The Firebird ("Zhar-Ptitsa")
A Russian Folk-Tale
Once upon a time a powerful Tsar had three sons, named Dimitri, Vasily, and
Ivan. They all lived together in a magnificent palace surrounded by a beautiful
garden in which grew golden apples. One day the Tsar realized that some of the
golden apples were disappearing while he slept and learned that they were being
taken by a beautiful Firebird. He promised half his kingdom to the son who
could catch the Firebird. Dimitri tried first but could not catch it. Vasily tried
next and also failed.
Then, it was Ivan’s turn. He waited for a long time under the apple tree.
Suddenly, the garden was lit up as bright as day and the Firebird appeared. Ivan
tried to catch the bird but was only able to get one of her brilliant feathers. The
Firebird did not to return to the garden after that and the Tsar sent all three sons
to find her. During Ivan’s search for the Firebird, he formed an alliance with a
gray wolf who carried Ivan on his back and rescued him from danger and even
death. Along the way he also met and fell in love with the beautiful Princess
Elena. After many adventures with the gray wolf and betrayal by his brothers,
Ivan returned triumphantly to his father’s house with the Firebird and married
the Fair Elena.