[4] In a letter to his son of November 23, 1856 Aksakov wrote: "I am writing a story which in my childhood I knew by heart".

Aksakov added that he did not feel sleepy at all, on the contrary, couldn't fall asleep until the very end.

The eldest asked for a golden tiara adorned with precious gems that sparkled brightly, and the second wanted a crystal mirror which always showed the person's reflection as young and beautiful.

The beast gave the merchant a ring, and the girl that put it on the littlest finger of her right hand would be transported to the palace.

Nastenka lived luxuriously with the beast, who granted her every desire, fed her delicious food and gave her rich jewels and clothing, yet never revealed himself to her for fear of upsetting her.

The elder sisters put the clocks back and closed the windows, to trick Nastenka.

When Nastenka felt that something had been wrong and came back to the Monster's palace, he lay dying near the scarlet flower.

The handsome prince explained that he was the Beast, cursed by a witch who was fighting his father, a mighty king.

[8] The tale is classified - and gives its name - to the East Slavic type SUS 425C, Russian: "Аленький цветочек", romanized: Alen'kyy tsvetochek, lit.

'The Scarlet Flower', of the East Slavic Folktale Classification (Russian: СУС, romanized: SUS (Сравнительный указатель сюжетов)): a father brings presents to his three daughters, the youngest asks for a scarlet flower, which belongs in the garden of a prince cursed to be a monster.

In exchange for the flower the monster demands the daughter, marries her, and turns into a handsome man.