In ancient times, a mountain maiden, a kind sorceress, lived above the Orava River in the Goat Rock. The people loved her, she helped all the poor people with advice and a penny.
And then trouble happened - fierce dragons suddenly appeared in Orava. The people sent the young handsome Yanko to the mountain maiden for advice and help. Yanko saddled a dashing horse, sat down and galloped along the river bank to the roar of thunder and flashing lightning. He rode up to that Goat Rock that hung over the water itself, got off his horse and tied him to a broken tree. Then he lit the fire and waited until midnight. Usually the mountain maiden came out of the rock about this time.
Exactly at midnight, the rock parted, as if doors had swung open, a mountain maiden came out and tenderly asked Yanko what business he had come for.
“Oh, trouble, dear lady, we’re in trouble!” Our village sent me to you,” Yanko began. “It’s such a misfortune that it’s scary to even say!” In the mountain above the village there is a large cave, and two fierce dragons have made their lair in it. As soon as it gets dark, they fly out of the cave, grab our cows and bulls and take them home. Almost all the animals have been exterminated, and now we are left to die of hunger. So I came to you for help, you are our dear intercessor! We alone cannot cope with the dragons. Please help us.
The mountain maiden listened to Yanko and said:
- I know these dragons. One flies here and devours its prey in the pit over there on that slope. Okay, don’t worry, we’ll overcome this scourge. Here, take yourself a twig, go home and wait for the dragons at that cave. As soon as they get out, feel free to sit astride one and chase the other with a twig. When they get angry, you give them a twig to eat, they will immediately spill tar. And when you cope with the dragons, come to me and you will receive a reward!
She said and disappeared into the rock, and the rock closed with a roar.
Yanko did everything as the mountain maiden ordered. He defeated both dragons and rescued the people from trouble. Well, a month or two passes, Yanko got ready for the road again, dressed up in an elegant dress, and mounted his horse. And his horse rushed along the river bank under the Goat Rock. Yanko galloped there, lit the fire again, watered the horse, and at midnight began to call to the mountain maiden:
“Panna sorceress, I have driven out the dragons, freed the entire Orava region from them, give me the reward you promised from your treasures and some gift for my bride.”
The earth trembled under his feet, the rock parted, and a beautiful mountain maiden came out to meet him.
“Come closer, Yanko,” she called warmly. “Here’s silver and gold for you.” Take as much as you can carry. But my good advice to you is don’t take too much, know that greed has destroyed many brave men. It would be a pity for you, you are still young. Here are the pearls and precious stones, take everything as a gift to the bride, but don’t go for anything else, otherwise it will be bad!
Yanko filled his pockets full, filled his bag with silver and gold, and grabbed expensive pearls and stones. He stands, looks around - what else could he take? He sees the golden crown of a mountain maiden hanging, grab that too.
Oh, trouble for you, Yanko, Yanko! It's the end of you! The earth shook and the rock closed with a terrible roar. The dashing horse got scared and rushed home without a rider, as a messenger that Yanko was no longer alive. This is how Yanko passed away.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru