Beauty and the Beast_ Folktales of Type 425C

26/04/2015 BeautyandtheBeast:FolktalesofType425C

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0425c.html#jacobs 1/37

BeautyandtheBeastfolktalesofAarneThompsonUthertype425C

translatedand/oreditedby

D.L.Ashliman19982015

Contents

Linksopeninnewwindows.

1. BeautyandtheBeast(ReconstructedfromvariousEuropeansourcesbyJosephJacobs).

2. LinktoBeautyandtheBeast(France,JeanneMarieLePrincedeBeaumont).Thisistheclassicversionofthestory,firstpublishedin1757.

3. LinktoTheStoryoftheBeautyandtheBeast(France,GabrielleSuzanneBarbotdeVilleneuveastranslatedbyJ.R.PlanchinFourandTwentyFairyTales:SelectedfromThoseofPerraultandOtherPopularWriters[London:G.RoutledgeandCompany,1858],pp.225325).

4. LinktoBeautyandtheBeast(France,GabrielleSuzanneBarbotdeVilleneuveasabridgedandretoldbyAndrewLanginTheBlueFairyBook,5thedition[London:Longmans,Green,andCompany,1891],pp.100119).

5. BeautyandtheBeast(Basque).

6. TheSmallToothDog(England,SidneyOldallAddy).

7. TheSummerandWinterGarden(Germany,JacobandWilhelmGrimm).

8. LinktoTheSinging,SpringingLark(Germany,JacobandWilhelmGrimm).

9. TheClinkingClankingLowesleaf(Germany,CarlandTheodorColshorn).

10. TheLittleNutTwig(Germany,LudwigBechstein).

11. LittleBroomstick(Germany,LudwigBechstein).

12. LinktoTheEnchantedFrog(Germany,CarlandTheodorColshorn).

13. BeautyandtheHorse(Denmark,J.ChristianBay).

14. TheSingingRose(Austria,IgnazandJosephZingerle).

15. TheBearPrince(Switzerland,OttoSutermeister).

16. ZelindaandtheMonster(Italy,ThomasFrederickCrane).

17. TheSnakePrince(Greece,LucyM.J.Garnett).



18. TheEnchantedTsarvich(Russia,AlexanderAfanasyev).

19. TheFairySerpent(China,AdeleM.Fielde).

20. Linkstorelatedsites.Additionaltales.Externalsites.

ReturntoD.L.Ashliman'sfolktexts,alibraryoffolktales,folklore,fairytales,andmythology.

BeautyandtheBeast

JosephJacobs

Therewasonceamerchantthathadthreedaughters,andhelovedthembetterthanhimself.Nowithappenedthathehadtogoalongjourneytobuysomegoods,andwhenhewasjuststartinghesaidtothem,"WhatshallIbringyouback,mydears?"

Andtheeldestdaughteraskedtohaveanecklaceandtheseconddaughterwishedtohaveagoldchainbuttheyoungestdaughtersaid,"Bringbackyourself,papa,andthatiswhatIwantthemost."

"Nonsense,child,"saidherfather,"youmustsaysomethingthatImayremembertobringbackforyou."

"So,"shesaid,"thenbringmebackarose,father."

Well,themerchantwentonhisjourneyanddidhisbusinessandboughtapearlnecklaceforhiseldestdaughter,andagoldchainforhisseconddaughterbutheknewitwasnousegettingarosefortheyoungestwhilehewassofarawaybecauseitwouldfadebeforehegothome.Sohemadeuphismindhewouldgetaroseforherthedayhegotnearhishouse.

Whenallhismerchantingwasdoneherodeoffhomeandforgotallabouttherosetillhewasnearhishousethenhesuddenlyrememberedwhathehadpromisedhisyoungestdaughter,andlookedabouttoseeifhecouldfindarose.Nearwherehehadstoppedhesawagreatgarden,andgettingoffhishorsehewanderedaboutinittillhefoundalovelyrosebushandhepluckedthemostbeautifulrosehecouldseeonit.Atthatmomentheheardacrashlikethunder,andlookingaroundhesawahugemonstertwotusksinhismouthandfieryeyessurroundedbybristles,andhornscomingoutofitsheadandspreadingoveritsback.

"Mortal,"saidthebeast,"whotoldyouyoumightpluckmyroses?"

"Please,sir,"saidthemerchantinfearandterrorforhislife,"Ipromisedmydaughtertobringherhomearoseandforgotaboutittillthelastmoment,andthenIsawyourbeautifulgardenandthoughtyouwouldnotmissasinglerose,orelseIwouldhaveaskedyourpermission."

"Thievingisthieving,"saidthebeast,"whetheritbearoseoradiamondyourlifeisforfeit."

Themerchantfellonhiskneesandbeggedforhislifeforthesakeofhisthreedaughterswhohadnonebuthimtosupportthem.

"Well,mortal,well,"saidthebeast,"Igrantyourlifeononecondition:Sevendaysfromnowyoumustbringthisyoungestdaughterofyours,forwhosesakeyouhavebrokenintomygarden,andleaveherhereinyourstead.Otherwiseswearthatyouwillreturnandplaceyourselfatmydisposal."



Sothemerchantswore,andtakinghisrosemountedhishorseandrodehome.

Assoonashegotintohishousehisdaughterscamerushingroundhim,clappingtheirhandsandshowingtheirjoyineveryway,andsoonhegavethenecklacetohiseldestdaughter,thechaintohisseconddaughter,andthenhegavetherosetohisyoungest,andashegaveithesighed.

"Oh,thankyou,father,"theyallcried.

Buttheyoungestsaid,"Whydidyousighsodeeplywhenyougavememyrose?"

"LateronIwilltellyou,"saidthemerchant.

Soforseveraldaystheylivedhappilytogether,thoughthemerchantwanderedaboutgloomyandsad,andnothinghisdaughterscoulddowouldcheerhimuptillatlasthetookhisyoungestdaughterasideandsaidtoher,"Bella,doyouloveyourfather?"

"OfcourseIdo,father,ofcourseIdo."

"Well,nowyouhaveachanceofshowingit"andthenhetoldherofallthathadoccurredwiththebeastwhenhegottheroseforher.Bellawasverysad,asyoucanwellthink,andthenshesaid,"Oh,father,itwasallonaccountofmethatyoufellintothepowerofthisbeastsoIwillgowithyoutohimperhapshewilldomenoharmbutevenifhedoesbetterharmtomethaneviltomydearfather."

SonextdaythemerchanttookBellabehindhimonhishorse,aswasthecustominthosedays,androdeofftothedwellingofthebeast.Andwhenhegotthereandtheyalightedfromhishorsethedoorsofthehouseopened,andwhatdoyouthinktheysawthere!Nothing.Sotheywentupthestepsandwentthroughthehall,andwentintothediningroom,andtheretheysawatablespreadwithallmannerofbeautifulglassesandplatesanddishesandnapery,withplentytoeatuponit.Sotheywaitedandtheywaited,thinkingthattheownerofthehousewouldappear,tillatlastthemerchantsaid,"Let'ssitdownandseewhatwillhappenthen."Andwhentheysatdowninvisiblehandspassedthemthingstoeatandtodrink,andtheyateanddranktotheirheart'scontent.Andwhentheyarosefromthetableitarosetooanddisappearedthroughthedoorasifitwerebeingcarriedbyinvisibleservants.

Suddenlythereappearedbeforethemthebeastwhosaidtothemerchant,"Isthisyouryoungestdaughter?"

Andwhenhehadsaidthatitwas,hesaid,"Isshewillingtostopherewithme?"

AndthenhelookedatBellawhosaid,inatremblingvoice,"Yes,sir."

"Well,noharmshallbefallyou."Withthatheledthemerchantdowntohishorseandtoldhimhemightcomethatdayeachweektovisithisdaughter.ThenthebeastreturnedtoBellaandsaidtoher,"Thishousewithallthatthereinisisyoursifyoudesireaught,clapyourhandsandsaythewordanditshallbebroughtuntoyou."Andwiththathemadeasortofbowandwentaway.

SoBellalivedoninthehomewiththebeastandwaswaitedonbyinvisibleservantsandhadwhatevershelikedtoeatandtodrinkbutshesoongottiredofthesolitudeand,nextday,whenthebeastcametoher,thoughhelookedsoterrible,shehadbeensowelltreatedthatshehadlostagreatdealofherterrorofhim.Sotheyspoketogetheraboutthegardenandaboutthehouseandaboutherfather'sbusinessandaboutallmannerofthings,sothatBellalostaltogetherherfearofthebeast.Shortlyafterwardsherfathercametoseeherandfoundherquitehappy,andhefeltmuchlessdreadofherfateatthehandsofthebeast.

Soitwentonformanydays,Bellaseeingandtalkingtothebeasteveryday,tillshegotquitetolike



him,untilonedaythebeastdidnotcomeathisusualtime,justafterthemiddaymeal,andBellaquitemissedhim.Soshewanderedaboutthegardentryingtofindhim,callingouthisname,butreceivednoreply.Atlastshecametotherosebushfromwhichherfatherhadpluckedtherose,andthere,underit,whatdoyouthinkshesaw!Therewasthebeastlyinghuddledupwithoutanylifeormotion.ThenBellawassorryindeedandrememberedallthekindnessthatthebeasthadshownherandshethrewherselfdownbyitandsaid,"Oh,Beast,Beast,whydidyoudie?Iwasgettingtoloveyousomuch."

Nosoonerhadshesaidthisthanthehideofthebeastsplitintwoandoutcamethemosthandsomeyoungprincewhotoldherthathehadbeenenchantedbyamagicianandthathecouldnotrecoverhisnaturalformunlessamaidenshould,ofherownaccord,declarethatshelovedhim.

Thereupontheprincesentforthemerchantandhisdaughters,andhewasmarriedtoBella,andtheyalllivedhappytogethereverafterwards.

Source:JosephJacobs,Europa'sFairyBook[alsopublishedunderthetitleEuropeanFolkandFairyTales](NewYork:G.P.Putnam'sSons,1916),no.5,pp.3441.ReconstructedfromvariousEuropeansources.

Returntothetableofcontents.

BeautyandtheBeast

Basque

Astherearemanyintheworldinitsstatenow,therewasakingwhohadthreedaughters.Heusedcontinuallytobringhandsomepresentstohistwoelderdaughters,butdidnotpayanyattentionatalltohisyoungestdaughter,andyetshewastheprettiestandmostamiable.

Thekingkeptgoingfromfairtofair,andfromfeasttofeast,andfromeverywhereheusedtobringsomethingforthetwoeldestdaughters.Oneday,whenhewasgoingtoafeast,hesaidtohisyoungestdaughter,"Ineverbringanythinghomeforyoutellmethenwhatyouwantandyoushallhaveit."

Shesaidtoherfather,"AndIdonotwantanything."

"Yes,yes,Iamgoingtobringyousomething."

"Verywellthen,bringmeaflower."

Hegoesoff,andisbusybuyingandbuyingforoneahat,fortheotherabeautifulpieceofstuffforadress,andforthefirstagainashawlandhewasreturninghome,wheninpassingbeforeabeautifulcastle,heseesagardenquitefullofflowers,andhesaystohimself,"What!IwasgoinghomewithoutaflowerformydaughterhereIshallhaveplentyofthem."

Hetakessomethen,andassoon,ashehasdoneso,avoicesaystohim,"Whogaveyoupermissiontotakethatflower?Asyouhavethreedaughters,ifyoudonotbringmeoneofthembeforetheyearbefinished,youshallbeburntwhereveryouareyou,andyourwholekingdom."

Thekinggoesoffhome.Hegiveshiselderdaughterstheirpresents,andhernosegaytotheyoungest.Shethanksherfather.Afteracertaintimethiskingbecamesad.Hiseldestdaughtersaidtohim,"Whatisthematterwithyou?"



Hesaystoher,"Ifoneofmydaughterswillnotgotosuchaspotbeforetheendoftheyear,Ishallbeburned."

Hiseldestdaughteranswershim,"Beburnedifyoulikeasforme,Ishallnotgo.Ihavenowishatalltogothere.Settleitwiththeothers."

Thesecondalsoaskshim,"Youseemverysad,papawhatisthematterwithyou?"

Hetoldherhowheisboundtosendoneofhisdaughterstosuchaplacebeforetheendoftheyear,otherwiseheshouldbeburned.

Thisonetoosaystohim,"Manageyourownbusinessasyoulike,butdonotreckonuponme."

Theyoungest,aftersomedays,saidtohim,"Whatisthematterwithyou,myfather,thatyouaresosad?Hassomeonedoneyousomehurt?"

Hesaidtoher,"WhenIwenttogetyournosegay,avoicesaidtome,'Imusthaveoneofyourdaughtersbeforetheyearbecompleted,'andnowIdonotknewwhatImustdo.IttoldmethatIshallbeburned."

Thisdaughtersaidtohim,"Myfather,donotbetroubledaboutit.Iwillgo."

Andshesetsoutimmediatelyinacarriage.Shearrivesatthecastleandgoesin,andshehearsmusicandsoundsofrejoicingeverywhere,andyetshedidnotseeanyone.Shefindsherchocolateready(inthemorning),andherdinnerthesame.Shegoestobed,andstillshedoesnotseeanyone.

Thenextmorningavoicesaystoher,"ShutyoureyesIwishtoplacemyheadonyourkneesforamoment."

"Come,comeIamnotafraid."

Thereappearsthenanenormousserpent.Withoutintendingit,theyoungladycouldnothelpgivingalittleshudder.Aninstantaftertheserpentwentawayandtheyoungladylivedveryhappily,withoutlackinganything.Onedaythevoiceaskedherifshedidnotwishtogohome.

Sheanswers,"Iamveryhappyhere.Ihavenolongingforit."

"Yes,ifyoulike,youmaygoforthreedays."

Hegivesheraring,andsaystoher,"Ifthatchangescolour,Ishallbeill,andifitturnstoblood,Ishallbeingreatmisery."

Theyoungladysetsoutforherfather'shouse.Herfatherwasveryglad(toseeher).Hersisterssaidtoher,"Youmustbehappythere.Youareprettierthanyouwerebefore.Withwhomdoyoulivethere?"

Shetoldthem,"Withaserpent."

Theywouldnotbelieveher.Thethreedaysflewbylikeadream,andsheforgotherserpent.Thefourthdayshelookedatherring,andshesawthatitwaschanged.Sherubsitwithherfinger,anditbeginstobleed.Seeingthatshegoesrunningtoherfather,andsaystohimthatsheisgoing.Shearrivesatthecastle,andfindseverythingsad.Themusicwillnotplayeverythingwasshutup.Shecalledtheserpent(hisnamewasAzor,andhersFifine).Shekeptoncallingandcryingouttohim,butAzorappearednowhere.Afterhavingsearchedthewholehouse,afterhavingtakenoffhershoes,shegoestothegarden,andtheretooshecriesout.

Shefindsacorneroftheearthinthegardenquitefrozen,andimmediatelyshemakesagreatfireover



thisspot,andthereAzorcomesout,andhesaystoher,"Youhadforgottenme,then.Ifyouhadnotmadethisfire,itwouldhavebeenallupwithme."

Fifinesaidtohim,"Yes,Ihadforgottenyou,buttheringmademethinkofyou."

Azorsaidtoher,"IknewwhatwasgoingtohappenthatiswhyIgaveyouthering."

Andcomingintothehouse,shefindsitasbefore,allfullofrejoicingsthemusicwasplayingonallsides.

SomedaysafterthatAzorsaidtoher,"Youmustmarryme."

Fifinegivesnoanswer.Heasksheragainlikethatthreetimes,andstillsheremainedsilent,silent.Thewholehousebecomessadagain.Shehasnomorehermealsready.AgainAzorasksherifshewillmarryhim.Stillshedoesnotanswer,andsheremainslikethatindarknessseveraldayswithouteatinganything,andshesaidtoherself,"WhateveritshallcostmeImustsayyes."

Whentheserpentasksheragain,"Willyoumarryme?"sheanswers,"Notwiththeserpent,butwiththeman."

Assoonasshehadsaidthatthemusicbeginsasbefore.Azorsaystoherthatshemustgotoherfather'shouseandgetallthingsreadythatarenecessary,andtheywillmarrythenextday.Theyoungladygoesashehadtoldher.Shesaystoherfatherthatsheisgoingtobemarriedtotheserpenttomorrow,(andaskshim)ifhewillprepareeverythingforthat.Thefatherconsents,butheisvexed.Hersisters,too,askherwhomsheisgoingtomarry,andtheyareastoundedathearingthatitiswithaserpent.

Fifinegoesbackagain,andAzorsaystoher,"Whichwouldyouprefer,fromthehousetothechurch,serpent,orfromthechurchtothehouse,serpent?"

Fifinesaystohim,"Fromthehousetothechurch,serpent."

Azorsaystoher,"I,too."

Abeautifulcarriagecomestothedoor.Theserpentgetsin,andFifineplacesherselfathisside,andwhentheyarriveattheking'shousetheserpentsaystoher,"Shutthedoorsandthecurtains,thatnobodymaysee."

Fifinesaystohim,"Buttheywillseeyouasyougetdown."

"Nomattershutthemallthesame."

Shegoestoherfather.Herfathercomeswithallhiscourttofetchtheserpent.Heopensthedoor,andwhoisastonished?Why,everybody.Insteadofaserpentthereisacharmingyoungmanandtheyallgotothechurch.

Whentheycomeoutthereisagranddinnerattheking's,butthebridegroomsaystohiswife,"Todaywemustnotmakeafeastatall.Wehaveagreatbusinesstodointhehousewewillcomeanotherdayforthefeast."

Shetoldthattoherfather,andtheygoontotheirhouse.Whentheyarecomethereherhusbandbringsherinalargebasketaserpent'sskin,andsaystoher,"Youwillmakeagreatfire,andwhenyouhearthefirststrokeofmidnightyouwillthrowthisserpent'sskinintothefire.Thatmustbeburntup,andyoumustthrowtheashesoutofwindowbeforethelaststrokeoftwelvehasceasedstriking.IfyoudonotdothatIshallbewretchedforever."



Theladysaystohim,"CertainlyIwilldoeverythingthatIcantosucceed."

Shebeginsbeforemidnighttomakethefire.Assoonassheheardthefirststrokeshethrowstheserpent'sskinonthefire,andtakestwospitsandstirsthefire,andmovesabouttheskinandburnsit,tilltenstrokeshavegone.Thenshetakesashovel,andthrowstheashesoutsideasthelasttwelfthstrokeisending.

Thenaterriblevoicesays,"Icurseyourcleverness,andwhatyouhavejustdone."

Atthesametimeherhusbandcomesin.Hedidnotknowwherehewasforjoy.Hekissesher,anddoesnotknowhowtotellhiswifewhatgreatgoodshehasdonehim.

"NowIdonotfearanything.IfyouhadnotdoneasItoldyou,Ishouldhavebeenenchantedfortwentyoneyearsmore.Nowitisallover,andwewillgoatoureasetomorrowtoyourfather'shousefortheweddingfeast."

Theygothenextdayandenjoythemselvesverymuch.Theyreturntotheirpalacetotakeawaythehandsomestthings,becausetheydidnotwishtostopanymoreinthatcornerofthemountain.Theyloadalltheirvaluablethingsincartsandwaggons,andgotolivewiththeking.Thisyoungladyhasfourchildren,twoboysandtwogirls,andashersisterswereveryjealousofher,theirfathersentthemoutofthehouse.Thekinggavehiscrowntohissoninlaw,whowasalreadyasonofaking.Astheyhadlivedwell,theydiedwelltoo.

Source:WentworthWebster,BasqueLegends,2ndedition(London:GriffithandFarran,1879),pp.16772.

Webster'ssource:EstefanellaHirigaray.


TheSmallToothDog

England

Onceuponatimetherewasamerchantwhotraveledabouttheworldagreatdeal.Ononeofhisjourneysthievesattackedhim,andtheywouldhavetakenbothhislifeandhismoneyifalargedoghadnotcometohisrescueanddriventhethievesaway.

Whenthedoghaddriventhethievesawayhetookthemerchanttohishouse,whichwasaveryhandsomeone,anddressedhiswoundsandnursedhimtillhewaswell.

Assoonashewasabletotravelthemerchantbeganhisjourneyhome,butbeforestartinghetoldthedoghowgratefulhewasforhiskindness,andaskedhimwhatrewardhecouldofferinreturn,andhesaidhewouldnotrefusetogivethemostpreciousthinghehad.

Andsothemerchantsaidtothedog,"WillyouacceptafishIhavethatcanspeaktwelvelanguages?"

"No,"saidthedog,"Iwillnot."

"Oragoosethatlaysgoldeneggs?"




"Oramirrorinwhichyoucanseewhatanybodyisthinkingabout?"


"Thenwhatwillyouhave?"saidthemerchant.

"Iwillhavenoneofsuchpresents,"saidthedog"butletmefetchyourdaughter,andbringhertomyhouse."

Whenthemerchantheardthishewasgrieved,butwhathehadpromisedhadtobedone,sohesaidtothedog,"YoucancomeandfetchmydaughterafterIhavebeenhomeforaweek."

Soattheendoftheweek,thedogcametothemerchant'shousetofetchhisdaughter,butwhenhegottherehestayedoutsidethedoor,andwouldnotgoin.

Butthemerchant'sdaughterdidasherfathertoldher,andcameoutofthehousedressedforajourneyandreadytogowiththedog.

Whenthedogsawherhelookedpleased,andsaid,"Jumponmyback,andIwilltakeyouawaytomyhouse."

Soshemountedonthedog'sback,andawaytheywentatagreatpace,untiltheyreachedthedog'shouse,whichwasmanymilesoff.

Butaftershehadbeenamonthatthedog'shouseshebegantomopeandcry.

"Whatareyoucryingfor?"saidthedog.

"BecauseIwanttogobacktomyfather,"shesaid.

Thedogsaid,"IfyouwillpromisemethatyouwillnotstaytheremorethanthreedaysIwilltakeyouthere.Butfirstofall,"saidhe,"whatdoyoucallme?"

"Agreat,foul,smalltoothdog,"saidshe.

"Then,"saidhe,"Iwillnotletyougo."

Butshecriedsopitifullythathepromisedagaintotakeherhome.

"Butbeforewestart,"hesaid,"tellmewhatyoucallme."

"Oh,"shesaid,"yournameisSweetasaHoneycomb."

"Jumponmyback,"saidhe,"andI'lltakeyouhome."

Sohetrottedawaywithheronhisbackforfortymiles,whentheycametoastile.

"Andwhatdoyoucallme?"saidhe,beforetheygotoverthestile.

Thinkingshewassafeonherway,thegirlsaid,"Agreat,foul,smalltoothdog."

Butwhenshesaidthis,hedidnotjumpoverthestile,butturnedrightroundagainatonce,andgallopedbacktohisownhousewiththegirlonhisback.

Anotherweekwentby,andagainthegirlweptsobitterlythatthedogpromisedtotakehertoherfather'shouse.



Sothegirlgotonthedog'sbackagain,andtheyreachedthefirststile,asbefore,andthedogstoppedandsaid,"Andwhatdoyoucallme?"

"SweetasaHoneycomb,"shereplied.

Sothedogleapedoverthestile,andtheywentonfortwentymilesuntiltheycametoanotherstile.

"Andwhatdoyoucallme?"saidthedogwithawagofhistail.

Shewasthinkingmoreofherfatherandherownhousethanofthedog,sosheanswered,"Agreat,foul,smalltoothdog."

Thenthedogwasinagreatrage,andheturnedrightroundabout,andgallopedbacktohisownhouseasbefore.

Aftershehadcriedforanotherweek,thedogpromisedagaintotakeherbacktoherfather'shouse.Soshemounteduponhisbackoncemore,andwhentheygottothefirststile,thedogsaid,"Andwhatdoyoucallme?"

"SweetasaHoneycomb,"shesaid.

Sothedogjumpedoverthestile,andawaytheywentfornowthegirlmadeuphermindtosaythemostlovingthingsshecouldthinkofuntiltheyreachedherfather'shouse.

Whentheygottothedoorofthemerchant'shouse,thedogsaid,"Andwhatdoyoucallme?"

Justatthatmomentthegirlforgotthelovingthingsshemeanttosayandbegan,"Agreat,"butthedogbegantoturn,andshegotfastholdofthedoorlatch,andwasgoingtosay"foul,"whenshesawhowgrievedthedoglookedandrememberedhowgoodandpatienthehadbeenwithher,soshesaid,"SweeterthanaHoneycomb."

Whenshehadsaidthisshethoughtthedogwouldhavebeencontentandhavegallopedaway,butinsteadofthathesuddenlystooduponhishindlegs,andwithhisforelegshepulledoffhisdog'sheadandtossedithighintheair.Hishairycoatdroppedoff,andtherestoodthehandsomestyoungmanintheworld,withthefinestandsmallestteethyoueversaw.

Ofcoursetheyweremarried,andlivedtogetherhappily.

Source:SidneyOldallAddy,HouseholdTalesandOtherTraditionalRemains:CollectedintheCountiesofYork,Lincoln,Derby,andNottingham(London:DavidNuttSheffield:PawsonandBrailsford,1895),no.1,pp.14.


TheSummerandWinterGarden

JacobandWilhelmGrimm

Amerchantwasplanningtogotoafair,soheaskedhisthreedaughterswhatheshouldbringbackforthem.

Theoldestonesaid,"Abeautifuldress."



Thesecond,"Apairofprettyshoes."

Thethird,"Arose."

Tofindarosewouldbedifficult,foritwasthemiddleofwinter,butbecausetheyoungestdaughterwasthemostbeautiful,andbecauseshetookgreatpleasureinflowers,thefathersaidthathewoulddohisbesttofindherone.

Themerchantwasnowonhishomewardtrip.Hehadasplendiddressfortheoldestdaughter,apairofbeautifulshoesforthesecondone,buthehadnotbeenabletogetaroseforthethirdone.Wheneverhehadenteredagardenlookingforroses,thepeoplejustlaughedathim,askinghimifhebelievedthatrosesgrewinthesnow.Hewasverysadaboutthis,andashewasthinkingaboutwhathemightbringhisdearestchild,hecametoacastle.Ithadanadjoininggardenwhereitwashalfsummerandhalfwinter.Ontheonesidethemostbeautifulflowerswereblossominglargeandsmall.Ontheothersideeverythingwasbareandcoveredwithdeepsnow.

Themanclimbedfromhishorse.Hewasoverjoyedtoseeanentirehedgefullofrosesonthesummerside.Heapproachedit,pickedoneofthem,andthenrodeoff.

Hehadalreadyriddensomedistancewhenheheardsomethingrunningandpantingbehindhim.Turningaround,hesawalargeblackbeast,thatcalledout,"Givemebackmyrose,orI'llkillyou!Givemebackmyrose,orI'llkillyou!"

Themansaid,"Pleaseletmehavetherose.Iamsupposedtobringonehomeformydaughter,themostbeautifuldaughterintheworld."

"ForallIcare,butthengivemeyourbeautifuldaughterforawife!"

Inordertogetridofthebeast,themansaidyes,thinkingthathewouldnotcometoclaimher.

However,thebeastshoutedbacktohim,"IneightdaysIwillcomeandgetmybride."

Sothemerchantbroughteachdaughterwhatshehadwanted,andeachonewasdelighted,especiallytheyoungestwithherrose.

Eightdayslaterthethreesistersweresittingtogetheratthetablewhensomethingcamesteppingheavilyupthestairstothedoor."Openup!Openup!"itshouted.

Theyopenedthedoor,andwereterrifiedwhenalargeblackbeaststeppedinside."Becausemybridedidnotcometome,andthetimeisup,Iwillfetchhermyself."Withthathewenttotheyoungestdaughterandgrabbedholdofher.Shebegantoscream,butitdidnothelp.Shehadtogoawaywithhim.Andwhenthefathercamehome,hisdearestchildhadbeentakenaway.

Theblackbeastcarriedthebeautifulmaidentohiscastlewhereeverythingwasbeautifulandwonderful.Musicianswereplayingthere,andbelowtherewasthegarden,halfsummerandhalfwinter,andthebeastdideverythingtomakeherhappy,fulfillingevenherunspokendesires.Theyatetogether,andshehadtoscoopuphisfoodforhim,forotherwisehewouldnothaveeaten.Shewasdeartothebeast,andfinallyshegrewveryfondofhim.

Onedayshesaidtohim,"Iamafraid,anddon'tknowwhy.Itseemstomethatmyfatheroroneofmysistersissick.Couldn'tIseethemjustonce?"

Sothebeastledhertoamirrorandsaid,"Lookinside."

Shelookedintothemirror,anditwasasthoughshewereathome.Shesawherlivingroomandherfather.Hereallywassick,fromabrokenheart,becauseheheldhimselfguiltythathisdearestchild



hadbeentakenawaybyawildbeastandsurelyhadbeeneatenup.Ifhecouldknowhowwelloffshewas,thenhewouldnotbesosad.Shealsosawhertwosisterssittingonthebedandcrying.

Herheartwasheavybecauseofallthis,andsheaskedthebeasttoallowhertogohomeforafewdays.Thebeastrefusedforalongtime,butshegrievedsomuchthathefinallyhadpityonherandsaid,"Gotoyourfather,butpromisemethatyouwillbebackhereineightdays."

Shepromised,andasshewasleaving,hecalledoutagain,"Donotstaylongerthaneightdays."

Whenshearrivedhomeherfatherwasoverjoyedtoseeheronceagain,butsicknessandgriefhadalreadyeatenawayathisheartsomuchthathecouldnotregainhishealth,andwithinafewdayshedied.

Becauseofhersadness,shecouldthinkofnothingelse.Herfatherwasburied,andshewenttothefuneral.Thesisterscriedtogether,andconsoledoneanother,andwhenherthoughtsfinallyturnedtoherdearbeast,theeightdayswerelongpast.

Shebecamefrightened,anditseemedtoherthathetoowassick.Shesetforthimmediatelyandreturnedtohiscastle.Whenshearrivedthereeverythingwasstillandsadinside.Themusicianswerenotplaying.Blackclothhungeverywhere.Thegardenwasentirelyinwinterandcoveredwithsnow.Shelookedforthebeast,buthewasnotthere.Shelookedeverywhere,butcouldnotfindhim.

Thenshewasdoublysad,anddidnotknowhowtoconsoleherself.Shesadlywentintothegardenwhereshesawapileofcabbageheads.Theywereoldandrotten,andshepushedthemaside.Afterturningoverafewofthemshesawherdearbeast.Hewaslyingbeneaththemandwasdead.

Shequicklyfetchedsomewaterandpoureditoverhimwithoutstopping.

Thenhejumpedupandwasinstantlytransformedintoahandsomeprince.Theygotmarried,andthemusiciansbegantoplayagain,andthesummersideofthegardenappearedinitssplendor,andtheblackclothwasallrippeddown,andtogethertheylivedhappilyeverafter.

Source:JacobandWilhelmGrimm,"VondemSommerundWintergarten,"KinderundHausmrchen(1812),vol.1,no.68.

TranslatedbyD.L.Ashliman.1998.

"TheSummerandWinterGarden"wasreplacedintheGrimms'collectionby"TheSinging,SpringingLark,"KinderundHausmrchen(1814),vol.2,no.2.Since1819"TheSinging,SpringingLark"hascarriedtheKHMnumber88.

LinktotheGrimmbrothers'TheSinging,SpringingLark.


TheClinkingClankingLowesleaf

Germany

Onceuponatimetherewasakingwhohadthreedaughters.Theyoungestwashisprideandjoy.Onedayhewantedtogotothefairtobuysomething,andheaskedhisthreedaughterswhatheshouldbringhomeforthem.Thefirstoneaskedforagoldenspinningwheel.Thesecondoneagoldenyarn



reel,andthethirdoneaclinkingclankinglowesleaf.Thekingpromisedtobringthesethingsandrodeaway.Atthefairheboughtthegoldenspinningwheelandthegoldenyarnreel,butnoonehadaclinkingclankinglowesleafforsale.Helookedeverywhere,butcouldnotfindone.Thissaddenedhim,becausetheyoungestdaughterwasthejoyofhislife,andhewantedtopleasehereversomuch.

Ashesorrowfullymadehiswayhomeward,hecametoagreat,greatforestandtoalargebirchtree.Underthebirchtreetherelayalargeblackpoodledog.Becausethekinglookedsosad,thedogaskedhimwhatwasthematter."Oh,"answeredtheking,"Iwassupposedtobringaclinkingclankinglowesleaftomyyoungestdaughter,whomIloveaboveanythingelse,butIcannotfindoneanywhere,andthatiswhyIamsosad."

"Icanhelpyou,"saidthepoodle."Theclinkingclankinglowesleafgrowsinthistree.Ifayearandadayfromnowyouwillgivemethatwhichfirstgreetsyouuponyourarrivalhometoday,thenyoucanhaveit."

Atfirstthekingdidnotwanttoagree,buthethoughtaboutitlongandhard,thensaidtohimself,"Whatcoulditbebutourdog?Goaheadandmakethepromise."Andhemadethepromise.

Thepoodlewaggedhistail,climbedupintothebirch,brokeofftheleafwithhisfrizzyhairedpaw,andgaveittotheking,saying,"Youhadbetterkeepyourword,oryouwillwishthatyouhad!"Thekingrepeatedhispromise,tooktheleaf,androdeonjoyfully.

Asheapproachedhome,hisyoungestdaughterjumpedoutwithjoytogreethim.Thekingwashorrified.Hisheartwassofilledwithgriefthathepushedheraside.Shestartedtocry,thinking,"Whatdoesthismean,thatfatherispushingmeaway?"andshewentinsideandcomplainedtohermother.Soonthekingcamein.Hegavetheoldestgirlthegoldenspinningwheel,themiddleonethegoldenyarnreel,andtheyoungestonetheclinkingclankinglowesleaf,andhewasquietandsad.Thenthequeenaskedhimwaswrongwithhim,andwhyhehadpushedtheyoungestdaughterawaybuthesaidnothing.

Hegrievedtheentireyear.Helamentedandmournedandbecamethinandpale,soconcernedwashe.Wheneverthequeenaskedhimwhatwaswrong,heonlyshookhisheadorwalkedaway.Finally,whentheyearwasnearlyatitsend,hecouldnotlongerkeepstill,andhetoldherabouthismisfortune,andthoughtthathiswifewoulddieofshock.Shetoowashorrified,butshesoontookholdofherselfandsaid,"Youmendon'tthinkofanything!Afterall,don'twehavethegooseherder'sdaughter?Let'sdressherupandgivehertothepoodle.Astupidpoodlewillneverknowthedifference."

Thedayarrived,andtheydressedupthegoosegirlintheiryoungestdaughter'sclothesuntilshelookedjustperfect.Theyhadscarcelyfinishedwhentheyheardabarkoutside,andascratchingsoundatthegate.Theylookedout,andsureenough,itwasthelargeblackpoodledog.Theywonderedwhohadtaughthimtocount.Afterall,ayearhasmorethanthreehundreddays,andevenahumancanlosecount,tosaynothingofadog!Buthehadnotlostcount.Hehadcometotakeawaytheprincess.

Thekingandqueengreetedhiminafriendlymanner,thenledhimoutsidetothegoosegirl.Hewaggedhistailandpawedather,thenhelaydownonhisbellyandsaid,

Situponmytail,AndI'lltakeyouaway!

Shesatdownonhim,andhetookoffacrosstheheath.Soontheycametoagreat,greatforest.Whentheycametothelargebirchtree,thepoodlestoppedtorestawhile,foritwasahotday,anditwascoolandshadyhere.Aroundandaboutthereweremanydaisies[calledGnseblmchengooseflowersinGerman]pokinguptheirwhiteheadsfromthebeautifulgrass,andthegirlthoughtaboutherparents,andsighed,"Oh,ifonlymyfatherwerehere.Hecouldgrazethegeesesonicelyherein



thisbeautiful,lushmeadow."

Thepoodlestoodup,shookhimself,andsaid,"Justwhatkindofagirlareyou?"

"Iamagoosegirl,andmyfathertendsgeese,"sheanswered.Shewouldhavelikedtosaywhatthequeenhadtoldhertosay,butitwasimpossibleforanyonetotellalieunderthistree.Shecouldnot,andshecouldnot.

Hejumpedupabruptly,lookedatherthreateningly,andsaid,"Youarenottherightone.Ihavenouseforyou:"


Theywerenotfarfromtheking'shouse,whenthequeensawthemandrealizedwhichwaythewindwasblowing.Thereforeshetookthebroombinder'sdaughter,dressedherupinevenmorebeautifulclothes.Whenthepoodlearrivedandmadenastythreats,shebroughtthebroomgirlouttohim,saying,"Thisistherightgirl!"

"Weshallsee,"respondedthepoodledog.Thequeenbecameveryuneasy,andtheking'sthroattightened,butthepoodlewaggedhistailandscratched,thenlaydownonhisbelly,saying,


Thebroomgirlsatdownonhim,andhetookoffacrosstheheath.Soontheytoocametothegreatforestandtothelargebirchtree.Astheysatthereresting,thegirlthoughtaboutherparents,andsighed,"Oh,ifonlymyfatherwerehere.Hecouldmakebroomssoeasily,forheretherearemassesofthintwigs!"

Thepoodlestoodup,shookhimself,andsaid,"Justwhatkindofagirlareyou?"

Shewantedtolie,forthequeenhadorderedherto,andshewasaverystrictmistress,butshecouldnot,becauseshewasunderthistree,andsheanswered,"Iamabroomgirl,andmyfathermakesbrooms."

Hejumpedupasthoughheweremad,lookedatherthreateningly,andsaid,"Youarenottherightone.Ihavenouseforyou:"


Theyapproachedtheking'shouse,andthekingandqueen,whohadbeensteadilylookingoutthewindow,begantomoanandcry,especiallytheking,fortheyoungestdaughterwastheappleofhiseye.Thecourtofficialscriedandsobbedaswell,andtherewasnothingbutmourningeverywhere.Butitwastonoavail.Thepoodlearrivedandsaid,"Thistimegivemetherightgirl,oryouwillwishthatyouhad!"Hespokewithsuchafrightfulvoiceandmadesuchangrygestures,thateveryone'sheartstoodstill,andtheirskinshuddered.Thentheyledouttheyoungestdaughter,dressedinwhite,andaspaleassnow.Itwasasthoughthemoonhadjustcomeoutfrombehinddarkclouds.Thepoodleknewthatshewastherightone,andsaidwithacaressingvoice,


Heranmuchmoregentlythistime,anddidnotstopinthegreatforestunderthebirchtree,buthurrieddeeperanddeeperintothewoodsuntiltheyfinallyreachedasmallhouse,wherehequietly



laytheprincess,whohadfallenasleep,ontoasoftbed.Sheslumberedonanddreamedaboutherparents,andaboutthestrangeride,andshelaughedandcriedinhersleep.Thepoodlelaydowninhishutandkeptwatchoverthelittlehouseandtheprincess.

Whensheawokethenextmorningandfoundherselfsoulalone,shecriedandgrievedandwantedtorunaway,butshecouldnot,becausethehousewasenchanted.Itletpeopleenter,butnoonecouldleave.Therewasplentytheretoeatanddrink,everythingthatevenaprincesscoulddesire,butshedidnotwantanythinganddidnottakeasinglebite.Shecouldneitherseenorhearthepoodle,butthebirdssangwonderfully.Thereweredeergrazingaroundandabout,andtheylookedattheprincesswiththeirlargeeyes.Themorningwindcurledhergoldenlocksandpouredfreshcoloroverherface.Theprincesssighedandsaid,"Oh,ifonlysomeonewerehere,evenifitwerethemostmiserable,dirtybeggarwoman.Iwouldkissherandhugherandloveherandhonorher!"

"Isthattrue?"screechedaharshvoiceclosebehindher,startlingtheprincess.Shelookedaround,andtherestoodablearyeyedwomanasoldasthehills.Sheglaredattheprincessandsaid,"Youcalledforabeggarwoman,andabeggarwomanishere!Inthefuturedonotdespisebeggarwomen.Nowlistenwell!Thepoodledogisanenchantedprince,thishutanenchantedcastle,theforestanenchantedcity,andalltheanimalsenchantedpeople.Ifyouareagenuineprincessandarealsokindtopoorpeople,thenyoucanredeemthemallandbecomerichandhappy.Thepoodlegoesawayeverymorning,becausehehasto,andeveryeveninghereturnshome,becausehewantsto.Atmidnighthepullsoffhisroughhideandbecomesanordinaryman.Ifheknocksonyourbedroomdoor,donotlethimin,howevermuchheasksandbegs,notthefirstnight,notthesecondnight,andespeciallynotthethirdnight.Duringthethirdnight,afterhehastiredhimselfouttalkingandhasfallenasleep,takethehide,makealargefire,andburnit.Butfirstlockyourbedroomdoorsecurely,sothathecannotgetin,anddonotopenitwhenhescratchesonthedoor,ifyoucherishyourlife.Andonyourweddingdaysaythreetimes,don'tforgetitnow,saythreetimes:

Oldtongues,Oldlungs!

andIwillseeyouagain."Theprincesstookverycarefulnoticeofeverything,andtheoldwomandisappeared.

Thefirstnighttheprinceaskedandbeggedhertoopenherdoor,butsheanswered,"No,I'llnotdoit,"andshedidnotdoit.Thesecondnightheaskedherevenmoresweetly,butshedidnotansweratall.Sheburiedherheadinherpillow,andshedidnotopenthedoor.Thethirdnightheaskedhersotouchinglyandsangsuchbeautifulmelodiestoher,thatshewantedtojumpupandopenthedoorforhim,butfortunatelysherememberedtheoldwomanandhermotherandfather.Shepulledthebedcoversoverherhead,anddidnotopenthedoor.Complaining,theprincewalkedaway,butshedidnothearhimleave.Whilehesleptshebuiltupthefire,creptoutontiptoe,pickeduptheroughhidefromthecornerwherethepoodlealwaysputit,barredthebedroomdoor,andthrewitintotheflames.Thepoodlejumpeduphowling,gnawedandclawedatthedoor,threatened,begged,growled,andhowledagain.Butshedidnotopenthedoor,andhecouldnotopenthedoor,howeverfiercelyhethrewhimselfagainstit.

Thefireflamedupbrightlyonelasttime,andtherewasanenormousbang,asifheavenandhellhadexploded.Standingbeforeherwasthemosthandsomeprinceintheworld.Thehutwasnowamagnificentcastle,theforestagreatcityfullofpalaces,andtheanimalswereallkindsofpeople.

Attheirweddingceremony,theprinceandtheprincesswereseatedatthetablewiththeoldkingandtheoldqueenandthetwosistersandmanyrichandimportantpeople,whenthebridecalledoutthreetimes,

Oldtongues,Oldlungs!



andthetatteredoldwomancamein.Theoldqueenscolded,andthetwoprincessesscolded,andtheywantedtochaseheraway,buttheyoungqueenstoodupandlettheoldwomansitdownatherplace,eatfromherplate,anddrinkfromhergoblet.Whentheoldwomanhadeatenanddrunkherfill,shelookedattheoldqueenandtheevildaughters,andtheybecamecrookedandlame.Butsheblessedtheyoungqueen,andshebecameseventimesmorebeautiful,andnooneeversaworheardfromtheoldwomanagain.

