V. Vasnetsov. Three princesses of the underworld
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, there lived Tsar Bel Belyanin; he had a wife, Nastasya, a golden braid, and three sons: Peter Tsarevich, Vasily Tsarevich and Ivan Tsarevich. The queen went with her mothers and nannies to take a walk in the garden. Suddenly a strong whirlwind arose - what my God! seized the queen and took her to no one knows where. The king became sad, twisted and did not know what to do. The princes grew up and he said to them: “My dear children! Which of you will go - will find his mother?
The two eldest sons got together and set off; and behind them the youngest began to ask his father. “No,” says the king, “you, son, don’t go! Don't leave me alone, old man." - “Let me, father! Fear of how you want to wander around the world and find your mother. The king dissuaded, dissuaded, could not dissuade: “Well, there is nothing to do, go; God be with you!"
Ivan Tsarevich saddled his good horse and set off on the road. I rode, rode, whether it was long or short; soon a fairy tale is told, but not soon the deed is done; comes to the forest. In that forest richest palace costs. Ivan Tsarevich drove into a wide courtyard, saw an old man and said: “Hello for many years, old man!” - "Welcome! Who is good fellow? - "I am Ivan Tsarevich, the son of Tsar Bel Belyanin and Tsarina Nastasya of the Golden Braid." - “Ah, dear nephew! Where is God taking you? “Yes, and so,” he says, “I’m going to look for my mother. Can you tell me, uncle, where to find her? “No, nephew, I don’t know. Whatever I can, I will serve you; here's a ball for you, throw it in front of you; he will roll and lead you to the steep, high mountains. There is a cave in those mountains, enter it, take iron claws, put it on your hands and feet and climb the mountains; maybe there you will find your mother Nastasya a golden braid.
That's good. Ivan Tsarevich said goodbye to his uncle and threw a ball in front of him; the ball rolls, rolls, and he rides after it. For a long time, for a short time, he sees: his brothers Peter Tsarevich and Vasily Tsarevich are camped in an open field and many troops are with them. His brothers met him: “Bah! Where are you, Ivan Tsarevich? “Yes,” he says, “he got bored at home and decided to go look for his mother. Send the army home and let's go together." They did just that; let the army go and the three of us went for the ball. From a distance, mountains were still seen - so steep, high, like my God! topped into the sky. The ball rolled right up to the cave; Ivan Tsarevich dismounted from his horse and said to his brothers: “Here you are, brothers, my good horse; I will go to the mountains to look for my mother, and you stay here; wait for me exactly three months, and I won’t be in three months - and there’s nothing to wait for! The brothers think: “How to climb these mountains, and then break your head!” “Well,” they say, “go with God, and we will wait here.”
Ivan Tsarevich went up to the cave, saw - an iron door, pushed with all his might - the door opened; went in there - iron claws on his hands and on his feet put themselves on. He began to climb mountains, climbed, climbed, whole month labored, forcibly climbed up. “Well,” he says, “thank God!” I rested a little and went through the mountains; walked-walked, walked-walked, looking - a copper palace stands, at the gates terrible snakes on copper chains are chained, and swarming! And near the well, at the well a copper bark hangs on a copper chain. Ivan Tsarevich took a scoop of water, gave the snakes to drink; they humbled themselves, lay down, and he went into the palace.
Jumps out to him copper kingdom queen: "Who is this, good fellow?" - "I am Ivan Tsarevich." - "What, - he asks, - did he come here, Ivan Tsarevich, by his hunting or unwittingly?" - “His hunting; I am looking for my mother Nastasya a golden braid. Some Whirlwind stole her from the garden. Do you know where she is? - "No, I do not know; but not far from here lives my middle sister, the queen of the silver kingdom; maybe she'll tell you." I gave him a copper ball and a copper ring. “The ball,” he says, “will bring you to the middle sister, and in this ring the whole copper kingdom consists. When you defeat the Whirlwind, which also keeps me here and flies to me every three months, then do not forget me poor - free me from here and take me with you to the free world. - “Good,” answered Ivan Tsarevich, he took and threw a copper ball - the ball rolled, and the prince followed him.
He comes to the silver kingdom and sees the palace better than before - all silver; at the gate, terrible snakes are chained on silver chains, and near a well with a silver cork. Ivan Tsarevich drew water, gave the snakes to drink - they lay down and let him into the palace. The queen of the silver kingdom comes out: “It is almost three years,” she says, “how the mighty Whirlwind keeps me here; I haven't heard the Russian spirit, I haven't seen it, but now the Russian spirit is taking place with my own eyes. Who is this, good fellow? - "I am Ivan Tsarevich." - “How did you get here - by your own will or not?” - “With my desire, I am looking for my mother; she went for a walk in the green garden, when the whirlwind arose and rushed off to no one knows where. Do you know where to find her? - "No, I do not know; and my older sister lives here not far away, the queen of the golden kingdom, Elena the Beautiful; maybe she'll tell you. Here is a silver ball for you, roll it in front of you and follow it; he will lead you to the golden kingdom. Yes, watch how you kill the Whirlwind - do not forget me poor; get out of here and take with you to the free world; Whirlwind keeps me in custody and flies to me every two months. Then she gave him a silver ring: “The whole silver kingdom consists in this ring!” Ivan Tsarevich rolled the ball: where the ball rolled, he went there.
How long, how short, I saw - the golden palace stands, how the heat burns; Terrible snakes swarm at the gates - they are chained on golden chains, and near the well, at the well, a golden crust hangs on a golden chain. Ivan Tsarevich scooped up a crust of water and gave the snakes to drink; they calmed down, calmed down. The prince enters the palace; Elena the Beautiful meets him: “Who is this, good fellow?” - "I am Ivan Tsarevich." - "How did you come here - whether by your own will or not?" - “I went hunting; I am looking for my mother Nastasya a golden braid. Do you know where to find her?" - “How not to know! She lives not far from here, and Whirlwind flies to her once a week, and to me once a month. Here's a golden ball for you, roll it in front of you and follow it - it will take you where you need to go; Yes, take a golden ring - in this ring the whole golden kingdom consists! Look, prince: how you defeat the Whirlwind, do not forget me poor, take me with you to the free world. - “Okay,” he says, “I’ll take it!”
