Ancient Rus. King Vasily had two sons: the eldest, Ivan, and the youngest, Alexei. The eldest by birth was always considered the future heir to the throne, but his fate took an unexpected turn.

On the day of Ivan's coronation, when the people gathered in the square to greet the new tsar, dark clouds began to gather in the sky. The coronation began with solemn speeches, but in the midst of the celebration, Ivan suddenly disappeared. None of the servants or guards could find him. The weather responded to the panic of the people: lightning flashed in the sky, and thunder resounded in the surroundings.

Three years later, a new coronation was to take place. The people gathered again, but instead of Ivan, the eldest son, the ceremonial functions were to be performed by the youngest son, Alexei. From the very morning, the sky was covered with clouds, as if foreshadowing bad weather.

You were among those who came to greet the new king.

But when they wanted to put the crown on Alexei at the moment of the coronation, a terrible storm broke out in the sky. The wind began to rumble. Suddenly, from behind a bright flash of lightning, a silhouette appeared in the doorway. It was Ivan, the king's eldest son.

Ivan-I must be on the throne, father.