2 The wolf in the forest

Chapter 2 The wolf in the forest Prince Ivan didn't let his brothers stop him. Taking the Firebird's feather, he rode off, deep into a winter forest.

Snow covered the ground and weighed down the branches of the trees. It muffled all sounds except his horse's careful footprints. The air was bitterly cold, but the Firebird's feather glowed brightly, keeping Ivan warm.

After a while, Ivan came to a crossroads with a faded signpost. Peering up at it, he read the signs.

"Surely I can fight off a few wolves," thought Ivan, turning left. But for the first time ever, his horse refused to obey him, and galloped off to the right. Almost at once, a great silver wolf sprang out of the forest and attacked them.

Ivan drove the beast away with his sword, but it was too late. His horse had chosen to die in order to save him. He broke down and cried. Suddenly, he sensed that he was being watched. He looked up to see the same silver wolf, its head bowed in shame.

"I couldn't help myself," the wolf murmured. "I was so hungry. What can I do to make it up to you?" "What can you do?" asked Ivan angrily. "What can I do? How am I supposed to find the Firebird without even a horse to ride?"