Marya Morevna belongs to the category of female warriors that is not uncommon in Russian epics. Such a type includes unearthly beauty, fortitude and military training. A fairy-tale state rests on the shoulders of a fragile girl, so even her own wedding will not be a reason to cancel the campaign or postpone the battle. However, such a heroine chooses her husband to match, even if this is not noticeable to the reader at first sight.
History of creation
The warrior maiden Marya Morevna is present in many Russian folk legends, but often the heroine is presented under other names. Sineglazka, Belaya Lebed Zakharyevna, Usonsha the Bogatyrsha are not different characters at all, one image is hidden under various names.
Researchers argue that Marya Morevna is inextricably intertwined with another bright heroine -. But the characterization of the fighting Morevna differs from the quiet and economic Vasilisa. The only thing that unites the girls is the groom.
More similar images are found in Romanian, Hungarian, German and Italian legends. The heroines of fairy tales take on the role of great intercessors and are a vivid example of the inhabitants of a matriarchal society.
The probable prototype of the fairy-tale heroine is considered to be Maru, the goddess of death and withering. The description of the deity matches that of the princess from the legends. Mara made friends with, possessed magical powers and captivated Koshchei with chains.
The author of fairy tales about the mysterious beauty is the Russian people, but the character gained popularity thanks to the folklorist Alexander Nikolaevich Afanasyev. The collection "Treasured Tales" contains popular tales that also affect Marya. The book includes the three most common tales about a girl: "Rejuvenating Apples", "The Tale of the Three Kingdoms" and "Marya Morevna".
Marya Morevna in fairy tales
Nothing is known about Mary's parents and close relatives. However, the nickname "Morevna" suggests that the girl is in a close relationship with the Sea King. The bogatyrsha lives a solitary life in a tower located in a fabulous land.
One of the features of Marya's home, in addition to its remote location, is the absence of men. Both the tower and the garden of the princess are guarded by girls. Representatives of the opposite sex in the country of Morevna can be met either during the battle or outside the gates of a beautiful house.
The main occupations of the girl are war and protection of the borders of her own state. The heroine does not waste time on the usual women's work and does not look for a groom. Fate itself finds a spouse for Marya. For example, in the fairy tale "Rejuvenating Apples", Ivan Tsarevich sneaks into the princess's house for magical fruits. And in Marya Morevna, the same Ivan Tsarevich accidentally comes across the girl’s house on the way to her sisters.
The steppe warrior agrees to marry a man only after Ivan defeats the girl in a fair fight. Having submitted to the winner, the girl voluntarily enters into marriage and invites the Tsarevich to live in her own tower.
Even after the wedding, the heroine does not leave the military post. Going to the next duty at the border, Marya asks her husband not to open the closet. Curious Ivan does not keep his promise and finds him in the forbidden room. Having believed the villain, the prince presents the enemy with three buckets of water, thereby replenishing the captive's strength.
Having escaped from captivity, Koschei kidnaps Marya Morevna and disappears in an unknown direction. The villain is not going to kill the girl at all. Koschei longs to marry Mary, which is not to the liking of the beauty.
After a short time, Ivan finds the heroine, but all three attempts to escape from the tyrant do not end in success. The last escape does have tragic consequences. The wife of the steppe warrior was chopped into pieces and thrown into the sea. Now Mary has no one to rely on.
Ivan owes his miraculous salvation to his own sons-in-law. The objects left to the sisters' husbands (a silver spoon for a falcon, a fork for an eagle, a snuffbox for a crow) turned black. The newly-appeared relatives fished out the remains of the Tsarevich from the water and saved the man.
Realizing that his beloved cannot be saved just like that, Ivan goes in search of a special horse. Having overcome all obstacles, the man again returns to Koshchei's castle and takes his wife away from the villain's house for the fourth time. This time the escape ends in battle again, but the forces are now on the side of Ivan Tsarevich. The enemy is defeated, the hero is again in the arms of her lawful spouse.
Despite the fabulousness of the characters, the plot raises some pretty serious psychological questions. For example, Ivan Tsarevich's faith in victory allowed the man to overcome difficult obstacles. The main idea of the works dedicated to Marya Morevna is simple. Victory over the villain and the girl's heart is received only by a whole person. After all, the union of Marya and Ivan is precisely unity. The unity of strength, spirituality, wisdom, ingenuity and patience.
Screen adaptations
The first appearance of Marya Morevna on movie screens took place in 1944. The main characters of the film "Kashchei the Immortal" are noticeably different from the original prototypes. He took the place of Ivan Tsarevich, and the heroine is a complaisant beauty, devoid of an independent character. The role of Morevna was played by actress Galina Grigorieva.
In 2012, the story of the hero is told in an unusual genre. Anime "Marya Morevna - beautiful princess: Demo" was created by director and producer Konstantin Dmitriev. The voice of the princess was given by the actress Lyudmila Guskova.
- In the fairy tale "Rejuvenating Apples", Marya Morevna leaves her lover for three years, during which she manages to give birth to two sons. And the first wedding night of young people takes place long before the official ceremony in both stories.
- Despite the loud word "hero", the process of Marya's battle with enemies is not described anywhere.
- The most detailed costume of the wife of Ivan Tsarevich is presented in Vasnetsov's painting "Marya Morevna and Koschey the Immortal".
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, Ivan Tsarevich lived and lived. And he had three sisters: one was Marya the princess, the other Olga the princess, the third Anna the princess.
Their father and mother died. Dying, they punished their son:
- Whoever is the first to marry the sisters, give it to him - don’t keep it with you for a long time.
The prince buried his parents and, out of grief, went with his sisters to the green garden for a walk.
Suddenly a black cloud appears in the sky, a terrible thunderstorm arises.
“Let’s go home, sisters,” says Ivan Tsarevich.
They had just arrived at the palace - when thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a clear falcon flew into their room.
The falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and said:
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before, I went as a guest, but now I have come as a matchmaker: I want to woo your sister Marya the princess.
- If you love your sister, I don't keep her - let her go.
Princess Mary agreed. The falcon married and took her to his kingdom.
Days go by days, hours run by hours - the whole year is as if it had not happened. Ivan Tsarevich went for a walk with his two sisters to the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.
“Let’s go home, sisters,” says the prince.
They had just arrived at the palace - when thunder struck, the roof fell apart, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in.
The eagle hit the floor and became a good fellow.
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! I used to come as a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker.
And he betrothed Princess Olga.
Ivan Tsarevich answers:
- If you love Princess Olga, then let her go for you, I do not remove her will.
Princess Olga agreed and married the eagle. The eagle picked her up and carried her to his kingdom.
Another year has passed. Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister:
-Let's go for a walk in the green garden.
We walked a little. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.
Let's go home sister!
They returned home, did not have time to sit down - when thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a raven flew in. The raven hit the floor and became a good fellow. The former were good, but this one is even better.
Well, Ivan Tsarevich, before I went as a guest, but now I have come as a matchmaker: give Anna the princess for me.
- I don't remove my sister's will. If she fell in love with you, let her go for you.
Princess Anna married the crow, and he took her to his state.
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone. For a whole year he lived without his sisters, and he became bored.
- I'll go, - he says, - to look for sisters.
Gathered on the road, walked, walked and sees: the army lies in the field, the strength is beaten. Ivan Tsarevich asks:
- If there is a person alive here, respond: who beat this great army?
A living man answered him:
- All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
Ivan Tsarevich set off further, ran into white tents, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, came out to meet him.
- Hello, prince. Where is God taking you - by will or by captivity?
Ivan Tsarevich answers her:
- Good fellows don't drive in captivity.
- Well, if it's not in a hurry, stay in my tents.
Ivan Tsarevich is glad of this: he spent the night in tents for two nights. He fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her.
Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state. They lived together for some time, and the princess took it into her head to gather for the war. She leaves the whole household for Ivan Tsarevich and orders:
- Go everywhere, look after everything, just don't look into this closet.
He could not stand it: as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there Koschey the Deathless was hanging, chained on twelve chains.
Asks Koschei from Ivan Tsarevich:
- Have pity on me, give me a drink! For ten years I have been suffering here, I have not eaten, I have not drunk - my throat is completely dry.
The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked again:
- I can't fill my thirst with one bucket. Give more!
The prince gave another bucket. Koschei drank and asked for a third; and as he drank the third bucket, he took his former strength, shook the chains and immediately broke all twelve.
Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich, - said Koschey the Immortal, - now you will never see Marya Morevna, like your own ears. And in a terrible whirlwind he flew out the window, caught up with Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, picked her up and carried her to him.
And Ivan Tsarevich wept bitterly, got ready and went on his way: “Whatever happens, I will find Marya Morevna.” A day goes by, another goes by, at the dawn of the third he sees a wonderful palace. At the palace stands an oak tree, a clear falcon sits on an oak tree. The falcon flew down from the oak, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
- Ah, my dear brother-in-law!
Marya Tsarevna ran out, met Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began to ask about his health, to tell about her life and being. The prince stayed with them for three days and said:
“I can’t stay with you for a long time: I’m going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
"It's hard for you to find her," replies the falcon. - Leave your silver spoon here just in case: we will look at it, remember about you.
Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon by the falcon and went on his way.
He walked a day, walked another, at the dawn of the third he sees the palace even better than the first. An oak stands near the palace, an eagle sits on the oak.
The eagle flew down from the tree, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
- Get up, Princess Olga, our dear brother is coming!
Olga Tsarevna immediately ran in, began kissing him, hugging him, asking him questions about his health, and telling him about her life.
- I have no time to stay longer: I'm going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
The eagle answers:
- It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver fork with us: we will look at it, remember you.
He left the silver fork and went on the road.
The day went on, another went on, at the dawn of the third he sees the palace better than the first two. An oak stands near the palace, a raven sits on the oak. A raven flew down from an oak, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
- Princess Anna, come out quickly, our brother is coming!
Princess Anna ran out, greeted him joyfully, began to kiss and hug him, to ask about his health, to tell about his life and being.
Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and says:
- Goodbye. I'm going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
Raven answers:
- It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver snuffbox with us: we will look at it, remember you.
The prince gave him a silver snuffbox, said goodbye and went on his way. A day went on, another went on, and on the third I got to Marya Morevna. She saw her beloved, threw herself on his neck, burst into tears and said:
- Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, why didn't you listen to me - looked into the closet and released Koshchei the Immortal?
- Forgive me, Marya Morevna, don't remember the old. Better go with me until you see Koshchei the Deathless. Maybe it won't catch up!
They packed up and left. And Koschey was on the hunt. By evening he returns home, under him the good horse stumbles.
The horse answers:
- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away.
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
- You can sow wheat, wait until it grows, squeeze it, grind it, turn it into flour, cook five ovens of bread, eat that bread, and then go after it - and then we will be in time.
Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich.
Well, - he says, - the first time I forgive you for your kindness that you gave me water to drink, and the next time I will forgive, and the third time beware - I will chop it into pieces.
He took away Marya Morevna from him and took him away. And Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone and wept. Wept, wept, and again returned back for Marya Morevna. Koshchei the Immortal did not happen at home.
- Let's go, Marya Morevna!
- Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, he will catch up with us!
- Let him catch up. We'll spend at least an hour or two together.
They packed up and left.
Koschey the Deathless returns home, under him the good horse stumbles.
- What are you, insatiable nag, stumbling about? Al you hear what adversity?
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
- You can sow barley, wait until it grows, harvest, grind, brew beer, get drunk, eat to satiety, sleep, and then go after it - and then we'll be in time.
Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich:
- After all, I said that you would not see Marya Morevna as your own ears!
He picked her up and carried her away.
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, wept, wept, and again returned for Marya Morevna. At that time, Koshchei did not happen at home.
- Let's go, Marya Morevna!
- Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, he will overtake you, he will chop you to pieces!
- Let him chop, I can't live without you!
We packed up and left. Koschey the Deathless returns home, under him the good horse stumbles.
- What are you tripping over? Al you hear what adversity?
- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna with him.
Koschei galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, chopped him into small pieces and put him in a tar barrel, took this barrel, fastened it with iron hoops and threw it into the blue sea, and took Marya Morevna to him.
At that very time, the silver of the sons-in-law of Ivan Tsarevich turned black.
- Ah, - they say, - apparently, trouble has happened!
The eagle rushed to the blue sea, grabbed and pulled the barrel ashore. The falcon flew for living water, and the raven for dead water.
All three flocked to one place, cut the barrel, took out the pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed them and folded them as necessary. The raven splashed with dead water - the body grew together, connected. The falcon splashed with living water - Ivan Tsarevich shuddered, stood up and said:
- Ah, how long I slept!
“I would have slept even longer if it weren’t for us,” the sons-in-law answered. - Come visit us now.
- No, brothers, I'll go look for Marya Morevna.
Comes to her and asks:
- Find out from Koshchei the Deathless where he got himself such a good horse.
Here Marya Morevna seized a good moment and began to question Koshchei.
Koschei said:
- For distant lands, in the distant kingdom, behind the fiery river lives Baba Yaga. She has such a mare, on which she flies around the world every day. She also has many other glorious mares. I was her shepherd for three days, I didn’t miss a single mare, and for that Baba Yaga gave me one foal.
- How did you cross the river of fire?
- And I have such a handkerchief - if I wave to the right side three times, a high, high bridge will become, and the fire will not reach it.
Marya Morevna listened, told everything to Ivan Tsarevich. And she took away the handkerchief and gave it to him.
Ivan Tsarevich crossed the fiery river and went to Baba Yaga. He walked for a long time without drinking or eating. He came across an overseas bird with small children. Ivan Tsarevich says:
- I'll shoot one chicken!
“Do not eat, Ivan Tsarevich,” the overseas bird asks. - I'll be nice to you sometime.
He went further.
He sees a beehive in the forest.
- Take it, - he says, - some honey.
The queen bee responds:
- Do not touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich. Someday I'll be nice to you.
He didn't move and moved on.
He comes across a lioness with a lion cub.
- I'll take at least this lion cub. I want to eat so much, it became sickening.
“Do not touch, Ivan Tsarevich,” the lioness asks. - I'll be nice to you sometime.
- Okay, let it be your way.
Wandered hungry. Walked, walked - there is the house of the Baba Yaga, around the house there are twelve poles, on eleven poles on a human head, only one is unoccupied.
- Hello, grandma!
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich. Why did you come - out of your own free will or out of need?
- I came to earn your heroic horse.
- If you please, prince, I don’t have to serve for a year, but only for three days. If you save my mares, I will give you a heroic horse, but if not, then do not be angry: stick your head on the last pole.
Ivan Tsarevich agreed. Baba Yaga fed him, gave him drink and ordered him to get down to business. He had just driven the mares into the field, the mares lifted their tails and all scattered across the meadows. Before the prince had time to raise his eyes, they completely disappeared. Then he wept and mourned, sat down on a stone and fell asleep. The sun is already at sunset, an overseas bird has flown in and wakes him up:
Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are now at home.
The prince got up and went home. And Baba Yaga makes noise and shouts at her mares:
- Why did you come back home?
- How could we not come back! Birds from all over the world flew in, almost pecked out our eyes.
- Well, don't run across the meadows tomorrow, but scatter through dense forests.
Ivan Tsarevich slept through the night. In the morning Baba Yaga says to him:
- Look, prince, if you don't save the mares, if you lose at least one - be your wild little head on a pole!
He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails and fled through the dense forests.
Again the prince sat down on the stone, wept, wept, and fell asleep. The sun has set behind the forest.
The lioness came running
- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are all collected.
Ivan Tsarevich got up and went home. Baba Yaga is louder than ever and makes noise and shouts at her mares:
- Why did you come back home?
- How could we not come back! Fierce beasts from all over the world came running, almost tore us apart.
- Well, tomorrow you will run into the blue sea.
Again, Ivan Tsarevich slept through the night. In the morning Baba Yaga sends him to feed the mares:
- If you don't save it, be your wild little head on a pole.
He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails, disappeared from sight and ran into the blue sea, standing in the water up to their necks. Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone, wept and fell asleep.
The sun has set behind the forest, a bee has flown in and says:
- Get up, prince! The mares are all collected. Yes, as soon as you return home, do not show your face to Baba Yaga, go to the stable and hide behind the manger. There is a lousy foal - lying in the manure. You take it and at the dead of midnight leave the house.
Ivan Tsarevich made his way into the stable, lay down behind the manger. Baba Yaga makes noise and shouts at her mares:
- Why did you come back?
- How could we not come back! Bees swooped in, apparently, invisible, from all over the world, and let's sting us from all sides until we bleed.
Baba Yaga fell asleep, and at midnight Ivan Tsarevich took the mangy colt from her, saddled it, sat down and galloped to the fiery river. I reached that river, waved my handkerchief three times to the right, and suddenly, out of nowhere, a high, glorious bridge hung across the river. The prince crossed the bridge and waved his handkerchief to the left side only twice - there was a thin, thin bridge across the river.
In the morning the Baba Yaga woke up - a mangy foal was not to be seen. She gave chase. He jumps at full speed on an iron mortar, drives with a pestle, sweeps the trail with a broom. I galloped to the fiery river, looked and thought: “The bridge is good.” I went over the bridge, only got to the middle - the bridge broke off, and the Baba Yaga fell into the river. And then a cruel death befell her.
Ivan Tsarevich fattened the foal in the green meadows, he became a wonderful horse. The prince comes to Marya Morevna. She ran out, threw herself on his neck:
- How did you manage to get rid of death?
- So and so, - he says, - let's go with me.
- I'm afraid, Ivan Tsarevich! If Koschei catches up, you will be chopped up again.
- No, it won't catch up! Now I have a glorious heroic horse, like a bird flies.
They got on the horse and rode off.
Koschey the Immortal turns back home, under him the horse stumbles.
- What are you, insatiable nag, stumbling about? Al you hear what adversity?
- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away.
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
- I do not know. Now Ivan Tsarevich has a heroic horse better than me.
- No, I can't stand it, - says Koschei the Deathless, - I'll go in pursuit!
How long, how short - he overtook Ivan Tsarevich, jumped off to the ground and wanted to cut him with a sharp saber. At that time, the horse of Ivan Tsarevich struck Koshchei the Immortal with his hoof with all his might and crushed his head, and the prince finished him off with a club. After that, the prince threw a pile of firewood, kindled a fire, burned Koshchei the Immortal on a fire and let his very ashes fly into the wind.
Marya Morevna mounted Koshcheev's horse, and Ivan Tsarevich mounted his own, and they went to visit first the raven, then the eagle, and then the falcon. Wherever they come, everywhere they meet them with joy:
- Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, and we did not expect to see you! Well, it’s not for nothing that you bothered: to look for such a beauty as Marya Morevna all over the world - you won’t find another.
They stayed, feasted and went to their kingdom. We arrived and began to live, live, make good and drink honey.
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, Ivan Tsarevich lived. He had three sisters: one was Marya the princess, another Olga the princess, and the third Anna the princess.
Their father and mother died. Dying, they punished their son:
- Whoever is the first to marry the sisters, give it to him - do not keep it with you for a long time.
The prince buried his parents and, out of grief, went with his sisters to the green garden for a walk. Suddenly a black cloud appears in the sky, a terrible thunderstorm arises.
“Let’s go home, sisters,” says Ivan Tsarevich.
They had just arrived at the palace - when thunder struck, the ceiling split in two and a clear falcon flew into their room. The falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and said:
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before, I went as a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker: I want to woo your sister Marya the princess.
- If you love your sister, I don’t keep her - let her go. Princess Mary agreed. The falcon married and carried her away
to your kingdom.
Days go by days, hours run by hours - the whole year is as if it had not happened. Ivan Tsarevich went with his two sisters to the green garden for a walk. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.
“Let’s go home, sisters,” says the prince.
They had just arrived at the palace - when thunder struck, the roof collapsed, the ceiling split in two and an eagle flew in. The eagle hit the floor and became a good fellow.
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before, I went as a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker.
And he betrothed Princess Olga. Ivan Tsarevich answers:
- If you love Princess Olga, then let him go for you, I do not remove her will.
Princess Olga agreed and married the eagle. The eagle picked her up and took her to his kingdom.
Another year has passed. Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister:
Let's go for a walk in the green garden.
We walked a little. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning. Let's go home sister!
They returned home, did not have time to sit down - when thunder struck, the ceiling split in two and a raven flew in. The raven hit the floor and became a good fellow. The former were good, but this one is even better.
- Well, Ivan Tsarevich, before I went as a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker: give Anna the princess for me.
- I do not remove my will from my sister. If she fell in love with you, let her go for you.
