In A Certain Land

When the legendary Ilya Muromets becomes war-leader of Kiev, not every hero is pleased. The proud and quick-tempered Alyosha Popovich openly challenges the prince's decision—but an older, wiser warrior steps forward to defend the newcomer. That warrior is Dobrynia Nikitich, and his own story reveals why true greatness is measured by courage, humility, and keeping one's word. In this classic Russia...

Born with the power to shake the earth and master the secrets of shape-shifting, the young bogatyr Volga Vseslav'evich leads a band of fearless warriors on an impossible mission. As an enemy king prepares to invade Rus, Volga must rely on wit as much as strength, proving that the greatest heroes win battles long before swords are drawn. A remarkable Russian epic of magic, cunning, and one of the o...

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Ilya Muromets leaves his parents’ home at last, armed with a warrior’s strength and a solemn oath, but the road to Kiev quickly tests both his promise and his mettle. When a great city lies under siege and the deadly Nightingale the Outlaw rules the forest roads with a whistle that can topple armies, Ilya must decide when a vow must bend for the sake of the innocent sufferers. A powerful tale from...

A miraculous birth gives a kingdom not one Ivan, but  three!  Yet among prince, cook’s son, and bull’s son, only one rises first among equals: Ivan the Bull’s son, whose strength can topple boulders, outmatch dragons, and recover kingdoms lost to monsters. When the brothers ride into the deep forest and find Baba Yaga’s hut turning on chicken feet, their journey opens onto a darker path:...

In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, young Ilya Muromets rides north into the holy mountains, where the old powers of Rus still linger among thunder, stone, and cloud. He seeks the sword of the legendary giant Sviatogor—a warrior too mighty and great for the earth itself to bear. What begins as a journey for a sword becomes something far greater: a passing of the mantle of strength from the ol...

In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, a long-awaited child is born beneath a star bright enough to shake the heavens. His name is Ilya—and though prophecies swirl around his cradle, his path to greatness proves s...

On the banks of the deep blue sea, an old fisherman casts his net day after day without any change to his routine. But one morning, it brings him a marvel—a golden fish with a human voice and a promise too generous to refuse. What begins as an act of kindness soon draws the fisherman into a rising tide of desires, each larger and more dangerous than the last. With crashing waves, sharp humor, and...

In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, a childless old couple’s prayer is answered in the most unexpected way—by a vow, a chance meeting, and a godfather far grander than anyone could have imagined. As their son Ivan grows with uncanny speed and strength, his fate becomes bound to a horse that is anything but ordinary. From whispered advice and secret transformations to distant kingdoms and impo...

In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, a kind-hearted prince is cast out of his father’s court and forced to wander the world with a servant far more sinister than he appears. Along forest paths and foreign roads, bargains are struck, identities are stolen, and quiet kindness is tested against greed and betrayal. With help from an old forest spirit and a handful of enchanted gifts,  The Pri...

In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, a kind-hearted girl named Masha lives at the mercy of a cruel stepmother—and a winter far colder than she expects. Sent deep into the forest on a promise too good to be true, Masha encounters Old Frost himself, a crackling spirit of ice who tests more than warmth alone. This classic fairy tale unfolds with talking dogs, bitter winds, sharp humor, and a quie...

A merchant’s quest to bring home gifts for his daughters goes terribly wrong when he plucks a forbidden red flower from a dazzling, otherworldly garden. Confronted by a monstrous Beast who demands a life in exchange, the merchant’s youngest and bravest daughter offers herself in her father’s place. Transported to a palace of shimmering halls, singing birds, and silent magic, she discovers a world...

When Queen Anastasia is stolen by a shadowy spirit, her youngest son Ivan sets off to find her—after his two elder brothers vanish trying. Along a sea of starlight, he meets three dove-princesses who guide him down through copper, silver, and golden kingdoms to the lair of  Raven, Son of Raven . With wit and courage (and a little help from love), Ivan outsmarts the terrible creature, rescues...

In a faraway kingdom, an old couple had three sons—two clever, handsome, and vain, and one simple fool with holes in his shirt and crumbs in his beard. When the Tsar announces that whoever can build a ship that sails through both clouds and seas will win the princess’s hand, the clever brothers set out with packed lunches and polished boots… and fail spectacularly. But the fool, armed with nothing...

“Finist the Bright Falcon” is a spellbinding Russian fairy tale of love, magic, and courage. When a young girl’s heart is claimed by a mysterious falcon who can transform into a handsome prince, she receives a single magical feather that can summon wonders and treasures. But envy and treachery threaten their bond, sending her on a perilous journey through dark forests, past fearsome witches, and a...

What happens when you tell your little brother  not  to drink from a stream filled with goats? Well… he turns into a goat, of course! Poor Alionushka tries her best to keep Ivanushka safe, but thirst, magic, and mischief get the better of them both. Before long, a king falls in love, a witch stirs up trouble, and even the flowers in the garden forget how to bloom. But never fear—this is...

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 silve...

In a certain kingdom, a careless bargain delivers newborn twins—Prince Ivan and Princess Marya—into the claws of the mighty and terrifying Tsar-Bear. Spirited away to a kingdom beyond the mountains, the children outwit their captor again and again, aided by a falcon, an eagle, and at last a thundering bull. Pursued through forests that spring from combs and lakes of fire born from towels, the sibl...

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 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 unde...

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. Betraye...

“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&nb...

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 ca...

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... Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

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, Sp...