Egóri the Brave and the Gipsy
In a kingdom plagued by poverty, a gipsy struggles to provide for his wife and seven children. Too lazy to work and too cowardly to steal, he seeks help from a brave warrior on his way to deliver a message to God. The gipsy asks the warrior to inquire about his purpose in life. The warrior agrees but forgets to deliver the message twice. On the third encounter, the gipsy demands a golden stirrup as collateral to ensure the warrior remembers his request. The warrior finally delivers the message to God, who informs him that the gipsy's trade will be to steal and deceive. Upon returning, the warrior relays this message, but the gipsy denies ever taking the stirrup, thus perjuring himself. The gipsy then sells the stirrup to a lord for a thousand roubles, promising to deliver it once the full payment is made. The lord sends his servant with the remaining five hundred roubles, but the gipsy tricks the servant into drinking too much and denies ever having the stirrup. The lord, furious, demands justice and takes the gipsy to court. The gipsy cleverly argues that a poor peasant could not possibly own a golden stirrup, and the court sides with him. The lord leaves empty-handed, while the gipsy continues to live merrily, having outsmarted both the warrior and the lord. The tale illustrates themes of cunning, deception, and the consequences of greed.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1831 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Folklore · 1,662 words
First lines
In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, there was a gipsy who had a wife and seven children, and he lived so poorly that at last there was nothing in the house to eat or to drink -- not even a crust of bread. He was too idle to work, and too much of a coward to thieve. So what could he do?
Well, the peasant went on the road and stood pondering. At this time Egóri the Brave was passing by.
What this Textopian page supports
Egóri the Brave and the Gipsy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1831 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: 1831 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fable, Folklore, Adventure, Comedy
- Length: 1,662 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Egóri the Brave and the Gipsy 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 Egóri the Brave and the Gipsy?
- 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 story features fantastical elements, moral lessons, and archetypal characters typical of fairy tales.
- Fable — The narrative conveys a moral lesson about honesty and the consequences of deceit, characteristic of fables.
- Folklore — The setting and characters reflect cultural traditions and societal norms, aligning with folklore.
- Adventure — The protagonist, Egóri, embarks on a journey that involves encounters and challenges, typical of adventure stories.
Tags
Folklore · Russian Literature · Children's Story · Adventure · Bravery · Friendship · Gypsies · Cultural Heritage · Traditional Values · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Courage