When spring comes to the Steppe and covers the earth with green grass and colorful tulips, bunnies awake, all white, fluffy and sweet. One spring, a sweet girl with eyes like currants and rosy cheeks was born to a family of nomads. She got up on her feet and began to jump like a bunny. “Devyalya”, laughed her grandmother, “jumping like a spring bunny!” The parents named the girl Devyalya, and her grandmother sewed a Bunny doll for her, which the girl carried with her everywhere she went. Devyalya grew up to be very kind and affectionate and was a wonderful help to her grandmother.
One day, the grandmother asked the girl to go to the Steppe to collect medicinal herbs. Devyalya set out early in the morning wearing her waistcoat and carrying a basket for the herbs. She walked on the grass blanketed with dew and sang a song. On the way, she saw lights and ran to get a closer look, but the lights ran farther away from her. The girl chased after them. These lights were the Spirits of the Steppe, who amused themselves by entangling travelers. Devyalya ran until she became lost.
Night came, and the tired girl lay down on a hill to rest. She curled into a ball and sobbed softly. Suddenly, she heard a kind voice nearby. “Don’t cry little girl, I’ll help you get home.” It was the Bunny doll. Devyalya took the doll in her arms and asked what she should do. The Bunny said that it would take her to the old Witch who could give her a lantern that would light her way and lead her home.
The girl followed the doll’s instructions and arrived in a swamp. There she saw an old crooked ger. This was the Witch’s hut made from wooden columns overlaid with felt. The girl called out loudly, and the Witch came out of the ger. “What do you want?” she asked the girl. The girl said that she had come for a lantern, but the Witch replied that she would only trade the lantern in exchange for help with the housework. The Witch ordered Devyalya to mend the ger, wash the rice, cook dinner, and sweep the yard. All must be done by morning, otherwise the Witch promised to eat her.
The girl was frightened, but the Bunny doll told her to go to bed, and that it would take care of everything. The girl did as the Bunny instructed, and by morning everything was ready. The Bunny lay down next to the girl. When the Witch saw that everything was done, she woke the girl to ask how she managed to complete such a difficult task. The girl confessed and showed her the Bunny doll.
The Witch recognized the doll. It was exactly like the one her beloved sister had made for her in childhood. The Witch had been very close to her sister until she was swept away to the swamp by a fierce storm. The memory of her dear sister softened the Witch’s heart. “I will return you safely home,” she said, and she carried the girl back to her house where Devyalya’s grandmother recognized her sister, and they all hugged and cried with joy.
