# The Old Woman — Russian Folktales character guide

> The Old Woman in Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Babushka

**First appearance:** 0017-b-ba-yag-and-zamor-shek

## Who they are

An old woman who gives advice or magical gifts.

## In the story

### [Danílo the Unfortunate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/dan-lo-the-unfortunate)

An old woman (Babushka) who first advises Danílo and later helps Alyósha.

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

The merchant's wife and Vasíli's mother, who initially rejects him but later serves him as prophesied.

### [Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/b-ba-yag-and-zamor-shek)

The mother who longs for children and helps raise the egg-born sons.

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

A kind old woman who shelters the beggar and later reports the dream prophecy to Mark.

### [The Soldier and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-soldier-and-death)

An ancient woman who pleads with the soldier to release Death so she can die.

### [The Midnight Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-midnight-dance)

Mysterious old woman (Babushka) who gives the poor nobleman the cap of invisibility and advice.

### [Vasilísa the Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/vasil-sa-the-fair)

A kind woman who takes Vasilísa in after her stepmother's death and helps her sell the linen to the Tsar.

### [The Poor Widow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-poor-widow)

A poor widow who generously hosts Christ and the Apostles despite her extreme poverty.

### [The Smith and the Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-smith-and-the-devil)

A rich old lady who is tricked by the devil into being burned and then rejuvenated, becoming young and beautiful.

### [Vasilísa Popóvna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/vasil-sa-pop-vna)

The Tsar's evil-tempered housekeeper who devises the tests to uncover Vasilísa's true nature.

### [The Soldier and the Tsar in the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-soldier-and-the-tsar-in-the-forest)

The old woman (babushka) who lives in the forest hut and acts as a receiver for the robbers. She is confronted by the soldier.

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

The boy's evil-minded mother who is merciless to the poor, refuses to break fast with the beggar, and ends up in Hell.

### [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)

One of two old seamstresses who give Iván a magic handkerchief after being rejuvenated by apples.

### [The Story of Tsar Angéy and How He Suffered for Pride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-story-of-tsar-ang-y-and-how-he-suffered-for-pride)

A widow who gives Tsar Angéy shelter and informs him that the current tsar has reigned for thirty-five years.

### [The Wood Sprite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-wood-sprite)

The pope's wife, who joyfully reunites with her lost daughter.

### [Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/sorrow)

The poor peasant's wife, who suffers alongside him and is present during the name-day visit.

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

Iváshechko's mother, who feeds him and calls him from the shore; overjoyed when he returns.

### [The Devil in the Dough-Pan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-devil-in-the-dough-pan)

The woman who kneads the dough and inadvertently traps the demon.

### [The Sun, the Moon, and Crow Crowson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-sun-the-moon-and-crow-crowson)

Wife of the old man; attempts to follow her husband's instructions but fails to produce magical results.

### [A Cure for Story-Telling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/a-cure-for-story-telling)

The wife who is passionately fond of stories and is eventually beaten and cured of her habit.

## Links

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