The Realms of Copper, Silver and Gold

Name: The Realms of Copper, Silver and Gold
Author: Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev

The narrative follows an old couple with three sons, each sent on a quest to find a bride. The eldest, Egórushko, encounters a three-headed dragon but fails to find a bride after being unable to lift a heavy stone. His brother, Mísha, faces the same fate. The youngest, Iváshko, succeeds where his brothers fail by lifting the stone with ease, revealing a ladder leading to three realms: copper, silver, and gold. In the copper realm, Iváshko meets a beautiful maiden who directs him to the silver realm, where he finds an even fairer maiden. She, in turn, sends him to the golden realm, where he meets the most beautiful maiden of all. After winning her affection, she gives him a golden ball, and together they return through the realms, collecting the maidens from the silver and copper kingdoms. Upon reaching the surface, Iváshko's brothers, fearing he would not share the maidens, cut the ladder, causing him to fall back down. He encounters an old man who advises him to seek the giant Ídolishche for guidance on returning home. Iváshko follows the advice and finds the giant, who instructs him to visit Bába Yagá for an eagle that can carry him home. Iváshko successfully retrieves the eagle with Bába Yagá's help, but during the flight, he runs out of food, leading the eagle to injure him for sustenance. Despite this, they reach the surface, and Iváshko returns home with the golden maiden, living happily thereafter. The tale concludes with a whimsical note about the narrator's experience with beer, suggesting a blend of humor and folklore.

By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1820 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 1,758 words

First lines

Once upon a time there was an old man and his old wife, and they had three sons. One was called Egórushko Zalyót; 38 the second was called Mísha Kosolápy; 39 and the third was called Iváshko Zapéchnik.40 The parents wanted to secure wives for them, and sent the eldest son out to seek a bride. He went for a long time, and saw many maidens, but he took none to wife, for he liked none well enough. On the way he met a three-headed dragon, and was very frightened.

The dragon asked him, "Whither are you going, brave youth?"

What this Textopian page supports

The Realms of Copper, Silver and Gold 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: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure, Folklore, Romance
Length: 1,758 words
Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The narrative features magical elements, mythical creatures, and a quest for love, typical of fairy tales.
Fantasy — The story includes fantastical realms and supernatural beings, characteristic of the fantasy genre.
Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges and encounters, aligning with adventure themes.
Folklore — The story reflects cultural traditions and moral lessons common in folklore.