THE SLUGGARD
by Alexander Chodzko · from Fairy Tales of the Slav Peasants and Herdsmen
Adapted Version
Once, a boy named Emil lived. He loved his warm stove. He sat on it all day. He did not like work. His brothers asked him to help. They promised him nice clothes. Emil wanted nice clothes. So he said yes. Emil liked his warm stove. He did not like work. He did not like to help.
One cold day, wives asked for water. Emil did not want to go. They said, "No clothes!" Emil went to river. He caught a big Magic Fish. The fish said, "Let me go." Fish said, "I give wishes." Emil wished, "Pails, walk home!" The pails walked home. Emil followed them. He sat on his stove. Wives asked for wood. Emil said, "You chop!" Emil wanted wood. He used his magic words. The wood came from the forest. It came to his house.
The King heard about Emil. He was curious. He sent a man. Man said, "Come to King!" Emil said no. Another man came. He was smart. He said, "King gives clothes!" Emil liked this. He said, "My stove, take me to King!" The stove moved. It carried Emil to the palace.
At the palace, Emil saw Princess Lily. She was very pretty. Emil liked her. He wished, "Princess Lily, love me!" He went back home. He sat on his stove. Princess Lily loved Emil. She asked her father for him. The King sent men. They found Emil sleeping. They brought Emil to the palace. The King put Emil and Princess Lily in a glass box. The box went high in the sky. Princess Lily was sad.
Princess Lily asked Emil to use magic. Emil said, "Box, go to a nice island!" The box went to a nice island. Princess Lily wished for a palace. She wished for a crystal bridge. It went to her father's palace. Emil felt shy. He wished to be handsome. He wished to be smart. He wished to be kind. Emil and Lily went to the King. The King was very happy. Emil and Lily got married.
Original Story
THE SLUGGARD
THE SLUGGARD
On the banks of a certain river, where there was always good fishing, lived an old man and his three sons. The two eldest were sharp-witted, active young men, already married; the youngest was stupid and idle, and a bachelor. When the father was dying, he called his children to him and told them how he had left his property. The house was for his two married sons, with a sum of three hundred florins each. After his death he was buried with great pomp, and after the funeral there was a splendid feast. All these honours were supposed to be for the benefit of the man’s soul.
When the elder brothers took possession of their inheritance, they said to the youngest: “Listen, brother; let us take charge of your share of the money, for we intend going out into the world as merchants, and when we have made a great deal of money we will buy you a hat, a sash, and a pair of red boots. You will be better at home; and mind you do as your sisters-in-law tell you.”
For a long time this silly fellow had been wanting a cap, a sash, and a pair of red boots, so he was easily persuaded to give up all his money.
The brothers set out on their travels, and crossed the sea in search of fortune. The “fool” of the family remained at home; and, as he was an out-and-out sluggard, he would lie whole days at a time on the warm stove without doing a stroke of work, and only obeying his sisters-in-law with the greatest reluctance. He liked fried onions, potato soup, and cider, better than anything else in the world.
One day his sisters-in-law asked him to fetch them some water.
It was winter, and a hard frost; moreover, the sluggard did not feel at all inclined to go out. So he said, “Go yourselves, I prefer to stay here by the fire.”
“Stupid boy, go at once. We will have some onions, potato soup, and cider ready for you when you come back. If you refuse to do what we ask you we shall tell our husbands, and then there will be neither cap, sash, nor red boots for you.”
At these words the sluggard thought he had better go. So he rolled off the stove, took a hatchet and a couple of pails, and went down to the river. On the surface of the water, where the ice had been broken, was a large pike. The sluggard seized him by the fins and pulled him out.
“If you will let me go,” said the pike, “I promise to give you everything you wish for.”
“Well then, I should like all my desires to be fulfilled the moment I utter them.”
“You shall have everything you want the moment you pronounce these words:
‘At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
May such and such things happen, as I like.’”
“Just wait one moment while I try the effect,” said the sluggard, and began at once to say:
“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
Bring onions, cider, soup, just as I like.”
