Classic story

Vasilisa the Beautiful

A Slavic tale
6 chapters
about 18 min

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Vasilissa the Fair lives a difficult life after her mother dies, leaving her only a magical doll that helps with chores when fed. Her father remarries a cruel widow who brings two jealous stepsisters to torment Vasilissa daily. The stepmother and her daughters constantly pile work onto Vasilissa while they sit idle, hoping to break her spirit. When the family runs out of fire, the stepsisters force Vasilissa to venture into the dark forest for light from the witch Baba Yaga. Guided by her doll, Vasilissa reaches the witch's terrifying bone-fenced hut and agrees to work in exchange for a glowing skull. Baba Yaga sets impossible tasks, such as cleaning wheat and separating poppy seeds from dirt, threatening to eat Vasilissa if she fails. However, the doll performs all the labor overnight, allowing Vasilissa to complete every task perfectly each day. Impressed but wary of Vasilissa's blessing, the witch gives her the light and sends her home safely. Upon returning, the skull's eyes burn the stepmother and stepsisters to cinders in their hatred. Vasilissa then uses her doll to weave magnificent linen that catches the attention of the king. The king falls in love with her beauty and wisdom, asking her to become his queen. Vasilissa accepts the proposal and lives happily ever after, always keeping her faithful doll by her side.

How it begins

VASILISSA THE FAIR. In a certain kingdom there lived a merchant. Twelve years did he live as a married man, but he had only one child, Vasilissa the Fair. When her mother died, the girl was eight years old. And on her deathbed the merchant's wife called her little daughter to her, took out from under the bed-clothes a doll, gave it to her, and said, "Listen, Vasilissa, dear; remember and obey these last words of mine. I am going to die. And now, together with my parental blessing, I bequeath to you this doll. Keep it always by you, and never show it to anybody; and whenever any misfortune comes upon you, give the doll food, and ask its…

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Vasilisa the Beautiful

How it begins

Every story, fully told

A voice for every character

The mood of every line

Pictures of every place

Read along

Your AI voice, for any character

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