The Iron Wolf
by Unknown · from The Fairy Ring
Adapted Version
Once there was a young man. He worked very hard. He worked for an old wise man. He worked for many years. He asked for his pay.
The wise man gave him an egg. It was a magic egg. "Go home first," he said. "Make a safe place for cows. Then break the egg."
The Young Man walked home. He was curious. He broke the egg. Many, many cows came out. They ran everywhere. He was very surprised.
Then the Big Bad Wolf came. He saw the cows. "I will put them back," the wolf said. "But I will take you on your wedding day. I will take you away forever."
The Young Man said yes. The wolf put cows back. The Young Man went home. He broke the egg there. He had many cows. He became very rich.
He was rich. But he was scared. He did not want to marry. The Big Bad Wolf waited. He waited for the wedding day.
A brave man lived near. He had a kind girl. He said, "Marry my girl. My soldiers will help you. They will keep you safe."
The Young Man agreed. It was his wedding day. Soldiers stood around the house. They made three strong lines. They kept watch.
The Young Man sat down. The Big Bad Wolf came. He jumped over the soldiers. He jumped over all three lines. He ran into the house.
The Young Man was scared. He jumped out a window. He got on his horse. He rode away fast. The wolf ran after him.
He found a small hut. An old couple lived there. They had a dog, Chutko. Chutko heard the wolf. Chutko barked. "The wolf is coming!" they said. He took Chutko. He took special food.
He found another hut. Another old couple lived there. They had a dog, Vazhko. Vazhko heard the wolf. Vazhko barked. "The wolf is coming!" they said. He took Vazhko. He took special food.
He found a third hut. A third old couple lived there. They had a dog, Bary. Bary heard the wolf. Bary barked. "The wolf is coming!" they said. He took Bary. He took special food.
He found an empty hut. He went inside. Chutko stood at the door. Vazhko stood at the house door. Bary stood at the gate.
The Big Bad Wolf came. Chutko barked. Vazhko ran to the wolf. Bary ran to the wolf. They barked loudly. They chased the wolf away. The wolf never came back.
The Young Man was safe. He was very happy. He went home with his dogs. They were good friends.
The Young Man was brave. He asked for help. And his friends helped him. It is good to be brave and to have friends!
Original Story
The Iron Wolf
THERE was once upon a time a parson who had a servant and when this servant had served him faithfully for twelve years and upward, he came to the parson and said: "Let us now settle our accounts, master, and pay me what thou owest me. I have now served long enough, and would fain have a little place in the wide world all to myself."
"Good!" said the parson. "I'll tell thee now what wage I'll give thee for thy faithful service. I'll give thee this egg. Take it home, and when thou gettest there, make to thyself a cattle pen, and make it strong; then break the egg in the middle of thy cattle pen, and thou shalt see something. But whatever thou doest, don't break it on thy way home, or all thy luck will leave thee."
So the servant departed on his homeward way. He went on and on, and at last he thought to himself:
"Come now, I'll see what is inside this egg of mine!" So he broke it, and out of it came all sorts of cattle in such numbers that the open steppe became like a fair. The servant stood there in amazement, and he thought to himself:
"However in this world shall I be able to drive all these cattle back again?" He had scarcely uttered the words when the Iron Wolf came running up, and said to him:
"I'll collect and drive back all these cattle into the egg again, and I'll patch the egg up so that it will become quite whole. But in return for that," continued the Iron Wolf, "whenever thou dost sit down on the bridal bench,[D] I'll come and eat thee."
"Well," thought the servant to himself, "a lot of things may happen before I sit down on the bridal bench and he comes to eat me, and in the meantime I shall get all these cattle. Agreed, then," said he. So the Iron Wolf immediately collected all the cattle, and drove them back into the egg, and patched up the egg and made it whole just as it was before.
The servant went home to the village where he lived, made him a cattle pen stronger than strong, went inside it and broke the egg, and immediately that cattle pen was as full of cattle as it could hold. Then he took to farming and cattle-breeding, and he became so rich that in the whole wide world there was none richer than he. He kept to himself, and his goods increased and multiplied exceedingly; the only thing wanting to his happiness was a wife, but a wife he was afraid to take. Now near to where he lived was a general who had a lovely daughter, and this daughter fell in love with the rich man. So the general went and said to him:
"Come, why don't you marry? I'll give you my daughter and lots of money with her."
"How is it possible for me to marry?" replied the man; "as soon as ever I sit down on the bridal bench the Iron Wolf will come and eat me up." And he told the general all that had happened.
"Oh, nonsense!" said the general, "don't be afraid. I have a mighty host, and when the time comes for you to sit down on the bridal bench we'll surround your house with three strong rows of soldiers, and they won't let the Iron Wolf get at you, I can tell you." So they talked the matter over till he let himself be persuaded, and then they began to make great preparations for the bridal banquet. Everything went off exceedingly well, and they made merry till the time came when bride and bridegroom were to sit down together on the bridal bench. Then the general placed his men in three strong rows all around the house so as not to let the Iron Wolf get in; and no sooner had the young people sat down upon the bridal bench than, sure enough, the Iron Wolf came running up. He saw the host standing around the house in three strong rows, but through all three rows he leaped and made straight for the house. But the man, as soon as he saw the Iron Wolf, leaped out of the window, mounted his horse, and galloped off with the wolf after him.
Away and away he galloped, and after him came the Wolf, but try as it would, it could not catch him up anyhow. At last, toward evening, the man stopped and looked about him, and saw that he was in a lone forest, and before him stood a hut. He went up to this hut, and saw an old man and an old woman sitting in front of it, and said to them:
"Would you let me rest a little while with you, good people?"
"By all means!" said they.
"There is one thing, however, good people," said he, "don't let the Iron Wolf catch me while I am resting with you."
"Have no fear of that!" replied the old couple. "We have a dog called Chutko[E] who can hear a wolf coming a mile off, and he'll be sure to let us know."
So he laid him down to sleep, and was just dropping off when Chutko began to bark. Then the old people awoke him, and said:
"Be off! be off! for the Iron Wolf is coming."
And they gave him the dog, and a wheaten hearth cake as provision by the way.
So he went on and on, and the dog followed after him till it began to grow dark, and then he perceived another hut in another forest. He went up to that hut, and in front of it were sitting an old man and an old woman. He asked them for a night's lodging.
"Only," said he, "take care that the Iron Wolf doesn't catch me."
"Have no fear of that," said they. "We have a dog here called Vazhko,[F] who can hear a wolf nine miles off."
So he laid him down and slept. Just before dawn Vazhko began to bark. Immediately they awoke him.
"Run!" cried they, "the Iron Wolf is coming!"
And they gave him the dog, and a barley hearth-cake as provision by the way. So he took the hearth cake, sat him on his horse and off he went, and his two dogs followed after him.
He went on and on. On and on he went till evening, when again he stopped and looked about him, and he saw that he was in another forest, and another little hut stood before him. He went into the hut, and there were sitting an old man and an old woman.
"Will you let me pass the night here, good people?" said he. "Only take care that the Iron Wolf does not get hold of me."
"Have no fear," said they, "we have a dog called Bary, who can hear a wolf coming twelve miles off. He'll let us know."
So he lay down to sleep, and early in the morning Bary let them know that the Iron Wolf was drawing nigh. Immediately they awoke him.
"'Tis high time for you to be off!" said they.
Then they gave him the dog, and a buckwheat hearth cake as provision by the way. He took the hearth cake, sat him on his horse, and off he went. So now he had three dogs, and they all three followed him.
He went on and on, and toward evening he found himself in front of another hut. He went into it, and there was nobody there. He went and lay down, and his dogs lay down also—Chutko on the threshold of the room door, Vazhko at the threshold of the house door, and Bary at the threshold of the outer gate. Presently the Iron Wolf came trotting up. Immediately Chutko gave the alarm, Vazhko nailed him to the earth, and Bary tore him to pieces.
Then the man gathered his faithful dogs around him, mounted his horse, and went back to his own home.
FOOTNOTES:
[D] Posad, or posag, a bench covered with white cloth on which the bride and bridegroom sat down together.
[E] Hearkener.
[F] Heavysides.
Story DNA
Moral
Sometimes, facing your fears and accepting help can lead to triumph over seemingly insurmountable threats.
Plot Summary
A faithful servant receives a magical egg as payment, but breaks it prematurely, releasing a vast herd of cattle. The Iron Wolf appears, offering to return the cattle in exchange for eating the servant when he sits on the bridal bench. The servant agrees, becomes immensely rich, but fears marriage. When he finally agrees to marry, the Iron Wolf appears at his wedding, forcing him to flee. He seeks refuge in three successive huts, each time acquiring a loyal dog with increasingly keen senses. At the fourth hut, the three dogs combine their strength to defeat the Iron Wolf, freeing the man from his fated doom, allowing him to return home.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects a pre-industrial, agrarian society where wealth is measured in cattle and land, and supernatural elements are accepted.
Plot Beats (16)
- A servant, after 12 years, asks his parson for payment.
- The parson gives him a magical egg, warning him not to break it until he's home and built a strong cattle pen.
- The servant, out of curiosity, breaks the egg on his way home, releasing countless cattle onto the steppe.
- The Iron Wolf appears and offers to return the cattle to the egg and mend it, in exchange for eating the servant when he sits on the bridal bench.
- The servant agrees, the wolf fulfills his end, and the servant goes home, breaks the egg in his pen, and becomes incredibly rich.
- Despite his wealth, the servant fears marriage due to the wolf's threat.
- A general offers his daughter and wealth in marriage, promising to protect the servant with soldiers.
- The servant is persuaded, and on the wedding day, the general's soldiers surround the house.
- As the couple sits on the bridal bench, the Iron Wolf appears, leaps through all three rows of soldiers, and enters the house.
- The servant escapes through a window, mounts his horse, and flees with the wolf in pursuit.
- He finds refuge in a hut with an old couple and their dog, Chutko, who warns him of the wolf's approach, and he receives the dog and a cake.
- He finds refuge in a second hut with another old couple and their dog, Vazhko, who also warns him, and he receives the dog and a cake.
- He finds refuge in a third hut with a third old couple and their dog, Bary, who warns him, and he receives the dog and a cake.
- He finds a fourth, empty hut, and his three dogs position themselves at different thresholds.
- The Iron Wolf arrives, and the three dogs (Chutko, Vazhko, Bary) work together to attack and tear the wolf to pieces.
- The man, now safe, gathers his dogs and returns home.
Characters
The Servant / The Rich Man
Of average height and build, with a sturdy, hardworking physique developed from years of service and later, farming. His features are unremarkable but honest, reflecting a simple, peasant background. His skin is tanned from outdoor work.
Attire: Initially, simple, worn linen or homespun wool tunic and trousers, likely in muted earth tones like brown or grey, with sturdy leather boots. As a rich man, he would wear more refined, but still practical, garments of finer wool or linen, perhaps a dark blue or green tunic over a white shirt, with well-made leather boots and a simple belt, avoiding ostentatious display.
Wants: To secure his own future and happiness, to escape the Iron Wolf's curse, and to live a peaceful, prosperous life.
Flaw: His fear of the Iron Wolf, which prevents him from marrying and enjoying his wealth fully.
Transforms from a humble servant to an incredibly wealthy man, but is initially paralyzed by fear. He learns to trust others and ultimately overcomes his fear by actively seeking solutions and relying on his companions.
Faithful, cautious, resourceful, initially naive, and later, fearful.
The Iron Wolf
A large, formidable wolf, but with a distinctive, unnatural metallic sheen to its fur, giving it the appearance of being made of iron. Its eyes glow with an intense, predatory light. Its build is powerful and lean, capable of immense speed and strength.
