Ivan tsarevich the gray wolf teaches. Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf. The tale of Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf read
And the king had a magnificent garden; an apple tree with golden apples grew in that garden.
Someone began to visit the royal garden, steal golden apples. The king felt sorry for his garden. He sends guards there. No guard can keep track of the kidnapper.
The tsar stopped eating and drinking, and was yearning. Father's sons console:
Our dear father, do not be sad, we ourselves will guard the garden.
The eldest son says:
Today it's my turn to go to guard the garden from the kidnapper.
The eldest son set out. No matter how much I walked in the evening, I did not keep track of anyone, fell on the soft grass and fell asleep.
In the morning the king asks him:
Well, won't you please me: haven't you seen the kidnapper?
No, my dear father, I did not sleep all night, I did not close my eyes, but I did not see anyone.
The next night the middle son went to watch and also slept all night, and the next morning he said that he had not seen the kidnapper.
It's time for the little brother to go watch. Ivan Tsarevich went to guard the fathers' garden and was even afraid to sit down, let alone lie down. As his sleep gets sick, he will wash himself with dew from the grass, sleep and away from his eyes.
Half the night has passed, and it seems to him: there is light in the garden. Lighter and lighter. The whole garden was lit up. He sees - the Firebird has settled on the apple tree and pecks at the golden apples.
Ivan Tsarevich quietly crept up to the apple tree and caught the bird by the tail. The Firebird started up and flew away, only one feather from its tail remained in his hand.
In the morning, Ivan Tsarevich comes to his father.
Well, my dear Vanya, haven't you seen the kidnapper?
Dear father, I didn’t catch it, but I followed who was ruining our garden. I brought you a memory from the kidnapper. This, father. Firebird.
The king took this feather and from that time on began to drink and eat, and did not know sorrow. One fine time he thought about this about the Firebird.
He called his sons and said to them:
My dear children, you would saddle good horses, ride around the world, discover places, you would not attack the Firebird anywhere.
The children bowed to their father, saddled good horses and set off on a journey-road: the eldest in one direction, the middle in the other, and Ivan Tsarevich in the third direction.
Ivan Tsarevich rode for a long time or for a short time. It was a summer day. Ivan Tsarevich got tired, dismounted from his horse, confused him, and fell to sleep himself.
How much time has passed, how little time has passed, Ivan Tsarevich has awakened, he sees - there is no horse. I went to look for him, walked, walked and found my horse - only the bones were gnawed.
Ivan Tsarevich was saddened: where without a horse to go to such a distance?
"Well, he thinks he's taken it - there's nothing to do."
And he went on foot. Walked, walked, tired to death. He sat down on the soft grass and sits down. Out of nowhere, a gray wolf is running towards him:
What, Ivan Tsarevich, are you sitting upset, hung your head?
How can I not be sad, gray wolf? I was left without a good horse.
It was I, Ivan Tsarevich, who ate your horse ... I feel sorry for you! Tell me why you went into the distance, where are you going?
Father sent me to travel around the world, to find the Firebird.
Fu, fu, you can't reach the Firebird on your good horse at three years old. I alone know where she lives. So be it - I ate your horse, I will serve you faithfully. Sit on me and hold on tight.
Ivan Tsarevich sat astride him, the gray wolf galloped off - he misses the blue forests, sweeps the lakes with his tail. How long, or short, they run to the high fortress. The gray wolf says:
Listen to me, Ivan Tsarevich, remember: climb over the wall, don't be afraid - it's a good hour, all the watchmen are asleep. You will see a window in the mansion, there is a golden cage on the window, and the Firebird is sitting in the cage. You take the bird, put it in your bosom, but don't touch the cage!
Ivan Tsarevich climbed over the wall, saw this tower - there is a golden cage on the window, the Firebird is sitting in the cage. He took the bird, put it in his bosom, and stared at the cage. His heart flared up: "Oh, what a golden, precious one! How not to take one!" And he forgot what the wolf was punishing him. As soon as he touched the cage, a sound went through the fortress: the trumpets sounded, the drums beat, the watchmen woke up, seized Ivan Tsarevich and led him to Tsar Afron.
King Afron was angry and asked:
Whose are you, where are you from?
I am Tsar Berendey's son, Ivan Tsarevich.
Oh, what a disgrace! The royal son went to steal.
And what, when your bird flew, ruined our garden?
And you would have come to me, asked in good conscience, I would have given her so, out of respect for your parent, Tsar Berendey. And now in all cities I am spreading bad fame about you ... Well, okay, you will serve me, I will forgive you. In such and such a kingdom, King Kusman has a golden-maned horse. Bring him to me, then I will give you the Firebird with the cage.
Ivan Tsarevich caught fire and went to the gray wolf. And the wolf to him:
I told you, don't move the cage! Why didn't you listen to my order?
Well, forgive me, forgive me, gray wolf.
So, I'm sorry ... Okay, sit on me. I took up the tug, don't say it's not hefty.
Again the gray wolf galloped with Ivan Tsarevich. How long or short they run to the fortress where the golden-maned horse stands.
Climb, Ivan Tsarevich, through the wall, the watchmen are asleep, go to the stable, take your horse, but don't touch the bridle!
Ivan Tsarevich climbed into the fortress, where all the watchmen were asleep, went to the stable, caught the golden-maned horse, and coveted the bridle - it was decorated with gold, expensive stones; in it the golden-maned horse can only walk.
Ivan Tsarevich touched the bridle, a sound spread throughout the fortress: the trumpets sounded, the drums beat, the watchmen woke up, seized Ivan Tsarevich and led him to Tsar Kusman.
Whose are you, where are you from?
I am Ivan Tsarevich.
Eka, what nonsense he has undertaken to steal a horse! An ordinary man will not agree to this. Okay, I will forgive you, Ivan Tsarevich, if you will serve me. The Dalmatian king has a daughter, Elena the Beautiful. Kidnap her, bring her to me, I will give you a golden-maned horse with a bridle.
Ivan Tsarevich sulked even more and went to the gray wolf.
I told you, Ivan Tsarevich, do not touch the bridle! You did not listen to my order.
Well, forgive me, forgive, gray wolf.
Forgive me ... Come on, sit on my back.
Again the gray wolf galloped with Ivan Tsarevich. They run up to the king of Dalmatia. Helen the Beautiful is walking in his garden in the fortress with her mothers and nannies. Gray Wolf says:
This time I won't let you in, I'll go myself. And you go back the way-dear, I will soon catch up with you.
Ivan Tsarevich went back along the road, and the gray wolf jumped over the wall - and into the garden. He sat behind a bush and looked: Elena the Beautiful came out with her mothers and nannies. She walked, walked and only lagged behind the mothers and nannies, the gray wolf grabbed Elena the Beautiful, threw it over her back - and ran away.
Ivan Tsarevich walks along the road, suddenly a gray wolf overtakes him, Elena the Beautiful sits on it. Ivan Tsarevich was delighted, and the gray wolf to him:
Sit on me quickly, as if there were no chase after us.
The gray wolf rushed with Ivan Tsarevich, with Elena the Beautiful road back - he misses the blue forests, he sweeps the rivers and lakes with his tail. How long or short, they run to the king Kusman. The gray wolf asks:
What, Ivan Tsarevich, has become silent, disgusted?
But how can I, gray wolf, not be sad? How can I part with such beauty? How will I change Elena the Beautiful for a horse?
The gray wolf answers:
I will not separate you from such beauty - we will hide it somewhere, and I will turn into Helena the Beautiful, and you will lead me to the king.
Thank you, Ivan Tsarevich, for getting me a bride. Get a golden-maned horse with a bridle.
Ivan Tsarevich mounted this horse and rode after Elena the Beautiful. He took her, put her on a horse, and they ride along the road.
And Tsar Kusman arranged a wedding, feasted all day until evening, but how was it necessary to go to bed, he took Elena the Beautiful into the bedroom, but only lay down on the bed with her, looking - a wolf's face instead of a young wife? The king fell out of bed in fear, and the wolf ran away.
The gray wolf Ivan Tsarevich catches up and asks:
What are you thinking about, Ivan Tsarevich?
How can I not think? It is a pity to part with such a treasure - the golden-maned horse, to change it for the Firebird.
Do not be sad, I will help you.
Here they reach Tsar Afron. Wolf and says:
You hide this horse and Helen the Beautiful, and I will turn into a golden-maned horse, you lead me to Tsar Afron.
They hid Elena the Beautiful and the golden-maned horse in the forest. The gray wolf threw itself over its back, turned into a golden-maned horse. Ivan Tsarevich took him to Tsar Afron. The king was delighted and gave him the Firebird with a golden cage.
Ivan Tsarevich returned on foot to the forest, put Helen the Beautiful on a golden-maned horse, took a golden cage with a Firebird and rode off the road to his native land.
