The Sun, the Moon, and Crow Crowson
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 · 934 words
First lines
Once upon a time there was an old man and an old woman who had three daughters. The old man went into the loft for some groats, and took them home, but there was a hole in the sack, and the groats were running and running out of the sack.
The old man went home, and the old woman asked, "Where are the groats? " But all the groats had dripped out.
What this Textopian page supports
The Sun, the Moon, and Crow Crowson is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1912 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: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy, Adventure, Moral Tale
- Length: 934 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Sun, the Moon, and Crow Crowson by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Sun, the Moon, and Crow Crowson?
- 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?
Similar titles
- The Enchanted Tsarevich by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
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- The Tale Of The Silver Saucer And The Crystal Apple by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- Egori The Brave And The Gipsy by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- The Legless Knight And The Blind Knight by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- Ivashko And The Wise Woman by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative features magical elements, anthropomorphized celestial bodies, and moral lessons typical of fairy tales.
- Folklore — The story reflects cultural traditions and oral storytelling practices common in folklore.
- Fantasy — The presence of fantastical characters and events aligns with the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The old man's journey to visit his sons-in-law involves elements of adventure and exploration.
Tags
Folklore · Russian Literature · Mythology · Fantasy · Adventure · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Magic Realism · Symbolism · Nature Imagery · Cultural Heritage · Historical Fiction