A Tsar, enamored with his magical golden apple-tree, finds his prized fruit stolen nightly. His three sons attempt to catch the thief, but only the youngest succeeds. He discovers that the thief is a beautiful maiden who transforms from a peafowl. They fall in love, and she gifts him golden apples each night until an envious old woman snips off her hair, causing her to vanish. Heartbroken, the youngest son embarks on a quest to find her, learning from an old woman that the peafowl are enchanted princesses. He faces treachery from his servant, who puts him to sleep while the peafowl bathe. The prince eventually learns that he must strike off the head of the servant to break the spell. After doing so, he discovers that the ninth princess is imprisoned by a dragon. The prince pursues the dragon to rescue the princess, but the dragon's magic horse allows it to catch them repeatedly. The princess reveals that the dragon's horse comes from an old woman who will only give it to someone who can guard her mare and foal for three nights. The prince succeeds with the help of a fish, a fox, and a raven, each of whom he saves and who provide assistance. After successfully guarding the mare and foal, the prince chooses a seemingly worthless horse, which transforms into a magnificent steed. With this horse, he finally escapes the dragon's pursuit. The dragon, in a final attempt to reclaim the princess, is defeated when his horse cannot keep up with the prince's magical horse. The enchantment is broken, and the prince and princess return to the city, where they marry and rule happily. The story concludes with their joyful reign, symbolizing love's triumph over adversity and enchantment.
By Parker Fillmore · First published 1930 · Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure