + +[Illustration: _Ivan learns the language of the birds_] + +Some time after this the merchant's son happened to be hunting in a +forest. The winds rose, the sky became clouded, the lightning flashed, +the thunder roared loudly, and the rain fell in torrents. Ivan soon +came near a large tree and saw a big nest in the branches. Four small +birds were in the nest; they were quite alone, and neither father nor +mother was there to protect them from the cold and wet. The good Ivan +pitied them, climbed the tree and covered the little ones with his +"kaftan," a long-skirted coat which the Russian peasants and merchants +usually wear. The thunderstorm passed by and a big bird came flying +and sat down on a branch near the nest and spoke very kindly to Ivan. + +"Ivan, I thank thee; thou hast protected my little children from the +cold and rain and I wish to do something for thee. Tell me what thou +dost wish." + +Ivan answered; "I am not in need; I have everything for my comfort. +But teach me the birds' language." + +"Stay with me three days and thou shalt know all about it." + +Ivan remained in the forest three days. He understood well the +teaching of the big bird and returned home more clever than before. +One beautiful day soon after this Ivan sat with his parents when the +nightingale was singing in his cage. His song was so sad, however, so +very sad, that the merchant and his wife also became sad, and their +son, their good Ivan, who listened very attentively, was even more +affected, and the tears came running down his cheeks. + +"What is the matter?" asked his parents; "what art thou weeping about, +dear son?" + +"Dear parents," answered the son, "it is because I understand the +meaning of the nightingale's song, and because this meaning is so sad +for all of us." + +"What then is the meaning? Tell us the whole truth; do not hide it +from us," said the father and mother. + +"Oh, how sad it sounds!" replied the son. "How much better would it be +never to have been born!" + +"Do not frighten us," said the parents, alarmed. "If thou dost really +understand the meaning of the song, tell us at once." + +"Do you not hear for yourselves? The nightingale says: 'The time will +come when Ivan, the merchant's son, shall become Ivan, the king's son, +and his own father shall serve him as a simple servant.'" + +The merchant and his wife felt troubled and began to distrust their +son, their good Ivan. So one night they gave him a drowsy drink, and +when he had fallen asleep they took him to a boat on the wide sea, +spread the white sails, and pushed the boat from the shore. + +For a long time the boat danced on the waves and finally it came near +a large merchant vessel, which struck against it with such a shock +that Ivan awoke. The crew on the large vessel saw Ivan and pitied him. +So they decided to take him along with them and did so. High, very +high, above in the sky they perceived cranes. Ivan said to the +sailors: + +"Be careful; I hear the birds predicting a storm. Let us enter a +harbor or we shall suffer great danger and damage. All the sails will +be torn and all the masts will be broken." + +But no one paid any attention and they went farther on. In a short +time the storm arose, the wind tore the vessel almost to pieces, and +they had a very hard time to repair all the damage. When they were +through with their work they heard many wild swans flying above them +and talking very loud among themselves. + +"What are they talking about?" inquired the men, this time with +interest. + +"Be careful," advised Ivan. "I hear and distinctly understand them to +say that the pirates, the terrible sea robbers, are near. If we do not +enter a harbor at once they will imprison and kill us." + +The crew quickly obeyed this advice and as soon as the vessel entered +the harbor the pirate boats passed by and the merchants saw them +capture several unprepared vessels. When the danger was over, the +sailors with Ivan went farther, still farther. Finally the vessel +anchored near a town, large and unknown to the merchants. A king ruled +in that town who was very much annoyed by three black crows. These +three crows were all the time perching near the window of the king's +chamber. No one knew how to get rid of them and no one could kill +them. The king ordered notices to be placed at all crossings and on +all prominent buildings, saying that whoever was able to relieve the +king from the noisy birds would be rewarded by obtaining the youngest +korolevna, the king's daughter, for a wife; but the one who should +have the daring to undertake but not succeed in delivering the palace +from the crows would have his head cut off. Ivan attentively read the +announcement, once, twice, and once more. Finally he made the sign of +the cross and went to the palace. He said to the servants: + +"Open the window and let me listen to the birds." + +The servants obeyed and Ivan listened for a while. Then he said: + +"Show me to your sovereign king." + +When he reached the room where the king sat on a high, rich chair, he +bowed and said: + +"There are three crows, a father crow, a mother crow, and a son crow. +The trouble is that they desire to obtain thy royal decision as to +whether the son crow must follow his father crow or his mother crow." + +The king answered: "The son crow must follow the father crow." + +As soon as the king announced his royal decision the crow father with +the crow son went one way and the crow mother disappeared the other +way, and no one has heard the noisy birds since. The king gave +one-half of his kingdom and his youngest korolevna to Ivan, and a +happy life began for him. + +In the meantime his father, the rich merchant, lost his wife and by +and by his fortune also. There was no one left to take care of him, +and the old man went begging under the windows of charitable people. +He went from one window to another, from one village to another, from +one town to another, and one bright day he came to the palace where +Ivan lived, begging humbly for charity. Ivan saw him and recognized +him, ordered him to come inside, and gave him food to eat and also +supplied him with good clothes, asking questions: + +[Illustration: "_The old man went begging from town to town_"] + +"Dear old man, what can I do for thee?" he said. + +"If thou art so very good," answered the poor father, without knowing +that he was speaking to his own son, "let me remain here and serve +thee among thy faithful servants." + +"Dear, dear father!" exclaimed Ivan, "thou didst doubt the true song +of the nightingale, and now thou seest that our fate was to meet +according to the predictions of long ago." + +The old man was frightened and knelt before his son, but his Ivan +remained the same good son as before, took his father lovingly into +his arms, and together they wept over their sorrow. + +Several days passed by and the old father felt courage to ask his son, +the korolevitch: + +"Tell me, my son, how was it that thou didst not perish in the boat?" + +Ivan Korolevitch laughed gayly. + +"I presume," he answered, "that it was not my fate to perish at the +bottom of the wide sea, but my fate was to marry the korolevna, my +beautiful wife, and to sweeten the old age of my dear father." + +[Illustration] + + + + + +IVANOUSHKA THE SIMPLETON + + +[Illustration] In a kingdom far away from our country, there was a +town over which ruled the Tsar Pea with his Tsaritza Carrot. He had +many wise statesmen, wealthy princes, strong, powerful warriors, and +also simple soldiers, a hundred thousand, less one man. In that +town lived all kinds of people: honest, bearded merchants, keen +and open-handed rascals, German tradesmen, lovely maidens, Russian +drunkards; and in the suburbs all around, the peasants tilled the +soil, sowed the wheat, ground the flour, traded in the markets, and +spent the money in drink. + +In one of the suburbs there was a poor hut where an old man lived with +his three sons, Thomas, Pakhom, and Ivan. The old man was not only +clever, he was wise. He had happened once to have a chat with the +devil. They talked together while the old man treated him to a tumbler +of wine and got out of the devil many great secrets. Soon after this +the peasant began to perform such marvelous acts that the neighbors +called him a sorcerer, a magician, and even supposed that the devil +was his kin. + +Yes, it is true that the old man performed great marvels. Were you +longing for love, go to him, bow to the old man, and he would give you +some strange root, and the sweetheart would be yours. If there is +a theft, again to him with the tale. The old man conjures over some +water, takes an officer along straight to the thief, and your lost is +found; only take care that the officer steals it not. + +Indeed the old man was very wise; but his children were not his +equals. Two of them were almost as clever. They were married and had +children, but Ivan, the youngest, was single. No one cared much for +him because he was rather a fool, could not count one, two, three, +and only drank, or ate, or slept, or lay around. Why care for such a +person? Every one knows life for some is brighter than for others. +But Ivan was good-hearted and quiet. Ask of him a belt, he will give +a kaftan also; take his mittens, he certainly would want to have you +take his cap with them. And that is why all liked Ivan, and usually +called him Ivanoushka the Simpleton; though the name means fool, at +the same time it carries the idea of a kind heart. + +Our old man lived on with his sons until finally his hour came to die. +He called his three sons and said to them: + +"Dear children of mine, my dying hour is at hand and ye must fulfill +my will. Every one of you come to my grave and spend one night with +me; thou, Tom, the first night; thou, Pakhom, the second night; and +thou, Ivanoushka the Simpleton, the third." + +Two of the brothers, as clever people, promised their father to do +according to his bidding, but the Simpleton did not even promise; he +only scratched his head. + +The old man died and was buried. During the celebration the family and +guests had plenty of pancakes to eat and plenty of whisky to wash them +down. + +Now you remember that on the first night Thomas was to go to the +grave; but he was too lazy, or possibly afraid, so he said to the +Simpleton: + +"I must be up very early to-morrow morning; I have to thresh; go thou +for me to our father's grave." + +"All right," answered Ivanoushka the Simpleton. He took a slice of +black rye bread, went to the grave, stretched himself out, and soon +began to snore. + +The church clock struck midnight; the wind roared, the owl cried in +the trees, the grave opened and the old man came out and asked: + +"Who is there?" + +"I," answered Ivanoushka. + +"Well, my dear son, I will reward thee for thine obedience," said the +father. + +Lo! the cocks crowed and the old man dropped into the grave. The +Simpleton arrived home and went to the warm stove. + +"What happened?" asked the brothers. + +"Nothing," he answered. "I slept the whole night and am hungry now." + +The second night it was Pakhom's turn to go to his father's grave. He +thought it over and said to the Simpleton: + +"To-morrow is a busy day with me. Go in my place to our father's +grave." + +"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took along with him a piece of +fish pie, went to the grave and slept. Midnight approached, the wind +roared, crows came flying, the grave opened and the old man came out. + +"Who is there?" he asked. + +"I," answered his son the Simpleton. + +"Well, my beloved son, I will not forget thine obedience," said the +old man. + +The cocks crowed and the old man dropped into his grave. Ivanoushka +the Simpleton came home, went to sleep on the warm stove, and in the +morning his brothers asked: + +"What happened?" + +"Nothing," answered Ivanoushka. + +On the third night the brothers said to Ivan the Simpleton: + +"It is thy turn to go to the grave of our father. The father's will +should be done." + +"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took some cookies, put on his +sheepskin, and arrived at the grave. + +At midnight his father came out. + +"Who is there?" he asked. + +"I," answered Ivanoushka. + +"Well," said the old father, "my obedient son, thou shalt be +rewarded;" and the old man shouted with a mighty voice: + + "Arise, bay horse--thou wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +And lo!--Ivanoushka the Simpleton beheld a horse running, the earth +trembling under his hoofs, his eyes like stars, and out of his mouth +and ears smoke coming in a cloud. The horse approached and stood +before the old man. + +"What is thy wish?" he asked with a man's voice. + +The old man crawled into his left ear, washed and adorned himself, +and jumped out of his right ear as a young, brave fellow never seen +before. + +"Now listen attentively," he said. "To thee, my son, I give this +horse. And thou, my faithful horse and friend, serve my son as thou +hast served me." + +Hardly had the old man pronounced these words when the first cock crew +and the sorcerer dropped into his grave. Our Simpleton went quietly +back home, stretched himself under the icons, and his snoring was +heard far around. + +"What happened?" the brothers again asked. + +But the Simpleton did not even answer; he only waved his hand. The +three brothers continued to live their usual life, the two with +cleverness and the younger with foolishness. They lived a day in and +an equal day out. But one morning there came quite a different day +from all others. They learned that big men were going all over the +country with trumpets and players; that those men announced everywhere +the will of the Tsar, and the Tsar's will was this: The Tsar Pea and +the Tsaritza Carrot had an only daughter, the Tsarevna Baktriana, +heiress to the throne. She was such a beautiful maiden that the sun +blushed when she looked at it, and the moon, altogether too bashful, +covered itself from her eyes. Tsar and Tsaritza had a hard time to +decide to whom they should give their daughter for a wife. It must be +a man who could be a proper ruler over the country, a brave warrior on +the battlefield, a wise judge in the council, an adviser to the Tsar, +and a suitable heir after his death. They also wanted a bridegroom who +was young, brave, and handsome, and they wanted him to be in love with +their Tsarevna. That would have been easy enough, but the trouble was +that the beautiful Tsarevna loved no one. Sometimes the Tsar mentioned +to her this or that one. Always the same answer, "I do not love him." +The Tsaritza tried, too, with no better result; "I do not like him." + +A day came when the Tsar Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot seriously +addressed their daughter on the subject of marriage and said: + +"Our beloved child, our very beautiful Tsarevna Baktriana, it is time +for thee to choose a bridegroom. Envoys of all descriptions, from +kings and tzars and princes, have worn our threshold, drunk dry all +the cellars, and thou hast not yet found any one according to thy +heart's wish." + +The Tsarevna answered: "Sovereign, and thou, Tsaritza, my dear mother, +I feel sorry for you, and my wish is to obey your desire. So let fate +decide who is destined to become my husband. I ask you to build a +hall, a high hall with thirty-two circles, and above those circles +a window. I will sit at that window and do you order all kinds of +people, tsars, kings, tsarovitchi, korolevitchi, brave warriors, +and handsome fellows, to come. The one who will jump through the +thirty-two circles, reach my window and exchange with me golden rings, +he it will be who is destined to become my husband, son and heir to +you." + +The Tsar and Tsaritza listened attentively to the words of their +bright Tsarevna, and finally they said: "According to thy wish shall +it be done." + +In no time the hall was ready, a very high hall adorned with Venetian +velvets, with pearls for tassels, with golden designs, and thirty-two +circles on both sides of the window high above. Envoys went to the +different kings and sovereigns, pigeons flew with orders to the +subjects to gather the proud and the humble into the town of the Tsar +Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot. It was announced everywhere that the +one who could jump through the circles, reach the window and exchange +golden rings with the Tsarevna Baktriana, that man would be the lucky +one, notwithstanding his rank--tsar or free kosack, king or warrior, +tsarevitch, korolevitch, or fellow without any kinfolk or country. + +The great day arrived. Crowds pressed to the field where stood the +newly built hall, brilliant as a star. Up high at the window the +tsarevna was sitting, adorned with precious stones, clad in velvet and +pearls. The people below were roaring like an ocean. The Tzar with his +Tzaritza was sitting upon a throne. Around them were boyars, warriors, +and counselors. + +The suitors on horseback, proud, handsome, and brave, whistle and ride +round about, but looking at the high window their hearts drop. There +were already several fellows who had tried. Each would take a long +start, balance himself, spring, and fall back like a stone, a laughing +stock for the witnesses. + +The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were preparing themselves to +go to the field also. + +The Simpleton said to them: "Take me along with you." + +"Thou fool," laughed the brothers; "stay at home and watch the +chickens." + +"All right," he answered, went to the chicken yard and lay down. But +as soon as the brothers were away, our Ivanoushka the Simpleton walked +to the wide fields and shouted with a mighty voice: + + "Arise, bay horse--thou wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +The glorious horse came running. Flames shone out of his eyes; out +of his nostrils smoke came in clouds, and the horse asked with a man's +voice: + +"What is thy wish?" + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the horse's left ear, +transformed himself and reappeared at the right ear, such a handsome +fellow that in no book is there written any description of him; no one +has ever seen such a fellow. He jumped onto the horse and touched +his iron sides with a silk whip. The horse became impatient, lifted +himself above the ground, higher and higher above the dark woods below +the traveling clouds. He swam over the large rivers, jumped over +the small ones, as well as over hills and mountains. Ivanoushka the +Simpleton arrived at the hall of the Tsarevna Baktriana, flew up like +a hawk, passed through thirty circles, could not reach the last two, +and went away like a whirlwind. + +The people were shouting: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" The +Tsar jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed. Every one was roaring +in amazement. + +The brothers of Ivanoushka came home and there was but one subject of +conversation--what a splendid fellow they had seen! What a wonderful +start to pass through the thirty circles! + +"Brothers, that fellow was I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, who had +long since arrived. + +"Keep still and do not fool us," answered the brothers. + +The next day the two brothers were going again to the tsarski show and +Ivanoushka the Simpleton said again: "Take me along with you." + +"For thee, fool, this is thy place. Be quiet at home and scare +sparrows from the pea field instead of the scarecrow." + +"All right," answered the Simpleton, and he went to the field and +began to scare the sparrows. But as soon as the brothers left home, +Ivanoushka started to the wide field and shouted out loud with a +mighty voice: + + "Arise, bay horse--thou wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +--and here came the horse, the earth trembling under his hoofs, the +sparks flying around, his eyes like flames, and out of his nostrils +smoke curling up. + +"For what dost thou wish me?" + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the left ear of the horse, and +when he appeared out of the right ear, oh, my! what a fellow he was! +Even in fairy tales there are never such handsome fellows, to say +nothing of everyday life. + +Ivanoushka lifted himself on the iron back of his horse and touched +him with a strong whip. The noble horse grew angry, made a jump, and +went higher than the dark woods, a little below the traveling clouds. +One jump, one mile is behind; a second jump, a river is behind; and a +third jump and they were at the hall. Then the horse, with Ivanoushka +on his back, flew like an eagle, high up into the air, passed the +thirty-first circle, failed to reach the last one, and swept away like +the wind. + +The people shouted: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" The Tsar +jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed, the princes and boyars +opened their mouths. + +The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton came home. They were +wondering at the fellow. Yes, an amazing fellow indeed! one circle +only was unreached. + +"Brothers, that fellow over there was I," said Ivanoushka to them. + +"Keep still in thy own place, thou fool," was their sneering answer. + +The third day the brothers were going again to the strange +entertainment of the Tsar, and again Ivanoushka the Simpleton said to +them: "Take me along with you." + +"Fool," they laughed, "there is food to be given to the hogs; better +go to them." + +"All right," the younger brother answered, and quietly went to the +back yard and gave food to the hogs. But as soon as his brothers had +left home our Ivanoushka the Simpleton hurried to the wide field and +shouted out loud: + + "Arise, bay horse--them wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +At once the horse came running, the earth trembled; where he stepped +there appeared ponds, where his hoofs touched there were lakes, out of +his eyes shone flames, out of his ears smoke came like a cloud. + +"For what dost thou wish me?" the horse asked with a man's voice. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into his right ear and jumped out +of his left one, and a handsome fellow he was. A young girl could not +even imagine such a one. + +Ivanoushka struck his horse, pulled the bridle tight, and lo! he flew +high up in the air. The wind was left behind and even the swallow, the +sweet, winged passenger, must not aspire to do the same. Our hero flew +like a cloud high up into the sky, his silver-chained mail rattling, +his fair curls floating in the wind. He arrived at the Tsarevna's high +hall, struck his horse once more, and oh! how the wild horse did jump! + +Look there! the fellow reaches all the circles; he is near the window; +he presses the beautiful Tsarevna with his strong arms, kisses her +on the sugar lips, exchanges golden rings, and like a storm sweeps +through the fields. There, there, he is crushing every one on his +way! And the Tsarevna? Well, she did not object. She even adorned his +forehead with a diamond star. + +The people roared: "Take hold of him!" But the fellow had already +disappeared and no traces were left behind. + +The Tsar Pea lost his royal dignity. The Tsaritza Carrot screamed +louder than ever and the wise counselors only shook their wise heads +and remained silent. + +The brothers came home talking and discussing the wonderful matter. + +"Indeed," they shook their heads; "only think of it! The fellow +succeeded and our Tsarevna has a bridegroom. But who is he? Where is +he?" + +"Brothers, the fellow is I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, smiling. + +"Keep still, I and I--," and the brothers almost slapped him. + +The matter proved to be quite serious this time, and the Tsar and +Tsaritza issued an order to surround the town with armed men whose +duty it was to let every one enter, but not a soul go out. Every one +had to appear at the royal palace and show his forehead. From early in +the morning the crowds were gathering around the palace. Each +forehead was inspected, but there was no star on any. Dinner time was +approaching and in the palace they even forgot to cover the oak tables +with white spreads. The brothers of Ivanoushka had also to show their +foreheads and the Simpleton said to them: + +"Take me along with you." + +"Thy place is right here," they answered, jokingly. "But say, what is +the matter with thy head that thou hast covered it with cloths? Did +somebody strike thee?" + +"No, nobody struck me. I, myself, struck the door with my forehead. +The door remained all right, but on my forehead there is a knob." + +The brothers laughed and went. Soon after them Ivanoushka left home +and went straight to the window of the Tsarevna, where she sat leaning +on the window sill and looking for her betrothed. + +"There is our man," shouted the guards, when the Simpleton appeared +among them. "Show thy forehead. Hast thou the star?" and they laughed. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton gave no heed to their bidding, but refused. +The guards were shouting at him and the Tsarevna heard the noise and +ordered the fellow to her presence. There was nothing to be done but +to take off the cloths. + +Behold! the star was shining in the middle of his forehead. The +Tsarevna took Ivanoushka by the hand, brought him before Tsar Pea, and +said: + +"He it is, my Tsar and father, who is destined to become my groom, thy +son-in-law and heir." + +It was too late to object. The Tsar ordered preparations for the +bridal festivities, and our Ivanoushka the Simpleton was wedded to the +Tsarevna Baktriana. The Tsar, the Tsaritza, the young bride and +groom, and their guests, feasted three days. There was fine eating +and generous drinking. There were all kinds of amusements also. The +brothers of Ivanoushka were created governors and each one received a +village and a house. + +The story is told in no time, but to live a life requires time and +patience. The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were clever men, we +know, and as soon as they became rich every one understood it at once, +and they themselves became quite sure about it and began to pride +themselves, to boast, and to brag. The humble ones did not dare look +toward their homes, and even the boyars had to take off their fur caps +on their porches. + +Once several boyars came to Tsar Pea and said: "Great Tsar, the +brothers of thy son-in-law are bragging around that they know the +place where grows an apple tree with silver leaves and golden apples, +and they want to bring this apple tree to thee." + +The Tsar immediately called the brothers before him and bade them +bring at once the wonderful tree, the apple tree with silver leaves +and golden apples. The brothers had ever so many excuses, but the +Tsar would have his way. They were given fine horses out of the +royal stables and went on their errand. Our friend, Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, found somewhere a lame old horse, jumped on his back facing +the tail, and also went. He went to the wide field, grasped the lame +horse by the tail, threw him off roughly, and shouted: + +"You crows and magpies, come, come! There is lunch prepared for you." + +This done he ordered his horse, his spirited courser, to appear, and +as usual he crawled into one ear, jumped out the other ear and they +went--where? Toward the east where grew the wonderful apple tree +with silver leaves and golden apples. It grew near silver waters upon +golden sand. When Ivanoushka reached the place he uprooted the tree +and turned toward home. His ride was long and he felt tired. Before +he arrived at his town Ivanoushka pitched his tent and lay down for +a rest. Along the same road came his brothers. The two were proud no +more, but rather depressed, not knowing what answer to give the Tsar. +They perceived the tent with silver top and near by the wonderful +apple tree. They came nearer and--"There is our Simpleton!" exclaimed +the brothers. Then they awakened Ivanoushka and wanted to buy the +apple tree. They were rich and offered three carts filled with silver. + +"Well, brothers, this tree, this wonderful apple tree, is not for +sale," answered Ivanoushka, "but if you wish to obtain it you may. The +price will not be too high, a toe from each right foot." + +The brothers thought the matter over and finally decided to give the +desired price. Ivanoushka cut the toes off, gave them the apple tree, +and the happy brothers brought it to the Tsar and there was no end to +their bragging. + +"Here, all-powerful Tsar," they said. "We went far, and had many a +trouble on our way, but thy wish is fulfilled." + +The Tsar Pea seemed pleased, ordered a feast, commanded tunes to be +played and drums beaten, rewarded the two brothers of Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, each one with a town, and praised them. + +The boyars and warriors became furious. + +"Why," they said to the Tsar, "there is nothing wonderful in such an +apple tree with golden apples and silver leaves. The brothers of thy +son-in-law are bragging around that they will get thee a pig with +golden bristles and silver tusks, and not alone the pig, but also her +twelve little ones!" + +The Tsar called the brothers before him and ordered them to bring +the very pig with her golden bristles and silver tusks and her twelve +little ones. The brothers' excuses were not listened to and so they +went. Once more the brothers were traveling on a difficult errand, +looking for a golden-bristled pig with silver tusks and twelve little +pigs. + +At that time Ivanoushka the Simpleton made up his mind to take a trip +somewhere. He put a saddle on a cow, jumped up on her back facing the +tail, and left the town. He came to a field, grasped the cow by the +horns, threw her far on the prairie and shouted: + +"Come, come, you gray wolves and red foxes! there is a dinner for +you!" + +Then he ordered his faithful horse, crawled into one ear, and jumped +out of the other. Master and courser went on an errand, this time +toward the south. One, two, three, and they were in dark woods. In +these woods the wished-for pig was walking around, a golden-bristled +pig with silver tusks. She was eating roots, and after her followed +twelve little pigs. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton threw over the pig a silk rope with a running +noose, gathered the little pigs into a basket and went home, but +before he reached the town of the Tsar Pea he pitched a tent with a +golden top and lay down for a rest. On the same road the brothers came +along with gloomy faces, not knowing what to say to the Tsar. They +saw the tent, and near by the very pig they were searching for, with +golden bristles and silver tusks, was fastened with a silk rope; and +in a basket were the twelve little pigs. The brothers looked into the +tent. Ivanoushka again! They awakened him and wanted to trade for +the pig; they were ready to give in exchange three carts loaded with +precious stones. + +"Brothers, my pig is not for trade," said Ivanoushka, "but if you want +her so much, well, one finger from each right hand will pay for her." + +The brothers thought over the case for a long while; they reasoned +thus: "People live happily without brains, why not without fingers?" + +So they allowed Ivanoushka to cut off their fingers, then took the pig +to the Tsar, and their bragging had no end. + +"Tsar Sovereign," they said, "we went everywhere, beyond the blue +sea, beyond the dark woods; we passed through deep sands, we suffered +hunger and thirst; but thy wish is accomplished." + +The Tsar was glad to have such faithful servants. He gave a feast +great among feasts, rewarded the brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton, +created them big boyars and praised them. + +The other boyars and different court people said to the Tsar: + +"There is nothing wonderful in such a pig. Golden bristles, silver +tusks,--yes, it is fine. But a pig remains a pig forever. The brothers +of thy son-in-law are bragging now that they will steal for thee out +of the stables of the fiery dragon a mare with golden mane and diamond +hoofs." + +The Tsar at once called the brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton, and +ordered the golden-maned mare with the diamond hoofs. The brothers +swore that they never said such words, but the Tsar did not listen to +their protests. + +"Take as much gold as you want, take warriors as many as you wish, but +bring me the beautiful mare with golden mane and diamond hoofs. If you +do it my reward will be great; if not, your fate is to become peasants +as before." + +The brothers went, two sad heroes. Their march was slow; where to +go they did not know. Ivanoushka also jumped upon a stick and went +leaping toward the field. Once in the wide, open field, he ordered his +horse, crawled into one ear, came out of the other, and both started +for a far-away country, for an island, a big island. On that island in +an iron stable the fiery dragon was watchfully guarding his glory--the +golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, which was locked under seven +locks behind seven heavy doors. + +Our Ivanoushka journeyed and journeyed, how long we do not know, +until at last he arrived at that island, struggled three days with the +dragon and killed him on the fourth day. Then he began to tear down +the locks. That took three days more. When he had done this he brought +out the wonderful mare by the golden mane and turned homeward. + +The road was long, and before he reached his town Ivanoushka, +according to his habit, pitched his tent with a diamond top, and laid +him down for rest. The brothers came along--gloomy they were, fearing +the Tsar's anger. Lo! they heard neighing; the earth trembled--it was +the golden-maned mare! Though in the dusk of evening the brothers saw +her golden mane shining like fire. They stopped, awakened Ivanoushka +the Simpleton, and wanted to trade for the wonderful mare. They were +willing to give him a bushel of precious stones each and promised even +more. + +Ivanoushka said: "Though my mare is not for trade, yet if you want her +I'll give her to you. And you, do you each give me your right ears." + +The brothers did not even argue, but let Ivanoushka cut off their +ears, took hold of the bridle and went directly to the Tsar. They +presented to him the golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, and there +was no end of bragging. + +"We went beyond seas, beyond mountains," the brothers said to the +Tsar; "we fought the fiery dragon who bit off our ears and fingers; +we had no fear, but one desire to serve thee faithfully; we shed our +blood and lost our wealth." + +The Tsar Pea poured gold over them, created them the very highest +men after himself, and planned such a feast that the royal cooks were +tired out with cooking to feed all the people, and the cellars were +fairly emptied. + +The Tsar Pea was sitting on his throne, one brother on his right hand, +the other brother on his left hand. The feast was going on; all seemed +jolly, all were drinking, all were noisy as bees in a beehive. In the +midst of it a young, brave fellow, Ivanoushka the Simpleton, entered +the hall--the very fellow who had passed the thirty-two circles and +reached the window of the beautiful Tsarevna Baktriana. + +When the brothers noticed him, one almost choked himself with wine, +the other was suffocating over a piece of swan. They looked at him, +opened wide their eyes, and remained silent. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton bowed to his father-in-law and told the story +as the story was. He told about the apple tree, the wonderful apple +tree with silver leaves and golden apples; he told about the pig, the +golden-bristled pig with silver tusks and her twelve little ones; +and finally he told about the marvelous mare with a golden mane and +diamond hoofs. He finished and laid out ears, fingers, and toes. + +[Illustration: "_One brother was sent to watch the turkeys_"] + +"It is the exchange I got," said Ivanoushka. + +Tsar Pea became furious, stamped his feet, ordered the two brothers to +be driven away with brooms. One was sent to feed the pigs, another to +watch the turkeys. The Tsar seated Ivanoushka beside himself, creating +him the highest among the very high. + +The feast lasted a very long time until all were tired of feasting. + +Ivanoushka took control of the tsarstvo, ruling wisely and severely. +After his father-in-law's death he occupied his place. His subjects +liked him; he had many children, and his beautiful Tsaritza Baktriana +remained beautiful forever. + + + + + +WOE BOGOTIR + + +[Illustration] In a small village--do not ask me where; in Russia, +anyway--there lived two brothers; one of them was rich, the other +poor. The rich brother had good luck in everything he undertook, +was always successful, and had profit out of every venture. The +poor brother, in spite of all his trouble and all his work, had none +whatever. + +The rich brother became still richer, moved into a large town, bought +a big house, and was a merchant among merchants. The poor brother +became very poor, so poor that very often there was no crust even in +the "izba," the peasant's log cabin, and the children--all forlorn, +miserable little things--cried for food. + +The poor man lost patience and complained bitterly of his ill luck. +He had no more courage and his head dropped heavily on his breast. One +day he decided to call upon his wealthy brother for aid. He went and +said to him: + +"Be good, help me, for I am almost without strength." + +"Why not?" answered the rich man. "We can do such things as that. +There is wealth enough; but look here, there is also plenty of work to +be done. Stay around the house for a while and work for me." + +"All right," consented the poor fellow, and at once began to work. Now +he was cleaning the big yard, now grooming horses, now bringing water +from the well or splitting wood. One week passed, two weeks passed. +The rich brother gave him twenty and five copecks, which means only +thirteen cents. He also gave him a loaf of black rye bread. + +"Many thanks," said the poor brother, humbly, and was ready to leave +for his miserable home. Evidently the conscience of the rich brother +smote him, so he called his brother back. + +"Why so prompt?" he said; "to-morrow is my birthday; stay to the +banquet with us." + +[Illustration: _The rich brother_] + +The poor fellow remained. But even on such a pleasant occasion the +unlucky one had no luck. His rich brother was too busy receiving his +numerous friends and admirers, all of whom came to tell him how they +loved him and what a good man he was. The rich merchant thanked his +guests for their love, and bowing low begged his dear guests to eat, +drink, and enjoy themselves. There was no time left for the poor +brother, and he was overlooked entirely while he sat timidly in a +corner, quite forgotten and unnoticed. He had nothing to eat, nothing +to drink. But when the crowd was ready to say good-by, before going +away, the bright, light-hearted guests bowed to their host and told +him many lovely things, and the poor brother did exactly like them. +He bowed even lower than they did and expressed more thanks than they. +The guests went home singing in their new "telegi," the peasants' +carts. The poor brother, hungry and very sad, walked along in silence, +and the idea came to his mind: + +"What if I also tried to sing a cheerful song? The people would +believe that I, too, have had a pleasant time at my brother's house +and that I am going home happy like them." + +The good fellow began his song, began--and almost fainted away, for he +heard quite distinctly some one behind his back, keeping tune with him +in a shrill voice. He stopped. The voice stopped, too. He sang, and +the voice continued again. + +"Who is there? Come out at once!" shouted the poor man, beside +himself. Ha! the monster appeared, lank and yellow, almost a skeleton, +covered with rags. The poor fellow was afraid, but had the courage to +make the sign of the cross and ask: "Who art thou?" + +"I? I am Bitter Woe. I am one of the Russian heroes, Woe Bogotir. I +pity all weak people. I pity thee, too, and want to help thee along." + +"All right, Bitter Woe; let us walk together arm in arm. I presume +there are no other friends for me in this world." + +"Let us ride, good man," laughed the monster. "I will be thy faithful +companion." + +"Thanks, but on what shall we ride?" + +"I do not know on what thou shalt ride, but I, I shall ride on thee," +and Woe jumped on the shoulders of the unlucky man. The poor fellow +had no strength to throw him off, so he crawled along his way, the +long, hard way, with Woe on his shoulders. He could hardly walk, yet +Woe was singing, whistling, and switching him all the time. + +"Why so sad, master?" Woe would ask, when the poor man sighed. "Listen +to me, I want to teach thee a song, my beloved little song: + + "I am Woe, the brave, + I am Woe, the bold; + He who lives with me + Has his griefs controlled, + And when money is lacking + I'll find him gold. + +Attention, master, thou hast twenty-five copecks; let us go and buy +some wine; let us have a jolly good time." + +The poor man obeyed. They went and spent all in drink. After this the +unlucky fellow, with the faithful Woe on his shoulders, came home. His +wife was sad, his little children were hungry and in tears, but he, +under the influence of Woe and wine, danced and sang. + +On the next day Woe began to sigh and said: + +"I have a drunken headache. Let us drink more." + +"I have no money," answered the poor man. + +"Hast thou forgotten my little song? Let us trade the harrow, the +plow, the sledge, the telega for money, and let us have a good time." + +"All right." + +The poor, weak man had no courage to refuse, and Woe Bogotir became +his master and ruler. They went to a kabak and spent everything; +drank, sang, and had a good time. + +On the next day Woe sighed again and said to the peasant: + +"Let us drink; let us have a jolly time; let us sell or trade +everything left, even ourselves." + +Then the fellow understood that his ruin was near and decided to +deceive the sorrowful Woe, so he said: + +"I once heard the old people say that behind the village, near the +dark forest, there is buried a treasure, yes, a great treasure, but it +is buried under a large, heavy stone, too heavy a stone for one man +to move. If we could only remove that stone, thou and I, Woe Bogotir, +could have a good time and plenty to drink." + +"Let us hasten!" screamed Woe; "the Bitter Woe is strong enough to do +harder things than to move stones." + +They went a roundabout way behind the village and saw the great big +stone, such a heavy stone that five or six strong peasants could never +begin to move it. But our poor fellow with his faithful Woe Bogotir +removed it at once. They looked inside. Under the stone there was +a pit, a dark, deep pit. At the bottom of that pit something was +twinkling. The peasant said to Woe: + +"Thou bold Woe, jump in, throw the gold out to me and I will hold the +stone." + +Woe jumped in and laughed out loud. + +"I declare, master," he screamed, "there is no end of gold! There are +twenty and more pots filled with it," and Woe handed one pot to the +poor man, who took the pot, hastily hid it under his blouse, and +slipped the heavy stone into its place. So Bitter Woe remained in the +deep pit and the peasant thought to himself, "Now there is the right +place for my comrade, for with such a friend, even gold would taste +bitter." + +The crafty fellow made the sign of the cross and hurried home. He +became quite a new man, courageous, sober, and industrious; bought a +grove and some cattle; remodeled the izba, and even started a trade. +And very successful he was, too. Within a year he earned much money, +and in place of the old hut built a fine, new log cabin. + +One bright day he went into town to ask his rich brother, with his +wife and children, to do him the favor of coming to a feast which was +to be given in the new home. + +"That's a joke!" exclaimed the rich brother. "Without a ruble in +thy pockets, stupid fellow! Thou evidently desirest to imitate rich +people," and then the rich brother laughed and laughed at him. But +at the same time he got very anxious to know how it was with his poor +brother, so he went without delay to the new place. When he arrived +there he could not believe his eyes. His poor brother seemed to be +quite rich, perhaps richer than himself. Everything bespoke wealth +and care. The host treated his brother and the brother's family most +kindly and was very hospitable. They had good things to eat and plenty +of honey to drink, and all became talkative. The brother who had been +poor related everything about Woe, how he decided to deceive him and +how, free from such a burden, he was getting to be a very happy man. + +The rich man grew eager and thought: + +"Is he a fool? Out of so many pots, to take only one! Fool and nothing +but fool! If one has money, even the Bitter Woe is not too bad." + +So at once he decided to go in search of the stone, to remove it, to +take the treasure, the whole treasure, and to send Woe Bogotir back to +his brother. + +No sooner thought than done. The rich brother said good-by and went +away, but did not go to his wealthy home. No, he hurried to the stone. +He had to toil hard with the heavy stone, but finally moved it just +a little, and had not time to look inside when the hidden Bogotir had +jumped out and onto his shoulders. + +The rich man felt a burden, oh, what a heavy burden! looked around and +perceived the hideous monster. He heard this monster whisper in his +ear: + +"Thou art bright! Thou didst want to let me perish in that pit? +Now, dearest, thou wilt not get rid of me; now we shall always be +together." + +"Stupid Woe," began the rich man; "it was not I who hid thee under the +stone; it was my brother; go to him." + +But no, Woe would not go. The monster laughed and laughed. + +"All the same, all the same," he answered to the rich man. "Let us +remain dear companions." + +The rich man went home under the heavy burden of the misery-giving +Woe. His wealth was soon lost, but his brother, who knew how to get +rid of Woe, was prosperous and is prosperous to this day. + + + + + +BABA YAGA + + +[Illustration] Somewhere, I cannot tell you exactly where, but +certainly in vast Russia, there lived a peasant with his wife and they +had twins--son and daughter. One day the wife died and the husband +mourned over her very sincerely for a long time. One year passed, and +two years, and even longer. But there is no order in a house without a +woman, and a day came when the man thought, "If I marry again possibly +it would turn out all right." And so he did, and had children by his +second wife. + +The stepmother was envious of the stepson and daughter and began to +use them hardly. She scolded them without any reason, sent them away +from home as often as she wished, and gave them scarcely enough to +eat. Finally she wanted to get rid of them altogether. Do you know +what it means to allow a wicked thought to enter one's heart? + +The wicked thought grows all the time like a poisonous plant and +slowly kills the good thoughts. A wicked feeling was growing in the +stepmother's heart, and she determined to send the children to the +witch, thinking sure enough that they would never return. + +"Dear children," she said to the orphans, "go to my grandmother who +lives in the forest in a hut on hen's feet. You will do everything she +wants you to, and she will give you sweet things to eat and you will +be happy." + +The orphans started out. But instead of going to the witch, the +sister, a bright little girl, took her brother by the hand and ran to +their own old, old grandmother and told her all about their going to +the forest. + +"Oh, my poor darlings!" said the good old grandmother, pitying the +children, "my heart aches for you, but it is not in my power to help +you. You have to go not to a loving grandmother, but to a wicked +witch. Now listen to me, my darlings," she continued; "I will give you +a hint: Be kind and good to everyone; do not speak ill words to any +one; do not despise helping the weakest, and always hope that for you, +too, there will be the needed help." + +The good old grandmother gave the children some delicious fresh milk +to drink and to each a big slice of ham. She also gave them some +cookies--there are cookies everywhere--and when the children departed +she stood looking after them a long, long time. + +The obedient children arrived at the forest and, oh, wonder! there +stood a hut, and what a curious one! It stood on tiny hen's feet, and +at the top was a rooster's head. With their shrill, childish voices +they called out loud: + +"Izboushka, Izboushka! turn thy back to the forest and thy front to +us!" + +The hut did as they commanded. The two orphans looked inside and saw +the witch resting there, her head near the threshold, one foot in one +corner, the other foot in another corner, and her knees quite close to +the ridge pole. + +"Fou, Fou, Fou!" exclaimed the witch; "I feel the Russian spirit." + +The children were afraid, and stood close, very close together, but in +spite of their fear they said very politely: + +"Ho, grandmother, our stepmother sent us to thee to serve thee." + +"All right; I am not opposed to keeping you, children. If you satisfy +all my wishes I shall reward you; if not, I shall eat you up." + +Without any delay the witch ordered the girl to spin the thread, and +the boy, her brother, to carry water in a sieve to fill a big tub. The +poor orphan girl wept at her spinning-wheel and wiped away her bitter +tears. At once all around her appeared small mice squeaking and +saying: + +"Sweet girl, do not cry. Give us cookies and we will help thee." + +The little girl willingly did so. + +"Now," gratefully squeaked the mice, "go and find the black cat. He is +very hungry; give him a slice of ham and he will help thee." + +The girl speedily went in search of the cat and saw her brother in +great distress about the tub, so many times he had filled the sieve, +yet the tub was still dry. The little birds passed, flying near by, +and chirped to the children: + +"Kind-hearted little children, give us some crumbs and we will advise +you." + +The orphans gave the birds some crumbs and the grateful birds chirped +again: + +"Some clay and water, children dear!" + +Then away they flew through the air. + +The children understood the hint, spat in the sieve, plastered it +up with clay and filled the tub in a very short time. Then they both +returned to the hut and on the threshold met the black cat. They +generously gave him some of the good ham which their good grandmother +had given them, petted him and asked: + +"Dear Kitty-cat, black and pretty, tell us what to do in order to get +away from thy mistress, the witch?" + +"Well," very seriously answered the cat, "I will give you a towel and +a comb and then you must run away. When you hear the witch running +after you, drop the towel behind your back and a large river will +appear in place of the towel. If you hear her once more, throw down +the comb and in place of the comb there will appear a dark wood. This +wood will protect you from the wicked witch, my mistress." + +Baba Yaga came home just then. + +"Is it not wonderful?" she thought; "everything is exactly right." + +"Well," she said to the children, "today you were brave and smart; let +us see to-morrow. Your work will be more difficult and I hope I shall +eat you up." + +The poor orphans went to bed, not to a warm bed prepared by loving +hands, but on the straw in a cold corner. Nearly scared to death from +fear, they lay there, afraid to talk, afraid even to breathe. The next +morning the witch ordered all the linen to be woven and a large supply +of firewood to be brought from the forest. + +The children took the towel and comb and ran away as fast as their +feet could possibly carry them. The dogs were after them, but +they threw them the cookies that were left; the gates did not open +themselves, but the children smoothed them with oil; the birch tree +near the path almost scratched their eyes out, but the gentle girl +fastened a pretty ribbon to it. So they went farther and farther and +ran out of the dark forest into the wide, sunny fields. + +The cat sat down by the loom and tore the thread to pieces, doing it +with delight. Baba Yaga returned. + +"Where are the children?" she shouted, and began to beat the cat. +"Why hast thou let them go, thou treacherous cat? Why hast thou not +scratched their faces?" + +The cat answered: "Well, it was because I have served thee so many +years and thou hast never given me a bite, while the dear children +gave me some good ham." + +The witch scolded the dogs, the gates, and the birch tree near the +path. + +"Well," barked the dogs, "thou certainly art our mistress, but thou +hast never done us a favor, and the orphans were kind to us." + +The gates replied: + +"We were always ready to obey thee, but thou didst neglect us, and the +dear children smoothed us with oil." + +[Illustration: _"The children ran away as fast as their feet could +possibly carry them"_] + +The birch tree lisped with its leaves, "Thou hast never put a simple +thread over my branches and the little darlings adorned them with a +pretty ribbon." + +Baba Yaga understood that there was no help and started to follow the +children herself. In her great hurry she forgot to look for the towel +and the comb, but jumped astride a broom and was off. The children +heard her coming and threw the towel behind them. At once a river, +wide and blue, appeared and watered the field. Baba Yaga hopped along +the shore until she finally found a shallow place and crossed it. + +Again the children heard her hurry after them and so they threw down +the comb. This time a forest appeared, a dark and dusky forest in +which the roots were interwoven, the branches matted together, and +the tree-tops touching each other. The witch tried very hard to pass +through, but in vain, and so, very, very angry, she returned home. + +The orphans rushed to their father, told him all about their great +distress, and thus concluded their pitiful story: + +"Ah, father dear, why dost thou love us less than our brothers and +sisters?" + +The father was touched and became angry. He sent the wicked stepmother +away and lived a new life with his good children. From that time he +watched over their happiness and never neglected them any more. + +How do I know this story is true? Why, one was there who told me about +it. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +DIMIAN THE PEASANT + + +[Illustration] Not long ago, or perchance very long ago, I do not know +for sure, there lived in a village, some place in Russia, a peasant--a +moujik. And this peasant was a stubborn and a quick-tempered fellow, +and his name was Dimian. + +He was harsh by nature, this Dimian, and wanted everything to go his +own way. If any one talked or acted against him, Dimian's fists were +soon prepared for answer. + +Sometimes, for instance, he would invite one of his neighbors and +treat his guest with fine things to eat and to drink. And the neighbor +in order to maintain the old custom would pretend to refuse. Dimian +would at once begin the dispute: + +"Thou must obey thy host!" + +Once it happened that a shrewd fellow called on him. Our moujik Dimian +covered the table with the very best he had and rejoiced over the good +time he foresaw. + +[Illustration: "_Well, I struck a snag_"] + +The fellow guest speedily ate everything up. Dimian was rather amazed, +but brought out his kaftan. + +"Take off thy sheepskin," said he to the guest; "put on my new +kaftan." + +In proposing it he thought within himself: + +"I will bet that this time he will not dare accept; then I will teach +him a lesson." + +But the fellow quickly put on the new kaftan, tightened it with the +belt, shook his curly head and answered: + +"Have my thanks, uncle, for thy gift. How could I dare not take it? +Why, one must obey his host's bidding." + +Dimian's temper was rising, and he wanted at any rate to have his own +way. But what to do? He hastened to the stable, brought out his best +horse, and said to his guest: + +"Thou art welcome to all my belongings," and within himself he +thought, "He certainly will refuse this time, and then my turn will +come." + +But the fellow did not refuse, and smilingly answered: + +"In thy house thou art the ruler," and quickly he jumped on the +horse's back and shouted to Dimian, the peasant: + +"Farewell, master! no one pushed thee into the trap but thyself," and +with these words the fellow was off. + +Dimian looked after him and shook his head. + +"Well, I struck a snag," said he. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN + + +[Illustration] Once upon a time a merchant's son had too much fun +spending money, and the day came when he saw himself ruined; he had +nothing to eat, nothing to drink. He took a shovel and went to the +market place to see if perchance somebody would hire him as a worker. + +A rich, proud merchant, worth many, many thousands, came along in a +gilded carriage. All the fellows at the market place, as soon as they +perceived him, rushed away and hid themselves in the corners. Only one +remained, and this one was our merchant's son. + +"Dost thou look for work, good fellow? Let me hire thee," the very +rich merchant said to him. + +"So be it; that's what I came here for." + +"And thy price?" + +"A hundred rubles a day will be sufficient for me." + +"Why so much?" + +"If too much, go and look for some one else; plenty of people were +around and when they saw thee coming, all of them rushed away." + +"All right. To-morrow come to the landing place." + +The next day, early in the morning, our merchant's son arrived at the +landing; the very rich merchant was already there waiting. + +They boarded a ship and went to sea. For quite a long time they +journeyed, and finally they perceived an island. Upon that island +there were high mountains, and near the shore something seemed to be +in flames. + +"Yonder is something like fire," said the merchant's son. + +"No, it is my golden palace." + +They landed, came ashore, and--look there! the rich merchant's wife +is hastening to meet him, and along with her their young daughter, a +lovely girl, prettier than you could think or even dream of. + +The family met; they greeted one another and went to the palace. And +along with them went their new workman. They sat around the oak table +and ate and drank and were cheerful. + +"One day does not count," the rich merchant said; "let us have a good +time and leave work for to-morrow." + +The young workman was a fine, brave fellow, handsome and stately, and +the merchant's lovely daughter liked him well. + +She left the room and made him a sign to follow her. Then she gave him +a touchstone and a flint. + +"Take it," she said; "when thou art in need, it will be useful." + +The next day the very rich merchant with his hired workman went to the +high golden mountain. The young fellow saw at once that there was no +use trying to climb or even to crawl up. + +"Well," said the merchant, "let us have a drink for courage." + +And he gave the fellow some drowsy drink. The fellow drank and fell +asleep. + +The rich merchant took out a sharp knife, killed a wretched horse, cut +it open, put the fellow inside, pushed in the shovel, and sewed the +horse's skin together, and himself sat down in the bushes. + +All at once crows came flying, black crows with iron beaks. They took +hold of the carcass, lifted it up to the top of the high mountain, and +began to pick at it. + +The crows soon ate up the horse and were about to begin on the +merchant's son, when he awoke, pushed away the crows, looked around +and asked out loud: + +"Where am I?" + +The rich merchant below answered: + +"On a golden mountain; take the shovel and dig for gold." + +And the young man dug and dug, and all the gold he dug he threw down, +and the rich merchant loaded it upon the carts. + +"Enough!" finally shouted the master. "Thanks for thy help. Farewell!" + +"And I--how shall I get down?" + +"As thou pleasest; there have already perished nine and ninety of such +fellows as thou. With thee the count will be rounded and thou wilt be +the hundredth." + +The proud, rich merchant was off. + +"What shall I do?" thought the poor merchant's son. "Impossible to go +down! But to stay here means death, a cruel death from hunger." + +And our fellow stood upon the mountain, while above the black crows +were circling, the black crows with iron beaks, as if feeling already +the prey. + +The fellow tried to think how it all happened, and he remembered the +lovely girl and what she said to him in giving him the touchstone and +the flint. He remembered how she said: + +"Take it. When thou art in need it will prove useful." + +"I fancy she had something in mind; let us try." + +The poor merchant's son took out stone and flint, struck it once and +lo! two brave fellows were standing before him. + +"What is thy wish? What are thy commands?" said they. + +"Take me from this mountain down to the seashore." + +And at once the two took hold of him and carefully brought him down. + +Our hero walks along the shore. See there! a vessel comes sailing near +the island. + +"Ahoy! good people! take me along!" + +"No time to stop!" And they went sailing by. But the winds arose and +the tempest was heavy. + +"It seems as if this fellow over there is not an ordinary man; we had +better go back and take him along," decided the sailors. + +They turned the prow toward the island, landed, took the merchant's +son along with them and brought him to his native town. + +It was a long time, or perhaps only a short time after--who could +tell?--that one day the merchant's son took again his shovel and went +to the market place in search of work. + +The same very rich merchant came along in his gilded carriage; and, as +of old, all the fellows who saw him coming rushed away. + +The merchant's son remained alone. + +"Will you be my workman?" + +"I will at two hundred rubles a day. If so, let us to work." + +"A rather expensive fellow." + +"If too expensive go to others; get a cheap man. There were plenty +of people, but when thou didst appear--thou seest thyself--not one is +left." + +"Well, all right. Come to-morrow to the landing place." + +They met at the landing place, boarded a ship and sailed toward the +island. + +The first day they spent rather gayly, and on the second, master and +workman went to work. + +When they reached the golden mountain the rich, proud merchant treated +his hired man to a tumbler. + +"Before all, have a drink." + +"Wait, master! thou art the head; thou must drink the first. Let me +treat thee this time." + +The young man had already prepared some of the drowsy stuff and he +quickly mixed it with the wine and presented it to the master. + +The proud merchant drank and fell sound asleep. + +Our merchant's son killed a miserable old horse, cut it open, pushed +his master and the shovel inside, sewed it all up and hid himself in +the bushes. + +All at once black crows came flying,--black crows with iron beaks; +they promptly lifted up the horse with the sleeping merchant inside, +bore it to the top of the mountain, and began to pick the bones of +their prey. + +When the merchant awoke he looked here and looked there and looked +everywhere. + +"Where am I?" + +"Upon the golden mountain. Now if thou art strong after thy rest, do +not lose time; take the shovel and dig. Dig quickly and I'll teach +thee how to come down." + +The proud, rich merchant had to obey and dug and dug. Twelve big carts +were loaded. + +"Enough!" shouted the merchant's son. "Thank thee, and farewell!" + +"And I?" + +"And thou mayst do as thou wishest! There are already ninety and nine +fellows perished before thee; with thyself there will be a hundred." + +The merchant's son took along with him the twelve heavy carts with +gold, arrived at the golden palace and married the lovely girl; the +rich merchant's daughter became mistress of all her father's wealth, +and the merchant's son with his family moved to a large town to live. + +And the rich merchant, the proud, rich merchant? + +He himself, like his many victims, became the prey of the black crows, +black crows with iron beaks. + +Well, sometimes it happens just so. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +FATHER FROST + + +[Illustration] In a far-away country, somewhere in Russia, there lived +a stepmother who had a stepdaughter and also a daughter of her own. +Her own daughter was dear to her, and always whatever she did the +mother was the first to praise her, to pet her; but there was but +little praise for the stepdaughter; although good and kind, she had +no other reward than reproach. What on earth could have been done? The +wind blows, but stops blowing at times; the wicked woman never knows +how to stop her wickedness. One bright cold day the stepmother said to +her husband: + +"Now, old man, I want thee to take thy daughter away from my eyes, +away from my ears. Thou shalt not take her to thy people into a warm +izba. Thou shalt take her into the wide, wide fields to the crackling +frost." + +The old father grew sad, began even to weep, but nevertheless +helped the young girl into the sleigh. He wished to cover her with a +sheepskin in order to protect her from the cold; however, he did not +do it. He was afraid; his wife was watching them out of the window. +And so he went with his lovely daughter into the wide, wide fields; +drove her nearly to the woods, left her there alone, and speedily +drove away--he was a good man and did not care to see his daughter's +death. + +Alone, quite alone, remained the sweet girl. Broken-hearted and +terror-stricken she repeated fervently all the prayers she knew. + +Father Frost, the almighty sovereign at that place, clad in furs, +with a long, long, white beard and a shining crown on his white head, +approached nearer and nearer, looked at this beautiful guest of his +and asked: + +"Dost thou know me?--me, the red-nosed Frost?" + +"Be welcome, Father Frost," answered gently the young girl. "I hope +our heavenly Lord sent thee for my sinful soul." + +"Art thou comfortable, sweet child?" again asked the Frost. He was +exceedingly pleased with her looks and mild manners. + +"Indeed I am," answered the girl, almost out of breath from cold. + +And the Frost, cheerful and bright, kept crackling in the branches +until the air became icy, but the good-natured girl kept repeating: + +"I am very comfortable, dear Father Frost." + +But the Frost, however, knew all about the weakness of human beings; +he knew very well that few of them are really good and kind; but he +knew no one of them even could struggle too long against the power of +Frost, the king of winter. The kindness of the gentle girl charmed old +Frost so much that he made the decision to treat her differently from +others, and gave her a large heavy trunk filled with many beautiful, +beautiful things. He gave her a rich "schouba" lined with precious +furs; he gave her silk quilts--light like feathers and warm as a +mother's lap. What a rich girl she became and how many magnificent +garments she received! And besides all, old Frost gave her a blue +"sarafan" ornamented with silver and pearls. + +[Illustration: "_Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, +beautiful things_"] + +When the young girl put it on she became such a beautiful maiden that +even the sun smiled at her. + +The stepmother was in the kitchen busy baking pancakes for the meal +which it is the custom to give to the priests and friends after the +usual service for the dead. + +"Now, old man," said the wife to the husband, "go down to the wide +fields and bring the body of thy daughter; we will bury her." + +The old man went off. And the little dog in the corner wagged his tail +and said: + +"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is on her way home, +beautiful and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter is +wicked as ever before." + +"Keep still, stupid beast!" shouted the stepmother, and struck the +little dog. + +"Here, take this pancake, eat it and say, 'The old woman's daughter +will be married soon and the old man's daughter shall be buried +soon.'" + +The dog ate the pancake and began anew: + +"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is coming home wealthy +and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter is somewhere +around as homely and wicked as ever before." + +The old woman was furious at the dog, but in spite of pancakes and +whipping, the dog repeated the same words over and over again. + +Somebody opened the gate, voices were heard laughing and talking +outside. The old woman looked out and sat down in amazement. The +stepdaughter was there like a princess, bright and happy in the most +beautiful garments, and behind her the old father had hardly strength +enough to carry the heavy, heavy trunk with the rich outfit. + +"Old man!" called the stepmother, impatiently; "hitch our best horses +to our best sleigh, and drive _my_ daughter to the very same +place in the wide, wide fields." + +The old man obeyed as usual and took his stepdaughter to the same +place and left her alone. + +Old Frost was there; he looked at his new guest. + +"Art thou comfortable, fair maiden?" asked the red-nosed sovereign. + +"Let me alone," harshly answered the girl; "canst thou not see that my +feet and my hands are about stiff from the cold?" + +The Frost kept crackling and asking questions for quite a while, but +obtaining no polite answer became angry and froze the girl to death. + +"Old man, go for my daughter; take the best horses; be careful; do not +upset the sleigh; do not lose the trunk." + +And the little dog in the corner said: + +"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter will marry soon; the old +woman's daughter shall be buried soon." + +"Do not lie. Here is a cake; eat it and say, 'The old woman's daughter +is clad in silver and gold.'" + +The gate opened, the old woman ran out and kissed the stiff frozen +lips of her daughter. She wept and wept, but there was no help, and +she understood at last that through her own wickedness and envy her +child had perished. + +[Illustration: THE END] + +[Illustration] + + + + + +NOTES + + +The Tsarevna Frog + +A _tsarstvo_ is the domain of a _tsar_ (czar), which +is the title of an absolute monarch in Russia. The word _tsar_, +derived from the Roman name and title, Caesar, may be translated +emperor, king, or prince. A number of words are formed from it by +adding different syllables: Tsarevitch, the tsar's son, prince; +Tsarevna, the tsar's daughter, princess; Tsaritza, the tsar's wife, +queen or empress. + +_Boyar_ was the word formerly used to mean a +Russian nobleman; so a _boyar-house_ is a lord's house; +_boyarishnia_, a lord's daughter. The _terem_ was that part +of the boyar-house in which the women's rooms were situated. + +In Russia there is a fatherly relation existing between the ruler +and his subjects which is shown in such phrases as "the tsar +father," "their father sovereign," etc. The Russian language has many +diminutives, or terms of endearment. For instance, the Tzar is often +affectionately called "the little father" by his subjects. + +"_Once said, quickly done_." This is the Russian idiom. +Observe how much more lively it is than our own "No sooner said than +done." + + +Seven Simeons + +_The holy icons_ are pictures or mosaics of Christ, or the +Virgin Mary, or of some saint or martyr of the Russian church. In +every Russian house there is one or more, hung in a prominent place. +Every one who enters the house at once bows and utters a prayer before +the icons before he does anything else. This is an old Russian custom +which is still kept up by peasants. + +_Strong green wine_. This is the phrase still used by Russian +story-tellers to describe the drink which it was an honor to receive +from the royal hand. Its strength was magical in that it was not +acquired by keeping, but was always the same. + +_For a cloudy day_ is the Russian idiom very similar to our +own. + +_It is a peasant's trade_ is a Russian saying which means, +"It doesn't amount to much." + +_Moujik_, a peasant: his duties are those of a farm laborer, +yet this phrase would not be a fair translation. This word, which is +rendered "tiller of the soil," has no exact equivalent in English. + +_Korolevitch_, from _korol_: king. The endings +_evitch_ and _evna_ show descent, korolevitch meaning son of +a king; korolevna meaning daughter of a king. + +_Dutch trumpet_, i.e., an imported trumpet. Anything foreign +is "Dutch" to the Russian peasant. + +_Honey drink_, a drink made by fermenting honey and water. It +is quite common in Russia, and is about the same as our mead. + +Russian and other Slavonic tales often have queer endings, similar +to the one here given by the story-teller at the end of the story, +which is no part of the tale. To the Russian they give a poetic touch, +a little sense of confusion and mystery which is certainly delightful. + + +The Language of the Birds + +_Holy Russia_. To the Russian his country is sacred; +everything outside is profane by comparison. The phrase suggests the +_Holy Roman Empire_ of history, or the _Celestial Kingdom_ +of the Chinese. + + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton + +In the peasant's house there is often a large stove of brick or +tile on which the family sleep in cold weather. + +_A day in and an equal day out_, the Russian idiom. Observe +how very like our own. + + +Woe Bogotir + +_Kabak_, a drinking saloon. + +The _ruble_ is the principal coin of Russia, as the dollar +is in the United States. It is equal to 100 copecks, and at this time +(1903) is worth only about 50 cents. + +_Honey to drink_, i.e., fermented honey, or mead. + + +Baba Yaga + +_Baba_, a peasant woman, or grandmother; granny. +_Yaga_, witch. _Baba Yaga_, therefore, is the familiar +"Grandmother Witch." + +_Izba_, a hut. _Izboushka_, a tiny hut. + + +Father Frost + +_Schouba_, a large fur-lined cloak. + +_Sarafan_, the Russian national costume for women. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12851 *** diff --git a/12851-h/12851-h.htm b/12851-h/12851-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0206348 --- /dev/null +++ b/12851-h/12851-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3250 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Folk Tales from the Russian</title> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> +<style type="text/css"> + +body { margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + text-align: justify; } + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: +normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 300%; + margin-top: 0.6em; + margin-bottom: 0.6em; + letter-spacing: 0.12em; + word-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0em;} +h2 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h3 {font-size: 130%; margin-top: 1em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +h5 {font-size: 110%;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +p {text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + +p.center {text-align: center; + text-indent: 0em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +div.fig { display:block; + margin:0 auto; + text-align:center; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em;} + +span.figleft { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: .8 } + +p.caption {font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; } + +a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:hover {color:red} + +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12851 ***</div> + +<div class="fig" style="width:55%;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="[Illustration]" /> +</div> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus01"></a> +<img src="images/001.jpg" width="262" height="471" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>She gave him a touchstone and flint</i>"</p> +</div> + +<h1>FOLK TALES<br/> +FROM THE RUSSIAN</h1> + +<p class="center">RETOLD BY</p> + +<p class="center">VERRA XENOPHONTOVNA KALAMATIANO DE BLUMENTHAL</p> + +<p class="center"><b>Core Collection Books, inc</b>.</p> + +<p class="center">GREAT NECK, NEW YORK</p> + +<p class="center"><b>BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY</b></p> + +<p class="center">First Published 1903 Reprinted 1979</p> + +<p class="center">International Standard Book Number +0-8486-0216-1</p> + +<p class="center">Library of Congress Catalog Number 78-74512</p> + +<p class="center">PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><a name="FOREWORD">FOREWORD</a></p> + +<p>In Russia, as elsewhere in the world, folklore is rapidly +scattering before the practical spirit of modern progress. The +traveling peasant bard or story teller, and the devoted "nyanya", +the beloved nurse of many a generation, are rapidly dying out, and +with them the tales and legends, the last echoes of the nation's +early joys and sufferings, hopes and fears, are passing away. The +student of folk-lore knows that the time has come when haste is +needed to catch these vanishing songs of the nation's youth and to +preserve them for the delight of future generations. In sending +forth the stories in the present volume, all of which are here set +down in print for the first time, it is my hope that they may +enable American children to share with the children of Russia the +pleasure of glancing into the magic world of the old Slavic +nation.