Baba Yaga and Vasilissa the Fair

In a faraway kingdom, there lived a merchant and his wife. They had only one child, a girl called Vasilissa. Everyone called her Vasilissa the Fair, because she was so lovely.

When Vasilissa was eight years old, her mother became very ill. One evening, she called her little daughter to her bed. She took a small doll from under the blanket and gave it to her.

"Listen, Vasilissa, my dear," she said. "Remember my last words. I must leave you soon. I am giving you this doll, with all my love. Always keep it with you, and never show it to anyone. When you are in trouble, give the doll something to eat and ask it for help. It will tell you what to do."

Then the mother kissed her daughter, and soon after, she died.

The merchant was very sad for a long time. Then he decided to marry again. He chose a widow who had two daughters of her own. They were about the same age as Vasilissa. The merchant thought that the widow would be a good mother to his daughter. But he was wrong.