Marya Morevna Afanasyev's fairy tale for children
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, there lived Ivan Tsarevich; he had three sisters: one Marya the Princess, the other Olga the Princess, the third Anna the Princess. Their father and mother died; dying, they punished their son: “Whoever will be the first to marry your sisters, give it to him - don’t keep it with you for long!” The prince buried his parents and, out of grief, went with his sisters to take a walk in the green garden. Suddenly a black cloud appears in the sky and a terrible thunderstorm arises. "Let's go home, sisters!" - says Ivan Tsarevich. As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a bright falcon flew into their room, the falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and said: “Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I was a guest, but now I have come as a matchmaker; To woo your sister Marya the Princess." - “If you love your sister, I won’t stop her - may God bless her!” Princess Marya agreed; the falcon married and took her to his kingdom.
Days go by days, hours run by hours - a whole year has never happened; Ivan Tsarevich and his two sisters went for a walk in the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind and lightning. "Let's go home, sisters!" - says the prince. As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the roof fell apart, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in; hit the floor and became a good fellow: “Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I was a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker.” And he wooed Princess Olga. Ivan Tsarevich answers: “If you love Princess Olga, then let him marry you; I do not take away her will.” Olga the princess agreed and married the eagle; the eagle picked her up and carried her to his kingdom.
Another year has passed; Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister: “Let’s go for a walk in the green garden!” We walked a little; again a cloud arises with a whirlwind, with lightning. "Let's go home, sister!" We returned home and before we could sit down, thunder struck, the ceiling split in two and a raven flew in; The raven hit the floor and became a good fellow: the previous ones were good-looking, but this one is even better. “Well, Ivan Tsarevich, before I was a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker; give up Princess Anna for me.” - “I don’t take away my sister’s freedom; if she loves you, let her marry you.” Princess Anna married the crow, and he took her to his state.
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone; He lived without his sisters for a whole year, and he became bored. “I’ll go,” he says, “to look for my sisters.” He got ready to go on the road, walked, walked, and saw a beaten army lying in the field. Tsarevich Ivan asks: “If there is a person alive here, respond! Who defeated this great army?” A living man responded to him: “All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.” Ivan Tsarevich set off further, ran into the white tents, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, came out to meet him: “Hello, Tsarevich, where is God taking you - by will or by captivity?” Ivan Tsarevich answered her: “Good fellows do not travel in captivity!” - “Well, if it’s not in a hurry, stay in my tents.” Ivan Tsarevich was glad of this, spent two nights in tents, fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her.
Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state; They lived together for some time, and the princess decided to get ready for war; She leaves the entire household to Ivan Tsarevich and orders: “Go everywhere, look after everything; just don’t look into this closet!” He couldn’t bear it, as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there was Koschey the Immortal hanging there, chained to twelve chains. Koschey asks Ivan Tsarevich: “Have mercy on me, give me a drink! I’ve been suffering here for ten years, I haven’t eaten or drunk - my throat is completely dry!” The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked again: “I can’t quench my thirst with just a bucket; give me more!” The prince brought another bucket; Koschey drank and asked for a third, and when he drank the third bucket, he took his former strength, shook the chains and immediately broke all twelve. “Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich!” said Koschey the Immortal. “Now you will never see Marya Morevna again!” - and flew out the window in a terrible whirlwind, caught up with Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her away to him. And Ivan Tsarevich cried bitterly, bitterly, got ready and went on the road: “Whatever happens, I will find Marya Morevna!”
One day goes by, another goes, at dawn on the third he sees a wonderful palace, an oak tree stands near the palace, a falcon sits on a clear oak tree. A falcon flew from the oak tree, hit the ground, turned into a kind young man and shouted: “Ah, my dear brother-in-law! How does God have mercy on you?” Princess Marya ran out, greeted Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began asking about his health and telling about her life. The prince stayed with them for three days and said: “I can’t stay with you for a long time; I’m going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.” “It’s hard for you to find it,” the falcon answers. “Leave your silver spoon here just in case: we’ll look at it and remember about you.” Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon with the falcon and went on the road.
He walked one day, walked another, at the dawn of the third he saw a palace even better than the first, near the palace there was an oak tree, an eagle sitting on the oak tree. An eagle flew from a tree, hit the ground, turned into a kind young man and shouted: “Get up, Princess Olga! Our dear brother is coming.” Princess Olga immediately ran to meet him, began to kiss and hug him, ask him about his health, and tell him about her life. Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and said: “I have no time to stay longer; I’m going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.” The eagle answers: “It’s hard for you to find it; leave the silver fork with us: we’ll look at it and remember you.” He left the silver fork and went on the road.
One day passed, another passed, at dawn of the third he saw the palace better than the first two, near the palace there is an oak tree, a raven sits on the oak tree. A raven flew from the oak tree, hit the ground, turned into a kind young man and shouted: “Princess Anna! Come out quickly, our brother is coming.” Princess Anna ran out, carried him joyfully, began to kiss and hug him, ask him about his health, and tell him about her life. Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and said: “Farewell! I’ll go look for my wife - Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.” The raven answers: “It’s hard for you to find it; leave the silver snuffbox with us: we’ll look at it and remember you.” The prince gave him the silver snuff box, said goodbye and went on the road.
One day went by, another went, and on the third I reached Marya Morevna. She saw her beloved, threw herself on his neck, burst into tears and said: “Oh, Ivan Tsarevich! Why didn’t you listen to me - you looked into the closet and released Koshchei the Immortal?” - “Forgive me, Marya Morevna! Don’t remember the old things, it’s better to go with me until we see Koshchei the Immortal; maybe he won’t catch up!” They packed up and left. And Koschey was hunting; in the evening he tosses and turns home, the good horse stumbles under him. “Why are you, hungry nag, stumbling? Do you sense any misfortune?” The horse answers: “Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna away.” - “Is it possible to catch up with them?” - “You can sow wheat, wait until it grows, compress it, grind it, turn it into flour, prepare five ovens of bread, eat that bread, and then drive after it - and then we’ll be in time!” Koschey galloped and caught up with Ivan Tsarevich: “Well,” he said, “the first time I forgive you for your kindness in giving me water to drink; and the next time I will forgive you, and the third time, beware, I will chop you into pieces!” He took Marya Morevna from him and took him away; and Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone and began to cry.
He cried and cried and went back again for Marya Morevna; Koshchei of the Immortal House did not happen. "Let's go, Marya Morevna!" - “Ah, Ivan Tsarevich! He will catch up with us.” - “Let him catch up; we can spend at least an hour or two together.” They packed up and left. Koschey the Immortal returns home, the good horse stumbles under him. “Why are you, hungry nag, stumbling? Do you sense any misfortune?” - “Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna with him.” - “Is it possible to catch up with them?” - “You can sow barley, wait until it grows, squeeze and grind it, brew beer, get drunk, sleep until your fill, and then drive after it - and then we’ll be in time!” Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich: “After all, I told you that you will never see Marya Morevna like your ears!” He took her away and took her to his place.
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, cried and cried, and returned again for Marya Morevna; At that time, Koshchei was not at home. "Let's go, Marya Morevna!" - “Ah, Ivan Tsarevich! After all, he will catch up with you and chop you into pieces.” - “Let him chop it up! I can’t live without you.” We got ready and went. Koschey the Immortal returns home, the good horse stumbles under him. “Why are you stumbling? Ali, do you smell some misfortune?” - “Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna with him.” Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, chopped him into small pieces and put him in a tar barrel; took this barrel, fastened it with iron hoops and threw it into the blue sea, and Marya Morevna. I took it to my place.
At that very time, Ivan Tsarevich’s sons-in-law’s silver turned black. “Ah,” they say, “apparently something bad has happened!” The eagle rushed to the blue sea, grabbed and pulled the barrel ashore, the falcon flew for living water, and the raven for dead water. All three flew to one place, broke the barrel, took out the pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed them and put them together as needed. The raven splashed dead water - the body grew together, united; the falcon splashed living water - Ivan Tsarevich shuddered, stood up and said: “Oh, how I slept for a long time!” “I would have slept even longer if only we had!” answered the sons-in-law. “Let’s go and visit us now.” - “No, brothers! I’ll go look for Marya Morevna.”
He comes to her and asks: “Find out from Koshchei the Immortal where he got himself such a good horse.” So Marya Morevna seized a good moment and began to question Koshchei. Koschey said: “Far distant lands, in the thirtieth kingdom, beyond the fiery river, Baba Yaga lives; she has a mare on which she flies around the world every day. She has many other glorious mares; I was her shepherd for three days , I didn’t miss a single mare, and for that Baba Yaga gave me one foal.” - “How did you cross the fiery river?” - “And I have such a scarf - as soon as I wave it in right side three times, there will be a high, high bridge, and the fire will not reach it!” Marya Morevna listened, told everything to Ivan Tsarevich and took the scarf and gave it to him.
Ivan Tsarevich crossed the fiery river and went to Baba Yaga. He walked for a long time without drinking; without eating. An overseas bird with small children came across him. Ivan Tsarevich says: “I’ll eat one chicken.” - “Don’t eat, Ivan Tsarevich!” asks the overseas bird. “At some time I will be useful to you.” He went further; sees a hive of bees in the forest. “I’ll take some honey,” he says. The queen bee responds: “Don’t touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich! At some time I will be useful to you.” He left it alone and moved on; a lioness with a lion cub comes towards him. “I’ll even eat this lion cub; I’m so hungry, I’m so sick!” “Don’t touch me, Ivan Tsarevich,” the lioness asks. “I’ll be useful to you at some point.” - “Okay, let it be your way!”
He wandered hungry, walked, walked - there was the house of Baba Yaga, there were twelve poles around the house, on eleven poles there was a human head, only one was unoccupied. "Hello, grandma!" - “Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Why did you come - of your own free will or out of need?” - “I came to earn a heroic horse from you.” - “If you please, prince! I don’t have a year to serve, but only three days; if you take care of my mares, I’ll give you a hero’s horse, and if not, then don’t be angry - your head will stick out on the last pole.” Ivan Tsarevich agreed; Baba Yaga fed him, gave him something to drink and told him to get down to business. He had just driven the mares into the field, the mares lifted their tails and all ran away across the meadows; Before the prince had time to raise his eyes, they completely disappeared. Then he cried and became sad, sat down on a stone and fell asleep. The sun is already at sunset, an overseas bird has flown in and wakes him up: “Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are now at home.” The prince got up and returned home; and Baba Yaga makes noise and shouts at her mares: “Why did you return home?” - “How could we not return? Birds flew in from all over the world and almost pecked our eyes out.” - “Well, tomorrow you don’t run through the meadows, but scatter through the dense forests.”
Ivan Tsarevich slept through the night; the next morning Baba Yaga says to him: “Look, prince, if you don’t take care of the mares, if you lose even one, your wild little head will be on a pole!” He drove the mares into the field; They immediately raised their tails and scattered through the dense forests. Again the prince sat down on a stone, cried, cried, and fell asleep. The sun set behind the forest; A lioness came running: “Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are all gathered.” Ivan Tsarevich got up and went home; Baba Yaga is louder than ever and shouts at her mares: “Why did you come home?” - “How could we not return? Fierce animals came running from all over the world, they almost tore us to pieces.” - “Well, tomorrow you will run into the blue sea.”
Again Tsarevich Ivan slept through the night; the next morning Baba Yaga sends him to graze the mares: “If you don’t save him, your wild little head will be on a pole.” He drove the mares into the field; they immediately raised their tails, disappeared from view and ran into the blue sea; standing in water up to their necks. Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone, cried and fell asleep. The sun set behind the forest, a bee flew in and said: “Get up, prince! The mares are all gathered; when you return home, don’t show yourself to Baba Yaga, go to the stable and hide behind the manger. There’s a lousy foal there, lying in the dung; you steal it and leave the house in the dead of midnight."
Ivan Tsarevich got up, made his way into the stable and lay down behind the manger; Baba Yaga makes noise and shouts at her mares: “Why did you come back?” - “How could we not turn back? Bees flew in, apparently and invisibly, from all over the world and let us sting us from all sides until we bleed!”
Baba Yaga fell asleep, and at midnight Ivan Tsarevich stole her mangy foal, saddled it, sat down and galloped to the fiery river. I reached that river, waved my handkerchief three times to the right - and suddenly, out of nowhere, a tall, glorious bridge hung across the river. The prince moved across the bridge and waved his handkerchief at left side only twice - there was only a thin, thin bridge across the river! In the morning Baba Yaga woke up - there was no sign of the mangy foal! She gave chase; He gallops at full speed on an iron mortar, urges with a pestle, and covers his tracks with a broom. She galloped up to the fiery river, looked and thought: “It’s a good bridge!” I drove across the bridge, and as soon as I got to the middle, the bridge broke off, and Baba Yaga fell into the river; Then a cruel death happened to her! Ivan Tsarevich fattened the foal in the green meadows; he became a wonderful horse.
The prince comes to Marya Morevna; she ran out and threw herself on his neck: “How did God resurrect you?” “So and so,” he says. “Let’s go with me.” - “I’m afraid, Ivan Tsarevich! If Koschey catches up, you’ll be cut down again.” - “No, it won’t catch up! Now I have a glorious heroic horse, like a bird flies.” They got on their horse and rode off. Koschey the Immortal is tossing and turning home, and his horse stumbles under him. “Why are you, hungry nag, stumbling? Do you sense any misfortune?” - “Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna away.” - “Is it possible to catch up with them?” - “God knows! Now Tsarevich Ivan has a heroic horse better than me.” “No, I can’t resist,” says Koschey the Immortal, “I’ll go in pursuit.” Whether long or short, he caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, jumped to the ground and wanted to cut him with a sharp saber; At that time, Ivan Tsarevich’s horse hit Koshchei the Immortal with all its might and crushed his head, and the Tsarevich finished him off with his club. After that, the prince piled a pile of firewood, lit a fire, burned Koshchei the Immortal on the fire and threw his very ashes into the wind.
Marya Morevna mounted Koshcheev's horse, and Ivan Tsarevich mounted his, and they went to visit first the raven, then the eagle, and then the falcon. Wherever they come, they are greeted with joy: “Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, we really didn’t expect to see you, Well, it’s not for nothing that you bothered: to look for such a beauty as Marya Morevna in the whole world - you won’t find another!” They stayed, feasted and went to their kingdom; They arrived and began to live and live for themselves, make good money and drink honey.
A fairy tale by Marya Morevna about the power of love. Even Koshchei the Immortal was not afraid of the fact that for the sake of his beloved Ivan Tsarevich performed heroic deeds. And, of course, everything worked out for him. Read this fairy tale and learn to be strong and kind like Ivan Tsarevich.
Fairy tales for children. Marya Morevna
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, there lived Ivan Tsarevich; he had three sisters: one Marya the Princess, the other Olga the Princess, the third Anna the Princess. Their father and mother died; dying, they punished their son:
- Whoever will be the first to marry your sisters, give it to him - don’t keep it with you for long!
The prince buried his parents and, out of grief, went with his sisters to take a walk in the green garden. Suddenly a black cloud appears in the sky and a terrible thunderstorm arises.
- Let's go home, sisters! - says Ivan Tsarevich.
As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a clear falcon flew into their room, the falcon hit the floor, and became good fellow and says:
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I was a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker; I want to woo your sister Marya the princess.
- If you love your sister, I don’t stop her - let her go with God!
Princess Marya agreed; the falcon married and took her to his kingdom.
Days go by days, hours run by hours - a whole year has never happened; Ivan Tsarevich and his two sisters went for a walk in the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind and lightning.
- Let's go home, sisters! - says the prince. As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the roof fell apart, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in; hit the floor and became a good fellow:
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I was a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker.
And he wooed Princess Olga. Ivan Tsarevich answers:
- If you are loved by Princess Olga, then let her marry you; I’m not taking away her will.
Olga the princess agreed and married the eagle; the eagle picked her up and carried her to his kingdom.
Another year has passed; Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister:
- Let's go for a walk in the green garden!
We walked a little; again a cloud arises with a whirlwind, with lightning.
- Let's go home, sister!
We returned home and barely had time to sit down when thunder struck, the ceiling split in two and a raven flew in; The raven hit the floor and became a good fellow: the previous ones were good-looking, but this one is even better.
“Well, Ivan Tsarevich, before I was a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker: give up Princess Anna for me.”
“I’m not taking away my sister’s freedom; If she likes you, let her marry you.
Princess Anna married the crow, and he took her to his state.
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone; He lived without his sisters for a whole year, and he became bored. “I’ll go,” he says, “to look for my sisters.” He got ready to go on the road, walked, walked and saw an army lying in the field - a beaten force.
Ivan Tsarevich asks:
- If there is a person alive here, respond! Who defeated this great army?
A living man responded to him:
“All this great army was defeated by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.”
- Hello, Tsarevich, where is God taking you - willingly or unwillingly?
Ivan Tsarevich answered her:
- Good fellows don’t travel in captivity!
“Well, if it’s not in a hurry, stay in my tents.”
Ivan Tsarevich was glad of this, spent two nights in tents, fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her.
Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state; They lived together for some time, and the princess decided to get ready for war; She leaves the entire household to Ivan Tsarevich and orders:
- Go everywhere, keep an eye on everything, but you couldn’t look into this closet!
He couldn’t bear it, as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there was Koschey the Immortal hanging there, chained to twelve chains. Koschey asks Ivan Tsarevich:
- Have pity on me, give me a drink! I’ve been suffering here for ten years, I haven’t eaten or drunk—my throat is completely dry!
The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked again:
“I can’t quench my thirst with just one bucket; Give more!
The prince brought another bucket; Koschey drank and asked for a third, and when he drank the third bucket, he took his former strength, shook the chains and immediately broke all twelve.
- Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich! - said Koschey the Immortal. - Now you will never see Marya Morevna again! - and flew out the window in a terrible whirlwind, caught up with Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her away to him. And Tsarevich Ivan cried bitterly, bitterly, got ready and went on his way:
- Whatever happens, I’ll find Marya Morevna!
One day goes by, another goes, at dawn on the third he sees a wonderful palace, an oak tree stands near the palace, a falcon sits on a clear oak tree. A falcon flew from the oak tree, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
- Oh, my dear brother-in-law! How does the Lord have mercy on you?
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, there lived Ivan Tsarevich. He had three sisters: one was Marya the Princess, the other was Olga the Princess, and the third was Anna the Princess.
Their father and mother died. Dying, they punished their son:
“Whoever starts wooing your sisters first, give it to him—don’t keep it with you for long.”
The prince buried his parents and, out of grief, went with his sisters to take a walk in the green garden.
Suddenly a black cloud appears in the sky and a terrible thunderstorm arises.
As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a clear falcon flew into their room. The falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and said:
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I was a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker: I want to woo your sister Marya the princess.
- If you love your sister, I don’t hold her - let her go.
Princess Marya agreed. The falcon married and took her to his kingdom.
Days go by days, hours run by hours - a whole year has never happened. Ivan Tsarevich and his two sisters went for a walk in the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind and lightning.
“Let’s go home, sisters,” says the prince.
As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the roof fell apart, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in. The eagle hit the floor and became a good young man.
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I went as a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker.
And he wooed Princess Olga.
Ivan Tsarevich answers:
“If Princess Olga loves you, then let him marry you, I don’t take away her will.”
Olga the princess agreed and married the eagle. The eagle picked her up and carried her to his kingdom.
Another year has passed. Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister:
- Let's go for a walk in the green garden.
We walked a little. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind and lightning.
- Let's go home, sister!
We returned home and before we could sit down, thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a raven flew in. The raven hit the floor and became a good young man. The previous ones were good-looking, but this one is even better.
“Well, Ivan Tsarevich, before I was a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker: give up Princess Anna for me.”
“I’m not taking my sister’s freedom away.” If she likes you, let her marry you.
Princess Anna married the crow, and he took her to his state.
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone. He lived without his sisters for a whole year, and he became bored.
“I’ll go,” he says, “to look for my sisters.”
He got ready to set out on the road, walked and walked and saw: a beaten army lying in the field. Ivan Tsarevich asks:
- If there is a person alive here, answer: who defeated this great army?
A living man responded to him:
“All this great army was defeated by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.”
Ivan Tsarevich set off further, ran into the white tents, and Marya Morevna, the beautiful queen, came out to meet him:
- Hello, prince. Where is God taking you - willingly or unwillingly?
Ivan Tsarevich answers her:
— Good fellows don’t travel in captivity.
“Well, if it’s not in a hurry, stay in my tents.”
Ivan Tsarevich is glad of this: he spent two nights in tents. He fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her.
Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state. They lived together for some time, and the princess decided to get ready for war. She leaves the entire household to Ivan Tsarevich and orders:
- Go everywhere, keep an eye on everything, just don’t look into this closet.
He couldn’t bear it: as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there was Koschey the Immortal hanging there, chained to twelve chains.
Koschey asks Ivan Tsarevich:
The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked again:
“I can’t quench my thirst with just one bucket.” Give more!
The Tsarevich handed over another bucket. Koschey drank and asked for a third; and when he drank the third bucket, he took his former strength, shook the chains and immediately broke all twelve.
“Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich,” said Koschey the Immortal, “now you will never see Marya Morevna as your own ears.”
And flying out the window in a terrible whirlwind, he overtook Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her away to him.
And Ivan Tsarevich cried bitterly, bitterly, got ready and went on the road: “Whatever happens, I will find Marya Morevna.”
One day goes by, another goes, and at dawn on the third he sees a wonderful palace. There is an oak tree near the palace, and a clear tree sits on the oak tree. A falcon flew from the oak tree, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
- Oh, my dear brother-in-law!
Princess Marya ran out, greeted Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began asking about his health, and telling about her life. The prince stayed with them for three days and said:
“I can’t stay with you for a long time: I’m going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.”
Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon with the falcon and went on the road.
He walked one day, walked another, and at dawn on the third he saw a palace even better than the first. Near the palace there is an oak tree, an eagle sits on the oak tree.
An eagle flew from a tree, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
- Get up, Princess Olga, our dear brother is coming!
Princess Olga immediately came running, began to kiss him, hug him, ask him about his health, and tell him about her life.
“I don’t have time to stay any longer: I’m going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.”
The eagle answers:
- It's hard for you to find her. Leave a silver fork with us: we will look at it and remember you.
He left the silver fork and went on the road. One day passed, another passed, and at dawn on the third he saw the palace better than the first two. There is an oak tree near the palace, and a raven sits on the oak tree. A raven flew from the oak tree, hit the ground, turned around and shouted:
- Princess Anna, come out quickly, our brother is coming!
Princess Anna ran out, greeted him joyfully, began to kiss and hug him, ask him about his health, and tell him about her life.
Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and said:
- Goodbye. I’ll go look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
Raven answers:
- It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver snuff box with us: we will look at it and remember you.
The prince gave him the silver snuff box, said goodbye and went on the road.
One day went by, another went, and on the third I reached Marya Morevna.
She saw her beloved, threw herself on his neck, burst into tears and said:
- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, why didn’t you listen to me - you looked into the closet and released Koshchei the Immortal?
- Sorry, Marya Morevna, don’t remember the old things. It’s better to come with me until we see Koshchei the Immortal. Maybe he won't catch up!
They packed up and left. And Koschey was hunting. In the evening he tosses and turns home, the good horse stumbles under him.
The horse answers:
“Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna away.
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
“We can sow wheat, wait until it grows, compress it, grind it, turn it into flour, prepare five ovens of bread, eat that bread, and then drive after it - and then we’ll be in time.”
Koschey galloped and caught up with Ivan Tsarevich.
“Well,” he says, “I forgive you for the first time for your kindness in giving me water to drink; and next time I will forgive you, but the third time, beware - I will chop you into pieces.”
He took Marya Morevna from him and took him away. And Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone and cried.
He cried and cried and returned again for Marya Morevna. Koshchei The Immortal House did not happen.
- Let's go, Marya Morevna!
- Ah, Ivan Tsarevich - he will catch up with us!
- Let him catch up. We'll spend at least an hour or two together.
They packed up and left.
Koschey the Immortal returns home, the good horse stumbles under him.
- Why are you, unfed nag, stumbling? Do you sense any misfortune?
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
“We can sow barley, wait until it grows, harvest it, grind it, brew beer, get drunk, eat to our heart’s content, get enough sleep before we go after it, and then we’ll be in time.”
Koschey galloped and caught up with Ivan Tsarevich:
- After all, I told you that you will never see Marya Morevna like your own ears!
He took it away and took it to himself.
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, cried and cried, and returned again for Marya Morevna. At that time, Koshchei was not at home.
- Let's go, Marya Morevna!
- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, he will catch up with you and chop you into pieces!
- Let him chop him up, I can’t live without you!
We got ready and went. Koschey the Immortal returns home, the good horse stumbles under him.
- Why are you tripping? Do you sense any misfortune?
“Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna with him.
Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, chopped him into small pieces and put him in a tar barrel: he took this barrel, fastened it with iron hoops and threw it into the blue sea. and he took Marya Morevna to his place.
At that very time, Ivan Tsarevich’s sons-in-law’s silver turned black.
“Oh,” they say, “it looks like something bad has happened!”
The eagle rushed to the blue sea, grabbed and pulled the barrel ashore. The falcon flew after living water, and the raven flew after dead water.
All three flew to one place, cut the barrel, took out the pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed them and put them together as needed.
The raven splashed dead water - the body grew together and united. The falcon splashed with living water - Tsarevich Ivan shuddered, stood up and said:
- Oh, how I slept for a long time!
“I would have slept even longer if it weren’t for us,” the sons-in-law answered. - Let's go visit us now.
- No, brothers, I’ll go look for Marya Morevna.
He comes to her and asks:
- Find out from Koshchei the Immortal where he got himself such a good horse.
So Marya Morevna seized a good moment and began to question Koshchei.
Koschey said:
- Far distant lands, in the thirtieth kingdom, lives beyond the river of fire. She has a mare on which she flies around the world every day. She also has many other nice mares. I was her shepherd for three days, I didn’t miss a single mare, and for that Baba Yaga gave me one foal.
- How did you cross the river of fire?
- And I have such a scarf - when I wave it to the right three times, a high, high bridge will be created, and the fire will not reach it.
Marya Morevna listened and told everything to Tsarevich Ivan. And she took the handkerchief and gave it to him.
Ivan Tsarevich crossed the fiery river and went to Baba Yaga. He walked for a long time without drinking or eating. An overseas bird with small children came across him. Ivan Tsarevich says:
- Let me eat one chicken!
“Don’t eat, Ivan Tsarevich,” asks the overseas bird. “At some time I will be useful to you.”
“I’ll take some honey,” he says.
The queen bee says:
- Don’t touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich. You'll need me some time.
lioness with a lion cub.
“I’ll at least eat this lion cub.” I want to eat so much, I feel sick.
“Don’t touch me, Ivan Tsarevich,” the lioness asks. “I’ll be useful to you in a while.”
- Okay, let it be your way.
Wandered hungry. He walked and walked - there was Baba Yaga's house, there were twelve poles around the house, on eleven poles there was a human head, only one was unoccupied.
- Hello, grandma!
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich. Why did you come - of your own free will or out of need?
- I came to earn a heroic horse from you.
“If you please, Tsarevich, I don’t have a year to serve, but only three days.” If you keep my mares, I’ll give you a heroic horse, but if not, don’t be angry: your head will stick out on the last pole.
Ivan Tsarevich agreed. Baba Yaga fed him, gave him something to drink and told him to get down to business.
He had just driven the mares out into the field, the mares lifted their tails and all ran away across the meadows. Before the prince had time to raise his eyes, they completely disappeared.
Then he cried and became sad, sat down on a stone and fell asleep. The sun is already setting, an overseas bird has flown in and wakes him up:
- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are now at home.
The prince got up and went home. And Baba Yaga makes noise and shouts at her mares:
- Why did you return home? ^
Once upon a time there lived a king. The tsar had a son named Ivan Tsarevich and three daughters: Martha the Tsarevna, Olga the Tsarevna and Anna the Tsarevna.
The Tsar lived and lived, and when he grew old and ill, he called Ivan Tsarevich to him and said:
I feel, dear son, that I am no longer alive in the world. And here is my order for you: become king. The princesses, your sisters, are all marriageable. Whoever starts wooing first, give it to him.
The old king lived another day or two and died.
Ivan Tsarevich grieved, he grieved, but what are you going to do? He took over the kingdom. Began to edit.
And the sisters are still crying for their father, still in tears and in sadness.
One day Ivan Tsarevich says:
So, sisters, shouldn’t we go for a walk in the reserved garden, listen to the cat, and relieve our sadness?
Let's go, brother, let's go!
We barely had time to arrive at the reserved garden when a black cloud came running with the wind, thunder struck, and suddenly, out of nowhere, a Raven flew in. Raven hit the ground and became a handsome young man.
Ivan Tsarevich, give Martha the Princess in marriage to me!
Ivan Tsarevich remembered his parents’ order and said:
If you love your sister, let him go.
Martha the princess took a liking to the fellow. And in royal life there is no need to brew beer or smoke wine - there is plenty of everything.
They began to play a wedding and have a feast.
And as soon as the guests left the table, everything around them darkened: a black cloud came running, thunder struck, and carried Martha the Princess and Voron Voronovich away from the upper room to God knows where.
Day after day, week after week - and the year is coming to an end, but there is no news of Princess Martha.
Olga Tsarevna and Anna Tsarevna missed their sister and asked:
Let's go, brother, to the reserved garden, let's take a walk!
As soon as they arrived in the garden, a black cloud came running again, a storm arose and thunder struck. Like a stone, a clear Falcon fell under his feet. The falcon hit the ground and turned into a good fellow.
Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! I'm coming to you good deed: I came to get married. Give Princess Olga for me.
Thank you for the honor, but I’m not taking away my sister’s freedom. If he goes for you, I won’t contradict him.
Princess Olga bowed to her brother and said:
You can’t get around your betrothed, you can’t go around him!
And on the same day they got married.
Before they had time to dope, the bad weather made a noise, thunder struck, and Olga the Princess and Sokol Sokolovich were carried away from the upper room, as if they had never existed.
Day after day it’s like rain, and week after week it’s like a river flowing. A year has passed, and there is no word about Martha the Princess or Olga the Princess.
Anna the princess is alone, she sits in the mansion, she doesn’t go out anywhere.
Ivan Tsarevich feels sorry for his sister:
Let's go, Princess Anna, to the reserved garden and take a walk. Unlock the sadness and melancholy.
As soon as we arrived in the garden, a black cloud came running with thunder and lightning, a great storm arose, and an eagle flew right out from under the cloud. The Eagle fell to the ground and turned into such a beautiful fellow - I can’t tell it in a fairy tale, I can’t describe it with a pen.
Well, Ivan Tsarevich, receive the guest! I want to become related to you; give Princess Anna for me.
I will not force Princess Anna, but thank you for the honor. If he decides to go - advice and love.
Apparently, brother, the time has come for me to build my own nest, to start my own home,” said Princess Anna.
They started playing the wedding.
The table was still half-full, and the guests were still half-drunk, when strong thunder struck and such a whirlwind arose that the doors were torn off their hinges. That whirlwind picked up Princess Anna and Orel Orlovich, and carried them away to God knows where.
It’s boring for Tsarevich Ivan to live alone. A year has passed, and the sisters seem to have disappeared into the water - not a word from anyone.
He began to think: “Why am I still living alone! The time has come for me to look into the world. Maybe I’ll find out something about my sisters.”
He ordered the ministers to rule the kingdom, and he himself sat on his horse - and only dust curled up like a column behind the good fellow.
How long or how short has he been on the road, on the road, has stopped by another kingdom and sees: the army lies beaten.
If there is anyone alive, tell me: who defeated this army?
One person responded:
I only survived, but Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, beat everyone.
Ivan Tsarevich thought: “These are the miracles that happen in the world: one girl defeats an army! If only I could look at her!” - and asked:
Which way did she go?
Turned around at noon.
The good fellow did not hesitate and turned his horse to midday.
It goes for a day or two. At the end of the third day I came across a massacre again: there were a lot of beaten troops lying around.
Hey, is there even one alive soul? Respond, tell me: who beat this army?
Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, defeated our army,” he heard the answer.
Ivan Tsarevich was amazed.
He is impatient: he urges the horse, continues on his way, and hurries to catch up with the woodpile.
Whether he was traveling close or far, he came upon the third massacre: the troops were apparently beaten.
If there is a person alive here, tell me; whose army is this? Who beat such an army-force?
One warrior stood up from under a broom bush:
All three beaten armies are from Koshcheev’s kingdom. We went to war against Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, to rescue Koshchei the Immortal from captivity. But she didn’t allow them into her kingdom, she met them on the way, fought everyone, and left no one alive.
Tsarevich Ivan drove around the battlefield and saw: a tent stood in an open field. A horse eats wheat near the tent.
He rode up to the tent, unsaddled, unbridled the horse, set it free, and watched what would happen.
The horse went straight to the wheat, the other horse moved aside, and they began to eat the wheat together.
“There was a place for my horse at the feed, and there is a place for me in the hero’s tent.”
He entered the tent, looked around and couldn’t believe his eyes: he thought he would see the hero, and there was sleeping a girl of such beauty that he froze. I have never seen such beauty in my life!
Ivan Tsarevich himself wanted to rest from the road. He did not wake up the beauty, but lay down next to her and fell into a deep sleep.
Some time passed, the girl woke up, looked around and jumped to her feet:
What kind of ignoramus is sleeping here, uninvited, uninvited, in my tent, chilling? And he even let his horse go to my wheat!
She grabbed the sword, swung it, and became thoughtful; the hand with the sword dropped.
“After all, he could have killed me, sleepy, but he didn’t. Beating a sleepy or lying down person is not daring, not honor, but dishonor.”
And she began to wake up the uninvited guest:
Get up, wake up, wake up, good fellow!
She woke up Ivan Tsarevich and began to blame him and reprimand him:
Who are you, whose family-tribe? From what land did you come here? Why are you feeding your horse my wheat? And he himself went into someone else’s tent without asking and fell asleep!
I'm originally from royal family, and my name is simple and easy: Ivan Tsarevich. I don’t know what your name is, what they call you after Father. Aren't you Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess?
I am Marya Morevna.
So, Marya Morevna, beautiful princess, I wanted to rest from the road, but you are sleeping! It was a pity to wake you up and disturb you. Don't be angry with me, the dear person.
With that, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, made peace with Ivan Tsarevich.
Tell me, Ivan Tsarevich, are you going of your own free will or is captivity driving you?
Good fellows always travel of their own free will.
Well, if that’s the case, there’s no hurry - stay and visit my kingdom.
Ivan Tsarevich happily agreed, and they went to Marya Morevna in the kingdom.
Ivan Tsarevich stayed there for a week and fell deeply in love with the beautiful princess Marya Morevna. And from the first day she took a liking to his heart. And soon they got married.
After all, Marya Morevna needed to go to another country to visit her sister. She began to get ready for the journey, and punished Ivan Tsarevich:
Rule the kingdom, keep an eye on everything. In the palace, go through all the chambers, just don’t look into that closet under the cookroom, where the door is tied with bast and sealed with resin. Don’t go there for anything, but if you go, it will be bad for us.
She handed him a bunch of keys, said goodbye, and Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, left.
Ivan Tsarevich was left to while away the time, waiting for his young wife. He lived a day or two, and such boredom fell upon him that it became unbearable.
He doesn’t know what to do, where to go from his melancholy. The thought struck him. “I’ve been living here for how long, but I don’t know either the wards or the facilities. What a master I am after this!”
He took the keys and began to walk around the chambers and the upper rooms. I walked around all the wards, inspected all the services. Neither wealth nor overseas wonders delight or entertain: mortal boredom still oppresses him. He was counting the days until Marya Morevna would return, and then he remembered: “What did she tell me about some closet, she didn’t tell me to go?”
As soon as I remembered this, all the boredom disappeared. He can’t think about anything else but this closet.
“What is stored there? And how is it: the wife knows, but does not tell the husband to know! Where has this been seen, where has this been heard!
He was so impatient to find out that he ran to the cookhouse. In the entryway I saw a mossy staircase leading to the underground. I went down the stairs, and there was a door: overgrown with moss, tied with bast, sealed with resin.
“That very closet is where I was not told to go!”
And he was so impatient that he didn’t untie the ties, didn’t look for the key, but strained, leaned on his shoulder and knocked down the door along with the rim. He stepped through the threshold, looked around - he saw nothing in that nook except a cobweb.
“Apparently I ended up in the wrong closet.”
And suddenly he hears somewhere below, to the side, a dull groan:
Give me a drink, give me a drink! Give me a drink, give me a drink!
He went in the direction from which the groan was heard, saw a cast-iron door in the wall, put his ear to it and heard again:
Give me a drink, give me a drink!
Ivan Tsarevich did not hesitate for long and broke down this door too. Behind the door is another staircase. I went down those stairs into the dungeon, and there was a fire burning there. An iron cauldron hangs above the fire on twelve chains. In the cauldron, chained by the hands and feet, an old man sits, scary, green.
Good fellow, give me a drink, give me a drink! I've been without water for three years.
Ivan Tsarevich took pity on him and handed him a bucket of water. The old man drank and asked for more. I gave him another bucket of water, but he drank it and asked for more. Ivan Tsarevich brought the third bucket.
And as soon as the old man drank the third bucket of water, he shook the chains, and immediately the chains on his hands and feet broke like rotten threads. A green old man jumped out of the cauldron:
Well, Ivan Tsarevich, you won’t see Marya Morevna like your ears! And because you, Koshcheya, gave me water to drink and restored my strength, I will have mercy on you twice, and don’t get caught the third time!
There was a noise, a rumble, and Koschey the Immortal flew out of the dungeon.
Marya Morevna returned home at that time. Koschey the Immortal picked her up from the porch and took her to his Koschey kingdom.
She just had time to shout:
Tsarevich Ivan did not listen to me, he caused trouble! Now we won’t see you again forever!
Ivan Tsarevich grieved, grieved, and got ready for the journey.
“Even if I go around the whole wide world, I will find my Marya Morevna!”
Whether it was long or short, close or far - soon the tale is told, but not soon the deed is done - I saw a palace. There is an oak tree near the palace, and a Raven sits on the oak tree.
Raven flew from the oak tree, hit the ground, and became a good fellow:
Hello, Ivan Tsarevich, hello, dear brother!
Then Princess Martha ran out, met the guest, and led him to the palace.
They began to treat him, tell him about their lives and ask the guest.
Ivan Tsarevich stayed for three days and began to say goodbye:
I can't stay longer. I need to go, Marya Morevna, to look for the beautiful princess!
Eh, brother, you got it with reason, but without reason you lost Marya Morevna! - said Voron Voronovich. “It will be difficult for you to compete with Koshchei the Immortal!”
Princess Martha began to cry:
Where are you going, brother, to certain death? Koschey the Immortal will kill you!
Well, sister, seven deaths cannot happen, one cannot be avoided, but a good young man needs to think about life.
And he began to say goodbye.
My brother-in-law and sister came out to see him off. Voron Voronovich says:
Well, go ahead. If trouble befalls you, I will help you in any way I can.
And he gave him a raven feather:
Now I will know if any misfortune happens.
Ivan Tsarevich jumped onto his horse - and only dust swirled in a column after him.
He drove for a day, two days, and a week and saw that the palace was more beautiful than before. There are three oak trees near the palace, and the Falcon sits on the oak trees.
As soon as Ivan Tsarevich began to approach the palace, the Falcon flew to the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
Princess Olga, come out to meet your dear guest.
The middle sister ran out onto the porch, said hello, and with joy did not know where to seat Ivan Tsarevich or what to feed him. They fed me, gave me something to drink, and put me to bed.
The next day, Ivan Tsarevich got up early and washed his face white:
Well, thank you for the bread and the salt! I need to go.
What are you, what are you, brother! Stay with us for at least a week, what's the hurry?
No, I can’t stay: I need to go, find Koshchei the Immortal, and rescue Marya Morevna.
Olga the princess began to cry, and Sokol Sokolovich said:
It will be difficult for you, but there is nothing to do - it’s all your fault. Go.
And he gave him a falcon feather as a farewell:
Now I will know if any misfortune happens to you.
They hugged last time, and Ivan Tsarevich set off on his journey.
I drove and drove and drove into the middle of nowhere, dark forest, there is no housing. The horse was tired and wanted to eat and drink himself. And then he drove out into the clearing and looked - the palace was more beautiful than the previous two.
There are nine tall oak trees near the palace, and on those nine oak trees an Eagle sits. The Eagle saw Ivan Tsarevich, flew to the ground and turned into a good fellow:
I've been waiting for you for a long time, dear brother! He took me to the palace.
Princess Anna, whatever is in the oven is all on the table - swords!
Princess Anna set the table and served all sorts of dishes, wines and honey.
The son-in-law and sister treat the dear guest. They fed me, gave me something to drink, and started asking questions.
Ivan Tsarevich began to tell about his life: how he went to visit his sisters, how he met Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, and how Koshchei the Immortal gave water to drink, and he kidnapped Marya Morevna.
And now I need to hurry - to help my wife out.
