Somewhere, I cannot tell you exactly where, but certainly in vast Russia, there lived a peasant with his wife and they had twins — a son and daughter. One day the wife died and the husband mourned over her very sincerely for a long time. One year passed, and two years, and even longer. But there is no order in a house without a woman, and a day came when the man thought, "If I marry again possibly it would turn out all right." And so he [[did]].
(set: $ham to 0)
(set: $cookies to 0)
(set: $milk to 0)
(set: $comb_towel to 0)
(set: $good_grandma to 0)The stepmother was a cruel and cold women, and would often abuse the children. She scolded them without any reason, sent them away from home as often as she wished, and gave them scarcely enough to eat. Finally she wanted to get [[rid of them]].
"Dear children, [[go to my grandmother]] who lives in the forest in a hut on hen's feet. You will do everything she wants you to, and she will give you sweet things to eat and you will be happy."
Go to [[stepmother’s grandmother]] or, [[your grandmother’s house]]
The obedient children arrived at the forest and, oh, wonder! there stood a hut, and what a curious one! It stood on tiny hen's feet, and at the top was a rooster's head. With their shrill, childish voices [[they called out loud]].
The orphans started out. But instead of going to stepmother’s grandmother, the sister, a bright little girl, took her brother by the hand and [[ran to their own old, old grandmother]] and told her all about their going to the forest.
(set: $good_grandma to 1)"Oh, my poor darlings!" said the good old grandmother, pitying the children, "my heart aches for you, but it is not in my power to help you. You have to go not to a loving grandmother, but to a wicked witch. Now listen to me, my darlings," she continued; "I will give you a hint: Be kind and good to everyone; do not speak ill words to any one; do not despise helping the weakest, and in return [[good things will come]].The good old grandmother gave the children some delicious fresh milk to drink and to each a big slice of ham. She also gave them some cookies, and [[off they went]].
(set: $milk to 1)
(set: $ham to 1)
(set: $cookies to 1)On the way to the forest the children feel hungry…
[[eat ham]], [[eat cookies]], [[drink milk]] or
go to [[stepmother’s grandmother]]The children sat down and ate their slices of ham. After the refreshing snack they continue on their way to their [[stepmother’s grandmother]]
(set: $ham to 0)The children sat down and nibbled on some cookies. Hyped up on sugar they continue on their way to their [[stepmother’s grandmother]]
(set: $cookies to 0)The children sat down and and drank all their milk. After the quenching drink they continue on their way to their [[stepmother’s grandmother]]
(set: $milk to 0)"Izbushka, Izbushka! (Russian for wooden cottage) turn thy back to the forest and thy front to us!":
The hut did as they commanded. The two orphans looked inside and saw the witch resting there, her head near the threshold, one foot in one corner, the other foot in another corner, and her knees quite close to the ridge pole.
"Fou, Fou, Fou!" exclaimed the witch; "I feel the Russian spirit."
[[Turn back and run]], or [[Speak up]]
Smelling the fear and sensing the children’s plan to escape she cast a spell turning the boy into a bird and the girl into a cat. The boy and girl were never to be seen again. The father, having searched long and far for them eventually gave up and they were forever forgotten.
Bad EndThe children were afraid, and stood close, very close together, but in spite of their fear they said very politely: "Ho, grandmother, our stepmother sent us to thee to serve thee."
"All right; I am not opposed to keeping you, children. If you satisfy all my wishes I shall reward you; if not, I shall eat you up."
[[Turn back and run]], or [[Say nothing]]
Without any delay the witch ordered the girl to spin the thread, and the boy, her brother, to carry water in a sieve to fill a big tub. The poor orphan girl wept at her spinning-wheel and wiped away her bitter tears. At once all around her appeared small mice squeaking and saying:
"Sweet girl, do not cry. [[Give us cookies]] and we will help thee."
(if: $cookies is 1)[
The little girl willingly did so.
"Now,"gratefully squeaked the mice, " [[go and find the black cat]]. He is very hungry; give him a slice of ham and he will help thee."
]
(else:)[
The little girl said “sorry, I do not have any cookies to give!” and [[off went the mice]].
