The witch Baba Yaga uses a trick to capture a young man, but he cleverly avoids being eaten.
Europe
Materials from Europe
Baba Yaga and the Little Girl
When she is sent by her cruel stepmother to the fearsome Baba Yaga, a clever young girl uses kindness to make her escape.
The Golden Bracelet
In order to win the hand of his love, indolent Prince Haig learns to weave beautiful golden cloth, a craft that later saves his life.
Baba Yaga: A Russian Folktale
When a terrible witch vows to eat her for supper, a little girl escapes with the help of a towel and comb given to her by the witch’s cat.
Tsugele’s Broom
Despite the urgings of her well-meaning parents, a self-sufficient Polish girl insists she’ll never marry unless she meets a man who is as reliable as her broom.
The Castle of the Cats
When a farmer sends his sons on three quests to determine who will inherit the farm, Ivan, who is small and simple, finds good luck and wonderful treasures in a castle filled only with cats in fancy costumes and wigs.
The Tale of the Firebird
When Prince Ivan sets out to find the Firebird for his father the tsar, he must complete a series of tasks before obtaining the Firebird and winning the hand of a beautiful princess.
Bearhead: A Russian Folktale
Bearhead succeeds in outwitting the witch Madame Hexaba and a frog-headed goblin. Half-bear and half-man, he outwits an evil witch by being totally honest.
Vasalisa and Her Magic Doll
A retelling of the old Russian fairy tale in which beautiful Vasalisa uses the help of her doll to escape from the clutches of the witch Baba Yaga.
Stretch, Swallow & Stare
Stretch was not like other people. She could stretch her body taller than the tallest tree. People didn’t trust her because she was different. That’s why she lived in the forest. Swallow could eat more food than anyone. The villagers made fun of her because she was short and fat. That’s why she left town. Stare’s eyes were so strong they could burn through anything she looked at. Everyone was afraid of her. That’s why she stayed alone. And then there was Ira – small, skinny, and short-sighted – with nobody in the world to help him search for his missing sister. Somehow these four unlikely characters come together and overcome all obstacles – even the most evil magic in the land.