# The Woodsprite — Russian Folktales character guide

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

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Woodsprite, Wood Sprite

**First appearance:** 0053-the-wood-sprite

## Who they are

A forest spirit who misleads travelers or tests their wits.

## Relationships

### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich)

_rivalry_

The Woodsprite is a mischievous or malevolent forest spirit that hinders or tests Iván.

### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich)

_rivalry_

The Woodsprite is a mischievous or malevolent forest spirit that hinders or tests Iván.

## In the story

### [The Tsarévich and Dyád’ka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-tsar-vich-and-dy-d-ka)

A magical being with iron hands, cast-iron head, and bronze body; imprisoned by the king, freed by Iván Tsarévich, later gives him a magical horse, sword, and whip, and his daughters give magical gifts.

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

Appears as a peasant cleaning his bast shoe and threatening the moon; claims to be the Devil's grandfather; shot by the hunter but escapes into the thicket.

## Links

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