In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, there was Ivan Tsarevich; he had three sisters: one Marya the princess, the other Olga the princess, and the third Anna the princess. Their father and mother died; dying, they punished their son:

- Who is the first to marry your sisters, for that and give - do not keep with you for a long time!

The tsarevich buried his parents and out of grief went with his sisters to the green garden for a walk. Suddenly a black cloud finds in the sky, a terrible thunderstorm rises.

- Let's go, sisters, home! - says Ivan Tsarevich.

As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a falcon flew into the upper room, the falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and says:

- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! I used to be a guest, but now I am a matchmaker; I want to marry your sister Marya the princess.

- If you love her, I will not calm her down - let him go!

Marya the princess agreed, the falcon married and took her to his kingdom.

Days pass after days, hours run after hours - the whole year is gone; Ivan Tsarevich and his two sisters went for a walk in the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.

- Let's go, sisters, home! - says the prince.

As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the roof split open, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in, hit the floor and became a good fellow:

- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! I used to be a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker. And he wooed Olga the princess. Ivan Tsarevich answers:

- If you love Olga the princess, then let him go for you; I don’t take her will.

Olga the princess agreed and married the eagle; the eagle caught her and carried her away to his kingdom.

Another year has passed; Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister:

- Let's go for a walk in the green garden! We walked a little; again a cloud with a whirlwind, with lightning rises.

- Let's go home, sister!

We returned home, did not have time to sit down - as thunder struck, the ceiling split in two and a raven flew in; the raven hit the floor and became a good fellow; the former were good-looking, and this one is even better.

- Well, Ivan Tsarevich, I used to be a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker; give Anna the princess for me.

“I don’t take my will off my sister; if you fell in love with her, let him go for you.

Anna the princess married the crow, and he took her to his state.

Ivan Tsarevich was left alone; he lived for a whole year without his sisters, and he became bored.

- I'll go, - he says, - to look for the sisters. Gathered on the road, he walks and sees - the army lies in the field - the beaten strength.

Ivan Tsarevich asks:

- If there is a man alive here - answer! Who defeated this great army?

A man responded to him:

- All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, came out to meet him:

- Hello, tsarevich, where is God taking you - by the will of al-by-will?

Ivan Tsarevich answered her:

- Good fellows do not drive captively!

“Well, if it’s not in a hurry, stay in my tents.

Ivan Tsarevich is glad for that, he spent two nights in tents, fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her.

Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state; they lived together for some time, and the princess took it into her head to get ready for the war; she leaves the whole household for Ivan Tsarevich and orders:

- Go everywhere, look after everything; only don't look into this closet!

He could not bear it; as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there was Koschey the Immortal hanging there, chained on twelve chains.

Koschey asks Ivan Tsarevich:

- Have pity on me, give me a drink! For ten years I have been tormented here, I did not eat, I did not drink - my throat was completely dry!

The prince handed him a bucket of water, he drank it and asked again:

- I can't fill with one bucket of thirst, give me more!

The prince brought in another bucket; Koschey drank and asked for a third, and when he drank the third bucket, he took his previous strength, shook his chains and immediately broke all twelve.

- Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich! - said Koschey the Immortal. - Now you will never see Marya Morevna as your ears! - And in a terrible whirlwind he flew out the window, overtook Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her away.

And Ivan Tsarevich wept bitterly, bitterly, equipped himself and went on his way:

- Whatever happens, but I will find Marya Morevna!

Day goes by, another goes, at dawn on the third he sees a wonderful palace, an oak stands by the palace, a falcon sits on an oak tree. The falcon flew off the oak tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:

- Ah, my dear brother-in-law! How does the Lord have mercy on you?

Marya the princess ran out, greeted Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began to ask about his health, talk about her life and life.

The prince stayed with them for three days and says:

- I cannot stay with you for a long time; I'm going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

“It's hard for you to find her,” the falcon replies. - Leave your silver spoon here, just in case: we will look at it, remember about you.

Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon with the falcon and went on the road.

He walked a day, walked another, at dawn on the third he sees the palace even better than the first, an oak stands near the palace, an eagle sits on an oak tree. An eagle flew from a tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:

- Get up, Olga the princess! Our dear brother is coming!

Olga the princess immediately ran out to meet him, began to kiss and hug him, ask about his health, talk about her life and life. Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and says:

- I have no time to stay longer: I am going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

The eagle answers:

- It's hard for you to find her; leave with us a silver fork: we will look at it, we will remember you.

He left the silver fork and went on the road.

Day went on, another went on, at dawn on the third he sees the palace better than the first two, an oak stands near the palace, a raven sits on an oak tree.

A raven flew off an oak tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:

- Anna the princess! Come out quickly, our brother is coming.

Anna the princess ran out, greeted him joyfully, began to kiss and hug, to ask about health, to tell about her life and life.

Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and says:

- Goodbye! I'll go look for my wife - Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess. The raven answers:

- It's hard for you to find her; Leave us a silver snuff-box: we will look at it, remember you.

The prince gave him a silver snuff-box, said goodbye and went on the road.

A day went on, another went, and on the third I got to Marya Morevna.

She saw her sweetheart, threw herself on his neck, burst into tears and said:

- Ah, Ivan Tsarevich! Why didn't you obey me - looked into the closet and released Koshchei the Immortal.

- Sorry, Marya Morevna! Do not remember the old one, we'd better come with me until you see Koshchei the Immortal, maybe he won't catch up!

We packed up and left. And Koschey was on the hunt; in the evening he tosses and turns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

The horse answers:

- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away.

- Is it possible to catch up with them?

- You can sow wheat, wait until it grows, squeeze it, grind it, turn it into flour, cook five ovens of bread, eat that bread, but then we’ll drive in pursuit - and then we will be ripe!

Koschey galloped off, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich.

- Well, - he says, - the first time I forgive you, for your kindness, that gave me water to drink, and another time I will forgive, and the third time beware - I will chop into pieces!

Took away Marya Morevna from him and took her away; and Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone and wept.

He cried, cried and again turned back for Marya Morevna, Koschei the Immortal did not happen at home.

- Let's go, Marya Morevna!

- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich! He will catch up with us.

- Let him catch up, we'll spend at least an hour or two together.

We packed up and left. Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

- What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Ali, do you smell any misfortune?

- Is it possible to catch up with them?

- You can sow barley, wait until it grows, squeeze, grind, brew beer, get drunk, get enough sleep, and then go in pursuit - and then we will be ripe!

Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich:

- Well, I told you that you will not see Marya Morevna as your ears!

He took her away and took her home.

Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, wept and wept, and again returned for Marya Morevna; at that time Koschei did not happen at home.

- Let's go, Marya Morevna!

- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich! After all, he will catch up, he will chop you into pieces.

- Let him chop! I can not live without you. We packed up and drove off. Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

- What are you stumbling about? Ali, do you feel any misfortune?

- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna with him.

Koschey galloped off, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich; chopped it into small pieces and laid it in a tar barrel; took this barrel, fastened it with iron hoops and threw it into the blue sea, and took Marya Morevna to his place.

At the same time, the silver of the sons-in-law of Ivan Tsarevich turned black.

- Ah, - they say, - apparently, trouble happened!

The eagle threw himself on the blue sea, grabbed and pulled the barrel to the shore, the falcon flew after the living water, and the raven after the dead. All three flew into one place, smashed the barrel, took out pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed them and put them together as needed.

The raven splashed with dead water - the body grew together, joined; the falcon splashed living water - Ivan Tsarevich shuddered, got up and said:

- Oh, how long I slept!

- I would have slept even longer if not for us! - the sons-in-law answered. - Come now to visit us.

- No, brothers! I'll go look for Marya Morevna! He comes to her and asks:

- Find out from Koshchei the Immortal, where he got himself such a good horse.

Marya Morevna found a good moment and began to question Koshchei.

Koschey said:

- Beyond the distant lands, in the thirtieth kingdom, beyond the river of fire lives Baba Yaga; she has a mare on which she flies around the world every day. She also has many other glorious mares; I was a shepherd with her for three days, I did not miss a single mare, and for that Baba Yaga gave me one foal.

- How did you cross the fiery river?

- And I have such a scarf - as I wave to the right three times, a high, high bridge will be made, and the fire will not reach it!

Marya Morevna listened, told everything to Ivan Tsarevich and took away the handkerchief and gave it to him.

Ivan Tsarevich crossed the river of fire and went to Baba Yaga. He walked for a long time without drinking or eating. He came across an overseas bird with small children.

Ivan Tsarevich says:

“I’m taking pictures of one chick.

- Don't eat, Ivan Tsarevich! - asks the overseas bird. “I'll be of use to you for a while. He went on and saw a hive of bees in the forest.

“I'll take some honey,” he says. The queen bee responds:

- Don't touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich! I'll be useful to you for a while.

- I'll eat even this lion cub; I want to eat so much, I feel sick!

“Don’t touch me, Ivan Tsarevich,” the lioness asks. “I’ll be useful to you for a while.

- Well, let it be your way!

He walked hungry, walked, walked - there was the house of Baba Yaga, around the house there were twelve poles, on eleven poles on a human head, only one unoccupied.

- Hello, grandma!

- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Why did you come - of your own free will or out of need?

- I came to earn your heroic horse.

- Please, prince! I don't have a year to serve, but only three days; if you save my mares, I will give you a heroic horse, and if not, then do not be angry - stick your head on the last pole.

Ivan Tsarevich agreed, Baba Yaga fed and watered him and ordered to get down to business. He had just driven the mares out into the field, the mares lifted their tails, and they all scattered across the meadows; Before the prince had time to raise his eyes, they completely disappeared. Then he began to cry and grieve, sat down on a stone and fell asleep.

The sun is already at sunset, an overseas bird has arrived and wakes him up:

- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are now at home. The prince got up and went home; and Baba Yaga makes a noise and shouts at her mares:

- Why did you come back home?

- How could we not come back? Birds flew from all over the world, almost pecked out our eyes.

- Well, tomorrow you do not run in the meadows, but scatter in the dense forests.

Ivan Tsarevich slept at night, the next morning Baba Yaga says to him:

- Look, prince, if you don’t save the mares, if you lose at least one - to be your wild little head on a pole.

He drove the mares into the field, they immediately lifted their tails and fled through the dense forests. Again the prince sat down on the stone, cried and cried, and fell asleep.

The sun went down behind the forest, a lioness came running:

- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are all collected. Ivan Tsarevich got up and went home; Baba Yaga makes more noise than ever before and shouts at her mares:

- Why did you return home?

- How could we not come back? Fierce animals came running from all over the world, almost tore us apart.

- Well, tomorrow you will run into the blue sea. Again, Ivan Tsarevich slept the night, the next morning Baba Yaga sends her mares to graze:

- If you don’t save yourself, be your wild little head on a pole.

He drove the mares into the field; they immediately lifted their tails, disappeared from sight, and ran into the blue sea; stand in water up to their necks. Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone, wept and fell asleep.

The sun went down behind the forest, a bee flew in and said:

- Get up, prince! The mares are all collected; But when you get home, don't show yourself to Baba Yaga, go to the stable and hide behind the manger. There is a lousy foal there - lying in the manure, you steal it and leave the house at midnight.

Ivan Tsarevich got up, made his way into the stable and lay down behind the manger; Baba Yaga makes a noise and shouts at her mares:

- Why did you come back?

- How could we not come back? Bees have flown in, seemingly invisibly from all over the world, and let us sting from all sides to the point of blood!

Baba Yaga fell asleep, and at midnight Ivan Tsarevich stole a lousy foal from her, saddled it, sat down and galloped to the river of fire. I reached that river, waved my handkerchief three times to the right - and suddenly, from where it came from, a high bridge hung over the river. The Tsarevich crossed the bridge and waved his handkerchief to the left side only twice - there was a thin, thin bridge across the river! Baba Yaga woke up in the morning - you couldn't see a lousy foal! Has rushed in pursuit; galloping at full speed on an iron mortar, driving with a pestle, sweeping the trail with a broomstick.

She galloped to the fiery river, looked and thought: "Nice bridge!"

I went over the bridge, only got to the middle - the bridge broke off, and Baba Yaga chuburah into the river; then a fierce death happened to her! Ivan Tsarevich fattened a foal in the green meadows, he became a wonderful horse. The Tsarevich comes to Marya Morevna; she ran out, threw herself on his neck:

- How are you alive again?

“So and so,” he says. - Come with me.

- I'm afraid, Ivan Tsarevich! If Koschey catches up, I'll be chopped up again.

- No, it won't catch up! Now I have a glorious heroic horse, like a bird flies.

They got on their horse and drove off.

Koschey the Immortal is tossing and turning home, under him the horse stumbles.

- What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Ali, do you smell any misfortune?

- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away.

- Is it possible to catch up with them?

- God knows! Now Ivan Tsarevich has a heroic horse better than me.

- No, I will not resist, - says Koschey the Immortal, - I will go in pursuit.

Whether for a long time or a short time - he caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, jumped down and was about to whip him with a sharp saber; at that time, Ivan Tsarevich's horse struck with full swing the hoof of Koshchei the Immortal and smashed his head, and the Tsarevich finished him off with a club. After that, the prince laid a pile of firewood, lit a fire, burned Koshchei the Immortal at the stake, and let his ashes go down the wind.

Marya Morevna mounted Koscheev's horse, and Ivan Tsarevich on his own, and they went to visit first to the raven, then to the eagle, and then to the falcon.

Wherever they come, they are greeted with joy everywhere:

- Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, and we did not like to see you. Well, it's not for nothing that you were bothering: to look for such a beauty as Marya Morevna in the whole world - you won't find another!

They stayed, feasted, and went to their kingdom. We arrived and began to live and live for ourselves, make good money and drink honey.

Alternative text:

- Russian folk tale processed by A.N. Afanasyev

In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, there was Ivan Tsarevich; he had three sisters: one Marya the princess, the other Olga the princess, and the third Anna the princess. Their father and mother died; dying, they punished their son:

- Who is the first to marry your sisters, for that and give - do not keep with you for a long time!

The prince buried his parents and out of grief went with his sisters to the green garden for a walk. Suddenly a black cloud finds in the sky, a terrible thunderstorm rises.

- Let's go, sisters, home! - says Ivan Tsarevich.

As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a falcon flew into the upper room towards them, the falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and says:

- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! I used to be a guest, but now I am a matchmaker; I want to marry your sister Marya the princess.

- If you love your sister, I will not appease her - let him go with God!

Marya the princess agreed; the falcon married and took her to his kingdom.

Days pass after days, hours run after hours - the whole year is gone; Ivan Tsarevich and his two sisters went for a walk in the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.

- Let's go, sisters, home! - says the prince. As soon as they came to the palace, thunder struck, the roof split open, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in; hit the floor and became a good fellow.

- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! I used to be a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker.

And he wooed Olga the princess. Ivan Tsarevich answers:

- If you love Olga the princess, then let him go for you; I don’t take her will.

Olga the princess agreed and married the eagle; the eagle caught her and carried her away to his kingdom.

Another year has passed; Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister:

- Let's go for a walk in the green garden!

We walked a little; again a cloud with a whirlwind, with lightning rises.

- Let's go home, sister!

We returned home, did not have time to sit down - as thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a raven flew in; the raven hit the floor and became a good fellow; the former were good-looking, and this one is even better.

- Well, Ivan Tsarevich, I used to be a guest, and now I came as a matchmaker; give Anna the princess for me.

“I don’t take my will off my sister: if she loves you, let him go for you.

Anna the princess married the crow, and he took her to his state.

Ivan Tsarevich was left alone; he lived for a whole year without his sisters, and he became bored.

“I’ll go,” he says, “to look for the sisters.

He got ready for the road, walked, walked and saw - the army was lying in the field - the beaten strength. Ivan Tsarevich asks:

- If there is a man alive here - answer! Who defeated this great army?

A man responded to him:

- All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

- Hello, tsarevich, where is God taking you - by the will of all by bondage?

Ivan Tsarevich answered her:

- Good fellows do not drive captively!

“Well, if it’s not in a hurry, stay in my tents.

Ivan Tsarevich is glad for that, he spent two nights in tents, fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her.

Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state; they lived together for some time, and the princess took it into her head to get ready for the war; she leaves the whole household for Ivan Tsarevich and orders:

- Go everywhere, look after everything; only in this closet I could not look!

He could not bear it: as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there was Koschey the Immortal hanging there, chained on twelve chains.

Koschey asks Ivan Tsarevich:

- Have pity on me, give me a drink! For ten years I have been tormented here, I did not eat, I did not drink - my throat was completely dry!

The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked again:

- I can't fill with one bucket of thirst; Give more!

The prince brought in another bucket; Koschey drank and asked for a third, and when he drank the third bucket, he took his previous strength, shook his chains and immediately broke all twelve.

- Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich! - said Koschey the Immortal. - Now you will never see Marya Morevna as your ears! - And in a terrible whirlwind he flew out the window, overtook Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her away.

And Ivan Tsarevich wept bitterly, bitterly, equipped himself and went on his way:

- Whatever happens, but I will find Marya Morevna!

Day goes by, another goes, at dawn on the third he sees a wonderful palace, an oak stands by the palace, a falcon sits on an oak tree. The falcon flew off the oak tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:

- Ah, my dear brother-in-law! How does the Lord have mercy on you?

