# The Boy — Russian Folktales character guide

> The Boy in Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0004-the-dun-cow

## Who they are

A young boy who appears as a protagonist in several tales.

## Relationships

### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_old_man)

_friendship_

The Boy receives guidance and magical help from the Old Man, who acts as a mentor figure.

### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_old_man)

_friendship_

The Boy receives guidance and magical help from the Old Man, who acts as a mentor figure.

## In the story

### [The Foundling Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-foundling-prince)

The foundling prince, clever and beautiful, who solves the Tsar's riddle.

### [The Language of the Birds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-language-of-the-birds)

Vasíli, the merchant's wise son who understands the language of birds and uses his gift to navigate dangers and win a kingdom.

### [Mark the Rich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/mark-the-rich)

The peasant child prophesied to inherit Mark's wealth; saved from multiple murder attempts and eventually marries Mark's daughter.

### [The Thoughtless Word](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-thoughtless-word)

The poor young son who angrily wishes for a bride from the Devil and successfully chooses the captive maiden.

### [The Brother of Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-brother-of-christ)

A pious young man who honors his father's wish to help the poor, shares Easter eggs, exchanges crosses with Christ, and journeys to Paradise and Hell.

### [The Quarrelsome Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-quarrelsome-wife)

The boyárs whose palace is troubled by familiar spirits.

### [The Singing-Tree and the Speaking-Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-singing-tree-and-the-speaking-bird)

The two brothers who attempt to retrieve the magical items and are turned to stone.

### [At the Behest of the Pike](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/at-the-behest-of-the-pike)

The son of the Tsarévna and the poor peasant, who grows rapidly and becomes a mighty knight.

### [Iváshko and the Wise Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/iv-shko-and-the-wise-woman)

Iváshechko, the clever young son who outwits the witch and escapes being eaten.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_boy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters