Episode Details

The Fables of Ivan Krylov — Episode Nine

Five fables by Ivan Krylov (1769–1844), in new English verse translations made for this show, read aloud over a gentle instrumental bed.

The Donkey (Осёл, Book VIII, No. 13) — A peasant's Donkey was so meek and honest that his master could not praise him enough — so, to keep him safe in the woods, he hung a bell around his neck. The honour goes straight to the Donkey's head: a great lord now! But a bell, like a high rank hung on a rogue, tells the whole world exactly where to find him. (Not to be confused with the young Donkey of Episode Eight, who begged Jupiter for stature.)

The Donkey and the Nightingale (Осёл и Соловей, Book II, No. 23) — The Donkey has heard that the Nightingale is a great master of singing, and demands a concert so that he may judge for himself. All nature falls silent for the music — breezes, bird choirs, the very flocks — and then the critic rises to deliver his verdict: really not bad at all; a pity the singer never took a few lessons from the barnyard rooster. Krylov's closing line is a prayer.

The Donkey and the Peasant (Осёл и Мужик, Book VI, No. 11) — A peasant hires a Donkey of the most honest rules to guard his kitchen garden from the crows and sparrows. The Donkey steals not a single leaf, spares not a single bird — and in the chase tramples every bed in the garden flat. Everyone blames the Donkey. Krylov's closing lines ask a quieter question: who set him to guard a garden?

The Eagle and the Bee (Орёл и Пчела, Book II, No. 14) — Krylov's moral stands at the head for once: happy the famous labourer, but no less honoured the hidden one whose single thought is the common benefit. Then the Eagle, who scatters fear beneath the clouds, pities the little Bee: thousands of you mould the combs all summer — and who will ever tell your work from the rest? The Bee's answer is the quiet crown of the whole episode.

The Eagle and the Hens (Орёл и Куры, Book I, No. 22) — The King of Birds swoops down from the birthplace of lightning to rest a moment on a humble drying-barn, and the crested hen explains it all to her neighbour: Eagles are plainly no better than hens — did they not just see one flying low? The Eagle replies in two lines that have flown ever since, and Krylov closes with his rule for judging talent.

Krylov Fables.

Intermission: "Luminous Springs" — instrumental.

KacheliTV — Russian classics, read aloud.