1 00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: Cal Zone Media book Club Club. Hello, and welcome to 2 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 1: Cool Zone Media book Club, your weekly book club that 3 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: you don't have to do the reading for because I 4 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: do it for you. I'm your host, Margaret Kiljoy. And 5 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 1: it's spooky Month, you're thinking to yourself. But Margaret, it's 6 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 1: November and you're thinking incorrectly. You're thinking correctly that it's November, 7 00:00:37,159 --> 00:00:40,239 Speaker 1: but you're incorrect that that means that Spooky Month has 8 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 1: to be over. Because while I'm recording this on All Saints' 9 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: Day and the veil is still thin, although I saw 10 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:48,240 Speaker 1: a really good meme today that was like, the veil 11 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 1: is always thin, That's why it's called a veil. And 12 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 1: I like that. I like the idea that the other 13 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:57,040 Speaker 1: world is always right there next to us, so close 14 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 1: that we can almost reach out and touch it, but 15 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: then we can't. But that's why we have fiction and 16 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 1: things to kind of explore those ideas. Whatever. Anyway, next 17 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 1: week on Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff, my other podcast, 18 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: I'm going to talk about witches and the story of 19 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 1: the witch hunts in Europe, so check that out Monday 20 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 1: and Wednesday on Cool Zone Media. But I figured to 21 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 1: close out Spooky Month here on book club, I would 22 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:28,319 Speaker 1: read you some of the stories about, you know, witches, 23 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: and I went through and I found a bunch of 24 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: different ones, and I was really excited about some of them, 25 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 1: and some of them talk about like some of my 26 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,480 Speaker 1: favorite things. I love the washer at the Ford, the 27 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 1: Scottish folklore idea that there's this strange woman with long, 28 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: saggy breasts that hangs out and washes clothes in the 29 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: ford and if you see her, you have to like 30 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 1: grab her breast and then she'll tell you if you're 31 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 1: going to die in battle, because it's so weird. But 32 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 1: you want to know. I didn't read you that one 33 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 1: today because it has so many Scottish Gaelic words and 34 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 1: I would have to look them all up. And I'm 35 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: on a very tight deadline, so maybe i'll read that 36 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: one to you. I really liked it, well, I honestly 37 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: it was a whatever. I liked it because I like 38 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:08,360 Speaker 1: some of the concepts in it. I love the idea 39 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:10,959 Speaker 1: of the washer at the Ford, but it's not really 40 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 1: a witch, is it. I mean it's kind of a 41 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: way or whatever, which is whatever. I'm going to do 42 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 1: a whole two weeks worth of content about witches and 43 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 1: what isn't isn't a witch. But instead I'm going to 44 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 1: read you about Russian witches, which is cool. I thought that, 45 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 1: like you know, most Russian witches are sort of conflated 46 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 1: down to Baba Yaga, which we've done a whole series 47 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 1: of episodes about. If you want to hear me read 48 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 1: Baba Yaga stories and tell you about Babba yagah, go 49 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 1: back a couple of halloweens when I talked to Jamie 50 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 1: Loftus about it. But I found Russian fairy tales talking 51 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 1: about witches that are just sort of different witches, and 52 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 1: some of them like clearly relate into the Baba Yaga story, 53 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:47,919 Speaker 1: but they're not Baby Yaga. And I find that really interesting. 54 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 1: So you might find it interesting too, Who knows. If 55 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: you don't, hopefully you'll at least be entertained. I know 56 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: at least I've talked to a couple of people who 57 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 1: listen to this to go to sleep. So if that's you, 58 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 1: get ready to put on your sleeping mask, and if 59 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: it's not, you get ready to not fall asleep while 60 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 1: you're driving, that would be bad. These three stories that 61 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: I'm going to read to you today are from a 62 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 1: book from eighteen seventy two called Russian fairy Tales, a 63 00:03:17,639 --> 00:03:21,960 Speaker 1: choice collection of Muscovite folklore by W. R. S. Ralston, 64 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: who is mostly known as a Russian translator. This first 65 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 1: story is called the Dead Witch. There was once an 66 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: old woman who was a terrible witch, and she had 67 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 1: a daughter and a granddaughter. The time came for the 68 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 1: old crone to die, so she summoned her daughter and 69 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 1: gave her these instructions. Mind, daughter, when I'm dead, don't 70 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: you wash my body with lukewarm water, but phil a cauldron, 71 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 1: make it boil its very hottest, and then with that 72 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: boiling water, regularly scald me all over. After saying this, 73 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 1: the witch lay ill two or three days and then died. 74 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: The daughter ran round to all her neighbors, begging them 75 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: to come and help her wash the old woman. And meantime, 76 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 1: the little granddaughter was left all alone in the cottage. 77 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 1: And this is what she saw there. All of a sudden, 78 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:21,680 Speaker 1: there crept out from beneath the stove two demons, a 79 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: big one and a tiny one, and they ran up 80 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 1: to the dead witch. The old demon seized her by 81 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 1: the feet and tore away at her, so that he 82 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: stripped off all her skin at one pole. Then he 83 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 1: said to the little demon, take the flesh for yourself, 84 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:41,040 Speaker 1: and lug it under the stove. So the little demon 85 00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 1: flung his arms round the carcasse and dragged it under 86 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: the stove. Nothing was left of the old woman but 87 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:51,599 Speaker 1: her skin. Into it, the old demon inserted himself, and 88 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:56,159 Speaker 1: then he lay there just where the witch had been lying. Presently, 89 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 1: the daughter came back, bringing a dozen other women with her, 90 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:02,720 Speaker 1: and they all sa work laying out the corpse. Mammy, 91 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 1: says the child. They've pulled Granny's skin off while you 92 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:09,719 Speaker 1: were away. What do you mean by telling such lies? 93 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 1: It's quite true, Mammy, there was ever such a blackie 94 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: came from under the stove, and he pulled the skin 95 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:20,160 Speaker 1: off and got into it himself. Hold dear tongue, naughty child, 96 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: you're talking nonsense, cried the old Crone's daughter. Then she 97 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 1: fetched a big cauldron, filled it with cold water, put 98 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: it on the stove, and heated it until it boiled furiously. 99 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 1: Then the women lifted up the old crone, laid her 100 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 1: in a trough, took hold of the cauldron, and poured 101 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,279 Speaker 1: the whole of the boiling water over her at once. 102 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:45,679 Speaker 1: The demon couldn't stand it. He leaped out of the trough, 103 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 1: dashed through the doorway, and disappeared skin and all the 104 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 1: women stared. What marvel is this? They cried, Here was 105 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: the dead woman, and now she isn't here. There's nobody 106 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:00,159 Speaker 1: left to lay out or to bury. The demon have 107 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 1: carried her off before our very eyes. And that's the 108 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:06,479 Speaker 1: end of the story. It's a real short one. And Okay, 109 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 1: the thing I like about it is that here you've 110 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:12,480 Speaker 1: got this witch. She was like a wicked witch. What 111 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:15,839 Speaker 1: do they call her? A terrible witch? But she's like, well, 112 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 1: she cares about her family and she knows that, you know, 113 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 1: she's made all these packs with demons. So after she dies, 114 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:22,360 Speaker 1: like real bad stuff's going to happen. So