The Sun, The Moon and Crow Crowson
by Alexander Afanasyev · from Russian Fairy Tales
Original Story
The Sun, The Moon and Crow Crowson
Once upon a time there was an old man and an old woman who had three
daughters. The old man went into the loft for some groats, and took them
home, but there was a hole in the sack, and the groats were running and
running out of the sack.
The old man went home, and the old woman asked, “Where are the groats?”
But all the groats had dripped out.
So the old man went to collect them, and said, “If only the Sun would
warm the grain, and the moon show its light on it, and Crow Crowson help
me to get the groats, I would give my eldest daughter to the little Sun,
and my middle daughter to the Moon, and my youngest to Crow Crowson.” So
the old man set to collecting the grain, and the Sun warmed it, and the
Moon shone on it, and Vóron Vóronovich helped to collect the grain.
The old man came back home and said to the eldest daughter: “You must
dress nicely and go out on the steps.” So she dressed and went out on
the steps. And the Sun laid hold of her. And he commanded the next
daughter in the same way to dress herself finely and to stand on the
steps. So she dressed herself up and went out, and the Moon seized and
took away the second daughter. And he said to the third daughter, “Dress
yourself prettily and stand on the steps.” So she dressed herself
prettily and stood on the steps, and Crow Crowson seized her and carried
her away.
Then the old man said, “I think I might go and visit my sons-in-law.” So
he went to the Sun, and at last he arrived there.
The Sun asked him, “With what shall I regale you?”
“Oh, I don’t wish for anything!”
So the Sun bade his wife make a custard ready. So the daughter prepared
the custard; the Sun sat down in the middle of the floor, and his wife
put the pan on him and the custard was soon cooked. So they gave the old
father refreshment.
Then the old father went back home and bade his wife make him a custard;
and he sat down on the floor and commanded her to put the pan with the
custard on to him.
“What are you talking about? Bake it on you!” said the old wife.
“Go on!” he replied. “Put it there; it will be baked!”
So she put the pan on him, and the custard stood there for ages and was
not ever cooked, only turned sour. It was no good. So in the end the
wife put the pan into the stove, and this time the custard was baked and
the old man got something to eat.
Next day the old man went to stay as a guest with his second son-in-law,
the Moon, and he arrived.
And the Moon said, “With what shall I regale you?”
“I do not wish for anything,” said the old man.
So the Moon got the bath heated ready for him.
The old man said, “Won’t it be very dark in the bath?”
“No,” said the Moon to him, “quite light; only step in.”
So the old man went into the bath, and the Moon twisted his little
finger into a chink, and it was quite light in the bathroom. So the old
man steamed himself thoroughly, went back home and told his wife to heat
the bath at night. So the old woman heated it, and he sent her there to
steam herself.
“But,” she said, “it will be much too dark to steam myself!”
“Go along! it will be light enough.”
So the old woman went. And the old man saw how the Moon had lit the
place up for him, and he went and bored a tiny hole in the bathroom and
thrust his finger through it.
But there was still no light in the bath, and the old woman shrieked out
to him, “Dark! much too dark!” It was not any good. So she went out,
brought a lamp, and enjoyed her steam bath.
On the third day the old man went to Vóron Vóronovich. He got there.
“How shall I regale you?” asked Vóron Vóronovich.
“Oh,” said the old man, “I don’t want anything!”
“Well, let us come and sleep on the perch.”
So the Crow put a ladder up and climbed up there with his father-in-law.
Crow Crowson settled himself comfortably with his head under his wing.
But as soon as ever the old man dropped off to sleep both of them fell
down and were killed.
Story DNA
Moral
Promises, especially those made lightly, can have unexpected and sometimes fatal consequences, and one should not attempt to imitate powers beyond their understanding.
Plot Summary
An old man loses his groats and rashly promises his three daughters to the Sun, Moon, and Crow Crowson in exchange for their help. After the supernatural beings claim their brides, the old man visits each son-in-law, witnessing their unique powers. He attempts to replicate these powers at home, failing comically with the Sun's cooking and the Moon's lighting. His final attempt to imitate Crow Crowson by sleeping on a perch leads to both their deaths, highlighting the fatal consequences of his hubris and foolish imitation.
Themes
Emotional Arc
indifference to curiosity to tragic end
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Collected by Alexander Afanas'ev, a prominent collector of Russian folklore. This tale reflects common folk motifs of rash promises and the dangers of imitating powerful beings without understanding their nature.
Plot Beats (12)
- An old man loses groats from a leaky sack on the way home.
- The old man promises his three daughters to the Sun, Moon, and Crow Crowson if they help him recover the groats.
- The Sun, Moon, and Crow Crowson help, and then claim their respective brides.
- The old man decides to visit his sons-in-law.
- He visits the Sun, who cooks custard by sitting on the pan, and the old man is fed.
- The old man returns home and tries to cook custard the Sun's way, but it fails and turns sour.
- He visits the Moon, who lights a bath by sticking his finger in a chink, and the old man enjoys a steam.
- The old man returns home and tries to light a bath the Moon's way, but it fails and his wife needs a lamp.
- He visits Crow Crowson, who offers to sleep on a perch.
- Crow Crowson and the old man climb a ladder to the perch.
- Crow Crowson sleeps comfortably with his head under his wing.
- The old man falls asleep, and both he and Crow Crowson fall from the perch and die.
Characters
The Old Man ★ protagonist
Implied to be frail or at least not supernaturally strong, as he cannot warm grain or light a bath on his own.
Attire: Simple, peasant-like clothing appropriate for a man of his station, likely homespun and practical.
Gullible, somewhat demanding, eager to replicate magical feats without understanding the underlying power.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man with a long, flowing white beard and deep wrinkles around his kind, weary eyes. He wears a simple, faded blue tunic over brown trousers, secured with a rope belt. His posture is slightly stooped but strong, leaning on a gnarled wooden walking staff. He looks forward with a gentle, determined expression, his weathered hands gripping the staff. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Woman ◆ supporting
Unknown, likely similar to the old man in age and appearance.
Attire: Simple, peasant-like clothing appropriate for a woman of her station, likely homespun and practical.
Practical, skeptical, long-suffering, more grounded in reality than her husband.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly woman with a deeply wrinkled, kindly face and warm, crinkled eyes. Her white hair is pulled back into a soft bun. She wears a simple, long-sleeved dress of faded blue linen with a patched apron, and sturdy brown leather shoes. She stands slightly stooped, leaning gently on a smooth wooden walking stick, with a gentle, knowing smile. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Sun ◆ supporting
Implied to be a powerful, radiant being capable of generating immense heat.
Attire: Unknown, possibly depicted as a source of light rather than wearing clothes.
Powerful, hospitable, possesses unique magical abilities.
Image Prompt & Upload
A radiant, ageless figure with a warm, fatherly expression, his skin glowing like molten gold. He wears flowing robes of deep orange and crimson, embroidered with swirling solar flares. His hair is a mane of bright golden flames, and his eyes shine like brilliant stars. He stands with open arms in a gesture of benevolence, emitting a soft, life-giving light. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Moon ◆ supporting
Implied to be a luminous being capable of generating light.
Attire: Unknown, possibly depicted as a source of light rather than wearing clothes.
Powerful, hospitable, possesses unique magical abilities.
Image Prompt & Upload
A luminous young woman with an ethereal glow, appearing as if formed from moonlight itself. Her skin is pale silver, and her long, flowing hair is the color of spun starlight, cascading around her. She wears a graceful, translucent gown that shimmers like moonbeams on water, its layers seeming to drift in a gentle, unseen breeze. Her expression is serene and kind, with soft, glowing eyes. She stands in a gentle, supportive pose, one hand slightly extended as if offering silent guidance or calm. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Crow Crowson ⚔ antagonist
A large crow, capable of carrying a human.
Attire: Natural plumage of a crow.
Deceptive, dangerous, ultimately fatal to the old man.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, slender man in his late 30s with sharp, hawkish features and a cruel, calculating smile. His hair is slicked back, dark and severe, and his eyes are a cold, piercing grey. He wears an impeccably tailored black suit with a high collar, a single silver crow-shaped pin on the lapel. His posture is rigid and predatory, one hand casually resting in his pocket while the other holds a thin, black cane with a polished silver handle. His expression is one of cold amusement and superiority. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Eldest Daughter ○ minor
Unknown, but implied to be attractive enough to be a bride.
Attire: Finely dressed, as instructed by her father, likely a traditional peasant dress.
Obedient.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young girl around ten years old with large, curious hazel eyes and a smattering of freckles across her nose. Her long, chestnut brown hair is neatly braided into two plaits tied with simple blue ribbons. She wears a modest, knee-length dress of faded blue cotton with a white pinafore apron over it, and scuffed brown leather ankle boots. Her posture is slightly stooped with her hands clasped nervously in front of her, and she gazes thoughtfully off to the side with a gentle, watchful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Middle Daughter ○ minor
Unknown, but implied to be attractive enough to be a bride.
Attire: Finely dressed, as instructed by her father, likely a traditional peasant dress.
Obedient.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young teen girl with soft brown hair in a simple side braid, wearing a slightly faded blue linen dress with a white apron. She has a gentle, thoughtful expression and stands quietly with her hands lightly clasped in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Youngest Daughter ○ minor
Unknown, but implied to be attractive enough to be a bride.
Attire: Finely dressed, as instructed by her father, likely a traditional peasant dress.
Obedient.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young girl around ten years old with wide, curious blue eyes and a smattering of freckles across her nose. Her long, honey-blonde hair is loose and slightly tangled, adorned with a single small daisy tucked behind one ear. She wears a simple, slightly worn cotton dress in a soft rose color, with puffed sleeves and a lace-trimmed collar. Her posture is gentle and slightly hunched, holding a small, wilted wildflower in her hands as she looks down at it with a soft, pensive expression. She stands barefoot in a sun-dappled, magical forest clearing with soft moss underfoot and faint glowing mushrooms nearby. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Old Man and Old Woman's Home
A simple home where the old man and old woman live, featuring a loft for storage and steps leading outside.
Mood: humble, domestic, later chaotic/frustrated
The initial problem of the lost groats, the daughters being given away, and the old man's failed attempts to replicate his sons-in-law's magic.
Image Prompt & Upload
Late afternoon golden sunlight filters through a clear sky, illuminating a quaint thatched-roof cottage nestled in a wildflower meadow. The simple wooden home features a small, open loft window beneath the eaves, revealing neatly stacked bundles inside. Weathered stone steps, worn smooth by time, lead down from a sturdy oak door to a winding dirt path. Climbing roses and morning glories frame the doorway, while a patchwork of herbs and vegetables grows in a sunny patch nearby. Dappled light plays across the mossy shingles and the rustic wooden fence enclosing the garden, creating a scene of humble, peaceful tranquility. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
The Sun's Dwelling
The home of the Sun, where the eldest daughter now lives. It is warm enough for custard to be cooked by placing the pan directly on the Sun.
Mood: magical, warm, hospitable
The old man visits his eldest daughter and the Sun, experiencing the Sun's unique way of cooking.
Image Prompt & Upload
A golden pavilion with flowing silk canopies and open arches rests upon the Sun's glowing, molten surface. The time is eternal noon, with intense, radiant light illuminating everything in shades of amber, copper, and brilliant white. The architecture is seamless, built from the Sun's own luminous material, with steps leading down to a calm, perfectly reflective pool of liquid gold. Nearby, a simple pan sits directly on a slightly raised, intensely hot patch of the surface, its contents shimmering with heat distortion. The air shimmers with visible heat waves, and the sky above is a deep, starless black, contrasting with the overwhelming warmth and light of the dwelling. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Moon's Bathhouse
A bathhouse within the Moon's dwelling, which is dark until the Moon illuminates it by twisting his finger into a chink.
Mood: magical, dark until illuminated, refreshing
The old man visits his second daughter and the Moon, experiencing the Moon's unique way of lighting a bath.
Image Prompt & Upload
In a vast celestial chamber of polished obsidian and moonstone, a single, brilliant beam of moonlight pierces through a thin crack in the domed ceiling. The shaft of silver-blue light illuminates a serene, circular pool of shimmering, translucent water, casting rippling reflections onto the dark walls. The architecture is ethereal and smooth, with carved constellations and lunar phases on the surrounding columns. Delicate, luminous mist curls from the pool's surface, catching the light. The surrounding area remains in deep, velvety shadow, highlighting the magical contrast. No border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Crow Crowson's Perch
A high perch within Crow Crowson's dwelling, accessed by a ladder, where Crow Crowson and his guests sleep.
Mood: unconventional, dangerous, ultimately fatal
The old man visits his youngest daughter and Crow Crowson, leading to his demise when he falls from the perch.
Image Prompt & Upload
Pre-dawn light filters through the woven thatch walls of a high, rustic perch inside a tall wooden dwelling. A simple rope ladder hangs down from a circular opening in the rough-hewn floor. The small, circular space is cozy, with a nest-like bed of dried grass and soft feathers. Muted blues and greys dominate, with the warm glow of a single, low-burning lantern on a stump table casting long shadows across timber beams and bundled herbs hanging from the ceiling. A single round window looks out onto misty treetops. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