Ivan Tsarevich rolled the ball and followed it: he walked and walked, and comes to such a palace that, my God! - so it burns in diamonds and semi-precious stones. Six-headed snakes hiss at the gate; Ivan Tsarevich gave them a drink, the snakes calmed down and let him into the palace. The prince passes through large chambers and in the farthest one finds his mother: she sits on a high throne, dressed in royal attire, crowned with a precious crown. She looked at the guest and cried out: “Oh, my God! Are you my beloved son? How did you get here? “So and so,” he says, “I came for you.” - “Well, son, it will be difficult for you! After all, an evil, mighty Whirlwind reigns here on the mountains, and all spirits obey him; he took me away. You have to fight him! Let's go to the cellar."
So they went down to the cellar. There are two cadis with water: one on right hand, another on the left. Tsarina Nastasya the golden braid says: "Drink some water, which is standing to the right." Ivan Tsarevich drank. "Well, how much power do you have?" “Yes, so strong that I can turn the whole palace with one hand.” - "Well, drink some more." The prince still drank. "How much power do you have now?" - "Now I want - I'll turn the whole world." - “Oh, this is a hefty1 lot! Rearrange these cadi from place to place: take the one on the right to left hand and take the one on the left to your right hand.” Ivan Tsarevich took the cadi and rearranged it from place to place. “You see, dear son: in one cadi there is strong water, in the other it is powerless; whoever gets drunk first will be strong mighty hero, and whoever drinks the second one will completely weaken. Whirlwind always drinks strong water and makes it right side; so it is necessary to deceive him, otherwise there is no way to deal with him!
They returned to the palace. “Soon the whirlwind will arrive,” the tsarina says to Ivan Tsarevich. "Sit down with me under the purple, so he won't see you." And when the Whirlwind arrives and rushes to hug and kiss me, you grab him by the club. He will rise high, will carry you over the seas and over the abysses, you see, do not let go of the club. The whirlwind gets tired, wants to drink strong water, goes down to the cellar and rushes to the kadi that is placed on the right hand, and you drink from the kadi on the left hand. Then he will be completely exhausted, you grab the sword from him and cut off his head with one blow. As soon as you cut off his head, they will immediately shout from behind you: “Chop again, chop again!” And you, son, do not cut, but in response say: “The heroic hand does not hit twice, but all at once!”
Only Tsarevich Ivan had time to hide under the purple, when suddenly it darkened in the yard, everything around him began to shake; Whirlwind flew in, hit the ground, became a good fellow and enters the palace; in his hands is a battle club. "Fu Fu Fu! What do you smell like Russian spirit? Al who was visiting? The queen answers: “I don’t know why you surrender like that.” The whirlwind rushed to hug and kiss her, and Ivan Tsarevich immediately grabbed the club. "I will eat you!" Whirlwind shouted at him. “Well, the grandmother said in two: either eat or not!” The whirlwind rushed - through the window and into the skies; he already wore, wore Ivan Tsarevich - and over the mountains: “Do you want it,” he says, “I’ll hurt you?” and over the seas: "Do you want, - threatens, - I will drown?" Only no, the prince does not let go of the club.
All the light Whirlwind flew out, got tired and began to descend; he went straight down to the cellar, ran up to the kadi that stood on his right hand, and let's drink impotent water, and Ivan Tsarevich rushed to the left, drank strong water and became the first mighty hero in the whole world. He sees that the Whirlwind has completely weakened, snatched a sharp sword from him and at once and cut off his head. They shouted behind the voices: "Chop again, chop again, otherwise it will come to life." - “No,” the prince answers, “a heroic hand does not hit twice, but ends all at once!” Now he spread the fire, burned both the body and the head, and dispelled the ashes in the wind. The mother of Ivan Tsarevich is so happy! “Well,” he says, “my beloved son, let's have fun, eat, but how would we go home as soon as possible; otherwise it’s boring here, none of the people are there. ” - "But who is serving here?" - "But you'll see." As soon as they thought of eating, now the table itself is set, various dishes and wines themselves are on the table; the queen and prince are having lunch, and invisible music plays wonderful songs for them. They ate and drank, rested; Ivan Tsarevich says: “Let's go, mother, it's time! After all, brothers are waiting for us under the mountains. Yes, on the way, you need to save three queens that they lived here near the Whirlwind.
They took everything they needed and set off on their way; first they went for the queen of the golden kingdom, then for the queen of the silver, and then for the queen of the copper kingdom; they took them with them, seized canvases and all sorts of things, and soon came to the place where they had to descend from the mountains. Ivan Tsarevich lowered on the canvas first his mother, then Elena the Beautiful and her two sisters. The brothers are standing below - they are waiting, but they themselves think: "Let's leave Ivan Tsarevich upstairs, and we will take mother and queens to their father and say that we have found them." “I will take Elena the Beautiful for myself,” says Tsarevich Peter, “you will take the queen of the silver kingdom, Vasily Tsarevich; and the queen copper state we’ll give at least for the general.”
This is how Ivan Tsarevich had to descend from the mountains, the older brothers took up the canvases, rushed and completely tore them off. Ivan Tsarevich remained in the mountains. What to do? Wept bitterly and went back; I walked, walked, and through the copper kingdom, and through the silver, and through the gold - there is not a soul. Comes to the diamond kingdom - there is no one either. Well, what's one? Boredom to death! Look - there is a pipe on the window. I took her in hand. “Give me,” he says, “I’ll play out of boredom.” Just whistled - popping out lame and crooked; "Whatever, Ivan Tsarevich?" - "I am hungry". Immediately, out of nowhere - the table is set, on the table and wine and food are the very first. Ivan Tsarevich ate and thought: "Now it would not be bad to rest." He whistled into a pipe, they appeared lame and crooked: “What do you want, Ivan Tsarevich?” - "Yes, so that the bed is ready." I didn’t have time to utter it, and the bed was already made - which is the best.
