Native Russian, Ivan, was one of three,
With elder brother Fyodor and also Vasily.

His father thought him quite the fool;
Shipped him off with beams, boards, but no other tools.

An ocean storm sent him all crazy
And into an uncharted territory.

He landed on a mountain of salt,
And loaded it all up in his ship’s vault.

He then departed with the salty portions,
To sell his merchandise to a king with a huge fortune.

The king said, “I’ve got enough of this stuff.”
He had no idea of it and was very gruff!

In secret, Ivan salted  the sauces, salted the stews;
When the king and his people tasted, they all “aahed” and “oohed”.

The king now wanted the salt
And gave Ivan his money in rubles and schmalt.

Happily, Ivan strummed his mandolin so sweetly
And the princess fell in love with him immediately.

Off the two went on the briny blue sea
Only to be plundered by Fyodor and Vasily.

They seized the princess, they seized the boat -
They left Ivan all afloat.

Ivan lit on an island where lived a gloomy, weird giant;
And was returned to Russia on the giant’s huge back – they were a-flyin’!

Told not to boast or he’d be tossed again,
Ivan partied too much and bragged about his gain.

Gloomy giant heard the news in a wink
And was about to throw Ivan back into the drink.

But Ivan, thinking real quick,
Strummed his mandolin and started to pick.

Gloomy giant turned happy when he heard the tunes
And forgave Ivan as he danced ‘round the room.

Ivan and the princess left port and set sail;
Lived happily ever after and had no more travails.

Return to Dreams to Jobs/Dollars and Sense Unit