As if all the sunshine was absorbed in it - so shines the hair of the young princess. Taking the focal point in the composition, she stands gracefully, gazing in the mirror, while the court ladies are busy brushing her long locks. Irzhik, who was sent by an evil old king to obtain the princess, stops in astonishment at the sight of her beauty. His horse stoops to the right of him, and looks as if it is uttering a warning to Irzhik. The young man, who can understand the language of animals, birds, and fish, does not yet know that his obedient observance of duty will not win him the evil king's grace. Will his wit and the help of the animals he saved be enough to help him escape certain death? The painted scene, however, gives no hint of the impending danger: the lush greenery, blooming flowers, beautiful castle, and flowing river in the background create an aura of an all-embracing joy.

This lovely scene is painted on high quality papier mache box. The box sits flat (no legs), has a hinge at the top, and opens to a red interior. Gold ornament, in the form of small interwoven leaves, starts at the bottom of the composition and runs around the sides of the box. The box is signed on the inside part of the lid with the name of the artist, V. Smirnova, name of the composition, village, and year.