--- title: Chapter VI. LEGENDS, part 7 — Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Musc… · full text with trees description: Chapter VI. LEGENDS, part 7, «Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore»: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Sometimes the demon of the _legenda_ bears a close resemblance to the snake of the _skazka_. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/) [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 VI. LEGENDS, part 7 # Chapter VI. LEGENDS, part 7 Chapter VI. LEGENDS, part 7 of «Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore»: the whole text, 253 sentences and 2569 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/page/3/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/1/) — Sometimes the demon of the \_legenda\_ bears a close resemblance to the snake of the \_skazka\_. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/2/) — Thus, an evil spirit is described as coming every night at twelve o'clock to the chamber of a certain princess, and giving her no rest till the dawn of day. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/3/) — A soldier--the fairy prince in a lower form--comes to her rescue, and awaits the arrival of the fiend in her room, which he has had brilliantly lighted. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/4/) — Exactly at midnight up flies the evil spirit, assumes the form of a man, and tries to enter the room. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/5/) — But he is stopped by the soldier, who persuades him to play cards with him for fillips, tricks him in various ways, and fillips him to such effect with a species of "three-man beetle," that the demon beats a hasty retreat. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/6/) — The next night Satan sends another devil to the palace. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/7/) — The result is the same as before, and the process is repeated every night for a whole month. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/8/) — At the end of that time "Grandfather Satan" himself confronts the soldier, but he receives so tremendous a beating that he flies back howling "to his swamp." - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/9/) — After a time, the soldier induces the whole of the fiendish party to enter his knapsack, prevents them from getting out again by signing it with a cross, and then has it thumped on an anvil to his heart's content. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/10/) — Afterwards he carries it about on his back, the fiends remaining under it all the while. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/11/) — But at last some women open it, during his absence from a cottage in which he has left it, and out rush the fiends with a crash and a roar. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/12/) — Meeting the soldier on his way back to the cottage, they are so frightened that they fling themselves into the pool below a mill-wheel; and there, the story declares, they still remain. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/13/) — \[485\] - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/14/) — This "legend" is evidently nothing more than an adaptation of one of the tales about the dull demons of olden times, whom the Christian story-teller has transformed into Satan and his subject fiends. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/15/) — By way of a conclusion to this chapter--which might be expanded indefinitely, so numerous are the stories of the class of which it treats--we will take the moral tale of "The Gossip's Bedstead." - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/16/) — \[486\] A certain peasant, it relates, was so poor that, in order to save himself from starvation, he took to sorcery. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/17/) — After a time he became an adept in the black art, and contracted an intimate acquaintance with the fiendish races. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/18/) — When his son had reached man's estate, the peasant saw it was necessary to find him a bride, so he set out to seek one among "his friends the devils." - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/19/) — On arriving in their realm he soon found what he wanted, in the person of a girl who had drunk herself to death, and who, in common with other women who had died of drink, was employed by the devils as a water carrier. - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/20/) — Her employers at once agreed to give her in marriage to the son of their friend, and a wedding feast was instantly prepared. - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/21/) — While the consequent revelry was in progress, Satan offered to present to the bridegroom a receipt which a father had given to the devils when he sold them his son. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/22/) — But when the receipt was sought for--the production of which would have enabled the bridegroom to claim the youth in question as his slave--it could not be found; a certain devil had carried it off, and refused to say where he had hidden it. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/23/) — In vain did his master cause him to be beaten with iron clubs, he remained obstinately mute. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/24/) — At length Satan exclaimed-- - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/25/) — "Stretch him on the Gossip's Bedstead!" - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/26/) — As soon as the refractory devil heard these words, he was so frightened that he surrendered the receipt, which was handed over to the visitor. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/27/) — Astonished at the result, the peasant enquired what sort of bedstead that was which had been mentioned with so much effect. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/28/) — "Well, I'll tell you, but don't you tell anyone else," replied Satan, after hesitating for a time. " - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/29/) — That bedstead is made for us devils, and for our relations, connexions, and gossips. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/30/) — It is all on fire, and it runs on wheels, and turns round and round." - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/31/) — When the peasant heard this, fear came upon him, and he jumped up from his seat and fled away as fast as he could. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/32/) — \* \* \* \* \* - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/33/) — At this point, though much still remains to be said, I will for the present bring my remarks to a close. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/34/) — Incomplete as is the account I have given of the Skazkas, it may yet, I trust, be of use to students who wish to compare as many types as possible of the Popular Tale. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/35/) — I shall be glad if it proves of service to them. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/36/) — I shall be still more glad if I succeed in interesting the general reader in the tales of the Russian People, and through them, in the lives of those Russian men and women of low degree who are wont to tell them, those Russian children who love to hear them. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/37/) — FOOTNOTES: - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/38/) — \[424\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, p. 6. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/39/) — \[425\] These two stories are quoted by Buslaef, in a valuable essay on "The Russian Popular Epos." " - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/40/) — Ist. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/41/) — Och." i. 438. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/42/) — Another tradition states that the dog was originally "naked," \_i.e.\_, without hair; but the devil, in order to seduce it from its loyalty, gave it a \_shuba\_, or pelisse, \_i.e.\_, a coat of hair. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/43/) — \[426\] Buslaef, "Ist. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/44/) — Och," i. 147, where the Teutonic equivalents are given. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/45/) — \[427\] Tereshchenko, v. 48. - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/46/) — For a German version of the story, see the \_KM. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/47/) — \_, No. 124, "Die Kornaehre." - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/48/) — \[428\] Afanasief, \_P.V.S. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/49/) — \_ i. 482. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/50/) — \[429\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, p. 19. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/51/) — \[430\] Tereshchenko, v. p. 45. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/52/) — Some of these legends have been translated by O. von. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/53/) — Reinsberg-Dueringsfeld in the "Ausland," Dec. 9, 1872. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/54/) — \[431\] According to a Bohemian legend the Devil created the mouse, that it might destroy "God's corn," whereupon the Lord created the cat. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/55/) — \[432\] \_Pit'\_, = to drink. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/56/) — \[433\] Tereshchenko, v. 47. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/57/) — \[434\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, p. 13. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/58/) — \[435\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, No. 3. - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/59/) — From the Voroneje Government. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/60/) — \[436\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, No. 8. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/61/) — \[437\] Who thus becomes his "brother of the cross." - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/62/) — This cross-brothership is considered a close spiritual affinity. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/63/) — \[438\] Afanasief, in his notes to this story, gives several of its variants. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/64/) — The rewards and punishments awarded in a future life form the theme of a great number of moral parables, apparently of Oriental extraction. - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/65/) — For an interesting parallel from the Neilgherry Hills, see Gover's "Folk-Songs of Southern India," pp. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/66/) — 81-7. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/67/) — \[439\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, No. 7. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/68/) — \[440\] The icona, +eikon+ or holy picture. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/69/) — \[441\] For some account of Perun--the Lithuanian Perkunas--whose name and attributes appear to be closely connected with those of the Indian Parjanya, see the "Songs of the Russian Nation," pp. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/70/) — 86-102. - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/71/) — \[442\] A Servian song, for instance, quoted by Buslaef ("Ist. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/72/) — Och." i. 361) states that "The Thunder" (\_i.e.\_, the Thunder-God or Perun) "began to divide gifts. - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/73/) — To God (\_Bogu\_) it gave the heavenly heights; to St. Peter the summer" (\_Petrovskie\_ so called after the Saint) "heats; to St. John, the ice and snow; to Nicholas, power over the waters, and to Ilya the lightning and the thunderbolt." - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/74/) — \[443\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, pp. - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/75/) — 137-40, \_P.V.S. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/76/) — \_, i. 469-83. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/77/) — Cf. - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/78/) — Grimm's "Deutsche Mythologie," pp. - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/79/) — 157-59. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/80/) — \[444\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, No. 10. - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/81/) — From the Yaroslaf Government. - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/82/) — \[445\] \_Il'inskomu bat'kye\_--to the Elijah father. - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/83/) — \[446\] Strictly speaking, a \_chetverik\_ = 5.775 gallons. - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/84/) — \[447\] Afanasief, \_P.V.S. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/85/) — \_, iii. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/86/) — 455. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/87/) — \[448\] Called \_Lisun\_, \_Lisovik\_, \_Polisun\_, &c. He answers to the \_Lyeshy\_ or wood-demon (\_lyes\_ = a forest) mentioned above, p. 212. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/88/) — \[449\] Afanasief, \_P.V.S. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/89/) — \_ i. 711. - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/90/) — \[450\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, No. 12. - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/91/) — \[451\] Quoted by Buslaef, "Ist. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/92/) — Och." i. 389. - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/93/) — Troyan is also the name of a mythical king who often figures in Slavonic legends. - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/94/) — \[452\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, No. 11. - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/95/) — From the Orel district. - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/96/) — \[453\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, pp. - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/97/) — 141-5. - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/98/) — With this story may be compared that of "The Cross-Surety." - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/99/) — See above, p. 40. - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/100/) — \[454\] Afanasief, \_Legendui\_, No. 5. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/62/page/3/) - ← previous: [Chapter VI. LEGENDS, part 6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/61/) - next →: [Chapter VI. LEGENDS, part 8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/63/) - ↑ back to [Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/)