Father's Gift

Once upon a time, there lived a good man. He had three sons: two were clever, and the third was Ivan the Fool. The clever ones got married and started families, while Ivan just lay on the stove and played his reed pipe.

The time came for the father to die. He gathered his sons and said to them:

"My dear sons, my beloved sons! I leave you no great wealth, but I ask you to honor one request: when I die, come to my grave and spend three nights there in a row. The first night—the eldest, the second—the middle one, and the third—the youngest. And when you come, say: 'Yellow sand, scatter! Pine coffin, open! Father, rise from the grave!' That is all."

After saying this to his sons, he folded his hands and died.

The sons buried their father. Now, it was time for the eldest to go and spend the night at the grave. But he was afraid, and his wife wouldn’t let him go: "Where are you going? You might get lost there! What will I do alone then?"

But it was wrong not to fulfill his father’s request.

"Send Ivan instead," his wife advised. "If something happens to him, no one will even care."

The eldest son pleaded with Ivan:

"Brother, go to our father’s grave in my place." But Ivan, lying on the stove, replied:

"Do you think I’m a fool, going in your place? When my turn comes, then I’ll go." The brother nearly cried:

"Please, Ivan! You see, my wife won’t let me go."

"Fine," Ivan agreed, "but tell your wife to sew me a big bag and put two loaves of bread in it. At least I’ll have something to eat there, since your wives never let me eat properly at home."

The eldest brother’s wife sewed a big bag and put two loaves of bread in it. Ivan took the bag and went to his father’s grave.

He arrived and said, as his father had instructed:

"Yellow sand, scatter! Pine coffin, open! Father, rise from the grave!"

And so it happened. The father rose, looked at Ivan, and said:

"Where is my eldest son?"

"He’s afraid of you, so he sent me instead," Ivan replied, munching on a piece of bread.

"Well," sighed the father, "then his share will go to you. Listen, my son: on the green meadows, among the silken grasses, a gray horse with a golden mane grazes. By day it grazes, by night it roams, and when a good lad calls, it comes running at once. If you ever need it, whistle loudly, and the horse will appear before you like a leaf before grass. And when you’ve had your fill of it, let it return to the green meadows, to the silken grasses."

After saying this, the father lay back in the coffin, and the grave closed behind him.

Ivan walked away from the grave, whistled loudly, and the gray horse with the golden mane came running.

The horse stamped its hoof:

"Why did you call, Ivan Ivanovich?"

"I want to ride you."

"That can be done."

Ivan jumped on the horse and flew off. He circled the world three times without touching the ground, then returned.

"That’s enough," he said to the horse. "I’ve had my fun! Now go back to the green meadows, to the silken grasses. Graze by day, roam by night, and when I call—come running!"

He let the horse go and returned home. He climbed back onto the stove, put his feet on the crossbeam, and played his reed pipe. The clever brothers were amazed: "Look at that, nothing happened to him!"

The second night came—it was time for the middle son to go to the grave. He began to beg Ivan:

"Brother, go in my place..."

"Do you think I’m your hired hand?" Ivan snapped. "If it’s your turn, then you go!"

But his sister-in-law started crying and pleading with him:

"Do us a favor, Ivan: go to our father’s grave in your brother’s place!"

"Fine," Ivan agreed. "Give me two loaves of bread!"

They prepared the bag for him, and he went. He came to the grave and said the words. The father rose and again wondered:

"Why didn’t the middle son come to visit me?"

"He’s afraid of you," Ivan said, "so he didn’t come."

"Well," sighed the father, "then his share will go to you. Listen, my son: on those same green meadows, among the silken grasses, there is another horse—a bay one. It will also serve you."

Ivan circled the world twice on the bay horse and returned home.

On the third night, it was his turn. He went to his father’s grave. The father rose and said:

"I feel sorry for you, my son: you’re the only one who comes to me... Well, then let the third horse serve you too. It grazes on those same green meadows, among the silken grasses, and it is a dun horse. But now, don’t come to me anymore."

After saying this, the father lay back in the coffin, and the grave closed behind him.

Ivan circled the world once on the dun horse. Then he returned home, climbed onto the stove, and played his reed pipe.

"Well, well," the clever brothers marveled, "our fool hasn’t gotten into any trouble! Now we won’t give him two loaves of bread—he can make do with scraps!"

Meanwhile, the king’s daughter, bored out of her mind, decided to stir up some excitement: she climbed to the third floor of her tower, sat by the window, and declared that whoever could ride a horse up to her would marry her. So, all those who wanted to marry the king’s daughter rushed to the capital. Others went just to see the spectacle. The clever brothers said:

"Let’s go and see too." They began to prepare. Ivan begged his brothers:

"Take me with you. I want to see the spectacle too."

"What do you need to go for?" the brothers laughed. "They’ll manage without fools like you. And if you’re tired of lying on the stove, we’ll give you some work."

They took two measures of poppy seeds and two measures of sand, mixed them into one pile, and said:

"By the time we return, you must sort this: poppy seeds separately, and sand separately."

Ivan was disheartened, but what could he do? He poured the poppy seeds and sand into the bag, lay down on the stove, and stayed there. He placed the bag on the stove to dry.

A day passed, then another. Ivan climbed down from the stove, poured the poppy seeds and sand into a birch-bark basket, covered it with the bag, and went with his goods beyond the dense forest, into the open field. He whistled loudly—and all three horses came running: the gray one, the bay one, and the dun one.
— What do you say, master?
— My good horses, my dear horses: a rumor has spread that wondrous things are happening in the royal capital. The youngest princess has gone mad, climbed to the third floor of her tower, sat by the window, and declared that whoever can ride a horse up to her will be her husband. Could you carry me there so I can see this marvel?
— We can,— answered the gray horse.— But today you will ride the youngest of us, the dun horse.

The dun horse stepped forward, shook its mane, and said:
— Climb into my right ear, Ivan, and come out of my left ear.

Ivan climbed into the dun horse's right ear and came out of the left ear, turning into such a fine young man that no prince or king could compare.

He mounted the horse. The horse stamped its hooves and flew off.

Whether it was a long or short flight, suddenly—there was the capital. Everyone had already gathered to see the marvel. And Ivan's brothers stood to the side, their mouths agape.

Then the dun horse leaped with a run, but perhaps fell just a hand's length short of reaching the princess. It landed behind the tower and raced away like a whirlwind. It was there, and then it was gone! Everyone gasped, and the princess cried, "Catch him, catch him!" But where could they?..

The horse returned to the old spot. Ivan climbed into its left ear and came out of the right ear, becoming his old self again, and said:
— Thank you, my good horse! I saw the princess. Now help me with another task: sorting two measures of poppy seeds and two measures of sand...

The horse said:
— Tear the sack into two mats and pour your poppy seeds from the basket.

Ivan did so. The horse snorted, and the poppy seeds ended up on one mat, and the sand on the other.

Ivan rolled up the mats, thanked the horse, and went home. Along the way, he gathered mushrooms in his basket.

At home, his sisters-in-law scolded him:
— Where have you been, fool? Did you sort the poppy seeds? You'll get it from your brothers when they return!
— Oh, leave me alone!— said Ivan.— I sorted the poppy seeds and even brought mushrooms. And you keep saying I do nothing.

The clever brothers returned from the capital.
— What happened there, what a spectacle!— they told their wives.— No one could even reach the second floor. Only some prince on a dun horse almost reached the princess. He just needed a hand's length more... Ah, what a shame! Such a handsome prince that even the princess gasped and cried, "Catch him, catch him!" But where could they?

Ivan lay on the stove, smirking:
— Wasn’t that me? The brothers hissed at him:
— You’d better keep quiet, fool!

Soon the princess announced again that everyone should gather in the capital. This time, she sat by the window on the fourth floor.

The clever brothers prepared to go.
— Take me with you,— Ivan begged.
— Oh, you fool! Isn’t there work at home? We’ll give you work.

They took three measures of sand and three measures of poppy seeds, mixed them together, and ordered Ivan to sort them before they returned.

Ivan waited a day or two, poured the poppy seeds and sand into his basket, took two mats, and went beyond the deep forests to the green meadows. He whistled and called in a loud voice—his good horses came running.
— Why did you call us, master?
— Well, you see,— said Ivan,— the princess has announced again that everyone should gather in the capital. Can I go see this marvel?

The gray horse answered:
— Alright. But this time you’ll ride the bay horse.

Ivan did as he was told, mounted the bay horse, and flew to the capital. While others took a month or two to get there, he arrived in just an hour. The bay horse leaped, falling just half a hand’s length short of the princess.

The princess was consumed with curiosity: who was this brave prince who almost reached her twice? Soon she announced a third time, climbing to the fifth floor. Kings, princes, lords, and nobles all gathered again. The clever brothers went too, leaving Ivan with a task: sorting four measures of poppy seeds and sand.

Ivan rested on the stove, took the poppy seeds and sand, and went to his horses.
— Can I go to the capital one more time?— he asked.
— You can,— said the gray horse.— But this time you’ll ride me. If I don’t reach the princess, we’ll speak no more of it.

Ivan did as he was told, mounted the horse, whistled, and flew to the capital. In less than an hour, he was there.
— Hold on!— cried the gray horse.

The gray horse neighed loudly, soared into the air, and reached the princess. The princess—tap-tap!—placed two of her rings on Ivan: one on his forehead, the other on the back of his head. The horse landed and raced away. Everyone shouted, "Catch him, catch him!" But there was no one to catch—he was gone in an instant...

Ivan returned, asked the horse to sort the poppy seeds, and let it graze on the green meadows. He pulled his hat low to hide the rings and went home, gathering mushrooms along the way.

The brothers returned and told their wives about the marvel.
— What happened there, what a spectacle! Everyone tried, but no one reached even the second floor, except one prince—so handsome, all in gold—who leaped right up to the princess, and she placed her rings on his forehead and the back of his head.

Ivan listened from the stove and laughed:
— Wasn’t that me?
— Quiet, fool!— hissed the brothers.— You could never do such a thing! Did you sort the poppy seeds?
— I did,— said Ivan.— Oh, forget your poppy seeds! Nothing but trouble with them.

The brothers looked and were amazed:
— Looks like you had to work hard!— they said.

Meanwhile, the princess announced that her suitor should come forward. First, she called all the princes and kings. She looked—no suitor! Then she called the lords and merchants. Still no one! Finally, she ordered all the peasants and laborers to gather.

— Well,— said Ivan,— before I asked you to take me, but now I’ll go without you!

He took his flute, slung a sack over his shoulder, and went beyond the deep forests to the open field. He whistled and called in a loud voice—all three horses came running.
— My dear horses,— said Ivan,— the princess has ordered all peasants and laborers to appear before her. Can I go to her?
The gray horse replies:

"Now you will ride again on the youngest of us. And ride as you are..." Then he gives instructions to the dun horse:

"Take him, brother, to the bathhouse near the royal palace and leave him there. And you," he says to Ivan, "climb onto the shelf in the bathhouse and play your pipe. They will find you when the time comes."

In an instant, the dun horse carried him to the capital. Ivan entered the bathhouse, climbed onto the shelf, and began playing his pipe.

Meanwhile, the princess and her maid had inspected all the men and laborers—no groom to be found! Suddenly, she heard someone playing in the bathhouse, and so beautifully that it was a joy to listen.

They went there, opened the door, and saw a ragged fellow lying on the shelf, dressed in tatters, his hat pulled low over his forehead... He was playing the pipe so merrily that their feet began to dance. The princess approached him, removed his tattered hat—and there was her seal on his forehead!

She looked at the back of his head—and there was her seal again!

"Well," she said to Ivan, "so you are my groom! Let's go to my father."

She took him by the hand and led him, but Ivan resisted:

"Where am I going? So they can laugh at me?"

The princess managed to bring him to the palace. When her father saw him, he began to scold her:

"And who have you chosen as your husband?!" The daughter replied:

"But he bears my seals, so he is my destined one. Such is my fate. Nothing can be done..."

Like it or not, they had to hold the wedding. And Ivan became the tsar's son-in-law.

The tsar had two other sons-in-law, married to his elder daughters. They, of course, were princes and kings. One day, the tsar gathered his wealthy sons-in-law and said:

"I am old, and my death is near. To whom shall I pass the kingdom?"