“We all know that, dear brother,” says Orel Orlovich. “You married with reason, but without reason you lost your wife.” It’s hard for you to rescue Marya Morevna, to fight with Koshchei the Immortal!
I'm not afraid of work. All the same, seven deaths cannot happen, and one cannot be avoided. It’s better not to be alive than to live forever without Marya Morevna!
Ivan Tsarevich rested and began to get ready for the journey. Orel Orlovich gives him an eagle feather:
Keep it with you always. If trouble happens to you, I will know and will help you in any way I can.
Ivan Tsarevich thanked his son-in-law and sister, jumped on his horse and set off for the Koshcheevo kingdom.
How long or how short did the good fellow drive, he drove up to a high palace and saw: Marya Morevna was sitting at the window, so steep that it took pity to look at her.
She saw Ivan Tsarevich and cried bitterly:
Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, my clear falcon, why did you come here? You won’t help me, but you will destroy yourself. Koschey will return and kill you. He married me with reason, but lost me without reason!
Don't be angry, Marya Morevna! Forgive me for my guilt, I won’t be like that in the future. And now I’ve come to rescue you. It’s better to die with you than to while away a century alone. Hurry up, let's get away from here!
As soon as they left, Koshcheev’s servant turned into a hawk and flew to the kingdom of the Serpent Gorynych. There Koschey the Immortal walked at a wedding.
Why are you drinking here, walking around, you’ve completely forgotten about your lands! After all, Ivan Tsarevich took Marya Morevna away!
Koschey rushed to his horse:
Well, horse, help me out! While we were visiting here, Tsarevich Ivan took Marya Morevna away! Can we catch up with the fugitives?
The horse answers:
There's no hurry. Drink, walk for another three days, and then go to bed. When you get enough sleep, we’ll bake some pies, eat the pies, and then we’ll go.
So Koschey feasted for another three days, slept for three days, baked pies, ate and went in pursuit. Before Koschey the Immortal had time to mount his horse, he had already caught up with Ivan Tsarevich and Marya Morevna:
Well, Ivan Tsarevich, the first time I left you alive and now I will also have mercy because you gave me water to drink, you gave me back my strength! And don’t hope for mercy anymore - you won’t be alive if you catch your eye again!
Ivan Tsarevich rushed at him with a sword. The sword does not cut, but Koschey laughs:
You are a fool, Ivan Tsarevich, if you relied on your own strength and a sharp sword! The sword does not cut me and no force takes me.
He picked up Marya Morevna, turned his horse - the good fellow saw only them.
He is upset and thinks: “What should I do, how can I help Marya Morevna out? It is better to accept death in battle than to leave it in captivity.”
And he went again to the kingdom of Koshcheevo. Koscheev’s horse has to gallop three times, and Tsarevich Ivan has to ride for three weeks. While he was on the road, on the road, Koschey gathered to distant lands, to the thirtieth kingdom, and punished his werewolf servant:
I’ll go to Zmey Gorynych for his christening. Keep an eye on the house and tell us what happens!
Ivan Tsarevich reached Koshcheev’s kingdom, drove up to the palace, looked - Marya Morevna was sitting at the window, crying, looking at her side. I saw him and cried even more bitterly:
Why did you come back here? We can't leave anyway. Koschey will catch up on his horse and kill you.
You will still have to die someday. It's better to die than to live apart from you!
Marya Morevna was consoled by these words. She didn't argue. Ivan Tsarevich was fed, given water to drink, the horse was given time to rest - and they left.
And the servant turned into a hawk and flew to the Snake Kingdom, straight into the cave where the feast was taking place.
Here you are drinking, walking, having fun, but in our kingdom, trouble has befallen: again Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna away!
When did you leave our kingdom?
Yes, it will take about a week.
Koschey went to the stable and said to his horse:
While they were feasting here, Tsarevich Ivan came to our kingdom and took Marya Morevna away. About a week has passed since then. Can we catch up?
The horse answers:
Feast, walk quietly for three more days, then rest for three days, and then let them put out the dough and bake the pies. When we've eaten enough pies, then we'll catch up with them.
After that, Koschey feasted for three more days, then fell asleep for three days, and then ordered the dough to be put out and the pies to be baked. After eating hot pies, Koschey mounted his horse and after three gallops he overtook Ivan Tsarevich and Marya Morevna:
Well, now you will have no mercy!
He cut Ivan Tsarevich into small pieces with his enchanted sword: “Let the magpies and the crows peck!” - and he took Marya Morevna to his kingdom.
Did you see what you did to your Ivan Tsarevich? The same will happen to you if you don’t marry me!
And at this time, when Koschey the Immortal cut Ivan Tsarevich, Voron Voronovich, Sokol Sokolovich and Orel Orlovich had blood on their feathers.
Apparently something bad happened to our brother! And all three flocked to the place where Ivan Tsarevich lay. Orel Orlovich says:
You, Voron Voronovich, fly for the dead water, Sokol Sokolovich, get the living water, and I will stay here to guard the body.
Raven Voronovich and Sokol Sokolovich flew away, and Orel Orlovich washed each piece with spring water and put all the pieces into one body, as it should be.
Meanwhile, Raven and Falcon returned, splashed dead water - the body grew together; They sprinkled living water - Ivan Tsarevich stretched, opened his eyes and said:
Oh, how long I slept!
For centuries, you would have slept here if it weren’t for us,” the sons-in-law answered. “Get up, let’s come and visit us!”
No, dear brothers, I can’t go to visit: I need to help Marya Morevna out. When I rescue her from Koshchei, then we will stay with you.
Ivan Tsarevich said goodbye, thanked his sons-in-law and went to Koshcheevo’s kingdom.
Marya Morevna saw him and cried and laughed with joy:
Is it you, my beloved Ivan Tsarevich?
That's who I am.
And he told how Voron Voronovich, Sokol Sokolovich and Orel Orlovich helped him out of trouble.
Apparently, strength and sword alone cannot defeat Koshchei. He is a cunning wise man - you need to outwit him. You ask where he got such a horse for himself, and somehow find out where Koshcheev’s death is, and then it’s my job to settle accounts with him.
Marya Morevna was alone in the palace at that time. She brought Ivan Tsarevich to the upper room, fed him, gave him something to drink and opened the cellar:
Go underground for the time being.
As soon as she had time to close the cellar, there was a noise and thunder - Koschey the Immortal came flying.
Fu-fu-fu, what a miracle, what a miracle? My upper room smells of Russian spirit!
Marya Morevna says:
What are you, dear, where does the Russian spirit come from? You flew around the world, there you picked up the Russian spirit. Sit down, have lunch and lie down to rest.
Koschey fell in love with affectionate speeches. He sat down at the table, baked some bread, ate half a roast ox, drank half a forty-gallon barrel of wine and fell on a bench to rest.
Marya Morevna sat down next to him and spoke:
I was so bored without you, and when I returned home, all the boredom disappeared as if it had been warmed by the summer sun!
Koschey loves to listen to such words - he lies there grinning.
Your words are sweet, Marya Morevna, and if you spoke the truth, then let’s have a merry feast and celebrate the wedding! Ivan Tsarevich will not come now, he will not come: magpies and crows pecked him long ago.
I know that Ivan Tsarevich is no longer alive, I know that there is no groom equal to me except you. I’ll marry you, just as a year has passed since Ivanushka’s death.
Koschey is glad: a year is not a century, you won’t have to wait long.
Marya Morevna asks:
Where did you get yourself such a horse?
I got my horse far away, in the thirtieth kingdom. My aunt, Yaga Yagishna, lives there across the river of fire. She has a mare, in three days she flies around the whole wide world, and at thirty years old she foals once. Whoever spends twelve mares at his aunt's for three days and doesn't miss a single one - she gives him a foal from that mare, and whoever can't handle it - his head off. Many good fellows went there, but I was the only one who returned. If the yagish mares fall - woe and disaster, but there is no crossing at all across the fiery river!
How did you preserve yourself - did you cross the river of fire?
Showed Koschey his fly (towel):
If you wave this fly to the right three times, the bridge over the river will become high and the fire won’t reach it; If you wave to the left three times, the bridge is gone!
And he threw the fly into the styling.
Marya Morevna fawns over Koshchei:
Don’t hide it, open up to me: where is your deathbed?
If you know a lot, you will soon grow old!
If I knew and knew where your death was, I would protect you from every misfortune.
I heard from my mother that my death is in a golik (broom), and the golik is lying under the stove.
Marya Morevna jumped up, took the golik from under the stove, wrapped it in a silk scarf and put it in the red corner.
Koschey laughed:
The woman has long hair, but a short mind! Is it conceivable that my death would be in a state? My death is in an egg, the egg is in a duck, the duck is in a hare, the hare sits in an iron chest, the chest is locked with a strong lock and buried under the largest oak tree on the island of Buyan, in the middle of the sea-ocean. This is where my death is! Even if someone got to that island, my death would still not fall into their hands.
We spent the night. In the morning Koschey ate half a roasted bull, drank three buckets of wine, and began to prepare for the journey:
I’ll go visit my friend, Zmey Gorynych. I’ll stay with him, and when I return, everything will be ready for the wedding!
As soon as Koschey was outside the gate, Marya Morevna told Ivan Tsarevich everything, gave him a wonderful fly, baked plantains, and Ivan Tsarevich went to distant lands, to the thirtieth kingdom, to get a horse to Yaga Yagishna or lay down his violent head.
He walked and walked, whether long or short, close or far... He ate all the plantains that Marya Morevna had baked, and from fatigue and hunger he was completely exhausted.
He sat down on a roadside stone to rest. A mother bear and her cubs are running past. He pulls a tight bow, puts a red-hot arrow, and gets ready to shoot the bear.
“Don’t shoot me, good fellow,” says the she-bear, “don’t orphan my cubs!” I'll be useful to you.
Ivan Tsarevich listened, endured hunger, rested and moved on.
He walked and walked and got tired again; and he is hungry and thirsty. I saw a big hive: “Let me enjoy some honey!”
And the queen bee to him:
Don’t touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich, don’t ruin our hive! I will do you a service.
Well, what to do with you! Apparently, we'll have to be patient some more.
And he set off. But hunger is no big deal: he’s so emaciated that he can hardly move his legs.
How much time passed there, he went out to the sea; he sees a large pike lying near the water, on the sand, its mouth open.
“Well, now I’ve found something to satisfy my hunger!”
As soon as she extended her hand to take the pike, she begged:
Good fellow, let me into the sea! I will serve you faithfully.
Ivan Tsarevich thought: “He let the bear go, didn’t offend the bees, but what is the pike’s fault? I’ll wait another hour - maybe housing isn’t far away.”
He threw the pike into the sea, pulled the sash tighter, and continued on his way.
Not far from the sea I saw a hut. I went in that direction, and there was a hut across the river. It is not water that runs in the river, but fire that burns, blazing with flame.
He pulled out Koshcheev's fly from his bosom, waved the fly to the right once, twice and a third time - the humpback bridge was thrown across the river above the fire. Ivan Tsarevich crossed to the other side, waved his fly to the left three times - the bridge was gone.
He climbed up the hill - in front of him was a hut on a chicken's foot, on a spindle heel. It is surrounded by a high fence, on each stake there is a human head, only one stake is empty.
Ivan Tsarevich thought: “Isn’t this stake waiting for my head?”
Hut, hut, turn your back to the forest, turn your front to me! I can’t live forever, I can only spend the night.
The hut turned its back to the forest, and its front to the good fellow. Ivan Tsarevich climbed onto the porch, opened the door, and in the hut sat Baba Yaga, a bone leg, her nose grown into the ceiling, her hands like hooks.
Yaga Yagishna sits, twisting threads, knocking with her bone foot. She saw Ivan Tsarevich, her mouth stretched to her ears:
Oh, I haven’t heard the Russian spirit for a long time, but now the Russian fellow is coming into my own hands!
Wait, old hag, open your mouth! First, give him something to drink, feed the person on the road, heat the bathhouse, let him wash, take a steam bath, and then we’ll talk to you.
The old woman opened the underground, knelt down, took out a loaf, rushed to the stove, rattled the damper, splashed cabbage soup, fed her, gave her something to drink, and heated the bathhouse.
Ivan Tsarevich steamed himself, washed himself, came and collapsed on the bench.
Yaga Yagishna began to ask:
Are you working hard, good fellow, or are you trying to get things done?
I heard, grandma, that you have a running horse. I just need a horse.
Yes, I have a running horse, but I won’t give it away, I have to earn it. Well, but I don’t have three years, I don’t have a year to serve, I only have three days to herd mares. If you save the mares, you get a runner; if you don’t save, you have yourself to blame. Have you seen how many heads there are on stakes in the tine? Only one head is still missing.
In the morning we got up; Yaga Yagishna fed Ivan Tsarevich, drove out twelve mares, all of the same color, hair to hair. The mares raised their tails and rushed into the forest to run in all directions. They were the only ones Ivan Tsarevich saw.
He wandered into the forest, sat down on a tree stump, and became sad. Out of nowhere, a bear runs up;
Don’t worry, Ivan Tsarevich, the whole thing will be handled. Break yourself a stronger rod and lie down and rest peacefully. In the evening I will gather all the mares. You use that rod to walk around them, and they won’t go anywhere, they will all run home as one.
The bear ran away, and Ivan Tsarevich broke the rowan twig, leaned against a stump and fell into a deep sleep.
The sun began to set, a horse tramped through the forest, all twelve mares jumped out from different directions, trembling, their manes standing like stakes.
Ivan Tsarevich began to whip them on the sides with a rowan rod. Rowan is not an alder - it bends, does not break, and wraps around the ridge. He taught me such a lesson that all the mares in the soap came running home.
Yaga Yagishna opened the gates and locked the mares in the stable:
Oh, the villain, he didn’t so much feed and drink as he chased and tormented!
She prepared the table and fed Ivan Tsarevich:
Go to bed, I’ll suddenly wake you up tomorrow with the light!
Ivan Tsarevich is not sleeping, he hears - Yagishna grabbed the iron rod and ran to the stable:
Oh, so-and-so, what did I tell you? They couldn’t run away and hide!
And until then she beat them, whipped them, until the iron rod broke off.
Where could we, mother, hide? How bears from all over the world came running to our forest! You wouldn't have seen us if we hadn't run home! Bears would eat us.
The next day, before dawn, Yaga Yagishna woke up Ivan Tsarevich and handed him a piece of bread:
Go and do your service.
As soon as Ivan Tsarevich drove the mares out of the gate, they tailed like a pipe and ran away in different directions. Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, wandered into the forest, sat down on a tree stump, and became sad: “How can we gather a herd and drive every single one home?”
And at this time a bee flew in:
Well, well, don’t worry, Ivan Tsarevich, go to bed and rest, and in the evening the matter will be done! Beat them with a whip, and every single one of them will be home.
The bee flew away, and Ivan Tsarevich twisted his whip and fell to sleep.
As soon as the sun began to set, a noise began to spread through the forest, and one after another, twelve mares jumped out from different directions, all covered in foam, moving their sides, spinning their ears. Ivan Tsarevich whistled, shouted, waved his whip - and they ran home.
Yaga Yagishna stands at the gate, swearing:
Here is a villain, here is a murderer! All he knew was that he chased him around all day, and didn’t give him water or food!
She came from the yard, splashed some cabbage soup into a cup, and threw a stale pot on the table:
Ivan Tsarevich sipped the cabbage soup, lay down on the bench, covered himself with his caftan, but he himself did not sleep - he listened to what would happen.
Yaga Yagishna grabbed the copper rod, ran to the stable, and began to whip the mares with the copper rod and say:
I taught you badly yesterday: they couldn’t hide again!
The century would not have been found, could not have been collected, if not for the bees. The bees swooped in, apparently and invisibly, and they stung and chased us so much that we couldn’t stand it anymore!
If you couldn’t hide on land, you’ll be buried in the water tomorrow!
In the morning all the mares scattered seashore and rushed into the sea. There were just circles and bubbles in the water. Then everything became quiet. Tsarevich Ivan was sitting on a rock near the water, thinking: “How can you look for them at the bottom of the sea?”
And at this time a pike poked its head out of the water:
Don’t worry, Ivan Tsarevich, I’ll bring every single one of you to you! I will serve you today and I will not forget your kindness in the future, just remember me when you need me.
The pike disappeared, and Ivan Tsarevich began to while away the day until the evening. And as the sun began to shine at sunset, the sea began to swell, all the mares jumped out onto the shore one after another, trembling, furling, with their manes standing up like a stake.
Baba Yaga saw that Tsarevich Ivan had brought the mares, she stood up and clasped her hands:
Oh, so-and-so, they couldn’t hide! Well, I still won’t let you out alive!
She ran out onto the porch:
Okay, well done, you've done your service! Now go to the outer stable, your runner is standing there.
Ivan Tsarevich went to the stable, and there stood a frozen horse.
On such a bed you can only carry water, not ride a hero!
Then the horse spoke:
Don’t rush, Ivan Tsarevich, to blaspheme me, but listen. For three nights, Yaga Yagishna transferred my strength into mares so that they could hide from you, and that night, if you sleep, she will take all the strength out of you, and then you will not be alive. You and I need to cross the fiery river tonight. A grass gap grows across the river. I'll roll through the morning dew in that meadow - and all my strength will return. When you have dinner, don’t go to bed, but come to me.
Baba Yaga kindly greeted Ivan Tsarevich and introduced him to various foods and drinks:
Eat, good fellow! You were in my service, but you became a dear guest. Eat - get enough, drink - get drunk, sleep, rest as much as you want: I won’t wake you up at dawn.
And he whispers to himself: “You will sleep so soundly that you won’t even get up.”
After dinner, Yaga Yagishna fell asleep, and Ivan Tsarevich slowly made his way to the stable, released the horse and led him to the fiery river. He waved his fly to the right once, twice and a third time - a high bridge stood over the river. I crossed to the other side and swung my fly to the left - not three, but twice - the bridge remained, only barely holding on.
The horse found a meadow where the grass grew, and as soon as dawn broke, he rode through the dew, stood up, shook himself:
Well, Ivan Tsarevich, now I’ve completely mastered it! We'll go wherever you want.
I need to get to Buyan Island, which lies in the middle of the sea-ocean.
Sit down, let's go.
Meanwhile, Baba Yaga woke up, got off the stove, looked - there was no Ivan Tsarevich. I rushed to the stable - and there was no one there.
He left and took the horse away! Well, just wait, Ivan Tsarevich, I’ll laugh too when your head is on my pole!
She jumped into the stone mortar and rushed in pursuit. He pushes the mortar with a pestle and covers his tracks with a broom. He sees a bridge across the fiery river. I started to cross the bridge, but the bridge barely held on and broke off in the middle of the river. Yaga Yagishna fell into the river of fire and burned.
Ivan Tsarevich came to the sea-ocean, waved his fly three times - a bridge stretched to Buyan Island.
He moved across the sea and began digging a hole on Buyan Island under the tallest oak tree. He dug and dug and dug up an iron chest. As soon as he knocked off the lock and opened the lid, the hare jumped out of the chest and ran into the forest. Ivan Tsarevich rushed into the forest, and a bear and a hare came out to meet him.
Ivan Tsarevich tore the hare, a duck flew out of the hare and soared into the sky. The good fellow grabbed a bow and shot a duck; a duck fell into the sea. So what's now? And I remembered about the pike. At that very moment, out of nowhere, a pike appeared; The pike grabbed the duck and swam to the shore:
Take it, good fellow! I will never forget your kindness.
Ivan Tsarevich tore the duck, wrapped the egg in a scarf and put it in his saddle bag.
Jumped on his horse:
Hurry to the kingdom of Koshcheevo!
I arrived at Koshcheev’s house. Marya Morevna ran out onto the porch all in tears:
Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, now Koschey will return and put you to death again!
Well, now Koshchei and I are competing! Who will put whom to death - the matter will show. Get on your horse!
He picked up Marya Morevna, sat him behind him, and drove off.
At that time Koschey returned, climbed onto the porch and shouted:
Is Marya Morevna ready to walk down the aisle?
Servants run out:
Ivan Tsarevich came here and took Marya Morevna away.
Koschey got angry:
Why were they released?
Kashchei rushed at the servants: he tore off someone’s arm, someone’s leg, and completely deprived others of their lives.
He ran to the stable and said to his horse:
You don’t know my grief: Tsarevich Ivan’s sons-in-law revived him, and he took Marya Morevna away again!
The horse answers:
Now there is no time to hesitate: Tsarevich Ivan has a horse - my younger brother. Sit down quickly.
Koschey rushed in pursuit, and was about to overtake Ivan Tsarevich with Marya Morevna... Under him, the prophetic horse began to stumble.
Koschey swore and made a noise:
Why are you, you wolf-filled grass bag, stumbling?
I sense misfortune and adversity over you.
The misfortune is not on me, but on Ivan Tsarevich!
And he hit the horse with the whip so hard that it cut the meat to the bone. The horse soared above the forest, just below the clouds.
At that time Ivanov’s horse said:
My older brother wouldn’t be able to catch up with me, but Koschey is one, and there are two of you. Take, Ivan Tsarevich, an egg from your bag. Koschey will soon catch up with us.
At that time Koschey shouted:
Stop, Ivan Tsarevich, you still can’t run away from me!
The good fellow swung his hand and threw the egg on the ground. At that same moment, thunder struck and a stench spread across the ground, and Koschey fell from his horse.
Ivan Tsarevich unseated Marya Morevna from his horse, and he galloped up to Koshchei and beat him into small pieces.
Then he collected wood, put it in a fire, burned the remains of Koshchey on that fire and scattered the ashes to the wind, and he sat on Koshchey’s horse, and they rode off without need, without interference.
They feasted with Voron Voronovich, Sokol Sokolovich and Orel Orlovich, and then Ivan Tsarevich and his young wife returned to his kingdom.
Then, out of joy, they threw a feast for the whole world. They feasted for three days, and then they began to get down to business.
Among the numerous characters of Russian folk tales, the mysterious beauty Marya Morevna especially stands out. She possesses not only wisdom and magical abilities, but also incredible physical strength, which, as a rule, is characteristic of male fairy-tale heroes.
Who is Marya Morevna?
According to most linguists, the patronymic “Morevna” is not at all masculine. It owes its origin to the pagan goddess of death - Mara (Morana, Morena). Image of Mara in Slavic mythology very controversial. On the one hand, Mara was the personification of the arrival of winter, natural withering (sleep) and death itself. However, for our ancestors, death was not at all synonymous with the end, but rather the beginning of a new cycle. And, consequently, Mara herself was closely connected with the subsequent resurrection of nature after winter and the onset of spring. Without her, there would not have been the next round of life.
It is thanks to her origin that Marya Morevna appears in fairy tales as a strong and powerful woman. She fights with negative heroes Not worse than a man, she leaves for the war, leaving her husband Ivan at home as the housewife, she will save the world.
However, Marya Morevna sometimes hides her real name and uses nicknames: Sineglazka, Tsar Maiden, Usonsha the Hero, White Swan Zakharyevna.
Marya Morevna - head of the family
In fairy tales, Marya Morevna often turns out not only central character, but the main one in her own family. It is noteworthy that in one of the stories she chooses her husband herself and, moreover, only after intimacy. “After two wedding nights, he (Tsarevich Ivan) fell in love with Marya Morevna,” the text reads. Contrary to all fairy-tale rules, the marriage between the characters is registered after Marya has been deflowered.
After the wedding, the life of a newly-made family resembles a matriarchy. Ivan Tsarevich turns into a kind of householder, and Marya Morevna goes to war. She is more interested in activities outside the home than in the device family life. With all this, before leaving, she also gives orders regarding what should not be done in her absence. So Marya Morevna tells her husband not to open the closet door under any circumstances.
However, as soon as Marya Morevna leaves the house, Ivan opens the forbidden door. Behind her is Koschey the Immortal, whom the fearless hero caught with her own hands shortly before the events described. Koschey breaks out of captivity and kidnaps Marya. In the end, Ivan, having gathered his courage, kills Koshchei and rescues his beloved from captivity.
The dual image of Marya Morevna
On the one hand, Marya Morevna appears to the reader as a kind of man in a skirt and is a clear reflection of the matriarchal system. However, this idea is gradually disappearing. Firstly, thanks to the fact that Ivan Tsarevich still proves his worth and will save his wife, snatching her from the hands of Koshchei the Immortal. Secondly, the scenes of Marya Morevna’s fights with any of fairy-tale heroes are very sketchy or absent altogether, since they are not typical for female characters. So Koschey the Immortal is already locked in a closet, and in the tale of rejuvenating apples Sineglazka only threatens the king: “Give up the prince, otherwise I’ll trample the whole kingdom, set it on fire and take you as a whole.”
Thus, the main moral of the fairy tales about Marya Morevna lies in unity: husband and wife, physical and magical strength, kindness and fair retribution.