--- title: Opening, part 38 — Russian Folk-Tales · full text with trees description: Opening, part 38, «Russian Folk-Tales» by A. N. Afanas'ev: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: In a certain kingdom in a certain land a Tsar and his Tsarítsa lived. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/38/) [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 Folk-Tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/) / Opening, part 38 # Opening, part 38 Opening, part 38 of «Russian Folk-Tales» by A. N. Afanas'ev: the whole text, 145 sentences and 2605 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/38/page/2/) In a certain kingdom in a certain land a Tsar and his Tsarítsa lived.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") They had a son called Iván Tsarévich, and the son had an attendant who was called Katomá Dyádka\[57\] of the oaken-cap.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") When the Tsar and the Tsarítsa had reached a great age both of them became ill, and they felt that they would never become hale again.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") So they called Iván Tsarévich, and said to him: “If we die, always follow Katomá’s advice, and do well by him, then you will live happily; but if you do not, you will falter and fail like a fly.”[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") Next day the Tsar and the Tsarítsa died.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Iván Tsarévich buried his parents, heeded their advice, and always took counsel with Katomá before undertaking any enterprise.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Very soon, maybe a long time, maybe short, he grew up, and he wanted to marry.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") He said to Katomá: “Katomá, Oaken-cap, it is so melancholy living by oneself; I want to marry.”[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") “Tsarévich,” Katomá replied, “you are of the age at which you ought to look for a bride: go into the great hall, where you will see pictures of all the Korolévny\[58\] and Tsarévny in the world.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Gaze on them carefully, and select for yourself a bride, one who pleases you, and you shall marry her.”[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") Iván Tsarévich went into the great hall, looked at the pictures, and he was most delighted with Anna the Fair.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") She was so fair that she was fairer than any princess in the world.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") But under her portrait there was a legend: “\_He who can set her a riddle she cannot solve is to marry her.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Anyone whose riddle she solves dies.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Iván Tsarévich read the legend, and was very sad.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") He went up to Katomá and said: “I was in the great hall, and I selected as my bride Anna the Fair: but I do not know whether I can woo her.”[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") “Yes, Tsarévich, it will be hard for you; if you had to go there by yourself, you would never win her.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Take me.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Do what I say, and all will go well.”[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Iván Tsarévich begged Katomá Oaken-cap to fare there with him, and pledged him his word of honour he would obey him in joy and sorrow.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") So they set out on the way to seek Anna the Fair Tsarévna.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") They journeyed for one year, the second year, and the third year, and they traversed many lands.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Iván Tsarévich said, “We have been so long on the journey and are at last approaching the realms of Anna the Fair, and still we have not thought out any riddles for her!”[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") “Time enough yet,” Katomá replied.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") So they rode on, and Katomá saw a purse lying on the road and said: “Iván Tsarévich, there is your riddle for the Tsarévna; give her this riddle to solve: ‘Good lies on the road: we took the good with good, and set it down to our good.’[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") That she will never solve all her life long, for every riddle she has solved at once, for she had only to look in her magical book; and she would then have your head cut off.”[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") At last the Tsarévich and Katomá came to a lofty castle, where the fair Tsarévna lived.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") She was just standing at her balcony, and sent her messengers to meet them, to know whence they came and what was their will.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Iván Tsarévich answered: “I have come from my distant realm in order to woo Anna Tsarévna the Fair.”[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") This she was told, and she bade the Tsarévich be introduced into her castle: he was to set her a riddle in front of all her councillors and her princes and \_boyárs\_.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") \[59\] “For I have sworn,” she said, “to marry him who sets me a riddle I cannot solve: but if I guess it, then he must die.”[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") The fair Tsarévna listened to the riddle: “Good lies on the road; we took the good with good, and set it down to our good.”[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Anna the Fair took her conjuring book and searched it through for the riddle—looked the whole book through in vain.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") So the princes and \_boyárs\_ decided that she must marry the Tsarévich.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") But she was very gloomy over it, yet still had to make ready.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") But in her heart of hearts she kept thinking: “How could I postpone the date and get rid of my bridegroom?”[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") So she decided to tire him out through severe tasks.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") One day she called Iván Tsarévich to her and said: “Dear Iván Tsarévich, my chosen mate, we must get ready for the marriage.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Do me a small service.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") In my realm there stands in a certain village a great iron column: bring it to the great kitchen and split it up into little logs as firewood for the cook.”[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") “What do you want, Tsarévna?[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Have I come to cut down fuel for you?[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") Is that my duty?[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Oh, my servant can see to that!”[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") So he called Katomá, and he told him to bring the iron column into the kitchen and to hew it into small logs as fuel for the cook.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Katomá at once went, took the pillar in his two hands, brought it into the kitchen and split it up.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") But he kept back four iron shafts and put them into his pocket, for he thought: “Later I may make use of them!”[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Next day the Tsarévna said, “Dear Tsarévich, my chosen husband, to-morrow we shall marry.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") I shall go in a carriage to church, and you will have a fine prancing steed given you.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") You must get him ready yourself.”[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") “I must get the horse ready\![51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Oh, my servant can do that!”[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") So Iván Tsarévich called Katomá, and said: “Come into the stable and command the grooms to bring the horse out; ride it, and to-morrow I will go to church on it.”[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") But Katomá could see the guile in the Tsarévna’s heart, and instantly went into the stable and ordered them to bring the horse out.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Twelve grooms opened the twelve locks, undid twelve doors, and led the magical horse out by twelve chains.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") Katomá went up to him, and as soon as ever he had swung himself on to the horse’s back the steed rose high into the air, higher than the tree-tops in the forest, lower than the clouds in heaven.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") But Katomá had a firm seat, and with one hand he held the mane, and with the other he fetched an iron sheet out of his pocket and struck the palfrey between the ears.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") One sheet broke, then he took a second and a third; and after the third broke he was taking the fourth.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") The horse was so tired that it could not resist him any more, but spoke in a human voice: “Father Katomá, leave me some life, and I will come down to earth and whatever you will I will do.”[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") “Listen then, wretched animal!”[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") Katomá answered.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") “To-morrow Iván Tsarévich will ride you to his wedding.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Listen\![63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") When the servants take you into the broad courtyard, and he comes up to you and lays his hand on you, stand still: do not prick your ear.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") When he mounts, kneel down with your hoofs on the ground, and step under him with a heavy tread as if you were bearing a burdensome load.”[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") So the horse sank half-dead on to the earth.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") Katomá, seated by the tail, hailed the grooms and said, “Ho, you there! grooms and coachmen, take this carrion into the stable.”[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") Next day came, and the hour for going to church.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") The Tsarévna had a carriage ready, and the Tsarévich was given the magical horse.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") And from all parts of the country the people had assembled in multitudes, countless multitudes, to see the bride and bridegroom leave the white stone palace.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") And the Tsarévna went into the carriage and was waiting to see what would happen to Iván Tsarévich.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") She thought to herself that the horse would prance him up against the winds, and that she could already see his bones scattered in the open fields.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/38/page/2/) - ← previous: [Opening, part 37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/37/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/38/page/2/) - ↑ back to [Russian Folk-Tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62509/)