The Tale of the Golden Cockerel

Interesting Facts

• The tale was written in 1834 and became Alexander Pushkin's last work in the fairy tale genre.
• The plot of the tale is based on a Spanish legend that Pushkin learned from Miguel de Cervantes' book «History of the Indies».
• The golden cockerel in the tale symbolizes wisdom and warning, alerting King Dodon to impending danger.
• King Dodon receives the golden cockerel from the astrologer in gratitude for a promise to fulfill any of his wishes.
• The tale ends tragically: King Dodon kills the astrologer, and the golden cockerel pecks him on the head, leading to the king's death.