The Story of Tsar Angéy and how he Suffered for
In a city named Filuyán, a proud Tsar named Angéy becomes enraged during a church service upon hearing a Gospel reading that speaks of the humble being exalted while the mighty are brought low. In his fury, he imprisons the priest and attempts to erase the Gospel's message. Shortly after, while hunting a deer, he loses his horse and clothes, leading to a humiliating encounter with shepherds who mock him for claiming to be Tsar. They beat him, and he returns to the city in tattered clothing. Seeking shelter, he learns that he has been Tsar for thirty-five years. In desperation, he writes a letter to his wife, the Tsarítsa, claiming to be her husband. She, confused and fearful, orders him to be beaten without revealing his identity. Angéy suffers greatly and reflects on the Gospel's message, realizing the consequences of his pride. He wanders into a new town, where he attempts to work as a peasant but fails and is dismissed. He encounters poor men who take him in, and he becomes their laborer, carrying burdens and performing menial tasks. As he works, he laments his downfall, recognizing that his pride led to his ruin. Eventually, the poor men return to Filuyán to beg for alms, coinciding with a feast held by Tsar Angéy. The angel, disguised as Angéy, appears to the Tsar during the feast, reminding him of his past arrogance and the importance of humility and respect for the Gospel. The angel instructs him to embrace kindness and peace, emphasizing the need for humility in leadership. The story serves as a moral lesson on the dangers of pride and the transformative power of humility.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1822 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Folklore · 1,362 words
First lines
Once there was in the city of Filuyán34 a Tsar named Angéy, who was very famous. And, in course of time, it came upon him to stand in the church at the Divine Service at the reading of the sacred Gospel by the priest, when the priest was reading those verses in the Gospel in which it is said: He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. And when the Tsar heard this he grew angry, and the Tsar spoke: "This writing is falsely written; the word of the Gospel is untrue. " And the Tsar said: "I am very rich and famous. How shall I be put down from my seat and the humble and meek be exalted? " And then he was filled with fear. And the Tsar bade the priest be confined in a dungeon, and he bade that page be torn out of the Gospel Book. And the Tsar went to his palace and began to eat and drink and be merry.
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of Tsar Angéy and how he Suffered for Pride is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1822 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: 1822 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fable, Folklore, Tragedy, Religious Allegory
- Length: 1,362 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative structure and moral lessons align with traditional fairy tales, featuring a royal character and supernatural elements.
- Fable — The story conveys a moral lesson about pride and humility, characteristic of fables.
- Folklore — The setting and cultural elements reflect the characteristics of folklore, rooted in Slavic traditions.
- Tragedy — The protagonist's downfall due to pride and the resulting suffering embodies tragic themes.
Tags
Folklore · Russian Literature · Mythology · Tsar · Pride · Suffering · Moral Lesson · Cautionary Tale · Historical Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure · Coming of Age