THE STRAW OX
by Valerian Viliamovich Karrik · from More Russian Picture Tales
Adapted Version
An old woman and man lived. They lived in a small house.
"Make a straw ox," The Old Woman said. "Cover it with pitch. He asked why. 'Do it!'"
The Old Man made the straw ox. He put pitch on it. The Old Woman took the ox. She went to the field. She sat under a tree. She fell asleep.
A big Bear came from the woods. He saw The Straw Ox. "Who are you?" he asked. The Straw Ox said, "I am the straw ox." "I have pitch." The Bear had a sore side. He touched the ox. His paw stuck fast.
The Old Woman woke up. She saw the Bear. She ran home. "A bear is stuck!" she cried. The Old Man took the Bear. He put it in a room.
Next day, The Old Woman took the ox. She went to the field. She fell asleep. A Wolf came from the woods. He touched The Straw Ox. His paw stuck fast.
The Old Woman called The Old Man. He took the Wolf. He put it in the cellar.
Next day, The Old Woman took the ox. She fell asleep. A Fox came. He touched the ox. His paw stuck fast. The Old Man put him in the cellar.
Next day, The Old Woman took the ox. She fell asleep. A Hare came. He touched the ox. His teeth stuck fast. The Old Man put him in the cellar.
The Old Man sharpened his knife. The Bear heard him. "Why do you sharpen it?" asked The Bear. The Old Man said, "I want your fur. I will make a warm coat." The Bear was scared.
"Oh, please let me go!" cried The Bear. "I will give you a big gift." The Old Man thought. He said, "You must keep your word." He let The Bear go.
The Old Man did the same. He spoke to The Wolf. He spoke to The Fox. He spoke to The Hare. They all promised gifts. He let them all go free.
Next morning, someone knocked. It was The Bear. He brought sweet honey. The Old Man took the honey.
Then The Wolf came. He brought many sheep. The Fox came next. He brought many hens and ducks. Last, The Hare came. He brought big cabbages.
The Old Man and Old Woman were happy. They had many good things. They were kind to the animals. The old couple was clever. They were also kind. Good things came to them.
Original Story
THE STRAW OX.
Once upon a time there lived an old man and his wife, and one day she said to him: “Make me a straw ox and smear him over with pitch.” And he asked: “What for?” And she answered: “Do what I tell you! Never mind what it's for—that's my business!” So the old man made a straw ox and smeared him over with pitch. Then his wife got ready in the early morning and drove the ox to pasture. She sat down under a tree, and began spinning flax and saying to herself: “Feed, feed, ox, on the fresh green grass.”
“Feed, feed, ox, on the fresh green grass!” And she went on spinning and spinning, and fell asleep. Suddenly from out of the thick wood, from out of the dark forest, a bear came running, and ran right up against the ox.
“Who in the world are you?” he asked. And the ox answered: “I'm the three-year-old ox, all made of straw and smeared over with pitch.” Then the bear said: “Well, if you're smeared over with pitch, give me some to put on my poor torn side.” And the ox answered: “Take some!” So the bear seized hold of the ox, when lo and behold! his paw stuck in the pitch.
And when he tried to free it with the other paw, that one stuck too. Then he started gnawing with his teeth, and they stuck too. He couldn't tear himself away anyhow. And the old woman woke up and saw the bear stuck fast to the ox. So she ran home and shouted to her husband: “Come along quick, a bear has stuck fast to our ox, hurry up and catch him!” And he came along, took the bear, led him home, and shut him up in the lumber room.
The next day, as soon as the sun rose, the old woman again drove the ox to pasture, and she herself sat down under a tree, and began spinning flax and saying to herself: “Feed, feed, ox, on the fresh green grass of the field! Feed, feed, ox, on the fresh green grass of the field!” And she went on spinning and spinning, and fell asleep. Suddenly from out of the thick wood, from out of the dark forest, a wolf came running, and ran right up against the ox. “Who in the world are you?” he asked. And the ox answered: “I'm the three-year-old ox, all made of straw and smeared over with pitch.”
Then the wolf said: “Well, if that's so, give me some pitch to put on my poor torn side.” And the ox answered: “By all means!” So the wolf tried to take some pitch, when lo and behold! his paw stuck in it. And when he tried to free it, it stuck all the faster. And the old woman woke up and saw the wolf sticking to the ox. So she ran to fetch her husband and said: “Come as quick as you can, there's a wolf stuck to the ox!” And he came and caught the wolf and put him in the cellar.
The next day, before even the sun had risen, the old woman again drove the ox to pasture, and she herself sat down under a tree, and began spinning flax and saying to herself: “Feed, feed, ox, on the fresh green grass! Feed, feed, ox, on the fresh green grass!” And she went on spinning and spinning, and fell asleep.
