Batcha, a shepherd, witnesses snakes entering a secret cave by using a special leaf. He follows them but gets trapped. The snake king releases him under a triple oath of secrecy. Returning home in spring instead of autumn, Batcha faces his wife's anger for his absence. When a wizard demands to know his whereabouts, Batcha breaks his oath. As punishment, the wizard transforms the snake king into a dragon, forces Batcha to ride it through the heavens. In despair, Batcha prays to God for help. God sends a birch leaf with a message to the dragon, causing it to plummet to Earth, returning Batcha safely to his hut. Grateful and humbled, Batcha is relieved to be home, even if it means facing his wife's anger, demonstrating themes of oaths, consequences, and redemption.

Batcha, a shepherd, witnesses snakes entering a secret cave by using a special leaf. He follows them but gets trapped. The snake king releases him under a triple oath of secrecy. Returning home in spring instead of autumn, Batcha faces his wife's...

Batcha and the dragon | Stories About Keeping Promises