And Tsar Afron ordered to bring the gift horse to him and only wanted to sit on it - the horse turned into a gray wolf. The tsar, out of fear, where he stood, there and fell, and the gray wolf took off and soon caught up with Ivan Tsarevich.
Ivan Tsarevich dismounted from his horse and bowed three times to the ground, respectfully thanked the gray wolf. And he says:
Do not say goodbye to me forever, I will still be useful to you.
Ivan Tsarevich thinks: "Where else will you come in handy? All my desires have been fulfilled." He sat on the golden-maned horse, and again they rode with Elena the Beautiful, with the Firebird. He drove to his edges, he took it into his head to have an afternoon. He had some bread with him. Well, they ate, drank spring water and lay down to rest.
Only Ivan Tsarevich fell asleep, his brothers run into him. They traveled to other lands, looked for the Firebird, and returned empty-handed. They drove over and saw - everything was obtained from Ivan Tsarevich. So they conspired:
Ivan Tsarevich bowed to the gray wolf and said goodbye to him forever. Ivan Tsarevich returned home on a horse with a golden mane, brought the Firebird to his father, and his bride, Elena the Beautiful.
Tsar Berendey was delighted and began asking his son. Ivan Tsarevich began to tell how the gray wolf helped him to get his prey, how the brothers killed him asleep, and how the gray wolf tore them to pieces.
Tsar Berendey grieved and soon consoled himself. And Ivan Tsarevich married Elena the Beautiful, and they began to live and live without grief.
Russian literature lesson in grade 5 with Kazakh language of instruction
Uderbaeva N.G.,
teacher of Russian language and literature
Secondary school № 20 Kostanay
Topic: "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf."
Purpose: to teach the ability to understand the main idea that is contained in a fairy tale, to read the text of a fairy tale meaningfully.
Equipment: the text of the tale, the rules of work in the lesson, vocabulary words, test tasks.
During the classes
I. Dictionary work.
1. Write down the words in a notebook:
A good horse is a good horse
fell asleep - went to sleep, fell asleep
serve faithfully - serve in good faith, honestly
terem - in ancient Russia dwelling in the upper part of the house or a house in the form of a tower
forest hut -decrease. from the hut
out of nowhere - unexpectedly, out of nowhere
live, live, but not know grief - live well
II. Checking the interpretation of the text of the tale. Test.
1. Define the genre of the fairy tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf":
A) magic B) about animals C) household
2. What was the name of the king, who had a garden with golden apples:
A) Afron B) Berendey C) Dalmat
3. Who stole the golden apples from the royal garden?
A) Gray wolf B) Golden-maned horse C) Firebird
4. Who owned the Firebird?
A) Tsar Dalmatius B) Tsar Kusman C) Tsar
5. Whose daughter is Elena the Beautiful?
A) Tsar Dalmatia B) Tsar Afron C) Tsar Kusman
6. Why was Tsarevich Ivan captured by the guard of Tsar Afron?
A) because the guards saw him climbing over the wall
C) because he touched the cage in which the Firebird was sitting
C) because he kidnapped the Firebird
7. Why couldn't Ivan Tsarevich take the golden-maned horse?
A) because the watchmen in the stable have not slept yet
C) because he touched the bridle
C) because his brothers prevented him
8. Who helped Ivan Tsarevich overcome all difficulties?
A) Elena the Beautiful B) Gray wolf C) brothers
9. Explain the meaning of the expression: The gray wolf misses the blue forests, lakes
sweeps up with its tail.
A) galloped very quickly B) galloped, not noticing anything
C) jumped, destroying everything in its path
Correct answer code: 1A, 2B, 3C, 4C, 5A, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9A.
III. Independent work. Working in groups.
1 group. Describe the eldest son of Tsar Berendey.
Group 2. Describe the middle son of Tsar Berendey.
Group 3. Describe the youngest son of Tsar Berendey.
4 group. What number is most used in a fairy tale? Give examples from the text.
Checking the completion of the task.
The number three:
1) Tsar Berendey had three sons.
2) For three nights in a row, the sons of the king watched the garden in order to catch the thief.
3) We went in three directions to look for the Firebird.
4) Ivan Tsarevich had to get three prey: the Firebird, the golden-maned horse, Elena the Beautiful.
5) The gray wolf turned three times: into Elena the Beautiful, into a golden-maned horse, into a Firebird.
Characteristics of the eldest son:
1) The eldest son asked to guard the garden and catch the thief who steals the golden apples. He went on the first night. No matter how much he walked, he did not keep track of anyone, lay down on the soft grass and fell asleep.