</p> + +<p>THE AUTHOR.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">THE TABLE OF CONTENTS</p> + +<p class="center"><i><a href="#FOREWORD">Foreword</a></i></p> + +<p class="center"><i><a href="#ILLUSTRATIONS">A List of Illustrations</a></i></p> + +<p class="center"><i><a href="#Dedication">Dedication</a></i></p> + +<p class="center"><i><a href="#NOTES">Notes</a></i></p> + +<p class="center">FOLK TALES</p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap01">The Tsarevna Frog</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap02">Seven Simeons</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap03">The Language +of the Birds</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap04">Ivanoushka the Simpleton</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap05">Woe Bogotir</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap06">Baba Yaga</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap07">Dimian the Peasant</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap08">The Golden Mountain</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap09">Father Frost</a></p> + +<h2><a name="ILLUSTRATIONS">A LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</a></h2> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus01">"She gave him a touchstone and flint". <i>Frontispiece</i></a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus02">The Tsarevna Frog</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus03">"Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all directions"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus04">Ivan learns the language of the birds</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus05">"The old man went begging from town to town"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus06">"One brother was sent to watch the turkeys"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus07">The rich brother</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus08">"The children ran away as fast as their little feet could possibly carry them"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus09">"Well, I struck a snag"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus10">"Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, beautiful things"</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center"><i><a name="Dedication">TO MY LITTLE FRIEND</a></i></p> + +<p class="center">EDITH EVANS</p> + +<p class="center"><i>AND ALL AMERICAN CHILDREN</i></p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus02"></a> +<img src="images/009.png" width="208" height="459" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">The Tsarevna Frog</p> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap01">THE TSAREVNA FROG</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/010.png"><img width="141" src="images/010.png" alt="I" +height="180" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In an old, old Russian <a href="#tsarstvo">tsarstvo</a>, I do not know when, +there lived a sovereign prince with the princess his wife. They had three sons, +all of them young, and such brave fellows that no pen could describe them. The +youngest had the name of Ivan <a href="#Tsarevitch">Tsarevitch</a>. One day +their father said to his sons: +</p> + +<p>"My dear boys, take each of you an arrow, draw your strong bow +and let your arrow fly; in whatever court it falls, in that court +there will be a wife for you."</p> + +<p>The arrow of the oldest Tsarevitch fell on a <a href="#Boyar">boyar-house</a> just in front of the <a href="#terem">terem</a> where women live; the arrow of the second +Tsarevitch flew to the red porch of a rich merchant, and on the +porch there stood a sweet girl, the merchant's daughter. The +youngest, the brave Tsarevitch Ivan, had the ill luck to send his +arrow into the midst of a swamp, where it was caught by a croaking +frog.</p> + +<p>Ivan Tsarevitch came to his father: "How can I marry the frog?" +complained the son. "Is she my equal? Certainly she is not."</p> + +<p>"Never mind," replied his father, "you have to marry the frog, +for such is evidently your destiny."</p> + +<p>Thus the brothers were married: the oldest to a young <a href="#boyarishnia">boyarishnia</a>, a nobleman's child; the second to +the merchant's beautiful daughter, and the youngest, Tsarevitch +Ivan, to a croaking frog.</p> + +<p>After a while the sovereign prince called his three sons and +said to them:</p> + +<p>"Have each of your wives bake a loaf of bread by to-morrow +morning."</p> + +<p>Ivan returned home. There was no smile on his face, and his brow +was clouded.</p> + +<p>"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear husband of mine, Tsarevitch Ivan, +why so sad?" gently asked the frog. "Was there anything +disagreeable in the palace?"</p> + +<p>"Disagreeable indeed," answered Ivan Tsarevitch; "the Tsar, my +father, wants you to bake a loaf of white bread by to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; the morning hour is a +better adviser than the dark evening."</p> + +<p>The Tsarevitch, taking his wife's advice, went to sleep. Then +the frog threw off her frogskin and turned into a beautiful, sweet +girl, Vassilissa by name. She now stepped out on the porch and +called aloud:</p> + +<p>"Nurses and waitresses, come to me at once and prepare a loaf of +white bread for to-morrow morning, a loaf exactly like those I used +to eat in my royal father's palace."</p> + +<p>In the morning Tsarevitch Ivan awoke with the crowing cocks, and +you know the cocks and chickens are never late. Yet the loaf was +already made, and so fine it was that nobody could even describe +it, for only in fairyland one finds such marvelous loaves. It was +adorned all about with pretty figures, with towns and fortresses on +each side, and within it was white as snow and light as a +feather.</p> + +<p><a href="#thetsarfather">The Tsar father</a> was pleased and the Tsarevitch received his +special thanks.</p> + +<p>"Now there is another task," said the Tsar smilingly. "Have each +of your wives weave a rug by to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Tsarevitch Ivan came back to his home. There was no smile on his +face and his brow was clouded.</p> + +<p>"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear Tsarevitch Ivan, my husband and +master, why so troubled again? Was not father pleased?"</p> + +<p>"How can I be otherwise? The Tsar, my father, has ordered a rug +by to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; go to sleep. The morning +hour will bring help."</p> + +<p>Again the frog turned into Vassilissa, the wise maiden, and +again she called aloud:</p> + +<p>"Dear nurses and faithful waitresses, come to me for new work. +Weave a silk rug like the one I used to sit upon in the palace of +the king, my father."</p> + +<p><a href="#Oncesaidquicklydone">Once said, quickly done.</a> When the cocks began their early +"cock-a-doodle-doo," Tsarevitch Ivan awoke, and lo! there lay the +most beautiful silk rug before him, a rug that no one could begin +to describe. Threads of silver and gold were interwoven among +bright-colored silken ones, and the rug was too beautiful for +anything but to admire.</p> + +<p>The Tsar father was pleased, thanked his son Ivan, and issued a +new order. He now wished to see the three wives of his handsome +sons, and they were to present their brides on the next day.</p> + +<p>The Tsarevitch Ivan returned home. Cloudy was his brow, more +cloudy than before.</p> + +<p>"C-R-O-A-K!.C-R-O-A-K! Tsarevitch, my dear husband and master, +why so sad? Hast thou heard anything unpleasant at the palace?"</p> + +<p>"Unpleasant enough, indeed! My father, the Tsar, ordered all of +us to present our wives to him. Now tell me, how could I dare go +with thee?"</p> + +<p>"It is not so bad after all, and might be much worse," answered +the frog, gently croaking. "Thou shalt go alone and I will follow +thee. When thou hearest a noise, a great noise, do not be afraid; +simply say: 'There is my miserable froggy coming in her miserable +box.'"</p> + +<p>The two elder brothers arrived first with their wives, +beautiful, bright, and cheerful, and dressed in rich garments. Both +the happy bridegrooms made fun of the Tsarevitch Ivan.</p> + +<p>"Why alone, brother?" they laughingly said to him. "Why didst +thou not bring thy wife along with thee? Was there no rag to cover +her? Where couldst thou have gotten such a beauty? We are ready to +wager that in all the swamps in the dominion of our father it would +be hard to find another one like her." And they laughed and +laughed.</p> + +<p>Lo! what a noise! The palace trembled, the guests were all +frightened. Tsarevitch Ivan alone remained quiet and said:</p> + +<p>"No danger; it is my froggy coming in her box."</p> + +<p>To the red porch came flying a golden carriage drawn by six +splendid white horses, and Vassilissa, beautiful beyond all +description, gently reached her hand to her husband. He led her +with him to the heavy oak tables, which were covered with +snow-white linen and loaded with many wonderful dishes such as are +known and eaten only in the land of fairies and never anywhere +else. The guests were eating and chatting gayly.</p> + +<p>Vassilissa drank some wine, and what was left in the tumbler she +poured into her left sleeve. She ate some of the fried swan, and +the bones she threw into her right sleeve. The wives of the two +elder brothers watched her and did exactly the same.</p> + +<p>When the long, hearty dinner was over, the guests began dancing +and singing. The beautiful Vassilissa came forward, as bright as a +star, bowed to her sovereign, bowed to the honorable guests and +danced with her husband, the happy Tsarevitch Ivan.</p> + +<p>While dancing, Vassilissa waved her left sleeve and a pretty +lake appeared in the midst of the hall and cooled the air. She +waved her right sleeve and white swans swam on the water. The Tsar, +the guests, the servants, even the gray cat sitting in the corner, +all were amazed and wondered at the beautiful Vassilissa. Her two +sisters-in-law alone envied her. When their turn came to dance, +they also waved their left sleeves as Vassilissa had done, and, oh, +wonder! they sprinkled wine all around. They waved their right +sleeves, and instead of swans the bones flew in the face of the +Tsar father. The Tsar grew very angry and bade them leave the +palace. In the meantime Ivan Tsarevitch watched a moment to slip +away unseen. He ran home, found the frogskin, and burned it in the +fire.</p> + +<p>Vassilissa, when she came back, searched for the skin, and when +she could not find it her beautiful face grew sad and her bright +eyes filled with tears. She said to Tsarevitch Ivan, her +husband:</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear Tsarevitch, what hast thou done? There was but a short +time left for me to wear the ugly frogskin. The moment was near +when we could have been happy together forever. Now I must bid thee +good-by. Look for me in a far-away country to which no one knows +the roads, at the palace of Kostshei the Deathless;" and Vassilissa +turned into a white swan and flew away through the window.</p> + +<p>Tsarevitch Ivan wept bitterly. Then he prayed to the almighty +God, and making the sign of the cross northward, southward, +eastward, and westward, he went on a mysterious journey.</p> + +<p>No one knows how long his journey was, but one day he met an +old, old man. He bowed to the old man, who said:</p> + +<p>"Good-day, brave fellow. What art thou searching for, and +whither art thou going?"</p> + +<p>Tsarevitch Ivan answered sincerely, telling all about his +misfortune without hiding anything.</p> + +<p>"And why didst thou burn the frogskin? It was wrong to do so. +Listen now to me. Vassilissa was born wiser than her own father, +and as he envied his daughter's wisdom he condemned her to be a +frog for three long years. But I pity thee and want to help thee. +Here is a magic ball. In whatever direction this ball rolls, follow +without fear."</p> + +<p>Ivan Tsarevitch thanked the good old man, and followed his new +guide, the ball. Long, very long, was his road. One day in a wide, +flowery field he met a bear, a big Russian bear. Ivan Tsarevitch +took his bow and was ready to shoot the bear.</p> + +<p>"Do not kill me, kind Tsarevitch," said the bear. "Who knows but +that I may be useful to thee?" And Ivan did not shoot the bear.</p> + +<p>Above in the sunny air there flew a duck, a lovely white duck. +Again the Tsarevitch drew his bow to shoot it. But the duck said to +him:</p> + +<p>"Do not kill me, good Tsarevitch. I certainly shall be useful to +thee some day."</p> + +<p>And this time he obeyed the command of the duck and passed by. +Continuing his way he saw a blinking hare. The Tsarevitch prepared +an arrow to shoot it, but the gray, blinking hare said:</p> + +<p>"Do not kill me, brave Tsarevitch. I shall prove myself grateful +to thee in a very short time."</p> + +<p>The Tsarevitch did not shoot the hare, but passed by. He walked +farther and farther after the rolling ball, and came to the deep +blue sea. On the sand there lay a fish. I do not remember the name +of the fish, but it was a big fish, almost dying on the dry +sand.</p> + +<p>"O Tsarevitch Ivan!" prayed the fish, "have mercy upon me and +push me back into the cool sea."</p> + +<p>The Tsarevitch did so, and walked along the shore. The ball, +rolling all the time, brought Ivan to a hut, a queer, tiny hut +standing on tiny hen's feet.</p> + +<p>"Izboushka! Izboushka!"—for so in Russia do they name +small huts—"Izboushka, I want thee to turn thy front to me," +cried Ivan, and lo! the tiny hut turned its front at once. Ivan +stepped in and saw a witch, one of the ugliest witches he could +imagine.</p> + +<p>"Ho! Ivan Tsarevitch! What brings thee here?" was his greeting +from the witch.</p> + +<p>"O, thou old mischief!" shouted Ivan with anger. "Is it the way +in holy Russia to ask questions before the tired guest gets +something to eat, something to drink, and some hot water to wash +the dust off?"</p> + +<p>Baba Yaga, the witch, gave the Tsarevitch plenty to eat and +drink, besides hot water to wash the dust off. Tsarevitch Ivan felt +refreshed. Soon he became talkative, and related the wonderful +story of his marriage. He told how he had lost his dear wife, and +that his only desire was to find her.</p> + +<p>"I know all about it," answered the witch. "She is now at the +palace of Kostshei the Deathless, and thou must understand that +Kostshei is terrible. He watches her day and night and no one can +ever conquer him. His death depends on a magic needle. That needle +is within a hare; that hare is within a large trunk; that trunk is +hidden in the branches of an old oak tree; and that oak tree is +watched by Kostshei as closely as Vassilissa herself, which means +closer than any treasure he has."</p> + +<p>Then the witch told Ivan Tsarevitch how and where to find the +oak tree. Ivan hastily went to the place. But when he perceived the +oak tree he was much discouraged, not knowing what to do or how to +begin the work. Lo and behold! that old acquaintance of his, the +Russian bear, came running along, approached the tree, uprooted it, +and the trunk fell and broke. A hare jumped out of the trunk and +began to run fast; but another hare, Ivan's friend, came running +after, caught it and tore it to pieces. Out of the hare there flew +a duck, a gray one which flew very high and was almost invisible, +but the beautiful white duck followed the bird and struck its gray +enemy, which lost an egg. That egg fell into the deep sea. Ivan +meanwhile was anxiously watching his faithful friends helping him. +But when the egg disappeared in the blue waters he could not help +weeping. All of a sudden a big fish came swimming up, the same fish +he had saved, and brought the egg in his mouth. How happy Ivan was +when he took it! He broke it and found the needle inside, the magic +needle upon which everything depended.</p> + +<p>At the same moment Kostshei lost his strength and power forever. +Ivan Tsarevitch entered his vast dominions, killed him with the +magic needle, and in one of the palaces found his own dear wife, +his beautiful Vassilissa. He took her home and they were very happy +ever after.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/023.png" width="135" height="139" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap02">SEVEN SIMEONS</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/024.png"><img width="145" src="images/024.png" alt="I" +height="149" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In an empire, in a country beyond many seas and islands, beyond high mountains, +beyond large rivers, upon a level expanse, as if spread upon a table, there +stood a large town, and in that town there lived a Tsar called Archidei, the +son of Aggei; therefore he was called Aggeivitch. +</p> + +<p>A famous Tsar he was, and a clever one. His wealth could not be +counted; his warriors were innumerable. There were forty times +forty towns in his kingdom, and in each one of these towns there +were ten palaces with silver doors and golden ceilings and +magnificent crystal windows.</p> + +<p>For his council twelve wise men were selected, each one of them +having a beard half a yard long and a head full of wisdom. These +advisers offered nothing but truth to their father sovereign; none +ever dared advance a lie.</p> + +<p>How could such a Tsar be anything but happy? But it is true, +indeed, that neither wealth nor wisdom give happiness when the +heart is not at ease, and even in golden palaces the poor heart +often aches.</p> + +<p>So it was with the Tsar Archidei; he was rich and clever, +besides being a handsome fellow; but he could not find a bride to +his taste, a bride with wit and beauty equal to his own. And this +was the cause of the Tsar Archidei's sorrow and distress.</p> + +<p>One day he was sitting in his golden armchair looking out of the +window lost in thought. He had gazed for quite a while before he +noticed foreign sailors landing opposite the imperial palace. The +sailors ran their ship up to the wharf, reefed their white sails, +threw the heavy anchor into the sea and prepared the plank ready to +go ashore. Before them all walked an old merchant; white was his +beard and he had about him the air of a wise man. An idea suddenly +occurred to the Tsar: "Sea merchants generally are well informed on +many subjects. If I ask them, perchance I shall find that they have +met somewhere a princess, beautiful and clever, suitable for me, +the Tsar Archidei."</p> + +<p>Without delay the order was given to call the sea merchants into +the halls of the palace.</p> + +<p>The merchant guests appeared, prayed to <a href="#Theholyicons"> the holy icons</a> hanging +in the corner, bowed to the Tsar, bowed to the wise advisers. The +Tsar ordered his servants to serve them with tumblers of strong +green wine. The guests drank the <a href="#Stronggreenwine."> strong green wine</a> and wiped their +beards with embroidered towels. Then the Tsar Archidei addressed +them:</p> + +<p>"We are aware that you gallant sea merchants cross all the big +waters and see many wonderful things. My desire is to ask you about +something, and you must give a straightforward answer without any +deceit or evasion."</p> + +<p>"So be it, mighty Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch," answered the +merchant guests, bowing.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, can you tell me if somewhere in an empire or +kingdom, or among great princes, there is a maiden as beautiful and +wise as I myself, Tsar Archidei; an illustrious maiden who would be +a proper wife for me, a suitable Tsaritza for my country?"</p> + +<p>The merchant guests seemed to be puzzled, and after a long +silence the eldest among them thus replied:</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I once heard that yonder beyond the great sea, on an +island called Buzan, there is a great country; and the sovereign of +that land has a daughter named Helena, a princess very beautiful, +not less so, I dare say, than thyself. And wise she is, too; a wise +man once tried for three years to guess a riddle that she gave, and +did not succeed."</p> + +<p>"How far is that island, pray tell, and where are the roads that +lead to it?"</p> + +<p>"The island is not near," answered the old merchant. "If one +chooses the wide sea he must journey ten years. Besides, the way to +it is not known to us. Moreover, even suppose we did know the way, +it seems that the Princess Helena is not a bride for thee."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei shouted with anger:</p> + +<p>"How dost thou dare to speak such words, thou, a long-bearded +buck?"</p> + +<p>"Thy will be done, but think for thyself. Suppose thou shouldst +send an envoy to the island of Buzan. He would require ten long +years to go there, ten years equally long to come back, and so his +journey would require fully twenty years. By that time a most +beautiful princess would grow old—a girl's beauty is like the +swallow, a bird of passage; it lasts not long."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei became thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said to the merchant guests, "you have my thanks, +guests of passage, respectable men of trade. Go in God's name, +transact business in my tsarstvo without any taxes whatever. What +to do about the beautiful Princess Helena I will try to think out +by myself."</p> + +<p>The merchants bowed low and left the Tsar's rich palace.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei sat still, wrapped in thought, but he could +find neither beginning nor end to the problem. "Let me ride into +the wide fields," he said; "let me forget my sorrow amid the +excitement of the noble hunt, hoping that the future may bring +advice."</p> + +<p>The falconers appeared, cheerful notes from the golden trumpets +resounded, and falcons and hawks were soon slumbering under their +velvet caps as they sat quietly on the fingers of the hunters.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch came with his men to a wide, wide +field. All of his men were watching the moment to loose their +falcons in order to let the birds pursue a long-legged heron or a +white-breasted swan.</p> + +<p>Now, you, my listeners, must understand that the fairy tale is +quick, but life is not. The Tsar Archidei was on horseback for a +long while, and finally came to a green valley. Looking around he +saw a well cultivated field where the golden ears of the grain were +already ripe, and oh, how beautiful! The Tsar stopped in +admiration.</p> + +<p>"I presume," he exclaimed, "that good workers are owners of this +place, honest plowmen and diligent sowers. If only all fields in my +tsarstvo were equally cultivated, my people need never know what +hunger means, and there would even be plenty to send beyond the sea +to be exchanged for silver and gold."</p> + +<p>Then the Tsar Archidei gave orders to inquire who the owners of +the field were, and what were their names. Hunters, grooms, and +servants rushed in all directions, and discovered seven brave +fellows, all of them fair, red-cheeked, and very handsome. They +were dining according to the peasant fashion, which means that they +were eating rye bread with onions, and drinking clear water. Their +blouses were red, with a golden galloon around the neck, and they +were so much alike that one could hardly be recognized from +another.</p> + +<p>The royal messengers approached.</p> + +<p>"Whose field is this?" they asked; "this field with golden +wheat?"</p> + +<p>The seven brave peasants answered cheerfully:</p> + +<p>"This is our field; we plowed it, and we also have sown the +golden wheat."</p> + +<p>"And what kind of people are you?"</p> + +<p>"We are the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch's peasants, farmers, and we +are brothers, sons of one father and mother. The name for all of us +is Simeon, so you understand we are seven Simeons."</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus03"></a> +<img src="images/031.jpg" width="316" height="455" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all directions</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>This answer was faithfully delivered to the Tsar Archidei by the +envoys, and the Tsar at once desired to see the brave peasants, and +ordered them to be called before him. The seven Simeons presently +appeared and bowed. The Tsar looked at them with his bright eyes +and asked them:</p> + +<p>"What kind of people are you whose field is so well +cultivated?"</p> + +<p>One of the seven brothers, the eldest of them, answered:</p> + +<p>"We are all thy peasants, simpletons, without any wisdom, born +of peasant parents, all of us children of the same father and the +same mother, and all having the same name, Simeon. Our old father +taught us to pray to God, to obey thee, to pay taxes faithfully, +and besides to work and toil without rest. He also taught to each +of us a trade, for the old saying is, 'A trade is no burden, but a +profit.' The old father wished us to keep our trades <a href="#Foracloudyday"> for a cloudy +day</a>, but never to forsake our own fields, and always to be +contented, and plow and harrow diligently.</p> + +<p>"He also used to say, 'If one does not neglect the mother earth, +but thoroughly harrows and sows in due season, then she, our +mother, will reward generously, and will give plenty of bread, +besides preparing a soft place for the everlasting rest when one is +old and tired of life.'"</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei liked the simple answer of the peasant, and +said:</p> + +<p>"Take my praise, brave good fellows, my peasants, tillers of the +soil, sowers of wheat, gatherers of gold. And now tell me, what +trades did your father teach you, and what do you know?"</p> + +<p>The first Simeon answered:</p> + +<p>"My trade is not a very wise one. If thou wouldst let me have +materials and working men, then I could build a post, a white stone +column, reaching beyond the clouds, almost to the sky."</p> + +<p>"Good enough!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei. "And thou, the +second Simeon, what is thy trade?"</p> + +<p>The second Simeon was quick to give answer:</p> + +<p>"My trade is a simple one. If my brother will build a white +stone column, I can climb upon that column high up in the sky, and +I shall see from above all the empires and all the kingdoms under +the sun, and everything which is going on in those foreign +countries."</p> + +<p>"Thy trade is not so bad either," and the Tsar smiled and looked +at the third brother. "And thou, third Simeon, what trade is +thine?"</p> + +<p>The third Simeon also had his answer ready:</p> + +<p>"My trade is simple, too; that is to say, <a href="#Itisapeasantstrade"> a peasant's +trade</a>. If +thou art in need of ships, thy learned men of foreign birth build +them for thee as well as their wisdom teaches them. But if thou +wilt order, I will build them simply—one, two! and the ship +is ready. My ships will be the result of the quick headwork of a +peasant simpleton. But where a foreign ship sails a year, mine will +sail an hour, and where others take ten years, mine will take not +longer than a week."</p> + +<p>"Well, well!" laughed the Tsar. "And thy trade, the fourth +Simeon?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The fourth brother bowed.</p> + +<p>"My trade needs no wisdom either. If my brother will build thee +a ship, I then will sail that ship; and if an enemy gives chase or +a tempest rises, I'll seize the ship by the black prow and plunge +her into the deep waters where there is eternal quiet; and after +the storm is over or the enemy far, I'll again guide her to the +surface of the wide sea."</p> + +<p>"Good!" approved the Tsar. "And thou, fifth Simeon, what dost +thou know? Hast thou also a trade?"</p> + +<p>"My trade, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, is not a fair one, for I am +a blacksmith. If thou wouldst order a shop built for me, I at once +would forge a self-shooting gun, and no eagle far above in the sky +or wild beast in the wood would be safe from that gun."</p> + +<p>"Not bad either," answered the Tsar Archidei, well pleased. "Thy +turn now, sixth Simeon."</p> + +<p>"My trade is no trade," answered the sixth Simeon, rather +humbly. "If my brother shoots a bird or a beast, never mind what or +where, I can catch it before it falls down, catch it even better +than a hunting dog. If the prey should fall into the blue sea, I'll +find it at the sea's bottom; should it fall into the depth of the +dark woods, I'll find it there in the midst of night; should it get +caught in a cloud, I'll find it even there."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei evidently liked the trade of the sixth Simeon +very well also. These were all simple trades, you see, without any +wisdom whatever, but rather entertaining. The Tsar also liked the +peasants' speech, and he said to them:</p> + +<p>"Thanks, my peasants, tillers of the soil, my faithful workers. +Your father's words are true ones: 'A trade is not a burden, but a +profit.' Now come to my capital for a trial; people like you are +welcome. And when the season for harvest arrives, the time to reap, +to bind in bundles the golden grain, to thresh and carry the wheat +to the market, I will let you go home with my royal grace."</p> + +<p>Then all the seven Simeons bowed very low. "Thine is the will," +said they, "and we are thy obedient subjects."</p> + +<p>Here the Tsar Archidei looked at the youngest Simeon and +remembered that he had not asked him about his trade. So he +said:</p> + +<p>"And thou, seventh Simeon, what is thy trade?"</p> + +<p>"I have none, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. I learned many, but not +a single one did me any good, and though I know something very +well, I am not sure your majesty would like it."</p> + +<p>"Let us know thy secret," ordered the Tsar Archidei.</p> + +<p>"No, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch! Give me, first of all, thy royal +word not to kill me for my inborn talent, but to have mercy upon +me. Then only will I be willing to disclose my secret."</p> + +<p>"Thy wish is granted. I give thee my royal word, true and not to +be broken, that whatever thou shalt disclose to me, I will have +mercy upon thee."</p> + +<p>Hearing these kind words, the seventh Simeon smiled, looked +around, shook his curls and began:</p> + +<p>"My trade is one for which there is no mercy in thy tsarstvo, +and it is the one thing I am able to do. My trade is to steal and +to hide the trace of how and when. There is no treasure, no +fortunate possession, not even a bewitched one, nor a secret place +that could be forbidden me if it be my wish to steal."</p> + +<p>As soon as these bold words of the seventh Simeon reached the +Tsar's ears he became very angry.</p> + +<p>"No!" he exclaimed, "I certainly shall not pardon thee, thief +and burglar! I will give orders for thy cruel death! I will have +thee chained and thrown into my subterranean prison with nothing +but bread and water for food until thou forget thy trade!"</p> + +<p>"Great and merciful Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, postpone thy +orders. Listen to my peasant talk," prayed the seventh Simeon. "Our +old Russian saying is: 'He is no thief who is not caught, and +neither is he who steals, but the one who instigates the theft.' If +my wish had been to steal, I should have done it long ago. I should +have stolen thy treasures and thy judges would not have objected to +take a small share of them, and I could have built a white-walled +stone palace and have been rich. But, mark this: I am a stupid +peasant of low origin. I know well enough how to steal, but will +not. If thy wish were to learn my trade, how could I keep it from +thee? And if thou, for this sincere acknowledgment, wilt have me +put to death, then what is the value of thy royal word?"</p> + +<p>The Tsar thought a moment. "For this time," he said, "I will not +let thee die, for it pleases me to grant thee my grace. But from +this very day, this very hour, thou never shalt see God's light nor +the bright sunshine nor the silvery moon. Thou shalt never walk at +liberty through the wide fields, but thou, my dear guest, shalt +dwell in a palace where no sunny ray ever penetrates. You, my +servants, take him, chain his hands and his feet and lead him to my +chief jailor. And you six Simeons follow me. You have my grace and +reward. To-morrow every one of you will begin to work for me +according to his gifts and capacities."</p> + +<p>The six Simeons followed the Tsar Archidei, and the seventh +brother, the youngest, the beloved one, was fallen upon by the +servants, taken away to the dark prison and heavily chained.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei ordered carpenters to be sent to the first +Simeon, as well as masons and blacksmiths and all sorts of +workingmen. He also ordered a supply of bricks, stones, iron, clay, +and cement. Without any delay, Simeon, the first brother, began to +build a column, and according to his simple peasant's habits his +work progressed rapidly, and not a moment was wasted in clever +combinations. In a short time the white column was ready, and lo, +how high it went! as high as the great planets. The smaller stars +were beneath it, and from above the people seemed to be like +bugs.</p> + +<p>The second Simeon climbed the column, looked around, listened to +all sounds, and came down. The Tsar Archidei, anxious to know about +everything under the sun, ordered him to report, and Simeon did so. +He told the Tsar Archidei all the wonderful doings all over the +world. He told how one king was fighting another, where there was +war and where there was peace, and with other things the second +Simeon even mentioned deep secrets, quite surprising secrets, which +made the Tsar Archidei smile; and the courtiers, encouraged by the +royal smile, roared with laughter.</p> + +<p>Meantime the third Simeon was accomplishing something in his +line. After crossing himself three times the fellow rolled up his +sleeves to the elbow, took a hatchet and—one, +two—without any haste built a vessel. What a curious vessel +it was! The Tsar Archidei watched the wonderful structure from the +shore and as soon as the orders were given for sailing, the new +vessel sailed away like a white-winged hawk. The cannon were +shooting and upon the masts, instead of rigging, were drawn strings +upon which musicians were playing the national tunes.</p> + +<p>As soon as the wonderful vessel sailed into deep water, the +fourth Simeon snatched the prow and no trace of it remained on the +surface; the whole vessel went to the depths like a heavy stone. In +an hour or so Simeon, with his left hand, led the ship to the blue +surface of the sea again, and with his right he presented to the +Tsar a most magnificent sturgeon for his "kulibiaka," the famous +Russian fish pie.</p> + +<p>While the Tsar Archidei enjoyed himself with looking at the +marvelous vessel, the fifth Simeon built a blacksmith shop in the +court back of the palace. There he blew the bellows and heated the +iron. The noise from his hammers was great and the result of his +peasant work was a self-shooting gun. The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch +went to the wild fields and perceived high above him, very high +under the sky, an eagle flying.</p> + +<p>"Now!" exclaimed the Tsar, "there is an eagle forgetting himself +with watching the sun; shoot it. Perchance thou shalt have the good +luck to hit it. Then I will honor thee."</p> + +<p>Simeon shook his locks, smiled, put into his gun a silver +bullet, aimed, shot, and the eagle fell swiftly to the earth. The +sixth Simeon did not even allow the eagle to fall to the ground, +but, quick as a flash, he ran under it with a plate, caught it on +that big plate and presented his prey to the Tsar Archidei.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, thanks, my brave fellows, faithful peasants, tillers of +the soil!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei gayly. "I see now plainly +that all of you are men of trade and I wish to reward you. But now +go to your dinner and rest awhile." The six Simeons bowed to the +Tsar very low, prayed to the holy icons and went. They were already +seated, had time to swallow each one a tumbler of the strong, green +wine, took up the round wooden spoons in order to attack the +"stchi," the Russian cabbage soup, when lo! the Tsar's fool came +running and shaking his striped cap with the round bells and +shouted:</p> + +<p>"You ignorant simpletons, unlearned peasants, <a href="#Moujik">moujiks</a>! Is it a +suitable moment for dinner when the Tsar wants you? Go in +haste!"</p> + +<p>All the six started running toward the palace, thinking within +themselves: "What can have happened?" In front of the palace stood +the guards with their iron staves; in the halls all the wise and +learned people were gathered together, and the Tsar himself was +sitting on his high throne looking very grim and thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Listen to me," he said when the peasants approached, "you, my +brave fellows, my clever brothers Simeon. I like your trades and I +think, as do my wise advisers, that if thou, the second Simeon, art +able to see everything going on under the sun, thou shouldst climb +quickly on yonder column and glance around to see if there is, as +they say, beyond the great sea an island, Buzan by name. And see if +on that island, as men assert, there is a mighty kingdom, and in +that kingdom a mighty king, and if that king, as the story goes, +has a daughter, the most beautiful princess Helena."</p> + +<p>The second Simeon bowed and ran quickly, even forgetting to put +on his cap. He went straight to the column, climbed it, looked +around, came down, and this was his report:</p> + +<p>"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, I have accomplished thy sovereign +wish. I looked far beyond the sea and have seen the island Buzan. +Mighty is the king there, and he is proud and merciless. He sits +within his palace and his speech is always the same:</p> + +<p>'I am a great king and I have a most beautiful daughter, the +princess Helena. There is no one in the universe more beautiful and +more wise than she; there is no bridegroom worthy of her in any +place under the bright sun, no tsar, no king, no tsarevitch, no <a href="#Korolevitch">korolevitch</a>. To no one will I ever give my daughter, the princess +Helena, and whoever shall dare to court her, on such an one will I +declare war, ruin his country, and capture himself.'"</p> + +<p>"And how great is the army of that king?" asked the Tsar +Archidei; "and also how far is his kingdom from my tsarstvo?"</p> + +<p>"Well, according to the measure of my eyes," answered Simeon, "I +fancy it would take a ship ten years less two days; or, if it +happened to be stormy, I am afraid even a little longer than ten +years. And that king has not a small army. I have seen altogether a +hundred thousand spearmen, a hundred thousand armed men, and a +hundred thousand or more could be gathered from the Tsar's court, +from his servants and all kinds of underlings. Besides, there is no +small armament of guards held in reserve for a special occasion, +fed and petted by the king."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei remained for a long time in thoughtful silence +and finally addressed his court people:</p> + +<p>"My warriors and advisers: I have but one wish; I want the +princess Helena for my wife. But tell me, how can I reach her?"</p> + +<p>The wise advisers remained silent, hiding themselves behind each +other. The third Simeon looked around, bowed to the Tsar, and +said:</p> + +<p>"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, forgive my simple words. How to reach +the island of Buzan there is no need to worry about. Sit down on my +ship; she is simply built, and equipped without any wise tricks. +Where others require a year she takes but a day, and where other +ships take ten years mine will take, let us say, a week. Only order +thine advisers to decide whether we ought to fight for or +peacefully court the beautiful princess."</p> + +<p>"Now, my warriors brave, my advisers sage," spoke the Tsar +Archidei to his men, "How will you decide upon this matter? Who +among you will go to fight for the princess, or who will be shrewd +enough to bring her peacefully here? I will pour gold and silver +over that one. I will give to him the first rank among the very +first."</p> + +<p>And again the brave warriors and the sage advisers remained +silent. The Tsar grew angry; he seemed to be ready for a terrible +word. Then, as if somebody had asked the fool, out he jumped from +behind the wise people with his foolish talk, shook his striped +fool's cap, rang his many bells, and shouted:</p> + +<p>"Why so silent, wise men? why so deep in thought? You have big +heads and long beards; it would seem that there is plenty of +wisdom, so why not show it? To go to the island of Buzan to obtain +the bride does not mean to lose gold or army. Have you already +forgotten the seventh Simeon? Why, it will be simple enough for him +to steal the princess Helena. Afterwards let the king of Buzan come +here to fight us, and we will welcome him as an honored guest. But +do not forget that he must take ten years' time to reach us, and in +ten years—ah me! I have heard that some wise man somewhere +undertook to teach a horse to talk in ten years!"</p> + +<p>"Good! Good!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei, forgetting even his +anger. "I thank thee, striped fool. I certainly shall reward thee. +Thou must have a new cap with noisy bells, and each one of thy +children a ginger pancake. You, faithful servants, run quickly and +bring here the seventh Simeon."</p> + +<p>According to the Tsar's bidding the heavy iron gates of the dark +prison were thrown open, the heavy chains were taken off and the +seventh Simeon appeared before the eager eyes of the Tsar Archidei, +who thus addressed him:</p> + +<p>"Listen to me attentively, thou seventh Simeon, for I had almost +decided to grant thee a high honor; to keep thee thy life long in +my prison. But if thou shouldst prove useful to me, then will I +give thee freedom; and besides, thou shalt have a share out of my +treasures. Art thou able to steal the beautiful princess Helena +from her father, the mighty king of the island of Buzan?"</p> + +<p>"And why not?" cheerfully laughed the seventh Simeon. "There is +nothing difficult about it. She is not a pearl, and I presume she +is not under too many locks. Only order the ship which my brother +had built for thee to be loaded with velvets and brocades, with +Persian rugs, beautiful pearls and precious stones, and bid my four +brothers come along with me. But the two eldest keep thou as +hostages."</p> + +<p>Once said, quickly done. The Tsar Archidei gave orders while all +were running hither and thither, and everything was finished so +promptly that a short-haired girl would scarcely have had time to +plait her hair. The ship, laden with velvets, brocades, with +Persian rugs and pearls, and costly precious stones, was ready; the +five brothers, the brave Simeons, were ready; they bowed to the +Tsar, spread sail, and disappeared.</p> + +<p>The ship floated swiftly over the blue waters; she flew like a +hawk in comparison with the slow merchant vessels, and in a week +after the five Simeons had left their native land they sighted the +island of Buzan.</p> + +<p>The island appeared to be surrounded with cannon as thick as +peas; the gigantic guards walked up and down the shores tugging +fiercely at their big mustaches. As soon as the ship became visible +from a tower somebody shouted through a <a href="#Dutchtrumpet"> Dutch trumpet:</a></p> + +<p>"Stop! Answer! What kind of people are ye? Why come ye +here?"</p> + +<p>The seventh Simeon answered from the ship: "We are a peaceful +people, not enemies but friends, merchants everywhere welcomed as +guests. We bring foreign merchandise. We want to sell, to buy, and +to exchange. We also have gifts for your king and for the +korolevna."</p> + +<p>The five brothers, our brave Simeons, lowered the boat, loaded +it with choice Venetian velvets, brocades, pearls, and precious +stones, and covered all with Persian rugs. They rowed to the wharf, +and landing near the king's palace, at once carried their gifts to +the king.</p> + +<p>The beautiful korolevna Helena was sitting in her terem. She was +a fair maiden with eyes like stars and eyebrows like precious +sable. When she looked at one it was like receiving a gift, and +when she walked it was like the graceful swimming of a swan. The +korolevna was quick to notice the brave, handsome brothers and at +once called her nurses and maidens.</p> + +<p>"Hasten, my dear nurses, and you, swift maidens, find out what +kind of strangers are these coming to our royal palace."</p> + +<p>All of the nurses, all of the maidens, ran out with questions +ready. The seventh Simeon answered them thus:</p> + +<p>"We are merchant guests, peaceful people. Our native land is the +country of the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, a great Tsar indeed. We +came to sell, to buy, to exchange; moreover, we have gifts for the +king and his princess. We do hope the king will favor us and will +accept these trifles; if not for himself, at least for the +adornment of his court's lovely maidens."</p> + +<p>When Helena heard these words she at once let the merchants in. +And the merchants appeared, bowed low to the beautiful korolevna, +unfolded the showy velvets and golden brocades, strewed around the +pearls and precious stones, such stones and pearls as had never +been seen before in Buzan. The nurses and the maidens opened their +mouths in amazement, and the korolevna herself seemed to be greatly +pleased. The seventh Simeon, quick to understand, smiled and +said:</p> + +<p>"We all know thee to be as wise as beautiful, but now thou art +evidently joking about us or mocking us. These simple wares are +altogether too plain for thine own use. Accept them for thy nurses +and maidens for their everyday attire, and these stones send away +to the kitchen boys to play with. But if thou wilt listen to me, +let me say that on our ship we have very different velvets and +brocades; we have also precious stones, far more precious than any +one has ever seen; yet we dared not bring them at once lest we +might not suit thy temper and thy hearty wish. If thou shouldst +decide to come in person and choose anything from among our +possessions, they all are thine and we bow to thee gratefully for +the bright glance of thy beautiful eyes."</p> + +<p>The royal maid liked well enough these polite words of the +handsome Simeon, and to her father she went:</p> + +<p>"Father and king, there have come to visit us some foreign +merchants and they have brought some goods never before seen in +Buzan. Give me thy permission to go on board their wonderful ship +to choose what things I like. They also have rich gifts for +thee."</p> + +<p>The king hesitated before answering her, frowning and scratching +behind his ear.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said at last, "be it according to thy wish, my +daughter, my beautiful korolevna. And you, my counselors, order my +royal vessel to be ready, the cannons loaded, and a hundred of my +bravest warriors detailed to escort the vessel. Send besides a +thousand heavy armed warriors to guard the korolevna on her way to +the merchants' vessel."</p> + +<p>Then the king's vessel started from the island of Buzan. Numbers +of cannon and warriors protected the princess, and the royal father +remained quiet at home.</p> + +<p>When they reached the merchants' ship the korolevna Helena came +down, and at once the crystal bridge was placed and the korolevna +with all her nurses and maidens went on board the foreign ship, +such a ship as they had never seen before, never even dreamed of. +Meanwhile the guards kept watch.</p> + +<p>The seventh Simeon showed the lovely guests everywhere. He was +talking smoothly while leisurely unfolding his precious goods. The +korolevna listened attentively, looked around curiously, and seemed +well pleased.</p> + +<p>At the same moment the fourth Simeon, watching the proper +moment, snapped the prow and down to mysterious depths went the +ship where no one could see her. The people on the king's vessel +screamed in terror, the warriors looked like drunken fools, and the +guards only opened their eyes wider than before. What should they +do? They directed the vessel back to the island and appeared before +the king with their terrible tale.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my daughter, my darling princess Helena! It is God who +punishes me for my pride. I never wanted thee to marry. No king, no +prince, would I consider worthy of thee; and now—oh! now I +know that thou art wedded to the deep sea! As for me, I am left +alone for the rest of my sorrowful days."</p> + +<p>Then all at once he looked around and shouted to his men:</p> + +<p>"You fools! what were you thinking about? You shall all lose +your heads! Guards, throw them into dungeons! The most cruel death +shall be theirs, such a death that the children of their +great-grandchildren shall shiver to hear the tale!"</p> + +<p>Now, while the king of Buzan raved and grieved, the ship of the +brothers Simeon, like a golden fish, swam under the blue waters, +and when the island was lost from sight the fourth Simeon brought +her to the surface and she rose upon the waters like a white-winged +gull. By this time the princess was becoming anxious about the long +time they were away from home, and she exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Nurses and maidens, we are leisurely looking around, but I +fancy my father the king finds the time sadly long." She hastily +walked to the deck of the ship, and behold!—only the wide sea +was around her like a mirror! Where was her native island, where +the royal vessel? There was nothing visible but the blue sea. The +princess screamed, struck her white bosom with both hands, +transformed herself into a white swan and flew high into the sky. +But the fifth Simeon, watching closely, lost no time, snapped his +lucky gun and the white swan was shot. His brother, the sixth +Simeon, caught the white swan, but lo! instead of the white swan +there was a silvery fish, which slipped away from him. Simeon +caught the fish, but the pretty, silvery fish turned into a small +mouse running around the ship. Simeon did not let it reach a hole, +but swifter than a cat caught the mouse,—and the princess +Helena, as beautiful and natural as before, appeared before them, +fair-faced, bright-eyed.</p> + +<p>On a lovely morning a week later the Tsar Archidei was sitting +by the window of his palace lost in thought. His eyes were turned +toward the sea, the wide, blue sea. He was sad at heart and could +not eat; feasts had no interest for him, the costly dishes had no +taste, the <a href="#Honeydrink"> honey drink</a> seemed weak. All his thoughts and longings +were for the princess Helena, the beautiful one, the only one.</p> + +<p>What is that far away upon the waters? Is it a white gull? Or +are those white wings not wings, but sails? No, it is not a gull, +but the ship of the brothers Simeon, and she approaches as rapidly +as the wind which blows her sails. The cannon boom, native melodies +are played on the cords of the masts. Soon the ship is anchored, +the crystal bridge prepared, and the korolevna Helena, the +beautiful princess, appears like a never-setting sun, her eyes like +bright stars, and oh! how happy is the Tsar Archidei!</p> + +<p>"Run quick, my faithful servants, you brave officers of state, +and you, too, my bodyguard, and all you useful and ornamental +fellows of my palace, run and prepare, shoot off rockets and ring +the bells in order to give a joyful welcome to korolevna Helena, +the beautiful."</p> + +<p>All hastened to their tasks, to shoot, to ring the bells, to +open the gates, to honorably receive the korolevna. The Tsar +himself came out to meet the beautiful princess, took her white +hands and helped her into the palace.</p> + +<p>"Welcome! welcome!" said the Tsar Archidei. "Thy fame, korolevna +Helena, reached me, but never could I imagine such beauty as is +thine. Yet, though I admire thee, I do not want to separate thee +from thy father. Say the word and my faithful servants will take +thee back to him. If thou choosest, however, to remain in my +tzarstvo, be the tsaritza over my country and rule over me, the +Tzar Archidei, also."</p> + +<p>At these words of the Tsar the korolevna Helena threw such a +glance at the Tsar that it seemed to him the sun was laughing, the +moon singing, and the stars dancing all around.</p> + +<p>Well, what more is there to be said? You certainly can imagine +the rest. The courtship was not long and the wedding feast was soon +ready, for you know kings always have everything at their command. +The brothers Simeon were at once dispatched to the king of Buzan +with a message from the korolevna, his daughter, and this is what +she wrote:</p> + +<p>"Dear father, mighty king and sovereign: I have found a husband +according to my heart's wish and I am asking thy fatherly blessing. +My bridegroom, the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, sends his counselors +to thee, begging thee to come to our wedding."</p> + +<p>At the very moment when the merchant ship was to land at the +island of Buzan, crowds of people had gathered to witness the +execution of the unfortunate guards and brave warriors whose +ill-luck it was to have allowed the princess to disappear.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" Simeon the seventh shouted aloud from the deck. "We +bring a missive from the korolevna Helena. Holla!"</p> + +<p>Very glad indeed was the king of the island of Buzan, and glad +were all his subjects. The missive was read and the condemned were +pardoned.</p> + +<p>"Evidently," the king said, "it is fated that the handsome and +witty Tsar Archidei and my beautiful daughter are to become husband +and wife."</p> + +<p>Then the king treated the envoys and the brothers Simeon very +well and sent his blessings with them, as he himself did not wish +to go, being very old. The ship soon returned and the Tsar Archidei +rejoiced over it with his beautiful bride, and at once summoned the +seven Simeons, the seven brave peasants.</p> + +<p>He said to them: "Thanks! thanks! my peasants, my brave tillers +of the soil. Take as much gold as you wish. Take silver also and +ask for whatever is your heart's desire. Everything shall be given +you with my mighty hand. Would you like to become boyars, you shall +be the greatest among the very great. Do you choose to become +governors, each one shall have a town."</p> + +<p>The first Simeon bowed to the Tsar and cheerfully answered:</p> + +<p>"Thanks also to thee, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. We are but +simple people and simple are our ways. It would not do for us to +become boyars or governors. We do not care for thy treasures +either. We have our own father's field, which shall always give us +bread for hunger and money for need. Let us go home, taking with us +thy gracious word as our reward. If thou choosest to be so kind, +give us thine order which shall save us from the judges and +tax-gatherers; and if we should be guilty of some offense, let +thyself alone be our judge. And do, we pray thee, pardon the +seventh Simeon, our youngest brother. His trade is surely bad, but +he is not the first and not the last one to have such a gift."</p> + +<p>"Let it be as you wish," said the Tsar; and every desire was +granted to the seven Simeons, and each one of them received a big +tumbler of strong green wine out of the hands of the Tsar himself. +Soon after this the wedding was celebrated.</p> + +<p>Now, honorable dames and gentlemen, do not judge this story of +mine too severely. If you like it, praise it; if not, let it be +forgotten.<a href="#RussianandotherSlavonictales"> The story is told and a word is like a +sparrow—once out it is out for good.</a></p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/062.png" width="366" height="147" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap03">THE LANGUAGE OF THE BIRDS</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/063.png"><img width="81" src="images/063.png" alt="S" +height="200" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +Somewhere in a town in <a href="#HolyRussia"> holy Russia</a>, there lived a +rich merchant with his wife. He had an only son, a dear, bright, and brave boy +called Ivan. One lovely day Ivan sat at the dinner table with his parents. Near +the window in the same room hung a cage, and a nightingale, a sweet-voiced, +gray bird, was imprisoned within. The sweet nightingale began to sing its +wonderful song with trills and high silvery tones. The merchant listened and +listened to the song and said: +</p> + +<p>"How I wish I could understand the meaning of the different +songs of all the birds! I would give half my wealth to the man, if +only there were such a man, who could make plain to me all the +different songs of the different birds."</p> + +<p>Ivan took notice of these words and no matter where he went, no +matter where he was, no matter what he did, he always thought of +how he could learn the language of the birds.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus04"></a> +<img src="images/064.jpg" width="253" height="561" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption"><i>Ivan learns the language of the birds</i></p> +</div> + +<p>Some time after this the merchant's son happened to be hunting +in a forest. The winds rose, the sky became clouded, the lightning +flashed, the thunder roared loudly, and the rain fell in torrents. +Ivan soon came near a large tree and saw a big nest in the +branches. Four small birds were in the nest; they were quite alone, +and neither father nor mother was there to protect them from the +cold and wet. The good Ivan pitied them, climbed the tree and +covered the little ones with his "kaftan," a long-skirted coat +which the Russian peasants and merchants usually wear. The +thunderstorm passed by and a big bird came flying and sat down on a +branch near the nest and spoke very kindly to Ivan.</p> + +<p>"Ivan, I thank thee; thou hast protected my little children from +the cold and rain and I wish to do something for thee. Tell me what +thou dost wish."</p> + +<p>Ivan answered; "I am not in need; I have everything for my +comfort. But teach me the birds' language."</p> + +<p>"Stay with me three days and thou shalt know all about it."</p> + +<p>Ivan remained in the forest three days. He understood well the +teaching of the big bird and returned home more clever than before. +One beautiful day soon after this Ivan sat with his parents when +the nightingale was singing in his cage. His song was so sad, +however, so very sad, that the merchant and his wife also became +sad, and their son, their good Ivan, who listened very attentively, +was even more affected, and the tears came running down his +cheeks.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" asked his parents; "what art thou weeping +about, dear son?"</p> + +<p>"Dear parents," answered the son, "it is because I understand +the meaning of the nightingale's song, and because this meaning is +so sad for all of us."</p> + +<p>"What then is the meaning? Tell us the whole truth; do not hide +it from us," said the father and mother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how sad it sounds!" replied the son. "How much better would +it be never to have been born!"</p> + +<p>"Do not frighten us," said the parents, alarmed. "If thou dost +really understand the meaning of the song, tell us at once."</p> + +<p>"Do you not hear for yourselves? The nightingale says: 'The time +will come when Ivan, the merchant's son, shall become Ivan, the +king's son, and his own father shall serve him as a simple +servant.'"</p> + +<p>The merchant and his wife felt troubled and began to distrust +their son, their good Ivan. So one night they gave him a drowsy +drink, and when he had fallen asleep they took him to a boat on the +wide sea, spread the white sails, and pushed the boat from the +shore.</p> + +<p>For a long time the boat danced on the waves and finally it came +near a large merchant vessel, which struck against it with such a +shock that Ivan awoke. The crew on the large vessel saw Ivan and +pitied him. So they decided to take him along with them and did so. +High, very high, above in the sky they perceived cranes. Ivan said +to the sailors:</p> + +<p>"Be careful; I hear the birds predicting a storm. Let us enter a +harbor or we shall suffer great danger and damage. All the sails +will be torn and all the masts will be broken."</p> + +<p>But no one paid any attention and they went farther on. In a +short time the storm arose, the wind tore the vessel almost to +pieces, and they had a very hard time to repair all the damage. +When they were through with their work they heard many wild swans +flying above them and talking very loud among themselves.</p> + +<p>"What are they talking about?" inquired the men, this time with +interest.</p> + +<p>"Be careful," advised Ivan. "I hear and distinctly understand +them to say that the pirates, the terrible sea robbers, are near. +If we do not enter a harbor at once they will imprison and kill +us."</p> + +<p>The crew quickly obeyed this advice and as soon as the vessel +entered the harbor the pirate boats passed by and the merchants saw +them capture several unprepared vessels. When the danger was over, +the sailors with Ivan went farther, still farther. Finally the +vessel anchored near a town, large and unknown to the merchants. A +king ruled in that town who was very much annoyed by three black +crows. These three crows were all the time perching near the window +of the king's chamber. No one knew how to get rid of them and no +one could kill them. The king ordered notices to be placed at all +crossings and on all prominent buildings, saying that whoever was +able to relieve the king from the noisy birds would be rewarded by +obtaining the youngest korolevna, the king's daughter, for a wife; +but the one who should have the daring to undertake but not succeed +in delivering the palace from the crows would have his head cut +off. Ivan attentively read the announcement, once, twice, and once +more. Finally he made the sign of the cross and went to the palace. +He said to the servants:</p> + +<p>"Open the window and let me listen to the birds."</p> + +<p>The servants obeyed and Ivan listened for a while. Then he +said:</p> + +<p>"Show me to your sovereign king."</p> + +<p>When he reached the room where the king sat on a high, rich +chair, he bowed and said:</p> + +<p>"There are three crows, a father crow, a mother crow, and a son +crow. The trouble is that they desire to obtain thy royal decision +as to whether the son crow must follow his father crow or his +mother crow."</p> + +<p>The king answered: "The son crow must follow the father +crow."</p> + +<p>As soon as the king announced his royal decision the crow father +with the crow son went one way and the crow mother disappeared the +other way, and no one has heard the noisy birds since. The king +gave one-half of his kingdom and his youngest korolevna to Ivan, +and a happy life began for him.</p> + +<p>In the meantime his father, the rich merchant, lost his wife and +by and by his fortune also. There was no one left to take care of +him, and the old man went begging under the windows of charitable +people. He went from one window to another, from one village to +another, from one town to another, and one bright day he came to +the palace where Ivan lived, begging humbly for charity. Ivan saw +him and recognized him, ordered him to come inside, and gave him +food to eat and also supplied him with good clothes, asking +questions:</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus05"></a> +<img src="images/071.png" width="279" height="589" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>The old man went begging from town to town</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>"Dear old man, what can I do for thee?" he said.</p> + +<p>"If thou art so very good," answered the poor father, without +knowing that he was speaking to his own son, "let me remain here +and serve thee among thy faithful servants."</p> + +<p>"Dear, dear father!" exclaimed Ivan, "thou didst doubt the true +song of the nightingale, and now thou seest that our fate was to +meet according to the predictions of long ago."</p> + +<p>The old man was frightened and knelt before his son, but his +Ivan remained the same good son as before, took his father lovingly +into his arms, and together they wept over their sorrow.</p> + +<p>Several days passed by and the old father felt courage to ask +his son, the korolevitch:</p> + +<p>"Tell me, my son, how was it that thou didst not perish in the +boat?"</p> + +<p>Ivan Korolevitch laughed gayly.</p> + +<p>"I presume," he answered, "that it was not my fate to perish at +the bottom of the wide sea, but my fate was to marry the korolevna, +my beautiful wife, and to sweeten the old age of my dear +father."</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/073.png" width="236" height="158" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap04">IVANOUSHKA THE SIMPLETON</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/074.png"><img width="159" src="images/074.png" alt="I" +height="180" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In a kingdom far away from our country, there was a town over which ruled the +Tsar Pea with his Tsaritza Carrot. He had many wise statesmen, wealthy princes, +strong, powerful warriors, and also simple soldiers, a hundred thousand, less +one man. In that town lived all kinds of people: honest, bearded merchants, +keen and open-handed rascals, German tradesmen, lovely maidens, Russian +drunkards; and in the suburbs all around, the peasants tilled the soil, sowed +the wheat, ground the flour, traded in the markets, and spent the money in +drink. +</p> + +<p>In one of the suburbs there was a poor hut where an old man +lived with his three sons, Thomas, Pakhom, and Ivan. The old man +was not only clever, he was wise. He had happened once to have a +chat with the devil. They talked together while the old man treated +him to a tumbler of wine and got out of the devil many great +secrets. Soon after this the peasant began to perform such +marvelous acts that the neighbors called him a sorcerer, a +magician, and even supposed that the devil was his kin.</p> + +<p>Yes, it is true that the old man performed great marvels. Were +you longing for love, go to him, bow to the old man, and he would +give you some strange root, and the sweetheart would be yours. If +there is a theft, again to him with the tale. The old man conjures +over some water, takes an officer along straight to the thief, and +your lost is found; only take care that the officer steals it +not.</p> + +<p>Indeed the old man was very wise; but his children were not his +equals. Two of them were almost as clever. They were married and +had children, but Ivan, the youngest, was single. No one cared much +for him because he was rather a fool, could not count one, two, +three, and only drank, or ate, or slept, or lay around. Why care +for such a person? Every one knows life for some is brighter than +for others. But Ivan was good-hearted and quiet. Ask of him a belt, +he will give a kaftan also; take his mittens, he certainly would +want to have you take his cap with them. And that is why all liked +Ivan, and usually called him Ivanoushka the Simpleton; though the +name means fool, at the same time it carries the idea of a kind +heart.</p> + +<p>Our old man lived on with his sons until finally his hour came +to die. He called his three sons and said to them:</p> + +<p>"Dear children of mine, my dying hour is at hand and ye must +fulfill my will. Every one of you come to my grave and spend one +night with me; thou, Tom, the first night; thou, Pakhom, the second +night; and thou, Ivanoushka the Simpleton, the third."</p> + +<p>Two of the brothers, as clever people, promised their father to +do according to his bidding, but the Simpleton did not even +promise; he only scratched his head.</p> + +<p>The old man died and was buried. During the celebration the +family and guests had plenty of pancakes to eat and plenty of +whisky to wash them down.</p> + +<p>Now you remember that on the first night Thomas was to go to the +grave; but he was too lazy, or possibly afraid, so he said to the +Simpleton:</p> + +<p>"I must be up very early to-morrow morning; I have to thresh; go +thou for me to our father's grave."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered Ivanoushka the Simpleton. He took a slice +of black rye bread, went to the grave, stretched himself out, and +soon began to snore.</p> + +<p>The church clock struck midnight; the wind roared, the owl cried +in the trees, the grave opened and the old man came out and +asked:</p> + +<p>"Who is there?"</p> + +<p>"I," answered Ivanoushka.</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear son, I will reward thee for thine obedience," +said the father.</p> + +<p>Lo! the cocks crowed and the old man dropped into the grave. The +Simpleton arrived home and went to the warm stove.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" asked the brothers.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," he answered. "I slept the whole night and am hungry +now."</p> + +<p>The second night it was Pakhom's turn to go to his father's +grave. He thought it over and said to the Simpleton:</p> + +<p>"To-morrow is a busy day with me. Go in my place to our father's +grave."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took along with him a piece +of fish pie, went to the grave and slept. Midnight approached, the +wind roared, crows came flying, the grave opened and the old man +came out.</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I," answered his son the Simpleton.</p> + +<p>"Well, my beloved son, I will not forget thine obedience," said +the old man.</p> + +<p>The cocks crowed and the old man dropped into his grave. +Ivanoushka the Simpleton came home, went to <a href="#Inthepeasantshouse"> sleep on the warm +stove</a>, and in the morning his brothers asked:</p> + +<p>"What happened?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," answered Ivanoushka.</p> + +<p>On the third night the brothers said to Ivan the Simpleton:</p> + +<p>"It is thy turn to go to the grave of our father. The father's +will should be done."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took some cookies, put on +his sheepskin, and arrived at the grave.</p> + +<p>At midnight his father came out.</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I," answered Ivanoushka.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the old father, "my obedient son, thou shalt be +rewarded;" and the old man shouted with a mighty voice:</p> + +<p class="center">"Arise, bay horse—thou wind-swift steed,</p> + +<p class="center"> Appear before me +in my need; </p> + +<p class="center"> Stand up as in the storm the weed!"</p> + +<p>And lo!—Ivanoushka the Simpleton beheld a horse running, +the earth trembling under his hoofs, his eyes like stars, and out +of his mouth and ears smoke coming in a cloud. The horse approached +and stood before the old man.</p> + +<p>"What is thy wish?" he asked with a man's voice.</p> + +<p>The old man crawled into his left ear, washed and adorned +himself, and jumped out of his right ear as a young, brave fellow +never seen before.</p> + +<p>"Now listen attentively," he said. "To thee, my son, I give this +horse. And thou, my faithful horse and friend, serve my son as thou +hast served me."</p> + +<p>Hardly had the old man pronounced these words when the first +cock crew and the sorcerer dropped into his grave. Our Simpleton +went quietly back home, stretched himself under the icons, and his +snoring was heard far around.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" the brothers again asked.</p> + +<p>But the Simpleton did not even answer; he only waved his hand. +The three brothers continued to live their usual life, the two with +cleverness and the younger with foolishness. They lived <a href="#Adayinandanequaldayout"> a day in +and an equal day out</a>. But one morning there came quite a different +day from all others. They learned that big men were going all over +the country with trumpets and players; that those men announced +everywhere the will of the Tsar, and the Tsar's will was this: The +Tsar Pea and the Tsaritza Carrot had an only daughter, the Tsarevna +Baktriana, heiress to the throne. She was such a beautiful maiden +that the sun blushed when she looked at it, and the moon, +altogether too bashful, covered itself from her eyes. Tsar and +Tsaritza had a hard time to decide to whom they should give their +daughter for a wife. It must be a man who could be a proper ruler +over the country, a brave warrior on the battlefield, a wise judge +in the council, an adviser to the Tsar, and a suitable heir after +his death. They also wanted a bridegroom who was young, brave, and +handsome, and they wanted him to be in love with their Tsarevna. +That would have been easy enough, but the trouble was that the +beautiful Tsarevna loved no one. Sometimes the Tsar mentioned to +her this or that one. Always the same answer, "I do not love him." +The Tsaritza tried, too, with no better result; "I do not like +him."</p> + +<p>A day came when the Tsar Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot seriously +addressed their daughter on the subject of marriage and said:</p> + +<p>"Our beloved child, our very beautiful Tsarevna Baktriana, it is +time for thee to choose a bridegroom. Envoys of all descriptions, +from kings and tzars and princes, have worn our threshold, drunk +dry all the cellars, and thou hast not yet found any one according +to thy heart's wish."</p> + +<p>The Tsarevna answered: "Sovereign, and thou, Tsaritza, my dear +mother, I feel sorry for you, and my wish is to obey your desire. +So let fate decide who is destined to become my husband. I ask you +to build a hall, a high hall with thirty-two circles, and above +those circles a window. I will sit at that window and do you order +all kinds of people, tsars, kings, tsarovitchi, korolevitchi, brave +warriors, and handsome fellows, to come. The one who will jump +through the thirty-two circles, reach my window and exchange with +me golden rings, he it will be who is destined to become my +husband, son and heir to you."</p> + +<p>The Tsar and Tsaritza listened attentively to the words of their +bright Tsarevna, and finally they said: "According to thy wish +shall it be done."</p> + +<p>In no time the hall was ready, a very high hall adorned with +Venetian velvets, with pearls for tassels, with golden designs, and +thirty-two circles on both sides of the window high above. Envoys +went to the different kings and sovereigns, pigeons flew with +orders to the subjects to gather the proud and the humble into the +town of the Tsar Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot. It was announced +everywhere that the one who could jump through the circles, reach +the window and exchange golden rings with the Tsarevna Baktriana, +that man would be the lucky one, notwithstanding his +rank—tsar or free kosack, king or warrior, tsarevitch, +korolevitch, or fellow without any kinfolk or country.</p> + +<p>The great day arrived. Crowds pressed to the field where stood +the newly built hall, brilliant as a star. Up high at the window +the tsarevna was sitting, adorned with precious stones, clad in +velvet and pearls. The people below were roaring like an ocean. The +Tzar with his Tzaritza was sitting upon a throne. Around them were +boyars, warriors, and counselors.</p> + +<p>The suitors on horseback, proud, handsome, and brave, whistle +and ride round about, but looking at the high window their hearts +drop. There were already several fellows who had tried. Each would +take a long start, balance himself, spring, and fall back like a +stone, a laughing stock for the witnesses.</p> + +<p>The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were preparing +themselves to go to the field also.</p> + +<p>The Simpleton said to them: "Take me along with you."</p> + +<p>"Thou fool," laughed the brothers; "stay at home and watch the +chickens."</p> + +<p>"All right," he answered, went to the chicken yard and lay down. +But as soon as the brothers were away, our Ivanoushka the Simpleton +walked to the wide fields and shouted with a mighty voice:</p> + +<p class="center">"Arise, bay horse—thou wind-swift steed, </p> + +<p class="center"> Appear before me +in my need; </p> + +<p class="center"> Stand up as in the storm the weed!"