Tatyana walked into the dark woods, not sure of the way. “Return and venture no further young Miss,” said a voice from the trees.
“Who speaks but will not show himself,” asked the girl.
A large raven flew down and landed at Tatyana’s feet. “Tread no father mistress, you are in great danger. I was a friend of your father’s. I know of the enchantment. Baba Yaga is too wicked to approach,” cautioned the bird.
“I have no choice. I ask if you would show me to the Witch’s hut,” said Tatyana. The bird agreed to go as far as the hut’s clearing but no further.
“Thank you. I will tell my father of your kindness,” said the girl.
Aleksei sat waiting for his daughter to cook the mid-day meal and soon grew furious when she didn’t show. “The devil take you!” cried Aleksei. He mashed the wooden bowl against the floor. “The way he took your vile mother,” he added.
The woodsman heard a voice behind him. “Calm, my babushka. You should not worry. I, Roksana, am here to serve you, unlike your serpent girl,” said the sorceress.
“My beauty has come as in my dreams,” said Aleksei.
The sorceress prepared soup, and to guarantee his obedience, she added mandrake powder.
Roksana played a twisted game of feeding the woodsman as lovers sometimes do. “Eat my strong man. Tonight, you lie in my bed,” hissed the sorceress.
The raven bid the Tatyana farewell upon reaching the clearing. He added that she should seek the cat. She needed to offer it some of her food if she hoped to enter the hut.
Tatyana stood before a circle of hideous pumpkin guardians. Their heads glowed with fire, and their bodies draped in rags. “Don’t try to enter the circle,” said a small voice at the girl’s feet. “Unless you wish to die.”
Looking down, Tatyana saw a skinny black cat peering up at her. “Hello. The raven said I should offer you something to eat. Do you like cheese, or do you prefer curdle milk?” asked the girl.
“Both, thank you,” said the cat.
“I see,” replied Tatyana with a wry smile. The two discussed the Witch and Tatyana’s quest to free her father from the sorceress.
“You are a kind child and have shown compassion. I will help you,” the cat said. He explained that she must never let Baba Yaga ask her to feed the fire. She should also not check the oven. If she did, the old crone would shove her in and eat her for dinner.
After scratching the cat’s tummy, Tatyana bid farewell and walked to the house on chicken feet. “Little hut, little hut, turn your front to me and back to the forest,” called out the girl.
The legs moved the hut from left to right, exposing the hut’s entrance to Tatyana. “Time to meet destiny,” the girl said. She climbed up and pounded on the door with her fist.
“Fi-Fi, is that the smell of Russian? Enter so I can see what comes to my door,” a voice croaked from inside said.
Tatyana entered the dark room, and the door slammed behind her, preventing her escape. “Are you here of your own free will or by compulsion? ” the Witch asked.
“Both and neither,” answered the youth.
“What spunk you have to trick me. I who have seen the beginning and end of time,” Baba Yaga said.
“Not a trick, grandmother. It is the truth as plain as the nose on your face,” commented Tatyana.
“Sit, child, and tell me your story. I will decide whether to help or eat you this day,” said the Witch.
Tatyana recalled how the sorceress Roksana had enchanted her father. She had until the next full moon to overcome the enchantment. She explained that her aunt had sent her to the council of the wild Witch of the East.
“Roksana, my skin crawls to hear her name. Your aunt is a good woman and was right to send you here. I will help, but my hate for the sorceress does not remove my hunger for your flesh,” said Baba Yaga.
“Thank you, grandmother, your kindness blesses me,” replied Tatyana.
“You’re a strange bird showing compassion to me. There is something about you I don’t yet see—enough chit-chat. Sit and eat, child. Tomorrow, you start your tasks. If you fail, my pitch will taste your flesh. Is that understood?” asked the Witch.
“Clear as your deep blue eyes see the dead as they pass to the beyond,” answered the child.
Baba Yaga made a warm bed above the pitch, and soon, both were fast asleep. The morning would bring a challenge to overcome. But for now, Tatyana dreamed.
For More Fun Visit:
Folksburywoods 
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