Abstract: Mythologists believe that myth has always been intended to educate people and lead them in the right direction. The fact that modern writers often touch upon ancient myths may serve as a clear reflection of modern people's understanding of the ancient moral concepts. The myth of the mother-deer in the novella by Chingiz Aitmatov, The White Ship, originated from a legend about the origin of the people from a large tribe in Kyrgyz. Aitmatov's educational thought is known to be quite unique for its high standard, its range of comparisons, and its depth of philosophical musings. In his work, a myth functions much more than just a mere myth because it also constitutes a whole parabolic system in the artistic consciousness of the writer. Aitmatov depicts the real life of a small nation and raises the fundamental issue of humanity at present and in the 20^th century. This is the ethnopedagogical idea he proposed in his work: a boy brought up with the ideas from the old fairy tales is unable to confront the new civilization; as people living in the era of globalization breach the moral boundaries constantly, misfortune and disaster will fall on humankind eventually. Here, the details in the myth are intended to educate people. The Kyrgyz folk dastans-legends are not just ready-made plots; instead, they represent the tragedy of a man who raised his hands to the mother earth. It is a stern warning to later generations.

Key words: Aitmatov, The White Ship, the legend of the "Mother-Deer", ecological moral, ethnic education