The Witch's Grove

8 hrs. 3 min.

Language Russian

Author Elena Abramkina

Narrator Anastasiya Fursova

Description

“Don’t walk past the witch’s shack,” Glaša was told. “Don’t stare at the grove that makes noise across the river. The master of the forest, Khozhiy himself, is roaming the village now, looking for a bride. You have blue eyes, black hair, and you’re reclusive—you’re like our witch from her youth. Khozhiy will take you to his magic grove—remember the name of whoever you’ll call.”

But is it proper for a sensible city girl to believe these tales? Here, if you listen long enough, every old woman is a witch, and every abandoned shed is a damned hut.

Glaša laughs at her aunt’s words, swings her heavy braid over her back, snorts like a cat—yet keeps wondering: adults, smart-looking adults, and every other one of them talks about a witch with Khozhiy.

Foolishness, nothing more!

And so does Gleb, a young doctor who came to the village for his practice—the only reasonable person for miles—he laughs at the village fairy tales too. Only the aunt tells him not to hang out with him, and behind his back calls Khozhiy “Khozhiy,” while crossing himself furtively.

But Gleb is happy to play along, as long as they don’t touch him and Glaša—she has caught his eye too much. Still, why doesn’t he fear going to the magic grove? Why do his animals and birds listen to him? Why do patterns glow on his hands?

Glaša stands on the very line where a tale becomes reality. She doesn’t know where to step next.

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