Sadko

In ancient times, there lived a good young man named Sadko the Guslyar in the wealthy Great Novgorod. He was such a skillful musician that both common people and nobles listened to him with delight. The Water Spirit of Lake Ilmen rewarded him for his wonderful playing, making him a rich merchant. Sadko began to trade, increasing his wealth, and sailed across the sea - and fell into the hands of the Sea Tsar himself: the playing of Sadko the Guslyar was too much to his liking.
He would have remained in captivity if it had not been for the help of his old friend, the Water Spirit of Lake Ilmen. What did he come up with?
The Russian folk epic was retold for children by the famous scholar, collector of Russian folklore, and remarkable writer Alexander Nechaev, who was illustrated in a style reminiscent of Russian chronicles by Vladimir Pertz.