Princess Anna married the crow, and he took her to his state. Ivan Tsarevich was left alone. For a whole year he lived without his sisters, and he became bored.
- I'll go, - he says, - to look for sisters.
He got ready for the road, walked and walked, and sees: the beaten army lies in the field. Ivan Tsarevich asks:
- If there is a person alive here, answer: who beat this great army?
A living man answered him:
- All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
Ivan Tsarevich set off further, ran into white tents, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, came out to meet him.
- Hello, prince. Where is God taking you - by will or by captivity?
Ivan Tsarevich answers her:
- Good fellows in captivity do not go.
- Well, if it's not in a hurry, stay in my tents. Ivan Tsarevich is glad of this: he spent the night in tents for two nights.
He fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her. Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state. They lived together for some time, and the princess took it into her head to gather for the war. She leaves the whole household for Ivan Tsarevich and orders:
- Go everywhere, look after everything, just don't look into this closet.
He could not stand it: as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there Koschey the Deathless was hanging, chained on twelve chains.
Asks Koschei from Ivan Tsarevich:
- Have pity on me, give me a drink! For ten years I have been suffering here, I have not eaten, I have not drunk - my throat is completely dry.
The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked for more:
- I can't fill my thirst with one bucket. Give more! Koschey drank another and asked for a third; how did you drink
the third bucket, took his former strength, shook the chains and immediately broke all twelve.
“Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich,” said Koschey the Immortal, “now you will never see Marya Morevna like your own ears.
And with a terrible whirlwind he flew out the window, overtook Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her to him. And Ivan Tsarevich wept bitterly, got ready and went on his way: “Whatever happens, I’ll look for Marya Morevna.” A day goes by, another goes by, at the dawn of the third he sees a wonderful palace. At the palace stands an oak tree, a clear falcon sits on an oak tree.
The falcon flew down from the oak, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
- Oh, my dear brother-in-law!
Marya Tsarevna ran out, met Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began to ask about his health, to tell about her life and being. The prince stayed with them for three days and said:
- I can’t stay with you for a long time: I’m going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
- It's hard for you to find her, - replies the falcon. - Leave your silver spoon here just in case: we will look at it, remember about you.
Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon at the falcon and went on the road. He walked for a day, walked for another, at the dawn of the third he sees the palace even better than the first. An oak stands near the palace, an eagle sits on the oak.
An eagle flew down from a tree, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
- Get up, Princess Olga, our dear brother is coming!
Olga Tsarevna immediately ran in, began to kiss and hug him, to ask about his health, to tell him about her life and being. Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and says:
- I have no time to stay longer: I'm going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
The eagle answers:
It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver fork with us: we will look at it, remember you.
He left the silver fork and went on the road.
The day went on, another went on, at the dawn of the third he sees the palace better than the first two.
An oak stands near the palace, a raven sits on the oak. A raven flew down from an oak, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
- Princess Anna, come out quickly, our brother is coming!
Princess Anna ran out, greeted him joyfully, began to kiss and hug, ask about his health, tell about his life and being.
Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and says:
- Farewell. I'm going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
Raven answers:
It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver snuffbox with us: we will look at it, remember you.
The prince gave him a silver snuffbox, said goodbye and went on his way. A day went on, another went on, and on the third I got to Marya Morevna.
She saw her beloved, threw herself on his neck, burst into tears and said:
- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, why didn't you listen to me - looked into the closet and released Koshchei the Immortal?
- Forgive me, Marya Morevna, do not remember the old. Better go with me until you see Koshchei the Deathless. Maybe it won't catch up!
They packed up and left.
And Koschey was on the hunt. In the evening he turns back home, under him the good horse stumbles.
The horse answers:
- Ivan Tsarevich came, Marya Morevna was taken away.
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
- You can sow wheat, wait until it grows, squeeze it, grind it, turn it into flour, cook five ovens of bread, eat that bread, and then go after it - and then we will be in time.
Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich.
- Well, - he says, - for the first time I forgive you for your kindness that you gave me water to drink; and next time I will forgive, and on the third time beware - I will chop it into pieces.
He took away Marya Morevna from him and took him away. And Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone and wept.
Wept, wept, and again returned back for Marya Morevna. Koshchei the Immortal did not happen at home.
- Let's go, Marya Morevna!
- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, he will catch up with us!
- Let it catch up. We'll spend at least an hour or two together.
They packed up and left. Koschey the Deathless returns home, under him the good horse stumbles.
- What are you, insatiable nag, stumbling? Al you hear what adversity?
- Ivan Tsarevich came, Marya Morevna took with him.
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
- You can sow barley, wait until it grows, squeeze it, grind it, brew beer, get drunk, eat to satiety, sleep, and then go after it - and then we'll be in time.
Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich:
“After all, I told you that you would never see Marya Morevna like your own ears!”
He picked her up and carried her away. Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, wept, wept, and again returned for Marya Morevna. At that time, Koshchei did not happen at home.
- Let's go, Marya Morevna!
“Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, he will overtake you, he will chop you into pieces!”
- Let him chop, I can't live without you! We packed up and left. Koschey the Deathless returns home, under him the good horse stumbles.
- What are you tripping over? Al you hear what adversity?
- Ivan Tsarevich came, Marya Morevna took with him. Koschei galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, chopped him into small pieces and put him in a tar barrel: he took this barrel, fastened it with iron hoops and threw it into the blue sea, and took Marya Morevna to him. At that very time, the silver of the sons-in-law of Ivan Tsarevich turned black.
- Ah, - they say, - apparently, trouble happened! The eagle rushed to the blue sea, grabbed and pulled out a barrel
on beach. The falcon flew for living water, and the raven for dead water.
All three flocked to one place, cut the barrel, took out the pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed them and folded them as necessary.
The raven splashed with dead water - the body grew together, connected. The falcon splashed with living water - Ivan Tsarevich shuddered, stood up and said:
- Oh, how long I slept!
“I would have slept even longer if it weren’t for us,” the sons-in-law answered. - Come visit us now.
- No, brothers, I'll go look for Marya Morevna. Comes to her and asks:
- Find out from Koshchei the Deathless where he got himself such a good horse.
Here Marya Morevna seized a good moment and began to question Koshchei. Koschei said:
- Beyond the distant lands, in the distant kingdom, beyond the fiery river, Baba Yaga lives. She has such a mare, on which she flies around the world every day. She also has many other glorious mares. I was her shepherd for three days, I didn’t miss a single mare, and for that Baba Yaga gave me one foal.
- How did you cross the fiery river?
- And I have such a handkerchief - if I wave it to the right side three times, a high, high bridge will become, and the fire will not reach it.
Marya Morevna listened, told everything to Ivan Tsarevich. And she took away the handkerchief and gave it to him.
Ivan Tsarevich crossed the fiery river and went to Baba Yaga. He walked for a long time without drinking or eating. He came across an overseas bird with small children. Ivan Tsarevich says:
- I'll eat one chicken!
“Don’t eat, Ivan Tsarevich,” the overseas bird asks. - I'll be nice to you sometime.
He went further. He sees a hive of bees in the forest.
- I'll take, - he says, - some honey. The queen bee responds:
- Do not touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich. Someday I'll be nice to you.
He didn't move and moved on. He comes across a lioness with a cub.
- I'll eat at least this lion cub. I want to eat so much, the excitement became sickening.
- Do not touch, Ivan Tsarevich, - the lioness asks. - I'll be nice to you sometime. - Okay, let it be your way.
Wandered hungry. He walked and walked - there is the house of Baba Yaga, around the house there are twelve poles, on eleven poles on a human head, only one is unoccupied.
- Hello, grandma!
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich. Why did he come - of his own free will or out of need?
- I came to earn a heroic horse from you.
- If you please, prince, I don’t have a year to serve, but only three days. If you save my mares, I will give you a heroic horse, but if not, then do not be angry: stick your head on the last pole.
Ivan Tsarevich agreed. Baba Yaga gave him food and drink and ordered him to get down to business. He had just driven the mares into the field, the mares lifted their tails and all scattered across the meadows. Before the prince had time to raise his eyes, they completely disappeared. Then he wept and mourned, sat down on a stone and fell asleep. The sun is already at sunset, an overseas bird has flown in and wakes him up:
- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are now at home. The prince got up and went home. And Baba Yaga makes noise
and shouts at his mares:
- Why did you come back home?
- How could we not return! Birds from all over the world flew in, almost pecked out our eyes.
- Well, tomorrow you don’t run through the meadows, but scatter through the dense forests.
Ivan Tsarevich slept through the night. The next morning, Baba Yaga tells him:
- Look, prince, if you don’t save the mares, if you lose at least one - be your wild little head on a pole!
He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails and fled through the dense forests.
Again the prince sat down on the stone, wept, wept, and fell asleep. The sun has set behind the forest.
The lioness came running
- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are all collected. Ivan Tsarevich got up and went home. Baba Yaga more
the former and makes noise and shouts at his mares:
- Why did you come back home?
How could we not go back! Fierce beasts from all over the world came running, almost tore us apart.
- Well, tomorrow you will run into the blue sea.
Again, Ivan Tsarevich slept through the night. The next morning Baba Yaga sends him to feed the mares:
- If you do not save - to be your wild little head on a pole.
He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails, disappeared from sight and ran into the blue sea, standing in the water up to their necks. Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone, wept and fell asleep. The sun has set behind the forest, a bee has flown in and says:
- Get up, prince! The mares are all collected. Yes, as soon as you return home, don’t show your face to Baba Yaga, go to the stable and hide behind the manger. There is a lousy foal - lying in the manure. You take it and at the dead of midnight leave the house.
Ivan Tsarevich made his way into the stable, lay down behind the manger.
Baba Yaga makes noise and shouts at her mares:
- Why did you come back?
How could we not come back? Bees swooped in, apparently, invisible, from all over the world, and let's sting us from all sides until we bleed.
Baba Yaga fell asleep, and at midnight Ivan Tsarevich took a mangy foal from her, saddled him, sat down and galloped to the fiery river. I reached that river, waved my handkerchief three times to the right, and suddenly, out of nowhere, a high, glorious bridge hung across the river.
The prince crossed the bridge and waved his handkerchief to the left side only twice - there was a thin, thin bridge across the river. Baba Yaga woke up in the morning - the mangy foal was not to be seen. She gave chase. He jumps at full speed on an iron mortar, drives with a pestle, sweeps the trail with a broom.
