This week I read a Russian story.
The Dun Horse
Part One
Long ago there was an old man who had three sons. The older sons were strong and handsome, they looked after the farm, but the youngest, was a crippled simpleton whom people called 'Ivan the Fool', he just sat all day by the kitchen stove.
The father knew he was dying, and one day he called his sons to him and said: "When I am dead, bring bread to my grave for three nights, as is the custom of our fathers." Three days later he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
The first night after the father's death it was the eldest son's turn to bring the bread to the grave, but the night was dark, the wind was howling, and he was afraid to go outside. So he said: "You go, Ivan. Nothing ever happens to fools." Ivan went fearlessly and laid the bread on his father's grave. The father's ghost came out, thanked him kindly, ate the bread and disappeared. The next night it was the second brother's turn, but again the night was dark, the wind was howling, and he was afraid to go. Again Ivan went, and the father's ghost graciously accepted the gift.
The third night was darker still, the wind was howling even louder, and it was Ivan's turn, but he went out fearlessly. The ghost ate the bread and said: "Ivan, do not come back to my grave, as I am now going to heaven. You were the only son who kept the faith, so I shall reward you. Go to the field and call: 'Dun horse, magic horse, come when I call you!' And when he comes, mount him. God bless you, my son."
Part Two
The next day, the Tsar issued a proclamation. All the young unmarried men were to come to the Tsar's courtyard where they would find his only daughter sitting in the window of the tallest tower. The young men would jump their horses right up to her and if one could reach her and kiss her, he would be her husband and become the next Tsar. The two older brothers immediately put on their finest clothes and mounted the best horses on the farm, completely forgetting Ivan. But Ivan remembered what his father had said and went to the field and called: "Dun horse, magic horse, come when I call you!"
Thundering hooves, flying tail and flame streaming from his nostrils, the dun horse came. Ivan mounted him and immediately turned into a strong, handsome young man, dressed in the finest clothes! He rode to the Tsar's courtyard, and watched as the young men were defeated, one by one, in their efforts to reach the princess. Then he rode to the window and looked at her, so high above. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. The princess smiled at the handsome stranger on the magnificent dun horse.
Without a word, Ivan turned the horse. A hush fell over the crowd as he circled the courtyard. He urged the horse on and took the jump at full gallop. Like an arrow he shot to the window and kissed the princess on her lips!
The Tsar gave the greatest wedding banquet ever seen in Russia. He thought he was blessed to have such a handsome, strong man for a son-in-law! Ivan's brothers certainly did not think he was a fool anymore, and were proud of him and Ivan and his princess lived happily ever after, and ruled Russia better than anyone before or since.