The Tale of the Silver Saucer and the Crystal Ap
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 · 2,325 words
First lines
Once a peasant lived with his wife, and they had three daughters: two were finely dressed and clever, but the third was a simple girl; the sisters and the father and mother as well called her the Little Fool. They hustled the Little Fool, thrust her about this way and that and forced her to work. She never said a word and was always ready to weed the grass, break off lamp-splinters, feed the cows and ducks, and whatever anybody asked for the Little Fool would bring. They had only to say, "Fool, go and fetch this! " or "Fool, come and look here!"
One day the peasant went with his hay to the fair, and he asked his daughters, "What shall I bring you as your fairing?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Tale of the Silver Saucer and the Crystal Apple is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1820 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: 1820 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Adventure, Moral Story
- Length: 2,325 words
- Structure: 1 section, 29 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Tale of the Silver Saucer and the Crystal Apple by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative features magical elements, a simple protagonist, and moral lessons typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical objects like a silver saucer and a crystal apple that reveal visions, characteristic of the fantasy genre.
- Folklore — The tale reflects cultural traditions and values, embodying the characteristics of folklore.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey that involves conflict and resolution, aligning with adventure themes.
Tags
Folklore · Russian Literature · Mythology · Fantasy · Adventure · Magic Realism · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Friendship · Love Story · Good vs Evil · Quest Narrative