Russian folk tale
The Swan Geese
The Swan Geese — a Russian folk tale about a girl who sets off down the path to save her little brother. Read the full text for free.
The morning was white, so white — as if someone had scattered a milky little cloud across the yard. A girl named Maríchka sat on the bench and swung her legs, while her little brother Tymko laughed at the wooden rooster.
“Sit quietly, like a button on a shirt,” said Maríchka. “I’m only off to my friends — one-two, and back!”
But that “one-two” stretched out like dough for pies. When Maríchka came running back, the bench was empty, the rooster was silent, and far, far up in the sky the Swan Geese were sailing along — white and round, like little buns with wings. One bit of down floated free and spun beside her nose.
“Oh, my goodness, Tymko!” Maríchka clapped her hands. “Where are you, my little bell?”
And she ran off down the path. The path wound slyly and whispered through the grass: “Whoever warms the way with a kind word — for them the road grows bright.”
Listen to this tale narrated
Professional audio narration and many more tales for children aged 0–6 — in the Tale Tails app. Read or listen, even offline.
Get it on Google PlayQuestions & answers
What age is the tale “The Swan Geese” for?
“The Swan Geese” is best for children aged 3 to 5, though it is loved at any age.
Is there an audio narration of “The Swan Geese”?
Yes. A professional audio narration of “The Swan Geese” is available in the free Tale Tails app for Android.
Is “The Swan Geese” free to read?
Yes, the full text of “The Swan Geese” is free to read on this page, with no sign-up.
What is the moral of “The Swan Geese”?
A kind word rolls down the path and comes back like a warm little loaf.
