The Soldier and Death A Russian Folk Tale Told in English by Arthur Ransome

A weary soldier finally sets out on the road home after twenty‑five years of service, his only provisions three dry biscuits. Along the way he encounters three humble beggars, sharing his meager food before a rag‑clad stranger offers a mysterious gift: a sack that can trap anything he commands and a deck of cards that never loses. The exchange feels both generous and uncanny, hinting at the folk‑magic that threads through the tale.

Armed with his new talismans, the soldier soon tests their power, capturing a trio of wild geese with a single shout. He trades the birds for a hearty roast and a bottle of vodka, reveling in an unexpected feast as he continues his journey. The story balances humor with a gentle moral, inviting listeners to wonder how far a kind heart—and a little enchantment—can carry a traveler on the road ahead.