A woman has two daughters: Holena, her biological child, whom she adores, and Marushka, her stepdaughter, whom she despises due to Marushka's beauty. The stepmother and Holena force Marushka to do all the household chores while they indulge in leisure. Despite their cruelty, Marushka remains kind and continues to grow more beautiful. One winter day, Holena demands violets, which are impossible to find in the snow. Threatened with death if she fails, Marushka climbs the mountain and encounters the Twelve Months, who help her by transforming the landscape to spring, allowing her to gather violets. Holena and the stepmother are astonished when Marushka returns with the flowers, but they do not share them with her. The next day, Holena orders Marushka to find strawberries, again impossible in winter. Marushka returns to the Months, who create summer, enabling her to gather strawberries. Once more, Holena and the stepmother are surprised but do not offer Marushka any fruit. On the third day, Holena demands red apples. Marushka, knowing it is winter, again faces threats. She returns to the Months, who bring autumn, allowing her to pick apples. Holena is furious that Marushka only brings two apples, believing she has eaten the rest. Determined to find more apples, Holena ventures up the mountain herself, disregarding warnings. When Holena arrives at the Months' fire, she is rude and dismissive. Angered, Great January causes a blizzard, and Holena becomes lost in the snow. Meanwhile, Marushka waits at home, concerned for her sister and stepmother, but they never return. Eventually, it is revealed that both Holena and the stepmother have perished in the storm. Marushka inherits the cottage and eventually marries a kind farmer, leading a happy life. The story emphasizes themes of kindness, the consequences of cruelty, and the rewards of goodness.
By Parker Fillmore · First published 1940 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature