An old man, notorious for his excessive drinking, disappears after falling into a river while intoxicated. His son, Ugly Peter, mourns his father and takes over the family property. One day, while on his way to church, Peter encounters a woman who curses as she stumbles. He points out her hypocrisy, which attracts the attention of the Devil, who thanks Peter for his defense. The Devil invites Peter to his realm, promising riches. Peter accepts the invitation and embarks on a journey that takes him through a dark forest to a palace inhabited by devils. There, he meets a captive maiden who warns him not to accept the riches but to request a sorry horse that serves the devils. This horse, she reveals, is actually his transformed father, who was turned into a beast of burden after his drunken fall. When Peter meets the Devil, he refuses the offered wealth and insists on taking the sorry horse. The devils reluctantly grant his request. The maiden instructs Peter to perform a ritual with a cross upon returning home. Following her guidance, Peter transforms the horse back into his father by passing the cross around it and hanging it on its head. Reunited, the father and son live happily together. The old man renounces alcohol, vowing never to drink again, and they enjoy a life of prosperity and contentment.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1839 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore