So he ordered his sons to appear at a feast with their wives.

In a small box.  Again Prince Ivan returned home unhappy.

“Father ordered that we go to a feast,” he told the frog.  “How can I show you to people?”

The frog answered, “Don’t worry, Prince Ivan.  Go to the feast alone, and I will follow you.  When you hear a clatter and thunder, don’t be afraid.  Say, ‘This is my little frog arriving in a small box.’”

Prince Ivan went alone.  His older brothers arrived with their wives, wonderfully attired.  They laughed at Prince Ivan.  “You could have at least brought your wife in a handkerchief,” they snickered.

The czar, his sons, their brides, and guests sat down to feast.  Suddenly a clatter and thunder arose.  The guests were scared, but Prince Ivan said, “Don’t be afraid.  This is my little frog arriving in a small box.”

Vasilisa the Wise stepped from a golden carriage.  Her azure dress was covered with stars, and she had a bright moon in her hair.  Her beauty was such as could only be spoken of in tales.  She led Prince Ivan to the table.

The guests ate, drank, and made merry.  Vasilisa the Wise drank a little from her glass but poured the rest into her left sleeve.  She tasted the swan and tucked the bones into her right sleeve.  The wives of the older brothers noticed her tricks and did the same.

Soon they began to dance.  Vasilisa the Wise grabbed Prince Ivan and leapt to the floor.  Her dancing was a marvel.  She waved her left hand and a lake suddenly appeared; she waved her right hand and swans swam in the lake.  The czar and the guests were filled with wonder.

The older brothers’ brides took to the dance floor.  They waved one hand but only splashed their guests; they waved the other and greasy bones flew about.  When a bone struck the czar in the eye, he ran them off in anger.