I galloped to the fiery river, looked and thought: “The bridge is good.” I went over the bridge, only got to the middle - the bridge broke off, and Baba Yaga fell into the river.
And then a cruel death befell her.
Ivan Tsarevich fattened the foal in the green meadows; he became a wonderful horse. The prince comes to Marya Morevna. She ran out, threw herself on his neck:
How did you get rid of death?
- So and so, - he says, - let's go with me.
- I'm afraid, Ivan Tsarevich! If Koschei catches up, you will be chopped up again.
- No, it won't catch up! Now I have a glorious heroic horse, like a bird flies.
They got on the horse and rode off. Koschey the Immortal turns back home, under him the horse stumbles.
- What are you, insatiable nag, stumbling? Al you hear what adversity?
- Ivan Tsarevich came, Marya Morevna was taken away.
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
- I do not know. Now Ivan Tsarevich has a heroic horse better than me.
- No, I can’t stand it, - says Koschei the Deathless, - I’ll go in pursuit!
How long, how short - he overtook Ivan Tsarevich, jumped off to the ground and wanted to cut him with a sharp saber. At that time, the horse of Ivan Tsarevich struck Koshchei the Immortal with his hoof with all his might and crushed his head, and the prince finished him off with a club. After that, the prince threw a pile of firewood, lit a fire, burned Koshchei the Immortal on a fire and let his ashes fly into the wind.
Marya Morevna mounted Koshcheev's horse, and Ivan Tsarevich mounted his own, and they went to visit first the raven, then the eagle, and then the falcon. Wherever they come, everywhere they meet them with joy:
- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, and we did not look forward to seeing you! Well, it’s not for nothing that you bothered: to look for such a beauty as Marya Morevna all over the world - you won’t find another.
They stayed for a while, feasted and went to their kingdom. We arrived and began to live, live, make good and drink honey.
Russian fairy tale
MARYA MOREVNA
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, Ivan Tsarevich lived; he had three sisters: one was Marya the princess, the other Olga the princess, the third Anna the princess. Their father and mother died; dying, they punished their son:
Whoever will be the first to marry your sisters, don’t keep him for a long time!
The prince buried his parents and, out of grief, went with his sisters to the green garden for a walk.
Suddenly a black cloud appears in the sky, a terrible thunderstorm arises.
Come, sisters, go home! - says Ivan Tsarevich.
They had just arrived at the palace - when thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a clear falcon flew into their chamber, the falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and said:
Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I went as a guest, but now I have come as a matchmaker; I want to woo your sister Marya the princess.
If you love my sister, I do not appease her - let her go with God!
Princess Mary agreed; the falcon married and took her to his kingdom.
Days go by days, hours run by hours - the whole year is as if it had not happened; Ivan Tsarevich went with his two sisters to the green garden for a walk. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.
Come, sisters, go home! - says the prince. They had just arrived at the palace - when thunder struck, the roof fell apart, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in; hit the floor and became a good fellow:
Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I went as a guest, but now I have come as a matchmaker.
And he betrothed Princess Olga. Ivan Tsarevich answers:
If you are loved by Princess Olga, then let him go for you; I do not take away her will.
Princess Olga agreed and married an eagle; the eagle picked her up and carried her to his kingdom.
Another year has passed; Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister:
Let's go for a walk in the green garden!
We walked a little; again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.
Let's go home sister!
They returned home, did not have time to sit down - when thunder struck, the ceiling split in two and a raven flew in; the raven hit the floor and became a good fellow: the former were good-looking, but this one is even better.
Well, Ivan Tsarevich, before I went as a guest, but now I have come as a matchmaker: give Anna the princess for me.
I do not remove my will from my sister; if she fell in love with you, let her go for you.
Princess Anna married the crow, and he took her to his state.
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone; he lived for a whole year without his sisters, and he became bored. "I'll go, he says, to look for my sisters." He got ready for the road, walked, walked and sees - the army lies in the field - the strength is beaten. Ivan Tsarevich asks:
If there is a person alive here - respond! Who defeated this great army?
A living man answered him:
All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
Hello, prince, where is God taking you - by will or by captivity?
Ivan Tsarevich answered her:
Good fellows in captivity do not go!
Well, if it's not in a hurry, stay in my tents.
Ivan Tsarevich is glad of this, spent two nights in tents, fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her.
Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state; they lived together for some time, and the princess took it into her head to gather for war; she leaves the whole household for Ivan Tsarevich and orders:
Go everywhere, look after everything, but you can’t look into this closet!
He could not stand it as soon as Marya Morevna left, immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there was Koschey the Deathless hanging, chained on twelve chains. Asks Koschei from Ivan Tsarevich:
Have pity on me, give me a drink! For ten years I have been suffering here, I have not eaten, I have not drunk - my throat is completely dry!
The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked again:
I can’t fill my thirst with one bucket; Give more!
The prince gave another bucket; Koschey drank and asked for a third, and when he drank the third bucket, he took his former strength, shook his chains and immediately broke all twelve.
Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich! - said Koschei the Deathless. “Now you will never see Marya Morevna like your own ears!” - and in a terrible whirlwind flew out the window, overtook Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her to him. And Ivan Tsarevich wept bitterly, bitterly, got ready and went on his way:
Whatever happens, I'll look for Marya Morevna!
A day goes by, another goes by, at the dawn of the third he sees a wonderful palace, an oak tree stands by the palace, a falcon sits on a clear oak tree. The falcon flew down from the oak, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
Ah, my dear brother-in-law! How does the Lord favor you?
Tsarevna Marya ran out, Ivan Tsarevich's windmill joyfully began to ask about his health, tell about her life. The prince stayed with them for three days and said:
I can't stay with you for a long time; I am going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
It's hard for you to find her, - the falcon answers. - Leave your silver spoon here just in case: we will look at it, remember about you.
Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon by the falcon and went on his way.
He walked a day, walked another, at the dawn of the third he sees a palace even better than the first, an oak stands near the palace, an eagle sits on the oak. The eagle flew down from the tree, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
Get up, Princess Olga! Our dear brother is coming.
Olga Tsarevna immediately ran to meet him, began to kiss and hug him, to ask about his health, to tell him about her life and being. Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and says:
I have no time to stay longer; I am going to look for my wife Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
The eagle answers:
It's hard for you to find her; leave the silver fork with us: we will look at it, remember you.
He left the silver fork and went on the road.
A day passed, another passed, at the dawn of the third he sees the palace better than the first two, an oak stands near the palace, a raven sits on the oak. A raven flew down from an oak tree, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted:
Princess Anna! Hurry out, our brother is coming.
In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, Ivan Tsarevich lived; he had three sisters: one was Marya the princess, the other Olga the princess, the third Anna the princess. Their father and mother died; dying, they punished their son: “Whoever is the first to marry your sisters, give him back - don’t keep him with you for a long time!” The prince buried his parents and, out of grief, went with his sisters to the green garden for a walk. Suddenly a black cloud appears in the sky, a terrible thunderstorm arises. "Come, sisters, go home!" - says Ivan Tsarevich. They had just arrived at the palace - when thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a clear falcon flew into their room, the falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and said: “Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I went as a guest, but now I have come as a matchmaker; I want to woo your sister Marya the princess.” - “If you love your sister, I don’t calm her down - let her go with God!” Princess Mary agreed; the falcon married and took her to his kingdom.
Days go by days, hours run by hours - the whole year is as if it had not happened; Ivan Tsarevich went with his two sisters to the green garden for a walk. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning. "Come, sisters, go home!" - says the prince. They had just arrived at the palace - when thunder struck, the roof fell apart, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in; hit the floor and became a good fellow: “Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before, I went as a guest, but now I have come as a matchmaker. And he betrothed Princess Olga. Ivan Tsarevich answers: “If you are loved by Princess Olga, then let him go for you; I don't take her will away." Princess Olga agreed and married an eagle; the eagle picked her up and carried her to his kingdom.
Another year has passed; Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister: "Let's go, let's take a walk in the green garden!" We walked a little; again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning. “Come back, sister, home!” They returned home, did not have time to sit down - when thunder struck, the ceiling split in two and a raven flew in; The raven hit the floor and became a good fellow: the former were good-looking, but this one is even better. “Well, Ivan Tsarevich, before I went as a guest, but now I have come as a matchmaker; give Anna the Princess for me.” - “I don’t take my sister’s will; if she fell in love with you, let her go for you. Princess Anna married the crow, and he took her to his state.
Ivan Tsarevich was left alone; he lived for a whole year without his sisters, and he became bored. “I’ll go,” he says, “to look for sisters.” He got ready for the road, walked and walked and sees - the army lies in the field - the strength is beaten. Ivan Tsarevich asks: “If there is a person alive here, respond! Who defeated this great army? A living man responded to him: “All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.” Ivan Tsarevich set off further, ran into white tents, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, came out to meet him: “Hello, prince, where is God taking you - by will or by captivity?” Ivan Tsarevich answered her: “Good fellows do not go involuntarily!” - "Well, if it's not in a hurry, stay in my tents." Ivan Tsarevich is glad of this, spent two nights in tents, fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her.
Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state; they lived together for some time, and the princess took it into her head to gather for war; she leaves the whole household for Ivan Tsarevich and orders: “Go everywhere, look after everything; only you can’t look into this closet!” He could not stand it as soon as Marya Morevna left, immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there was Koschey the Deathless hanging, chained on twelve chains. Koschey asks Ivan Tsarevich: “Have pity on me, give me a drink! For ten years I have been suffering here, I have not eaten, I have not drunk - my throat is completely dry! The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked again: “I can’t fill my thirst with one bucket; Give more!" The prince gave another bucket; Koschey drank and asked for a third, and when he drank the third bucket, he took his former strength, shook his chains and immediately broke all twelve. “Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich! - said Koschei the Deathless. “Now you will never see Marya Morevna like your own ears!” - and in a terrible whirlwind flew out the window, overtook Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her to him. And Ivan Tsarevich wept bitterly, got ready and went on his way: “Whatever happens, I’ll look for Marya Morevna!”
A day goes by, another goes by, at the dawn of the third he sees a wonderful palace, an oak tree stands by the palace, a falcon sits on a clear oak tree. The falcon flew down from the oak, hit the ground, turned into a good fellow and shouted: “Ah, my dear brother-in-law! How does the Lord have mercy on you? Tsarevna Marya ran out, shot Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began to ask about his health, to tell about her life and being.
