Adventures of a Young Man (Russian Folktale) – Part I

In a certain village lived a poor young man named Mamariha. He laboured in the fields of the landlord for a living, but he laboured hard indeed.

One day, at the end of the year, the landlord told him, “Mamariha, I am very happy with your work. Here is your reward.”

The landlord handed over three coins to Mamariha. Now, this was an extra income that delighted the poor man. He at once set out on a journey. For long he had cherished the desire for having a glimpse of the wide world.

On the way, by the side of a hill, he found a young man who looked as sad as one could look, “What’s the matter with you, brother?” asked Mamariha.

The story the young man told was amazing. One day, while working in the fields of a wealthy man, he stumbled upon a pouch. “This is a beautiful pouch, but I wish I had some food instead of this!” he told himself. Lo and behold, there was laid before him some delicious dishes and some no less delicious drinks! He put them to proper use and understood that the pouch had magic in it. It was capable of giving him food and drink whenever he needed them.

His master came to know about his prize possession and desired to take it over. The young man escaped with his
pouch, but only to be robbed of it by a gang of bandits.

“Don’t feel sad, my friend, take this coin. This is earned with sweat. If you use it in the right way, it should bring you
happiness,” said Mamariha handing out one of his three coins to the young man.

The grateful young man followed Mamariha. The two had not gone far when they came across another young man who too looked very sad. His story was no less strange.

He had found a pouch out of which a number of goblins would jump and do any work for you! But he too had lost it to robbers!

Mamariha gave him a coin and advised him to invest it in some useful work. This young man too followed him.

Before long they met with a third young man. He had chanced upon a pair of magic boots. With them, he could walk
on water. Alas, he had lost them to robbers!

Mamariha gave him his last coin. By then they had come to a crossroads. “Let us part company here. We will meet again if that is written in our destiny,” said Mamariha and they took to different roads.

The road Mamariha took passed through a forest. At one place he heard some shouts and shrieks. He hid behind a bush and observed that four rowdies were fighting with one another.

Soon it became clear to him that they were the gang of robbers now quarrelling over the ownership of those stolen pouches and boots. From their angry exchanges, he also understood that the horse they possessed was a magic horse, capable of flying over tree-tops.

Mamariha sprang out of the bush. The four fighting bandits were surprised.

“Listen, boys,” said Mamariha in a grave tone. “I ask you to deposit the items here. Then you move away in four directions. When I whistle, come back racing. Whoever picks up an item, it will become his. If you disobey me, the items will vanish!”

“We’ll do as you say,” said the bandits, sure that Mamariha was a supernatural being. Who otherwise could order them about in this manner?

When the bandits had gone far enough, Mamariha collected the three items, unfastened their magic horse and whistled while riding the horse, The four bandits came running only to dash against one another and to see Mamariha flying away, riding their horse.

“You fool, you agreed to his suggestion first,” one bandit accused another.

“Not I, but you,” retorted the other. Soon all the four were locked -in a fight once again.

Mamariha threw a glance at them laughed and flew away.

To Continue in Part II…