Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek
An old couple, desperate for children, follows the advice of a mysterious old man and collects eggs from their village. To their astonishment, the eggs hatch into forty-one children, with one weakling named Zamorýshek. While the other children grow strong and work in the fields, Zamorýshek stays home. When a hayrick goes missing, he proposes to catch the thief, leading to a series of events where he acquires a magical mare from the sea, which produces forty-one exceptional foals. The brothers, now grown, set out to find brides, determined to marry together. They encounter a formidable witch, Bába Yagá, who has forty-one daughters. After being welcomed into her home, they become betrothed to her daughters. However, Zamorýshek receives a warning from his horse to disguise themselves while sleeping, as Bába Yagá plans to kill them. When the witch commands her servants to behead the brothers' brides, Zamorýshek awakens his brothers, and they escape with the heads. Bába Yagá pursues them with a fiery shield, but Zamorýshek cleverly uses her handkerchief to create a bridge over the sea, allowing them to cross safely. He then makes the bridge disappear, thwarting Bába Yagá's chase. The brothers return home, victorious and united with their brides.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1860 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 1,429 words
First lines
Once upon a time there lived an old man and his old wife, and they had no children, and what on earth did they not do to get them! How did not they beseech God! But for all that the wife bore no children. One day the old man went into the forest to look for mushrooms, and an old gaffer met him.
"I know your thoughts. You are thinking of children," he said. "Go to the village and collect one little egg from every house and put a brood hen over them, and, what will ensue, you will yourself see."
What this Textopian page supports
Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1860 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- Date: 1860 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Adventure, Children's Literature
- Length: 1,429 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek?
- How does this short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative features magical elements, mythical creatures, and a moral lesson, typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as talking animals and magical transformations.
- Folklore — The tale reflects cultural traditions and oral storytelling practices common in folklore.
- Adventure — The characters embark on a quest to find brides, facing challenges and dangers along the way.
Tags
Folklore · Russian Folk Tales · Slavic Mythology · Magic · Fantasy · Adventure · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Friendship · Good vs Evil · Moral Lesson · Cultural Heritage