"To me!" said one son-in-law.

"No, to me!" said the other. They argued so fiercely that it almost came to blows. The tsar said:

"Here's what, my dear sons-in-law: in a certain kingdom, in a certain land, there is a pig—a golden-bristled pig. It plows with its snout, harrows with its legs, and behind it, pies grow, so delicious that even the tsar himself would be pleased to eat them. Whoever brings that pig to my palace will inherit the entire kingdom!"

Without hesitation, the sons-in-law each took a regiment of soldiers and set off with fanfare to find the golden-bristled pig.

The youngest princess said to her husband Ivan:

"Your brothers-in-law have gone to find the golden-bristled pig, and what are you thinking? They will inherit the kingdom, and how will we live?"

"I'm not going anywhere!" Ivan replied. "They've made up some pig! Where would you even find it?"

His wife wept, but Ivan took his pipe and began to play.

About a month passed, and Ivan said to his wife:

"Go to your father and ask him for some old nag of a horse. I'll go and look for the pig too."

"You fool," said his wife, "your brothers-in-law have probably already found it and are bringing it home, and you're only now thinking of going!"

"Well, so be it! Go to your father. And if he won't give me a horse, I'll go on foot." The wife went to her father.

"Father," she said, "my Ivan is asking for some old nag of a horse—he's decided to go after the pig too."

The tsar laughed but gave him the old nag. Ivan prepared, sat on the nag backward, and set off.

"Look," marveled the tsar's servants, "our fool is riding like a fool!"

He rode out of the city and left his nag for the wolves to feast on.

Then he shouted and whistled—and all three horses came running to him: the gray, the bay, and the dun.

"What do you command, master?"

"Ah, my good horses!" said Ivan. "In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, there is a pig—a golden-bristled pig. It plows with its snout, harrows with its legs, and behind it, pies grow, so delicious that even the tsar himself would be pleased to eat them! Can we get it?"

"We can!" replied the gray horse. "You will ride after the pig on the youngest of us. But you must take a silk cord and a leather whip with you."

"Where will I get those?" asked Ivan.

"Wait a moment."

The gray horse soared and flew to the green meadows. In a minute, he returned with the leather whip and silk cord.

"Here is everything you need. Just make sure to whip the pig hard until it surrenders, and you, dun horse, trample it with your hooves."

Ivan climbed into the dun horse's right ear and came out the left, transformed into a fine young man. He mounted the horse, and off they went.

They flew for a long time or a short time, but eventually, they arrived in the kingdom where the golden-bristled pig lived. Ivan saw that the pig indeed plowed with its snout and harrowed with its legs... He crept up to the pig and began whipping it. The horse trampled it with its hooves, and Ivan lashed it with the whip. The pig endured and endured, but its strength gave out.

"Ah, foreign prince Ivan Ivanovich, why are you killing me?"

"Surrender," Ivan shouted, "or I won't let you live!"

He beat it until the pig surrendered. Then Ivan tied the silk cord around its neck, mounted the dun horse, and rode off, with the pig following behind.

He rode and rode, and suddenly he saw two regiments of soldiers approaching, with music playing. "Well," thought Ivan, "these must be my brothers-in-law, still searching for the pig." He climbed into the dun horse's left ear and came out the right, returning to his former self. He released the horse and tied the pig to an oak tree with the cord. The pig began its work again: plowing with its snout and harrowing with its legs...

Ivan lit a fire in the oak grove, warmed himself, and played his pipe.

The brothers-in-law drew closer and saw smoke rising from the grove.

They said to their servants:

"Go and see who is smoking there." The servants went, investigated, and returned.

"Well, what is it?" asked the brothers-in-law.

"It's our fool over there. He's already leading the pig."
— It can't be! — the brothers-in-law are amazed. — We'll go and see for ourselves. And if it's true, we'll ask him for the piglet, or even take it by force.

They arrive at the oak grove and see that it's true: Ivan is sitting by the fire, playing his pipe, and the piglet is busy with its work by the oak tree.

— Hello, brother-in-law!

— Hello!

— So, you got the piglet before us?

— I only got one, — Ivan replies, — but there's a whole herd of them there: enough for you too.

— You're lying, brother-in-law! There's only one like this in the whole world. Give us this piglet. But Ivan stands his ground:

— It's my piglet, — he says, — I'll take it to my father-in-law myself.

But the brothers-in-law won't leave him alone. "We'll give you this and that..." Ivan gets tired of listening to them.

— Fine, — he says, — if you cut off the little toe from your right foot, you can take her.

The brothers-in-law think it over and agree; after all, a little toe is worth half a kingdom! They cut off their toes, take the piglet — the one with golden bristles — and joyfully lead her to the capital.

Meanwhile, Ivan hides the toes in his bag, warms himself a bit more by the fire, then calls for his dun horse, mounts it, and rides off.

The brothers-in-law traveled for about a month, but Ivan managed it in a day.

He arrives at the city, lets his dun horse graze on the green fields, and goes to see his wife.

His wife sees him empty-handed and throws up her hands:

— Where did you lose your father's little horse?

— You know, — Ivan says, — the mare was no good, got tired on the road... So, I left her and came back on foot.

His wife starts crying:

— Oh, woe is me with you — I begged my father for the mare, and you ruined her and didn't even bring the piglet...

Some time later, the brothers-in-law return with the piglet. They tie her up in the yard near the royal chambers. And the piglet starts working miracles: plowing with her snout, harrowing with her feet, and pies grow behind her...

There was so much joy for the brothers-in-law and the king! The king invites guests — lords and princes — to see this wonder. After all, no king has ever had such a piglet!

The guests leave, and the brothers-in-law go to ask their father-in-law to grant them the kingdom.

The king thinks it over and says:

— No, I won't grant the kingdom for just one piglet. There's a wonder-mare in a distant land — flames shoot from her nostrils, smoke pours from her ears. She grazes on green meadows, on silken grass. And twelve horses with golden manes guard her. If you can catch that mare along with the horses and bring her to me, then I'll grant you the kingdom.

The brothers-in-law miscalculated — there's nothing they can do: they have to go and search for the mare.

They gather an even larger army and set off.

Again, Ivan's wife nags him:

— Look, your brothers-in-law have gone after the mare, and you're sitting at home! Father will grant them the whole kingdom, and how will we live?

— Eh, — Ivan says, — where am I supposed to go? Do I have my own army or what? We'll manage somehow without the kingdom!

Some time passes, and Ivan asks his wife again:

— Go to your father: maybe he'll give me another little horse? I'll go after my brothers-in-law.

— What are you babbling about, fool? The brothers-in-law are probably already returning with the mare, and you're just getting ready.

— If they're returning, then I'll return with them. No big deal!

— I'm ashamed before my father, — the wife says. — You'll ruin another horse for nothing. What will I tell him then?

— If I ruin it, I ruin it. Your father won't go broke because of it.

She goes to her father and begs another little horse from him. Ivan mounts the nag, rides a short distance from the city, and leaves it for the wolves to feast on. Then he whistles, and his trusty horses appear before him. Ivan tells the horses about the wondrous mare.

— That's our mother! — says the gray horse. — But now there are only nine guards near her, since we serve you. You've set us a difficult task, master. But we'll try to help you. Go to your father-in-law and ask him for your grandfather's steelyard.

Ivan returns to the chambers, asks the king for the twelve-pound steelyard. He takes it in his hands and swings it like a twig. The king is amazed:

— Fool, but strong! Look at that!

Ivan returns to his horses.

— Now, — says the gray horse, — I'll go with you myself. And when you mount the mare, hit her between the ears with the steelyard, and keep hitting until she stops. Meanwhile, I'll fly around her and beg: "Mother, better surrender, or my master will beat you badly with the steelyard..."

And so it all happened, just as the gray horse said.

Ivan manages to mount the mare, and she carries him up to the heavens... She carries him and carries him — but Ivan doesn't fall: he sits on her back as if rooted, hitting her between the ears with the twelve-pound steelyard.

The mare gets exhausted and says:

— I've lived for thirty-three years, and no one has ever ridden me! Who are you?

— This, mother, is our master, — the gray horse speaks for Ivan. — Surrender, or he'll beat you badly.

— Well, — the mare sighs, — I've roamed free, but now I'll have to serve. Wait, Ivan Ivanovich, stop hitting me.

