Vasilissa is confronted by Baba Yaga.

Vasilissa is sent away

Now the merchant’s business required him to travel far away, to distant lands and for a long time. While he was gone, the stepmother moved the family to a house near the forest. Within these woods was the home of Baba Yaga, the evil and bony witch, who was known to eat people as if they were chickens. The malicious stepmother sent Vasilissa into the forest on one errand after another. But no harm ever befell the young woman. Her little doll always kept her safe.

So, one evening, the stepmother gave all three girls jobs to be completed before the next day. The first should make lace, the second knit stockings, and Vasilissa was to spin wool. But the stepmother only left them one candle for light. When the candle began to smoke, the elder daughter went to trim the wick but instead snuffed out the light.

Was this an accident? Or was this a plan prearranged with the stepmother? Judge for yourself.

“What shall we do?” cried the girl. “There is no light, and our work is not done.”

“Someone must run to Baba Yaga’s house and beg for a light,” suggested the other daughter.

“Not me,” declared the first girl. “I can see well enough to finish my task.”

“Nor me,” said the second. “I can see well enough to use my needles.”

“It must be you!” they both shouted, grabbing Vasilissa. “Off you go to Baba Yaga!”