The Sorry Drunkard
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 · 1,070 words
First lines
Once there lived an old man, and he was such a sorry drunkard as words cannot describe. He used to go to the drinking-booth, drink green wine, and crawl away home through the hops. And his road lay across a river.
When he came to the river, he did not dally to think; but slipped off his boots, hung them on his head, and wandered at ease till he came into the middle, stumbled and fell into the water, and was heard of no more.
What this Textopian page supports
The Sorry Drunkard is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1839 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: 1839 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Moral Tale, Adventure
- Length: 1,070 words
- Structure: 1 section, 26 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Sorry Drunkard by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Sorry Drunkard?
- How does this short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative features magical elements, a moral lesson, and a transformation, typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The story includes supernatural beings like the Devil and magical transformations, characteristic of the fantasy genre.
- Folklore — The tale reflects cultural traditions and moral lessons common in folklore, particularly in Slavic cultures.
- Moral Tale — The story conveys a moral lesson about the consequences of drunkenness and redemption.
Tags
Russian Literature · 19th Century Novel · Social Commentary · Alcoholism · Moral Decay · Family Dynamics · Marriage · Class Struggle · Poverty · Social Hierarchy · Morality · Ethics