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“The Tale of the Fine Young Man and the Apples of Youth II”
- University Press of Mississippi
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145 The Tale of the Fine Young Man and the Apples of Youth II Once there lived a tsar. The tsar had three sons, Fyodor, Yegor and Ivan. Ivan was not quite all there in the head. The tsar sent his oldest son out to get living water, and to get the sweet apples of youth. He set out and rode until he came to a fork in the road. Here stood a pillar, and on the pillar was an inscription: “If you go to the right, you’ll drink and eat; if you go to the left, you’ll lose your head.” He headed to the right and came to a house. He went into the house, and there a maiden said to him,“Prince Fyodor! Come sleep with me.” He lay down, and she up and shoved him into who knows where. The tsar didn’t wait for him long but sent out his second son. This one set off and came to the same place. He went into the house. The maiden took care of this one as well. The tsar sent his third son:“You go!” The youngest son set off, rode up to the same fork in the road, and said, “For the sake of my father I’ll go and lose my head!”And he rode to the left. He came to a house, went in, and in the house was a yagishna.75 She was sitting at a spinning wheel, spinning silk thread on a gold spindle, and she said,“Where, Russian bone Prince Ivan, have you set out to go?” He answered,“Give me something to drink and eat, then ask me about everything.” She gave him something to eat and drink and asked him questions. He said,“I’ve set off to get living water, and the sweet apples of youth—there, where White Swan Zakhar’evna lives.” Yagishna said to him, “You’re not likely to get them! Perhaps I’ll help you,” and she gave him her horse. He mounted and rode off, and he came to the house of a second yagishna sister. He went into the house, and she said to him, “Fie-fie, there was no scent or sight of Russian bone, but now it’s come right into my yard. Where are you headed, Prince Ivan?” The Tale of the Fine Young Man and the Apples of Youth II 146 He answered, “First give me something to eat and drink, then ask me questions.” She gave him something to drink and eat, and he said,“I’ve set off to get hold of living water and the sweet apples of youth—there where White Swan Zakhar’evna lives.” “You’re not likely to get them!” said the old woman, and she gave him her horse. The prince set off to see the third yagishna. He went into the house, and she said,“Fie, fie, there was no smell and no sight of Russian bone, but now Russian bone has come into the yard by itself. Where are you headed, Prince Ivan?” “First give me something to eat and drink, then ask me questions.” She gave him something to eat and drink, and then he said,“I’m off to get living water and the sweet apples of youth.” “That’s hard, prince! You’re not likely to get them.” Then she gave him her horse and a seven-hundred club, and she told him,“When you ride up to the city, hit the horse with the club so he’ll jump over the fortress wall.” So that’s what he did. He leapt over the fortress wall, hitched his horse to a pillar, and went into the palace of White Swan Zakhar’evna. The servants did not want to let him pass, but he pushed his way through them. “I’m bringing a message for White Swan Zakhar’evna,” he said. He fought his way to the chambers of White Swan Zakhar’evna. At that time she was sound asleep, stretched out on a feather bed, and the living water was under her pillow. He took the water, kissed the maiden, and wickedly had his way with her. Later, after he had gathered some of the apples of youth, he set off to go back. His horse leapt over the fortress wall and clipped its edge. Suddenly all the bells sounded, all the gongs, and the whole city awoke. White Swan Zakhar’evna ran about...