Preface
by P. Polevoi · from Russian Fairy Tales from the Skazki of Polevoi
Adapted Version
Hello, little reader! Do you like stories? We have special ones for you!
A kind man lived long ago. His name was Mr. Ralston. He found many old stories. These stories came from far away Russia. They were fun and special. He put them in a big book. People in England read his book. They loved these new stories. This was a long, long time ago. He shared them with all.
Mr. Ralston's book told about old tales. It had many nice pictures too. He got the stories from a new kind man. This man was Mr. Afanasiev. Mr. Afanasiev collected very many stories. He found them all over Russia. He wrote them down well. Mr. Ralston used these good stories. He made his own special book.
Then a new kind man came. His name was Mr. Polevoi. He saw Mr. Afanasiev's stories. He liked them very much. Mr. Polevoi chose some stories. He chose them just for children. He picked the best ones. There were many fun stories. He wanted children to read them. He made them easy to know.
Mr. Polevoi made a new book. It was a very special book. It had stories for all kids. He worked hard on this book. He wanted children to be happy. This book was full of magic. It was full of fun. He shared it with many children. They loved to read his book.
The old stories were at times big. Mr. Polevoi made them gentle. He made them easy to read. They were just right for little kids. Boys and girls could know them. He did not change the fun. The stories were still special. They kept their magic. He did a very good job. He wanted them to be perfect. He worked with great care.
Now you hold this book. These stories are for you. Mr. Polevoi chose them. He chose them long ago. They are the same good stories. He put them in his first book. We share them with you now. We hope you like them. They are very special. They are full of wonder.
Many stories here are new. You may not know them. They are new for children in England. Mr. Ralston found some stories. Mr. Polevoi found other stories. They both loved good tales. But they chose other ones. So you get new fun. Enjoy these new adventures. They are very exciting. They come from far away.
We think you will love these stories. They are very good. They are fun to read. You will smile and laugh. You will feel happy inside. These stories are truly special. They show their own goodness. Just read and you will see. They bring much joy. They are full of magic.
Smart people know many tales. They know stories from many lands. They say Russian tales are best. These stories are extra fun. They are full of magic. They have much fancy. They make you dream big. You will love them too. They are truly wonderful. They are very special.
We hope you like these fun stories. Happy reading!
Original Story
Preface.
The existence of the Russian Skazki or Märchen was first made generally known to the British Public some twenty years ago by Mr. W. R. S. Ralston in his Russian Folk Tales. That excellent and most engrossing volume was, primarily, a treatise on Slavonic Folk-Lore, illustrated with admirable skill and judgment, by stories, mainly selected from the vast collection of Afanasiev, who did for the Russian what Asbjörnsen has done for the Norwegian Folk-Tale. A year after the appearance of Mr. Ralston’s book, the eminent Russian historian and archæologist, Peter Nikolaevich Polevoi (well known, too, as an able and ardent Shaksperian scholar), selected from the inexhaustible stores of Afanasiev some three dozen of the Skazki most suitable for children, and worked them up into a fairy tale book which was published at St. Petersburg in 1874, under the title of Narodnuiya Russkiya Skazki (Popular Russian Märchen). To manipulate these quaintly vigorous old-world stories for nursery purposes was, as may well be imagined, no easy task, but, on the whole, M. Polevoi did his work excellently well, and while softening the crudities and smoothing out the occasional roughness of these charming stories, neither injured their simple texture nor overlaid the original pattern.
It is from the first Russian edition of M. Polevoi’s book that the following selection has been made. With the single exception of “Morozko,” a variant of which will be familiar to those who know Mr. Ralston’s volume, none of these tales has seen the light in an English dress before; for though both Ralston and Polevoi drew, for the most part, from the same copious stock, their purposes were so different that their selections naturally proved to be different also.
As to the merits of these Skazki, they must be left to speak for themselves. It is a significant fact, however, that all those scholars who are equally familiar with the Russian Skazki and the German Märchen, unhesitatingly give the palm, both for fun and fancy, to the former.
R. N. B.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
This preface introduces a collection of Russian fairy tales, explaining that W. R. S. Ralston first brought Russian folk tales to the British public. It then details how P. Polevoi later adapted many of these tales from Afanasiev's vast collection specifically for children, softening their original crudities. The author notes that the current selection is drawn from Polevoi's work and features mostly new translations for English readers. The preface concludes by asserting that scholars generally consider Russian Skazki superior to German Märchen in terms of fun and fancy.
Themes
Emotional Arc
discovery to appreciation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This preface provides context for the publication of a collection of Russian folk tales in English during the late 19th or early 20th century, highlighting the work of key figures in collecting and adapting these stories.
Plot Beats (9)
- The British public first learned of Russian Skazki through W. R. S. Ralston's 'Russian Folk Tales' about twenty years prior.
- Ralston's book was a treatise on Slavonic Folk-Lore, illustrated with stories mainly from Afanasiev's collection.
- A year after Ralston's book, Peter Nikolaevich Polevoi selected about three dozen suitable Skazki from Afanasiev for children.
- Polevoi published his adapted collection, 'Narodnuiya Russkiya Skazki,' in St. Petersburg in 1874.
- Polevoi successfully adapted these old-world stories for nursery purposes, softening them without damaging their original character.
- The current selection of tales is taken from Polevoi's first Russian edition.
- Most of these tales, except 'Morozko,' are appearing in English for the first time, due to different selection purposes between Ralston and Polevoi.
- The author states that the merits of these Skazki should speak for themselves.
