Masha is a kind and hardworking girl who lives with her father, cruel stepmother, and lazy stepsister Lusha. When Lusha accidentally falls into a tub of water that Masha placed near the stove, the angry stepmother sends Masha into the forest with an impossible task: to spin an entire mountain of wool. In the forest, Masha finds a miraculous bell that leads her to a bear's dugout. There she tidies the house, cooks porridge, and kindly shares her food with a little mouse. The bear returns and, though initially stern about Masha entering uninvited, he is pleased with her work. That night, the bear and the mouse magically spin the mountain of wool for her and reward Masha with rich gifts. When the greedy stepmother sees the gifts, she sends her own daughter Lusha to get the same rewards. But Lusha is rude, messy, and selfish — she eats all the food without sharing and demands riches. The bear magically punishes Lusha and the stepmother, turning their treasures to rubbish and leaving them lost in the forest. The moral: "As you call out, so shall the echo return" — you reap what you sow.
💡 Language learning tip: Watch first with subtitles, then try again without them. The cartoon's simple, clear Russian dialogue is ideal for beginner and intermediate learners.
The Miraculous Bell is far more than a simple children's story. Like many Soviet-era fairy tale adaptations, it carries layers of traditional Russian symbolism and moral values that were important to post-war Soviet culture.
The forest as a threshold: In Russian folklore, the deep forest (лес) is always a liminal space — a place between the safe domestic world and the unknown. Being sent into the forest is the classic beginning of a transformation journey.
The cruel stepmother (мачеха): A staple of Slavic folk tales, representing jealousy and domestic injustice. Her role frames the story as a moral test for both the father and Mashenka.
The Bear (Медведь): In Russian folklore, the bear is a powerful, primal force — often not truly evil, but unpredictable and dangerous. He can be outwitted but not confronted directly. This reflects a deep cultural respect for nature's raw power.
The helpful mouse (мышь): Small, overlooked creatures as saviors is a recurring theme in Russian tales. Kindness to the humble and small is always rewarded — Mashenka's gentle nature attracts her helper.
Post-war Soviet context: Released in 1949, only four years after WWII, the film reflects a cultural desire to return to warmth, childhood innocence, and traditional storytelling. The Brumberg sisters were among the few women directors in Soviet animation, and their work often centered on empathetic female protagonists.
The Brumberg Sisters' style: Zinaida and Valentina Brumberg were pioneers of Soviet animation who worked from the 1930s through the 1970s. Their fairy tale films are known for rich decorative backgrounds influenced by traditional Russian lubki (folk prints) and a warm, soft colour palette.
At its heart, The Miraculous Bell is a timeless story about character, kindness, and the consequences of our choices. The cartoon teaches several profound moral lessons that remain relevant across cultures and generations.
The Central Moral: "As You Call Out, So Shall the Echo Return"
The bear's final words — "Как аукнется, так и откликнется" (literally: "As you call out into the forest, so shall the echo return") — is the Russian equivalent of "You reap what you sow" or "What goes around comes around." This proverb encapsulates the entire moral framework of the story: your actions, whether kind or cruel, will eventually return to you in kind. Masha's kindness brings her rewards and safety; Lusha's greed and rudeness bring her punishment and loss.
Key Life Lessons:
1. True Kindness is Selfless and Generous
When the little mouse asks Masha for just a spoonful of porridge, Masha gives her an entire plate — far more than requested. This act of generosity, done without expectation of reward, demonstrates that real kindness means giving freely and abundantly. In contrast, Lusha eats everything herself and shares nothing, revealing her selfish nature. The story teaches that kindness should be instinctive and wholehearted, not calculated.
2. Hard Work and Responsibility are Rewarded
Even though Masha was sent to the forest unjustly, she doesn't complain or give up. She cleans the bear's house, cooks, and tries her best to complete the impossible spinning task. Her conscientiousness and work ethic impress the bear, who then helps her. Meanwhile, Lusha arrives expecting rewards without effort — she makes a mess, breaks things, and demands riches. The fairy tale shows that reward must be earned through honest effort and respect.
3. Greed and Entitlement Lead to Downfall
The stepmother and Lusha represent the dangers of greed and a sense of entitlement. Rather than being grateful for what they have, they constantly want more — not through work, but through manipulation and demand. When Lusha sees Masha's gifts, she doesn't think "How did Masha earn these?" but rather "I deserve the same (or better) just for showing up." This attitude leads to her humiliation and punishment. The story warns against comparing ourselves to others and expecting rewards we haven't earned.
4. Respect and Humility Matter
Masha approaches the bear with respect, speaks politely, and accepts her situation with grace. Even when playing blind man's buff — a game that seems unfair — she participates without complaint. Lusha, on the other hand, is rude, entitled, and disrespectful to both the bear and the mouse. The fairy tale emphasizes that how we treat others — especially those we perceive as "beneath us" (like a small mouse) or "above us" (like a powerful bear) — reveals our true character.
5. Small Acts of Kindness Create Powerful Bonds
Masha's simple act of sharing her porridge with the mouse creates a loyal friend who later helps her win the game and convinces the bear to help with the spinning. The story beautifully illustrates that kindness creates reciprocity — not because we expect it, but because genuine goodness inspires others to help us in return. We never know when a small act of compassion will change our fate.
6. Justice Prevails Through Natural Consequences
The bear doesn't lecture Lusha or explicitly punish her through violence or cruelty. Instead, he uses magic to ensure that she experiences the natural consequences of her behavior: her fake riches turn to rubbish, her transportation abandons her, and she's left in the forest to reflect on her actions "until she gains wisdom and sense." This is a sophisticated lesson in restorative justice — bad behavior creates its own punishment, and redemption requires genuine change, not just apology.
Cultural note: This fairy tale reflects deeply-rooted Russian values about community, humility, and the importance of treating everyone — rich or poor, powerful or weak — with basic human dignity. In Russian folk tradition, magical beings like the bear often serve as moral judges who reward virtue and punish vice. The story also reflects Soviet-era emphasis on collective good over individual greed, and the dignity of honest labor.
Ultimately, The Miraculous Bell reminds us that our character is revealed not in what we say, but in what we do — especially when no one is watching, or when we think we can get away with bad behavior. The "echo" of our actions always returns to us, for better or worse.
The kind-hearted protagonist. A hardworking stepdaughter who is sent to the forest by her cruel stepmother to spin a mountain of wool.
The Bear
Медведь
The magical forest dweller who lives in a dugout. Though intimidating, he rewards kindness and punishes greed and rudeness. He possesses magical powers.
The Little Mouse
Мышка
Masha's small but clever helper who lives in the bear's house. She assists Masha with the impossible spinning task and helps her win at blind man's buff.
The Stepmother
Мачеха
The villain. A cruel, greedy woman who mistreats Masha and favors her own daughter Lusha. She sends Masha into the forest hoping she won't return.
Lusha
Луша
The stepmother's lazy and spoiled daughter. Unlike kind Masha, she is rude, greedy, and disrespectful, which leads to her punishment.
The Old Man (Father)
Старик (Отец)
Masha's weak but loving father who reluctantly obeys his cruel wife. He takes Masha to the forest but grieves for her.
Complete retelling of the cartoon plot — Russian on the left, English translation on the right. Perfect for reading practice and understanding sentence structure!
🇷🇺 По-русски (Russian)
🇬🇧 In English
Старик и Маша собирали дрова в лесу. Вдруг доносится голос мачехи: «Машка, воды принесла?» Маша послушно приносит воду.
The old man and Masha were gathering firewood in the forest. Suddenly the stepmother's voice rings out: "Mashka, did you bring water?" Masha obediently brings the water.
По приказам мачехи Маша покормила кур, подмела двор. Но когда она начала мыть полы, то не заметила, как поставила ушат с водой около печки, где спала Луша — родная дочь мачехи.
Following the stepmother's orders, Masha fed the chickens and swept the yard. But when she began washing the floors, she didn't notice that she had placed the tub of water near the stove where Lusha — the stepmother's own daughter — was sleeping.
Мачеха будит Лушу, но та, вставая с печки, падает прямо в воду! Разозлённая мачеха отправляет Машу в лес, наказав ей напрясть целую гору шерсти.
The stepmother wakes Lusha, but as she gets up from the stove, she falls right into the water! The furious stepmother sends Masha into the forest, ordering her to spin an entire mountain of wool.
Старик привёз Машу в лес и оставил её одну. Маша нашла чудесный колокольчик и стала звонить в него. Благодаря звону колокольчика она попала в землянку к медведю.
The old man brought Masha to the forest and left her alone. Masha found a miraculous bell and began to ring it. Thanks to the bell's ringing, she found her way to the bear's dugout house.
В землянке медведя Маша чисто прибрала и сварила себе каши. Вылезшая из норки мышка попросила у Маши ложку каши, но та, чтобы досыта накормить мышку, подала ей целую тарелку.
In the bear's dugout, Masha cleaned everything thoroughly and cooked herself some porridge. A little mouse emerged from her hole and asked Masha for a spoonful of porridge, but Masha, wanting to feed the mouse properly, gave her an entire plate.
Только Маша начала прясть, как вдруг заплакала — ведь мачеха наказала напрясть целую гору шерсти! Мышка развеселила Машу красивым платком.
As soon as Masha began to spin, she suddenly burst into tears — after all, the stepmother had ordered her to spin an entire mountain of wool! The mouse cheered Masha up with a beautiful kerchief.
Вскоре приходит медведь. Ему понравилось, как Маша управилась с делами в доме. Однако за то, что Маша вошла без спросу, ей пришлось играть с медведем в жмурки.
Soon the bear arrives. He was pleased with how Masha had managed the household tasks. However, because Masha had entered without permission, she had to play blind man's buff with the bear.
Маша было проиграла медведю, но умная мышка помогла ей победить в игре. Усталому медведю Маша приносит воды.
Masha was about to lose to the bear, but the clever mouse helped her win the game. Masha brings water to the tired bear.
Медведь спросил у Маши, что ей надо. Маша говорит, что ей нужно напрясть гору шерсти. Задув свечу, медведь укладывает Машу спать.
The bear asked Masha what she needed. Masha says she needs to spin a mountain of wool. Blowing out the candle, the bear puts Masha to bed.
А сам медведь вместе с мышкой спрял за ночь целую гору шерсти! Утром медведь наградил Машу богатыми подарками и отправил её домой.
And the bear himself, together with the mouse, spun an entire mountain of wool overnight! In the morning the bear rewarded Masha with rich gifts and sent her home.
Мачеха позавидовала неожиданным дарам и повезла в лес свою родную дочь Лушу. В доме медведя Луша навела беспорядок и съела всю кашу, даже не поделившись с мышкой.
The stepmother was jealous of the unexpected gifts and took her own daughter Lusha to the forest. In the bear's house, Lusha made a mess and ate all the porridge without even sharing with the mouse.
При виде медведя Луша в страхе упала со стола и разбила горшок, в котором была каша. Луша потребовала наградить себя мехами, деньгами и табуном лошадей.
At the sight of the bear, Lusha fell off the table in fright and broke the pot that held the porridge. Lusha demanded to be rewarded with furs, money, and a herd of horses.
Медведь поколдовал, и Луша, выйдя на крыльцо, увидела все подарки и обрадовалась. Проигнорировав замечание мышки, что она не прибралась в доме, Луша уезжает.
The bear cast a spell, and Lusha, stepping onto the porch, saw all the gifts and rejoiced. Ignoring the mouse's remark that she hadn't cleaned the house, Lusha leaves.
По колдовству медведя кони повезли Лушу и мачеху далеко в лес. Повозка, столкнувшись с деревьями, развалилась, а все богатства Луши превратились в черепки и мусор.
By the bear's magic, the horses carried Lusha and the stepmother deep into the forest. The wagon, crashing into trees, fell apart, and all of Lusha's riches turned into shards and rubbish.
Луша с мачехой попытались догнать коней, но те, оборотившись в сов, улетели прочь. В итоге Луша с мачехой остались в лесу одни.
Lusha and the stepmother tried to catch the horses, but they turned into owls and flew away. In the end, Lusha and the stepmother were left alone in the forest.
Медведь объяснил это так: «Как аукнется, так и откликнется». И пока Луша и мачеха «ума да разума не наберутся, домой не вернутся».
The bear explained it this way: "As you call out, so shall the echo return" (meaning: you reap what you sow). And until Lusha and the stepmother "gain wisdom and sense, they won't return home."
В конце мультфильма наступает новый день. Маша открывает окно избы и машет зрителям рукой на прощание.
At the end of the cartoon, a new day dawns. Masha opens the window of the house and waves goodbye to the viewers.
Click the 🔊 button next to any Russian word to hear its pronunciation. These words appear in the cartoon and are essential vocabulary for understanding Russian fairy tales.
Russian word
Transcription
English meaning
мачеха
mach-ye-kha
stepmother
падчерица
pad-che-ri-tsa
stepdaughter
прясть
pryast
to spin (wool/thread)
колокольчик
ko-lo-kol-chik
little bell
медведь
med-vyed
bear
мышка
mysh-ka
little mouse
жмурки
zhmur-ki
blind man's buff (a game)
каша
ka-sha
porridge
землянка
zem-lyan-ka
dugout house, earth house
дрова
dro-va
firewood
печь
pyech
stove, oven (traditional Russian)
добрая
dob-ra-ya
kind / good-natured (fem.)
злая
zla-ya
wicked / evil (fem.)
хитрый
khit-ry
clever / cunning / sly
подарки
po-dar-ki
gifts, presents
сова
so-va
owl
как аукнется, так и откликнется
kak a-uk-ne-tsa, tak i ot-klik-ne-tsa
as you call out, so shall the echo return (you reap what you sow)
Zinaida Brumberg (1900–1983) and Valentina Brumberg (1899–1975) were pioneering Soviet animation directors who worked together for nearly four decades at Soyuzmultfilm studio. They began their careers in the 1920s and became among the most prolific and respected figures in Soviet animation history.
The sisters are particularly celebrated for their fairy tale adaptations, which combined rich visual storytelling with strong moral themes. Their work is notable for centering female protagonists at a time when this was rare in both Soviet and Western animation.
The Miraculous Bell is one of their finest early works, showing the sophisticated use of background design, expressive character animation, and a distinct colour palette drawn from traditional Russian decorative arts.
This classic Soviet fairy tale is an excellent resource for Russian language learners. Follow these steps to get the most out of your viewing experience:
1
Watch with English subtitles first
Watch the cartoon with English subtitles to understand the story, characters, and context. Pay attention to the flow of the narrative and the emotional tone of the scenes.
2
Study the vocabulary table
Review the Russian vocabulary table above and use the 🔊 audio pronunciation feature to practice speaking. Focus on the words you heard most often in the cartoon.
3
Read the parallel text
Read the Russian-English parallel text to see how sentences are structured. Notice patterns in word order, verb conjugations, and common fairy tale expressions.
4
Watch without subtitles
Watch the cartoon again without subtitles to test your comprehension. Try to catch the words and phrases you've learned. Don't worry if you don't understand everything — focus on recognizing familiar words!
5
Practice speaking along
After watching multiple times, try speaking along with the characters. This helps develop pronunciation, rhythm, and natural intonation in Russian speech.
Where can I watch The Miraculous Bell with English subtitles?
You can watch The Miraculous Bell (Чудесный колокольчик) with English subtitles embedded on this page. The 1949 Soviet animated film is available on YouTube with subtitles and can be viewed directly in the video player above.
Who directed The Miraculous Bell?
The Miraculous Bell was directed by Zinaida Brumberg (1900–1983) and Valentina Brumberg (1899–1975), pioneering Soviet animation directors who worked together at Soyuzmultfilm studio from the 1920s through the 1970s. They were among the most influential female directors in animation history.
Is this cartoon good for learning Russian?
Yes! The Miraculous Bell is excellent for Russian language learners. The dialogue is clear and simple, using classic fairy tale vocabulary that appears frequently in Russian literature and everyday speech. This page includes a vocabulary table with audio pronunciation, parallel Russian-English text, and cultural context to help learners at all levels.
What is the story of The Miraculous Bell about?
The Miraculous Bell is based on Russian folk tales about a girl named Mashenka who is abandoned in the forest by her cruel stepmother. She meets a Bear who wants to play games with her, but a clever little mouse helps her trick the Bear and escape home safely. The story explores themes of kindness, cleverness, and the triumph of good over cruelty.
When was The Miraculous Bell released?
The cartoon was released in 1949, just four years after the end of World War II. It was produced by Soyuzmultfilm, the Soviet Union's main animation studio, and represents the warm, folk-art style that characterized post-war Soviet animation.
What animation studio made this film?
The Miraculous Bell was produced by Soyuzmultfilm, the legendary Soviet animation studio founded in Moscow in 1936. Soyuzmultfilm created many of the most beloved Soviet animated films and was responsible for training generations of animators in Russia and Eastern Europe.