So he lay down, slept well and again whistled into the pipe. "Anything?" - they ask him lame and crooked. “So, then, everything is possible?” - asks the prince. “Everything is possible, Ivan Tsarevich! Whoever whistles this pipe, we will do everything for that. As before the Whirlwind was served, so now you are glad to serve; only it is necessary that this pipe is always with you. - “It’s good,” says Ivan Tsarevich, “so that I now become in my state!” He just said it, and at that very moment he found himself in his state in the middle of the bazaar. Here he walks through the bazaar; a shoemaker comes to meet him - such a merry fellow! The prince asks: “Where are you going, little man?” - “Yes, I carry chereviki2 to sell; I am a shoemaker." - "Take me to your apprentice." - "Do you know how to sew slippers?" - “Yes, anything, I can; otherwise, I’ll sew a dress, and I’ll sew a dress. - "Well, let's go!"
They came home; shoemaker and says: “Well, make it! Here is the very first product for you; I'll see how you can." Ivan Tsarevich went into his room, took out a pipe, whistled - they appeared lame and crooked: “What do you want, Ivan Tsarevich?” - "So that by tomorrow the shoes will be ready." - “Oh, this is a service, not a service!” - "Here is the goods!" - What is this product? Rubbish - and only! You have to throw it out the window." The next day the prince wakes up, on the table there are beautiful shoes, the very first. The owner also got up: “What, well done, did you sew shoes?” - "Ready". - "Well, show me!" He looked at the shoes and gasped: “That's how I got the master for myself! Not a master, but a miracle! I took these shoes and carried them to the market to sell.
At this very time, three weddings were being prepared at the tsar: Peter Tsarevich was going to marry Elena the Beautiful, Vasily Tsarevich - the queen of the silver kingdom, and the queen of the copper kingdom was given for a general. They began to buy outfits for those weddings; Helen the Beautiful needed slippers. Our shoemaker turned out to have the best slippers; brought him to the palace. Elena the Beautiful looked at her: “What is this? - speaks. “Only in the mountains can they make such shoes.” She paid the shoemaker dearly and ordered: “Make me without measurement another pair of slippers, so that they are wonderfully sewn, removed with precious stones, seated with diamonds. Yes, so that they will be in time for tomorrow, otherwise - to the gallows!
The shoemaker took the money and precious stones; goes home - so cloudy. "Trouble! - speaks. - So what's now? Where to sew such shoes for tomorrow, and even without measurements? Looks like they'll hang me tomorrow! Let me go for a last walk with grief with my friends. Went into a tavern; he had many friends, so they ask: “What are you, brother, cloudy?” “Ah, dear friends, tomorrow they will hang me!” - "Why so?" The shoemaker told his grief: “Where is there to think about work? We'd better take a last walk." Here they drank, drank, walked, walked, the shoemaker was already swinging. “Well,” he says, “I’ll take home a barrel of wine and go to bed. And tomorrow, as soon as they come to hang me, I’ll blow half a bucket; let them hang me without a memory.” Comes home. “Well, accursed one,” he says to Ivan Tsarevich, “this is what your coats have done ... so and so ... in the morning, when they come for me, wake me up now.”
At night, Ivan Tsarevich took out a pipe, whistled - they appeared lame and crooked: “What do you want, Ivan Tsarevich?” - "So that such and such shoes are ready." - "Listen!" Ivan Tsarevich went to bed; wakes up in the morning - the shoes are on the table, like the heat is burning. He goes to wake up the owner: “Master! It's time to get up." - “What, did they come for me? Come on, a barrel of wine, here's a mug - pour it; let them hang the drunk.” - "Yes, the shoes are ready." - “How are you ready? Where are they? - The owner ran, looked: - Oh, when did we do this with you? - “Yes, at night, really, master, don’t you remember how we cut and sew?” - “I fell asleep completely, brother; I remember a little!
He took the shoes, wrapped them up, and ran to the palace. Elena the Beautiful saw the shoes and guessed: “It’s true, perfumes are making Ivan Tsarevich.” - "How did you do that?" she asks the shoemaker, “Yes, I,” she says, “can do everything!” - “If so, make me a wedding dress, so that it is embroidered with gold, yes with diamonds precious stones dotted. Yes, so that in the morning it was ready, otherwise - off with your head! There is a shoemaker again overcast, and the others have been waiting for him for a long time: “Well?” - “Yes, - he says, - one damnation! Here a translator of the Christian family appeared, ordered to sew a dress with gold and stones by tomorrow. And what a tailor I am! I'm sure they'll take my head off tomorrow." - "Hey, brother, the morning is wiser than the evening: let's go for a walk."
Went to a tavern, drink, walk. The shoemaker got drunk again, brought home a whole barrel of wine and said to Ivan Tsarevich: “Well, little one, tomorrow, when you wake me up, I’ll blow out a whole bucket; Let the drunk beheaded! And I can’t make such a dress in my life. ” The owner went to bed, snored, and Ivan Tsarevich whistled into a pipe - they appeared lame and crooked: “What do you want, prince?” - "Yes, so that by tomorrow the dress was ready - exactly the same as Elena the Beautiful wore at the Whirlwind." - “Listen! Will be ready". Tsarevich Ivan woke up with the light, and the dress lies on the table, like the heat burns - so the whole room was lit up. Here he wakes up the owner, he opened his eyes: “What, did they come for me - to chop off my head? Come on wine!” - “Why, the dress is ready ...” - “Oh! When did we have time to sew? “Yes, at night, don’t you remember? You made it yourself." - “Ah, brother, I remember a little; like I see in a dream." The shoemaker took a dress and ran to the palace.
Here Elena the Beautiful gave him a lot of money and orders: “Look, so that tomorrow by dawn at the seventh verst on the sea there will be a golden kingdom and that from there to our palace a golden bridge will be made, that bridge will be covered with expensive velvet, and near the railing on both sides would grow wonderful trees and songbirds different voices chanted. If you don’t do it by tomorrow, I’ll order you to be quadrupled!” The shoemaker went from Helen the Beautiful and hung his head. His friends meet him: “What, brother?” - “What! I'm gone, quarter me tomorrow. She asked such a service that she wouldn’t do any damn thing. ” - "Oh, it's full! The morning is wiser than the evening; Let's go to the tavern." - “And then let's go! Last but not least, have some fun."
Here they drank and drank; the shoemaker was so drunk by evening that they brought him home by the arms. "Goodbye, little one!" - he says to Ivan Tsarevich. “Tomorrow they will execute me.” - "Is a new service set?" - "Yes, like this and like that!" He lay down and snored; and Ivan Tsarevich immediately went to his room, whistled into a pipe - they appeared lame and crooked: “What do you want, Ivan Tsarevich?” - “Can you do me such a service ...” - “Yes, Ivan Tsarevich, this is a service! Well, yes, there is nothing to do - by morning everything will be ready. The next day it began to get a little light, Ivan Tsarevich woke up, looked out the window - fathers of light! Everything is done as it is: the golden palace burns like a fire. He wakes up the owner; he jumped up: “What? Did they come for me? Come on, wine! Let them execute the drunk." - "Yes, the palace is ready." - "What you!" The shoemaker looked out the window and gasped in surprise: "How did it happen?" - “Don’t you remember how we made things with you?” - “Ah, apparently, I fell asleep; I remember a little!
They ran to the golden palace - there is wealth unprecedented and unheard of. Ivan Tsarevich says: “Here is a wing for you, master; Go ahead, brush over the railings on the bridge, and if they come and ask: who lives in the palace? "Don't say anything, just give this note." That's good, the shoemaker went and began to overcast the railing on the bridge. In the morning Elena the Beautiful woke up, saw the golden palace and now ran to the king: “Look, your majesty, what is happening with us; A golden palace was built on the sea, from that palace a bridge stretches for seven miles, and around the bridge wonderful trees grow, and songbirds sing in different voices.
The king now sends to ask: “What would this mean? Is it not a hero who stepped under his state? The messengers came to the shoemaker, they began to question him; he says: "I do not know, but I have a note to your king." In this note, Ivan Tsarevich told his father everything as it happened: how he freed his mother, got Elena the Beautiful and how his older brothers deceived him. Together with the note, Ivan Tsarevich sends golden carriages and asks the tsar and the tsarina, Elena the Beautiful and her sisters to come to him; and let the brothers be brought back in simple logs.
Everyone immediately packed up and drove off; Ivan Tsarevich met them with joy. The tsar wanted to punish his elder sons for their untruth, but Ivan Tsarevich begged his father, and they were forgiven. Then the feast began with a mountain; Ivan Tsarevich married Elena the Beautiful, for Peter Tsarevich he gave the queen of the silver state, for Vasily Tsarevich he gave the queen of the copper state, and promoted the shoemaker to the generals. I was at that feast, I drank honey-wine, it flowed down my mustache, it didn’t get into my mouth.
COPPER, SILVER AND GOLD REALMS
Russian folk tale
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, there lived a king. He had a wife Nastasya the golden braid and three sons: Peter Tsarevich, Vasily Tsarevich and Ivan Tsarevich.
Once the queen with her mothers and nannies went for a walk in the garden. Suddenly, a whirlwind swooped in, picked up the queen and carried her away to no one knows where. The king became sad, twisted, but did not know what to do.
Here the princes have grown up, and he says to them:
My dear children, which of you will go to look for your mother?
The two eldest sons gathered and set off. And they don’t last a year, and they don’t have another, so the third year begins ... Ivan Tsarevich began to ask the father:
Let me go look for my mother, find out about my older brothers.
No, - says the king, - you are the only one left with me, do not leave me, old man.
And Ivan Tsarevich answers:
Anyway, if you let me, I'll leave and if you don't, I'll leave.
What to do here? The king let him go.
Ivan Tsarevich saddled his good horse and set off. I rode and rode ... Soon the fairy tale takes its toll, but the deed is not done soon.
I reached the glass mountain. There is a high mountain, its top rested against the sky. Under the mountain - two tents are spread out: Peter Tsarevich and Vasily Tsarevich.
Hello Ivanushka! Where are you heading?
Look for mother, catch up with you.
Eh, Ivan Tsarevich, we found mother's trail a long time ago, but there are no feet on that trail. Go try to climb this mountain, but we already have no urine. We have been standing below for three years, we cannot go upstairs.
Well guys, I'll try.
Ivan Tsarevich climbed the glass mountain. Step up crawling, ten - down head over heels. He climbs a day, and another climbs. He cut all his hands, his legs were bloody. On the third day he reached the top.
He began to shout to the brothers from above:
I'll go look for my mother, but you stay here, wait for me for three years and three months, but I won't be on time, there's nothing to wait for. And the raven will not bring my bones!
Ivan Tsarevich rested a little and went up the hill. Walk-walk, walk-walk. He sees - the copper palace is standing. At the gate, terrible snakes on copper chains are chained, breathing fire. And near the well, by the well a copper ladle hangs on a copper chain. Snakes are rushing to the water, but the chain is short.
Ivan Tsarevich took a ladle, scooped up cold water, and gave the snakes to drink. The snakes calmed down, subsided. He went to the copper palace. The princess of the copper kingdom came out to him:
I am Ivan Tsarevich.
What, Ivan Tsarevich, did he come here willingly or unwittingly?
I am looking for my mother - Nastasya the queen. The whirlwind dragged her here. Do you know where she is?
I don't know. But my middle sister lives not far from here, maybe she will tell you.
And gave him a copper ball.
Roll the ball, - he says, - he will show you the way to the middle sister. And as you defeat the Whirlwind, look, do not forget me, poor thing.
Well, - says Ivan Tsarevich. Threw a copper ball. The ball rolled, and the prince followed him.
Came to the silver realm. At the gate, terrible snakes are chained on silver chains. There is a well with a silver ladle. Ivan Tsarevich scooped up water, gave the snakes to drink. They lay down and let him through. The princess of the silver kingdom ran out.
It will be three years already, - says the princess, - how the mighty Whirlwind keeps me here. I never heard the Russian spirit, never saw it, but now the Russian spirit has come to me. Who are you, good fellow?
I am Ivan Tsarevich.
How did you get here: by your own hunting or captivity.
With my hunt - I'm looking for mother. She went for a walk in the green garden, a mighty whirlwind swooped in, rushed her off to no one knows where. Do you know where to find her?
No, I do not know. And she lives here not far, in the golden kingdom, my elder sister - Elena the Beautiful. Maybe she will tell you. Here's a silver ball for you. Roll him in front of you and follow him. Yes, watch how you kill Whirlwind, do not forget me, poor thing. Ivan Tsarevich rolled a silver ball, he himself followed.
How long, how short - he sees: the golden palace stands, how the heat burns. Terrible snakes swarm at the gates, chained on golden chains. They blaze with fire. Near the well, at the well a golden ladle on golden chains is chained.
Ivan Tsarevich scooped up water, gave the snakes to drink. They calmed down, calmed down. Ivan Tsarevich entered the palace; Elena the Beautiful meets him - the princess of indescribable beauty:
Who are you, good fellow?
I am Ivan Tsarevich. I am looking for my mother - Nastasya the Queen. Do you know where to find her?
How not to know? She lives not far from here. Here's a golden ball for you. Roll it along the road - it will take you where you need to go. Look, prince, how you defeat the Whirlwind, do not forget me, poor thing, take me with you to the free world.
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, there lived a king. He had a wife Nastasya the golden braid and three sons: Peter Tsarevich, Vasily Tsarevich and Ivan Tsarevich.
Once the queen with her mothers and nannies went for a walk in the garden. Suddenly, a whirlwind swooped in, picked up the queen and carried her away to no one knows where. The king became sad, twisted, but did not know what to do.
Here the princes have grown up, and he says to them:
- My dear children, which of you will go to look for your mother?
The two eldest sons gathered and set off. And they don’t last a year, and they don’t have another, so the third year begins ... Ivan Tsarevich began to ask the father:
- Let me go look for my mother, find out about my older brothers.
- No, - says the king, - you are the only one left with me, do not leave me, old man.
And Ivan Tsarevich answers:
- All the same, if you let me - I'll leave and if you don't let me - I'll leave.
What to do here? The king let him go.
Ivan Tsarevich saddled his good horse and set off. I rode and rode ... Soon the fairy tale takes its toll, but the deed is not done soon.
I reached the glass mountain. There is a high mountain, its top rested against the sky. Under the mountain - two tents are spread out: Peter Tsarevich and Vasily Tsarevich.
- Hello, Ivanushka! Where are you heading?
- Look for Mother, catch up with you.
- Eh, Ivan Tsarevich, we found mother's trail a long time ago, but there are no feet on that trail. Go try to climb this mountain, but we already have no urine. We have been standing below for three years, we cannot go upstairs.
- Well, brothers, I'll try.
Ivan Tsarevich climbed the glass mountain. Step up crawling, ten - down head over heels. He climbs a day, and another climbs. He cut all his hands, his legs were bloody. On the third day he reached the top.
He began to shout to the brothers from above:
- I'll go look for my mother, but you stay here, wait for me for three years and three months, but I won't be on time, there's nothing to wait for. And the raven will not bring my bones!
Ivan Tsarevich rested a little and went up the hill. Walk-walk, walk-walk. He sees - the copper palace is standing. At the gate, terrible snakes on copper chains are chained, breathing fire. And near the well, by the well a copper ladle hangs on a copper chain. Snakes are rushing to the water, but the chain is short.
Ivan Tsarevich took a ladle, scooped up cold water, and gave the snakes to drink. The snakes calmed down, subsided. He went to the copper palace. The princess of the copper kingdom came out to him:
- I'm Ivan Tsarevich.
- What, Ivan Tsarevich, did he come here willingly or unwittingly?
- I am looking for my mother - Nastasya the queen. The whirlwind dragged her here. Do you know where she is?
- I don't know. But my middle sister lives not far from here, maybe she will tell you.
And gave him a copper ball.
- Roll the ball, - he says, - he will show you the way to the middle sister. And as you defeat the Whirlwind, look, do not forget me, poor thing.
“Good,” says Ivan Tsarevich. Threw a copper ball. The ball rolled, and the prince followed him.
Came to the silver realm. At the gate, terrible snakes are chained on silver chains. There is a well with a silver ladle. Ivan Tsarevich scooped up water, gave the snakes to drink. They lay down and let him through. The princess of the silver kingdom ran out.
- It's almost three years, - says the princess, - how the mighty Whirlwind keeps me here. I never heard the Russian spirit, never saw it, but now the Russian spirit has come to me. Who are you, good fellow?
- I'm Ivan Tsarevich.
- How did you get here: by hunting or captivity.
- With my hunting - I'm looking for my own mother. She went for a walk in the green garden, a mighty whirlwind swooped in, rushed her off to no one knows where. Do you know where to find her?
- No, I do not know. And she lives here not far, in the golden kingdom, my elder sister - Elena the Beautiful. Maybe she will tell you. Here's a silver ball for you. Roll him in front of you and follow him. Yes, watch how you kill Whirlwind, do not forget me, poor thing. Ivan Tsarevich rolled a silver ball, he himself followed.
How long, how short - he sees: the golden palace stands, how the heat burns. Terrible snakes swarm at the gates, chained on golden chains. They blaze with fire. Near the well, at the well a golden ladle on golden chains is chained.
Ivan Tsarevich scooped up water, gave the snakes to drink. They calmed down, calmed down. Ivan Tsarevich entered the palace; Elena the Beautiful meets him - the princess of indescribable beauty:
- Who are you, good fellow?
- I'm Ivan Tsarevich. I am looking for my mother - Nastasya the Queen.
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, there lived a king. He had a wife Nastasya the golden braid and three sons: Peter Tsarevich, Vasily Tsarevich and Ivan Tsarevich.
Once the queen with her mothers and nannies went for a walk in the garden. Suddenly, a whirlwind swooped in, picked up the queen and carried her away to no one knows where. The king became sad, twisted, but did not know what to do.
Here the princes have grown up, and he says to them:
My dear children, which of you will go to look for your mother?
The two eldest sons gathered and set off. And they don’t last a year, and they don’t have another year, and so the third year begins ... Ivan Tsarevich began to ask the father:
Let me go look for my mother, find out about my older brothers.
No, - says the king, - you are the only one left with me, do not leave me, old man.
And Ivan Tsarevich answers:
Anyway, if you let me, I'll leave and if you don't, I'll leave.
What to do here? The king let him go.
Ivan Tsarevich saddled his good horse and set off. I rode and rode ... Soon the fairy tale takes its toll, but the deed is not done soon.
I reached the glass mountain. There is a high mountain, its top rested against the sky. Under the mountain - two tents are spread out: Peter Tsarevich and Vasily Tsarevich.
Hello Ivanushka! Where are you heading?
Look for mother, catch up with you.
Eh, Ivan Tsarevich, we found mother's trail a long time ago, but there are no feet on that trail. Go try to climb this mountain, but we already have no urine. We have been standing below for three years, we cannot go upstairs.
Well guys, I'll try.
Ivan Tsarevich climbed the glass mountain. Step up crawling, ten - down head over heels. He climbs a day, and another climbs. He cut all his hands, his legs were bloody. On the third day he reached the top.
He began to shout to the brothers from above:
I'll go look for my mother, but you stay here, wait for me for three years and three months, but I won't be on time, there's nothing to wait for. And the raven will not bring my bones!
Ivan Tsarevich rested a little and went up the hill. Walk-walk, walk-walk. He sees - the copper palace is standing. At the gate, terrible snakes on copper chains are chained, breathing fire. And near the well, by the well a copper ladle hangs on a copper chain. Snakes are rushing to the water, but the chain is short.
Ivan Tsarevich took a ladle, scooped up cold water, and gave the snakes to drink. The snakes calmed down, subsided. He went to the copper palace. The princess of the copper kingdom came out to him:
I am Ivan Tsarevich.
What, Ivan Tsarevich, did he come here willingly or unwittingly?
I am looking for my mother - Nastasya the queen. The whirlwind dragged her here. Do you know where she is?
I don't know. But my middle sister lives not far from here, maybe she will tell you.
And gave him a copper ball.
Roll the ball, - he says, - he will show you the way to the middle sister. And as you defeat the Whirlwind, look, do not forget me, poor thing.
Well, - says Ivan Tsarevich. Threw a copper ball. The ball rolled, and the prince followed him.
Came to the silver realm. At the gate, terrible snakes are chained on silver chains. There is a well with a silver ladle. Ivan Tsarevich scooped up water, gave the snakes to drink. They lay down and let him through. The princess of the silver kingdom ran out.
It will be three years already, - says the princess, - how the mighty Whirlwind keeps me here. I never heard the Russian spirit, never saw it, but now the Russian spirit has come to me. Who are you, good fellow?
I am Ivan Tsarevich.
How did you get here: by your own hunting or captivity.
With my hunting - I'm looking for my own mother. She went for a walk in the green garden, a mighty whirlwind swooped in, rushed her off to no one knows where. Do you know where to find her?
No, I do not know. And she lives here not far, in the golden kingdom, my elder sister - Elena the Beautiful. Maybe she will tell you. Here's a silver ball for you. Roll him in front of you and follow him. Yes, watch how you kill Whirlwind, do not forget me, poor thing. Ivan Tsarevich rolled a silver ball, he himself followed.
How long, how short - he sees: the golden palace stands, how the heat burns. Terrible snakes swarm at the gates, chained on golden chains. They blaze with fire. Near the well, at the well a golden ladle on golden chains is chained.
Ivan Tsarevich scooped up water, gave the snakes to drink. They calmed down, calmed down. Ivan Tsarevich entered the palace; Elena the Beautiful meets him - the princess of indescribable beauty:
Who are you, good fellow?
I am Ivan Tsarevich. I am looking for my mother - Nastasya the Queen. Do you know where to find her?
How not to know? She lives not far from here. Here's a golden ball for you. Roll it along the road - it will take you where you need to go. Look, prince, how you defeat the Whirlwind, do not forget me, poor thing, take me with you to the free world.
Well, - he says, - the beauty is beloved, I will not forget.
Ivan Tsarevich rolled the balloon and followed it. He walked, walked and came to such a palace that neither in a fairy tale can be said, nor with a pen to describe - it burns with sloping pearls and precious stones. Six-headed snakes hiss at the gates, they burn with fire, they breathe heat.
The prince made them drunk. The snakes calmed down, they let him into the palace. The prince passed through large chambers. In the farthest I found my mother. She sits on a high throne, in royal attire decorated, crowned with a precious crown. She looked at her visitor and exclaimed:
Ivanushka, my son! How did you get here?!
I have come for you, my mother.
Well, son, it will be difficult for you. great strength at the Whirlwind. Well, yes, I will help you, I will add strength to you. Then she lifted the floorboard and led him into the cellar. There are two tubs of water - one on the right hand, the other on the left.
Nastasya the Queen says:
Drink, Ivanushka, some water, which is on the right hand.
Ivan Tsarevich drank.
Well? Have you gained strength?
More, mother. I would now turn the whole palace with one hand.
Well, drink some more!
The prince still drank.
How much strength do you have now, son? - Now I want - I'll turn the whole world.
Here, son, that's enough. Come on, move those tubs from place to place. Take the one on the right to the left, and the one on the right to the right.
Ivan Tsarevich took the tubs and rearranged them from place to place.
Tsarina Nastasya tells him:
Strong water in one tub, weak water in the other. A whirlwind drinks strong water in battle, which is why you can’t cope with it.
They returned to the palace.
Soon the Whirlwind will arrive, - says Queen Nastasya. - You grab him by the club. Look, don't let go. A whirlwind will soar into the sky - and you will be with it: it will become you over the seas, over high mountains, over deep abysses, but you hold on tight, do not unclench your hands. Whirlwind is tired, wants to drink strong water, rushes to the tub, which is placed on the right hand, and you drink from the tub, which is on the left hand ... I had only time to say, it suddenly darkened in the yard, everything around began to shake. Whirlwind flew into the upper room. Ivantsarevich rushed to him, grabbed his club.
Who are you? Where did it come from? Whirl screamed. - I'll eat you!
Well, the grandmother said in two! Either eat or don't. Whirlwind rushed out the window - yes in the skies. He already wore, wore Ivan Tsarevich ... And over the mountains, and over the seas, and over deep abysses. The prince does not let go of the club. The whole world Whirlwind circled. Tired, exhausted. He went down - and straight into the cellar. He ran to the tub that stood on his right hand, and let's drink water.
And Ivan Tsarevich rushed to the left, also crouched by the tub. Whirlwind drinks - loses strength with every sip. Ivan Tsarevich drinks - with every drop of silushka it arrives. He became a mighty hero. He pulled out a sharp sword and at once cut off the Whirlwind's head.