she's still 115 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: just like looking out for her kids. You know. She's 116 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:27,720 Speaker 1: not like on the demon's side here. And I think 117 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:32,479 Speaker 1: that's sweet, much like I find it entertaining to be 118 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:49,559 Speaker 1: interrupted by advertisers like these ones. And we're back. Okay. 119 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,720 Speaker 1: This next story is just called the Witch, but not 120 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:57,480 Speaker 1: with two v's. It's a different story. There once lived 121 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:01,359 Speaker 1: an old couple who had one son called Vashko No 122 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 1: one could tell how fond they were of him. Well, 123 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:07,720 Speaker 1: one day Avashka said to his father and mother, I'll 124 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: go out fishing if you let me. What are you 125 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: thinking about? You're still very small. Suppose you get drowned. 126 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 1: What good will there be in that? No, No, I 127 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 1: shan't get drowned. I'll catch you some fish. Do let 128 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 1: me go. So his mother put a white shirt on him, 129 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 1: tied a red girdle round him, and let him go 130 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 1: out in a boat. He sat and said, canoe, canoe 131 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 1: float a little farther, canoe, canoe float a little farther. 132 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:36,760 Speaker 1: Then the canoe floated on farther and farther, and Avashko 133 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 1: began to fish. When some little time had passed by, 134 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 1: the old woman hobbled down to the riverside and called 135 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 1: to her son, Ivashak go, Ivashako, my boy, float up, 136 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 1: float up onto the water side. I bring thee food 137 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: and drink. And Avashko said, canoe, canoe float to the 138 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: water side. That is my mother calling me. The boat 139 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: floated to the shore. The woman took the fish, gave 140 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: her boy food and drink, changed his shirt for him 141 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 1: and his girdle, and sent him back to his fishing again. 142 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: He sat in his boat and said, canoe, canoe float 143 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 1: a little farther, canoe, canoe float a little farther. Then 144 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: the canoe floated on farther and farther, and Avashko began 145 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 1: to fish. After a little time had passed by, the 146 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: old man also hobbled down to the bank and called 147 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 1: to his son, Ivashko Ivasheko, my boy, float up, float 148 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,839 Speaker 1: up on to the water side. I bring thee food 149 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:37,120 Speaker 1: and drink. And Ivashka replied, canoe, canoe float to the 150 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:41,320 Speaker 1: water side. That is my father calling me. The canoe 151 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 1: floated to the shore. The old man took the fish, 152 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: gave his boy food and drink, changed his shirt for 153 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: him and his girdle, and sent him back to his fishing. 154 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: Now a certain witch had heard what Avashko's parents had 155 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 1: cried aloud to him, and she longed to get hold 156 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,079 Speaker 1: of the boy, so she went down to the bank 157 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:02,720 Speaker 1: and cried with a hole voice, Iva shack go, Iva 158 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: shack go, my boy, float up, float up onto the 159 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:13,079 Speaker 1: water side, I bring thee food and drink. Ivashko perceived 160 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 1: that the voice was not his mother's but that of 161 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 1: a witch, and he sang, canoe, canoe float a little farther, canoe, 162 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 1: canoe floats a little farther. That is not my mother, 163 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 1: but a witch who calls me. The witch saw that 164 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 1: she must call to Avshko with just such a voice 165 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 1: as his mother had. So she hastened to a smith 166 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: and said to him, smith, smith, make me just such 167 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:37,199 Speaker 1: a thin little voice as a Veshko's mother has. If 168 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 1: you don't, I'll eat you. So the smith forged her 169 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 1: a little voice just like Aveshko's mother. Then the witch 170 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: went down by night to the shore and sang, ivashek go, 171 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: ivashek go, my boy, float up, float up onto the 172 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 1: water side. I bring thee food and drink. Ivashka came 173 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 1: and she took the fish and seized the boy and 174 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:00,599 Speaker 1: carried him home with her. When she you arrived, she 175 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 1: said to her daughter, Alenka, heat the stove as hot 176 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: as you can and bake of Oshko well, while I 177 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 1: go and collect my friends for the feast. So Alenka 178 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 1: heated the stove hot ever so hot, and said to Avshko, 179 00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 1: come here and sit on this shovel. I'm still very 180 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 1: young and foolish, answered Avshko. I haven't yet quite got 181 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 1: my wits about me. Please teach me how one ought 182 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:28,000 Speaker 1: to sit on a shovel. Very good, said Olenka. It 183 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:31,320 Speaker 1: won't take long to teach you. But the moment she 184 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: sat down on the shovel, Avashko instantly pitched her into 185 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:38,439 Speaker 1: the oven, slammed too the iron plate in front of it, 186 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: ran out of the hut, shut the door, and hurriedly 187 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,520 Speaker 1: climbed ever so high in an oak tree which stood 188 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:47,959 Speaker 1: close by. Presently, the witch arrived with her guests and 189 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:50,720 Speaker 1: knocked at the door of the hut, but nobody opened 190 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:54,960 Speaker 1: it for her. Ah, that cursed Alenko. She cried, no doubt, 191 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 1: She's gone off somewhere to amuse herself. Then she slipped 192 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:01,440 Speaker 1: in through the window, opened the door, and led in 193 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:04,760 Speaker 1: her guests. They all sat down to table, and the 194 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 1: witch opened the oven, took out a Lenka's baked body, 195 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 1: and served it up. They ate their fill and drank 196 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,319 Speaker 1: their fill, and then they went out to the courtyard 197 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:17,080 Speaker 1: and began rolling about on the grass. I turn about, 198 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: I roll about having fed on a Veshko's flesh, cried 199 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:23,559 Speaker 1: the witch. I turn about, I roll about having fed 200 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:27,199 Speaker 1: on a Veshko's flesh, but Avshko called out to her 201 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 1: from the top of the oak. Turn about, roll about 202 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 1: having fed on a Lanka's flesh. Did I hear something, 203 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:36,240 Speaker 1: said the witch. No, it was only the noise of 204 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 1: the leaves. Again, the witch began, I turn about, I 205 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:43,760 Speaker 1: roll about having fed on a Veshko's flesh, and Avshko repeated, 206 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:47,079 Speaker 1: turn about, roll about having fed on a lanka's flesh. 207 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:51,439 Speaker 1: Then the witch looked up and saw Avashko and immediately 208 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:53,720 Speaker 1: rushed at the oak on which Avashka was seated and 209 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:57,520 Speaker 1: began to gnaw away at it. And she gnawed and 210 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:01,360 Speaker 1: gnawed and gnawed until at last she two front teeth. 211 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: Then she ran to a forge, and when she reached it, 212 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:07,280 Speaker 1: she cried, smith, Smith, make me some iron teeth if 213 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 1: you don't all eat you. So the smith forged her 214 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 1: two iron teeth. The witch returned and began gnawing the 215 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:17,560 Speaker 1: oak again. She gnawed and gnawed and was just on 216 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 1: the point of gnawing it through when Avashko jumped out 217 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 1: of it into another tree which stood beside it. The 218 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 1: oak that the witch had gnawed through fell down to 219 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 1: the ground, but then she saw that Avashko was sitting 220 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 1: up in another tree. So she gnashed her teeth with 221 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:34,160 Speaker 1: spite and set to work afresh to gnaw that tree also. 222 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 1: She gnawed and gnawed and gnawed, and broke two lower 223 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: teeth and ran off to the forge smith smith. She 224 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:44,960 Speaker 1: cried when she got there, make me some iron teeth. 