Marya the princess ran out, greeted Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began to ask about his health, talk about her life.

The prince stayed with them for three days and says:

- I cannot stay with you for a long time; I'm going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

“It's hard for you to find her,” the falcon replies. - Leave your silver spoon here, just in case: we will look at it, remember about you.

Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon with the falcon and went on the road.

He walked a day, walked another, at dawn on the third he sees the palace even better than the first, an oak stands near the palace, an eagle sits on an oak tree. An eagle flew from a tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:

- Get up, Olga the princess! Our dear brother is coming.

Olga the princess immediately ran to meet him, began to kiss and hug him, ask about his health, talk about her life and life.

- I have no time to stay longer; I'm going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

The eagle answers:

- It's hard for you to find her; leave with us a silver fork, we will look at it, remember you.

He left the silver fork and went on the road.

Day went on, another went on, at dawn on the third he sees the palace better than the first two, an oak stands near the palace, a raven sits on an oak tree. A raven flew off an oak tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:

- Anna the princess! Come out quickly, our brother is coming.

Anna the princess ran out, greeted him joyfully, began to kiss and hug, to ask about health, to tell about her life and life.

Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and says:

- Goodbye! I'll go look for my wife - Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

The raven answers:

- It's hard for you to find her; Leave us a silver snuff-box: we will look at it, remember you.

The prince gave him a silver snuff-box, said goodbye and went on the road.

A day went on, another went, and on the third I got to Marya Morevna. She saw her darling, threw herself on his neck, burst into tears and said:

- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich! Why didn't you obey me - looked into the closet and released Koshchei the Immortal?

- Sorry, Marya Morevna! Do not remember the old one, it is better to go with me until you see Koshchei the Immortal; maybe he won't catch up!

We packed up and left.

And Koschey was on the hunt; in the evening he tosses and turns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

The horse answers:

- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away.

- Is it possible to catch up with them?

- You can sow wheat, wait until it grows, squeeze it, grind it, turn it into flour, cook five ovens of bread, eat that bread, but then we’ll drive in pursuit - and then we will be ripe!

Koschey galloped off, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich.

- Well, - he says, - for the first time I forgive you for your kindness that gave me water to drink; and another time I will forgive, but the third time beware - I will chop it to pieces!

He took Marya Morevna from him and took him away, and Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone and wept.

He wept, wept, and again turned back for Marya Morevna; Koschey the Immortal House did not happen.

- Let's go, Marya Morevna!

- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich! He will catch up with us.

- Let him catch up; we'll spend at least an hour or two together.

We packed up and left. Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

- What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Ali, do you smell any misfortune?

- Is it possible to catch up with them?

- You can sow barley, wait until it grows, squeeze, grind, brew beer, get drunk, get enough sleep, and then go in pursuit - and then we will be in time!

Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich:

- Well, I told you that you will not see Marya Morevna, as your ears!

He took her away and took her home.

Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, wept and wept, and again returned for Marya Morevna; at that time Koschei did not happen at home.

- Let's go, Marya Morevna!

- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich! After all, he will catch up, he will chop you into pieces.

- Let him chop! I can not live without you.

We packed up and drove off.

Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

- What are you stumbling about? Al do you feel what kind of misfortune?

- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna with him.

Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, chopped him into small pieces and put him in a tar barrel; took this barrel, fastened it with iron hoops and threw it into the blue sea, and took Marya Morevna to his place.

At the same time, the silver of the sons-in-law of Ivan Tsarevich turned black.

- Ah, - they say, - apparently, trouble happened!

The eagle threw himself on the blue sea, grabbed and pulled the barrel to the shore, the falcon flew after the living water, and the raven after the dead.

All three flew into one place, smashed the barrel, took out pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed them and put them together as needed. The raven sprayed with dead water - the body grew together, joined; the falcon splashed with living water - Ivan Tsarevich shuddered, got up and said:

- Oh, how long I slept!

- I would have slept even longer, if not for us! - the sons-in-law answered. - Come now to visit us.

- No, brothers! I'll go look for Marya Morevna.

He comes to her and asks:

- Find out from Koshchei the Immortal, where he got himself such a good horse.

Here Marya Morevna found a good moment and began to question Koshchei. Koschey said:

- Beyond the distant lands, in the thirtieth kingdom, beyond the fiery river lives Baba Yaga; she has a mare on which she flies around the world every day. She also has many other glorious mares; I was her shepherd for three days, I did not miss a single mare, and then Baba Yaga gave me one foal.

- How did you cross the fiery river?

- And I have such a handkerchief: I wave to the right three times, a high, high bridge will be made, and the fire will not reach it!

Marya Morevna listened, told everything to Ivan Tsarevich and took away the handkerchief and gave it to him.

Ivan Tsarevich crossed the river of fire and went to Baba Yaga. He walked for a long time without drinking or eating. He came across an overseas bird with small children. Ivan Tsarevich says:

“I’m taking pictures of one chick.

- Don't eat, Ivan Tsarevich! - asks the overseas bird. “I'll be useful to you for a while.

“I'll take some honey,” he says.

The queen bee responds:

- Don't touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich! I'll be useful to you for a while.

- I will eat even this lion cub: I want to eat so much, I already felt sick!

“Don’t touch me, Ivan Tsarevich,” the lioness asks. “I’ll be useful to you for a while.

- Well, let it be your way!

He walked hungry, walked, walked - there was the house of Baba Yaga, around the house there were twelve poles, on eleven poles on a human head, only one unoccupied.

- Hello, grandma!

- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Why did you come - of your own free will or out of need?

- I came to earn your heroic horse.

- Please, prince! I don't have a year to serve, but only three days; if you save my mares, I will give you a heroic horse, and if not, then do not be angry - stick your head on the last pole.

Ivan Tsarevich agreed; Baba Yaga fed and watered him and ordered him to get down to business.

He had just driven the mares out into the field, the mares lifted their tails and all scattered across the meadows; Before the prince had time to raise his eyes, they completely disappeared.

Then he began to cry, grieve, sat down on a stone and fell asleep.

The sun is already at sunset, an overseas bird has arrived and wakes him up:

- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are now at home.

The prince got up and went home; and Baba Yaga makes a noise and shouts at her mares:

- Why did you come back home?

- How could we not come back? Birds flew in from all over the world, almost pecked out our eyes.

- Well, tomorrow you do not run in the meadows, but scatter in the dense forests.

Ivan Tsarevich slept through the night; the next morning Baba Yaga says to him:

- Look, prince, if you don’t save the mares, if you lose at least one - to be your wild little head on a pole!

He drove the mares into the field, they immediately lifted their tails and fled through the dense forests. Again the prince sat down on a stone, cried, cried, and fell asleep. The sun went down behind the forest, a lioness came running:

- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are all collected.

Ivan Tsarevich got up and went home; Baba Yaga is worse than ever and makes noise and shouts at her mares:

- Why did you return home?

- How could we not come back? Fierce animals came running from all over the world, almost tore us apart.

- Well, you will run in the blue sea tomorrow.

Ivan Tsarevich slept again the night; the next morning Baba Yaga sends him to graze mares:

- If you don’t save yourself - be your wild head on a pole.

He drove the mares into the field; they immediately lifted their tails, disappeared from sight, and ran into the blue sea; stand in water up to their necks. Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone, wept and fell asleep. The sun went down behind the forest, a bee flew in and said:

- Get up, prince! The mares are all collected; But when you get home, don't show yourself to Baba Yaga, go to the stable and hide behind the manger. There is a lousy colt lying in the manure; you steal it and leave the house at dead midnight.

Ivan Tsarevich got up, made his way into the stable and lay down behind the manger; Baba Yaga makes a noise and shouts at her mares:

- Why did you come back?

- How could we not come back? Bees have flown in, seemingly invisibly from all over the world, and let us sting from all sides to the point of blood!

Baba Yaga fell asleep, and at midnight Ivan Tsarevich stole a lousy colt from her, saddled him, sat down and galloped to the river of fire. I reached that river, waved my handkerchief three times to the right - and suddenly, from somewhere, a high, glorious bridge hung over the river.

The Tsarevich crossed the bridge and waved his handkerchief to the left side only twice - there was only a thin, thin bridge across the river!

Baba Yaga woke up in the morning - you couldn't see a lousy foal! Has rushed in pursuit; galloping at full speed on an iron mortar, driving with a pestle, sweeping the trail with a broomstick.

She galloped to the fiery river, looked and thought: "Nice bridge!"

I drove across the bridge, just got to the middle - the bridge broke off, and Baba Yaga cheburakh into the river! Then a fierce death happened to her.

Ivan Tsarevich fed a foal in green meadows; he became a wonderful horse.

The Tsarevich comes to Marya Morevna; she ran out, threw herself on his neck:

- How did you manage to get rid of death?

- So and so, - he says. - Come with me.

- I'm afraid, Ivan Tsarevich! If Koschey catches up, I'll be chopped up again.

- No, it won't catch up! Now I have a glorious heroic horse, like a bird flies.

They got on their horse and drove off.

Koschey the Immortal is tossing and turning home, under him the horse stumbles.

- What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Ali, do you smell any misfortune?

- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away.

- Is it possible to catch up with them?

- God knows! Now Ivan Tsarevich has a heroic horse better than me.

- No, I will not resist, - says Koschey the Immortal, - I will go in pursuit.

Whether it took a long time or a short time — he caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, jumped to the ground and was about to whip him with a sharp saber; at that time, Ivan Tsarevich's horse struck with full swing the hoof of Koshchei the Immortal and smashed his head, and the tsarevich finished him off with a club.

After that, the prince put a bunch of firewood, lit a fire, burned Koshchei the Immortal at the stake, and let his ashes go into the wind.

Marya Morevna mounted Koscheev's horse, and Ivan Tsarevich on his own, and they went to visit first to the raven, then to the eagle, and then to the falcon. Wherever they come, they are greeted with joy everywhere:

- Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, and we did not like to see you.

Well, it’s not for nothing that you were busy: to look for such a beauty as Marya Morevna in the whole world - you cannot find another!

They stayed, feasted, and went to their kingdom; came and began to live and live for themselves, make good money and drink honey.

In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, Ivan Tsarevich lived and lived. And he had three sisters: one Marya the princess, the other Olga the princess, the third Anna the princess.

Their father and mother died. When they were dying, they punished their son: “Whoever marries the sisters first, give up for that — don’t keep with you for a long time.” The prince buried his parents and out of grief went with the sisters to the green garden for a walk.

Suddenly a black cloud finds in the sky, a terrible thunderstorm rises .-? Let's go, sisters, home, - says Ivan Tsarevich. As soon as they arrived at the palace - as thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a falcon flew into the upper room.

The falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and said: - Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I was a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker: I want to marry your sister Marya the princess. '' If you love your sister, I don’t keep her - let her go. Marya the princess agreed. The falcon married and took her to his kingdom.

Days pass after days, hours run after hours - the whole year is gone. Ivan Tsarevich and his two sisters went for a walk in the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning. “Let's go home, sisters,” says the prince. As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the roof fell apart, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in.

The eagle hit the floor and became a good fellow. - Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I came as a guest, but now I came as a matchmaker. And I wooed Olga the princess. Ivan Tsarevich answers: “If you love Olga the princess, then let him go for you, I don’t take her will off. Olga the princess agreed and married. eagle to marry. The eagle picked her up and carried her away to his kingdom.

Another year has passed. Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister: - Let's go, we will take a walk in the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning .-? Let's go back home, sister! We returned home, did not have time to sit down - as thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a raven flew in. The raven hit the floor and became a good fellow. The former were good-looking, and this one is even better.

Well, Ivan Tsarevich, I used to be a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker: give Anna the princess for me. - I don’t take my will off my sister. If you fell in love with her, let her go for you. Anna the princess married the crow, and he took her to his state.

Ivan Tsarevich was left alone. For a whole year he lived without sisters, and it became boring for him. '' `` I'll go, '' he says, `` to look for the sisters. '' I got ready for the road, walked, walked and saw: the army was lying in the field, beaten strength. Ivan Tsarevich asks: "If there is a man alive here, answer: who beat this great army? The man replied to him:" All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

Ivan Tsarevich set off further, ran into the white tents, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, came out to meet him. - Hello, Tsarevich. Where is God taking you - by will al by captivity? Ivan Tsarevich answers her: -? Good fellows do not go involuntarily .-? Well, if it’s not in a hurry, visit me in tents. Ivan Tsarevich is glad for that: two spent the night in tents. He fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her.

Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state. They lived together for some time, and the princess took it into her head to get ready for the war. She leaves the entire household for Ivan Tsarevich and orders: `` Go everywhere, look after everything, just don't look into this closet. '' He could not bear it: as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there it was hanging Koschey the Immortal, chained on twelve chains.

Koschey asks Ivan Tsarevich: - Have pity on me, let me get drunk! For ten years I have been tormented here, I did not eat, I did not drink - my throat was completely dry. The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank it and asked again: "I can't fill with one bucket of thirst." Give me more! ”The prince brought in another bucket. Koschey drank and asked for a third; and when he drank the third bucket, he took his former strength, shook the chains and immediately broke all twelve.

Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich, - said Koschey the Immortal, - now you will never see Marya Morevna as your ears. And in a terrible whirlwind he flew out the window, caught up with Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, picked her up and carried her away.

And Ivan Tsarevich wept bitterly, bitterly, got his outfit and went on his way: "Whatever may be, I will find Marya Morevna." Day goes by, another goes, at dawn on the third he sees a wonderful palace. An oak stands by the palace, a falcon sits on an oak tree. A falcon flew off an oak tree, hit the ground, turned around like a good fellow and shouted: -? Ah, my dear brother-in-law!

Marya the princess ran out, greeted Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began to ask about his health, talk about her life. The prince stayed with them for three days and said: "I can't stay with you for a long time: I'm going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess." "It's hard for you to find her," the falcon replies. - Leave your silver spoon here, just in case: we will look at it, remember about you.

Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon with the falcon and went on the road. He walked a day, walked another, at dawn on the third he sees the palace even better than the first. There is an oak near the palace, an eagle sits on an oak. The eagle flew from the tree, hit the ground, turned around like a good fellow and shouted: "Get up, Olga the princess, our dear brother is coming!"

Olga Tsarevna immediately came running, began to kiss him, hug him, to ask about his health, to tell about his life. Tsarevich Ivan stayed with them for three days and said: “I have no time to visit any longer: I’m going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess. '' The eagle answers: “It’s hard for you to find her. Leave the silver fork with us: we will look at it, we will remember you.

He left the silver fork and went on the road. Day walked, another walked, at dawn on the third he sees the palace better than the first two. There is an oak near the palace, a raven sits on the oak. A raven flew off an oak tree, hit the ground, turned around as a good fellow and shouted: - Anna-princess, come out quickly, our brother is coming!

Anna the princess ran out, greeted him joyfully, began to kiss and hug, to ask about health, to tell about her life, Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and said: -? Farewell. I'll go look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess. '' The raven answers: `` It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver snuff-box with us: we'll look at it, remember you.

The prince gave him a silver snuff-box, said goodbye and went on the road. A day went on, another went, and on the third I got to Marya Morevna. She saw her darling, threw herself on his neck, burst into tears and said: -? Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, why did you not obey me - looked into the closet and let Koshchey the Immortal go? - Forgive, Marya Morevna, do not remember the old one. Better come with me until you see Koshchei the Immortal. Maybe she won't catch up!

We packed up and left. And Koschey was on the hunt. In the evening he returns home, under him a good horse stumbles .-? What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Al, do you smell any misfortune? The horse answers: -? Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away. -? Is it possible to catch them? -? You can sow wheat, wait until it grows, squeeze it, thresh it, turn it into flour, five ovens to prepare bread, to eat that bread, and then drive in pursuit - and then we will be in time. '' Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich.

Well, - he says, - the first time I forgive you for your kindness for giving me water to drink, and another time I will forgive, and the third time I’ll be careful - I’ll chop it into pieces. I took Marya Morevna away from him and took away. And Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone and wept. He wept, wept, and again turned back for Marya Morevna. Koschey the Immortal House did not happen. -? Let's go, Marya Morevna! -? Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, he will catch up with us! -? Let him catch up. We'll spend at least an hour or two together.

Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles .- What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Al do you smell what kind of misfortune? -? Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna with him .-? Is it possible to catch up with them? -? You can sow barley, wait until it grows, squeeze-grind, brew beer, get drunk, get drunk to the dump eat up, get enough sleep and then drive in pursuit - and then we will be in time. '' Koschey galloped up, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich: `` Well, I told you that you won't see Marya Morevna like your own ears! '' He took her away and carried her away.

Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, wept and wept, and again returned for Marya Morevna. At that time, Koshchei did not happen at home. -? Let's go, Marya Morevna! -? Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, he will catch up, he will chop you into pieces! -? Let him chop you, I cannot live without you! We got together and drove off. Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles .-? Why are you stumbling? Al do you smell what kind of misfortune? -? Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna with him.

Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, chopped him into small pieces and put him in a tar barrel, took this barrel, fastened it with iron hoops and threw it into the blue sea, and took Marya Morevna to his place. -? Ah, - they say, - apparently, trouble happened! The eagle threw himself on the blue sea, grabbed and pulled the barrel to the shore. The falcon flew after the living water, and the raven flew after the dead.

All three flew into one place, chopped up the barrel, took out pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed and stacked as needed. The raven sprayed with dead water - the body grew together, united. The falcon sprayed with living water - Ivan Tsarevich shuddered, got up and said: “Oh, how long I slept!” “I would have slept even longer if not for us,” the sons-in-law answered. - Come now to visit us .-? No, brothers, I'll go look for Marya Morevna.

He comes to her and asks: -? Find out from Koshchei the Immortal, where he got himself such a good horse.

Now Marya Morevna found a good moment and began to question Koshchei. Koschey said: “Beyond the distant lands, in the thirtieth kingdom, beyond the fiery river lives Baba Yaga. She has a mare on which she flies around the world every day. She also has many other glorious mares. I was her shepherd for three days, I did not miss a single mare, and for that Baba Yaga gave me one foal. - How did you cross the river of fire? -? And I have such a scarf - how I wave to the right side three times, a high, high bridge will be made, and the fire will not reach him.

Marya Morevna listened, told everything to Ivan Tsarevich. And she took the handkerchief and gave it to him. Ivan Tsarevich crossed the river of fire and went to Baba Yaga. He walked for a long time without drinking or eating. He came across an overseas bird with small children. Ivan Tsarevich says: “I’m shooting one chicken!” “Don't eat, Ivan Tsarevich,” the overseas bird asks. `` I will be useful to you for a while. '' He walked on.

He sees a hive of bees in the forest. "I'll take," he says, "some honey. The queen bee responds:" Don't touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich. I'll be of use to you for a while. '' He left it alone and went on.

He comes across a lioness with a lion cub. -? I'll eat even this lion cub. I want to eat so much, I feel sick. ”“ Don't touch me, Ivan Tsarevich, ”the lioness asks. - In a while I'll be useful to you .-? Well, let it be your way.

Wandered away hungry. Walked, walked - there was the house of Baba Yaga, around the house there were twelve poles, on eleven poles on a human head, only one unoccupied. -? Hello, grandmother! -? Hello, Ivan Tsarevich. Why did you come - of your own free will, or out of need? -? I came to earn a heroic horse from you .-? Excuse me, Tsarevich, I don't have a year to serve, but only three days. If you save my mares - I will give you a heroic horse, but no - then do not be angry: stick your head on the last pole.

Ivan Tsarevich agreed. Baba Yaga fed him, gave him drink, and told him to get down to business. He had just driven the mares out into the field, the mares lifted their tails and all scattered across the meadows. Before the prince had time to raise his eyes, they completely disappeared. Then he began to cry, grieve, sat on a stone and fell asleep. The sun is already at sunset, an overseas bird has arrived and wakes him up:

Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are now at home. The prince got up and went home. And Baba Yaga is making noise and shouting at her mares: "Why did you come back home? How could we not return!" Birds flew from all over the world, almost pecked out our eyes .-? Well, tomorrow you do not run through the meadows, but scatter through the dense forests.

Ivan Tsarevich slept through the night. The next morning Baba Yaga says to him: “Look, prince, if you don’t save the mares, if you lose at least one, be your wild little head on a pole!

He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails and scattered through the dense forests. Again the prince sat down on a stone, cried and cried, and fell asleep. The sun went down behind the forest. A lioness came running: -? Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are all collected.

Ivan Tsarevich got up and went home. Baba Yaga, more than ever, is making noise and shouting at her mares: “Why did you go home?” How could we not have returned! Fierce animals from all over the world came running, almost tore us apart. - Well, tomorrow you will run into the blue sea.

Ivan Tsarevich slept again the night. The next morning Baba Yaga sends him to graze the mares: - If you don’t save yourself, be your wild head on a pole.

He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails, disappeared from sight and ran into the blue sea, standing in the water up to their necks. Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone, wept and fell asleep.

The sun went down behind the forest, a bee flew in and said: - Get up, prince! The mares are all collected. But when you return home, don't show yourself to Baba Yaga, go to the stable and hide behind the manger. There is a lousy colt lying in the manure. You take it and leave the house at dead midnight.

Ivan Tsarevich made his way into the stable, lay down behind the manger. Baba Yaga makes a noise and shouts at her mares: - Why did you come back? - How could we not have returned! Bees have flown in, seemingly invisibly, from all over the world, and let us sting from all sides to the point of blood.

Baba Yaga fell asleep, and at midnight Ivan Tsarevich took a lousy colt from her, saddled it, sat down and galloped to the river of fire. I drove to that river, waved my handkerchief three times to the right - and suddenly, out of nowhere, a high, glorious bridge hung over the river. The tsarevich crossed the bridge and waved his handkerchief to the left side only twice - there remained a thin, thin bridge across the river.

Baba Yaga woke up in the morning - you couldn't see a lousy foal. She rushed in pursuit. With all her might she rides on an iron mortar, drives me with a pestle, covers her trail with a broom. She galloped to the fiery river, looked and thought: "Nice bridge." I drove across the bridge, just got to the middle - the bridge broke off, and Baba Yaga fell into the river. Then a fierce death happened to her.

Ivan Tsarevich fattened a foal in the green meadows, he became a wonderful horse. The Tsarevich comes to Marya Morevna. She ran out, threw herself on his neck: “How did you manage to get rid of death?” “So and so,” he says, “let's go with me.” “I'm afraid, Ivan Tsarevich! If Koschey catches up, you will be chopped up again .-? No, he won't! Now I have a glorious heroic horse, like a bird flies. They mounted the horse and drove off.

Koschey the Immortal is tossing and turning home, under him the horse stumbles .- What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Al, do you smell any misfortune? -? Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away. -? Is it possible to catch up with them? -? I don't know. Now Ivan Tsarevich has a heroic horse better than me. '' No, I can't bear it, says Koschey the Immortal, `` I'll go in pursuit!

Whether for a long time or a short time - he caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, jumped down and was about to whip him with a sharp saber. In those days, Ivan Tsarevich's horse hit Koshchei the Immortal's hoof with full swing and smashed his head, and the Tsarevich finished him off with a club. After that, the tsarevich threw a pile of firewood, lit a fire, burned Koshchei the Immortal at the stake and let his ashes go down the wind.

Marya Morevna mounted Koscheev's horse, and Ivan Tsarevich on his own, and they went to visit first to the raven, then to the eagle, and then to the falcon. Wherever they come, everywhere they are greeted with joy: -? Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, and we did not expect to see you! Well, it’s not for nothing that you were bothering: to look for such a beauty as Marya Morevna in the whole world - you cannot find another.

They stayed, feasted, and went to their kingdom. We arrived and began to live and live for ourselves, make good money and drink honey.

