Discover the charming Russian folk tale of “The Kikimorka,” a story of courage, wit, and the power of nature to protect the innocent. A tiny, mischievous swamp spirit with a thimble-sized head and a straw-thin body emerges from the reeds at night, seeking to torment a young boy left alone to tend his garden. Ignoring warnings from the scarecrow, the garden bed, and the fence, the boy bravely stays to catch the thief stealing his peas—until the Kikimorka comes for him in the dead of night. But the garden itself rises to his defense: the apple tree pelts her with fruit, the rosehip bush stabs her with thorns, and a pot leaps from the fence to crash upon her head. Terrified and defeated, the Kikimorka flees into the forest, never to return. This delightful tale celebrates the courage of a child, the kindness of nature, and the triumph of good over mischief. Perfect for readers of all ages, this beautifully translated story will enchant anyone who loves Slavic folklore, magical creatures, and tales of clever triumph.
She appears thin and tiny—her head no bigger than a thimble, her body no thicker than a straw. Yet she sees far across the heavens and runs faster than the wind across the earth, constantly hopping in one place. Among the people, she is known as an unkind spirit. She emerges at night from the marsh reeds, comes to the village, and torments folk with her mischievous ways.
There was a boy left alone in a house. His parents had gone to the city and told him to tend the garden, to weed and water the beds. The boy left the house, went through the gate, and entered the garden. He began to weed the beds—and saw that someone had been there, plucking and tearing at the peas. He decided to catch the thief.
That evening, the boy returned to the garden and hid. Night fell. It grew dark and frightening. The wind moaned and howled. In the forest, an owl hooted. Suddenly, the garden scarecrow spoke:
“Boy, beware! The Kikimorka is creeping along the forest path, looking for your garden. She is coming for the peas. She will find you, pinch you, tickle you to death!”
The boy was not afraid. He did not leave.
The garden bed spoke:
“Boy, beware! The Kikimorka has come out of the forest, crossing the field. She is looking for your garden. She is coming for the peas. She will find you, pinch you, tickle you to death!”
The boy did not listen. He did not go home.
The fence spoke:
“Boy, beware! The Kikimorka has crossed the field and found your garden.”
The Kikimorka came at the dead of night for the peas in the garden. She saw the boy. She crept toward him, ready to pinch him, tickle him to death. The boy grew frightened and shut his eyes in terror.
The apple tree spoke:
“Go back to the forest, Kikimorka! You are not wanted here! Or I will pelt you with apples and beat you!”
The rosehip bush spoke:
“Go away, Kikimorka! Or I will lash you with my branches and prick you with my thorns!”
The pot on the fence spoke:
“Go away, Kikimorka! Or I will leap off the fence and fall upon your head!”
The Kikimorka answered:
“I will tickle the boy! I will take the peas!”
The garden bed began to throw earth at the Kikimorka, blinding her eyes. The apple tree pelted her back with apples. The pot on the fence dried and leaped down, falling upon the Kikimorka’s head. The rosehip bush drove its thorns into her side. The Kikimorka grew terrified, screeching and howling in a terrible voice. She leaped over the fence and fled into the forest.
She never came back to steal peas from the garden.