225 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 1: If you don't, I'll eat you. The smith forged two 226 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 1: more iron teeth for her. She went back again and 227 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 1: once more began to gnaw on the oak. Avashko didn't 228 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 1: know what he was to do now. He looked out 229 00:12:57,200 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: and saw that swans and geese were flying by, so 230 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:04,319 Speaker 1: he called to them imploringly, Oh, my swans and geese, 231 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:07,559 Speaker 1: take me on your pinions, Bear me to my father 232 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 1: and my mother, to the cottage of my father and 233 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 1: my mother. There to eat and drink and live in comfort. 234 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 1: Let those in the center carry you, said the birds. 235 00:13:16,679 --> 00:13:21,560 Speaker 1: Avashka waited. A second flock flew past, and again he cried, imploringly, Oh, 236 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 1: my swans and geese, take me on your pinions, Bear 237 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,520 Speaker 1: me to my father and my mother, to the cottage 238 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 1: of my father and my mother. There to eat and 239 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:33,079 Speaker 1: drink and live in comfort. Let those in the rear 240 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 1: carry you. Said the birds again. If Oshko waited, a 241 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 1: third flock came flying by. A third flock came flying up, 242 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 1: and he cried, Oh, my swans and geese, take me 243 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 1: on your pinions, bear me to my father and my mother, 244 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:49,520 Speaker 1: to the cottage of my father and mother. There to 245 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 1: eat and drink and live in comfort. And those swans 246 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:55,679 Speaker 1: and geese took hold of him and carried him back, 247 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:58,079 Speaker 1: flew up to the cottage and dropped him in the 248 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 1: upper room. The next morning, his mother set to work 249 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 1: to bake pancakes, baked them, and all of the sudden 250 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: fell to thinking about her boy. Where is my Evashko? 251 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 1: She cried, would that I could see him? Were it 252 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 1: only in a dream? Then his father said, I dreamed 253 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:17,839 Speaker 1: that swans and geese had brought her Avashko home on 254 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:21,560 Speaker 1: their wings. Now, then, old man, let's divide the cakes. 255 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: Theres for you, father, theirs for me. Theirs for you, father, 256 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 1: and theirs for me and none for me, cried out 257 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:31,760 Speaker 1: of Oshko. Theirs for you, father, went on the old woman, 258 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:36,560 Speaker 1: theirs for me and none for me, repeated the boy. Why, 259 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,360 Speaker 1: old man, said the wife, go and see whatever that 260 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 1: is up there. The father climbed into the upper room, 261 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: and there he found of Oshko. The old people were 262 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 1: delighted and asked their boy about everything that had happened. 263 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 1: After that, he and they lived on happily together. The 264 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: moral the story is killed people so other people can 265 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: eat them, and then run home to your parents. Important lessons, 266 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 1: you know. But what doesn't have a moral are these advertisers. 267 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 1: And we're back. Okay, have one more story for you. 268 00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:26,160 Speaker 1: This one is called the Witch and the Son's Sister. 269 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: In a certain far off country, there once lived a 270 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 1: king and a queen, and they had an only son, 271 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 1: Prince Ivan, who was dumb from his birth. One day, 272 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 1: when he was twelve years old, he went into the 273 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 1: stable to see a groom who was a great friend 274 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 1: of his. That groom always used to tell him tales, 275 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: and on this occasion Prince Ivan went to him expecting 276 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,760 Speaker 1: to hear some stories, but that wasn't what he heard. 