“What shall we do now?” said the girls. “There isn’t a spark of fire in the house, and our tasks are not yet done. We must go to the Baba Yaga’s for a light!”
“My pins give me light enough,” said the one who was making lace. “I shan’t go.”
“And I shan’t go, either,” said the one who was knitting socks. “My knitting-needles give me light enough.”
“Vasilissa, you must go for the light,” they both cried out together; “be off to the Baba Yaga’s!”
And they pushed Vasilissa out of the room.
Vasilissa went into her little closet, set before the doll a supper which she had provided beforehand, and said:
“Now, dolly, feed, and listen to my need! I’m sent to the Baba Yaga’s for a light. The Baba Yaga will eat me!”
The doll fed, and its eyes began to glow just like a couple of candles.
“Never fear, Vasilissa dear!” it said. “Go where you’re sent. Only take care to keep me always by you. As long as I’m with you, no harm will come to you at the Baba Yaga’s.”
So Vasilissa got ready, put her doll in her pocket, crossed herself, and went out into the thick forest.