Sorrow

Name: Sorrow
Author: Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev

In a destitute village, two brothers live starkly different lives: one is wealthy and the other is impoverished. The poor brother, struggling to feed his family, seeks help from his rich sibling. The rich brother offers assistance only if the poor brother works for him for a week. After laboring hard, the poor man receives a single loaf of bread as payment. Despite being invited to a lavish name-day celebration, he and his wife are neglected and leave hungry. On their way home, the poor man insists on singing to mask their shame, and he discovers that Sorrow accompanies him. Sorrow encourages him to drink away his meager possessions, leading the poor man to lose everything, including his home and clothes. Eventually, Sorrow guides him to a hidden treasure beneath a stone in the field, allowing the poor man to reclaim his fortune and surpass his brother's wealth. The rich brother, envious of his sibling's newfound prosperity, attempts to replicate his brother's actions by seeking out Sorrow. However, when he lifts the stone, Sorrow attaches itself to him, leading to his downfall. The rich man’s life deteriorates as Sorrow leads him into a cycle of drinking and loss. Desperate to rid himself of Sorrow, the rich brother devises a plan to trap it in a wheel and drown it in the river. With Sorrow gone, he returns to his former life, free from the burdens that had plagued him. The narrative explores themes of envy, the consequences of greed, and the complex relationship between wealth and sorrow.

By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1833 · Genre: Fable, Fairy Tale, Drama · 2,312 words

First lines

Once upon a time, in a wretched village, there lived two peasants, who were own brothers. One was poor, however, and the other rich. The rich man settled in the town, built himself a fine house, and became a merchant. Sometimes the poor brother had not a crumb of bread and the children (each of whom was smaller than the others) cried and begged for something to eat. From morning to evening the peasant trudged away like a fish on ice, but it was all of no good.

One day he said to his wife: "I am going into the town, in order to beg my brother to help me."

What this Textopian page supports

Sorrow is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1833 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: 1833 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Fairy Tale, Drama, Tragedy, Folklore
Length: 2,312 words
Structure: 1 section, 78 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Work identity for Sorrow by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
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Discussion starters

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How does this short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Fable first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Fable — The story conveys moral lessons through anthropomorphized characters and a simple narrative structure.
Fairy Tale — It features elements typical of fairy tales, such as peasants, magical occurrences, and a moral resolution.
Drama — The emotional struggles of the characters, particularly the poor brother's plight, create a dramatic tension throughout the narrative.
Tragedy — The themes of loss, despair, and the consequences of one's actions reflect tragic elements in the characters' lives.