THE STORY OF MARKO THE RICH AND VASILY THE LUCKLESS Not in our time, but a long time ago, in a certain realm, lived a very rich merchant, Marko by name, and surnamed the Rich. Cruel and hard was he by nature, greedy of lucre and unmerciful to the poor. Whenever the lowly and the needy came begging beneath his window he sent his. servants … Continue reading [Russian Fairy Tales] THE STORY OF MARKO THE RICH AND VASILY THE LUCKLESS

TWO OUT OF THE KNAPSACK There was once an old man whose wife was exceedingly quarrelsome. The old man had no rest from her clay or night; she nagged and nagged at him at every little trifle, but if the old man ventured to gainsay her in anything, she immediately caught up a broomstick, or something else, and chased him out of the kitchen. The … Continue reading [Russian Fairy Tales] TWO OUT OF THE KNAPSACK

THE PROPHETIC DREAM There was once upon a time a merchant, and lie had two sons, Dmitry and Ivan. Once the father bade his sons goodnight, sent them off to bed, and said to them: ” Now, children, whatever you see in your dreams, tell it all to me tomorrow morning, and whichever of you hides his dream from me, no good thing will befall … Continue reading [Russian Fairy Tales] THE PROPHETIC DREAM

THE SAGE DAMSEL An old man and an old woman died, and left behind them a son young in years, who was rich neither in wits nor goods. His uncle took him home, gave him to eat and drink, and when he grew up sent him to watch the sheep. And one day he sent for his kinsman and resolved to test his wits; so … Continue reading [Russian Fairy Tales] THE SAGE DAMSEL

THE ENCHANTED RING In a certain kingdom in a certain empire, there lived, once upon a time, an old man and an old woman, and they had a son called little Martin. Time went on, the old man fell ill and died, and though he had worked hard all his days, the only inheritance he left behind him was two hundred rubles. The old woman … Continue reading [Russian Fairy Tales] THE ENCHANTED RING

THE TALE OF THE PEASANT DEMYAN Where it is a long time ago or a short time ago I cannot say, but I know that once upon a time, in a certain village, dwelt a peasant who was headstrong and hot-tempered, and his name was Demyan. He was austere and hard and stern, always seeking an occasion to quarrel, and dealing hardly with whom soever … Continue reading [Russian Fairy Tales] THE TALE OF THE PEASANT DEMYAN

THE LITTLE FEATHER OF FENIST THE BRIGHT FALCON Once upon a time there was an old widower who lived with his three daughters. The elder and the middle one were fond of show and finery, but the youngest only troubled herself about household affairs although she was of a loveliness which no pen can describe and no tale can tell. One day the old man … Continue reading [Russian Fairy Tales] THE LITTLE FEATHER OF FENIST THE BRIGHT FALCON

THE TALE OF LITTLE FOOL IVAN Far, far away, in a certain kingdom, in a certain Empire, stood a city, and in this city reigned Tsar Gorokh, and the Tsaritsa Morkovya. They had many wise Boyars, rich Princes, strong and mighty heroes, and of the common run of warriors 100,000 at least. All manner of people dwelt in this city, worshipful, well-bearded merchants, cunning open-handed … Continue reading [Russian Fairy Tales] THE TALE OF LITTLE FOOL IVAN

THE WHITE DUCK A powerful and mighty Prince married a thrice-lovely Princess, and he had not yet had time to look upon her, he had not yet had time to speak to her, lie had not yet had time to listen to her, when he was obliged to depart from her on a far journey, and leave his young wife in the hands of strangers. … Continue reading [Russian Fairy Tales] THE WHITE DUCK