Chufíl-Fílyushka
Three brothers, the Ram, the Goat, and the youngest, Chufíl-Fílyushka, venture into the forest where their grandfather, a warder, lives. While the Ram and Goat hunt, Fílyushka, curious and adventurous, sneaks into the garden to pick apples. He encounters Yagá-Búra, a witch, who tricks him into her iron mortar and carries him away. Fílyushka calls for his brothers, who hear him and rush to rescue him. They save him from Yagá-Búra, but Fílyushka, undeterred, returns to the apple tree. Again, Yagá-Búra captures him, intending to roast him for dinner. However, her daughter, tasked with preparing Fílyushka, is outsmarted by him. He tricks her into the oven instead and escapes. Fílyushka takes Yagá-Búra's pestle and mortar, and when she returns, he cleverly hides. As she searches for her daughter, he taunts her from above. In a fit of rage, Yagá-Búra tries to reach him, but he strikes her down with the pestle. Fílyushka then calls upon flying geese for help to return home. They lend him their wings, and he flies back to his family, who had mourned him. His return transforms their sorrow into joy, and they celebrate together, living happily thereafter.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1822 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 1,124 words
First lines
Once upon a time there were three brothers in a family; the eldest was called the Ram, the second the Goat, and the third and youngest Chufíl-Fílyushka.42 One day all three went into the forest, where the warder lived who was their real grandfather. With him Ram and Goat left their own brother Chufíl-Fílyushka, and went out into the forest to hunt. Fílyushka had all his own will and way: his grandfather was old, and a great stupid; and Fílyushka was generous. He wanted to eat an apple. So he eluded his grandfather, got into the garden, and climbed up the apple-tree.
What this Textopian page supports
Chufíl-Fílyushka is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1822 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: 1822 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure, Folklore, Children's Literature
- Length: 1,124 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Chufíl-Fílyushka 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Chufíl-Fílyushka?
- 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?
Similar titles
- Ivashko And The Wise Woman by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- The Miraculous Hen by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- The Spirit In The Bottle by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Transformation Of Old Mombi by L. Frank Baum
- What Happened To The Thistle by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Tale Of The Silver Saucer And The Crystal Apple by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, anthropomorphic characters, and a moral lesson typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The presence of mythical creatures like Yagá-Búra and magical events aligns with the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges and rescues, characteristic of adventure narratives.
- Folklore — The story reflects cultural traditions and oral storytelling practices common in folklore.
Tags
Folklore · Russian Literature · Short Story · Fantasy · Mythology · Magic Realism · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Identity Crisis · Social Commentary · Cultural Heritage · Traditional Values