Discover the enchanting Russian folk tale of “The Cat Bayun,” a magical creature whose mesmerizing voice can cast enchanted dreams and visions over anyone who hears him. Walking through the city at dusk with two kittens on his back and two bundles on his tail, the Cat Bayun offers a kitten to a kind girl—rewarding her with a beautiful dream of being a squirrel, a fish, and a lark. But when a cruel boy rejects the kitten, the Cat gives him a nightmare of being hunted by a wolf, a kite, and a pike, culminating in a terrifying vision of being cooked in a fisherman’s pot. The boy wakes screaming, realizing the consequences of his cruelty. This captivating tale explores themes of kindness and compassion, showing that gentle souls are rewarded with sweet dreams while the unkind suffer the horrors of their own hearts. Perfect for readers of all ages, this beautifully translated story will enchant anyone who loves Slavic folklore, magical creatures, and tales of moral consequence.
He is gifted with a wondrous, mesmerizing voice, audible for seven versts around. When he purrs, he casts upon whomever he wishes an enchanted sleep. The visions in that sleep are indistinguishable from waking life, and everything unfolds as if it were real.
Dusk falls. The streets grow dark and deserted. Through the city walks the Cat Bayun. Two little bundles hang from his tail, and two tiny kittens ride upon his back.
He approaches a house, opens a window, and offers a kitten. A girl sees it, delights, and cries:
“What a pretty, handsome little kitten! I will take it!”
She takes the kitten and goes to bed. The Cat Bayun is pleased. He unties one bundle, releasing Sleep and Slumber into the air, and purrs:
“Murr-murr-murr, fall asleep! Murr-murr-murr, fall asleep!”
Sweet sleep begins to overcome the girl. Slumber settles upon her eyes. And she dreams that she is a little squirrel with a golden nut, leaping from branch to branch. She dreams she is a fish with a silver back, swimming across the ocean, outpacing ships. She dreams she is a lark, flying over the fields, singing songs, and touching the sun with her wings.
The Cat Bayun walks on. He opens a window in another house. He offers a kitten. A boy sees it and says:
“I do not like kittens! I would be glad to torment one!”
The Cat Bayun does not give him the kitten. The boy goes to bed. The Cat is displeased. He casts Sleep and Slumber, purring:
“Murr-murr, fall asleep! Murr-murr, fall asleep!”
Sleep overcomes the boy. Slumber closes his eyes. He dreams he is a hare, and a wolf is chasing him, about to seize him with its teeth. The hare stumbles, tumbles head over heels, turns into a dove, and flies into the sky. A kite spots the dove and chases it, about to sink its claws in. The dove dives into the water and turns into a carp, swimming through the sea. A pike sees the carp, opens its jaws, bares its sharp teeth, and gives chase. The carp does not want to meet his end at the pike’s mouth. He leaps onto the shore—and straight into a fisherman’s pot. The fisherman sees the fish, puts the pot on the fire, and says:
“Fine fish soup that will be!”
The boy becomes terrified and screams:
“Help! I am lost!”
And he wakes up, opening his eyes. The Cat Bayun closes the window and continues on his way through the city.