Russian folktales: The fool and the flying ship
By zteve t evans
Introduction
The traditional Russian folktale of the Fool of the World and the flying ship although a children’s story has a number of lessons built within it for those who care, or dare to look. For example there are themes of naivety and innocence, but also friendship, love, faith and belief. The important thing for the reader is to make up their own mind using their own knowledge and experience as to what if any lessons there may be, at least for them.
The traditional Russian folktale of the Fool of the World and the flying ship although a children’s story has a number of lessons built within it for those who care, or dare to look. For example there are themes of naivety and innocence, but also friendship, love, faith and belief. The important thing for the reader is to make up their own mind using their own knowledge and experience as to what if any lessons there may be, at least for them.
The Fool - Public Domain
The Fool of the World
In the days of the great Tsars of Russia there lived in a village an old peasant couple who were the parents of three sons. The two oldest sons were deemed to be young men of high intelligence and considered handsome to look upon by maidens. The youngest was deemed to be a fool. His parents were ashamed of him and often mocked him and were cruel to him calling him the Fool of the World. Sometimes he felt sad at this. Even so, he had a cheerful and optimistic disposition and mostly remained happy in his own ways.
The Tsar's daughter
One day the advisers of the great Tsar of Russia went to him and told him it was time his daughter was married. They told the Tsar that there were many princes and rich men in the surrounding kingdoms who desired the hand of his daughter and it would be a good way to build friendships and alliances if she was married to someone rich and powerful or the ruler of another country.
The Tsar thought about this. He loved his daughter with all his heart but he did not know who he wanted her to marry. At first he refused but his advisers kept bringing up the subject again and again. He knew what they said made sense but he did not want her marrying anyone who he thought was not good enough.
The impossible task
After spending some considerable time thinking about the problem he told his advisers that he had come up with the idea of holding a competition to decide who would win his daughter's hand in marriage. He had decided that whoever could give him a ship that flew through the air at his command would marry his daughter. His advisers shook their heads thinking the task impossible but the Tsar sent out heralds to all the towns and villages throughout Russia and to all of the neighboring kingdoms proclaiming the competition and the prize.
The old couple
When the couple in the village heard about this they thought about it for a while. They thought their two oldest sons should attempt the task as they greatly liked the idea of having the Tsar of Russia as a son-in-law. The two eldest sons jumped at the chance to compete for the hand of the Tsar's daughter. Their parents gave them money and good food for the journey to find someone who knew how to make such a ship that could fly.
When the youngest son asked if he could also try they laughed thinking he would stand no chance. But he persisted and finally they agreed thinking he would stand no chance. However, instead of giving him good food and money they gave him less food than they had given his brothers and of a very poor quality at that, and no money at all.
In the days of the great Tsars of Russia there lived in a village an old peasant couple who were the parents of three sons. The two oldest sons were deemed to be young men of high intelligence and considered handsome to look upon by maidens. The youngest was deemed to be a fool. His parents were ashamed of him and often mocked him and were cruel to him calling him the Fool of the World. Sometimes he felt sad at this. Even so, he had a cheerful and optimistic disposition and mostly remained happy in his own ways.
The Tsar's daughter
One day the advisers of the great Tsar of Russia went to him and told him it was time his daughter was married. They told the Tsar that there were many princes and rich men in the surrounding kingdoms who desired the hand of his daughter and it would be a good way to build friendships and alliances if she was married to someone rich and powerful or the ruler of another country.
The Tsar thought about this. He loved his daughter with all his heart but he did not know who he wanted her to marry. At first he refused but his advisers kept bringing up the subject again and again. He knew what they said made sense but he did not want her marrying anyone who he thought was not good enough.
The impossible task
After spending some considerable time thinking about the problem he told his advisers that he had come up with the idea of holding a competition to decide who would win his daughter's hand in marriage. He had decided that whoever could give him a ship that flew through the air at his command would marry his daughter. His advisers shook their heads thinking the task impossible but the Tsar sent out heralds to all the towns and villages throughout Russia and to all of the neighboring kingdoms proclaiming the competition and the prize.
The old couple
When the couple in the village heard about this they thought about it for a while. They thought their two oldest sons should attempt the task as they greatly liked the idea of having the Tsar of Russia as a son-in-law. The two eldest sons jumped at the chance to compete for the hand of the Tsar's daughter. Their parents gave them money and good food for the journey to find someone who knew how to make such a ship that could fly.
When the youngest son asked if he could also try they laughed thinking he would stand no chance. But he persisted and finally they agreed thinking he would stand no chance. However, instead of giving him good food and money they gave him less food than they had given his brothers and of a very poor quality at that, and no money at all.
Public Domain
The brothers meet a little man
The next morning the the two eldest sons set out together on their quest with the best that their parents could give them. The old couple accompanied them to the crossroads then kissed them, wished them good luck on their journey and said goodbye. They set off together on their quest to find a flying ship and they had not gone far when they came across a Little Man sitting on a stone by the side of the road. Propped up against the stone was a great axe. The Little Man bid them good day and asked them where they were going. They told him they were on a quest to find a flying ship so they could marry the Tsar's daughter.
Then the Little Man told them he had not eaten for many a day and was very hungry and asked if they could spare him a few crumbs. They laughed and told him they could not spare a single crumb as it had to last them throughout their quest. The Little Man looked sad and shook his head and told them only one man could marry the princess and asked them which one it would be if they were successful. The two began fighting with each other to whom it should be and went off down the road arguing. They were angry with the Little Man, angry with each other and angry with the world.
The Fool's quest
Despite the cruel ridicule of his parents, later the same day, the youngest son set out alone on his quest, even though he knew all he was taking with him was the low quality food his parents had given him. Although he was sad and apprehensive to leave his parents even though they did not love him, his natural cheerful, optimistic nature soon came to the fore. He began to feel excited and happy at the adventures that lay ahead of him and he walked down the path whistling and singing.
A Little Man
He had not gone far when he met a very Little Man carrying a great axe. The Little Man said he was hungry and asked him if he had any food to spare. All the Fool he had was the poor provisions that his parents had given him and because of its low quality he was embarrassed to offer it to the Little Man. Nevertheless, he could see the Little Man was hungry and it was all he could offer so he unpacked the food and gave it to him anyway.
To the Fool’s astonishment he discovered that the poor provisions had turned into the finest fare imaginable. So he sat down with the Little Man and shared it with him and they ate their fill but it never ran out. When they had both ate all they could the Little Man asked him where he was going. The Fool told him that he was on a quest to discover how to make a flying ship so that he could give it to the Tsar of Russia in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
The Little Man gave him his axe and told him to strike a tree with it and then quickly close his eyes and fall to his knees. When he was sure the tree had fallen he must stand up and open his eyes and he would find a flying ship that would take him to the Tsar’s palace at his command. However, there was one condition he had to obey. He had to give a free lift to anyone he met along his way who needed one. As long as he did this the flying ship would take him anywhere he commanded.
So the Fool did exactly as the Little Man had told him and when he stood up and opened his eyes he found that the tree had indeed been transformed into a flying ship. The Fool thanked the Little Man and climbed aboard. Waving goodbye he commanded the flying ship to take him to the Tsar’s palace and off he went whistling and singing cheerfully.
The next morning the the two eldest sons set out together on their quest with the best that their parents could give them. The old couple accompanied them to the crossroads then kissed them, wished them good luck on their journey and said goodbye. They set off together on their quest to find a flying ship and they had not gone far when they came across a Little Man sitting on a stone by the side of the road. Propped up against the stone was a great axe. The Little Man bid them good day and asked them where they were going. They told him they were on a quest to find a flying ship so they could marry the Tsar's daughter.
Then the Little Man told them he had not eaten for many a day and was very hungry and asked if they could spare him a few crumbs. They laughed and told him they could not spare a single crumb as it had to last them throughout their quest. The Little Man looked sad and shook his head and told them only one man could marry the princess and asked them which one it would be if they were successful. The two began fighting with each other to whom it should be and went off down the road arguing. They were angry with the Little Man, angry with each other and angry with the world.
The Fool's quest
Despite the cruel ridicule of his parents, later the same day, the youngest son set out alone on his quest, even though he knew all he was taking with him was the low quality food his parents had given him. Although he was sad and apprehensive to leave his parents even though they did not love him, his natural cheerful, optimistic nature soon came to the fore. He began to feel excited and happy at the adventures that lay ahead of him and he walked down the path whistling and singing.
A Little Man
He had not gone far when he met a very Little Man carrying a great axe. The Little Man said he was hungry and asked him if he had any food to spare. All the Fool he had was the poor provisions that his parents had given him and because of its low quality he was embarrassed to offer it to the Little Man. Nevertheless, he could see the Little Man was hungry and it was all he could offer so he unpacked the food and gave it to him anyway.
To the Fool’s astonishment he discovered that the poor provisions had turned into the finest fare imaginable. So he sat down with the Little Man and shared it with him and they ate their fill but it never ran out. When they had both ate all they could the Little Man asked him where he was going. The Fool told him that he was on a quest to discover how to make a flying ship so that he could give it to the Tsar of Russia in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
The Little Man gave him his axe and told him to strike a tree with it and then quickly close his eyes and fall to his knees. When he was sure the tree had fallen he must stand up and open his eyes and he would find a flying ship that would take him to the Tsar’s palace at his command. However, there was one condition he had to obey. He had to give a free lift to anyone he met along his way who needed one. As long as he did this the flying ship would take him anywhere he commanded.
So the Fool did exactly as the Little Man had told him and when he stood up and opened his eyes he found that the tree had indeed been transformed into a flying ship. The Fool thanked the Little Man and climbed aboard. Waving goodbye he commanded the flying ship to take him to the Tsar’s palace and off he went whistling and singing cheerfully.
Flying ship - Public Domain
The man with big ears
Looking down from his ship the Fool saw a man wandering along a path on his own so he stopped and asked him where he was going. The man had the biggest ears the Fool had ever seen. The man told him that with his ears he could hear everything that was said in the world but because of his appearance no one would employ him and everyone laughed at him. He said he was looking for a wise master who could use his talent. This sounded reasonable to the Fool, so he said he did not know where such a master might be found, but asked him if he would like a lift. The man with big ears said he would and jumped aboard and off they went in the flying ship whistling and singing cheerfully together.
The man with long legs
After a short while flying along the same path he saw a man with the longest legs he had ever seen. He was hopping on one leg along with his other leg tied above his head. The Fool commanded his ship to stop and he asked the man why he was hopping on one leg. The man said he was on a quest to find a wise master to work for who would not laugh at him. He said he was hopping because his legs were so long and that if he did not hop he would reach the end of the world in one bound if he was not careful. This sounded reasonable to the Fool so he told him about his own quest. He said he did not know where he could find a wise master but asked him if he would like a lift. The man said he would and hopped on board and they all set off again in the flying ship whistling and singing cheerfully.
The archer
As they floated along above the path they came upon a man who had the biggest eyes he had ever seen carrying a great bow and a quiver full of arrows. The Fool commanded the ship to stop and he asked the Archer where he was going. The Archer told him he was off to find a wise master who would not laugh at him and who would employer an archer, such as himself, who could shoot a bird out of the sky one hundred miles away. This seemed reasonable to the Fool and he told him he did not know where he might find a wise master and offered the Archer a lift which was accepted and he jumped aboard and off they all went whistling and singing cheerfully.
