The Feather of Finist the Bright Falcon

There once lived an old widower with three daughters. The two eldest were fancy, selfish girls who only cared for clothes and parties. The youngest, Marusha, was modest and sweet, tending to the household gladly. One day the father prepared to travel to the city market and asked each daughter what gift she'd like. The oldest wanted fine silk for a dress, the middle asked for a gold brocade shawl, but Marusha smiled and said, "Please bring me only the feather of Finist the Bright Falcon." The father was puzzled – such a thing was strange and hard to find – but he promised to try.

At the market, the old man easily bought the silk and the shawl, but no vendor had a magic feather. On the way home, he passed a tiny hut with an old woman selling knickknacks. There he spied a bright feather stuck in the rafters. "That is Finist's feather!" cackled the old seller when he inquired. "It's precious – but I'll give it to you, kind sir, for practically nothing: one little copper coin." Surprised, the man paid a kopeck and got the shimmering feather. He brought it home and gave Marusha her prize, warning, "Be careful, dear – I suspect this feather is not ordinary."

Marusha placed the feather on her windowsill. That night, as she lay in bed, she heard a gentle rustling and a deep sigh. Suddenly a handsome young man appeared in her room – he had flowing dark hair and wore a tunic embroidered with falcon feathers. "Do not be afraid," he said softly. "I am Finist the Bright Falcon. By day I can transform into a falcon, and I fly over the world. By night I take my human form. Your pure heart called me here." Marusha was not afraid – she and Finist spoke like old friends all night. By dawn, Finist touched the feather and turned back into a beautiful falcon, and flew away out the window.

Each night Finist returned to Marusha's window, and they fell deeply in love. He would bring her little gifts – a wildflower, a fresh berry – and they would talk or quietly watch the stars together. Marusha kept his visits secret, but the noise and light eventually roused her older sisters' suspicion. Peeking through the keyhole one night, they saw the handsome stranger with their sister. Jealous that humble Marusha had a magical suitor, the cruel sisters plotted to spoil it. The next day, they hid sharp knives along Marusha's window ledge without her knowing. That night, Finist the Falcon came as usual – but when he tried to land on the sill, the hidden blades cut his wings terribly. Injured and heartbroken (for he guessed someone in the house wished him harm), Finist flew off into the dark, not transforming or entering as he usually did. On the wind Marusha heard his pained voice: "Farewell, my love! Find me beyond the thrice-nine lands, in the thrice-tenth kingdom." Then he was gone.

Marusha was devastated. Determined to find Finist, she begged her father's blessing, then set out into the wide world with only a small bundle. She traveled far and wide, asking everyone she met if they knew of Finist the Bright Falcon. She walked through sun and rain, forest and field. After many weary miles, Marusha came upon a little hut in the woods. An ancient woman, a babushka, lived there. Marusha respectfully greeted her and asked, "Grandmother, have you seen Finist the Bright Falcon fly by?" "Oh, my dear," said the old woman, "you still have far to go. But here, I will help you." The babushka gave Marusha a silver spinning wheel. "Take this. It is not ordinary – it will serve you when you need it. And now, go see my middle sister further down this road – she may know more."

Marusha thanked her and traveled on until she found another tiny hut. In it was another elderly woman (the middle sister of the first). Marusha asked after Finist, an In it was another elderly woman (the middle sister of the first). Marusha asked after Finist, and the grandmother replied, "Yes, child, I know of him. But you are still far from his kingdom. I will aid you. Take this golden needle and thread – they sew by themselves. They may be of use. And seek my eldest sister beyond the river yonder." Marusha accepted the magic needle and continued.

After crossing a river, Marusha reached the third grandmother's house (the eldest of the witchy sisters). This wise old woman said, "Finist the Falcon? He lives across the great sea, in the realm of the East. In fact, he lies there grievously wounded – rumor is a wicked enchantment cut him. He is under the care of a foreign princess who plans to marry him as soon as he recovers, for she knows not of you." Marusha's heart nearly stopped at those words. The old woman continued, "Worry not yet, dear. With true love, there is hope. Here, I give you a jeweled golden hoop. It can roll on its own and never misses its mark. Use it wisely. Now I shall send you to Finist's land." The grandmother summoned a giant magical whirlwind that picked Marusha up and carried her across the great sea in an instant, setting her down in the streets of a distant city.

