Gaffer Death

A poor man, desperate for a godfather for his thirteenth child, accepts Death’s offer. Death promises to make the boy a renowned physician, guiding him to heal or pronounce death. The physician’s fame grows, but his greed leads him to defy Death twice—saving a king and a princess. Death, betrayed, takes him to a cave of life-candles, where the physician’s life ends in Death’s hands.

Source
Folk-lore and Legends: German
Printed by T. and A. Constable,
Printers to Her Majesty,
at the Edinburgh University Press
W.W. Gibbings, London, 1892

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The physician attempts to outsmart Death by manipulating situations to save patients marked for death, showcasing human cunning against supernatural forces.

Tragic Flaw: The physician’s greed and ambition lead him to defy Death’s instructions, ultimately resulting in his own demise, illustrating how personal weaknesses can cause one’s downfall.

Eternal Life and Mortality: The narrative explores the inevitability of death and the human desire to overcome it, emphasizing the natural limits of life and the consequences of attempting to alter them.

From the German lore

Learn more about German Folklore

There was once a poor man who had twelve children, and he was obliged to labour day and night that he might earn food for them. When at length, as it so happened, a thirteenth came into the world, the poor man did not know how to help himself, so he ran out into the highway, determined to ask the first person he met to be godfather to the boy.

There came stalking up to him Death, who said–

“Take me for a godfather.”

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“Who are you?” asked the father.

“I am Death, who makes all equal,” replied the stranger.

Then said the man–

“You are one of the right sort: you seize on rich and poor without distinction; you shall be the child’s godfather.”

Death answered–

“I will make the boy rich and renowned throughout the world, for he who has me for a friend can want nothing.”

Said the man–

“Next Sunday will he be christened, mind and come at the right time.”

Death accordingly appeared as he had promised, and stood godfather to the child.

When the boy grew up his godfather came to him one day, and took him into a wood, and said–

“Now shall you have your godfather’s present. I will make a most famous physician of you. Whenever you are called to a sick person, I will take care and show myself to you. If I stand at the foot of the bed, say boldly, ‘I will soon restore you to health,’ and give the patient a little herb that I will point out to you, and he will soon be well. If, however, I stand at the head of the sick person, he is mine; then say, ‘All help is useless; he must soon die.'”

Then Death showed him the little herb, and said–

“Take heed that you never use it in opposition to my will.”

It was not long before the young fellow was the most celebrated physician in the whole world.

“The moment he sees a person,” said every one, “he knows whether or not he’ll recover.”

Accordingly he was soon in great request. People came from far and near to consult him, and they gave him whatever he required, so that he made an immense fortune. Now, it so happened that the king was taken ill, and the physician was called upon to say whether he must die. As he went up to the bed he saw Death standing at the sick man’s head, so that there was no chance of his recovery. The physician thought, however, that if he outwitted Death, he would not, perhaps, be much offended, seeing that he was his godfather, so he caught hold of the king and turned him round, so that by that means Death was standing at his feet. Then he gave him some of the herb, and the king recovered, and was once more well. Death came up to the physician with a very angry and gloomy countenance, and said–

“I will forgive you this time what you have done, because I am your godfather, but if you ever venture to betray me again, you must take the consequences.”

Soon after this the king’s daughter fell sick, and nobody could cure her. The old king wept night and day, until his eyes were blinded, and at last he proclaimed that whosoever rescued her from Death should be rewarded by marrying her and inheriting his throne. The physician came, but Death was standing at the head of the princess. When the physician saw the beauty of the king’s daughter, and thought of the promises that the king had made, he forgot all the warnings he had received, and, although Death frowned heavily all the while, he turned the patient so that Death stood at her feet, and gave her some of the herb, so that he once more put life into her veins.

When Death saw that he was a second time cheated out of his property, he stepped up to the physician, and said–

“Now, follow me.”

He laid hold of him with his icy cold hand, and led him into a subterranean cave, in which there were thousands and thousands of burning candles, ranged in innumerable rows. Some were whole, some half burnt out, some nearly consumed. Every instant some went out, and fresh ones were lighted, so that the little flames seemed perpetually hopping about.

“Behold,” said Death, “the life-candles of mankind. The large ones belong to children, those half consumed to middle-aged people, the little ones to the aged. Yet children and young people have oftentimes but a little candle, and when that is burnt out, their life is at an end, and they are mine.”

The physician said–

“Show me my candle.”

Then Death pointed out a very little candle-end, which was glimmering in the socket, and said–

“Behold!”

Then the physician said–

“O dearest godfather, light me up a new one, that I may first enjoy my life, be king, and husband of the beautiful princess.”

“I cannot do so,” said Death; “one must burn out before I can light up another.”

“Place the old one then upon a new one, that that may burn on when this is at an end,” said the physician.

Death pretended that he would comply with this wish, and reached a large candle, but to revenge himself, purposely failed in putting it up, and the little piece fell and was extinguished. The physician sank with it, so he himself fell into the hands of Death.

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Lion Who Thought Himself Wiser Than His Mother

Lion and Gurikhoisip quarreled over who would go to the rain-field, ultimately parting angrily. Ignoring his mother’s warning about Man’s weapons and dogs, Lion ambushed Gurikhoisip. Gurikhoisip, aided by his dogs, speared Lion, who fled wounded. Despite his mother’s earlier cautions, Lion succumbed to his injuries while lamenting. His mother mourned him, recalling her warnings about Gurikhoisip’s strength and weapons.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Tragic Flaw: Lion’s arrogance and overconfidence result in his demise.

Moral Lessons: The narrative teaches the importance of heeding wise counsel and the consequences of hubris.

Family Dynamics: The interaction between Lion and his mother highlights familial relationships and the impact of defying parental guidance.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

It is said that when Lion and Gurikhoisip (the Only man), together with Baboon, Buffalo, and other friends, were playing one day at a certain game, there was a thunderstorm and rain at Aroxaams. Lion and Gurikhoisip began to quarrel. “I shall run to the rain-field,” said Lion. Gurikhoisip said also, “I shall run to the rain-field.” As neither would concede this to the other, they separated (angrily). After they had parted, Lion went to tell his Mother those things which they had both said.

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His Mother said to him, “My son! that Man whose head is in a line with his shoulders and breast, who has pinching weapons, who keeps white dogs, who goes about wearing the tuft of a tiger’s tail, beware of him!” Lion, however, said, “Why need I be on my guard against those whom I know?” Lioness answered, “My Son, take care of him who has pinching weapons!” But Lion would not follow his Mother’s advice, and the same morning, when it was still pitch dark, he went to Aroxaams, and laid himself in ambush. Gurikhoisip went also that morning to the same place. When he had arrived he let his dogs drink, and then bathe. After they had finished they wallowed. Then also Man drank; and, when he had done drinking, Lion came out of the bush. Dogs surrounded him as his Mother had foretold, and he was speared by Gurikhoisip. Just as he became aware that he was speared, the Dogs drew him down again. In this manner he grew faint. While he was in this state, Gurikhoisip said to the Dogs, “Let him alone now, that he may go and be taught by his Mother.” So the Dogs let him go. They left him, and went home as he lay there. The same night he walked towards home, but whilst he was on the way his strength failed him, and he lamented:

“Mother! take me up!
Grandmother! take me up! Oh me! Alas!”

At the dawn of day his Mother heard his wailing, and said–

“My Son, this is the thing which I have told thee:
“‘Beware of the one who has pinching weapons,
Who wears a tuft of tiger’s tail,
Of him who has white dogs!
Alas! thou son of her who is short-eared,
Thou, my short-eared child!
Son of her who eats raw flesh,
Thou flesh-devourer;
Son of her whose nostrils are red from the prey,
Thou with blood-stained nostrils!
Son of her who drinks pit-water,
Thou water-drinker!'”

Lion’s Share

Lion and Jackal hunt together, but Jackal tricks Lion into believing he missed the game. Jackal secretly eats the best portion and manipulates Lion repeatedly, blaming others for his mischief. He deceives Lion into climbing a tower but drops him twice. Finally, Jackal feeds Lion a hot stone disguised as meat and escapes, leaving Lion injured and pleading for water.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The Jackal embodies the trickster archetype, using cunning and deceit to manipulate the Lion for his own benefit.

Conflict with Authority: The Jackal challenges the Lion’s authority, undermining his leadership through subversive actions and manipulation.

Tragic Flaw: The Lion’s gullibility and overtrusting nature serve as his tragic flaws, leading to his repeated exploitation by the Jackal.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Lion and Jackal went together a-hunting. They shot with arrows. Lion shot first, but his arrow fell short of its aim; but Jackal hit the game, and joyfully cried out, “It has hit.”

Lion looked at him with his two large eyes; Jackal, however, did not lose his countenance, but said, “No, uncle, I mean to say that you have hit.” Then they followed the game, and Jackal passed the arrow of Lion without drawing the latter’s attention to it. When they arrived at a crossway, Jackal said: “Dear uncle, you are old and tired; stay here.”

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Jackal went then on a wrong track, beat his nose, and, in returning, let the blood drop from it like traces of game. “I could not find anything,” he said, “but I met with traces of blood. You had better go yourself to look for it. In the meantime I shall go this other way.”

Jackal soon found the killed animal, crept inside of it, and devoured the best portion; but his tail remained outside, and when Lion arrived, he got hold of it, pulled Jackal out, and threw him on the ground with these words: “You rascal!”

Jackal rose quickly again, complained of the rough handling, and asked, “What have I now done, dear uncle? I was busy cutting out the best part.”

“Now let us go and fetch our wives,” said Lion, but Jackal entreated his dear uncle to remain at the place because he was old. Jackal then went away, taking with him two portions of the flesh, one for his own wife, but the best part for the wife of Lion. When Jackal arrived with the flesh, the children of Lion, seeing him, began to jump, and clapping their hands, cried out: “There comes cousin with flesh!” Jackal threw, grumbling, the worst portion to them, and said, “There, you brood of the big-eyed one!” Then he went to his own house and told his wife immediately to break up the house, and to go where the killed game was. Lioness wished to do the same, but he forbade her, and said that Lion would himself come to fetch her.

When Jackal, with his wife and children, arrived in the neighborhood of the killed animal, he ran into a thorn bush, scratched his face so that it bled, and thus made his appearance before Lion, to whom he said, “Ah! what a wife you have got. Look here, how she scratched my face when I told her that she should come with us. You must fetch her yourself; I cannot bring her.” Lion went home very angry. Then Jackal said, “Quick, let us build a tower.” They heaped stone upon stone, stone upon stone, stone upon stone; and when it was high enough, everything was carried to the top of it. When Jackal saw Lion approaching with his wife and children, he cried out to him:

“Uncle, whilst you were away we have built a tower, in order to be better able to see game.”

“All right,” said Lion; “but let me come up to you.”

“Certainly, dear uncle; but how will you manage to come up? We must let down a thong for you.”

Lion tied the thong around his body and Jackal began drawing him up, but when nearly to the top Jackal cried to Lion, “My, uncle, how heavy you are!” Then, unseen by Lion, he cut the thong. Lion fell to the ground, while Jackal began loudly and angrily to scold his wife, and then said, “Go, wife, fetch me a new thong”–“an old one,” he said aside to her.

Lion again tied himself to the thong, and, just as he was near the top, Jackal cut the thong as before; Lion fell heavily to the bottom, groaning aloud, as he had been seriously hurt.

“No,” said Jackal, “that will never do: you must, however, manage to come up high enough so that you may get a mouthful at least.” Then aloud he ordered his wife to prepare a good piece, but aside he told her to make a stone hot, and to cover it with fat. Then he drew Lion up once more, and complaining how heavy he was to hold, told him to open his mouth, and thereupon threw the hot stone down his throat. Lion fell to the ground and lay there pleading for water, while Jackal climbed down and made his escape.

The Lioness and the Ostrich

A lioness and an ostrich, acknowledging their equal strength, agreed to hunt together. The ostrich excelled in the hunt, killing more prey, which created tension. While resting, the lioness’s cubs noticed the ostrich lacked teeth and mocked his claim of equality. Provoked, the lioness challenged the ostrich to a fight. Using clever tactics, the ostrich defeated and killed the lioness, showcasing his unexpected strength.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The ostrich uses clever tactics to defeat the lioness, showcasing wit over brute strength.

Conflict with Authority: The ostrich challenges the lioness’s dominance, leading to a confrontation that questions established hierarchies.