That very moment his favourite dishes were before him. Having eaten a large quantity, he said, “Very good, very good indeed; but will it always be the same?”
“Always,” replied the pike.
The sluggard put the pike back into the river, and turning towards his buckets, said:
“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
Walk home yourselves, my pails—that I should like.”
The pails, and the strong rod to which they were fastened, immediately set off and walked solemnly along, the sluggard following them with his hands in his pockets. When they reached the house he put them in their places, and again stretched himself out to enjoy the warmth of the stove. Presently the sisters-in-law said, “Come and chop some wood for us.”
“Bother! do it yourselves.”
“It is not fit work for women. Besides, if you don’t do it the stove will be cold, and then you will be the chief sufferer. Moreover, pay attention to what we say, for if you do not obey us, there will be no red boots, nor any other pretty things.”
The sluggard then just sat up and said:
“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
Let what my sisters want be done—that’s what I like.”
Instantly the hatchet came out from behind a stool and chopped up a large heap of wood, put a part of it on the stove, and retired to its corner. All this time the sluggard was eating and drinking at his ease.
Another day some wood had to be brought from the forest. Our sluggard now thought he would like to show off before the villagers, so he pulled a sledge out of the shed, loaded it with onions and soup, after which he pronounced the magic words.
The sledge started off, and passing through the village at a rattling pace, ran over several people, and frightened the women and children.
When the forest was reached, our friend looked on while the blocks of wood and faggots cut, tied, and laid themselves on the sledge, after which they set off home again. But when they got to the middle of the village the men, who had been hurt and frightened in the morning, seized hold of the sluggard and pulled him off the sledge, dragging him along by the hair to give him a sound thrashing.
At first he thought it was only a joke, but when the blows hurt his shoulders, he said:
“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
Come, faggots, haste, and my assailants strike.”
In a moment all the blocks of wood and faggots jumped off the sledge and began to hit right and left, and they hit so well that the men were glad to get out of the way as best they could.
The sluggard laughed at them till his sides ached; then he remounted his sledge, and was soon lying on the stove again.
From that day he became famous, and his doings were talked about all through the country.
At last even the king heard of him, and, his curiosity being aroused, he sent some of his soldiers to fetch him.
“Now then, booby,” said the soldier, “come down off that stove and follow me to the king’s palace.”
“Why should I? There is as much cider, onions, and soup as I want at home.”
The man, indignant at his want of respect, struck him.
Upon which the sluggard said:
“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
May this man get a taste of what a broom is like.”
A large broom, and not particularly clean, immediately hopped up, and first dipping itself in a pail of water, beat the soldier so mercilessly that he was obliged to escape through the window, whence he returned to the king. His majesty, amazed at the sluggard’s refusal, sent another messenger. This man was ’cuter than his comrade, and first made inquiries as to the sluggard’s tastes. Then he went up to him and said, “Good-day, my friend; will you come with me to see the king? He wishes to present you with a cap, a waistband, and a pair of red boots.”
“With the greatest pleasure; you go on, I will soon overtake you.”
Then he ate as much as he could of his favourite dishes and went to sleep on the stove. He slept so long that at last his sisters-in-law woke him up and told him he would be late if he did not at once go to see the king. The lazy fellow said nothing but these words:
“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
This stove to carry me before the king I’d like.”
At the very same instant the stove moved from its place and carried him right up to the palace door. The king was filled with amazement, and running out, followed by the whole court, asked the sluggard what he would like to have.
“I have merely come to fetch the hat, waistband, and red boots you promised me.”
Just then the charming princess Gapiomila came to find out what was going on. Directly the sluggard saw her, he thought her so enchanting that he whispered to himself:
“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
That this princess so fair may love me, I should like.”
Then he ordered his stove to take him back home, and when there he continued to eat onions and soup and to drink cider.
Meanwhile the princess had fallen in love with him, and begged her father to send for him again. As the sluggard would not consent, the king had him bound when asleep, and thus brought to the palace. Then he summoned a celebrated magician, who at his orders shut the princess and sluggard up in a crystal cask, to which was fastened a balloon well filled with gas, and sent it up in the air among the clouds. The princess wept bitterly, but the fool sat still and said he felt very comfortable. At last she persuaded him to exert his powers, so he said:
“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
This cask of crystal earth at once must strike
Upon the friendly island I should like.”
The crystal cask immediately descended, and opened upon a hospitable island where travellers could have all they wanted by simply wishing for it. The princess and her companion walked about, eating when hungry, and drinking when athirst. The sluggard was very happy and contented, but the lady begged him to wish for a palace. Instantly the palace made its appearance. It was built of white marble, with crystal windows, roof of yellow amber, and golden furniture. She was delighted with it. Next day she wanted a good road made, along which she could go to see her father. Immediately there stretched before them a fairy-like bridge made of crystal, having golden balustrades set with diamonds, and leading right up to the king’s palace. The sluggard was just about to accompany the princess when he began to think of his own appearance, and to feel ashamed that such an awkward, stupid fellow as he should walk by the side of such a lovely and graceful creature. So he said:
“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
To be both handsome, wise, and clever I should like.”
Suddenly he became as handsome, wise, and clever as it was possible to be. Then he got into a gorgeous carriage with Gapiomila, and they drove across the bridge that led to the king’s palace.
There they were received with every mark of joy and affection. The king gave them his blessing, and they were married the same evening. An immense number of guests were invited to the wedding feast; I, too, was there, and drank freely of wine and hydromel. And this is the story I have done my best to tell you as faithfully as possible.
Story DNA
Moral
Even the most idle and seemingly foolish can achieve greatness and happiness through unexpected means or by discovering their hidden potential.
Plot Summary
A lazy, foolish youngest son, left with no inheritance, catches a magical pike that grants his every wish. Initially using his power for comfort and to avoid work, he gains notoriety by magically defending himself against villagers and the king's soldiers. When the king finally brings him to the palace, the sluggard falls in love with Princess Gapiomila and secretly wishes for her love. After the king imprisons them in a crystal cask, the sluggard uses his magic to escape, create a lavish palace and a magical bridge, and finally transforms himself into a handsome, wise, and clever man, marrying the princess and living happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
indifference to contentment to love and triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects common themes and character archetypes found in Eastern European folklore, particularly the 'Emelya the Fool' or 'Ivan the Fool' character who achieves success through luck or magic despite his idleness.
Plot Beats (15)
- An old man dies, leaving his house and money to his two clever, married sons, and nothing to his youngest, idle, and foolish son.
- The elder brothers take the youngest's small inheritance, promising him a hat, sash, and red boots if he obeys his sisters-in-law.
- The sluggard, named Emilian, lies on the stove all day, only reluctantly obeying his sisters-in-law.
- Forced to fetch water in winter, he catches a talking pike that grants him wishes in exchange for its freedom.
- Emilian tests the magic, making food appear and his pails walk home, then uses it to make wood chop itself.
- He uses the magic to bring wood from the forest, accidentally running over villagers, and then uses the magic to make the wood beat his attackers.
- His fame reaches the king, who sends soldiers to fetch him; Emilian uses magic to make a broom beat the first soldier.
- A clever messenger entices Emilian with the promise of a hat, sash, and red boots, leading him to magically travel to the palace on his stove.
- At the palace, Emilian sees Princess Gapiomila and secretly wishes for her to love him, then returns home.
- The princess falls in love with Emilian; the king, unable to get him to return, has him captured while asleep.
- The king imprisons Emilian and the princess in a crystal cask and sends them floating in the sky.
- The princess persuades Emilian to use his magic, and he wishes for the cask to land on a hospitable island.
- On the island, the princess wishes for a palace, then a crystal bridge leading to her father's palace.
- Emilian, feeling ashamed of his appearance next to the princess, wishes to become handsome, wise, and clever.
- Transformed, Emilian and Gapiomila return to the king, are received joyfully, and marry that evening.
Characters
The Sluggard ★ protagonist
Initially an awkward, unkempt, and rather large young man, prone to lying on a stove. After his transformation, he becomes exceptionally handsome and graceful, with a refined appearance.
Attire: Initially, simple, worn peasant clothes, likely loose-fitting and comfortable for lounging. After transformation, he wears gorgeous, richly tailored garments befitting a prince, perhaps a velvet tunic, silk breeches, and fine leather boots, adorned with subtle gold embroidery.
Wants: Initially, to avoid work and enjoy simple pleasures (food, warmth). Later, to win the affection of Princess Gapiomila and to improve himself.
Flaw: Extreme laziness and lack of ambition, which makes him vulnerable to manipulation and initially prevents him from achieving anything on his own.
Transforms from a lazy, simple-minded peasant who relies entirely on magic for comfort into a handsome, wise, and clever prince who wins the love of a princess and rules a kingdom, demonstrating self-awareness and growth.
Idle, simple-minded, easily persuaded, food-motivated, initially reluctant to exert himself, but capable of using his powers for convenience and eventually for love and self-improvement. Becomes wise and clever.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man with a large, comfortable build, fair skin, and unkempt brown hair, lying sprawled on a large, warm, brick-built stove. He wears a simple, loose-fitting grey linen tunic and dark trousers, with a contented, slightly vacant expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Pike ◆ supporting
A large, powerful freshwater fish, with a long, torpedo-shaped body, olive-green back, mottled sides, and a distinctive duck-bill snout filled with sharp teeth. Its fins are strong and capable of propelling it quickly through water.
Attire: None, as a fish.
Wants: To escape capture and return to the river.
Flaw: Vulnerable to being caught by humans.
Appears briefly to grant the Sluggard his powers, then disappears back into the river, fulfilling its role as a magical benefactor.
Clever, pragmatic, capable of granting powerful magic, but only when its own freedom is at stake. It keeps its promises.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, olive-green pike with mottled sides and a distinctive duck-bill snout, its body long and powerful. Its eyes are dark and unblinking. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Princess Gapiomila ◆ supporting
A charming, lovely, and graceful young woman, possessing great beauty that captivates the Sluggard at first sight.
Attire: Exquisite royal attire, likely a flowing gown made of fine silk or brocade, in rich colors like sapphire blue or emerald green, adorned with subtle embroidery and perhaps delicate jewels. Her clothing would be of a style appropriate for a European princess of the 18th or 19th century.
Wants: Initially, to understand the Sluggard and escape her predicament. Later, to be with the Sluggard and help him realize his potential.
Flaw: Her initial distress and helplessness when trapped with the Sluggard, relying on him to act.
Initially a curious princess, she becomes infatuated with the Sluggard, endures a magical imprisonment with him, and through her love and encouragement, helps him transform into a worthy prince, eventually marrying him.
Charming, loving, persistent, initially distressed by her situation but capable of persuasion and adaptation. She is kind and eventually falls deeply in love.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman of regal bearing, with fair skin, delicate features, and long, dark, elegantly styled hair. She wears a flowing gown of deep blue silk, adorned with subtle silver embroidery, and a small, delicate silver tiara. Her expression is one of gentle curiosity and affection. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The King ◆ supporting
An elderly monarch, likely of a dignified but perhaps slightly portly build, with a commanding presence.
Attire: Rich, formal royal robes, perhaps a heavy velvet cloak trimmed with fur, over a silk tunic, adorned with a golden chain of office and a jeweled crown. His attire would be appropriate for a European monarch of the 18th or 19th century.
Wants: To understand the famous Sluggard, to ensure his daughter's happiness, and to maintain order in his kingdom.
Flaw: Initially, his inability to control the Sluggard through conventional means, and his reliance on a magician to solve problems.
Begins as a curious ruler, becomes frustrated by the Sluggard's defiance, resorts to magical means to deal with him, and ultimately accepts and blesses the union of his daughter with the transformed Sluggard.
Curious, authoritative, easily amazed, protective of his daughter, and ultimately benevolent.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man with a dignified, slightly portly build, fair skin, a neatly trimmed grey beard, and a bald head. He wears a heavy crimson velvet robe trimmed with white fur, a golden chain of office, and a jeweled golden crown. His expression is one of amazement and authority. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Sluggard's Home by the River
A humble, cozy dwelling situated on the banks of a river known for good fishing. The interior features a prominent, warm stove where the sluggard spends most of his time, and likely simple, rustic furnishings typical of a Polish peasant's home.
Mood: Cozy, lazy, somewhat neglected but comfortable for the sluggard.
The sluggard's primary residence, where he receives his inheritance, interacts with his sisters-in-law, and first discovers and uses his magical powers.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, warm interior of a Polish peasant's cottage. A large, white tiled ceramic stove dominates the room, radiating warmth. Sunlight streams through a small window, illuminating dust motes in the air. Simple, rough-hewn wooden furniture, including a table and benches, is arranged around the room. A worn broom leans against a timber wall. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Frozen River Bank
The icy edge of a river, where the ice has been broken to access water. The surrounding landscape is covered in frost, indicating a harsh winter.
Mood: Cold, stark, quiet, with a hint of magic.
The sluggard encounters the magical pike and gains his wish-granting powers.
Image Prompt & Upload
A desolate, frozen riverbank in winter. Jagged shards of ice float in the dark, open water where the surface has been broken. The riverbanks are covered in a thick layer of glistening hoarfrost and sparse, snow-dusted reeds. A few gnarled, bare willow trees stand silhouetted against a pale, overcast sky. The air is still and biting cold. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Village
A typical Polish village with houses, roads, and villagers going about their daily lives. It's a place where the sluggard's unusual actions cause commotion.
Mood: Lively, bustling, then chaotic and fearful due to the magic.
The sluggard shows off his magic by having the sledge move on its own, causing chaos and leading to a confrontation with the villagers.
Image Prompt & Upload
A bustling Polish village street in winter. Traditional wooden chałupa houses with thatched or shingled roofs line a packed dirt road. Villagers in warm, practical clothing go about their daily tasks. Smoke curls from chimneys against a pale sky. A heavy wooden sledge, laden with firewood, moves autonomously down the street, causing a stir among the people. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The King's Palace
A grand royal residence, likely reflecting Polish or Central European Baroque architecture, with opulent interiors and a formal courtyard or entrance. It's a place of power and ceremony.
Mood: Formal, majestic, initially bewildered by the sluggard's arrival, later joyful.
The sluggard is summoned to the king, arrives on his stove, and first sees Princess Gapiomila, falling in love with her.
Image Prompt & Upload
A magnificent Polish Baroque palace facade, with ornate stucco decorations, tall arched windows, and a grand entrance. A wide, paved courtyard stretches before it. The sky is clear and bright. In the foreground, a large, white ceramic stove, seemingly moving on its own, approaches the palace doors, carrying a man. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Hospitable Island with Crystal Palace
A magical, fertile island where all desires are instantly fulfilled. It transforms from a natural, welcoming landscape into a site of immense luxury with a palace of white marble, crystal windows, and a yellow amber roof, connected to the mainland by a crystal bridge.
Mood: Magical, idyllic, luxurious, enchanting.
The sluggard and princess are transported here, and the sluggard uses his powers to create a magnificent palace and a magical bridge, transforming himself in the process.
Image Prompt & Upload
A breathtaking, idyllic island landscape. In the center stands a resplendent palace of gleaming white marble, its walls reflecting the sunlight, with windows made of shimmering crystal and a roof of translucent yellow amber. Lush, vibrant green foliage and exotic flowers surround the palace. A magnificent bridge of pure crystal, adorned with golden balustrades set with sparkling diamonds, stretches from the island across a calm, azure sea towards a distant coastline. The sky is a clear, brilliant blue. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
