Priest Kirila and His Worker Gavrila: Belarusian Folktale

In a quiet village of Belarus, there lived a priest named Kirila, known for his strictness, and his faithful worker, Gavrila. Though simple and unassuming, Gavrila possessed a heart both courageous and devout. One cold morning, the priest summoned him and said, “Gavrila, take the horse and cart and go into the forest. Bring me back a full cart of firewood by nightfall.”

Gavrila obeyed without hesitation. He traveled deep into the forest, where the sun barely touched the ground through thick, ancient trees. To his dismay, he discovered that all the trees suitable for firewood had already been cut, and the wood was gone. Crestfallen, he returned to the priest empty-handed.

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Kirila’s face darkened with anger. “How dare you return without firewood?” he demanded. “Tomorrow, you shall go again, and do not come back until the cart is filled!”

The following day, Gavrila mounted the horse and ventured once more into the shadowed woods. He wandered past towering oaks and whispering birches, searching tirelessly. At last, he reached a wide clearing illuminated by an unearthly light. At its center burned a great fire, and around it danced creatures with glowing eyes and claws sharp as knives. Devils! Their laughter echoed like the crackling flames, and their voices rumbled through the trees.

Gavrila crouched behind a thick pine, his heart hammering. One devil stopped and sniffed the air. “Brothers,” it hissed, “I smell a man!” The others ceased their dance, their gaze piercing the darkness. “A mortal approaches!” they shrieked in unison. “Let us seize him and tear him to pieces!”

Summoning all his courage, Gavrila stepped from the shadows. “Do not harm me!” he cried. “I mean no wrong.”

The devils paused, puzzled. “And what brings you here, little man?” they asked, their voices like cracking thunder.

“I came for firewood,” Gavrila replied, “but the forest is empty.”

The devils whispered among themselves, their eyes gleaming with malice. “We will give you the firewood you seek,” the eldest said, “but on one condition: you must promise to give us your soul.”

Gavrila crossed himself and spoke firmly, “My soul belongs to God. I will accept your firewood, but my soul remains mine.”

A howl of rage tore through the clearing. The eldest devil’s eyes blazed. “Very well,” he snarled. “Take the firewood, but you must never tell anyone where it came from.”

Gavrila bowed his head and agreed. In an instant, the devils loaded his cart with firewood so swiftly that sparks flew like tiny stars. Then, with a deafening laugh, they vanished into the ground, leaving only ashes and the fading echo of their voices.

When Gavrila returned to the village with the cart brimming with wood, the priest’s eyes widened. “Where did you find such an abundance?” he demanded.

“I found a place in the forest where the wood was already cut,” Gavrila said simply.

Suspicion lingered in Kirila’s heart. The next morning, he insisted on seeing this place himself. They journeyed together into the forest until they reached the clearing. All was quiet, save for the faint wisp of smoke from the previous night’s fire. Kirila whispered prayers under his breath, unease etched upon his face.

Suddenly, the ground trembled violently. Flames erupted, and the devils appeared with terrible cries. “You broke your word, Gavrila! You told the priest!” they screeched.

Before Gavrila could react, the devils seized Kirila. With ferocious strength, they tore him asunder and dragged his soul screaming into the bowels of the earth. Gavrila fell to his knees, terror gripping his heart. He prayed fervently, calling upon God for mercy and protection.

Then, as if the heavens had answered, a radiant light descended. An angel appeared, shining brighter than the midday sun. “Fear not, Gavrila,” the angel said gently. “You have remained faithful. You did not surrender your soul. Return home, and never again seek firewood in this forest.”

Gavrila rose, gratitude flooding his heart. He obeyed the heavenly command and lived quietly for the rest of his days, never speaking of the night he faced the devils, nor of the power of faith that protected him.

From that time forth, villagers whispered of the brave worker who dared confront the forces of darkness without losing his soul. They spoke of how integrity, courage, and faith can prevail even in the presence of unimaginable evil.

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Moral Lesson

This folktale teaches that courage and faithfulness in the face of temptation protect the soul from corruption. One’s integrity and trust in God are stronger than any earthly challenge, and selfish ambition may lead to one’s ruin.

Knowledge Check

1. Who are the main characters in the story?

   • Priest Kirila, the worker Gavrila, and the devils.

2. What task did the priest give Gavrila?

   • To bring back a full cart of firewood from the forest.

3. How did Gavrila obtain the firewood?

   • By meeting the devils in the forest and receiving the wood on the condition he did not surrender his soul or reveal their secret.

4. What consequence befell the priest for disobedience?

   • The devils seized him and tore his soul away, punishing him for seeking the forest firewood.

5. What is the symbolic significance of the forest and devils?

   • The forest represents temptation and danger, while the devils symbolize evil forces that test human integrity and faith.

6. What cultural lesson does this Belarusian folktale convey?

   • Faith, courage, and honesty protect one from harm, while greed and curiosity may invite disaster.

Source and Cultural Origin

Source: Adapted from the Belarusian folktale “About Priest Kirila and His Worker Gavrila,” Belarusian Fairy Tales

Cultural Origin: Belarus (Belarusian folklore)