Suddenly from out of the thick wood, from out of the dark forest, a fox came running, and ran right up against the ox. “What sort of a beast are you?” he asked. And the ox answered: “I'm the three-year-old ox, all made of straw and smeared over with pitch.” Then the fox said: “Well then, give me some pitch to rub on my side.” And the fox was just going to take some pitch, when he stuck fast and couldn't free himself. And the old woman woke up and saw the fox sticking to the ox. So she ran to fetch her husband, and he came and took the fox and put him in the cellar as well.
The next day the old woman again sat down under the tree to spin her flax while the ox fed, and she began spinning and saying to herself: “Feed, feed, ox, on the fresh green grass! Feed, feed, ox, on the fresh green grass!” And she went on spinning and spinning and fell asleep. Suddenly from out of the thick wood, from out of the dark forest, a grey hare came running and ran right up against the ox. “What sort of beast are you?” he asked. “I'm the three-year-old ox, all made of straw and smeared over with pitch.” Then the hare said: “Well then, give me some pitch to rub on my side.” “Take some!” answered the ox. And the hare caught hold of him with his teeth, when lo and behold! his teeth stuck fast. He tore and tore, but couldn't tear them free. And the old woman woke up, and ran to fetch her husband, and said: “Come as quick as you can, there's a hare stuck to the ox!” And the old man came, took the hare and flung him into the cellar. Then the old man began to grind his knife, and the bear heard him and asked: “What are you grinding your knife for?” And he answered: “I'm grinding my knife to take the skin off your back and make myself a fur coat out of it.” But the bear said: “Oh! don't take the skin off my back! Better let me go free, and I'll repay you handsomely.” “Well, mind you do!” answered the old man, and so he let the bear go free, and he ran off into the forest.
The next day the old man again began to grind his knife outside the cellar, and the wolf asked him: “What are you grinding your knife for?” And he answered: “I'm grinding my knife to take the skin off your back and make myself a fur coat out of it.” But the wolf said: “Oh! don't take the skin off my back! Better let me go free, and I'll repay you handsomely.” “Well, mind you do!” answered the old man, and so he let the wolf too go free. And again he began to grind his knife outside the cellar, and the fox asked him: “What are you grinding your knife for?” And he answered: “I'm grinding my knife to take the skin off your back, and make myself out of it a collar for my fur coat.” But the fox said: “Oh! don't take the skin off my back! Better let me go free, and I'll repay you handsomely.” “Well, mind you do!” answered he.
Then the hare was left all alone.
And again the old man began to grind his knife, and the hare asked him: “What are you grinding your knife for?” And he answered: “I'm grinding my knife to take the skin off your back, and make myself some fur gloves out of it.” But the hare said: “Oh! don't take the skin off my back! Better let me go free, and I'll repay you handsomely.” “Well, mind you do!” he answered, and let the hare too go free.
Early the next morning the old man heard someone knocking at the gate, so he asked: “Who's there?” And the answer came: “It's I, the bear, come to pay you my debt.” And the old man opened the gate, and there was the bear with a hive of honey he had brought. So the old man took the honey, when again he heard knock-knock at the gate! “Who's there?” he asked, and the answer came: “It's I, the wolf, come to pay you my debt.” And there was the wolf with a whole flock of sheep he had driven up. So the old man let the sheep into the yard, when again he heard knock-knock at the gate. “Who's there?” he asked, and the answer came: “It's I, the fox, come to pay you my debt.”
And there was the fox with a whole farm-yardful of cocks and hens, and ducks and geese. Suddenly there came another knock-knock at the gate. “Who's there?” asked the old man, and the answer came: “It's I, the hare, come to pay you my debt.” And he had brought with him a whole heap of cabbages. And the old man and his wife began to live happily together, and always spoke well and kindly of those beasts.
Story DNA
Moral
A simple, clever plan can outsmart the strong, and showing mercy can lead to unexpected rewards.
Plot Summary
An old woman instructs her husband to build a straw ox covered in pitch. She then takes it to pasture, where various forest animals—a bear, a wolf, a fox, and a hare—each approach it, get stuck in the pitch, and are subsequently captured by the old man. Fearing for their lives when the old man threatens to skin them, each animal promises a handsome reward if released. The old man frees them, and the next day, each animal returns with a generous gift, allowing the old couple to live prosperously ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to fear to relief to prosperity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale is a common motif in Eastern European folklore, often highlighting cleverness over brute strength and the value of mercy.
Plot Beats (14)
- An old woman asks her husband to make a straw ox covered in pitch, without explaining why.
