The Importance of Uzbek Folk Tales and Literary Tales

Abstract: Uzbek folk oral literature is very rich and unparalleled. It can be said without a doubt that the oral literature of each nation clearly shows its history. Therefore, if we consider folk oral literature as a spring, it can be likened to a tree nourished by this spring. Through the works of oral folk literature, people learn from the wisdom and bravery of their ancestors, and become acquainted with their great ancestors and their way of life. In folklore, the wisdom, talent, and linguistic richness of the people are manifested. Tales serve as an important source in studying the history, spiritual and cultural lifestyle, inner world, faith, social relations with other brotherly nations, customs, climate, and natural conditions of each nation.

Keywords: Uzbek folk tale, literary tale, types of tales, impact on children

A tale is one of the ancient genres belonging to the epic type, widely spread among the people, reflecting the national values, lifestyle, traditions, and customs that have been formed over centuries. Mainly narrated in prose by professional storytellers, tales have evolved into a unified poetic system with a unique artistic structure and motifs.

The term is mentioned in Mahmud Kashgari’s “Devoni Lugati Turk” and means narrating an event orally. Tales are referred to as matal in Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Fergana regions, ushuk in the districts and villages around Bukhara, varsaqi in Khorezm, and cho‘pchak in Tashkent city and its surroundings. Tales differ from other folklore genres by depicting life truths based on imagination and realistic fabrications, involving magical and enchanting elements, extraordinary events, and the supernatural bravery of heroes.

Fiction is a crucial criterion in tales, forming the basis of plot events and ensuring the resolution of conflicts. Various examples of fabrications serve an educational aesthetic function, acting as a unique artistic depiction tool. Fabrications portray events and phenomena in an unreal or real manner. Based on the participation of imaginative and realistic fabrications and their role in the plot, tales can be divided into two groups: tales based on imaginative fabrications and tales based on realistic fabrications.

The plot of a tale with imaginative fabrications is magical, while the plot of a tale based on realistic fabrications is more lifelike, depicting real events. A tale typically narrates three main goals. The first involves the hero’s bravery and defense of people’s interests against evil forces; the second narrates the hero’s love for princesses or fairies from other lands, finding medicine for the sick, and rescuing people kidnapped by dragons and demons; the third describes the hero’s struggle against injustice and oppression.

The first goal is achieved through the hero’s active effort and supernatural strength, the second with the help of magical tools assisting the passive hero, and the third through the hero’s wisdom and resourcefulness.

Folk Tales: Folk tales are rightfully considered a powerful source of historical facts, providing information about the life and social structure of a particular people. Each nation has created many instructive stories for adults and children, passing on their experiences and wisdom to the next generations.

Folk tales reflect human relationships and changes, highlighting the immutability of basic values and teaching the clear distinction between good and evil, joy and sorrow, love and hatred, truth and falsehood. A unique feature of folk tales is that the deepest social meaning is hidden in simple and easy-to-read text. They also preserve the richness of the people’s language. What kinds of folk tales are there? They can be magical, household, or often about animals.

It is often asked when the first Russian folk song was invented. This remains a mystery, and only assumptions can be made. It is believed that the first “hero” tales were about natural phenomena such as the Sun, Moon, Earth, etc. Later, they were subjected to human influence, and stories of people and animals were included in the tales. There is a hypothesis that all Russian folk stories have a real basis. In other words, some events were retold in the form of tales, changing over centuries and reaching us in the form we are accustomed to.

When comparing folk and literary tales, it should be considered that the latter appeared much later than the former. By incorporating educational ideas, European literature began rewriting folk legends in the 18th century, and by the 19th century, it became traditional to create wonderful plots. Among those who succeeded in this field, A. Hoffmann, C. Perrault, H. C. Andersen, and, of course, the Brothers Grimm are recognized as the genre’s classics.

The similarity between literary and folk tales lies in the repetition of folkloric motifs and the presence of magical attributes, but the literary development of plots and the choice of main characters strictly adhere to the author’s wishes. Moreover, in the second half of the 19th century, literary tales became very close to novellas and even short stories. The works of Russian writers like L. Tolstoy and A. Pogorelskiy and Europeans like S. Lagerlöf and L. Carroll can serve as excellent examples.

Education through Tales: Stories are written in a simple language suitable for children, developing their imagination. For the youngest listeners, tales often feature animal characters, introducing them to the lifestyle and characteristics of specific characters (e.g., Kolobok, Teremok). After reading a tale to a child, they understand the existence of good and evil, loyalty and betrayal, foolishness and cleverness. A well-chosen tale also helps parents cope with crisis situations. All tales contain a moral, through which you can help a child navigate difficult situations. After reading, discuss the hero’s actions and decisions. Positive characters possess the best qualities: hard work, cleverness, kindness, honesty, beauty.

By reading tales to children, we cultivate moral qualities such as empathy and understanding in the child. The child compares themselves to the main character, experiencing situations, showing courage, ingenuity, and compassion. “A tale is a lie, but there’s a hint in it! A lesson for good fellows!” wrote the great Russian writer A.S. Pushkin, emphasizing that a tale teaches the listener the right behavior in certain situations. Without moralizing and instructions, the child develops the right path.

Tales also help develop children’s imagination and creative thinking. Preschoolers bring simple things to life, so they love hearing about the adventures of a soap bubble or a tin soldier. Introduce the story by reading or retelling it. While reading, a preschooler learns to respect books, which is one form of upbringing. By retelling the text, the storyteller rearranges words, changes phrases, and adds comments. The main thing is to tell the story emotionally so that children listen attentively. After reading the book, it’s useful to play literary games and solve riddles to reinforce the acquired knowledge.

References:
– “Uzbek Folklore” textbook – T. Mirzayev, Sh. Turdimov, M. Jo‘rayeva, A. Tilavov
– [Uzbek Wikipedia](https://uz.m.wikipediya.org)
– [Gigafox](https://gigafox.ru)

My Teacher
(To my teacher Nozima Qodirova)

You are the joy of my beautiful life,
Your words, the motto in my strife.
May your flower-like face always be bright,
My kind teacher, Nozima, is a guiding light.

For us, you gave your knowledge freely,
Gathering flowers from paths thorny.
Your entire life you dedicated,
We stand tall, by your love elevated.

Today, everyone knows my name.
Your hard work brought me fame.
The world recognizes me today,
Thanks to the efforts you displayed.

You spread knowledge without measure,
So students could grasp its treasure.
Your hair turned gray with time,
Ensuring we remember every line.

Your pupils eagerly attend the class,
Slowly learning maps and paths.
Joyfully they approach the globe,
Lessons pass smoothly, hope in strobe.

So many years have flown away,
No one forgets our teacher’s sway.
In everyone’s mind, the names remain,
Columbus, Khosrow, Bellingshausen’s fame.

A thousand thanks I say to you,
For filling my life with joy so true.
In every task, with Allah’s aid,
I’ve understood your worth, never to fade.

Every step, I remember you,
My teacher, you are healthy and true.
With open hands in prayer, you stand,
Supporting me with a guiding hand.

You made me who I am today,
My pillar, Nozima, come what may.
The healer of my wounds, you stay,
My solace, Nozima, every day!

Sobirjonova Rayhona was born in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Currently, she is a 9th grade student.

The Majesty of Allah

In the silence of the morning dew,
Allah’s light comes breaking through.
In every dawn, a promise clear,
Of love divine, forever near.

The heavens vast, the earth below,
Allah’s grandeur in every flow.
From mountaintops to ocean deep,
His presence in our hearts we keep.

The stars that twinkle in the sky,
A testament to the Most High.
In constellations, bright and far,
We glimpse His wisdom, every star.

In the flutter of a bird in flight,
Allah’s wonders come to light.
In nature’s song, so pure and true,
His artistry in every hue.

Through every challenge, every test,
Allah’s guidance is the best.
In shadows cast and sunlight bright,
He leads us through the darkest night.

The Qur’an’s verses, rich and wise,
A beacon under open skies.
In every line, a truth profound,
In Allah’s love, we’re firmly bound.

The call to prayer, a sacred sound,
In every heart, His love is found.
We turn to Mecca, hearts aligned,
In Allah’s peace, our souls are refined.

In every act of kindness shown,
Allah’s mercy is clearly known.
In charity and humble deed,
We plant His love, a precious seed.

So let us live in faith and grace,
With Allah’s presence in every place.
In every heartbeat, every breath,
We find His love, that conquers death.

Gulsora Chiniqulova was born in Qoshiribot district, Samarkand region. She purchased a course on “Rebuilding a Relationship with Allah” in 2023, and as a result, she performed Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages for free and lived in Mecca for 4 months. She completed an SMM VIP course with a positive outcome and received a diploma. She also completed a computer and Photoshop course and she is currently working as a security guard.

The Heartbeat of a Poem

In the quiet of a silent room,
Where thoughts like whispers softly bloom,
A poet’s heart begins to weave,
A tapestry of dreams, believe.

Each word a thread, each line a beam,
Woven into a vivid dream.
Emotions dance, raw and true,
In the gentle flow of ink and hue.

A poem speaks what hearts conceal,
It captures all we deeply feel.
In metaphors and similes,
It sings of life’s sweet symphonies.

The rhythm is the heartbeat strong,
That carries us through joy and wrong.
With every rhyme and cadence fine,
We find our souls in every line.

It paints with words, a world anew,
Where skies are not just simply blue.
In stanzas rich, with depth and grace,
We glimpse the beauty of a face.

A poem is a silent song
That lingers in our minds for so long.
It’s in the laughter and the tears,
A timeless echo through the years.

So let us cherish every verse,
For in its lines, our lives immerse.
In every poem, pure and bright,
We find our truth, our guiding light.

Madinaxon Meliqoʻziyeva was born in 1995 in Buvayda district of Ferghana region. She has a great passion for poetry and creativity, with many dreams and aspirations. In her free time, she writes poetry, short stories, and articles.

The Beacon of Knowledge

In halls where echoes softly tread,
A world of wisdom gently spreads.
Where minds awake and spirits soar,
Education opens every door.

A child’s first steps in learning’s grace,
A teacher’s patience lights their face.
From letters formed to stories told,
A bright future begins to unfold.

The books are gateways, vast and wide,
To realms of knowledge, far and wide.
In pages worn and pens that glide,
Dreams are nurtured, side by side.

The sum of all our hopes and fears,
Reflected in the students’ tears.
For every challenge met with might,
Brings forth a dawn, a clearer sight.

In science labs and art rooms bright,
In every quest for deeper light.
The seeds of thought are gently down,
In every heart a wisdom grows.

Through history’s lens and language’s song,
We find our place where we belong.
In numbers’ dance and nature’s law,
We see the world in silent awe.

For education’s gentle hand,
Shapes the mind to understand.
In every lesson, deep and true,
Lies the strength to start anew.

So let us honor every mind,
With paths to knowledge, unconfined.
For in each scholar’s fervent quest,
Lies the hope to be our best.

Qo’ziyeva Shaxribonu Muzaffar qizi was born on September 5, 2004, in Mirishkor district, Qashqadaryo region. Currently she is a 3rd year student in the Mathematics and Informatics program at Shahrisabz State Pedagogical Institute. She is also a mathematics teacher at School №19 in Shahrisabz district. She is learning Turkish.

SOMEONE SHOULD TELL ME!

In that glittering touch of my dreams

Something new rises in my heart

Perhaps a smiling bud that giggles 

In the deep and dark forest of my mind .

My new poetry sings and vanishes 

Behind innumerable hopeless hopes 

Someone should tell me in a dialect 

My river of love flows in a new rhythm

And the sea of joy maddened in waves

I find not what new hue of her form

Can draw my image eternally lavish ;

Why is she acting all secretive today?

LET THE NIGHT COME!

Let the night come, my heart burns

I miss you in the middle of my life

Your love has destroyed me in toto

I have been a slave to your love

The pity is I’m neither living nor dying

You have turned my life like a hell

My heart is such I can’t ignore you

It hurts badly for the wound is deep

My eyes do cry; let them roll tears

Let the dark night come again 

I want to sleep in your slim arms.

NEVER MIND!

A chasm does open up as all roads fail

Why any cure now for a broken heart

Happiness always far-fetched for me

May you be blessed with it as you go

I pray fervently you do prosper in life

May your hopes and dreams come true

May you be free from my nothingness 

I’ve closed all my roads to come to you

Never mind, simply ignore and walk away

Be progressive and productive all way.

JUST IN A MOMENT!

While walking alone I saw you other day

It rained and you got lost somewhere

Like a dream you passed away from me

Just in a moment you entered my life

Your pain did break my heart instantly 

I clearly remember your wet face then

I smell the rain drops down the memory 

I feel you’re with me same as before

I’m crazy thinking about none but you

Someone’s evil eye obstructed my love

My lips were silent, yet heart cried a lot

I could say nothing for you aren’t mine.

Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai (DOB 07/06/1973) is a passionate Indian Author-cum- bilingual poet while a tremendous lecturer of English by profession in the Ganjam district of Odisha.

He is an accomplished source of inspiration for young generation of India .His free verse on Romantic and melancholic poems appreciated by everyone. He belongs to a small typical village Nandiagada of Ganjam District, the state of Odisha.

After schooling he studied intermediate and Graduated In Kabisurjya Baladev vigyan Mahavidyalaya then M A in English from Berhampur University PhD in language and literature and D.litt from Colombian poetic house from South America. He promotes his specific writings around the world literature and trades with multiple stems that are related to current issues based on his observation and experiences that needs urgent attention.

He is an award winning writer who has achieved various laurels from the circle of writing worldwide. His free verse poems not only inspires young readers but also the ready of current time. His poetic symbol is right now inspiring others, some of which are appreciated by laurels of India and across the world. Many of his poems been translated in different Indian languages and got global appreciation. Lots of well wishes for his upcoming writings and success in the future.

He is an award winning poet author of many best seller books. Recently he is awarded Rabindra nath Tagore and Gujarat Sahitya Academy for the year 2022 from Motivational Strips . A gold medal from world union of poets France & winner Of Rahim Karims world literary prize 2023.The government of Odisha Higher Education Department appointed him as a president to Governing body of Padmashree Dr. Ghanashyam Mishra Sanskrit Degree College, Kabisurjyanagar. Winner of ” HYPERPOEM ” GUNIESS WORLD RECORD 2023.

Recently he was awarded from SABDA literary Festival at Assam. Highest literary honour from Peru contributing world literature 2024.Prestigious Cesar Vellejo award 2024 Completed 200 Epistolary poems with American poet Kristy Raines. Books. 1.Psalm of the Soul. 2.Rise of New Dawn. 3.secret Of Torment. 4.Everything I never told you. 5.Vision Of Life National Library Kolkata. 6.100 Shadows of Dream. 7.Timeless Anguish. 8.Voice of Silence. 9.I cross my heart from east to west . Epistolary poetry with Kristy Raines

Lipstick

A Babylonian once told me:

When my name bores me,

I throw it in the river

And return renewed!

* * * * * *

Basra existed

Even before al-Sayyab viewed its streets

Bathed in poetry

As verdant as

A poet’s heart when her

Prince pauses trustfully to sing

While sublime maidens dance–

Brown like mud in the orchards

Soft like mud in the orchards

Scented with henna like mud in the orchards—

And a poem punctuates each of their pirouettes as

They walk straight to the river.

I’ve discovered no place in the city broader than Five Mile.

He declared:

I used to visit there night and day,

When sun and moon were locked in intimate embrace.

Then they quarreled.

2

The Gulf’s water was sweet,

Each ship would unload its cargo,

And crew members enjoyed a bite of an apple

And some honey.

The women were radiant;

So men’s necks swiveled each time ladies’ shadows

Moved beneath the palms’ fronds.

These women needed no adornment;

One look sufficed to coax you to cling to life,

But their purses catered to beauty.

* * * * * *

Snipers

Infantrymen

Sailors

Bedded gems, emeralds.

Their souls persuaded each of them to gaze at these belles

And to break as humbly as waves at their feet.

Worldly men cast their ancestors’ laws from their backs

And set off to draw eyes on the ports’ gates.

Beneath each window

Slumbered a witness to a lover crucified by love

But who died singing

Before you hear the rumble of trains.

3

Cooing laughter calms your spirit.

You shan’t be chided for helping yourself to a whisper.

That man told me everything lipstick confided to him,

Urging him to reveal it!

* * * * * *

This was before the city donned black

To the end of its rivers;

Before crows’ caws blended with blood’s color over our dawns,

Before our streets bedded down early like Mukruk hens.

Women have stripped off their beauty,

Their spirits are embittered,

Their lips are cracked,

And you won’t find even the last stub of

Lipstick in their purses.

By Faleeha Hassan

Translated by William Hutchins

Faleeha Hassan is a poet, teacher, editor, writer, and playwright born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1967, who now lives in the United States. Faleeha was the first woman to write poetry for children in Iraq. She received her master’s degree in Arabic literature, and has now published 26 books, her poems have been translated into English, Turkmen, Bosnian, Indian, French, Italian, German, Kurdish, Spain, Korean, Greek, Serbia, Albanian, Pakistani, Romanian, Malayalam, Chinese, ODIA, Nepali and Macedonian language. She is a Pulitzer Prize Nominee for 2018, and a Pushcart Prize Nominee for 2019. She’s a member of the International Writers and Artists Association. Winner of the Women of Excellence Inspiration award from SJ magazine 2020, and the Winner of the Grand Jury Award (the Sahitto International Award for Literature 2021). She served on the Women of Excellence selection committees for 2023, was a winner of a Women In The Arts award in 2023 and a Member of Who’s Who in America 2023. She’s on the Sahitto Award’s judging panel for 2023 and a cultural ambassador between Iraq and the US.