The Soldier and Death / A Russian Folk Tale Told in English by Arthur Ransome

A veteran returning home gives away his three dry biscuits to beggars and in gratitude receives a magical pack of cards that guarantees victory and a sack that can entrap any creature. He uses the sack to catch geese and trade for food and drink, then volunteers to spend a night in an abandoned palace haunted by devils. When the devils arrive and invite him to play, he deals with his enchanted cards and repeatedly wins, turning his gifts into protection and reward.