Snegorochka Read online

  Snegorochka: The Snow Maiden, a retelling of the Russian Fairy Tale

  by Anne Spackman

  Copyright 2012 by Anne Spackman

  Smashwords Edition

  Covert art by Mikhail Vrubel, c.1895,

  in the public domain

  A long time ago, in a land called Russia, there lived a woodcutter named Sergei and his wife, called Masha. They had been happy for many long years, but had no children to comfort them now as old age was approaching. Sergei cut logs in the woods to make a living. So they were prosperous in their work, but the couple was nonetheless sad that they had no child to love.

  “Many years of life have passed since we were young, and now we are old. Who will look after us now?” the couple thought in sadness.

  Then one day, on a cold early winter’s morning, Sergei went to the nearby forest to chop some wood, and his wife Masha followed him to gather some berries. They were nearly frozen by the extreme cold of the day.

  “Though we have no child, we might fashion a child out of snow,” suggested Sergei to his wife.

  “Yes, let us do that to amuse ourselves,” returned Masha.

  And so they fashioned a maiden made entirely out of snow, called a “snegorochka”. She was lovely and had pebbles for eyes.

  “If only she were real,” thought the couple. “Then we would have a daughter to care for us in our old age.”

  Suddenly, something amazing and miraculous happened. The couple watched as the snow maiden came to life!

  The snow maiden turned into a real girl! Her eyes shone with a faint light, and all at once, she was clothed in fine clothes, from soft, embroidered fur boots to a lovely cape made of fine wool.

  Sergei and Masha blinked. They couldn’t believe what was happening! Then the Snegorachka took a few, halting steps in the snow. The old couple just stared in disbelief.

  “Hello, kind people, do not be afraid of me! I am here to be your own good daughter, to care for you in your old age.”

  “My dear snow girl, let me then welcome you as our child,” said Sergei. “Come home and be our guest forever. We will provide for you and look after you.”

  And so they took her proffered hand and led her to their house.

  The lovely snow girl came home to the house of the woodcutter and his wife. And she helped do chores and work around the house, with a cheerful smile and a song in her heart. She was so beautiful, but her face was too pale, as though she had no blood in her heart.

  The little snow maiden was quiet and good, noble, and giving, but when she smiled the heavens seemed to have lit up the room.

  The family lived together for three months, and life continued on in happiness. The couple thought their daughter was a gift from God in his mercy to help them, and they were quite happy.

  One afternoon, Masha said to her daughter, ”dear, why are you so shy? You must have friends and others to speak to. You cannot stay with only us, the old parents that can offer you no youthful conversation. Why not go out and play and go to the village to see if you can see some young people?”

  “I do not want to,” replied the Snegorachka. “I love you so much, and I am happy with you.”

  Then, the day of the local carnival came. The streets came to life with singing and revelry. The little snow maiden watched the carnival passing through the window, and was sorely tempted to go out and join the village people in revelry.

  Finally, the snow maiden put on her cape and went out into the town streets to join the revelers.

  In that village, there lived a young girl named Kupava. This girl was beautiful and renowned for black hair like ebony and pale skin. One day a rich merchant named Mizgir saw her and fell in love. She wasn’t shy like the snow maiden, and went on a walk with the young merchant. Migzir was generous to all of the young ladies in the town, and gave them gifts. He and Kupava fell in love and were always together. Kupvava gave away gifts and poured wine out to all the young youths and maidens of the village when it was time to celebrate.

  That afternoon that the snow maiden went out into the carnival, Kupava was there and met her. Kupava introduced the snow maiden to all of the youths. The snow maiden fell immediately in love with a young shepherd named Lel. They began to sing and dance together and often joined together in song and dance thereafter.

  One afternoon, Mizgir came to the village while the girls were dancing. Then he noticed the snow maiden, who was so pale, and fell in love with her. After that, he no longer loved Kupava. They had a fight, and no longer spent time together.

  Kupava was grief-stricken, but she couldn’t do anything to change what had happened. A rumor circulated that Mizgir wanted to ask for Snegorachka’s hand in marriage.

  Hearing this rumor, Kupava met Snegorochka and insulted her with many insults, calling her a traitor and no friend.

  Then, Kupava said, “I’ll go to see the Czar. He will make Mizgir stay true to me. No man can dishonor a maiden and leave her.” So Kupava journeyed to see the Czar and told him her story.

  Czar Berendei ruled the land. He was good to the people and watched fairly over all. He listened to Kupava and summoned the snow maiden to come before him.

  “Good people, tell us where the snow maiden lives,” said the messenger from the Czar. “She is summoned to the palace. If she will not come, we will take her by force!”

  The woodcutter Sergei was afraid and had to submit to the word of the Czar. He and Masha got Snegorachka ready to go to see the Czar. They decided to go with her.

  The Czar lived in a great palace, which was finely decorated. The courtyard was filled with people.

  Once inside the palace, Sergei, Masha, and the Snegorochka stood in wonder looking at the palace and its walls. There were fine musicians playing music on the dais. The Czar sat on his throne, flanked by bodyguards.

  The Czar’s beard fell to his waist. He had on a fur hat, tall and trimmed in brocade and gold.

  The Snegorachka was afraid and didn’t step forward or look at the Czar.

  The Czar said to her, “Come here, young maiden. Do not be afraid to speak and answer what I ask. Did you steal the affections and heart of Mizgir from Kupava? Did you make him any promise that you will be married?

  The Snegorochka came to the Czar and gave a low bow. She spoke openly and honestly, saying she wasn’t guilty in thought or deed. She had refused Mizgir’s proposal of marriage.

  Then the Czar looked at the lovely maiden and said, “I see that you are truthful and not guilty. Go home now and be happy.”

  So the snow maiden left with her parents.

  Kupava was grief-stricken when she heard what the Czar had said. She tore at her own clothes and hair and was very sad.

  After that, the snow maiden was sad and refused to go out, even with Lel.

  Spring came back to the land. The sun was warm and bright, and the snows began to melt. The grass shot up through the ground and so did the flowers. Wild birds sang sweet melodies in the air.

  Yet as the spring came, Snegorochka grew sadder. One morning Lel came to get her, but she refused to go out at first. Finally, she said she would come out. She went with Lel to the edge of the village.

  “Lel, play your flute for me, please?”

  So Lel began to play his flute to her.

  She listened, and tears rolled down her face. All of a sudden, her feet melted beneath her! She fell onto the ground and vanished without a trace. Lel saw no sign of her but the steam rising from where she had fallen to the ground.

  And that was the last of the Snegorochka.

 

 

  Anne Spackman, Snegorochka

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