- Scholars familiar with both Russian Skazki and German Märchen consistently rate the Russian tales as superior in fun and fancy.
Characters
W. R. S. Ralston ◆ supporting
A man of scholarly appearance, likely of average height and build, with features typical of a British gentleman of the late 19th century. His demeanor would suggest intellectual rigor and a keen interest in folklore.
Attire: Formal Victorian-era attire, such as a dark wool suit, a starched white shirt, and a cravat. His clothing would be practical and respectable, suitable for a scholar and author.
Wants: To introduce Russian folklore to the British public and to contribute to the study of Slavonic Folk-Lore.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a tendency towards academic rigor over popular appeal, as his work was primarily a treatise.
Not applicable, as he is presented as an established figure whose work has already had an impact.
Intellectual, meticulous, influential, pioneering, dedicated.
Image Prompt & Upload
A distinguished British man in his late 40s to early 50s, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a neatly trimmed dark beard and mustache, with his dark hair parted on the side. He wears a dark grey wool frock coat, a white collared shirt, a dark patterned cravat, and dark trousers. He holds a leather-bound book titled 'Russian Folk Tales' in his left hand. His expression is serious and thoughtful. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Peter Nikolaevich Polevoi ★ protagonist
An eminent Russian historian and archaeologist, likely of average height and build, with features typical of a Russian intellectual of the late 19th century. His appearance would convey a sense of erudition and dedication.
Attire: Formal Russian attire of the late 19th century, such as a dark, well-tailored suit, possibly with a high-collared shirt. His clothing would be respectable and appropriate for a historian and author.
Wants: To adapt Russian folk tales for children, making them suitable for a younger audience while preserving their essence.
Flaw: The inherent difficulty of softening 'crudities and roughness' of old-world stories without losing their original character.
Not applicable, as he is presented as an established figure whose work is being introduced.
Eminent, able, ardent, meticulous, adaptable, dedicated.
Image Prompt & Upload
A distinguished Russian man in his late 40s, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a full, neatly trimmed dark beard and mustache, with his dark hair combed back. He wears a dark, double-breasted wool suit jacket, a white high-collared shirt, and a dark tie. He holds a quill pen in his right hand and a small, open book titled 'Narodnuiya Russkiya Skazki' in his left. His expression is thoughtful and composed. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Afanasiev ◆ supporting
A Russian folklorist, likely of average height and build, with features typical of a scholar of his era. His appearance would suggest a dedication to collecting and preserving cultural heritage.
Attire: Formal Russian attire of the mid-19th century, such as a dark coat and trousers, suitable for a scholar and collector of folklore.
Wants: To collect and preserve the vast body of Russian folk tales, creating a foundational resource for future scholars and authors.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps the raw, unedited nature of his collection, which required manipulation for wider audiences.
Not applicable, as he is presented as a historical figure whose work is already complete and influential.
Diligent, comprehensive, foundational, dedicated.
Image Prompt & Upload
A Russian man in his 50s, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a full, grey-streaked dark beard and mustache, with his dark hair receding slightly. He wears a dark, high-collared coat, a white shirt, and dark trousers. He holds a thick, leather-bound book with a plain cover in both hands, looking at it with a contemplative expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Asbjörnsen ○ minor
A Norwegian folklorist, likely of average height and build, with features typical of a scholar of his era. His appearance would suggest a dedication to collecting and preserving cultural heritage.
Attire: Formal Norwegian attire of the mid-19th century, such as a dark coat and trousers, suitable for a scholar and collector of folklore.
Wants: To collect and preserve Norwegian folk tales.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated.
Not applicable, as he is presented as a historical figure whose work is already complete and influential.
Diligent, influential, comparable.
Image Prompt & Upload
A Norwegian man in his 50s, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a full, light brown beard and mustache, with his light brown hair combed neatly. He wears a dark wool jacket, a white shirt, and a dark tie. He holds a small, leather-bound book in his right hand, looking directly ahead with a calm expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
R. N. B. ★ protagonist
The author of the preface, whose identity is only revealed by initials. Likely a person of literary background, with an appearance suggesting erudition and a refined taste in literature.
Attire: Formal attire suitable for an author or editor of the period, such as a dark suit or a more casual but still respectable scholarly dress.
Wants: To introduce P. Polevoi's selection of Russian folk tales to the English-speaking public and to highlight their merits.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a slight bias towards the Russian Skazki over German Märchen, as suggested by the final paragraph.
Not applicable, as they are the narrator of the preface.
Discerning, appreciative, objective, informative.
Image Prompt & Upload
A person of indeterminate gender in their 40s, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. They have neatly styled dark hair and a neutral, intelligent expression. They wear a dark, well-tailored suit jacket over a white shirt, with a dark tie. They hold a rolled-up manuscript in their left hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
St. Petersburg Publishing House
An imagined office or study within a publishing house in St. Petersburg, likely with tall windows, heavy wooden furniture, and shelves filled with books and manuscripts. The atmosphere would be scholarly and industrious.
Mood: Scholarly, industrious, historical, quiet.
Where P. Polevoi's collection of Russian fairy tales was compiled and prepared for publication in 1874.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit, wood-paneled study in a 19th-century St. Petersburg publishing house. A large, heavy oak desk is covered with open books, rolled manuscripts, and an ink-stained quill. Tall, narrow windows with heavy drapes look out onto a suggestion of a snowy city street. Dust motes dance in the faint light filtering through the window, illuminating the spines of countless leather-bound books lining the walls. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
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