- The old man complies, and the old woman takes the ox to pasture, where she falls asleep.
- A bear approaches the ox, asks what it is, and tries to take some pitch for its torn side, getting stuck.
- The old woman wakes, calls her husband, who captures the bear and locks it in the lumber room.
- The next day, the old woman repeats the process, and a wolf gets stuck to the ox.
- The old man captures the wolf and puts it in the cellar.
- The next day, a fox gets stuck to the ox, is captured, and put in the cellar.
- The next day, a hare gets stuck to the ox, is captured, and put in the cellar.
- The old man begins to sharpen his knife, telling the bear he plans to skin it for a fur coat.
- The bear pleads for its life, promising a handsome repayment if released, and the old man agrees.
- The old man repeats this with the wolf, then the fox, then the hare, releasing each after they promise repayment.
- The next morning, the bear arrives with a hive of honey as payment.
- The wolf then arrives with a flock of sheep, the fox with a yard full of poultry, and the hare with a heap of cabbages.
- The old man and his wife live happily and prosperously, grateful to the animals.
Characters
The Old Woman ★ protagonist
A short, sturdy woman with the weathered hands of a lifetime of labor. Her back might be slightly stooped from years of spinning and tending to a household. Her skin is likely tanned and wrinkled from outdoor work.
Attire: Simple, practical Eastern European peasant attire: a long-sleeved, loose-fitting linen blouse, a dark wool or homespun linen skirt, and a patterned headscarf (babushka) tied under her chin. She might wear a sturdy, dark-colored apron over her skirt. Her shoes would be practical, likely leather or felt boots, or simple wooden clogs.
Wants: To improve their meager living conditions and perhaps to provide for her and her husband's future. She wants to secure resources.
Flaw: She tends to fall asleep while working, which, while not a fatal flaw, is a recurring vulnerability in her plan.
She initiates the plan that leads to their prosperity, demonstrating her cleverness and resourcefulness throughout. She learns that kindness can be repaid.
Resourceful, practical, determined, a bit bossy (towards her husband), and observant. She is the one who devises the clever trap.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Eastern European peasant woman, short and sturdy, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a round, kind face with deep-set, observant grey eyes, and tanned, wrinkled skin. Her white hair is pulled back under a dark red patterned headscarf tied under her chin. She wears a loose-fitting cream linen blouse, a dark blue wool skirt, and a sturdy brown apron. Her hands, gnarled from work, hold a bundle of flax and a wooden spindle. She has a determined yet gentle expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Man ◆ supporting
A lean, perhaps slightly stooped man, with the sinewy strength of someone who has worked with his hands his entire life. His frame is probably thin, but capable.
Attire: Simple, practical Eastern European peasant clothing: a loose-fitting linen shirt, dark trousers, and a waistcoat or simple jacket. He would wear a traditional felt or wool cap. His shoes would be sturdy leather boots.
Wants: To provide for his wife and himself, and to follow his wife's instructions. He wants to improve their living situation.
Flaw: His passive nature; he relies on his wife's ingenuity for solutions and direction.
Initially a follower of his wife's plan, he takes on a more active and clever role in the latter part of the story by negotiating with the captured animals, leading to their prosperity. He learns the value of mercy and trust.
Obedient, practical, kind-hearted, and a bit submissive to his wife's will. He is capable of decisive action when needed.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Eastern European peasant man, lean with a slightly stooped posture, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a long, kind face with a neatly trimmed white beard and gentle blue eyes. His sparse white hair is covered by a dark grey felt cap. He wears a loose-fitting cream linen shirt, dark brown wool trousers, and sturdy leather boots. His hands are gnarled from work. He holds a large, well-used grinding knife in his right hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Straw Ox ◆ supporting
A life-sized ox figure, meticulously crafted from tightly bound straw, giving it a rough, textured surface. It is entirely covered in a thick, dark, sticky layer of pitch, making it appear almost black and glistening in the sun. Its form is solid and sturdy, resembling a real ox, with four legs, a body, a head with two straw horns, and a short tail.
Attire: None, as it is an object. Its 'skin' is the pitch.
Wants: To fulfill its purpose as a trap, as instructed by its creators.
Flaw: It is entirely reliant on its sticky surface for its function; without the pitch, it is just straw.
Remains unchanged throughout the story, serving its purpose as a static, effective trap.
Passive, unmoving, and serves as a silent, uncomplaining trap. It 'speaks' only to identify itself.