277 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: Prince Ivan said the groom, your mother will soon have 278 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: a daughter and you a sister. She will be a 279 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 1: terrible witch, and she will eat up her father and 280 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,920 Speaker 1: her mother and all their subjects. So go and ask 281 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 1: your father for the best horse he has, as if 282 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 1: you wanted a gallop, and then, if you want to 283 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:12,200 Speaker 1: be out of harm's way, ride away whithersoever your eyes 284 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 1: guide you. Prince Ivan ran off to his father, and, 285 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:19,600 Speaker 1: for the first time in his life, began speaking to him. 286 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 1: At that the king was so delighted that he never 287 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:24,760 Speaker 1: thought of asking what he wanted a good seed for, 288 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: but immediately ordered the very best horse he had in 289 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: his stud to be saddled for the prince. Prince Ivan 290 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 1: mounted and rode off, without caring where he went. Long, 291 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: long did he ride? At length? He came to where 292 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: two old women were sewing, and he begged them to 293 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 1: let him live with them, but they said, gladly would 294 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: we do so, Prince Ivan, Only we have now but 295 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:49,200 Speaker 1: a short time to live. As soon as we have 296 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:51,640 Speaker 1: broken that trunk full of needles and used up that 297 00:16:51,680 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 1: trunk full of thread, that instant will death arrive. Prince 298 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 1: Ivan burst into tears and rode on long, long did 299 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:02,120 Speaker 1: he ride? At length? He came to where the giant 300 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: Verdidub was, and he besought him, saying, take me to 301 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:09,520 Speaker 1: live with you. Gladly would I have taken you, Prince 302 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:12,520 Speaker 1: Ivan replied the giant, But now I have very little 303 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:14,879 Speaker 1: longer to live. As soon as I have pulled up 304 00:17:14,880 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 1: all these trees by the roots, instantly will come my death? 305 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 1: More bitterly still did the prince weep as he rode 306 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:23,920 Speaker 1: farther and farther on bye and bye. He came to 307 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:26,920 Speaker 1: where the giant vertigore was and made the same request 308 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:30,199 Speaker 1: to him. But he replied gladly, would I have taken you, 309 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:33,640 Speaker 1: Prince Ivan, But I myself have very little longer to live. 310 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: I am set here, you know, to level mountains. The 311 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 1: moment I have settled matters with these you see remaining, 312 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:44,760 Speaker 1: then will my death come? Prince Ivan burst into a 313 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:48,399 Speaker 1: flood of bitter tears and rode on still farther. Long 314 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:50,520 Speaker 1: long did he ride. At last he came to the 315 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:53,960 Speaker 1: dwelling of the son's sister. She received him into her 316 00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:56,440 Speaker 1: house and gave him food and drink, and treated him 317 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:00,080 Speaker 1: just as if he had been her own son. The 318 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,160 Speaker 1: prince now led an easy life, but it was all 319 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 1: of no use. He couldn't help being miserable. He longed 320 00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: so to know what was going on at home. He 321 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:12,959 Speaker 1: often went up to the top of a high mountain 322 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,160 Speaker 1: and thence gazed at the palace in which he used 323 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 1: to live, and he could see that it was all 324 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 1: eaten away, nothing but bare walls remained. Then he would 325 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:25,159 Speaker 1: sigh and weep. Once when he returned, after he'd been 326 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,639 Speaker 1: thus looking and crying, the son's sister asked him, what 327 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:32,159 Speaker 1: makes your eyes so red today? Prince Ivan, Oh, the 328 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:35,400 Speaker 1: wind has been blowing in them, said he. The same 329 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:38,440 Speaker 1: thing happened a second time. Then the Sun's sister ordered 330 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:41,160 Speaker 1: the wind to stop blowing. Again a third time did 331 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 1: Prince Ivan come back with a blubbered face. This time 332 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:46,720 Speaker 1: there was no help for it. He had to confess everything, 333 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:49,399 Speaker 1: and then he took to entreating the Sun's sister to 334 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 1: let him go that he might satisfy himself about his 335 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:55,679 Speaker 1: old home. She would not let him go, but he 336 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 1: went on urgently entreating, so at last he persuaded her, 337 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 1: and she let him go away and find out about 338 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 1: his home. But first she provided him for the journey 339 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:09,160 Speaker 1: with a brush, a comb, and two youth giving apples. 340 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 1: However old any one might be, let him eat one 341 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 1: of these apples, he would grow young again in an instant. Well, 342 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:21,200 Speaker 1: Prince Ivan came to where Verdigor was. There was only 343 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:23,920 Speaker 1: just one mountain left. He took his brush and cast 344 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:27,199 Speaker 1: it down upon the open plain. Immediately there rose out 345 00:19:27,240 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 1: of the earth. Goodness knows whence high, ever so high, mountains, 346 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 1: their peaks touching the sky, And the number of them 347 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:36,760 Speaker 1: was such that there were more than the eye could see. 348 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 1: Vertigor rejoiced greatly and blithely recommenced his work. After a time, 349 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:45,440 Speaker 1: Prince Ivan came to where Verdidub was and found there 350 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 1: was only three trees remaining there. So he took the 351 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:52,000 Speaker 1: comb and flung it out on the open plain. Immediately, 352 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:55,000 Speaker 1: from somewhere or other they came the sound of trees, 353 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:59,080 Speaker 1: and forth from the ground arose dense oak forests, each 354 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 1: stem more huge whig than the other. Verda Dub was delighted, 355 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:05,800 Speaker 1: thanked the prince, and set to work up rooting the 356 00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:10,080 Speaker 1: ancient oaks. By and bye. Prince Ivan reached the old 357 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: women and gave them each an apple. They ate them 358 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:17,200 Speaker 1: and straightway became young again. So they gave him a handkerchief. 359 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 1: If only you had to wave it, and behind you 360 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:23,560 Speaker 1: lay a whole lake. At last, Prince Ivan arrived at home. 361 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 1: Out came running his sister to meet him, caressed him fondly, 362 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:31,800 Speaker 1: sit thee down, my brother, She said, play a tune 363 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:34,159 Speaker 1: on the lute while I go and get dinner ready. 364 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:37,240 Speaker 1: The prince sat down and strummed away on the lute. 365 00:20:38,200 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 1: Then there crept a mouse out of a hole and 366 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:43,199 Speaker 1: said to him in a human voice, save yourself, Prince, 367 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 1: run away quick. Your sister has gone to sharpen her teeth. 368 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:51,200 Speaker 1: Prince Ivan fled from the room, jumped on his horse, 369 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 1: and galloped away back. Meantime, the mouse kept running over 370 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 1: the strings of the lute. They twanged, and the sister 371 00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:00,439 Speaker 1: never guessed that her brother was off. When she had 372 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:03,920 Speaker 1: sharpened her teeth, she burst into the room lo and behold, 373 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:06,360 Speaker 1: not a soul was there, nothing but a mouse bolting 374 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 1: into its hole. The witch waxed wroth, ground her teeth 375 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:14,200 Speaker 1: like anything, and set off in pursuit. Prince Ivan heard 376 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:16,960 Speaker 1: a loud noise and looked back. There was his sister 377 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:20,000 Speaker 1: chasing him. So he waved his handkerchief, and a deep 378 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:23,320 Speaker 1: lake lay behind him. While the witch was swimming across 379 00:21:23,320 --> 00:21:26,359 Speaker 1: the water, Prince Ivan got a long way ahead, but 380 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:28,639 Speaker 1: on she came faster than ever, and now she was 381 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 1: close at hand. Verdadub guessed that the prince was trying 382 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:34,840 Speaker 1: to escape his sister, so he began tearing up oaks 383 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:38,400 Speaker 1: and strewing them across the land. A regular mountain did 384 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 1: he pile up. There was no passing by for the witch, 385 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:44,399 Speaker 1: so she set to work to clear them away. She 386 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:47,920 Speaker 1: gnawed and gnawed, and at length contrived by hard work 387 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 1: to bore her way through. But by this time Prince 388 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:54,719 Speaker 1: Ivan was far ahead on. She dashed in pursuit, chased 389 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: and chased just a little more, and it would be 390 00:21:57,640 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 1: impossible for him to escape. Spied, the witch laid hold 391 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:04,720 Speaker 1: of the very highest of all of the mountains, pitched 392 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:07,399 Speaker 1: it down with a heap on the road, and flung 393 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 1: another mountain right on top of it. While the witch 394 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 1: was climbing and clambering, Prince Ivan rode and rode, and 395 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:17,160 Speaker 1: found himself a long way ahead. At last, the witch 396 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 1: got across the mountain and once more set off in 397 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:22,640 Speaker 1: pursuit of her brother. Bye and bye. She caught sight 398 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:26,119 Speaker 1: of him and exclaimed, you shantn't get away from me 399 00:22:26,200 --> 00:22:28,720 Speaker 1: this time, and now she is close, and now she 400 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:32,159 Speaker 1: is just going to catch him. At that very moment, 401 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,679 Speaker 1: Prince Ivan dashed up to the abode of the son's 402 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:39,840 Speaker 1: sister and cried, son Son, open the window. The son's 403 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:42,359 Speaker 1: sister opened the window, and the prince bounded through it, 404 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:45,679 Speaker 1: horse and all. Then the witch began to ask that 405 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:48,199 Speaker 1: her brother might be given up to her for punishment. 406 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:51,720 Speaker 1: The son's sister would not listen to her, nor would 407 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 1: she give him up. Then the witch said, let Prince 408 00:22:55,359 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 1: Ivan be weighed against me to see which is the heavier. 409 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:02,240 Speaker 1: If I am, then I will eat him. But if 410 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:06,000 Speaker 1: he is, then let him kill me. This was done. 411 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:08,720 Speaker 1: Prince Ivan was the first to get onto the scales. 412 00:23:09,119 --> 00:23:11,600 Speaker 1: Then the witch began to get into the other. But 413 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:14,359 Speaker 1: no sooner than she has set foot in it, than 414 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:17,640 Speaker 1: upshot Prince Ivan in the air, and that with such 415 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 1: force that he flew right up into the sky into 416 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:24,639 Speaker 1: the chamber of the Sun's sister. But as for the 417 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:30,560 Speaker 1: witch snake, she remained down below on earth. That's the 418 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:32,360 Speaker 1: end of that story. Okay. The thing that I find 419 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:34,879 Speaker 1: most interesting about that, I mean, obviously there's probably some 420 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:37,480 Speaker 1: like creation stuff going on or whatever about where the 421 00:23:37,560 --> 00:23:40,080 Speaker 1: sun is and shooting up in the sky. But the 422 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:41,879 Speaker 1: thing I find really interesting is that they were like 423 00:23:42,680 --> 00:23:45,080 Speaker 1: these poor giants. They're like, oh, I got to destroy 424 00:23:45,119 --> 00:23:49,800 Speaker 1: all the trees and mountains, and then they're almost done, 425 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:53,240 Speaker 1: and then fortunately they're saved by getting to do more work. 426 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:56,960 Speaker 1: And I don't know, I kind of like that there's 427 00:23:57,040 --> 00:23:59,600 Speaker 1: weird metaphors about us destroying the earth, but we're not 428 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:02,359 Speaker 1: going to be by a comb or a brush. But 429 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:06,159 Speaker 1: also there's just like I don't know, every week we 430 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: push that rock up the hill. Imagine sissyphus happy when 431 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:13,160 Speaker 1: more rocks arrive, much like I'm happy when I don't 432 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:15,040 Speaker 1: have to do any more ad transitions for the week 433 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 1: and instead tell you about my other podcast, Cool People 434 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:21,399 Speaker 1: That Did Cool Stuff, or the other podcast that this 435 00:24:21,440 --> 00:24:24,280 Speaker 1: one runs on It could Happen here. Both are part 436 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:26,200 Speaker 1: of cool Zone Media. This is the cool Zone Media 437 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 1: book club. You probably know that, but cool Zone Media 438 00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 1: is cool. It's in the name. It's also zone. I'm 439 00:24:36,359 --> 00:24:41,879 Speaker 1: done bye. It could happen here as a production of 440 00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 1: cool Zone Media. For more podcasts from cool Zone Media, 441 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:47,760 Speaker 1: visit our website coolzonemedia dot com, or check us out 442 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:50,720 Speaker 1: on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen 443 00:24:50,760 --> 00:24:53,639 Speaker 1: to podcasts. You can find sources for it could Happen Here, 444 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:57,680 Speaker 1: updated monthly at cool Zonemedia dot com slash sources. Thanks 445 00:24:57,680 --> 00:24:58,240 Speaker 1: for listening.