The Complete Folktales of A. N. Afanas'ev, Volume II

Sivko-Burko

179.

There lived and dwelt this old man. He had three sons, and the third, Ivan the Fool, did nothing but sit on the stove in a corner and blow his nose. The old man was dying, and he said, Children! When I die, each of you go in turn to my grave and sleep there three nights. And he died. They buried the old man.

Night came. The oldest brother was supposed to go spend the night on the grave, but he—because he was either lazy or afraid—said to the youngest brother, Ivan the Fool, you go to father’s grave and spend the night in my place. You aren’t doing anything! Ivan the Fool got ready and went to the grave and lay down. At midnight the grave suddenly opened. The old man came out, and asked, Who’s here? You, my eldest son? No, Father! It’s Ivan the Fool! The old man recognized him and asked, Why didn’t the oldest son come?

He sent me, Father.

Well, it’s your good fortune!

The old man whistled and gave a shout like a bogatyr: Sivko-Burko, Magic Black Steed! Sivko came running, the earth shook, sparks flew from its eyes, and a column of smoke issued from its nostrils. Here’s a good warhorse for you, my son. And you, horse, serve him as you have served me. When the old man finished saying this, he lay down in his grave.

Ivan the Fool stroked and petted his Sivko and then released him. He himself went home.

At home his brothers asked him, Well, Ivan the Fool, did you spend the night well?

Very well, brothers.

The second night came and the middle brother also didn’t want to spend the night at the grave. He said, Ivan the Fool! Go to the grave of our father and spend the night there in my place.

Ivan the Fool said not a word, but got ready and went off to the grave. He lay down and waited for midnight. At midnight the grave opened and his father came out. He asked, You, are you my middle son? No, said Ivan the Fool. It’s me again, Father.

The old man shouted with his warrior’s voice, he whistled with a young man’s whistle: Sivko-Burko, Magic Black Steed! Burko ran and the earth shook, flames came out of his eyes, and from his nostrils came a column of smoke. Well, Burko, as you have served me, now serve my son. Now be gone! And Burko ran away. The old man lay down in his grave, and Ivan the Fool went home.

Again his brothers asked him, How did you sleep, Ivan the Fool?

Very well, brothers!

The third night it was Ivan’s turn. He could scarcely wait. He got ready and set off. He lay down on the grave, and at midnight the old man came out again. He already knew it was Ivan the Fool. He shouted with the warrior’s voice and whistled with a young man’s whistle: Sivko-Burko, Magic Black steed! The black steed ran, and the earth shook. From his eyes flames burst, and from his nostrils came a pillar of smoke. Well, Black Steed! As you have served me, now serve my son. When the old man had said this, he said farewell to Ivan the Fool and lay down in his grave. Ivan the Fool stroked his black steed, looked him over, and released him. Then he went home.

Again his brothers asked him, How did you spend the night, Ivan the Fool?

Very well, brothers.

They went on living there. Two of the brothers worked, but Ivan the Fool did nothing. Suddenly, the tsar sent out a proclamation: He would marry his daughter to the person who could tear the tsarevna’s portrait down from high up on the house. The brothers got ready to watch someone try to tear down the portrait. Ivan the Fool sat on the stove behind the chimney and begged, Brothers, give me a horse and I’ll go and have a look, too.

His brothers ridiculed him. You sit there on the stove, Fool. Why should you go? Just to make people laugh? But Ivan the Fool would not be denied. His brothers couldn’t put him off: All right, Fool, you take that three-legged mare there.

So they all rode off. Ivan the Fool rode with them into the open steppe, into the wide expanses. He got down from his little mare, killed her, skinned her, and hung the skin on the corral. He just threw the flesh away. Then he whistled with a young man’s whistle and shouted with a warrior’s cry: Sivko-Burko, Magic Black Steed! Sivko ran and the earth shook, out of his eyes flames burst, and from his nostrils came a pillar of smoke. Ivan the Fool climbed in one ear and ate and drank his fill, then he climbed out the other, dressed, and became a handsome young man, such that his brothers would not recognize him. He got on Sivko and went to tear down the portrait.

There was a huge crowd of people. When they saw the young man, they all started staring. Ivan the Fool started his horse with a wave. His horse leapt but missed the portrait by three logs. They had all seen where he came from, but no one saw him go away. He released his horse and went home, back to the stove.

Soon his brothers came back and told their wives, Well, wives, there was this young man there whom no one had ever seen before. He only missed taking the portrait by three logs. We saw where he came from but we don’t know where he went. He’ll probably come again.

Ivan the Fool sat on the stove and said, Brothers, wasn’t I there?

How in the devil could you be there? Sit on the stove, Fool, and wipe your nose.

Time passed. Another proclamation came from the tsar. Again the brothers got ready to go, and Ivan the Fool said, Brothers, give me some horse or other.

They answered, Sit there, you fool. Stay at home. You’d just ruin another horse. But they couldn’t put him off, so they gave him another lame mare. Ivan the Fool dispatched her, too. He killed her, hung up her skin on the corral, and threw away the flesh. Then he whistled with a young man’s whistle and shouted with a warrior’s cry: Sivko-Burko, Magic Black Steed! Burko ran and the earth shook, from his nose flames burst, and from his nostrils came a pillar of smoke. Ivan the Fool climbed in the right ear and dressed, and then he climbed out the left. He had become a handsome young man. He leapt onto his horse and rode off. This time he was only two logs short of the portrait. They all saw where he came from, but no one saw where he went. He released Burko and walked home. He sat down on the stove, waiting for his brothers.

His brothers came and said, Wives, that same young man came again. He only missed the portrait by two logs.

Ivan the Fool said to them, Brothers, wasn’t I there?

Sit there, Fool! You might as well have been with the devil.

Not long after this, there was another proclamation from the tsar. The brothers got ready, and Ivan the Fool asked, Give me some sort of horse, brothers. I’ll go and have a look, too.

You sit at home, Fool. Why should we waste a horse on you?

But they couldn’t deny him. They argued and argued, and then they gave him a poor old mare. They rode off. Ivan the Fool went off, killed her, and threw away the flesh. Then he whistled with his young man’s whistle and shouted with a warrior’s cry: Sivko-Burko, Magic Black Steed! The black steed ran and the earth shook, and from its eyes flames burst, and from its nostrils issued a pillar of smoke. Ivan the Fool went in one ear and ate and drank his fill, then he climbed out the other, dressed as a young man. He got on his horse and set off. When they got to the tsar’s apartments, he tore down the portrait and the bunting around it. They saw where he came from, but they didn’t see where he went. He released his black steed and went home.

He sat down on the stove and waited for his brothers. His brothers came and said, Well, mistresses, that same young man jumped so high today that he tore down the portrait.

Ivan the Fool was sitting behind the chimney, and he spoke up: Brothers, wasn’t I there?

Go on sitting there, you fool. You might as well have been with the devil.

After a little time the tsar held a ball, and he summoned all the boyars, voevodas, princes, councilors, senators, merchants, traders, and peasants. And Ivan’s brothers went. Ivan wasn’t left behind. He went and sat there behind the chimney on the stove, watching, with his mouth wide open. The tsarevna greeted her guests, bringing beer to each of them and wondering whether one of them wouldn’t wipe his brow with that bunting. That would be her groom. But no one did. And she didn’t see Ivan the Fool on the stove.

The guests all left. The next day, the tsar held another ball, but again they couldn’t find the one with the cloth. On the third day, the tsarevna was once again offering beer to the guests. She had served them all, but no one had wiped himself with the cloth. My intended one is just not here! she thought to herself. Then she glanced behind the chimney and saw Ivan the Fool. He was dressed poorly, he was covered in soot, and his hair was unkempt. She poured him a glass of beer, and his brothers watched, thinking, The tsarevna is offering beer to that fool! Ivan the Fool drank some of the beer and wiped himself with the cloth. The tsarevna rejoiced and took him by the hand. She led him to her father and said, Father, this is my intended!

The brothers felt as if they had been stabbed in the heart with a knife. What is the tsarevna doing? Has she gone mad? She’s made that fool her intended groom.

There’s little more to say. There was a happy feast and then the wedding. Our Ivan is no longer Ivan the Fool. Now he is Ivan the Tsar’s son-in-law. He got ready, he bathed, and he became a fine young man such that people couldn’t recognize him. Thus, the brothers found out what it means to go to sleep on the grave of a father.

180.

We say that we are clever. But the old folks argue: No, we were cleverer than you are. Now the tale says that when our grandfathers had no learning and the forefathers were not yet born, in a certain tsardom, in a certain land, there lived and dwelt an old man who taught his three sons to read and write and taught them everything bookish. Well, my children, he said to them. I am going to die. Come to me and read on my grave.

Very well, very well, Father.

The older two brothers were fine lads, tall and handsome! But the youngest one, Vaniusha, hadn’t grown very tall, and he was like a plucked duckling—much worse! So then the old man and father died.

At that same time, news came from the tsar that his daughter, the tsarevna Elena the Beautiful, had ordered a mansion built for herself with twelve pillars and twelve planks high. She would sit in this mansion on a high throne and await her groom, a brave young lad who would come on a flying horse and with one swoop kiss her on her lips. Every youth was aroused, drooling, combing his hair and thinking: To whom should this honor fall?

Brothers, said Vaniusha, Father has died. Which of us will go to read on his grave? Well, whoever has the desire, let him go! the brothers answered. So Vania set off. And the older brothers rode about on their horses, combed out their curls, played with their moustaches, and strutted about.

The second night came. Brothers, I’ve read, said Vania. It’s your turn now. Which of you will go?

Whoever wishes can go read but don’t bother us.

These two cocked their hats jauntily, whooped and hollered, sighed, and flew off, rushed about, and cavorted in the open steppe! Vaniusha once more went and read. The third night the same thing happened. But the two brothers just trained their horses, combed out their whiskers, and got ready to test their bravery any day now before the eyes of Elena the Beautiful. Should we take our little brother? they wondered. No, that would be no use. He would embarrass us and just amuse folk. We’ll go alone. So they set off. But Vaniusha really wanted to get a look at Tsarevna Elena the Beautiful. He wept, he wept copious tears, and then set off for his father’s grave. His father heard him in his coffin, came out to him, shook the damp earth from his forehead, and said, Don’t be sad, Vania, I’ll assuage your grief.

So then the old man stretched, stood up straight, whistled and called in a youthful voice with the whistle of a nightingale. And out of nowhere a horse came running, and the earth shook. From its nostrils and ears flames blazed. It flew up and stopped before the old man as if rooted to the ground and asked, What do you command? Vania crawled in one ear of the horse and out the other and became such a fine lad as you can’t tell about in a story or describe with a pen! He got on the horse, arms akimbo, and flew off like a falcon right to the palace of Elena the Beautiful. He struck the ground, leapt up, but missed the top by two planks. He whirled around again and flew. He leapt up and missed by one. He turned around again, let fly, and leapt up like fire, aimed carefully and smacked Elena the Beautiful right on her lips! Who is it? Who? Catch him, catch him! But all trace of him had gone cold. He galloped back to his father’s grave, let the horse go off into the open steppe, and bowed down low to the earth, asking for parental advice. The old man gave it to him. Ivan went home as if nothing had happened. His brothers told him where they had been and what they had seen, and it was as if he was hearing this for the first time.

The next day there was another gathering. There were so many boyars and gentry at the princely palace that your eyes couldn’t take it all in. The older brothers came. The little brother came on foot, meekly, humbly, as if it hadn’t been he who’d kissed the tsarevna. He sat down in a distant corner. Elena Tsarevna asked for her groom. Elena Tsarevna wished to show him off to the whole world, she wanted to give him half the tsardom, but the groom did not appear! They searched for him among the boyars, among the generals, they looked everybody over, but he wasn’t there!

And Vania watched, grinned, smiled, and waited until the bride came to him directly. Well, he said, I was attractive enough as a fine lad, now let her like me in my plain kaftan. She stood up, looked hard over everyone, searched out all, and then she caught sight of and recognized her groom. She sat him down next to her and was soon engaged to him. And he, my God! He became clever and brave, and oh, so handsome! He mounted, as was his custom, his flying horse, tipped his hat, strutted about like a king, a real king! You could gaze at him and never think that this had once been just Vaniusha.

181.

This man had three sons, and two were clever. But the third was a fool. The clever ones farmed, but the fool sat behind the stove, sifting ashes. The father was old. As he was dying, he said to his sons that for three nights in a row they should go to stand watch on his grave.

The oldest son went out the first night. When midnight came, he fell asleep, and having seen nothing, he went back home. The next night the middle son set off, and he also saw nothing and came back. The third night the fool went. He sat there all night long, and at midnight a horse galloped up. It had a golden coat and silver, too, and a diamond bridle. He looked at the horse. He looked at it and then caught it. The horse reared up, reared up again, and then said in a human voice, My young sir and fool! Let me go! I shall be of great use to you, and if you should need anything, whistle to me, and I shall immediately come running. The fool let the horse go, and then he went home.

At home he learned that the princess was going to marry the one who could leap on his horse up to the third story [of her palace]. From all directions, people began to gather, and the fool’s brothers set off to see this sight that would take place at the king’s. The moment no one else was at home, the fool went outside, whistled to his horse, and it came running to him with all its tack. The fool got ready and set off. On the road, he caught up to his brothers, and he struck them soundly with his whip, as they had abused him, and then he rode on farther. When he had come to the king’s courtyard, he saw there counts, gentlemen, peasants, Jews, and all sorts of people. All were trying to leap up to the princess, but no one could. Only the fool sped up and jumped to the first floor.

The next day, people gathered again, and the fool leapt to the second story. And on the third day he leapt and got right up to the princess, and he took from her a ring. The fool, when he had taken the ring, flew off home on his horse, released the horse, and hid behind the stove. His brothers came home and began telling the fool everything that had happened, how some gentleman had hit them on the road, and that same man had leapt up to the princess, taken her ring, and run off.

The next day, the brothers were sitting there when a messenger came and ordered all who were in the house to come to the king’s court the next day for a census. In the morning, they all set out for the census. The king’s servants began inspecting all who were there, and they found the ring on the fool’s finger. They led the fool to the king’s palace and ordered him to wash and dress to be presented to the princess. But the fool began shouting, I do not wish to wear your clothing, I have my own! And then he went outside and whistled for his horse. And then he dressed so that he could come to the king’s court properly clad like the richest of princes. When the princess saw him, she immediately fell in love with him and married him. And the king was so pleased that he gave him his kingdom while he was still alive.

The Pig with the Golden Bristles, the Duck with the Golden Feathers, the Deer with the Gold Antlers, and the Horse with the Golden Mane

182.

There lived this old man and old woman. They had three sons. Two were clever, but the third was a fool. Before his death their father said, My dear children! Go for three nights and sit on my grave. They cast lots; it fell to the fool to go. The fool set off to sit on the grave. At midnight, his father came out and asked, Who is sitting here?

I am, Father, the fool.

Sit here, my child, and the Lord be with you.

The next night the oldest brother was to go to the grave, but the oldest brother asked the fool, Go, Fool, and sit there for me tonight. Whatever you want, take it.

Be off with you. The dead are jumping about there.

Go, and I’ll buy you some red boots!

The fool couldn’t turn that down, and so he went to spend the second night sitting there. He was sitting there on the grave, when suddenly the earth opened and his father came out and asked, Who’s sitting there?

I am, Father, the fool.

Sit here, my child, and the Lord be with you.

The third night the middle brother was to go, but he asked the fool, Do me a favor and go and sit for me. Take whatever you like!

Be off with you! The first night was terrifying and the second even more terrifying. The dead shout out, fight, and I have a fever!

Go on, I’ll buy you a red cap.

There was nothing to be done, so the fool went on the third night. He was sitting on the grave, when suddenly the earth opened and out came his father. And he asked, Who’s sitting here?

I am, the fool.

Sit here, my child, and the Lord be with you! And here is a great blessing from me.

And he handed him three horsehairs. The fool went out into the reserved meadows and lit the three hairs and shouted out in aloud voice, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed! My father’s blessing! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass. Sivka-Burka, the magic steed, came running, and from his mouth flames darted, from his ears smoke rose in a column. The horse stood before him like a leaf on grass. The fool climbed into his left ear and ate and drank his fill. He climbed into the right ear and was dressed in bright clothing, and he had become such a lad that you can’t imagine or fathom or describe with a pen.

In the morning, the tsar sent out this call: Whoever can kiss my daughter, the Tsarevna Milolika—who is sitting on the third story—by a flyby of his horse will be married to her by me! The older brothers got ready to watch, and they called the fool to go with them: Come with us, Fool!

No, I don’t want to. I’ll go out into the steppe with my cart and kill snakes, to have something for the dogs to eat.

He went out into the open steppe, lit the three horsehairs and shouted, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed, my father’s blessing! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass. Sivka-Burka, the magic steed, came running, and from his mouth flames darted, from his ears smoke rose in a column. The horse stood before him like a leaf on grass. The fool climbed into the left ear and ate and drank his fill. He climbed into his right ear and was dressed in bright clothing. He became such a lad that you can’t imagine or fathom or describe with a pen. He mounted up, waved his hand, prodded the horse with his foot, and was carried away. His horse ran, and the earth shook. The mountains, the valleys it swept with its tail. Stumps and logs flew by between his legs. The horse leapt up to the first story, then the second—but no—and rode back.

The brothers came home. The fool was lying on the rafters. They said to him, Oh, you fool! Why didn’t you come with us? Some young man came riding up, such that you can’t imagine or fathom or describe with a pen!

Was it not I, the fool?

And just where would you get such a horse? First of all, wipe your nose!

The next morning, the older brothers got ready to go to the tsar’s to watch, and they called the fool to go along: Come with us, Fool. Yesterday this fine young man came riding, and today it will be even better!

No, I don’t want to. I’ll go off into the steppe with the cart, kill some snakes, and bring them back for the dogs to eat.

He went out into the open steppe and burned the horsehairs. Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed, my father’s blessing! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass. Sivka-Burka the magic steed came running, and from his mouth flames darted, from his ears smoke rose in a column. The horse stood before him like a leaf on grass. The fool climbed into the left ear and ate and drank his fill. He climbed into the right ear and was dressed in bright clothing. He became such a lad that you can’t imagine or fathom or describe with a pen. He mounted up, waved his hand, prodded the horse with his foot, and leapt up two stories—but not the third. He returned home, let his horse go off into the reserved meadows, and came back home and lay down on the stove.

His brothers came in.

Oh, you fool, why didn’t you come with us? Yesterday this handsome lad came, but today was even better. Where is such beauty born?

Was it not I, the fool?

Oh, you fool of a fool! Even to talk of it! Where would you get such beauty, where would you find such a horse? Why, you just lie there on the stove. . . .

Well, if not I, then you’ll find out tomorrow!

The third morning, the clever brothers got ready to go to the tsar’s to watch.

Come with us, Fool. He’ll kiss her today!

No, I don’t want to. I’ll go into the steppe; I’ll take a cart and kill snakes. I’ll bring them home for the dogs to eat.

He went out into the open steppe, burned three horsehairs and shouted in a loud voice: Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass. Sivka-Burka came running. From his mouth flames darted, from his ears smoke rose in a column. The horse stood before him like a leaf on the grass. The fool climbed into the horse’s left ear and ate and drank his fill. He climbed into the right ear and was dressed in bright clothing. He became such a lad that you can’t imagine or fathom or describe with a pen. He mounted up, waved his hand, prodded his horse with his foot, and leapt over all three stories. He kissed the tsar’s daughter on the lips, and she struck him on the forehead with a gold ring.

The youth returned and let his good horse loose in the reserved meadows. And he then came home, wrapped up his head with a kerchief, and lay down on the rafters. His brothers came in.

Oh, you fool! Twice these young lads came riding, but today was still better. Why, where was such beauty born?

Was it not I, the fool?

Oh, Fool, the foolish talk on! Where would you ever get such beauty?

The fool unwrapped his forehead, and the whole hut was lit up. His brothers asked him, Where did you ever get such beauty?

Wherever but I got it! But you just didn’t believe me. Here’s a fool for you!

The next day, the tsar put on a feast for the whole Orthodox world, and he ordered the boyars and the princes and the simple folk summoned to the palace, and the rich and poor and the old and young. The tsarevna was to select her promised groom. The clever brothers got ready to go to the tsar’s feast. The fool tied up his head with a rag and said to them, This time, though you haven’t invited me, I’ll go. The fool made his way to the royal chambers and parked himself behind the stove. So then the tsarevna carried wine around to all, choosing her groom, and the tsar followed after her. She went round to everybody and then glanced behind the stove, where she saw the fool. His head was bound up with the rag, and slobber and snot flowed over his face. Milolika Tsarevna led him out, wiped his face with a kerchief, kissed him, and said, My Lord and Father! This is my promised one.

The tsar saw that the groom had been found. Though he was but a fool, there was nothing to be done. The tsar’s word is law. And so he immediately ordered them betrothed. Now with the tsar certain things are well known: There’s no brewing of beer or distilling of vodka. They quickly put on the wedding.

Now this tsar already had two sons-in-law. The fool became the third. Once he summoned his two clever sons-in-law and said these words to them: My clever sons-in-law! My learned sons-in-law! Do me this service that I shall request of you. In the steppe there is this duck with gold feathers. Could you not obtain it for me? He ordered fine horses saddled for them and commanded that they ride out after the duck.

The fool overheard this and asked, And Father, give me at least a cart horse! The tsar gave him a mangy little horse. He mounted it backwards—with his rear to the horse’s head and his front to the horse’s rear—put its tail between his teeth, and drove it off with his palms on the horse’s rump: Now, then, you dog meat! He rode out into the open steppe, grabbed the nag by the tail, skinned it, and shouted, Come on, you daws and crows and magpies! Here’s some fodder your father has sent you. The daws, crows, and magpies came flying up and ate up all the meat.

And then the fool summoned Sivka-Burka: Stand before me like a leaf on the grass! Sivka-Burka ran up. Flames darted from its mouth; from his ears smoke rose in a column. The fool climbed in the left ear and ate and drank his fill. He climbed into the right one and was dressed in bright clothing, and he became a fine youth. He got the duck with the gold feathers, spread out his tent, and was sitting there in the tent. Nearby, the duck walked about. The clever sons-in-law rode up and asked, Who’s that in the tent? If you’re an old, old man, be a grandfather to us. If you’re of middle age, then an uncle. The fool replied, In your time—I’m a brother to you.

And Brother, will you sell us the duck with the golden feathers?

No, she’s not for sale. She’s for a private exchange.

And what’s the exchange?

For the little finger on your right hand.

They cut off the little fingers on their right hands and gave them to the fool. He put them in his pocket. The brothers-in-law came home and lay down to sleep, but the tsar and tsaritsa were walking about and they heard the brothers-in-law talking. One of them said to his wife, Quiet! You’re hurting my hand. The other said, Oh, how it hurts! My hand hurts!

In the morning, the tsar summoned the clever sons-in-law: Well, my clever sons-in-law, my learned sons-in-law! Do me this service that I will request of you: In the steppe there is a pig with golden bristles and twelve piglets. Get her for me! He ordered fine horses saddled for them, and again he gave the fool a mangy old carthorse. The fool rode out into the open steppe, grabbed the nag by the tail, and skinned it. So then, you daws and crows and magpies, fly over here! The tsar has sent you some food. The daws and crows and magpies came flying and pecked away all the flesh.

The fool summoned Sivka-Burka, the Magic Steed, and got the pig with the golden bristles and twelve piglets, and spread out his tent. He was sitting there in the tent, and the pig was walking about. Up came the clever sons-in-law: Who’s in the tent? If you’re an old, old man, be a grandfather to us; if you’re of middle age, then an uncle.

In your time, I’m a brother to you.

Is this your pig with the golden bristles?

It’s mine.

Sell it to us. What will you take?

It’s not for sale. It’s for a private exchange.

And what’s the exchange?

A toe from your foot.

They each cut off a toe from their foot, gave them to the fool, and took the pig with the golden bristles and the twelve piglets away.

In the morning the tsar summoned his clever sons-in-law and told them, My clever sons-in-law, my learned sons-in-law! Do me this service that I ask of you. In the steppe there’s this mare with a golden mane and twelve colts. Couldn’t you fetch her for me?

We can, Father!

The tsar ordered fine horses saddled for them, but again he gave the fool a mangy carthorse. He mounted the horse, his head to the rear and his rear to the horse’s front, took her tail in his teeth, and drove her along with the palms of his hands. The clever sons-in-law laughed at him. The fool rode out into the open steppe, grabbed the nag by the tail, and skinned her. So then, come here, you daws and crows and magpies, and peck up all the flesh! Father has sent you some food. The daws and crows and magpies all came flying up and pecked away all the flesh. Then the fool shouted in a loud voice, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed, Father’s blessing! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass.

Sivka-Burka came running, and from his mouth flames darted, and from his ears smoke rose in a column. The fool climbed in the left ear and ate and drank his fill. He climbed into the right one and was dressed in bright clothing, and he became a fine lad. I’ll have to get hold of that golden-maned mare with the twelve colts. Sivka-Burka the Magic Steed replied to him, Those earlier tasks were for little children, but this is a difficult one! Take with you three copper rods, three iron ones, and three of lead. The mare will chase me through the mountains, through the valleys, and then she’ll be exhausted and fall to the ground. Then don’t you hesitate. You mount her and beat her between her ears with all nine rods until she falls into little bits. Perhaps then you’ll be able to pacify the golden-maned mare.

No sooner said than done. The fool acquired the golden-maned mare with the twelve colts, spread out his tent, and sat there in the tent. The mare was fastened to a pillar. The clever sons-in-law came riding up and asked, Who is that, who’s in the tent? If you’re an old, old man, be our grandfather. If you are of middle age, our uncle.

In your time, I’m your brother.

Well, brother, is that your mare tied up to the pillar?

It’s mine.

Sell her to us!

She’s not for sale, she’s for an exchange.

And what will you exchange her for?

A strip from each of your backs!

So then the clever sons-in-law dithered and dithered, and then agreed. The fool cut out a strip from each of their backs, put them in his pocket, and handed over the mare with the twelve colts.

The next day the tsar was to put on a feast. Everyone was to come. The fool took the cut-off fingers and toes and the strips out of his pocket and said, So here are the duck with the golden feathers, and here the pig with the golden bristles and now this is the gold-maned mare with the twelve colts! What are you on about, Fool? the tsar asked him. And he answered, My Sovereign and Father! Tell your clever sons-in-law to take off their gloves. They took off their gloves and on their right hands there were no little fingers. I took a finger from each for the duck with the golden feathers, said the fool. He placed the cut-off fingers where they had been, and they suddenly grew together and came to life. Take off the boots of your clever sons-in-law! They removed their boots, and on their feet one toe was missing. I took those for the pig with the golden bristles and twelve piglets. He placed the cut-off toes on their feet, and in an instant they had grown back and come to life. Father, remove their shirts. They took off their shirts, and both sons-in-law had a strip cut from their backs. I took those for the mare with the golden mane and the twelve colts. He put the strips back where they had been, and they grew together and came to life. Now, said the fool, tell them to ready a carriage.

They readied the carriage, got in, and rode off into the open steppe. The fool burned three horsehairs and shouted in a loud voice, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed, Father’s blessing! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass. The horse came running, the earth shook. From his mouth flames darted, and from his ears smoke rose in a column. The horse ran up and stood there as if fixed to the earth. The fool climbed in the left ear and ate and drank his fill. He climbed into the right and was dressed in bright clothing, and had become such a lad that you couldn’t imagine or fathom or describe with a pen! From then on he lived royally with his wife, rode about in a carriage, and gave feasts. I was at those feasts, I drank mead and wine. No matter how much I drank, I just moistened my moustaches!

183.

There lived and dwelt this tsar, and he had a daughter, the Tsarevna Priceless Beauty, and you couldn’t describe her in a tale or depict her with a pen. The tsar sent out a call to all the towns: Whoever can kiss the tsarevna through twelve panes of glass, he—no matter what his background—will marry the tsarevna and receive half the tsardom.

Now in that tsardom there lived a merchant, and he had three sons. Two (the oldest and the middle one) were clever, but the third and youngest was a fool. So then the older brothers said, We’re going to go get that tsarevna, Father. Go with God, said the merchant. So they took the very best horses there were and got ready for the road and journey. And the fool got ready, too. Where are you going, Fool? the brothers said. How could you ever kiss the tsarevna! And they laughed and laughed at him.

So they set off, and the fool dragged along after them on a poor, lousy little horse. He rode out into the steppe and shouted in a loud voice, Hey you, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass. Out of nowhere, this magnificent horse came running. The earth shook. The fool climbed in one ear and climbed out the other and became such a handsome youth as never before heard of, as never seen. He got on the horse and rode off to the tsar’s palace. He let fly and broke through six panes. Everyone gasped. And they shouted, Who is that? Catch him, hold him! But his trail had gone cold. He rode away into the steppe, once again crawled in one ear and out the other and became the same fool as he had been before. He got on his nag and rode home and lay down on the stove. His brothers returned and said, So, Father, there was this lad and such a lad was he! He broke through six panes of glass at once! And from the stove the fool called out, Brothers, hey brothers! Was that not I?

What do you mean, ‘I,’ Fool? How could you get that tsarevna! You aren’t worth her fingernails.

The next day the brothers again intended to go to the tsar’s palace, and the fool also got ready. Why you, Fool? his brothers laughed. Would you be missed? Or what? But the fool again rode out on his lousy, broken-down little horse into the steppe and shouted in a loud voice, Hey you, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed! Stand before me like a leaf on grass! The horse ran, the earth shook. Again he climbed in one of the horse’s ears and out the other, and became such a handsome youth as was never before heard of, never seen. He let fly at the tsar’s palace, broke through all twelve panes, and kissed the Tsarevna Priceless Beauty. And she put a stamp right on his forehead. Everyone gasped and shouted: Who is that? Catch him, hold him! But his trail had gone cold. He rode away into the steppe and once more climbed into one ear of his horse and out the other, and became the same fool as he had been before. He rode home, tied up his forehead with a rag, and pretended that he had a headache. Then he lay down on the stove. His brothers returned and told their father everything: Oh, Father, there was this lad, and such a lad he was! He broke through all twelve panes at once and kissed the tsarevna. And from the stove the fool called out, Brothers, oh brothers! Was that not I?

What do you mean, Fool!

Meanwhile, the tsarevna thought, whoever could that be, her groom? She came to the tsar and said, Father, let me gather all the tsareviches and princes, the gentlemen and merchants, and all the peasants for a feast, for a little talk, and I’ll search out the one who kissed me. The tsar agreed. So all the baptized world gathered together. The tsarevna herself went about, treating all to wine and looking for the one with the stamp on his forehead. She’d gone around to all, and near the end she carried some wine up to the fool. What’s that you’ve got bandaged up? the tsarevna asked. Oh, it’s nothing. I’ve a headache, the fool replied.

Well, then, untie it!

The fool untied the rag. The tsarevna recognized the mark and fainted. The tsar said to her, That proclamation of ours cannot be altered. That’s how it must be, you shall be his wife! So they betrothed the fool and the tsarevna. She wept bitterly, and the other two tsarevnas, her sisters, soon got married to tsareviches. And they laughed at her: So she’s married to a fool!

Once the tsar summoned his sons-in-law and said to them, My dear sons-in-law! I’ve heard that in this other tsardom, in this other land, there’s this amazing thing: a pig with golden bristles! Could you not somehow obtain it for me? Try! So the two clever sons-in-law saddled up the very best horses that were to be had, mounted up, and rode off. So now what? said the tsar to the fool. You go, too! The fool took from the stables the very worst nag there was and set off behind the tsareviches. He rode out into the steppe, shouted out in a loud voice, Hey you, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass. A wondrous horse appeared from nowhere, and as it snorted, it pawed the earth with its hoof. The fool climbed in one ear and out the other. When he’d leapt out, there stood before him two youths who asked him, What do you want, how may we serve you?

Let there be a tent set up here, and in that tent a bed, and let there stroll nearby the pig with the golden bristles.

All this appeared in that very minute. The tent was unfurled, and in the tent was a bed. And the fool lay down on the bed, having become such a youth that no one would know him. And the pig with the golden bristles strolled about the meadow. The other sons-in-law rode and rode, but they never caught sight of that pig with the golden bristles, and so they turned back home. They rode up to the tent and saw this wondrous thing. So this is where that pig with the golden bristles is roaming about! Let’s go, they said. And we’ll give whatever must be given. We’ll buy this pig with the golden bristles and please our father-in-law. They came up to the tent and exchanged greetings. The fool asked them, What are you riding about for? What are you looking for?

Won’t you sell us the pig with the golden bristles? We’ve been searching for it for a long time.

No, it’s not for sale. I need it myself.

Take whatever you will, but just sell it!

And they offered a thousand for the pig, then two, then three, and even more. But the fool did not agree.

I won’t even take a hundred thousand.

Oh, please, hand it over. Take whatever you want.

Well, if it’s so very necessary to you, I’ll give it to you, and I won’t take much: a little toe from each of you.

So they thought and thought about it, took off their boots, and cut off the little toe, one from each. The fool took the toes and hid them on himself, and then he handed over the pig with the golden bristles.

The sons-in-law came home and brought with them the pig with the golden bristles. In his joy the tsar didn’t even know how to reward them, where to seat them, or how to entertain them. You didn’t see the fool anywhere? the tsar asked them. We neither saw him nor did we hear of him! But the fool climbed in one of his horse’s ears and out the other, and became the same fool he had been before. He killed his nag, skinned her, and put on the skin. Then he caught some magpies, crows, and daws, and sparrows too, fastened them round about him, and set off home. He came to the palace and let all the birds go. They flew off in all directions and broke absolutely all the windows. When she saw this, the tsarevna, Priceless Beautiful, broke into tears, and her sisters just mocked her: Our husbands have brought in the pig with the golden bristles, and your fool—just look, look at what an idiot he’s got himself up as! And the tsar shouted at the fool, What an ignoramus!

So fine.

A second time the tsar summoned his sons-in-law and said to them, My dear sons-in-law! I’ve heard that in this other tsardom, in this other land, there’s this amazing thing: a deer with gold antlers and a gold tail. Could you not obtain it for me somehow? We can, Your Royal Highness. So the two clever sons-in-law saddled up the very best horses and rode off. Well then? the tsar said to the fool. You go too. The fool took the very poorest nag from the stables and went off, following the clever sons-in-law. He rode out into the steppe and shouted in a loud voice, Hey you, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass! Out of nowhere a magnificent horse appeared, and did it snort and paw the earth with its hoof! So he climbed in one ear and out the other. From somewhere there appeared two youths before him, and they asked, What do you want, what would you have us do?

Let there be a tent set up here, and in that tent a bed, and let the deer with the golden antlers and golden tail stroll round about it.

At that very minute a tent was unfurled, and in that tent was a bed. The fool lay down on the bed, and he was so handsome that you couldn’t recognize him! In the meadow nearby strolled the deer with the golden antlers and gold tail. The clever sons-in-law rode about and rode about, but nowhere did they see such a deer and they turned back home. They were approaching the tent, and they saw the amazing thing. So this is where the deer with the golden antlers and golden tail has been strolling about! Let’s go, they said. And whatever it takes, we’ll give. We’ll buy that deer and please our father-in-law. So they rode up and exchanged greetings. The fool asked them, Why are you riding about, what are you looking for?

Won’t you sell us that deer with the golden antlers and golden tail?

No, it’s not for sale. I need it myself.

Take what you want, but sell it!

And they offered for the deer a thousand, then two, and three thousand—even more. The fool wouldn’t hear of it, he wouldn’t take the money. But if you really like my deer, perhaps I’ll take just a little something from you: from your hands, a little finger. Well, they thought and thought about it, and then agreed. They took off their gloves, and each cut off a little finger. The fool hid the fingers on himself and handed over the deer.

The sons-in-law came home, leading the deer with the golden antlers and the golden tail. In his joy, the tsar didn’t know what to call them, where to seat them, or how to entertain his sons-in-law. But you didn’t see that fool anywhere? asked the tsar. We neither saw him nor did we hear of him! And so the fool climbed in one of his horse’s ears and out the other and became just as he was before. He killed his nag, skinned her, and put the skin on himself. Then he caught a lot of daws and crows and magpies and sparrows, pinned them about himself, and set off home on foot. So he once more came to the palace and let the birds go off in all directions. His wife, the tsarevna, burst into tears, and her sisters laughed at her. Our husbands brought the deer with the golden antlers and golden tail but your fool. . . . Just look! Just look! The tsar shouted at the fool, What an ignoramus you are! And he gave half the tsardom to the clever sons-in-law.

A third time the tsar summoned his sons-in-law, and he said, Well, my dear sons-in-law! I’ll give you all my tsardom if you can acquire for me a horse with a golden mane and with a golden tail that I’ve heard there is in some other tsardom, some other land. So the two clever sons-in-law saddled up, as before, the very best horses there were and rode off down the road and way. The tsar sent the fool, too. Well then? You go too. The fool took the very worst nag from the stables and rode off following the clever ones. He rode out into the steppe and shouted in a loud voice, Hey you, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass! Out of nowhere, a magnificent horse came running, and it snorted and pawed the earth with its hoof. So then he climbed in one ear and out the other, and became such a handsome youth that you couldn’t even recognize him. Suddenly from nowhere there appeared two youths, and they asked, What do you desire? What is your wish?

