# The Sorry Drunkard explained — Russian Folktales

> Chapter companion for Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev.

## What happens

A drunkard drowns in a river and is turned into a horse by devils. His son, Petrúsha, is invited by the Devil as a guest. Guided by a captive maiden, Petrúsha asks for the sorry horse instead of gold, brings it home, and uses a cross to transform it back into his father. The father reforms and stops drinking.

## Themes in this chapter

### Good vs. Evil

Petrúsha's piety and the maiden's guidance help overcome the devils' temptations and curse.

### Family and Betrayal

The father's alcoholism leads to his downfall, but his son's loyalty and faith restore him.

### Magic and Transformation

The father is transformed into a horse by devils and later restored to human form through a ritual with a cross.

## Character check-ins

### The Devil

Invites Petrúsha as a guest and offers rewards; appears as a fine youth.

### The Fair Maiden

A captive in the devils' palace who advises Petrúsha to ask for the sorry horse and instructs him on how to transform it.

### The Old Man

The sorry drunkard who drowns, is turned into a horse by devils, and is restored to human form by his son.

## Key lines

> When he came to the river, he did not dally to think; but slipped off his boots, hung them on his head, and wandered at ease till he came into the middle, stumbled and fell into the water, and was heard of no more.

He reached the river, took off his boots without hesitation, balanced them on his head, and walked carelessly until he fell in the middle and drowned.

_Describes the drunkard's fatal accident._

> Only ask them to give you the sorry horse on which the unholy spirits load their fuel and water. This horse is your father.

Ask only for the worn-out horse that the devils use to carry wood and water—that horse is actually your father.

_The maiden reveals the horse's true identity._

> The old man lived for three days without speaking, and could not unseal his tongue. After that, they lived on in all good luck and happiness. The old man altogether forsook being drunk; and to his last day not a drop of wine passed his lips.

The father was mute for three days, then recovered. They lived happily ever after, and the father never drank again.

_The father's reformation and happy ending._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-sorry-drunkard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/russian_folktales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters