The Tale of the Golden Cockerel

What it is

Written by Alexander Pushkin in 1834 and first published in 1835, this is his final fairy tale in verse. It tells of Tsar Dadon, who is given a golden cockerel to warn him of danger, with disastrous consequences tied to his own arrogance and broken promises.

Why it matters

Scholars have traced the story's roots to tales by Washington Irving and others, who in turn drew on an ancient Coptic legend. Pushkin's version is often read as a veiled satire of autocratic rulers, making it more than a simple children's story. As his last fairy tale, it shows him still experimenting with folk forms shortly before his death.

Look closer

• What might the golden cockerel symbolize about truth and warning in a kingdom ruled by one powerful man?
• Why might a poet use a fairy tale, rather than direct criticism, to comment on rulers and power?
• How does the 1903 book cover shown here present the story to its readers, and what does that tell you about its audience?