Vasilisa the Beautiful

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Vasilisa. She lived in a little, little house by a big, green forest. Before her dear mama went to the stars, she gave Vasilisa a tiny doll with button eyes and a soft dress. 'Keep her safe,' she whispered, 'and she will help you.' Vasilisa always kept the doll in her pocket. When her new stepmother was not nice, Vasilisa would give the doll a little crumb of bread and whisper her worries. The doll was her secret friend. This is the story of how her small friend helped her, a story people call Vasilisa the Beautiful.

One night, poof. The last candle went out. It was very, very dark. 'Go to the forest,' said her stepmother. 'Get a light from the old woman, Baba Yaga.' Vasilisa was scared. The forest was full of tall, tall trees that whispered secrets to the moon. But she remembered her doll was in her pocket. She found a funny house that stood on chicken legs. It was Baba Yaga's house. Baba Yaga looked very grumpy. She said Vasilisa could have a light, but only if she did all her chores first. The chores were so hard, but the little doll whispered clever ideas in her ear, and together, they finished every single one.

Baba Yaga was so surprised but she kept her promise. She gave Vasilisa a special lantern. Inside, a magical light glowed so brightly it chased all the shadows away. Vasilisa thanked her and hurried home with the bright, bright light. When her stepmother saw the beautiful light, she was amazed. The magic in the lantern showed her that being unkind makes your world dark, and she decided to be kinder from that day on. The story reminds us that even when you feel small, a little bit of kindness in your heart, like the little doll, can help you find your own light.