Tales of Wisdom. Insights from Russian Folklore

– Hasty decisions bring bad consequences.

Greed vs. fairness

– Greed often turns against the greedy.

– Honest labor brings a deserved reward.

Discussion Questions for Children

Why did the bear make the wrong choice twice?

Helps children understand the importance of thinking through decisions and the consequences of their actions.

Why was the farmer a successful owner?

Allows discussion of the value of hard work and responsible attitude toward one’s tasks.

Why did the bear, despite his strength, end up with nothing?

Shows that strength without wisdom and diligence does not bring benefit.

What would you do in the farmer’s place when the bear came onto his field?

Develops skills for resolving conflicts and finding compromises.

What does this fairy tale teach?

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

Father Frost

Once upon a time, in a far‑away village, lived an old man who had married a second time, and his old woman wife. The old man had a biological daughter, Nastenka, who was a step‑daughter to the old woman. The old woman also had her own daughter, Marfa, who was younger than her step‑sister.

Marfa was lazy: she rose late, spent all day lying on the stove, and whenever she failed to do something the old woman praised her with Well done, clever girl! Nastenka, however, was never liked by the old woman; she was constantly scolded at the slightest provocation. All the household work fell on her: feeding the cattle, carrying firewood and water, stoking the stove, keeping the house tidy. She rose at first light and did not go to bed until every chore was finished. While the whole village slept, Nastenka kept working.

The old woman was never satisfied and kept muttering at her step‑daughter:

– Lazy girl, sloppy girl! You haven’t sifted the grain, and the house is poorly swept.

Nastenka endured the harsh words, never replied, and tried in every way to please her step‑mother and serve her daughter. Meanwhile, the stepsister, looking at her mother, constantly insulted Nastenka.

The old man felt sorry for his elder daughter; he loved her for being obedient and diligent, never stubborn, always doing what was asked. He did not know how to help her suffering. He himself was feeble, the old woman was a nag, and her daughter was lazy and obstinate.

One day, after another scolding, the old woman began to think how to get rid of the step‑daughter once and for all. After some thought she said to the old man:

– Well, old man, let’s give Nastenka in marriage.

– Alright, said the old man and went to the stove; the old woman added:

– Tomorrow get up early, hitch the mare to the sled and take Nastenka with you; and you, Nastenka, gather your belongings and dress nicely: tomorrow you’ll go to visit!

Kind‑hearted Nastenka was delighted at the prospect of being taken somewhere and slept sweetly all night. At dawn she washed, gathered everything, and dressed up. She looked as beautiful as a bride.

It was winter, and the frost cracked loudly outside.

The old man, before sunrise, harnessed the horse to the sled; everything was ready. The old woman set the table, poured sour cabbage soup, and said to the step‑daughter:

– Come, dear, eat and get out of my sight! I’ve had enough of you! Old man, take Nastenka to her fiancé; go straight on the road, then turn right at the pine on the hill and hand Nastenka over to Father Frost.

The old man’s eyes widened, his mouth opened, and he stopped eating; the girl froze in amazement, tears welling up.

– What a pity! The fiancé is handsome and rich! Look at his wealth: all the firs and birches are silver; his life is enviable, and he’s a strong man!

The old man began to protest, but the old woman, scolding him, forced him to agree, as long as the light stands, and he reluctantly set off, his heart heavy.

He packed the belongings, told his daughter to dress warmly, and set out. After a while he began to regret leading his daughter to certain death.

Better let the old woman lead me than leave my daughter out in the frost, he thought, turned the horse around, and hurried home.

Nastenka sensed her father’s change of mind. She’ll lead you away, she thought, and silently slipped from the sled, heading exactly as the step‑mother had instructed – straight to the tall pine and sat beneath it, accepting her fate.

The old man rode on without looking back and arrived home, only then noticing the empty sled. A deep sorrow seized him. Where could he now find his daughter in the forest? He mourned, entered the house, and sat down.

Nastenka sat shivering under the pine; a chill ran through her bones. She tried to move but had no strength; only her teeth chattered. Suddenly she heard, not far away, Father Frost cracking on a fir tree, hopping from one tree to another, clicking his tongue. He appeared on the very pine under which the girl sat and spoke from above:

– Are you warm, girl? Are you warm, red‑cheeked?

– Warm, father, warm, Father Frost!

Father Frost descended lower, crackling louder, and asked again:

– Are you warm, girl? Are you warm, red‑cheeked?

Nastenka, barely breathing, answered:

– Warm, Father Frost! Warm, father!

Father Frost’s crackling grew even louder, and he asked once more, with all his might:

– Are you warm, girl? Are you warm, red‑cheeked? Are you warm, dear?

Nastenka was completely frozen; her lips turned blue, but she whispered:

– Oh, warm, father Father Frost!

She fell weakly to the ground.

Seeing her plight, Father Frost took pity, wrapped the girl in furs, and warmed her with blankets. Nastenka opened her eyes and thanked Father Frost for his kindness.

The next morning the old woman scolded her husband:

– Look, you took Nastenka away, and the floors are still un‑swept! The water isn’t poured! Fool! You took your own daughter into the forest in such a frost! Go quickly, find her, maybe Father Frost hasn’t taken her as his wife yet.

The old man harnessed the horse and set off. He rode for a long time, wondering where in the forest he could find her. He decided to go to the very pine where Nastenka had gone.

He arrived and indeed found her alive, wearing a sable coat, with chests of rich gifts beside her. Without a word, the old man loaded everything onto the sled, sat with his daughter, and rode home.

When they reached the house, the girl immediately bowed to the step‑mother. The old woman was astonished to see her step‑daughter alive, in a new coat, with chests of gifts.

In an instant the old woman began to scold her husband:

– Fool! What are you standing there for! Take my daughter and put her back in the same place! Otherwise she’ll stay without gifts!

She dressed her daughter warmly, fed her well, gave her food and hot drink, and sent her on her way.

The old man took her back to the forest, to the same spot where he had found her, left her under the same fir, and left.

The step‑mother’s daughter (Marfa) sat shivering, ate her mother’s food until it cooled, while Father Frost was nowhere to be seen.

Soon, Marfa heard the crackling in the forest and saw Father Frost hopping from one fir to another, clicking his tongue, and looking at her:

– Are you warm, girl? Are you warm, red‑cheeked?

She answered:

– Oh, it’s cold! Don’t click, don’t crack, Father Frost…

Father Frost descended lower, crackling louder:

– Are you warm, girl? Are you warm, red‑cheeked?

– My hands and feet are frozen! Go away, Father Frost…

He went even lower, struck harder, and shouted with all his strength:

– Are you warm, girl? Are you warm, red‑cheeked? Are you warm, dear?

– I’m completely chilled! Leave, disappear, Father Frost!

Father Frost became angry and froze Marfa completely.

The next morning the old woman said to her husband:

– Hurry up and harness the horse, fool! Otherwise my Marfa will be completely frozen!

The old man, without even having a bite to eat, was already on the road. He arrived and gasped: Marfa lay in the snow, barely alive. He put her on the sled, covered her with a blanket, gave her hot drink, and took her home.

He carried her into the house, and the old woman, seeing her daughter, gasped and rushed to her.

– Oh, daughter! What happened, dear? Where are the chests of gold and silver?

– Go away, you fool! the old man said, surprised by his own boldness. Look what your daughter has become, almost crazy! And you, bring her silver and gold! You’ve gone mad with greed!

The old man placed Marfa on the hot stove to warm her faster, while Nastenka helped. The old woman stood with her mouth open, not knowing what to say or do.

A few months later a good young man asked Nastenka’s hand, and they were married. Nastenka forgave her step‑mother and stepsister and invited them to the wedding, then moved to live with her husband.

At first life was hard without Nastenka, but Marfa began to pull herself together, started to work and not be lazy. It was not easy – everything seemed to fall from her hands. Yet Nastenka visited, helped, and taught her sister how to do things properly. Marfa became industrious and helped her parents with the household.

Key Themes for Discussion

Kindness and selfishness

– Nastenka cared for the household and, despite difficulties, remained kind.

– Marfa was rude and lazy.

Parental responsibility

– The old woman constantly spoiled her own daughter, almost leading to her death.

– The old man was too weak and did nothing against the cruelty toward his own daughter.

Power of words

– Nastenka’s politeness moves Father Frost.

– Marfa’s rudeness turned against her.

Discussion Questions for Children

Why did Nastenka jump from the sled, knowing what awaited her in the forest?

Helps understand self‑sacrifice: she chose danger to save her father from the old woman’s wrath.

How would the story change if Marfa had answered Father Frost politely?

Shows cause‑and‑effect: kind words can change reality.

Why couldn’t the old man refuse to take his daughters into the forest? What would you have done in his place?

Explores the conflict between fear and love.

Why did the old man first obey the old woman and later find the courage to shout at her?

Discusses how love can overcome fear: seeing his daughters’ suffering gave him bravery.

What does this fairy tale teach?

Helps formulate the main moral and draw life lessons from the story.

The Daughter, the Step‑daughter, and the Bear

Once upon a time a widower lived with his daughter Masha – kind‑hearted and diligent. He married again, this time to a widow who had a daughter Natasha.

The new step‑mother instantly hated her step‑daughter. At the first hint of daylight she would shout:

– Don’t lie down! Bring water, feed the cattle, and wash the linen.

Masha never answered the words; she carried out every task without complaint. She fetched water from the well without spilling a drop, kept the cattle well‑fed and tidy, and washed the linen in the river so clean that it looked brand‑new.

Natasha was allowed to lounge until noon. If Masha poured too much porridge, the step‑mother would scream:

– Wasteful girl!

If she poured too little, the step‑mother would scold:

– Do you intend to poison us?

The old man received no peace either:

– You always pity her! Look at her white hands – does she sit idle on purpose?

One day, when Masha, exhausted, dropped a pitcher, the step‑mother decided:

– I’ll get rid of her!

That night she whispered to her husband:

– Take your daughter to the forest hut! Let her spin yarn there – no one will disturb her, and she’ll work even harder.

What could the poor father do? With tears in his eyes he led Masha into the deep forest. The hut stood beneath a crooked pine – low, dark, smelling of damp and pine needles. The old man wiped his eyes with his palm and handed his daughter a bundle:

– Here is a flint with a spark – light the hearth. Dry tinder is ready – it will catch fire quickly. A sack of barley – you’ll cook porridge. Take the spindle and the bobbin…

He embraced her, speaking in a trembling voice:

– Don’t let the fire go out, keep the door shut… and most of all – spin without stopping, or the step‑mother…

Masha nodded, swallowing her tears:

– Do not worry, father. I’ll manage.

When night fell, Masha did not sit idle. She lit the stove, swept the earthen floor with a broom made of fir branches – leaving no speck behind. She shook a tablecloth over the threshold and carefully spread it on the table. Only then did she boil the porridge.

Suddenly a gray mouse sprang out and said:

– Beautiful girl, give me a spoonful of porridge!

Masha smiled, pushing the spindle aside:

– I’ll give you more than a spoon; I’ll feed you to fullness!

She placed a whole birch‑bark bowl before the mouse. The mouse ate its fill and scurried away.

That night a bear burst into the hut. Its shaggy fur flickered in the firelight, and its eyes glowed like coals. Masha pressed herself against the wall, her heart beating like a bird in a cage.

– Girl! – roared the bear, and from its breath the flames danced in the hearth. – Extinguish the fire! Let’s play hide‑and‑seek!

At that moment the mouse leapt onto Masha’s shoulder and whispered in her ear:

– Do not be afraid, little Masha! Say “Come on!” – it murmured softly. – Then you can put out the fire and crawl under the stove, while I run and ring the little bell.

Masha obeyed. She blew out the fire, slipped beneath the stove, and the mouse seized the bear’s tiny bell, filling the hut with a silvery chime.

The game began!

The bear, growling, chased through the cramped hut:

– Aha! Got you! – it lunged at empty air as the bell rang near the chest.

– Where are you going? – it roared, crashing into the table as the mouse tinkled by the door.

Enraged, the bear began hurling logs:

– Come out! – bang! – Show yourself! – bang!

At last, panting, the bear collapsed onto a bench:

– Phew… You’re a master, girl, at hide‑and‑seek! No one has ever played with me like this! You’ve earned a reward – wait for the morning and you’ll have three horses and chests of treasure!

At dawn the step‑mother woke the old man:

– Rise, lazy one! Go to the daughter – see how much yarn she has spun through the night.

The old man set off, while the step‑mother waited, gloating that she had finally gotten rid of the step‑daughter.

Suddenly the sound of hooves and jingling bells filled the air! She ran outside and could not believe her eyes: on a white three‑horse carriage, laden with gifts, rode her husband and his daughter. Greed flared in her eyes.

– What a triumph! – she shouted. – My daughter will bring two herds of horses, two wagons of riches!

She hurriedly sent her own daughter away and took her to the forest hut, fearing her husband might hide some of the treasure from her. She placed a pot of porridge, brought from home, before Natasha and then slipped away, hiding nearby.

As soon as the mother disappeared, the mouse emerged from beneath the stove:

– Girl, share some porridge…

– Eek, how scary! – Natasha shrieked, flinging the spoon away.

The mouse fled, and Natasha, chewing, finished the porridge and fell asleep.

Exactly at midnight the bear burst in again and said:

– Hey, where are you, girl? Let’s play hide‑and‑seek.

Natasha, chattering her teeth, hid in a corner. The bear snorted:

– There you are! Hold the little bell! Run – I’ll try to catch you!

Natasha clutched the bell, which rang nonstop; her hands trembled with fear. The bear caught her at once.

– It’s not fun playing with you. Fine… I won’t tear you apart. I’ll let you go if you tidy up – sweep the floor, clean the stove, wash the dishes. Then we’ll play again. If you do everything well and can stand up to me a little, you’ll get a reward.

Natasha, arms folded, demanded:

– First the reward! Two three‑horse teams and two chests of gold!

– Oh, what a… – the bear grumbled. – Go, look – your horses wait at the doorway.

Natasha sprang out – there her mother sat on a low stool, reins in hand. The daughter hopped forward, and the cart bolted away. The bear, peeking out, roared after them:

– Hey! And the cleaning? You promised!

– Clean it yourself, clumsy one! – they laughed, whipping the horses.

But the horses ran wild, ignoring the reins. Roots and mounds tossed the cart. Natasha and her mother were thrown off, and the horses galloped away.

Mother and daughter wandered deeper into the forest, unable to find the way home.

Soon Masha begged her father to find the step‑mother and her daughter. Though they had been cruel, they were still family. They prepared a cart, took their dog Zhuk and set out for the hut.

From there they began to search. Zhuk immediately picked up a scent and raced ahead. Masha and her father followed as best they could. At last they found the starving step‑mother and her daughter, who had survived on berries and mushrooms.

They brought them home, fed them for several days, and nursed them back to health. When their strength returned, they seemed reborn. The step‑mother said nothing unkind, and Natasha stopped being lazy, beginning to help with the housework.

Soon a good young man asked Masha’s hand, and a year later they were married.

On the wedding day the step‑mother herself braided a braid for the step‑daughter:

– Happiness to you, daughter! – and for the first time she called her that.

Natasha helped decorate the house for the wedding and prepared the food, which turned out to be the tastiest in the village.

Key Themes for Discussion

Kindness and Gratitude

– Good begets good. Masha fed the mouse, and the mouse helped her.

– Natasha drove the mouse away, and the mouse did not help her.

The Power of Forgiveness

– Masha showed mercy by searching for the missing, even though she could have taken revenge.

– The rescue changed the step‑mother and Natasha.

Consequences of Greed and Deception

– Greedy for the riches, the step‑mother almost ruined herself and her daughter.

– By deceiving the bear, they lost the reward they could have earned.

Discussion Questions for Children

What might have happened if Natasha had offered the mouse some porridge?

Encourages understanding of how a small act of kindness can change fate.

Why couldn’t Masha’s father protect her from the step‑mother?

Explores themes of weakness and fear – how fear can stop us from doing the right thing.

Why did Masha decide to save those who had hurt her?

Shows the strength of compassion – kindness can transform even the harshest people.

Which events helped the step‑mother and Natasha change?

Teaches analysis of transformation – how hardships can teach goodness.

What lesson does this fairy tale teach?

Helps children formulate the main moral of the story and draw life lessons from it.

Little One‑Havroshka

There are good people, there are worse ones, and there are those who do not shy away from hurting the weak and who take advantage of another’s misfortune. Orphan Little Havroshka fell into such hands. When her parents died, a relative took the girl “out of kindness,” but she became a servant in the house. The step‑mother forced her to rise before the rooster crowed, to fetch water from the icy well, and to wash rough canvas until her hands bled. Her own three daughters—One‑eyed, Two‑eyed, and Three‑eyed—were pampered. They spent whole days on the porch cracking seeds, watching Havroshka toil.

Only the family cow gave the girl comfort. When she entered the stall, she would hug the animal and pour out her sorrows:

– Yesterday I fainted at the well from hunger…

– Today the step‑mother struck my temple with the spindle for being slow…

The cow chewed calmly, pressing its warm side against her. Little Havroshka would speak, weep, and feel a little lighter.

One day the girl could bear no more:

– Mother‑cow! They beat me, they starve me, they forbid me to cry. By tomorrow morning they gave me seven sacks of wool to spin and bleach. I cannot go on…

A quiet, wise voice answered from the cow:

– Red girl! Slip into one ear, out the other—everything will be done.

And it happened. The girl slipped out of one ear; the work was ready—spun and bleached. She took it to the step‑mother, who glanced, muttered, hid it in a chest, and gave her even more tasks.

Thus the step‑mother kept assigning chores, and Havroshka returned to the cow, slipped in one ear, out the other, and brought back the finished work.

The old woman, puzzled, called One‑eyed:

– My good daughter, my lovely daughter! Watch who helps the orphan—who weaves, who spins, who whitens?

One‑eyed walked into the forest with the orphan, then into the field; she forgot her mother’s command, lay down in the sunshine, and dozed. Havroshka whispered:

– Sleep, little eye, sleep, little eye!

While One‑eyed slept, the cow spun and bleached. The step‑mother did not notice and sent Two‑eyed next. She, too, was lulled by the sun, lay on the grass, and closed her eyes. Havroshka sang:

– Sleep, little eye, sleep, another!

The cow worked again, but Two‑eyed still slept. The old woman grew angry and, on the third day, sent Three‑eyed, giving the orphan even more work. Three‑eyed, like her sisters, hopped about, then lay on the grass. Havroshka sang:

– Sleep, little eye, sleep, another! – and forgot the third.

Two eyes fell asleep, but the third kept watch and saw everything: the red girl slipping into one ear, out the other, and gathering the ready‑made cloths. Three‑eyed told her mother everything. The old woman rejoiced and, the next day, went to her husband:

– Cut the spotted cow!

The husband answered bewildered:

– What are you thinking, wife? The cow is young and fine!

– Cut it, that’s all! – she shouted.

She sharpened a knife…

Havroshka ran to the cow:

– Mother‑cow! They want to cut you.

– Red girl, do not eat my meat; gather my bones, tie them in a handkerchief, plant them in the garden, and never forget me. Water them each morning.

The orphan obeyed. She went hungry, never ate the cow’s meat, collected the bones, and watered them daily. From the bones grew a tiny apple tree, a marvel to behold. Its apples hung heavy and sweet, its leaves rustled golden, its branches bent silver. Anyone passing by stopped to look; anyone walking close stared in wonder.

One day the girls walked in the garden. A wealthy young lord rode across the field, saw the apples, and asked the girls: