THE CUNNING APPRENTICE
by Maurice Baring · from The Blue Rose Fairy Book
Adapted Version
The Father and The Mother were old. They were poor. They had one son. They loved their son much. They wanted him to learn. But they had no money. This made them sad.
The Father took The Son to town. A man met them there. He was The Wizard. "I will teach your son," he said. "He will learn. Find him."
Three years passed. One night, The Son came home. He was a bird. He changed back to a boy. "Father, you must find me," he said. "The Wizard will trick you." He told Father.
The next day, The Father went. The Wizard showed twelve white birds. One bird flew high. The Father said, "That is my son!" Then, twelve horses. One horse kicked its leg. The Father said, "My son!" Last, twelve boys. One boy had a small fly. It was on his right cheek. The Father said, "My son!"
The Wizard was surprised. "Your son is very clever," he said. The Father took The Son home. They were very happy. The Mother was happy too. They walked home together.
On the road, The Son spoke. "Father, I will be a dog." He was a dog. "Give me to a man," he said. "But keep my collar. Do not give it away."
Men came by. The Father gave them the dog. But he kept the collar. The men rode away. The dog ran away from them. He came back to The Father. The Son changed back.
Later, The Son said he would be a bird. "Give me to a man," he said. "But keep my leg-straps. Do not give them."
Men came by. The Father gave them the bird. But he kept the leg-straps. The bird flew away from them. He came back to The Father. The Son changed back.
One day, The Son said, "I will be a horse." He changed into a horse. "Give me to a man," he said. "Do not give my head-rope. Keep it safe, Father."
Many men came. The Wizard came too. He was a rich man now. He offered much money. The Father gave him the horse. The Wizard tricked The Father. He took the head-rope too.
The Wizard took the horse home. He tied it very tight. A kind girl saw the horse. She felt sad for it. She made the head-rope loose. The horse shook its head. It ran away fast.
The Wizard was angry. He changed into a wolf. He ran after the horse. The horse ran to a river. It changed into a small fish. The fish swam in the water.
The Wizard changed to a big fish. He swam after the small fish. The small fish went to a pond. There was a kind girl there. The fish changed to a shiny ring. It lay near the girl.
The Wizard changed to a man. He asked for the shiny ring. The kind girl threw it down. The ring hit the ground. It changed into a tiny seed. The girl was very clever.
The Wizard changed to a big bird. He wanted to eat the tiny seed. But the seed changed fast. It became a hawk. The hawk flew at the big bird. It scared the big bird away. The Wizard was gone forever!
The hawk changed back to The Son. He thanked the kind girl. They liked each other much. They got married later. They lived happily ever after. The Father and Mother were happy.
Original Story
THE CUNNING APPRENTICE
(A RUSSIAN STORY)
Once upon a time there was an old man and an old woman who had one son. The old man was poor, and he wished his son to acquire knowledge, so that he should be able to comfort his parents in his youth, to support them when he grew up, and to pray for them after their death. But what is to be done when one has no money? He took him to the village. "Perhaps," he thought, "somebody will give him lessons for nothing." But nobody wished to teach his son for nothing. The old man returned home, and he and his wife cried bitterly, lamenting their poverty.
Once more he took his son to the town. As soon as he reached the town a stranger met them, and asked what was the matter. "Why, old man," he said, "are you so sad?"
"How can I not be sad?" answered the old man. "Look, I have taken my son everywhere, and nobody will teach him for nothing, and I have no money."
"Well, give him to me," said the stranger, "and in three years I will teach him all the knowledge there is. And in three years' time, on this same day and at the same hour, come and fetch your son. But take care that you are not late, for if you come in time and recognise him you shall receive your son back again, but if you are late he shall remain with me."
The old man was so pleased that he did not ask who the stranger was, where he lived, or how and what he would teach the lad. He left his son with him, and went home. He reached home in great joy, and told his wife all about it. Now the stranger was a wizard.
Three years passed. The old man had long ago forgotten on what day and at what hour he had left his son with the stranger, and he did not know what to do. But the son, on the day before the appointed space of time came to an end, flew to him in the shape of a bird, and entered the cottage in his true shape. He greeted his parents, and said: "Father, to-morrow my apprenticeship, which has lasted three years, comes to an end. Do not forget to come and fetch me." And he told him where to come and how to recognise him.
HE CHANGED HIMSELF INTO A HAWK
"I am not the only apprentice at my master's: there are eleven more lads like myself, who remain with him for ever, and all because their parents did not know how to recognise them. And if you do not recognise me, I shall also stay with him for ever, and be the twelfth. To-morrow, when you come for me, my master will change us into twelve white pigeons, all alike, feather for feather, tail for tail, and head for head. Now listen: All of us will fly high in the air, but I will fly higher than the rest. My master will ask, 'Have you recognised your son?' And you must then point to the pigeon which is flying higher than the others. After this he will bring to you twelve ponies, all of the same colour, and all with their manes on the same side, and just alike. When he takes you to these ponies they will all be standing still, but I shall give a kick with my right leg. My master will ask you, 'Have you recognised your son?' And you must then point me out. After this he will bring to you twelve lads, all of the same height, all alike, hair for hair and voice for voice, and all dressed alike. As soon as you see them look carefully; on my right cheek there will be a little fly, so that you may recognise me."
He said good-bye to his parents, and went out of the house, changed into a bird and flew away to his master.
The next morning his father got up, made ready and went to fetch his son. He arrived at the wizard's. "Now, old man," said the wizard, "I have taught your son everything that is to be known, but if you don't recognise him, he must stay with me for ever and ever." He then let fly into the air twelve white pigeons, all alike, feather for feather, tail for tail, and head for head; and he said: "Old man, do you recognise your son?"
The old man looked and looked, and when one pigeon flew higher than the rest, he pointed to it and said: "I think that is my son."
"You have recognised him, old man," said the wizard. He then brought twelve ponies, all of the same colour, and their manes all on the same side. The old man walked round the ponies and looked, and the wizard asked: "Now, old man, have you recognised your son?" "Not yet, wait a little." And when he said that, one of the ponies gave a kick with his right leg. He pointed to him immediately and said: "I think that is my son."
"You have recognised him, old man," said the wizard. He then brought him to twelve lads, all of the same height, all alike, hair for hair, and voice for voice, as if they were the children of one mother. The old man walked round the lads and noticed nothing. He did so a second time, and again noticed nothing. He walked round them a third time, and then he saw that on the right cheek of one of the lads there was a fly, and he said: "I think that is my son."
"You have recognised him, old man. Yes, and it is not you who are cunning and wise, but it is your son."
The old man took his son and went home. They walked along the road, and whether it was long or whether it was short, and whether it was far or whether it was near, it takes but little time to tell, but it took a long time to do. On their way they met some huntsmen who were hunting a red beast. In front of them a fox was running as though it would escape.
"Father," said the son, "I will turn myself into a hound and catch the fox. When the huntsmen come up to take the animal, say to them, 'O! huntsmen, that is my dog; I make my living by him.' The huntsmen will say, 'Sell him to us,' and they will count out to you much money. Sell the dog, but do not give them the collar and the chain." He immediately changed himself into a hound, ran after the fox and caught it. The huntsmen rode up. "Old man," they cried, "why have you come here to spoil our hunt?"
"O! huntsmen," answered the old man, "that is my dog; I make my living by him."
"Sell him to us."
"Buy it."
"Is it dear?"
"A hundred roubles."
The huntsmen did not bargain, but paid him the money and took the dog, and the old man took off its collar and its chain. "Why do you take off the collar and the chain?"
"I am a traveller," said the old man, "and the chain is necessary to me to bind up my cloth leggings."
"All right, take it," said the huntsmen, and they whipped their horses and rode off at a gallop. But the fox got away again; they started their hounds after it; the hounds ran but could not catch the fox. One of the huntsmen said: "Let us try the new hound." They let it loose, and what did they see? The fox ran off in one direction, and the hound in another, and he caught up the old man and changed into a lad just as he had been before.
The old man went on further with his son. They came to a lake where huntsmen were shooting geese, swans, and wild ducks. A flock of geese was flying, and the son said to his father: "Father, I will change myself into a hawk, and I will pursue the geese. The huntsmen will come to you and begin to make a fuss. You say to them, 'That is my hawk; I make my living by him.' They will bargain with you for the hawk. You sell the hawk, but do not give up its jesses on any account." He changed himself into a hawk, flew higher than the flock of geese, and began pursuing them and driving them to the earth. As soon as the huntsmen saw this, they came to the old man and said: "Old man, why are you spoiling our sport?"
"O! huntsmen," he answered, "the hawk is mine, and I earn my living by him."
"Will you sell your hawk?"
"Why should I not sell him? Buy him."
"And is it dear?"
"Two hundred roubles."
The huntsmen paid the money, took the hawk, and the old man took off its jesses. "Why are you taking off the jesses?"
"I am a traveller," answered the old man, "and if something comes off my leggings, they serve to tie them up with." The huntsmen did not dispute the matter, but went after their game. The flock of geese flew away. "Let us loose the hawk," they said, and they loosed him, but what did they see? The hawk flew higher than the geese, and flew right away to the old man, and caught him up, touched the green ground, and changed himself back into a lad as he had been before. And the father and son went home and lived in clover.
Sunday came, and the son said to his father: "Father, to-day I will change myself into a horse. You shall sell the horse, but on no account sell the bridle, for if you do I shall not come home again." He rolled on the earth and changed into a magnificent horse, and his father led him off to sell him. The merchants surrounded him, horse-dealers all of them; one of them offered a large sum of money, another offered a still larger sum of money. But the wizard, who appeared there, offered more than all of them. The old man sold him his son, but did not give him the bridle.
"And how shall I be able to lead the horse without a bridle?" said the wizard. "Give me the bridle to lead him as far as my house, and then take it back, for I do not want it."
Then the horse-dealers fell upon the old man and said: "That is only fair; if you sell the horse you must sell the bridle." What could he do? The old man gave up the bridle. The wizard led the horse to his house, put it in the stables, tied it fast to the ring, and pulled his head up high so that the horse stood on his hind legs, and his fore legs did not touch the ground. The wizard called his daughter and said: "I have bought the cunning fellow." "Where is he?" asked his daughter. "He is in the stables." His daughter went to see, and she was sorry for the young lad. She loosened the bridle and made it longer, and the horse shook his head so that at last he freed himself from the bridle, and galloped away for several miles. The daughter ran to her father and said: "Father, forgive me, I have done a wicked thing. The horse has escaped."
The wizard struck the green earth, changed himself into a grey wolf, and pursued the horse. As soon as he got near him the horse galloped to a river, struck the earth and changed himself into a minnow, and the wizard changed himself into a pike. The minnow scudded through the water and reached a pond, where beautiful maidens were washing linen and wringing it out. He changed himself into a golden ring and lay close by the hand of the merchant's daughter. The merchant's daughter saw the ring and put it on her finger. The wizard changed himself into a man once more, and said: "Give me your golden ring."
"Take it," said the beautiful maiden, and threw the ring on to the ground. As soon as it struck the ground, in that moment it changed into a seed-pearl. The wizard changed himself into a cock and ran to pick up the seed-pearl. But before he had picked it up, the pearl changed into a hawk, and the hawk immediately flew at the cock, and killed him. After that he changed once more into a fine lad, and fell in love with the beautiful maiden, the daughter of the merchant, and married her. And they lived happily and merrily together.
That is the end of the story.
THE DRAGON APPEARED
Story DNA
Moral
Cunning and quick thinking can overcome even the most powerful adversaries.
Plot Summary
A poor old man entrusts his son to a wizard for three years of learning, with the condition that he must recognize his son at the end or lose him. The cunning son secretly instructs his father on how to identify him through a series of magical transformations. After successfully retrieving his son, they are repeatedly pursued by the wizard, who tries to reclaim the boy through various disguises. With his father's help and his own quick thinking, the son transforms through multiple forms to evade the wizard, eventually killing him in a final confrontation and marrying the kind merchant's daughter who aided his escape.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anxiety to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story reflects common folk tale motifs found across many cultures, particularly the 'master and apprentice' or 'shape-shifter' tales where a clever protagonist outwits a magical antagonist.
Plot Beats (17)
- An old, poor couple desires education for their son but lacks money.
- The father meets a stranger who offers to teach his son for three years, with a recognition challenge at the end.
- Three years later, the son, now a cunning apprentice, secretly visits his father to explain how to recognize him from the wizard's transformations.
- The father successfully identifies his son among twelve identical pigeons, then among twelve identical ponies, and finally among twelve identical lads (by a fly on his cheek).
- The wizard acknowledges the son's cunning, and the father takes his son home.
- On the way, the son transforms into a hound to catch a fox, instructing his father to sell him to huntsmen but keep the collar and chain.
- The father sells the hound, keeps the collar, and the son escapes the huntsmen to rejoin his father.
- Later, the son transforms into a hawk to pursue geese, instructing his father to sell him to huntsmen but keep the jesses.
- The father sells the hawk, keeps the jesses, and the son escapes the huntsmen to rejoin his father.
- On Sunday, the son transforms into a magnificent horse, instructing his father to sell him but on no account sell the bridle.
- The wizard appears as a merchant, offers the most money, and tricks the father into giving up the bridle.
- The wizard takes the horse home and ties him securely, but his sympathetic daughter loosens the bridle, allowing the horse to escape.
- The wizard transforms into a grey wolf and pursues the horse, who transforms into a minnow in a river.
- The wizard transforms into a pike and pursues the minnow, who transforms into a golden ring near a merchant's daughter.
- The wizard transforms into a man and demands the ring; the daughter throws it down, and it becomes a seed-pearl.
- The wizard transforms into a cock to eat the pearl, but the pearl transforms into a hawk and kills the cock.
- The son returns to his human form, falls in love with the merchant's daughter, marries her, and they live happily.
Characters
The Cunning Apprentice ★ protagonist
Of average height and build for a young man, with no immediately distinguishing features in his human form, allowing him to blend in easily. His transformations are his most notable physical trait.
Attire: When appearing as a human lad, he wears simple, unadorned Russian peasant clothing, likely a linen tunic (rubakha) and trousers, in muted earth tones, allowing him to blend in with other apprentices or villagers.
Wants: To escape the wizard's servitude, protect his parents, and ultimately live a free and happy life.
Flaw: His reliance on his father's memory and obedience to his instructions, which nearly leads to his capture by the wizard.
He transforms from a helpless apprentice into a master of disguise and strategy, ultimately defeating his oppressor and securing his freedom and happiness, culminating in marriage.
Cunning, intelligent, resourceful, adaptable, and loyal to his parents. He is quick-witted and strategic, always thinking several steps ahead.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Russian man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has short, straight brown hair, dark brown eyes, and fair skin. He wears a simple, long-sleeved cream linen rubakha with a narrow red embroidered collar, dark grey linen trousers, and soft leather lapti (bast shoes). A small, dark fly rests on his right cheek. He has a thoughtful, determined expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Man ◆ supporting
A thin, stooped elderly Russian peasant man, showing the wear and tear of a life of poverty and hard labor. His frame is likely slight, and his movements slow.
Attire: Wears simple, patched Russian peasant clothing: a coarse grey linen rubakha, dark trousers, and worn lapti (bast shoes). His clothes are practical and show signs of mending.
Wants: To provide for his son's education and future, and to be comforted and supported by him in his old age.
Flaw: His naivety and fear, which make him susceptible to the wizard's tricks and nearly lead him to betray his son.
He learns to trust his son's cunning and follow his instructions, moving from a state of poverty and worry to one of comfort and happiness.
Loving, poor, easily swayed, somewhat naive, and initially sorrowful. He is devoted to his son but lacks the cunning to navigate complex situations on his own.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Russian peasant man standing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a deeply wrinkled face, kind blue eyes, a long, unkempt grey beard, and thinning grey hair. He wears a patched, coarse grey linen rubakha, dark brown linen trousers, and worn lapti (bast shoes). His posture is slightly hunched, and he has a worried but hopeful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Wizard ⚔ antagonist
Appears as a man of indeterminate age, perhaps middle-aged, with an imposing presence. His true form is never fully revealed, but his transformations suggest a powerful, predatory nature.
Attire: When appearing as a man, he would wear dark, flowing robes of a rich, heavy fabric, perhaps velvet or brocade, in deep colors like forest green or midnight blue, suggesting power and mystery, possibly with subtle, arcane embroidery.
Wants: To acquire and keep talented apprentices, presumably to increase his own power or for some unknown magical purpose. He is driven by a desire for control and possession.
Flaw: His overconfidence and underestimation of the apprentice's cunning, and his inability to anticipate the apprentice's final, decisive transformation.
He remains largely unchanged in his malevolent nature, but his plans are ultimately thwarted, leading to his defeat and death.
Cunning, manipulative, powerful, greedy, and relentless. He enjoys trapping others and collecting apprentices.
Image Prompt & Upload
A powerful, imposing man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a stern, angular face with sharp, dark eyes and a neatly trimmed dark beard. His dark hair is slicked back. He wears a flowing, dark forest-green velvet robe with wide sleeves and subtle silver embroidery along the hem and cuffs. His posture is rigid and authoritative. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Merchant's Daughter ◆ supporting
Described as 'beautiful,' implying a graceful figure and pleasing features. She is compassionate and quick-thinking.
Attire: Wears the attire of a merchant's daughter, which would be finer than a peasant's but not necessarily royal. Perhaps a brightly colored sarafan (jumper dress) over a white embroidered rubakha, with a decorative belt and a kokoshnik (headdress) for special occasions, or a simple, elegant dress for daily wear.
Wants: To help the suffering horse (the apprentice) and later to live happily with the man she loves.
Flaw: Her compassion, which could be seen as a weakness by her father, but ultimately becomes her strength.
She transforms from a passive observer in her father's household to an active participant in the apprentice's escape, ultimately becoming his wife and partner.
Compassionate, observant, quick-witted, and brave. She is not afraid to defy her powerful father to do what she believes is right.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful young Russian woman standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a round, kind face with large, expressive brown eyes and long, dark brown hair styled in a single thick braid over her shoulder. She wears a vibrant blue sarafan over a white linen rubakha with red floral embroidery on the sleeves. A simple silver necklace adorns her neck. She has a gentle, empathetic expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Old Man's Cottage
A humble, probably small and simple wooden cottage, typical of a poor Russian peasant, where the old man and woman live with their son. It serves as a place of lamentation and later, joyful reunion.
Mood: Initially sorrowful and poor, later filled with joy and relief.
The son returns in his true shape to instruct his father on how to recognize him; the family reunites after the son's apprenticeship and adventures.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, weathered izba (traditional Russian log house) with a low, snow-dusted thatched roof, nestled amongst a few sparse birch trees. Smoke gently curls from a stone chimney. The single small window glows with a warm, inviting light from within, contrasting with the cool, dim twilight outside. The ground is a mix of packed earth and patches of melting snow. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Wizard's Domain
A mysterious, undefined space where the wizard conducts his tests. It transitions between open air (for pigeons), a stable-like area (for ponies), and an indoor space (for lads).
Mood: Tense, magical, full of suspense and cunning.
The old man faces three trials to identify his son among identical transformed beings.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, open clearing in a dense, dark pine forest, with a faint mist clinging to the undergrowth. The ground is covered in fallen pine needles and scattered mossy rocks. In the distance, a shadowy, indistinct structure with a steeply pitched, dark roof is barely visible through the trees. The morning light is pale and diffused, casting long, soft shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Forest Road
A winding path through a forest, where the father and son encounter huntsmen. The ground is green, suggesting vegetation.
Mood: Adventurous, dynamic, with a sense of pursuit and escape.
The son transforms into a hound to be sold to huntsmen, then escapes.
Image Prompt & Upload
A narrow, rutted dirt road winding through a sun-dappled Russian birch forest. The white bark of the birches stands out against the deep green of the undergrowth and the darker pines in the distance. Patches of sunlight filter through the canopy, creating a mosaic of light and shadow on the leaf-strewn forest floor. The air feels fresh and clear. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Lake with Waterfowl
A body of water, likely a large pond or small lake, where geese, swans, and wild ducks are found, and huntsmen are present.
Mood: Lively, with a sense of natural activity and human intervention.
The son transforms into a hawk to be sold to huntsmen, then escapes.
Image Prompt & Upload
A serene, wide lake reflecting a clear blue sky, surrounded by reeds and tall grasses along its banks. In the distance, a dense line of dark coniferous trees borders the far shore. Flocks of white geese and swans glide gracefully on the water, while others take flight against the bright sky. The air is still and peaceful. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Merchant's Pond/Washing Area
A pond or stream where maidens are washing linen, suggesting a domestic or village setting, possibly near a merchant's house.
Mood: Pastoral, tranquil, abruptly interrupted by magical pursuit.
The son, as a minnow, escapes into the pond and transforms into a golden ring, which is found by the merchant's daughter.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sunlit, clear pond with smooth, worn stones lining its edge, where several young women in traditional Russian attire are kneeling, washing linen. Lush green grass and wildflowers grow along the banks, and a few willow trees droop gracefully over the water. The sky is a soft, clear blue. The water is calm and reflects the surrounding greenery. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
