Once upon a time, there lived a king who traveled a lot to different countries. And so, during one of his travels, he met a beautiful lady, whom he soon married and brought her to his home. Soon their daughter was born, and there was great joy, because all the people loved their king and queen. But on the very day when the child was born, a strange-looking old woman appeared in the palace and said that she needed to see the king. And when she entered the hall, she warned the king that the girl should not leave the castle doors until she was fifteen years old, otherwise the mountain giants would take her. The king listened to the old woman's words and ordered that the child not be allowed out of the palace.
A little time passed, and the king and queen had a second daughter. And again that old woman came and repeated her warning. Then the third daughter was born, and the same thing happened. The king and queen were very worried, but they strictly ordered not to let the princesses out of the castle doors under any pretext and patiently waited until their daughters reached the required age and could leave the palace. The girls grew and became more beautiful, but a month before the day when the eldest was supposed to turn fifteen, the king had to leave for war. On that spring morning when their father left, the sun was shining brightly, and the girls were sitting by the window admiring the flowers in the garden. They wanted so badly to go out and go down into the garden that in the end they could not stand it and ran down to the small door that led into the garden. Of course, there was always a guard at every door in the castle, who were ordered not to let the princesses out, but the girls begged and pleaded so much that the guard, who did not know why such an order was issued, could not stand it and allowed the princesses to go out into the garden.
They played among the flowers for some time, but soon a thick darkness descended, wrapped itself in a veil around them and soared into the sky, carrying the princesses to an unknown destination.
Messengers were sent to all regions, but they could not find out anything about the fate of the three princesses. When the king returned from the war, I had to tell him everything that happened, and the grief-stricken king and queen were left in their castle, empty without their dear daughters.
The king announced throughout the country that whoever finds the princesses will be able to marry one of them, and even receive half the kingdom as a dowry. Many young people responded to the call, and among them were two princes from neighboring countries, to whose ears this story reached. They set out well armed and on fine horses, because they were rich and powerful, but at the same time they were stupid and very arrogant. And all the time they boasted that they would soon return with the princesses and demand their due reward.
And in the same country, far from the capital, in a small forest hut, there lived a poor woman with her son. He was a nice guy, and also brave and strong. All day long he grazed three pigs in the forest - all their wealth - and played beautiful melodies on a wooden flute, which he himself had once made.
One day he was sitting like this in the forest and playing his pipe, when an ancient, ancient old man with a beautiful big dog approached him. The guy immediately thought, he would like to have a dog like this, so that it would protect him, and it’s a little boring, because he’s alone in the forest. The old man seemed to read his thoughts, because without further ado he offered him a dog in exchange for a pig. The guy immediately agreed, and the old man told him that the dog’s name was Quickgrab and the owner ordered him to quickly grab something, the dog would do so, even if it was a huge giant.
When the young man returned home and told his mother what he had done, she became furious, grabbed a stick and began to beat him, and did not stop, no matter how much he begged her. Then he called. Quickhook, who immediately rushed and quickly grabbed her, but at the same time, however, did not hurt her. So the woman had to come to terms with the loss.
The next day the guy went into the forest again, sat down on a stump and began playing the flute, and the dog danced to the music in the most amazing way. Soon the old man appeared again with a new dog, and again the exchange was made, because the guy thought it would be great to have two dogs for his protection. The second dog's name was Tear, and the old man said that if he was ordered, he would tear to shreds even the most terrible giant in the world. The young man's mother was very annoyed, but this time she did not bother him - she was too afraid of two huge dogs!
The next day, as usual, he went into the forest again. Now he had only one pig left, but he had two huge dogs with him, who danced when he played his flute.
And the old man appeared again. This time the third and last pig was given in exchange for a dog. This dog was called Sharp-eared because he had such fine hearing that he could hear everything that was going on for miles and miles around, he could even hear the grass growing and flowers blooming - his hearing was so fine, according to the old man.
And the guy came home quite happy with his three dogs, and although his mother was unpleasantly surprised - and not surprising, because now she was left without her favorite pigs - the young man sincerely assured her that she was not left at a loss, but on the contrary - she exchanged her pigs for something very necessary on the farm.
The next day he went hunting very early and returned only late in the evening, loaded with game, which he shot in the forest. Another day later, he told his mother that he wanted to go try his luck and return rich to ensure her a calm old age.
He walked a long way, and in the deep thicket of a huge dense forest he again met the old man from whom he received the dogs.
The old man asked where he was going, and when the young man replied that he was going to try his luck, the old man advised him to go straight until he reached the royal palace, and there luck would await him. The guy listened to the advice and cheerfully followed the indicated path. On the road, he paid for food and lodging by staging performances, where he himself played the flute, and the dogs danced to his music.
Finally he came to a large city, and there he heard about a royal decree, which spoke of the missing princesses, since it was in this city that the palace of the king, their father, was located. He remembered what the old man had told him and went straight to the palace where the unfortunate king and queen lived. When he demonstrated to the royal chamberlain how dogs could dance, he was immediately allowed to perform before their majesties in the hope that this would at least amuse them a little. And the king was so amazed to see the dog dancing that he immediately asked the young man what reward he wanted. But the young man replied that his only request was to be allowed to go in search of the princesses. The king did not think that such a young boy could have any chance of success, but he did not forbid him to go and said that he would not be denied the promised rewards if he brought back three girls.
And the young man set off on a journey with his three dogs, and I must say that on this journey they were very useful to him. Pointy Ear kept telling him what was going on for miles around. Quickgrab carried his bundle, and the young man himself, when he was very tired, rode on Razorvi, because Razorvi was the strongest of all the dogs. One day, Sharp-Ear ran up to the young man and said that they were approaching a large mountain and that he could hear one of the princesses spinning yarn inside the mountain.
“The mountains belong to the giant,” said Sharp Ear, “but he is not at home now.”
When she arrived at the mountain, Sharp Ear said that he heard the sound of the golden horseshoes of a giant's horse ten miles away.
The guy ordered the dogs to break down the door in the mountain, and there, inside, he saw a beautiful princess sitting and spinning golden yarn. Seeing our boy, she was very surprised, because she had not seen a single living creature in the last seven years. She begged him to leave because she knew that the giant would kill him as soon as he returned. But the young man did not go anywhere. When the giant returned, he became furious when he saw that the door had been broken down, and shouted in a thunderous voice:
-Who dared to break down my door?
“I dared,” answered the young man, “and now I will break all your bones.” After that, he unleashed his dogs on the giant, and they tore him to shreds.
Then the young man loaded the giant's horse with a bag of jewelry, placed the princess in the saddle and continued on his way. They rode like this for several days, but then Sharp Ear ran up and said that they were again approaching a high mountain and he could hear a girl spinning yarn on the mountain. The giant was not at home, but he was about eight miles away. Pointy Ear heard the sound of his horse's golden shoes. As before, the dogs broke down the door in grief, and the second princess was saved. And when the giant arrived, the dogs dealt with him as quickly as they did with his brother. Then the young man seated the second princess on a gold-shod horse, and they continued their journey together. You can imagine how happy the princesses were when they met after so many years of separation.
A few days later, the travelers reached the third mountain. This time the giant was five miles from his home. Inside the mountain sat the third beautiful princess and weaved golden cloth. But when the third giant arrived home, he did not shout or swear, because he already knew about the fate of his hot-tempered brothers. On the contrary, he began to pretend to have good manners and friendly invited the young man to stay and dine with him. The young man was touched and accepted the invitation, but the princess began to cry quietly, and the dogs had a heavy heart. When the meal was finished, the young man asked if there was anything to drink.
“At the top of the hill,” answered the giant, “there is a spring in which pure wine flows.” But I have no one to send there to bring us wine.
“Nothing,” said the young man, “I’ll send one of my dogs.” The giant was pleased because he really wanted to get rid of the dogs. And Quickhook was given a jug and told to go get some wine. And he reluctantly went. Time passed, and the dog still did not return, and the giant offered to send Rip, although he even more did not want to leave and leave the owner alone, but he had no choice but to obey him. The princess began to cry, and the giant rejoiced, seeing that his plans were being realized. Some more time passed, and the giant said:
“I don’t have a very high opinion of your dogs, they are not very obedient, and now they are probably chasing a hare around the mountain.” The young man became angry when he heard these words, and ordered Sharp Ear to immediately go and bring the rest of the dogs back. Sharp Ear didn't want to go either, but the owner insisted. And as soon as the dog reached the top of the mountain, a high stone wall grew around him. This is what happened to his comrades. It was the giant who wanted to prevent them with the help of magic spells. And now, when the dog was gone, the giant grabbed a huge sword that was hanging on the wall and told the young man that the time had come for him to part with his life. The young man was very scared, but he did not lose his head.
“I have just one request,” he said. “Before I die, let me pray and play a hymn on my wooden flute.” The giant agreed, but as soon as the young man began to play his flute, the spell immediately dissipated, and the freed dogs rushed down the mountain and tore the giant to shreds.
This time the young man found a golden chariot that belonged to the giant, harnessed the horses to it and took the princesses to their father's house. The princesses simply did not know how to thank their brave savior. He was a handsome guy, and as he drove his chariot, his dark locks fluttered in the wind. Each of the princesses took a gold ring from her finger and wove it into his hair. They were already approaching the house when two pathetic ragamuffins stopped them and asked for help. It turned out that these were the same two princes who once went in search of princesses. They failed and looked pathetic because they had spent all their money, and with it all their former power.
The young man took pity on them and took them into the chariot. But they were very cruel and envious, and when they learned about the adventures of the young man, they decided to get rid of him.
One day the dogs were hunting somewhere in the forest, and the princes attacked the young man and strangled him before he could call them. The vile princes threatened the princesses and, on pain of death, made them swear that they would remain silent about everything. And then they ran away and left the poor guy lying on the path. The princesses went home and were very sad, especially the youngest. She and the young man fell in love, and the girl promised to become his wife. But very soon the dogs rushed in search of their owner, and when they found him, they licked his wounds and lay down on all sides, preventing him from freezing. Not much time passed before the guy came to life and was ready to continue his journey. But when he arrived at the king's palace, he found that many guests had gathered there, everyone was rejoicing and having fun. The young man asked what holiday was celebrated, and he was told that the eldest princesses married two princes, who told everyone about their exploits. But the youngest princess, he was told, did not take part in the celebration. She sits aside and cries all the time.
The young man asked if he could entertain the guests with dog dances, and when he was brought into the hall, everyone was amazed by his attractive appearance and pleasant manners. But as soon as the three princesses saw him, they jumped up from their seats and rushed into the arms of their savior. At the sight of this, the vile deceiving princes had no choice but to hastily flee, and no one heard anything about them again. The young man could easily prove the truth with the help of the rings given by the princesses, but he did not have to do this, because everyone already believed him. He married the youngest princess, and soon husbands were found for the other two.
The brave young man earned great honor, and when the old king died, he was chosen to rule the kingdom. The legends say nothing about the old mother and three dogs, but it must be assumed that the old woman was surrounded by everyone's attention and respect until the end of her days. As for the dogs, they were cared for and cherished by the entire court, and when the young king and queen had children, Quickhook, Sharp-Ear and Rip-Up guarded them and played with them better than any nanny!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru