The film is based on a fairy tale of the same name by the Russian writer A. Aksakov. A merchant had three daughters. Setting out for an overseas travel, he promised to bring them presents, whatever they wished. The two elder sisters asked for fabrics and other beautiful trinkets. But his youngest and most loved daughter, Alyona, ordered a remarkable, hitherto unseen wonder – a scarlet flower, which she dreamed about in her sleep. That flower was to be found in a far-away land, in the realm of a forest beast. The merchant set off on his trip. He did find the flower, but ended up a captive of the beast.