Tragic Flaw: The lioness’s overconfidence and underestimation of the ostrich lead to her downfall.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

It is said, once a lioness roared, and the ostrich also roared. The lioness went toward the place where the ostrich was. They met. The lioness said to the ostrich, “Please to roar.” The ostrich roared. Then the lioness roared. The voices were equal. The lioness said to the ostrich, “You are my match.”

Then the lioness said to the ostrich, “Let us hunt game together.” They saw eland and made toward it. The lioness caught only one; the ostrich killed a great many by striking them with the claw which was on his leg; but the lioness killed only one.

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When they had met after the hunting they went to the game, and the lioness saw that the ostrich had killed a great deal.

Now, the lioness also had young cubs. They went to the shade to rest themselves. The lioness said to the ostrich, “Get up and rip open; let us eat.” Said the ostrich, “Go and rip open; I shall eat the blood.” The lioness stood up and ripped open, and ate with the cubs. And when she had eaten, the ostrich got up and ate the blood. They went to sleep.

The cubs played about. While they were playing, they went to the ostrich, who was asleep. When he went to sleep he also opened his mouth. The young lions saw that the ostrich had no teeth. They went to their mother and said, “This fellow, who says he is your equal, has no teeth; he is insulting you.” Then the lioness went to wake the ostrich, and said, “Get up, let us fight”; and they fought. And the ostrich said, “Go to that side of the ant-hill, and I will go to this side of it.” The ostrich struck the ant-hill, and sent it toward the lioness. But the second time he struck the lioness in a vulnerable spot, near the liver, and killed her.

The Lion and Jackal

Lion caught a large eland and asked Jackal to guard it while he drank water. Jackal deceived Lion by sabotaging his return climb, repeatedly using weak ropes to cause Lion to fall. Despite Lion’s demands for help, Jackal pretended to blame his wife and continued tricking him. Eventually, Lion was fatally injured, and Jackal and his wife escaped after feasting on the eland.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The Jackal employs clever tricks to deceive the Lion repeatedly, showcasing his cunning nature.

Tragic Flaw: The Lion’s naivety and overconfidence serve as his tragic flaws, leading to his downfall.

Conflict with Authority: The Jackal challenges the Lion’s dominance, undermining his authority through trickery.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Lion had now caught a large eland which lay dead on the top of a high bank. Lion was thirsty and wanted to go and drink water. “Jackal, look after my eland, I am going to get a drink. Don’t you eat any.” – “Very well, Uncle Lion.”

Lion went to the river and Jackal quietly removed a stone on which Lion had to step to reach the bank on his return. After that Jackal and his wife ate heartily of the eland. Lion returned, but could not scale the bank. “Jackal, help me,” he shouted.

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“Yes, Uncle Lion, I will let down a rope and then you can climb up.”

Jackal whispered to his wife, “Give me one of the old, thin hide ropes.” And then aloud he added, “Wife, give me one of the strong, buffalo ropes, so Uncle Lion won’t fall.”

His wife gave him an old rotten rope. Jackal and his wife first ate ravenously of the meat, then gradually let the rope down. Lion seized it and struggled up. When he neared the brink Jackal gave the rope a jerk. It broke and down Lion began to roll–rolled the whole way down, and finally lay at the foot near the river.

Jackal began to beat a dry hide that lay there as he howled, cried, and shouted: “Wife, why did you give me such a bad rope that caused Uncle Lion to fall?”

Lion heard the row and roared, “Jackal, stop beating your wife. I will hurt you if you don’t cease. Help me to climb up.”

“Uncle Lion, I will give you a rope.” Whispering again to his wife, “Give me one of the old, thin hide ropes,” and shouting aloud again, “Give me a strong, buffalo rope, wife, that will not break again with Lion.”

Jackal gave out the rope, and when Lion had nearly reached the top, he cut the rope through. Snap! and Lion began to roll to the bottom. Jackal again beat on the hide and shouted, “Wife, why did you give me such a rotten rope? Didn’t I tell you to give me a strong one?” Lion roared, “Jackal, stop beating your wife at once. Help me instantly or you will be sorry.”

“Wife,” Jackal said aloud, “give me now the strongest rope you have,” and aside to her, “Give me the worst rope of the lot.”

Jackal again let down a rope, but just as Lion reached the top, Jackal gave a strong tug and broke the rope. Poor old Lion rolled down the side of the hill and lay there roaring from pain. He had been fatally hurt.

