
VEROTCHKA'S TALES - by - MAMIN SIBERIAK - TRANSLATED BY RAY DAVIDSON
VEROTCHKA'S TALES
HOW THEY HAPPENED
THE STORY OF A BOLD RABBIT WITH COCK EYES AND A SHORT TAIL
THE STORY OF LITTLE CACINELLA - I
THE STORY OF MOSQUITO LONG-NOSE AND FUZZY BEAR, MISHKA SHORT-TAIL - I
VANKA'S BIRTHDAY - I
THE STORY OF MASTER SPARROW, MASTER STICKELBACK AND THE JOLLY CHIMNEY-SWEEP, YASHA - I
THE STORY OF THE LAST FLY - I
THE STORY OF A BLACK-HEADED CROW AND A LITTLE YELLOW CANARY - I
A soft lullaby drifts through a quiet room as a father begins to whisper a string of forest tales for his sleepy child. The stories unfold around familiar Siberian animals—a cock‑eyed rabbit, a shaggy dog, a curious sparrow, and a mischievous wolf—each brought to life with vivid, playful language. Listeners are drawn into a world where the moonlit woods hum with chatter and the ordinary becomes wonderfully extraordinary.
The rabbit who declares he fears nothing, the clever crow that outwits a hungry fox, and the tiny mouse who discovers hidden courage all illustrate the timeless charm of folk wisdom. Each creature’s personality shines through witty dialogue and gentle humor, inviting both laughter and reflection. The narratives are short enough to hold a child’s attention yet layered with subtle lessons about bravery, humility, and community.
Accompanied by delicate illustrations that echo the gentle rhythm of the storytelling, the collection feels like a bedtime ritual passed down through generations. Its warm, melodic tone makes it perfect for listeners seeking a comforting escape into folklore that soothes the night while sparking the imagination.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (113K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, JoAnn Greenwood and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2011-01-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1852–1912
Best known for vivid novels, stories, and children's tales rooted in the Ural Mountains, this Russian realist wrote with a strong feel for place and everyday life. His work ranges from broad social fiction to warm, memorable stories for younger readers.
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