Let there be here a tent, with a bed in the tent and along side have the horse with the golden mane and golden tail stroll about.

Immediately a tent was unfurled, and in the tent was a bed. And the fool flopped down on the bed, while alongside it in a meadow the horse with the golden mane and golden tail strolled. The clever ones rode and rode, but they didn’t see such a horse anywhere and were returning home. They rode up to the tent and saw this amazing thing: So here’s where that horse with the golden mane and golden tail roams about! Let’s go, they said. What ever it takes, we’ll give. We’ll buy that horse with the golden mane and golden tail and please our father-in-law. So they rode up and exchanged greetings. The fool said, Why have you been riding about? What are you searching for?

Sell us that horse with the golden mane, the one with the golden tail.

No, it’s not for sale. I need it myself.

Take whatever you want, only sell it!

And they gave him a thousand for the horse, then two and three thousand—even more.

No, I won’t take even a hundred thousand! said the fool.

Oh please, give it up! Take whatever you wish!

Well, if you really have to have it, perhaps I’ll give it to you for very little. Give me a strip from each of your backs!

So then they thought and thought and hummed and hawed. They really wanted that horse, but they wanted their backs whole, too. But finally they decided. They gave in. They removed their shirts, and the fool cut a strip from each of their backs. He then went and hid the strips on himself and handed over the horse.

The sons-in-law came home, leading the horse with the golden mane and golden tail with them. In his joy the tsar didn’t know what to call them, where to seat them, or how he might entertain them, so he gave them the remaining half of the tsardom. And the fool once more climbed in one of his horse’s ears and out the other, and became just what he had been before. Again he killed his nag, skinned her, and put the skin on. And then he caught some daws, magpies, crows, and sparrows and pinned them about himself. He came back to the palace and released the birds in all directions. They flew off and broke out all the windows. The tsarevna, his wife, broke into tears, and her sisters just laughed at her: Our husbands have brought home the horse with the golden mane and golden tail, and your fool, just look at him! What an idiot he is!

The tsar shouted at the fool: What an ignoramus! I am going to have you shot! And the fool asked, What will you reward me with?

And why should I reward you, Fool?

Well, if the truth be known, I got that pig with the golden bristles for you, and the deer with the golden antlers and the horse with the golden mane.

How can you prove it? asked the tsar.

The fool said, Tell your sons-in-law to remove their boots, sire. The sons-in-law began shuffling about. They didn’t want to remove their boots. Remove your boots, the tsar insisted. There’s no fault in that! They removed their boots. Each one was missing a toe on his foot. Here are their toes, said the fool. Now tell them to remove their gloves. They took off their gloves, and a finger was missing on each hand. Here they are! said the fool. Now tell them to remove their shirts! The tsar saw that the truth was coming out, and he told them to undress. They removed their shirts, and the tsar saw: Each one had a strip cut from his back about the width of a finger or two. And here are the strips! the fool said, and he told them everything that had happened.

The tsar didn’t know how to treat him or how to reward him. He gave him the whole tsardom, and the other sons-in-law who had deceived him he ordered shot. The fool went out into the steppe and shouted out in a loud voice, Hey you, Sivka-Burka, Magic Steed! Stand before me like a leaf on the grass! The horse came running, the earth shook. The fool climbed in one ear and climbed out the other, and he became a handsome youth. He returned home and began living with his tsarevna and wife, and they went on living and prospering.

184.

There once lived on this earth an old gentleman, and he had three sons. Two were clever but the third was a fool. The third just liked sitting by the stove, blowing bubbles in the ashes. When it came time for the father to die, he called them all together and told them that they were to bury him and then come one at a time, three nights in a row to his grave—the eldest one the first night, the middle one the second, and the fool the third night. And afterward, when he had died, they buried him and performed the ceremonies. Then the fool, waiting until it was pitch dark, left the stove, and noting that his brothers had invited guests to the hut and were drinking and feasting, asked the oldest one, was he not going to their father’s grave? And he heard him say, I don’t want to. You go yourself to the grave and sit down beside it without telling anybody.

At darkest midnight the earth on the grave opened up, and their father climbed up out of the pit and asked, And who is sitting here? When he heard the fool respond—and when the fool had told him what the older brother had said, I don’t want to go—he handed the fool a bridle and told him that if he should ever have need or some request, he should shake the bridle, and a black horse would come running to him immediately. Then the fool was to crawl into its right ear and out the left ear and tell the horse what he needed. And then the father crawled back into the pit, and the grave closed up.

So then the fool took the bridle and returned home and climbed back onto the stove to sleep. The next day, hearing that his brothers’ guests were feasting, and having awaited nightfall, he found his middle brother and asked him whether he wasn’t going to go to their father’s grave. But this one also said that he didn’t want to, so the fool went himself and sat down in the same place next to the grave. At darkest midnight the earth on the grave opened up, and their father climbed up out of the pit. Learning that the fool was sitting there, and that the middle son had said I don’t want to go, he gave the fool a second bridle and again said, If you should have the need, then shake the bridle, and immediately a red horse will come running. And then that the fool was to crawl in the horse’s right ear and out the left ear and then tell the horse what he needed. The father got back into the pit, and the earth closed up, and the fool, returning home, climbed onto the stove to sleep.

He woke up on the third day and heard all the guests feasting, and he waited until nightfall. Then he went to the grave, and as soon as it was dark, he sat down in the same place next to the grave. The earth opened up, and his father came out of the pit. Seeing the fool sitting there, he gave him a third bridle and told him that if he should have the need, he was to shake it and there would come running to him a gray horse. And he