The Firebird
Ivan, who sets out to find the Firebird that steals the tsar's golden apples, becomes friends with a grey wolf.
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In a tsar's garden there was a tree that bore golden apples. Every night one apple went missing. His youngest son Ivan kept watch, and at midnight he saw a bird that glowed like a flame land in the tree: the Firebird. He tried to catch it and was left with a feather in his hand. The feather lit up the room. The tsar said, "Bring me this bird." His three sons set out.
On the road Ivan saw a signpost: "Whoever goes right loses his horse, whoever goes left loses himself." He went right. In the forest a grey wolf ate his horse. Ivan wept. The wolf was ashamed: "I ate your horse; in return, let me carry you." Ivan climbed onto the wolf.
The wolf carried him to the palace where the Firebird lived: "Take the bird, but don't touch the golden cage." Ivan took the bird, looked at the cage... and touched it. A bell rang, and he was caught. The tsar of that palace said, "Bring me the Horse with the Golden Mane and I'll give you the bird." The wolf carried him to the horse's stable: "Take the horse, but don't touch the golden bridle." Ivan touched it again. This time the condition was to bring Elena the Beautiful.
The wolf said, "This time I'll handle it." He took Elena from her garden. On the way Ivan and Elena fell in love. The wolf turned himself into Elena's likeness and went to the tsar, and Ivan took the horse; the wolf turned himself into the bridle, and Ivan took the bird. So the bird, the horse and Elena all stayed with Ivan.
On the way home his brothers found Ivan sleeping, attacked him out of jealousy and took everything. The grey wolf found Ivan and healed him with the water of life that a raven brought. Ivan reached the palace; Elena told the truth. The tsar punished his sons, and Ivan and Elena were married. The Firebird no longer ate the golden apples in the garden; it only sang.
The wolf? He went back to the forest. But whenever Ivan went into the forest, he heard a howl from far away: "I am here."
The tale ends here. Sleep well.
The Firebird is a children's tale from Russian folk tale, suitable for ages 5-10 and about 2 minutes long. Read it free on Masal Merkezi, play a lullaby or nature sound in the background, tap any word to see its Turkish meaning and save it to your favorites. For similar tales browse the Classic Tales category.
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