The two older brothers were fine, strapping young men. They had married well, and had good jobs in the village. They went to work every single day, and laboured hard and long. When they were gone their wives cooked, cleaned, swept and stitched, and all in all worked quite as hard as their husbands.

In this house of worthy individuals, there was only Emelya who did not have anything to do. This may have been because he did not know what to do. Farming did not interest him, neither did butchering or horse shoeing. So Emelya lay on the warm stove all day, and did nothing but look at the ceiling and wait for dinner. As the days went by, he began to feel more and more useless, and less and less inclined to do anything at all.

Then one day, Emelya's father died. When their father died, his two elder brothers said to Emelya – "Find yourself a job, young brother!" But Emelya just sat on the stove – he was too used to not moving. Finally, his two elder brothers gave up. Later that day they rode to the market and their wives said: "Go and fetch some water, Emelya."

And Emelya, lying on the stove, looked at them, and seeing that they were covered in sweat and dirt, decided to help them. But because he was feeling shy, he took his time about it. "Not I, I don't want to," he said, feigning reluctance.

"Go Emelya, or your brother will bring no presents for you from the market." Emelya knew that his brothers would not bring him a gift, they never did, and he never expected it. But he stood up and said, "Oh, alright then."

Down climbed Emelya from the stove, and already regretting the sudden lack of warmth, he pulled on his boots and his caftan. Then he took two pails and an axe and went to the river.

Once he got there, he cut a hole in the ice with his axe, scooped up two pailfuls of water, put down the pails and bent down to look into the ice hole. He looked and looked and what did he see but a Pike swimming in the water. Out shot his arm, and there was a Pike in his hands. Looking at the fat, wriggling fish, Emelya realised that he had a fine gift for his sister-in-laws right there in his hands. They would love a good pike soup! And feeling his body shiver in the cold, Emelya realised that he would too!
But the Pike suddenly spoke up in a human voice and said:

"Let me go Emelya, and I'll do you a good turn too, some day."
So startled was he that Emelya nearly dropped the Pike.

He thought about it for a bit, and then imagining his sisters-in-law he said: "I am sorry, Pike, but this I cannot do. Besides there is nothing you can do for me or my family, save nourish us."
But the Pike fell to begging him and said:

"Do let me go, Emelya, and I'll make sure your every wish is granted."

"Alright," replied Emelya, and then as an afterthought – because he did not want to be tricked – he added, "Only first you must prove that you aren't trying to fool me."
Said the Pike: "It shall be as you wish. Tell me what you want, Emelya."

Emelya said the first thing that came to his head, and of course it was a somewhat ridiculous request.
"I want my pails of water to go home all by themselves – without spilling a drop of water!"

"Very well, Emelya," said the Pike, "Remember, whenever you wish for something, you only have to say: 'By the will of the Pike, do as I like,’ and it will be done at once.”

And Emelya, unhesitatingly called out, "By the will of the Pike, do as I like! Off you go, pails, go on home and spill not a drop of water on your way!"

And Lo and behold! The pails turned and marched up the hill. Emelya stood staring after them open mouthed, until suddenly remembering the Pike in his hand, he placed it back carefully. Then turning, he ran to catch up with his pails, lest they reach his home before him.

To be continued...