A peasant has three daughters: two are clever and well-dressed, while the third, known as the Little Fool, is simple and hardworking. When the peasant goes to the fair, he asks his daughters what they want. The two sisters request fine fabrics, while the Little Fool asks for a silver saucer and a crystal apple. The peasant, feeling pity for her, fulfills her request. Upon receiving the items, the Little Fool uses them to reveal beautiful visions of the world, which incites envy in her sisters. They plot against her, leading to her murder in the woods, where they bury her beneath a silver birch tree and deceive their father about her disappearance. The Little Fool's spirit, however, manifests through a magical pipe created by a shepherd who discovers her grave. The pipe sings of her death and reveals her sisters as the murderers. The father, guided by the shepherd, finds his daughter's body and learns the truth. He is instructed by the pipe to fetch water from the Tsar's well to revive her. After obtaining the water, he brings it back, and the Little Fool is resurrected. The father takes her and her sisters to the Tsar, who is astonished by the Little Fool's beauty and the wonders of the saucer and apple. The Little Fool demonstrates the magical properties of her gifts, showcasing cities, armies, and celestial wonders. Moved by her compassion, she pleads for her sisters' forgiveness, which the Tsar grants. He then proposes marriage to the Little Fool, who insists on her family's inclusion in her new life. The sisters, remorseful, are forgiven, and the family is reunited. A grand celebration ensues, marking the union of the Little Fool and the Tsar, with the people rejoicing in their happiness. The story concludes with themes of forgiveness, the triumph of kindness over envy, and the importance of family bonds.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1820 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore