Tired of cramming words and figuring out difficult grammar rules? Take a break and read a story. Yes, reading fairy tales in Russian is a great way to learn the language. And it is suitable for everyone: children and adults alike. The main thing is to choose a text that suits the level and an interesting plot.
Fairy tales have changed a lot in the last hundred years. While they used to be rather violent stories with a sad ending, today fairy tales end well, evil is punished, and good behaviour is rewarded. Common elements of modern fairy tales include magic, magical scenery, clear concepts of good and evil, and a moral or lesson to be learned.
As well as general development and an opportunity to learn about the culture of the country where the language is spoken, fairy tales allow for all necessary language skills development. Reading, writing, listening and even speaking can be trained with the fairy tales’ help.
Fairy tales do not necessarily have to become a daily part of the educational programme but including them from time to time will be useful and allow you to diversify your Russian language learning.
For those beginning to learn Russian vocabulary and grammar, you should look at the simplest fairy tales, which are usually read to children. If you are already sufficiently advanced in mastering Russian, you can choose more complex texts. We have also made Russian fairy tales a selection, moving from the simple to the complex.
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Literally, the title of this tale can be translated as “small round loaf”. It is the most famous Russian fairy tales one. The plot is simple: a freshly baked колобок runs away from his grandmother and grandfather and, while travelling through the forest, meets various animals who want to eat him. He sings a song to them all and runs away from them, except for the last one. Thanks to the storyline frequent repetition and words and phrases a number, you will easily remember new words.
Literally: Ryaba the Hen. Once upon a time there was an old man and an old woman. They had a hen called Ryaba who laid a golden egg. Neither the old man nor the old woman could break the egg, but a mouse ran by, wagged its tail and the egg fell down and broke. The old man and his wife were very upset, but the hen promised to lay them a new, regular egg.
Literally: Turnip. Another tale that will help you learn animal names, relatives and simple grammatical constructions. Like the previous one, it is based on story repetition. A grandfather planted a turnip, it grew, and he could not get it the ground out alone. All the household and animals helped him.
Literally: Little Hut. This is a very popular children’s tale about a wooden hut that was empty in the woods. A mouse, who decides to live in it, first discovers it. Gradually various animals ask permission to move in, and the number of inhabitants keeps growing. The last to arrive is a bear, who cannot get in and decides to live on the roof, quickly crushing the whole house. Again, animal names, repetition and elementary vocabulary.
This tale is also sometimes found under the «Емеля-дурак» title (Emelya the Simpleton). The main character, though lazy and simple-minded, is good-hearted and relies on luck and the untranslatable Russian авось. The village simpleton by the Emelya name catches a magic pike, which promises to fulfil his every wish if he will spare it. Yemelya uses the magic wish to take everything care he is too lazy to do himself.
As in many fairy tales from Western cultures, cruel stepmothers are frequent villains in many Russian fairy tales. So it is in this story. The old man and the old woman have two daughters; one was rather ugly, but the younger one, Nastya, was skilful and beautiful. The stepmother decides to send Nastia off in the winter middle and leave her there to die. The inhabitants of the forest, including Ded Moroz, who is essentially the cold a human representation, decide to help Nastia her good heart because.
The Firebird is the most recognisable characters one in Russian folklore. Despite its beautiful appearance, this bird is not so good. In the tale, it constantly steals golden apples from the king’s garden. The king sends his sons in the mythical creature search and promises half his kingdom to the one who finds it. It is clear from the title that Ivan will succeed. To find out how the grey wolf fits into this whole story, you just need to read it.
Literally: Snow Maiden. This tale is about an elderly couple, Ivan and Mary, who had no children. One snowy winter day they decided to make a little girl snow out. In addition, she came to life. Unfortunately, the snow girl could not walk in the bright sunshine and could also easily melt in a fire. Unfortunately, the ending is sad.
The younger brother, Ivanushka, is always trying to drink water from puddles, but his sister warns him that if he does, he may turn into a goat. Eventually Ivanushka does turn into a goat. In that state Ivanushka runs into trouble – Baba Yaga takes him away. In this fairy tale the end is happy, and Alionushka manages to save her brother.
Kashchey appears in various Russian fairy tales. He is an evil sorcerer who often steals beautiful women, especially noble birth those. The heroes go to rescue the beauties, and luckily Kashchey turns out not to be so immortal.
Russian fairy tales help one learn about the Russian people values and their national character. This is how intercultural competence – an important component in learning the Russian language – is mastered.
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