--- title: Chapter I. INTRODUCTORY, part 6 — Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Musc… · full text with trees · page 2 description: Chapter I. INTRODUCTORY, part 6, «Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore»: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Now as he went along the street, it happened that some small boys had got hold of a kitten and were tormenting it. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collecti…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/) / Chapter I. INTRODUCTORY, part 6 # Chapter I. INTRODUCTORY, part 6 · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/page/3/) - [101](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/101/) — "Ah, moujik, Marko the Rich has wished us farewell;\[59\] he's only just dead." - [102](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/102/) — "The kingdom of heaven be his! - [103](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/103/) — If you'll allow me, mistress, in return for my copeck I'll do him a last service--just give his mortal remains a wash." - [104](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/104/) — So saying he laid hold of a pot full of boiling water and began pouring its scalding contents over Marko the Rich. - [105](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/105/) — Marko, his brows knit, his legs contorted, was scarcely able to hold out. - [106](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/106/) — \[60\] - [107](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/107/) — "Writhe away or not as you please," thought the poor man, "but pay me my copeck!" - [108](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/108/) — When he had washed the body, and laid it out properly, he said: - [109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/109/) — "Now then, mistress, buy a coffin and have it taken into the church; I'll go and read psalms over it." - [110](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/110/) — So Marko the Rich was put in a coffin and taken into the church, and the moujik began reading psalms over him. - [111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/111/) — The darkness of night came on. - [112](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/112/) — All of a sudden a window opened, and a party of robbers crept through it into the church. — checked by a teacher - [113](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/113/) — The moujik hid himself behind the altar. - [114](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/114/) — As soon as the robbers had come in they began dividing their booty, and after everything else was shared there remained over and above a golden sabre--each one laid hold of it for himself, no one would give up his claim to it. - [115](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/115/) — Out jumped the poor man, crying: - [116](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/116/) — "What's the good of disputing that way? - [117](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/117/) — Let the sabre belong to him who will cut this corpse's head off!" - [118](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/118/) — Up jumped Marko the Rich like a madman. - [119](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/119/) — The robbers were frightened out of their wits, flung away their spoil and scampered off. - [120](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/120/) — "Here, Moujik," says Marko, "let's divide the money." - [121](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/121/) — They divided it equally between them: each of the shares was a large one. - [122](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/122/) — "But how about the copeck?" asks the poor man. - [123](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/123/) — "Ah, brother!" replies Marko, "surely you can see I've got no change!" - [124](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/124/) — And so Marko the Rich never paid the copeck after all. - [125](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/125/) — We may take next the large class of stories about simpletons, so dear to the public in all parts of the world. - [126](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/126/) — In the Skazkas a simpleton is known as a \_durak\_, a word which admits of a variety of explanations. - [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/127/) — Sometimes it means an idiot, sometimes a fool in the sense of a jester. - [128](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/128/) — In the stories of village life its signification is generally that of a "ninny;" in the "fairy stories" it is frequently applied to the youngest of the well-known "Three Brothers," the "Boots" of the family as Dr. Dasent has called him. - [129](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/129/) — In the latter case, of course, the hero's \_durachestvo\_, or foolishness, is purely subjective. - [130](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/130/) — It exists only in the false conceptions of his character which his family or his neighbors have formed. - [131](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/131/) — \[61\] But the \_durak\_ of the following tale is represented as being really "daft." - [132](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/132/) — The story begins with one of the conventional openings of the Skazka--"In a certain \_tsarstvo\_, in a certain \_gosudarstvo\_,"--but the two synonyms for "kingdom" or "state" are used only because they rhyme. - [133](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/133/) — THE FOOL AND THE BIRCH-TREE. - [134](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/134/) — \[62\] - [135](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/135/) — In a certain country there once lived an old man who had three sons. - [136](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/136/) — Two of them had their wits about them, but the third was a fool. — checked by a teacher - [137](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/137/) — The old man died and his sons divided his property among themselves by lot. - [138](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/138/) — The sharp-witted ones got plenty of all sorts of good things, but nothing fell to the share of the Simpleton but one ox--and that such a skinny one! - [139](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/139/) — Well, fair-time came round, and the clever brothers got ready to go and transact business. - [140](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/140/) — The Simpleton saw this, and said: - [141](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/141/) — "I'll go, too, brothers, and take my ox for sale." - [142](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/142/) — So he fastened a cord to the horn of the ox and drove it to the town. - [143](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/143/) — On his way he happened to pass through a forest, and in the forest there stood an old withered Birch-tree. - [144](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/144/) — Whenever