In a kingdom ruled by a Tsar, a beautiful yet melancholic princess captivates all who see her, but she never smiles, causing her father great distress. To remedy this, the Tsar invites suitors to entertain her, promising her hand in marriage to anyone who can make her smile. Despite grand feasts and festivities, the princess remains unmoved. Meanwhile, a humble laborer lives a simple life, working diligently for a just master. He is rewarded fairly but remains modest, taking only what he feels is right. After losing his wages twice while trying to quench his thirst, he continues to work hard, and his efforts yield prosperity for his master. On the third occasion, he is rewarded with a pile of coins, and upon retrieving his lost money from the well, he decides to explore the world. As he ventures into the city, he encounters various creatures—a mouse, a beetle, and a sheatfish—each asking for a coin. Generously, he gives away his last coin to help them. When he arrives at the Tsar's palace, he is overwhelmed and falls into the mud. The creatures he helped come to his aid, cleaning him up and driving away the flies, which catches the attention of the princess. For the first time, the princess smiles, prompting the Tsar to inquire who has brought joy to his daughter. The princess identifies the laborer, leading to his elevation to the palace. The Tsar honors his promise, and the laborer is rewarded with the princess's hand in marriage, transforming his life forever. The tale concludes with a reflection on the nature of dreams and reality, leaving the reader to ponder the truth of the events.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1833 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore