>I'm not much of a Second World War buff, but I read lots and lots of
>Russian folktales when I was little, and I just love the image of
>Comrade Stalin seeking the counsel of Baba Yaga in the darkest days of
>the war. Very politely. As you do.
>
>Although, she's being AWfully generous, even considering the
>circumstances; it wouldn't be out of character for her to demand three
>impossible tasks of him first, on pain of being eaten. I suppose it
>might be because he asked in the name of the rodina, rather
>than for himself only.

All that means is that he'll owe her service later. >;-}