In a humble village in Belarus, there lived a poor man with his wife and three daughters. The youngest daughter, Kanya, was the most beautiful of them all, gentle, kind, and diligent. Her two older sisters were idle and proud, mocking her simple ways and good heart.
Every morning, long before dawn, Kanya rose to fetch water from the well, sweep the frozen yard, and prepare bread for the household. Her sisters, still warm in their beds, would jeer at her:
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“See our little Kanya, always toiling like a servant!”
Yet Kanya ignored their taunts. Her heart was pure, and she worked without complaint.
One cold winter morning, their father announced he would travel to the distant fair. “My daughters,” he said, “tell me what I shall bring for you.”
The eldest asked for the finest silk, the second requested a gold ring, and Kanya, in her gentle voice, said simply:
“Father, bring me the first green twig you find by the roadside.”
At the fair, the father purchased silk and a ring for the older daughters. Remembering Kanya’s request, he broke off a green twig from a bush peeking through the snow and returned home.
Kanya planted the twig carefully in the garden and tended it daily. Under her devoted care, the twig grew into a splendid tree, its leaves shimmering like emeralds. Beneath its roots, a clear, bubbling spring appeared, filling the garden with the soft murmur of life. From that day, fortune seemed to follow Kanya.
One morning, while drawing water from the spring, Kanya heard a gentle voice:
“Kanya, kind Kanya, will you serve me faithfully?”
Startled, she looked up to see a handsome young man clad in a green cloak.
“Who are you?” she asked softly.
“I am the Spirit of the Green Tree,” he replied. “If you serve me with love and honesty, I will bless you.”
Kanya, without hesitation, agreed. From that day, the tree’s blessings manifested in small miracles. Flour appeared when she needed it; cloth came when she wished to sew. Yet Kanya remained humble, always giving to the poor and never hoarding her gifts.
Her sisters grew envious. One day, they spied on her and saw the spirit beside the green tree. Running home, they told their mother:
“Kanya has a secret lover! She receives gold and treasures from him!”
Angered by jealousy, the mother cut down the green tree that very night. Instantly, the spring dried up, and all the wealth vanished. Kanya wept bitter tears beside the lifeless stump, whispering,
“Forgive them. They knew not what they did.”
A soft, gentle voice replied:
“Because your heart is pure, I will not leave you. Travel far, Kanya. There, you shall find peace and happiness.”
Kanya set out on a long journey. Many days passed before she arrived in a distant kingdom, where the king’s son saw her and was immediately captivated by her beauty, humility, and grace. He asked for her hand in marriage, and she accepted.
On the day of their wedding, a green branch sprouted from the ground beside the church. A crystal spring bubbled forth beneath it. Kanya realized then that the Spirit of the Green Tree had blessed her once more.
True to her nature, Kanya forgave her family, inviting them to live in harmony within her new home. Her sisters, touched by her mercy, learned kindness and humility. Under Kanya’s influence, the land prospered, and she reigned as queen, not for her beauty, but for her goodness and pure heart.
Moral Lesson
True fortune and happiness are earned through kindness, humility, and patience. Envy and pride bring only misfortune, while forgiveness and virtue lead to lasting blessings.
Knowledge Check
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Who is Kanya in the folktale?
Kanya is the youngest daughter, kind, humble, and diligent, who ultimately finds fortune through virtue. -
What symbolizes Kanya’s good fortune?
The green tree and the spring symbolize growth, abundance, and the rewards of virtue. -
How do Kanya’s sisters respond to her virtues?
They are jealous and envious, leading to mischief and the temporary loss of Kanya’s blessings. -
What lesson does the Spirit of the Green Tree teach?
That love, honesty, and service bring blessings, while selfishness and greed lead to loss. -
Why does Kanya forgive her family?
Because her heart is pure and she values peace, teaching that mercy strengthens relationships. -
What is the cultural origin of this folktale?
It is a Belarusian folktale blending pagan nature symbolism with Christian moral lessons.Source: Adapted from the Belarusian folktale “Kanya” in Belarusian Fairy Tales – Detskie-Skazki.com, English public-domain translation.
Cultural Origin: Belarus (Belarusian folklore)
