S. T. Aksakov
Alenkiy tsvetochek
Once upon a time there was a rich merchant and he had 3 beautiful daughters, and the smaller one was the most beloved of all. He began to gather on commercial matters for the sea. He called his daughters and asked: “What to bring to you as a gift?” The eldest asked for a golden crown of gems of semi-precious stones, so that there was light from them; the middle toilet from the crystal of the east, so as not to look old, but the beauty was added; the youngest scarlet flower, which would not have been more beautiful. The merchant set off on his way. Sells its goods at a high price, buys other people’s vineyards, “changes the goods for goods with a bargain of silver and gold.”
He bought gifts from the elder and the middle, and the younger one did not. He saw little flowers, but they did not know any more beautiful. On the way home brigands attacked. The merchant fled into the forest (let the beasts tear apart
better than the captives). He walked through the woods and saw: the palace was on fire, silver, gold. I went into it, but everything was cleaned up, rich. A merchant went for a walk in the strange gardens and saw a little flower, scarlet, which is no more beautiful. He tore it off and in a moment a monster appeared terrible, shaggy. He let the merchant go home, but he or his daughter had to come back at will. The monster gave him a ring. The merchant put on his right little finger and found himself at home. I told all the daughters. Daughters: “Let that daughter help her father, for which he tore a scarlet flower.” The youngest daughter wore a ring on her right little finger and in a moment found herself in a rich palace. Well she lived there, but the monster wanted to see and hear. The monster agreed, but Nastenka nearly killed him.
She managed to overcome her fear. And they lived further they are cheerful and amicable. But Nastenka had a dream that his father was not well. Her monster let her go home for 3 days. It was necessary to return on time, otherwise the monster will die.
The sisters
were envious that Nastenka lived in wealth, and they transferred all the hours back and shut the shutters. At the right time Nastenka’s heart sank. Not waiting for a minute (according to the home clock), she returned to the palace. And the beast lay near the flower of the scarlet dead man. “Arise, awaken, I love you, as the bridegroom of your desired!” And the monster turned into a young prince: “I fell in love for a good soul, for my love.” (He was bewitched: an evil sorceress cursed her father and stole the prince still small). For 30 years he was bewitched. And during this time 11 girls came, but all ran away.
They married Nastenka and lived happily ever after.
