But the great cake got burnt, and the small one came out nicely. The merchant’s wife gave Vassilissa the burnt cake and put the small one on the table. They cut that cake, and immediately two pigeons flew out.
“Kiss me,” said the cock-pigeon to the other.
“No, thou wilt forget me, as Ivan the merchant’s son forgot Vassilissa the Cunning.”
And the second and the third time he asked, “Kiss me.”
“No, thou’lt forget me, as Ivan the merchant’s son forgot Vassilissa the Cunning.”
Ivan remembered then; he knew who the beggar was, and said to his father and mother: “This is my wife.”
“Well, if thou hast a wife, then live with her.”
They gave rich presents to the new bride, and let her go home; but Ivan the merchant’s son lived with Vassilissa the Cunning, gained wealth, and shunned trouble.