Stories Podcast: "Maruschka and the New Year" (Jan 14, 2026) – Detailed Episode Summary

Main Theme

This episode features the retelling of a classic Czech fairy tale, Maruschka and the New Year, adapted for young listeners. The story centers on Maruschka, a kind stepchild unjustly treated by her jealous stepmother and stepsister Helena. Through a magical encounter with the twelve personified months, Maruschka’s patience and goodness are rewarded, while cruelty and greed meet a fitting end. The tale explores themes of kindness, resilience in adversity, fairness, and the cycles of nature.

Key Discussion Points and Story Structure

Introduction to Maruschka and Her Family

• [03:24] The episode opens setting the scene: Maruschka is an orphaned stepchild who is beautiful and kind but is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsister, Helena, who resent her goodness.
  • “Helena, her own daughter she loved dearly. But she couldn’t even bear the sight of Maruschka, the stepchild. This was because Maruschka was so much prettier than Helena.” (Narrator, 03:24)

Increasing Cruelty and Impossible Tasks

• [04:40] Maruschka is forced to do all the housework while Helena lounges. Despite mistreatment, Maruschka grows ever kinder and more beautiful, amplifying her family’s jealousy.
• The stepmother decides Maruschka must be driven away to secure Helena's future:
  • “Soon the boys will come courting, and once they see how good and kind Maruschka is, they’ll pay no attention at all to my Helena.” (Narrator, 05:20)

First Quest – Violets in Winter

• [06:28] Helena demands violets in January, an impossible task, and Maruschka is sent into the snowy woods under threat of expulsion.
  • “‘What can you be thinking of? Whoever heard of violets growing under the snow in January? I’ll freeze.’” (Maruschka, 06:35)
  • Her family responds with threats and violence, pushing her out into the cold.
• Maruschka, wandering hopeless in the snow, discovers a glowing fire surrounded by twelve mysterious figures – the personifications of each month.
• [07:29] Key Exchange:
  • “‘This is no place for you, my child.’” – Great January (Amanda Weldon, 07:29)
  • Maruschka explains her plight; January passes his staff to March, who creates spring so Maruschka may pick violets.

Second Quest – Strawberries in the Snow

• [10:53] The next day Helena, unsatisfied, demands strawberries. Again Maruschka is sent out into the wintry woods.
• She finds the months again; January passes the staff to June, who brings summer. Maruschka gathers strawberries and returns home.
• Her family greedily eats all the strawberries, never sharing a single one with her.

Third Quest – Apples Out of Season

• [17:18] Helena now insists on red apples in the depth of winter.
• For the third time, Maruschka visits the months. This time September brings on autumn, and Maruschka gets two apples.
  • “‘That’s enough, Maruschka.’” – September (Amanda Weldon, 18:37)
• Helena and her mother, angered there are only two apples, decide to fetch more for themselves.

The Fate of the Wicked

• Helena, arrogant and rude to the months, demands apples without courtesy.
  • “‘You old fool. What business is it of yours who I am or what I want?’” – Helena to Great January (Amanda Weldon, 21:09)
• The months retaliate: a magical storm sweeps Helena away, and when her mother goes looking for her, they are hopelessly lost in a storm that leaves them unable to return home.
• [24:00] Maruschka, concerned for her family despite her mistreatment, asks January to help them.
  • “‘Well, she’s not very nice, that’s true, but I don’t want either of them to freeze...Could you perhaps guide them out of the storm?’” (Maruschka, 24:13)
  • January and the other months ensure Helena and the stepmother settle in a distant land, never able to return.

Conclusion – Virtue Rewarded

• Maruschka inherits the home, marries a good-hearted farmer, and has a happy family.
• The story ends with Maruschka’s kindness and endurance rewarded and her “happily ever after.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Maruschka’s resilience:
  • “She never complained. She did all she was told to do and bore patiently their everlasting fault finding...” (Narrator, 04:54)
• On magical realism and hope:
  • “‘Run and pick them, Maruschka.’ Quickly March called.” (Narrator/March, 08:25)
• Lesson in kindness:
  • When the months intervene after Maruschka pleads mercy for her persecutors:
    • “‘You want them to go home? They are terrible to you, and this storm is only making them worse. They still blame you, even though they’re the ones who pushed you out.’” (Great January, 24:22)
• A memorable portrayal of greed:
  • “Helena took the strawberries and gobbled and gobbled and gobbled...But it never occurred to either of them to say, here, Maruschka, you take one.” (Narrator, 13:01)

Important Timestamps

• 03:24 — Family dynamics and motivations introduced
• 06:28 — Maruschka’s first banishment and the quest for violets
• 07:29-09:20 — Encounter with the 12 months and magical intervention for violets
• 10:53-12:13 — Second quest; June brings summer for strawberries
• 17:18-18:40 — Third quest; September conjures apples and limits Maruschka to two
• 21:09 — Helena’s disrespect at the fire of the months
• 24:00-25:00 — Maruschka’s compassion, storm’s magical judgment, and final outcomes

Tone and Language

• The narration maintains a gentle, descriptive, and slightly whimsical tone throughout, suitable for young audiences.
• Dialogue is direct and occasionally playful, embodying classic fairy tale rhythms.
• The story richly describes the magical transformation of seasons, offering vivid sensory imagery.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode delivers a classic tale with a magical twist: Maruschka, treated harshly by her stepfamily, remains steadfastly good. Through humble politeness and compassion — even for those who mistreated her — she wins the supernatural favor of the twelve months of the year. The story teaches that kindness and virtue, even in the bleakest conditions, are ultimately rewarded, while selfishness and cruelty carry consequences. With vivid storytelling and a fairy tale ending, this episode is perfect for families seeking warmth and wisdom for the New Year.