Jackal inquired, “Uncle Lion, have you hurt yourself? Have you much pain? Wait a while, I am coming directly to help you.” Jackal and his wife slowly walked away.

The Galah, and Oolah the Lizard

Oolah the lizard, tired of lounging in the sun, practiced throwing boomerangs called bubberahs. A Galah admired his skill, but when Oolah threw one too hard, it struck her head, leaving her bald and bleeding. Furious, she attacked him, embedding prickles in his skin and staining him red. Since then, Galahs have bald patches, and red, spiky lizards like Oolah inhabit their land.

Source
Australian Legendary Tales
collected by Mrs. K. Langloh Parker
London & Melbourne, 1896

► Themes of the story

Tragic Flaw: Oolah’s pride in his boomerang skills causes him to throw it with excessive force, resulting in injury to the Galah and subsequent retribution.

Transformation: Both the Galah and Oolah undergo physical changes as a result of their encounter—the Galah becomes bald, and Oolah turns into a red, spiky lizard.

Origin of Things: The tale explains the distinctive physical traits of the Galah and certain lizards, attributing their appearances to this mythological event.

► From the same Region or People

Australia
- Narran Lore

Learn more about the Aboriginal Australians

Oolah the lizard was tired of lying in the sun, doing nothing. So he said, “I will go and play.” He took his boomerangs out, and began to practise throwing them. While he was doing so a Galah came up, and stood near, watching the boomerangs come flying back, for the kind of boomerangs Oolah was throwing were the bubberahs. They are smaller than others, and more curved, and when they are properly thrown they return to the thrower, which other boomerangs do not.

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Oolah was proud of having the gay Galah to watch his skill. In his pride he gave the bubberah an extra twist, and threw it with all his might. Whizz, whizzing through the air, back it came, hitting, as it passed her, the Galah on the top of her head, taking both feathers and skin clean off. The Galah set up a hideous, cawing, croaking shriek, and flew about, stopping every few minutes to knock her head on the ground like a mad bird. Oolah was so frightened when he saw what he had done, and noticed that the blood was flowing from the Galah’s head, that he glided away to hide under a bindeah bush. But the Galah saw him. She never stopped the hideous noise she was making for a minute, but, still shrieking, followed Oolah. When she reached the bindeah bush she rushed at Oolah, seized him with her beak, rolled him on the bush until every bindeah had made a hole in his skin. Then she rubbed his skin with her own bleeding head. “Now then,” she said, “you Oolah shall carry bindeahs on you always, and the stain of my blood.”

“And you,” said Oolah, as he hissed with pain from the tingling of the prickles, “shall be a bald-headed bird as long as I am a red prickly lizard.”

So to this day, underneath the Galah’s crest you can always find the bald patch which the bubberah of Oolah first made. And in the country of the Galahs are lizards coloured reddish brown, and covered with spikes like bindeah prickles.

A Markova tale

Three brothers—Grass-Leg, Bladder, and Little-Finger—face tragic misfortunes while eating blood soup. Little-Finger drowns trying to take marrow, Grass-Leg breaks his leg attempting to help, and Bladder laughs so hard he bursts. Their father, upon learning of these calamities from his wife, becomes enraged and kills her in anger, leaving the family in ruin.

Source
Tales of Yukaghir, Lamut, and Russianized Natives of Eastern Siberia
by Waldemar Bogoras
The American Museum of Natural History
Anthropological Papers, Vol. 20, Part 1
New York, 1918

► Themes of the story

Tragic Flaw: Each character exhibits a flaw leading to their demise—Little-Finger’s overreaching curiosity, Grass-Leg’s impulsive rescue attempt, Bladder’s excessive mirth, and the father’s uncontrollable anger.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts lessons on the consequences of unchecked emotions and actions, illustrating how individual flaws can lead to personal and familial ruin.

Cunning and Deception: The story subtly reflects on the deceptive nature of appearances and actions, where seemingly harmless situations lead to fatal outcomes, emphasizing the unpredictability of life.

► From the same Region or People

North Asia
- Chuvan Lore

Learn more about the Chuvan people

Told by Katherine Alin, a Russianized Chuvantzi girl, twelve years of age, in the village of Markova. Recorded by Mrs. Sophie Bogoras, winter of 1900.

