Buri︠a︡tskie volshebnye skazki Book

More than merely a collection of short stories, this book sets the mood through using the character of a grandfather (Old Peter) telling tales to his two grandchildren. In between tales, we glimpse a bit of everyday family life through events and conversations in their hut in the forest.

As for the Russian folktales themselves, the theme of "three" frequently repeats: three brothers, three sisters, three princesses, a snake with three heads, etc. And quite a few stories are built around the main characters of an old man and his nagging wife (who often gets what's coming to her in the end). There are stories with morals, whimsical adventures, and the very short, funny story: Who Lived in the Skull?.

This collection is in the public domain, free at: