The tale of the golden cockerel (1907)

The tale of the golden cockerel 1907 illustration

Written by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin (1799 to 1837) and illustrated by Ivan Bilibin (1876 to 1942), The Tale of the Golden Cockerel is a fairy tale based on a story from The Tales of The Alhambra (1832) by Washington Irving.

A cautionary tale, the story is based in a far away land, very long ago. Constantly worried that his kingdom is under threat, fearful Tsar Dadon asks his advisors for help. The Astrologer brings before the Tsar a golden cockerel, a magical bird who silently keeps watch over the kingdom, only to crow when sensing danger.

Pushkin published his first poem when he was 15 and died aged 37.

Location: Pushkin, Alexander. S. (1907) The Tale of the Golden Cockerel. Parker Collection AQ087.1/1907

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