The Princess who Would not Smile

Name: The Princess who Would not Smile
Author: Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev

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 · 1,351 words

First lines

If you think of it, what a big world God's world is: in it rich and poor folk live, and there is room enough for them all; and the Lord overlooks and judges them all. There are fine folk who have holidays, there are wailful folk who must moil; every man has his lot.

In the Tsar's palace, in the Prince's chamber, every day the Princess Without a Smile grew fairer. What a life she had, what plenty, what beauty round her! There was enough of everything that exists that the soul may desire, but she never smiled, never laughed, and it seemed as though her heart could not rejoice at anything.

What this Textopian page supports

The Princess who Would not Smile 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, Children's Literature, Moral Tale
Length: 1,351 words
Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, a princess, and a moral lesson typical of fairy tales.
Fantasy — The presence of talking animals and magical occurrences places the narrative within the fantasy genre.
Folklore — The story reflects cultural traditions and values, characteristic of folklore.
Children's Literature — The simple language and moral lessons make it suitable for a younger audience.