The Potter
A potter, while traveling, encounters Tsar Iván Vasílyevich, who engages him in conversation. The potter expresses his trade's resilience against misfortunes, identifying three main evils: an evil neighbor, an evil wife, and a weak intellect, with the latter being the worst. The Tsar, impressed by the potter's wisdom, commissions him to create ten cartloads of clay plates for royal feasts. Upon delivering the plates, a boyár attempts to buy the potter's goods, but the potter refuses, stating they are already sold to the Tsar. The boyár offers money, and they negotiate a deal where the potter fills plates with money, but the boyár quickly realizes he is losing out as the money vanishes while the plates remain. In desperation, the boyár agrees to transport the potter to the palace to settle the matter. As they arrive, the potter sings joyfully, catching the Tsar's attention. The Tsar recognizes him and praises his cleverness in selling the goods. He then orders a role reversal: the boyár must wear the potter's humble attire, while the potter dons the boyár's fine clothes. The Tsar commends the potter for his shrewdness and asks if he plucked any feathers from the geese flying over Russia, to which the potter admits he did not, but instead took advantage of the situation. The narrative explores themes of wit, social status, and the consequences of greed, illustrating how cleverness can lead to unexpected outcomes in the hierarchy of society. The potter's ability to navigate his circumstances contrasts sharply with the boyár's failure, highlighting the value of intelligence over wealth and status.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1820 · Genre: Fable, Folklore, Satire · 1,106 words
First lines
Once a potter was journeying on his road with his goods and dozed off. The Tsar Iván Vasílyevich came driving by in his carriage and said, "Peace be to you!"
The potter looked up and said, "I thank you very much and wish you the same."
What this Textopian page supports
The Potter is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1820 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: 1820 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Folklore, Satire, Fantasy, Comedy
- Length: 1,106 words
- Structure: 1 section, 50 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Potter 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 The Potter?
- 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?
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Genres
- Fable — The story conveys moral lessons through anthropomorphized characters and a simple narrative structure.
- Folklore — It reflects traditional Russian storytelling elements and cultural themes.
- Satire — The narrative critiques social hierarchies and human folly, particularly through the interactions between the potter and the boyár.
- Fantasy — The presence of a Tsar and the whimsical nature of the potter's dealings introduce fantastical elements.
Tags
Folklore · Russian Literature · Mythology · Fantasy · Magic · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Adventure · Quest · Good vs Evil · Friendship · Growing Up