uExpress.com: Tell Me A Story by Amy Friedman and Jillian Gilliland -- (01/16/2005) adapted by Amy Friedman and illustrated by Jillian Gilliland

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01/16/2005

adapted by Amy Friedman and illustrated by Jillian Gilliland

THE BARD AND THE KING OF THE SEA (a Russian folktale

Once upon a time, in the ancient city of Novgorod in Russia, there lived a musician named Sadko. Sadko played so beautifully upon his instrument, called a gusli, and he sang so well that everyone admired him. But praise did not buy bread, and Sadko, in spite of all his skill, was poor. Around him wealthy merchants enjoyed their feasts and fun, but on many days Sadko did not have enough money for food. He envied his fellow men.

One day he sat upon the shores of Lake Ilmen playing his instrument and singing of his many woes. He sang and played on all day long, first one lament and then another. As the sun began to set, the waves rose on the lake, and Sadko heard a great thundering noise. The calm waters began to churn.

Terrified, Sadko picked up his instrument and ran home.

That dark night passed, and in the morning Sadko forgot his fears and remembered only his sadness. Again he went to the lake to sit and sing. This time, just as the sun began to set, the water swirled and thunder clapped, but before Sadko could run away, a beautiful maiden rose out of the water and called out, "Thank you."

Sadko could only stare. He had heard tales of the Sea King, but he had never imagined such a creature as beautiful as his daughter. "Don't be afraid," she said. "I love your music, and I have come to shore to offer you a reward for the way you play your instrument, the sound of your voice and the wit of your words."

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Sadko and Volkva, for that was her name, talked throughout the night, and at dawn she told him what he must do to overcome his woes. "When you go home you will visit the home of the wealthiest merchant in the city. All the richest men will be there, and when they have eaten and drunk all they desire, they will begin to boast. And you will offer a boast that will shame them."

Then Volkva told Sadko of her secret plan.

The next evening, Sadko did just as the princess had advised him, and after a grand supper, when everyone had eaten and drunk all they could, they began to boast. They boasted of their treasures, their prowess, their courage. They boasted of sweet young wives, of saintly fathers, of perfect children. Sadko sat quietly, but when they were quiet, he stood up.

"You may have gold in your homes, but I have the golden fish of Lake Ilmen," he said.

For a moment all the merchants were silent, and then they burst out laughing. "Ah, Sadko," one of them said. "A fine musician, yes, but no wonder you are poor. You are a fool. What a story!"

Now this was just as he and Volkva had planned. "If I were rich like you," he said, "I would wager gold for my words. Ah, poor me, I can only offer you my life in return."

"We accept your wager," the merchants cried. "If there are golden fish in Lake Ilmen, we will give you our ships and our shops and our goods. But if there are none, you will give up your life."

In the morning they all walked to the shores of Lake Ilmen. Sadko cast his net into the water. When he drew it out, there lay tiny fish of pure gold in the net, thanks to Volkva. Two more times he cast his net, and two more times he withdrew a net full of golden fish just as Volkva had promised he would.

The merchants stared in wonder, and then bowed their heads. "Fair is fair," they said, and they handed over their goods to the smiling musician.

Sadko built a beautiful home, and he too became a wealthy merchant. Soon he married a lovely woman named Lubava, and as time passed, he forgot about his gusli and the music he once loved. He never visited the lake to play.

Not long after the wedding, Sadko and his men set off on their ships to sell their wares. Sadko kissed his wife goodbye and promised to bring her many gifts upon his return, but as they were traveling home, a wild storm rose up at sea. Sadko's ship was tossed this way and that, fighting fierce winds and raging waves, and the men shook with fright. "We're going to die," they cried.

Suddenly Sadko understood. The Sea King was punishing him. He snatched his gusli and leapt into the sea.

Onboard, the men were amazed, for the storm instantly ceased, but Sadko felt a strong force pulling him down.

Soon Sadko stood at the feet of the Sea King.

"I wish you to stay in my kingdom and play for Volkva," said the king. "Now you must make music for us."

Sadko lifted his instrument and played with such passion and energy that everyone began to dance. As the music continued, the dancing grew frenzied, but Sadko could see the dancers had stirred up the sea. He worried for his men and his ships, but he was helpless to stop playing, although he tried.

Suddenly an invisible force pulled the instrument from Sadko's hand and dashed it to the sea floor. The poor bard collapsed.

When Sadko awoke, he was amazed to find himself back home, and sitting by his side was his beautiful wife. "Your men saved you from the terrible storm," Lubava whispered, "and you are safely home again."

Sadko was thankful to be alive and never again took his good fortune for granted. And in his gratitude, he named the river that runs through Novgorod "Volkva" in honor of the Sea King's daughter.