A Golden Horse and a Beautiful Princess

Let’s follow Prince Ivan and the Grey Wolf as they go looking for the golden horse that the Tsar wants in exchange for the firebird.

The Grey Wolf took Ivan to the fortress of Tsar Kusman, who owned the horse with the golden mane. ‘The horse is in the stable and the guards are asleep. Just get the horse as quickly as you can,’ instructed the wolf when they reached the gates. ‘But never, I repeat, never, touch the bridle!’

Ivan scaled the gates and made his way to the stable. The horse with the golden mane was there and the prince had no difficulty in leading him out. It was then that he noticed the bridle hanging inside. He gasped. It was made of pure gold and set with precious stones. A horse must have a bridle, he thought and touched the bridle. All over again, trumpets blared, bells clanged and drums were beaten. The sleeping guards awoke and caught the intruder.

He was produced before Tsar Kusman, who was also surprised that the horse thief was a prince. ‘Why, even a peasant would not do such a thing! How could you stoop so low?’ he asked.

‘Please forgive me . . . it was foolish of me . . .’ began Ivan but the tsar cut him short.

‘I will let you keep that horse, provided you do something for me. The neighbouring kingdom is ruled by Tsar Dalmat. He has a beautiful daughter, Princess Yelena. Bring her to me and this horse shall be yours.’

Dejected, Prince Ivan returned to the Grey Wolf, who shook his head disapprovingly. ‘Why don’t you listen to me? Come, let’s now go look for this princess. This time, however, you must listen to me.’

Before long, they were at the castle of Tsar Dalmat. ‘We don’t want any more mistakes,’ said the wolf. ‘You wait outside this time. In fact, retrace your steps. I’ll get the princess and join you shortly.’ The Grey Wolf was definitely not taking any chances. And he entered the castle and hid behind some bushes in the garden.

Very soon Princess Yelena came out for a walk and, as she passed the bush, the wolf sprang up from behind and swiftly carried her away on his back. He raced through the forest and soon caught up with Ivan, who was walking back.

‘Quick, Ivan! Climb on to my back too . . . Tsar Dalmat’s men will soon be looking for us!’ cried the Grey Wolf. With both Yelena and Ivan on his back, the wolf raced through the path to Tsar Kusman’s fortress.

‘Why do you look so sad, Prince Ivan?’ asked the wolf when they reached their destination. He noticed the crestfallen expression on the prince’s face.

‘I have fallen in love with the beautiful Yelena and she, too, has returned my affections. How can I part from her now?’ asked Ivan. The Grey Wolf sighed. Complications! ‘Don’t worry. I’ll find a way. Let’s hide her in this forest and go in on our own.’

So Yelena hid in a cave nearby while the other two made their way to the fortress. The Grey Wolf was a shape-shifter and transformed himself into a beautiful maiden.

‘Here she is—Princess Yelena, as you asked, Tsar,’ said Ivan presenting the fake maiden to the tsar. The unsuspecting tsar gave him the golden horse as promised. He then began preparations for his wedding with the ‘princess’. ‘You must stay for the wedding,’ he told the prince but Ivan made his excuses and left.

He found Yelena waiting in the cave and together they left on the golden horse.

Meanwhile at Tsar Kusman’s palace, the wedding festivities ended late in the night. Afterwards, when the tsar retired to his bed chamber, he was startled to see a big, Grey Wolf seated on the bed!

A frightened tsar rushed out screaming while the wolf quietly jumped out of the window and soon joined Ivan and Yelena.

‘Now I must give this golden horse to Tsar Afron or else he won’t give me the bird,’ said Ivan sadly. ‘But I have no horse to take me and the princess home.’

‘Oh, you keep the horse. I’ll do something about that, don’t worry,’ said the Grey Wolf.

‘You are most kind, Grey Wolf . . . I don’t know how I can thank you for all this.’ Ivan hugged the wolf.

‘Go on, hide the princess and the horse in the blue forest. We’ll then go meet Tsar Afron and get the firebird from him,’ said the wolf.

And once again, Princess Yelena went into hiding, along with the golden horse, while the Grey Wolf and the Prince set off on another adventure.