The hungry man
They had not gone far when they came across a very wide man walking along the path. The Fool commanded the ship to stop and he asked the man where he was going. The man told him he had a great appetite for food and could eat a huge basket of bread for breakfast alone and a whole cow for dinner and not feel hungry but people laughed at him. He said he was looking for a wise master who might appreciate his talent and not laugh at him. This seemed reasonable to the Fool. He told him that although he did not know where he might find a wise master, he could have a lift along the way if he would like. The Hungry Man gratefully accepted and jumped on board and off they all went whistling and singing cheerfully.
The thirsty man
Soon they overtook a very thin man who looked rather morose and was struggling along the path with his shoulders hunched. The Fool stopped the ship and asked him where he was going. The thin man told him that he could drink a whole lake in one gulp and it still would not satisfy his thirst and people laughed at him. He said he was on a quest to seek a wise master who might be able to use his talent and not laugh at him. The Fool told him that he did not know where he might find such a master but it seemed reasonable to him so he asked him if he would like a lift. The Thirsty Man was delighted to accept and off they all went whistling and singing cheerfully.
A man carrying a burden
They had not gone far flying above the path when they came across a man carrying a great burden that was a bundle of sticks. The Fool commanded the ship to stop and he asked the man where he was going. The man said he was on a quest to find a master who might appreciate his talent and not laugh at him. The Fool asked him what that talent was and the man told him that he could make each stick he carried into a soldier in no time at all, but everyone laughed when he told them this. The Fool told him that he did not know where such a master might be found. Nevertheless, it sounded reasonable to him so he asked him if he would like a lift along the way. The man was pleased to accept and jumped aboard with his burden. At the command of the Fool the ship set off again flying along high above the path with everyone on board whistling and singing.
A man carrying a bale of straw
Again they had not gone far when they caught up with a man carrying a huge bale of straw on his back. The Fool commanded the ship to stop and he asked the man where he was going. The man told him that he could make the straw absorb all the heat from anything hot making it cold. He said he was looking for a wise master who might appreciate this talent and not laugh at him. The Fool told him he knew of no such master but as it seemed reasonable to him he asked him if he would like a lift upon his way. The man was glad to accept as it was a heavy bale and off they all went at the command of the Fool whistling and singing.
Looking down from his ship the Fool saw a man wandering along a path on his own so he stopped and asked him where he was going. The man had the biggest ears the Fool had ever seen. The man told him that with his ears he could hear everything that was said in the world but because of his appearance no one would employ him and everyone laughed at him. He said he was looking for a wise master who could use his talent. This sounded reasonable to the Fool, so he said he did not know where such a master might be found, but asked him if he would like a lift. The man with big ears said he would and jumped aboard and off they went in the flying ship whistling and singing cheerfully together.
The man with long legs
After a short while flying along the same path he saw a man with the longest legs he had ever seen. He was hopping on one leg along with his other leg tied above his head. The Fool commanded his ship to stop and he asked the man why he was hopping on one leg. The man said he was on a quest to find a wise master to work for who would not laugh at him. He said he was hopping because his legs were so long and that if he did not hop he would reach the end of the world in one bound if he was not careful. This sounded reasonable to the Fool so he told him about his own quest. He said he did not know where he could find a wise master but asked him if he would like a lift. The man said he would and hopped on board and they all set off again in the flying ship whistling and singing cheerfully.
The archer
As they floated along above the path they came upon a man who had the biggest eyes he had ever seen carrying a great bow and a quiver full of arrows. The Fool commanded the ship to stop and he asked the Archer where he was going. The Archer told him he was off to find a wise master who would not laugh at him and who would employer an archer, such as himself, who could shoot a bird out of the sky one hundred miles away. This seemed reasonable to the Fool and he told him he did not know where he might find a wise master and offered the Archer a lift which was accepted and he jumped aboard and off they all went whistling and singing cheerfully.
The hungry man
They had not gone far when they came across a very wide man walking along the path. The Fool commanded the ship to stop and he asked the man where he was going. The man told him he had a great appetite for food and could eat a huge basket of bread for breakfast alone and a whole cow for dinner and not feel hungry but people laughed at him. He said he was looking for a wise master who might appreciate his talent and not laugh at him. This seemed reasonable to the Fool. He told him that although he did not know where he might find a wise master, he could have a lift along the way if he would like. The Hungry Man gratefully accepted and jumped on board and off they all went whistling and singing cheerfully.
The thirsty man
Soon they overtook a very thin man who looked rather morose and was struggling along the path with his shoulders hunched. The Fool stopped the ship and asked him where he was going. The thin man told him that he could drink a whole lake in one gulp and it still would not satisfy his thirst and people laughed at him. He said he was on a quest to seek a wise master who might be able to use his talent and not laugh at him. The Fool told him that he did not know where he might find such a master but it seemed reasonable to him so he asked him if he would like a lift. The Thirsty Man was delighted to accept and off they all went whistling and singing cheerfully.
A man carrying a burden
They had not gone far flying above the path when they came across a man carrying a great burden that was a bundle of sticks. The Fool commanded the ship to stop and he asked the man where he was going. The man said he was on a quest to find a master who might appreciate his talent and not laugh at him. The Fool asked him what that talent was and the man told him that he could make each stick he carried into a soldier in no time at all, but everyone laughed when he told them this. The Fool told him that he did not know where such a master might be found. Nevertheless, it sounded reasonable to him so he asked him if he would like a lift along the way. The man was pleased to accept and jumped aboard with his burden. At the command of the Fool the ship set off again flying along high above the path with everyone on board whistling and singing.
A man carrying a bale of straw
Again they had not gone far when they caught up with a man carrying a huge bale of straw on his back. The Fool commanded the ship to stop and he asked the man where he was going. The man told him that he could make the straw absorb all the heat from anything hot making it cold. He said he was looking for a wise master who might appreciate this talent and not laugh at him. The Fool told him he knew of no such master but as it seemed reasonable to him he asked him if he would like a lift upon his way. The man was glad to accept as it was a heavy bale and off they all went at the command of the Fool whistling and singing.
Public Domain
The Tsar
The ship flew along high above the path but they met no one else along the way and eventually came to rest at the Tsar’s palace just before dinnertime. The Fool knocked at the door of the palace telling the servant who answered that he had come with a flying ship to claim the hand of the Tsar’s daughter in marriage. The servant laughed seeing that he was both a Fool and a peasant but nevertheless went and told theTsar who came to see what was going on.
When the Tsar arrived the Fool showed him around the flying ship and showed him how to command it, He then asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage as the Tsar had promised to anyone who could bring him a ship that flew through the air. The Tsar had thought such a challenge impossible to complete but was greatly impressed with the ship. Despite this and what he had originally said, he did not like the idea of his daughter marrying a peasant and a fool at that, so he went off to talk to his advisers.
After talking to his advisers they came up with a plan to prevent the wedding and to keep the ship that flew through the air for himself. The man who could hear everything heard the Tsar and his advisers and told the Fool and his friends. The Fool felt betrayed and let down by the Tsar but his friends said they would help as friends always do.
A glass of water
The Tsar came and told the Fool he could marry his daughter, but only if he brought back from the ends of the earth a glass of healing water before he had finished eating his dinner, which he was now about to start. The Fool was distraught thinking he could never complete such a task, but the man with the long legs bounded off to fetch the water for the Fool, but fell asleep at the spring when he stopped to rest against a tree before returning with the water. The man who heard everything heard him snore and told the the archer. The archer with his keen eyes saw what had happened and shot an arrow which hit the tree close to his head waking him up. The man with the long legs jumped up and ran back in time to bring the water before the Tsar had finished his dinner, giving it to the Fool, who gave it to the Tsar.
