History and Literature

Once upon a time there was an old man and his wife. They had everything they needed, a cow, a sheep, and a cat on the hearth. They didn’t have any children, though, which made them very sad. 

One winter’s day the fresh white snow lay deep everywhere. The neighbours’ children were out playing. Some of them threw snowballs at each other, while others built a snowman. 

The old couple were looking out the window watching the children play, when the old man said to his wife, “Well my dear, why don’t we go outside and build a snowman too?” 

“Yes, but let us build a snow-girl, as we have no child of our own,” she replied. 

The old couple went into the garden and started to build their own snow-girl. They hollowed out two dimples for her cheeks, used two deep-blue beads for her eyes, and a piece of red ribbon for her mouth. How beautiful the Snow Maiden, Snegurochka, was! All of a sudden, Snegurochka’s lips curved into a beautiful smile. She began to move her arms and legs, too, and walked down the garden path into the little wooden cottage. The old couple could hardly believe their eyes! 

“Husband!” cried the old woman, “It’s true! At last, we have our own real live daughter, our own dear little Snegurochka!” The old couple were beside themselves with joy! They doted on Snegurochka so much that they wouldn’t let her out of their sight. She grew by the hour, and with each passing day she grew more beautiful. Snegurochka was so pale, yet so lovely! Her silvery hair flowed down her back, her skin was whiter than the driven snow and her eyes bluer than the winter sky. 

Spring came. The larks sang, the trees turned green and the sun rose higher and higher in the sky. All the boys and girls were cheerful and sang gay songs. But Snegurochka only grew sad and stayed inside the cottage. When she looked out of the window she would only weep. The old couple became very worried for her, and asked her, “Are you ill, our little daughter?” 

“I am fine,” she answered them. Still, she remained in her corner, looking sad, and wouldn’t go outside.  

Summer was approaching – the flowers blossomed in the gardens and the grain ripened in the fields. Snegurochka grew even sadder. She ventured outside the cottage, but would hide from the sun and stayed in cool and shady places. She liked rain and storm best of all, but when the sun came out again she would grow sad once more. 

On Midsummer’s Eve, Snegurochka’s friends asked her to come with them into the forest. She didn’t want to go outside into the sun, but the old woman urged her, “Go out and play Snegurochka. Go, my little daughter and have some fun with your friends!” 

Snegurochka went into the forest with her friends. The boys and girls ran about the forest, wove garlands of flowers, and sang songs. Snegurochka sat in the shade under the trees by a stream and kept cool by dipping her hands into the rippling water. 

Evening came, and the girls and boys played even more merrily. They built a bonfire. Wearing their garlands, they began jumping over it. Snegurochka didn’t want to join in this game, but her friends kept on at her. She walked up to the fire, and stood trembling with her face pale and her hair falling loosely about her. 

“Jump! Jump, Snegurochka!” her friends cried. Snegurochka took a deep breath and jumped! A hissing sound and a sigh came from above the fire, and Snegurochka…. VANISHED!! 

A light mist appeared above the fire, rising higher and higher, and disappeared slowly in the blue sky.