The Singing Scoutmaster: Ivan and the Witch

Once there was a brave young man named Ivan, whose courage and determination were known throughout his village. One day, tragedy struck—his beloved sister disappeared without a trace. Desperate to find her, Ivan vowed to search every corner of the earth. Armed with nothing but his wits and a small knife, he set off on a quest that took him through dense forests, across wide rivers, and over high mountains.

After many days of wandering, Ivan found himself standing before a strange hut perched on chicken legs. It twisted and turned, moving restlessly among the trees. Ivan knew immediately that this was the home of Baba Yaga, the fearsome witch of the woods, known for her cruelty and dark magic. Yet he did not falter. Summoning all his courage, he called out, "Turn your back to the forest and your front to me!"

The hut creaked and groaned as it twisted around, its door swinging open to reveal Baba Yaga herself. She flew out on her mortar and pestle, her long, bony fingers clutching the sides as she hovered before him. Her hair was wild and tangled, her iron teeth clicked together menacingly, and her eyes gleamed with a terrible light.

"What do you want, boy?" she growled, her voice like the rustling of dead leaves. "No one comes to Baba Yaga's hut unless they have a death wish." She leaned closer, sniffing the air around him like a wolf catching a scent. "Hmm, you smell of fear and desperation."

"I seek my sister," Ivan replied boldly, standing his ground. "She was taken from our home, and I will not rest until I find her."

Baba Yaga threw back her head and cackled, the sound echoing through the forest. "Your sister? Many come to me looking for lost things, but few leave with what they seek." Her laughter died down, and she regarded him with narrowed eyes. "Very well, I'll help you—but only if you can perform three tasks for me. Succeed, and I'll tell you where to find her. Fail, and you'll never leave this place alive."

Ivan's heart pounded, but he nodded resolutely. "I will do whatever you ask." He had no choice—this was his only chance to find his sister.

Baba Yaga grinned wickedly and waved her hand. A bucket and a sieve appeared before him. "Your first task is to fetch water from the well in this sieve. Bring it to me full, and you may move on to the next task."

Ivan took the sieve and hurried to the well. But no matter how carefully he scooped, the water slipped through the holes, leaving the sieve empty. Despairing, he sat down on the ground. "How can I complete this task?" he murmured, burying his face in his hands.

Just then, a tiny mouse scampered up to him. "Please, little mouse," Ivan pleaded, "help me, and I'll reward you with cheese and bread."

The mouse twitched its whiskers and whispered, "Use clay to seal the holes." Ivan looked around, found some clay, and patched up the sieve. With the mouse's advice, he filled the sieve with water and brought it to Baba Yaga.

The witch's face twisted in displeasure, but she did not comment. Instead, she waved her hand again, and the sieve vanished. "Go to my stables and groom my horse," she ordered, her voice low and dangerous. "But be careful—she's wild and will trample you if you let her!"

Ivan entered the stable, where the horse reared and kicked, its eyes blazing with fury. It snorted and pawed the ground, shaking its powerful mane. But before it could attack, a small sparrow flew in through the open door. It landed on Ivan's shoulder and chirped softly, "Brush her with gentleness, and she'll calm down."

Ivan did as the sparrow suggested, speaking softly to the horse and stroking its coat with care. Slowly, the horse's wild eyes softened, and it stood still, allowing him to groom it without further trouble. When he returned to Baba Yaga, she scowled but said nothing.

"You're clever, boy," she muttered grudgingly. "But this last task will break you. Count every star in the night sky by dawn. If you miss even one, you'll never see your sister again."

Ivan's heart sank as he looked up at the sky. There were too many stars to count—how could he possibly finish by morning? He sat down on a rock, staring hopelessly at the countless points of light twinkling above.

Just then, a nightingale fluttered down from a nearby tree and perched on his knee. "Close your eyes, and I will count them for you," the bird sang softly. Its sweet song filled the night, and Ivan's eyes grew heavy. By the time he opened them again, dawn was breaking, and the nightingale had counted every single star in the sky.

"Well done," Baba Yaga said grudgingly, her voice tight with frustration. "I suppose you deserve your answer." She waved her bony hand, and a shimmering map appeared in the air. "Your sister is held in the castle of Koschei the Deathless, deep within the Black Mountains. Take care, for Koschei cannot be killed by ordinary means. But go—your bravery has earned you a chance."

With the map in hand, Ivan bowed low and thanked Baba Yaga. As he turned to leave, she called out, "Boy! Remember this: strength alone will not save you. Use your wits, and perhaps you'll outsmart even Koschei the Deathless."

Ivan nodded and set off through the forest, the map glowing faintly in his hand. He knew his journey was far from over, but with the knowledge Baba Yaga had given him and the help of his new friends, he felt hope for the first time in many days. He would find his sister, no matter what dangers lay ahead. And when he faced Koschei, he would remember Baba Yaga's words—because in a world filled with magic and monsters, courage and cleverness were his greatest weapons.