Ivashenka and the Witch

The cunning witch cunningly lured Ivashenka into her hut, tasked her daughter with roasting him in the oven, and set off to summon guests – the forest and swamp spirits. But the little one is not one to give up easily. The witch's daughter ended up in the oven herself, while Ivashenka hid in a tree. The witch almost reached him, but a passing responsive gosling took Ivashenka under its wing and flew him back home. There, his father and mother mourn him with pancakes and shed tears. When they saw him – alive and unharmed, what happiness! And the gosling received plenty of love and care.
The fairy tale teaches children to be brave and proves that even the smallest but clever hero can overcome a terrifying enemy.
Illustrations by the famous animator V.A. Olshvang are a delicate balance between captivating and frightening. By looking at the clever Ivashenka and the touching savior gosling, a child immediately understands that the witch and the forest spirits – so clumsy and foolish – can be easily defeated with ingenuity and friendly support.