"Let me go free, Emelya. I will grant you anything you wish", begs the poor Pike, whom the young man has caught. The pike will keep her promise, even when Emelya asks for unheard of things - such as for the pails of water to carry themselves home. "By the Pike's Wish", which you can read here, is a fairy tale with a common Russian theme: fate favors a fool.
With the exception of bright red sun and elements of Emelya's attire, the composition is not overwhelmed by color; the dominating hues here are soft and earthy, creating an overall warm feeling. The painting is adorned with a simple, elegant ornament, and a larger ornament decorates the sides of the box. The bottom of the painting is signed with the name of the village, composition, and artist's signature.
The box is made from orgalite. It sits flat (no legs), and has a hinge on the left. The interior is traditional red lacquer. The lacquer on the entire box is in very good condition.