There were three brothers. One was Grass-Leg, another was Bladder, the third was Little-Finger. One time they ate blood-soup. Little-Finger saw some marrow, and wanted to take it; but he fell into the soup and was drowned. Grass-Leg wanted to help him, but in his hurry broke his leg, seeing which, Bladder laughed till he burst of laughter. Their father went and asked his wife, “Where are our children?” She told him. He was so angry that he killed her.

The end.

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Story of a small girl

An elderly couple receives a son after praying to God. After a minor accident with a teakettle, they spank him and wish for a daughter. When a girl is born who grows quickly, the son dies choking on an elk head bone. Grief-stricken, the father accidentally cuts his foot and kills his wife with an ax, leading to their mutual death and the girl’s demise.

Source
Tales of Yukaghir, Lamut, and Russianized Natives of Eastern Siberia
by Waldemar Bogoras
The American Museum of Natural History
Anthropological Papers, Vol. 20, Part 1
New York, 1918

► Themes of the story

Family Dynamics: The narrative centers on the relationships within a family, highlighting the parents’ desire for children and the subsequent interactions with their son and daughter.

Tragic Flaw: The parents’ inability to appreciate their son and their impulsive wish for a daughter serve as their tragic flaw, ultimately leading to the demise of the entire family.

Loss and Renewal: The story depicts cycles of loss and the fleeting nature of renewal, as the family’s brief joy with their daughter is overshadowed by successive tragedies.

► From the same Region or People

North Asia
- Yukaghir Lore

Learn more about the Yukaghir people

Told by Kitty, called the Lamut girl, a Russian creole girl, aged twelve, in the village of Nishne-Kolymsk, summer of 1896.

There was an old man and an old woman. They had no sons or daughters so they prayed to God, and he sent them a son. He grew up quickly, and was useful in their household work. One morning they ordered him to start a fire. He climbed to the roof and pulled the skin stopper out of the chimney. Then he kindled the fire, and it flamed up brightly. He wanted to put the teakettle on the burning coals; but the kettle was set awry, and reclined to one side. Some of the scalding water poured out on the boy’s hand. He let go of the kettle, and it was nearly overthrown.

The father and the mother grew angry and gave him a severe spanking. “In vain was it that we prayed to God for you. Better were it if we had prayed for a little girl.” The old woman wanted to put the kettle in order, but she could not even move it from its place. Then the boy put the teakettle upon the hearth, at a safe distance from the fire.

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The old woman said again, “Bring some wood. We will cook the elk head.” He brought the wood and the elk head, and she cooked it; but the head remained tough, however long she cooked it. Meanwhile the old woman did not feel well. She lay down on the bed and brought forth a girl. This girl grew up in a couple of days, and was able to work. The old man said, “Thank God, we have a girl now! She shall work for us and do everything.” Again the girl cooked the elk head, and when it was done they ate of it; but the boy had a bone stick in his throat, of which he died. The old man and the old woman cried from grief, and repeated, “Ah, ah! we have a girl now, but the boy is gone.” — “It was you, old fool! who complained of the boy,” said the old man to his wife. After that he went chopping wood, and in his grief he cut his foot. He came back to the house; and the old woman said, “I always knew you were very clumsy.” He grew angry, and struck her neck with his ax. Both fell down and died. The girl also died.

The end.

Story of elk’s head

A family suffers a series of devastating losses. After their daughter chokes on a meal and dies, the grieving mother gives birth to a son, only to die immediately with the child. The distraught father lashes out at his wife’s corpse, prompting her to rise and strike him before dying again, ultimately causing his own violent demise.

Source
Tales of Yukaghir, Lamut, and Russianized Natives of Eastern Siberia
by Waldemar Bogoras
The American Museum of Natural History
Anthropological Papers, Vol. 20, Part 1
New York, 1918

► Themes of the story

Loss and Renewal: The narrative depicts a family experiencing profound losses—the death of their daughter, followed by the mother’s death during childbirth. The brief renewal through the birth of a son is overshadowed by subsequent tragedies.

Divine Punishment: The father’s act of striking his deceased wife results in immediate retribution, leading to his own demise, suggesting a form of divine or supernatural punishment.

Tragic Flaw: The father’s inability to cope with grief leads him to a rash action—striking his deceased wife—which precipitates his own death, illustrating a fatal flaw in his character.

► From the same Region or People

North Asia
- Yukaghir Lore

Learn more about the Yukaghir people

Told by Marie Dauroff, a Russian creole girl, aged fifteen, in the village of Nishne-Kolymsk, the Kolyma country, summer of 1896.

There were an old man and an old woman. They had one daughter. They said to her, “Go to the roof and bring the elk’s head.” She brought the elk’s head. They chopped it up small and cooked it in a kettle. They ate of it, and in one day they finished it. Then they said again to the girl, “Go to the roof and bring the mare’s tongue.” She brought the tongue. They cut it up small, and then fried it in a frying-pan. Then they wanted to eat of it; but the first morsel stuck in the throat of the girl, and she fell down, with the rattle of death in her throat.

The old man and the old woman cried for grief, but the girl soon died. The old woman cried so much, that she brought forth a boy. The old man felt joyful, so he wanted to celebrate the birth. He kindled a large fire, and went to the roof to get a leg of elk; but before he came back, the old woman had died along with the boy.

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The old man was frantic with grief. He cried at first; then he struck the old woman, and said, “Why did the ‘black ruin’ take you this time? You never even felt slightly indisposed.” The old woman was so angry, that she jumped up, struck the old man on the head, and died again. The old man fell down and scattered all around in their ashes.

The end. They lived and lived, and live till now, but get nothing good whatever.

Story about two girls

Two girls encounter mysterious men who warn of Yaghishna’s approach. When she attacks them, they miraculously survive and kill her. They return home, only to be confronted by fiery, vengeful horses that cannot harm them. Ironically, when the elder sister tries to light a candle in gratitude, they both burn to death.

Source
Tales of Yukaghir, Lamut, and Russianized Natives of Eastern Siberia
by Waldemar Bogoras
The American Museum of Natural History
Anthropological Papers, Vol. 20, Part 1
New York, 1918

► Themes of the story

Supernatural Beings: The girls encounter Yaghishna, a supernatural entity, and mysterious men from the “Upper Land,” indicating interactions with otherworldly beings.

Divine Intervention: The girls’ miraculous survival against Yaghishna’s attack and the fiery horses suggests the influence of higher powers protecting them.

Tragic Flaw: The elder sister’s attempt to light a candle in gratitude, leading to their demise, highlights a fatal mistake stemming from good intentions.

► From the same Region or People

North Asia
- Yukaghir Lore

Learn more about the Yukaghir people

Told by Mary Shkuleff, a Russian creole girl, in the village of Pokhotsk, the Kolyma country, summer of 1895.

There were two girls. They had plenty to eat, and knew nothing bad. One time they were walking about, and saw some men on horseback ride by. They went home, and found five men in their house, before the burning fire. “Who are you?” — “We are people from the Upper Land. We came from on high, and Yaghishna is also coming. She is not very far off.” — “Ah! we are afraid. Take us along!” — “How can we take you? Our horses are few, and we are too many for them.” Indeed, only two horses were tied to the posts opposite the entrance. The girls cried from fright. Meanwhile Yaghishna came. She took both girls and laid them down on the ground. Then she struck them with a big knife; but the knife could not cut them, and not a single wound was inflicted upon either of them. She raised her knife again; but one of the girls snatched it out of her hands, and struck her directly in the heart. She died. The girls started for home.

► Continue reading…

They arrived there and wanted to have some tea. They prepared it, and were going to drink it. The elder sister said, “I am very hungry. Go and look in the storehouse. Perhaps you will find at least a dried fishskin.” Indeed, she found a piece of fishskin, and they ate of it. In the meantime they heard the clattering of hoofs outside. They saw horses that were breathing fire, and that sought revenge for the death of Yaghishna. They struck at the girls with their iron hoofs, and trampled them down; but they could not inflict upon them even the slightest wound. So they went away, all covered with foam and even their breath of fire was extinguished.

The girls wanted to thank God for their salvation. The elder one took a thin wax taper and wanted to light it; but with the taper her own finger flamed up. She was burnt to death, and her sister with her.

That is all. They live and live, and get much that is good. I visited them recently. They washed their house.