In an ancient kingdom of golden domes and birch forests, there once lived a mighty Tsar who had three beautiful daughters. One fateful season, the Tsar fell terribly ill and lost his sight. His palace fell into mourning, for every doctor and healer in the realm tried and failed to restore his vision. At last, a grey-haired physician came and said solemnly, “Your Majesty, only the Water of Life can heal your eyes.”
This folktale of courage and devotion begins with the Tsar’s eldest daughter setting out to find that miraculous water. She travelled through deep woods and lonely paths until she reached a strange hut standing on chicken’s legs, spinning slowly around. “Little hut, little hut, stand the old way and not the new way!” she commanded. The hut stopped turning, and out hobbled a bent old woman.
“Where are you going, my pretty maid?” asked the old woman.
“Dear granny, my father is blind, and I seek the Water of Life to heal him.”
“The journey is perilous,” warned the crone. “Few who go ever return. But go on if you dare, only mind your heart.”
The princess walked on until she reached a river where an old fisherman stood casting his net. “Good-day, pretty maid,” said he. “Whither away so fast?”
“I seek the Water of Life to save my father,” she replied.
“The path lies through this river,” said the old man. “Sit upon my back, and I shall carry you.”
She climbed upon his back, and he bore her across the current. When they reached the far side, he said, “Sit again, and I’ll carry you back.” But the proud princess laughed and walked away without a word of thanks.
Farther and farther she went until she came upon another old woman spinning flax. “Where are you bound, my beauty?” asked the spinner.
“For the Water of Life, to heal my father.”
“The well lies in a dark forest,” the woman said, “surrounded by twelve poles, each with an iron hoop and a serpent coiled upon it. They hiss and strike any who approach.”
The princess went on, but when she reached the forest and saw the pit surrounded by the twelve serpents, her courage failed. She turned back, empty-handed.
The second daughter soon followed the same path, but she too grew afraid and returned home.
At last, the youngest daughter set out. She was gentle and brave of heart. When she met the same old woman in the spinning hut, she said, “Granny, I am going to fetch the Water of Life to heal my father.”
The crone smiled kindly. “Take this little golden ball. Throw it before you, and wherever it rolls, follow it.”
The princess thanked her and continued on. At the river, the same old fisherman offered to carry her. She sat upon his back, and when they crossed safely, she gave him a golden ring as gratitude.
Her ball rolled onward, leading her to the forest. The serpents hissed and coiled above the pit, but she did not tremble. She filled her pail quickly, sprinkling drops of the Water of Life upon the serpents, who fell lifeless to the ground. With her prize secured, she journeyed home and washed her father’s eyes with the water. The Tsar’s sight returned, and joy filled the palace.
Not long after, a mysterious visitor arrived, a Serpent Tsarevich, half-man, half-serpent, who claimed the youngest princess as his bride, for she had been the only one brave enough to bring the healing water. The Tsar kept his promise and gave her hand in marriage.
In the serpent’s castle, hidden deep in an enchanted valley, the princess discovered her husband’s secret: by day he wore the serpent’s form, but at night he became a handsome man. They lived happily, and she loved him dearly. But when she visited her jealous sisters, they urged her to burn his serpent skin while he slept. “Then he will remain a man forever,” they said.
That night, she lit a fire and burned the serpent skin. Her husband awoke with a cry of sorrow. “Foolish wife! Had you waited three more days, I would have been free forever! Now I must leave you.” He turned into a white dove and flew away.
Heartbroken, the princess set off in search of him. She wandered for many days until she reached the house of the Sun’s sister, who gave her a golden egg and said, “When you are in great need, break it.” Then she met the Moon’s sister, who gave her a silver egg, and finally, the Wind’s sister, who offered a crystal egg with the same advice.
After a long journey, she found her husband living in a grand palace, bound by a false bride. The princess broke open the golden egg, and out came a magnificent palace shining with treasures. The false wife, greedy for beauty, asked to buy it. “You may have it,” said the princess, “for one night with my husband.” But the false wife drugged the Tsarevich’s wine, and he slept through the princess’s tears.
The next night she broke the silver egg and gained another night, but again the false wife tricked him. On the third night, she opened the crystal egg. The servant, pitying her, warned the Tsarevich and gave him no potion. He awoke and heard his true wife weeping. Recognising her voice, he embraced her, and the spell was broken.
He sent away the false wife and took the true one home, and they lived together in peace and joy for the rest of their days.
Moral Lesson
True love and courage conquer deceit and enchantment. Patience and faithfulness, even when tested, lead to lasting happiness.
Knowledge Check
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Who sent the princess to find the Water of Life? Her father, the blind Tsar.
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What magical creatures guarded the pit of the Water of Life? Twelve serpents.
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How did the youngest princess show gratitude at the river? She gave the old fisherman her golden ring.
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What caused the Serpent Tsarevich to leave his wife? She burned his serpent skin too soon.
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What gifts did the princess receive on her quest? Golden, silver, and crystal eggs.
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What is the moral of the story? Love, bravery, and patience can overcome even the darkest magic.
Source: Adapted from Cossack Fairy Tales and Folk Tales by Robert Nisbet Bain (1916). Project Gutenberg eBook #29672.
Cultural Origin: Ukraine (Central Dnieper oral tradition).
