Classic story

Emilian the Fool

A Slavic tale
3 chapters
about 6 min

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The story follows Emilian the Fool, who stays behind while his sharp-witted elder brothers go to sell their goods downstream. His sisters-in-law order him to fetch water, but he accidentally catches a talking pike that grants him magical powers. Whenever he speaks the pike's command, objects like pails and sledges obey his wishes without help. He uses this magic to do his chores quickly, though his runaway sledge causes a commotion in town. When the townspeople try to stop him, he commands a cudgel to defend himself and escape. The King hears of his strange abilities and sends runners to invite Emilian to court with promises of red gifts. Emilian magically transports himself to the palace on his stove to meet the King. The King's daughter falls in love with the foolish stranger and begs her father for his hand in marriage. Although the King is angry, he eventually agrees but secretly plots to kill them both by throwing them into a tarred tub at sea. While floating helplessly, Emilian uses his magic to tear the tub open and reach the shore. He then commands a magnificent marble palace to be built instantly across from the royal residence. Seeing this display of power, the King pardons the couple and allows them to live happily in their new home.

How it begins

EMILIAN THE FOOL. There were once three brothers, of whom two were sharp-witted, but the third was a fool. The elder brothers set off to sell their goods in the towns down the river, and said to the fool: "Now mind, fool! obey our wives, and pay them respect as if they were your own mothers. We'll buy you red boots, and a red caftan, and a red shirt." The fool said to them: "Very good; I will pay them respect." They gave the fool their orders and went away to the downstream towns; but the fool stretched himself on top of the stove and remained lying there. His brothers' wives say to him-- "What are you about, fool! your…

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Emilian the Fool

How it begins

Every story, fully told

A voice for every character

The mood of every line

Pictures of every place

Read along

Your AI voice, for any character

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