Retelling of the Turkish fairy tale Ashik Kerib: Lermontov's version. Retelling of the Turkish fairy tale Ashik Kerib: Lermontov's version All roads lead... to the native threshold
The fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” by Lermontov is based on a popular oriental story, which, in turn, came from more ancient times. Similar episodes are found in such works as Homer's Odyssey, Boccaccio's Armageddon and many other masterpieces of world literature.
The beginning of a fairy tale
In the city of Tiflis there lived a poor man nicknamed Ashik-Kerib. He was in love with the daughter of a rich nobleman. His feeling was unrequited, and he suffered greatly from this misfortune.
Magul-Megeri, that was the name of the object of his love, once walked with her friends along the street and saw a fan lying under a tree in deep sadness. The girl approached the young man and started a conversation with him. Ashik-Kerib began to complain about fate, which did not give him the opportunity to be with the woman he loved. Magul told him to go to his father and ask him for her hand.
Since her dad was a very wealthy man, it was not difficult for him to arrange their wedding and subsequent personal life. The young man said that he did not want to ask for alms from the rich man, but would rather go wandering in order to earn money for their subsistence in distant lands. Magul-Megeri said that if he did not return within seven years, she would marry Kurshud-bek, who had been wooing her for a long time.
The wanderings of Ashik-Kerib
So, Ashik-Kerib, having said goodbye to his mother and sister, with whom he lived in Tiflis, left the city with the intention of traveling around the world in the hope of gaining wealth.
As soon as he crossed the border of the settlement, he heard that someone was riding a horse behind him. It was his rival Kurshud-bek. He asked the young man to take him as a traveling companion. Although Ashik-Kerib was not happy about this, he still had to endure the company of this person.
Together with him he reached the river that flowed near Tiflis. Ashik-Kerib decided to swim, Kurshud-bek remained on the shore to guard his clothes. As soon as the guy entered the water, the treacherous fellow traveler took his things and rode off with them to Tiflis.
He went to Ashik-Kerib’s mother and sister and told them a made-up story about how their loved one drowned in the river. He showed his clothes as evidence. The guy, who was left without his belongings, had to walk around the surrounding villages in only a light shirt and earn his daily bread by singing and playing the saaz. But soon luck smiled on him. By the will of fate, he was brought to Khalaf, where the local pasha, who was a passionate music lover, heard about him.
Lermontov's fairy tale "Ashik-Kerib" continues with the fact that the protagonist's wanderings stopped for a long time, since the ruler of the city made him a court musician.
For seven years he lives in the ruler's palace, not knowing the needs. The author of the work says that he does not know whether Ashik-Kerib forgot his Magul-Megeri at that time or not. However, for some reason he was in no hurry to return to Tiflis.
The beloved makes herself known
The fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” continues with the fact that Magul-Megeri, who did not believe in the death of her lover and tried to calm his mother and sister, began to worry about the fate of her fiancé by the end of the term.
She told a merchant she knew, who led caravans to many cities in this country, to take the golden dish from her. He must announce in every locality that he will give this jewel to whoever turns out to be its owner.
The turning point of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” is the appearance of the main character in the merchant’s shop. The young man recognized the dish that belonged to his bride, and remembered the deadline set by Magul, which was already coming to an end.
He took a bag of gold with him and, mounting a horse, rushed to his hometown. However, he soon realized that no matter how fast he drove, he still could not make it to the target date. Then the main character of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” decides to commit suicide by jumping from a cliff.
Help of St. George
At this time, another rider was riding along the same road. It was Khaderiliaz. That's what they called St. George the Victorious in those parts. He told Ashik-Kerib not to commit suicide, since he himself could finish him off.
One fine moment, the horseman with whom the main character of the fairy tale set off on a journey offered him to fulfill his wish. Ashik-Kerib said that he wanted to get to the nearest city. St. George instantly transports them to this locality. Ashik-Kerib says that he was mistaken and again asks his savior to take him to the next city on the way to Tiflis. Saint George does not refuse him this time either. Next time the young man asks the miracle worker to help him find himself in Tiflis itself.
The most mysterious hero of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” fulfills the young man’s wish this time too. Once in his homeland, the musician asks the saint to give him some proof that he was able to move so quickly in space. St. George the Victorious told him to take a lump of earth from under the hooves of his horse. Khaderiliaz promised Ashik-Kerib that he would be able to heal a blind man. To do this, he will only need to anoint the eyes of the blind person with earth.
Meeting with family
Ashik-Kerib comes to his mother's house, but neither she nor his sister recognize their relative. Even when he takes the saaz hanging on the wall and starts playing.
Nevertheless, the mother of the protagonist of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib,” a summary of which is given in this article, is deeply touched by the stunning art of her guest. The young man asks her permission to take the instrument and play it at the wedding, which at that time was taking place in a nearby house. The old lady agrees to this.
Wonderful musician Ashik-Kerib
When he came to the celebration, he introduced himself as a traveling musician. He began to play the saaz and sing. His bride Magul-Megeri immediately recognized the voice of her beloved and rushed to him. None of those present could believe that Ashik-Kerib was able to get from Khalaf to Tiflis so quickly.
At that moment, his mother, who was blind, entered the house. He anointed her eyes with earth, the one he took from under the hooves of St. George’s horse, and she received her sight.
The ending of Lermontov's fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” is unusually happy. The main character marries his bride, and invites Kurshud-bek to become his sister’s husband.
Characteristic
The heroes of “Ashik-Kerib” appear to the reader of this tale as quite realistic. The main character is a person who has both positive and negative qualities. While he deserves respect as a virtuoso musician, he at the same time has such a not-so-best quality as excessive caution, which manifests itself in the fact that he asked to be moved not immediately to Tiflis, but first to the nearest populated area.
An important detail is that he forgot about his bride for some time, enjoying the benefits of a prosperous life. At the same time, the characterization of the hero Ashik-Kerib will be incomplete without mentioning his strong love for his bride, for whose sake he overcomes all the troubles and difficulties.
About the meaning of the fairy tale
The main idea of Lermontov's "Ashik-Kerib" is that love overcomes all obstacles encountered on its way. She is omnipotent, and her heavenly patron saints are always ready to help her.
The power of art
In the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib”, the idea of love and its power is not the only message of this work. Throughout the entire plot, the masterly performance of the main character helps him achieve his desired goal. Therefore, we can say that the book contains the idea of the high purpose of the artist and the power of his art.
Conclusion
The fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” by Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov was published only after the death of the great poet. Nevertheless, this work entered Russian literature along with other great works of the author. For several centuries, the fairy tale has touched the souls of not only children, but also people of mature age.
Lermontov's famous work entitled "Ashik Kerib" is a literary adaptation of an oriental folk tale that he heard while in exile in the Caucasus. This amazing story about eternal love and the triumph of good struck the poet so much that he decided to convey it to a wider audience. It is thanks to this decision that fourth-graders can today enjoy Eastern wisdom and a beautiful story, because this famous story is now included in the school curriculum. If you have not yet had time to read its full version, do not be upset, because the retelling of the fairy tale Ashik Kerib will allow you to get acquainted with the plot, main characters and the main idea of the work.
A brief retelling of the fairy tale Ashik Kerib
The plot of the tale revolves around the romantic relationship of two young people: the beautiful daughter of a rich merchant Magul-Megeri and the talented but very poor singer Ashik-Kerib. He earns his living by singing street songs.
Once Ashik-Kerib sang to saaz at a wedding attended by Magul-Megeri. The young guy immediately liked the girl, gentle as a gazelle, but he could not even dream of reciprocity, because he understood how different worlds they live in. She is the only and beloved daughter of a rich man, and he has nothing but amazing talent and a kind heart.
But still, after some time, the singer decided to talk about his feelings. This happened near the vineyard where Magul-Megeri was once walking with her friends. Imagine his surprise when the beauty not only reciprocated, but also assured that her father would give them enough money for a comfortable existence.
The young man was delighted, but his Eastern dignity did not allow him to agree to such conditions, because according to the laws, it is the young man who must provide for the family. Therefore, he, having promised the girl fidelity and love, went in search of wealth.
Ashik-Kerib wandered for a long time, but he was unable to earn a fortune: there was barely enough money to provide for minimal needs. But hope for the best did not leave him: in moments when he wanted to be disappointed and lose faith, he remembered his beloved and her promise to wait for a guy for 7 years. According to the agreement, at the end of this period the girl will marry the rich but unloved Kurshud-bek.
And then one day happiness smiled on our hero: the great Pasha heard the singing of Ashik-Kerib and invited him to his palace. It was thanks to this that the young man managed to get rich, and even accidentally forget about his promise. But the inventive Magul-Megeri came up with a way to remind herself: she sent one merchant to look for the owner of the golden dish. Having remembered everything, Ashik-Kerib immediately returns to his beloved, arriving exactly at the end of the agreed time. The end of this poetic fairy tale-legend is kind and happy, not only for positive, but also for negative heroes, so after reading it, your soul becomes very light and joyful. 
Retelling of the fairy tale Ashik Kerib: 4th grade studying eastern wisdom
Thus, the basis of the plot of the fairy tale is the love and determination of the main characters, who bravely and decisively overcome all obstacles on the path to happiness. It would seem that this is precisely the meaning of the work and the main idea that the author wanted to convey to his reader. But in addition, it should be noted the great Eastern wisdom hidden in the fairy tale. The poet touches not only on the theme of fidelity, but also writes about the triumph of justice and goodness. Particular attention should be paid to the denouement of the story: Kurshud-bek’s brother was about to attack the lovers with a dagger, but the abandoned groom stopped him, saying that not a single person is capable of changing what is destined for him by fate. But, as one can conclude after reading a brief retelling of the fairy tale Ashik Kerib, one cannot remain idle while waiting for change. You need to take responsibility for the future and fight for your happiness, while remaining kind and honest.
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The tale was told to Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov during his service in the Caucasus by one of the local residents, possibly an Azerbaijani by nationality.
The main idea of the fairy tale “Ashik Kerib”
All roads lead... to our own doorstep
The plot of the fairy tale is not new; it has been used many times in world literature, both in the East and in the West. The heir of a family, rich or poor, goes on a journey around the world in order to return as a winner, matured, more serious, partly a philosopher, the owner of material and spiritual wealth. A faithful wife or bride is waiting for him at the doorstep. The most famous stories on this topic were told by Homer and Henrik Ibsen. Odysseus and Peer Gynt, Penelope and Solveig became the personification of an irresistible thirst for travel and sacrificial loyalty.
The main idea of the fairy tale is that the self-worth of an individual is verified by the attitude of his native environment, his father’s home, towards him. Wherever you are, wherever fate takes you, whatever continents you cross, whatever roads you take, you will still have to answer in your parents’ house, in places dear to your heart. What have I achieved, what am I worth? How did you fulfill your father's order? Can I be proud, am I worthy to represent my homeland?
Not a boy, but a husband
There is only one storyline in the tale, but there is a lot of subtext. Ashik goes on a hike to earn money, because he is an excellent musician on the saz (an instrument like a balalaika). But there is no particular need for this departure. The bride is a quite wealthy girl, and her money is more than enough for future children and grandchildren, and for a comfortable life in her father’s rich house. But the fact of the matter is that a boy, a youth, but not a man, can reason this way. It is not appropriate for a representative of the stronger half of humanity to become a parasite (in modern times, such people are ironically called “gigolos”). This is impossible, unacceptable, unmanly. And not in a human way. Ashik seems to be passing an exam for maturity and masculinity. And he passes it with honor.
A very important part of the story is dedicated to the return of the main character to his native Tiflis. He was daydreaming, thoughtful, and didn’t follow the calendar (still young!) Nevertheless, at the first reminder he sets off on his way back. Despair overwhelms the guy. Is it possible to cover a distance that takes several months in a couple of days, or even hours? It turns out that it is possible. But only if you have faith and a great desire to fulfill your plans. The fairy tale instills optimism in readers and listeners and gives strength to the disillusioned. She seems to be saying: never despair, fight, go to the end. Magic and heavenly help are, of course, useful. But if they are needed, they will not come to someone who complains every minute. In a magical or “earthly” way, problems are resolved for those who seek, fight, strive for a goal, and move forward.
Gratitude to the mother, trust in the beloved
Ashik leaves the city without a shadow of a doubt that his bride will wait for him in seven long years. True love requires no guards, no detective investigations, no oaths, no threats, no promises, no suspicions, no evidence. Love and lies, love and betrayal are simply incompatible. And if this is not so, then there is nothing to talk about. There was, therefore, no love.
The mother's epiphany at the gathering of people and all the riches that the singer brought into the house represent the return of his filial debt. For her upbringing, for her science, for raising and nurturing, cherishing and taking care of her son and daughter, Ana (mother) receives gratitude. And also for the fact, the author emphasizes, that she taught children the most important things: not to be lazy, to rely on their own strengths, to respect and not let people down, to value the good name of the family.
Do all adults think about the baggage with which they send their grown-up offspring on a long voyage? After all, the time will come, and they, like Ashik’s mother, will have the opportunity to reap the fruits of parental education.
Finally, the main character sets an example of a noble attitude towards his opponent. The maneuver of stealing clothes did not help the cunning Kurshud-bek, and the obsessive courtship of the main character did not bring the wedding day closer. But now, when the enemy is defeated, and the heart of the beautiful Magul-Megeri is given to the triumphant, Kurshud-bek does not have to act with anger and hatred. Ashik extended a brotherly hand to him and offered to become a relative. Another victory for a wonderful musician, and what a beautiful one. A triumphant, intelligent, noble person will not humiliate the loser, will not gloat, it will not even occur to him.
What does the fairy tale Ashik Kerib teach?
So, the main and main idea of the fairy tale “Ashik Kerib” fits into three main conclusions and teachings:
- take care of your honor and dignity, go through life with your head held high, set goals and systematically achieve them
- remember the house where you were born, where you received your first lessons, don’t forget your father and mother, teachers, be grateful
- if you find love, do everything to preserve this treasure, work for the good of your family, appreciate what you have, success and happiness are in your hands.
FAQ:
Ashik Keriba was made rich by a certain pasha who lived in those places. Ashik Kerib actually became rich thanks to his beautiful voice. Pasha loved to listen to the songs of Ashik Kerib, although he did not like any of the singers. And when Ashik Kerib spoke to him, the pasha generously thanked him, making Ashik Kerib rich.
The first person who recognized Agik Kerib was his sister.
The popular fairy tale "Ashik-Kerib" was written by Lermontov in exile in the Caucasus in 1837. Any reader will be very interested to know what the main idea of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” is. After all, in the eastern countries the story about Ashika-Kerib was very common. The brilliant poet also could not help but pay attention to her, since at that time he was very keen on folk tales, myths and legends. Soon he presented it in his own folklore arrangement. And now, in order to better understand what the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” teaches, let’s start with something completely different.
Eastern story
M. Yu. Lermontov, as a person gifted with extraordinary literary talent, was always interested in diverse linguistic streams and cultural traditions. And from the example of the analysis of the poem “Demon”, you can see that it was written in the genre of an “oriental story”, where the central character is a demon.
In Christianity, a demon is Satan, the devil or a fallen angel, who takes a position of complete opposition to God (Allah). Therefore, the poem focuses on a dualistic perception of the world, where the human soul appears to be an arena for the struggle between good and evil. The humanized romantic image of the demon, according to tradition, has a philosophical correspondence to this entire struggle in the Muslim understanding, which, for its part, influenced Russian and European literary culture.
In the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” one of the facets of the poet’s tragic romanticism (struggle in verse) emerges. Lermontov, anticipating Dostoevsky, was very deeply imbued with the antithesis between a person’s dream of happiness and unhappiness in real everyday life, between the beauty of life, sublime love and the unity of people with the reality of the ugliness of the cruel modern world.
Muslim motives
Muslim motifs in the works of Mikhail Yuryevich can be placed in a certain philosophical and symbolic complex, in which, on the one hand, a generalized ideological meaning is manifested, for example, in such basic concepts as “East”, “book”, “fate”, “wandering” . On the other hand, one can also observe specific elements of poetic allegory, characteristic of the entire work of the poet Lermontov. This is heaven, earth, paths and games. Examples are the Turkish fairy tale by M. Yu. Lermontov “Ashik-Kerib”, poems and poems “Dagger”, “Spaniards”, “Complaints of a Turk”, “Dispute”, “Hadji Abrek”, “Aul Bastundzhi”, “Two Slaves”.
Genre of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib”
Using the example of this Turkish fairy tale, we can examine the Muslim components in detail. What is the main idea of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib”? Its compositional scheme is based on traditional motifs for the Middle East and Central Asia, such as promises of eternal love and the violation of their fulfillment due to tragic circumstances, as well as magic, wandering, dressing up, recognition and return.
And therefore, in Russian literature, this work functions as one of the stylized works, so to speak, “under the East” with characteristic stylistics, designations and names, for example, ana - mother, aga - master, gerursez - you will know, saaz - balalaika, or using the example of exclamations like "O Almighty Allah!" etc. In this case, the eastern elements do not form an independent systemic structure with the help of which one can enter the philosophical and symbolic space.
The main idea of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” is the love of Ashik-Kerib and Magul-Megeri, which unfolds with a narrative sequence inherent in the foundations of the classical poetry of the peoples of the East. What’s interesting is that this kind of compositional scheme in Western literary criticism was perceived only as primitive. And all because they do not describe in detail love’s longing and suffering and do not focus on the conscious strengthening of the imagination, which has a revitalizing effect on the images of lovers. This view of this work makes the love story too simplistic.
“Ashik-Kerib”: the main idea of the fairy tale
The main character is Ashik-Kerib. Not wanting to be financially dependent, he goes to distant lands for seven years to earn money and arrange a wedding with Magul-Megeri, the daughter of a rich Turkish merchant. You immediately feel that love in the text is presented as a given, and there is no more dynamics until the very end.
Continuing the plot, having said goodbye, the loving heroes agree that if Ashik-Kerib does not return after seven years, then Magul-Megeri will marry someone else. But after some time, Ashik, who has become rich, suddenly forgets about his promise, and only a reminder in the form of a golden dish, sent to his beloved through a merchant he knows, forces him to set off, but there is no time left. A mystical rider on a white horse helps him miraculously get home and reunite with his beloved.
Analysis
In most cases, folk stories of the Muslim world, regardless of the date and place of origin, have their own philosophical and religious codes, which reveal the hidden meaning of the text. The main idea of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” is not in the description of life and the development of a love line, but in the mystical movement of the hero and a detailed description of his return.
When deciphering the text of the work, it turns out that when a person is born into this world, then, as it were, he sets off on a journey. Thus, he parts with the one world soul for a while. The world for a person in this case is the path with all its trials and obstacles.
And here is the most important and most difficult test, what the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” teaches, is to one day remember the world for which this whole path was started, and where its beginning and end are.
And, of course, man is not abandoned on this path. The “Highest Judge” places his signs along the entire path, which will contribute to recollection, this is the sending of prophets, and the insight that is given to poets and musicians. Remember everything, return in spirit and thereby receive a new test and new miracles as a reward.
Love in a fairy tale is the main driving force. Every person in Islam is a garip - a foreigner, who is largely determined by his moral purity and compliance with religious requirements, and whoever kept the “covenant” will return with all honors. Ashik-Kerib did not miss prayers and respected all the centuries-old Islamic traditions. Thanks to his purity, he received miracles - a meeting with Khaderiliyaz (George the Victorious), healing from his mother’s blindness, which was understood as spiritual blindness.
Wisdom of the world order
The main character Ashik-Kerib turned out to be quite difficult. The main idea of the tale is that with the help of a collective image in the form of a Koranic sage, the idea of double existence (explicit and hidden) and the deep wisdom of the world order is emphasized. What may turn out to be evil at some stage for a person will later turn out to be a great blessing for him. So in the fairy tale, the forced wandering of Ashik-Kerib, the treachery of Kurshud-Bek and the blindness of the mother subsequently turned into a triumph of justice, which was realized through a happy coincidence and the appearance of a wonderful messenger. The words of the enemy Kurshud-Bek, who stopped his brother, who rushed with a dagger at the united lovers, were also significant. He said: “Calm down immediately and know that at birth a person already has something written on his forehead that he will not pass by...”
The main characters of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib”, recorded by M.Yu. Lermontov, are the poor musician Ashik-Kerib and the daughter of a rich man, Magul-Megeri. Magul-Megeri was the most beautiful girl in the city of Tiflis, and Ashik-Kerib skillfully played and sang songs. The young people fell in love with each other, and the beauty invited the musician to go to her father and ask for her hand.
Ashik-Kerib refused to go to the girl’s father. He was afraid that later his rich wife would reproach him for having nothing. The musician decided to wander for seven years to become rich, and the girl agreed to wait for him all this time. But she warned that in exactly seven years she would marry another man, Kurshud-bek, who had been wooing her for a long time.
Ashik-Kerib set off on his journey, and Kurshud-bek joined him as a traveling companion. At the first crossing, Kurshud-bek stole the musician’s clothes and, returning home, told everyone that he had drowned. But the girl did not believe him and said that she would still wait for her beloved for seven years.
Kind people helped the musician, and he wandered around the world for a long time, singing his songs, until in one distant direction a pasha heard him. He liked Ashik-Kerib’s songs and the pasha showered the musician with gold. Ashik-Kerib became rich, but was in no hurry to return home.
When the seven-year period was already coming to an end, Magul-Megeri asked one merchant to show a golden dish in all cities and to convey a message from her to the one who was recognized as the owner of the dish. When the merchant arrived in the city where the musician lived with the pasha, Ashik-Kerib recognized himself as the owner of the dish and the merchant informed him that the time was expiring and his bride would soon marry someone else.
There were only three days left before the appointed date, and it would take two months to get to Tiflis. But the musician got ready to hit the road and quickly went to Tiflis. In a hurry, he drove the horse. Realizing that he would not make it on time, Ashik-Kerib was in complete despair. But he met a rider on a white horse, who miraculously took him to Tiflis on the same day. The musician told the rider that no one would believe him that he had covered such a distance in one day and asked him to give him proof. The rider suggested taking a lump of earth from under his horse’s hoof and when the question arises about the veracity of the words spoken by the musician, smear this lump of earth on the eyes of a blind man.
Neither his mother nor his sister recognized the musician who returned after many years of absence. Then he went to the house of Kurshud-bek, where the feast had already begun, and preparations were underway for the wedding of Kurshud-bek with Magul-Megeri. But the bride herself was ready to give up her life so as not to marry an unloved person. The girl recognized the voice of Ashik-Kerib and went out to him.
Kurshud-bek demanded to know how Ashik-Kerib covered a huge distance in such a short time. The musician told about the horseman, but they did not believe him. Then he asked to bring a blind man to him. They brought his mother, who had not seen him for a long time. Ashik-Kerib did as the rider on the white horse told him, and his mother began to see again. People believed his words, and Kurshud-bek was forced to abandon his wedding with Magul-Megeri. This is the summary of the tale.
The main meaning of the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” is that one should always remember the promises made to other people. Ashik-Kerib, living a rich, well-fed life, forgot about his bride and almost missed the deadline when he should have returned to his native land.
The fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib” teaches you to be persistent in your aspirations and believe in the best. Magul-Megeri did not believe the words about the death of the groom and waited for him for seven years.
I liked Magul-Megeri in the fairy tale. She not only honestly waited for her groom for many years, but also made efforts to ensure that he was found in distant lands and reminded of his promise to return to his beloved girl.
What proverbs are suitable for the fairy tale “Ashik-Kerib”?
Once you give your word, keep it.
To believe firmly means to win.
Everything comes on time for those who know how to wait.
