🧚 Opening, part 22

In the morning they went there to collect his bones; but there Iván was, as large as life.1 And they went and told the king.2 And he bade him for the second time go and read prayers.3

And Iván went to the old man and told him what had happened in the church by night.4

Next night the old man told Iván to lie down on the left-hand side of the Holy Gates.5 And once more the witch could not find him.6

On the third night the old man gave him three tapers and a ball of pitch; and the pitch was rolled round with hair.7 He said: “To-night, Ivánushka, is the last night.8 When you have burned out the last taper, lie down beside the grave, and when the witch rises out of it, go and lie in the grave in her place, and do not let her in until she shall read out the prayers ‘_Maiden Mother of God, rejoice!9 _’ and ‘_Our Father Which art in Heaven_.’”10

Iván went into the church and began to read the Psalter, and after lighting the third candle, lay down on the right-hand side of the grave.11 The witch broke out of the coffin and passed over Iván and began to look for him all over the church.12 When the time came for her to lie down, there was Iván in her place.13 “Ah! there art thou!” the witch cried.14 “For thrice twenty-four hours I have been hungry.15 Come out; I want to eat you.”16 And Iván threw the ball covered with hair at her, and she nibbled and gnawed at it.17 And she at last said: “Let me go!”18 “No,” said Iván, “I will not let you go.”19 “Let me go!” the witch repeated.20 “Then do you,” said Iván, “recite the prayer ‘_Maiden Mother of God, rejoice!21 _’ after me, and then I will let you go.”22 And the witch read out the prayer and then said: “Let me go!”23 And Iván said: “Now read the _Our Father_, then I will let you go.”24 And the witch read it out.25 Then Iván came out and said: “Lie down.”26 But the witch said: “Now I cannot lie down.”27 Then she and Iván began to pray.28

In the morning two men came in, and they not only saw Iván, but also Olyóna, the king’s daughter—for this was the witch’s name.29 And they went to the king, and recounted all they had beheld.30

And the king assembled all the spiritual hierarchy and went into the church.31 And he thought it must be that Iván had turned into a wizard, but when he saw how things really were, he embraced Iván and called him his son.32 And the witch said to Iván: “Now, Iván, the merchant’s son, if you have been able to pray to God and to bring me to life again, now learn how to master me, and I will never depart one step from you.”33

So Iván went to the ship, and he told the old man all that had happened, and the old man said: “Ivánushka, fear nothing, take Olyóna Korólyevna[28] as your wife, only for the first three nights do not go to sleep until the cock has crowed three times, and then she will never more oppress you.”34

There was no loitering at the king’s court; very soon all was got ready, and Iván was affianced to Princess Olyóna.35 And for two weeks he lived quite happily.36 Then he said to his father-in-law: “Good father, let me go home and have a Mass said for my father and mother, and once more see my home.”37 And the king said: “My beloved son, Iván, the merchant’s son, I will not withstand your wish, but do return hither.38 You see yourself I am no longer young, and I have no heir.39 When you return I will give you my kingdom, and you will live happily and merrily.”40

So they set out on their journey, and arrived at their own kingdom, to their native land.41 And Iván took Olyóna with him.42 When they arrived at the island of the bricks, they loaded all the vessels, and there were many ships, and they excavated the entire island.43

One day the old man began to cut firewood, took them to the opposite side of the island and said: “Ivánushka, my well-doer, I must now speak with you.”44 And he bade them come where the firewood was stacked.45 He lit the firewood; and when it was in flame he took Olyóna, threw her down, trod on one leg, and pulled her apart into two halves, taking hold of the other leg.46 Iván did not know what to say!47 And the old man put both halves on the fire, and out of the fire there then crept snakes, frogs, and all sorts of reptiles.48 Then he took the two parts out of the fire, rinsed them thoroughly in the sea, sprinkled them over with water, made the sign of the cross, and Olyóna arose such a beauty as no tale can tell and no pen can write.49 Then he said: “Now, my well-doer, Ivánushka, you are to be a mighty king; Iván, the merchant’s son, you are now rich and famous and happy, so see to it that you do not forget God and the poor.50 I shall see you no more.”51

Iván and Olyóna knelt down and began to beseech him, but the old man said: “Beg no more of me, but rather thank God for sending me to you.52 I loved you and your father, Iván, and you even more, because you kindly gave me alms; and now you are rich and famous, do not forget to give alms to the poor.”53 Then he vanished.54

Iván and Olyóna praised God, went back to the ships, and sailed farther on.55

When the poor saw that Iván had arrived with untold wealth, they crowded to the shore and began to kiss Iván’s hands, his feet, and the hem of his garment; and all present were so joyous that the tears flowed from their eyes.56

Iván put up crosses on his parents’ grave, clothed the poor, gave them his house, and returned to his father-in-law, and for many years governed his kingdom.57 And he lived so long that he saw in his old age his sons, his grandsons, and his great-grandsons.58 And he ever prayed and blessed God and Nicholas the Wonder-Worker for the mercy they had manifested to him.59

In that kingdom where he was king, to this very day King Iván and his wife Olyóna the Fair are remembered.60 [29]61

THE POTTER62

Once a potter was journeying on his road with his goods and dozed off.63 The Tsar Iván Vasílyevich came driving by in his carriage and said, “Peace be to you!”64

The potter looked up and said, “I thank you very much and wish you the same.”65

“Have you been asleep?”66

“Yes, my lord.67 Do not fear a man who sings songs; but fear a man who slumbers!”68

“You are a bold fellow, potter: I have seen very few such, and I like them.69 Coachman, slower!70 Potter, tell me, have you been long at your trade?”71

“Ever since my youth, and I am now middle-aged.”72

“Can you keep your children with it?”73

“Yes, I do not sow, nor plough, nor mow, nor reap, and no frosts can do me any harm.”74

“Right, potter; but there are still misfortunes left in the world.”75

“Yes, I know three of them.”76

“What are the three?”77