The Self-Playing Gusli

A peasant named Alexei had a son called Vanya. One summer, they grew a fine crop of turnips, and after the harvest they noticed an unfamiliar boy by the field…

A peasant named Alexei had a son called Vanya. One summer, they grew a fine crop of turnips, and after the harvest they noticed an unfamiliar boy by the field with two large sacks. His grandfather had sent him to gather the roots left behind, but the boy did not know who owned the field. Vanya suggested asking permission first. Alexei gladly shared the harvest, and his son helped fill the sacks and carry them to a little cottage in the forest.

A grey-haired maker of musical instruments lived in the cottage. He offered Vanya silver in return for his help, but Vanya asked for the self-playing gusli that his new friend had mentioned on the way. The craftsman agreed on one condition: the music must bring people joy and never make them do anything against their will. He tuned the strings, demonstrated a quiet melody, and sent his guest home with kind wishes.

Before long, Vanya came to a large city and sat with the gusli on a tree stump beside a meadow. As soon as he touched the first string, the shepherd's pigs began to whirl merrily without leaving the soft grass. Passers-by clapped, and the animals stopped whenever they grew tired. A tsarevna heard the music from her window, came down without her attendants, and asked Vanya to teach her how to handle the magical instrument with care.

The next day, Vanya explained to the tsarevna that the gusli responded only to someone who could hear another's rhythm. She tapped out a simple beat with her palm, the gusli repeated it, and Vanya took up the melody. The pigs walked in a circle across the meadow, children danced nearby, and the adults left plenty of room around them for movement and rest.

The tsar held an open festival and offered Vanya a place as court musician. From the stage, Vanya replied that he would come to play at celebrations but wanted to live near his father and their field. The tsarevna supported his choice and played the melody she had learned. Alexei, the grey-haired craftsman, townspeople, and village guests sat before the stage, while the self-playing gusli brought them together in one kind-hearted song.