Mykyta the Skin-Wringer

HydraGTOctober 22, 2025

0 34 4 minutes read

Mykyta the Skin Wringer

The following story is a ‘Once Untold’ fairy tale, and may contain violence, or elements that may be scary for younger or sensitive readers. Please do not read if you are sensitive to such stories.

When a terrible dragon begins stealing girls from across Ukraine, only one man is said to be strong enough to stop him: Mykyta the Skin Wringer. But Mykyta has long left the world behind. Can the voice of children stir him to act?

This story was written and illustrated by real humans.

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Dark Fairy Tale retellings Mykyta the Skin Wringer Nikita the Tanner ukrainian russian folk tales cover

Let’s talk about ‘Mykyta the Skin Wringer’!

Vocabulary

Tanner: A person who prepares animal skins to make leather goods.
Hemp: A plant used to make strong fibres, ropes, and fabrics.
Tar: A thick, sticky black substance used to make things waterproof or for building roads.
Lair: The hidden home of a wild animal, especially something fierce like a dragon.
Mallet: A large wooden hammer used in crafts like leatherwork.
Resin: A sticky material found in trees, or used to make glue-like substances.
Plow: To dig and turn over the soil for farming, or in this story, to carve through land and sea!
Furrow: A deep line or trench made in the ground.

Context

‘Mykyta the Skin Wringer’ is a retelling of a classic Ukrainian folk tale about a solitary leatherworker who is the only person strong enough to defeat a terrifying dragon. As girls vanish across the land, including the Princess of Kyiv, Mykyta is called upon by the people to act: not for riches or fame, but because he remembers what it means to be brave.

The story blends rich folklore elements like dragons, magic disguises, and epic battles with emotional themes of courage, choice, and community. It’s an exciting tale perfect for sparking conversations about what makes a true hero.

Discussion questions

Spark a conversation with your child and connect the story to real-life lessons.

Courage

What made Mykyta finally decide to face the dragon, after saying no to the Prince?
Do you think it takes more courage to live alone, or to fight a dragon? Why?
How can remembering others – like the children in this story – help us find courage?

Helping

Why do the children ask Mykyta to help them?
What makes Mykyta want to help when the Prince’s offers didn’t work?
How can helping others make us feel stronger?

Heroes

What makes Mykyta a hero, even though he doesn’t want fame or fortune?
Is a hero someone who fights, or someone who protects? Or both?
Can someone quiet and humble still be a powerful hero?

Creative Thinking

How does Mykyta use his skills as a leatherworker to prepare for battle?
Why do you think he made a disguise out of straw, hemp and tar?
What does the story teach us about using what we know to solve problems?

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FAQs about ‘Mykyta the Skin Wringer’

What is ‘Mykyta the Skin Wringer’ about?

It’s the story of Mykyta, a humble leatherworker who is the only person strong enough to defeat a dragon stealing girls across Ukraine. Though he first refuses to help, the voices of children move him to act — and he faces the dragon in a fierce and clever battle.

What are the key themes in the story?

The story explores courage, helping others, creative problem-solving, and what makes a true hero. It also highlights the power of community to inspire change.

Is this story suitable for young children?

This story is best for readers aged 7 to 12. It contains fantasy battle scenes and complex moral ideas that are better suited to older kids.

What kind of hero is Mykyta?

Mykyta is a quiet, reluctant hero who lives in peace and avoids conflict. But when called by the people, he uses both strength and craft to do what’s right. He’s a wonderful example from our Heroes collection.

What lessons does the story teach?

It teaches that bravery can come from unexpected places, and that helping others — not rewards — is what makes someone truly heroic. It also encourages creative thinking and compassion.

Why does Mykyta disguise himself?

Mykyta uses straw, hemp and tar to build a fearsome costume, surprising the dragon and using his knowledge as a craftsman in clever ways. It’s a perfect example of problem-solving through skill and invention.

Is the dragon truly evil?

The dragon, Gorynych, is a classic fairy tale dragon — powerful, greedy, and frightening. He symbolises danger that only courage and teamwork can defeat.

What role do the children play in the story?

The children are the emotional heart of the story. Their voices awaken Mykyta’s sense of purpose and help him reconnect with his bravery and sense of duty.

Are there other versions of this story?

Yes! There are traditional versions where Mykyta uses resin to trap the dragon’s teeth, or even ploughs the earth and sea with the dragon before he drowns. It’s a well-known folk tale found in many variations across Ukraine.

Where can I find more dragon stories at Storyberries?

You can explore our full collection in the Kids Books About Dragons section.

Credits

This story was brought to life by these awesome real humans!

Written by: Jade Maitre
Illustrated by: Anthony E. Leah
Edited, designed and narrated by: Jade Maitre
Music in video by Tim Kulig. The music is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

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