In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, Ivan Tsarevich lived. And he had three sisters: one Marya the princess, the other Olga the princess, the third Anna the princess.
Their father and mother died. Before they died, they told their son:
- Who is the first to marry the sisters, for that and give!
The tsarevich buried his parents and out of grief went for a walk with his sisters to the green garden.
Suddenly a black cloud finds in the sky, a terrible thunderstorm rises.
- Let's go home, sisters, - says Ivan Tsarevich.
As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the ceiling split in two and a clear falcon flew into the upper room. The falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and says:
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I was a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker: I want to marry your sister Marya the princess.
- If you love your sister, I don't keep her - let her go.
Marya the princess agreed. The falcon married and took her to his kingdom.
Days pass after days, hours run after hours - the whole year is gone.
Ivan Tsarevich and his two sisters went for a walk in the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.
“Let's go home, sisters,” says the prince.
As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the roof fell apart, the ceiling split in two and an eagle flew in. The eagle hit the floor and became a good fellow.
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I went as a guest, and now I came as a matchmaker.
And he wooed Olga the princess. Ivan Tsarevich answers:
- If you love Olga the princess, then let him go for you, I will not remove her will.
Olga the princess agreed and married the eagle. The eagle picked her up and carried her away to his kingdom.
Another year has passed. Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister:
- Let's go for a walk in the green garden. We walked a little. Again a cloud with a whirlwind, with lightning rises.
- Let's go home, sister!
We returned home, did not have time to sit down - as thunder struck, the ceiling split in two and a raven flew in. The raven hit the floor and became a good fellow. The former were good-looking, and this one is even better.
- Well, Ivan Tsarevich, I used to be a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker: give Anna the princess for me.
- I don’t take my will off my sister. If you fell in love with her, let him go for you.
Anna the princess married the crow, and he took her to his state. Ivan Tsarevich was left alone.
For a whole year he lived without sisters, and it became boring for him.
“I’ll go,” he says, “to look for the sisters. He got ready for the road, walked, walked and saw: the army was lying in the field - a beaten strength. Ivan Tsarevich asks:
- If there is a man alive here, answer me: who beat this great army?
A man responded to him:
- All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
Ivan Tsarevich set off further, ran into white tents, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, came out to meet him:
- Hello, prince. Where is God taking you? By the will of al by captivity?
Ivan Tsarevich answers her:
- Good fellows do not drive captively.
“Well, if it’s not in a hurry, stay in my tents.
Ivan Tsarevich is glad of this: he spent two nights in tents. He fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her. Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state. They lived together for so long, and the princess took it into her head to get ready for the war. She leaves the whole household for Ivan Tsarevich and orders:
- Go everywhere, look after everything, just don't look into this closet.
He could not bear it: as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there was Koschey the Immortal hanging there, chained on twelve chains.
Koschey asks Ivan Tsarevich:
- Have pity on me, give me a drink! For ten years I have been tormented here, I did not eat, I did not drink - my throat was completely dry.
The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked again:
- I cannot fill with one bucket of thirst. Give more!
The prince brought in another bucket. Koschey drank and asked for a third; and when he drank the third bucket, he took his former strength, shook the chains and immediately broke all twelve.
- Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich, - said Koschey the Immortal, - now you will never see Marya Morevna as your ears.
And in a terrible whirlwind he flew out the window, overtook Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her away.
And Ivan Tsarevich wept bitterly, bitterly, equipped himself and went on his way: "Whatever happens, I will find Marya Morevna."
Day goes by, another goes, at dawn on the third he sees a wonderful palace. An oak stands by the palace, a falcon sits on an oak tree.
The falcon flew off the oak tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:
- Ah, my dear brother-in-law!
Marya the princess ran out, greeted Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began to ask about his health, talk about her life. The prince stayed with them for three days and says:
- I can't stay with you for a long time: I'm going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
“It's hard for you to find her,” the falcon replies. - Leave your silver spoon here, just in case: we will look at it, remember about you. Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon with the falcon and went on the road.
He walked a day, walked another, at dawn on the third he saw the palace even better than the first. An oak stands near the palace, an eagle sits on an oak.
An eagle flew from a tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:
- Get up, Olga the princess, our dear brother is coming!
Olga the princess immediately came running, began to kiss him, hug him, ask about his health, talk about her life and life.

- I have no time to stay longer: I am going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess. The eagle answers:
- It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver fork with us: we will look at it, we will remember you. He left the silver fork and went on the road.
Day went on, another went on, at dawn on the third he sees the palace better than the first two. There is an oak near the palace, a raven sits on the oak. A raven flew from an oak tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:
- Anna-princess, come out quickly, our brother is coming!
Anna the princess ran out, greeted him joyfully, began to kiss and hug, to ask about health, to tell about her life and life.
Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and says:
- Goodbye. I'll go look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.
The raven answers:
- It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver snuff-box with us: we'll look at it, remember you.
The prince gave him a silver snuff-box, said goodbye and went on the road.
A day went on, another went, and on the third I got to Marya Morevna.
She saw her sweetheart, threw herself on his neck, burst into tears and said:
- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, why did you disobey me - looked into the closet and released Koshchei the Immortal?
- Sorry, Marya Morevna, do not remember the old one. Better come with me; until you see Koshchei the Immortal. Maybe she won't catch up!
We packed up and left. And Koschey was on the hunt. In the evening he tosses and turns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

The horse answers:
- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away.
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
- You can sow wheat, wait until it grows, squeeze it, grind it, turn it into flour, cook five ovens of bread, eat that bread and then drive in pursuit - and then we will ripen.
Koschey galloped off, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich.
- Well, - he says, - for the first time I forgive you for your kindness that gave me water to drink; and another time I will forgive, and the third time beware - I will chop it into pieces. Took away Marya Morevna from him and took her away. And Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone and wept.
He wept, wept, and again turned back for Marya Morevna. Koschey the Immortal House did not happen.
- Let's go, Marya Morevna!
- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, he will catch up with us!
- Let him catch up. We’ll go together for an hour or two.
We packed up and left. Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles.
- What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Al do you feel what kind of misfortune?

- Is it possible to catch up with them?
- You can sow barley, wait until it grows, squeeze, grind, brew beer, get plenty of drink, eat up to the dump, get enough sleep, and then drive in pursuit - and then we will be ripe.
Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich:
- Well, I told you that you will not see Marya Morena, as your ears! He took it away and took it to him. Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, wept and wept, and again returned for Marya Morevna. At that time, Koshchei did not happen at home.
- Let's go, Marya Morevna!
- Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, he will catch up, he will chop you to pieces!
- Let him chop it, I can't live without you!
We packed up and drove off. Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles.
- What are you stumbling about? Al do you feel what kind of misfortune?
- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna with him.
Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, chopped him into small pieces and put him in a tar barrel; took this barrel, fastened it with iron hoops and threw it into the blue sea, and took Marya Morevna to his place.
At the same time, the silver of the sons-in-law of Ivan Tsarevich turned black.
- Ah, - they say, - apparently, trouble has happened!
The eagle threw himself on the blue sea, grabbed and pulled the barrel to the shore. The falcon flew after the living water, and the raven flew after the dead.
All three flew into one place, chopped up the barrel, took out pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed and stacked as needed.
The raven sprayed with dead water - the body grew together, united. The falcon splashed with living water - Ivan Tsarevich shuddered, got up and said:
- Oh, how long I slept!
- I would have slept even longer if not for us, - the sons-in-law answered. - Come now to visit us.
- No, brothers, I'm going to look for Marya Morevna. He comes to her and asks:
- Find out from Koshchei the Immortal, where he got himself such a good horse.
Here Marya Morevna found a good moment and began to question Koshchei.
Koschey said:
- Beyond the distant lands, in the thirtieth kingdom, beyond the river of fire lives Baba Yaga. She has a mare on which she flies around the world every day. She also has many other glorious mares. I was her shepherd for three days, I did not miss a single mare, and for that Baba Yaga gave me one foal.
- How did you get across the fiery river?
- And I have such a handkerchief - as I wave to the right three times, a high, high bridge will be made, and the fire will not reach it.
Marya Morevna listened, told everything to Ivan Tsarevich. And she took away the handkerchief and gave it to him. Ivan Tsarevich crossed the river of fire and went to Baba Yaga.
He walked for a long time without drinking or eating. He came across an overseas bird with small children. Ivan Tsarevich says:
- I'll shoot one chick!
“Don't eat, Ivan Tsarevich,” the overseas bird asks. “I'll be of use to you for a while. He went on. He sees a hive of bees in the forest.
“I'll take some honey,” he says. The queen bee responds:
- Don't touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich. I'll be useful to you for a while.
He did not touch and went on. A lioness with a lion cub comes across to him.
- I'll eat even this lion cub. I want to eat so much, I feel sick.
“Don’t touch me, Ivan Tsarevich,” the lioness asks. “I’ll be useful to you for a while.
- Well, let it be your way.
Wandered away hungry. He walked, walked - there was the house of Baba Yaga, around the house there were twelve poles, on eleven poles on a human head, only one unoccupied.
- Hello, grandma!
- Hello, Ivan Tsarevich. Why did you come - of your own free will or out of need?
- I came to earn your heroic horse.
- If you please, Tsarevich, I do not have a year to serve, but only three days. If you save my mares - I will give you a heroic horse, but no - then do not be angry: stick your head on the last pole.
Ivan Tsarevich agreed. Baba Yaga fed him, gave him drink, and told him to get down to business.
He had just driven the mares out into the field, the mares lifted their tails and all scattered across the meadows. Before the prince had time to raise his eyes, they completely disappeared. Then he began to cry, grieve, sat on a stone and fell asleep.
The sun is already at sunset, an overseas bird has arrived and wakes him up:
- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are now at home. The prince got up and went home. And Baba Yaga makes a noise and shouts at the mares:
- Why did you come back home?
- How could we not come back! Birds flew in from all over the world, almost pecked out our eyes.
- Well, tomorrow you do not run in the meadows, but scatter in the dense forests.
Ivan Tsarevich slept through the night. The next morning Baba Yaga says to him:
- Look, prince, if you don’t save the mares, if you lose at least one - be your wild head on a pole!
He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails and scattered through the dense forests.
Again the prince sat down on the stone, cried and cried, and fell asleep. The sun went down behind the forest.
The lioness came running:
- Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are all collected. Ivan Tsarevich got up and went home. Baba Yaga is worse than ever and makes noise and shouts at her mares:
- Why did you return home?
- How could we not come back! Fierce animals came running from all over the world, almost tore us apart.
- Well, you will run in the blue sea tomorrow. Ivan Tsarevich slept again the night. The next morning Baba Yaga sends him to graze mares:
- If you don’t save yourself, be your wild little head on a pole.
He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails, disappeared from sight and ran into the blue sea, standing in the water up to their necks. Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone, wept and fell asleep.
The sun went down behind the forest, a bee flew in and said:
- Get up, prince! The mares are all collected. But when you get home, don't show yourself to Baba Yaga, go to the stable and hide behind the manger. There is a lousy colt lying in the manure. You take it and leave the house at dead midnight.
Ivan Tsarevich made his way into the stable, lay down behind the manger. Baba Yaga makes noise and shouts at her mares:
- Why did you come back?
- How could we not come back! Bees have flown in, seemingly invisibly, from all over the world, and let us sting from all sides to the point of blood.
Baba Yaga fell asleep, and at midnight Ivan Tsarevich took a lousy colt from her, saddled it, sat down and galloped to the river of fire. I drove to that river, waved my handkerchief three times to the right - and suddenly, out of nowhere, a high, glorious bridge hung over the river. The tsarevich crossed the bridge and waved his handkerchief to the left side only twice - there remained a thin, thin bridge across the river.
Baba Yaga woke up in the morning - you couldn't see a lousy foal. She rushed in pursuit. With all her might she rides on an iron mortar, drives me with a pestle, covers her trail with a broom. Has galloped to the river of fire, looked and thought: "The bridge is good."
I drove across the bridge, just got to the middle - the bridge broke off, and Baba Yaga fell into the river. Then a fierce death happened to her.
Ivan Tsarevich fed a foal in green meadows; he became a wonderful horse.
The Tsarevich comes to Marya Morevna. She ran out, threw herself on his neck:
- How did you manage to get rid of death?
- So and so, - he says, - let's go with me.
- I'm afraid, Ivan Tsarevich! If Koschey catches up, you will be chopped up again.
- No, it won't catch up! Now I have a glorious heroic horse, like a bird flies.
They got on their horse and rode off.
Here Koschey the Immortal is tossing and turning home, under him the horse stumbles.
- What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Al do you feel what kind of misfortune?
- Ivan Tsarevich came, took Marya Morevna away.
- Is it possible to catch up with them?
- I do not know. Now Ivan Tsarevich has a heroic horse better than me.
- No, I can't resist, - says Koschey the Immortal, - I'll go in pursuit!
Whether for a long time or a short time - he caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, jumped down and was about to whip him with a sharp saber. In those days, the horse of Ivan Tsarevich struck with full swing the hoof of Koschey the Immortal and smashed his head, and the Tsarevich finished him off with a club.
After that, the prince threw a pile of firewood, lit a fire, burned Koshchei the Immortal at the stake, and let his ashes go down the wind.
Marya Morevna mounted Koscheev's horse, and Ivan Tsarevich on his own, and they went to visit first to the raven, then to the eagle, and then to the falcon. Wherever they come, they are greeted with joy everywhere:
- Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, and we did not like to see you! Well, it’s not for nothing that you were bothering: to look for such a beauty as Marya Morevna in the whole world - you cannot find another.
They stayed, feasted, and went to their kingdom. We arrived and began to live for ourselves and make good money.

In a certain kingdom, in a certain state, Ivan Tsarevich lived. He had three sisters: one Marya the princess, the other Olga the princess, and the third Anna the princess.

Their father and mother died. Dying, they punished their son:

Who will be the first to marry the sisters, for that and give - do not keep with you for long.

The tsarevich buried his parents and out of grief went for a walk with his sisters to the green garden.

Suddenly a black cloud finds in the sky, a terrible thunderstorm rises.

Let's go home, sisters, '' says Ivan Tsarevich.

As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a falcon flew into the upper room towards them. The falcon hit the floor, became a good fellow and says:

Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I was a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker: I want to marry your sister Marya the princess.

If you love your sister, I don't keep her - let her go.

Marya the princess agreed. The falcon married and took her to his kingdom.

Days pass after days, hours run after hours - the whole year is gone. Ivan Tsarevich and his two sisters went for a walk in the green garden. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.

Let’s go home, sisters, ”says the prince. As soon as they arrived at the palace, thunder struck, the roof fell apart, the ceiling split in two, and an eagle flew in. The eagle hit the floor and became a good fellow.

Hello, Ivan Tsarevich! Before I went as a guest, and now I came as a matchmaker.

And he wooed Olga the princess. Ivan Tsarevich answers:

If you love Olga the princess, then let him go for you, I don’t take her will off her.

Olga the princess agreed and married the eagle. The eagle picked her up and carried her away to his kingdom. Another year has passed. Ivan Tsarevich says to his younger sister:

Let's go for a walk in the green garden. We walked a little. Again a cloud rises with a whirlwind, with lightning.

Let's go home, sister!

We returned home, did not have time to sit down - as thunder struck, the ceiling split in two, and a raven flew in. The raven hit the floor and became a good fellow. The former were good-looking, and this one is even better.

Well, Ivan Tsarevich, I used to be a guest, but now I’ve come as a matchmaker: give Anna the princess for me.

I don’t take my will off my sister. If you fell in love with her, let him go for you.

Anna the princess married the crow, and he took her to his state. Ivan Tsarevich was left alone. For a whole year he lived without sisters, and it became boring for him.

I’ll go, ”he says,“ to look for the sisters. He got ready for the road, walked, walked and saw: the army was lying in the field - a beaten strength. Ivan Tsarevich asks:

If there is a man alive here, answer me: who beat this great army?

A man responded to him:

All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

Hello, prince. Where is God taking you - by the will or from bondage?

Ivan Tsarevich answers her:

Good fellows do not drive captively.

Well, if it’s not in a hurry, stay in my tents.

Ivan Tsarevich is glad of this: he spent two nights in tents. He fell in love with Marya Morevna and married her. Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, took him with her to her state. They lived together for so long, and the princess took it into her head to get ready for the war. She leaves the whole household for Ivan Tsarevich and orders:

Go everywhere, look after everything, just don't look into this closet.

He could not bear it: as soon as Marya Morevna left, he immediately rushed into the closet, opened the door, looked - and there was Koschey the Immortal hanging there, chained on twelve chains.

Koschey asks Ivan Tsarevich:

Take pity on me, let me drink! For ten years I have been tormented here, I did not eat, I did not drink - my throat was completely dry.

The prince gave him a whole bucket of water; he drank and asked again:

One bucket cannot fill me with thirst. Give more!

The prince brought in another bucket. Koschey drank and asked for a third; and when he drank the third bucket, he took his former strength, shook the chains and immediately broke all twelve.

Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich, - said Koschey the Immortal, - now you will never see Marya Morevna as your ears.

And in a terrible whirlwind he flew out the window, overtook Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess, on the road, picked her up and carried her away.

And Ivan Tsarevich wept bitterly, bitterly, equipped himself and went on his way: "Whatever happens, I will find Marya Morevna."

Day goes by, another goes, at dawn on the third he sees a wonderful palace. An oak stands by the palace, a falcon sits on an oak tree.

The falcon flew off the oak tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:

Ah, my dear brother-in-law!

Marya the princess ran out, greeted Ivan Tsarevich joyfully, began to ask about his health, talk about her life. The prince stayed with them for three days and says:

I cannot stay with you for a long time: I am going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

It's hard for you to find her, ”the falcon replies. - Leave your silver spoon here, just in case: we will look at it, remember about you. Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon with the falcon and went on the road.

He walked a day, walked another, at dawn on the third he saw the palace even better than the first. An oak stands near the palace, an eagle sits on an oak.

An eagle flew from a tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:

Get up, Olga the princess, our dear brother is coming!

Olga the princess immediately came running, began to kiss him, hug him, ask about his health, talk about her life and life.

I have no time to stay longer: I am going to look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess. The eagle answers:

It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver fork with us: we will look at it, we will remember you. He left the silver fork and went on the road. Day went on, another went on, at dawn on the third he sees the palace better than the first two. There is an oak near the palace, a raven sits on the oak. A raven flew from an oak tree, hit the ground, turned around a good fellow and shouted:

Anna-princess, come out quickly, our brother is coming!

Anna the princess ran out, greeted him joyfully, began to kiss and hug, to ask about health, to tell about her life and life.

Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them for three days and says:

Farewell. I'll go look for my wife, Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess.

The raven answers:

It's hard for you to find her. Leave the silver snuff-box with us: we'll look at it, remember you.

The prince gave him a silver snuff-box, said goodbye and went on the road.

A day went on, another went, and on the third I got to Marya Morevna.

She saw her sweetheart, threw herself on his neck, burst into tears and said:

Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, why did you disobey me - you looked into the closet and released Koshchei the Immortal?

Sorry, Marya Morevna, don't remember the old one. Better come with me; until you see Koshchei the Immortal. Maybe she won't catch up!

We packed up and left. And Koschey was on the hunt. In the evening he tosses and turns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

The horse answers:

Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna away.

Is it possible to catch up with them?

You can sow wheat, wait until it grows, squeeze it, grind it, turn it into flour, cook five ovens of bread, eat that bread and then drive in pursuit - and then we will ripen.

Koschey galloped off, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich.

Well, - he says, - for the first time I forgive you for your kindness that gave me water to drink; and another time I will forgive, and the third time beware - I will chop it into pieces. Took away Marya Morevna from him and took her away. And Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone and wept.

He wept, wept, and again turned back for Marya Morevna. Koschey the Immortal House did not happen.

Let's go, Marya Morevna!

Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, he will catch up with us!

Let it catch up. We’ll go together for an hour or two.

We packed up and left. Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Al do you feel what kind of misfortune?

Is it possible to catch up with them?

You can sow barley, wait until it grows, squeeze, grind, brew beer, get plenty of drink, eat up to the dump, get enough sleep and then drive in pursuit - and then we will be ripe.

Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich:

After all, I told you that you will not see Marya Morena as your ears!

He took it away and took it to him. Ivan Tsarevich was left alone, wept and wept, and again returned for Marya Morevna. At that time, Koshchei did not happen at home.

Let's go, Marya Morevna!

Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, he will catch up, he will chop you to pieces!

Let him chop it up, I can't live without you!

We packed up and drove off. Koschey the Immortal returns home, under him a good horse stumbles.

What are you stumbling about? Al do you feel what kind of misfortune?

Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna with him.

Koschey galloped, caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, chopped him into small pieces and put him in a tar barrel; took this barrel, fastened it with iron hoops and threw it into the blue sea, and took Marya Morevna to his place. At the same time, the silver of Ivan Tsarevich's sons-in-law turned black.

Ah, - they say, - it seems that trouble has happened!

The eagle threw himself on the blue sea, grabbed and pulled the barrel to the shore. The falcon flew after the living water, and the raven flew after the dead.

All three flew into one place, chopped up the barrel, took out pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed and stacked as needed.

The raven sprayed with dead water - the body grew together, united. The falcon splashed with living water - Ivan Tsarevich shuddered, got up and said:

Oh, how long I slept!

I would have slept even longer if not for us, - the sons-in-law answered. - Come now to visit us.

No, brothers, I'm going to look for Marya Morevna. He comes to her and asks:

Find out from Koshchei the Immortal, where he got himself such a good horse.

Here Marya Morevna found a good moment and began to question Koshchei.

Koschey said:

Beyond the distant lands, in the thirtieth kingdom, beyond the fiery river lives Baba Yaga. She has a mare on which she flies around the world every day. She also has many other glorious mares. I was her shepherd for three days, I did not miss a single mare, and for that Baba Yaga gave me one foal.

How did you get across the fiery river?

And I have such a handkerchief - if I wave to the right three times, a high, high bridge will be made, and the fire will not reach it.

Marya Morevna listened, told everything to Ivan Tsarevich. And she took away the handkerchief and gave it to him. Ivan Tsarevich crossed the river of fire and went to Baba Yaga.

He walked for a long time without drinking or eating. He came across an overseas bird with small children. Ivantsarevich says:

I'll shoot one chicken!

Don't eat, Ivan Tsarevich, - asks the overseas bird. “I'll be useful to you for a while. He went on. He sees a hive of bees in the forest.

I'll take some honey, he says. The queen bee responds:

Don't touch my honey, Ivan Tsarevich. I'll be useful to you for a while.

I'll eat even this lion cub. I want to eat so much, I feel sick.

Don't touch me, Ivan Tsarevich, - asks the lioness. “I’ll be useful to you for a while.

Okay, let it be your way. Wandered away hungry. He walked, walked - there was the house of Baba Yaga, around the house there were twelve poles, on eleven poles on a human head, only one unoccupied.

Hello grandma!

Hello, Ivan Tsarevich. Why did you come - of your own free will or out of need?

I came to earn your heroic horse.

If you please, prince, I have not served a year, but only three days. If you save my mares - I will give you a heroic horse, but no - then do not be angry: stick your head on the last pole.

Ivan Tsarevich agreed. Baba Yaga fed him, gave him drink, and told him to get down to business.

He had just driven the mares out into the field, the mares lifted their tails and all scattered across the meadows. Before the prince had time to raise his eyes, they completely disappeared. Then he began to cry, grieve, sat on a stone and fell asleep.

The sun is already at sunset, an overseas bird has arrived and wakes him up:

Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are now at home. The prince got up and went home. And Baba Yaga makes a noise and shouts at the mares:

Why did you come back home?

How could we not come back! Birds flew in from all over the world, almost pecked out our eyes.

Well, tomorrow you do not run through the meadows, but scatter through the dense forests.

Ivan Tsarevich slept through the night. The next morning Baba Yaga says to him:

Look, prince, if you don’t save the mares, if you lose at least one - to be your wild little head on a pole!

He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails and scattered through the dense forests.

Again the prince sat down on the stone, cried and cried, and fell asleep. The sun went down behind the forest.

The lioness came running:

Get up, Ivan Tsarevich! The mares are all collected. Ivan Tsarevich got up and went home. Baba Yaga is worse than ever and makes noise and shouts at her mares:

Why did you return home?

How could we not have returned! Fierce animals came running from all over the world, almost tore us apart.

Well, you run into the blue sea tomorrow. Ivan Tsarevich slept again the night. The next morning Baba Yaga sends him to graze mares:

If you don’t save yourself, be your wild head on a pole.

He drove the mares into the field. They immediately lifted their tails, disappeared from sight and ran into the blue sea, standing in the water up to their necks. Ivan Tsarevich sat down on a stone, wept and fell asleep.

The sun went down behind the forest, a bee flew in and said:

Get up, prince! The mares are all collected. But when you come back home, don't show yourself to Baba Yaga, go to the stable and hide behind the manger. There is a lousy colt lying in the manure. You take it and leave the house at dead midnight.

Ivan Tsarevich made his way into the stable, lay down behind the manger. Baba Yaga makes noise and shouts at her mares:

Why did you come back?

How could we not have returned! Bees have flown in, seemingly invisibly, from all over the world, and let us sting from all sides to the point of blood.

Baba Yaga fell asleep, and at midnight Ivan Tsarevich took a lousy colt from her, saddled it, sat down and galloped to the river of fire. I drove to that river, waved my handkerchief three times to the right - and suddenly, out of nowhere, a high, glorious bridge hung over the river. The tsarevich crossed the bridge and waved his handkerchief to the left side only twice - there remained a thin, thin bridge across the river.

Baba Yaga woke up in the morning - you couldn't see a lousy foal. She rushed in pursuit. With all her might she rides on an iron mortar, drives me with a pestle, covers her trail with a broom. Has galloped to the river of fire, looked and thought: "The bridge is good."

I drove across the bridge, just got to the middle - the bridge broke off, and Baba Yaga fell into the river. Then a fierce death happened to her.

Ivan Tsarevich fed a foal in green meadows; he became a wonderful horse.

The Tsarevich comes to Marya Morevna. She ran out, threw herself on his neck:

How did you manage to get rid of death?

So and so, - he says, - let's go with me.

I'm afraid, Ivan Tsarevich! If Koschey catches up, I'll be chopped up again.

No, it won't catch up! Now I have a glorious heroic horse, like a bird flies.

They got on their horse and drove off. Koschey the Immortal is tossing and turning home, under him the horse stumbles.

What are you, unsatisfied nag, stumbling? Al do you feel what kind of misfortune?

Ivan Tsarevich came and took Marya Morevna away.

Is it possible to catch up with them?

I do not know. Now Ivan Tsarevich has a heroic horse better than me.

No, I can't bear it, - says Koschey the Immortal, - I'll go in pursuit!

Whether for a long time or a short time - he caught up with Ivan Tsarevich, jumped down and was about to whip him with a sharp saber. In those days, the horse of Ivan Tsarevich struck with full swing the hoof of Koschey the Immortal and smashed his head, and the Tsarevich finished him off with a club.

After that, the prince threw a pile of firewood, lit a fire, burned Koshchei the Immortal at the stake, and let his ashes go down the wind.

Marya Morevna mounted Koscheev's horse, and Ivan Tsarevich on his own, and they went to visit first to the raven, then to the eagle, and then to the falcon. Wherever they come, they are greeted with joy everywhere:

Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, and we did not like to see you! Well, it was not for nothing that you were busy: such a beauty as Marya Morevna cannot be found in the whole world to look for another.

They stayed, feasted, and went to their kingdom. We arrived and began to live and live for ourselves, make good money and feast on honey