In a kingdom, a Tsar has a son, Tsarévich Evstáfi, who prefers the company of the poor and the act of charity over royal duties and festivities. This behavior angers the Tsar, leading him to order Evstáfi's execution. The Tsarévich pleads for a three-hour reprieve, which the Tsar reluctantly grants. During this time, Evstáfi commissions a silversmith to create three chests: one of gold, one of silver, and a third made from a wooden stump. Upon presenting the chests at the gallows, the Tsar and his boyárs assess their value, deeming the gold and silver chests valuable while ignoring the wooden one. Evstáfi then reveals the contents of each chest. The gold and silver chests contain snakes, frogs, and filth, while the wooden chest is filled with flourishing trees, fruits, and a church, symbolizing life and prosperity. This revelation humbles the Tsar, who spares his son from punishment, recognizing the true worth of kindness and humility over material wealth.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1833 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Fantasy