Twelve oxen and tons of bread
The Tsar was furious because he had thought what he had asked was impossible and still did not want to let his daughter marry a peasant and a fool. He went off to talk to his advisers who came up with another impossible task. The Tsar told the Fool that as he had come such a long way he must be hungry and there was a table laid with the meat of twelve oxen and twelve tons of bread that must be eaten before he would consent to giving the hand of his daughter to him. As the Tsar left smiled to himself because he thought such a task impossible the hungry man sat down at the table and quickly ate all of the meat and bread and called for more. When the Tsar returned he saw all the food was gone and was furious but still would not give his daughter in marriage to the Fool.
Forty barrels of wine
After consulting with his advisers he came up with another plan to thwart the Fool. He told him to win the hand of his daughter there were forty barrels of wine holding forty gallons each that would have to be drunk and then he could marry his daughter. But the man with big ears had heard the plan and warned the Fool and his friends and the thirsty man stepped forward and quickly quaffed all of the barrels of wine with ease.
A tub of boiling water
The Tsar was even more furious and again went to his advisers to discuss what to do. They came up with a plan to kill the Fool by boiling him in a tub full of water. The man with big ears again heard the plan and warned the Fool and his friends what the Tsar was planning.
The Tsar told the Fool that he would agree to the marriage and make an announcement as soon as he had bathed and went off to order the preparation of the bath. The man with the bale of straw cast straw into the tub cooling the water down sufficiently to allow the Fool to bathe safely and comfortably.
An army
When the Tsar found out he was besides himself with wrath and went to his advisers again. They advised that the Tsar to tell the Fool to raise an army instantly, but the man with big hears heard them and told the Fool and his friends of the plan. The Tsar came and told the Fool that if he could raise an army immediately he would give him his daughter in marriage. The man with the bundle of sticks gave it to the Fool who threw it on the ground and instantly an army sprang up and stood ready at the Fool’s command. The Tsar still did not want to marry his daughter to him but the Fool told him that unless he agreed to do so now he would order the army to attack the palace.
The good sense of his daughter
The Tsar could see that it was a formidable army and did not want to fight it so he went to his advisers who said that his last hope lay with the good sense of his daughter. So he told his servants to dress the Fool in the finest clothes and took the princess to meet him. As soon as she set eyes on him she fell in love with him, and he with her, and she readily consented to the marriage.
The wedding
The wedding was a spectacular occasion with more than enough for everyone to eat and drink and both the hungry man and the thirsty man were satisfied. The Tsar grew to like the cheerful optimism of his new son-in-law and was pleased to have him around. He sacked his advisers and when he wanted advice he went to the Fool who always came up with something cheerful and optimistic.
His friends found in the Fool a master who could use their talents and not laugh at them and were happy. His two older brothers wandered around the world arguing and fighting with each other over which one should marry the Tsar’s daughter. They wandered so far that they were never heard of again. His mother and father died in poverty in the village because they had no sons to look after them. The Fool and his wife lived a long happy life with much whistling and singing together and they had a small band of loyal friends they could depend on.
© 12/07/2015 zteve t evans
The ship flew along high above the path but they met no one else along the way and eventually came to rest at the Tsar’s palace just before dinnertime. The Fool knocked at the door of the palace telling the servant who answered that he had come with a flying ship to claim the hand of the Tsar’s daughter in marriage. The servant laughed seeing that he was both a Fool and a peasant but nevertheless went and told theTsar who came to see what was going on.
When the Tsar arrived the Fool showed him around the flying ship and showed him how to command it, He then asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage as the Tsar had promised to anyone who could bring him a ship that flew through the air. The Tsar had thought such a challenge impossible to complete but was greatly impressed with the ship. Despite this and what he had originally said, he did not like the idea of his daughter marrying a peasant and a fool at that, so he went off to talk to his advisers.
After talking to his advisers they came up with a plan to prevent the wedding and to keep the ship that flew through the air for himself. The man who could hear everything heard the Tsar and his advisers and told the Fool and his friends. The Fool felt betrayed and let down by the Tsar but his friends said they would help as friends always do.
A glass of water
The Tsar came and told the Fool he could marry his daughter, but only if he brought back from the ends of the earth a glass of healing water before he had finished eating his dinner, which he was now about to start. The Fool was distraught thinking he could never complete such a task, but the man with the long legs bounded off to fetch the water for the Fool, but fell asleep at the spring when he stopped to rest against a tree before returning with the water. The man who heard everything heard him snore and told the the archer. The archer with his keen eyes saw what had happened and shot an arrow which hit the tree close to his head waking him up. The man with the long legs jumped up and ran back in time to bring the water before the Tsar had finished his dinner, giving it to the Fool, who gave it to the Tsar.
Twelve oxen and tons of bread
The Tsar was furious because he had thought what he had asked was impossible and still did not want to let his daughter marry a peasant and a fool. He went off to talk to his advisers who came up with another impossible task. The Tsar told the Fool that as he had come such a long way he must be hungry and there was a table laid with the meat of twelve oxen and twelve tons of bread that must be eaten before he would consent to giving the hand of his daughter to him. As the Tsar left smiled to himself because he thought such a task impossible the hungry man sat down at the table and quickly ate all of the meat and bread and called for more. When the Tsar returned he saw all the food was gone and was furious but still would not give his daughter in marriage to the Fool.
Forty barrels of wine
After consulting with his advisers he came up with another plan to thwart the Fool. He told him to win the hand of his daughter there were forty barrels of wine holding forty gallons each that would have to be drunk and then he could marry his daughter. But the man with big ears had heard the plan and warned the Fool and his friends and the thirsty man stepped forward and quickly quaffed all of the barrels of wine with ease.
A tub of boiling water
The Tsar was even more furious and again went to his advisers to discuss what to do. They came up with a plan to kill the Fool by boiling him in a tub full of water. The man with big ears again heard the plan and warned the Fool and his friends what the Tsar was planning.
The Tsar told the Fool that he would agree to the marriage and make an announcement as soon as he had bathed and went off to order the preparation of the bath. The man with the bale of straw cast straw into the tub cooling the water down sufficiently to allow the Fool to bathe safely and comfortably.
An army
When the Tsar found out he was besides himself with wrath and went to his advisers again. They advised that the Tsar to tell the Fool to raise an army instantly, but the man with big hears heard them and told the Fool and his friends of the plan. The Tsar came and told the Fool that if he could raise an army immediately he would give him his daughter in marriage. The man with the bundle of sticks gave it to the Fool who threw it on the ground and instantly an army sprang up and stood ready at the Fool’s command. The Tsar still did not want to marry his daughter to him but the Fool told him that unless he agreed to do so now he would order the army to attack the palace.
The good sense of his daughter
The Tsar could see that it was a formidable army and did not want to fight it so he went to his advisers who said that his last hope lay with the good sense of his daughter. So he told his servants to dress the Fool in the finest clothes and took the princess to meet him. As soon as she set eyes on him she fell in love with him, and he with her, and she readily consented to the marriage.
The wedding
The wedding was a spectacular occasion with more than enough for everyone to eat and drink and both the hungry man and the thirsty man were satisfied. The Tsar grew to like the cheerful optimism of his new son-in-law and was pleased to have him around. He sacked his advisers and when he wanted advice he went to the Fool who always came up with something cheerful and optimistic.
His friends found in the Fool a master who could use their talents and not laugh at them and were happy. His two older brothers wandered around the world arguing and fighting with each other over which one should marry the Tsar’s daughter. They wandered so far that they were never heard of again. His mother and father died in poverty in the village because they had no sons to look after them. The Fool and his wife lived a long happy life with much whistling and singing together and they had a small band of loyal friends they could depend on.
© 12/07/2015 zteve t evans
References and Attributions
Copyright July 12th, 2015 zteve t evans
Copyright July 12th, 2015 zteve t evans