2) In the morning, when the king asked him if he saw anyone, he said that he did not sleep all night, did not close his eyes, but did not see anyone. He deceived his father.
3) I went to look for the Firebird - one way. He wants fame only for himself.
4) He conspired with his middle brother to kill his younger brother Ivan and take the spoils from him. He's a villain.
Conclusion: Was the eldest son able to find the Firebird? Why? (because I was looking for one)
Characteristics of the middle son:
1) The middle son asked to guard the garden and catch the thief who steals the golden apples. He went on the second night. He slept too.
2) The next morning he told his father that he had not seen anyone. He deceived his father.
3) I went to look for the Firebird - in the other direction. He wants fame only for himself.
4) He conspired with his older brother to kill his younger brother Ivan and take the spoils from him. He's a villain.
Conclusion: could the middle son find the Firebird? Why? (because I was looking for one)
Characteristics of the youngest son:
1) Youngest son Ivan watched on the third night. He was afraid to even sit down. When his sleep began to prevail, he washed himself with dew from the grass so as not to fall asleep.
2) He grabbed the Firebird by the tail, but it flew away, and in his hand was one golden feather from the tail. I found out who is stealing apples.
3) I went to look for the Firebird - in the third direction.
Why did you go to the third side? (The older brothers did not offer their help.)
4) Found the Firebird, rode home on a golden-maned horse with Elena the Beautiful. Justified the trust of his father.
Conclusion: Why did the youngest son Ivan manage to find the Firebird? (He was assisted by the Gray Wolf.)
Why did he let the Gray Wolf tear his older brothers to shreds? (because they are villains, conspired and killed their little brother)
What does the fairy tale teach? (Good triumphs, evil is punished.)
Which of the heroes of the fairy tale personifies good? (Ivan Tsarevich, Gray Wolf) And who is evil? (elder brothers of Ivan Tsarevich)
IV. Homework: read the fairy tale "Ivan the Peasant Son and the Miracle Yudo" on pages 44-48.
Fairy tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf" in a nutshell
Golden apples disappear from the royal garden. The king sends his sons to find the culprit. The two elders return with nothing, and the youngest takes away from the three kings not only the Firebird thief, but also a beautiful horse and a maiden, whom the Gray Wolf helped him to get. The envious brothers kill Ivan Tsarevich. The wolf brings him back to life with the help of living and dead water.
What does it mean
Let's look at the plot as a development of human life. He is a king: everything is fine with him, there is a source of joy and pride - an apple tree with golden apples. This is a deep symbol: here is the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge in Paradise, and rejuvenating apples, and the apple of discord. But someone started to steal apples, the person was homesick. It's like a midlife crisis. A person turns to internal images (sons), which symbolize the future, and asks to find a thief in order to live in peace. But the eldest and middle sons let their father down, they only pretend to help. This is how we deceive ourselves by saying: I'll start running, go to bed earlier, write a book ... We promise ourselves, but we don't. As a result, we have fewer apples, but we are all in the same place. Only the weakest part turns out to be the most stubborn and courageous: the youngest Ivan Tsarevich got both the Firebird, and Elena the Beautiful, and the golden-maned horse. The Fire Firebird is akin to a phoenix - this is the meaning: something worth living for. And Elena the Beautiful? Returned feelings, taste of life. To get this, you need to sacrifice a lot (your horse), not rely on anyone but yourself. The Gray Wolf is a helper animal, a guide to internal resources: these are instincts, intuition, dreams - that which does not obey us can attack, but can also help consciousness. And, as a rule, he comes to help out, but we are not always ready to accept this help. There is very little left to go to the house, and then the brothers kill Ivan. So we are overcome by fears, anxieties - and we give up. Remember how you gave up something cherished, and dreams showed it to you over and over again? Dead water coalesces the body, and living water returns life: these are tears of grief and joy, the sweat of efforts. Finally, the cherished goal has been achieved - a person comes out of the crisis with a new sense of himself, finding the meaning of the second half of his life.
If this is a favorite fairy tale
For a woman: she is Elena or the Firebird, trusts the opinion of men, expects them to "get" her. She is beautiful (or considers herself so), but cold. In fact, this is only a mask, and behind it is a timid girl who does not know how to build a relationship. For a man: he is Ivan Tsarevich (we love fairy tales since childhood, and the child hardly associates himself with the king), that is, a son who needs his father's approval. But in the middle of his life, the crisis will require him to get out from under his father's power: to win - to deceive those kings in a fairy tale who had the resources necessary for life.
The tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf": the main idea and moral
The moral of the tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf" will become clear if you read.
The main meaning of the tale "Tsarevich Ivan and the Gray Wolf" is that deviation from the advice of more experienced mentors can lead to sad outcomes. Twice Ivan did not obey the advice of the gray wolf, and twice he was seized by the guards and he worsened his situation.
What does the tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf" teach? Good triumphs, evil is punished.
The tale teaches us that debt is red by payment. The gray wolf repaid Ivan in full for the ruined horse. And he helped to get a new horse, and a beautiful wife to acquire and a Firebird for his father, Tsar Berendey.
Also, the fairy tale teaches kindness, that good is paid for with good, for evil and evil it responds. In the fairy tale, the people also showed that not everything in life is gained only by work and perseverance, sometimes cunning and cunning are needed.
The number "three" is often found in the tale:
- Tsar Berendey had three sons.
- For three nights in a row, the sons of the king watched the garden in order to catch the thief.
- We went in three directions to look for the Firebird.
Ivan Tsarevich had to get three prey: the Firebird, the golden-maned horse, Elena the Beautiful.
For a long time we did not return to the tale of Ivan Tsarevich and the gray wolf (see the tale -http://slavya.ru/trad/folk/skaz/ivan.htm
), analyzing only the first plot. It said that the Wolf is a totemic ancestor who becomes the mentor of Ivan Tsarevich, because his father sends him not to steal, as it seems at first glance, but to learn from life. It is he who sends Ivan to study, because he has shown himself to be the most worthy of all brothers: having passed the test in the night guard, he earned a magical gift from his ancestor.
I have been expecting some of my own considerations from readers for a long time. But since there are none, let's analyze the tale further. The first plot was analyzed in the 15th issue of the "Ancient religion of the Slavs" mailing list dated August 2, 2004. (http://slavya.ru/trad/folk/skaz/ivan2.htm
). The beginning of the topic with the statement of the problem, with all the plots of the tale and questions in the 14th issue of July 24, 2004. (http://slavya.ru/trad/folk/skaz/ivan1.htm
). Today we will analyze the second and third plots and questions to them.
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Plot 2. The wolf teaches Ivan how to kidnap the Firebird. However, having kidnapped the Firebird, Ivan wants to take the golden cage beyond measure, on which he comes across. There is such a dialogue between Ivan and the owner of the firebird, Tsar Afron:
"- Aw, what a disgrace! The Tsar's son went to steal.
- And what, when your bird flew, ruined our garden?
- And you would come to me, in good conscience asked, I would give her so, out of respect for your parent, Tsar Berendey. And now, in all cities, I am spreading bad fame about you ... Well, okay, you will serve me, I will forgive you. In such and such a kingdom, King Kusman has a golden-maned horse. Bring him to me, then I will give you the Firebird with the cage. "
Then the same situation is repeated in the plot with Tsar Kusman, and he is ready to forgive Ivan if he kidnaps Elena the Beautiful for him from Tsar Dalmatia.
Children's questions are:
- Doesn't the wolf teach Ivan to steal, isn't this what the whole fairy tale teaches?
- Tsar Afron urges Ivan to behave according to his conscience, but why do we not see even a shadow of regret for what Ivan has done?
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Indeed, the wolf instigates Ivan to steal the Firebird, but such is the nature of a wolf: to get game even in the forest, even in the master's stable. To live on what? Isn't that how our “new Russians” justify their initial accumulation of capital by unclean means ?! At one time, psychologists conducted an experiment, studying the willingness of people to cheat in a playful way. We have found that some people move quickly to this, while others can resist temptation for a long time, but when the stress and risk of harm from honest behavior exceeds a certain threshold, then almost everyone goes to "cheating."
And since young Ivan is a young warrior-wolf, he must master this wolf art: overcome obstacles, sneak up unnoticed, find a vulnerable spot in the guard. And who, if not the totemic ancestor-wolf, can teach him this better than anyone else. This can be seen as one of the initiatory tests.
Look, after all, Tsar Afron clearly knows the prince and his father, since he expresses respect for him. This means that Ivan's father knows Tsar Afron, most likely they are relatives! So what happens when the father sends his son in advance to steal from a relative in order to quarrel with the latter? Is he not afraid of a quarrel, is he not afraid of losing his son or even the beginning of a war?
