The Miraculous Hen

Name: The Miraculous Hen
Author: Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev

An old couple, living in poverty, acquires a hen that lays jewels instead of eggs. The old man, optimistic about the hen's potential, begins trading the jewels and quickly becomes wealthy. However, the old woman, influenced by a young apprentice, conspires to kill the hen for its magical properties. The apprentice, seeking power, pressures her into the act, but the couple's children inadvertently consume the hen's head and liver, leading to the apprentice's downfall. The brothers, separated by a choice at a crossroads, embark on different paths. The elder brother becomes king after his candle lights in a cathedral, while the younger brother seeks to win the heart of a princess who demands he feed her army for three years. The younger brother miraculously provides for the army using gold he produces effortlessly. As the wedding approaches, the princess grows suspicious of the younger brother's wealth. After a series of trials, including a failed attempt to execute him, he escapes and acquires magical items: a barrel that produces an army, a flying carpet, and a whip that can transform a maiden into a mare. He uses these to confront the princess, who is transformed into a mare as punishment for her deceit. The younger brother reunites with his elder sibling, and they return to their homeland, where they host a grand feast. During the celebration, the younger brother recounts their family's story, leading to the revelation of their mother's betrayal. The father, enraged, punishes the mother and the apprentice, redistributing their wealth to the poor. The younger brother then transforms the mare back into the princess, and they marry, celebrating their newfound happiness.

By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1833 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 3,235 words

First lines

Beyond thrice-nine lands, in the thrice-tenth realm -- it was not in our kingdom -- once an old man and an old woman lived in great need and poverty. They had two sons, who were very young and as yet of no use for field work. So the old man got up himself, and himself did all the work; he went out and looked after the labourers, and for all that he could only earn a few pence.

As he was going home one day he met a sorry drunkard, who had a hen in his hands. "Will you, old man, buy my hen?"

What this Textopian page supports

The Miraculous Hen is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1833 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
Date: 1833 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Adventure, Moral Tale
Length: 3,235 words
Structure: 1 section, 65 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, anthropomorphic characters, and moral lessons typical of fairy tales.
Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements such as a hen that lays jewels and magical transformations.
Folklore — The story reflects traditional cultural themes and motifs common in folklore, particularly Slavic.
Adventure — The characters embark on journeys that involve challenges and quests, characteristic of adventure stories.