Tales of Wisdom. Insights from Russian Folklore

The mother often went into the forest to look for fresh grass and clean water. Before leaving she always gave the kids a strict command:

– “My dear children, lock the door with a latch and do not open it for anyone!”

The kids were obedient and always followed their mother’s orders. As soon as she left, they locked the door and played in the cabin, waiting for her return.

When the mother goat came home, she always sang her special song:

“Kid goats, little ones! Open the door, let us in!

Your mother’s come, with milk she’s brought!

Milk runs down the udder, from udder to the hoof,

And from the hoof into the sour earth!”

The kids recognized their mother’s gentle voice at once and ran happily to open the door. Mother fed them tasty milk, told them what she had seen in the forest, and then went out again for food.

One day a wolf happened to wander past their cottage. He overheard that the mother would feed the kids and then go into the forest, and he decided he wanted to eat the kid goats.

The wolf waited a little while, and as soon as the mother goat disappeared into the woods, he crept up to the cabin and shouted in a rough, hoarse voice:

– “Hey, kids, open the door! Your mother’s here with milk!”

But the kids immediately realized it wasn’t their mother and answered:

– “We hear you, we hear you – but you’re not our mother; our mother sings a different song!”

The wolf growled in frustration, and having nothing else to do, he hid and tried again later.

When mother goat returned and sang her song again:

“Kid goats, little ones! Open the door, let us in! …”

the kids joyfully let her in and told her about the wicked wolf’s visit.

– “You’re clever, my dears!” praised their mother. “You did the right thing.”

Mother fed them, and before heading back to the forest she warned them sternly:

– “Remember: never open the door for anyone whose voice isn’t exactly like yours, or who doesn’t know our special song!”

As soon as she left, the wolf rushed to the door and sang the song in his rough voice— he had been hiding near the house and had memorized mother’s tune:

“Kid goats, little ones! Open the door, let us in! …”

The kids, remembering their mother’s lesson, refused to open:

– “Go away, you’re not our mother! Your voice is nothing like Mom’s! Mom’s voice is thin, yours is coarse! We won’t open for you!”

But the cunning wolf didn’t give up. He ran to a blacksmith and asked:

– “Blacksmith, blacksmith! Make my voice thin! I want to play with the kids. As soon as they hear my voice they’ll be scared.”

– “Well, for the sake of the kids… alright, I’ll reshape your voice.”

The blacksmith spent a long time, but finally the work was done.

The next day the wolf returned to the cabin. He waited until mother goat went into the forest, then sang in a thin voice:

“Kid goats, little ones! Open the door, let us in! …”

The kids heard the thin voice and the familiar song. They thought it was really their mother and believed the wolf. The youngest kid, however, tried to stop her brothers:

– “Don’t open! That’s not our mother. She couldn’t return so quickly!”

But the others didn’t listen:

– “Don’t be afraid! That’s definitely Mom— the song is right and the voice is thin.”

They ran to open the door, while the little girl hid in the oven.

As soon as they opened it, a huge gray wolf burst into the cabin! The kid goats scrambled to hide, but the wolf was fast and hungry. He swallowed all six kids and left satisfied.

When mother goat came home, she sang her song, but nobody opened the door. She pulled the handle; the door swung open—it wasn’t locked, and she instantly realized something terrible had happened. Inside the cabin was chaos; none of her kids were anywhere. Her heart clenched with fear, and she began calling for them:

– “My children, where are you?” she wept, searching every corner.

Finally, a quiet voice came from the oven:

– “Mother, I’m here! The wicked wolf ate all my brothers!”

Mother lifted her daughter into her arms and sobbed bitterly:

– “Oh, my dear kids! Why did you open the door for the wolf? He ate you all and left me, a poor goat, with great sorrow.”

Suddenly she heard someone approaching the cabin—it was the wolf!

– “Ah, neighbor goat!” he said in a feigned gentle voice. “I hear you’re grieving, and you think I’m to blame. Could I have harmed your kids? I didn’t eat them, don’t accuse me. Let’s go into the forest and chase away your sorrow!”

Mother, believing the wolf had eaten her kids, also noticed his belly had become huge and round—so she thought he really had devoured them! Yet she didn’t reveal that she suspected his trickery.

– “Alright, neighbor, let’s take a walk,” she agreed, secretly planning a rescue.

She knew there was an old pit in the forest—hunters had made a trap for wolves—and led the wolf to it.

When they reached the pit, the goat suggested:

– “You know what, wolf—let’s have a competition! Who can jump over this pit?”

The wolf agreed, thinking he would easily win. Confident in his strength, he didn’t suspect the goat’s clever plan.

The goat jumped first and easily cleared the pit. The wolf, his belly heavy from having swallowed six kids, ran, leapt, but didn’t reach the edge. He fell straight into the pit!

The impact burst the wolf’s belly, and all six kid goats sprang out—alive and unharmed! The wolf had swallowed them whole out of greed, without chewing.

The mother goat pulled the kids from the pit and hugged them for a long time.

– “Mom, mom!” the kids shouted. “We were so scared! But now we know we must be even more careful!”

Since then the mother goat and her seven kid goats lived happily in their forest cabin. The kids became even more cautious and never forgot their mother’s advice about not trusting strangers and always remembering safety.

Key Themes for Discussion

Cunning and Trust

– The wolf embodies cunning and deception, using many tricks to fool the kid goats.

– The kid goats, on the contrary, are trusting and become victims of his tricks.

Safety and Caution

– The importance of following safety rules and listening to parents’ instructions.

– The need to be careful with strangers, even if they seem friendly.

Maternal Love and Protection

– A mother’s willingness to do anything to save her children.

– The power of maternal love and ingenuity in critical situations.

Discussion Questions for Children:

Why did the kid goats first refuse to open the door for the wolf, but later open it?

This helps children understand that deceivers can change their methods and become more inventive in their lies.

What should the kid goats have done to be absolutely sure that the voice at the door was their mother’s?

It is important to teach children additional ways to verify a person’s identity, not relying only on voice.

Why did the blacksmith agree to help the wolf?

Discuss trust and how evil can hide behind seemingly good intentions.

How do you think the mother goat felt when she discovered her children were missing?

This question develops empathy and understanding of a mother’s feelings and worries.

What lesson does this fairy tale teach?

Helps formulate the main moral of the story and extract life lessons from it

Wolf and the Dog

In a village there lived a dog. For many years he faithfully guarded the house and watched over the barns. As time passed, his legs grew slow and his bark became softer. The dog tired quickly and slept a lot. His owner thought it over and decided that the dog was now useless as a guard, so he chased him away.

The dog ran as far as his eyes could see until he ended up in the forest. There he found an abandoned fox den under a tree and decided to stay there. He slept in it all day, and when he woke up he felt a strong hunger. He decided to catch some prey. He started sniffing the ground and saw a mouse. He chased it, but the mouse slipped into a hole. He chased a squirrel, but it jumped onto a branch. He chased a bird, but it flew away. The dog could not catch anyone.

He sat on a stump and felt sad. Then he saw a wolf approaching. At first the dog was frightened – he knew he could not defeat a wolf. But he soon accepted his fate.

The wolf, however, did not attack; he spoke to the dog:

– Well, they drove you away?

– Well… uh… – the dog could not find words. He could not admit that he had really been driven away.

– You’re hungry, aren’t you? – the wolf asked, ignoring the dog’s stammer. He immediately guessed what had happened.

– I’m barely standing on my legs… – the dog sighed.

– Come with me! – the wolf smiled. – I know where we can find food.

They went to a field where a flock of sheep was grazing.

– Look, there’s a herd of sheep! – said the wolf. – I’ll approach the herd from that side, and you come from this side and start barking. The sheep will get scared and run away. Then I’ll catch one for us.

– But… how can I…

– I know, I know you used to chase me, you used to guard the sheep.

– Well, I…

– I know your job was to guard. So you’re hungry, right?

The dog did not want to frighten the sheep, but hunger forced him to agree. He obeyed the wolf’s order, barked, the herd scattered, and the wolf caught a lamb that seemed injured and could not run fast. Although the wolf set a trap, he was not young either.

– Eat, old friend! – he offered the dog.

They shared the meal, and the wolf left.

A few days later the wolf returned.

– I want to help you get back home. I’ve thought of a way.

The dog first refused, but the wolf persuaded him:

– This is a chance to prove you’re still useful!

The next day the dog’s former owners organized a picnic on a forest clearing. The former lady sat on a blanket reading a book, while her baby lay on her lap trying to catch a fly. The older daughter went to pick berries, and the former husband gathered firewood for the campfire.

Suddenly a wolf jumped out of the bushes, grabbed the baby’s blanket and ran into the thicket. The former lady screamed, and her husband dropped the firewood and chased after the wolf, but could not catch him.

From nowhere the dog appeared, barking and lunging at the wolf. They tumbled across the ground. The dog snatched the baby from the wolf and returned the child to its mother, while the wolf fled into the forest.

The family rejoiced, hugged and praised the dog, and decided to bring him back home. The lady began to scold her husband for having driven away such a dog, who, although old, could still do his job.

The dog returned home, lived in the same kennel as before, and began to forget the hardships he had endured.

Winter came. The older daughter was getting married. The festive night was especially frosty, and the whole celebration took place inside the house. Guests occasionally stepped out into the yard for fresh air, and the dog received many treats.

But then howls began to echo from the forest. At first the dog ignored them, but then he leapt up and ran toward the howling.

In the forest, on a stump, sat the wolf. He shivered from the cold and was howling. For several days he could not catch any prey and had not eaten. He saw the dog approach and asked:

– What’s up? Driven away again?

– No. You’re hungry, right?

While everyone was busy holding contests and dancing, the dog led the wolf into the kitchen and hid him behind the stove. No one even noticed how they got in. The dog ran back to the hall, bringing the wolf pies and meat.

The wolf ate and ate. He probably had never been so full as that evening. He was about to leave when the music stopped, a sad song began, and the wolf decided to sing too. He howled, first softly, then louder. The dog thought trouble was coming and prepared for the worst.

Indeed, as soon as the song faded, people heard the wolf’s howl from the kitchen. Panic broke out in the hall. Women screamed, men grabbed whatever was at hand— a stool, a pan, a broom, a mop— and rushed toward the kitchen. But nobody dared to go in. Then the dog barked, the wolf burst out of the kitchen, and everyone fled from him. The dog kept barking and ran after the wolf.

They ran to the edge of the forest, where they said goodbye:

– Thank you… – the wolf managed to say, out of breath after the long run with a full belly.

– Well… you… uh… – the dog could not find words for farewell.

– If you ever need help, come find me, – said the wolf and disappeared into the woods.

Since then the dog continued to live as before: he slept a lot, ate and drank his fill, and no one ever tried to drive him away again.

Key Themes for Discussion

Consequences of cruelty and thoughtless decisions

– The owner chased the dog away, condemning him to hardship.

– The dog suffered in the forest and struggled to find food.

Kindness and compassion as forces that can change fate

– The wolf felt sympathy for the dog and helped him return home.

– The dog remembered the wolf’s kindness and repaid it by saving the child.

Importance of forgiveness and seeing good intentions

– Although the wolf and the dog were once enemies, the wolf forgave the dog, understanding that the dog was only doing his job.

– The owners welcomed the dog back because he rescued their child.

Discussion Questions for Children

Why did the wolf decide to help the dog even though they had been enemies before?

Teaches children to forgive and help others, even after past conflicts.

Why did the wolf and the dog “steal” the child in order to get the dog back home?

Discusses the importance of finding unconventional solutions for the sake of good.

Why did the dog decide to help the wolf and hide him in the kitchen during the celebration?

Helps children understand the hero’s motives and see the value of friendship and mutual aid.

What would have happened if the dog had not “chased” the wolf?

Develops an understanding of the consequences of inaction.

Why was it wrong to drive the dog away, even though he had become old?

Teaches respect for the elderly, appreciation of loyalty, and the principle of not abandoning those.

Wintering of the Animals

One late autumn, when the leaves had already turned yellow and begun to fall, a big strong bull was walking along a forest path. He met a ram coming the other way.

– Hello, Ram! Where are you heading? – asked the bull.

– I’m looking for a warmer place to hide from the winter frost, – replied the ram.

– Then let’s look together, – suggested the bull.

They kept walking and soon met a pig.

– And where are you going, little piggy? – asked the bull.

– I’m running from the winter, looking for somewhere warmer, – she said.

– Come with us!

Now the three of them walked together. Before long they encountered a goose trudging sadly over the frozen ground.

– Goose, where are you going? – asked the bull.

– I’m looking for a warmer spot.

– Well, join us; it’ll be more fun together.

Then they met a rooster, who was also walking gloomily along the forest trail.

– Rooster, you’re probably looking for a warmer place too, aren’t you? – asked the bull with a smile.

– Exactly, it’s getting colder.

Thus the whole company set off together. As they walked, they talked:

– My friends, snow will soon fall and it will become very cold. Let’s build a little house so it will be warm and cozy, – proposed the bull.

At that moment the ram proudly shook his head:

– I have thick wool; I won’t be cold. I can manage without a house!

The pig snorted and said:

– I’ll dig a hole in the ground and spend the winter peacefully!

The goose also declared:

– Cold doesn’t scare me! I’ll perch among the spruce branches, cover myself with one wing, sleep with the other – and I’ll get through the winter!

The rooster hurried to agree:

– I’ll manage too!

Only the bull was left alone with his plans. He decided not to be lazy – he began to build a hut. He worked diligently and hard while the others rested.

Finally he built a sturdy, solid hut with thick walls, a stove, and a soft bed.

A harsh winter arrived, and the frosts struck hard. The ram froze completely, even though his wool was thick. He went to the bull and begged:

– Friend, let me warm up! I have no strength, I’m freezing!

– No, ram, you have a warm coat! – answered the bull.

– Well, if you don’t let me in, I’ll run away and knock a log out of the hut! You’ll get colder, – threatened the ram.

What should the bull do? He felt sorry for his friend and let him in to warm up.

Then the pig came running, clacking her teeth:

– Let me in quickly to warm up!

– No, you said you’d dig into the ground!

– If you don’t let me in, I’ll dig a tunnel under your hut and you’ll be left without a home!

The bull had to let the pig in as well. Later the goose and the rooster arrived, shivering and miserable:

– Please let us in, we’re freezing!

– No, you said you’d spend the winter in the branches!

– If you don’t let us in, we’ll pull the moss from the walls and tear off the roof; you’ll be worse off! – the birds threatened.

Again the bull had to agree. They all began to live together in the warmth.

The rooster warmed up and began to sing. A cunning fox in the forest heard the song and wanted to eat the rooster. She went to a bear and a wolf:

– I have a catch! For you, bear – the bull; for you, wolf – the ram; and for me – the rooster!

The bear and the wolf were delighted and went to the hut. The bear said:

– You go first!

– No, you’re stronger, go yourself!

The bear went in. As soon as he entered, the bull pressed him against the wall with his horns! Then everyone rushed in: the ram nudged the bear in the side – he fell. The pig bit him, tearing his fur; the goose pecked at his eyes and ears; and the rooster, perched on a beam under the ceiling, shouted:

– Bring it here, bring it here!

The wolf and the fox heard this, got scared, and fled into the forest. The bear, barely alive, chased after them. He caught up with the wolf and said:

– Oh, my friends, I’ve never felt such fear! I just entered and the “owner” (the bull) clutched me to the wall. Then people attacked me from all sides: some beat, some tore, some stabbed my eyes with a awl and ripped my ears. And another one sat under the ceiling shouting, “Bring it here, bring it here!” If they had brought it, death would have come to me. I barely escaped with my legs!

After that, none of the animals wanted to approach the wintering place again.

In the hut the animals realized that together they were stronger. They lived more friendly and warmer. From then on they always helped each other and never again boasted about wintering alone.

Key Themes for Discussion

Diligence and foresight

– The bull showed wisdom by preparing for winter in advance, while the others relied on chance.

– Highlights the importance of planning and preparing for hardships.

Friendship and mutual assistance

– Despite initial disagreements, the animals found a way to live together.

I- n a critical moment they united against a common danger.

Fear and imagination

– The bear was so frightened by the unexpected resistance that his imagination greatly exaggerated reality.

– The wolf and the fox believed the bear’s terrifying story without checking the truth themselves.

Discussion Questions for Children

Why did the bull decide to build a house while the others refused?

This question helps a child understand the value of foresight and planning ahead.

Did the bull act correctly by letting his friends in, even though they had previously refused to help him?

The question develops an understanding of forgiveness, kindness, and that friendship is more important than grudges.

How were the animals able to defeat the bear, the wolf, and the fox even though they were much weaker?

Shows the child the power of unity and the importance of mutual support.

What would have happened if each animal had stayed to winter alone?

Helps the child see the advantages of cooperation and friendship.

What lesson can be taken from this fairy tale for one’s own life?

Encourages the child to apply the moral of the story to real‑life situations.

The Golden Fish

Once there lived an old man and an old woman on an island in the middle of the sea. They had no children and lived in a shabby cottage in poverty. The woman ran the household, and the man caught fish with a net.

One day the old man went to the sea and spent the whole day trying to catch even a single fish, but the net brought up only mud and seaweed.

At last he decided to cast the net into the sea one more time. When he pulled it up and examined it, there was still no fish. Dejected, he began to roll up the net and, to his surprise, saw a tiny golden fish.

He lifted the fish in his hands, and it spoke to him in a human voice:

– Release me, old man, back into the sea; I will be of use to you: whatever you wish, I will do.

The old man thought for a moment, smiled, and answered:

– Swim away, little fish, be free. What do I, an old man, need? A net to catch food; a roof over my head is already there.

He let the golden fish slip back into the water and returned home. His wife asked:

– Did you catch much, husband?

– I caught only one golden fish, and I let it go. It begged me, “Release me into the blue sea; I will be of use to you—whatever you wish, I’ll do!” I felt sorry for the fish and released it for free.

– You fool! You had a great fortune in your hands and you threw it away!

The old woman raged, scolding her husband from dawn till dusk, never letting him rest:

– At least ask the fish for some rye bread! Soon the crust will be gone; what will you eat? Go, bow to the fish, and ask for a loaf of rye!

The old man could not stand it any longer. He went to the sea and called the fish:

– Fish, fish! Appear, great fish‑queen!

The golden fish swam to the shore:

– What do you need, old man?

– My wife is angry and won’t leave me alone. She asks for rye bread.

– Go home; you will have plenty of bread.

The old man returned:

– So, wife, is there bread?

– There is plenty of bread, but the trough broke, and we have nothing to wash the laundry in. Go to the golden fish, bow, and ask for a new trough.

He went back to the sea; the wind rose around him: