So she led Vasilisa into her horrid dirty hovel and there set her to work to tidy up and cook The kitchen was in such a chaotic mess that Vasilisa did not know where to find anything and she was cold and hungry from her journey.

‘How can I do this?’ she asked the little doll, and she held on to her tight in her pocket.
‘Do not worry,’ she replied, ‘just do your best and keep steady and you will see, it will all turn out alright.’

Gradually little by little she managed to clear away the cobwebs and bits of uneaten food, and to find the pots and spoons that she needed. Then the began to prepare the meal and thanks to her mother she had learnt to cook very well. She had soon made an enormous feast of beetroot soup, roast chicken, onion pie, baked vegetables and apple crumble, enough for twenty people. The old hag ate it all up without a word, and wiped her hairy mouth with the back of her knobbly hand, and then fell asleep snoring loudly. She left only a small crust of bread and an egg-cup of soup for Vasilisa.