De vuurvogel en de grijze wolf

In a far‑flung empire a mighty ruler tends a garden so splendid that its very sight outshines any city. Among the rare blossoms and exotic birds hangs an apple tree whose fruit glitters like gold, and each night the king hears the silent loss of those precious apples. He promises half his kingdom to the son who can catch the nightly thief, then summons his three heirs to keep watch. The two elder princes soon surrender to sleep, while the youngest, Iwan, stays awake, determined to solve the mystery.

When midnight drapes the garden in darkness, a flaming star streaks across the eastern sky and lands on the apple tree. A firebird, its feathers burning like sunrise, darts among the branches and snatches the golden fruit. Iwan grabs a trembling feather as the creature flees, and the single plume ignites the garden with light. Presenting the glowing token to his father, the king sees the thief is a firebird, and his relief turns into pride for his courageous son, opening the path to adventures beyond the palace walls.