the wind blew the Birch-tree creaked. - [145](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/145/) — "What is the Birch creaking about?" thinks the Simpleton. " - [146](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/146/) — Surely it must be bargaining for my ox? - [147](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/147/) — Well," says he, "if you want to buy it, why buy it. - [148](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/148/) — I'm not against selling it. - [149](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/149/) — The price of the ox is twenty roubles. - [150](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/150/) — I can't take less. - [151](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/151/) — Out with the money!" - [152](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/152/) — The Birch made no reply, only went on creaking. - [153](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/153/) — But the Simpleton fancied that it was asking for the ox on credit. " - [154](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/154/) — Very good," says he, "I'll wait till to-morrow!" - [155](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/155/) — He tied the ox to the Birch, took leave of the tree, and went home. - [156](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/156/) — Presently in came the clever brothers, and began questioning him: - [157](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/157/) — "Well, Simpleton! sold your ox?" - [158](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/158/) — "I've sold it." - [159](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/159/) — "For how much?" - [160](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/160/) — "For twenty roubles." - [161](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/161/) — "Where's the money?" - [162](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/162/) — "I haven't received the money yet. - [163](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/163/) — It was settled I should go for it to-morrow." - [164](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/164/) — "There's simplicity for you!" say they. - [165](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/165/) — Early next morning the Simpleton got up, dressed himself, and went to the Birch-tree for his money. - [166](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/166/) — He reached the wood; there stood the Birch, waving in the wind, but the ox was not to be seen. - [167](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/167/) — During the night the wolves had eaten it. - [168](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/168/) — "Now, then, neighbor!" he exclaimed, "pay me my money. - [169](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/169/) — You promised you'd pay me to-day." - [170](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/170/) — The wind blew, the Birch creaked, and the Simpleton cried: - [171](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/171/) — "What a liar you are! - [172](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/172/) — Yesterday you kept saying, 'I'll pay you to-morrow,' and now you make just the same promise. - [173](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/173/) — Well, so be it, I'll wait one day more, but not a bit longer. - [174](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/174/) — I want the money myself." - [175](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/175/) — When he returned home, his brothers again questioned him closely: - [176](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/176/) — "Have you got your money?" - [177](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/177/) — "No, brothers; I've got to wait for my money again." - [178](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/178/) — "Whom have you sold it to?" - [179](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/179/) — "To the withered Birch-tree in the forest." - [180](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/180/) — "Oh, what an idiot!" - [181](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/181/) — On the third day the Simpleton took his hatchet and went to the forest. - [182](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/182/) — Arriving there, he demanded his money; but the Birch-tree only creaked and creaked. " - [183](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/183/) — No, no, neighbor!" says he. " - [184](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/184/) — If you're always going to treat me to promises,\[63\] there'll be no getting anything out of you. - [185](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/185/) — I don't like such joking; I'll pay you out well for it!" - [186](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/186/) — With that he pitched into it with his hatchet, so that its chips flew about in all directions. - [187](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/187/) — Now, in that Birch-tree there was a hollow, and in that hollow some robbers had hidden a pot full of gold. - [188](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/188/) — The tree split asunder, and the Simpleton caught sight of the gold. - [189](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/189/) — He took as much of it as the skirts of his caftan would hold, and toiled home with it. - [190](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/190/) — There he showed his brothers what he had brought. - [191](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/191/) — "Where did you get such a lot, Simpleton?" said they. - [192](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/192/) — "A neighbor gave it me for my ox. - [193](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/193/) — But this isn't anything like the whole of it; a good half of it I didn't bring home with me! - [194](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/194/) — Come along, brothers, let's get the rest!" - [195](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/195/) — Well, they went into the forest, secured the money, and carried it home. - [196](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/196/) — "Now mind, Simpleton," say the sensible brothers, "don't tell anyone that we've such a lot of gold." - [197](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/197/) — "Never fear, I won't tell a soul!" - [198](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/198/) — All of a sudden they run up against a Diachok,\[64\] and says he:-- - [199](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/199/) — "What's that, brothers, you're bringing from the forest?" - [200](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/200/) — The sharp ones replied, "Mushrooms." [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/16/page/3/) - ← previous: [Chapter I. INTRODUCTORY, part 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/15/) - next →: [Chapter I. INTRODUCTORY, part 7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/17/) - ↑ back to [Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/)