Attire: None, as it is an animal, but its 'iron' nature is its defining visual characteristic.
Wants: To claim its agreed-upon payment (the servant's life) for its service, driven by a magical pact.
Flaw: Can be outsmarted and ultimately defeated by a combined force, particularly the specialized dogs.
Remains consistently a threat, relentlessly pursuing its target until its ultimate destruction.
Relentless, cunning, patient, predatory, bound by its word (in a malevolent way).
The General' s Daughter
Described as 'lovely,' implying conventional beauty for her time and region. She would have a graceful figure and refined features, indicative of her noble upbringing.
Attire: Elegant, but not overly elaborate, gowns made of fine linen or silk, in soft colors like pale blue, rose, or cream, with modest necklines and long sleeves. Her wedding attire would be particularly fine, likely white or a light color, possibly embroidered.
Wants: To marry the man she loves and live a happy life.
Flaw: Her vulnerability to the Iron Wolf's threat, despite her father's protection.
Her role is primarily to be the catalyst for the Iron Wolf's appearance and the subsequent chase. She remains a symbol of the happiness the protagonist seeks.
Loving, determined (in her affection for the rich man), trusting (of her father's assurances).
Chutko
A sturdy, alert dog, likely a local breed known for its hearing and loyalty. Perhaps a medium-sized, shaggy-haired dog, well-suited to guarding a hut in a forest.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To protect its master and later, the protagonist, by alerting them to danger.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; its strength is its hearing.
Joins the protagonist and contributes its unique skill to the eventual defeat of the Iron Wolf.
Loyal, vigilant, protective, with exceptional hearing.
Vazhko
A robust and powerful dog, larger than Chutko, built for strength and confrontation. Its name 'Heavysides' suggests a solid, muscular build.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To protect its master and later, the protagonist, by confronting danger.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; its strength is its power.
Joins the protagonist and plays a crucial role in physically subduing the Iron Wolf.
Strong, brave, protective, with exceptional hearing.
Bary
The largest and most formidable of the three dogs, built for ultimate confrontation and destruction. Its name might imply 'heavy' or 'strong' in some Slavic contexts, suggesting a very powerful breed.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To protect its master and later, the protagonist, by destroying threats.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; its strength is its destructive power.
Joins the protagonist and delivers the final, decisive blow against the Iron Wolf.
Fierce, courageous, ultimate protector, with exceptional hearing.
Locations
Open Steppe
A vast, treeless, flat grassland, likely dry and expansive, where the servant initially breaks the egg. It quickly becomes crowded with an immense number of cattle.
Mood: Initially mundane, then suddenly chaotic and overwhelming, followed by a sense of dread and a binding agreement.
The servant breaks the egg, releasing all the cattle, and makes his pact with the Iron Wolf.
Servant's Farmhouse and Cattle Pen
A sturdy, likely rustic farmhouse in a village, surrounded by an exceptionally strong cattle pen. The interior of the house is where the bridal bench is placed for the wedding feast.
Mood: Initially prosperous and secure, later tense and fearful during the wedding, then chaotic as the wolf attacks.
The servant becomes rich here, and his wedding takes place, leading to the Iron Wolf's first attempt to claim him.
First Forest Hut
A lone, simple wooden hut nestled deep within a dense forest, likely in a temperate climate. An old man and woman live here with their dog, Chutko.
Mood: Initially a place of refuge and temporary safety, but quickly becomes tense with the approach of the Iron Wolf.
The man seeks shelter and is warned of the Iron Wolf's approach by the first dog.
Final Forest Hut (Empty)
Another isolated, simple wooden hut in a forest, but this one is empty. It serves as the final stand against the Iron Wolf.
Mood: Eerily quiet and desolate, then becomes a scene of intense confrontation and ultimate victory.
The man and his three dogs make their final stand, defeating the Iron Wolf.