The Scarlet Flower

A merchant prepares for a journey to distant lands and asks his three daughters what gifts they would like him to bring back. The elder daughters request expensive dresses and jewelry, while Alyonushka asks for a rare scarlet flower unlike any other. He promises to seek it on his travels.

The merchant arrives at a sparsely populated island inhabited by only three beings: a forest beast, a wise hermitess, and a grumbling butler. There he finds the scarlet flower, celebrated as unlike anything seen before. He plucks it, hoping to return with his daughter's wished gift.

When the merchant plucks the flower, the forest beast roars with anger and condemns him to remain a prisoner on the island. Though moved by the plea, the beast makes imprisonment the merchant's fate, signaling that family farewell may be the last hope for reunion.

Alyonushka, brave and determined, takes the enchanted ring from her father and uses it to travel to the island. Her goal is to reach him and learn how to cope with the island's danger and magic.

On the island, Alyonushka discovers a landscape of forest, a lake, and a grand palace. A mysterious hermitess dwells in seclusion with an honest butler, who hints at a distant life of masquerades and fireworks that hints at a spell's history.

Alyonushka grows close to the moss-covered beast who rules the island and discovers a kind heart beneath the fur. The two fall in love, and she begins to see the prince behind the curse.

Despite the elder hermitess's counsel to flee, Alyonushka chooses to leave only temporarily to visit her father and sisters. Her decision tests her loyalty and foreshadows the difficulties of leaving the island behind.

Her sisters try to keep her from returning, but Alyonushka travels back to the island with resolve. She returns to continue her mission and to free her beloved from the curse.

Back on the island, Alyonushka frees her beloved from the spell. The beast is revealed to be a prince and ruler, transforming the creature into a noble man who can reclaim his throne with her by his side.

The hermitess departs with her cherished peacock and turtle, accompanied by the loyal butler who vows to remain until a good heart returns to her. Their leaving closes one chapter of the island's mystery and signals a future guided by kindness.

With the curse broken and the truth revealed, the prince and Alyonushka begin their life together. The story closes on this union, with the hermitess finding peace as the island moves toward a hopeful future.