The Crooked Duck – A Russian Fairy Tale about Magic and Transformation

Summary

A story about a good duck who transforms into a girl, but whose kind heart is not appreciated. The fairy tale teaches us to pay attention to those around us and not miss moments of kindness.

The Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, an old man and an old woman went into the forest to collect mushrooms and found a duck. The duck was crooked, but they didn’t mind and decided to take it home. The duck was helpless, and the old couple felt sorry for her.

The man and the woman returned home, made a cozy nest for the duck, and went back to the forest the next day to collect more mushrooms. They left the duck in the house, unaware that this was no ordinary duck.

When they were gone, the duck suddenly transformed into a beautiful girl. She cleaned the house, cooked food, and even baked pies. When the old man and woman returned, they could hardly believe their eyes. Everything was clean and cozy, and there was a delicious pie on the table.

“Who has cleaned everything here?” they wondered. The neighbors replied, “A crooked girl came, fetched water, and tidied up!”

The man and the woman decided to go away again the next day, but this time they hid in the cupboard to see what would happen. When the girl transformed back into a duck and went to fetch water, the man jumped out and grabbed her feathers so she could no longer turn back into a girl. He threw the feathers into the stove, and they burned.

When the girl returned and saw that her feathers had burned, she cried and asked the old couple for a golden spindle to continue her work.

She sat down on the porch and began to spin. Soon a flock of swans flew by. The girl called out to them, “My dear swans, give me a feather!” But the swans replied, “Others are flying; they will give you one!”

A little later, another flock of swans passed by. She asked them for help again, but they gave her the same answer: “Others are flying; they will give you one!”

Then, when a lone goose flew by, it tossed her a feather. At that moment, the girl transformed back into a duck and flew away, leaving the old man and woman unable to do anything.

Moral

This fairy tale teaches us that good deeds are always rewarded, while cruelty and failing to appreciate kindness lead to losses. Sometimes, it’s important to appreciate moments of kindness and not miss the chance to help.

Questions about the Fairy Tale

• Why didn’t the old man and woman realize that the duck was magical?
• What happened when they burned the duck’s feathers?
• What lessons can we learn from this fairy tale?