Read Traditional Folk Tales of Russia and Ukraine in English

The Full List. Click on Any To Read. Baba Yaga

Crimson flower

Daughter and Stepdaughter

Emelya and the Pike

Father Frost

Fenist the Bright Falcon

Flying Ship

Fox, Hare and Cock

Golden Fish

Golden Mountain

Ilya the Murom

Ivan Tsarevitch and the Grey Wolf

Ivanushka the Simpleton

Little Snow Girl

Little Straw Bull

Magic Ring

Magic Wild Geese

Maria Morevna

Masha and The Bear

Morozko

Pea-Roll Along

Princess Frog

Rusalka (The Water-Nymph)

Sadko

Silver Hoof

Sirko

Sister Alyonushka and Brother Ivanushka

Sister Fox and Brother Wolf

Sivka-Burka

Snowmaiden

Snowmaiden Russian tale

Stone Flower

Tale about Golden Cockerel

Tale of the dead princessand the seven knights

Termok (Little Hut)

Teryoshka

The Apples of Youth and the Living

The Cat and the Cock

The Fire-Bird and Princess Vassilissa

The Fly's Castle Crimson Flower Once upon a time in a far away land a merchant was preparing to set out on a long journey. This merchant had three daughters, and he asked all of them what they would like as gifts for themselves when he returned from his voyage. The first daughter requested a golden crown, and the second one wanted a crystal mirror. The third daughter asked only for "the little scarlet flower." The merchant set out on his journey. It did not take him very long to find a beautiful golden crown and a fine crystal mirror. He had difficulty however, finding the third gift, the scarlet flower. He searched everywhere, and eventually his search led him into a magical forest. Deep within these woods there was situated a palace, in whose courtyard grew a beautiful flower. As the merchant drew closer to the flower he realized what it was, the scarlet flower. Cautiously, the merchant picked the flower that his youngest daughter wanted so badly. Upon picking the scarlet flower he was confronted by a hideous beast, who demanded that in return for picking the flower the merchant must send one of his daughters deep into the enchanted forest, to live with the beast forever. Upon recieving the scarlet flower, the merchant's youngest daughter agreed to go to the beast. She journeyed alone into the forest and found the castle where she would dwell forever. For a time, she lived there very happily. The beast had not revealed himself to her, and showered her daily with kindness and gifts. She started to grow quite fond of her invisible keeper, and one day asked that he show himself. The beast reluctantly gave into her plea, and just as he had feared, she recoiled in terror at the site of him. That night the girl had a haughnting dream about her father falling deathly ill. She begged the beast to release her, so that she could find her dying father. Touched by her concern, the beast released her on one condition - that she return to him in three days time. The girl found her father, and prepared to return to the beast in the alloted time. However, her sisters altered the time on the clocks, making her arrive late. There upon her arrival the girl was horrified at what she encountered. The beast was dead, lying there clutching her scarlet flower. Heartbroken, the girl embraced the dead beast, and declared her love for him. Having done this, she unknowingly broke the evil spell, and her beloved beast awoke, turning into a handsome prince. They lived happily ever after. Source: http://russian-crafts.com/russian-folk-tales.html Read also a fairy tale "Beautiful Vasilisa" in Russian and French version here: http://www.artrusse.ca/fairytales/vassilisa.htm (Russian) http://www.artrusse.ca/Contes/Vassilisa-la-Belle.htm (French) S.Dmitriev "Beautiful Vassilisa" Picture Source:  http://www.artrusse.ca/fairytales/vassilisa.htm