In this post we will see another book on fairy-tales titled Kutkha The Raven

This is a book of folk tales and fables of the peoples of the Soviet Far North, the Chukchi Nentsi, Eskimos and others, in which all the characters are animals.
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According to an ancient northern custom, people gathered and made merry after a lucky hunt, or in winter when snowstorms raged and they were forced to wait for calmer weather. This was the time for story-telling.

The best story-tellers were always greatly respected, since these peoples had no written books. A story-teller had to know many fables and legends by heart. Besides, he had to tell a story well, to make it interesting. He also had to have a pleasant voice. The story-teller was treated to the best food. Many people gathered round to hear his tales. An Eskimo hunter named Kivagme was one of these fine story-tellers whose name has come down to us. Several of his tales have been included in this book.
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The tundra and taiga have always been full of birds and beasts. This is why so many stories of the North are about animals and why the animals in them resemble humans in every way: they live in tents, ride in reindeer sleds and cross rivers in boats.

These stories praise honesty, courage and common-sense and disapprove of idle talk, bragging and, especially, laziness. All were handed down from generation to generation.

This edition has been illustrated by Yevgeny Rachov, People’s Artist of the RSFSR, known for his many fine illustrations of folk tales and
children’s books.

The book was translated by Fainna Solasko and the wonderful illustrations are by Illustrated by Y. Rachov. Malysh publishers first printed the book in 1981.

Many thanks to Guptaji for this book.

You can get the book here.

Contents

CONTENTS

THE LOST SONG. An Eskimo Story 5
HARE. A Mansi Story 11
TRY TO CATCH ME. An Eskimo Story told by Kivagme 14
WHY OWL HAS A SPOOKY VOICE. An Eskimo Story told by Kivagme 16
BEAR AND WIND. A Chukcha Story 19
SLY FOX. A Koryak Story 23
REINDEER AND BULLHEAD. A Chukcha Story 24
MAN AND DOG. A Nenets Story 26
VIXEN THE MERCHANT. A Chukcha Story 30
TRYING TO THINK. A Chukcha Story 32
MOUSE. A Nenets Story 35
RAVEN AND WOLF. A Chukcha Story 38
HOW VIXEN TRICKED SEAL. An Orochi Story 41
MIGHTY MOUSIE. An Eskimo Story 45
HOW GOPHER AND BEAR EXCHANGED HOUSES. A Chukcha Story 49
I WANT TO — DON’T WANT TO GO. A Chukcha Story 52
MOUSE THE BRAGGART. An Eskimo Story told by Kivagme 57
FOX CUB AND BULLHEAD. An Eskimo Story 58
MOUSE AND FOX. A Chukcha Story 60
BEAR AND CHIPMUNK. A Nivkh Story 62
HOW MOUSE FROZE FAST. A Chukcha Story 65
FOXY VIXEN. A Koryak Story 68
BRAVE VUVYLTU. An Eskimo Story told by Kivagme 72
PANCAKES. A Nenets Story 74
WHY HARE HAS LONG EARS. A Mansi Story 76
BEAR AND VIXEN. A Nanai Story 78
WHAT A FRIEND! An Eskimo Story told by Kivagme 80
WILY TEACHES CRAFTY A LESSON. An Eskimo Story told by Kivagme 82
BRAVE BEAR. A Nenets Story 84
BAT. An Evenk Story 86
WHAT’LL I BE? An Eskimo Story told by Kivagme 88
VIXEN, BIRDIE AND RAVEN. A Nenets Story 91
KUTKHA THE RAVEN. An Itelmen Story 94
POOR FROG. A Nanai Story 96
YOU’RE LUCKIER THAN WE ARE. An Eskimo Story told by Kivagme 99
FOX CUB AND ECHO. An Eskimo Story told by Kivagme 101
WHALE AND REINDEER. A Chukcha Story 105
WOLF, RAVEN AND MOUNTAIN GOAT, A Chukcha Story 106
WOLVERINE AND VIXEN. An Evenk Story 1-09
FOX AND THE TEALS. An Eskimo Story 113
FRIENDSHIP BUILDS STRENGTH 116