In Russian folk tales, the bear is a special figure. He is not a fox, a rabbit, or a wolf. He is huge, strong, clumsy, but at the same time kind and just. His image has changed from a pagan totem to a comical oaf. Why did the bear become almost the main animal in Russian folklore? And what sets him apart from his "colleagues" in European tales? Let's figure it out. The Bear — Lord of the Forest Among Slavs, the bear was considered a sacred animal, the embodiment of Velles (the god of livestock). They feared and revered him. Even the name "bear" is an euphemism ("knowing honey"), to avoid using the real name (ber). In tales, he often appears as a judge, a protector of the weak, the master of the forest kingdom. He can punish for greed, help an orphan, or reward a brave person. Unlike the wolf, which is often foolish and hungry, the bear is reasonable. Although he is not without comical traits. "Masha and the Bear": a kind but strict guardian The most famous tale about a bear is "Masha and the Bear". Here, he is not a villain. He does not eat the girl, but takes her to his cabin to help with housework. The bear plays the role of a "domovoy" or even a substitute father. He is clumsy but not cruel. And his phrase "don't sit on the log, don't eat the pie" is a sign that he wants to save the food for Masha, not out of greed. In the end, Masha tricks him (hides in a box), but the bear does not get angry — he understands that the girl wants to go home. The Bear and the Man: neighbors in misfortune In the tale "The Man and the Bear" (or "Top and Bottom"), the bear appears as a foolish partner. The man agrees with the bear to share the harvest: one takes the tops, the other the roots. The bear always chooses the wrong part (either a radish with the green top or wheat with the ears). In the end, he ends up with nothing. This is the image of a simple bear who is strong but not smart. However, even when tricked, he does not kill the man — he goes into the forest. This ... Read more