Russian Folktales · Chapter
A Story of Saint Nicholas explained
Iván, a merchant's son, loses his parents and begins trading, guided by an old man who is revealed to be St.
What happens
Iván, a merchant's son, loses his parents and begins trading, guided by an old man who is revealed to be St. Nicholas. Through faith, obedience, and almsgiving, Iván overcomes robbery, gains wealth from jewel-filled bricks, marries the king's daughter Olyóna after she is purified from witchcraft, and eventually becomes a prosperous and righteous king.
Themes in this chapter
Good vs. Evil
Iván's piety and charity contrast with the witch's malevolence, and the old man's divine power overcomes the witch's curse.
Fate and Divine Justice
Iván's faithfulness and obedience to St. Nicholas lead to his prosperity and kingship, while the witch is purified and redeemed.
Trickery and Cunning
The old man advises Iván to hide valuable bricks under plain ones to deceive pirates, and later uses a brick as a gift to gain the king's favor.
Characters to notice
- St. Nicholas
Appears as an old man who guides Iván, advises him in trade, and ultimately reveals his divine nature.
- Ivánushka
The merchant's son who remains pious and obedient, eventually becoming a king.
- The Tsarévna
Princess Olyóna, the king's daughter who is a witch but is purified through prayer and fire.
- The King
The father of Olyóna, who initially threatens Iván but later embraces him as a son.
- The Old Man
The guise of St. Nicholas, who serves as Iván's clerk and spiritual guide.
Key passages
“One third of the money you are to spend on the funeral, the second on the Requiem Mass, and with the third buy a shop and go into trade.”
Divide the savings into three parts: one for the burial, one for a memorial service, and the last to start a business.
Iván's father instructs him on the proper use of inheritance, blending piety with practical commerce.
“Ivánushka, your trade does not altogether suit me; for you trade in tobacco, and God loves not smoking, nor does He love tobacconists.”
I don't approve of selling tobacco because God dislikes smoking and those who sell it.
The old man (St. Nicholas) advises Iván to abandon tobacco trade for morally acceptable goods.
“And he threw one of the bricks on the ground, and under the clay there was a splendid jewel.”
He broke a brick open to reveal a precious gem hidden inside.
The old man demonstrates that the bricks are actually valuable jewels, teaching Iván to trust his guidance.
“If one of you will read some psalms for three nights to my daughter who is now in the church, you may keep the ship.”
If either of you will recite psalms for three nights beside my daughter, who is currently in the church, I will let you keep the ship.
The king sets a dangerous condition for Iván to keep his ship, involving his witch-daughter.
“He lit the firewood; and when it was in flame he took Olyóna, threw her down, trod on one leg, and pulled her apart into two halves, taking hold of the other leg.”
He set the wood on fire, then seized Olyóna, threw her down, and tore her body in two by pulling her legs apart.
The old man performs a violent purification ritual to remove the witch's curse from Olyóna.
