Page:RussianFolkTales Afanasev 368pgs.djvu/22



day a peasant was going by night with pots on his head. He journeyed on and on, and his horse became tired and came to a spot in front of God's acre. The peasant ungirded the horse, set it to graze, but he could not get any sleep. He lay down and lay down, suddenly the grave began opening under him, and he felt it and leaped to his feet. Then the grave opened and the corpse with the coffin lid got out, with his white shroud on; got out and ran up to the church door, laid the coffin lid at the gate and himself went into the village.

Now this peasant was a bold fellow: so he took the coffin lid and set it by his teléga, and went to see what would come of it. Very soon the corpse came back, looked about him and could not find the coffin lid anywhere, and began to hunt for it. And at last he came up to the peasant, and said, "Give me my coffin lid, or else I will smash you to atoms."

"What are you bragging for?" answered the peasant, "I will break you up into little bits."

"Do, please, give it me, dear good man," asked the corpse.

"Well, I will give it you if you will tell me where you have been and what you have done."

"Oh, I have been in the village, and I there slew two young lads!"

"Well, tell me how to revive them."

The corpse had no choice, so he answered, "Cut off the left lappet from my shroud and take it with you. When you come to the house where the lads have died,