Zlatovlaska the Golden-Haired: the Story of Yiri

An old king, wise enough to understand animal speech, is presented with a snake by an old woman, who claims that eating it will grant him the ability to communicate with all creatures. The king orders his cook, Yirik, to prepare the snake but forbids him from tasting it. Curiosity leads Yirik to sample the snake, granting him the ability to understand animals. During a ride with the king, Yirik overhears the horses talking, raising the king's suspicions about Yirik's secret. After a mishap with wine, the king spares Yirik's life on the condition that he finds a golden-haired maiden, leading Yirik on a quest. He encounters various creatures in need, including ants, fledgling ravens, and a golden fish, all of whom he helps. In return, they promise to assist him in his time of need. Yirik learns that the maiden is Princess Zlatovlaska, the daughter of the King of the Crystal Palace. Upon reaching the palace, the king sets Yirik three tasks to prove his worthiness. Yirik successfully completes each task with the help of the creatures he aided: gathering pearls, retrieving a lost ring from the sea, and obtaining flasks of the Water of Life and Death. Finally, Yirik must identify Zlatovlaska among her twelve sisters, which he accomplishes with the help of a fly he saved. Zlatovlaska is revealed to be the golden-haired princess, and she is sent with Yirik back to the old king. However, the king, initially grateful, orders Yirik's execution for his earlier disobedience. Zlatovlaska, in love with Yirik, uses the Water of Life to revive him after his beheading. The old king, envious of Yirik's youth, attempts to replicate the process but fails, resulting in his death. With the old king gone, the people choose Yirik as their new king, and he marries Zlatovlaska. They rule happily, embodying the ideals of a perfect king and queen, celebrated for their beauty and happiness.

By Parker Fillmore · First published 1928 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 4,305 words

First lines

There was once an old king who was so wise that he was able to understand the speech of all the animals in the world. This is how it happened. An old woman came to him one day bringing him a snake in a basket.

"If you have this snake cooked," she told him, "and eat it as you would a fish, then you will be able to understand the birds of the air, the beasts of the earth, and the fishes of the sea."

What this Textopian page supports

Zlatovlaska the Golden-Haired: the Story of Yirik and the Snake is listed on Textopian as a novella by Parker Fillmore, dated 1928 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novella
• Author: Parker Fillmore
• Date: 1928 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature, Folklore
• Length: 4,305 words
• Structure: 1 section, 150 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Zlatovlaska the Golden-Haired: the Story of Yirik and the Snake by Parker Fillmore
• 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 Zlatovlaska the Golden-Haired: the Story of Yirik and the Snake?
• How does this novella by Parker Fillmore fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• The Charmed Ring by Joseph Jacobs
• Rattle Rattle Rattle And Chink Chink Chink The Story Of Long Beard The Dwarf And The Two Sisters by Parker Fillmore
• The Enchanted Peafowl The Story Of The Golden Apples The Wicked Dragon And The Magic Horse by Parker Fillmore
• The Ivory City And Its Fairy Princess by Joseph Jacobs
• The Three Citrons The Story Of A Prince Who Climbed The Glass Hill by Parker Fillmore
• The Enchanted Tsarevich by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev

Genres

• Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, a quest, and anthropomorphized animals, typical of fairy tales.
• Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements such as a talking snake, magical waters, and enchanted creatures.
• Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges and tasks to complete.
• Children's Literature — The simple language and moral lessons make it suitable for a young audience.

Tags

Folklore · Mythology · Fantasy · Adventure · Magic · Snake · Hero's Journey · Coming of Age · Friendship · Good vs Evil · Quest · Self-Discovery

More by Parker Fillmore

• The Hickory Limb (1907)
• The Laughing Prince: the Story of the Boy who Could Talk Nonsense (1925)
• Beauty and the Horns: the Story of an Enchanted Maiden (1920)
• The Pigeon's Bride: the Story of a Princess who Kissed and Told (1930)
• The Little Lame Fox: the Story of the Youngest Brother who Found the Magic Grape-Vine and Married the Golden Maiden (1920)
• The Enchanted Peafowl: the Story of the Golden Apples, the Wicked Dragon, and the Magic Horse (1930)
• The Dragon's Strength: the Story of the Youngest Prince who Killed the Sparrow (1930)
• The Little Singing Frog: the Story of a Girl Whose Parents were Ashamed of Her (1930)
• All works by Parker Fillmore