Rub more! Rub more! And then it will come to life!
No, - the prince answers, - a heroic hand does not hit twice, it ends everything from one time. Ivan Tsarevich ran to Nastasya the Tsaritsa:
Let's go, mother. It's time. Under the mountain, the brothers are waiting for us. Yes, on the way you need to take three princesses. Here they are on their way. We went for Elena the Beautiful.
She rolled a golden egg, hid the whole golden kingdom in an egg.
Thank you, - he says, - Ivan Tsarevich, you saved me from the evil Whirlwind. Here's a testicle for you, and if you want - be my betrothed.
Ivan Tsarevich took a golden egg, and kissed the princess on her scarlet lips. Then they went for the princess of the silver kingdom, and then for the princess of the copper. They took with them woven fabrics and came to the place where they had to go down from the mountain. Ivan Tsarevich lowered Nastasya the Queen on the canvas, then Elena the Beautiful and her two sisters.
The brothers are standing below, waiting. They saw the mother - they were delighted. They saw Elena the Beautiful - they died. We saw two sisters - envied.
Well, - says Vasily Tsarevich, - our Ivanushka is young and green ahead of his older brothers. We’ll take the mother and the princesses, we’ll take them to the father, let’s say: they were obtained by our heroic hands. And let Ivanushka walk alone on the mountain.
Well, - replies Peter Tsarevich, - you are talking business. I will take Elena the Beautiful for myself, you will take the princess of the silver kingdom, and we will give the princess of copper for the general.
Just then Ivan Tsarevich was about to descend the mountain himself; As soon as he began to tie the canvas to the stump, the older brothers from below took hold of the canvas, pulled it out of his hands and pulled it out. How will Ivan Tsarevich go down now?
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone on the mountain. I cried and went back. I walked and walked, not a soul anywhere. Boredom to death! Ivan Tsarevich began to play with anguish and grief with the Whirlwind Mace.
He just threw his club from hand to hand - suddenly, out of nowhere, Lame and Crooked jumped out.
What do you need, Ivan Tsarevich! You order three times - we will fulfill your three orders.
Ivan Tsarevich says:
I want to eat, Lame and Crooked!
Out of nowhere - the table is set, the food on the table is the best.
Ivan Tsarevich ate, and again threw his club from hand to hand.
To have a rest, - speaks, - I want!
I did not have time to pronounce - there is an oak bed, on it a downy feather bed, a silk blanket. Ivan Tsarevich got enough sleep - for the third time he threw a club. Lame and Crooked jumped out:
What, Ivan Tsarevich, do you need?
I want to be in my kingdom-state. He just said - at that very moment Ivan Tsarevich found himself in his state. I stood right in the middle of the market. It is worth looking around. He sees: a shoemaker is walking towards him through the bazaar, he is walking, singing songs, stamping his feet in harmony - such a merry fellow!
The prince asks:
Where are you going man?
Yes, I carry shoes to sell. I'm a shoemaker.
Take me as your apprentice.
Can you sew shoes?
Yes, I can do anything. Not like shoes, and I'll sew a dress.
They came home, the shoemaker said:
Here is the best product for you. Sew your shoes, I'll see how you can.
Well, what is this product? Rubbish, and only!
At night, as everyone fell asleep, Ivan Tsarevich took a golden egg and rolled along the road. The Golden Palace stood before him. Ivan Tsarevich went into the room, took out the shoes, embroidered with gold, from the chest, rolled the testicle along the road, hid the golden palace in the testicle, put the shoes on the table, went to bed.
In the morning light, the owner of the shoes saw, gasped:
Such shoes are only worn in the palace!
And at this time, three weddings were being prepared in the palace: Peter Tsarevich takes Elena the Beautiful for himself, Vasily Tsarevich takes the princess of the silver kingdom, and they give the princess of the copper kingdom for the general.
The shoemaker brought shoes to the palace. As Elena the Beautiful saw the shoes, she immediately understood everything: "To know, Ivan Tsarevich, my betrothed, is alive and well walking around the kingdom."
Elena the Beautiful says to the king:
Let this shoemaker make me a custom-made wedding dress by tomorrow, so that it is sewn with gold, embellished with semi-precious stones, studded with pearls. Otherwise, I will not marry Peter Tsarevich. The king called the shoemaker.
So and so, - he says, - so that tomorrow the golden dress will be delivered to the princess Elena the Beautiful, or else to the gallows!
The shoemaker goes home unhappy, hung his gray head.
Here, - he says to Ivan Tsarevich, - what have you done to me!
Nothing, - says Ivan Tsarevich, - go to bed! The morning is wiser than the evening.
At night, Ivan Tsarevich took out a wedding dress from the golden kingdom, put it on the table to the shoemaker. In the morning the shoemaker woke up - the dress lies on the table, how the heat burns, it illuminates the whole room. The shoemaker grabbed it, ran to the palace, gave it to Elena the Beautiful.
Elena the Beautiful rewarded him and orders:
See that tomorrow, by dawn, at the seventh verst, on the sea, there will be a kingdom with a golden palace, so that wonderful trees grow there and birds singing in different voices would sing me. And if you don’t, I will order you to be executed with a cruel death.
The shoemaker went home barely alive.
Here, - he says to Ivan Tsarevich, - what your shoes have done! I won't be alive now.
Nothing, - says Ivan Tsarevich, - go to bed. The morning is wiser than the evening.
As everyone fell asleep, Ivan Tsarevich went to the seventh verst, to the seashore. Rolled a golden egg. A golden kingdom stood before him, in the middle a golden palace, a bridge stretches seven miles from the golden palace, wonderful trees grow around him, songbirds sing in different voices.
Ivan Tsarevich stood on the bridge, hammering carnations into the railing.
Elena the Beautiful saw the palace and ran to the king:
Look, king, what we are doing!
The king looked and gasped.
And Elena the Beautiful says:
Lead, father, to harness the gilded carriage, I will go to the golden palace with Tsarevich Peter to get married. So they went along the golden bridge. On the bridge there are chiseled columns, gilded rings, and on each column a dove and a dove sit, bow to each other and say:
Do you remember, my dear, who saved you?
I remember, dove, - Ivan Tsarevich saved.
And near the railing, Ivan Tsarevich is standing, nailing golden carnations.
Kind people! Hurry up the fast horses. Not the one who saved me, who is sitting next to me, but the one who saved me, who is standing at the railing!
She took Ivan Tsarevich by the hand, seated him next to her, took him to the golden palace, and then they played a wedding.
They returned to the king and told him the whole truth. The tsar wanted to execute his elder sons, but Ivan Tsarevich, in joy, begged to forgive them. They gave out for Peter Tsarevich the princess of the silver kingdom, for Vasily Tsarevich - the copper one. There was a feast for the whole world! Here is the end of the story.
The story is presented for informational purposes only.
Despite the fact that fairy tales in our view are something left deep in childhood, this is not at all the case, because. they have deep symbolism. Consider it on the example of a Russian fairy tale " three kingdoms"- about the journey of the Hero (prince) through three the underworld, copper, silver and gold.
One of the leading religious and culturologists of our time, Mircea Eliade, divides all the myths and legends of the world into 2 main categories:
- Cosmogonic myths directly related to the life of the people, their origin and way of life, i.e. "true tales"
- Fairy tales and fables that do not bring any influence on a person and his activity, i.e. "fictitious stories".
We will discuss both of them. Mankind has not such long history, and too recently in it events began to happen quickly enough to make it so easy to forget the past. Only in the 19th century did progress begin to gain momentum, before that life was too slow, measured and settled. We can even conditionally divide all human history for conditional ages. So primitive order- This early age; ancient world, antiquity - childhood; middle ages - adolescence. And only the last 150-200 years humanity began to grow up. So, isn't it too early to forget our childhood and the fairy tales that accompany it and lay the foundations for the future? Not to mention the fact that fairy tale therapy is one of the methods of psychological work with both children and adults.
Three kingdoms - copper silver and gold
On me as a child great impression produced a Russian folk tale Three kingdoms - copper, silver and gold". A fairy tale with an unusually cruel ending. Let me remind you summary: « Once upon a time there was a king and a queen and they had 3 sons. Once the queen was dragged away by an evil spirit, and the older brothers went in search of their mother. When they didn't return, it was the younger's turn. In his search, he went to the sea, where young girls bathed. Entering the water, they turned into spoonbills. The prince stole the belt of one of the girls so that in return she would tell him where his mother was hiding. The queen was captured by the girl's father, a powerful sorcerer, and the girl told how to find him. And gave away a little bird-guide. Across the sea, the prince met his brothers, then they went in search together. The bird leads the brothers to the entrance to the dungeon, located under a heavy iron plate. The older brothers help the prince descend, and his journey continues for 3 years. On his journey, he passes through 3 kingdoms: copper, silver and gold, and in each of them he finds a princess who turns out to be more beautiful and wiser than the previous one (the last one is a girl from the seashore). The princesses tell him how to defeat their father. The prince finds his mother, who is persuaded by an evil spirit to marry and is showered with gold and jewelry. The son frees his mother, kills the spirit and takes all the princesses with him. The brothers help everyone upstairs, but then, envying the success of the youngest, they throw him back down. Everyone else returns home. The brothers marry the first two princesses, and the king, having fallen in love with the princess of the golden kingdom, orders his wife to be executed in order to marry again. The princess invites him to bathe in a vat of milk to rejuvenate himself. The king dies, and the returned prince takes revenge on his brothers, takes the princess as his wife and becomes the new king.
Fairy tale Three Kingdoms - copper silver and gold
When you compress a measured narrative into brief retelling, then a lot of details that make you think are striking. In the fairy tale Three kingdoms - copper, silver and gold " the first thing that hurts the eye is why do princesses betray their father so easily? Then - the fact that the queen, although she does not accept the offer of an evil spirit, nevertheless accepts gifts from him with pleasure. And why is the journey taking so long - 3 years? Why are the princes trying to kill their own brother? Why does the tsar order to deal so cruelly with his wife, who bore him 3 sons, in search of which he sent them all (left without an heir) and who is not to blame for anything before him? And why is the prince calmly celebrating the wedding when his father has just died?
In fact, all these questions have a rational and deep explanation. Anna Benu, for example, cites detailed analysis all symbols and metaphors used in fairy tales.
A girl by the sea tells how to find her father, because the prince steals her sash. Belt in a traditional Russian costume it is an amulet, a line closed in a circle - a symbol of the organization of chaos and the emotional sphere. With the missing belt, the girl loses her protection and is forced to tell the truth.
Three years- these are 3 levels - mind, emotions and actions. And 3 kingdoms are hidden under an iron plate - a symbol of solid matter that hides the entrance to the subconscious. Where does the prince go?
Copper silver and gold realm are the key stages in the development of the Hero.
copper kingdom- association with the copper mirror of Venus - a symbol of beauty, inspiration and creativity.
silver kingdom- a symbol of the moon and night. The moon reflects the light of the sun-truth. Therefore, the silver kingdom is a symbol of wisdom, the moon, which reveals the secret of knowledge.
golden kingdom- a symbol of the sun, the realm of truth. It is here that the prince receives the knowledge of how to defeat the evil spirit.
Brothers kill the prince because they did not go through the transformation and search for truth that they experienced younger brother. They are a symbol of rational activity and cannot correctly assess the wealth of knowledge that the prince brought.
Tsar(symbol of consciousness) kills the returned queen, because she (a symbol of the emotional sphere) suffered from the influence of an evil spirit, accepting his gifts. She was humbly in captivity, not trying to get out, just as the soul is not able to get out of the shackles that limit it.
And, finally, the prince calmly sits on the throne just dead father because it's completely logical. old king- an old, inert, obsolete consciousness (similar to how old people are usually not ready to discover anything new) and his marriage with the princess of the golden kingdom - the kingdom of the light of truth and discoveries - is impossible. And the prince is a young, youthful consciousness, open to fresh ideas. The new takes the place of the old, as it should.
As you can see, behind a seemingly simple narrative, there is a deep symbolism and meaning. We will talk a lot more on this topic, because it is truly inexhaustible. And besides, it helps to find a way to yourself.
(When writing the article, materials from Anna Benu's book "Dancing with Wolves" were partially used)
