Beautiful Vassilissa (8)

Beautiful Vassilissa (8)

Vassilissa gave the rest of food to her doll, and in tears she said, " Dolly,dear, eat this food and listen carefully to me. The old witch has told me to do an impossible amount of work and she will eat me if I have not finished in time. "

The doll replied, " Don't be afraid, beautiful Vassilissa. Have your dinner and go to asleep. The night will bring an answer. "

Very early the next morning Vassilissa got up and looked out of the window.

The eyes of the skull had stopped burning.

Then white horseman passed in front of her and it was light.

The old witch left the house and whistled.

Her mortar, pestle and broom appeared at once.

Then the red horseman rode by and the sun came out.

The witch sat in her mortar and went off, driving it with the pestle, while she swept away her tracks with the broom.

Vassilissa took the chance to walk around the house and admired the witch's wealth.

She wondered what part of the work she should do first, but when she looked again, she noticed that the work was already done !

And that was not allーthe doll had removed the beetles from the wheat !

" Oh, my good helper, " said Vassilissa.
" You hve saved me ! "

" You only have to prepare dinner, and there's plenty of time for that, " answered the doll as she climbed back into Vassilissa's pocket.

(8/17)