]The girl speedily went in search of the cat and saw her brother in great distress about the tub, so many times he had filled the sieve, yet the tub was still dry. The little birds passed, flying nearby, and chirped to the children: "Kind-hearted little children, [[give us some crumbs]] and we will advise you."
The girl, after having spent all day spinning thread, and the boy having spent all day filling tub, had hardly put a dent in their tasks. Defeated they headed back to the Izbushka where they [[met a black cat->met the black cat]].The orphans gave the birds some crumbs and the grateful birds chirped again: "Some clay and water, children dear!"
Then away they flew through the air.
The children understood the hint, spat in the sieve, plastered it up with clay and filled the tub in a very short time. Then they both returned to the hut and [[met the black cat]].
Dear children, I am very hungry, as Baba Yaga does not feed me at all. Would you please [[spare something to eat]]?(if: $ham is 1)[
They generously gave him some of the good ham which their good grandmother had given them, petted him and asked: "Dear Kitty-cat, black and pretty, tell us what to do in order to [[get away]] from thy mistress, the witch?"
](else-if: $ham is 1 and $good_grandma is 1) [
We are sorry Mr. Cat we ate our ham on our way to the forest and have nothing to offer you.
The cat, having ate nothing in 2 weeks, too weak to do anything dies.
[[Plan your own escape]]
]
(else:)[
We are sorry Mr. We have nothing to offer you.
The cat, having ate nothing in 2 weeks, too weak to do anything dies.
[[Plan your own escape]]
]"Well," very seriously answered the cat, "[[I will give you a towel and a comb]] and then you must run away. When you hear the witch running after you, drop the towel behind your back and a large river will appear in place of the towel.
If you hear her once more, throw down the comb and in place of the comb there will appear a dark wood. This wood will protect you from the wicked witch, my mistress."
(set: $comb_towel to 1)Baba Yaga came home just then.
"Is it not wonderful?" she thought; "everything is exactly right."
"Well," she said to the children, "today you were brave and smart; let us see tomorrow. Your work will be more difficult and I hope I shall eat you up." Soon came nightfall and Baba Yaga [[went to sleep]].
(if: $comb_towel is 1)[
Quietly, the children took the towel and comb and ran away as fast as their feet could possibly carry them. The dogs were after them, but they threw them the cookies that were left; this however [[woke up Baba Yaga]].
]
(else:)[
The Children sneak out of the house and ran as fast as they could, but alas Baba Yaga had dogs posted outside the house and the children's attempt to escape was futile. The next day Baba Yaga steps outside and collects the mauled remains and throws them into her broth.
Bad End
]Back in the house Baba Yaga beats the cat yelling "Where are the children? Why hast thou let them go, thou treacherous cat? Why hast thou not scratched their faces?"
The cat answered: "Well, it was because I have served thee so long and you never gave me a bite, while the dear children gave me some good ham."
The witch then scolded the dogs. "Well," barked the dogs, "thou certainly art our mistress, but thou hast never done us a favor, and the orphans [[were kind to us]]."
Baba Yaga understood that there was no help and started to follow the children herself. In her great hurry she forgot to look for the towel and the comb, but jumped astride a broom and was off. The children heard her coming and threw the towel behind them. At once a river, wide and blue, appeared and watered the field. Baba Yaga hopped along the shore until she finally found a shallow place and [[crossed it]].
Again the children heard her hurry after them and so they threw down the comb. This time a forest appeared, a dark and dusky forest in which the roots were interwoven, the branches matted together, and the tree-tops touching each other. The witch tried very hard to pass through, but in vain, and so, very, very angry, she [[returned home]].
The orphans rushed to their father, told him all about their great distress, and thus concluded their pitiful story. "Ah, father dear, why dost thou love us less than our brothers and sisters?"
The father was touched and became angry. He sent the wicked stepmother away and lived a new life with his good children. From that time he watched over their happiness and never neglected them any more.
Good End
The children, being worn out by the difficult tasks, head back to the Izbushka where Baba Yaga waits for them. She says "Did a lot of hardwork today my children? It's good for the meat, as hard work leads to a more tender human stew!" Baba Yaga finished cooking her broth and [[went to sleep]].