Виктор Мазанов – Tales of Wisdom. Insights from Russian Folklore (страница 18)
Why did Nastenka jump from the sled, knowing what awaited her in the forest?
How would the story change if Marfa had answered Father Frost politely?
Why couldn’t the old man refuse to take his daughters into the forest? What would you have done in his place?
Why did the old man first obey the old woman and later find the courage to shout at her?
What does this fairy tale teach?
The Daughter, the Step‑daughter, and the Bear
Once upon a time a widower lived with his daughter Masha – kind‑hearted and diligent. He married again, this time to a widow who had a daughter Natasha.
The new step‑mother instantly hated her step‑daughter. At the first hint of daylight she would shout:
– Don’t lie down! Bring water, feed the cattle, and wash the linen.
Masha never answered the words; she carried out every task without complaint. She fetched water from the well without spilling a drop, kept the cattle well‑fed and tidy, and washed the linen in the river so clean that it looked brand‑new.
Natasha was allowed to lounge until noon. If Masha poured too much porridge, the step‑mother would scream:
– Wasteful girl!
If she poured too little, the step‑mother would scold:
– Do you intend to poison us?
The old man received no peace either:
– You always pity her! Look at her white hands – does she sit idle on purpose?
One day, when Masha, exhausted, dropped a pitcher, the step‑mother decided:
– I’ll get rid of her!
That night she whispered to her husband:
– Take your daughter to the forest hut! Let her spin yarn there – no one will disturb her, and she’ll work even harder.
What could the poor father do? With tears in his eyes he led Masha into the deep forest. The hut stood beneath a crooked pine – low, dark, smelling of damp and pine needles. The old man wiped his eyes with his palm and handed his daughter a bundle:
– Here is a flint with a spark – light the hearth. Dry tinder is ready – it will catch fire quickly. A sack of barley – you’ll cook porridge. Take the spindle and the bobbin…
He embraced her, speaking in a trembling voice:
– Don’t let the fire go out, keep the door shut… and most of all – spin without stopping, or the step‑mother…
Masha nodded, swallowing her tears:
– Do not worry, father. I’ll manage.
When night fell, Masha did not sit idle. She lit the stove, swept the earthen floor with a broom made of fir branches – leaving no speck behind. She shook a tablecloth over the threshold and carefully spread it on the table. Only then did she boil the porridge.
Suddenly a gray mouse sprang out and said:
– Beautiful girl, give me a spoonful of porridge!
Masha smiled, pushing the spindle aside:
– I’ll give you more than a spoon; I’ll feed you to fullness!
She placed a whole birch‑bark bowl before the mouse. The mouse ate its fill and scurried away.
That night a bear burst into the hut. Its shaggy fur flickered in the firelight, and its eyes glowed like coals. Masha pressed herself against the wall, her heart beating like a bird in a cage.
– Girl! – roared the bear, and from its breath the flames danced in the hearth. – Extinguish the fire! Let’s play hide‑and‑seek!
At that moment the mouse leapt onto Masha’s shoulder and whispered in her ear:
– Do not be afraid, little Masha! Say “Come on!” – it murmured softly. – Then you can put out the fire and crawl under the stove, while I run and ring the little bell.
Masha obeyed. She blew out the fire, slipped beneath the stove, and the mouse seized the bear’s tiny bell, filling the hut with a silvery chime.
The game began!
The bear, growling, chased through the cramped hut:
– Aha! Got you! – it lunged at empty air as the bell rang near the chest.
– Where are you going? – it roared, crashing into the table as the mouse tinkled by the door.
Enraged, the bear began hurling logs:
– Come out! – bang! – Show yourself! – bang!
At last, panting, the bear collapsed onto a bench:
– Phew… You’re a master, girl, at hide‑and‑seek! No one has ever played with me like this! You’ve earned a reward – wait for the morning and you’ll have three horses and chests of treasure!
At dawn the step‑mother woke the old man:
– Rise, lazy one! Go to the daughter – see how much yarn she has spun through the night.
The old man set off, while the step‑mother waited, gloating that she had finally gotten rid of the step‑daughter.
Suddenly the sound of hooves and jingling bells filled the air! She ran outside and could not believe her eyes: on a white three‑horse carriage, laden with gifts, rode her husband and his daughter. Greed flared in her eyes.
– What a triumph! – she shouted. – My daughter will bring two herds of horses, two wagons of riches!
She hurriedly sent her own daughter away and took her to the forest hut, fearing her husband might hide some of the treasure from her. She placed a pot of porridge, brought from home, before Natasha and then slipped away, hiding nearby.
As soon as the mother disappeared, the mouse emerged from beneath the stove:
– Girl, share some porridge…
– Eek, how scary! – Natasha shrieked, flinging the spoon away.
The mouse fled, and Natasha, chewing, finished the porridge and fell asleep.
Exactly at midnight the bear burst in again and said:
– Hey, where are you, girl? Let’s play hide‑and‑seek.
Natasha, chattering her teeth, hid in a corner. The bear snorted:
– There you are! Hold the little bell! Run – I’ll try to catch you!
Natasha clutched the bell, which rang nonstop; her hands trembled with fear. The bear caught her at once.