Once upon a time, in a land of sunlit meadows, birch forests, and whispering winds, there lived a girl so forgotten that even her own family called her nothing but “idiot-girl.” She wasn’t beautiful or clever or graceful. At least, not in the ways that matter to people who see only with their eyes.

But sometimes the quiet ones hold the oldest magic.

In this episode, you’ll hear the tale of a silver platter, a honey-ripe apple, and a girl who sees the whole world unfold at the edge of wonder. There are envious sisters, a talking reed pipe, a king’s well of living water, and a queen whose mercy is more powerful than any spell. It’s a story of betrayal and resurrection, cruelty and kindness, and the strange, wonderful justice that only fairy tales can deliver.

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In a far-off kingdom, in a time long faded into song and silence, a king bids his sons to cast their arrows to the wind—and where the arrows fall, there they shall find their fates. The eldest finds a noble’s daughter, the second a merchant’s maid, but the youngest, Prince Ivan… finds a frog.

So begins a tale of riddled wonder: of hidden enchantments, midnight labors, and a bride more radiant than a summer moon. For the skin of the frog hides Vasilissa the Wise, a princess under a cruel spell, and it will take courage, kindness, and the help of beasts and birds to bring her back.

Come listen to a story where fate weaves strange fortunes, beauty is found in the most unexpected places, and a prince journeys past the ends of the world to find what was once lost.

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A prince and a princess are married — but their happiness is short-lived. Called away on a distant journey, the prince leaves his bride alone in her tower, with a single warning: do not leave, do not listen to wicked voices, and above all, stay safe. But grief softens resolve, and when a kindly stranger urges the lonely princess to walk in the garden, she agrees.

What begins as a quiet moment under the summer sun ends in a cruel betrayal. Transformed into a white duck and cast from her place, the princess vanishes — while a witch takes her shape and her place beside the unsuspecting prince. But deep in the reeds, by the edge of a silver lake, the duck lays three eggs... and from those eggs, three strange children are born.

In this haunting Russian fairy tale, loyalty is tested, innocence is threatened, and a mother’s love rises from beneath the waters. Listen as curses are broken, voices are restored, and justice, though long delayed, finally takes flight.

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When an aging king seeks the mythical apples of youth and the water of life, his boldest sons fail and vanish into enchantment. Only Prince Ivan—humble, cunning, and brave—undertakes the perilous journey beyond the thrice-nine lands. With the aid of three ancient Baba Yagas and a trio of enchanted steeds, he defies death, outwits a warrior princess, and awakens a love that shakes kingdoms.

Betrayed by his brothers, saved by a mighty gryphon, and tested by time, Ivan returns to claim both justice and joy. But the kingdom of his birth is too small for such a hero—he rides instead into legend, side by side with his warrior bride, to rule a land worthy of their tale.

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“At the Pike’s Command” is a classic Russian fairy tale brimming with magic, mischief, and unexpected transformation. Emelya, a lazy and carefree fool, prefers the warmth of the stove to the world beyond—until he catches a talking pike who offers him the power to make his every wish come true. With a few enchanted words, chores complete themselves, sleighs drive without horses, and even royalty takes notice. But Emelya’s tale isn’t just about whimsy—it’s a journey from foolishness to heroism, from peasant to prince. Packed with charm, humor, and a touch of the absurd, this is a story where magic rewrites destiny—and even the most unlikely dreamer can rule a kingdom.

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When her mother dies, young Vasilissa is left with only a strange gift—a tiny doll that comes to life when fed. As her cruel stepmother turns home into a prison, the doll becomes her secret protector.

But nothing can prepare Vasilissa for a terrifying journey into the dark forest, where the fearsome witch Baba Yaga lives in a house that walks on chicken legs. To survive, Vasilissa must rely on her wits, her courage, and a quiet magic passed down through love.

A haunting, unforgettable retelling of a Slavic fairytale, Vasilissa the Beautiful is a story of resilience, transformation, and the spark of light that endures even in the darkest woods.

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When a wander-lusting king accidentally breaks the laws of hospitality when quenching his thirst, he is forced to give his only son as a hostage to a dangerous king of the underwater lands. 

But this prince is no pampered ninny. He understands the value of hospitality and kindness. And so he gets some unlooked-for help...

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Welcome to this new storytelling podcast, where Natalie Wilson and I collaborate to create a story-music experience of the Russian fairy tale that you won't hear anywhere else.

This is the first episode in a new version of what used to be called In a Certain Kingdom, a podcast that was part of the Ancient Faith network. It is now hosted by The CiRCE Institute, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Of course, if you'd like to become a patron of the podcast, Natalie and I will be very, very grateful :)

Our first story is the first time I'm delving into the "Ivan the Fool" cycle. It's a fun, silly, but ultimately profound tale about how true wisdom and beauty is rarely skin deep.

Please do share this podcast with your friends! We rely on your good word to get the story out into the world :)

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