</p> + +<p>The glorious horse came running. Flames shone out of his eyes; +out of his nostrils smoke came in clouds, and the horse asked with +a man's voice:</p> + +<p>"What is thy wish?"</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the horse's left ear, +transformed himself and reappeared at the right ear, such a +handsome fellow that in no book is there written any description of +him; no one has ever seen such a fellow. He jumped onto the horse +and touched his iron sides with a silk whip. The horse became +impatient, lifted himself above the ground, higher and higher above +the dark woods below the traveling clouds. He swam over the large +rivers, jumped over the small ones, as well as over hills and +mountains. Ivanoushka the Simpleton arrived at the hall of the +Tsarevna Baktriana, flew up like a hawk, passed through thirty +circles, could not reach the last two, and went away like a +whirlwind.</p> + +<p>The people were shouting: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" +The Tsar jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed. Every one was +roaring in amazement.</p> + +<p>The brothers of Ivanoushka came home and there was but one +subject of conversation—what a splendid fellow they had seen! +What a wonderful start to pass through the thirty circles!</p> + +<p>"Brothers, that fellow was I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, +who had long since arrived.</p> + +<p>"Keep still and do not fool us," answered the brothers.</p> + +<p>The next day the two brothers were going again to the tsarski +show and Ivanoushka the Simpleton said again: "Take me along with +you."</p> + +<p>"For thee, fool, this is thy place. Be quiet at home and scare +sparrows from the pea field instead of the scarecrow."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered the Simpleton, and he went to the field +and began to scare the sparrows. But as soon as the brothers left +home, Ivanoushka started to the wide field and shouted out loud +with a mighty voice:</p> + +<p class="center">"Arise, bay horse—thou wind-swift steed, </p> + +<p class="center"> Appear before me +in my need; </p> + +<p class="center"> Stand up as in the storm the weed!"</p> + +<p>—and here came the horse, the earth trembling under his +hoofs, the sparks flying around, his eyes like flames, and out of +his nostrils smoke curling up.</p> + +<p>"For what dost thou wish me?"</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the left ear of the horse, +and when he appeared out of the right ear, oh, my! what a fellow he +was! Even in fairy tales there are never such handsome fellows, to +say nothing of everyday life.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka lifted himself on the iron back of his horse and +touched him with a strong whip. The noble horse grew angry, made a +jump, and went higher than the dark woods, a little below the +traveling clouds. One jump, one mile is behind; a second jump, a +river is behind; and a third jump and they were at the hall. Then +the horse, with Ivanoushka on his back, flew like an eagle, high up +into the air, passed the thirty-first circle, failed to reach the +last one, and swept away like the wind.</p> + +<p>The people shouted: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" The +Tsar jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed, the princes and +boyars opened their mouths.</p> + +<p>The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton came home. They were +wondering at the fellow. Yes, an amazing fellow indeed! one circle +only was unreached.</p> + +<p>"Brothers, that fellow over there was I," said Ivanoushka to +them.</p> + +<p>"Keep still in thy own place, thou fool," was their sneering +answer.</p> + +<p>The third day the brothers were going again to the strange +entertainment of the Tsar, and again Ivanoushka the Simpleton said +to them: "Take me along with you."</p> + +<p>"Fool," they laughed, "there is food to be given to the hogs; +better go to them."</p> + +<p>"All right," the younger brother answered, and quietly went to +the back yard and gave food to the hogs. But as soon as his +brothers had left home our Ivanoushka the Simpleton hurried to the +wide field and shouted out loud:</p> + +<p class="center">"Arise, bay horse—them wind-swift steed, </p> + +<p class="center"> Appear before me +in my need; </p> + +<p class="center"> Stand up as in the storm the weed!"</p> + +<p>At once the horse came running, the earth trembled; where he +stepped there appeared ponds, where his hoofs touched there were +lakes, out of his eyes shone flames, out of his ears smoke came +like a cloud.</p> + +<p>"For what dost thou wish me?" the horse asked with a man's +voice.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into his right ear and jumped +out of his left one, and a handsome fellow he was. A young girl +could not even imagine such a one.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka struck his horse, pulled the bridle tight, and lo! he +flew high up in the air. The wind was left behind and even the +swallow, the sweet, winged passenger, must not aspire to do the +same. Our hero flew like a cloud high up into the sky, his +silver-chained mail rattling, his fair curls floating in the wind. +He arrived at the Tsarevna's high hall, struck his horse once more, +and oh! how the wild horse did jump!</p> + +<p>Look there! the fellow reaches all the circles; he is near the +window; he presses the beautiful Tsarevna with his strong arms, +kisses her on the sugar lips, exchanges golden rings, and like a +storm sweeps through the fields. There, there, he is crushing every +one on his way! And the Tsarevna? Well, she did not object. She +even adorned his forehead with a diamond star.</p> + +<p>The people roared: "Take hold of him!" But the fellow had +already disappeared and no traces were left behind.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Pea lost his royal dignity. The Tsaritza Carrot +screamed louder than ever and the wise counselors only shook their +wise heads and remained silent.</p> + +<p>The brothers came home talking and discussing the wonderful +matter.</p> + +<p>"Indeed," they shook their heads; "only think of it! The fellow +succeeded and our Tsarevna has a bridegroom. But who is he? Where +is he?"</p> + +<p>"Brothers, the fellow is I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"Keep still, I and I—," and the brothers almost slapped +him.</p> + +<p>The matter proved to be quite serious this time, and the Tsar +and Tsaritza issued an order to surround the town with armed men +whose duty it was to let every one enter, but not a soul go out. +Every one had to appear at the royal palace and show his forehead. +From early in the morning the crowds were gathering around the +palace. Each forehead was inspected, but there was no star on any. +Dinner time was approaching and in the palace they even forgot to +cover the oak tables with white spreads. The brothers of Ivanoushka +had also to show their foreheads and the Simpleton said to +them:</p> + +<p>"Take me along with you."</p> + +<p>"Thy place is right here," they answered, jokingly. "But say, +what is the matter with thy head that thou hast covered it with +cloths? Did somebody strike thee?"</p> + +<p>"No, nobody struck me. I, myself, struck the door with my +forehead. The door remained all right, but on my forehead there is +a knob."</p> + +<p>The brothers laughed and went. Soon after them Ivanoushka left +home and went straight to the window of the Tsarevna, where she sat +leaning on the window sill and looking for her betrothed.</p> + +<p>"There is our man," shouted the guards, when the Simpleton +appeared among them. "Show thy forehead. Hast thou the star?" and +they laughed.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton gave no heed to their bidding, but +refused. The guards were shouting at him and the Tsarevna heard the +noise and ordered the fellow to her presence. There was nothing to +be done but to take off the cloths.</p> + +<p>Behold! the star was shining in the middle of his forehead. The +Tsarevna took Ivanoushka by the hand, brought him before Tsar Pea, +and said:</p> + +<p>"He it is, my Tsar and father, who is destined to become my +groom, thy son-in-law and heir."</p> + +<p>It was too late to object. The Tsar ordered preparations for the +bridal festivities, and our Ivanoushka the Simpleton was wedded to +the Tsarevna Baktriana. The Tsar, the Tsaritza, the young bride and +groom, and their guests, feasted three days. There was fine eating +and generous drinking. There were all kinds of amusements also. The +brothers of Ivanoushka were created governors and each one received +a village and a house.</p> + +<p>The story is told in no time, but to live a life requires time +and patience. The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were clever +men, we know, and as soon as they became rich every one understood +it at once, and they themselves became quite sure about it and +began to pride themselves, to boast, and to brag. The humble ones +did not dare look toward their homes, and even the boyars had to +take off their fur caps on their porches.</p> + +<p>Once several boyars came to Tsar Pea and said: "Great Tsar, the +brothers of thy son-in-law are bragging around that they know the +place where grows an apple tree with silver leaves and golden +apples, and they want to bring this apple tree to thee."</p> + +<p>The Tsar immediately called the brothers before him and bade +them bring at once the wonderful tree, the apple tree with silver +leaves and golden apples. The brothers had ever so many excuses, +but the Tsar would have his way. They were given fine horses out of +the royal stables and went on their errand. Our friend, Ivanoushka +the Simpleton, found somewhere a lame old horse, jumped on his back +facing the tail, and also went. He went to the wide field, grasped +the lame horse by the tail, threw him off roughly, and shouted:</p> + +<p>"You crows and magpies, come, come! There is lunch prepared for +you."</p> + +<p>This done he ordered his horse, his spirited courser, to appear, +and as usual he crawled into one ear, jumped out the other ear and +they went—where? Toward the east where grew the wonderful +apple tree with silver leaves and golden apples. It grew near +silver waters upon golden sand. When Ivanoushka reached the place +he uprooted the tree and turned toward home. His ride was long and +he felt tired. Before he arrived at his town Ivanoushka pitched his +tent and lay down for a rest. Along the same road came his +brothers. The two were proud no more, but rather depressed, not +knowing what answer to give the Tsar. They perceived the tent with +silver top and near by the wonderful apple tree. They came nearer +and—"There is our Simpleton!" exclaimed the brothers. Then +they awakened Ivanoushka and wanted to buy the apple tree. They +were rich and offered three carts filled with silver.</p> + +<p>"Well, brothers, this tree, this wonderful apple tree, is not +for sale," answered Ivanoushka, "but if you wish to obtain it you +may. The price will not be too high, a toe from each right +foot."</p> + +<p>The brothers thought the matter over and finally decided to give +the desired price. Ivanoushka cut the toes off, gave them the apple +tree, and the happy brothers brought it to the Tsar and there was +no end to their bragging.</p> + +<p>"Here, all-powerful Tsar," they said. "We went far, and had many +a trouble on our way, but thy wish is fulfilled."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Pea seemed pleased, ordered a feast, commanded tunes to +be played and drums beaten, rewarded the two brothers of Ivanoushka +the Simpleton, each one with a town, and praised them.</p> + +<p>The boyars and warriors became furious.</p> + +<p>"Why," they said to the Tsar, "there is nothing wonderful in +such an apple tree with golden apples and silver leaves. The +brothers of thy son-in-law are bragging around that they will get +thee a pig with golden bristles and silver tusks, and not alone the +pig, but also her twelve little ones!"</p> + +<p>The Tsar called the brothers before him and ordered them to +bring the very pig with her golden bristles and silver tusks and +her twelve little ones. The brothers' excuses were not listened to +and so they went. Once more the brothers were traveling on a +difficult errand, looking for a golden-bristled pig with silver +tusks and twelve little pigs.</p> + +<p>At that time Ivanoushka the Simpleton made up his mind to take a +trip somewhere. He put a saddle on a cow, jumped up on her back +facing the tail, and left the town. He came to a field, grasped the +cow by the horns, threw her far on the prairie and shouted:</p> + +<p>"Come, come, you gray wolves and red foxes! there is a dinner +for you!"</p> + +<p>Then he ordered his faithful horse, crawled into one ear, and +jumped out of the other. Master and courser went on an errand, this +time toward the south. One, two, three, and they were in dark +woods. In these woods the wished-for pig was walking around, a +golden-bristled pig with silver tusks. She was eating roots, and +after her followed twelve little pigs.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton threw over the pig a silk rope with a +running noose, gathered the little pigs into a basket and went +home, but before he reached the town of the Tsar Pea he pitched a +tent with a golden top and lay down for a rest. On the same road +the brothers came along with gloomy faces, not knowing what to say +to the Tsar. They saw the tent, and near by the very pig they were +searching for, with golden bristles and silver tusks, was fastened +with a silk rope; and in a basket were the twelve little pigs. The +brothers looked into the tent. Ivanoushka again! They awakened him +and wanted to trade for the pig; they were ready to give in +exchange three carts loaded with precious stones.</p> + +<p>"Brothers, my pig is not for trade," said Ivanoushka, "but if +you want her so much, well, one finger from each right hand will +pay for her."</p> + +<p>The brothers thought over the case for a long while; they +reasoned thus: "People live happily without brains, why not without +fingers?"</p> + +<p>So they allowed Ivanoushka to cut off their fingers, then took +the pig to the Tsar, and their bragging had no end.</p> + +<p>"Tsar Sovereign," they said, "we went everywhere, beyond the +blue sea, beyond the dark woods; we passed through deep sands, we +suffered hunger and thirst; but thy wish is accomplished."</p> + +<p>The Tsar was glad to have such faithful servants. He gave a +feast great among feasts, rewarded the brothers of Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, created them big boyars and praised them.</p> + +<p>The other boyars and different court people said to the +Tsar:</p> + +<p>"There is nothing wonderful in such a pig. Golden bristles, +silver tusks,—yes, it is fine. But a pig remains a pig +forever. The brothers of thy son-in-law are bragging now that they +will steal for thee out of the stables of the fiery dragon a mare +with golden mane and diamond hoofs."</p> + +<p>The Tsar at once called the brothers of Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, and ordered the golden-maned mare with the diamond +hoofs. The brothers swore that they never said such words, but the +Tsar did not listen to their protests.</p> + +<p>"Take as much gold as you want, take warriors as many as you +wish, but bring me the beautiful mare with golden mane and diamond +hoofs. If you do it my reward will be great; if not, your fate is +to become peasants as before."</p> + +<p>The brothers went, two sad heroes. Their march was slow; where +to go they did not know. Ivanoushka also jumped upon a stick and +went leaping toward the field. Once in the wide, open field, he +ordered his horse, crawled into one ear, came out of the other, and +both started for a far-away country, for an island, a big island. +On that island in an iron stable the fiery dragon was watchfully +guarding his glory—the golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, +which was locked under seven locks behind seven heavy doors.</p> + +<p>Our Ivanoushka journeyed and journeyed, how long we do not know, +until at last he arrived at that island, struggled three days with +the dragon and killed him on the fourth day. Then he began to tear +down the locks. That took three days more. When he had done this he +brought out the wonderful mare by the golden mane and turned +homeward.</p> + +<p>The road was long, and before he reached his town Ivanoushka, +according to his habit, pitched his tent with a diamond top, and +laid him down for rest. The brothers came along—gloomy they +were, fearing the Tsar's anger. Lo! they heard neighing; the earth +trembled—it was the golden-maned mare! Though in the dusk of +evening the brothers saw her golden mane shining like fire. They +stopped, awakened Ivanoushka the Simpleton, and wanted to trade for +the wonderful mare. They were willing to give him a bushel of +precious stones each and promised even more.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka said: "Though my mare is not for trade, yet if you +want her I'll give her to you. And you, do you each give me your +right ears."</p> + +<p>The brothers did not even argue, but let Ivanoushka cut off +their ears, took hold of the bridle and went directly to the Tsar. +They presented to him the golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, and +there was no end of bragging.</p> + +<p>"We went beyond seas, beyond mountains," the brothers said to +the Tsar; "we fought the fiery dragon who bit off our ears and +fingers; we had no fear, but one desire to serve thee faithfully; +we shed our blood and lost our wealth."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Pea poured gold over them, created them the very +highest men after himself, and planned such a feast that the royal +cooks were tired out with cooking to feed all the people, and the +cellars were fairly emptied.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Pea was sitting on his throne, one brother on his right +hand, the other brother on his left hand. The feast was going on; +all seemed jolly, all were drinking, all were noisy as bees in a +beehive. In the midst of it a young, brave fellow, Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, entered the hall—the very fellow who had passed +the thirty-two circles and reached the window of the beautiful +Tsarevna Baktriana.</p> + +<p>When the brothers noticed him, one almost choked himself with +wine, the other was suffocating over a piece of swan. They looked +at him, opened wide their eyes, and remained silent.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton bowed to his father-in-law and told the +story as the story was. He told about the apple tree, the wonderful +apple tree with silver leaves and golden apples; he told about the +pig, the golden-bristled pig with silver tusks and her twelve +little ones; and finally he told about the marvelous mare with a +golden mane and diamond hoofs. He finished and laid out ears, +fingers, and toes.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus06"></a> +<img src="images/102.jpg" width="299" height="452" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>One brother was sent to watch the turkeys</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>"It is the exchange I got," said Ivanoushka.</p> + +<p>Tsar Pea became furious, stamped his feet, ordered the two +brothers to be driven away with brooms. One was sent to feed the +pigs, another to watch the turkeys. The Tsar seated Ivanoushka +beside himself, creating him the highest among the very high.</p> + +<p>The feast lasted a very long time until all were tired of +feasting.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka took control of the tsarstvo, ruling wisely and +severely. After his father-in-law's death he occupied his place. +His subjects liked him; he had many children, and his beautiful +Tsaritza Baktriana remained beautiful forever.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<hr /> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="chap05">WOE BOGOTIR</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/104.png"><img width="97" src="images/104.png" alt="I" +height="157" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In a small village—do not ask me where; in Russia, anyway—there +lived two brothers; one of them was rich, the other poor. The rich brother had +good luck in everything he undertook, was always successful, and had profit out +of every venture. The poor brother, in spite of all his trouble and all his +work, had none whatever. +</p> + +<p>The rich brother became still richer, moved into a large town, +bought a big house, and was a merchant among merchants. The poor +brother became very poor, so poor that very often there was no +crust even in the "izba," the peasant's log cabin, and the +children—all forlorn, miserable little things—cried for +food.</p> + +<p>The poor man lost patience and complained bitterly of his ill +luck. He had no more courage and his head dropped heavily on his +breast. One day he decided to call upon his wealthy brother for +aid. He went and said to him:</p> + +<p>"Be good, help me, for I am almost without strength."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" answered the rich man. "We can do such things as +that. There is wealth enough; but look here, there is also plenty +of work to be done. Stay around the house for a while and work for +me."</p> + +<p>"All right," consented the poor fellow, and at once began to +work. Now he was cleaning the big yard, now grooming horses, now +bringing water from the well or splitting wood. One week passed, +two weeks passed. The rich brother gave him twenty and five +copecks, which means only thirteen cents. He also gave him a loaf +of black rye bread.</p> + +<p>"Many thanks," said the poor brother, humbly, and was ready to +leave for his miserable home. Evidently the conscience of the rich +brother smote him, so he called his brother back.</p> + +<p>"Why so prompt?" he said; "to-morrow is my birthday; stay to the +banquet with us."</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus07"></a> +<img src="images/106.png" width="306" height="499" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption"><i>The rich brother</i></p> +</div> + +<p>The poor fellow remained. But even on such a pleasant occasion +the unlucky one had no luck. His rich brother was too busy +receiving his numerous friends and admirers, all of whom came to +tell him how they loved him and what a good man he was. The rich +merchant thanked his guests for their love, and bowing low begged +his dear guests to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves. There was no +time left for the poor brother, and he was overlooked entirely +while he sat timidly in a corner, quite forgotten and unnoticed. He +had nothing to eat, nothing to drink. But when the crowd was ready +to say good-by, before going away, the bright, light-hearted guests +bowed to their host and told him many lovely things, and the poor +brother did exactly like them. He bowed even lower than they did +and expressed more thanks than they. The guests went home singing +in their new "telegi," the peasants' carts. The poor brother, +hungry and very sad, walked along in silence, and the idea came to +his mind:</p> + +<p>"What if I also tried to sing a cheerful song? The people would +believe that I, too, have had a pleasant time at my brother's house +and that I am going home happy like them."</p> + +<p>The good fellow began his song, began—and almost fainted +away, for he heard quite distinctly some one behind his back, +keeping tune with him in a shrill voice. He stopped. The voice +stopped, too. He sang, and the voice continued again.</p> + +<p>"Who is there? Come out at once!" shouted the poor man, beside +himself. Ha! the monster appeared, lank and yellow, almost a +skeleton, covered with rags. The poor fellow was afraid, but had +the courage to make the sign of the cross and ask: "Who art +thou?"</p> + +<p>"I? I am Bitter Woe. I am one of the Russian heroes, Woe +Bogotir. I pity all weak people. I pity thee, too, and want to help +thee along."</p> + +<p>"All right, Bitter Woe; let us walk together arm in arm. I +presume there are no other friends for me in this world."</p> + +<p>"Let us ride, good man," laughed the monster. "I will be thy +faithful companion."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, but on what shall we ride?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know on what thou shalt ride, but I, I shall ride on +thee," and Woe jumped on the shoulders of the unlucky man. The poor +fellow had no strength to throw him off, so he crawled along his +way, the long, hard way, with Woe on his shoulders. He could hardly +walk, yet Woe was singing, whistling, and switching him all the +time.</p> + +<p>"Why so sad, master?" Woe would ask, when the poor man sighed. +"Listen to me, I want to teach thee a song, my beloved little +song:</p> + +<p class="center">"I am Woe, the brave,</p> + +<p class="center"> I am Woe, the bold; </p> + +<p class="center"> He who lives with me </p> + +<p class="center"> +Has his griefs controlled, </p> + +<p class="center"> And when money is lacking </p> + +<p class="center"> I'll find him +gold.</p> + +<p>Attention, master, thou hast twenty-five copecks; let us go and +buy some wine; let us have a jolly good time."</p> + +<p>The poor man obeyed. They went and spent all in drink. After +this the unlucky fellow, with the faithful Woe on his shoulders, +came home. His wife was sad, his little children were hungry and in +tears, but he, under the influence of Woe and wine, danced and +sang.</p> + +<p>On the next day Woe began to sigh and said:</p> + +<p>"I have a drunken headache. Let us drink more."</p> + +<p>"I have no money," answered the poor man.</p> + +<p>"Hast thou forgotten my little song? Let us trade the harrow, +the plow, the sledge, the telega for money, and let us have a good +time."</p> + +<p>"All right."</p> + +<p>The poor, weak man had no courage to refuse, and Woe Bogotir +became his master and ruler. They went to a <a href="#Kabak"> kabak</a> and spent +everything; drank, sang, and had a good time.</p> + +<p>On the next day Woe sighed again and said to the peasant:</p> + +<p>"Let us drink; let us have a jolly time; let us sell or trade +everything left, even ourselves."</p> + +<p>Then the fellow understood that his ruin was near and decided to +deceive the sorrowful Woe, so he said:</p> + +<p>"I once heard the old people say that behind the village, near +the dark forest, there is buried a treasure, yes, a great treasure, +but it is buried under a large, heavy stone, too heavy a stone for +one man to move. If we could only remove that stone, thou and I, +Woe Bogotir, could have a good time and plenty to drink."</p> + +<p>"Let us hasten!" screamed Woe; "the Bitter Woe is strong enough +to do harder things than to move stones."</p> + +<p>They went a roundabout way behind the village and saw the great +big stone, such a heavy stone that five or six strong peasants +could never begin to move it. But our poor fellow with his faithful +Woe Bogotir removed it at once. They looked inside. Under the stone +there was a pit, a dark, deep pit. At the bottom of that pit +something was twinkling. The peasant said to Woe:</p> + +<p>"Thou bold Woe, jump in, throw the gold out to me and I will +hold the stone."</p> + +<p>Woe jumped in and laughed out loud.</p> + +<p>"I declare, master," he screamed, "there is no end of gold! +There are twenty and more pots filled with it," and Woe handed one +pot to the poor man, who took the pot, hastily hid it under his +blouse, and slipped the heavy stone into its place. So Bitter Woe +remained in the deep pit and the peasant thought to himself, "Now +there is the right place for my comrade, for with such a friend, +even gold would taste bitter."</p> + +<p>The crafty fellow made the sign of the cross and hurried home. +He became quite a new man, courageous, sober, and industrious; +bought a grove and some cattle; remodeled the izba, and even +started a trade. And very successful he was, too. Within a year he +earned much money, and in place of the old hut built a fine, new +log cabin.</p> + +<p>One bright day he went into town to ask his rich brother, with +his wife and children, to do him the favor of coming to a feast +which was to be given in the new home.</p> + +<p>"That's a joke!" exclaimed the rich brother. "Without a <a href="#ruble"> ruble</a> in +thy pockets, stupid fellow! Thou evidently desirest to imitate rich +people," and then the rich brother laughed and laughed at him. But +at the same time he got very anxious to know how it was with his +poor brother, so he went without delay to the new place. When he +arrived there he could not believe his eyes. His poor brother +seemed to be quite rich, perhaps richer than himself. Everything +bespoke wealth and care. The host treated his brother and the +brother's family most kindly and was very hospitable. They had good +things to eat and plenty of <a href="#Honeytodrink">honey to drink</a>, and all became +talkative. The brother who had been poor related everything about +Woe, how he decided to deceive him and how, free from such a +burden, he was getting to be a very happy man.</p> + +<p>The rich man grew eager and thought:</p> + +<p>"Is he a fool? Out of so many pots, to take only one! Fool and +nothing but fool! If one has money, even the Bitter Woe is not too +bad."</p> + +<p>So at once he decided to go in search of the stone, to remove +it, to take the treasure, the whole treasure, and to send Woe +Bogotir back to his brother.</p> + +<p>No sooner thought than done. The rich brother said good-by and +went away, but did not go to his wealthy home. No, he hurried to +the stone. He had to toil hard with the heavy stone, but finally +moved it just a little, and had not time to look inside when the +hidden Bogotir had jumped out and onto his shoulders.</p> + +<p>The rich man felt a burden, oh, what a heavy burden! looked +around and perceived the hideous monster. He heard this monster +whisper in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Thou art bright! Thou didst want to let me perish in that pit? +Now, dearest, thou wilt not get rid of me; now we shall always be +together."</p> + +<p>"Stupid Woe," began the rich man; "it was not I who hid thee +under the stone; it was my brother; go to him."</p> + +<p>But no, Woe would not go. The monster laughed and laughed.</p> + +<p>"All the same, all the same," he answered to the rich man. "Let +us remain dear companions."</p> + +<p>The rich man went home under the heavy burden of the +misery-giving Woe. His wealth was soon lost, but his brother, who +knew how to get rid of Woe, was prosperous and is prosperous to +this day.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap06">BABA YAGA</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/115.png"><img width="123" src="images/115.png" alt="S" +height="134" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +Somewhere, I cannot tell you exactly where, but certainly in vast Russia, there +lived a peasant with his wife and they had twins—son and daughter. One +day the wife died and the husband mourned over her very sincerely for a long +time. One year passed, and two years, and even longer. But there is no order in +a house without a woman, and a day came when the man thought, "If I marry again +possibly it would turn out all right." And so he did, and had children by his +second wife. +</p> + +<p>The stepmother was envious of the stepson and daughter and began +to use them hardly. She scolded them without any reason, sent them +away from home as often as she wished, and gave them scarcely +enough to eat. Finally she wanted to get rid of them altogether. Do +you know what it means to allow a wicked thought to enter one's +heart?</p> + +<p>The wicked thought grows all the time like a poisonous plant and +slowly kills the good thoughts. A wicked feeling was growing in the +stepmother's heart, and she determined to send the children to the +witch, thinking sure enough that they would never return.</p> + +<p>"Dear children," she said to the orphans, "go to my grandmother +who lives in the forest in a hut on hen's feet. You will do +everything she wants you to, and she will give you sweet things to +eat and you will be happy."</p> + +<p>The orphans started out. But instead of going to the witch, the +sister, a bright little girl, took her brother by the hand and ran +to their own old, old grandmother and told her all about their +going to the forest.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my poor darlings!" said the good old grandmother, pitying +the children, "my heart aches for you, but it is not in my power to +help you. You have to go not to a loving grandmother, but to a +wicked witch. Now listen to me, my darlings," she continued; "I +will give you a hint: Be kind and good to everyone; do not speak +ill words to any one; do not despise helping the weakest, and +always hope that for you, too, there will be the needed help."</p> + +<p>The good old grandmother gave the children some delicious fresh +milk to drink and to each a big slice of ham. She also gave them +some cookies—there are cookies everywhere—and when the +children departed she stood looking after them a long, long +time.</p> + +<p>The obedient children arrived at the forest and, oh, wonder! +there stood a hut, and what a curious one! It stood on tiny hen's +feet, and at the top was a rooster's head. With their shrill, +childish voices they called out loud:</p> + +<p>"Izboushka, Izboushka! turn thy back to the forest and thy front +to us!"</p> + +<p>The hut did as they commanded. The two orphans looked inside and +saw the witch resting there, her head near the threshold, one foot +in one corner, the other foot in another corner, and her knees +quite close to the ridge pole.</p> + +<p>"Fou, Fou, Fou!" exclaimed the witch; "I feel the Russian +spirit."</p> + +<p>The children were afraid, and stood close, very close together, +but in spite of their fear they said very politely:</p> + +<p>"Ho, grandmother, our stepmother sent us to thee to serve +thee."</p> + +<p>"All right; I am not opposed to keeping you, children. If you +satisfy all my wishes I shall reward you; if not, I shall eat you +up."</p> + +<p>Without any delay the witch ordered the girl to spin the thread, +and the boy, her brother, to carry water in a sieve to fill a big +tub. The poor orphan girl wept at her spinning-wheel and wiped away +her bitter tears. At once all around her appeared small mice +squeaking and saying:</p> + +<p>"Sweet girl, do not cry. Give us cookies and we will help +thee."</p> + +<p>The little girl willingly did so.</p> + +<p>"Now," gratefully squeaked the mice, "go and find the black cat. +He is very hungry; give him a slice of ham and he will help +thee."</p> + +<p>The girl speedily went in search of the cat and saw her brother +in great distress about the tub, so many times he had filled the +sieve, yet the tub was still dry. The little birds passed, flying +near by, and chirped to the children:</p> + +<p>"Kind-hearted little children, give us some crumbs and we will +advise you."</p> + +<p>The orphans gave the birds some crumbs and the grateful birds +chirped again:</p> + +<p>"Some clay and water, children dear!"</p> + +<p>Then away they flew through the air.</p> + +<p>The children understood the hint, spat in the sieve, plastered +it up with clay and filled the tub in a very short time. Then they +both returned to the hut and on the threshold met the black cat. +They generously gave him some of the good ham which their good +grandmother had given them, petted him and asked:</p> + +<p>"Dear Kitty-cat, black and pretty, tell us what to do in order +to get away from thy mistress, the witch?"</p> + +<p>"Well," very seriously answered the cat, "I will give you a +towel and a comb and then you must run away. When you hear the +witch running after you, drop the towel behind your back and a +large river will appear in place of the towel. If you hear her once +more, throw down the comb and in place of the comb there will +appear a dark wood. This wood will protect you from the wicked +witch, my mistress."</p> + +<p><a href="#Baba">Baba Yaga</a> came home just then.</p> + +<p>"Is it not wonderful?" she thought; "everything is exactly +right."</p> + +<p>"Well," she said to the children, "today you were brave and +smart; let us see to-morrow. Your work will be more difficult and I +hope I shall eat you up."</p> + +<p>The poor orphans went to bed, not to a warm bed prepared by +loving hands, but on the straw in a cold corner. Nearly scared to +death from fear, they lay there, afraid to talk, afraid even to +breathe. The next morning the witch ordered all the linen to be +woven and a large supply of firewood to be brought from the +forest.</p> + +<p>The children took the towel and comb and ran away as fast as +their feet could possibly carry them. The dogs were after them, but +they threw them the cookies that were left; the gates did not open +themselves, but the children smoothed them with oil; the birch tree +near the path almost scratched their eyes out, but the gentle girl +fastened a pretty ribbon to it. So they went farther and farther +and ran out of the dark forest into the wide, sunny fields.</p> + +<p>The cat sat down by the loom and tore the thread to pieces, +doing it with delight. Baba Yaga returned.</p> + +<p>"Where are the children?" she shouted, and began to beat the +cat. "Why hast thou let them go, thou treacherous cat? Why hast +thou not scratched their faces?"</p> + +<p>The cat answered: "Well, it was because I have served thee so +many years and thou hast never given me a bite, while the dear +children gave me some good ham."</p> + +<p>The witch scolded the dogs, the gates, and the birch tree near +the path.</p> + +<p>"Well," barked the dogs, "thou certainly art our mistress, but +thou hast never done us a favor, and the orphans were kind to +us."</p> + +<p>The gates replied:</p> + +<p>"We were always ready to obey thee, but thou didst neglect us, +and the dear children smoothed us with oil."</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus08"></a> +<img src="images/122.jpg" width="273" height="424" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption"><i>"The children ran away as fast as their feet could possibly carry them"</i></p> +</div> + +<p>The birch tree lisped with its leaves, "Thou hast never put a +simple thread over my branches and the little darlings adorned them +with a pretty ribbon."</p> + +<p>Baba Yaga understood that there was no help and started to +follow the children herself. In her great hurry she forgot to look +for the towel and the comb, but jumped astride a broom and was off. +The children heard her coming and threw the towel behind them. At +once a river, wide and blue, appeared and watered the field. Baba +Yaga hopped along the shore until she finally found a shallow place +and crossed it.</p> + +<p>Again the children heard her hurry after them and so they threw +down the comb. This time a forest appeared, a dark and dusky forest +in which the roots were interwoven, the branches matted together, +and the tree-tops touching each other. The witch tried very hard to +pass through, but in vain, and so, very, very angry, she returned +home.</p> + +<p>The orphans rushed to their father, told him all about their +great distress, and thus concluded their pitiful story:</p> + +<p>"Ah, father dear, why dost thou love us less than our brothers +and sisters?"</p> + +<p>The father was touched and became angry. He sent the wicked +stepmother away and lived a new life with his good children. From +that time he watched over their happiness and never neglected them +any more.</p> + +<p>How do I know this story is true? Why, one was there who told me +about it.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/124.png" width="235" height="102" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap07">DIMIAN THE PEASANT</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/125.png"><img width="103" src="images/125.png" alt="N" +height="197" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +Not long ago, or perchance very long ago, I do not know for sure, there lived +in a village, some place in Russia, a peasant—a moujik. And this peasant +was a stubborn and a quick-tempered fellow, and his name was Dimian. +</p> + +<p>He was harsh by nature, this Dimian, and wanted everything to go +his own way. If any one talked or acted against him, Dimian's fists +were soon prepared for answer.</p> + +<p>Sometimes, for instance, he would invite one of his neighbors +and treat his guest with fine things to eat and to drink. And the +neighbor in order to maintain the old custom would pretend to +refuse. Dimian would at once begin the dispute:</p> + +<p>"Thou must obey thy host!"</p> + +<p>Once it happened that a shrewd fellow called on him. Our moujik +Dimian covered the table with the very best he had and rejoiced +over the good time he foresaw.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus09"></a> +<img src="images/126.jpg" width="250" height="464" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>Well, I struck a snag</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>The fellow guest speedily ate everything up. Dimian was rather +amazed, but brought out his kaftan.</p> + +<p>"Take off thy sheepskin," said he to the guest; "put on my new +kaftan."</p> + +<p>In proposing it he thought within himself:</p> + +<p>"I will bet that this time he will not dare accept; then I will +teach him a lesson."</p> + +<p>But the fellow quickly put on the new kaftan, tightened it with +the belt, shook his curly head and answered:</p> + +<p>"Have my thanks, uncle, for thy gift. How could I dare not take +it? Why, one must obey his host's bidding."</p> + +<p>Dimian's temper was rising, and he wanted at any rate to have +his own way. But what to do? He hastened to the stable, brought out +his best horse, and said to his guest:</p> + +<p>"Thou art welcome to all my belongings," and within himself he +thought, "He certainly will refuse this time, and then my turn will +come."</p> + +<p>But the fellow did not refuse, and smilingly answered:</p> + +<p>"In thy house thou art the ruler," and quickly he jumped on the +horse's back and shouted to Dimian, the peasant:</p> + +<p>"Farewell, master! no one pushed thee into the trap but +thyself," and with these words the fellow was off.</p> + +<p>Dimian looked after him and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Well, I struck a snag," said he.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/128.png" width="240" height="114" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap08">THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/129.png"><img width="99" src="images/129.png" alt="O" +height="150" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +Once upon a time a merchant's son had too much fun spending money, and the day +came when he saw himself ruined; he had nothing to eat, nothing to drink. He +took a shovel and went to the market place to see if perchance somebody would +hire him as a worker. +</p> + +<p>A rich, proud merchant, worth many, many thousands, came along +in a gilded carriage. All the fellows at the market place, as soon +as they perceived him, rushed away and hid themselves in the +corners. Only one remained, and this one was our merchant's +son.</p> + +<p>"Dost thou look for work, good fellow? Let me hire thee," the +very rich merchant said to him.</p> + +<p>"So be it; that's what I came here for."</p> + +<p>"And thy price?"</p> + +<p>"A hundred rubles a day will be sufficient for me."</p> + +<p>"Why so much?"</p> + +<p>"If too much, go and look for some one else; plenty of people +were around and when they saw thee coming, all of them rushed +away."</p> + +<p>"All right. To-morrow come to the landing place."</p> + +<p>The next day, early in the morning, our merchant's son arrived +at the landing; the very rich merchant was already there +waiting.</p> + +<p>They boarded a ship and went to sea. For quite a long time they +journeyed, and finally they perceived an island. Upon that island +there were high mountains, and near the shore something seemed to +be in flames.</p> + +<p>"Yonder is something like fire," said the merchant's son.</p> + +<p>"No, it is my golden palace."</p> + +<p>They landed, came ashore, and—look there! the rich +merchant's wife is hastening to meet him, and along with her their +young daughter, a lovely girl, prettier than you could think or +even dream of.</p> + +<p>The family met; they greeted one another and went to the palace. +And along with them went their new workman. They sat around the oak +table and ate and drank and were cheerful.</p> + +<p>"One day does not count," the rich merchant said; "let us have a +good time and leave work for to-morrow."</p> + +<p>The young workman was a fine, brave fellow, handsome and +stately, and the merchant's lovely daughter liked him well.</p> + +<p>She left the room and made him a sign to follow her. Then she +gave him a touchstone and a flint.</p> + +<p>"Take it," she said; "when thou art in need, it will be +useful."</p> + +<p>The next day the very rich merchant with his hired workman went +to the high golden mountain. The young fellow saw at once that +there was no use trying to climb or even to crawl up.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the merchant, "let us have a drink for +courage."</p> + +<p>And he gave the fellow some drowsy drink. The fellow drank and +fell asleep.</p> + +<p>The rich merchant took out a sharp knife, killed a wretched +horse, cut it open, put the fellow inside, pushed in the shovel, +and sewed the horse's skin together, and himself sat down in the +bushes.</p> + +<p>All at once crows came flying, black crows with iron beaks. They +took hold of the carcass, lifted it up to the top of the high +mountain, and began to pick at it.</p> + +<p>The crows soon ate up the horse and were about to begin on the +merchant's son, when he awoke, pushed away the crows, looked around +and asked out loud:</p> + +<p>"Where am I?"</p> + +<p>The rich merchant below answered:</p> + +<p>"On a golden mountain; take the shovel and dig for gold."</p> + +<p>And the young man dug and dug, and all the gold he dug he threw +down, and the rich merchant loaded it upon the carts.</p> + +<p>"Enough!" finally shouted the master. "Thanks for thy help. +Farewell!"</p> + +<p>"And I—how shall I get down?"</p> + +<p>"As thou pleasest; there have already perished nine and ninety +of such fellows as thou. With thee the count will be rounded and +thou wilt be the hundredth."</p> + +<p>The proud, rich merchant was off.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" thought the poor merchant's son. "Impossible +to go down! But to stay here means death, a cruel death from +hunger."</p> + +<p>And our fellow stood upon the mountain, while above the black +crows were circling, the black crows with iron beaks, as if feeling +already the prey.</p> + +<p>The fellow tried to think how it all happened, and he remembered +the lovely girl and what she said to him in giving him the +touchstone and the flint. He remembered how she said:</p> + +<p>"Take it. When thou art in need it will prove useful."</p> + +<p>"I fancy she had something in mind; let us try."</p> + +<p>The poor merchant's son took out stone and flint, struck it once +and lo! two brave fellows were standing before him.</p> + +<p>"What is thy wish? What are thy commands?" said they.</p> + +<p>"Take me from this mountain down to the seashore."</p> + +<p>And at once the two took hold of him and carefully brought him +down.</p> + +<p>Our hero walks along the shore. See there! a vessel comes +sailing near the island.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy! good people! take me along!"</p> + +<p>"No time to stop!" And they went sailing by. But the winds arose +and the tempest was heavy.</p> + +<p>"It seems as if this fellow over there is not an ordinary man; +we had better go back and take him along," decided the sailors.</p> + +<p>They turned the prow toward the island, landed, took the +merchant's son along with them and brought him to his native +town.</p> + +<p>It was a long time, or perhaps only a short time after—who +could tell?—that one day the merchant's son took again his +shovel and went to the market place in search of work.</p> + +<p>The same very rich merchant came along in his gilded carriage; +and, as of old, all the fellows who saw him coming rushed away.</p> + +<p>The merchant's son remained alone.</p> + +<p>"Will you be my workman?"</p> + +<p>"I will at two hundred rubles a day. If so, let us to work."</p> + +<p>"A rather expensive fellow."</p> + +<p>"If too expensive go to others; get a cheap man. There were +plenty of people, but when thou didst appear—thou seest +thyself—not one is left."</p> + +<p>"Well, all right. Come to-morrow to the landing place."</p> + +<p>They met at the landing place, boarded a ship and sailed toward +the island.</p> + +<p>The first day they spent rather gayly, and on the second, master +and workman went to work.</p> + +<p>When they reached the golden mountain the rich, proud merchant +treated his hired man to a tumbler.</p> + +<p>"Before all, have a drink."</p> + +<p>"Wait, master! thou art the head; thou must drink the first. Let +me treat thee this time."</p> + +<p>The young man had already prepared some of the drowsy stuff and +he quickly mixed it with the wine and presented it to the +master.</p> + +<p>The proud merchant drank and fell sound asleep.</p> + +<p>Our merchant's son killed a miserable old horse, cut it open, +pushed his master and the shovel inside, sewed it all up and hid +himself in the bushes.</p> + +<p>All at once black crows came flying,—black crows with iron +beaks; they promptly lifted up the horse with the sleeping merchant +inside, bore it to the top of the mountain, and began to pick the +bones of their prey.</p> + +<p>When the merchant awoke he looked here and looked there and +looked everywhere.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?"</p> + +<p>"Upon the golden mountain. Now if thou art strong after thy +rest, do not lose time; take the shovel and dig. Dig quickly and +I'll teach thee how to come down."</p> + +<p>The proud, rich merchant had to obey and dug and dug. Twelve big +carts were loaded.</p> + +<p>"Enough!" shouted the merchant's son. "Thank thee, and +farewell!"</p> + +<p>"And I?"</p> + +<p>"And thou mayst do as thou wishest! There are already ninety and +nine fellows perished before thee; with thyself there will be a +hundred."</p> + +<p>The merchant's son took along with him the twelve heavy carts +with gold, arrived at the golden palace and married the lovely +girl; the rich merchant's daughter became mistress of all her +father's wealth, and the merchant's son with his family moved to a +large town to live.</p> + +<p>And the rich merchant, the proud, rich merchant?</p> + +<p>He himself, like his many victims, became the prey of the black +crows, black crows with iron beaks.</p> + +<p>Well, sometimes it happens just so.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/137.png" width="271" height="113" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap09">FATHER FROST</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/138.png"><img width="123" src="images/138.png" alt="I" +height="132" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In a far-away country, somewhere in Russia, there lived a stepmother who had a +stepdaughter and also a daughter of her own. Her own daughter was dear to her, +and always whatever she did the mother was the first to praise her, to pet her; +but there was but little praise for the stepdaughter; although good and kind, +she had no other reward than reproach. What on earth could have been done? The +wind blows, but stops blowing at times; the wicked woman never knows how to +stop her wickedness. One bright cold day the stepmother said to her husband: +</p> + +<p>"Now, old man, I want thee to take thy daughter away from my +eyes, away from my ears. Thou shalt not take her to thy people into +a warm <a href="#Izba">izba</a>. Thou shalt take her into the wide, wide fields to the +crackling frost."</p> + +<p>The old father grew sad, began even to weep, but nevertheless +helped the young girl into the sleigh. He wished to cover her with +a sheepskin in order to protect her from the cold; however, he did +not do it. He was afraid; his wife was watching them out of the +window. And so he went with his lovely daughter into the wide, wide +fields; drove her nearly to the woods, left her there alone, and +speedily drove away—he was a good man and did not care to see +his daughter's death.</p> + +<p>Alone, quite alone, remained the sweet girl. Broken-hearted and +terror-stricken she repeated fervently all the prayers she +knew.</p> + +<p>Father Frost, the almighty sovereign at that place, clad in +furs, with a long, long, white beard and a shining crown on his +white head, approached nearer and nearer, looked at this beautiful +guest of his and asked:</p> + +<p>"Dost thou know me?—me, the red-nosed Frost?"</p> + +<p>"Be welcome, Father Frost," answered gently the young girl. "I +hope our heavenly Lord sent thee for my sinful soul."</p> + +<p>"Art thou comfortable, sweet child?" again asked the Frost. He +was exceedingly pleased with her looks and mild manners.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I am," answered the girl, almost out of breath from +cold.</p> + +<p>And the Frost, cheerful and bright, kept crackling in the +branches until the air became icy, but the good-natured girl kept +repeating:</p> + +<p>"I am very comfortable, dear Father Frost."</p> + +<p>But the Frost, however, knew all about the weakness of human +beings; he knew very well that few of them are really good and +kind; but he knew no one of them even could struggle too long +against the power of Frost, the king of winter. The kindness of the +gentle girl charmed old Frost so much that he made the decision to +treat her differently from others, and gave her a large heavy trunk +filled with many beautiful, beautiful things. He gave her a rich <a href="#Schouba">"schouba"</a> lined with precious furs; he gave her silk +quilts—light like feathers and warm as a mother's lap. What a +rich girl she became and how many magnificent garments she +received! And besides all, old Frost gave her a blue <a href="#Sarafan"> "sarafan"</a> +ornamented with silver and pearls.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus10"></a> +<img src="images/141.jpg" width="256" height="428" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, beautiful things</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>When the young girl put it on she became such a beautiful maiden +that even the sun smiled at her.</p> + +<p>The stepmother was in the kitchen busy baking pancakes for the +meal which it is the custom to give to the priests and friends +after the usual service for the dead.</p> + +<p>"Now, old man," said the wife to the husband, "go down to the +wide fields and bring the body of thy daughter; we will bury +her."</p> + +<p>The old man went off. And the little dog in the corner wagged +his tail and said:</p> + +<p>"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is on her way home, +beautiful and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter +is wicked as ever before."</p> + +<p>"Keep still, stupid beast!" shouted the stepmother, and struck +the little dog.</p> + +<p>"Here, take this pancake, eat it and say, 'The old woman's +daughter will be married soon and the old man's daughter shall be +buried soon.'"</p> + +<p>The dog ate the pancake and began anew:</p> + +<p>"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is coming home wealthy +and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter is +somewhere around as homely and wicked as ever before."</p> + +<p>The old woman was furious at the dog, but in spite of pancakes +and whipping, the dog repeated the same words over and over +again.</p> + +<p>Somebody opened the gate, voices were heard laughing and talking +outside. The old woman looked out and sat down in amazement. The +stepdaughter was there like a princess, bright and happy in the +most beautiful garments, and behind her the old father had hardly +strength enough to carry the heavy, heavy trunk with the rich +outfit.</p> + +<p>"Old man!" called the stepmother, impatiently; "hitch our best +horses to our best sleigh, and drive <i>my</i> daughter to the very +same place in the wide, wide fields."</p> + +<p>The old man obeyed as usual and took his stepdaughter to the +same place and left her alone.</p> + +<p>Old Frost was there; he looked at his new guest.</p> + +<p>"Art thou comfortable, fair maiden?" asked the red-nosed +sovereign.</p> + +<p>"Let me alone," harshly answered the girl; "canst thou not see +that my feet and my hands are about stiff from the cold?"</p> + +<p>The Frost kept crackling and asking questions for quite a while, +but obtaining no polite answer became angry and froze the girl to +death.</p> + +<p>"Old man, go for my daughter; take the best horses; be careful; +do not upset the sleigh; do not lose the trunk."</p> + +<p>And the little dog in the corner said:</p> + +<p>"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter will marry soon; the +old woman's daughter shall be buried soon."</p> + +<p>"Do not lie. Here is a cake; eat it and say, 'The old woman's +daughter is clad in silver and gold.'"</p> + +<p>The gate opened, the old woman ran out and kissed the stiff +frozen lips of her daughter. She wept and wept, but there was no +help, and she understood at last that through her own wickedness +and envy her child had perished.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/145.png" width="188" height="245" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">THE END</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/146.png" width="501" height="128" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a name="NOTES">NOTES</a></p> + +<p> +1. A <a name="tsarstvo"><i>tsarstvo</i></a> is the domain of a <i>tsar</i> +(czar), which is the title of an absolute monarch in Russia. The word +<i>tsar</i>, derived from the Roman name and title, Caesar, may be translated +emperor, king, or prince. A number of words are formed from it by adding +different syllables: <a name="Tsarevitch">Tsarevitch</a>, the tsar's son, +prince; Tsarevna, the tsar's daughter, princess; Tsaritza, the tsar's wife, +queen or empress. +</p> + +<p> +2. <i><a name="Boyar">Boyar</a></i> was the word formerly used to mean a +Russian nobleman; so a <i>boyar-house</i> is a lord's house;<a +name="boyarishnia"><i>boyarishnia</i></a>, a lord's daughter. The <i><a +name="terem">terem</a></i> was that part of the boyar-house in which the +women's rooms were situated. +</p> + +<p>3. In Russia there is a fatherly relation existing between the +ruler and his subjects which is shown in such phrases as "<a name="thetsarfather">the tsar father</a>," "their father sovereign," +etc. The Russian language has many diminutives, or terms of +endearment. For instance, the Tzar is often affectionately called +"the little father" by his subjects.</p> + +<p>4. "<i><a name="Oncesaidquicklydone">Once said, quickly +done</a></i>." This is the Russian idiom. Observe how much more +lively it is than our own "No sooner said than done."</p> + +<p>5. <i><a name="Theholyicons">The holy icons</a></i> are pictures or mosaics of Christ, or the +Virgin Mary, or of some saint or martyr of the Russian church. In +every Russian house there is one or more, hung in a prominent +place. Every one who enters the house at once bows and utters a +prayer before the icons before he does anything else. This is an +old Russian custom which is still kept up by peasants.</p> + +<p>6. <a name="Stronggreenwine."></a><i>Strong green wine</i>. This is the phrase still used by +Russian story-tellers to describe the drink which it was an honor +to receive from the royal hand. Its strength was magical in that it +was not acquired by keeping, but was always the same.</p> + +<p>6. <i><a name="Foracloudyday">For a cloudy day</a></i> is +the Russian idiom very similar to our own.</p> + +<p>7. <i><a name="Itisapeasantstrade">It is a peasant's +trade</a></i> is a Russian saying which means, "It doesn't amount +to much."</p> + +<p>8. <a name="Moujik"><i>Moujik</i></a>, a peasant: his duties +are those of a farm laborer, yet this phrase would not be a fair +translation. This word, which is rendered "tiller of the soil," has +no exact equivalent in English.</p> + +<p> +9. <i><a name="Korolevitch">Korolevitch</a></i>, from <i>korol</i>: king. The +endings <i>evitch</i> and <i>evna</i> show descent, korolevitch meaning son of +a king; korolevna meaning daughter of a king. +</p> + +<p>10. <i><a name="Dutchtrumpet">Dutch trumpet</a></i>, i.e., an +imported trumpet. Anything foreign is "Dutch" to the Russian +peasant.</p> + +<p>11. <i><a name="Honeydrink">Honey drink</a></i>, a drink made +by fermenting honey and water. It is quite common in Russia, and is +about the same as our mead.</p> + +<p>12. <a name="RussianandotherSlavonictales">Russian and other +Slavonic tales</a> often have queer endings, similar to the one +here given by the story-teller at the end of the story, which is no +part of the tale. To the Russian they give a poetic touch, a little +sense of confusion and mystery which is certainly delightful.</p> + +<p>13. <a name="HolyRussia"><i>Holy Russia</i></a>. To the Russian his country is sacred; +everything outside is profane by comparison. The phrase suggests +the <i>Holy Roman Empire</i> of history, or the <i>Celestial +Kingdom</i> of the Chinese.</p> + +<p>14. <a name="Inthepeasantshouse">In the peasant's house</a> +there is often a large stove of brick or tile on which the family +sleep in cold weather.</p> + +<p>15. <i><a name="Adayinandanequaldayout">A day in and an +equal day out</a></i>, the Russian idiom. Observe how very like our +own.</p> + +<p>16. <i><a name="Kabak">Kabak</a></i> a +drinking saloon.</p> + +<p>17. The <i><a name="ruble">ruble</a></i> is the principal coin +of Russia, as the dollar is in the United States. It is equal to +100 copecks, and at this time (1903) is worth only about 50 +cents.</p> + +<p>18. <i><a name="Honeytodrink">Honey to drink</a></i>, i.e., +fermented honey, or mead. (See note to p. 60.)</p> + +<p>19. <i><a name="Baba">Baba</a></i>, a peasant woman, or +grandmother; granny. <i>Yaga</i>, witch. <i>Baba Yaga</i>, +therefore, is the familiar "Grandmother Witch."</p> + +<p>20. <i><a name="Izba">Izba</a></i>, a hut. <i>Izboushka</i>, a +tiny hut.</p> + +<p>21. <i><a name="Schouba">Schouba</a></i>, a large fur-lined +cloak.</p> + +<p>22. <i><a name="Sarafan">Sarafan</a></i>, the Russian national +costume for women.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/148.png" width="230" height="152" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/149.png" width="187" height="246" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12851 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/12851-h/images/001.jpg b/12851-h/images/001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9605429 --- /dev/null +++ b/12851-h/images/001.jpg diff --git a/12851-h/images/009.png 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+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a79c7f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #12851 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12851) diff --git a/old/12851-0.txt b/old/12851-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..096f983 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12851-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3304 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Folk Tales from the Russian + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: Folk Tales from the Russian + +Author: Various + +Release Date: July 8, 2004 [eBook #12851] +[Most recently updated: March 31, 2023] + +Language: English + +Produced by: Bob Jones, Frank van Drogen, Tamiko I. Camacho and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOLK TALES FROM THE RUSSIAN *** + + + + +[Illustration: "_She gave him a touchstone and flint_"] + + + +FOLK TALES + + + +FROM THE RUSSIAN + + + +RETOLD BY + +VERRA XENOPHONTOVNA KALAMATIANO DE BLUMENTHAL + + + + +FOREWORD + + +In Russia, as elsewhere in the world, folklore is rapidly scattering +before the practical spirit of modern progress. The traveling peasant +bard or story teller, and the devoted "nyanya", the beloved nurse of +many a generation, are rapidly dying out, and with them the tales and +legends, the last echoes of the nation's early joys and sufferings, +hopes and fears, are passing away. The student of folk-lore knows that +the time has come when haste is needed to catch these vanishing songs +of the nation's youth and to preserve them for the delight of future +generations. In sending forth the stories in the present volume, all +of which are here set down in print for the first time, it is my hope +that they may enable American children to share with the children of +Russia the pleasure of glancing into the magic world of the old Slavic +nation. + + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +THE TABLE OF CONTENTS + +_Foreword_ + +_A List of Illustrations_ + +_Dedication_ + +_Notes_ + + + +FOLK TALES + +The Tsarevna Frog + +Seven Simeons + +The Language of the Birds + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton + +Woe Bogotir + +Baba Yaga + +Dimian the Peasant + +The Golden Mountain + +Father Frost + + + +A LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + +"She gave him a touchstone and flint". + +The Tsarevna Frog + +"Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all directions" + +Ivan learns the language of the birds + +"The old man went begging from town to town" + +"One brother was sent to watch the turkeys" + +The rich brother + +"The children ran away as fast as their little feet could possibly +carry them" + +"Well, I struck a snag" + +"Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, beautiful things" + + + +_TO MY LITTLE FRIEND_ + +EDITH EVANS + +_AND ALL AMERICAN CHILDREN_ + +[Illustration: _The Tsarevna Frog_] + + + + + +THE TSAREVNA FROG + + +[Illustration] In an old, old Russian tsarstvo, I do not know when, +there lived a sovereign prince with the princess his wife. They had +three sons, all of them young, and such brave fellows that no pen +could describe them. The youngest had the name of Ivan Tsarevitch. One +day their father said to his sons: + +"My dear boys, take each of you an arrow, draw your strong bow and let +your arrow fly; in whatever court it falls, in that court there will +be a wife for you." + +The arrow of the oldest Tsarevitch fell on a boyar-house just in front +of the terem where women live; the arrow of the second Tsarevitch flew +to the red porch of a rich merchant, and on the porch there stood +a sweet girl, the merchant's daughter. The youngest, the brave +Tsarevitch Ivan, had the ill luck to send his arrow into the midst of +a swamp, where it was caught by a croaking frog. + +Ivan Tsarevitch came to his father: "How can I marry the frog?" +complained the son. "Is she my equal? Certainly she is not." + +"Never mind," replied his father, "you have to marry the frog, for +such is evidently your destiny." + +Thus the brothers were married: the oldest to a young boyarishnia, a +nobleman's child; the second to the merchant's beautiful daughter, and +the youngest, Tsarevitch Ivan, to a croaking frog. + +After a while the sovereign prince called his three sons and said to +them: + +"Have each of your wives bake a loaf of bread by to-morrow morning." + +Ivan returned home. There was no smile on his face, and his brow was +clouded. + +"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear husband of mine, Tsarevitch Ivan, why so +sad?" gently asked the frog. "Was there anything disagreeable in the +palace?" + +"Disagreeable indeed," answered Ivan Tsarevitch; "the Tsar, my father, +wants you to bake a loaf of white bread by to-morrow." + +"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; the morning hour is a better +adviser than the dark evening." + +The Tsarevitch, taking his wife's advice, went to sleep. Then the +frog threw off her frogskin and turned into a beautiful, sweet girl, +Vassilissa by name. She now stepped out on the porch and called aloud: + +"Nurses and waitresses, come to me at once and prepare a loaf of white +bread for to-morrow morning, a loaf exactly like those I used to eat +in my royal father's palace." + +In the morning Tsarevitch Ivan awoke with the crowing cocks, and you +know the cocks and chickens are never late. Yet the loaf was already +made, and so fine it was that nobody could even describe it, for only +in fairyland one finds such marvelous loaves. It was adorned all +about with pretty figures, with towns and fortresses on each side, and +within it was white as snow and light as a feather. + +The Tsar father was pleased and the Tsarevitch received his special +thanks. + +"Now there is another task," said the Tsar smilingly. "Have each of +your wives weave a rug by to-morrow." + +Tsarevitch Ivan came back to his home. There was no smile on his face +and his brow was clouded. + +"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear Tsarevitch Ivan, my husband and master, +why so troubled again? Was not father pleased?" + +"How can I be otherwise? The Tsar, my father, has ordered a rug by +to-morrow." + +"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; go to sleep. The morning hour +will bring help." + +Again the frog turned into Vassilissa, the wise maiden, and again she +called aloud: + +"Dear nurses and faithful waitresses, come to me for new work. Weave a +silk rug like the one I used to sit upon in the palace of the king, my +father." + +Once said, quickly done. When the cocks began their early +"cock-a-doodle-doo," Tsarevitch Ivan awoke, and lo! there lay the +most beautiful silk rug before him, a rug that no one could begin +to describe. Threads of silver and gold were interwoven among +bright-colored silken ones, and the rug was too beautiful for anything +but to admire. + +The Tsar father was pleased, thanked his son Ivan, and issued a new +order. He now wished to see the three wives of his handsome sons, and +they were to present their brides on the next day. + +The Tsarevitch Ivan returned home. Cloudy was his brow, more cloudy +than before. + +"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Tsarevitch, my dear husband and master, why so +sad? Hast thou heard anything unpleasant at the palace?" + +"Unpleasant enough, indeed! My father, the Tsar, ordered all of us to +present our wives to him. Now tell me, how could I dare go with thee?" + +"It is not so bad after all, and might be much worse," answered the +frog, gently croaking. "Thou shalt go alone and I will follow thee. +When thou hearest a noise, a great noise, do not be afraid; simply +say: 'There is my miserable froggy coming in her miserable box.'" + +The two elder brothers arrived first with their wives, beautiful, +bright, and cheerful, and dressed in rich garments. Both the happy +bridegrooms made fun of the Tsarevitch Ivan. + +"Why alone, brother?" they laughingly said to him. "Why didst thou not +bring thy wife along with thee? Was there no rag to cover her? Where +couldst thou have gotten such a beauty? We are ready to wager that in +all the swamps in the dominion of our father it would be hard to find +another one like her." And they laughed and laughed. + +Lo! what a noise! The palace trembled, the guests were all frightened. +Tsarevitch Ivan alone remained quiet and said: + +"No danger; it is my froggy coming in her box." + +To the red porch came flying a golden carriage drawn by six splendid +white horses, and Vassilissa, beautiful beyond all description, gently +reached her hand to her husband. He led her with him to the heavy oak +tables, which were covered with snow-white linen and loaded with +many wonderful dishes such as are known and eaten only in the land of +fairies and never anywhere else. The guests were eating and chatting +gayly. + +Vassilissa drank some wine, and what was left in the tumbler she +poured into her left sleeve. She ate some of the fried swan, and the +bones she threw into her right sleeve. The wives of the two elder +brothers watched her and did exactly the same. + +When the long, hearty dinner was over, the guests began dancing and +singing. The beautiful Vassilissa came forward, as bright as a star, +bowed to her sovereign, bowed to the honorable guests and danced with +her husband, the happy Tsarevitch Ivan. + +While dancing, Vassilissa waved her left sleeve and a pretty lake +appeared in the midst of the hall and cooled the air. She waved her +right sleeve and white swans swam on the water. The Tsar, the guests, +the servants, even the gray cat sitting in the corner, all were amazed +and wondered at the beautiful Vassilissa. Her two sisters-in-law alone +envied her. When their turn came to dance, they also waved their left +sleeves as Vassilissa had done, and, oh, wonder! they sprinkled wine +all around. They waved their right sleeves, and instead of swans the +bones flew in the face of the Tsar father. The Tsar grew very angry +and bade them leave the palace. In the meantime Ivan Tsarevitch +watched a moment to slip away unseen. He ran home, found the frogskin, +and burned it in the fire. + +Vassilissa, when she came back, searched for the skin, and when she +could not find it her beautiful face grew sad and her bright eyes +filled with tears. She said to Tsarevitch Ivan, her husband: + +"Oh, dear Tsarevitch, what hast thou done? There was but a short time +left for me to wear the ugly frogskin. The moment was near when we +could have been happy together forever. Now I must bid thee good-by. +Look for me in a far-away country to which no one knows the roads, at +the palace of Kostshei the Deathless;" and Vassilissa turned into a +white swan and flew away through the window. + +Tsarevitch Ivan wept bitterly. Then he prayed to the almighty God, +and making the sign of the cross northward, southward, eastward, and +westward, he went on a mysterious journey. + +No one knows how long his journey was, but one day he met an old, old +man. He bowed to the old man, who said: + +"Good-day, brave fellow. What art thou searching for, and whither art +thou going?" + +Tsarevitch Ivan answered sincerely, telling all about his misfortune +without hiding anything. + +"And why didst thou burn the frogskin? It was wrong to do so. Listen +now to me. Vassilissa was born wiser than her own father, and as he +envied his daughter's wisdom he condemned her to be a frog for three +long years. But I pity thee and want to help thee. Here is a magic +ball. In whatever direction this ball rolls, follow without fear." + +Ivan Tsarevitch thanked the good old man, and followed his new guide, +the ball. Long, very long, was his road. One day in a wide, flowery +field he met a bear, a big Russian bear. Ivan Tsarevitch took his bow +and was ready to shoot the bear. + +"Do not kill me, kind Tsarevitch," said the bear. "Who knows but that +I may be useful to thee?" And Ivan did not shoot the bear. + +Above in the sunny air there flew a duck, a lovely white duck. Again +the Tsarevitch drew his bow to shoot it. But the duck said to him: + +"Do not kill me, good Tsarevitch. I certainly shall be useful to thee +some day." + +And this time he obeyed the command of the duck and passed by. +Continuing his way he saw a blinking hare. The Tsarevitch prepared an +arrow to shoot it, but the gray, blinking hare said: + +"Do not kill me, brave Tsarevitch. I shall prove myself grateful to +thee in a very short time." + +The Tsarevitch did not shoot the hare, but passed by. He walked +farther and farther after the rolling ball, and came to the deep blue +sea. On the sand there lay a fish. I do not remember the name of the +fish, but it was a big fish, almost dying on the dry sand. + +"O Tsarevitch Ivan!" prayed the fish, "have mercy upon me and push me +back into the cool sea." + +The Tsarevitch did so, and walked along the shore. The ball, rolling +all the time, brought Ivan to a hut, a queer, tiny hut standing on +tiny hen's feet. + +"Izboushka! Izboushka!"--for so in Russia do they name small +huts--"Izboushka, I want thee to turn thy front to me," cried Ivan, +and lo! the tiny hut turned its front at once. Ivan stepped in and saw +a witch, one of the ugliest witches he could imagine. + +"Ho! Ivan Tsarevitch! What brings thee here?" was his greeting from +the witch. + +"O, thou old mischief!" shouted Ivan with anger. "Is it the way in +holy Russia to ask questions before the tired guest gets something to +eat, something to drink, and some hot water to wash the dust off?" + +Baba Yaga, the witch, gave the Tsarevitch plenty to eat and drink, +besides hot water to wash the dust off. Tsarevitch Ivan felt +refreshed. Soon he became talkative, and related the wonderful story +of his marriage. He told how he had lost his dear wife, and that his +only desire was to find her. + +"I know all about it," answered the witch. "She is now at the palace +of Kostshei the Deathless, and thou must understand that Kostshei is +terrible. He watches her day and night and no one can ever conquer +him. His death depends on a magic needle. That needle is within a +hare; that hare is within a large trunk; that trunk is hidden in the +branches of an old oak tree; and that oak tree is watched by Kostshei +as closely as Vassilissa herself, which means closer than any treasure +he has." + +Then the witch told Ivan Tsarevitch how and where to find the oak +tree. Ivan hastily went to the place. But when he perceived the oak +tree he was much discouraged, not knowing what to do or how to begin +the work. Lo and behold! that old acquaintance of his, the Russian +bear, came running along, approached the tree, uprooted it, and the +trunk fell and broke. A hare jumped out of the trunk and began to run +fast; but another hare, Ivan's friend, came running after, caught it +and tore it to pieces. Out of the hare there flew a duck, a gray one +which flew very high and was almost invisible, but the beautiful white +duck followed the bird and struck its gray enemy, which lost an egg. +That egg fell into the deep sea. Ivan meanwhile was anxiously watching +his faithful friends helping him. But when the egg disappeared in the +blue waters he could not help weeping. All of a sudden a big fish came +swimming up, the same fish he had saved, and brought the egg in his +mouth. How happy Ivan was when he took it! He broke it and found the +needle inside, the magic needle upon which everything depended. + +At the same moment Kostshei lost his strength and power forever. +Ivan Tsarevitch entered his vast dominions, killed him with the +magic needle, and in one of the palaces found his own dear wife, his +beautiful Vassilissa. He took her home and they were very happy ever +after. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +SEVEN SIMEONS + + +[Illustration] In an empire, in a country beyond many seas and +islands, beyond high mountains, beyond large rivers, upon a level +expanse, as if spread upon a table, there stood a large town, and +in that town there lived a Tsar called Archidei, the son of Aggei; +therefore he was called Aggeivitch. + +A famous Tsar he was, and a clever one. His wealth could not be +counted; his warriors were innumerable. There were forty times forty +towns in his kingdom, and in each one of these towns there were ten +palaces with silver doors and golden ceilings and magnificent crystal +windows. + +For his council twelve wise men were selected, each one of them having +a beard half a yard long and a head full of wisdom. These advisers +offered nothing but truth to their father sovereign; none ever dared +advance a lie. + +How could such a Tsar be anything but happy? But it is true, indeed, +that neither wealth nor wisdom give happiness when the heart is not at +ease, and even in golden palaces the poor heart often aches. + +So it was with the Tsar Archidei; he was rich and clever, besides +being a handsome fellow; but he could not find a bride to his taste, a +bride with wit and beauty equal to his own. And this was the cause of +the Tsar Archidei's sorrow and distress. + +One day he was sitting in his golden armchair looking out of the +window lost in thought. He had gazed for quite a while before he +noticed foreign sailors landing opposite the imperial palace. The +sailors ran their ship up to the wharf, reefed their white sails, +threw the heavy anchor into the sea and prepared the plank ready to +go ashore. Before them all walked an old merchant; white was his beard +and he had about him the air of a wise man. An idea suddenly occurred +to the Tsar: "Sea merchants generally are well informed on many +subjects. If I ask them, perchance I shall find that they have met +somewhere a princess, beautiful and clever, suitable for me, the Tsar +Archidei." + +Without delay the order was given to call the sea merchants into the +halls of the palace. + +The merchant guests appeared, prayed to the holy icons hanging in +the corner, bowed to the Tsar, bowed to the wise advisers. The Tsar +ordered his servants to serve them with tumblers of strong green wine. +The guests drank the strong green wine and wiped their beards with +embroidered towels. Then the Tsar Archidei addressed them: + +"We are aware that you gallant sea merchants cross all the big +waters and see many wonderful things. My desire is to ask you about +something, and you must give a straightforward answer without any +deceit or evasion." + +"So be it, mighty Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch," answered the merchant +guests, bowing. + +"Well, then, can you tell me if somewhere in an empire or kingdom, +or among great princes, there is a maiden as beautiful and wise as +I myself, Tsar Archidei; an illustrious maiden who would be a proper +wife for me, a suitable Tsaritza for my country?" + +The merchant guests seemed to be puzzled, and after a long silence the +eldest among them thus replied: + +"Indeed, I once heard that yonder beyond the great sea, on an island +called Buzan, there is a great country; and the sovereign of that land +has a daughter named Helena, a princess very beautiful, not less so, +I dare say, than thyself. And wise she is, too; a wise man once tried +for three years to guess a riddle that she gave, and did not succeed." + +"How far is that island, pray tell, and where are the roads that lead +to it?" + +"The island is not near," answered the old merchant. "If one chooses +the wide sea he must journey ten years. Besides, the way to it is not +known to us. Moreover, even suppose we did know the way, it seems that +the Princess Helena is not a bride for thee." + +The Tsar Archidei shouted with anger: + +"How dost thou dare to speak such words, thou, a long-bearded buck?" + +"Thy will be done, but think for thyself. Suppose thou shouldst send +an envoy to the island of Buzan. He would require ten long years to go +there, ten years equally long to come back, and so his journey would +require fully twenty years. By that time a most beautiful princess +would grow old--a girl's beauty is like the swallow, a bird of +passage; it lasts not long." + +The Tsar Archidei became thoughtful. + +"Well," he said to the merchant guests, "you have my thanks, guests of +passage, respectable men of trade. Go in God's name, transact business +in my tsarstvo without any taxes whatever. What to do about the +beautiful Princess Helena I will try to think out by myself." + +The merchants bowed low and left the Tsar's rich palace. + +The Tsar Archidei sat still, wrapped in thought, but he could find +neither beginning nor end to the problem. "Let me ride into the wide +fields," he said; "let me forget my sorrow amid the excitement of the +noble hunt, hoping that the future may bring advice." + +The falconers appeared, cheerful notes from the golden trumpets +resounded, and falcons and hawks were soon slumbering under their +velvet caps as they sat quietly on the fingers of the hunters. + +The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch came with his men to a wide, wide field. +All of his men were watching the moment to loose their falcons in +order to let the birds pursue a long-legged heron or a white-breasted +swan. + +Now, you, my listeners, must understand that the fairy tale is quick, +but life is not. The Tsar Archidei was on horseback for a long while, +and finally came to a green valley. Looking around he saw a well +cultivated field where the golden ears of the grain were already ripe, +and oh, how beautiful! The Tsar stopped in admiration. + +"I presume," he exclaimed, "that good workers are owners of this +place, honest plowmen and diligent sowers. If only all fields in +my tsarstvo were equally cultivated, my people need never know what +hunger means, and there would even be plenty to send beyond the sea to +be exchanged for silver and gold." + +Then the Tsar Archidei gave orders to inquire who the owners of the +field were, and what were their names. Hunters, grooms, and servants +rushed in all directions, and discovered seven brave fellows, all of +them fair, red-cheeked, and very handsome. They were dining according +to the peasant fashion, which means that they were eating rye bread +with onions, and drinking clear water. Their blouses were red, with a +golden galloon around the neck, and they were so much alike that one +could hardly be recognized from another. + +The royal messengers approached. + +"Whose field is this?" they asked; "this field with golden wheat?" + +The seven brave peasants answered cheerfully: + +"This is our field; we plowed it, and we also have sown the golden +wheat." + +"And what kind of people are you?" + +"We are the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch's peasants, farmers, and we are +brothers, sons of one father and mother. The name for all of us is +Simeon, so you understand we are seven Simeons." + +[Illustration: "_Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all +directions_"] + +This answer was faithfully delivered to the Tsar Archidei by the +envoys, and the Tsar at once desired to see the brave peasants, and +ordered them to be called before him. The seven Simeons presently +appeared and bowed. The Tsar looked at them with his bright eyes and +asked them: + +"What kind of people are you whose field is so well cultivated?" + +One of the seven brothers, the eldest of them, answered: + +"We are all thy peasants, simpletons, without any wisdom, born of +peasant parents, all of us children of the same father and the same +mother, and all having the same name, Simeon. Our old father taught us +to pray to God, to obey thee, to pay taxes faithfully, and besides to +work and toil without rest. He also taught to each of us a trade, +for the old saying is, 'A trade is no burden, but a profit.' The old +father wished us to keep our trades for a cloudy day, but never to +forsake our own fields, and always to be contented, and plow and +harrow diligently. + +"He also used to say, 'If one does not neglect the mother earth, but +thoroughly harrows and sows in due season, then she, our mother, will +reward generously, and will give plenty of bread, besides preparing +a soft place for the everlasting rest when one is old and tired of +life.'" + +The Tsar Archidei liked the simple answer of the peasant, and said: + +"Take my praise, brave good fellows, my peasants, tillers of the soil, +sowers of wheat, gatherers of gold. And now tell me, what trades did +your father teach you, and what do you know?" + +The first Simeon answered: + +"My trade is not a very wise one. If thou wouldst let me have +materials and working men, then I could build a post, a white stone +column, reaching beyond the clouds, almost to the sky." + +"Good enough!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei. "And thou, the second +Simeon, what is thy trade?" + +The second Simeon was quick to give answer: + +"My trade is a simple one. If my brother will build a white stone +column, I can climb upon that column high up in the sky, and I shall +see from above all the empires and all the kingdoms under the sun, and +everything which is going on in those foreign countries." + +"Thy trade is not so bad either," and the Tsar smiled and looked at +the third brother. "And thou, third Simeon, what trade is thine?" + +The third Simeon also had his answer ready: + +"My trade is simple, too; that is to say, a peasant's trade. If thou +art in need of ships, thy learned men of foreign birth build them for +thee as well as their wisdom teaches them. But if thou wilt order, I +will build them simply--one, two! and the ship is ready. My ships will +be the result of the quick headwork of a peasant simpleton. But where +a foreign ship sails a year, mine will sail an hour, and where others +take ten years, mine will take not longer than a week." + +"Well, well!" laughed the Tsar. "And thy trade, the fourth Simeon?" he +asked. + +The fourth brother bowed. + +"My trade needs no wisdom either. If my brother will build thee a +ship, I then will sail that ship; and if an enemy gives chase or a +tempest rises, I'll seize the ship by the black prow and plunge her +into the deep waters where there is eternal quiet; and after the storm +is over or the enemy far, I'll again guide her to the surface of the +wide sea." + +"Good!" approved the Tsar. "And thou, fifth Simeon, what dost thou +know? Hast thou also a trade?" + +"My trade, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, is not a fair one, for I am a +blacksmith. If thou wouldst order a shop built for me, I at once would +forge a self-shooting gun, and no eagle far above in the sky or wild +beast in the wood would be safe from that gun." + +"Not bad either," answered the Tsar Archidei, well pleased. "Thy turn +now, sixth Simeon." + +"My trade is no trade," answered the sixth Simeon, rather humbly. "If +my brother shoots a bird or a beast, never mind what or where, I can +catch it before it falls down, catch it even better than a hunting +dog. If the prey should fall into the blue sea, I'll find it at the +sea's bottom; should it fall into the depth of the dark woods, I'll +find it there in the midst of night; should it get caught in a cloud, +I'll find it even there." + +The Tsar Archidei evidently liked the trade of the sixth Simeon very +well also. These were all simple trades, you see, without any wisdom +whatever, but rather entertaining. The Tsar also liked the peasants' +speech, and he said to them: + +"Thanks, my peasants, tillers of the soil, my faithful workers. Your +father's words are true ones: 'A trade is not a burden, but a profit.' +Now come to my capital for a trial; people like you are welcome. And +when the season for harvest arrives, the time to reap, to bind in +bundles the golden grain, to thresh and carry the wheat to the market, +I will let you go home with my royal grace." + +Then all the seven Simeons bowed very low. "Thine is the will," said +they, "and we are thy obedient subjects." + +Here the Tsar Archidei looked at the youngest Simeon and remembered +that he had not asked him about his trade. So he said: + +"And thou, seventh Simeon, what is thy trade?" + +"I have none, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. I learned many, but not a +single one did me any good, and though I know something very well, I +am not sure your majesty would like it." + +"Let us know thy secret," ordered the Tsar Archidei. + +"No, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch! Give me, first of all, thy royal word +not to kill me for my inborn talent, but to have mercy upon me. Then +only will I be willing to disclose my secret." + +"Thy wish is granted. I give thee my royal word, true and not to be +broken, that whatever thou shalt disclose to me, I will have mercy +upon thee." + +Hearing these kind words, the seventh Simeon smiled, looked around, +shook his curls and began: + +"My trade is one for which there is no mercy in thy tsarstvo, and it +is the one thing I am able to do. My trade is to steal and to hide the +trace of how and when. There is no treasure, no fortunate possession, +not even a bewitched one, nor a secret place that could be forbidden +me if it be my wish to steal." + +As soon as these bold words of the seventh Simeon reached the Tsar's +ears he became very angry. + +"No!" he exclaimed, "I certainly shall not pardon thee, thief and +burglar! I will give orders for thy cruel death! I will have thee +chained and thrown into my subterranean prison with nothing but bread +and water for food until thou forget thy trade!" + +"Great and merciful Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, postpone thy orders. +Listen to my peasant talk," prayed the seventh Simeon. "Our old +Russian saying is: 'He is no thief who is not caught, and neither is +he who steals, but the one who instigates the theft.' If my wish had +been to steal, I should have done it long ago. I should have stolen +thy treasures and thy judges would not have objected to take a small +share of them, and I could have built a white-walled stone palace and +have been rich. But, mark this: I am a stupid peasant of low origin. I +know well enough how to steal, but will not. If thy wish were to learn +my trade, how could I keep it from thee? And if thou, for this sincere +acknowledgment, wilt have me put to death, then what is the value of +thy royal word?" + +The Tsar thought a moment. "For this time," he said, "I will not let +thee die, for it pleases me to grant thee my grace. But from this very +day, this very hour, thou never shalt see God's light nor the bright +sunshine nor the silvery moon. Thou shalt never walk at liberty +through the wide fields, but thou, my dear guest, shalt dwell in a +palace where no sunny ray ever penetrates. You, my servants, take him, +chain his hands and his feet and lead him to my chief jailor. And you +six Simeons follow me. You have my grace and reward. To-morrow every +one of you will begin to work for me according to his gifts and +capacities." + +The six Simeons followed the Tsar Archidei, and the seventh brother, +the youngest, the beloved one, was fallen upon by the servants, taken +away to the dark prison and heavily chained. + +The Tsar Archidei ordered carpenters to be sent to the first Simeon, +as well as masons and blacksmiths and all sorts of workingmen. He also +ordered a supply of bricks, stones, iron, clay, and cement. Without +any delay, Simeon, the first brother, began to build a column, and +according to his simple peasant's habits his work progressed rapidly, +and not a moment was wasted in clever combinations. In a short time +the white column was ready, and lo, how high it went! as high as the +great planets. The smaller stars were beneath it, and from above the +people seemed to be like bugs. + +The second Simeon climbed the column, looked around, listened to +all sounds, and came down. The Tsar Archidei, anxious to know about +everything under the sun, ordered him to report, and Simeon did so. He +told the Tsar Archidei all the wonderful doings all over the world. He +told how one king was fighting another, where there was war and +where there was peace, and with other things the second Simeon even +mentioned deep secrets, quite surprising secrets, which made the Tsar +Archidei smile; and the courtiers, encouraged by the royal smile, +roared with laughter. + +Meantime the third Simeon was accomplishing something in his line. +After crossing himself three times the fellow rolled up his sleeves +to the elbow, took a hatchet and--one, two--without any haste built +a vessel. What a curious vessel it was! The Tsar Archidei watched +the wonderful structure from the shore and as soon as the orders were +given for sailing, the new vessel sailed away like a white-winged +hawk. The cannon were shooting and upon the masts, instead of rigging, +were drawn strings upon which musicians were playing the national +tunes. + +As soon as the wonderful vessel sailed into deep water, the fourth +Simeon snatched the prow and no trace of it remained on the surface; +the whole vessel went to the depths like a heavy stone. In an hour or +so Simeon, with his left hand, led the ship to the blue surface of +the sea again, and with his right he presented to the Tsar a most +magnificent sturgeon for his "kulibiaka," the famous Russian fish pie. + +While the Tsar Archidei enjoyed himself with looking at the marvelous +vessel, the fifth Simeon built a blacksmith shop in the court back of +the palace. There he blew the bellows and heated the iron. The noise +from his hammers was great and the result of his peasant work was +a self-shooting gun. The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch went to the wild +fields and perceived high above him, very high under the sky, an eagle +flying. + +"Now!" exclaimed the Tsar, "there is an eagle forgetting himself with +watching the sun; shoot it. Perchance thou shalt have the good luck to +hit it. Then I will honor thee." + +Simeon shook his locks, smiled, put into his gun a silver bullet, +aimed, shot, and the eagle fell swiftly to the earth. The sixth Simeon +did not even allow the eagle to fall to the ground, but, quick as a +flash, he ran under it with a plate, caught it on that big plate and +presented his prey to the Tsar Archidei. + +"Thanks, thanks, my brave fellows, faithful peasants, tillers of the +soil!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei gayly. "I see now plainly that all +of you are men of trade and I wish to reward you. But now go to your +dinner and rest awhile." The six Simeons bowed to the Tsar very low, +prayed to the holy icons and went. They were already seated, had time +to swallow each one a tumbler of the strong, green wine, took up +the round wooden spoons in order to attack the "stchi," the Russian +cabbage soup, when lo! the Tsar's fool came running and shaking his +striped cap with the round bells and shouted: + +"You ignorant simpletons, unlearned peasants, moujiks! Is it a +suitable moment for dinner when the Tsar wants you? Go in haste!" + +All the six started running toward the palace, thinking within +themselves: "What can have happened?" In front of the palace stood the +guards with their iron staves; in the halls all the wise and learned +people were gathered together, and the Tsar himself was sitting on his +high throne looking very grim and thoughtful. + +"Listen to me," he said when the peasants approached, "you, my brave +fellows, my clever brothers Simeon. I like your trades and I think, as +do my wise advisers, that if thou, the second Simeon, art able to +see everything going on under the sun, thou shouldst climb quickly +on yonder column and glance around to see if there is, as they say, +beyond the great sea an island, Buzan by name. And see if on that +island, as men assert, there is a mighty kingdom, and in that kingdom +a mighty king, and if that king, as the story goes, has a daughter, +the most beautiful princess Helena." + +The second Simeon bowed and ran quickly, even forgetting to put on his +cap. He went straight to the column, climbed it, looked around, came +down, and this was his report: + +"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, I have accomplished thy sovereign wish. I +looked far beyond the sea and have seen the island Buzan. Mighty is +the king there, and he is proud and merciless. He sits within his +palace and his speech is always the same: + +'I am a great king and I have a most beautiful daughter, the princess +Helena. There is no one in the universe more beautiful and more wise +than she; there is no bridegroom worthy of her in any place under the +bright sun, no tsar, no king, no tsarevitch, no korolevitch. To no one +will I ever give my daughter, the princess Helena, and whoever +shall dare to court her, on such an one will I declare war, ruin his +country, and capture himself.'" + +"And how great is the army of that king?" asked the Tsar Archidei; +"and also how far is his kingdom from my tsarstvo?" + +"Well, according to the measure of my eyes," answered Simeon, "I fancy +it would take a ship ten years less two days; or, if it happened to be +stormy, I am afraid even a little longer than ten years. And that +king has not a small army. I have seen altogether a hundred thousand +spearmen, a hundred thousand armed men, and a hundred thousand or more +could be gathered from the Tsar's court, from his servants and all +kinds of underlings. Besides, there is no small armament of guards +held in reserve for a special occasion, fed and petted by the king." + +The Tsar Archidei remained for a long time in thoughtful silence and +finally addressed his court people: + +"My warriors and advisers: I have but one wish; I want the princess +Helena for my wife. But tell me, how can I reach her?" + +The wise advisers remained silent, hiding themselves behind each +other. The third Simeon looked around, bowed to the Tsar, and said: + +"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, forgive my simple words. How to reach the +island of Buzan there is no need to worry about. Sit down on my ship; +she is simply built, and equipped without any wise tricks. Where +others require a year she takes but a day, and where other ships +take ten years mine will take, let us say, a week. Only order thine +advisers to decide whether we ought to fight for or peacefully court +the beautiful princess." + +"Now, my warriors brave, my advisers sage," spoke the Tsar Archidei to +his men, "How will you decide upon this matter? Who among you will go +to fight for the princess, or who will be shrewd enough to bring her +peacefully here? I will pour gold and silver over that one. I will +give to him the first rank among the very first." + +And again the brave warriors and the sage advisers remained silent. +The Tsar grew angry; he seemed to be ready for a terrible word. Then, +as if somebody had asked the fool, out he jumped from behind the wise +people with his foolish talk, shook his striped fool's cap, rang his +many bells, and shouted: + +"Why so silent, wise men? why so deep in thought? You have big heads +and long beards; it would seem that there is plenty of wisdom, so why +not show it? To go to the island of Buzan to obtain the bride does +not mean to lose gold or army. Have you already forgotten the seventh +Simeon? Why, it will be simple enough for him to steal the princess +Helena. Afterwards let the king of Buzan come here to fight us, and we +will welcome him as an honored guest. But do not forget that he must +take ten years' time to reach us, and in ten years--ah me! I have +heard that some wise man somewhere undertook to teach a horse to talk +in ten years!" + +"Good! Good!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei, forgetting even his anger. +"I thank thee, striped fool. I certainly shall reward thee. Thou must +have a new cap with noisy bells, and each one of thy children a +ginger pancake. You, faithful servants, run quickly and bring here the +seventh Simeon." + +According to the Tsar's bidding the heavy iron gates of the dark +prison were thrown open, the heavy chains were taken off and the +seventh Simeon appeared before the eager eyes of the Tsar Archidei, +who thus addressed him: + +"Listen to me attentively, thou seventh Simeon, for I had almost +decided to grant thee a high honor; to keep thee thy life long in my +prison. But if thou shouldst prove useful to me, then will I give thee +freedom; and besides, thou shalt have a share out of my treasures. Art +thou able to steal the beautiful princess Helena from her father, the +mighty king of the island of Buzan?" + +"And why not?" cheerfully laughed the seventh Simeon. "There is +nothing difficult about it. She is not a pearl, and I presume she is +not under too many locks. Only order the ship which my brother had +built for thee to be loaded with velvets and brocades, with Persian +rugs, beautiful pearls and precious stones, and bid my four brothers +come along with me. But the two eldest keep thou as hostages." + +Once said, quickly done. The Tsar Archidei gave orders while all were +running hither and thither, and everything was finished so promptly +that a short-haired girl would scarcely have had time to plait her +hair. The ship, laden with velvets, brocades, with Persian rugs and +pearls, and costly precious stones, was ready; the five brothers, the +brave Simeons, were ready; they bowed to the Tsar, spread sail, and +disappeared. + +The ship floated swiftly over the blue waters; she flew like a hawk +in comparison with the slow merchant vessels, and in a week after the +five Simeons had left their native land they sighted the island of +Buzan. + +The island appeared to be surrounded with cannon as thick as peas; +the gigantic guards walked up and down the shores tugging fiercely at +their big mustaches. As soon as the ship became visible from a tower +somebody shouted through a Dutch trumpet: + +"Stop! Answer! What kind of people are ye? Why come ye here?" + +The seventh Simeon answered from the ship: "We are a peaceful people, +not enemies but friends, merchants everywhere welcomed as guests. We +bring foreign merchandise. We want to sell, to buy, and to exchange. +We also have gifts for your king and for the korolevna." + +The five brothers, our brave Simeons, lowered the boat, loaded it with +choice Venetian velvets, brocades, pearls, and precious stones, and +covered all with Persian rugs. They rowed to the wharf, and landing +near the king's palace, at once carried their gifts to the king. + +The beautiful korolevna Helena was sitting in her terem. She was a +fair maiden with eyes like stars and eyebrows like precious sable. +When she looked at one it was like receiving a gift, and when she +walked it was like the graceful swimming of a swan. The korolevna was +quick to notice the brave, handsome brothers and at once called her +nurses and maidens. + +"Hasten, my dear nurses, and you, swift maidens, find out what kind of +strangers are these coming to our royal palace." + +All of the nurses, all of the maidens, ran out with questions ready. +The seventh Simeon answered them thus: + +"We are merchant guests, peaceful people. Our native land is the +country of the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, a great Tsar indeed. We came +to sell, to buy, to exchange; moreover, we have gifts for the king and +his princess. We do hope the king will favor us and will accept these +trifles; if not for himself, at least for the adornment of his court's +lovely maidens." + +When Helena heard these words she at once let the merchants in. And +the merchants appeared, bowed low to the beautiful korolevna, unfolded +the showy velvets and golden brocades, strewed around the pearls and +precious stones, such stones and pearls as had never been seen before +in Buzan. The nurses and the maidens opened their mouths in amazement, +and the korolevna herself seemed to be greatly pleased. The seventh +Simeon, quick to understand, smiled and said: + +"We all know thee to be as wise as beautiful, but now thou art +evidently joking about us or mocking us. These simple wares are +altogether too plain for thine own use. Accept them for thy nurses and +maidens for their everyday attire, and these stones send away to the +kitchen boys to play with. But if thou wilt listen to me, let me say +that on our ship we have very different velvets and brocades; we have +also precious stones, far more precious than any one has ever seen; +yet we dared not bring them at once lest we might not suit thy temper +and thy hearty wish. If thou shouldst decide to come in person and +choose anything from among our possessions, they all are thine and we +bow to thee gratefully for the bright glance of thy beautiful eyes." + +The royal maid liked well enough these polite words of the handsome +Simeon, and to her father she went: + +"Father and king, there have come to visit us some foreign merchants +and they have brought some goods never before seen in Buzan. Give +me thy permission to go on board their wonderful ship to choose what +things I like. They also have rich gifts for thee." + +The king hesitated before answering her, frowning and scratching +behind his ear. + +"Well," he said at last, "be it according to thy wish, my daughter, my +beautiful korolevna. And you, my counselors, order my royal vessel +to be ready, the cannons loaded, and a hundred of my bravest warriors +detailed to escort the vessel. Send besides a thousand heavy armed +warriors to guard the korolevna on her way to the merchants' vessel." + +Then the king's vessel started from the island of Buzan. Numbers +of cannon and warriors protected the princess, and the royal father +remained quiet at home. + +When they reached the merchants' ship the korolevna Helena came down, +and at once the crystal bridge was placed and the korolevna with all +her nurses and maidens went on board the foreign ship, such a ship +as they had never seen before, never even dreamed of. Meanwhile the +guards kept watch. + +The seventh Simeon showed the lovely guests everywhere. He was talking +smoothly while leisurely unfolding his precious goods. The korolevna +listened attentively, looked around curiously, and seemed well +pleased. + +At the same moment the fourth Simeon, watching the proper moment, +snapped the prow and down to mysterious depths went the ship where no +one could see her. The people on the king's vessel screamed in terror, +the warriors looked like drunken fools, and the guards only opened +their eyes wider than before. What should they do? They directed the +vessel back to the island and appeared before the king with their +terrible tale. + +"Oh, my daughter, my darling princess Helena! It is God who punishes +me for my pride. I never wanted thee to marry. No king, no prince, +would I consider worthy of thee; and now--oh! now I know that thou art +wedded to the deep sea! As for me, I am left alone for the rest of my +sorrowful days." + +Then all at once he looked around and shouted to his men: + +"You fools! what were you thinking about? You shall all lose your +heads! Guards, throw them into dungeons! The most cruel death shall +be theirs, such a death that the children of their great-grandchildren +shall shiver to hear the tale!" + +Now, while the king of Buzan raved and grieved, the ship of the +brothers Simeon, like a golden fish, swam under the blue waters, and +when the island was lost from sight the fourth Simeon brought her to +the surface and she rose upon the waters like a white-winged gull. By +this time the princess was becoming anxious about the long time they +were away from home, and she exclaimed: + +"Nurses and maidens, we are leisurely looking around, but I fancy my +father the king finds the time sadly long." She hastily walked to the +deck of the ship, and behold!--only the wide sea was around her like a +mirror! Where was her native island, where the royal vessel? There was +nothing visible but the blue sea. The princess screamed, struck her +white bosom with both hands, transformed herself into a white swan and +flew high into the sky. But the fifth Simeon, watching closely, +lost no time, snapped his lucky gun and the white swan was shot. His +brother, the sixth Simeon, caught the white swan, but lo! instead of +the white swan there was a silvery fish, which slipped away from him. +Simeon caught the fish, but the pretty, silvery fish turned into a +small mouse running around the ship. Simeon did not let it reach +a hole, but swifter than a cat caught the mouse,--and the princess +Helena, as beautiful and natural as before, appeared before them, +fair-faced, bright-eyed. + +On a lovely morning a week later the Tsar Archidei was sitting by the +window of his palace lost in thought. His eyes were turned toward the +sea, the wide, blue sea. He was sad at heart and could not eat; feasts +had no interest for him, the costly dishes had no taste, the honey +drink seemed weak. All his thoughts and longings were for the princess +Helena, the beautiful one, the only one. + +What is that far away upon the waters? Is it a white gull? Or are +those white wings not wings, but sails? No, it is not a gull, but the +ship of the brothers Simeon, and she approaches as rapidly as the wind +which blows her sails. The cannon boom, native melodies are played on +the cords of the masts. Soon the ship is anchored, the crystal bridge +prepared, and the korolevna Helena, the beautiful princess, appears +like a never-setting sun, her eyes like bright stars, and oh! how +happy is the Tsar Archidei! + +"Run quick, my faithful servants, you brave officers of state, and +you, too, my bodyguard, and all you useful and ornamental fellows of +my palace, run and prepare, shoot off rockets and ring the bells in +order to give a joyful welcome to korolevna Helena, the beautiful." + +All hastened to their tasks, to shoot, to ring the bells, to open the +gates, to honorably receive the korolevna. The Tsar himself came out +to meet the beautiful princess, took her white hands and helped her +into the palace. + +"Welcome! welcome!" said the Tsar Archidei. "Thy fame, korolevna +Helena, reached me, but never could I imagine such beauty as is thine. +Yet, though I admire thee, I do not want to separate thee from thy +father. Say the word and my faithful servants will take thee back +to him. If thou choosest, however, to remain in my tzarstvo, be the +tsaritza over my country and rule over me, the Tsar Archidei, also." + +At these words of the Tsar the korolevna Helena threw such a glance at +the Tsar that it seemed to him the sun was laughing, the moon singing, +and the stars dancing all around. + +Well, what more is there to be said? You certainly can imagine the +rest. The courtship was not long and the wedding feast was soon +ready, for you know kings always have everything at their command. The +brothers Simeon were at once dispatched to the king of Buzan with a +message from the korolevna, his daughter, and this is what she wrote: + +"Dear father, mighty king and sovereign: I have found a husband +according to my heart's wish and I am asking thy fatherly blessing. +My bridegroom, the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, sends his counselors to +thee, begging thee to come to our wedding." + +At the very moment when the merchant ship was to land at the island of +Buzan, crowds of people had gathered to witness the execution of the +unfortunate guards and brave warriors whose ill-luck it was to have +allowed the princess to disappear. + +"Stop!" Simeon the seventh shouted aloud from the deck. "We bring a +missive from the korolevna Helena. Holla!" + +Very glad indeed was the king of the island of Buzan, and glad +were all his subjects. The missive was read and the condemned were +pardoned. + +"Evidently," the king said, "it is fated that the handsome and witty +Tsar Archidei and my beautiful daughter are to become husband and +wife." + +Then the king treated the envoys and the brothers Simeon very well and +sent his blessings with them, as he himself did not wish to go, being +very old. The ship soon returned and the Tsar Archidei rejoiced over +it with his beautiful bride, and at once summoned the seven Simeons, +the seven brave peasants. + +He said to them: "Thanks! thanks! my peasants, my brave tillers of +the soil. Take as much gold as you wish. Take silver also and ask for +whatever is your heart's desire. Everything shall be given you with +my mighty hand. Would you like to become boyars, you shall be the +greatest among the very great. Do you choose to become governors, each +one shall have a town." + +The first Simeon bowed to the Tsar and cheerfully answered: + +"Thanks also to thee, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. We are but simple +people and simple are our ways. It would not do for us to become +boyars or governors. We do not care for thy treasures either. We have +our own father's field, which shall always give us bread for hunger +and money for need. Let us go home, taking with us thy gracious word +as our reward. If thou choosest to be so kind, give us thine order +which shall save us from the judges and tax-gatherers; and if we +should be guilty of some offense, let thyself alone be our judge. And +do, we pray thee, pardon the seventh Simeon, our youngest brother. His +trade is surely bad, but he is not the first and not the last one to +have such a gift." + +"Let it be as you wish," said the Tsar; and every desire was granted +to the seven Simeons, and each one of them received a big tumbler of +strong green wine out of the hands of the Tsar himself. Soon after +this the wedding was celebrated. + +Now, honorable dames and gentlemen, do not judge this story of mine +too severely. If you like it, praise it; if not, let it be forgotten. +The story is told and a word is like a sparrow--once out it is out for +good. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +THE LANGUAGE OF THE BIRDS + + +[Illustration] Somewhere in a town in holy Russia, there lived a rich +merchant with his wife. He had an only son, a dear, bright, and brave +boy called Ivan. One lovely day Ivan sat at the dinner table with +his parents. Near the window in the same room hung a cage, and a +nightingale, a sweet-voiced, gray bird, was imprisoned within. The +sweet nightingale began to sing its wonderful song with trills and +high silvery tones. The merchant listened and listened to the song and +said: + +"How I wish I could understand the meaning of the different songs of +all the birds! I would give half my wealth to the man, if only there +were such a man, who could make plain to me all the different songs of +the different birds." + +Ivan took notice of these words and no matter where he went, no matter +where he was, no matter what he did, he always thought of how he could +learn the language of the birds. + +[Illustration: _Ivan learns the language of the birds_] + +Some time after this the merchant's son happened to be hunting in a +forest. The winds rose, the sky became clouded, the lightning flashed, +the thunder roared loudly, and the rain fell in torrents. Ivan soon +came near a large tree and saw a big nest in the branches. Four small +birds were in the nest; they were quite alone, and neither father nor +mother was there to protect them from the cold and wet. The good Ivan +pitied them, climbed the tree and covered the little ones with his +"kaftan," a long-skirted coat which the Russian peasants and merchants +usually wear. The thunderstorm passed by and a big bird came flying +and sat down on a branch near the nest and spoke very kindly to Ivan. + +"Ivan, I thank thee; thou hast protected my little children from the +cold and rain and I wish to do something for thee. Tell me what thou +dost wish." + +Ivan answered; "I am not in need; I have everything for my comfort. +But teach me the birds' language." + +"Stay with me three days and thou shalt know all about it." + +Ivan remained in the forest three days. He understood well the +teaching of the big bird and returned home more clever than before. +One beautiful day soon after this Ivan sat with his parents when the +nightingale was singing in his cage. His song was so sad, however, so +very sad, that the merchant and his wife also became sad, and their +son, their good Ivan, who listened very attentively, was even more +affected, and the tears came running down his cheeks. + +"What is the matter?" asked his parents; "what art thou weeping about, +dear son?" + +"Dear parents," answered the son, "it is because I understand the +meaning of the nightingale's song, and because this meaning is so sad +for all of us." + +"What then is the meaning? Tell us the whole truth; do not hide it +from us," said the father and mother. + +"Oh, how sad it sounds!" replied the son. "How much better would it be +never to have been born!" + +"Do not frighten us," said the parents, alarmed. "If thou dost really +understand the meaning of the song, tell us at once." + +"Do you not hear for yourselves? The nightingale says: 'The time will +come when Ivan, the merchant's son, shall become Ivan, the king's son, +and his own father shall serve him as a simple servant.'" + +The merchant and his wife felt troubled and began to distrust their +son, their good Ivan. So one night they gave him a drowsy drink, and +when he had fallen asleep they took him to a boat on the wide sea, +spread the white sails, and pushed the boat from the shore. + +For a long time the boat danced on the waves and finally it came near +a large merchant vessel, which struck against it with such a shock +that Ivan awoke. The crew on the large vessel saw Ivan and pitied him. +So they decided to take him along with them and did so. High, very +high, above in the sky they perceived cranes. Ivan said to the +sailors: + +"Be careful; I hear the birds predicting a storm. Let us enter a +harbor or we shall suffer great danger and damage. All the sails will +be torn and all the masts will be broken." + +But no one paid any attention and they went farther on. In a short +time the storm arose, the wind tore the vessel almost to pieces, and +they had a very hard time to repair all the damage. When they were +through with their work they heard many wild swans flying above them +and talking very loud among themselves. + +"What are they talking about?" inquired the men, this time with +interest. + +"Be careful," advised Ivan. "I hear and distinctly understand them to +say that the pirates, the terrible sea robbers, are near. If we do not +enter a harbor at once they will imprison and kill us." + +The crew quickly obeyed this advice and as soon as the vessel entered +the harbor the pirate boats passed by and the merchants saw them +capture several unprepared vessels. When the danger was over, the +sailors with Ivan went farther, still farther. Finally the vessel +anchored near a town, large and unknown to the merchants. A king ruled +in that town who was very much annoyed by three black crows. These +three crows were all the time perching near the window of the king's +chamber. No one knew how to get rid of them and no one could kill +them. The king ordered notices to be placed at all crossings and on +all prominent buildings, saying that whoever was able to relieve the +king from the noisy birds would be rewarded by obtaining the youngest +korolevna, the king's daughter, for a wife; but the one who should +have the daring to undertake but not succeed in delivering the palace +from the crows would have his head cut off. Ivan attentively read the +announcement, once, twice, and once more. Finally he made the sign of +the cross and went to the palace. He said to the servants: + +"Open the window and let me listen to the birds." + +The servants obeyed and Ivan listened for a while. Then he said: + +"Show me to your sovereign king." + +When he reached the room where the king sat on a high, rich chair, he +bowed and said: + +"There are three crows, a father crow, a mother crow, and a son crow. +The trouble is that they desire to obtain thy royal decision as to +whether the son crow must follow his father crow or his mother crow." + +The king answered: "The son crow must follow the father crow." + +As soon as the king announced his royal decision the crow father with +the crow son went one way and the crow mother disappeared the other +way, and no one has heard the noisy birds since. The king gave +one-half of his kingdom and his youngest korolevna to Ivan, and a +happy life began for him. + +In the meantime his father, the rich merchant, lost his wife and by +and by his fortune also. There was no one left to take care of him, +and the old man went begging under the windows of charitable people. +He went from one window to another, from one village to another, from +one town to another, and one bright day he came to the palace where +Ivan lived, begging humbly for charity. Ivan saw him and recognized +him, ordered him to come inside, and gave him food to eat and also +supplied him with good clothes, asking questions: + +[Illustration: "_The old man went begging from town to town_"] + +"Dear old man, what can I do for thee?" he said. + +"If thou art so very good," answered the poor father, without knowing +that he was speaking to his own son, "let me remain here and serve +thee among thy faithful servants." + +"Dear, dear father!" exclaimed Ivan, "thou didst doubt the true song +of the nightingale, and now thou seest that our fate was to meet +according to the predictions of long ago." + +The old man was frightened and knelt before his son, but his Ivan +remained the same good son as before, took his father lovingly into +his arms, and together they wept over their sorrow. + +Several days passed by and the old father felt courage to ask his son, +the korolevitch: + +"Tell me, my son, how was it that thou didst not perish in the boat?" + +Ivan Korolevitch laughed gayly. + +"I presume," he answered, "that it was not my fate to perish at the +bottom of the wide sea, but my fate was to marry the korolevna, my +beautiful wife, and to sweeten the old age of my dear father." + +[Illustration] + + + + + +IVANOUSHKA THE SIMPLETON + + +[Illustration] In a kingdom far away from our country, there was a +town over which ruled the Tsar Pea with his Tsaritza Carrot. He had +many wise statesmen, wealthy princes, strong, powerful warriors, and +also simple soldiers, a hundred thousand, less one man. In that +town lived all kinds of people: honest, bearded merchants, keen +and open-handed rascals, German tradesmen, lovely maidens, Russian +drunkards; and in the suburbs all around, the peasants tilled the +soil, sowed the wheat, ground the flour, traded in the markets, and +spent the money in drink. + +In one of the suburbs there was a poor hut where an old man lived with +his three sons, Thomas, Pakhom, and Ivan. The old man was not only +clever, he was wise. He had happened once to have a chat with the +devil. They talked together while the old man treated him to a tumbler +of wine and got out of the devil many great secrets. Soon after this +the peasant began to perform such marvelous acts that the neighbors +called him a sorcerer, a magician, and even supposed that the devil +was his kin. + +Yes, it is true that the old man performed great marvels. Were you +longing for love, go to him, bow to the old man, and he would give you +some strange root, and the sweetheart would be yours. If there is +a theft, again to him with the tale. The old man conjures over some +water, takes an officer along straight to the thief, and your lost is +found; only take care that the officer steals it not. + +Indeed the old man was very wise; but his children were not his +equals. Two of them were almost as clever. They were married and had +children, but Ivan, the youngest, was single. No one cared much for +him because he was rather a fool, could not count one, two, three, +and only drank, or ate, or slept, or lay around. Why care for such a +person? Every one knows life for some is brighter than for others. +But Ivan was good-hearted and quiet. Ask of him a belt, he will give +a kaftan also; take his mittens, he certainly would want to have you +take his cap with them. And that is why all liked Ivan, and usually +called him Ivanoushka the Simpleton; though the name means fool, at +the same time it carries the idea of a kind heart. + +Our old man lived on with his sons until finally his hour came to die. +He called his three sons and said to them: + +"Dear children of mine, my dying hour is at hand and ye must fulfill +my will. Every one of you come to my grave and spend one night with +me; thou, Tom, the first night; thou, Pakhom, the second night; and +thou, Ivanoushka the Simpleton, the third." + +Two of the brothers, as clever people, promised their father to do +according to his bidding, but the Simpleton did not even promise; he +only scratched his head. + +The old man died and was buried. During the celebration the family and +guests had plenty of pancakes to eat and plenty of whisky to wash them +down. + +Now you remember that on the first night Thomas was to go to the +grave; but he was too lazy, or possibly afraid, so he said to the +Simpleton: + +"I must be up very early to-morrow morning; I have to thresh; go thou +for me to our father's grave." + +"All right," answered Ivanoushka the Simpleton. He took a slice of +black rye bread, went to the grave, stretched himself out, and soon +began to snore. + +The church clock struck midnight; the wind roared, the owl cried in +the trees, the grave opened and the old man came out and asked: + +"Who is there?" + +"I," answered Ivanoushka. + +"Well, my dear son, I will reward thee for thine obedience," said the +father. + +Lo! the cocks crowed and the old man dropped into the grave. The +Simpleton arrived home and went to the warm stove. + +"What happened?" asked the brothers. + +"Nothing," he answered. "I slept the whole night and am hungry now." + +The second night it was Pakhom's turn to go to his father's grave. He +thought it over and said to the Simpleton: + +"To-morrow is a busy day with me. Go in my place to our father's +grave." + +"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took along with him a piece of +fish pie, went to the grave and slept. Midnight approached, the wind +roared, crows came flying, the grave opened and the old man came out. + +"Who is there?" he asked. + +"I," answered his son the Simpleton. + +"Well, my beloved son, I will not forget thine obedience," said the +old man. + +The cocks crowed and the old man dropped into his grave. Ivanoushka +the Simpleton came home, went to sleep on the warm stove, and in the +morning his brothers asked: + +"What happened?" + +"Nothing," answered Ivanoushka. + +On the third night the brothers said to Ivan the Simpleton: + +"It is thy turn to go to the grave of our father. The father's will +should be done." + +"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took some cookies, put on his +sheepskin, and arrived at the grave. + +At midnight his father came out. + +"Who is there?" he asked. + +"I," answered Ivanoushka. + +"Well," said the old father, "my obedient son, thou shalt be +rewarded;" and the old man shouted with a mighty voice: + + "Arise, bay horse--thou wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +And lo!--Ivanoushka the Simpleton beheld a horse running, the earth +trembling under his hoofs, his eyes like stars, and out of his mouth +and ears smoke coming in a cloud. The horse approached and stood +before the old man. + +"What is thy wish?" he asked with a man's voice. + +The old man crawled into his left ear, washed and adorned himself, +and jumped out of his right ear as a young, brave fellow never seen +before. + +"Now listen attentively," he said. "To thee, my son, I give this +horse. And thou, my faithful horse and friend, serve my son as thou +hast served me." + +Hardly had the old man pronounced these words when the first cock crew +and the sorcerer dropped into his grave. Our Simpleton went quietly +back home, stretched himself under the icons, and his snoring was +heard far around. + +"What happened?" the brothers again asked. + +But the Simpleton did not even answer; he only waved his hand. The +three brothers continued to live their usual life, the two with +cleverness and the younger with foolishness. They lived a day in and +an equal day out. But one morning there came quite a different day +from all others. They learned that big men were going all over the +country with trumpets and players; that those men announced everywhere +the will of the Tsar, and the Tsar's will was this: The Tsar Pea and +the Tsaritza Carrot had an only daughter, the Tsarevna Baktriana, +heiress to the throne. She was such a beautiful maiden that the sun +blushed when she looked at it, and the moon, altogether too bashful, +covered itself from her eyes. Tsar and Tsaritza had a hard time to +decide to whom they should give their daughter for a wife. It must be +a man who could be a proper ruler over the country, a brave warrior on +the battlefield, a wise judge in the council, an adviser to the Tsar, +and a suitable heir after his death. They also wanted a bridegroom who +was young, brave, and handsome, and they wanted him to be in love with +their Tsarevna. That would have been easy enough, but the trouble was +that the beautiful Tsarevna loved no one. Sometimes the Tsar mentioned +to her this or that one. Always the same answer, "I do not love him." +The Tsaritza tried, too, with no better result; "I do not like him." + +A day came when the Tsar Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot seriously +addressed their daughter on the subject of marriage and said: + +"Our beloved child, our very beautiful Tsarevna Baktriana, it is time +for thee to choose a bridegroom. Envoys of all descriptions, from +kings and tzars and princes, have worn our threshold, drunk dry all +the cellars, and thou hast not yet found any one according to thy +heart's wish." + +The Tsarevna answered: "Sovereign, and thou, Tsaritza, my dear mother, +I feel sorry for you, and my wish is to obey your desire. So let fate +decide who is destined to become my husband. I ask you to build a +hall, a high hall with thirty-two circles, and above those circles +a window. I will sit at that window and do you order all kinds of +people, tsars, kings, tsarovitchi, korolevitchi, brave warriors, +and handsome fellows, to come. The one who will jump through the +thirty-two circles, reach my window and exchange with me golden rings, +he it will be who is destined to become my husband, son and heir to +you." + +The Tsar and Tsaritza listened attentively to the words of their +bright Tsarevna, and finally they said: "According to thy wish shall +it be done." + +In no time the hall was ready, a very high hall adorned with Venetian +velvets, with pearls for tassels, with golden designs, and thirty-two +circles on both sides of the window high above. Envoys went to the +different kings and sovereigns, pigeons flew with orders to the +subjects to gather the proud and the humble into the town of the Tsar +Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot. It was announced everywhere that the +one who could jump through the circles, reach the window and exchange +golden rings with the Tsarevna Baktriana, that man would be the lucky +one, notwithstanding his rank--tsar or free kosack, king or warrior, +tsarevitch, korolevitch, or fellow without any kinfolk or country. + +The great day arrived. Crowds pressed to the field where stood the +newly built hall, brilliant as a star. Up high at the window the +tsarevna was sitting, adorned with precious stones, clad in velvet and +pearls. The people below were roaring like an ocean. The Tzar with his +Tzaritza was sitting upon a throne. Around them were boyars, warriors, +and counselors. + +The suitors on horseback, proud, handsome, and brave, whistle and ride +round about, but looking at the high window their hearts drop. There +were already several fellows who had tried. Each would take a long +start, balance himself, spring, and fall back like a stone, a laughing +stock for the witnesses. + +The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were preparing themselves to +go to the field also. + +The Simpleton said to them: "Take me along with you." + +"Thou fool," laughed the brothers; "stay at home and watch the +chickens." + +"All right," he answered, went to the chicken yard and lay down. But +as soon as the brothers were away, our Ivanoushka the Simpleton walked +to the wide fields and shouted with a mighty voice: + + "Arise, bay horse--thou wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +The glorious horse came running. Flames shone out of his eyes; out +of his nostrils smoke came in clouds, and the horse asked with a man's +voice: + +"What is thy wish?" + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the horse's left ear, +transformed himself and reappeared at the right ear, such a handsome +fellow that in no book is there written any description of him; no one +has ever seen such a fellow. He jumped onto the horse and touched +his iron sides with a silk whip. The horse became impatient, lifted +himself above the ground, higher and higher above the dark woods below +the traveling clouds. He swam over the large rivers, jumped over +the small ones, as well as over hills and mountains. Ivanoushka the +Simpleton arrived at the hall of the Tsarevna Baktriana, flew up like +a hawk, passed through thirty circles, could not reach the last two, +and went away like a whirlwind. + +The people were shouting: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" The +Tsar jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed. Every one was roaring +in amazement. + +The brothers of Ivanoushka came home and there was but one subject of +conversation--what a splendid fellow they had seen! What a wonderful +start to pass through the thirty circles! + +"Brothers, that fellow was I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, who had +long since arrived. + +"Keep still and do not fool us," answered the brothers. + +The next day the two brothers were going again to the tsarski show and +Ivanoushka the Simpleton said again: "Take me along with you." + +"For thee, fool, this is thy place. Be quiet at home and scare +sparrows from the pea field instead of the scarecrow." + +"All right," answered the Simpleton, and he went to the field and +began to scare the sparrows. But as soon as the brothers left home, +Ivanoushka started to the wide field and shouted out loud with a +mighty voice: + + "Arise, bay horse--thou wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +--and here came the horse, the earth trembling under his hoofs, the +sparks flying around, his eyes like flames, and out of his nostrils +smoke curling up. + +"For what dost thou wish me?" + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the left ear of the horse, and +when he appeared out of the right ear, oh, my! what a fellow he was! +Even in fairy tales there are never such handsome fellows, to say +nothing of everyday life. + +Ivanoushka lifted himself on the iron back of his horse and touched +him with a strong whip. The noble horse grew angry, made a jump, and +went higher than the dark woods, a little below the traveling clouds. +One jump, one mile is behind; a second jump, a river is behind; and a +third jump and they were at the hall. Then the horse, with Ivanoushka +on his back, flew like an eagle, high up into the air, passed the +thirty-first circle, failed to reach the last one, and swept away like +the wind. + +The people shouted: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" The Tsar +jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed, the princes and boyars +opened their mouths. + +The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton came home. They were +wondering at the fellow. Yes, an amazing fellow indeed! one circle +only was unreached. + +"Brothers, that fellow over there was I," said Ivanoushka to them. + +"Keep still in thy own place, thou fool," was their sneering answer. + +The third day the brothers were going again to the strange +entertainment of the Tsar, and again Ivanoushka the Simpleton said to +them: "Take me along with you." + +"Fool," they laughed, "there is food to be given to the hogs; better +go to them." + +"All right," the younger brother answered, and quietly went to the +back yard and gave food to the hogs. But as soon as his brothers had +left home our Ivanoushka the Simpleton hurried to the wide field and +shouted out loud: + + "Arise, bay horse--them wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +At once the horse came running, the earth trembled; where he stepped +there appeared ponds, where his hoofs touched there were lakes, out of +his eyes shone flames, out of his ears smoke came like a cloud. + +"For what dost thou wish me?" the horse asked with a man's voice. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into his right ear and jumped out +of his left one, and a handsome fellow he was. A young girl could not +even imagine such a one. + +Ivanoushka struck his horse, pulled the bridle tight, and lo! he flew +high up in the air. The wind was left behind and even the swallow, the +sweet, winged passenger, must not aspire to do the same. Our hero flew +like a cloud high up into the sky, his silver-chained mail rattling, +his fair curls floating in the wind. He arrived at the Tsarevna's high +hall, struck his horse once more, and oh! how the wild horse did jump! + +Look there! the fellow reaches all the circles; he is near the window; +he presses the beautiful Tsarevna with his strong arms, kisses her +on the sugar lips, exchanges golden rings, and like a storm sweeps +through the fields. There, there, he is crushing every one on his +way! And the Tsarevna? Well, she did not object. She even adorned his +forehead with a diamond star. + +The people roared: "Take hold of him!" But the fellow had already +disappeared and no traces were left behind. + +The Tsar Pea lost his royal dignity. The Tsaritza Carrot screamed +louder than ever and the wise counselors only shook their wise heads +and remained silent. + +The brothers came home talking and discussing the wonderful matter. + +"Indeed," they shook their heads; "only think of it! The fellow +succeeded and our Tsarevna has a bridegroom. But who is he? Where is +he?" + +"Brothers, the fellow is I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, smiling. + +"Keep still, I and I--," and the brothers almost slapped him. + +The matter proved to be quite serious this time, and the Tsar and +Tsaritza issued an order to surround the town with armed men whose +duty it was to let every one enter, but not a soul go out. Every one +had to appear at the royal palace and show his forehead. From early in +the morning the crowds were gathering around the palace. Each +forehead was inspected, but there was no star on any. Dinner time was +approaching and in the palace they even forgot to cover the oak tables +with white spreads. The brothers of Ivanoushka had also to show their +foreheads and the Simpleton said to them: + +"Take me along with you." + +"Thy place is right here," they answered, jokingly. "But say, what is +the matter with thy head that thou hast covered it with cloths? Did +somebody strike thee?" + +"No, nobody struck me. I, myself, struck the door with my forehead. +The door remained all right, but on my forehead there is a knob." + +The brothers laughed and went. Soon after them Ivanoushka left home +and went straight to the window of the Tsarevna, where she sat leaning +on the window sill and looking for her betrothed. + +"There is our man," shouted the guards, when the Simpleton appeared +among them. "Show thy forehead. Hast thou the star?" and they laughed. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton gave no heed to their bidding, but refused. +The guards were shouting at him and the Tsarevna heard the noise and +ordered the fellow to her presence. There was nothing to be done but +to take off the cloths. + +Behold! the star was shining in the middle of his forehead. The +Tsarevna took Ivanoushka by the hand, brought him before Tsar Pea, and +said: + +"He it is, my Tsar and father, who is destined to become my groom, thy +son-in-law and heir." + +It was too late to object. The Tsar ordered preparations for the +bridal festivities, and our Ivanoushka the Simpleton was wedded to the +Tsarevna Baktriana. The Tsar, the Tsaritza, the young bride and +groom, and their guests, feasted three days. There was fine eating +and generous drinking. There were all kinds of amusements also. The +brothers of Ivanoushka were created governors and each one received a +village and a house. + +The story is told in no time, but to live a life requires time and +patience. The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were clever men, we +know, and as soon as they became rich every one understood it at once, +and they themselves became quite sure about it and began to pride +themselves, to boast, and to brag. The humble ones did not dare look +toward their homes, and even the boyars had to take off their fur caps +on their porches. + +Once several boyars came to Tsar Pea and said: "Great Tsar, the +brothers of thy son-in-law are bragging around that they know the +place where grows an apple tree with silver leaves and golden apples, +and they want to bring this apple tree to thee." + +The Tsar immediately called the brothers before him and bade them +bring at once the wonderful tree, the apple tree with silver leaves +and golden apples. The brothers had ever so many excuses, but the +Tsar would have his way. They were given fine horses out of the +royal stables and went on their errand. Our friend, Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, found somewhere a lame old horse, jumped on his back facing +the tail, and also went. He went to the wide field, grasped the lame +horse by the tail, threw him off roughly, and shouted: + +"You crows and magpies, come, come! There is lunch prepared for you." + +This done he ordered his horse, his spirited courser, to appear, and +as usual he crawled into one ear, jumped out the other ear and they +went--where? Toward the east where grew the wonderful apple tree +with silver leaves and golden apples. It grew near silver waters upon +golden sand. When Ivanoushka reached the place he uprooted the tree +and turned toward home. His ride was long and he felt tired. Before +he arrived at his town Ivanoushka pitched his tent and lay down for +a rest. Along the same road came his brothers. The two were proud no +more, but rather depressed, not knowing what answer to give the Tsar. +They perceived the tent with silver top and near by the wonderful +apple tree. They came nearer and--"There is our Simpleton!" exclaimed +the brothers. Then they awakened Ivanoushka and wanted to buy the +apple tree. They were rich and offered three carts filled with silver. + +"Well, brothers, this tree, this wonderful apple tree, is not for +sale," answered Ivanoushka, "but if you wish to obtain it you may. The +price will not be too high, a toe from each right foot." + +The brothers thought the matter over and finally decided to give the +desired price. Ivanoushka cut the toes off, gave them the apple tree, +and the happy brothers brought it to the Tsar and there was no end to +their bragging. + +"Here, all-powerful Tsar," they said. "We went far, and had many a +trouble on our way, but thy wish is fulfilled." + +The Tsar Pea seemed pleased, ordered a feast, commanded tunes to be +played and drums beaten, rewarded the two brothers of Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, each one with a town, and praised them. + +The boyars and warriors became furious. + +"Why," they said to the Tsar, "there is nothing wonderful in such an +apple tree with golden apples and silver leaves. The brothers of thy +son-in-law are bragging around that they will get thee a pig with +golden bristles and silver tusks, and not alone the pig, but also her +twelve little ones!" + +The Tsar called the brothers before him and ordered them to bring +the very pig with her golden bristles and silver tusks and her twelve +little ones. The brothers' excuses were not listened to and so they +went. Once more the brothers were traveling on a difficult errand, +looking for a golden-bristled pig with silver tusks and twelve little +pigs. + +At that time Ivanoushka the Simpleton made up his mind to take a trip +somewhere. He put a saddle on a cow, jumped up on her back facing the +tail, and left the town. He came to a field, grasped the cow by the +horns, threw her far on the prairie and shouted: + +"Come, come, you gray wolves and red foxes! there is a dinner for +you!" + +Then he ordered his faithful horse, crawled into one ear, and jumped +out of the other. Master and courser went on an errand, this time +toward the south. One, two, three, and they were in dark woods. In +these woods the wished-for pig was walking around, a golden-bristled +pig with silver tusks. She was eating roots, and after her followed +twelve little pigs. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton threw over the pig a silk rope with a running +noose, gathered the little pigs into a basket and went home, but +before he reached the town of the Tsar Pea he pitched a tent with a +golden top and lay down for a rest. On the same road the brothers came +along with gloomy faces, not knowing what to say to the Tsar. They +saw the tent, and near by the very pig they were searching for, with +golden bristles and silver tusks, was fastened with a silk rope; and +in a basket were the twelve little pigs. The brothers looked into the +tent. Ivanoushka again! They awakened him and wanted to trade for +the pig; they were ready to give in exchange three carts loaded with +precious stones. + +"Brothers, my pig is not for trade," said Ivanoushka, "but if you want +her so much, well, one finger from each right hand will pay for her." + +The brothers thought over the case for a long while; they reasoned +thus: "People live happily without brains, why not without fingers?" + +So they allowed Ivanoushka to cut off their fingers, then took the pig +to the Tsar, and their bragging had no end. + +"Tsar Sovereign," they said, "we went everywhere, beyond the blue +sea, beyond the dark woods; we passed through deep sands, we suffered +hunger and thirst; but thy wish is accomplished." + +The Tsar was glad to have such faithful servants. He gave a feast +great among feasts, rewarded the brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton, +created them big boyars and praised them. + +The other boyars and different court people said to the Tsar: + +"There is nothing wonderful in such a pig. Golden bristles, silver +tusks,--yes, it is fine. But a pig remains a pig forever. The brothers +of thy son-in-law are bragging now that they will steal for thee out +of the stables of the fiery dragon a mare with golden mane and diamond +hoofs." + +The Tsar at once called the brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton, and +ordered the golden-maned mare with the diamond hoofs. The brothers +swore that they never said such words, but the Tsar did not listen to +their protests. + +"Take as much gold as you want, take warriors as many as you wish, but +bring me the beautiful mare with golden mane and diamond hoofs. If you +do it my reward will be great; if not, your fate is to become peasants +as before." + +The brothers went, two sad heroes. Their march was slow; where to +go they did not know. Ivanoushka also jumped upon a stick and went +leaping toward the field. Once in the wide, open field, he ordered his +horse, crawled into one ear, came out of the other, and both started +for a far-away country, for an island, a big island. On that island in +an iron stable the fiery dragon was watchfully guarding his glory--the +golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, which was locked under seven +locks behind seven heavy doors. + +Our Ivanoushka journeyed and journeyed, how long we do not know, +until at last he arrived at that island, struggled three days with the +dragon and killed him on the fourth day. Then he began to tear down +the locks. That took three days more. When he had done this he brought +out the wonderful mare by the golden mane and turned homeward. + +The road was long, and before he reached his town Ivanoushka, +according to his habit, pitched his tent with a diamond top, and laid +him down for rest. The brothers came along--gloomy they were, fearing +the Tsar's anger. Lo! they heard neighing; the earth trembled--it was +the golden-maned mare! Though in the dusk of evening the brothers saw +her golden mane shining like fire. They stopped, awakened Ivanoushka +the Simpleton, and wanted to trade for the wonderful mare. They were +willing to give him a bushel of precious stones each and promised even +more. + +Ivanoushka said: "Though my mare is not for trade, yet if you want her +I'll give her to you. And you, do you each give me your right ears." + +The brothers did not even argue, but let Ivanoushka cut off their +ears, took hold of the bridle and went directly to the Tsar. They +presented to him the golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, and there +was no end of bragging. + +"We went beyond seas, beyond mountains," the brothers said to the +Tsar; "we fought the fiery dragon who bit off our ears and fingers; +we had no fear, but one desire to serve thee faithfully; we shed our +blood and lost our wealth." + +The Tsar Pea poured gold over them, created them the very highest +men after himself, and planned such a feast that the royal cooks were +tired out with cooking to feed all the people, and the cellars were +fairly emptied. + +The Tsar Pea was sitting on his throne, one brother on his right hand, +the other brother on his left hand. The feast was going on; all seemed +jolly, all were drinking, all were noisy as bees in a beehive. In the +midst of it a young, brave fellow, Ivanoushka the Simpleton, entered +the hall--the very fellow who had passed the thirty-two circles and +reached the window of the beautiful Tsarevna Baktriana. + +When the brothers noticed him, one almost choked himself with wine, +the other was suffocating over a piece of swan. They looked at him, +opened wide their eyes, and remained silent. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton bowed to his father-in-law and told the story +as the story was. He told about the apple tree, the wonderful apple +tree with silver leaves and golden apples; he told about the pig, the +golden-bristled pig with silver tusks and her twelve little ones; +and finally he told about the marvelous mare with a golden mane and +diamond hoofs. He finished and laid out ears, fingers, and toes. + +[Illustration: "_One brother was sent to watch the turkeys_"] + +"It is the exchange I got," said Ivanoushka. + +Tsar Pea became furious, stamped his feet, ordered the two brothers to +be driven away with brooms. One was sent to feed the pigs, another to +watch the turkeys. The Tsar seated Ivanoushka beside himself, creating +him the highest among the very high. + +The feast lasted a very long time until all were tired of feasting. + +Ivanoushka took control of the tsarstvo, ruling wisely and severely. +After his father-in-law's death he occupied his place. His subjects +liked him; he had many children, and his beautiful Tsaritza Baktriana +remained beautiful forever. + + + + + +WOE BOGOTIR + + +[Illustration] In a small village--do not ask me where; in Russia, +anyway--there lived two brothers; one of them was rich, the other +poor. The rich brother had good luck in everything he undertook, +was always successful, and had profit out of every venture. The +poor brother, in spite of all his trouble and all his work, had none +whatever. + +The rich brother became still richer, moved into a large town, bought +a big house, and was a merchant among merchants. The poor brother +became very poor, so poor that very often there was no crust even in +the "izba," the peasant's log cabin, and the children--all forlorn, +miserable little things--cried for food. + +The poor man lost patience and complained bitterly of his ill luck. +He had no more courage and his head dropped heavily on his breast. One +day he decided to call upon his wealthy brother for aid. He went and +said to him: + +"Be good, help me, for I am almost without strength." + +"Why not?" answered the rich man. "We can do such things as that. +There is wealth enough; but look here, there is also plenty of work to +be done. Stay around the house for a while and work for me." + +"All right," consented the poor fellow, and at once began to work. Now +he was cleaning the big yard, now grooming horses, now bringing water +from the well or splitting wood. One week passed, two weeks passed. +The rich brother gave him twenty and five copecks, which means only +thirteen cents. He also gave him a loaf of black rye bread. + +"Many thanks," said the poor brother, humbly, and was ready to leave +for his miserable home. Evidently the conscience of the rich brother +smote him, so he called his brother back. + +"Why so prompt?" he said; "to-morrow is my birthday; stay to the +banquet with us." + +[Illustration: _The rich brother_] + +The poor fellow remained. But even on such a pleasant occasion the +unlucky one had no luck. His rich brother was too busy receiving his +numerous friends and admirers, all of whom came to tell him how they +loved him and what a good man he was. The rich merchant thanked his +guests for their love, and bowing low begged his dear guests to eat, +drink, and enjoy themselves. There was no time left for the poor +brother, and he was overlooked entirely while he sat timidly in a +corner, quite forgotten and unnoticed. He had nothing to eat, nothing +to drink. But when the crowd was ready to say good-by, before going +away, the bright, light-hearted guests bowed to their host and told +him many lovely things, and the poor brother did exactly like them. +He bowed even lower than they did and expressed more thanks than they. +The guests went home singing in their new "telegi," the peasants' +carts. The poor brother, hungry and very sad, walked along in silence, +and the idea came to his mind: + +"What if I also tried to sing a cheerful song? The people would +believe that I, too, have had a pleasant time at my brother's house +and that I am going home happy like them." + +The good fellow began his song, began--and almost fainted away, for he +heard quite distinctly some one behind his back, keeping tune with him +in a shrill voice. He stopped. The voice stopped, too. He sang, and +the voice continued again. + +"Who is there? Come out at once!" shouted the poor man, beside +himself. Ha! the monster appeared, lank and yellow, almost a skeleton, +covered with rags. The poor fellow was afraid, but had the courage to +make the sign of the cross and ask: "Who art thou?" + +"I? I am Bitter Woe. I am one of the Russian heroes, Woe Bogotir. I +pity all weak people. I pity thee, too, and want to help thee along." + +"All right, Bitter Woe; let us walk together arm in arm. I presume +there are no other friends for me in this world." + +"Let us ride, good man," laughed the monster. "I will be thy faithful +companion." + +"Thanks, but on what shall we ride?" + +"I do not know on what thou shalt ride, but I, I shall ride on thee," +and Woe jumped on the shoulders of the unlucky man. The poor fellow +had no strength to throw him off, so he crawled along his way, the +long, hard way, with Woe on his shoulders. He could hardly walk, yet +Woe was singing, whistling, and switching him all the time. + +"Why so sad, master?" Woe would ask, when the poor man sighed. "Listen +to me, I want to teach thee a song, my beloved little song: + + "I am Woe, the brave, + I am Woe, the bold; + He who lives with me + Has his griefs controlled, + And when money is lacking + I'll find him gold. + +Attention, master, thou hast twenty-five copecks; let us go and buy +some wine; let us have a jolly good time." + +The poor man obeyed. They went and spent all in drink. After this the +unlucky fellow, with the faithful Woe on his shoulders, came home. His +wife was sad, his little children were hungry and in tears, but he, +under the influence of Woe and wine, danced and sang. + +On the next day Woe began to sigh and said: + +"I have a drunken headache. Let us drink more." + +"I have no money," answered the poor man. + +"Hast thou forgotten my little song? Let us trade the harrow, the +plow, the sledge, the telega for money, and let us have a good time." + +"All right." + +The poor, weak man had no courage to refuse, and Woe Bogotir became +his master and ruler. They went to a kabak and spent everything; +drank, sang, and had a good time. + +On the next day Woe sighed again and said to the peasant: + +"Let us drink; let us have a jolly time; let us sell or trade +everything left, even ourselves." + +Then the fellow understood that his ruin was near and decided to +deceive the sorrowful Woe, so he said: + +"I once heard the old people say that behind the village, near the +dark forest, there is buried a treasure, yes, a great treasure, but it +is buried under a large, heavy stone, too heavy a stone for one man +to move. If we could only remove that stone, thou and I, Woe Bogotir, +could have a good time and plenty to drink." + +"Let us hasten!" screamed Woe; "the Bitter Woe is strong enough to do +harder things than to move stones." + +They went a roundabout way behind the village and saw the great big +stone, such a heavy stone that five or six strong peasants could never +begin to move it. But our poor fellow with his faithful Woe Bogotir +removed it at once. They looked inside. Under the stone there was +a pit, a dark, deep pit. At the bottom of that pit something was +twinkling. The peasant said to Woe: + +"Thou bold Woe, jump in, throw the gold out to me and I will hold the +stone." + +Woe jumped in and laughed out loud. + +"I declare, master," he screamed, "there is no end of gold! There are +twenty and more pots filled with it," and Woe handed one pot to the +poor man, who took the pot, hastily hid it under his blouse, and +slipped the heavy stone into its place. So Bitter Woe remained in the +deep pit and the peasant thought to himself, "Now there is the right +place for my comrade, for with such a friend, even gold would taste +bitter." + +The crafty fellow made the sign of the cross and hurried home. He +became quite a new man, courageous, sober, and industrious; bought a +grove and some cattle; remodeled the izba, and even started a trade. +And very successful he was, too. Within a year he earned much money, +and in place of the old hut built a fine, new log cabin. + +One bright day he went into town to ask his rich brother, with his +wife and children, to do him the favor of coming to a feast which was +to be given in the new home. + +"That's a joke!" exclaimed the rich brother. "Without a ruble in +thy pockets, stupid fellow! Thou evidently desirest to imitate rich +people," and then the rich brother laughed and laughed at him. But +at the same time he got very anxious to know how it was with his poor +brother, so he went without delay to the new place. When he arrived +there he could not believe his eyes. His poor brother seemed to be +quite rich, perhaps richer than himself. Everything bespoke wealth +and care. The host treated his brother and the brother's family most +kindly and was very hospitable. They had good things to eat and plenty +of honey to drink, and all became talkative. The brother who had been +poor related everything about Woe, how he decided to deceive him and +how, free from such a burden, he was getting to be a very happy man. + +The rich man grew eager and thought: + +"Is he a fool? Out of so many pots, to take only one! Fool and nothing +but fool! If one has money, even the Bitter Woe is not too bad." + +So at once he decided to go in search of the stone, to remove it, to +take the treasure, the whole treasure, and to send Woe Bogotir back to +his brother. + +No sooner thought than done. The rich brother said good-by and went +away, but did not go to his wealthy home. No, he hurried to the stone. +He had to toil hard with the heavy stone, but finally moved it just +a little, and had not time to look inside when the hidden Bogotir had +jumped out and onto his shoulders. + +The rich man felt a burden, oh, what a heavy burden! looked around and +perceived the hideous monster. He heard this monster whisper in his +ear: + +"Thou art bright! Thou didst want to let me perish in that pit? +Now, dearest, thou wilt not get rid of me; now we shall always be +together." + +"Stupid Woe," began the rich man; "it was not I who hid thee under the +stone; it was my brother; go to him." + +But no, Woe would not go. The monster laughed and laughed. + +"All the same, all the same," he answered to the rich man. "Let us +remain dear companions." + +The rich man went home under the heavy burden of the misery-giving +Woe. His wealth was soon lost, but his brother, who knew how to get +rid of Woe, was prosperous and is prosperous to this day. + + + + + +BABA YAGA + + +[Illustration] Somewhere, I cannot tell you exactly where, but +certainly in vast Russia, there lived a peasant with his wife and they +had twins--son and daughter. One day the wife died and the husband +mourned over her very sincerely for a long time. One year passed, and +two years, and even longer. But there is no order in a house without a +woman, and a day came when the man thought, "If I marry again possibly +it would turn out all right." And so he did, and had children by his +second wife. + +The stepmother was envious of the stepson and daughter and began to +use them hardly. She scolded them without any reason, sent them away +from home as often as she wished, and gave them scarcely enough to +eat. Finally she wanted to get rid of them altogether. Do you know +what it means to allow a wicked thought to enter one's heart? + +The wicked thought grows all the time like a poisonous plant and +slowly kills the good thoughts. A wicked feeling was growing in the +stepmother's heart, and she determined to send the children to the +witch, thinking sure enough that they would never return. + +"Dear children," she said to the orphans, "go to my grandmother who +lives in the forest in a hut on hen's feet. You will do everything she +wants you to, and she will give you sweet things to eat and you will +be happy." + +The orphans started out. But instead of going to the witch, the +sister, a bright little girl, took her brother by the hand and ran to +their own old, old grandmother and told her all about their going to +the forest. + +"Oh, my poor darlings!" said the good old grandmother, pitying the +children, "my heart aches for you, but it is not in my power to help +you. You have to go not to a loving grandmother, but to a wicked +witch. Now listen to me, my darlings," she continued; "I will give you +a hint: Be kind and good to everyone; do not speak ill words to any +one; do not despise helping the weakest, and always hope that for you, +too, there will be the needed help." + +The good old grandmother gave the children some delicious fresh milk +to drink and to each a big slice of ham. She also gave them some +cookies--there are cookies everywhere--and when the children departed +she stood looking after them a long, long time. + +The obedient children arrived at the forest and, oh, wonder! there +stood a hut, and what a curious one! It stood on tiny hen's feet, and +at the top was a rooster's head. With their shrill, childish voices +they called out loud: + +"Izboushka, Izboushka! turn thy back to the forest and thy front to +us!" + +The hut did as they commanded. The two orphans looked inside and saw +the witch resting there, her head near the threshold, one foot in one +corner, the other foot in another corner, and her knees quite close to +the ridge pole. + +"Fou, Fou, Fou!" exclaimed the witch; "I feel the Russian spirit." + +The children were afraid, and stood close, very close together, but in +spite of their fear they said very politely: + +"Ho, grandmother, our stepmother sent us to thee to serve thee." + +"All right; I am not opposed to keeping you, children. If you satisfy +all my wishes I shall reward you; if not, I shall eat you up." + +Without any delay the witch ordered the girl to spin the thread, and +the boy, her brother, to carry water in a sieve to fill a big tub. The +poor orphan girl wept at her spinning-wheel and wiped away her bitter +tears. At once all around her appeared small mice squeaking and +saying: + +"Sweet girl, do not cry. Give us cookies and we will help thee." + +The little girl willingly did so. + +"Now," gratefully squeaked the mice, "go and find the black cat. He is +very hungry; give him a slice of ham and he will help thee." + +The girl speedily went in search of the cat and saw her brother in +great distress about the tub, so many times he had filled the sieve, +yet the tub was still dry. The little birds passed, flying near by, +and chirped to the children: + +"Kind-hearted little children, give us some crumbs and we will advise +you." + +The orphans gave the birds some crumbs and the grateful birds chirped +again: + +"Some clay and water, children dear!" + +Then away they flew through the air. + +The children understood the hint, spat in the sieve, plastered it +up with clay and filled the tub in a very short time. Then they both +returned to the hut and on the threshold met the black cat. They +generously gave him some of the good ham which their good grandmother +had given them, petted him and asked: + +"Dear Kitty-cat, black and pretty, tell us what to do in order to get +away from thy mistress, the witch?" + +"Well," very seriously answered the cat, "I will give you a towel and +a comb and then you must run away. When you hear the witch running +after you, drop the towel behind your back and a large river will +appear in place of the towel. If you hear her once more, throw down +the comb and in place of the comb there will appear a dark wood. This +wood will protect you from the wicked witch, my mistress." + +Baba Yaga came home just then. + +"Is it not wonderful?" she thought; "everything is exactly right." + +"Well," she said to the children, "today you were brave and smart; let +us see to-morrow. Your work will be more difficult and I hope I shall +eat you up." + +The poor orphans went to bed, not to a warm bed prepared by loving +hands, but on the straw in a cold corner. Nearly scared to death from +fear, they lay there, afraid to talk, afraid even to breathe. The next +morning the witch ordered all the linen to be woven and a large supply +of firewood to be brought from the forest. + +The children took the towel and comb and ran away as fast as their +feet could possibly carry them. The dogs were after them, but +they threw them the cookies that were left; the gates did not open +themselves, but the children smoothed them with oil; the birch tree +near the path almost scratched their eyes out, but the gentle girl +fastened a pretty ribbon to it. So they went farther and farther and +ran out of the dark forest into the wide, sunny fields. + +The cat sat down by the loom and tore the thread to pieces, doing it +with delight. Baba Yaga returned. + +"Where are the children?" she shouted, and began to beat the cat. +"Why hast thou let them go, thou treacherous cat? Why hast thou not +scratched their faces?" + +The cat answered: "Well, it was because I have served thee so many +years and thou hast never given me a bite, while the dear children +gave me some good ham." + +The witch scolded the dogs, the gates, and the birch tree near the +path. + +"Well," barked the dogs, "thou certainly art our mistress, but thou +hast never done us a favor, and the orphans were kind to us." + +The gates replied: + +"We were always ready to obey thee, but thou didst neglect us, and the +dear children smoothed us with oil." + +[Illustration: _"The children ran away as fast as their feet could +possibly carry them"_] + +The birch tree lisped with its leaves, "Thou hast never put a simple +thread over my branches and the little darlings adorned them with a +pretty ribbon." + +Baba Yaga understood that there was no help and started to follow the +children herself. In her great hurry she forgot to look for the towel +and the comb, but jumped astride a broom and was off. The children +heard her coming and threw the towel behind them. At once a river, +wide and blue, appeared and watered the field. Baba Yaga hopped along +the shore until she finally found a shallow place and crossed it. + +Again the children heard her hurry after them and so they threw down +the comb. This time a forest appeared, a dark and dusky forest in +which the roots were interwoven, the branches matted together, and +the tree-tops touching each other. The witch tried very hard to pass +through, but in vain, and so, very, very angry, she returned home. + +The orphans rushed to their father, told him all about their great +distress, and thus concluded their pitiful story: + +"Ah, father dear, why dost thou love us less than our brothers and +sisters?" + +The father was touched and became angry. He sent the wicked stepmother +away and lived a new life with his good children. From that time he +watched over their happiness and never neglected them any more. + +How do I know this story is true? Why, one was there who told me about +it. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +DIMIAN THE PEASANT + + +[Illustration] Not long ago, or perchance very long ago, I do not know +for sure, there lived in a village, some place in Russia, a peasant--a +moujik. And this peasant was a stubborn and a quick-tempered fellow, +and his name was Dimian. + +He was harsh by nature, this Dimian, and wanted everything to go his +own way. If any one talked or acted against him, Dimian's fists were +soon prepared for answer. + +Sometimes, for instance, he would invite one of his neighbors and +treat his guest with fine things to eat and to drink. And the neighbor +in order to maintain the old custom would pretend to refuse. Dimian +would at once begin the dispute: + +"Thou must obey thy host!" + +Once it happened that a shrewd fellow called on him. Our moujik Dimian +covered the table with the very best he had and rejoiced over the good +time he foresaw. + +[Illustration: "_Well, I struck a snag_"] + +The fellow guest speedily ate everything up. Dimian was rather amazed, +but brought out his kaftan. + +"Take off thy sheepskin," said he to the guest; "put on my new +kaftan." + +In proposing it he thought within himself: + +"I will bet that this time he will not dare accept; then I will teach +him a lesson." + +But the fellow quickly put on the new kaftan, tightened it with the +belt, shook his curly head and answered: + +"Have my thanks, uncle, for thy gift. How could I dare not take it? +Why, one must obey his host's bidding." + +Dimian's temper was rising, and he wanted at any rate to have his own +way. But what to do? He hastened to the stable, brought out his best +horse, and said to his guest: + +"Thou art welcome to all my belongings," and within himself he +thought, "He certainly will refuse this time, and then my turn will +come." + +But the fellow did not refuse, and smilingly answered: + +"In thy house thou art the ruler," and quickly he jumped on the +horse's back and shouted to Dimian, the peasant: + +"Farewell, master! no one pushed thee into the trap but thyself," and +with these words the fellow was off. + +Dimian looked after him and shook his head. + +"Well, I struck a snag," said he. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN + + +[Illustration] Once upon a time a merchant's son had too much fun +spending money, and the day came when he saw himself ruined; he had +nothing to eat, nothing to drink. He took a shovel and went to the +market place to see if perchance somebody would hire him as a worker. + +A rich, proud merchant, worth many, many thousands, came along in a +gilded carriage. All the fellows at the market place, as soon as they +perceived him, rushed away and hid themselves in the corners. Only one +remained, and this one was our merchant's son. + +"Dost thou look for work, good fellow? Let me hire thee," the very +rich merchant said to him. + +"So be it; that's what I came here for." + +"And thy price?" + +"A hundred rubles a day will be sufficient for me." + +"Why so much?" + +"If too much, go and look for some one else; plenty of people were +around and when they saw thee coming, all of them rushed away." + +"All right. To-morrow come to the landing place." + +The next day, early in the morning, our merchant's son arrived at the +landing; the very rich merchant was already there waiting. + +They boarded a ship and went to sea. For quite a long time they +journeyed, and finally they perceived an island. Upon that island +there were high mountains, and near the shore something seemed to be +in flames. + +"Yonder is something like fire," said the merchant's son. + +"No, it is my golden palace." + +They landed, came ashore, and--look there! the rich merchant's wife +is hastening to meet him, and along with her their young daughter, a +lovely girl, prettier than you could think or even dream of. + +The family met; they greeted one another and went to the palace. And +along with them went their new workman. They sat around the oak table +and ate and drank and were cheerful. + +"One day does not count," the rich merchant said; "let us have a good +time and leave work for to-morrow." + +The young workman was a fine, brave fellow, handsome and stately, and +the merchant's lovely daughter liked him well. + +She left the room and made him a sign to follow her. Then she gave him +a touchstone and a flint. + +"Take it," she said; "when thou art in need, it will be useful." + +The next day the very rich merchant with his hired workman went to the +high golden mountain. The young fellow saw at once that there was no +use trying to climb or even to crawl up. + +"Well," said the merchant, "let us have a drink for courage." + +And he gave the fellow some drowsy drink. The fellow drank and fell +asleep. + +The rich merchant took out a sharp knife, killed a wretched horse, cut +it open, put the fellow inside, pushed in the shovel, and sewed the +horse's skin together, and himself sat down in the bushes. + +All at once crows came flying, black crows with iron beaks. They took +hold of the carcass, lifted it up to the top of the high mountain, and +began to pick at it. + +The crows soon ate up the horse and were about to begin on the +merchant's son, when he awoke, pushed away the crows, looked around +and asked out loud: + +"Where am I?" + +The rich merchant below answered: + +"On a golden mountain; take the shovel and dig for gold." + +And the young man dug and dug, and all the gold he dug he threw down, +and the rich merchant loaded it upon the carts. + +"Enough!" finally shouted the master. "Thanks for thy help. Farewell!" + +"And I--how shall I get down?" + +"As thou pleasest; there have already perished nine and ninety of such +fellows as thou. With thee the count will be rounded and thou wilt be +the hundredth." + +The proud, rich merchant was off. + +"What shall I do?" thought the poor merchant's son. "Impossible to go +down! But to stay here means death, a cruel death from hunger." + +And our fellow stood upon the mountain, while above the black crows +were circling, the black crows with iron beaks, as if feeling already +the prey. + +The fellow tried to think how it all happened, and he remembered the +lovely girl and what she said to him in giving him the touchstone and +the flint. He remembered how she said: + +"Take it. When thou art in need it will prove useful." + +"I fancy she had something in mind; let us try." + +The poor merchant's son took out stone and flint, struck it once and +lo! two brave fellows were standing before him. + +"What is thy wish? What are thy commands?" said they. + +"Take me from this mountain down to the seashore." + +And at once the two took hold of him and carefully brought him down. + +Our hero walks along the shore. See there! a vessel comes sailing near +the island. + +"Ahoy! good people! take me along!" + +"No time to stop!" And they went sailing by. But the winds arose and +the tempest was heavy. + +"It seems as if this fellow over there is not an ordinary man; we had +better go back and take him along," decided the sailors. + +They turned the prow toward the island, landed, took the merchant's +son along with them and brought him to his native town. + +It was a long time, or perhaps only a short time after--who could +tell?--that one day the merchant's son took again his shovel and went +to the market place in search of work. + +The same very rich merchant came along in his gilded carriage; and, as +of old, all the fellows who saw him coming rushed away. + +The merchant's son remained alone. + +"Will you be my workman?" + +"I will at two hundred rubles a day. If so, let us to work." + +"A rather expensive fellow." + +"If too expensive go to others; get a cheap man. There were plenty +of people, but when thou didst appear--thou seest thyself--not one is +left." + +"Well, all right. Come to-morrow to the landing place." + +They met at the landing place, boarded a ship and sailed toward the +island. + +The first day they spent rather gayly, and on the second, master and +workman went to work. + +When they reached the golden mountain the rich, proud merchant treated +his hired man to a tumbler. + +"Before all, have a drink." + +"Wait, master! thou art the head; thou must drink the first. Let me +treat thee this time." + +The young man had already prepared some of the drowsy stuff and he +quickly mixed it with the wine and presented it to the master. + +The proud merchant drank and fell sound asleep. + +Our merchant's son killed a miserable old horse, cut it open, pushed +his master and the shovel inside, sewed it all up and hid himself in +the bushes. + +All at once black crows came flying,--black crows with iron beaks; +they promptly lifted up the horse with the sleeping merchant inside, +bore it to the top of the mountain, and began to pick the bones of +their prey. + +When the merchant awoke he looked here and looked there and looked +everywhere. + +"Where am I?" + +"Upon the golden mountain. Now if thou art strong after thy rest, do +not lose time; take the shovel and dig. Dig quickly and I'll teach +thee how to come down." + +The proud, rich merchant had to obey and dug and dug. Twelve big carts +were loaded. + +"Enough!" shouted the merchant's son. "Thank thee, and farewell!" + +"And I?" + +"And thou mayst do as thou wishest! There are already ninety and nine +fellows perished before thee; with thyself there will be a hundred." + +The merchant's son took along with him the twelve heavy carts with +gold, arrived at the golden palace and married the lovely girl; the +rich merchant's daughter became mistress of all her father's wealth, +and the merchant's son with his family moved to a large town to live. + +And the rich merchant, the proud, rich merchant? + +He himself, like his many victims, became the prey of the black crows, +black crows with iron beaks. + +Well, sometimes it happens just so. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +FATHER FROST + + +[Illustration] In a far-away country, somewhere in Russia, there lived +a stepmother who had a stepdaughter and also a daughter of her own. +Her own daughter was dear to her, and always whatever she did the +mother was the first to praise her, to pet her; but there was but +little praise for the stepdaughter; although good and kind, she had +no other reward than reproach. What on earth could have been done? The +wind blows, but stops blowing at times; the wicked woman never knows +how to stop her wickedness. One bright cold day the stepmother said to +her husband: + +"Now, old man, I want thee to take thy daughter away from my eyes, +away from my ears. Thou shalt not take her to thy people into a warm +izba. Thou shalt take her into the wide, wide fields to the crackling +frost." + +The old father grew sad, began even to weep, but nevertheless +helped the young girl into the sleigh. He wished to cover her with a +sheepskin in order to protect her from the cold; however, he did not +do it. He was afraid; his wife was watching them out of the window. +And so he went with his lovely daughter into the wide, wide fields; +drove her nearly to the woods, left her there alone, and speedily +drove away--he was a good man and did not care to see his daughter's +death. + +Alone, quite alone, remained the sweet girl. Broken-hearted and +terror-stricken she repeated fervently all the prayers she knew. + +Father Frost, the almighty sovereign at that place, clad in furs, +with a long, long, white beard and a shining crown on his white head, +approached nearer and nearer, looked at this beautiful guest of his +and asked: + +"Dost thou know me?--me, the red-nosed Frost?" + +"Be welcome, Father Frost," answered gently the young girl. "I hope +our heavenly Lord sent thee for my sinful soul." + +"Art thou comfortable, sweet child?" again asked the Frost. He was +exceedingly pleased with her looks and mild manners. + +"Indeed I am," answered the girl, almost out of breath from cold. + +And the Frost, cheerful and bright, kept crackling in the branches +until the air became icy, but the good-natured girl kept repeating: + +"I am very comfortable, dear Father Frost." + +But the Frost, however, knew all about the weakness of human beings; +he knew very well that few of them are really good and kind; but he +knew no one of them even could struggle too long against the power of +Frost, the king of winter. The kindness of the gentle girl charmed old +Frost so much that he made the decision to treat her differently from +others, and gave her a large heavy trunk filled with many beautiful, +beautiful things. He gave her a rich "schouba" lined with precious +furs; he gave her silk quilts--light like feathers and warm as a +mother's lap. What a rich girl she became and how many magnificent +garments she received! And besides all, old Frost gave her a blue +"sarafan" ornamented with silver and pearls. + +[Illustration: "_Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, +beautiful things_"] + +When the young girl put it on she became such a beautiful maiden that +even the sun smiled at her. + +The stepmother was in the kitchen busy baking pancakes for the meal +which it is the custom to give to the priests and friends after the +usual service for the dead. + +"Now, old man," said the wife to the husband, "go down to the wide +fields and bring the body of thy daughter; we will bury her." + +The old man went off. And the little dog in the corner wagged his tail +and said: + +"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is on her way home, +beautiful and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter is +wicked as ever before." + +"Keep still, stupid beast!" shouted the stepmother, and struck the +little dog. + +"Here, take this pancake, eat it and say, 'The old woman's daughter +will be married soon and the old man's daughter shall be buried +soon.'" + +The dog ate the pancake and began anew: + +"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is coming home wealthy +and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter is somewhere +around as homely and wicked as ever before." + +The old woman was furious at the dog, but in spite of pancakes and +whipping, the dog repeated the same words over and over again. + +Somebody opened the gate, voices were heard laughing and talking +outside. The old woman looked out and sat down in amazement. The +stepdaughter was there like a princess, bright and happy in the most +beautiful garments, and behind her the old father had hardly strength +enough to carry the heavy, heavy trunk with the rich outfit. + +"Old man!" called the stepmother, impatiently; "hitch our best horses +to our best sleigh, and drive _my_ daughter to the very same +place in the wide, wide fields." + +The old man obeyed as usual and took his stepdaughter to the same +place and left her alone. + +Old Frost was there; he looked at his new guest. + +"Art thou comfortable, fair maiden?" asked the red-nosed sovereign. + +"Let me alone," harshly answered the girl; "canst thou not see that my +feet and my hands are about stiff from the cold?" + +The Frost kept crackling and asking questions for quite a while, but +obtaining no polite answer became angry and froze the girl to death. + +"Old man, go for my daughter; take the best horses; be careful; do not +upset the sleigh; do not lose the trunk." + +And the little dog in the corner said: + +"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter will marry soon; the old +woman's daughter shall be buried soon." + +"Do not lie. Here is a cake; eat it and say, 'The old woman's daughter +is clad in silver and gold.'" + +The gate opened, the old woman ran out and kissed the stiff frozen +lips of her daughter. She wept and wept, but there was no help, and +she understood at last that through her own wickedness and envy her +child had perished. + +[Illustration: THE END] + +[Illustration] + + + + + +NOTES + + +The Tsarevna Frog + +A _tsarstvo_ is the domain of a _tsar_ (czar), which +is the title of an absolute monarch in Russia. The word _tsar_, +derived from the Roman name and title, Caesar, may be translated +emperor, king, or prince. A number of words are formed from it by +adding different syllables: Tsarevitch, the tsar's son, prince; +Tsarevna, the tsar's daughter, princess; Tsaritza, the tsar's wife, +queen or empress. + +_Boyar_ was the word formerly used to mean a +Russian nobleman; so a _boyar-house_ is a lord's house; +_boyarishnia_, a lord's daughter. The _terem_ was that part +of the boyar-house in which the women's rooms were situated. + +In Russia there is a fatherly relation existing between the ruler +and his subjects which is shown in such phrases as "the tsar +father," "their father sovereign," etc. The Russian language has many +diminutives, or terms of endearment. For instance, the Tzar is often +affectionately called "the little father" by his subjects. + +"_Once said, quickly done_." This is the Russian idiom. +Observe how much more lively it is than our own "No sooner said than +done." + + +Seven Simeons + +_The holy icons_ are pictures or mosaics of Christ, or the +Virgin Mary, or of some saint or martyr of the Russian church. In +every Russian house there is one or more, hung in a prominent place. +Every one who enters the house at once bows and utters a prayer before +the icons before he does anything else. This is an old Russian custom +which is still kept up by peasants. + +_Strong green wine_. This is the phrase still used by Russian +story-tellers to describe the drink which it was an honor to receive +from the royal hand. Its strength was magical in that it was not +acquired by keeping, but was always the same. + +_For a cloudy day_ is the Russian idiom very similar to our +own. + +_It is a peasant's trade_ is a Russian saying which means, +"It doesn't amount to much." + +_Moujik_, a peasant: his duties are those of a farm laborer, +yet this phrase would not be a fair translation. This word, which is +rendered "tiller of the soil," has no exact equivalent in English. + +_Korolevitch_, from _korol_: king. The endings +_evitch_ and _evna_ show descent, korolevitch meaning son of +a king; korolevna meaning daughter of a king. + +_Dutch trumpet_, i.e., an imported trumpet. Anything foreign +is "Dutch" to the Russian peasant. + +_Honey drink_, a drink made by fermenting honey and water. It +is quite common in Russia, and is about the same as our mead. + +Russian and other Slavonic tales often have queer endings, similar +to the one here given by the story-teller at the end of the story, +which is no part of the tale. To the Russian they give a poetic touch, +a little sense of confusion and mystery which is certainly delightful. + + +The Language of the Birds + +_Holy Russia_. To the Russian his country is sacred; +everything outside is profane by comparison. The phrase suggests the +_Holy Roman Empire_ of history, or the _Celestial Kingdom_ +of the Chinese. + + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton + +In the peasant's house there is often a large stove of brick or +tile on which the family sleep in cold weather. + +_A day in and an equal day out_, the Russian idiom. Observe +how very like our own. + + +Woe Bogotir + +_Kabak_, a drinking saloon. + +The _ruble_ is the principal coin of Russia, as the dollar +is in the United States. It is equal to 100 copecks, and at this time +(1903) is worth only about 50 cents. + +_Honey to drink_, i.e., fermented honey, or mead. + + +Baba Yaga + +_Baba_, a peasant woman, or grandmother; granny. +_Yaga_, witch. _Baba Yaga_, therefore, is the familiar +"Grandmother Witch." + +_Izba_, a hut. _Izboushka_, a tiny hut. + + +Father Frost + +_Schouba_, a large fur-lined cloak. + +_Sarafan_, the Russian national costume for women. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOLK TALES FROM THE RUSSIAN *** + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Folk Tales from the Russian</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Various</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: July 8, 2004 [eBook #12851]<br /> +[Most recently updated: March 31, 2023]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Bob Jones, Frank van Drogen, Tamiko I. Camacho and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOLK TALES FROM THE RUSSIAN ***</div> + +<div class="fig" style="width:55%;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="[Illustration]" /> +</div> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus01"></a> +<img src="images/001.jpg" width="262" height="471" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>She gave him a touchstone and flint</i>"</p> +</div> + +<h1>FOLK TALES<br/> +FROM THE RUSSIAN</h1> + +<p class="center">RETOLD BY</p> + +<p class="center">VERRA XENOPHONTOVNA KALAMATIANO DE BLUMENTHAL</p> + +<p class="center"><b>Core Collection Books, inc</b>.</p> + +<p class="center">GREAT NECK, NEW YORK</p> + +<p class="center"><b>BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY</b></p> + +<p class="center">First Published 1903 Reprinted 1979</p> + +<p class="center">International Standard Book Number +0-8486-0216-1</p> + +<p class="center">Library of Congress Catalog Number 78-74512</p> + +<p class="center">PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><a name="FOREWORD">FOREWORD</a></p> + +<p>In Russia, as elsewhere in the world, folklore is rapidly +scattering before the practical spirit of modern progress. The +traveling peasant bard or story teller, and the devoted "nyanya", +the beloved nurse of many a generation, are rapidly dying out, and +with them the tales and legends, the last echoes of the nation's +early joys and sufferings, hopes and fears, are passing away. The +student of folk-lore knows that the time has come when haste is +needed to catch these vanishing songs of the nation's youth and to +preserve them for the delight of future generations. In sending +forth the stories in the present volume, all of which are here set +down in print for the first time, it is my hope that they may +enable American children to share with the children of Russia the +pleasure of glancing into the magic world of the old Slavic +nation.</p> + +<p>THE AUTHOR.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">THE TABLE OF CONTENTS</p> + +<p class="center"><i><a href="#FOREWORD">Foreword</a></i></p> + +<p class="center"><i><a href="#ILLUSTRATIONS">A List of Illustrations</a></i></p> + +<p class="center"><i><a href="#Dedication">Dedication</a></i></p> + +<p class="center"><i><a href="#NOTES">Notes</a></i></p> + +<p class="center">FOLK TALES</p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap01">The Tsarevna Frog</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap02">Seven Simeons</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap03">The Language +of the Birds</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap04">Ivanoushka the Simpleton</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap05">Woe Bogotir</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap06">Baba Yaga</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap07">Dimian the Peasant</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap08">The Golden Mountain</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#chap09">Father Frost</a></p> + +<h2><a name="ILLUSTRATIONS">A LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</a></h2> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus01">"She gave him a touchstone and flint". <i>Frontispiece</i></a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus02">The Tsarevna Frog</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus03">"Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all directions"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus04">Ivan learns the language of the birds</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus05">"The old man went begging from town to town"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus06">"One brother was sent to watch the turkeys"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus07">The rich brother</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus08">"The children ran away as fast as their little feet could possibly carry them"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus09">"Well, I struck a snag"</a></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#illus10">"Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, beautiful things"</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center"><i><a name="Dedication">TO MY LITTLE FRIEND</a></i></p> + +<p class="center">EDITH EVANS</p> + +<p class="center"><i>AND ALL AMERICAN CHILDREN</i></p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus02"></a> +<img src="images/009.png" width="208" height="459" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">The Tsarevna Frog</p> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap01">THE TSAREVNA FROG</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/010.png"><img width="141" src="images/010.png" alt="I" +height="180" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In an old, old Russian <a href="#tsarstvo">tsarstvo</a>, I do not know when, +there lived a sovereign prince with the princess his wife. They had three sons, +all of them young, and such brave fellows that no pen could describe them. The +youngest had the name of Ivan <a href="#Tsarevitch">Tsarevitch</a>. One day +their father said to his sons: +</p> + +<p>"My dear boys, take each of you an arrow, draw your strong bow +and let your arrow fly; in whatever court it falls, in that court +there will be a wife for you."</p> + +<p>The arrow of the oldest Tsarevitch fell on a <a href="#Boyar">boyar-house</a> just in front of the <a href="#terem">terem</a> where women live; the arrow of the second +Tsarevitch flew to the red porch of a rich merchant, and on the +porch there stood a sweet girl, the merchant's daughter. The +youngest, the brave Tsarevitch Ivan, had the ill luck to send his +arrow into the midst of a swamp, where it was caught by a croaking +frog.</p> + +<p>Ivan Tsarevitch came to his father: "How can I marry the frog?" +complained the son. "Is she my equal? Certainly she is not."</p> + +<p>"Never mind," replied his father, "you have to marry the frog, +for such is evidently your destiny."</p> + +<p>Thus the brothers were married: the oldest to a young <a href="#boyarishnia">boyarishnia</a>, a nobleman's child; the second to +the merchant's beautiful daughter, and the youngest, Tsarevitch +Ivan, to a croaking frog.</p> + +<p>After a while the sovereign prince called his three sons and +said to them:</p> + +<p>"Have each of your wives bake a loaf of bread by to-morrow +morning."</p> + +<p>Ivan returned home. There was no smile on his face, and his brow +was clouded.</p> + +<p>"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear husband of mine, Tsarevitch Ivan, +why so sad?" gently asked the frog. "Was there anything +disagreeable in the palace?"</p> + +<p>"Disagreeable indeed," answered Ivan Tsarevitch; "the Tsar, my +father, wants you to bake a loaf of white bread by to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; the morning hour is a +better adviser than the dark evening."</p> + +<p>The Tsarevitch, taking his wife's advice, went to sleep. Then +the frog threw off her frogskin and turned into a beautiful, sweet +girl, Vassilissa by name. She now stepped out on the porch and +called aloud:</p> + +<p>"Nurses and waitresses, come to me at once and prepare a loaf of +white bread for to-morrow morning, a loaf exactly like those I used +to eat in my royal father's palace."</p> + +<p>In the morning Tsarevitch Ivan awoke with the crowing cocks, and +you know the cocks and chickens are never late. Yet the loaf was +already made, and so fine it was that nobody could even describe +it, for only in fairyland one finds such marvelous loaves. It was +adorned all about with pretty figures, with towns and fortresses on +each side, and within it was white as snow and light as a +feather.</p> + +<p><a href="#thetsarfather">The Tsar father</a> was pleased and the Tsarevitch received his +special thanks.</p> + +<p>"Now there is another task," said the Tsar smilingly. "Have each +of your wives weave a rug by to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Tsarevitch Ivan came back to his home. There was no smile on his +face and his brow was clouded.</p> + +<p>"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear Tsarevitch Ivan, my husband and +master, why so troubled again? Was not father pleased?"</p> + +<p>"How can I be otherwise? The Tsar, my father, has ordered a rug +by to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; go to sleep. The morning +hour will bring help."</p> + +<p>Again the frog turned into Vassilissa, the wise maiden, and +again she called aloud:</p> + +<p>"Dear nurses and faithful waitresses, come to me for new work. +Weave a silk rug like the one I used to sit upon in the palace of +the king, my father."</p> + +<p><a href="#Oncesaidquicklydone">Once said, quickly done.</a> When the cocks began their early +"cock-a-doodle-doo," Tsarevitch Ivan awoke, and lo! there lay the +most beautiful silk rug before him, a rug that no one could begin +to describe. Threads of silver and gold were interwoven among +bright-colored silken ones, and the rug was too beautiful for +anything but to admire.</p> + +<p>The Tsar father was pleased, thanked his son Ivan, and issued a +new order. He now wished to see the three wives of his handsome +sons, and they were to present their brides on the next day.</p> + +<p>The Tsarevitch Ivan returned home. Cloudy was his brow, more +cloudy than before.</p> + +<p>"C-R-O-A-K!.C-R-O-A-K! Tsarevitch, my dear husband and master, +why so sad? Hast thou heard anything unpleasant at the palace?"</p> + +<p>"Unpleasant enough, indeed! My father, the Tsar, ordered all of +us to present our wives to him. Now tell me, how could I dare go +with thee?"</p> + +<p>"It is not so bad after all, and might be much worse," answered +the frog, gently croaking. "Thou shalt go alone and I will follow +thee. When thou hearest a noise, a great noise, do not be afraid; +simply say: 'There is my miserable froggy coming in her miserable +box.'"</p> + +<p>The two elder brothers arrived first with their wives, +beautiful, bright, and cheerful, and dressed in rich garments. Both +the happy bridegrooms made fun of the Tsarevitch Ivan.</p> + +<p>"Why alone, brother?" they laughingly said to him. "Why didst +thou not bring thy wife along with thee? Was there no rag to cover +her? Where couldst thou have gotten such a beauty? We are ready to +wager that in all the swamps in the dominion of our father it would +be hard to find another one like her." And they laughed and +laughed.</p> + +<p>Lo! what a noise! The palace trembled, the guests were all +frightened. Tsarevitch Ivan alone remained quiet and said:</p> + +<p>"No danger; it is my froggy coming in her box."</p> + +<p>To the red porch came flying a golden carriage drawn by six +splendid white horses, and Vassilissa, beautiful beyond all +description, gently reached her hand to her husband. He led her +with him to the heavy oak tables, which were covered with +snow-white linen and loaded with many wonderful dishes such as are +known and eaten only in the land of fairies and never anywhere +else. The guests were eating and chatting gayly.</p> + +<p>Vassilissa drank some wine, and what was left in the tumbler she +poured into her left sleeve. She ate some of the fried swan, and +the bones she threw into her right sleeve. The wives of the two +elder brothers watched her and did exactly the same.</p> + +<p>When the long, hearty dinner was over, the guests began dancing +and singing. The beautiful Vassilissa came forward, as bright as a +star, bowed to her sovereign, bowed to the honorable guests and +danced with her husband, the happy Tsarevitch Ivan.</p> + +<p>While dancing, Vassilissa waved her left sleeve and a pretty +lake appeared in the midst of the hall and cooled the air. She +waved her right sleeve and white swans swam on the water. The Tsar, +the guests, the servants, even the gray cat sitting in the corner, +all were amazed and wondered at the beautiful Vassilissa. Her two +sisters-in-law alone envied her. When their turn came to dance, +they also waved their left sleeves as Vassilissa had done, and, oh, +wonder! they sprinkled wine all around. They waved their right +sleeves, and instead of swans the bones flew in the face of the +Tsar father. The Tsar grew very angry and bade them leave the +palace. In the meantime Ivan Tsarevitch watched a moment to slip +away unseen. He ran home, found the frogskin, and burned it in the +fire.</p> + +<p>Vassilissa, when she came back, searched for the skin, and when +she could not find it her beautiful face grew sad and her bright +eyes filled with tears. She said to Tsarevitch Ivan, her +husband:</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear Tsarevitch, what hast thou done? There was but a short +time left for me to wear the ugly frogskin. The moment was near +when we could have been happy together forever. Now I must bid thee +good-by. Look for me in a far-away country to which no one knows +the roads, at the palace of Kostshei the Deathless;" and Vassilissa +turned into a white swan and flew away through the window.</p> + +<p>Tsarevitch Ivan wept bitterly. Then he prayed to the almighty +God, and making the sign of the cross northward, southward, +eastward, and westward, he went on a mysterious journey.</p> + +<p>No one knows how long his journey was, but one day he met an +old, old man. He bowed to the old man, who said:</p> + +<p>"Good-day, brave fellow. What art thou searching for, and +whither art thou going?"</p> + +<p>Tsarevitch Ivan answered sincerely, telling all about his +misfortune without hiding anything.</p> + +<p>"And why didst thou burn the frogskin? It was wrong to do so. +Listen now to me. Vassilissa was born wiser than her own father, +and as he envied his daughter's wisdom he condemned her to be a +frog for three long years. But I pity thee and want to help thee. +Here is a magic ball. In whatever direction this ball rolls, follow +without fear."</p> + +<p>Ivan Tsarevitch thanked the good old man, and followed his new +guide, the ball. Long, very long, was his road. One day in a wide, +flowery field he met a bear, a big Russian bear. Ivan Tsarevitch +took his bow and was ready to shoot the bear.</p> + +<p>"Do not kill me, kind Tsarevitch," said the bear. "Who knows but +that I may be useful to thee?" And Ivan did not shoot the bear.</p> + +<p>Above in the sunny air there flew a duck, a lovely white duck. +Again the Tsarevitch drew his bow to shoot it. But the duck said to +him:</p> + +<p>"Do not kill me, good Tsarevitch. I certainly shall be useful to +thee some day."</p> + +<p>And this time he obeyed the command of the duck and passed by. +Continuing his way he saw a blinking hare. The Tsarevitch prepared +an arrow to shoot it, but the gray, blinking hare said:</p> + +<p>"Do not kill me, brave Tsarevitch. I shall prove myself grateful +to thee in a very short time."</p> + +<p>The Tsarevitch did not shoot the hare, but passed by. He walked +farther and farther after the rolling ball, and came to the deep +blue sea. On the sand there lay a fish. I do not remember the name +of the fish, but it was a big fish, almost dying on the dry +sand.</p> + +<p>"O Tsarevitch Ivan!" prayed the fish, "have mercy upon me and +push me back into the cool sea."</p> + +<p>The Tsarevitch did so, and walked along the shore. The ball, +rolling all the time, brought Ivan to a hut, a queer, tiny hut +standing on tiny hen's feet.</p> + +<p>"Izboushka! Izboushka!"—for so in Russia do they name +small huts—"Izboushka, I want thee to turn thy front to me," +cried Ivan, and lo! the tiny hut turned its front at once. Ivan +stepped in and saw a witch, one of the ugliest witches he could +imagine.</p> + +<p>"Ho! Ivan Tsarevitch! What brings thee here?" was his greeting +from the witch.</p> + +<p>"O, thou old mischief!" shouted Ivan with anger. "Is it the way +in holy Russia to ask questions before the tired guest gets +something to eat, something to drink, and some hot water to wash +the dust off?"</p> + +<p>Baba Yaga, the witch, gave the Tsarevitch plenty to eat and +drink, besides hot water to wash the dust off. Tsarevitch Ivan felt +refreshed. Soon he became talkative, and related the wonderful +story of his marriage. He told how he had lost his dear wife, and +that his only desire was to find her.</p> + +<p>"I know all about it," answered the witch. "She is now at the +palace of Kostshei the Deathless, and thou must understand that +Kostshei is terrible. He watches her day and night and no one can +ever conquer him. His death depends on a magic needle. That needle +is within a hare; that hare is within a large trunk; that trunk is +hidden in the branches of an old oak tree; and that oak tree is +watched by Kostshei as closely as Vassilissa herself, which means +closer than any treasure he has."</p> + +<p>Then the witch told Ivan Tsarevitch how and where to find the +oak tree. Ivan hastily went to the place. But when he perceived the +oak tree he was much discouraged, not knowing what to do or how to +begin the work. Lo and behold! that old acquaintance of his, the +Russian bear, came running along, approached the tree, uprooted it, +and the trunk fell and broke. A hare jumped out of the trunk and +began to run fast; but another hare, Ivan's friend, came running +after, caught it and tore it to pieces. Out of the hare there flew +a duck, a gray one which flew very high and was almost invisible, +but the beautiful white duck followed the bird and struck its gray +enemy, which lost an egg. That egg fell into the deep sea. Ivan +meanwhile was anxiously watching his faithful friends helping him. +But when the egg disappeared in the blue waters he could not help +weeping. All of a sudden a big fish came swimming up, the same fish +he had saved, and brought the egg in his mouth. How happy Ivan was +when he took it! He broke it and found the needle inside, the magic +needle upon which everything depended.</p> + +<p>At the same moment Kostshei lost his strength and power forever. +Ivan Tsarevitch entered his vast dominions, killed him with the +magic needle, and in one of the palaces found his own dear wife, +his beautiful Vassilissa. He took her home and they were very happy +ever after.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/023.png" width="135" height="139" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap02">SEVEN SIMEONS</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/024.png"><img width="145" src="images/024.png" alt="I" +height="149" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In an empire, in a country beyond many seas and islands, beyond high mountains, +beyond large rivers, upon a level expanse, as if spread upon a table, there +stood a large town, and in that town there lived a Tsar called Archidei, the +son of Aggei; therefore he was called Aggeivitch. +</p> + +<p>A famous Tsar he was, and a clever one. His wealth could not be +counted; his warriors were innumerable. There were forty times +forty towns in his kingdom, and in each one of these towns there +were ten palaces with silver doors and golden ceilings and +magnificent crystal windows.</p> + +<p>For his council twelve wise men were selected, each one of them +having a beard half a yard long and a head full of wisdom. These +advisers offered nothing but truth to their father sovereign; none +ever dared advance a lie.</p> + +<p>How could such a Tsar be anything but happy? But it is true, +indeed, that neither wealth nor wisdom give happiness when the +heart is not at ease, and even in golden palaces the poor heart +often aches.</p> + +<p>So it was with the Tsar Archidei; he was rich and clever, +besides being a handsome fellow; but he could not find a bride to +his taste, a bride with wit and beauty equal to his own. And this +was the cause of the Tsar Archidei's sorrow and distress.</p> + +<p>One day he was sitting in his golden armchair looking out of the +window lost in thought. He had gazed for quite a while before he +noticed foreign sailors landing opposite the imperial palace. The +sailors ran their ship up to the wharf, reefed their white sails, +threw the heavy anchor into the sea and prepared the plank ready to +go ashore. Before them all walked an old merchant; white was his +beard and he had about him the air of a wise man. An idea suddenly +occurred to the Tsar: "Sea merchants generally are well informed on +many subjects. If I ask them, perchance I shall find that they have +met somewhere a princess, beautiful and clever, suitable for me, +the Tsar Archidei."</p> + +<p>Without delay the order was given to call the sea merchants into +the halls of the palace.</p> + +<p>The merchant guests appeared, prayed to <a href="#Theholyicons"> the holy icons</a> hanging +in the corner, bowed to the Tsar, bowed to the wise advisers. The +Tsar ordered his servants to serve them with tumblers of strong +green wine. The guests drank the <a href="#Stronggreenwine."> strong green wine</a> and wiped their +beards with embroidered towels. Then the Tsar Archidei addressed +them:</p> + +<p>"We are aware that you gallant sea merchants cross all the big +waters and see many wonderful things. My desire is to ask you about +something, and you must give a straightforward answer without any +deceit or evasion."</p> + +<p>"So be it, mighty Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch," answered the +merchant guests, bowing.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, can you tell me if somewhere in an empire or +kingdom, or among great princes, there is a maiden as beautiful and +wise as I myself, Tsar Archidei; an illustrious maiden who would be +a proper wife for me, a suitable Tsaritza for my country?"</p> + +<p>The merchant guests seemed to be puzzled, and after a long +silence the eldest among them thus replied:</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I once heard that yonder beyond the great sea, on an +island called Buzan, there is a great country; and the sovereign of +that land has a daughter named Helena, a princess very beautiful, +not less so, I dare say, than thyself. And wise she is, too; a wise +man once tried for three years to guess a riddle that she gave, and +did not succeed."</p> + +<p>"How far is that island, pray tell, and where are the roads that +lead to it?"</p> + +<p>"The island is not near," answered the old merchant. "If one +chooses the wide sea he must journey ten years. Besides, the way to +it is not known to us. Moreover, even suppose we did know the way, +it seems that the Princess Helena is not a bride for thee."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei shouted with anger:</p> + +<p>"How dost thou dare to speak such words, thou, a long-bearded +buck?"</p> + +<p>"Thy will be done, but think for thyself. Suppose thou shouldst +send an envoy to the island of Buzan. He would require ten long +years to go there, ten years equally long to come back, and so his +journey would require fully twenty years. By that time a most +beautiful princess would grow old—a girl's beauty is like the +swallow, a bird of passage; it lasts not long."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei became thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said to the merchant guests, "you have my thanks, +guests of passage, respectable men of trade. Go in God's name, +transact business in my tsarstvo without any taxes whatever. What +to do about the beautiful Princess Helena I will try to think out +by myself."</p> + +<p>The merchants bowed low and left the Tsar's rich palace.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei sat still, wrapped in thought, but he could +find neither beginning nor end to the problem. "Let me ride into +the wide fields," he said; "let me forget my sorrow amid the +excitement of the noble hunt, hoping that the future may bring +advice."</p> + +<p>The falconers appeared, cheerful notes from the golden trumpets +resounded, and falcons and hawks were soon slumbering under their +velvet caps as they sat quietly on the fingers of the hunters.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch came with his men to a wide, wide +field. All of his men were watching the moment to loose their +falcons in order to let the birds pursue a long-legged heron or a +white-breasted swan.</p> + +<p>Now, you, my listeners, must understand that the fairy tale is +quick, but life is not. The Tsar Archidei was on horseback for a +long while, and finally came to a green valley. Looking around he +saw a well cultivated field where the golden ears of the grain were +already ripe, and oh, how beautiful! The Tsar stopped in +admiration.</p> + +<p>"I presume," he exclaimed, "that good workers are owners of this +place, honest plowmen and diligent sowers. If only all fields in my +tsarstvo were equally cultivated, my people need never know what +hunger means, and there would even be plenty to send beyond the sea +to be exchanged for silver and gold."</p> + +<p>Then the Tsar Archidei gave orders to inquire who the owners of +the field were, and what were their names. Hunters, grooms, and +servants rushed in all directions, and discovered seven brave +fellows, all of them fair, red-cheeked, and very handsome. They +were dining according to the peasant fashion, which means that they +were eating rye bread with onions, and drinking clear water. Their +blouses were red, with a golden galloon around the neck, and they +were so much alike that one could hardly be recognized from +another.</p> + +<p>The royal messengers approached.</p> + +<p>"Whose field is this?" they asked; "this field with golden +wheat?"</p> + +<p>The seven brave peasants answered cheerfully:</p> + +<p>"This is our field; we plowed it, and we also have sown the +golden wheat."</p> + +<p>"And what kind of people are you?"</p> + +<p>"We are the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch's peasants, farmers, and we +are brothers, sons of one father and mother. The name for all of us +is Simeon, so you understand we are seven Simeons."</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus03"></a> +<img src="images/031.jpg" width="316" height="455" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all directions</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>This answer was faithfully delivered to the Tsar Archidei by the +envoys, and the Tsar at once desired to see the brave peasants, and +ordered them to be called before him. The seven Simeons presently +appeared and bowed. The Tsar looked at them with his bright eyes +and asked them:</p> + +<p>"What kind of people are you whose field is so well +cultivated?"</p> + +<p>One of the seven brothers, the eldest of them, answered:</p> + +<p>"We are all thy peasants, simpletons, without any wisdom, born +of peasant parents, all of us children of the same father and the +same mother, and all having the same name, Simeon. Our old father +taught us to pray to God, to obey thee, to pay taxes faithfully, +and besides to work and toil without rest. He also taught to each +of us a trade, for the old saying is, 'A trade is no burden, but a +profit.' The old father wished us to keep our trades <a href="#Foracloudyday"> for a cloudy +day</a>, but never to forsake our own fields, and always to be +contented, and plow and harrow diligently.</p> + +<p>"He also used to say, 'If one does not neglect the mother earth, +but thoroughly harrows and sows in due season, then she, our +mother, will reward generously, and will give plenty of bread, +besides preparing a soft place for the everlasting rest when one is +old and tired of life.'"</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei liked the simple answer of the peasant, and +said:</p> + +<p>"Take my praise, brave good fellows, my peasants, tillers of the +soil, sowers of wheat, gatherers of gold. And now tell me, what +trades did your father teach you, and what do you know?"</p> + +<p>The first Simeon answered:</p> + +<p>"My trade is not a very wise one. If thou wouldst let me have +materials and working men, then I could build a post, a white stone +column, reaching beyond the clouds, almost to the sky."</p> + +<p>"Good enough!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei. "And thou, the +second Simeon, what is thy trade?"</p> + +<p>The second Simeon was quick to give answer:</p> + +<p>"My trade is a simple one. If my brother will build a white +stone column, I can climb upon that column high up in the sky, and +I shall see from above all the empires and all the kingdoms under +the sun, and everything which is going on in those foreign +countries."</p> + +<p>"Thy trade is not so bad either," and the Tsar smiled and looked +at the third brother. "And thou, third Simeon, what trade is +thine?"</p> + +<p>The third Simeon also had his answer ready:</p> + +<p>"My trade is simple, too; that is to say, <a href="#Itisapeasantstrade"> a peasant's +trade</a>. If +thou art in need of ships, thy learned men of foreign birth build +them for thee as well as their wisdom teaches them. But if thou +wilt order, I will build them simply—one, two! and the ship +is ready. My ships will be the result of the quick headwork of a +peasant simpleton. But where a foreign ship sails a year, mine will +sail an hour, and where others take ten years, mine will take not +longer than a week."</p> + +<p>"Well, well!" laughed the Tsar. "And thy trade, the fourth +Simeon?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The fourth brother bowed.</p> + +<p>"My trade needs no wisdom either. If my brother will build thee +a ship, I then will sail that ship; and if an enemy gives chase or +a tempest rises, I'll seize the ship by the black prow and plunge +her into the deep waters where there is eternal quiet; and after +the storm is over or the enemy far, I'll again guide her to the +surface of the wide sea."</p> + +<p>"Good!" approved the Tsar. "And thou, fifth Simeon, what dost +thou know? Hast thou also a trade?"</p> + +<p>"My trade, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, is not a fair one, for I am +a blacksmith. If thou wouldst order a shop built for me, I at once +would forge a self-shooting gun, and no eagle far above in the sky +or wild beast in the wood would be safe from that gun."</p> + +<p>"Not bad either," answered the Tsar Archidei, well pleased. "Thy +turn now, sixth Simeon."</p> + +<p>"My trade is no trade," answered the sixth Simeon, rather +humbly. "If my brother shoots a bird or a beast, never mind what or +where, I can catch it before it falls down, catch it even better +than a hunting dog. If the prey should fall into the blue sea, I'll +find it at the sea's bottom; should it fall into the depth of the +dark woods, I'll find it there in the midst of night; should it get +caught in a cloud, I'll find it even there."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei evidently liked the trade of the sixth Simeon +very well also. These were all simple trades, you see, without any +wisdom whatever, but rather entertaining. The Tsar also liked the +peasants' speech, and he said to them:</p> + +<p>"Thanks, my peasants, tillers of the soil, my faithful workers. +Your father's words are true ones: 'A trade is not a burden, but a +profit.' Now come to my capital for a trial; people like you are +welcome. And when the season for harvest arrives, the time to reap, +to bind in bundles the golden grain, to thresh and carry the wheat +to the market, I will let you go home with my royal grace."</p> + +<p>Then all the seven Simeons bowed very low. "Thine is the will," +said they, "and we are thy obedient subjects."</p> + +<p>Here the Tsar Archidei looked at the youngest Simeon and +remembered that he had not asked him about his trade. So he +said:</p> + +<p>"And thou, seventh Simeon, what is thy trade?"</p> + +<p>"I have none, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. I learned many, but not +a single one did me any good, and though I know something very +well, I am not sure your majesty would like it."</p> + +<p>"Let us know thy secret," ordered the Tsar Archidei.</p> + +<p>"No, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch! Give me, first of all, thy royal +word not to kill me for my inborn talent, but to have mercy upon +me. Then only will I be willing to disclose my secret."</p> + +<p>"Thy wish is granted. I give thee my royal word, true and not to +be broken, that whatever thou shalt disclose to me, I will have +mercy upon thee."</p> + +<p>Hearing these kind words, the seventh Simeon smiled, looked +around, shook his curls and began:</p> + +<p>"My trade is one for which there is no mercy in thy tsarstvo, +and it is the one thing I am able to do. My trade is to steal and +to hide the trace of how and when. There is no treasure, no +fortunate possession, not even a bewitched one, nor a secret place +that could be forbidden me if it be my wish to steal."</p> + +<p>As soon as these bold words of the seventh Simeon reached the +Tsar's ears he became very angry.</p> + +<p>"No!" he exclaimed, "I certainly shall not pardon thee, thief +and burglar! I will give orders for thy cruel death! I will have +thee chained and thrown into my subterranean prison with nothing +but bread and water for food until thou forget thy trade!"</p> + +<p>"Great and merciful Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, postpone thy +orders. Listen to my peasant talk," prayed the seventh Simeon. "Our +old Russian saying is: 'He is no thief who is not caught, and +neither is he who steals, but the one who instigates the theft.' If +my wish had been to steal, I should have done it long ago. I should +have stolen thy treasures and thy judges would not have objected to +take a small share of them, and I could have built a white-walled +stone palace and have been rich. But, mark this: I am a stupid +peasant of low origin. I know well enough how to steal, but will +not. If thy wish were to learn my trade, how could I keep it from +thee? And if thou, for this sincere acknowledgment, wilt have me +put to death, then what is the value of thy royal word?"</p> + +<p>The Tsar thought a moment. "For this time," he said, "I will not +let thee die, for it pleases me to grant thee my grace. But from +this very day, this very hour, thou never shalt see God's light nor +the bright sunshine nor the silvery moon. Thou shalt never walk at +liberty through the wide fields, but thou, my dear guest, shalt +dwell in a palace where no sunny ray ever penetrates. You, my +servants, take him, chain his hands and his feet and lead him to my +chief jailor. And you six Simeons follow me. You have my grace and +reward. To-morrow every one of you will begin to work for me +according to his gifts and capacities."</p> + +<p>The six Simeons followed the Tsar Archidei, and the seventh +brother, the youngest, the beloved one, was fallen upon by the +servants, taken away to the dark prison and heavily chained.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei ordered carpenters to be sent to the first +Simeon, as well as masons and blacksmiths and all sorts of +workingmen. He also ordered a supply of bricks, stones, iron, clay, +and cement. Without any delay, Simeon, the first brother, began to +build a column, and according to his simple peasant's habits his +work progressed rapidly, and not a moment was wasted in clever +combinations. In a short time the white column was ready, and lo, +how high it went! as high as the great planets. The smaller stars +were beneath it, and from above the people seemed to be like +bugs.</p> + +<p>The second Simeon climbed the column, looked around, listened to +all sounds, and came down. The Tsar Archidei, anxious to know about +everything under the sun, ordered him to report, and Simeon did so. +He told the Tsar Archidei all the wonderful doings all over the +world. He told how one king was fighting another, where there was +war and where there was peace, and with other things the second +Simeon even mentioned deep secrets, quite surprising secrets, which +made the Tsar Archidei smile; and the courtiers, encouraged by the +royal smile, roared with laughter.</p> + +<p>Meantime the third Simeon was accomplishing something in his +line. After crossing himself three times the fellow rolled up his +sleeves to the elbow, took a hatchet and—one, +two—without any haste built a vessel. What a curious vessel +it was! The Tsar Archidei watched the wonderful structure from the +shore and as soon as the orders were given for sailing, the new +vessel sailed away like a white-winged hawk. The cannon were +shooting and upon the masts, instead of rigging, were drawn strings +upon which musicians were playing the national tunes.</p> + +<p>As soon as the wonderful vessel sailed into deep water, the +fourth Simeon snatched the prow and no trace of it remained on the +surface; the whole vessel went to the depths like a heavy stone. In +an hour or so Simeon, with his left hand, led the ship to the blue +surface of the sea again, and with his right he presented to the +Tsar a most magnificent sturgeon for his "kulibiaka," the famous +Russian fish pie.</p> + +<p>While the Tsar Archidei enjoyed himself with looking at the +marvelous vessel, the fifth Simeon built a blacksmith shop in the +court back of the palace. There he blew the bellows and heated the +iron. The noise from his hammers was great and the result of his +peasant work was a self-shooting gun. The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch +went to the wild fields and perceived high above him, very high +under the sky, an eagle flying.</p> + +<p>"Now!" exclaimed the Tsar, "there is an eagle forgetting himself +with watching the sun; shoot it. Perchance thou shalt have the good +luck to hit it. Then I will honor thee."</p> + +<p>Simeon shook his locks, smiled, put into his gun a silver +bullet, aimed, shot, and the eagle fell swiftly to the earth. The +sixth Simeon did not even allow the eagle to fall to the ground, +but, quick as a flash, he ran under it with a plate, caught it on +that big plate and presented his prey to the Tsar Archidei.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, thanks, my brave fellows, faithful peasants, tillers of +the soil!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei gayly. "I see now plainly +that all of you are men of trade and I wish to reward you. But now +go to your dinner and rest awhile." The six Simeons bowed to the +Tsar very low, prayed to the holy icons and went. They were already +seated, had time to swallow each one a tumbler of the strong, green +wine, took up the round wooden spoons in order to attack the +"stchi," the Russian cabbage soup, when lo! the Tsar's fool came +running and shaking his striped cap with the round bells and +shouted:</p> + +<p>"You ignorant simpletons, unlearned peasants, <a href="#Moujik">moujiks</a>! Is it a +suitable moment for dinner when the Tsar wants you? Go in +haste!"</p> + +<p>All the six started running toward the palace, thinking within +themselves: "What can have happened?" In front of the palace stood +the guards with their iron staves; in the halls all the wise and +learned people were gathered together, and the Tsar himself was +sitting on his high throne looking very grim and thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Listen to me," he said when the peasants approached, "you, my +brave fellows, my clever brothers Simeon. I like your trades and I +think, as do my wise advisers, that if thou, the second Simeon, art +able to see everything going on under the sun, thou shouldst climb +quickly on yonder column and glance around to see if there is, as +they say, beyond the great sea an island, Buzan by name. And see if +on that island, as men assert, there is a mighty kingdom, and in +that kingdom a mighty king, and if that king, as the story goes, +has a daughter, the most beautiful princess Helena."</p> + +<p>The second Simeon bowed and ran quickly, even forgetting to put +on his cap. He went straight to the column, climbed it, looked +around, came down, and this was his report:</p> + +<p>"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, I have accomplished thy sovereign +wish. I looked far beyond the sea and have seen the island Buzan. +Mighty is the king there, and he is proud and merciless. He sits +within his palace and his speech is always the same:</p> + +<p>'I am a great king and I have a most beautiful daughter, the +princess Helena. There is no one in the universe more beautiful and +more wise than she; there is no bridegroom worthy of her in any +place under the bright sun, no tsar, no king, no tsarevitch, no <a href="#Korolevitch">korolevitch</a>. To no one will I ever give my daughter, the princess +Helena, and whoever shall dare to court her, on such an one will I +declare war, ruin his country, and capture himself.'"</p> + +<p>"And how great is the army of that king?" asked the Tsar +Archidei; "and also how far is his kingdom from my tsarstvo?"</p> + +<p>"Well, according to the measure of my eyes," answered Simeon, "I +fancy it would take a ship ten years less two days; or, if it +happened to be stormy, I am afraid even a little longer than ten +years. And that king has not a small army. I have seen altogether a +hundred thousand spearmen, a hundred thousand armed men, and a +hundred thousand or more could be gathered from the Tsar's court, +from his servants and all kinds of underlings. Besides, there is no +small armament of guards held in reserve for a special occasion, +fed and petted by the king."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Archidei remained for a long time in thoughtful silence +and finally addressed his court people:</p> + +<p>"My warriors and advisers: I have but one wish; I want the +princess Helena for my wife. But tell me, how can I reach her?"</p> + +<p>The wise advisers remained silent, hiding themselves behind each +other. The third Simeon looked around, bowed to the Tsar, and +said:</p> + +<p>"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, forgive my simple words. How to reach +the island of Buzan there is no need to worry about. Sit down on my +ship; she is simply built, and equipped without any wise tricks. +Where others require a year she takes but a day, and where other +ships take ten years mine will take, let us say, a week. Only order +thine advisers to decide whether we ought to fight for or +peacefully court the beautiful princess."</p> + +<p>"Now, my warriors brave, my advisers sage," spoke the Tsar +Archidei to his men, "How will you decide upon this matter? Who +among you will go to fight for the princess, or who will be shrewd +enough to bring her peacefully here? I will pour gold and silver +over that one. I will give to him the first rank among the very +first."</p> + +<p>And again the brave warriors and the sage advisers remained +silent. The Tsar grew angry; he seemed to be ready for a terrible +word. Then, as if somebody had asked the fool, out he jumped from +behind the wise people with his foolish talk, shook his striped +fool's cap, rang his many bells, and shouted:</p> + +<p>"Why so silent, wise men? why so deep in thought? You have big +heads and long beards; it would seem that there is plenty of +wisdom, so why not show it? To go to the island of Buzan to obtain +the bride does not mean to lose gold or army. Have you already +forgotten the seventh Simeon? Why, it will be simple enough for him +to steal the princess Helena. Afterwards let the king of Buzan come +here to fight us, and we will welcome him as an honored guest. But +do not forget that he must take ten years' time to reach us, and in +ten years—ah me! I have heard that some wise man somewhere +undertook to teach a horse to talk in ten years!"</p> + +<p>"Good! Good!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei, forgetting even his +anger. "I thank thee, striped fool. I certainly shall reward thee. +Thou must have a new cap with noisy bells, and each one of thy +children a ginger pancake. You, faithful servants, run quickly and +bring here the seventh Simeon."</p> + +<p>According to the Tsar's bidding the heavy iron gates of the dark +prison were thrown open, the heavy chains were taken off and the +seventh Simeon appeared before the eager eyes of the Tsar Archidei, +who thus addressed him:</p> + +<p>"Listen to me attentively, thou seventh Simeon, for I had almost +decided to grant thee a high honor; to keep thee thy life long in +my prison. But if thou shouldst prove useful to me, then will I +give thee freedom; and besides, thou shalt have a share out of my +treasures. Art thou able to steal the beautiful princess Helena +from her father, the mighty king of the island of Buzan?"</p> + +<p>"And why not?" cheerfully laughed the seventh Simeon. "There is +nothing difficult about it. She is not a pearl, and I presume she +is not under too many locks. Only order the ship which my brother +had built for thee to be loaded with velvets and brocades, with +Persian rugs, beautiful pearls and precious stones, and bid my four +brothers come along with me. But the two eldest keep thou as +hostages."</p> + +<p>Once said, quickly done. The Tsar Archidei gave orders while all +were running hither and thither, and everything was finished so +promptly that a short-haired girl would scarcely have had time to +plait her hair. The ship, laden with velvets, brocades, with +Persian rugs and pearls, and costly precious stones, was ready; the +five brothers, the brave Simeons, were ready; they bowed to the +Tsar, spread sail, and disappeared.</p> + +<p>The ship floated swiftly over the blue waters; she flew like a +hawk in comparison with the slow merchant vessels, and in a week +after the five Simeons had left their native land they sighted the +island of Buzan.</p> + +<p>The island appeared to be surrounded with cannon as thick as +peas; the gigantic guards walked up and down the shores tugging +fiercely at their big mustaches. As soon as the ship became visible +from a tower somebody shouted through a <a href="#Dutchtrumpet"> Dutch trumpet:</a></p> + +<p>"Stop! Answer! What kind of people are ye? Why come ye +here?"</p> + +<p>The seventh Simeon answered from the ship: "We are a peaceful +people, not enemies but friends, merchants everywhere welcomed as +guests. We bring foreign merchandise. We want to sell, to buy, and +to exchange. We also have gifts for your king and for the +korolevna."</p> + +<p>The five brothers, our brave Simeons, lowered the boat, loaded +it with choice Venetian velvets, brocades, pearls, and precious +stones, and covered all with Persian rugs. They rowed to the wharf, +and landing near the king's palace, at once carried their gifts to +the king.</p> + +<p>The beautiful korolevna Helena was sitting in her terem. She was +a fair maiden with eyes like stars and eyebrows like precious +sable. When she looked at one it was like receiving a gift, and +when she walked it was like the graceful swimming of a swan. The +korolevna was quick to notice the brave, handsome brothers and at +once called her nurses and maidens.</p> + +<p>"Hasten, my dear nurses, and you, swift maidens, find out what +kind of strangers are these coming to our royal palace."</p> + +<p>All of the nurses, all of the maidens, ran out with questions +ready. The seventh Simeon answered them thus:</p> + +<p>"We are merchant guests, peaceful people. Our native land is the +country of the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, a great Tsar indeed. We +came to sell, to buy, to exchange; moreover, we have gifts for the +king and his princess. We do hope the king will favor us and will +accept these trifles; if not for himself, at least for the +adornment of his court's lovely maidens."</p> + +<p>When Helena heard these words she at once let the merchants in. +And the merchants appeared, bowed low to the beautiful korolevna, +unfolded the showy velvets and golden brocades, strewed around the +pearls and precious stones, such stones and pearls as had never +been seen before in Buzan. The nurses and the maidens opened their +mouths in amazement, and the korolevna herself seemed to be greatly +pleased. The seventh Simeon, quick to understand, smiled and +said:</p> + +<p>"We all know thee to be as wise as beautiful, but now thou art +evidently joking about us or mocking us. These simple wares are +altogether too plain for thine own use. Accept them for thy nurses +and maidens for their everyday attire, and these stones send away +to the kitchen boys to play with. But if thou wilt listen to me, +let me say that on our ship we have very different velvets and +brocades; we have also precious stones, far more precious than any +one has ever seen; yet we dared not bring them at once lest we +might not suit thy temper and thy hearty wish. If thou shouldst +decide to come in person and choose anything from among our +possessions, they all are thine and we bow to thee gratefully for +the bright glance of thy beautiful eyes."</p> + +<p>The royal maid liked well enough these polite words of the +handsome Simeon, and to her father she went:</p> + +<p>"Father and king, there have come to visit us some foreign +merchants and they have brought some goods never before seen in +Buzan. Give me thy permission to go on board their wonderful ship +to choose what things I like. They also have rich gifts for +thee."</p> + +<p>The king hesitated before answering her, frowning and scratching +behind his ear.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said at last, "be it according to thy wish, my +daughter, my beautiful korolevna. And you, my counselors, order my +royal vessel to be ready, the cannons loaded, and a hundred of my +bravest warriors detailed to escort the vessel. Send besides a +thousand heavy armed warriors to guard the korolevna on her way to +the merchants' vessel."</p> + +<p>Then the king's vessel started from the island of Buzan. Numbers +of cannon and warriors protected the princess, and the royal father +remained quiet at home.</p> + +<p>When they reached the merchants' ship the korolevna Helena came +down, and at once the crystal bridge was placed and the korolevna +with all her nurses and maidens went on board the foreign ship, +such a ship as they had never seen before, never even dreamed of. +Meanwhile the guards kept watch.</p> + +<p>The seventh Simeon showed the lovely guests everywhere. He was +talking smoothly while leisurely unfolding his precious goods. The +korolevna listened attentively, looked around curiously, and seemed +well pleased.</p> + +<p>At the same moment the fourth Simeon, watching the proper +moment, snapped the prow and down to mysterious depths went the +ship where no one could see her. The people on the king's vessel +screamed in terror, the warriors looked like drunken fools, and the +guards only opened their eyes wider than before. What should they +do? They directed the vessel back to the island and appeared before +the king with their terrible tale.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my daughter, my darling princess Helena! It is God who +punishes me for my pride. I never wanted thee to marry. No king, no +prince, would I consider worthy of thee; and now—oh! now I +know that thou art wedded to the deep sea! As for me, I am left +alone for the rest of my sorrowful days."</p> + +<p>Then all at once he looked around and shouted to his men:</p> + +<p>"You fools! what were you thinking about? You shall all lose +your heads! Guards, throw them into dungeons! The most cruel death +shall be theirs, such a death that the children of their +great-grandchildren shall shiver to hear the tale!"</p> + +<p>Now, while the king of Buzan raved and grieved, the ship of the +brothers Simeon, like a golden fish, swam under the blue waters, +and when the island was lost from sight the fourth Simeon brought +her to the surface and she rose upon the waters like a white-winged +gull. By this time the princess was becoming anxious about the long +time they were away from home, and she exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Nurses and maidens, we are leisurely looking around, but I +fancy my father the king finds the time sadly long." She hastily +walked to the deck of the ship, and behold!—only the wide sea +was around her like a mirror! Where was her native island, where +the royal vessel? There was nothing visible but the blue sea. The +princess screamed, struck her white bosom with both hands, +transformed herself into a white swan and flew high into the sky. +But the fifth Simeon, watching closely, lost no time, snapped his +lucky gun and the white swan was shot. His brother, the sixth +Simeon, caught the white swan, but lo! instead of the white swan +there was a silvery fish, which slipped away from him. Simeon +caught the fish, but the pretty, silvery fish turned into a small +mouse running around the ship. Simeon did not let it reach a hole, +but swifter than a cat caught the mouse,—and the princess +Helena, as beautiful and natural as before, appeared before them, +fair-faced, bright-eyed.</p> + +<p>On a lovely morning a week later the Tsar Archidei was sitting +by the window of his palace lost in thought. His eyes were turned +toward the sea, the wide, blue sea. He was sad at heart and could +not eat; feasts had no interest for him, the costly dishes had no +taste, the <a href="#Honeydrink"> honey drink</a> seemed weak. All his thoughts and longings +were for the princess Helena, the beautiful one, the only one.</p> + +<p>What is that far away upon the waters? Is it a white gull? Or +are those white wings not wings, but sails? No, it is not a gull, +but the ship of the brothers Simeon, and she approaches as rapidly +as the wind which blows her sails. The cannon boom, native melodies +are played on the cords of the masts. Soon the ship is anchored, +the crystal bridge prepared, and the korolevna Helena, the +beautiful princess, appears like a never-setting sun, her eyes like +bright stars, and oh! how happy is the Tsar Archidei!</p> + +<p>"Run quick, my faithful servants, you brave officers of state, +and you, too, my bodyguard, and all you useful and ornamental +fellows of my palace, run and prepare, shoot off rockets and ring +the bells in order to give a joyful welcome to korolevna Helena, +the beautiful."</p> + +<p>All hastened to their tasks, to shoot, to ring the bells, to +open the gates, to honorably receive the korolevna. The Tsar +himself came out to meet the beautiful princess, took her white +hands and helped her into the palace.</p> + +<p>"Welcome! welcome!" said the Tsar Archidei. "Thy fame, korolevna +Helena, reached me, but never could I imagine such beauty as is +thine. Yet, though I admire thee, I do not want to separate thee +from thy father. Say the word and my faithful servants will take +thee back to him. If thou choosest, however, to remain in my +tzarstvo, be the tsaritza over my country and rule over me, the +Tzar Archidei, also."</p> + +<p>At these words of the Tsar the korolevna Helena threw such a +glance at the Tsar that it seemed to him the sun was laughing, the +moon singing, and the stars dancing all around.</p> + +<p>Well, what more is there to be said? You certainly can imagine +the rest. The courtship was not long and the wedding feast was soon +ready, for you know kings always have everything at their command. +The brothers Simeon were at once dispatched to the king of Buzan +with a message from the korolevna, his daughter, and this is what +she wrote:</p> + +<p>"Dear father, mighty king and sovereign: I have found a husband +according to my heart's wish and I am asking thy fatherly blessing. +My bridegroom, the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, sends his counselors +to thee, begging thee to come to our wedding."</p> + +<p>At the very moment when the merchant ship was to land at the +island of Buzan, crowds of people had gathered to witness the +execution of the unfortunate guards and brave warriors whose +ill-luck it was to have allowed the princess to disappear.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" Simeon the seventh shouted aloud from the deck. "We +bring a missive from the korolevna Helena. Holla!"</p> + +<p>Very glad indeed was the king of the island of Buzan, and glad +were all his subjects. The missive was read and the condemned were +pardoned.</p> + +<p>"Evidently," the king said, "it is fated that the handsome and +witty Tsar Archidei and my beautiful daughter are to become husband +and wife."</p> + +<p>Then the king treated the envoys and the brothers Simeon very +well and sent his blessings with them, as he himself did not wish +to go, being very old. The ship soon returned and the Tsar Archidei +rejoiced over it with his beautiful bride, and at once summoned the +seven Simeons, the seven brave peasants.</p> + +<p>He said to them: "Thanks! thanks! my peasants, my brave tillers +of the soil. Take as much gold as you wish. Take silver also and +ask for whatever is your heart's desire. Everything shall be given +you with my mighty hand. Would you like to become boyars, you shall +be the greatest among the very great. Do you choose to become +governors, each one shall have a town."</p> + +<p>The first Simeon bowed to the Tsar and cheerfully answered:</p> + +<p>"Thanks also to thee, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. We are but +simple people and simple are our ways. It would not do for us to +become boyars or governors. We do not care for thy treasures +either. We have our own father's field, which shall always give us +bread for hunger and money for need. Let us go home, taking with us +thy gracious word as our reward. If thou choosest to be so kind, +give us thine order which shall save us from the judges and +tax-gatherers; and if we should be guilty of some offense, let +thyself alone be our judge. And do, we pray thee, pardon the +seventh Simeon, our youngest brother. His trade is surely bad, but +he is not the first and not the last one to have such a gift."</p> + +<p>"Let it be as you wish," said the Tsar; and every desire was +granted to the seven Simeons, and each one of them received a big +tumbler of strong green wine out of the hands of the Tsar himself. +Soon after this the wedding was celebrated.</p> + +<p>Now, honorable dames and gentlemen, do not judge this story of +mine too severely. If you like it, praise it; if not, let it be +forgotten.<a href="#RussianandotherSlavonictales"> The story is told and a word is like a +sparrow—once out it is out for good.</a></p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/062.png" width="366" height="147" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap03">THE LANGUAGE OF THE BIRDS</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/063.png"><img width="81" src="images/063.png" alt="S" +height="200" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +Somewhere in a town in <a href="#HolyRussia"> holy Russia</a>, there lived a +rich merchant with his wife. He had an only son, a dear, bright, and brave boy +called Ivan. One lovely day Ivan sat at the dinner table with his parents. Near +the window in the same room hung a cage, and a nightingale, a sweet-voiced, +gray bird, was imprisoned within. The sweet nightingale began to sing its +wonderful song with trills and high silvery tones. The merchant listened and +listened to the song and said: +</p> + +<p>"How I wish I could understand the meaning of the different +songs of all the birds! I would give half my wealth to the man, if +only there were such a man, who could make plain to me all the +different songs of the different birds."</p> + +<p>Ivan took notice of these words and no matter where he went, no +matter where he was, no matter what he did, he always thought of +how he could learn the language of the birds.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus04"></a> +<img src="images/064.jpg" width="253" height="561" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption"><i>Ivan learns the language of the birds</i></p> +</div> + +<p>Some time after this the merchant's son happened to be hunting +in a forest. The winds rose, the sky became clouded, the lightning +flashed, the thunder roared loudly, and the rain fell in torrents. +Ivan soon came near a large tree and saw a big nest in the +branches. Four small birds were in the nest; they were quite alone, +and neither father nor mother was there to protect them from the +cold and wet. The good Ivan pitied them, climbed the tree and +covered the little ones with his "kaftan," a long-skirted coat +which the Russian peasants and merchants usually wear. The +thunderstorm passed by and a big bird came flying and sat down on a +branch near the nest and spoke very kindly to Ivan.</p> + +<p>"Ivan, I thank thee; thou hast protected my little children from +the cold and rain and I wish to do something for thee. Tell me what +thou dost wish."</p> + +<p>Ivan answered; "I am not in need; I have everything for my +comfort. But teach me the birds' language."</p> + +<p>"Stay with me three days and thou shalt know all about it."</p> + +<p>Ivan remained in the forest three days. He understood well the +teaching of the big bird and returned home more clever than before. +One beautiful day soon after this Ivan sat with his parents when +the nightingale was singing in his cage. His song was so sad, +however, so very sad, that the merchant and his wife also became +sad, and their son, their good Ivan, who listened very attentively, +was even more affected, and the tears came running down his +cheeks.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" asked his parents; "what art thou weeping +about, dear son?"</p> + +<p>"Dear parents," answered the son, "it is because I understand +the meaning of the nightingale's song, and because this meaning is +so sad for all of us."</p> + +<p>"What then is the meaning? Tell us the whole truth; do not hide +it from us," said the father and mother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how sad it sounds!" replied the son. "How much better would +it be never to have been born!"</p> + +<p>"Do not frighten us," said the parents, alarmed. "If thou dost +really understand the meaning of the song, tell us at once."</p> + +<p>"Do you not hear for yourselves? The nightingale says: 'The time +will come when Ivan, the merchant's son, shall become Ivan, the +king's son, and his own father shall serve him as a simple +servant.'"</p> + +<p>The merchant and his wife felt troubled and began to distrust +their son, their good Ivan. So one night they gave him a drowsy +drink, and when he had fallen asleep they took him to a boat on the +wide sea, spread the white sails, and pushed the boat from the +shore.</p> + +<p>For a long time the boat danced on the waves and finally it came +near a large merchant vessel, which struck against it with such a +shock that Ivan awoke. The crew on the large vessel saw Ivan and +pitied him. So they decided to take him along with them and did so. +High, very high, above in the sky they perceived cranes. Ivan said +to the sailors:</p> + +<p>"Be careful; I hear the birds predicting a storm. Let us enter a +harbor or we shall suffer great danger and damage. All the sails +will be torn and all the masts will be broken."</p> + +<p>But no one paid any attention and they went farther on. In a +short time the storm arose, the wind tore the vessel almost to +pieces, and they had a very hard time to repair all the damage. +When they were through with their work they heard many wild swans +flying above them and talking very loud among themselves.</p> + +<p>"What are they talking about?" inquired the men, this time with +interest.</p> + +<p>"Be careful," advised Ivan. "I hear and distinctly understand +them to say that the pirates, the terrible sea robbers, are near. +If we do not enter a harbor at once they will imprison and kill +us."</p> + +<p>The crew quickly obeyed this advice and as soon as the vessel +entered the harbor the pirate boats passed by and the merchants saw +them capture several unprepared vessels. When the danger was over, +the sailors with Ivan went farther, still farther. Finally the +vessel anchored near a town, large and unknown to the merchants. A +king ruled in that town who was very much annoyed by three black +crows. These three crows were all the time perching near the window +of the king's chamber. No one knew how to get rid of them and no +one could kill them. The king ordered notices to be placed at all +crossings and on all prominent buildings, saying that whoever was +able to relieve the king from the noisy birds would be rewarded by +obtaining the youngest korolevna, the king's daughter, for a wife; +but the one who should have the daring to undertake but not succeed +in delivering the palace from the crows would have his head cut +off. Ivan attentively read the announcement, once, twice, and once +more. Finally he made the sign of the cross and went to the palace. +He said to the servants:</p> + +<p>"Open the window and let me listen to the birds."</p> + +<p>The servants obeyed and Ivan listened for a while. Then he +said:</p> + +<p>"Show me to your sovereign king."</p> + +<p>When he reached the room where the king sat on a high, rich +chair, he bowed and said:</p> + +<p>"There are three crows, a father crow, a mother crow, and a son +crow. The trouble is that they desire to obtain thy royal decision +as to whether the son crow must follow his father crow or his +mother crow."</p> + +<p>The king answered: "The son crow must follow the father +crow."</p> + +<p>As soon as the king announced his royal decision the crow father +with the crow son went one way and the crow mother disappeared the +other way, and no one has heard the noisy birds since. The king +gave one-half of his kingdom and his youngest korolevna to Ivan, +and a happy life began for him.</p> + +<p>In the meantime his father, the rich merchant, lost his wife and +by and by his fortune also. There was no one left to take care of +him, and the old man went begging under the windows of charitable +people. He went from one window to another, from one village to +another, from one town to another, and one bright day he came to +the palace where Ivan lived, begging humbly for charity. Ivan saw +him and recognized him, ordered him to come inside, and gave him +food to eat and also supplied him with good clothes, asking +questions:</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus05"></a> +<img src="images/071.png" width="279" height="589" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>The old man went begging from town to town</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>"Dear old man, what can I do for thee?" he said.</p> + +<p>"If thou art so very good," answered the poor father, without +knowing that he was speaking to his own son, "let me remain here +and serve thee among thy faithful servants."</p> + +<p>"Dear, dear father!" exclaimed Ivan, "thou didst doubt the true +song of the nightingale, and now thou seest that our fate was to +meet according to the predictions of long ago."</p> + +<p>The old man was frightened and knelt before his son, but his +Ivan remained the same good son as before, took his father lovingly +into his arms, and together they wept over their sorrow.</p> + +<p>Several days passed by and the old father felt courage to ask +his son, the korolevitch:</p> + +<p>"Tell me, my son, how was it that thou didst not perish in the +boat?"</p> + +<p>Ivan Korolevitch laughed gayly.</p> + +<p>"I presume," he answered, "that it was not my fate to perish at +the bottom of the wide sea, but my fate was to marry the korolevna, +my beautiful wife, and to sweeten the old age of my dear +father."</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/073.png" width="236" height="158" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap04">IVANOUSHKA THE SIMPLETON</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/074.png"><img width="159" src="images/074.png" alt="I" +height="180" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In a kingdom far away from our country, there was a town over which ruled the +Tsar Pea with his Tsaritza Carrot. He had many wise statesmen, wealthy princes, +strong, powerful warriors, and also simple soldiers, a hundred thousand, less +one man. In that town lived all kinds of people: honest, bearded merchants, +keen and open-handed rascals, German tradesmen, lovely maidens, Russian +drunkards; and in the suburbs all around, the peasants tilled the soil, sowed +the wheat, ground the flour, traded in the markets, and spent the money in +drink. +</p> + +<p>In one of the suburbs there was a poor hut where an old man +lived with his three sons, Thomas, Pakhom, and Ivan. The old man +was not only clever, he was wise. He had happened once to have a +chat with the devil. They talked together while the old man treated +him to a tumbler of wine and got out of the devil many great +secrets. Soon after this the peasant began to perform such +marvelous acts that the neighbors called him a sorcerer, a +magician, and even supposed that the devil was his kin.</p> + +<p>Yes, it is true that the old man performed great marvels. Were +you longing for love, go to him, bow to the old man, and he would +give you some strange root, and the sweetheart would be yours. If +there is a theft, again to him with the tale. The old man conjures +over some water, takes an officer along straight to the thief, and +your lost is found; only take care that the officer steals it +not.</p> + +<p>Indeed the old man was very wise; but his children were not his +equals. Two of them were almost as clever. They were married and +had children, but Ivan, the youngest, was single. No one cared much +for him because he was rather a fool, could not count one, two, +three, and only drank, or ate, or slept, or lay around. Why care +for such a person? Every one knows life for some is brighter than +for others. But Ivan was good-hearted and quiet. Ask of him a belt, +he will give a kaftan also; take his mittens, he certainly would +want to have you take his cap with them. And that is why all liked +Ivan, and usually called him Ivanoushka the Simpleton; though the +name means fool, at the same time it carries the idea of a kind +heart.</p> + +<p>Our old man lived on with his sons until finally his hour came +to die. He called his three sons and said to them:</p> + +<p>"Dear children of mine, my dying hour is at hand and ye must +fulfill my will. Every one of you come to my grave and spend one +night with me; thou, Tom, the first night; thou, Pakhom, the second +night; and thou, Ivanoushka the Simpleton, the third."</p> + +<p>Two of the brothers, as clever people, promised their father to +do according to his bidding, but the Simpleton did not even +promise; he only scratched his head.</p> + +<p>The old man died and was buried. During the celebration the +family and guests had plenty of pancakes to eat and plenty of +whisky to wash them down.</p> + +<p>Now you remember that on the first night Thomas was to go to the +grave; but he was too lazy, or possibly afraid, so he said to the +Simpleton:</p> + +<p>"I must be up very early to-morrow morning; I have to thresh; go +thou for me to our father's grave."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered Ivanoushka the Simpleton. He took a slice +of black rye bread, went to the grave, stretched himself out, and +soon began to snore.</p> + +<p>The church clock struck midnight; the wind roared, the owl cried +in the trees, the grave opened and the old man came out and +asked:</p> + +<p>"Who is there?"</p> + +<p>"I," answered Ivanoushka.</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear son, I will reward thee for thine obedience," +said the father.</p> + +<p>Lo! the cocks crowed and the old man dropped into the grave. The +Simpleton arrived home and went to the warm stove.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" asked the brothers.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," he answered. "I slept the whole night and am hungry +now."</p> + +<p>The second night it was Pakhom's turn to go to his father's +grave. He thought it over and said to the Simpleton:</p> + +<p>"To-morrow is a busy day with me. Go in my place to our father's +grave."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took along with him a piece +of fish pie, went to the grave and slept. Midnight approached, the +wind roared, crows came flying, the grave opened and the old man +came out.</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I," answered his son the Simpleton.</p> + +<p>"Well, my beloved son, I will not forget thine obedience," said +the old man.</p> + +<p>The cocks crowed and the old man dropped into his grave. +Ivanoushka the Simpleton came home, went to <a href="#Inthepeasantshouse"> sleep on the warm +stove</a>, and in the morning his brothers asked:</p> + +<p>"What happened?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," answered Ivanoushka.</p> + +<p>On the third night the brothers said to Ivan the Simpleton:</p> + +<p>"It is thy turn to go to the grave of our father. The father's +will should be done."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took some cookies, put on +his sheepskin, and arrived at the grave.</p> + +<p>At midnight his father came out.</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I," answered Ivanoushka.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the old father, "my obedient son, thou shalt be +rewarded;" and the old man shouted with a mighty voice:</p> + +<p class="center">"Arise, bay horse—thou wind-swift steed,</p> + +<p class="center"> Appear before me +in my need; </p> + +<p class="center"> Stand up as in the storm the weed!"</p> + +<p>And lo!—Ivanoushka the Simpleton beheld a horse running, +the earth trembling under his hoofs, his eyes like stars, and out +of his mouth and ears smoke coming in a cloud. The horse approached +and stood before the old man.</p> + +<p>"What is thy wish?" he asked with a man's voice.</p> + +<p>The old man crawled into his left ear, washed and adorned +himself, and jumped out of his right ear as a young, brave fellow +never seen before.</p> + +<p>"Now listen attentively," he said. "To thee, my son, I give this +horse. And thou, my faithful horse and friend, serve my son as thou +hast served me."</p> + +<p>Hardly had the old man pronounced these words when the first +cock crew and the sorcerer dropped into his grave. Our Simpleton +went quietly back home, stretched himself under the icons, and his +snoring was heard far around.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" the brothers again asked.</p> + +<p>But the Simpleton did not even answer; he only waved his hand. +The three brothers continued to live their usual life, the two with +cleverness and the younger with foolishness. They lived <a href="#Adayinandanequaldayout"> a day in +and an equal day out</a>. But one morning there came quite a different +day from all others. They learned that big men were going all over +the country with trumpets and players; that those men announced +everywhere the will of the Tsar, and the Tsar's will was this: The +Tsar Pea and the Tsaritza Carrot had an only daughter, the Tsarevna +Baktriana, heiress to the throne. She was such a beautiful maiden +that the sun blushed when she looked at it, and the moon, +altogether too bashful, covered itself from her eyes. Tsar and +Tsaritza had a hard time to decide to whom they should give their +daughter for a wife. It must be a man who could be a proper ruler +over the country, a brave warrior on the battlefield, a wise judge +in the council, an adviser to the Tsar, and a suitable heir after +his death. They also wanted a bridegroom who was young, brave, and +handsome, and they wanted him to be in love with their Tsarevna. +That would have been easy enough, but the trouble was that the +beautiful Tsarevna loved no one. Sometimes the Tsar mentioned to +her this or that one. Always the same answer, "I do not love him." +The Tsaritza tried, too, with no better result; "I do not like +him."</p> + +<p>A day came when the Tsar Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot seriously +addressed their daughter on the subject of marriage and said:</p> + +<p>"Our beloved child, our very beautiful Tsarevna Baktriana, it is +time for thee to choose a bridegroom. Envoys of all descriptions, +from kings and tzars and princes, have worn our threshold, drunk +dry all the cellars, and thou hast not yet found any one according +to thy heart's wish."</p> + +<p>The Tsarevna answered: "Sovereign, and thou, Tsaritza, my dear +mother, I feel sorry for you, and my wish is to obey your desire. +So let fate decide who is destined to become my husband. I ask you +to build a hall, a high hall with thirty-two circles, and above +those circles a window. I will sit at that window and do you order +all kinds of people, tsars, kings, tsarovitchi, korolevitchi, brave +warriors, and handsome fellows, to come. The one who will jump +through the thirty-two circles, reach my window and exchange with +me golden rings, he it will be who is destined to become my +husband, son and heir to you."</p> + +<p>The Tsar and Tsaritza listened attentively to the words of their +bright Tsarevna, and finally they said: "According to thy wish +shall it be done."</p> + +<p>In no time the hall was ready, a very high hall adorned with +Venetian velvets, with pearls for tassels, with golden designs, and +thirty-two circles on both sides of the window high above. Envoys +went to the different kings and sovereigns, pigeons flew with +orders to the subjects to gather the proud and the humble into the +town of the Tsar Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot. It was announced +everywhere that the one who could jump through the circles, reach +the window and exchange golden rings with the Tsarevna Baktriana, +that man would be the lucky one, notwithstanding his +rank—tsar or free kosack, king or warrior, tsarevitch, +korolevitch, or fellow without any kinfolk or country.</p> + +<p>The great day arrived. Crowds pressed to the field where stood +the newly built hall, brilliant as a star. Up high at the window +the tsarevna was sitting, adorned with precious stones, clad in +velvet and pearls. The people below were roaring like an ocean. The +Tzar with his Tzaritza was sitting upon a throne. Around them were +boyars, warriors, and counselors.</p> + +<p>The suitors on horseback, proud, handsome, and brave, whistle +and ride round about, but looking at the high window their hearts +drop. There were already several fellows who had tried. Each would +take a long start, balance himself, spring, and fall back like a +stone, a laughing stock for the witnesses.</p> + +<p>The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were preparing +themselves to go to the field also.</p> + +<p>The Simpleton said to them: "Take me along with you."</p> + +<p>"Thou fool," laughed the brothers; "stay at home and watch the +chickens."</p> + +<p>"All right," he answered, went to the chicken yard and lay down. +But as soon as the brothers were away, our Ivanoushka the Simpleton +walked to the wide fields and shouted with a mighty voice:</p> + +<p class="center">"Arise, bay horse—thou wind-swift steed, </p> + +<p class="center"> Appear before me +in my need; </p> + +<p class="center"> Stand up as in the storm the weed!"</p> + +<p>The glorious horse came running. Flames shone out of his eyes; +out of his nostrils smoke came in clouds, and the horse asked with +a man's voice:</p> + +<p>"What is thy wish?"</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the horse's left ear, +transformed himself and reappeared at the right ear, such a +handsome fellow that in no book is there written any description of +him; no one has ever seen such a fellow. He jumped onto the horse +and touched his iron sides with a silk whip. The horse became +impatient, lifted himself above the ground, higher and higher above +the dark woods below the traveling clouds. He swam over the large +rivers, jumped over the small ones, as well as over hills and +mountains. Ivanoushka the Simpleton arrived at the hall of the +Tsarevna Baktriana, flew up like a hawk, passed through thirty +circles, could not reach the last two, and went away like a +whirlwind.</p> + +<p>The people were shouting: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" +The Tsar jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed. Every one was +roaring in amazement.</p> + +<p>The brothers of Ivanoushka came home and there was but one +subject of conversation—what a splendid fellow they had seen! +What a wonderful start to pass through the thirty circles!</p> + +<p>"Brothers, that fellow was I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, +who had long since arrived.</p> + +<p>"Keep still and do not fool us," answered the brothers.</p> + +<p>The next day the two brothers were going again to the tsarski +show and Ivanoushka the Simpleton said again: "Take me along with +you."</p> + +<p>"For thee, fool, this is thy place. Be quiet at home and scare +sparrows from the pea field instead of the scarecrow."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered the Simpleton, and he went to the field +and began to scare the sparrows. But as soon as the brothers left +home, Ivanoushka started to the wide field and shouted out loud +with a mighty voice:</p> + +<p class="center">"Arise, bay horse—thou wind-swift steed, </p> + +<p class="center"> Appear before me +in my need; </p> + +<p class="center"> Stand up as in the storm the weed!"</p> + +<p>—and here came the horse, the earth trembling under his +hoofs, the sparks flying around, his eyes like flames, and out of +his nostrils smoke curling up.</p> + +<p>"For what dost thou wish me?"</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the left ear of the horse, +and when he appeared out of the right ear, oh, my! what a fellow he +was! Even in fairy tales there are never such handsome fellows, to +say nothing of everyday life.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka lifted himself on the iron back of his horse and +touched him with a strong whip. The noble horse grew angry, made a +jump, and went higher than the dark woods, a little below the +traveling clouds. One jump, one mile is behind; a second jump, a +river is behind; and a third jump and they were at the hall. Then +the horse, with Ivanoushka on his back, flew like an eagle, high up +into the air, passed the thirty-first circle, failed to reach the +last one, and swept away like the wind.</p> + +<p>The people shouted: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" The +Tsar jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed, the princes and +boyars opened their mouths.</p> + +<p>The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton came home. They were +wondering at the fellow. Yes, an amazing fellow indeed! one circle +only was unreached.</p> + +<p>"Brothers, that fellow over there was I," said Ivanoushka to +them.</p> + +<p>"Keep still in thy own place, thou fool," was their sneering +answer.</p> + +<p>The third day the brothers were going again to the strange +entertainment of the Tsar, and again Ivanoushka the Simpleton said +to them: "Take me along with you."</p> + +<p>"Fool," they laughed, "there is food to be given to the hogs; +better go to them."</p> + +<p>"All right," the younger brother answered, and quietly went to +the back yard and gave food to the hogs. But as soon as his +brothers had left home our Ivanoushka the Simpleton hurried to the +wide field and shouted out loud:</p> + +<p class="center">"Arise, bay horse—them wind-swift steed, </p> + +<p class="center"> Appear before me +in my need; </p> + +<p class="center"> Stand up as in the storm the weed!"</p> + +<p>At once the horse came running, the earth trembled; where he +stepped there appeared ponds, where his hoofs touched there were +lakes, out of his eyes shone flames, out of his ears smoke came +like a cloud.</p> + +<p>"For what dost thou wish me?" the horse asked with a man's +voice.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into his right ear and jumped +out of his left one, and a handsome fellow he was. A young girl +could not even imagine such a one.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka struck his horse, pulled the bridle tight, and lo! he +flew high up in the air. The wind was left behind and even the +swallow, the sweet, winged passenger, must not aspire to do the +same. Our hero flew like a cloud high up into the sky, his +silver-chained mail rattling, his fair curls floating in the wind. +He arrived at the Tsarevna's high hall, struck his horse once more, +and oh! how the wild horse did jump!</p> + +<p>Look there! the fellow reaches all the circles; he is near the +window; he presses the beautiful Tsarevna with his strong arms, +kisses her on the sugar lips, exchanges golden rings, and like a +storm sweeps through the fields. There, there, he is crushing every +one on his way! And the Tsarevna? Well, she did not object. She +even adorned his forehead with a diamond star.</p> + +<p>The people roared: "Take hold of him!" But the fellow had +already disappeared and no traces were left behind.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Pea lost his royal dignity. The Tsaritza Carrot +screamed louder than ever and the wise counselors only shook their +wise heads and remained silent.</p> + +<p>The brothers came home talking and discussing the wonderful +matter.</p> + +<p>"Indeed," they shook their heads; "only think of it! The fellow +succeeded and our Tsarevna has a bridegroom. But who is he? Where +is he?"</p> + +<p>"Brothers, the fellow is I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"Keep still, I and I—," and the brothers almost slapped +him.</p> + +<p>The matter proved to be quite serious this time, and the Tsar +and Tsaritza issued an order to surround the town with armed men +whose duty it was to let every one enter, but not a soul go out. +Every one had to appear at the royal palace and show his forehead. +From early in the morning the crowds were gathering around the +palace. Each forehead was inspected, but there was no star on any. +Dinner time was approaching and in the palace they even forgot to +cover the oak tables with white spreads. The brothers of Ivanoushka +had also to show their foreheads and the Simpleton said to +them:</p> + +<p>"Take me along with you."</p> + +<p>"Thy place is right here," they answered, jokingly. "But say, +what is the matter with thy head that thou hast covered it with +cloths? Did somebody strike thee?"</p> + +<p>"No, nobody struck me. I, myself, struck the door with my +forehead. The door remained all right, but on my forehead there is +a knob."</p> + +<p>The brothers laughed and went. Soon after them Ivanoushka left +home and went straight to the window of the Tsarevna, where she sat +leaning on the window sill and looking for her betrothed.</p> + +<p>"There is our man," shouted the guards, when the Simpleton +appeared among them. "Show thy forehead. Hast thou the star?" and +they laughed.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton gave no heed to their bidding, but +refused. The guards were shouting at him and the Tsarevna heard the +noise and ordered the fellow to her presence. There was nothing to +be done but to take off the cloths.</p> + +<p>Behold! the star was shining in the middle of his forehead. The +Tsarevna took Ivanoushka by the hand, brought him before Tsar Pea, +and said:</p> + +<p>"He it is, my Tsar and father, who is destined to become my +groom, thy son-in-law and heir."</p> + +<p>It was too late to object. The Tsar ordered preparations for the +bridal festivities, and our Ivanoushka the Simpleton was wedded to +the Tsarevna Baktriana. The Tsar, the Tsaritza, the young bride and +groom, and their guests, feasted three days. There was fine eating +and generous drinking. There were all kinds of amusements also. The +brothers of Ivanoushka were created governors and each one received +a village and a house.</p> + +<p>The story is told in no time, but to live a life requires time +and patience. The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were clever +men, we know, and as soon as they became rich every one understood +it at once, and they themselves became quite sure about it and +began to pride themselves, to boast, and to brag. The humble ones +did not dare look toward their homes, and even the boyars had to +take off their fur caps on their porches.</p> + +<p>Once several boyars came to Tsar Pea and said: "Great Tsar, the +brothers of thy son-in-law are bragging around that they know the +place where grows an apple tree with silver leaves and golden +apples, and they want to bring this apple tree to thee."</p> + +<p>The Tsar immediately called the brothers before him and bade +them bring at once the wonderful tree, the apple tree with silver +leaves and golden apples. The brothers had ever so many excuses, +but the Tsar would have his way. They were given fine horses out of +the royal stables and went on their errand. Our friend, Ivanoushka +the Simpleton, found somewhere a lame old horse, jumped on his back +facing the tail, and also went. He went to the wide field, grasped +the lame horse by the tail, threw him off roughly, and shouted:</p> + +<p>"You crows and magpies, come, come! There is lunch prepared for +you."</p> + +<p>This done he ordered his horse, his spirited courser, to appear, +and as usual he crawled into one ear, jumped out the other ear and +they went—where? Toward the east where grew the wonderful +apple tree with silver leaves and golden apples. It grew near +silver waters upon golden sand. When Ivanoushka reached the place +he uprooted the tree and turned toward home. His ride was long and +he felt tired. Before he arrived at his town Ivanoushka pitched his +tent and lay down for a rest. Along the same road came his +brothers. The two were proud no more, but rather depressed, not +knowing what answer to give the Tsar. They perceived the tent with +silver top and near by the wonderful apple tree. They came nearer +and—"There is our Simpleton!" exclaimed the brothers. Then +they awakened Ivanoushka and wanted to buy the apple tree. They +were rich and offered three carts filled with silver.</p> + +<p>"Well, brothers, this tree, this wonderful apple tree, is not +for sale," answered Ivanoushka, "but if you wish to obtain it you +may. The price will not be too high, a toe from each right +foot."</p> + +<p>The brothers thought the matter over and finally decided to give +the desired price. Ivanoushka cut the toes off, gave them the apple +tree, and the happy brothers brought it to the Tsar and there was +no end to their bragging.</p> + +<p>"Here, all-powerful Tsar," they said. "We went far, and had many +a trouble on our way, but thy wish is fulfilled."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Pea seemed pleased, ordered a feast, commanded tunes to +be played and drums beaten, rewarded the two brothers of Ivanoushka +the Simpleton, each one with a town, and praised them.</p> + +<p>The boyars and warriors became furious.</p> + +<p>"Why," they said to the Tsar, "there is nothing wonderful in +such an apple tree with golden apples and silver leaves. The +brothers of thy son-in-law are bragging around that they will get +thee a pig with golden bristles and silver tusks, and not alone the +pig, but also her twelve little ones!"</p> + +<p>The Tsar called the brothers before him and ordered them to +bring the very pig with her golden bristles and silver tusks and +her twelve little ones. The brothers' excuses were not listened to +and so they went. Once more the brothers were traveling on a +difficult errand, looking for a golden-bristled pig with silver +tusks and twelve little pigs.</p> + +<p>At that time Ivanoushka the Simpleton made up his mind to take a +trip somewhere. He put a saddle on a cow, jumped up on her back +facing the tail, and left the town. He came to a field, grasped the +cow by the horns, threw her far on the prairie and shouted:</p> + +<p>"Come, come, you gray wolves and red foxes! there is a dinner +for you!"</p> + +<p>Then he ordered his faithful horse, crawled into one ear, and +jumped out of the other. Master and courser went on an errand, this +time toward the south. One, two, three, and they were in dark +woods. In these woods the wished-for pig was walking around, a +golden-bristled pig with silver tusks. She was eating roots, and +after her followed twelve little pigs.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton threw over the pig a silk rope with a +running noose, gathered the little pigs into a basket and went +home, but before he reached the town of the Tsar Pea he pitched a +tent with a golden top and lay down for a rest. On the same road +the brothers came along with gloomy faces, not knowing what to say +to the Tsar. They saw the tent, and near by the very pig they were +searching for, with golden bristles and silver tusks, was fastened +with a silk rope; and in a basket were the twelve little pigs. The +brothers looked into the tent. Ivanoushka again! They awakened him +and wanted to trade for the pig; they were ready to give in +exchange three carts loaded with precious stones.</p> + +<p>"Brothers, my pig is not for trade," said Ivanoushka, "but if +you want her so much, well, one finger from each right hand will +pay for her."</p> + +<p>The brothers thought over the case for a long while; they +reasoned thus: "People live happily without brains, why not without +fingers?"</p> + +<p>So they allowed Ivanoushka to cut off their fingers, then took +the pig to the Tsar, and their bragging had no end.</p> + +<p>"Tsar Sovereign," they said, "we went everywhere, beyond the +blue sea, beyond the dark woods; we passed through deep sands, we +suffered hunger and thirst; but thy wish is accomplished."</p> + +<p>The Tsar was glad to have such faithful servants. He gave a +feast great among feasts, rewarded the brothers of Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, created them big boyars and praised them.</p> + +<p>The other boyars and different court people said to the +Tsar:</p> + +<p>"There is nothing wonderful in such a pig. Golden bristles, +silver tusks,—yes, it is fine. But a pig remains a pig +forever. The brothers of thy son-in-law are bragging now that they +will steal for thee out of the stables of the fiery dragon a mare +with golden mane and diamond hoofs."</p> + +<p>The Tsar at once called the brothers of Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, and ordered the golden-maned mare with the diamond +hoofs. The brothers swore that they never said such words, but the +Tsar did not listen to their protests.</p> + +<p>"Take as much gold as you want, take warriors as many as you +wish, but bring me the beautiful mare with golden mane and diamond +hoofs. If you do it my reward will be great; if not, your fate is +to become peasants as before."</p> + +<p>The brothers went, two sad heroes. Their march was slow; where +to go they did not know. Ivanoushka also jumped upon a stick and +went leaping toward the field. Once in the wide, open field, he +ordered his horse, crawled into one ear, came out of the other, and +both started for a far-away country, for an island, a big island. +On that island in an iron stable the fiery dragon was watchfully +guarding his glory—the golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, +which was locked under seven locks behind seven heavy doors.</p> + +<p>Our Ivanoushka journeyed and journeyed, how long we do not know, +until at last he arrived at that island, struggled three days with +the dragon and killed him on the fourth day. Then he began to tear +down the locks. That took three days more. When he had done this he +brought out the wonderful mare by the golden mane and turned +homeward.</p> + +<p>The road was long, and before he reached his town Ivanoushka, +according to his habit, pitched his tent with a diamond top, and +laid him down for rest. The brothers came along—gloomy they +were, fearing the Tsar's anger. Lo! they heard neighing; the earth +trembled—it was the golden-maned mare! Though in the dusk of +evening the brothers saw her golden mane shining like fire. They +stopped, awakened Ivanoushka the Simpleton, and wanted to trade for +the wonderful mare. They were willing to give him a bushel of +precious stones each and promised even more.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka said: "Though my mare is not for trade, yet if you +want her I'll give her to you. And you, do you each give me your +right ears."</p> + +<p>The brothers did not even argue, but let Ivanoushka cut off +their ears, took hold of the bridle and went directly to the Tsar. +They presented to him the golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, and +there was no end of bragging.</p> + +<p>"We went beyond seas, beyond mountains," the brothers said to +the Tsar; "we fought the fiery dragon who bit off our ears and +fingers; we had no fear, but one desire to serve thee faithfully; +we shed our blood and lost our wealth."</p> + +<p>The Tsar Pea poured gold over them, created them the very +highest men after himself, and planned such a feast that the royal +cooks were tired out with cooking to feed all the people, and the +cellars were fairly emptied.</p> + +<p>The Tsar Pea was sitting on his throne, one brother on his right +hand, the other brother on his left hand. The feast was going on; +all seemed jolly, all were drinking, all were noisy as bees in a +beehive. In the midst of it a young, brave fellow, Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, entered the hall—the very fellow who had passed +the thirty-two circles and reached the window of the beautiful +Tsarevna Baktriana.</p> + +<p>When the brothers noticed him, one almost choked himself with +wine, the other was suffocating over a piece of swan. They looked +at him, opened wide their eyes, and remained silent.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka the Simpleton bowed to his father-in-law and told the +story as the story was. He told about the apple tree, the wonderful +apple tree with silver leaves and golden apples; he told about the +pig, the golden-bristled pig with silver tusks and her twelve +little ones; and finally he told about the marvelous mare with a +golden mane and diamond hoofs. He finished and laid out ears, +fingers, and toes.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus06"></a> +<img src="images/102.jpg" width="299" height="452" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>One brother was sent to watch the turkeys</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>"It is the exchange I got," said Ivanoushka.</p> + +<p>Tsar Pea became furious, stamped his feet, ordered the two +brothers to be driven away with brooms. One was sent to feed the +pigs, another to watch the turkeys. The Tsar seated Ivanoushka +beside himself, creating him the highest among the very high.</p> + +<p>The feast lasted a very long time until all were tired of +feasting.</p> + +<p>Ivanoushka took control of the tsarstvo, ruling wisely and +severely. After his father-in-law's death he occupied his place. +His subjects liked him; he had many children, and his beautiful +Tsaritza Baktriana remained beautiful forever.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<hr /> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="chap05">WOE BOGOTIR</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/104.png"><img width="97" src="images/104.png" alt="I" +height="157" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In a small village—do not ask me where; in Russia, anyway—there +lived two brothers; one of them was rich, the other poor. The rich brother had +good luck in everything he undertook, was always successful, and had profit out +of every venture. The poor brother, in spite of all his trouble and all his +work, had none whatever. +</p> + +<p>The rich brother became still richer, moved into a large town, +bought a big house, and was a merchant among merchants. The poor +brother became very poor, so poor that very often there was no +crust even in the "izba," the peasant's log cabin, and the +children—all forlorn, miserable little things—cried for +food.</p> + +<p>The poor man lost patience and complained bitterly of his ill +luck. He had no more courage and his head dropped heavily on his +breast. One day he decided to call upon his wealthy brother for +aid. He went and said to him:</p> + +<p>"Be good, help me, for I am almost without strength."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" answered the rich man. "We can do such things as +that. There is wealth enough; but look here, there is also plenty +of work to be done. Stay around the house for a while and work for +me."</p> + +<p>"All right," consented the poor fellow, and at once began to +work. Now he was cleaning the big yard, now grooming horses, now +bringing water from the well or splitting wood. One week passed, +two weeks passed. The rich brother gave him twenty and five +copecks, which means only thirteen cents. He also gave him a loaf +of black rye bread.</p> + +<p>"Many thanks," said the poor brother, humbly, and was ready to +leave for his miserable home. Evidently the conscience of the rich +brother smote him, so he called his brother back.</p> + +<p>"Why so prompt?" he said; "to-morrow is my birthday; stay to the +banquet with us."</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus07"></a> +<img src="images/106.png" width="306" height="499" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption"><i>The rich brother</i></p> +</div> + +<p>The poor fellow remained. But even on such a pleasant occasion +the unlucky one had no luck. His rich brother was too busy +receiving his numerous friends and admirers, all of whom came to +tell him how they loved him and what a good man he was. The rich +merchant thanked his guests for their love, and bowing low begged +his dear guests to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves. There was no +time left for the poor brother, and he was overlooked entirely +while he sat timidly in a corner, quite forgotten and unnoticed. He +had nothing to eat, nothing to drink. But when the crowd was ready +to say good-by, before going away, the bright, light-hearted guests +bowed to their host and told him many lovely things, and the poor +brother did exactly like them. He bowed even lower than they did +and expressed more thanks than they. The guests went home singing +in their new "telegi," the peasants' carts. The poor brother, +hungry and very sad, walked along in silence, and the idea came to +his mind:</p> + +<p>"What if I also tried to sing a cheerful song? The people would +believe that I, too, have had a pleasant time at my brother's house +and that I am going home happy like them."</p> + +<p>The good fellow began his song, began—and almost fainted +away, for he heard quite distinctly some one behind his back, +keeping tune with him in a shrill voice. He stopped. The voice +stopped, too. He sang, and the voice continued again.</p> + +<p>"Who is there? Come out at once!" shouted the poor man, beside +himself. Ha! the monster appeared, lank and yellow, almost a +skeleton, covered with rags. The poor fellow was afraid, but had +the courage to make the sign of the cross and ask: "Who art +thou?"</p> + +<p>"I? I am Bitter Woe. I am one of the Russian heroes, Woe +Bogotir. I pity all weak people. I pity thee, too, and want to help +thee along."</p> + +<p>"All right, Bitter Woe; let us walk together arm in arm. I +presume there are no other friends for me in this world."</p> + +<p>"Let us ride, good man," laughed the monster. "I will be thy +faithful companion."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, but on what shall we ride?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know on what thou shalt ride, but I, I shall ride on +thee," and Woe jumped on the shoulders of the unlucky man. The poor +fellow had no strength to throw him off, so he crawled along his +way, the long, hard way, with Woe on his shoulders. He could hardly +walk, yet Woe was singing, whistling, and switching him all the +time.</p> + +<p>"Why so sad, master?" Woe would ask, when the poor man sighed. +"Listen to me, I want to teach thee a song, my beloved little +song:</p> + +<p class="center">"I am Woe, the brave,</p> + +<p class="center"> I am Woe, the bold; </p> + +<p class="center"> He who lives with me </p> + +<p class="center"> +Has his griefs controlled, </p> + +<p class="center"> And when money is lacking </p> + +<p class="center"> I'll find him +gold.</p> + +<p>Attention, master, thou hast twenty-five copecks; let us go and +buy some wine; let us have a jolly good time."</p> + +<p>The poor man obeyed. They went and spent all in drink. After +this the unlucky fellow, with the faithful Woe on his shoulders, +came home. His wife was sad, his little children were hungry and in +tears, but he, under the influence of Woe and wine, danced and +sang.</p> + +<p>On the next day Woe began to sigh and said:</p> + +<p>"I have a drunken headache. Let us drink more."</p> + +<p>"I have no money," answered the poor man.</p> + +<p>"Hast thou forgotten my little song? Let us trade the harrow, +the plow, the sledge, the telega for money, and let us have a good +time."</p> + +<p>"All right."</p> + +<p>The poor, weak man had no courage to refuse, and Woe Bogotir +became his master and ruler. They went to a <a href="#Kabak"> kabak</a> and spent +everything; drank, sang, and had a good time.</p> + +<p>On the next day Woe sighed again and said to the peasant:</p> + +<p>"Let us drink; let us have a jolly time; let us sell or trade +everything left, even ourselves."</p> + +<p>Then the fellow understood that his ruin was near and decided to +deceive the sorrowful Woe, so he said:</p> + +<p>"I once heard the old people say that behind the village, near +the dark forest, there is buried a treasure, yes, a great treasure, +but it is buried under a large, heavy stone, too heavy a stone for +one man to move. If we could only remove that stone, thou and I, +Woe Bogotir, could have a good time and plenty to drink."</p> + +<p>"Let us hasten!" screamed Woe; "the Bitter Woe is strong enough +to do harder things than to move stones."</p> + +<p>They went a roundabout way behind the village and saw the great +big stone, such a heavy stone that five or six strong peasants +could never begin to move it. But our poor fellow with his faithful +Woe Bogotir removed it at once. They looked inside. Under the stone +there was a pit, a dark, deep pit. At the bottom of that pit +something was twinkling. The peasant said to Woe:</p> + +<p>"Thou bold Woe, jump in, throw the gold out to me and I will +hold the stone."</p> + +<p>Woe jumped in and laughed out loud.</p> + +<p>"I declare, master," he screamed, "there is no end of gold! +There are twenty and more pots filled with it," and Woe handed one +pot to the poor man, who took the pot, hastily hid it under his +blouse, and slipped the heavy stone into its place. So Bitter Woe +remained in the deep pit and the peasant thought to himself, "Now +there is the right place for my comrade, for with such a friend, +even gold would taste bitter."</p> + +<p>The crafty fellow made the sign of the cross and hurried home. +He became quite a new man, courageous, sober, and industrious; +bought a grove and some cattle; remodeled the izba, and even +started a trade. And very successful he was, too. Within a year he +earned much money, and in place of the old hut built a fine, new +log cabin.</p> + +<p>One bright day he went into town to ask his rich brother, with +his wife and children, to do him the favor of coming to a feast +which was to be given in the new home.</p> + +<p>"That's a joke!" exclaimed the rich brother. "Without a <a href="#ruble"> ruble</a> in +thy pockets, stupid fellow! Thou evidently desirest to imitate rich +people," and then the rich brother laughed and laughed at him. But +at the same time he got very anxious to know how it was with his +poor brother, so he went without delay to the new place. When he +arrived there he could not believe his eyes. His poor brother +seemed to be quite rich, perhaps richer than himself. Everything +bespoke wealth and care. The host treated his brother and the +brother's family most kindly and was very hospitable. They had good +things to eat and plenty of <a href="#Honeytodrink">honey to drink</a>, and all became +talkative. The brother who had been poor related everything about +Woe, how he decided to deceive him and how, free from such a +burden, he was getting to be a very happy man.</p> + +<p>The rich man grew eager and thought:</p> + +<p>"Is he a fool? Out of so many pots, to take only one! Fool and +nothing but fool! If one has money, even the Bitter Woe is not too +bad."</p> + +<p>So at once he decided to go in search of the stone, to remove +it, to take the treasure, the whole treasure, and to send Woe +Bogotir back to his brother.</p> + +<p>No sooner thought than done. The rich brother said good-by and +went away, but did not go to his wealthy home. No, he hurried to +the stone. He had to toil hard with the heavy stone, but finally +moved it just a little, and had not time to look inside when the +hidden Bogotir had jumped out and onto his shoulders.</p> + +<p>The rich man felt a burden, oh, what a heavy burden! looked +around and perceived the hideous monster. He heard this monster +whisper in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Thou art bright! Thou didst want to let me perish in that pit? +Now, dearest, thou wilt not get rid of me; now we shall always be +together."</p> + +<p>"Stupid Woe," began the rich man; "it was not I who hid thee +under the stone; it was my brother; go to him."</p> + +<p>But no, Woe would not go. The monster laughed and laughed.</p> + +<p>"All the same, all the same," he answered to the rich man. "Let +us remain dear companions."</p> + +<p>The rich man went home under the heavy burden of the +misery-giving Woe. His wealth was soon lost, but his brother, who +knew how to get rid of Woe, was prosperous and is prosperous to +this day.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap06">BABA YAGA</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/115.png"><img width="123" src="images/115.png" alt="S" +height="134" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +Somewhere, I cannot tell you exactly where, but certainly in vast Russia, there +lived a peasant with his wife and they had twins—son and daughter. One +day the wife died and the husband mourned over her very sincerely for a long +time. One year passed, and two years, and even longer. But there is no order in +a house without a woman, and a day came when the man thought, "If I marry again +possibly it would turn out all right." And so he did, and had children by his +second wife. +</p> + +<p>The stepmother was envious of the stepson and daughter and began +to use them hardly. She scolded them without any reason, sent them +away from home as often as she wished, and gave them scarcely +enough to eat. Finally she wanted to get rid of them altogether. Do +you know what it means to allow a wicked thought to enter one's +heart?</p> + +<p>The wicked thought grows all the time like a poisonous plant and +slowly kills the good thoughts. A wicked feeling was growing in the +stepmother's heart, and she determined to send the children to the +witch, thinking sure enough that they would never return.</p> + +<p>"Dear children," she said to the orphans, "go to my grandmother +who lives in the forest in a hut on hen's feet. You will do +everything she wants you to, and she will give you sweet things to +eat and you will be happy."</p> + +<p>The orphans started out. But instead of going to the witch, the +sister, a bright little girl, took her brother by the hand and ran +to their own old, old grandmother and told her all about their +going to the forest.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my poor darlings!" said the good old grandmother, pitying +the children, "my heart aches for you, but it is not in my power to +help you. You have to go not to a loving grandmother, but to a +wicked witch. Now listen to me, my darlings," she continued; "I +will give you a hint: Be kind and good to everyone; do not speak +ill words to any one; do not despise helping the weakest, and +always hope that for you, too, there will be the needed help."</p> + +<p>The good old grandmother gave the children some delicious fresh +milk to drink and to each a big slice of ham. She also gave them +some cookies—there are cookies everywhere—and when the +children departed she stood looking after them a long, long +time.</p> + +<p>The obedient children arrived at the forest and, oh, wonder! +there stood a hut, and what a curious one! It stood on tiny hen's +feet, and at the top was a rooster's head. With their shrill, +childish voices they called out loud:</p> + +<p>"Izboushka, Izboushka! turn thy back to the forest and thy front +to us!"</p> + +<p>The hut did as they commanded. The two orphans looked inside and +saw the witch resting there, her head near the threshold, one foot +in one corner, the other foot in another corner, and her knees +quite close to the ridge pole.</p> + +<p>"Fou, Fou, Fou!" exclaimed the witch; "I feel the Russian +spirit."</p> + +<p>The children were afraid, and stood close, very close together, +but in spite of their fear they said very politely:</p> + +<p>"Ho, grandmother, our stepmother sent us to thee to serve +thee."</p> + +<p>"All right; I am not opposed to keeping you, children. If you +satisfy all my wishes I shall reward you; if not, I shall eat you +up."</p> + +<p>Without any delay the witch ordered the girl to spin the thread, +and the boy, her brother, to carry water in a sieve to fill a big +tub. The poor orphan girl wept at her spinning-wheel and wiped away +her bitter tears. At once all around her appeared small mice +squeaking and saying:</p> + +<p>"Sweet girl, do not cry. Give us cookies and we will help +thee."</p> + +<p>The little girl willingly did so.</p> + +<p>"Now," gratefully squeaked the mice, "go and find the black cat. +He is very hungry; give him a slice of ham and he will help +thee."</p> + +<p>The girl speedily went in search of the cat and saw her brother +in great distress about the tub, so many times he had filled the +sieve, yet the tub was still dry. The little birds passed, flying +near by, and chirped to the children:</p> + +<p>"Kind-hearted little children, give us some crumbs and we will +advise you."</p> + +<p>The orphans gave the birds some crumbs and the grateful birds +chirped again:</p> + +<p>"Some clay and water, children dear!"</p> + +<p>Then away they flew through the air.</p> + +<p>The children understood the hint, spat in the sieve, plastered +it up with clay and filled the tub in a very short time. Then they +both returned to the hut and on the threshold met the black cat. +They generously gave him some of the good ham which their good +grandmother had given them, petted him and asked:</p> + +<p>"Dear Kitty-cat, black and pretty, tell us what to do in order +to get away from thy mistress, the witch?"</p> + +<p>"Well," very seriously answered the cat, "I will give you a +towel and a comb and then you must run away. When you hear the +witch running after you, drop the towel behind your back and a +large river will appear in place of the towel. If you hear her once +more, throw down the comb and in place of the comb there will +appear a dark wood. This wood will protect you from the wicked +witch, my mistress."</p> + +<p><a href="#Baba">Baba Yaga</a> came home just then.</p> + +<p>"Is it not wonderful?" she thought; "everything is exactly +right."</p> + +<p>"Well," she said to the children, "today you were brave and +smart; let us see to-morrow. Your work will be more difficult and I +hope I shall eat you up."</p> + +<p>The poor orphans went to bed, not to a warm bed prepared by +loving hands, but on the straw in a cold corner. Nearly scared to +death from fear, they lay there, afraid to talk, afraid even to +breathe. The next morning the witch ordered all the linen to be +woven and a large supply of firewood to be brought from the +forest.</p> + +<p>The children took the towel and comb and ran away as fast as +their feet could possibly carry them. The dogs were after them, but +they threw them the cookies that were left; the gates did not open +themselves, but the children smoothed them with oil; the birch tree +near the path almost scratched their eyes out, but the gentle girl +fastened a pretty ribbon to it. So they went farther and farther +and ran out of the dark forest into the wide, sunny fields.</p> + +<p>The cat sat down by the loom and tore the thread to pieces, +doing it with delight. Baba Yaga returned.</p> + +<p>"Where are the children?" she shouted, and began to beat the +cat. "Why hast thou let them go, thou treacherous cat? Why hast +thou not scratched their faces?"</p> + +<p>The cat answered: "Well, it was because I have served thee so +many years and thou hast never given me a bite, while the dear +children gave me some good ham."</p> + +<p>The witch scolded the dogs, the gates, and the birch tree near +the path.</p> + +<p>"Well," barked the dogs, "thou certainly art our mistress, but +thou hast never done us a favor, and the orphans were kind to +us."</p> + +<p>The gates replied:</p> + +<p>"We were always ready to obey thee, but thou didst neglect us, +and the dear children smoothed us with oil."</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus08"></a> +<img src="images/122.jpg" width="273" height="424" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption"><i>"The children ran away as fast as their feet could possibly carry them"</i></p> +</div> + +<p>The birch tree lisped with its leaves, "Thou hast never put a +simple thread over my branches and the little darlings adorned them +with a pretty ribbon."</p> + +<p>Baba Yaga understood that there was no help and started to +follow the children herself. In her great hurry she forgot to look +for the towel and the comb, but jumped astride a broom and was off. +The children heard her coming and threw the towel behind them. At +once a river, wide and blue, appeared and watered the field. Baba +Yaga hopped along the shore until she finally found a shallow place +and crossed it.</p> + +<p>Again the children heard her hurry after them and so they threw +down the comb. This time a forest appeared, a dark and dusky forest +in which the roots were interwoven, the branches matted together, +and the tree-tops touching each other. The witch tried very hard to +pass through, but in vain, and so, very, very angry, she returned +home.</p> + +<p>The orphans rushed to their father, told him all about their +great distress, and thus concluded their pitiful story:</p> + +<p>"Ah, father dear, why dost thou love us less than our brothers +and sisters?"</p> + +<p>The father was touched and became angry. He sent the wicked +stepmother away and lived a new life with his good children. From +that time he watched over their happiness and never neglected them +any more.</p> + +<p>How do I know this story is true? Why, one was there who told me +about it.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/124.png" width="235" height="102" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap07">DIMIAN THE PEASANT</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/125.png"><img width="103" src="images/125.png" alt="N" +height="197" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +Not long ago, or perchance very long ago, I do not know for sure, there lived +in a village, some place in Russia, a peasant—a moujik. And this peasant +was a stubborn and a quick-tempered fellow, and his name was Dimian. +</p> + +<p>He was harsh by nature, this Dimian, and wanted everything to go +his own way. If any one talked or acted against him, Dimian's fists +were soon prepared for answer.</p> + +<p>Sometimes, for instance, he would invite one of his neighbors +and treat his guest with fine things to eat and to drink. And the +neighbor in order to maintain the old custom would pretend to +refuse. Dimian would at once begin the dispute:</p> + +<p>"Thou must obey thy host!"</p> + +<p>Once it happened that a shrewd fellow called on him. Our moujik +Dimian covered the table with the very best he had and rejoiced +over the good time he foresaw.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus09"></a> +<img src="images/126.jpg" width="250" height="464" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>Well, I struck a snag</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>The fellow guest speedily ate everything up. Dimian was rather +amazed, but brought out his kaftan.</p> + +<p>"Take off thy sheepskin," said he to the guest; "put on my new +kaftan."</p> + +<p>In proposing it he thought within himself:</p> + +<p>"I will bet that this time he will not dare accept; then I will +teach him a lesson."</p> + +<p>But the fellow quickly put on the new kaftan, tightened it with +the belt, shook his curly head and answered:</p> + +<p>"Have my thanks, uncle, for thy gift. How could I dare not take +it? Why, one must obey his host's bidding."</p> + +<p>Dimian's temper was rising, and he wanted at any rate to have +his own way. But what to do? He hastened to the stable, brought out +his best horse, and said to his guest:</p> + +<p>"Thou art welcome to all my belongings," and within himself he +thought, "He certainly will refuse this time, and then my turn will +come."</p> + +<p>But the fellow did not refuse, and smilingly answered:</p> + +<p>"In thy house thou art the ruler," and quickly he jumped on the +horse's back and shouted to Dimian, the peasant:</p> + +<p>"Farewell, master! no one pushed thee into the trap but +thyself," and with these words the fellow was off.</p> + +<p>Dimian looked after him and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Well, I struck a snag," said he.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/128.png" width="240" height="114" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap08">THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/129.png"><img width="99" src="images/129.png" alt="O" +height="150" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +Once upon a time a merchant's son had too much fun spending money, and the day +came when he saw himself ruined; he had nothing to eat, nothing to drink. He +took a shovel and went to the market place to see if perchance somebody would +hire him as a worker. +</p> + +<p>A rich, proud merchant, worth many, many thousands, came along +in a gilded carriage. All the fellows at the market place, as soon +as they perceived him, rushed away and hid themselves in the +corners. Only one remained, and this one was our merchant's +son.</p> + +<p>"Dost thou look for work, good fellow? Let me hire thee," the +very rich merchant said to him.</p> + +<p>"So be it; that's what I came here for."</p> + +<p>"And thy price?"</p> + +<p>"A hundred rubles a day will be sufficient for me."</p> + +<p>"Why so much?"</p> + +<p>"If too much, go and look for some one else; plenty of people +were around and when they saw thee coming, all of them rushed +away."</p> + +<p>"All right. To-morrow come to the landing place."</p> + +<p>The next day, early in the morning, our merchant's son arrived +at the landing; the very rich merchant was already there +waiting.</p> + +<p>They boarded a ship and went to sea. For quite a long time they +journeyed, and finally they perceived an island. Upon that island +there were high mountains, and near the shore something seemed to +be in flames.</p> + +<p>"Yonder is something like fire," said the merchant's son.</p> + +<p>"No, it is my golden palace."</p> + +<p>They landed, came ashore, and—look there! the rich +merchant's wife is hastening to meet him, and along with her their +young daughter, a lovely girl, prettier than you could think or +even dream of.</p> + +<p>The family met; they greeted one another and went to the palace. +And along with them went their new workman. They sat around the oak +table and ate and drank and were cheerful.</p> + +<p>"One day does not count," the rich merchant said; "let us have a +good time and leave work for to-morrow."</p> + +<p>The young workman was a fine, brave fellow, handsome and +stately, and the merchant's lovely daughter liked him well.</p> + +<p>She left the room and made him a sign to follow her. Then she +gave him a touchstone and a flint.</p> + +<p>"Take it," she said; "when thou art in need, it will be +useful."</p> + +<p>The next day the very rich merchant with his hired workman went +to the high golden mountain. The young fellow saw at once that +there was no use trying to climb or even to crawl up.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the merchant, "let us have a drink for +courage."</p> + +<p>And he gave the fellow some drowsy drink. The fellow drank and +fell asleep.</p> + +<p>The rich merchant took out a sharp knife, killed a wretched +horse, cut it open, put the fellow inside, pushed in the shovel, +and sewed the horse's skin together, and himself sat down in the +bushes.</p> + +<p>All at once crows came flying, black crows with iron beaks. They +took hold of the carcass, lifted it up to the top of the high +mountain, and began to pick at it.</p> + +<p>The crows soon ate up the horse and were about to begin on the +merchant's son, when he awoke, pushed away the crows, looked around +and asked out loud:</p> + +<p>"Where am I?"</p> + +<p>The rich merchant below answered:</p> + +<p>"On a golden mountain; take the shovel and dig for gold."</p> + +<p>And the young man dug and dug, and all the gold he dug he threw +down, and the rich merchant loaded it upon the carts.</p> + +<p>"Enough!" finally shouted the master. "Thanks for thy help. +Farewell!"</p> + +<p>"And I—how shall I get down?"</p> + +<p>"As thou pleasest; there have already perished nine and ninety +of such fellows as thou. With thee the count will be rounded and +thou wilt be the hundredth."</p> + +<p>The proud, rich merchant was off.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" thought the poor merchant's son. "Impossible +to go down! But to stay here means death, a cruel death from +hunger."</p> + +<p>And our fellow stood upon the mountain, while above the black +crows were circling, the black crows with iron beaks, as if feeling +already the prey.</p> + +<p>The fellow tried to think how it all happened, and he remembered +the lovely girl and what she said to him in giving him the +touchstone and the flint. He remembered how she said:</p> + +<p>"Take it. When thou art in need it will prove useful."</p> + +<p>"I fancy she had something in mind; let us try."</p> + +<p>The poor merchant's son took out stone and flint, struck it once +and lo! two brave fellows were standing before him.</p> + +<p>"What is thy wish? What are thy commands?" said they.</p> + +<p>"Take me from this mountain down to the seashore."</p> + +<p>And at once the two took hold of him and carefully brought him +down.</p> + +<p>Our hero walks along the shore. See there! a vessel comes +sailing near the island.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy! good people! take me along!"</p> + +<p>"No time to stop!" And they went sailing by. But the winds arose +and the tempest was heavy.</p> + +<p>"It seems as if this fellow over there is not an ordinary man; +we had better go back and take him along," decided the sailors.</p> + +<p>They turned the prow toward the island, landed, took the +merchant's son along with them and brought him to his native +town.</p> + +<p>It was a long time, or perhaps only a short time after—who +could tell?—that one day the merchant's son took again his +shovel and went to the market place in search of work.</p> + +<p>The same very rich merchant came along in his gilded carriage; +and, as of old, all the fellows who saw him coming rushed away.</p> + +<p>The merchant's son remained alone.</p> + +<p>"Will you be my workman?"</p> + +<p>"I will at two hundred rubles a day. If so, let us to work."</p> + +<p>"A rather expensive fellow."</p> + +<p>"If too expensive go to others; get a cheap man. There were +plenty of people, but when thou didst appear—thou seest +thyself—not one is left."</p> + +<p>"Well, all right. Come to-morrow to the landing place."</p> + +<p>They met at the landing place, boarded a ship and sailed toward +the island.</p> + +<p>The first day they spent rather gayly, and on the second, master +and workman went to work.</p> + +<p>When they reached the golden mountain the rich, proud merchant +treated his hired man to a tumbler.</p> + +<p>"Before all, have a drink."</p> + +<p>"Wait, master! thou art the head; thou must drink the first. Let +me treat thee this time."</p> + +<p>The young man had already prepared some of the drowsy stuff and +he quickly mixed it with the wine and presented it to the +master.</p> + +<p>The proud merchant drank and fell sound asleep.</p> + +<p>Our merchant's son killed a miserable old horse, cut it open, +pushed his master and the shovel inside, sewed it all up and hid +himself in the bushes.</p> + +<p>All at once black crows came flying,—black crows with iron +beaks; they promptly lifted up the horse with the sleeping merchant +inside, bore it to the top of the mountain, and began to pick the +bones of their prey.</p> + +<p>When the merchant awoke he looked here and looked there and +looked everywhere.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?"</p> + +<p>"Upon the golden mountain. Now if thou art strong after thy +rest, do not lose time; take the shovel and dig. Dig quickly and +I'll teach thee how to come down."</p> + +<p>The proud, rich merchant had to obey and dug and dug. Twelve big +carts were loaded.</p> + +<p>"Enough!" shouted the merchant's son. "Thank thee, and +farewell!"</p> + +<p>"And I?"</p> + +<p>"And thou mayst do as thou wishest! There are already ninety and +nine fellows perished before thee; with thyself there will be a +hundred."</p> + +<p>The merchant's son took along with him the twelve heavy carts +with gold, arrived at the golden palace and married the lovely +girl; the rich merchant's daughter became mistress of all her +father's wealth, and the merchant's son with his family moved to a +large town to live.</p> + +<p>And the rich merchant, the proud, rich merchant?</p> + +<p>He himself, like his many victims, became the prey of the black +crows, black crows with iron beaks.</p> + +<p>Well, sometimes it happens just so.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/137.png" width="271" height="113" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="chap09">FATHER FROST</a></h2> + +<p> +<span class="figleft"> +<a href="images/138.png"><img width="123" src="images/138.png" alt="I" +height="132" /></a></span> +</p> + +<p> +In a far-away country, somewhere in Russia, there lived a stepmother who had a +stepdaughter and also a daughter of her own. Her own daughter was dear to her, +and always whatever she did the mother was the first to praise her, to pet her; +but there was but little praise for the stepdaughter; although good and kind, +she had no other reward than reproach. What on earth could have been done? The +wind blows, but stops blowing at times; the wicked woman never knows how to +stop her wickedness. One bright cold day the stepmother said to her husband: +</p> + +<p>"Now, old man, I want thee to take thy daughter away from my +eyes, away from my ears. Thou shalt not take her to thy people into +a warm <a href="#Izba">izba</a>. Thou shalt take her into the wide, wide fields to the +crackling frost."</p> + +<p>The old father grew sad, began even to weep, but nevertheless +helped the young girl into the sleigh. He wished to cover her with +a sheepskin in order to protect her from the cold; however, he did +not do it. He was afraid; his wife was watching them out of the +window. And so he went with his lovely daughter into the wide, wide +fields; drove her nearly to the woods, left her there alone, and +speedily drove away—he was a good man and did not care to see +his daughter's death.</p> + +<p>Alone, quite alone, remained the sweet girl. Broken-hearted and +terror-stricken she repeated fervently all the prayers she +knew.</p> + +<p>Father Frost, the almighty sovereign at that place, clad in +furs, with a long, long, white beard and a shining crown on his +white head, approached nearer and nearer, looked at this beautiful +guest of his and asked:</p> + +<p>"Dost thou know me?—me, the red-nosed Frost?"</p> + +<p>"Be welcome, Father Frost," answered gently the young girl. "I +hope our heavenly Lord sent thee for my sinful soul."</p> + +<p>"Art thou comfortable, sweet child?" again asked the Frost. He +was exceedingly pleased with her looks and mild manners.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I am," answered the girl, almost out of breath from +cold.</p> + +<p>And the Frost, cheerful and bright, kept crackling in the +branches until the air became icy, but the good-natured girl kept +repeating:</p> + +<p>"I am very comfortable, dear Father Frost."</p> + +<p>But the Frost, however, knew all about the weakness of human +beings; he knew very well that few of them are really good and +kind; but he knew no one of them even could struggle too long +against the power of Frost, the king of winter. The kindness of the +gentle girl charmed old Frost so much that he made the decision to +treat her differently from others, and gave her a large heavy trunk +filled with many beautiful, beautiful things. He gave her a rich <a href="#Schouba">"schouba"</a> lined with precious furs; he gave her silk +quilts—light like feathers and warm as a mother's lap. What a +rich girl she became and how many magnificent garments she +received! And besides all, old Frost gave her a blue <a href="#Sarafan"> "sarafan"</a> +ornamented with silver and pearls.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<a name="illus10"></a> +<img src="images/141.jpg" width="256" height="428" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, beautiful things</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>When the young girl put it on she became such a beautiful maiden +that even the sun smiled at her.</p> + +<p>The stepmother was in the kitchen busy baking pancakes for the +meal which it is the custom to give to the priests and friends +after the usual service for the dead.</p> + +<p>"Now, old man," said the wife to the husband, "go down to the +wide fields and bring the body of thy daughter; we will bury +her."</p> + +<p>The old man went off. And the little dog in the corner wagged +his tail and said:</p> + +<p>"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is on her way home, +beautiful and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter +is wicked as ever before."</p> + +<p>"Keep still, stupid beast!" shouted the stepmother, and struck +the little dog.</p> + +<p>"Here, take this pancake, eat it and say, 'The old woman's +daughter will be married soon and the old man's daughter shall be +buried soon.'"</p> + +<p>The dog ate the pancake and began anew:</p> + +<p>"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is coming home wealthy +and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter is +somewhere around as homely and wicked as ever before."</p> + +<p>The old woman was furious at the dog, but in spite of pancakes +and whipping, the dog repeated the same words over and over +again.</p> + +<p>Somebody opened the gate, voices were heard laughing and talking +outside. The old woman looked out and sat down in amazement. The +stepdaughter was there like a princess, bright and happy in the +most beautiful garments, and behind her the old father had hardly +strength enough to carry the heavy, heavy trunk with the rich +outfit.</p> + +<p>"Old man!" called the stepmother, impatiently; "hitch our best +horses to our best sleigh, and drive <i>my</i> daughter to the very +same place in the wide, wide fields."</p> + +<p>The old man obeyed as usual and took his stepdaughter to the +same place and left her alone.</p> + +<p>Old Frost was there; he looked at his new guest.</p> + +<p>"Art thou comfortable, fair maiden?" asked the red-nosed +sovereign.</p> + +<p>"Let me alone," harshly answered the girl; "canst thou not see +that my feet and my hands are about stiff from the cold?"</p> + +<p>The Frost kept crackling and asking questions for quite a while, +but obtaining no polite answer became angry and froze the girl to +death.</p> + +<p>"Old man, go for my daughter; take the best horses; be careful; +do not upset the sleigh; do not lose the trunk."</p> + +<p>And the little dog in the corner said:</p> + +<p>"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter will marry soon; the +old woman's daughter shall be buried soon."</p> + +<p>"Do not lie. Here is a cake; eat it and say, 'The old woman's +daughter is clad in silver and gold.'"</p> + +<p>The gate opened, the old woman ran out and kissed the stiff +frozen lips of her daughter. She wept and wept, but there was no +help, and she understood at last that through her own wickedness +and envy her child had perished.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/145.png" width="188" height="245" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">THE END</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/146.png" width="501" height="128" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a name="NOTES">NOTES</a></p> + +<p> +1. A <a name="tsarstvo"><i>tsarstvo</i></a> is the domain of a <i>tsar</i> +(czar), which is the title of an absolute monarch in Russia. The word +<i>tsar</i>, derived from the Roman name and title, Caesar, may be translated +emperor, king, or prince. A number of words are formed from it by adding +different syllables: <a name="Tsarevitch">Tsarevitch</a>, the tsar's son, +prince; Tsarevna, the tsar's daughter, princess; Tsaritza, the tsar's wife, +queen or empress. +</p> + +<p> +2. <i><a name="Boyar">Boyar</a></i> was the word formerly used to mean a +Russian nobleman; so a <i>boyar-house</i> is a lord's house;<a +name="boyarishnia"><i>boyarishnia</i></a>, a lord's daughter. The <i><a +name="terem">terem</a></i> was that part of the boyar-house in which the +women's rooms were situated. +</p> + +<p>3. In Russia there is a fatherly relation existing between the +ruler and his subjects which is shown in such phrases as "<a name="thetsarfather">the tsar father</a>," "their father sovereign," +etc. The Russian language has many diminutives, or terms of +endearment. For instance, the Tzar is often affectionately called +"the little father" by his subjects.</p> + +<p>4. "<i><a name="Oncesaidquicklydone">Once said, quickly +done</a></i>." This is the Russian idiom. Observe how much more +lively it is than our own "No sooner said than done."</p> + +<p>5. <i><a name="Theholyicons">The holy icons</a></i> are pictures or mosaics of Christ, or the +Virgin Mary, or of some saint or martyr of the Russian church. In +every Russian house there is one or more, hung in a prominent +place. Every one who enters the house at once bows and utters a +prayer before the icons before he does anything else. This is an +old Russian custom which is still kept up by peasants.</p> + +<p>6. <a name="Stronggreenwine."></a><i>Strong green wine</i>. This is the phrase still used by +Russian story-tellers to describe the drink which it was an honor +to receive from the royal hand. Its strength was magical in that it +was not acquired by keeping, but was always the same.</p> + +<p>6. <i><a name="Foracloudyday">For a cloudy day</a></i> is +the Russian idiom very similar to our own.</p> + +<p>7. <i><a name="Itisapeasantstrade">It is a peasant's +trade</a></i> is a Russian saying which means, "It doesn't amount +to much."</p> + +<p>8. <a name="Moujik"><i>Moujik</i></a>, a peasant: his duties +are those of a farm laborer, yet this phrase would not be a fair +translation. This word, which is rendered "tiller of the soil," has +no exact equivalent in English.</p> + +<p> +9. <i><a name="Korolevitch">Korolevitch</a></i>, from <i>korol</i>: king. The +endings <i>evitch</i> and <i>evna</i> show descent, korolevitch meaning son of +a king; korolevna meaning daughter of a king. +</p> + +<p>10. <i><a name="Dutchtrumpet">Dutch trumpet</a></i>, i.e., an +imported trumpet. Anything foreign is "Dutch" to the Russian +peasant.</p> + +<p>11. <i><a name="Honeydrink">Honey drink</a></i>, a drink made +by fermenting honey and water. It is quite common in Russia, and is +about the same as our mead.</p> + +<p>12. <a name="RussianandotherSlavonictales">Russian and other +Slavonic tales</a> often have queer endings, similar to the one +here given by the story-teller at the end of the story, which is no +part of the tale. To the Russian they give a poetic touch, a little +sense of confusion and mystery which is certainly delightful.</p> + +<p>13. <a name="HolyRussia"><i>Holy Russia</i></a>. To the Russian his country is sacred; +everything outside is profane by comparison. The phrase suggests +the <i>Holy Roman Empire</i> of history, or the <i>Celestial +Kingdom</i> of the Chinese.</p> + +<p>14. <a name="Inthepeasantshouse">In the peasant's house</a> +there is often a large stove of brick or tile on which the family +sleep in cold weather.</p> + +<p>15. <i><a name="Adayinandanequaldayout">A day in and an +equal day out</a></i>, the Russian idiom. Observe how very like our +own.</p> + +<p>16. <i><a name="Kabak">Kabak</a></i> a +drinking saloon.</p> + +<p>17. The <i><a name="ruble">ruble</a></i> is the principal coin +of Russia, as the dollar is in the United States. It is equal to +100 copecks, and at this time (1903) is worth only about 50 +cents.</p> + +<p>18. <i><a name="Honeytodrink">Honey to drink</a></i>, i.e., +fermented honey, or mead. (See note to p. 60.)</p> + +<p>19. <i><a name="Baba">Baba</a></i>, a peasant woman, or +grandmother; granny. <i>Yaga</i>, witch. <i>Baba Yaga</i>, +therefore, is the familiar "Grandmother Witch."</p> + +<p>20. <i><a name="Izba">Izba</a></i>, a hut. <i>Izboushka</i>, a +tiny hut.</p> + +<p>21. <i><a name="Schouba">Schouba</a></i>, a large fur-lined +cloak.</p> + +<p>22. <i><a name="Sarafan">Sarafan</a></i>, the Russian national +costume for women.</p> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/148.png" width="230" height="152" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<div class="fig" style="width:100%;"> +<img src="images/149.png" width="187" height="246" alt="[Illustration: ]" /> +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOLK TALES FROM THE RUSSIAN ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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b/old/12851-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/old/old/12851.txt b/old/old/12851.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4a6f77 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/12851.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3326 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Folk Tales from the Russian, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Folk Tales from the Russian + +Author: Various + +Release Date: July 8, 2004 [EBook #12851] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOLK TALES FROM THE RUSSIAN *** + + + + +Produced by Bob Jones, Frank van Drogen, Tamiko I. Camacho and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +[Illustration: "_She gave him a touchstone and flint_"] + + + +FOLK TALES + + + +FROM THE RUSSIAN + + + +RETOLD BY + +VERRA XENOPHONTOVNA KALAMATIANO DE BLUMENTHAL + + + + +FOREWORD + + +In Russia, as elsewhere in the world, folklore is rapidly scattering +before the practical spirit of modern progress. The traveling peasant +bard or story teller, and the devoted "nyanya", the beloved nurse of +many a generation, are rapidly dying out, and with them the tales and +legends, the last echoes of the nation's early joys and sufferings, +hopes and fears, are passing away. The student of folk-lore knows that +the time has come when haste is needed to catch these vanishing songs +of the nation's youth and to preserve them for the delight of future +generations. In sending forth the stories in the present volume, all +of which are here set down in print for the first time, it is my hope +that they may enable American children to share with the children of +Russia the pleasure of glancing into the magic world of the old Slavic +nation. + + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +THE TABLE OF CONTENTS + +_Foreword_ + +_A List of Illustrations_ + +_Dedication_ + +_Notes_ + + + +FOLK TALES + +The Tsarevna Frog + +Seven Simeons + +The Language of the Birds + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton + +Woe Bogotir + +Baba Yaga + +Dimian the Peasant + +The Golden Mountain + +Father Frost + + + +A LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + +"She gave him a touchstone and flint". + +The Tsarevna Frog + +"Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all directions" + +Ivan learns the language of the birds + +"The old man went begging from town to town" + +"One brother was sent to watch the turkeys" + +The rich brother + +"The children ran away as fast as their little feet could possibly +carry them" + +"Well, I struck a snag" + +"Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, beautiful things" + + + +_TO MY LITTLE FRIEND_ + +EDITH EVANS + +_AND ALL AMERICAN CHILDREN_ + +[Illustration: _The Tsarevna Frog_] + + + + + +THE TSAREVNA FROG + + +[Illustration] In an old, old Russian tsarstvo, I do not know when, +there lived a sovereign prince with the princess his wife. They had +three sons, all of them young, and such brave fellows that no pen +could describe them. The youngest had the name of Ivan Tsarevitch. One +day their father said to his sons: + +"My dear boys, take each of you an arrow, draw your strong bow and let +your arrow fly; in whatever court it falls, in that court there will +be a wife for you." + +The arrow of the oldest Tsarevitch fell on a boyar-house just in front +of the terem where women live; the arrow of the second Tsarevitch flew +to the red porch of a rich merchant, and on the porch there stood +a sweet girl, the merchant's daughter. The youngest, the brave +Tsarevitch Ivan, had the ill luck to send his arrow into the midst of +a swamp, where it was caught by a croaking frog. + +Ivan Tsarevitch came to his father: "How can I marry the frog?" +complained the son. "Is she my equal? Certainly she is not." + +"Never mind," replied his father, "you have to marry the frog, for +such is evidently your destiny." + +Thus the brothers were married: the oldest to a young boyarishnia, a +nobleman's child; the second to the merchant's beautiful daughter, and +the youngest, Tsarevitch Ivan, to a croaking frog. + +After a while the sovereign prince called his three sons and said to +them: + +"Have each of your wives bake a loaf of bread by to-morrow morning." + +Ivan returned home. There was no smile on his face, and his brow was +clouded. + +"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear husband of mine, Tsarevitch Ivan, why so +sad?" gently asked the frog. "Was there anything disagreeable in the +palace?" + +"Disagreeable indeed," answered Ivan Tsarevitch; "the Tsar, my father, +wants you to bake a loaf of white bread by to-morrow." + +"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; the morning hour is a better +adviser than the dark evening." + +The Tsarevitch, taking his wife's advice, went to sleep. Then the +frog threw off her frogskin and turned into a beautiful, sweet girl, +Vassilissa by name. She now stepped out on the porch and called aloud: + +"Nurses and waitresses, come to me at once and prepare a loaf of white +bread for to-morrow morning, a loaf exactly like those I used to eat +in my royal father's palace." + +In the morning Tsarevitch Ivan awoke with the crowing cocks, and you +know the cocks and chickens are never late. Yet the loaf was already +made, and so fine it was that nobody could even describe it, for only +in fairyland one finds such marvelous loaves. It was adorned all +about with pretty figures, with towns and fortresses on each side, and +within it was white as snow and light as a feather. + +The Tsar father was pleased and the Tsarevitch received his special +thanks. + +"Now there is another task," said the Tsar smilingly. "Have each of +your wives weave a rug by to-morrow." + +Tsarevitch Ivan came back to his home. There was no smile on his face +and his brow was clouded. + +"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear Tsarevitch Ivan, my husband and master, +why so troubled again? Was not father pleased?" + +"How can I be otherwise? The Tsar, my father, has ordered a rug by +to-morrow." + +"Do not worry, Tsarevitch. Go to bed; go to sleep. The morning hour +will bring help." + +Again the frog turned into Vassilissa, the wise maiden, and again she +called aloud: + +"Dear nurses and faithful waitresses, come to me for new work. Weave a +silk rug like the one I used to sit upon in the palace of the king, my +father." + +Once said, quickly done. When the cocks began their early +"cock-a-doodle-doo," Tsarevitch Ivan awoke, and lo! there lay the +most beautiful silk rug before him, a rug that no one could begin +to describe. Threads of silver and gold were interwoven among +bright-colored silken ones, and the rug was too beautiful for anything +but to admire. + +The Tsar father was pleased, thanked his son Ivan, and issued a new +order. He now wished to see the three wives of his handsome sons, and +they were to present their brides on the next day. + +The Tsarevitch Ivan returned home. Cloudy was his brow, more cloudy +than before. + +"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Tsarevitch, my dear husband and master, why so +sad? Hast thou heard anything unpleasant at the palace?" + +"Unpleasant enough, indeed! My father, the Tsar, ordered all of us to +present our wives to him. Now tell me, how could I dare go with thee?" + +"It is not so bad after all, and might be much worse," answered the +frog, gently croaking. "Thou shalt go alone and I will follow thee. +When thou hearest a noise, a great noise, do not be afraid; simply +say: 'There is my miserable froggy coming in her miserable box.'" + +The two elder brothers arrived first with their wives, beautiful, +bright, and cheerful, and dressed in rich garments. Both the happy +bridegrooms made fun of the Tsarevitch Ivan. + +"Why alone, brother?" they laughingly said to him. "Why didst thou not +bring thy wife along with thee? Was there no rag to cover her? Where +couldst thou have gotten such a beauty? We are ready to wager that in +all the swamps in the dominion of our father it would be hard to find +another one like her." And they laughed and laughed. + +Lo! what a noise! The palace trembled, the guests were all frightened. +Tsarevitch Ivan alone remained quiet and said: + +"No danger; it is my froggy coming in her box." + +To the red porch came flying a golden carriage drawn by six splendid +white horses, and Vassilissa, beautiful beyond all description, gently +reached her hand to her husband. He led her with him to the heavy oak +tables, which were covered with snow-white linen and loaded with +many wonderful dishes such as are known and eaten only in the land of +fairies and never anywhere else. The guests were eating and chatting +gayly. + +Vassilissa drank some wine, and what was left in the tumbler she +poured into her left sleeve. She ate some of the fried swan, and the +bones she threw into her right sleeve. The wives of the two elder +brothers watched her and did exactly the same. + +When the long, hearty dinner was over, the guests began dancing and +singing. The beautiful Vassilissa came forward, as bright as a star, +bowed to her sovereign, bowed to the honorable guests and danced with +her husband, the happy Tsarevitch Ivan. + +While dancing, Vassilissa waved her left sleeve and a pretty lake +appeared in the midst of the hall and cooled the air. She waved her +right sleeve and white swans swam on the water. The Tsar, the guests, +the servants, even the gray cat sitting in the corner, all were amazed +and wondered at the beautiful Vassilissa. Her two sisters-in-law alone +envied her. When their turn came to dance, they also waved their left +sleeves as Vassilissa had done, and, oh, wonder! they sprinkled wine +all around. They waved their right sleeves, and instead of swans the +bones flew in the face of the Tsar father. The Tsar grew very angry +and bade them leave the palace. In the meantime Ivan Tsarevitch +watched a moment to slip away unseen. He ran home, found the frogskin, +and burned it in the fire. + +Vassilissa, when she came back, searched for the skin, and when she +could not find it her beautiful face grew sad and her bright eyes +filled with tears. She said to Tsarevitch Ivan, her husband: + +"Oh, dear Tsarevitch, what hast thou done? There was but a short time +left for me to wear the ugly frogskin. The moment was near when we +could have been happy together forever. Now I must bid thee good-by. +Look for me in a far-away country to which no one knows the roads, at +the palace of Kostshei the Deathless;" and Vassilissa turned into a +white swan and flew away through the window. + +Tsarevitch Ivan wept bitterly. Then he prayed to the almighty God, +and making the sign of the cross northward, southward, eastward, and +westward, he went on a mysterious journey. + +No one knows how long his journey was, but one day he met an old, old +man. He bowed to the old man, who said: + +"Good-day, brave fellow. What art thou searching for, and whither art +thou going?" + +Tsarevitch Ivan answered sincerely, telling all about his misfortune +without hiding anything. + +"And why didst thou burn the frogskin? It was wrong to do so. Listen +now to me. Vassilissa was born wiser than her own father, and as he +envied his daughter's wisdom he condemned her to be a frog for three +long years. But I pity thee and want to help thee. Here is a magic +ball. In whatever direction this ball rolls, follow without fear." + +Ivan Tsarevitch thanked the good old man, and followed his new guide, +the ball. Long, very long, was his road. One day in a wide, flowery +field he met a bear, a big Russian bear. Ivan Tsarevitch took his bow +and was ready to shoot the bear. + +"Do not kill me, kind Tsarevitch," said the bear. "Who knows but that +I may be useful to thee?" And Ivan did not shoot the bear. + +Above in the sunny air there flew a duck, a lovely white duck. Again +the Tsarevitch drew his bow to shoot it. But the duck said to him: + +"Do not kill me, good Tsarevitch. I certainly shall be useful to thee +some day." + +And this time he obeyed the command of the duck and passed by. +Continuing his way he saw a blinking hare. The Tsarevitch prepared an +arrow to shoot it, but the gray, blinking hare said: + +"Do not kill me, brave Tsarevitch. I shall prove myself grateful to +thee in a very short time." + +The Tsarevitch did not shoot the hare, but passed by. He walked +farther and farther after the rolling ball, and came to the deep blue +sea. On the sand there lay a fish. I do not remember the name of the +fish, but it was a big fish, almost dying on the dry sand. + +"O Tsarevitch Ivan!" prayed the fish, "have mercy upon me and push me +back into the cool sea." + +The Tsarevitch did so, and walked along the shore. The ball, rolling +all the time, brought Ivan to a hut, a queer, tiny hut standing on +tiny hen's feet. + +"Izboushka! Izboushka!"--for so in Russia do they name small +huts--"Izboushka, I want thee to turn thy front to me," cried Ivan, +and lo! the tiny hut turned its front at once. Ivan stepped in and saw +a witch, one of the ugliest witches he could imagine. + +"Ho! Ivan Tsarevitch! What brings thee here?" was his greeting from +the witch. + +"O, thou old mischief!" shouted Ivan with anger. "Is it the way in +holy Russia to ask questions before the tired guest gets something to +eat, something to drink, and some hot water to wash the dust off?" + +Baba Yaga, the witch, gave the Tsarevitch plenty to eat and drink, +besides hot water to wash the dust off. Tsarevitch Ivan felt +refreshed. Soon he became talkative, and related the wonderful story +of his marriage. He told how he had lost his dear wife, and that his +only desire was to find her. + +"I know all about it," answered the witch. "She is now at the palace +of Kostshei the Deathless, and thou must understand that Kostshei is +terrible. He watches her day and night and no one can ever conquer +him. His death depends on a magic needle. That needle is within a +hare; that hare is within a large trunk; that trunk is hidden in the +branches of an old oak tree; and that oak tree is watched by Kostshei +as closely as Vassilissa herself, which means closer than any treasure +he has." + +Then the witch told Ivan Tsarevitch how and where to find the oak +tree. Ivan hastily went to the place. But when he perceived the oak +tree he was much discouraged, not knowing what to do or how to begin +the work. Lo and behold! that old acquaintance of his, the Russian +bear, came running along, approached the tree, uprooted it, and the +trunk fell and broke. A hare jumped out of the trunk and began to run +fast; but another hare, Ivan's friend, came running after, caught it +and tore it to pieces. Out of the hare there flew a duck, a gray one +which flew very high and was almost invisible, but the beautiful white +duck followed the bird and struck its gray enemy, which lost an egg. +That egg fell into the deep sea. Ivan meanwhile was anxiously watching +his faithful friends helping him. But when the egg disappeared in the +blue waters he could not help weeping. All of a sudden a big fish came +swimming up, the same fish he had saved, and brought the egg in his +mouth. How happy Ivan was when he took it! He broke it and found the +needle inside, the magic needle upon which everything depended. + +At the same moment Kostshei lost his strength and power forever. +Ivan Tsarevitch entered his vast dominions, killed him with the +magic needle, and in one of the palaces found his own dear wife, his +beautiful Vassilissa. He took her home and they were very happy ever +after. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +SEVEN SIMEONS + + +[Illustration] In an empire, in a country beyond many seas and +islands, beyond high mountains, beyond large rivers, upon a level +expanse, as if spread upon a table, there stood a large town, and +in that town there lived a Tsar called Archidei, the son of Aggei; +therefore he was called Aggeivitch. + +A famous Tsar he was, and a clever one. His wealth could not be +counted; his warriors were innumerable. There were forty times forty +towns in his kingdom, and in each one of these towns there were ten +palaces with silver doors and golden ceilings and magnificent crystal +windows. + +For his council twelve wise men were selected, each one of them having +a beard half a yard long and a head full of wisdom. These advisers +offered nothing but truth to their father sovereign; none ever dared +advance a lie. + +How could such a Tsar be anything but happy? But it is true, indeed, +that neither wealth nor wisdom give happiness when the heart is not at +ease, and even in golden palaces the poor heart often aches. + +So it was with the Tsar Archidei; he was rich and clever, besides +being a handsome fellow; but he could not find a bride to his taste, a +bride with wit and beauty equal to his own. And this was the cause of +the Tsar Archidei's sorrow and distress. + +One day he was sitting in his golden armchair looking out of the +window lost in thought. He had gazed for quite a while before he +noticed foreign sailors landing opposite the imperial palace. The +sailors ran their ship up to the wharf, reefed their white sails, +threw the heavy anchor into the sea and prepared the plank ready to +go ashore. Before them all walked an old merchant; white was his beard +and he had about him the air of a wise man. An idea suddenly occurred +to the Tsar: "Sea merchants generally are well informed on many +subjects. If I ask them, perchance I shall find that they have met +somewhere a princess, beautiful and clever, suitable for me, the Tsar +Archidei." + +Without delay the order was given to call the sea merchants into the +halls of the palace. + +The merchant guests appeared, prayed to the holy icons hanging in +the corner, bowed to the Tsar, bowed to the wise advisers. The Tsar +ordered his servants to serve them with tumblers of strong green wine. +The guests drank the strong green wine and wiped their beards with +embroidered towels. Then the Tsar Archidei addressed them: + +"We are aware that you gallant sea merchants cross all the big +waters and see many wonderful things. My desire is to ask you about +something, and you must give a straightforward answer without any +deceit or evasion." + +"So be it, mighty Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch," answered the merchant +guests, bowing. + +"Well, then, can you tell me if somewhere in an empire or kingdom, +or among great princes, there is a maiden as beautiful and wise as +I myself, Tsar Archidei; an illustrious maiden who would be a proper +wife for me, a suitable Tsaritza for my country?" + +The merchant guests seemed to be puzzled, and after a long silence the +eldest among them thus replied: + +"Indeed, I once heard that yonder beyond the great sea, on an island +called Buzan, there is a great country; and the sovereign of that land +has a daughter named Helena, a princess very beautiful, not less so, +I dare say, than thyself. And wise she is, too; a wise man once tried +for three years to guess a riddle that she gave, and did not succeed." + +"How far is that island, pray tell, and where are the roads that lead +to it?" + +"The island is not near," answered the old merchant. "If one chooses +the wide sea he must journey ten years. Besides, the way to it is not +known to us. Moreover, even suppose we did know the way, it seems that +the Princess Helena is not a bride for thee." + +The Tsar Archidei shouted with anger: + +"How dost thou dare to speak such words, thou, a long-bearded buck?" + +"Thy will be done, but think for thyself. Suppose thou shouldst send +an envoy to the island of Buzan. He would require ten long years to go +there, ten years equally long to come back, and so his journey would +require fully twenty years. By that time a most beautiful princess +would grow old--a girl's beauty is like the swallow, a bird of +passage; it lasts not long." + +The Tsar Archidei became thoughtful. + +"Well," he said to the merchant guests, "you have my thanks, guests of +passage, respectable men of trade. Go in God's name, transact business +in my tsarstvo without any taxes whatever. What to do about the +beautiful Princess Helena I will try to think out by myself." + +The merchants bowed low and left the Tsar's rich palace. + +The Tsar Archidei sat still, wrapped in thought, but he could find +neither beginning nor end to the problem. "Let me ride into the wide +fields," he said; "let me forget my sorrow amid the excitement of the +noble hunt, hoping that the future may bring advice." + +The falconers appeared, cheerful notes from the golden trumpets +resounded, and falcons and hawks were soon slumbering under their +velvet caps as they sat quietly on the fingers of the hunters. + +The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch came with his men to a wide, wide field. +All of his men were watching the moment to loose their falcons in +order to let the birds pursue a long-legged heron or a white-breasted +swan. + +Now, you, my listeners, must understand that the fairy tale is quick, +but life is not. The Tsar Archidei was on horseback for a long while, +and finally came to a green valley. Looking around he saw a well +cultivated field where the golden ears of the grain were already ripe, +and oh, how beautiful! The Tsar stopped in admiration. + +"I presume," he exclaimed, "that good workers are owners of this +place, honest plowmen and diligent sowers. If only all fields in +my tsarstvo were equally cultivated, my people need never know what +hunger means, and there would even be plenty to send beyond the sea to +be exchanged for silver and gold." + +Then the Tsar Archidei gave orders to inquire who the owners of the +field were, and what were their names. Hunters, grooms, and servants +rushed in all directions, and discovered seven brave fellows, all of +them fair, red-cheeked, and very handsome. They were dining according +to the peasant fashion, which means that they were eating rye bread +with onions, and drinking clear water. Their blouses were red, with a +golden galloon around the neck, and they were so much alike that one +could hardly be recognized from another. + +The royal messengers approached. + +"Whose field is this?" they asked; "this field with golden wheat?" + +The seven brave peasants answered cheerfully: + +"This is our field; we plowed it, and we also have sown the golden +wheat." + +"And what kind of people are you?" + +"We are the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch's peasants, farmers, and we are +brothers, sons of one father and mother. The name for all of us is +Simeon, so you understand we are seven Simeons." + +[Illustration: "_Hunters, grooms, and servants rushed in all +directions_"] + +This answer was faithfully delivered to the Tsar Archidei by the +envoys, and the Tsar at once desired to see the brave peasants, and +ordered them to be called before him. The seven Simeons presently +appeared and bowed. The Tsar looked at them with his bright eyes and +asked them: + +"What kind of people are you whose field is so well cultivated?" + +One of the seven brothers, the eldest of them, answered: + +"We are all thy peasants, simpletons, without any wisdom, born of +peasant parents, all of us children of the same father and the same +mother, and all having the same name, Simeon. Our old father taught us +to pray to God, to obey thee, to pay taxes faithfully, and besides to +work and toil without rest. He also taught to each of us a trade, +for the old saying is, 'A trade is no burden, but a profit.' The old +father wished us to keep our trades for a cloudy day, but never to +forsake our own fields, and always to be contented, and plow and +harrow diligently. + +"He also used to say, 'If one does not neglect the mother earth, but +thoroughly harrows and sows in due season, then she, our mother, will +reward generously, and will give plenty of bread, besides preparing +a soft place for the everlasting rest when one is old and tired of +life.'" + +The Tsar Archidei liked the simple answer of the peasant, and said: + +"Take my praise, brave good fellows, my peasants, tillers of the soil, +sowers of wheat, gatherers of gold. And now tell me, what trades did +your father teach you, and what do you know?" + +The first Simeon answered: + +"My trade is not a very wise one. If thou wouldst let me have +materials and working men, then I could build a post, a white stone +column, reaching beyond the clouds, almost to the sky." + +"Good enough!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei. "And thou, the second +Simeon, what is thy trade?" + +The second Simeon was quick to give answer: + +"My trade is a simple one. If my brother will build a white stone +column, I can climb upon that column high up in the sky, and I shall +see from above all the empires and all the kingdoms under the sun, and +everything which is going on in those foreign countries." + +"Thy trade is not so bad either," and the Tsar smiled and looked at +the third brother. "And thou, third Simeon, what trade is thine?" + +The third Simeon also had his answer ready: + +"My trade is simple, too; that is to say, a peasant's trade. If thou +art in need of ships, thy learned men of foreign birth build them for +thee as well as their wisdom teaches them. But if thou wilt order, I +will build them simply--one, two! and the ship is ready. My ships will +be the result of the quick headwork of a peasant simpleton. But where +a foreign ship sails a year, mine will sail an hour, and where others +take ten years, mine will take not longer than a week." + +"Well, well!" laughed the Tsar. "And thy trade, the fourth Simeon?" he +asked. + +The fourth brother bowed. + +"My trade needs no wisdom either. If my brother will build thee a +ship, I then will sail that ship; and if an enemy gives chase or a +tempest rises, I'll seize the ship by the black prow and plunge her +into the deep waters where there is eternal quiet; and after the storm +is over or the enemy far, I'll again guide her to the surface of the +wide sea." + +"Good!" approved the Tsar. "And thou, fifth Simeon, what dost thou +know? Hast thou also a trade?" + +"My trade, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, is not a fair one, for I am a +blacksmith. If thou wouldst order a shop built for me, I at once would +forge a self-shooting gun, and no eagle far above in the sky or wild +beast in the wood would be safe from that gun." + +"Not bad either," answered the Tsar Archidei, well pleased. "Thy turn +now, sixth Simeon." + +"My trade is no trade," answered the sixth Simeon, rather humbly. "If +my brother shoots a bird or a beast, never mind what or where, I can +catch it before it falls down, catch it even better than a hunting +dog. If the prey should fall into the blue sea, I'll find it at the +sea's bottom; should it fall into the depth of the dark woods, I'll +find it there in the midst of night; should it get caught in a cloud, +I'll find it even there." + +The Tsar Archidei evidently liked the trade of the sixth Simeon very +well also. These were all simple trades, you see, without any wisdom +whatever, but rather entertaining. The Tsar also liked the peasants' +speech, and he said to them: + +"Thanks, my peasants, tillers of the soil, my faithful workers. Your +father's words are true ones: 'A trade is not a burden, but a profit.' +Now come to my capital for a trial; people like you are welcome. And +when the season for harvest arrives, the time to reap, to bind in +bundles the golden grain, to thresh and carry the wheat to the market, +I will let you go home with my royal grace." + +Then all the seven Simeons bowed very low. "Thine is the will," said +they, "and we are thy obedient subjects." + +Here the Tsar Archidei looked at the youngest Simeon and remembered +that he had not asked him about his trade. So he said: + +"And thou, seventh Simeon, what is thy trade?" + +"I have none, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. I learned many, but not a +single one did me any good, and though I know something very well, I +am not sure your majesty would like it." + +"Let us know thy secret," ordered the Tsar Archidei. + +"No, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch! Give me, first of all, thy royal word +not to kill me for my inborn talent, but to have mercy upon me. Then +only will I be willing to disclose my secret." + +"Thy wish is granted. I give thee my royal word, true and not to be +broken, that whatever thou shalt disclose to me, I will have mercy +upon thee." + +Hearing these kind words, the seventh Simeon smiled, looked around, +shook his curls and began: + +"My trade is one for which there is no mercy in thy tsarstvo, and it +is the one thing I am able to do. My trade is to steal and to hide the +trace of how and when. There is no treasure, no fortunate possession, +not even a bewitched one, nor a secret place that could be forbidden +me if it be my wish to steal." + +As soon as these bold words of the seventh Simeon reached the Tsar's +ears he became very angry. + +"No!" he exclaimed, "I certainly shall not pardon thee, thief and +burglar! I will give orders for thy cruel death! I will have thee +chained and thrown into my subterranean prison with nothing but bread +and water for food until thou forget thy trade!" + +"Great and merciful Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, postpone thy orders. +Listen to my peasant talk," prayed the seventh Simeon. "Our old +Russian saying is: 'He is no thief who is not caught, and neither is +he who steals, but the one who instigates the theft.' If my wish had +been to steal, I should have done it long ago. I should have stolen +thy treasures and thy judges would not have objected to take a small +share of them, and I could have built a white-walled stone palace and +have been rich. But, mark this: I am a stupid peasant of low origin. I +know well enough how to steal, but will not. If thy wish were to learn +my trade, how could I keep it from thee? And if thou, for this sincere +acknowledgment, wilt have me put to death, then what is the value of +thy royal word?" + +The Tsar thought a moment. "For this time," he said, "I will not let +thee die, for it pleases me to grant thee my grace. But from this very +day, this very hour, thou never shalt see God's light nor the bright +sunshine nor the silvery moon. Thou shalt never walk at liberty +through the wide fields, but thou, my dear guest, shalt dwell in a +palace where no sunny ray ever penetrates. You, my servants, take him, +chain his hands and his feet and lead him to my chief jailor. And you +six Simeons follow me. You have my grace and reward. To-morrow every +one of you will begin to work for me according to his gifts and +capacities." + +The six Simeons followed the Tsar Archidei, and the seventh brother, +the youngest, the beloved one, was fallen upon by the servants, taken +away to the dark prison and heavily chained. + +The Tsar Archidei ordered carpenters to be sent to the first Simeon, +as well as masons and blacksmiths and all sorts of workingmen. He also +ordered a supply of bricks, stones, iron, clay, and cement. Without +any delay, Simeon, the first brother, began to build a column, and +according to his simple peasant's habits his work progressed rapidly, +and not a moment was wasted in clever combinations. In a short time +the white column was ready, and lo, how high it went! as high as the +great planets. The smaller stars were beneath it, and from above the +people seemed to be like bugs. + +The second Simeon climbed the column, looked around, listened to +all sounds, and came down. The Tsar Archidei, anxious to know about +everything under the sun, ordered him to report, and Simeon did so. He +told the Tsar Archidei all the wonderful doings all over the world. He +told how one king was fighting another, where there was war and +where there was peace, and with other things the second Simeon even +mentioned deep secrets, quite surprising secrets, which made the Tsar +Archidei smile; and the courtiers, encouraged by the royal smile, +roared with laughter. + +Meantime the third Simeon was accomplishing something in his line. +After crossing himself three times the fellow rolled up his sleeves +to the elbow, took a hatchet and--one, two--without any haste built +a vessel. What a curious vessel it was! The Tsar Archidei watched +the wonderful structure from the shore and as soon as the orders were +given for sailing, the new vessel sailed away like a white-winged +hawk. The cannon were shooting and upon the masts, instead of rigging, +were drawn strings upon which musicians were playing the national +tunes. + +As soon as the wonderful vessel sailed into deep water, the fourth +Simeon snatched the prow and no trace of it remained on the surface; +the whole vessel went to the depths like a heavy stone. In an hour or +so Simeon, with his left hand, led the ship to the blue surface of +the sea again, and with his right he presented to the Tsar a most +magnificent sturgeon for his "kulibiaka," the famous Russian fish pie. + +While the Tsar Archidei enjoyed himself with looking at the marvelous +vessel, the fifth Simeon built a blacksmith shop in the court back of +the palace. There he blew the bellows and heated the iron. The noise +from his hammers was great and the result of his peasant work was +a self-shooting gun. The Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch went to the wild +fields and perceived high above him, very high under the sky, an eagle +flying. + +"Now!" exclaimed the Tsar, "there is an eagle forgetting himself with +watching the sun; shoot it. Perchance thou shalt have the good luck to +hit it. Then I will honor thee." + +Simeon shook his locks, smiled, put into his gun a silver bullet, +aimed, shot, and the eagle fell swiftly to the earth. The sixth Simeon +did not even allow the eagle to fall to the ground, but, quick as a +flash, he ran under it with a plate, caught it on that big plate and +presented his prey to the Tsar Archidei. + +"Thanks, thanks, my brave fellows, faithful peasants, tillers of the +soil!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei gayly. "I see now plainly that all +of you are men of trade and I wish to reward you. But now go to your +dinner and rest awhile." The six Simeons bowed to the Tsar very low, +prayed to the holy icons and went. They were already seated, had time +to swallow each one a tumbler of the strong, green wine, took up +the round wooden spoons in order to attack the "stchi," the Russian +cabbage soup, when lo! the Tsar's fool came running and shaking his +striped cap with the round bells and shouted: + +"You ignorant simpletons, unlearned peasants, moujiks! Is it a +suitable moment for dinner when the Tsar wants you? Go in haste!" + +All the six started running toward the palace, thinking within +themselves: "What can have happened?" In front of the palace stood the +guards with their iron staves; in the halls all the wise and learned +people were gathered together, and the Tsar himself was sitting on his +high throne looking very grim and thoughtful. + +"Listen to me," he said when the peasants approached, "you, my brave +fellows, my clever brothers Simeon. I like your trades and I think, as +do my wise advisers, that if thou, the second Simeon, art able to +see everything going on under the sun, thou shouldst climb quickly +on yonder column and glance around to see if there is, as they say, +beyond the great sea an island, Buzan by name. And see if on that +island, as men assert, there is a mighty kingdom, and in that kingdom +a mighty king, and if that king, as the story goes, has a daughter, +the most beautiful princess Helena." + +The second Simeon bowed and ran quickly, even forgetting to put on his +cap. He went straight to the column, climbed it, looked around, came +down, and this was his report: + +"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, I have accomplished thy sovereign wish. I +looked far beyond the sea and have seen the island Buzan. Mighty is +the king there, and he is proud and merciless. He sits within his +palace and his speech is always the same: + +'I am a great king and I have a most beautiful daughter, the princess +Helena. There is no one in the universe more beautiful and more wise +than she; there is no bridegroom worthy of her in any place under the +bright sun, no tsar, no king, no tsarevitch, no korolevitch. To no one +will I ever give my daughter, the princess Helena, and whoever +shall dare to court her, on such an one will I declare war, ruin his +country, and capture himself.'" + +"And how great is the army of that king?" asked the Tsar Archidei; +"and also how far is his kingdom from my tsarstvo?" + +"Well, according to the measure of my eyes," answered Simeon, "I fancy +it would take a ship ten years less two days; or, if it happened to be +stormy, I am afraid even a little longer than ten years. And that +king has not a small army. I have seen altogether a hundred thousand +spearmen, a hundred thousand armed men, and a hundred thousand or more +could be gathered from the Tsar's court, from his servants and all +kinds of underlings. Besides, there is no small armament of guards +held in reserve for a special occasion, fed and petted by the king." + +The Tsar Archidei remained for a long time in thoughtful silence and +finally addressed his court people: + +"My warriors and advisers: I have but one wish; I want the princess +Helena for my wife. But tell me, how can I reach her?" + +The wise advisers remained silent, hiding themselves behind each +other. The third Simeon looked around, bowed to the Tsar, and said: + +"Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, forgive my simple words. How to reach the +island of Buzan there is no need to worry about. Sit down on my ship; +she is simply built, and equipped without any wise tricks. Where +others require a year she takes but a day, and where other ships +take ten years mine will take, let us say, a week. Only order thine +advisers to decide whether we ought to fight for or peacefully court +the beautiful princess." + +"Now, my warriors brave, my advisers sage," spoke the Tsar Archidei to +his men, "How will you decide upon this matter? Who among you will go +to fight for the princess, or who will be shrewd enough to bring her +peacefully here? I will pour gold and silver over that one. I will +give to him the first rank among the very first." + +And again the brave warriors and the sage advisers remained silent. +The Tsar grew angry; he seemed to be ready for a terrible word. Then, +as if somebody had asked the fool, out he jumped from behind the wise +people with his foolish talk, shook his striped fool's cap, rang his +many bells, and shouted: + +"Why so silent, wise men? why so deep in thought? You have big heads +and long beards; it would seem that there is plenty of wisdom, so why +not show it? To go to the island of Buzan to obtain the bride does +not mean to lose gold or army. Have you already forgotten the seventh +Simeon? Why, it will be simple enough for him to steal the princess +Helena. Afterwards let the king of Buzan come here to fight us, and we +will welcome him as an honored guest. But do not forget that he must +take ten years' time to reach us, and in ten years--ah me! I have +heard that some wise man somewhere undertook to teach a horse to talk +in ten years!" + +"Good! Good!" exclaimed the Tsar Archidei, forgetting even his anger. +"I thank thee, striped fool. I certainly shall reward thee. Thou must +have a new cap with noisy bells, and each one of thy children a +ginger pancake. You, faithful servants, run quickly and bring here the +seventh Simeon." + +According to the Tsar's bidding the heavy iron gates of the dark +prison were thrown open, the heavy chains were taken off and the +seventh Simeon appeared before the eager eyes of the Tsar Archidei, +who thus addressed him: + +"Listen to me attentively, thou seventh Simeon, for I had almost +decided to grant thee a high honor; to keep thee thy life long in my +prison. But if thou shouldst prove useful to me, then will I give thee +freedom; and besides, thou shalt have a share out of my treasures. Art +thou able to steal the beautiful princess Helena from her father, the +mighty king of the island of Buzan?" + +"And why not?" cheerfully laughed the seventh Simeon. "There is +nothing difficult about it. She is not a pearl, and I presume she is +not under too many locks. Only order the ship which my brother had +built for thee to be loaded with velvets and brocades, with Persian +rugs, beautiful pearls and precious stones, and bid my four brothers +come along with me. But the two eldest keep thou as hostages." + +Once said, quickly done. The Tsar Archidei gave orders while all were +running hither and thither, and everything was finished so promptly +that a short-haired girl would scarcely have had time to plait her +hair. The ship, laden with velvets, brocades, with Persian rugs and +pearls, and costly precious stones, was ready; the five brothers, the +brave Simeons, were ready; they bowed to the Tsar, spread sail, and +disappeared. + +The ship floated swiftly over the blue waters; she flew like a hawk +in comparison with the slow merchant vessels, and in a week after the +five Simeons had left their native land they sighted the island of +Buzan. + +The island appeared to be surrounded with cannon as thick as peas; +the gigantic guards walked up and down the shores tugging fiercely at +their big mustaches. As soon as the ship became visible from a tower +somebody shouted through a Dutch trumpet: + +"Stop! Answer! What kind of people are ye? Why come ye here?" + +The seventh Simeon answered from the ship: "We are a peaceful people, +not enemies but friends, merchants everywhere welcomed as guests. We +bring foreign merchandise. We want to sell, to buy, and to exchange. +We also have gifts for your king and for the korolevna." + +The five brothers, our brave Simeons, lowered the boat, loaded it with +choice Venetian velvets, brocades, pearls, and precious stones, and +covered all with Persian rugs. They rowed to the wharf, and landing +near the king's palace, at once carried their gifts to the king. + +The beautiful korolevna Helena was sitting in her terem. She was a +fair maiden with eyes like stars and eyebrows like precious sable. +When she looked at one it was like receiving a gift, and when she +walked it was like the graceful swimming of a swan. The korolevna was +quick to notice the brave, handsome brothers and at once called her +nurses and maidens. + +"Hasten, my dear nurses, and you, swift maidens, find out what kind of +strangers are these coming to our royal palace." + +All of the nurses, all of the maidens, ran out with questions ready. +The seventh Simeon answered them thus: + +"We are merchant guests, peaceful people. Our native land is the +country of the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, a great Tsar indeed. We came +to sell, to buy, to exchange; moreover, we have gifts for the king and +his princess. We do hope the king will favor us and will accept these +trifles; if not for himself, at least for the adornment of his court's +lovely maidens." + +When Helena heard these words she at once let the merchants in. And +the merchants appeared, bowed low to the beautiful korolevna, unfolded +the showy velvets and golden brocades, strewed around the pearls and +precious stones, such stones and pearls as had never been seen before +in Buzan. The nurses and the maidens opened their mouths in amazement, +and the korolevna herself seemed to be greatly pleased. The seventh +Simeon, quick to understand, smiled and said: + +"We all know thee to be as wise as beautiful, but now thou art +evidently joking about us or mocking us. These simple wares are +altogether too plain for thine own use. Accept them for thy nurses and +maidens for their everyday attire, and these stones send away to the +kitchen boys to play with. But if thou wilt listen to me, let me say +that on our ship we have very different velvets and brocades; we have +also precious stones, far more precious than any one has ever seen; +yet we dared not bring them at once lest we might not suit thy temper +and thy hearty wish. If thou shouldst decide to come in person and +choose anything from among our possessions, they all are thine and we +bow to thee gratefully for the bright glance of thy beautiful eyes." + +The royal maid liked well enough these polite words of the handsome +Simeon, and to her father she went: + +"Father and king, there have come to visit us some foreign merchants +and they have brought some goods never before seen in Buzan. Give +me thy permission to go on board their wonderful ship to choose what +things I like. They also have rich gifts for thee." + +The king hesitated before answering her, frowning and scratching +behind his ear. + +"Well," he said at last, "be it according to thy wish, my daughter, my +beautiful korolevna. And you, my counselors, order my royal vessel +to be ready, the cannons loaded, and a hundred of my bravest warriors +detailed to escort the vessel. Send besides a thousand heavy armed +warriors to guard the korolevna on her way to the merchants' vessel." + +Then the king's vessel started from the island of Buzan. Numbers +of cannon and warriors protected the princess, and the royal father +remained quiet at home. + +When they reached the merchants' ship the korolevna Helena came down, +and at once the crystal bridge was placed and the korolevna with all +her nurses and maidens went on board the foreign ship, such a ship +as they had never seen before, never even dreamed of. Meanwhile the +guards kept watch. + +The seventh Simeon showed the lovely guests everywhere. He was talking +smoothly while leisurely unfolding his precious goods. The korolevna +listened attentively, looked around curiously, and seemed well +pleased. + +At the same moment the fourth Simeon, watching the proper moment, +snapped the prow and down to mysterious depths went the ship where no +one could see her. The people on the king's vessel screamed in terror, +the warriors looked like drunken fools, and the guards only opened +their eyes wider than before. What should they do? They directed the +vessel back to the island and appeared before the king with their +terrible tale. + +"Oh, my daughter, my darling princess Helena! It is God who punishes +me for my pride. I never wanted thee to marry. No king, no prince, +would I consider worthy of thee; and now--oh! now I know that thou art +wedded to the deep sea! As for me, I am left alone for the rest of my +sorrowful days." + +Then all at once he looked around and shouted to his men: + +"You fools! what were you thinking about? You shall all lose your +heads! Guards, throw them into dungeons! The most cruel death shall +be theirs, such a death that the children of their great-grandchildren +shall shiver to hear the tale!" + +Now, while the king of Buzan raved and grieved, the ship of the +brothers Simeon, like a golden fish, swam under the blue waters, and +when the island was lost from sight the fourth Simeon brought her to +the surface and she rose upon the waters like a white-winged gull. By +this time the princess was becoming anxious about the long time they +were away from home, and she exclaimed: + +"Nurses and maidens, we are leisurely looking around, but I fancy my +father the king finds the time sadly long." She hastily walked to the +deck of the ship, and behold!--only the wide sea was around her like a +mirror! Where was her native island, where the royal vessel? There was +nothing visible but the blue sea. The princess screamed, struck her +white bosom with both hands, transformed herself into a white swan and +flew high into the sky. But the fifth Simeon, watching closely, +lost no time, snapped his lucky gun and the white swan was shot. His +brother, the sixth Simeon, caught the white swan, but lo! instead of +the white swan there was a silvery fish, which slipped away from him. +Simeon caught the fish, but the pretty, silvery fish turned into a +small mouse running around the ship. Simeon did not let it reach +a hole, but swifter than a cat caught the mouse,--and the princess +Helena, as beautiful and natural as before, appeared before them, +fair-faced, bright-eyed. + +On a lovely morning a week later the Tsar Archidei was sitting by the +window of his palace lost in thought. His eyes were turned toward the +sea, the wide, blue sea. He was sad at heart and could not eat; feasts +had no interest for him, the costly dishes had no taste, the honey +drink seemed weak. All his thoughts and longings were for the princess +Helena, the beautiful one, the only one. + +What is that far away upon the waters? Is it a white gull? Or are +those white wings not wings, but sails? No, it is not a gull, but the +ship of the brothers Simeon, and she approaches as rapidly as the wind +which blows her sails. The cannon boom, native melodies are played on +the cords of the masts. Soon the ship is anchored, the crystal bridge +prepared, and the korolevna Helena, the beautiful princess, appears +like a never-setting sun, her eyes like bright stars, and oh! how +happy is the Tsar Archidei! + +"Run quick, my faithful servants, you brave officers of state, and +you, too, my bodyguard, and all you useful and ornamental fellows of +my palace, run and prepare, shoot off rockets and ring the bells in +order to give a joyful welcome to korolevna Helena, the beautiful." + +All hastened to their tasks, to shoot, to ring the bells, to open the +gates, to honorably receive the korolevna. The Tsar himself came out +to meet the beautiful princess, took her white hands and helped her +into the palace. + +"Welcome! welcome!" said the Tsar Archidei. "Thy fame, korolevna +Helena, reached me, but never could I imagine such beauty as is thine. +Yet, though I admire thee, I do not want to separate thee from thy +father. Say the word and my faithful servants will take thee back +to him. If thou choosest, however, to remain in my tzarstvo, be the +tsaritza over my country and rule over me, the Tsar Archidei, also." + +At these words of the Tsar the korolevna Helena threw such a glance at +the Tsar that it seemed to him the sun was laughing, the moon singing, +and the stars dancing all around. + +Well, what more is there to be said? You certainly can imagine the +rest. The courtship was not long and the wedding feast was soon +ready, for you know kings always have everything at their command. The +brothers Simeon were at once dispatched to the king of Buzan with a +message from the korolevna, his daughter, and this is what she wrote: + +"Dear father, mighty king and sovereign: I have found a husband +according to my heart's wish and I am asking thy fatherly blessing. +My bridegroom, the Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch, sends his counselors to +thee, begging thee to come to our wedding." + +At the very moment when the merchant ship was to land at the island of +Buzan, crowds of people had gathered to witness the execution of the +unfortunate guards and brave warriors whose ill-luck it was to have +allowed the princess to disappear. + +"Stop!" Simeon the seventh shouted aloud from the deck. "We bring a +missive from the korolevna Helena. Holla!" + +Very glad indeed was the king of the island of Buzan, and glad +were all his subjects. The missive was read and the condemned were +pardoned. + +"Evidently," the king said, "it is fated that the handsome and witty +Tsar Archidei and my beautiful daughter are to become husband and +wife." + +Then the king treated the envoys and the brothers Simeon very well and +sent his blessings with them, as he himself did not wish to go, being +very old. The ship soon returned and the Tsar Archidei rejoiced over +it with his beautiful bride, and at once summoned the seven Simeons, +the seven brave peasants. + +He said to them: "Thanks! thanks! my peasants, my brave tillers of +the soil. Take as much gold as you wish. Take silver also and ask for +whatever is your heart's desire. Everything shall be given you with +my mighty hand. Would you like to become boyars, you shall be the +greatest among the very great. Do you choose to become governors, each +one shall have a town." + +The first Simeon bowed to the Tsar and cheerfully answered: + +"Thanks also to thee, Tsar Archidei Aggeivitch. We are but simple +people and simple are our ways. It would not do for us to become +boyars or governors. We do not care for thy treasures either. We have +our own father's field, which shall always give us bread for hunger +and money for need. Let us go home, taking with us thy gracious word +as our reward. If thou choosest to be so kind, give us thine order +which shall save us from the judges and tax-gatherers; and if we +should be guilty of some offense, let thyself alone be our judge. And +do, we pray thee, pardon the seventh Simeon, our youngest brother. His +trade is surely bad, but he is not the first and not the last one to +have such a gift." + +"Let it be as you wish," said the Tsar; and every desire was granted +to the seven Simeons, and each one of them received a big tumbler of +strong green wine out of the hands of the Tsar himself. Soon after +this the wedding was celebrated. + +Now, honorable dames and gentlemen, do not judge this story of mine +too severely. If you like it, praise it; if not, let it be forgotten. +The story is told and a word is like a sparrow--once out it is out for +good. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +THE LANGUAGE OF THE BIRDS + + +[Illustration] Somewhere in a town in holy Russia, there lived a rich +merchant with his wife. He had an only son, a dear, bright, and brave +boy called Ivan. One lovely day Ivan sat at the dinner table with +his parents. Near the window in the same room hung a cage, and a +nightingale, a sweet-voiced, gray bird, was imprisoned within. The +sweet nightingale began to sing its wonderful song with trills and +high silvery tones. The merchant listened and listened to the song and +said: + +"How I wish I could understand the meaning of the different songs of +all the birds! I would give half my wealth to the man, if only there +were such a man, who could make plain to me all the different songs of +the different birds." + +Ivan took notice of these words and no matter where he went, no matter +where he was, no matter what he did, he always thought of how he could +learn the language of the birds. + +[Illustration: _Ivan learns the language of the birds_] + +Some time after this the merchant's son happened to be hunting in a +forest. The winds rose, the sky became clouded, the lightning flashed, +the thunder roared loudly, and the rain fell in torrents. Ivan soon +came near a large tree and saw a big nest in the branches. Four small +birds were in the nest; they were quite alone, and neither father nor +mother was there to protect them from the cold and wet. The good Ivan +pitied them, climbed the tree and covered the little ones with his +"kaftan," a long-skirted coat which the Russian peasants and merchants +usually wear. The thunderstorm passed by and a big bird came flying +and sat down on a branch near the nest and spoke very kindly to Ivan. + +"Ivan, I thank thee; thou hast protected my little children from the +cold and rain and I wish to do something for thee. Tell me what thou +dost wish." + +Ivan answered; "I am not in need; I have everything for my comfort. +But teach me the birds' language." + +"Stay with me three days and thou shalt know all about it." + +Ivan remained in the forest three days. He understood well the +teaching of the big bird and returned home more clever than before. +One beautiful day soon after this Ivan sat with his parents when the +nightingale was singing in his cage. His song was so sad, however, so +very sad, that the merchant and his wife also became sad, and their +son, their good Ivan, who listened very attentively, was even more +affected, and the tears came running down his cheeks. + +"What is the matter?" asked his parents; "what art thou weeping about, +dear son?" + +"Dear parents," answered the son, "it is because I understand the +meaning of the nightingale's song, and because this meaning is so sad +for all of us." + +"What then is the meaning? Tell us the whole truth; do not hide it +from us," said the father and mother. + +"Oh, how sad it sounds!" replied the son. "How much better would it be +never to have been born!" + +"Do not frighten us," said the parents, alarmed. "If thou dost really +understand the meaning of the song, tell us at once." + +"Do you not hear for yourselves? The nightingale says: 'The time will +come when Ivan, the merchant's son, shall become Ivan, the king's son, +and his own father shall serve him as a simple servant.'" + +The merchant and his wife felt troubled and began to distrust their +son, their good Ivan. So one night they gave him a drowsy drink, and +when he had fallen asleep they took him to a boat on the wide sea, +spread the white sails, and pushed the boat from the shore. + +For a long time the boat danced on the waves and finally it came near +a large merchant vessel, which struck against it with such a shock +that Ivan awoke. The crew on the large vessel saw Ivan and pitied him. +So they decided to take him along with them and did so. High, very +high, above in the sky they perceived cranes. Ivan said to the +sailors: + +"Be careful; I hear the birds predicting a storm. Let us enter a +harbor or we shall suffer great danger and damage. All the sails will +be torn and all the masts will be broken." + +But no one paid any attention and they went farther on. In a short +time the storm arose, the wind tore the vessel almost to pieces, and +they had a very hard time to repair all the damage. When they were +through with their work they heard many wild swans flying above them +and talking very loud among themselves. + +"What are they talking about?" inquired the men, this time with +interest. + +"Be careful," advised Ivan. "I hear and distinctly understand them to +say that the pirates, the terrible sea robbers, are near. If we do not +enter a harbor at once they will imprison and kill us." + +The crew quickly obeyed this advice and as soon as the vessel entered +the harbor the pirate boats passed by and the merchants saw them +capture several unprepared vessels. When the danger was over, the +sailors with Ivan went farther, still farther. Finally the vessel +anchored near a town, large and unknown to the merchants. A king ruled +in that town who was very much annoyed by three black crows. These +three crows were all the time perching near the window of the king's +chamber. No one knew how to get rid of them and no one could kill +them. The king ordered notices to be placed at all crossings and on +all prominent buildings, saying that whoever was able to relieve the +king from the noisy birds would be rewarded by obtaining the youngest +korolevna, the king's daughter, for a wife; but the one who should +have the daring to undertake but not succeed in delivering the palace +from the crows would have his head cut off. Ivan attentively read the +announcement, once, twice, and once more. Finally he made the sign of +the cross and went to the palace. He said to the servants: + +"Open the window and let me listen to the birds." + +The servants obeyed and Ivan listened for a while. Then he said: + +"Show me to your sovereign king." + +When he reached the room where the king sat on a high, rich chair, he +bowed and said: + +"There are three crows, a father crow, a mother crow, and a son crow. +The trouble is that they desire to obtain thy royal decision as to +whether the son crow must follow his father crow or his mother crow." + +The king answered: "The son crow must follow the father crow." + +As soon as the king announced his royal decision the crow father with +the crow son went one way and the crow mother disappeared the other +way, and no one has heard the noisy birds since. The king gave +one-half of his kingdom and his youngest korolevna to Ivan, and a +happy life began for him. + +In the meantime his father, the rich merchant, lost his wife and by +and by his fortune also. There was no one left to take care of him, +and the old man went begging under the windows of charitable people. +He went from one window to another, from one village to another, from +one town to another, and one bright day he came to the palace where +Ivan lived, begging humbly for charity. Ivan saw him and recognized +him, ordered him to come inside, and gave him food to eat and also +supplied him with good clothes, asking questions: + +[Illustration: "_The old man went begging from town to town_"] + +"Dear old man, what can I do for thee?" he said. + +"If thou art so very good," answered the poor father, without knowing +that he was speaking to his own son, "let me remain here and serve +thee among thy faithful servants." + +"Dear, dear father!" exclaimed Ivan, "thou didst doubt the true song +of the nightingale, and now thou seest that our fate was to meet +according to the predictions of long ago." + +The old man was frightened and knelt before his son, but his Ivan +remained the same good son as before, took his father lovingly into +his arms, and together they wept over their sorrow. + +Several days passed by and the old father felt courage to ask his son, +the korolevitch: + +"Tell me, my son, how was it that thou didst not perish in the boat?" + +Ivan Korolevitch laughed gayly. + +"I presume," he answered, "that it was not my fate to perish at the +bottom of the wide sea, but my fate was to marry the korolevna, my +beautiful wife, and to sweeten the old age of my dear father." + +[Illustration] + + + + + +IVANOUSHKA THE SIMPLETON + + +[Illustration] In a kingdom far away from our country, there was a +town over which ruled the Tsar Pea with his Tsaritza Carrot. He had +many wise statesmen, wealthy princes, strong, powerful warriors, and +also simple soldiers, a hundred thousand, less one man. In that +town lived all kinds of people: honest, bearded merchants, keen +and open-handed rascals, German tradesmen, lovely maidens, Russian +drunkards; and in the suburbs all around, the peasants tilled the +soil, sowed the wheat, ground the flour, traded in the markets, and +spent the money in drink. + +In one of the suburbs there was a poor hut where an old man lived with +his three sons, Thomas, Pakhom, and Ivan. The old man was not only +clever, he was wise. He had happened once to have a chat with the +devil. They talked together while the old man treated him to a tumbler +of wine and got out of the devil many great secrets. Soon after this +the peasant began to perform such marvelous acts that the neighbors +called him a sorcerer, a magician, and even supposed that the devil +was his kin. + +Yes, it is true that the old man performed great marvels. Were you +longing for love, go to him, bow to the old man, and he would give you +some strange root, and the sweetheart would be yours. If there is +a theft, again to him with the tale. The old man conjures over some +water, takes an officer along straight to the thief, and your lost is +found; only take care that the officer steals it not. + +Indeed the old man was very wise; but his children were not his +equals. Two of them were almost as clever. They were married and had +children, but Ivan, the youngest, was single. No one cared much for +him because he was rather a fool, could not count one, two, three, +and only drank, or ate, or slept, or lay around. Why care for such a +person? Every one knows life for some is brighter than for others. +But Ivan was good-hearted and quiet. Ask of him a belt, he will give +a kaftan also; take his mittens, he certainly would want to have you +take his cap with them. And that is why all liked Ivan, and usually +called him Ivanoushka the Simpleton; though the name means fool, at +the same time it carries the idea of a kind heart. + +Our old man lived on with his sons until finally his hour came to die. +He called his three sons and said to them: + +"Dear children of mine, my dying hour is at hand and ye must fulfill +my will. Every one of you come to my grave and spend one night with +me; thou, Tom, the first night; thou, Pakhom, the second night; and +thou, Ivanoushka the Simpleton, the third." + +Two of the brothers, as clever people, promised their father to do +according to his bidding, but the Simpleton did not even promise; he +only scratched his head. + +The old man died and was buried. During the celebration the family and +guests had plenty of pancakes to eat and plenty of whisky to wash them +down. + +Now you remember that on the first night Thomas was to go to the +grave; but he was too lazy, or possibly afraid, so he said to the +Simpleton: + +"I must be up very early to-morrow morning; I have to thresh; go thou +for me to our father's grave." + +"All right," answered Ivanoushka the Simpleton. He took a slice of +black rye bread, went to the grave, stretched himself out, and soon +began to snore. + +The church clock struck midnight; the wind roared, the owl cried in +the trees, the grave opened and the old man came out and asked: + +"Who is there?" + +"I," answered Ivanoushka. + +"Well, my dear son, I will reward thee for thine obedience," said the +father. + +Lo! the cocks crowed and the old man dropped into the grave. The +Simpleton arrived home and went to the warm stove. + +"What happened?" asked the brothers. + +"Nothing," he answered. "I slept the whole night and am hungry now." + +The second night it was Pakhom's turn to go to his father's grave. He +thought it over and said to the Simpleton: + +"To-morrow is a busy day with me. Go in my place to our father's +grave." + +"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took along with him a piece of +fish pie, went to the grave and slept. Midnight approached, the wind +roared, crows came flying, the grave opened and the old man came out. + +"Who is there?" he asked. + +"I," answered his son the Simpleton. + +"Well, my beloved son, I will not forget thine obedience," said the +old man. + +The cocks crowed and the old man dropped into his grave. Ivanoushka +the Simpleton came home, went to sleep on the warm stove, and in the +morning his brothers asked: + +"What happened?" + +"Nothing," answered Ivanoushka. + +On the third night the brothers said to Ivan the Simpleton: + +"It is thy turn to go to the grave of our father. The father's will +should be done." + +"All right," answered Ivanoushka. He took some cookies, put on his +sheepskin, and arrived at the grave. + +At midnight his father came out. + +"Who is there?" he asked. + +"I," answered Ivanoushka. + +"Well," said the old father, "my obedient son, thou shalt be +rewarded;" and the old man shouted with a mighty voice: + + "Arise, bay horse--thou wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +And lo!--Ivanoushka the Simpleton beheld a horse running, the earth +trembling under his hoofs, his eyes like stars, and out of his mouth +and ears smoke coming in a cloud. The horse approached and stood +before the old man. + +"What is thy wish?" he asked with a man's voice. + +The old man crawled into his left ear, washed and adorned himself, +and jumped out of his right ear as a young, brave fellow never seen +before. + +"Now listen attentively," he said. "To thee, my son, I give this +horse. And thou, my faithful horse and friend, serve my son as thou +hast served me." + +Hardly had the old man pronounced these words when the first cock crew +and the sorcerer dropped into his grave. Our Simpleton went quietly +back home, stretched himself under the icons, and his snoring was +heard far around. + +"What happened?" the brothers again asked. + +But the Simpleton did not even answer; he only waved his hand. The +three brothers continued to live their usual life, the two with +cleverness and the younger with foolishness. They lived a day in and +an equal day out. But one morning there came quite a different day +from all others. They learned that big men were going all over the +country with trumpets and players; that those men announced everywhere +the will of the Tsar, and the Tsar's will was this: The Tsar Pea and +the Tsaritza Carrot had an only daughter, the Tsarevna Baktriana, +heiress to the throne. She was such a beautiful maiden that the sun +blushed when she looked at it, and the moon, altogether too bashful, +covered itself from her eyes. Tsar and Tsaritza had a hard time to +decide to whom they should give their daughter for a wife. It must be +a man who could be a proper ruler over the country, a brave warrior on +the battlefield, a wise judge in the council, an adviser to the Tsar, +and a suitable heir after his death. They also wanted a bridegroom who +was young, brave, and handsome, and they wanted him to be in love with +their Tsarevna. That would have been easy enough, but the trouble was +that the beautiful Tsarevna loved no one. Sometimes the Tsar mentioned +to her this or that one. Always the same answer, "I do not love him." +The Tsaritza tried, too, with no better result; "I do not like him." + +A day came when the Tsar Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot seriously +addressed their daughter on the subject of marriage and said: + +"Our beloved child, our very beautiful Tsarevna Baktriana, it is time +for thee to choose a bridegroom. Envoys of all descriptions, from +kings and tzars and princes, have worn our threshold, drunk dry all +the cellars, and thou hast not yet found any one according to thy +heart's wish." + +The Tsarevna answered: "Sovereign, and thou, Tsaritza, my dear mother, +I feel sorry for you, and my wish is to obey your desire. So let fate +decide who is destined to become my husband. I ask you to build a +hall, a high hall with thirty-two circles, and above those circles +a window. I will sit at that window and do you order all kinds of +people, tsars, kings, tsarovitchi, korolevitchi, brave warriors, +and handsome fellows, to come. The one who will jump through the +thirty-two circles, reach my window and exchange with me golden rings, +he it will be who is destined to become my husband, son and heir to +you." + +The Tsar and Tsaritza listened attentively to the words of their +bright Tsarevna, and finally they said: "According to thy wish shall +it be done." + +In no time the hall was ready, a very high hall adorned with Venetian +velvets, with pearls for tassels, with golden designs, and thirty-two +circles on both sides of the window high above. Envoys went to the +different kings and sovereigns, pigeons flew with orders to the +subjects to gather the proud and the humble into the town of the Tsar +Pea and his Tsaritza Carrot. It was announced everywhere that the +one who could jump through the circles, reach the window and exchange +golden rings with the Tsarevna Baktriana, that man would be the lucky +one, notwithstanding his rank--tsar or free kosack, king or warrior, +tsarevitch, korolevitch, or fellow without any kinfolk or country. + +The great day arrived. Crowds pressed to the field where stood the +newly built hall, brilliant as a star. Up high at the window the +tsarevna was sitting, adorned with precious stones, clad in velvet and +pearls. The people below were roaring like an ocean. The Tzar with his +Tzaritza was sitting upon a throne. Around them were boyars, warriors, +and counselors. + +The suitors on horseback, proud, handsome, and brave, whistle and ride +round about, but looking at the high window their hearts drop. There +were already several fellows who had tried. Each would take a long +start, balance himself, spring, and fall back like a stone, a laughing +stock for the witnesses. + +The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were preparing themselves to +go to the field also. + +The Simpleton said to them: "Take me along with you." + +"Thou fool," laughed the brothers; "stay at home and watch the +chickens." + +"All right," he answered, went to the chicken yard and lay down. But +as soon as the brothers were away, our Ivanoushka the Simpleton walked +to the wide fields and shouted with a mighty voice: + + "Arise, bay horse--thou wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +The glorious horse came running. Flames shone out of his eyes; out +of his nostrils smoke came in clouds, and the horse asked with a man's +voice: + +"What is thy wish?" + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the horse's left ear, +transformed himself and reappeared at the right ear, such a handsome +fellow that in no book is there written any description of him; no one +has ever seen such a fellow. He jumped onto the horse and touched +his iron sides with a silk whip. The horse became impatient, lifted +himself above the ground, higher and higher above the dark woods below +the traveling clouds. He swam over the large rivers, jumped over +the small ones, as well as over hills and mountains. Ivanoushka the +Simpleton arrived at the hall of the Tsarevna Baktriana, flew up like +a hawk, passed through thirty circles, could not reach the last two, +and went away like a whirlwind. + +The people were shouting: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" The +Tsar jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed. Every one was roaring +in amazement. + +The brothers of Ivanoushka came home and there was but one subject of +conversation--what a splendid fellow they had seen! What a wonderful +start to pass through the thirty circles! + +"Brothers, that fellow was I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, who had +long since arrived. + +"Keep still and do not fool us," answered the brothers. + +The next day the two brothers were going again to the tsarski show and +Ivanoushka the Simpleton said again: "Take me along with you." + +"For thee, fool, this is thy place. Be quiet at home and scare +sparrows from the pea field instead of the scarecrow." + +"All right," answered the Simpleton, and he went to the field and +began to scare the sparrows. But as soon as the brothers left home, +Ivanoushka started to the wide field and shouted out loud with a +mighty voice: + + "Arise, bay horse--thou wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +--and here came the horse, the earth trembling under his hoofs, the +sparks flying around, his eyes like flames, and out of his nostrils +smoke curling up. + +"For what dost thou wish me?" + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into the left ear of the horse, and +when he appeared out of the right ear, oh, my! what a fellow he was! +Even in fairy tales there are never such handsome fellows, to say +nothing of everyday life. + +Ivanoushka lifted himself on the iron back of his horse and touched +him with a strong whip. The noble horse grew angry, made a jump, and +went higher than the dark woods, a little below the traveling clouds. +One jump, one mile is behind; a second jump, a river is behind; and a +third jump and they were at the hall. Then the horse, with Ivanoushka +on his back, flew like an eagle, high up into the air, passed the +thirty-first circle, failed to reach the last one, and swept away like +the wind. + +The people shouted: "Take hold of him! take hold of him!" The Tsar +jumped to his feet, the Tsaritza screamed, the princes and boyars +opened their mouths. + +The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton came home. They were +wondering at the fellow. Yes, an amazing fellow indeed! one circle +only was unreached. + +"Brothers, that fellow over there was I," said Ivanoushka to them. + +"Keep still in thy own place, thou fool," was their sneering answer. + +The third day the brothers were going again to the strange +entertainment of the Tsar, and again Ivanoushka the Simpleton said to +them: "Take me along with you." + +"Fool," they laughed, "there is food to be given to the hogs; better +go to them." + +"All right," the younger brother answered, and quietly went to the +back yard and gave food to the hogs. But as soon as his brothers had +left home our Ivanoushka the Simpleton hurried to the wide field and +shouted out loud: + + "Arise, bay horse--them wind-swift steed, + Appear before me in my need; + Stand up as in the storm the weed!" + +At once the horse came running, the earth trembled; where he stepped +there appeared ponds, where his hoofs touched there were lakes, out of +his eyes shone flames, out of his ears smoke came like a cloud. + +"For what dost thou wish me?" the horse asked with a man's voice. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton crawled into his right ear and jumped out +of his left one, and a handsome fellow he was. A young girl could not +even imagine such a one. + +Ivanoushka struck his horse, pulled the bridle tight, and lo! he flew +high up in the air. The wind was left behind and even the swallow, the +sweet, winged passenger, must not aspire to do the same. Our hero flew +like a cloud high up into the sky, his silver-chained mail rattling, +his fair curls floating in the wind. He arrived at the Tsarevna's high +hall, struck his horse once more, and oh! how the wild horse did jump! + +Look there! the fellow reaches all the circles; he is near the window; +he presses the beautiful Tsarevna with his strong arms, kisses her +on the sugar lips, exchanges golden rings, and like a storm sweeps +through the fields. There, there, he is crushing every one on his +way! And the Tsarevna? Well, she did not object. She even adorned his +forehead with a diamond star. + +The people roared: "Take hold of him!" But the fellow had already +disappeared and no traces were left behind. + +The Tsar Pea lost his royal dignity. The Tsaritza Carrot screamed +louder than ever and the wise counselors only shook their wise heads +and remained silent. + +The brothers came home talking and discussing the wonderful matter. + +"Indeed," they shook their heads; "only think of it! The fellow +succeeded and our Tsarevna has a bridegroom. But who is he? Where is +he?" + +"Brothers, the fellow is I," said Ivanoushka the Simpleton, smiling. + +"Keep still, I and I--," and the brothers almost slapped him. + +The matter proved to be quite serious this time, and the Tsar and +Tsaritza issued an order to surround the town with armed men whose +duty it was to let every one enter, but not a soul go out. Every one +had to appear at the royal palace and show his forehead. From early in +the morning the crowds were gathering around the palace. Each +forehead was inspected, but there was no star on any. Dinner time was +approaching and in the palace they even forgot to cover the oak tables +with white spreads. The brothers of Ivanoushka had also to show their +foreheads and the Simpleton said to them: + +"Take me along with you." + +"Thy place is right here," they answered, jokingly. "But say, what is +the matter with thy head that thou hast covered it with cloths? Did +somebody strike thee?" + +"No, nobody struck me. I, myself, struck the door with my forehead. +The door remained all right, but on my forehead there is a knob." + +The brothers laughed and went. Soon after them Ivanoushka left home +and went straight to the window of the Tsarevna, where she sat leaning +on the window sill and looking for her betrothed. + +"There is our man," shouted the guards, when the Simpleton appeared +among them. "Show thy forehead. Hast thou the star?" and they laughed. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton gave no heed to their bidding, but refused. +The guards were shouting at him and the Tsarevna heard the noise and +ordered the fellow to her presence. There was nothing to be done but +to take off the cloths. + +Behold! the star was shining in the middle of his forehead. The +Tsarevna took Ivanoushka by the hand, brought him before Tsar Pea, and +said: + +"He it is, my Tsar and father, who is destined to become my groom, thy +son-in-law and heir." + +It was too late to object. The Tsar ordered preparations for the +bridal festivities, and our Ivanoushka the Simpleton was wedded to the +Tsarevna Baktriana. The Tsar, the Tsaritza, the young bride and +groom, and their guests, feasted three days. There was fine eating +and generous drinking. There were all kinds of amusements also. The +brothers of Ivanoushka were created governors and each one received a +village and a house. + +The story is told in no time, but to live a life requires time and +patience. The brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton were clever men, we +know, and as soon as they became rich every one understood it at once, +and they themselves became quite sure about it and began to pride +themselves, to boast, and to brag. The humble ones did not dare look +toward their homes, and even the boyars had to take off their fur caps +on their porches. + +Once several boyars came to Tsar Pea and said: "Great Tsar, the +brothers of thy son-in-law are bragging around that they know the +place where grows an apple tree with silver leaves and golden apples, +and they want to bring this apple tree to thee." + +The Tsar immediately called the brothers before him and bade them +bring at once the wonderful tree, the apple tree with silver leaves +and golden apples. The brothers had ever so many excuses, but the +Tsar would have his way. They were given fine horses out of the +royal stables and went on their errand. Our friend, Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, found somewhere a lame old horse, jumped on his back facing +the tail, and also went. He went to the wide field, grasped the lame +horse by the tail, threw him off roughly, and shouted: + +"You crows and magpies, come, come! There is lunch prepared for you." + +This done he ordered his horse, his spirited courser, to appear, and +as usual he crawled into one ear, jumped out the other ear and they +went--where? Toward the east where grew the wonderful apple tree +with silver leaves and golden apples. It grew near silver waters upon +golden sand. When Ivanoushka reached the place he uprooted the tree +and turned toward home. His ride was long and he felt tired. Before +he arrived at his town Ivanoushka pitched his tent and lay down for +a rest. Along the same road came his brothers. The two were proud no +more, but rather depressed, not knowing what answer to give the Tsar. +They perceived the tent with silver top and near by the wonderful +apple tree. They came nearer and--"There is our Simpleton!" exclaimed +the brothers. Then they awakened Ivanoushka and wanted to buy the +apple tree. They were rich and offered three carts filled with silver. + +"Well, brothers, this tree, this wonderful apple tree, is not for +sale," answered Ivanoushka, "but if you wish to obtain it you may. The +price will not be too high, a toe from each right foot." + +The brothers thought the matter over and finally decided to give the +desired price. Ivanoushka cut the toes off, gave them the apple tree, +and the happy brothers brought it to the Tsar and there was no end to +their bragging. + +"Here, all-powerful Tsar," they said. "We went far, and had many a +trouble on our way, but thy wish is fulfilled." + +The Tsar Pea seemed pleased, ordered a feast, commanded tunes to be +played and drums beaten, rewarded the two brothers of Ivanoushka the +Simpleton, each one with a town, and praised them. + +The boyars and warriors became furious. + +"Why," they said to the Tsar, "there is nothing wonderful in such an +apple tree with golden apples and silver leaves. The brothers of thy +son-in-law are bragging around that they will get thee a pig with +golden bristles and silver tusks, and not alone the pig, but also her +twelve little ones!" + +The Tsar called the brothers before him and ordered them to bring +the very pig with her golden bristles and silver tusks and her twelve +little ones. The brothers' excuses were not listened to and so they +went. Once more the brothers were traveling on a difficult errand, +looking for a golden-bristled pig with silver tusks and twelve little +pigs. + +At that time Ivanoushka the Simpleton made up his mind to take a trip +somewhere. He put a saddle on a cow, jumped up on her back facing the +tail, and left the town. He came to a field, grasped the cow by the +horns, threw her far on the prairie and shouted: + +"Come, come, you gray wolves and red foxes! there is a dinner for +you!" + +Then he ordered his faithful horse, crawled into one ear, and jumped +out of the other. Master and courser went on an errand, this time +toward the south. One, two, three, and they were in dark woods. In +these woods the wished-for pig was walking around, a golden-bristled +pig with silver tusks. She was eating roots, and after her followed +twelve little pigs. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton threw over the pig a silk rope with a running +noose, gathered the little pigs into a basket and went home, but +before he reached the town of the Tsar Pea he pitched a tent with a +golden top and lay down for a rest. On the same road the brothers came +along with gloomy faces, not knowing what to say to the Tsar. They +saw the tent, and near by the very pig they were searching for, with +golden bristles and silver tusks, was fastened with a silk rope; and +in a basket were the twelve little pigs. The brothers looked into the +tent. Ivanoushka again! They awakened him and wanted to trade for +the pig; they were ready to give in exchange three carts loaded with +precious stones. + +"Brothers, my pig is not for trade," said Ivanoushka, "but if you want +her so much, well, one finger from each right hand will pay for her." + +The brothers thought over the case for a long while; they reasoned +thus: "People live happily without brains, why not without fingers?" + +So they allowed Ivanoushka to cut off their fingers, then took the pig +to the Tsar, and their bragging had no end. + +"Tsar Sovereign," they said, "we went everywhere, beyond the blue +sea, beyond the dark woods; we passed through deep sands, we suffered +hunger and thirst; but thy wish is accomplished." + +The Tsar was glad to have such faithful servants. He gave a feast +great among feasts, rewarded the brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton, +created them big boyars and praised them. + +The other boyars and different court people said to the Tsar: + +"There is nothing wonderful in such a pig. Golden bristles, silver +tusks,--yes, it is fine. But a pig remains a pig forever. The brothers +of thy son-in-law are bragging now that they will steal for thee out +of the stables of the fiery dragon a mare with golden mane and diamond +hoofs." + +The Tsar at once called the brothers of Ivanoushka the Simpleton, and +ordered the golden-maned mare with the diamond hoofs. The brothers +swore that they never said such words, but the Tsar did not listen to +their protests. + +"Take as much gold as you want, take warriors as many as you wish, but +bring me the beautiful mare with golden mane and diamond hoofs. If you +do it my reward will be great; if not, your fate is to become peasants +as before." + +The brothers went, two sad heroes. Their march was slow; where to +go they did not know. Ivanoushka also jumped upon a stick and went +leaping toward the field. Once in the wide, open field, he ordered his +horse, crawled into one ear, came out of the other, and both started +for a far-away country, for an island, a big island. On that island in +an iron stable the fiery dragon was watchfully guarding his glory--the +golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, which was locked under seven +locks behind seven heavy doors. + +Our Ivanoushka journeyed and journeyed, how long we do not know, +until at last he arrived at that island, struggled three days with the +dragon and killed him on the fourth day. Then he began to tear down +the locks. That took three days more. When he had done this he brought +out the wonderful mare by the golden mane and turned homeward. + +The road was long, and before he reached his town Ivanoushka, +according to his habit, pitched his tent with a diamond top, and laid +him down for rest. The brothers came along--gloomy they were, fearing +the Tsar's anger. Lo! they heard neighing; the earth trembled--it was +the golden-maned mare! Though in the dusk of evening the brothers saw +her golden mane shining like fire. They stopped, awakened Ivanoushka +the Simpleton, and wanted to trade for the wonderful mare. They were +willing to give him a bushel of precious stones each and promised even +more. + +Ivanoushka said: "Though my mare is not for trade, yet if you want her +I'll give her to you. And you, do you each give me your right ears." + +The brothers did not even argue, but let Ivanoushka cut off their +ears, took hold of the bridle and went directly to the Tsar. They +presented to him the golden-maned mare with diamond hoofs, and there +was no end of bragging. + +"We went beyond seas, beyond mountains," the brothers said to the +Tsar; "we fought the fiery dragon who bit off our ears and fingers; +we had no fear, but one desire to serve thee faithfully; we shed our +blood and lost our wealth." + +The Tsar Pea poured gold over them, created them the very highest +men after himself, and planned such a feast that the royal cooks were +tired out with cooking to feed all the people, and the cellars were +fairly emptied. + +The Tsar Pea was sitting on his throne, one brother on his right hand, +the other brother on his left hand. The feast was going on; all seemed +jolly, all were drinking, all were noisy as bees in a beehive. In the +midst of it a young, brave fellow, Ivanoushka the Simpleton, entered +the hall--the very fellow who had passed the thirty-two circles and +reached the window of the beautiful Tsarevna Baktriana. + +When the brothers noticed him, one almost choked himself with wine, +the other was suffocating over a piece of swan. They looked at him, +opened wide their eyes, and remained silent. + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton bowed to his father-in-law and told the story +as the story was. He told about the apple tree, the wonderful apple +tree with silver leaves and golden apples; he told about the pig, the +golden-bristled pig with silver tusks and her twelve little ones; +and finally he told about the marvelous mare with a golden mane and +diamond hoofs. He finished and laid out ears, fingers, and toes. + +[Illustration: "_One brother was sent to watch the turkeys_"] + +"It is the exchange I got," said Ivanoushka. + +Tsar Pea became furious, stamped his feet, ordered the two brothers to +be driven away with brooms. One was sent to feed the pigs, another to +watch the turkeys. The Tsar seated Ivanoushka beside himself, creating +him the highest among the very high. + +The feast lasted a very long time until all were tired of feasting. + +Ivanoushka took control of the tsarstvo, ruling wisely and severely. +After his father-in-law's death he occupied his place. His subjects +liked him; he had many children, and his beautiful Tsaritza Baktriana +remained beautiful forever. + + + + + +WOE BOGOTIR + + +[Illustration] In a small village--do not ask me where; in Russia, +anyway--there lived two brothers; one of them was rich, the other +poor. The rich brother had good luck in everything he undertook, +was always successful, and had profit out of every venture. The +poor brother, in spite of all his trouble and all his work, had none +whatever. + +The rich brother became still richer, moved into a large town, bought +a big house, and was a merchant among merchants. The poor brother +became very poor, so poor that very often there was no crust even in +the "izba," the peasant's log cabin, and the children--all forlorn, +miserable little things--cried for food. + +The poor man lost patience and complained bitterly of his ill luck. +He had no more courage and his head dropped heavily on his breast. One +day he decided to call upon his wealthy brother for aid. He went and +said to him: + +"Be good, help me, for I am almost without strength." + +"Why not?" answered the rich man. "We can do such things as that. +There is wealth enough; but look here, there is also plenty of work to +be done. Stay around the house for a while and work for me." + +"All right," consented the poor fellow, and at once began to work. Now +he was cleaning the big yard, now grooming horses, now bringing water +from the well or splitting wood. One week passed, two weeks passed. +The rich brother gave him twenty and five copecks, which means only +thirteen cents. He also gave him a loaf of black rye bread. + +"Many thanks," said the poor brother, humbly, and was ready to leave +for his miserable home. Evidently the conscience of the rich brother +smote him, so he called his brother back. + +"Why so prompt?" he said; "to-morrow is my birthday; stay to the +banquet with us." + +[Illustration: _The rich brother_] + +The poor fellow remained. But even on such a pleasant occasion the +unlucky one had no luck. His rich brother was too busy receiving his +numerous friends and admirers, all of whom came to tell him how they +loved him and what a good man he was. The rich merchant thanked his +guests for their love, and bowing low begged his dear guests to eat, +drink, and enjoy themselves. There was no time left for the poor +brother, and he was overlooked entirely while he sat timidly in a +corner, quite forgotten and unnoticed. He had nothing to eat, nothing +to drink. But when the crowd was ready to say good-by, before going +away, the bright, light-hearted guests bowed to their host and told +him many lovely things, and the poor brother did exactly like them. +He bowed even lower than they did and expressed more thanks than they. +The guests went home singing in their new "telegi," the peasants' +carts. The poor brother, hungry and very sad, walked along in silence, +and the idea came to his mind: + +"What if I also tried to sing a cheerful song? The people would +believe that I, too, have had a pleasant time at my brother's house +and that I am going home happy like them." + +The good fellow began his song, began--and almost fainted away, for he +heard quite distinctly some one behind his back, keeping tune with him +in a shrill voice. He stopped. The voice stopped, too. He sang, and +the voice continued again. + +"Who is there? Come out at once!" shouted the poor man, beside +himself. Ha! the monster appeared, lank and yellow, almost a skeleton, +covered with rags. The poor fellow was afraid, but had the courage to +make the sign of the cross and ask: "Who art thou?" + +"I? I am Bitter Woe. I am one of the Russian heroes, Woe Bogotir. I +pity all weak people. I pity thee, too, and want to help thee along." + +"All right, Bitter Woe; let us walk together arm in arm. I presume +there are no other friends for me in this world." + +"Let us ride, good man," laughed the monster. "I will be thy faithful +companion." + +"Thanks, but on what shall we ride?" + +"I do not know on what thou shalt ride, but I, I shall ride on thee," +and Woe jumped on the shoulders of the unlucky man. The poor fellow +had no strength to throw him off, so he crawled along his way, the +long, hard way, with Woe on his shoulders. He could hardly walk, yet +Woe was singing, whistling, and switching him all the time. + +"Why so sad, master?" Woe would ask, when the poor man sighed. "Listen +to me, I want to teach thee a song, my beloved little song: + + "I am Woe, the brave, + I am Woe, the bold; + He who lives with me + Has his griefs controlled, + And when money is lacking + I'll find him gold. + +Attention, master, thou hast twenty-five copecks; let us go and buy +some wine; let us have a jolly good time." + +The poor man obeyed. They went and spent all in drink. After this the +unlucky fellow, with the faithful Woe on his shoulders, came home. His +wife was sad, his little children were hungry and in tears, but he, +under the influence of Woe and wine, danced and sang. + +On the next day Woe began to sigh and said: + +"I have a drunken headache. Let us drink more." + +"I have no money," answered the poor man. + +"Hast thou forgotten my little song? Let us trade the harrow, the +plow, the sledge, the telega for money, and let us have a good time." + +"All right." + +The poor, weak man had no courage to refuse, and Woe Bogotir became +his master and ruler. They went to a kabak and spent everything; +drank, sang, and had a good time. + +On the next day Woe sighed again and said to the peasant: + +"Let us drink; let us have a jolly time; let us sell or trade +everything left, even ourselves." + +Then the fellow understood that his ruin was near and decided to +deceive the sorrowful Woe, so he said: + +"I once heard the old people say that behind the village, near the +dark forest, there is buried a treasure, yes, a great treasure, but it +is buried under a large, heavy stone, too heavy a stone for one man +to move. If we could only remove that stone, thou and I, Woe Bogotir, +could have a good time and plenty to drink." + +"Let us hasten!" screamed Woe; "the Bitter Woe is strong enough to do +harder things than to move stones." + +They went a roundabout way behind the village and saw the great big +stone, such a heavy stone that five or six strong peasants could never +begin to move it. But our poor fellow with his faithful Woe Bogotir +removed it at once. They looked inside. Under the stone there was +a pit, a dark, deep pit. At the bottom of that pit something was +twinkling. The peasant said to Woe: + +"Thou bold Woe, jump in, throw the gold out to me and I will hold the +stone." + +Woe jumped in and laughed out loud. + +"I declare, master," he screamed, "there is no end of gold! There are +twenty and more pots filled with it," and Woe handed one pot to the +poor man, who took the pot, hastily hid it under his blouse, and +slipped the heavy stone into its place. So Bitter Woe remained in the +deep pit and the peasant thought to himself, "Now there is the right +place for my comrade, for with such a friend, even gold would taste +bitter." + +The crafty fellow made the sign of the cross and hurried home. He +became quite a new man, courageous, sober, and industrious; bought a +grove and some cattle; remodeled the izba, and even started a trade. +And very successful he was, too. Within a year he earned much money, +and in place of the old hut built a fine, new log cabin. + +One bright day he went into town to ask his rich brother, with his +wife and children, to do him the favor of coming to a feast which was +to be given in the new home. + +"That's a joke!" exclaimed the rich brother. "Without a ruble in +thy pockets, stupid fellow! Thou evidently desirest to imitate rich +people," and then the rich brother laughed and laughed at him. But +at the same time he got very anxious to know how it was with his poor +brother, so he went without delay to the new place. When he arrived +there he could not believe his eyes. His poor brother seemed to be +quite rich, perhaps richer than himself. Everything bespoke wealth +and care. The host treated his brother and the brother's family most +kindly and was very hospitable. They had good things to eat and plenty +of honey to drink, and all became talkative. The brother who had been +poor related everything about Woe, how he decided to deceive him and +how, free from such a burden, he was getting to be a very happy man. + +The rich man grew eager and thought: + +"Is he a fool? Out of so many pots, to take only one! Fool and nothing +but fool! If one has money, even the Bitter Woe is not too bad." + +So at once he decided to go in search of the stone, to remove it, to +take the treasure, the whole treasure, and to send Woe Bogotir back to +his brother. + +No sooner thought than done. The rich brother said good-by and went +away, but did not go to his wealthy home. No, he hurried to the stone. +He had to toil hard with the heavy stone, but finally moved it just +a little, and had not time to look inside when the hidden Bogotir had +jumped out and onto his shoulders. + +The rich man felt a burden, oh, what a heavy burden! looked around and +perceived the hideous monster. He heard this monster whisper in his +ear: + +"Thou art bright! Thou didst want to let me perish in that pit? +Now, dearest, thou wilt not get rid of me; now we shall always be +together." + +"Stupid Woe," began the rich man; "it was not I who hid thee under the +stone; it was my brother; go to him." + +But no, Woe would not go. The monster laughed and laughed. + +"All the same, all the same," he answered to the rich man. "Let us +remain dear companions." + +The rich man went home under the heavy burden of the misery-giving +Woe. His wealth was soon lost, but his brother, who knew how to get +rid of Woe, was prosperous and is prosperous to this day. + + + + + +BABA YAGA + + +[Illustration] Somewhere, I cannot tell you exactly where, but +certainly in vast Russia, there lived a peasant with his wife and they +had twins--son and daughter. One day the wife died and the husband +mourned over her very sincerely for a long time. One year passed, and +two years, and even longer. But there is no order in a house without a +woman, and a day came when the man thought, "If I marry again possibly +it would turn out all right." And so he did, and had children by his +second wife. + +The stepmother was envious of the stepson and daughter and began to +use them hardly. She scolded them without any reason, sent them away +from home as often as she wished, and gave them scarcely enough to +eat. Finally she wanted to get rid of them altogether. Do you know +what it means to allow a wicked thought to enter one's heart? + +The wicked thought grows all the time like a poisonous plant and +slowly kills the good thoughts. A wicked feeling was growing in the +stepmother's heart, and she determined to send the children to the +witch, thinking sure enough that they would never return. + +"Dear children," she said to the orphans, "go to my grandmother who +lives in the forest in a hut on hen's feet. You will do everything she +wants you to, and she will give you sweet things to eat and you will +be happy." + +The orphans started out. But instead of going to the witch, the +sister, a bright little girl, took her brother by the hand and ran to +their own old, old grandmother and told her all about their going to +the forest. + +"Oh, my poor darlings!" said the good old grandmother, pitying the +children, "my heart aches for you, but it is not in my power to help +you. You have to go not to a loving grandmother, but to a wicked +witch. Now listen to me, my darlings," she continued; "I will give you +a hint: Be kind and good to everyone; do not speak ill words to any +one; do not despise helping the weakest, and always hope that for you, +too, there will be the needed help." + +The good old grandmother gave the children some delicious fresh milk +to drink and to each a big slice of ham. She also gave them some +cookies--there are cookies everywhere--and when the children departed +she stood looking after them a long, long time. + +The obedient children arrived at the forest and, oh, wonder! there +stood a hut, and what a curious one! It stood on tiny hen's feet, and +at the top was a rooster's head. With their shrill, childish voices +they called out loud: + +"Izboushka, Izboushka! turn thy back to the forest and thy front to +us!" + +The hut did as they commanded. The two orphans looked inside and saw +the witch resting there, her head near the threshold, one foot in one +corner, the other foot in another corner, and her knees quite close to +the ridge pole. + +"Fou, Fou, Fou!" exclaimed the witch; "I feel the Russian spirit." + +The children were afraid, and stood close, very close together, but in +spite of their fear they said very politely: + +"Ho, grandmother, our stepmother sent us to thee to serve thee." + +"All right; I am not opposed to keeping you, children. If you satisfy +all my wishes I shall reward you; if not, I shall eat you up." + +Without any delay the witch ordered the girl to spin the thread, and +the boy, her brother, to carry water in a sieve to fill a big tub. The +poor orphan girl wept at her spinning-wheel and wiped away her bitter +tears. At once all around her appeared small mice squeaking and +saying: + +"Sweet girl, do not cry. Give us cookies and we will help thee." + +The little girl willingly did so. + +"Now," gratefully squeaked the mice, "go and find the black cat. He is +very hungry; give him a slice of ham and he will help thee." + +The girl speedily went in search of the cat and saw her brother in +great distress about the tub, so many times he had filled the sieve, +yet the tub was still dry. The little birds passed, flying near by, +and chirped to the children: + +"Kind-hearted little children, give us some crumbs and we will advise +you." + +The orphans gave the birds some crumbs and the grateful birds chirped +again: + +"Some clay and water, children dear!" + +Then away they flew through the air. + +The children understood the hint, spat in the sieve, plastered it +up with clay and filled the tub in a very short time. Then they both +returned to the hut and on the threshold met the black cat. They +generously gave him some of the good ham which their good grandmother +had given them, petted him and asked: + +"Dear Kitty-cat, black and pretty, tell us what to do in order to get +away from thy mistress, the witch?" + +"Well," very seriously answered the cat, "I will give you a towel and +a comb and then you must run away. When you hear the witch running +after you, drop the towel behind your back and a large river will +appear in place of the towel. If you hear her once more, throw down +the comb and in place of the comb there will appear a dark wood. This +wood will protect you from the wicked witch, my mistress." + +Baba Yaga came home just then. + +"Is it not wonderful?" she thought; "everything is exactly right." + +"Well," she said to the children, "today you were brave and smart; let +us see to-morrow. Your work will be more difficult and I hope I shall +eat you up." + +The poor orphans went to bed, not to a warm bed prepared by loving +hands, but on the straw in a cold corner. Nearly scared to death from +fear, they lay there, afraid to talk, afraid even to breathe. The next +morning the witch ordered all the linen to be woven and a large supply +of firewood to be brought from the forest. + +The children took the towel and comb and ran away as fast as their +feet could possibly carry them. The dogs were after them, but +they threw them the cookies that were left; the gates did not open +themselves, but the children smoothed them with oil; the birch tree +near the path almost scratched their eyes out, but the gentle girl +fastened a pretty ribbon to it. So they went farther and farther and +ran out of the dark forest into the wide, sunny fields. + +The cat sat down by the loom and tore the thread to pieces, doing it +with delight. Baba Yaga returned. + +"Where are the children?" she shouted, and began to beat the cat. +"Why hast thou let them go, thou treacherous cat? Why hast thou not +scratched their faces?" + +The cat answered: "Well, it was because I have served thee so many +years and thou hast never given me a bite, while the dear children +gave me some good ham." + +The witch scolded the dogs, the gates, and the birch tree near the +path. + +"Well," barked the dogs, "thou certainly art our mistress, but thou +hast never done us a favor, and the orphans were kind to us." + +The gates replied: + +"We were always ready to obey thee, but thou didst neglect us, and the +dear children smoothed us with oil." + +[Illustration: _"The children ran away as fast as their feet could +possibly carry them"_] + +The birch tree lisped with its leaves, "Thou hast never put a simple +thread over my branches and the little darlings adorned them with a +pretty ribbon." + +Baba Yaga understood that there was no help and started to follow the +children herself. In her great hurry she forgot to look for the towel +and the comb, but jumped astride a broom and was off. The children +heard her coming and threw the towel behind them. At once a river, +wide and blue, appeared and watered the field. Baba Yaga hopped along +the shore until she finally found a shallow place and crossed it. + +Again the children heard her hurry after them and so they threw down +the comb. This time a forest appeared, a dark and dusky forest in +which the roots were interwoven, the branches matted together, and +the tree-tops touching each other. The witch tried very hard to pass +through, but in vain, and so, very, very angry, she returned home. + +The orphans rushed to their father, told him all about their great +distress, and thus concluded their pitiful story: + +"Ah, father dear, why dost thou love us less than our brothers and +sisters?" + +The father was touched and became angry. He sent the wicked stepmother +away and lived a new life with his good children. From that time he +watched over their happiness and never neglected them any more. + +How do I know this story is true? Why, one was there who told me about +it. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +DIMIAN THE PEASANT + + +[Illustration] Not long ago, or perchance very long ago, I do not know +for sure, there lived in a village, some place in Russia, a peasant--a +moujik. And this peasant was a stubborn and a quick-tempered fellow, +and his name was Dimian. + +He was harsh by nature, this Dimian, and wanted everything to go his +own way. If any one talked or acted against him, Dimian's fists were +soon prepared for answer. + +Sometimes, for instance, he would invite one of his neighbors and +treat his guest with fine things to eat and to drink. And the neighbor +in order to maintain the old custom would pretend to refuse. Dimian +would at once begin the dispute: + +"Thou must obey thy host!" + +Once it happened that a shrewd fellow called on him. Our moujik Dimian +covered the table with the very best he had and rejoiced over the good +time he foresaw. + +[Illustration: "_Well, I struck a snag_"] + +The fellow guest speedily ate everything up. Dimian was rather amazed, +but brought out his kaftan. + +"Take off thy sheepskin," said he to the guest; "put on my new +kaftan." + +In proposing it he thought within himself: + +"I will bet that this time he will not dare accept; then I will teach +him a lesson." + +But the fellow quickly put on the new kaftan, tightened it with the +belt, shook his curly head and answered: + +"Have my thanks, uncle, for thy gift. How could I dare not take it? +Why, one must obey his host's bidding." + +Dimian's temper was rising, and he wanted at any rate to have his own +way. But what to do? He hastened to the stable, brought out his best +horse, and said to his guest: + +"Thou art welcome to all my belongings," and within himself he +thought, "He certainly will refuse this time, and then my turn will +come." + +But the fellow did not refuse, and smilingly answered: + +"In thy house thou art the ruler," and quickly he jumped on the +horse's back and shouted to Dimian, the peasant: + +"Farewell, master! no one pushed thee into the trap but thyself," and +with these words the fellow was off. + +Dimian looked after him and shook his head. + +"Well, I struck a snag," said he. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN + + +[Illustration] Once upon a time a merchant's son had too much fun +spending money, and the day came when he saw himself ruined; he had +nothing to eat, nothing to drink. He took a shovel and went to the +market place to see if perchance somebody would hire him as a worker. + +A rich, proud merchant, worth many, many thousands, came along in a +gilded carriage. All the fellows at the market place, as soon as they +perceived him, rushed away and hid themselves in the corners. Only one +remained, and this one was our merchant's son. + +"Dost thou look for work, good fellow? Let me hire thee," the very +rich merchant said to him. + +"So be it; that's what I came here for." + +"And thy price?" + +"A hundred rubles a day will be sufficient for me." + +"Why so much?" + +"If too much, go and look for some one else; plenty of people were +around and when they saw thee coming, all of them rushed away." + +"All right. To-morrow come to the landing place." + +The next day, early in the morning, our merchant's son arrived at the +landing; the very rich merchant was already there waiting. + +They boarded a ship and went to sea. For quite a long time they +journeyed, and finally they perceived an island. Upon that island +there were high mountains, and near the shore something seemed to be +in flames. + +"Yonder is something like fire," said the merchant's son. + +"No, it is my golden palace." + +They landed, came ashore, and--look there! the rich merchant's wife +is hastening to meet him, and along with her their young daughter, a +lovely girl, prettier than you could think or even dream of. + +The family met; they greeted one another and went to the palace. And +along with them went their new workman. They sat around the oak table +and ate and drank and were cheerful. + +"One day does not count," the rich merchant said; "let us have a good +time and leave work for to-morrow." + +The young workman was a fine, brave fellow, handsome and stately, and +the merchant's lovely daughter liked him well. + +She left the room and made him a sign to follow her. Then she gave him +a touchstone and a flint. + +"Take it," she said; "when thou art in need, it will be useful." + +The next day the very rich merchant with his hired workman went to the +high golden mountain. The young fellow saw at once that there was no +use trying to climb or even to crawl up. + +"Well," said the merchant, "let us have a drink for courage." + +And he gave the fellow some drowsy drink. The fellow drank and fell +asleep. + +The rich merchant took out a sharp knife, killed a wretched horse, cut +it open, put the fellow inside, pushed in the shovel, and sewed the +horse's skin together, and himself sat down in the bushes. + +All at once crows came flying, black crows with iron beaks. They took +hold of the carcass, lifted it up to the top of the high mountain, and +began to pick at it. + +The crows soon ate up the horse and were about to begin on the +merchant's son, when he awoke, pushed away the crows, looked around +and asked out loud: + +"Where am I?" + +The rich merchant below answered: + +"On a golden mountain; take the shovel and dig for gold." + +And the young man dug and dug, and all the gold he dug he threw down, +and the rich merchant loaded it upon the carts. + +"Enough!" finally shouted the master. "Thanks for thy help. Farewell!" + +"And I--how shall I get down?" + +"As thou pleasest; there have already perished nine and ninety of such +fellows as thou. With thee the count will be rounded and thou wilt be +the hundredth." + +The proud, rich merchant was off. + +"What shall I do?" thought the poor merchant's son. "Impossible to go +down! But to stay here means death, a cruel death from hunger." + +And our fellow stood upon the mountain, while above the black crows +were circling, the black crows with iron beaks, as if feeling already +the prey. + +The fellow tried to think how it all happened, and he remembered the +lovely girl and what she said to him in giving him the touchstone and +the flint. He remembered how she said: + +"Take it. When thou art in need it will prove useful." + +"I fancy she had something in mind; let us try." + +The poor merchant's son took out stone and flint, struck it once and +lo! two brave fellows were standing before him. + +"What is thy wish? What are thy commands?" said they. + +"Take me from this mountain down to the seashore." + +And at once the two took hold of him and carefully brought him down. + +Our hero walks along the shore. See there! a vessel comes sailing near +the island. + +"Ahoy! good people! take me along!" + +"No time to stop!" And they went sailing by. But the winds arose and +the tempest was heavy. + +"It seems as if this fellow over there is not an ordinary man; we had +better go back and take him along," decided the sailors. + +They turned the prow toward the island, landed, took the merchant's +son along with them and brought him to his native town. + +It was a long time, or perhaps only a short time after--who could +tell?--that one day the merchant's son took again his shovel and went +to the market place in search of work. + +The same very rich merchant came along in his gilded carriage; and, as +of old, all the fellows who saw him coming rushed away. + +The merchant's son remained alone. + +"Will you be my workman?" + +"I will at two hundred rubles a day. If so, let us to work." + +"A rather expensive fellow." + +"If too expensive go to others; get a cheap man. There were plenty +of people, but when thou didst appear--thou seest thyself--not one is +left." + +"Well, all right. Come to-morrow to the landing place." + +They met at the landing place, boarded a ship and sailed toward the +island. + +The first day they spent rather gayly, and on the second, master and +workman went to work. + +When they reached the golden mountain the rich, proud merchant treated +his hired man to a tumbler. + +"Before all, have a drink." + +"Wait, master! thou art the head; thou must drink the first. Let me +treat thee this time." + +The young man had already prepared some of the drowsy stuff and he +quickly mixed it with the wine and presented it to the master. + +The proud merchant drank and fell sound asleep. + +Our merchant's son killed a miserable old horse, cut it open, pushed +his master and the shovel inside, sewed it all up and hid himself in +the bushes. + +All at once black crows came flying,--black crows with iron beaks; +they promptly lifted up the horse with the sleeping merchant inside, +bore it to the top of the mountain, and began to pick the bones of +their prey. + +When the merchant awoke he looked here and looked there and looked +everywhere. + +"Where am I?" + +"Upon the golden mountain. Now if thou art strong after thy rest, do +not lose time; take the shovel and dig. Dig quickly and I'll teach +thee how to come down." + +The proud, rich merchant had to obey and dug and dug. Twelve big carts +were loaded. + +"Enough!" shouted the merchant's son. "Thank thee, and farewell!" + +"And I?" + +"And thou mayst do as thou wishest! There are already ninety and nine +fellows perished before thee; with thyself there will be a hundred." + +The merchant's son took along with him the twelve heavy carts with +gold, arrived at the golden palace and married the lovely girl; the +rich merchant's daughter became mistress of all her father's wealth, +and the merchant's son with his family moved to a large town to live. + +And the rich merchant, the proud, rich merchant? + +He himself, like his many victims, became the prey of the black crows, +black crows with iron beaks. + +Well, sometimes it happens just so. + +[Illustration] + + + + + +FATHER FROST + + +[Illustration] In a far-away country, somewhere in Russia, there lived +a stepmother who had a stepdaughter and also a daughter of her own. +Her own daughter was dear to her, and always whatever she did the +mother was the first to praise her, to pet her; but there was but +little praise for the stepdaughter; although good and kind, she had +no other reward than reproach. What on earth could have been done? The +wind blows, but stops blowing at times; the wicked woman never knows +how to stop her wickedness. One bright cold day the stepmother said to +her husband: + +"Now, old man, I want thee to take thy daughter away from my eyes, +away from my ears. Thou shalt not take her to thy people into a warm +izba. Thou shalt take her into the wide, wide fields to the crackling +frost." + +The old father grew sad, began even to weep, but nevertheless +helped the young girl into the sleigh. He wished to cover her with a +sheepskin in order to protect her from the cold; however, he did not +do it. He was afraid; his wife was watching them out of the window. +And so he went with his lovely daughter into the wide, wide fields; +drove her nearly to the woods, left her there alone, and speedily +drove away--he was a good man and did not care to see his daughter's +death. + +Alone, quite alone, remained the sweet girl. Broken-hearted and +terror-stricken she repeated fervently all the prayers she knew. + +Father Frost, the almighty sovereign at that place, clad in furs, +with a long, long, white beard and a shining crown on his white head, +approached nearer and nearer, looked at this beautiful guest of his +and asked: + +"Dost thou know me?--me, the red-nosed Frost?" + +"Be welcome, Father Frost," answered gently the young girl. "I hope +our heavenly Lord sent thee for my sinful soul." + +"Art thou comfortable, sweet child?" again asked the Frost. He was +exceedingly pleased with her looks and mild manners. + +"Indeed I am," answered the girl, almost out of breath from cold. + +And the Frost, cheerful and bright, kept crackling in the branches +until the air became icy, but the good-natured girl kept repeating: + +"I am very comfortable, dear Father Frost." + +But the Frost, however, knew all about the weakness of human beings; +he knew very well that few of them are really good and kind; but he +knew no one of them even could struggle too long against the power of +Frost, the king of winter. The kindness of the gentle girl charmed old +Frost so much that he made the decision to treat her differently from +others, and gave her a large heavy trunk filled with many beautiful, +beautiful things. He gave her a rich "schouba" lined with precious +furs; he gave her silk quilts--light like feathers and warm as a +mother's lap. What a rich girl she became and how many magnificent +garments she received! And besides all, old Frost gave her a blue +"sarafan" ornamented with silver and pearls. + +[Illustration: "_Old Frost gave the gentle girl many beautiful, +beautiful things_"] + +When the young girl put it on she became such a beautiful maiden that +even the sun smiled at her. + +The stepmother was in the kitchen busy baking pancakes for the meal +which it is the custom to give to the priests and friends after the +usual service for the dead. + +"Now, old man," said the wife to the husband, "go down to the wide +fields and bring the body of thy daughter; we will bury her." + +The old man went off. And the little dog in the corner wagged his tail +and said: + +"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is on her way home, +beautiful and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter is +wicked as ever before." + +"Keep still, stupid beast!" shouted the stepmother, and struck the +little dog. + +"Here, take this pancake, eat it and say, 'The old woman's daughter +will be married soon and the old man's daughter shall be buried +soon.'" + +The dog ate the pancake and began anew: + +"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter is coming home wealthy +and happy as never before, and the old woman's daughter is somewhere +around as homely and wicked as ever before." + +The old woman was furious at the dog, but in spite of pancakes and +whipping, the dog repeated the same words over and over again. + +Somebody opened the gate, voices were heard laughing and talking +outside. The old woman looked out and sat down in amazement. The +stepdaughter was there like a princess, bright and happy in the most +beautiful garments, and behind her the old father had hardly strength +enough to carry the heavy, heavy trunk with the rich outfit. + +"Old man!" called the stepmother, impatiently; "hitch our best horses +to our best sleigh, and drive _my_ daughter to the very same +place in the wide, wide fields." + +The old man obeyed as usual and took his stepdaughter to the same +place and left her alone. + +Old Frost was there; he looked at his new guest. + +"Art thou comfortable, fair maiden?" asked the red-nosed sovereign. + +"Let me alone," harshly answered the girl; "canst thou not see that my +feet and my hands are about stiff from the cold?" + +The Frost kept crackling and asking questions for quite a while, but +obtaining no polite answer became angry and froze the girl to death. + +"Old man, go for my daughter; take the best horses; be careful; do not +upset the sleigh; do not lose the trunk." + +And the little dog in the corner said: + +"Bow-wow! bow-wow! the old man's daughter will marry soon; the old +woman's daughter shall be buried soon." + +"Do not lie. Here is a cake; eat it and say, 'The old woman's daughter +is clad in silver and gold.'" + +The gate opened, the old woman ran out and kissed the stiff frozen +lips of her daughter. She wept and wept, but there was no help, and +she understood at last that through her own wickedness and envy her +child had perished. + +[Illustration: THE END] + +[Illustration] + + + + + +NOTES + + +The Tsarevna Frog + +A _tsarstvo_ is the domain of a _tsar_ (czar), which +is the title of an absolute monarch in Russia. The word _tsar_, +derived from the Roman name and title, Caesar, may be translated +emperor, king, or prince. A number of words are formed from it by +adding different syllables: Tsarevitch, the tsar's son, prince; +Tsarevna, the tsar's daughter, princess; Tsaritza, the tsar's wife, +queen or empress. + +_Boyar_ was the word formerly used to mean a +Russian nobleman; so a _boyar-house_ is a lord's house; +_boyarishnia_, a lord's daughter. The _terem_ was that part +of the boyar-house in which the women's rooms were situated. + +In Russia there is a fatherly relation existing between the ruler +and his subjects which is shown in such phrases as "the tsar +father," "their father sovereign," etc. The Russian language has many +diminutives, or terms of endearment. For instance, the Tzar is often +affectionately called "the little father" by his subjects. + +"_Once said, quickly done_." This is the Russian idiom. +Observe how much more lively it is than our own "No sooner said than +done." + + +Seven Simeons + +_The holy icons_ are pictures or mosaics of Christ, or the +Virgin Mary, or of some saint or martyr of the Russian church. In +every Russian house there is one or more, hung in a prominent place. +Every one who enters the house at once bows and utters a prayer before +the icons before he does anything else. This is an old Russian custom +which is still kept up by peasants. + +_Strong green wine_. This is the phrase still used by Russian +story-tellers to describe the drink which it was an honor to receive +from the royal hand. Its strength was magical in that it was not +acquired by keeping, but was always the same. + +_For a cloudy day_ is the Russian idiom very similar to our +own. + +_It is a peasant's trade_ is a Russian saying which means, +"It doesn't amount to much." + +_Moujik_, a peasant: his duties are those of a farm laborer, +yet this phrase would not be a fair translation. This word, which is +rendered "tiller of the soil," has no exact equivalent in English. + +_Korolevitch_, from _korol_: king. The endings +_evitch_ and _evna_ show descent, korolevitch meaning son of +a king; korolevna meaning daughter of a king. + +_Dutch trumpet_, i.e., an imported trumpet. Anything foreign +is "Dutch" to the Russian peasant. + +_Honey drink_, a drink made by fermenting honey and water. It +is quite common in Russia, and is about the same as our mead. + +Russian and other Slavonic tales often have queer endings, similar +to the one here given by the story-teller at the end of the story, +which is no part of the tale. To the Russian they give a poetic touch, +a little sense of confusion and mystery which is certainly delightful. + + +The Language of the Birds + +_Holy Russia_. To the Russian his country is sacred; +everything outside is profane by comparison. The phrase suggests the +_Holy Roman Empire_ of history, or the _Celestial Kingdom_ +of the Chinese. + + +Ivanoushka the Simpleton + +In the peasant's house there is often a large stove of brick or +tile on which the family sleep in cold weather. + +_A day in and an equal day out_, the Russian idiom. Observe +how very like our own. + + +Woe Bogotir + +_Kabak_, a drinking saloon. + +The _ruble_ is the principal coin of Russia, as the dollar +is in the United States. It is equal to 100 copecks, and at this time +(1903) is worth only about 50 cents. + +_Honey to drink_, i.e., fermented honey, or mead. + + +Baba Yaga + +_Baba_, a peasant woman, or grandmother; granny. +_Yaga_, witch. _Baba Yaga_, therefore, is the familiar +"Grandmother Witch." + +_Izba_, a hut. _Izboushka_, a tiny hut. + + +Father Frost + +_Schouba_, a large fur-lined cloak. + +_Sarafan_, the Russian national costume for women. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Folk Tales from the Russian, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOLK TALES FROM THE RUSSIAN *** + +***** This file should be named 12851.txt or 12851.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/8/5/12851/ + +Produced by Bob Jones, Frank van Drogen, Tamiko I. 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