— You should've said that earlier, my arm's already sore from beating you, — Ivan says.

Ivan rides the mare back to his kingdom, followed by nine horses and the tenth, Ivan's gray horse.

As he rides, he sees an army approaching, music playing. "That must be my brothers-in-law," Ivan thinks.

He lets his gray horse graze on the green meadows, builds a fire, warms himself, and plays his pipe.

The brothers-in-law notice the smoke. They send servants to see who's making it. The servants go, see everything, light their pipes from the fire, and return.
— Well, who's there? — ask the brothers-in-law.

— It's our fool leading a mare, and beside her are nine horses with golden manes.

— Nine? But the father-in-law said twelve!

— No, only nine.

— Then we'll go see for ourselves. They arrive:

— Greetings, brother-in-law!

— Hello!

— So, you're leading a mare?

— Yes, there are many grazing there. I took only one for myself and nine horses as a bonus.

The brothers-in-law exchanged glances and shook their heads:

— You're mocking us, brother-in-law! This is the mare our father spoke of.

— No, it's not that one,— Ivan disagrees.— Yours is still there. I don't take what isn't mine.

— Even so,— say the brothers-in-law,— let us have this one. We'll give you whatever you want.

And they began to plead. What could he do? Ivan agreed and said:

— Alright, take her, but cut off a little finger from your right hands for her.

The brothers-in-law were reluctant to part with their fingers, but Ivan stood firm. They consulted among themselves.

— Well,— they said,— we have our own doctors, our own medicine—it'll heal quickly: let's cut off a finger.

Ivan returned home, just like the first time, with nothing.

— At least tell me where you took father's little horse? — asks his wife.

— Where? It died! What do you think: I rode it and carried such a heavy load...

Some time later, the brothers-in-law bring that mare. They're so happy, it's indescribable: clearly, the kingdom will now be theirs!

Now the king has to write a decree—to transfer the kingdom to his sons-in-law.

— No,— says the king,— I've changed my mind. You haven't done everything yet. In a certain kingdom, in another state, beyond the blue seas, beyond the high mountains, there's a lion. He sits by a well, chained with twelve chains. And twelve men carry water from the well day and night: the lion drinks it all and takes upon himself all the illnesses of people and cattle. If you can get this lion for me and bring it to our kingdom—then everything will be yours!

The brothers-in-law thought: "Maybe the fool will get the lion, and we'll somehow take it from him."

— Alright,— they said,— we'll bring the lion! They gathered and set off.

And the wife scolded Ivan:

— What are you thinking, fool? Just lying around and playing your pipe. See, the brothers-in-law have already gone for the lion. Father will write off the whole kingdom to them, and we'll be left begging for alms.

— Ah, dear wife,— says Ivan,— don't people live on alms? We'll get by somehow.

The wife calmed down at that.

So, they lived for a month or two, and Ivan asks his wife to go to her father again for the little horse.

— No,— says the wife,— I won't go now. If you want, go on foot: you're no use anyway!

Ivan didn't argue, said goodbye to his wife, and set off on his journey. He went out into the open field and called his horses. The gray horse said to him:

— Now you'll ride the bay. When you reach that kingdom, approach the capital, let the horse go, and go to the well yourself. Say that you'll take it upon yourself to water the lion. And if the king hires you, don't dawdle. Here's a hammer—it can break any chain...

It didn't take long for Ivan—within three hours he was at the well.

— Good day, lads! — Ivan greeted the workers who were drawing water.

— Good day!

— Is it hard working here?

— Oh, it's hard!

— Then let me water the lion for you.

— What are you saying! — said the workers.— There are twelve of us, and even we can't manage.

— It's alright, I'll manage. Report it to your king.

The senior worker went and reported to the king. The king was pleased: one less person to pay.

— Hire him for three days,— said the king.— If he manages, then we'll talk terms.

The workers stepped away from the well, and Ivan quickly got to work. And it went so smoothly, it couldn't have been better.

The senior worker ran to the king.

— A marvel! — he said.— The lion can't keep up with all the water he's supplying alone.

— Well,— said the king,— let's see what happens tomorrow.

At night, Ivan said to the lion:

— You know what: let's run away from here. You'll be more comfortable in my kingdom.

And he praised his kingdom so much that the lion soon agreed to run away with him.

— Only don't break the chains I'm bound to the well with.

— It's alright, I'll break them.
Ivan took a hammer and struck once, and one chain shattered. He struck twelve times—twelve chains shattered.

Then Ivan mounted the lion and raced back to his kingdom. Along the way, he met his brothers-in-law. When they saw Ivan riding the lion, they began to beg and plead with him:

"Give us that lion."

"Wow," Ivan disagreed, "everything for you and you! Let me bring something back for my father-in-law too. Otherwise, my wife keeps scolding me: she says you'll rule the kingdom, and we'll be left to beg."

"We'll give you whatever you want, Ivan, just give us the lion."

And they kept persuading him until Ivan finally agreed.

"Alright," he said, "but now I’ll charge you more: cut a piece of skin from your backs..."

The brothers-in-law didn’t argue.

"Our own doctors, our own medicines—we’ll heal," they thought. "But now we’ll surely rule the kingdom. Then we’ll drive out the old king and that fool!"

Ivan took the two pieces of skin, rolled them into tubes, and hid them in his bag. Then, when the brothers-in-law had ridden off with the lion for about two miles, Ivan called his bay horse, mounted it, and galloped home!

Ivan returned to his wife. The royal servants mocked him:

"Look," they said, "he went after the lion on foot for three days. How can a fool compete with the clever ones?"

And his wife cried:

"What are you thinking? People are laughing at you."

"Let them laugh: not everyone has to cry!"

"You’ll cry too if father writes the kingdom to our brothers-in-law and leaves us with nothing."

"Eh, what do we need that kingdom for? A patch of land will be enough for us."

His wife calmed down: you can’t cry all the time! There aren’t enough tears for that.

The brothers-in-law brought the foreign lion, with music and songs. Princes and lords from all over the kingdom gathered to marvel at it. And the king, overjoyed, threw such a feast that no one had ever seen the like.

They feasted for three days and three nights. When the feast ended, the king summoned his sons-in-law. They came with their wives and the king’s youngest daughter. Only Ivan didn’t come.

"Where’s your fool?" the king asked his youngest daughter. "Why isn’t he coming? He should at least hear how I’ll divide the kingdom."

She went to her husband:

"Go to father, listen to what’s happening."

"Why should I go?"

"Go and ask him for at least a patch of land."

Ivan went to the royal chambers and stood at the threshold. The king said to his elder sons-in-law:

"Here, my dear sons-in-law, I give you all my kingdom, and I myself will live on your bread and mercy."

"Thank you, father," the sons-in-law bowed.

"And what do you give me, father?" Ivan asked from the threshold.

"I give you nothing! Kingdoms aren’t earned by sitting on the stove."

Ivan looked at his brothers-in-law and said:

"And what have they done that you’re giving them the kingdom?"

"What have they done?" the king was surprised. "They brought me wonders from overseas."

"Where did they get them? They begged them from me! Look, father, do they have little toes on their right feet?"

"Take off your boots!" the king ordered his sons-in-law.

They took them off—and indeed: they were missing the little toes on their right feet!

Ivan opened his bag and took out the toes.

"Here they are!" he said. "This is what I took from them for the pig. Now look, father, do they have little fingers on their right hands?"

The king looked—they were missing! And Ivan pulled them out of the same bag.

"This is what I took from them for the mare. They deceived you: they only brought nine horses. Where are the other three?"

"Yes," the king scratched his head, "they deceived me: three horses are missing..."

Then Ivan stepped out of the palace, shouted in a loud voice, and whistled a brave whistle—and three golden-maned horses appeared before him.

The king’s eyes widened, and the brothers-in-law turned pale as sheets.

"Now," Ivan said, "look, father, at your sons-in-law’s backs: are they whole?"

The king looked—pieces of skin were missing...

Ivan took the two pieces from his bag and placed them on their backs—it was their skin!

"This, father, is the memento I made for them for the lion."

The king saw—it was all true! He then drove out his deceitful sons-in-law and gave the entire kingdom to Ivan.

↑ To the top

Father's Gift

More fairy tales