The Witch and the Sister of the Sun
In a distant kingdom, a Tsar and Tsaritsa have a son, Iván Tsarévich, who is mute from birth. Upon learning from a groom that his future sister will be a witch who threatens their family, Iván Tsarévich requests the best horse from his father and rides away to escape the impending doom. He encounters various beings, including old seamstresses and tree spirits, all of whom are nearing death. They express their sorrow, but Iván Tsarévich continues his journey until he reaches the Sister of the Sun, who adopts him and provides him with care. Despite his newfound happiness, Iván Tsarévich is troubled by the fate of his family. He climbs a mountain to look back at his home and discovers it has been destroyed, prompting him to weep. The Sister of the Sun, noticing his distress, eventually allows him to return home, giving him magical items: a brush, a comb, and two apples that can restore youth. On his journey back, Iván Tsarévich uses the magical items to help the beings he met earlier, restoring their vitality and strength. He returns home to find his sister, who has transformed into a witch. A mouse warns him of her intentions, and he narrowly escapes her grasp. As she pursues him, he uses the handkerchief given by the seamstresses to create a lake, slowing her down. The witch continues to chase him, overcoming obstacles created by the beings he helped. Eventually, Iván Tsarévich reaches the palace of the Sister of the Sun, seeking refuge. The witch demands to have her brother back, but the Sun refuses. They agree to a contest of weight in scales, where Iván Tsarévich is thrown into the sky, while the witch remains on earth, defeated. The story concludes with the triumph of Iván Tsarévich and the protection of the Sister of the Sun against the witch's malevolence.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1820 · Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure · 1,543 words
First lines
In a distant country, a country far away, once there lived a Tsar and Tsarítsa, who had a son, Iván Tsarévich, who was dumb from his birth. When he was twelve years old he went to the stable to the groom whom he loved, who always told him stories. But this time he was not to be told any.
"Iván Tsarévich," said the groom, "your mother will soon have a daughter, and you will have a sister. She will be a dreadful witch and will eat up your father and your mother and all their subjects. Go back home and ask your father to give you his best horse; mount that and ride away and follow your eyes if you would escape misfortune."
What this Textopian page supports
The Witch and the Sister of the Sun 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: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure, Mythology, Children's Literature
- Length: 1,543 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Witch and the Sister of the Sun 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Witch and the Sister of the Sun?
- How does this short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fantasy — The story features magical elements, mythical creatures, and a fantastical setting, typical of the fantasy genre.
- Fairy Tale — The narrative structure, moral lessons, and archetypal characters align with traditional fairy tale conventions.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges and encounters, characteristic of adventure stories.
- Mythology — The themes and characters draw from Slavic mythology, incorporating elements of gods and supernatural beings.
Tags
Folklore · Russian Literature · Mythology · Sisterhood · Magic · Fantasy · Adventure · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Good vs Evil · Friendship · Love