Once upon a time there lived a girl named Annushka. She lived with her parents in a large beautiful house. Everything here was made of wood, so there was always a pleasant aroma of pine in the rooms.
Annushka's mother, Maria, was the best housewife in the village. She made amazing pies with cherries and mulberries, knew how to bake delicious treats and prepare various dishes, so everyone around came to visit Annushka's house.
The girl's father was a farmer named Ivan. He spent almost all his time on his property. He had greenhouses with vegetables, paddocks for horses, and barns with rams and sheep.
Annushka loved coming to her father's farm, where she had many friends. She also had a friend named Taras. The boy lived not far from Annushka's house and often ran over to play with her.
The girl was six years old, and Taras was seven. They had been inseparable since birth, and their parents were also friends and often visited each other. Time passed, and the children grew older. Annushka had already turned fifteen and had become a real beauty.
One day, when Taras and his parents came to visit Annushka once again, his mother said:
Look at our children, they're like a real bride and groom! When Annushka turns eighteen, Taras will already be nineteen, and then we'll definitely have a wedding!
Of course! They look so beautiful together. And they've known each other since birth!
The girl's mother chimed in.
The children just smiled. They truly loved each other very much, they were the best of friends, and neither had anyone closer.
One day Annushka's mother sent the girl to the forest for mulberries to bake delicious fluffy pies. That evening, Taras and his parents were supposed to visit them again.
Annushka, try to pick the mulberries as quickly as possible, I'll still need your help, said Maria.
Mama, I'll manage very quickly. But maybe I should take Taras with me, it's boring to go to the forest alone!
Annushka asked.
Let's make it a surprise for them, after all, they don't know that today we'll be making delicious pies for them.
Annushka agreed. She took a basket and set off for the forest. The girl loved walking here. The birds sang beautiful songs for her, the leaves on the trees also rustled different melodies. Sometimes the ears of gray rabbits appeared from behind the trees, and once Annushka even saw a squirrel that waved its fluffy red tail at her.
Finally I've come to you, my dear tree!
Annushka said when she approached the mulberry tree. The girl picked the berries and filled the entire basket to the very top.
On the way back she heard a strange sound, it seemed to her that something was howling and humming behind her. Turning around, the girl saw a large shadow from a tree with huge branches. She was so frightened that she dropped the basket from her hands.
What are you doing here? Why did you come here?
The shadow whispered.
I came to gather berries for pies that my mother bakes.
Annushka answered fearfully.
Do you know that I am the most important one in this forest, and no one is allowed to walk here, and especially not to pick the gifts of nature!
The shadow continued to frighten the girl.
As punishment I will turn you into the most beautiful animal, and you will never become human again. There will be only one salvation—you must be sincerely loved by a young man.
The shadow waved its branches, and Annushka immediately turned into a beautiful white horse with a silky shimmering mane. The horse galloped toward the house, not understanding that all this had really happened to her.
Ivan! Several hours have passed since Annushka went to the forest for mulberries. I'm worried, she's still not back, maybe something happened!
Maria ran to the farm.
Don't worry. She's a curious girl, she probably got distracted somewhere looking at the leaves of a new tree, or listening to the birds singing.
The father said.
And suddenly a beautiful snow-white horse burst into the farm like a hurricane. It beat its hooves and rushed about the stable so much that the father and mother were even frightened.
Where did this beautiful horse come from? Whose is it? After all, no one nearby keeps horses!
Ivan was surprised.
Let's keep her with us, feed her, maybe she's hungry. Something is troubling her, look how she beats her hooves, as if trying to tell us something.
Annushka's mother suggested.
Several months passed, the parents searched everywhere for their daughter. Taras went to the forest every day looking for the girl, but never found her. He came to the stable every day, as if he had a premonition.
Hello, beauty! Why do you have such sad eyes?
The boy said.
Annushka only tried to make human sounds, but nothing worked. And even tears flowed from her eyes, while Taras gently stroked and pitied her.
One day, when buyers came to Ivan for a horse, Taras happened to be in the stable.
What is your most beautiful horse?
The buyer asked.
This beauty is the youngest and most well-groomed. She galloped to us several months ago and stayed here to live. We don't know where she's from, who her owner is, but we didn't drive her away, we let her live in the stable with all the horses.
The father answered.
The merchant held out the required sum of money and approached the horse.
And suddenly a cry was heard from behind him:
I won't give her up! This is my horse! I will never let anyone take her!
Taras ran to Annushka and blocked the passage with a huge haystack.
The boy approached the horse, gently stroked her mane and said:
I won't give you to anyone!
And suddenly the snow-white horse turned into Annushka! She was so beautiful that everyone around was blinded by her beauty.
Taras!
The girl exclaimed.
Annushka! Is it really you! I knew it, I believed that you would definitely be found!
From that time on, Taras and Annushka were never apart. When the girl turned eighteen and the young man nineteen, they had a wedding. They lived long and happily, and never left each other.
