The Red Flower

A merchant has three daughters, whom he loves dearly. Before leaving on a long journey, he offers them to choose any gift they desire, and he promises to give it to them. But the third daughter asks the impossible: the most beautiful red flower in the world. The merchant searches and searches, but can't find it—until, by accident, he happens upon a magical castle with the most beautiful gardens he has ever seen. And what should he see in the garden, but the most beautiful red flower in the world! But then, he picks it, and all hell breaks loose. You may think you know the story of the beauty and the beast, but you probably haven't heard the Russian version yet. In the analysis section, Nicholas Kotar examines our ideas of beauty and ugliness. Are these concepts intrinsic and objective, or do they depend on personal expression? And what happens when a real life beast-lookalike insists that he should be allowed to teach kindergarten?