The Princess to be Kissed at a Charge
In a certain kingdom, an old man teaches his three sons reading and writing before he dies. He instructs them to read prayers over his grave. The two elder brothers are strong and confident, while the youngest, Vanyúshka, is small and overlooked. When a decree is issued by the Tsar for his daughter, Eléna Tsarévna, to find a brave suitor who can kiss her on the lips from a flying horse, the brothers prepare to compete, dismissing Vanyúshka as unworthy. Despite his brothers' neglect, Vanyúshka desires to see the princess and mourns at his father's grave. His father, hearing his sorrow, magically appears and provides him with a magnificent horse. Transformed into a handsome young man, Vanyúshka successfully kisses Eléna Tsarévna, but escapes before being caught. The next day, the brothers again set out to compete, while Vanyúshka secretly follows. Eléna, eager to find her mysterious suitor, searches for him among the nobles but cannot locate him. Vanyúshka, content to wait, smiles as he knows he has won her heart. Eventually, Eléna recognizes him and they become betrothed. Vanyúshka, now transformed into a noble figure, is celebrated as a worthy suitor, proving that true worth is not determined by appearance or stature.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1833 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 1,163 words
First lines
We still say that we are clever, but our elders go and quarrel with us and say, "No, we had more sense than you. " But the tale tells that, even when our grandfathers had not learned their lessons and our great-great-great-great-grandfathers had not been born, in a certain kingdom, in a certain land, once there lived an old man who had taught his three sons reading and writing.
"Now, children," he said to them, "I shall die; do you come and read prayers over my grave."
What this Textopian page supports
The Princess to be Kissed at a Charge 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: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 1,163 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Princess to be Kissed at a Charge by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Princess to be Kissed at a Charge?
- 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?
Similar titles
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- The Enchanted Tsarevich by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- The Four Skilful Brothers by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Three Sons Of Fortune by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, a quest for love, and a transformation of the protagonist, typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The presence of a flying horse and magical assistance from the protagonist's father indicates a fantasy setting.
- Folklore — The narrative style and cultural elements reflect traditional folklore, particularly Slavic traditions.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey to win the princess, involving challenges and personal growth.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Russian Folklore · Magic Realism · Coming of Age · Love Story · Good vs Evil · Self Discovery · Moral Lesson · Fantasy World · Royal Family · Princess · Chivalry