# The Old Man — Russian Folktales character guide > The Old Man in Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev. **Role:** minor **First appearance:** 0004-the-dun-cow ## Who they are An old man who appears as a helper or father figure. ## Relationships ### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich) _friendship_ The Old Man is a wise helper who gives Iván magical gifts or crucial advice at key moments. ### [The Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_boy) _friendship_ The Boy receives guidance and magical help from the Old Man, who acts as a mentor figure. ### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich) _friendship_ The Old Man is a wise helper who gives Iván magical gifts or crucial advice at key moments. ### [The Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_boy) _friendship_ The Boy receives guidance and magical help from the Old Man, who acts as a mentor figure. ### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich) _friendship_ The Old Man is a wise helper who gives Iván magical gifts or crucial advice at key moments. ## In the story ### [A Tale of the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/a-tale-of-the-dead) A man who died ten years earlier, appearing to the carpenter as a living friend. ### [The Sorry Drunkard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-sorry-drunkard) The sorry drunkard who drowns, is turned into a horse by devils, and is restored to human form by his son. ### [The Tale of the Silver Saucer and the Crystal Apple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tale-of-the-silver-saucer-and-the-crystal-apple) The peasant father who buys the saucer and apple for his daughter, discovers her body, and obtains the living water to revive her. ### [The Foundling Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-foundling-prince) The peasant who found and raised the boy. ### [Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/b-ba-yag-and-zamor-shek) The father who collects eggs and raises the forty-one sons; blesses the brothers when they go to seek brides. ### [The Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-dream) The wandering storyteller who dreams prophetic visions and interprets them for the peasant. ### [God’s Blessing Compasses All Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/god-s-blessing-compasses-all-things) Iván and Naúm are peasants; Iván is the skeptical one, Naúm the faithful one. ### [A Story of Saint Nicholas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/a-story-of-saint-nicholas) The guise of St. Nicholas, who serves as Iván's clerk and spiritual guide. ### [The Witch and the Sister of the Sun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-witch-and-the-sister-of-the-sun) Vertodúb and Vertogór, giants who help Iván by creating obstacles for the witch. ### [The Princess to Be Kissed at a Charge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-princess-to-be-kissed-at-a-charge) The father who dies and later rises from the grave to aid his youngest son Ványa, providing a magical horse and advice. ### [Donotknow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/donotknow) Iván's father, a merchant who buys the scabby foal as his son's luck and later is taken to live with him. ### [The Singing-Tree and the Speaking-Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-singing-tree-and-the-speaking-bird) A mysterious figure who gives the rolling-pin and advice to the seekers. ### [The Snake Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-snake-princess) A mysterious figure who exchanges a self-slaying sword for the magical keg, but is killed by the Cossack. ### [Beer and Bread](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/beer-and-bread) A mysterious visitor who guides the poor peasant with miraculous advice, turning malt into beer and winter sowing into a bountiful harvest. ### [Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/sorrow) The poor peasant who is plagued by Sorrow, loses everything, then gains treasure and traps Sorrow. ### [Iváshko and the Wise Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/iv-shko-and-the-wise-woman) Iváshechko's father, who calls him from the shore and later rejoices at his return. ### [The Sun, the Moon, and Crow Crowson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-sun-the-moon-and-crow-crowson) Promises his daughters to the Sun, Moon, and Crow Crowson; visits each son-in-law but fails to replicate their magic. ### [A Cure for Story-Telling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/a-cure-for-story-telling) A freezing peasant who agrees to tell stories all night but only repeats a single phrase, provoking the wife's interruption. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_old_man - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters