A soldier, after twenty-five years of service, finds himself disillusioned and impoverished. On his journey home, he encounters three beggars, to whom he selflessly gives away his meager rations. In gratitude, one beggar, who is revealed to be a divine figure, gifts the soldier a pack of magical cards and a nosebag that can capture any creature he desires. Testing the nosebag, the soldier captures three wild geese and uses them to enjoy a lavish meal at an inn. He learns of a haunted palace built by the Tsar, which has remained uninhabited due to malevolent spirits. Undeterred, the soldier offers to spend a night there, confident in his abilities. Inside, he plays cards with the devils and wins their wealth, ultimately trapping them in the nosebag when they threaten him. The soldier returns to the Tsar, claiming to have rid the palace of its demons, and is rewarded with riches and a position of honor. He marries and has a son, who falls gravely ill. Remembering the devil's promise, he summons the old devil, who reveals that Death stands at his son's feet, indicating he will survive. The soldier uses this knowledge to save his son and, in return, receives a glass that allows him to see Death's presence. When the Tsar falls ill, the soldier discovers that Death is at the Tsar's head. Fearing for his life, the Tsar threatens the soldier, who offers his own life in exchange for the Tsar's. Death grants him three hours to say goodbye, but the soldier cleverly traps Death in the nosebag instead. Years pass without death in the kingdom, leading to suffering among the elderly. Realizing the consequences of his actions, the soldier releases Death, accepting his own mortality. He then seeks redemption by offering himself to be punished for his sins. However, when he attempts to enter the infernal realm, he is denied entry. Instead, he collects souls to take to God, hoping for forgiveness. Despite his efforts, he is ultimately left outside the gates of Paradise, unable to find a place in either heaven or hell. The soldier's fate is sealed as he continues to wander the earth, living out his days until he eventually dies, forever caught between the realms of life and death.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1833 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Fable