Russian Folktales · Chapter
The Witch and the Sister of the Sun explained
Iván Tsarévich, born mute, learns from a groom that his unborn sister will become a witch who devours their family.
What happens
Iván Tsarévich, born mute, learns from a groom that his unborn sister will become a witch who devours their family. He speaks for the first time, obtains a horse, and flees. He encounters two old seamstresses, Vertodúb, and Vertogór, each awaiting death upon completing their tasks. Eventually, he is adopted by the Sister of the Sun. He returns home to find his family devoured, and his witch sister pursues him. Using magical gifts (brush, comb, apples, handkerchief) and the aid of Vertodúb and Vertogór, he escapes and is sheltered by the Sun. The witch challenges him to a weighing contest, but he is flung into the Sun's chambers while she remains on earth.
Themes in this chapter
Good vs. Evil
Iván Tsarévich represents good, fleeing and ultimately being protected from his evil witch sister.
Magic and Transformation
Magical objects (brush, comb, apples, handkerchief) create mountains, forests, and lakes, and rejuvenate the old women.
Family and Betrayal
The sister, a witch, betrays and devours her own family, forcing Iván to flee.
Characters to notice
- Iván Tsarévich
The mute prince who speaks for the first time, flees his witch sister, and is adopted by the Sister of the Sun.
- The Witch
Iván's sister, a dreadful witch who eats their parents and subjects, then pursues him.
- The Sun
The Sister of the Sun, who adopts Iván and protects him from the witch.
- The Old Woman
One of two old seamstresses who give Iván a magic handkerchief after being rejuvenated by apples.
- The Old Man
Vertodúb and Vertogór, giants who help Iván by creating obstacles for the witch.
Key passages
“Iván Tsarévich, said the groom, your mother will soon have a daughter, and you will have a sister. She will be a dreadful witch and will eat up your father and your mother and all their subjects.”
The groom warns Iván that his unborn sister is a witch who will devour the entire family and kingdom.
This sets the central conflict of the chapter.
“Iván Tsarévich ran up to his father and spoke for the first time in his life.”
Iván, previously mute, suddenly speaks to ask his father for a horse.
His first words mark a turning point and the beginning of his journey.
“She gave him a brush and comb and two apples to take with him. And, however old a man might be, if he only ate one apple, he would be young once more.”
The Sister of the Sun gives Iván magical items: a brush, a comb, and two rejuvenating apples.
These gifts enable Iván to help others and escape his sister.