An old man and his wife have three daughters. After losing their groats, the old man wishes for help from the Sun, the Moon, and Crow Crowson. They assist him in collecting the grain, and in gratitude, he promises his daughters to them. The eldest is taken by the Sun, the middle by the Moon, and the youngest by Crow Crowson. The old man visits his daughters' new homes. At the Sun's, he is treated to a custard prepared on the Sun's back, but when he tries to replicate this at home, it fails. He then visits the Moon, who provides a well-lit bath, but the old man's attempt to recreate this for his wife results in darkness. Finally, he visits Crow Crowson, who invites him to sleep on a perch. However, both fall and die during the night. The story explores themes of gratitude, the consequences of one's actions, and the folly of trying to replicate the extraordinary. The old man's experiences highlight the differences between his daughters' new lives and his own, ultimately leading to a tragic end.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1912 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy