Who is Antip-Besogon? One of the family fairy tales-legends, which came from our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers, will shed light on this story.
Antip, a simple village peasant, had a feisty, contemptuous wife. Once, cursing his wife, Antip scribbled loudly. And there appeared to him either a demon, or an imp, or a devil, or an imp and said: "Listen, Antipka, let's change, I will give you untold riches, and you will give me your fool-wife." Not believing his happiness, the peasant agreed immediately to such an exchange.
Very soon Antip healed in peace and prosperity. And he began to forget about his evil little wife. However, one day, returning from the forest with a bag full of mushrooms, he saw a girl of extraordinary beauty with radiant eyes. Antip was stunned by the sight of an angelic child and tried to ask the girl who she was and where was she from? But the little girl suddenly disappeared into thin air, dropping at last: “I am your unborn daughter. You ruined my mother …”.
And since then the man could not find a place for himself. He dreamed of his little daughter everywhere, and he heard her angelic voice in every sound and rustle. Antipka was disgusted. He sits all day on the porch of his rich house and no, no, and even lets out a tear. He sees his daughter, then remembers his wife.
Three years have passed. Antipka completely let himself go: and his legs did not obey, and his hands dropped to any work. Once Antip decided to chop wood, but the ax slipped right on his leg. The peasant howled in pain, but screeched out at the top of his voice. And then the devil is light in sight. I’m making my face, but asks: "Did you call, Antipka?" Antip was not taken aback. Grab the demonic offspring by the horns and into its cauldron. And the boiler and the stove! He covered it with a lid and began to light the fire. The imp squeals, the accursed screams: "Ask what you want, Antipushka, just don't let me get cooked!"
Antip bargained for his wife back, and his spouse returned, but not alone, but with her daughter. And they began to live together happily, sipping honey. And after a while, the happy couple had three more sons. And he taught each of the sons with his father's crack: "If you curse, you won't get over grief."
And among the people a rumor went that Antip-besogon is glorious. And when misfortunes happened to someone, they called Antipka to drive the devils. And although many years have passed since then, if someone sees the devil, then Antip is remembered aloud. Since all evil spirits are afraid even of his name!
