One-Eyed Likho

In Ralston's Russian folk-tales, a smith and a tailor decide to look for the evil they have heard about. They walk through a dark forest and find a cottage after nightfall. A tall, one-eyed woman welcomes them, then cuts the tailor's throat and puts him in the oven. The smith says he is a smith and can make anything. When she asks for a new eye, he asks for cord so he can hold her still. He ties her up, heats an awl and burns her good eye. She breaks the cord and sits at the threshold, threatening to keep him there.

The smith remains in the cottage through the night. In the morning, Likho lets the sheep out one at a time, gripping the wool on each animal's back. The smith turns his sheepskin inside out and creeps out with the flock. Safely beyond her door, he identifies Likho and leaves her behind. Later, Likho comes after him again. His hand is caught in a hatchet and he cannot free it. He uses a small knife to cut off the hand, then runs to his village and shows what happened. The tale ends with him home, carrying the injury that proves his escape.