The firebird was stealing the Tsar's famous golden apples, so he set his three sons a quest to find the firebird and bring it back to him. Dimitri and Vassili set off together and the youngest son, Ivan , was forced to go alone. When the Grey Wolf tears Ivan's horse to pieces he thinks it is all over for him, but guilt at his actions forces the Grey Wolf to carry Ivan to his destination. With help from the wolf Ivan manages to beat his brothers and retrieve not only the firebird but also the beautiful princess.