After reaching the top, Ivan Tsarevich was tired. He rested a little.
Then he started walking. He walked along the mountain for a long time and then reached a copper castle.
The copper castle has a huge gate where many snakes were fastened by copper chains. There was a well next to the gate and there was a copper bucket hung by a copper chain there.
Ivan drew water from the well and the water to the snakes to drink.
Immediately after that, the snakes became quiet.
Then the Tasrita of the Copper kingdom raced out to meet him. “What are you, brave one?”
“I am Ivan Tasrevich.”
“Have you come here of your own free will?”
Ivan nodded. “Yes. I have come here in search of my mother - Nastasya, Golden Tress. A Whirlwind carried her away.” Ivan looked hopeful. “Have you heard of my mother?”
The Tsaritsa of the copper kingdom shook her head. “No I have not.” The Tsaritsa was not yet done. “My second sister of the silver kingdom lives a little further away.” The Tsaritsa nodded at Ivan. “Probably, she will be able to help you in finding your mother.”
Ivan nodded when the Tsaritsa handed him a copper ball and a copper ring. “This ball will lead you to my sister in the Silver kingdom.” Ivan accepted it and studied the copper ring.
The Tsaritsa of the Copper kingdom continued. “This ring represents the whole of the copper kingdom. Whirlwind has imprisoned me here and he comes to this place once in three months.”
Ivan as surprised as the Tsaritsa continued. “When you overcome Whirlwind take me away from this place to the free world.”
Adapted from Russian Folktales
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