The Gray Wolf and Tsarevich Ivan

Not for the first time, I notice that Old Yelena's eyes twinkle. It is almost as if she is always laughing at some wonderful secret. Perhaps this is what makes her my favourite story teller. And once she has told me all her tales and I have written them down, perhaps she will be your favourite too.

"Alexi, pay heed," Old Yelena says in her soft voice, "do you remember what happened last? Do you remember why Tsarevich Ivan and the Gray Wolf became friends?" The little boy answered at once. "Of course – Tsarevich Ivan discovered that a creature called the firebird was stealing the golden apples from his father's garden, and upon his father's command, he set off to capture it."

"Very good, Alexi! Now we shall see how Tsarevich Ivan and the Gray Wolf become companions on a fabulous journey." And with that Old Yelena continued her amazing story of Tsarevich Ivan and the Gray Wolf. For how long it was the Tsarevich Ivan travelled north, we cannot say. But one day, when the sun rose high in the sky, and all the world seemed to be napping, Tsarevich Ivan got down from his horse and fell fast asleep in the shade of a large tree. His horse wandered from his side, and it was then that it had its unfortunate encounter with the Gray Wolf.

Having heard the whole story, the Gray Wolf was moved to remorse. "It is I who ate your horse, Tsarevich Ivan, but I am sorry for you. If it is the Fire Bird you seek now, however, you are most fortunate. Had you relied on your horse, you would have spent the rest of your life searching, for the Fire Bird is very well hidden. I am the only one who knows where he lives. So be it – since I have eaten your horse, I shall be your true and faithful servant. Get on my back and hold fast!"

And with one massive bound the wolf was away. Beneath his furry paws, the ground flashed by, entire forests were crossed in the blink of an eye, and mountains leapt over in one bound, until, finally, they came to a castle with a high wall all around it. As Tsarevich Ivan dismounted from his back, the wolf said, "Now listen carefully, and remember what I say. Climb over the wall, and make your way to the tallest tower. In the tower, is a chamber, and from the window in that chamber hangs a golden cage and inside this golden cage is the Fire Bird. Take the bird out, hide it under your coat, and return to me. Do not touch that cage, whatever happens."

So Tsarevich Ivan did as the wolf had told him, and soon he had the Fire Bird under his coat. But when it was time to leave the chamber, Tsarevich Ivan stood transfixed by the beautiful golden cage. Reaching out, he tried to take it off its hook. Immediately, there was a great sound and the whole household awoke. Before Tsarevich Ivan could run, he was taken captive and brought before Tsar Afron. "Who are you thief?" cried the angry Tsar. "I am Tsarevich Ivan, son of Tsar Berendei, and I am here to claim the Fire Bird in exchange for all the golden apples he stole from my father's garden!"

Upon hearing this Tsarevich Ivan was very angry. "Had you come to me honourably with your complaint, I would have offered you both the bird and its golden cage in apology. But now, I will spread word of your family's dishonour, throughout every land…" suddenly the angry Tsar paused, and a calculating look came into his eye. “But there is one thing you can bring me, and I shall forgive you. In a certain kingdom there is a Tsar named Kusman, and he has a horse with a golden mane. Bring it to me and I will give you the Fire Bird and its cage to take back to your father!"

When Tsarevich Ivan went back, the Gray Wolf asked him, "Why did you not heed my warning?" "I am sorry, Gray Wolf, please forgive me.""You are sorry, are you? Oh well, get on my back again. I gave my word, and I must not go back on it. A truth that all good folk accept is that a promise must be kept."

And so saying, the wolf bounded away. After many a day, the two travellers came up to the foot of yet another tall wall. "Climb over the wall Tsarevich Ivan, and make your way to the stables. There you will find the horse with the golden mane, but be careful and do not touch the bridle."

Tsarevich Ivan did as the Gray Wolf had told him, and yet when the time came to lead the horse away, he found himself standing transfixed before the glittering golden bridle. Reaching out, he tried to take it off the hook. Even as he touched it, all the sleeping stable hands awoke, and with many shouts and exclamations, dragged Tsarevich Ivan in front of Tsar Kusman.

Here old Yelena stopped. "I wonder what Tsar Kusman is going to do, now?" asked Alexi. If he had been the Gray Wolf, he would have had a thing or two to say to the feckless Tsarevich Ivan. As if she read his mind, Old Yelena grinned at him. "The Gray Wolf has a lot more patience than you, my young writer, as you shall see next week."

Alexi knew a challenge when he heard one, and so did not demand to know more. He would show Old Yelena that he too could be patient.