At the Behest of the Pike

Name: At the Behest of the Pike
Author: Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev

A poor peasant, disillusioned by his hard life, prays for divine intervention. On Easter, he discovers a magical pike that grants him wishes. After freeing the pike, he uses its powers to create a feast and later wishes for the Tsarévna to bear a child. The child grows rapidly, leading to confusion in the royal court about his parentage. The Tsar, angered by the situation, marries the peasant to the Tsarévna and banishes them in a barrel to the sea. They land on a distant shore, where the peasant, now aware of the Tsarévna's suffering, uses the pike's magic to create a magnificent palace. Their son, possessing great strength, sets out to find a bride. He learns of a beautiful princess in a far kingdom and challenges a rival knight for her hand. After a fierce battle, he triumphs and marries the princess. The couple hosts a grand celebration, attracting many royal guests. However, a duck with golden and silver feathers goes missing, leading to accusations among the guests. The peasant uses the pike's magic to reveal the duck hidden under the Tsar's clothing, exposing his guilt. The Tsarévna confronts her father, revealing her true identity and the circumstances of her marriage. The family reconciles, and they all live happily, putting the past behind them.

By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1827 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 2,564 words

First lines

Once there lived a poor peasant; and, however much he might toil and moil, he got nothing out of it. "Oh," he thought to himself, "mine is a sorry lot; I spend all my days on my fields; and then, when I look, I am starving, whilst my neighbour is lying all day long on his back, and then he has a big estate and all the profits swim into his pockets. Evidently I have not pleased God. I will get up in the morning and pray until evening, and perhaps the Lord may have mercy on me."

So he began to pray to God, and went hungry for days on days; and he still went on praying.

What this Textopian page supports

At the Behest of the Pike is listed on Textopian as a novella by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1827 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novella
Author: Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
Date: 1827 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Adventure, Moral Tale
Length: 2,564 words
Structure: 1 section, 54 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, a talking pike, and a moral lesson typical of fairy tales.
Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical events and characters, such as the magical pike granting wishes.
Folklore — The story reflects cultural traditions and values, characteristic of folklore.
Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges and quests.