The Golden Duck Eggs

The story of the golden duck eggs is told in the peasant villages of Ketterzan. It is a tale of hope in hard times, where sorrow can be transformed into riches.

Summary

The story tells of a family who are struggling with poverty and are near starvation. One evening, the father, Abrosim, brings home a crust of bread for his wife, Fetina, and fifteen-year-old son, Ivanushka, to eat. But before they can even tuck into this measly meal, Krutchina (the spirit of sorrow) swoops in from behind the stove and snatches the crust out of Abrosim's hands. No amount of begging can convince her to return the bread, but she does relent and offer to trade the bread for a Duck that will lay golden eggs. The family go to bed hungry, but the next morning Abrosim goes to the pond where Krutchina told him the duck would be, and coaxes the duck to come home with him. When they arrive home, Fetina handles the duck and is overjoyed to feel that it is ready to lay. She puts the duck to roost in a bowl and covers it with a sieve. An hour later, they check on the duck and are delighted to see that indeed the duck has laid a golden egg. Abrosim is able to sell the golden egg at market for several hundred gold pieces, and he buys a bundle of fresh vegetables for the family to eat. The next day the duck lays another golden egg, and Abrosim sells this one also, and each day the same continues, until Abrosim's family is no longer poor or needy. They are able to set up a shop and Abrosim and his son, Ivanushka, become wealthy Merchants.

Related Species