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.
The Tale of the Firebird
Europe
Materials from Europe
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.
The King Who Tried to Fry an Egg on His Head
A poor and foolish king marries off his three daughters to the Sun, the Moon, and the Raven and then tries to copy their special talents.
The Dream Mouse
The Dream Mouse drives his cart with its load of sleep through the darkening village, bringing wondrous dreams to all the children.
Dragon Feathers
This spirited folktale from Austria’s Ziller Valley tells the story of a poor woodcutter’s son who learns that he must pluck three feathers from the wings of a terrible dragon in order to win the hand of his beloved.
A Wagonload of Fish
Trying to satisfy his nagging wife, a peasant catches a wagonload of fish, only to be relieved of them by a hungry fox.
Curse in Reverse
After a witch places a curse on them, a childless couple lives in fear for many years before coming to understand that the curse is really a blessing in disguise.
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship
When the Czar proclaims that he will marry his daughter to the man who brings him a flying ship, the Fool of the World sets out to try his luck.