Marusha discovered that in this kingdom, Finist (in human form) was indeed recuperating in the palace of a local king. The king's youngest daughter, Princess Dora, was tending to him and found him very handsome. Every day the princess tried to cheer Finist, but though his body healed, his spirit was filled with sorrow. He would only say he had lost something more precious than life. The princess had fallen in love with the mysterious stranger and hoped he would forget his woes in time.

✦An illustration from the tale of The Feather of Finist the Bright Falcon✦

Marusha went to the palace and spoke to Princess Dora's maid, offering to sell the silver spinning wheel. The maid brought her before the princess. Dora was immediately charmed by the delicate silver spinning wheel and wished to own it. Marusha said, "It is not for money, but perhaps, dear Princess, you would let me spend one night in the chamber where the wounded stranger lies? In exchange, the spinning wheel is yours." The princess, though puzzled, really wanted the spinning wheel. Thinking one night could do no harm (the man was weak and slept deeply due to a sleeping potion he took), Dora agreed.

That night, Marusha was allowed into Finist's room. There he lay on the bed, eyes closed. Marusha's heart swelled to see him again. She quietly whispered, "Finist, my Finist, I have found you at last." She talked to him in soft words of everything that had happened, of how far she journeyed. But Finist did not wake – he had been given a strong sleeping draught and was lost in slumber. Marusha held his hand and gently wept until morning. The next day, no change had come; Finist only stirred slightly, as if in a dream where he heard a distant voice.

On the second day, Marusha offered the princess the self-sewing golden needle and thread in exchange for another night in Finist's chamber. Dora, intrigued by the enchanted needle, again consented. That night, Marusha tried desperately to wake Finist. She kissed his brow and pleaded: "It's me, my love – Marusha! Wake up, wake up!" But Finist slept on, enchanted by the potion. Only a single tear rolled from his eye as if he felt her presence but could not stir. Marusha's tearful voice and touch nearly broke the spell, but morning came too soon.

On the third day, Marusha still did not lose hope. She had one last gift – the golden hoop. She bargained it for a final night. Princess Dora was very curious why this strange maiden wanted to sit in the sick man's room, but she was getting marvelous treasures in return, so she agreed one last time. That evening, Finist secretly refused the wine cup that contained the sleeping potion (for though weak, he had grown suspicious why he never woke at night when he dreamed he heard Marusha's voice). He pretended to drink, then lay awake. Marusha tiptoed in, assuming him asleep, and began to sing a soft lullaby that she had sung to him back home. Finist heard her and his eyes flew open. "Marusha! My dear love, is it you or a dream?" They embraced joyfully. The curse on Finist's spirit was broken. All night they talked and laughed, catching up on all that had happened.

In the morning, Finist the Bright Falcon presented himself to King and court, announcing he was healthy – thanks to the care of Princess Dora but especially thanks to Marusha, the true bride who had come for him. Princess Dora was crestfallen, but she accepted that Finist's heart belonged to another. Finist told the King of Marusha's long quest and bravery. The King gave them his blessing and even allowed them to take the magical items Marusha had traded (the princess had no real need of a self-acting needle or hoop now).

Finist, now fully restored, could again transform into a falcon. With Marusha on his back (holding tight to her precious feather), the Bright Falcon soared into the sky and flew all the way home. Marusha's father was overjoyed to see his beloved youngest daughter return in glory. The wicked stepsisters were astonished and somewhat chagrined – their jealousy had only strengthened the bond between Marusha and Finist. In time, Marusha and Finist married and lived happily. On special days, Finist would take his falcon form and together they would fly above the clouds. And Marusha kept as a keepsake the very first feather of Finist that had brought them together.