Presently Ivan went out to make a trial of his strength; and going
into the kitchen garden, he seized a pole and stuck it half its length
into the ground, and turned it with such strength that the whole
village turned round. Then he went back into the cottage to take leave
of his parents and ask their blessing. The old folk fell to weeping
bitterly when he spoke of leaving them, and entreated him to stay at
least a little longer; but Ivan heeded not their tears, and said: "If
you will not give me your consent, I shall go without it." So his
parents gave him their blessing; and Ivan prayed, bowing himself to
all four sides, and then took leave of his father and mother.
Thereupon he went straight out of the yard, and followed his eyes,
and wandered for ten days and ten nights until at length he came to a
large kingdom. He had scarcely entered the city when a great noise and
outcry arose; whereat the Tsar was so frightened that he ordered a
proclamation to be made, that whoever appeased the tumult should have
his daughter for wife, and half his kingdom with her.
When Ivanushka heard this he went to the Court and desired the Tsar to
be informed that he was ready to appease the tumult. So the doorkeeper
went straight and told the Tsar, who ordered Ivan the peasant's son to
be called. And the Tsar said to him: "My friend, is what you have said
to the doorkeeper true?"
"Quite true," replied Ivan; "but I ask for no other reward than that
your Majesty gives me whatever is the cause of the noise." At this the
Tsar laughed, and said: "Take it by all means, if it is of any use to
you." So Ivan the peasant's son made his bow to the Tsar and took his
leave.
Then Ivan went to the doorkeeper and demanded of him a hundred
workmen, who were instantly given him; and Ivan ordered them to dig a
hole in front of the palace. And when the men had thrown up the earth,
they saw an iron door, with a copper ring. So Ivan lifted up this door
with one hand, and beheld a steed fully caparisoned, and a suit of
knightly armour. When the horse perceived Ivan, he fell on his knees
before him, and said with a human voice: "Ah, thou brave youth! Ivan
the peasant's son! the famous knight Lukopero placed me here; and for
three-and-thirty years have I been impatiently awaiting you. Seat
yourself on my back, and ride whithersoever you will: I will serve you
faithfully, as I once served the brave Lukopero."
Ivan saddled his good steed, gave him a bridle of embroidered ribands,
put a Tcherkess saddle on his back, and buckled ten rich silken girths
around him. Then he vaulted into the saddle, struck him on the flank,
and the horse chafed at the bit, and rose from the ground higher than
the forest; he left hill and dale swiftly under his feet, covered
large rivers with his tail, sent forth a thick steam from his ears,
and flames from his nostrils.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account