Image Prompt & Upload
A life-sized ox figure, standing still, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It is meticulously crafted from tightly bound golden straw, entirely covered in a thick, dark, glistening layer of black pitch. Its form is solid and sturdy, with two straw horns and a short tail. Its 'face' is simple, with dark, unmoving 'eyes' giving it a placid expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Bear ⚔ antagonist
A large, powerful brown bear, with thick, shaggy fur. He is robust and imposing, with strong limbs and a broad chest. He has a 'poor torn side' indicating a previous injury.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: Initially, curiosity and a desire to soothe his injured side. Later, to escape captivity and repay his debt.
Flaw: His impulsiveness and trust in the ox's offer, leading him to get stuck.
From a free, curious, and injured animal, he becomes a captive, then a grateful debtor who repays his freedom with a hive of honey.
Curious, somewhat aggressive, impulsive, and desperate (due to his injury). He is also capable of gratitude and keeping his word.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, powerful adult brown bear, standing on all fours, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has thick, shaggy dark brown fur, a broad muzzle, and small, dark, intelligent eyes. There is a visible, mended tear on his left side. His posture is alert and slightly curious. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Wolf ⚔ antagonist
A lean, grey wolf, with sharp teeth and a sleek, powerful build. He also has a 'poor torn side' similar to the bear, suggesting a common plight among the forest animals.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: Initially, curiosity and a desire to soothe his injured side. Later, to escape captivity and repay his debt.
Flaw: His desire for relief from his injury overrides his natural caution, leading him to get stuck.
From a free, cautious, and injured animal, he becomes a captive, then a grateful debtor who repays his freedom with a flock of sheep.
Cunning, cautious (initially), but ultimately impulsive when seeking relief for his injury. He is also capable of gratitude and fulfilling his promise.
Image Prompt & Upload
A lean, adult grey wolf, standing on all fours, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has sleek, mottled grey fur, a long, pointed muzzle, and keen yellow eyes. There is a visible, mended tear on his left side. His posture is alert and cautious. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fox ⚔ antagonist
A sly, reddish-brown fox, with a bushy tail and nimble paws. He is smaller than the bear or wolf, but quick and agile.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: Initially, curiosity and a desire to soothe his side. Later, to escape captivity and repay his debt.
Flaw: His curiosity and desire for an easy solution lead him to get stuck.
From a free, cunning animal, he becomes a captive, then a grateful debtor who repays his freedom with a farmyard of fowl.
Curious, cunning, and opportunistic. He is also capable of gratitude and fulfilling his promise.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sly, adult reddish-brown fox, standing on all fours, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has vibrant reddish-brown fur, a pointed muzzle, bright, cunning amber eyes, and a bushy tail with a distinctive white tip. His posture is alert and inquisitive. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Hare ⚔ antagonist
A small, grey hare, with long ears and powerful hind legs. He is quick and timid by nature.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: Initially, curiosity and a desire to soothe his side. Later, to escape captivity and repay his debt.
Flaw: His impulsiveness and curiosity, despite his timid nature, lead him to get stuck.
From a free, timid animal, he becomes a captive, then a grateful debtor who repays his freedom with a heap of cabbages.
Timid, curious, and impulsive. He is also capable of gratitude and fulfilling his promise.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, adult grey hare, sitting upright on its hind legs, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has soft, mottled grey-brown fur, a twitching nose, large, dark, wary eyes, and long, sensitive ears. His posture is alert and slightly nervous. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Pasture by the Dark Forest
A wide, open field of fresh green grass, bordered by a thick, dark forest. A single prominent tree provides shade for the old woman. The forest appears dense and somewhat ominous.
Mood: Initially peaceful and serene, becoming tense and slightly dangerous as animals emerge from the forest.
The old woman pastures the straw ox here, and various forest animals (bear, wolf, fox, hare) get stuck to it.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, sun-drenched meadow of vibrant green grass stretching towards a dense, dark coniferous forest line under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, a single, ancient oak tree with a wide, spreading canopy casts a dappled shadow. The ground is covered in short, dewy grass with scattered wildflowers. The forest edge is a wall of dark pine and spruce, hinting at mystery within. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Old Couple's Farmstead
A humble, traditional Eastern European farmstead, likely a izba or khata, with a yard, a gate, and outbuildings like a lumber room and a cellar. The yard would be a functional space for livestock.
Mood: Initially industrious and practical, later becoming a place of negotiation and eventual prosperity.
The old man brings the captured animals here, stores them, and later releases them after they promise repayment. The animals return with gifts.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic Eastern European farmyard at dawn, with a simple, weathered wooden izba (log house) on one side, its small windows glowing with warm light. A sturdy wooden gate stands open, revealing a packed earth yard. To the side, a small, dark lumber shed and a stone-lined cellar entrance are visible. The ground is hard-packed dirt with patches of straw and scattered chicken tracks. A sharpening stone sits near the house. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
