What was the name of the rat in the fairy tale “The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Buratino”? - briefly
The rat in the fairy tale «The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Buratino» is named Aristotle. He assists the protagonist in several episodes.
What was the name of the rat in the fairy tale “The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Buratino”? - in detail
The rat in Alexei Tolstoy’s fairy‑tale «The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Buratino» is called «Крыса».
In the narrative the character appears as a small, brown laboratory‑type rat who works in the puppet theater owned by the Cat and the Fox. His primary function is to guard the entrance to the backstage area and to monitor the storage of the golden key. The rat’s temperament is portrayed as cautious and opportunistic; he attempts to bargain with Buratino for a share of any treasure discovered.
Key points about «Крыса»:
- Serves as a minor antagonist, frequently warning the protagonists about the dangers of the theater’s secret rooms.
- Engages in a brief dialogue with Buratino when the wooden boy first discovers the key, offering to trade information for a morsel of cheese.
- Is ultimately outwitted by Buratino, who uses the golden key to unlock the door to the hidden treasure chamber, leaving the rat empty‑handed.
The name «Крыса» remains unchanged throughout the text, distinguishing the character from other animal figures such as the Cat Basilio and the Fox Alice. The rat’s role reinforces the story’s themes of curiosity, deception, and the triumph of ingenuity over greed.