In the settlement of a dispute concerning the birth of a colt from her father's mare, the daughter of a poor peasant challenges the Tsar with answers as clever as his own riddles.

Retells the traditional tale of the old lady who, having missed her chance to take gifts to the newborn Christ Child, still wanders leaving gifts for all children in hopes that, one day, she will come upon Him.

Prince Ivan wanders into an enchanted garden and, with the help of the magnificent Firebird, rescues a princess from an evil sorcerer.

Because he wants to keep the pot of gold he found, Ivan must outwit the lord of the manor who wants the gold for himself.

"Varenka lives contently in her cottage in the woods, until passersby warn her that war has broken out. Pack up a bundle and come along with us. But Varenka can't leave. Who will care for the children who wander and get lost in the forest? Who will shelter the animals and feed the birds when winter comes? Soon, Varenka shelters a young artist, an old farmer and his goat, and a lost child. And each night she prays for a wall to be built around her...