Here we come to one of the very interesting moments in the organization of the tribal life of many ancient tribes. Ethnologists know that in the Caucasus, among some tribes, for example, among the Chechens, the tradition of the so-called ritual initiation theft remains in force, when a young man must steal something from a relative, confirming his adult status. Indeed, in ancient tribal societies, when a sharp class difference does not yet arise, then there is no institution of private property. This means that the theft of a thing from a relative is not theft, but a kind of ritual exchange-donation. But custom requires that this ritual exchange take place precisely as an abduction, in which the initiate must show dexterity, ingenuity, cunning, and self-confidence. Moreover, the relative who is being kidnapped immediately understands what happened and who kidnapped. But he plays out a whole performance, at the same time rejoicing in the fact that his young relative has fulfilled his due. But then he will have to kidnap his bride in accordance with the custom! Everything goes to this in a fairy tale, and this is a reflection of our very ancient customs.
However, abstracting from this most archaic background, let us pay attention to two circumstances of moral significance.
Firstly, Ivan does not feel regret for what he has done, because with a sense of justice he implements the ancient principle of "an eye for an eye". And the wolf teaches him to feel this just measure of retribution, warning him not to attempt more. But he is pierced precisely on the fact that he is trying to take not only "an eye for an eye" or "a firebird for apples," but out of greed more than this just measure. And this greed, not the ability to keep the “eye for an eye” measure, turns into the fact that the guard grabs him. This is the action of the pagan universal moral law (called Rota-Rita).
Secondly, we see that Tsar Afron, turning to conscience, admonishing and shaming Ivan, himself commits an act that cannot be called moral. Condemning Ivan for theft, calling for conscience, he immediately, against his conscience, sends him to a new theft. Agree that this is no less immoral than just stealing. And by virtue of the operation of the pagan universal law of justice, he must suffer proportionate punishment. Then the same situation is repeated with King Kusman.
Returning to the analysis at the most archaic level, we can see here that a relative from whom the initiate could not steal a thing gives the subject a chance to correct himself by continuing the test. This interpretation can also take place.
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Plot 3. The wolf does not allow Ivan to kidnap Elena the Beautiful, but does it himself. When Ivan goes back with Elena the Beautiful and does not want to part with her, the wolf helps him to deceive, - pretending first to be Elena, and then the Horse, - the kings Kusman and Afron and get a horse with a bridle for free, a Firebird with a cage, without giving Elena the Beautiful ...
Questions:
- Why does the wolf himself kidnap Elena the Beautiful for Ivan, but does not allow him to do this predatory case?
- Why Ivan, without feeling any remorse, goes to deceive the kings Afron and Kusman?
- Does the fairy tale teach children and adults to be shameless deceivers?
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From the answers to the second plot, you understand that Ivan has no need to feel sorry for Tsar Afron and Kusman. After all, they themselves forced him to steal, which means that they deserved it in relation to themselves. But Ivan, out of respect for his elders and in gratitude for the fact that they did not betray him to shame when they were caught stealing, would not have been able to subject them to such ridicule as the wolf exposes them, turning either Elena the Beautiful or Horse. Ivan, moreover, is still young, and not so strong in sorcery-werewolf. The wolf, as a totemic ancestor, is common for Ivan and for each of these kings, and takes upon itself the fulfillment of what is assigned to them according to Rota, according to the moral universal law.
If we look at this from the point of view of the archaic custom of initiation theft, then we can guess that Ivan's relatives, welcoming the completion of his cycle of trials and the abduction of the bride, present the young people with additional wedding gifts, acting as usual as a comic spectacle-incident.
The open abduction by the Wolf from the Dalmatian king of his daughter, Elena the Beautiful, has a wedding-ritual character of the abduction of the bride with the help of friends. If Ivan had done this, it would have been perceived precisely as violence and robbery, they would have been chased after him. When such an abduction is performed by a totemic ancestor, then everyone understands that a sacred act is being performed, the result of which should be a wedding. And as a result, Ivan is simply obliged to do this, otherwise it will be a shame in front of all his relatives.
So, we see that those customs of ritual theft and abduction, which used to be the norm of interchange, interaction, initiation and premarital testing in a society that does not know private property, at another time begin to be interpreted as genuine theft and abduction. The archaic custom has been forgotten, although people who know the life of the people from the inside guess that something is wrong here, that all this is buffoonery and play. Remember that even today, in many villages, doors are not bolted. As a result of this overlap of different layers of perception, interpretations and attempts to make ends meet in an artistic way, an amazing phenomenon of this tale arises.