Source:CarlandTheodorColshorn,"VomklinkesklankenLowesblatt,"MrchenundSagenausHannover(Hannover:VerlagvonCarlRuempler,1854),no.20,pp.6469.



TheLittleNutTwig

Germany

Onceuponatimetherewasarichmerchantwhosebusinessrequiredhimtotravelabroad.Takingleave,hesaidtohisthreedaughters,"Deardaughters,IwouldliketohavesomethingniceforyouwhenIreturn.WhatshouldIbringhomeforyou?"

Theoldestonesaid,"Fatherdear,abeautifulpearlnecklaceforme!"

Thesecondonesaid,"Iwouldlikeafingerringwithadiamondstone."

Theyoungestonecuddleduptoherfatherandwhispered,"Daddy,aprettygreennuttwigforme."

"Good,mydeardaughters,"saidthemerchant,"Iwillremember.Farewell."

Themerchanttraveledfarandpurchasedmanygoods,buthealsofaithfullyrememberedhisdaughters'wishes.Topleasehiseldesthehadpackedacostlypearlnecklaceintohisbaggage,andhehadalsopurchasedanequallyvaluablediamondringforthemiddledaughter.But,howevermuchhetried,hecouldnotfindagreennuttwig.Forthisreasonhewentonfootagooddistanceonhishomewardjourney.Hiswayledhiminlargepartthroughthewoods,andhehopedthusfinallytofindanuttwig.However,hedidnotsucceed,andthegoodfatherbecameverydepressedthathehadnotbeenabletofulfilltheharmlessrequestofhisyoungestanddearestchild.

Finally,ashewassadlymakinghiswaydownapaththatledthroughadarkforestandnexttoadensethicket,hishatrubbedagainstatwig,anditmadeasoundlikehailstonesfallingonit.Lookinguphesawthatitwasaprettygreennuttwig,fromwhichwashangingaclusterofgoldennuts.Themanwasdelighted.Hereachedhishandupandpluckedthemagnificenttwig.Butinthatsameinstant,awildbearshotoutfromthethicketandstooduponhisbackpaws,growlingfiercely,asthoughhewereabouttotearthemerchanttopieces.

Withaterriblevoicehebellowed,"Whydidyoupickmynuttwig,you?Why?Iwilleatyouup!"

Shakingandtremblingwithfearthemerchantsaid,"Dearbear,don'teatme.Letmegoonmywaywiththelittlenuttwig.I'llgiveyoualargehamandmanysausagesforit!"

Butthebearbellowedagain,"Keepyourhamandyoursausages!Iwillnoteatyou,onlyifyouwillpromisetogivemethefirstthingthatmeetsyouuponyourarrivalhome."



Themerchantgladlyagreedtothis,forherecalledhowhispoodleusuallyranouttogreethim,andhewouldgladlysacrificethepoodleinordertosavehisownlife.

Followingacrudehandshakethebearlumberedbackintothethicket.Themerchant,breathingasighofrelief,wenthurriedlyandhappilyonhisway.

Thegoldennuttwigdecoratedthemerchant'shadsplendidlyashehurriedhomeward.Filledwithjoy,theyoungestgirlrantogreetherdearfather.Thepoodlefollowedherwithboldleaps.Theoldestdaughtersandthemotherwerenotquitesofasttostepoutthedoorandgreethomecomer.

Themerchantwashorrifiedtoseethatthefirstonetogreethimwashisyoungestdaughter.Concernedandsaddened,hewithdrewfromthehappychild'sembrace,andfollowingtheinitialgreetingstoldthemallthathadhappenedwiththenuttwig.

Theyallcriedandwereverysad,buttheyoungestdaughtershowedthemostcourage,andsheresolvedtofulfillherfather'spromise.

Themothersoonthoughtupagoodplan.Shesaid,"Dearones,let'snotbeafraid.Ifthebearshouldcometoholdyoutoyourpromise,dearhusband,insteadofgivinghimouryoungestdaughter,let'sgivehimtheherdsman'sdaughter.Hewillbesatisfiedwithher."

Thisproposalwasaccepted.Thedaughterswerehappyonceagain,andtheywereverypleasedwiththeirbeautifulpresents.Theyoungestonealwayskepthernuttwigwithher,andshesoonforgotthebearandherfather'spromise.

Butonedayadarkcarriagerattledthroughthestreetanduptothefrontofthemerchant'shouse.Theuglybearclimbedoutandwalkedintothehousegrowling.Hewentuptothestartledmanandaskedthathispromisebefulfilled.Quicklyandsecretlytheyfetchedtheherdsman'sdaughter,whowasveryugly,dressedheringoodclothes,andputherinthebear'scarriage.

Thejourneybegan.Onceoutsidethetown,thebearlaidhiswildshaggyheadintheshepherdgirl'slapandgrowled,

Tussleme,scufflemeSoftandgentle,behindmyears,OrIwilleatyou,skinandbone

Thegirlbegantodoso,butshedidnotdoitthewaythebearwantedherto,andherealizedthathehadbeendeceived.Hewasabouttoeatthedisguisedshepherdgirl,butinherfrightshequicklyfledfromthecarriage.

Thenthebearrodebacktothemerchant'shouseand,withterriblethreats,demandedtherightbride.Sothedearmaidenhadtocomeforward,andfollowingabitterlysorrowfulfarewellsherodeawaywiththeuglybridegroom.

Onceoutsidethetown,helaidhiscoarseheadinthegirl'slapandgrowledagain,

Tussleme,scufflemeSoftandgentle,behindmyears,OrIwilleatyou,skinandbone

Andthegirldidjustthat,andshediditsosoftlythatitpacifiedhim,andhisterriblebearishexpressionbecamefriendly.Graduallythebear'spoorbridebegantogainsometrusttowardhim.Thejourneydidnotlastlong,forthecarriagetraveledextremelyfast,likeawindstormthroughtheair.Theysooncametoaverydarkforest,andthecarriagesuddenlystoppedinfrontofadarkandyawningcave.Thiswaswherethebearlived.Oh,howthegirltrembled!



Thebearembracedherwithhisclawarmsandsaidtoherwithafriendlygrowl,"Thisiswhereyouwilllive,mylittlebrideandyouwillbehappy,aslongasyoubehaveyourselfhere,otherwisemywildanimalswilltearyouapart."

Assoonastheyhadgoneafewstepsinsidethedarkcave,heunlockedanirondoorandsteppedwithhisbrideintoaroomthatwasfilledwithpoisonousworms.Theyhissedatthemrapaciously.Thebeargrowledintohislittlebride'sear,

Donotlookaround!Neitherrightnorleft,Straightahead,andyou'llbesafe!

Thenthegirldidindeedwalkthroughtheroomwithoutlookingaround,andallthewhilenotasinglewormstirredormoved.Andinthismannertheywentthroughtenmorerooms,andthelastonewasfilledwiththemostterriblecreatures:dragonsandsnakes,toadsswollenwithpoison,basilisksandlindorms.Andineachroomthebeargrowled,

Donotlookaround!Neitherrightnorleft,Straightahead,andyou'llbesafe!

Thegirltrembledandquakedwithfear,liketheleavesofanaspen,butsheremainedsteadfastanddidnotlookaround,neitherrightnorleft.Whenthedoortothetwelfthroomopenedup,aglisteningstreamoflightshonetowardthetwoofthem.Themostbeautifulmusicsoundedfromwithin,andeverywheretherewerecriesofjoy.

Beforethebridecouldcomprehendthisshewasstilltremblingfromseeingsuchhorriblethings,andnowthissurprisinglovelinesstherewasaterribleclapofthunder,andshethoughtthatearthandheavenwerebreakingapart.

Itwassoonquietonceagain.Theforest,thecave,thepoisonousanimals,andthebearhadalldisappeared.Intheirplacestoodasplendidcastlewithroomsdecoratedingoldandwithbeautifullydressedservants.Andthebearhadbeentransformedintoahandsomeyoungman.Hewastheprinceofthismagnificentcastle,andhepressedhislittlebridetohisheart,thankingherathousandtimesthatshehadredeemedhimandhisservantsthewildanimalsfromtheirenchantment.

Shewasnowahighandwealthyprincess,butshealwaysworethebeautifulnuttwigonherbreast.Itneverwilted,andsheespeciallylikedtowearit,becauseithadbeenthekeytohergoodfortune.

Herparentsandsistersweresooninformedofthishappyturnofevents.Thebearprincehadthembroughttothecastle,wheretheylivedinsplendidhappinessforeverafter.

Source:LudwigBechstein,"DasNusszweiglein,"DeutschesMrchenbuch,5thedition(Leipzig:VerlagvonGeorgWigand,1847),pp.8185.


LudwigBechstein(18011860)wasGermany'smostwidelyreadcollectorandeditoroffolktalesduringthenineteenthcentury,hispopularitywithinGermanyatthattimesurpassingthatofhismorescholarlycontemporaries,JacobandWilhelmGrimm.




LittleBroomstick

Germany

Therewasonceamerchantwhohadthreedaughters.Thetwoolderoneswereproudandhaughty.Theyoungerone,however,waswellbehavedandmodest,althoughherbeautygreatlysurpassedthatofhersisters.Shedressedsimply,andthusunconsciouslyenhancedherbeautymorethanhersisterswereabletodowiththemostexpensiveclothingandjewelry.

Nettchen,thatwasthenameofthemerchant'syoungestdaughter,hadadeargirlfriendwhowasverypoor,butequallybeautifulandvirtuous.Shewasabroombinder'sdaughter,andwasforthisreasonwascalledLittleBroomstickbyyoungandoldalike.Bothgirlswereofoneheartandonesoul.Theyentrustedoneanotherwiththeirlittlesecrets,andbetweenthemallclassdistinctionsfellbythewayside.Thisangeredtheoldersistersgreatly,butNettchenletthemscold,andlovedherLittleBroomsticknonetheless.

Oncethemerchantwasplanningalongjourney,althoughtheseasonwasalreadyveryadvanced.Heaskedhisdaughtersiftheyhadawishastowhatheshouldbringhometothem.

Theoldestonesaid,"Bringmeagoldennecklace!"

Thesecond,"Bringmeapairofearringsthataresobeautifulthatallwomenbeenviousofmebecauseofthem!"

Theyoungestsaidthatshehadnowish,becauseherfather,inhisgoodness,hadalreadygivenhereverything.Butthemerchantinsisted,sosheansweredwithasmile,"Thenbringmethreerosesgrowingononestem."

Shewasconvincedthatherfatherwouldnotbeabletofindsuchapresentinthemiddleofwinter.Hekissedherforhermodestyandsetforthonhisjourney.

Hewasonhiswayhomewhenherememberedthepresentsthathewassupposedtogetforhisdaughters.Hesoonfoundagoldennecklaceandapairofsplendidearrings,butnotsothethreerosesforNettchen.Thefatherhadjustdecidedtobuysomeothervaluablepresentforhisdarling,whensuddenlytohissurprisehecameuponagreenarea.Hesteppedthroughawidegatewayandfoundhimselfinalarge,blossominggardenadjacenttoasplendidcastle.Outsideeverythingwascoveredwithsnow,butinthegardenthetreeswereinblossom,nightingalesweresinginginthebushes,andfinallyheevensawablossomingrosebush,andononeofitsbrancheswerethreeofthemostbeautifulhalfopenbuds.Elated,hethoughtthatnowhewouldbeabletofulfillNettchen'swish,andhebrokeoffthebranch.

Hehadscarcelydonesowhenanenormousbeastwithalonguglysnout,earshangingdown,andashaggycoatandtailappearedbeforehimandlaidhislongsharpclawsonhisshoulder.Themerchantwasdeathlyfrightened,andevenworsewhenthebeastbegantospeak,threateninghimwithdeathforhismisdeed.

Themerchantbegged,tellinghimwhyhewantedtheroses,whereuponthebeastanswered,"Youryoungestdaughtermustbeatruepearlofhersex.Verywell,ifyouwillpromisetogivehertomeasawifeinsevenmonths,thenyoushallliveandreturntoyourpeople."

Asterrifiedasthemerchantwasatthisproposal,hisfearneverthelessledhimtomakethepromise,thinkingthathewouldbeabletotrickthemonster.

Themerchantreturnedtohispeopleanddistributedthepresents.However,hewassadand



melancholy,andtheynoticedthathewascarryingagreatburdeninhisheart.Nettchenaskedhimtotellherwhatwastroublinghim,butheonlygaveherexcuses.Hetoldthesecretonlytothetwoolderdaughters,whowickedlytookpleasureinthesituation.

Sothatthefathercouldkeephiseyesonher,Nettchenwasalmostneverallowedtoleavethehouse.OnlyLittleBroomstickcametovisitherfromtimetotime.

OnedaytheseventhmonthhadjustpassedsheandLittleBroomstickwereagaintogetherwhenacarriagestoppedbeforethehouse.Aservant,gesturingsilently,handedanotetothemerchant.Onitwerewrittenthewords,"Fulfillyourpromise!"

Themerchantwasterrified,buthecollectedhimselfandaskedLittleBroomsticktocometohim.Thegirlcame,expectingnothingbad.Themerchantpointedather.Shewasliftedintothecarriage,andawaytheywentinathunderinggallop.

However,thebeastrecognizedthedeceptionassoonasLittleBroomstickwasbroughtbeforehim,andheorderedthegirltogohomeimmediatelyandbringbacktherightone.Thecarriagestoppedagainbeforethemerchant'shouse,andwhenLittleBroomsticksteppedout,Nettchenfellaroundherneckwithfriendlygreetings.Butthenshewaspickedupandshovedintothecarriage,whichdroveawaywithitsbootyasfastasanarrow.

Nettchenwasveryfrightened,butshesooncollectedherself.Insidethestrange,beautifulcastleshewasreceivedwithhonor,althoughwithsilentgestures,andshenolongerfeltconcerned.Silentservantsbroughtherthemostdeliciousthingstoeatandshowedhertoabedroom,whereablindingwhitecanopybedinvitedhertorest.Aftersayingherprayers,shesurrenderedtothearmsofsleep.

Whensheawokeshesawtoherfrightthatadisgustingshaggymonsterlaynexttoher.Butitwaslyingtherestillandquiet,sosheleftitalone.Thenitleft,andshehadtimetothinkaboutheradventure.

Theuglybeastgraduallybecamehersleepingcompanion,andshegrewlessandlessafraidofhim.Hecuddleduptoher,andshestrokedhisshaggycoatandevenallowedhimtotouchherlipswithhislong,coldsnout.Thishadgoneonforfourweekswhenonenightthebeastdidnotcometoher.Nettchencouldnotsleepforworryandconcernaboutwhatmighthavehappenedtothebeast,whomshehadbecomequitefondof.

Thenextmorningshewaswalkinginthegardenwhenshesawthebeastlyingallstretchedoutonthebankofapondthatservedasabath.Hedidnotmovealimbandshowedeverysignofbeingdead.Abitterpainpenetratedherbreast,andshecriedoverthedeathofthepoorbeast.Buthertearshadscarcelystartedtoflowwhenthemonsterwastransformedintoahandsomeyouth.

Hestoodupbeforeher,pressedherhandtohisbreast,andsaid,"Youhaveredeemedmefromaterriblecurse.MyfatherwantedmetomarryawomanwhomIdidnotlove.Irefusedsteadfastly,andinhisanger,myfatherhadasorceresstransformmeintoamonster.Thetransformationwastolastuntilaninnocentvirginwouldfallinlovewithmeinspiteofmyuglyform,andwouldcrytearsonmybehalf.Youwithyourheartofanangelhavedonejustthat,andIcannotthankyouenough.Ifyouwillbecomemywife,Iwillrepaywithlovewhatyouhavedoneforme."

Nettchenextendedhimherhand,andtheyweremarried.Thenthedeathlyquietcastleawokeinahustleandbustle.Joyruledeverywhere,andthenewlywedslivedinbliss.

Nowtheyoungwifehadbeengiventherequirementthatshenotreturntoherfather'shouseforoneyear.However,sheobtainedamirrorinwhichshecouldseeeverythingthatwashappeninginherfamilycircle.Nettchenlookedintothemirroroften,andshesawherfatherinhissorrow,althoughhersisterswerecheerfulandgay.SheobservedLittleBroomstickaswell,andhowshemournedforher



lostgirlfriend.Shedidnotlookintothemirrorforsometime,andwhenshereturnedtoit,shesawherfatheronhisdeathbedandhersistersinthenextroommakingmerrywiththeirfriends.

Thissaddenedthegoodsister,andsheconfidedhersorrowwithherhusband.Hecomfortedher,saying,"Yourfatherwillnotdie.Inmygardenthereisaplantwhosesapcancallbackthefleeinglifespirits.Theyearisnearlyover.Thenwewillfetchyourfather,andyouwillnothavetobeseparatedfromhimanylonger."

Nettchenwaspleasedwiththis,andassoonastheyearhadpassed,thehusbandandwifeandtheirmagnificententouragejourneyedtoNettchen'shomecity.Thetwooldersistersnearlyburstwithenvyandanger,whilethefather'sjoybroughtbackhishealth,sothatevilturnedtogood.Thesaprestoredhisfullstrengthandwellbeing.LittleBroomsticktoowasoverjoyed,andNettchenwasheroldgirlfriendonceagain.Sheandthemerchantaccompaniedthembacktotheprince'scastle.

Nettchenhadaforgivingheart,andhowevermuchshehadbeenhurtbyhersisters,shewantedtosharehergoodfortunewiththem.Thereforesheinvitedthemtovisither,andshowedthemallherwealth.However,thesplendorangeredthesisters,andtheyresolvedtokilltheirhappysister.Oncewhentheywereinthebath,theyforcedNettchenunderthewater,andshedrowned.

Theyhadscarcelydonethiswhenatallfemalefigureroseupbeforethemandglaredatthemwithangryeyes.Shetouchedthedeadwomanwithawand,andshecamebacktolife."Iamthesorceresswhooncetransformedtheprince,"saidthetallfigure.Ihavenotedyourgoodheartandtakenyouundermyprotection.Thesemiserableoneskilledyou.NowIleavetheirfateinyourhands!"

Nettchenbeggedformercyforthem,butthesorceressshookherheadandsaid,"Theymustdie,foryouwillneverbesafefromtheirmalice,andassoonastheyhavebeenpunished,mypowerwillcease."

"Thendowiththemwhatyouwill!"sobbedNettchen.

"Letthembetransformedintocolumnsandremainsuchuntilamanfallsinlovewiththem,andthatwillneverhappen."

Shetouchedthesisterswithherhand,andtheywereimmediatelytransformedintotwostonecolumns,whichtothisdayarestillstandinginthegardenofthesplendidcastle,forithasnotyetoccurredtoanymanthatheshouldfallinlovewithcold,heartlessstones.

ThegoodLittleBroomstickremainedNettchen'smostfaithfulgirlfriend.Shestillshareshergoodfortunewithher,ifinthemeantimethetwoofthemhavenotdied.

Source:LudwigBechstein,"Besenstielchen,"DeutschesMrchenbuch,5thedition(Leipzig:VerlagvonGeorgWigand,1847),pp.22832.


LudwigBechstein(18011860)wasGermany'smostwidelyreadcollectorandeditoroffolktalesduringthenineteenthcentury,hispopularitywithinGermanyatthattimesurpassingthatofhismorescholarlycontemporaries,JacobandWilhelmGrimm.


BeautyandtheHorse



Denmark

Therewasonceamerchantwhosebusinesswassoimmensethathewasthewealthiesttradesmanknown.Hehadthreedaughters,oneofwhomwasnamedBeauty.Onedaythemerchantreceivedwordfromfriendsfaraway,informinghimofthefailureofoneofhisconnections,andheatoncepreparedhimselfforajourneytothatplace.Thetwoolderdaughtersaskedhimtobuyallsortsoffineryanddressesforthem,butBeautyaskedfornothingatall.Whenthemerchantleft,thesetwogirlshadrubbedtheireyeswithonionsinordertolookasiftheyweresorrytobidhimgoodbyebutBeautyneedednosuchartificehertearswerequitenatural.

Sothemerchantwentaway,andinduetimearrivedattheplacewherethetradesmanofwhomhehadheardthebadnewswasliving.Butinsteadofobtainingmoney,ashehoped,hewaskickedandbeatensoviolentlythatitseemsagreatwonderhecameawaywithoutlosinghislife.Ofcoursehehadnownothingtodobutreturn,sohemountedhishorseandturnedhomeward.Towardseveningheunfortunatelylosthisway,andwhenitbecamequitedarkheknewnobetterthantorideinthedirectionofalightwhichwasshiningfromadistance.Atlengthhereachedabeautifullittlepalace,butalthoughitwaslighted,thereseemedtobenooneathome.

Afterawhilehefoundashelterandfoodforhishorsepureoats,andnothingelse.Theanimalmightwelldanceforjoy,forbothmanandbeastwerewellnighexhaustedfromthelongride.Whenthehorsehadbeenprovidedfor,themastersteppedintothepalace.Therealightwasburning,andatablewaslaidforoneperson,butnoonewastobeseen.Asthemerchantwastired,hesatdownwithoutinvitation,andateaheartysupper.Afinebedwasthere,too,andwhenhehadeatenenoughhestretchedhimselfamongthepillowsandenjoyedagoodnight'srest.

Thenextmorningeverythingappearedasontheeveningbefore.Thehorsewaswellsupplied,andasbreakfastwasreadyonthetable,themerchantseatedhimself,doingjusticetothegoodmeal.Athewasnowreadytoleave,hethoughtitmightbewelltolookoverthepremises,andglancingintothegardenheperceivedsomeexquisiteflowers.Hewentdown,intendingtocarrysomeofthemhomewithhimasapresentforBeautybutnosoonerhadhetouchedthemthanahorsecamerunningtowardshimasfastasitcouldtrot,saying,"YouthoughtlessmanIwasgoodtoyoulastnight,Igaveyoushelterandprovisions,andnowyouwouldeventakewithyouthemostbeautifulflowersinmygarden."

Themerchantimmediatelybeggedpardon,sayingthathehadintendedtheflowersasagiftforBeauty,hisdaughter.

"Haveyouseveraldaughters?"askedthehorse.

"Yes,Ihavethree,andBeautyistheyoungestone,"hereplied.

"Nowyoumustpromiseme,"saidthehorse,"thatyouwillgivemethedaughterwhosenameisBeautyifyourefuse,Iwilltakeyourlife."

Well,themerchantdidnotwishtolosehislife,sohepromisedtobringhisdaughtertothepalace,whereuponthehorsedisappearedamongthetrees,andthemanrodehome.

Assoonashereachedhishouse,thetwoolderdaughterscameoutandaskedhimforthefinethingswhichtheywereexpecting.ButBeautycameandbidhimwelcome.Heproducedtheflowersandgavethemtoher,saying,"Theseareforyou,buttheycostyourlife,"andhethentoldherhowhehadbeenobligedtomakethefatalpromisetothehorse,inordertosavehislife.

Beautyatoncesaid,"Iamwillingtofollowyou,father,andamalwaysgladtohelpyou."Theystartedontheirjourney,andsoonarrivedatthepalace.



Asbefore,noonewastobeseen,butthemerchantfoundfoodforhishorsesandagoodstableThetablewasalsolaidfortwopersons,andthereweretwobeds.Havingdonejusticetothesupper,fatheranddaughterretiredandsleptsoundly.Whentheyawokethenextmorning,theyfoundbreakfastreadyforboth,ateheartily,andhavingexchangedmanylovingandtenderwords,theyseparated,thefatherridingaway.Wewilllethimproceed,andseewhatoccurredatthepalace.

Shortlybeforedinnertimethehorsearrived.Hecameintotheroomandsaid,"Welcome,Beauty!"Shedidnotfeelveryglad,andhadallshecoulddoinkeepinghertearsback."Youshalldonothingbutwalkaroundintheseroomsandinthegarden,"continuedthehorse."Yourmealsareprovidedfor.Ishallcomehomeeverydayatnoonatothertimesyoumustnotexpectme."

Timepassed,andBeautyfeltsolonelythatsheoftenlongedfornoon,whenthehorsecamehome,andshecouldtalkwithhim.Shegraduallycametolookathimmoreandmorekindlybutonethingcausedhergreatdistress,namely,thatshehadnonewsfromherfather.Onedayshementionedthistothehorse.

"Yes,"saidhe,"Iunderstandthatverywell.Inthelargeroomyouwillfindamirrorinwhichyoucanseeallthatyouarethinkingof."

Shewashappytolearnthis,andwentstraightintotheroomwherethemirrorwashanging.Assoonasshethoughtofherfather,heroldhomewasvisibleintheglass,andshenoticedhowhewassittinginhischairwithasorrowfulexpressionuponhiscountenance,whilehistwodaughtersweresinginganddancing.Beautyfeltsorryoverthisstateofaffairs,andthenextdayshetoldthehorsewhatshehadseen.

"Yourfatherissorry,Isuppose,"saidthehorse,"becausehehaslostyou.Hewillsoonfeelbetter,however."

Butonthenextday,whenBeautyconsultedthemirror,herfatherlookedpaleandill,likeonewhoisdeadlysickbothofhersistersweredressedforaball,andneitherofthemseemedtocarefortheweakman.Beautyburstintotears,andwhenthehorsecamehome,askingwhatailedher,shetoldhimofthebadstateofaffairs,wishingthathewouldallowhertoreturnandnurseherpoorfatherduringhisillness.

"Ifyouwillpromisetocomeback,"saidthehorse,"youmayreturnandstayforthreedaysbutundernoconditionmustyoubreakyourword."

Beautytoldhimshewouldcomebackinthreedays.

"Tonight,"resumedthehorse,"beforegoingtobed,youmustplacethemirrorunderyourpillow,saying,'Iwishtobehometomorrow.'Thenyourwishwillbefulfilled.Whenyoudesiretoreturn,youmustdolikewise."

Thenextmorning,whenBeautyawoke,shewasatheroldhome.Herfatherbecamesogladtoseeheragainthatheatoncefeltagreatdealbetter.Shecaredsowellforhimthatthenextdayhewasabletobeup,andonthethirddayhewasalmostwell.Ashewishedhertostaywithhimafewdayslonger,shecomplied,thinkingthatnoharmwouldcomefromit.Onthethirddayafter,however,whenshelookedintothemirror,shesawthehorsestretchedonthegroundinfrontofthebenchwhichwasherfavoriteseatinthegarden.Shenowfeltthatitwouldbeimpossibleforhertoremainlonger,henceintheevening,beforegoingtobed,sheplacedthemirrorunderherpillow,saying:"Iwishtobeatthepalacetomorrowmorning."

Shepromptlyawokeinthepalacethefollowingmorning,andhurryingintothegardenshefoundthehorsesoverysickthathecouldnotstandonhislegs.Beautykneltdownandaskedhimtoforgiveherforstayingawaylongerthanshehadpromised.Thehorseaskedherifshecouldnotpersuadeherself



tostaywithhimallherlife,butsheansweredthatitwouldseemverysingulartolivewithahorseallherlifetime.Thepooranimalnowsighedsodeeplythatshetookpityonhimandsaid,fearingthathemightdiethenandthere,thatshewouldalwaysstaywithhimandneverleavehim.

Assoonasshehadmadethispromise,thehorsevanished,andabeautifulyoungprincestoodbeforeher.Heseizedherhandandaskedwhethershewasnotsorryforthepromiseshehadmade.No,shesaid,shewouldratherstaywithhimnowthanwhenhewasintheshapeofahorse.Henowtoldherthatbothheandthewholelandhadbeenenchantedbyhiswickedstepmother,whohadconvertedhimintoahorse,andtoldhimthatonlywhenabeautifulyounggirlwouldpromisetostaywithhim,inhisalteredshape,wouldtheenchantmentbeover.HewantedtomarryBeauty,andliveinthepalacewhichbelongedtohim.

Sotheysentforherfathertotakeuphisresidencewiththem,andnowthemarriagewasperformedandcelebratedinasplendidmanner.Theylivedlongandhappilytogether,theprinceandhisBeauty.

Source:J.ChristianBay,DanishFairyandFolkTales(NewYorkandLondon:HarperandBrothers,1899),pp.1420.

Bay'ssourcesforthiscollection:SvendGrundtvig,E.T.Kristensen,IngvorBondesen,andL.Budde.


TheSingingRose

Austria

Akinghadthreedaughters.Theyweremorebeautifulthantheyoungwomenoftoday,andeachhadpassedhersixteenthyearoflife.Thekingthoughtaboutmakingoneofhisdaughtersqueen,buthedidnotknowwhichoneheshouldselectovertheothertwo.

Onedayhesummonedallthreeandsaidtothem,"Mydearchildren,Iamnowoldandfrail,andeverydayisagift.BeforeIdie,Iwouldliketobringeverythinginmyrealmintoorderandnameoneofyouastheheirtomykingdom.Nowgooutintothewideworld,andtheoneofyouwhobringsbackasingingroseshallinheritmythrone,andsheshallbequeenovertheentireland."

Whenthethreedaughtershadheardthis,theytearfullytookleaveoftheiroldfather,thentrustingtheirlucksetforthforforeignlands,eachtakingadifferentpath.

Ithappenedthattheyoungestandmostbeautifulofthemhadtogothroughadarkpineforest.Allkindsofbirdsweresingingatthesametime.Itwaswonderfultolistentothem.Itbegantogetdark,thebirdsflewtotheirnests,andafterawhileitbecamequietasamouse.Thensuddenlyabright,beautiful,loudtonesoundedforth,suchastheprincesshadneverheardbefore,neitherfrombirdsnorfromhumans,andsheimmediatelythought,"Thatcanonlybethesingingrose."

Shehurriedoninthedirectionthatthemarveloussoundsseemedtobecomingfrom.Shehadnotwalkedlongbeforeshesawalarge,oldfashionedcastleonacliff.Sheeagerlyclimbeduptothecastleandpulledseveraltimesonthelatch.Finallythegateopenedwithacreakingsound,andanoldmanwithalong,icegraybeardlookedout.

"Whatisyourwish?"hegrumpilyaskedthestartledmaiden.



"Iwouldlikeasingingrose,"sheanswered."Doyouhavesuchathinginyourgarden?"

"Yesindeed,"answeredtheoldman.

"Whatwillyoutakeforit,ifIcouldgetitfromyou?"

"Youneedgivemenothingforthesingingrose.Youcanhaveittoday,butaspayment,Iwillcometoyouinsevenyearsandbringyoubackwithmetothis,mycastle."

"Justbringmequicklythevaluableflower,"shoutedthemaidenjoyfully,forshewasthinkingonlyaboutthesingingroseandthekingdom,butnotaboutwhatwouldhappenaftersevenyears.

Theoldmanwentbackintothecastle,andreturnedsoonwithafull,glowingrose.Itwassingingsobeautifullythatthemaiden'sheartjumpedforjoy.Sheeagerlyreachedoutherhandforit,andassoonasshehadtheflowerinherhandssherandownthemountainlikeadeer.

Theoldmancalledafterherwithaseriousvoice,"Iwillseeyouinsevenyears!"

Themaidenwanderedtheentirenightthroughthedarkwoodswithherrose.Herpleasureinthesingingflowerandtheinheritedkingdomcausedhertoforgetallfear.Therosesangwithoutpausetheentirewayandthelouderandmorebeautifullyitsang,thefastertheprincesshurriedontowardherhomeland.

Shearrivedhomeandtoldherfathereverythingthathadhappenedtoher,andtherosesangbeautifully.Immeasurablejoyruledinthecastle,andthekinggaveonecelebrationaftertheother.Soonthetwooldersistersreturned.Theyhadfoundnothing,andhadhadtoreturnhomeemptyhanded.Andnowtheyoungestdaughter,whohadbroughtbacktherose,becamequeen,althoughtheoldfathercontinuedtorule.Theroyalfamilylivedbeautiful,joyfuldays.Dayafterdayandyearafteryearslippedby.

Finallytheseventhyearcametoanend,andonthefirstdayoftheeighthyeartheoldmanfromthecastleappearedbeforethekinganddemandedfromhimtheoneofhisdaughterwhohadbroughthomethesingingrose.Thekingpresentedtohimhisoldestdaughter,buttheoldmanrejectedher,shakinghisheadandgrowling,"Sheisnottherightone."

Whenthekingsawthathecouldnotgetawaywithdeception,hewithableedingheartturnedovertheyoungestanddearestofhischildren.

Theprincessnowhadtogowiththegrumblinggraybeardtohiscastle,fromwhichshehadonceobtainedthesingingrose.Thebeautifulmaidenwasverysad,forshehadnoonethereexceptforheroldmaster.Dayafterdayshesorrowfullythoughtaboutherfatherandhersisters.

Inthecastletherewereotherpleasuresinabundance,buttheydidnotcomforther,forshedidnothavethecompanyofherlovedones.Herthoughtswerealwaysinherhomeland.Further,allthedoorsandchestsinthecastlewerelocked,andtheoldmandidnotletherhaveaccesstoasinglekey.

OnedayshelearnedGodknowsfromwhere!thatheroldestsisterwastomarryaneighboringprince,andthattheweddingwouldtakeplaceinafewdays.Disquieted,shewenttotheoldmanandaskedhimforpermissiontoattendhersister'swedding.

"Justgo!"growledtheoldman."ButIamtellingyouinadvance,donotlaughonceduringtheentireweddingday.Ifyoudisobeymyorder,Iwilltearyouintoathousandpieces.Imyselfwillcontinuallybebyyourside,andifyouasmuchasopenyourmouthtolaugh,itwillbeoverwithyou.Takenotice!"

Theprincessthoughtthatthiswouldbeeasytofollow,andontheannounceddaysheappearedwith



theoldgraybeardathersister'swedding.Joyruledintheking'scastlewhentheysawthelongmissingqueenreturning.Shewasveryhappyandtookadvantageoftheday,butshedidnotforgettheoldman'sorder,andshedidnotonceopenhermouthtolaugh.Thateveningshehadtotakeleavefromherlovedones,andshesadlyreturnedtothelonelycastlewithhercompanion.Hertimeofmonotonybeganonceagain,andthepoorprincesswasalwaysgladwhenadayfinallyended.

Thentherumorcametoherearsthattheothersisterwouldmarrysoon.Thisdisquietedheragain,andsheaskedtheoldmanifshecouldnotattendhersecondsister'swedding.

"Justgo!"growledtheoldman."Butthistimeyouarenotallowedtospeakasinglewordtheentireday.Iwillgowithyouagainandobserveyouvigilantly.

Theprincessthoughtthatthiswouldbeeasytofollow,andontheannounceddaysheappearedwiththeoldgraybeardathersister'swedding.Joyruledintheking'scastlewhentheysawthelongmissingqueenreturning.Everyoneranouttomeether.Theygreetedherandwelcomedherandaskedherabouteverything.Butshepretendedthatshecouldnottalk,anddidnotallowasinglesoundtoescapefromherbeautifullips.Butthistimeshedidnotkeepuphercourageaswellasshehadthelasttime,andthateveningwheneveryonewastalkingtogetheruntilitwashumminglikeabeehive,alittlewordslippedout.Theoldmanquicklyjumpedup,tookherbythehand,andledheroutofthehallandbacktohislonelycastle.

Heretheprincesshadotherthingsingreatabundance,butshegreatlymissedthecompanyofherlovedones,andeverythingseemedterriblymonotonoustoher.

Onedaywhenshewassadlywalkingthroughthegardenwheretherosehadpreviouslyblossomedandsung,theoldmancametoherandsaidwithaseriousexpression,"Yourmajesty,iftomorrowwhileitisstrikingtwelveyouwillcutoffmyheadinthreeblows,theneverythingthatyoufindinthecastlewillbeyours,andyouwillbefreeforever!"

Theprincesstookheartfromtheoldman'sspeechanddecidedtoattempttheriskydeed.

ThenextdayitwasSaturdaytheoldmanappearedalittlebeforetwelveo'clockanduncoveredhisneck.Shedrewtheswordthatshehadhungaboutherwaist,andasthecastleclockstruckonesheswungtheswordonce,thenquicklyagaintwomoretimes.Theoldman'sheadrolledawayonthefloor.Butbehold!Insteadofblood,akeyfellfromthehead.Itopenedallthechestsanddoorsintheentirecastle.Theretheprincessfoundmany,manypreciousthings,andshewasrichandfreeforever.

Source:Source:IgnazandJosephZingerle,"DiesingendeRose,"KinderundHausmrchen(Innsbruck:VerlagderWagner'schenBuchhandlung,1852),no.30,pp.18388.



TheBearPrince

Switzerland

Amerchantoncewantedtogotomarket.Heaskedhisthreedaughterswhatheshouldbringhomeforthem.

Theoldestonesaid,"Iwouldlikepearlsandpreciousstones."



"Youcanbuyaskybluedressforme,"saidthemiddleone.

Buttheyoungestonesaid,"Nothingintheworldwouldbedearertomethanagrape."

Onceatthemarket,themerchantsawasmanypearlsandpreciousstonesashecouldpossiblywant.Andhesoonpurchasedaskybluedressaswell.Butasforagrape,hecouldnotfindoneanywhereatthemarket.Thissaddenedhimgreatly,becausehelovedhisyoungestdaughtermostofall.

Buriedthusinhisthoughts,hewasmakinghiswaytowardhomewhenalittledwarfsteppedbeforehim.Heasked,"Whyareyousosad?"

"Oh,"answeredthemerchant,"Iwassupposedtobringhomeagrapeformyyoungestdaughter,butIwasnotabletofindoneanywhereatthemarket."

Thedwarfsaid,"Justtakeafewstepsintothatmeadowdownthere,andyouwillcometoalargevineyard.Awhitebearwillbethere.Hewillgrowlfiercelywhenyouapproach,butdon'tletthatfrightenyou.You'llgetagrapeafterall."

Sothemerchantwentdownintothemeadow,andithappenedjustasthedwarfhadsaid.Awhitebearwaskeepingguardatthevineyard,andhegrowledatthemerchantwhenhewasstillalongwayoff.

"Whatdoyouwanthere?"

"Besogood,"saidthemerchant,"andletmetakeagrapeformyyoungestdaughter,justasingleone."

"Youcannothaveone,"saidthebear,"unlessyoupromisetogivemethatwhichwillfirstgreetyouuponyourarrivalhome."

Themerchantdidnotthinklongaboutthisbeforeacceptingthebear'sterms.Thenhewaspermittedtotakeagrape,andhehappilymadehiswaytowardhome.

Uponhisarrivalhome,theyoungestdaughterranouttomeethim,forshemorethananyoneelsehadmissedhim,andshecouldhardlywaittoseehim.Seeingthegrapeinhishand,shethrewherarmsaroundhisneckandcouldscarcelycontainherselfforjoy.

Butthefatherwasovercomewithsorrow,andhecouldnottellanyonewhy.Everydayheexpectedthewhitebeartocomeanddemandfromhimhisdearestchild.

Whenexactlyoneyearhadpassedsincehetakenthegrapefromthevineyard,thebeardidindeedtrotup,confrontedthemerchant,andsaid,"Nowgivemethatwhichfirstgreetedyouuponyourarrivalhome,orI'lleatyou."

Themerchanthadnotlostallofhissenses,andhesaid,"Takemydog.Hejumpedrightoutthedoorwhenhesawmecoming."

Butthebearbegantogrowlloudlyandsaid,"Heisnottherightone.Ifyoudon'tkeepyourpromise,I'lleatyou."

Thenthemerchantsaid,"Sojusttaketheappletreeinfrontofthehouse.ThatwasthefirstthingthatImet."

Butthebeargrowledevenstrongerandsaid,"Thatisnottherightone.Ifyoudon'tkeepyourpromiseimmediately,I'lleatyou."

Nothingmorewouldhelp.Themerchanthadtosurrenderhisyoungestdaughter.Whenshecameout,



acoachdroveup.Thebearledherinside,satdownnexttoher,andawaytheywent.

Afterawhilethecoachstoppedinthecourtyardofacastle,andthebearledthedaughterintothecastleandwelcomedher.Thiswashishome,hesaid,andfromnowonshewouldbehiswife.Hegavehereverythingthatherheartcoulddesire,sothatwithtimeitnolongeroccurredtoherthatherhusbandwasabear.Therewerejusttwothingsthatseemedstrangetoher:Whydidthebearinsistonhavingnolightsatnighttime,andwhydidhealwaysfeelsocold?

Aftershehadbeenwithhimforsometimeheaskedher,"Doyouknowhowlongyouhavebeenhere?"

"No,"shesaid,"Ihaven'tbeenthinkingabouttimeatall."

"Allthebetter,"saidthebear."It'sbeenexactlyoneyear.Getreadyforajourney,forwemustvisityourfatheronceagain."

Shedidsowithgreatjoy,andafterarrivingatherfather'sshetoldhimallaboutherlifeinthecastle.Afterward,whenshewastakingleavefromhim,hesecretlygavehersomematchesthatthebearwasnotsupposedtosee.Butthebeardidseethem,andhegrowledangrily,"Stopthat,orI'lleatyou."

Thenhetookhiswifebacktothecastle,andtheylivedtheretogetherasbefore.

Sometimelaterthebearsaid,"Doyouknowhowlongyouhavebeenhere?"

"No,"shesaid,"Idon'tnoticethetime."

"Allthebetter,"saidthebear."Youhavebeenhereexactlytwoyears.Getreadyforajourney.Itistimeforustovisityourfatheronceagain."

Shediditonceagain,andeverythinghappenedasthefirsttime.Butwhenshevisitedherfatherthethirdtime,thebearfailedtoseethatherfathersecretlygavehersomematches.Afterarrivingbackatthecastle,shecouldhardlywaitfornighttocomewhenthebearwassleepingnexttoherinbed.Silentlyshestruckalightandwasstartledwithamazementandjoy,fornexttoherwaslyingahandsomeyouthwithagoldencrownonhishead.

Hesmiledatherandsaid,"Manythanksforredeemingme.Youwerethewifeofanenchantedprince.Nowwecancelebrateourweddingproperly,fornowIamthekingofthisland."Withthattheentirecastlecamealive.Servantsandattendantscamefromallsides,wishinggoodlucktothekingandthequeen.

Source:OttoSutermeister,"DerBrenprinz,"KinderundHausmrchenausderSchweiz(Aarau:H.R.Sauerlnder,1873),no.37,pp.11215.



ZelindaandtheMonster

Italy

Therewasonceapoormanwhohadthreedaughtersandastheyoungestwasthefairestandmost



civil,andhadthebestdisposition,herothertwosistersenviedherwithadeadlyenvy,althoughherfather,onthecontrary,lovedherdearly.Ithappenedthatinaneighboringtown,inthemonthofJanuary,therewasagreatfair,andthatpoormanwasobligedtogotheretolayintheprovisionsnecessaryforthesupportofhisfamilyandbeforedepartingheaskedhisthreedaughtersiftheywouldlikesomesmallpresentsinproportion,youunderstand,tohismeans.Rosinawishedadress,Mariettaaskedhimforashawl,butZelindawassatisfiedwithahandsomerose.

Thepoormansetoutonhisjourneyearlythenextday,andwhenhearrivedatthefairquicklyboughtwhatheneeded,andafterwardeasilyfoundRosina'sdressandMarietta'sshawlbutatthatseasonhecouldnotfindaroseforhisZelinda,althoughhetookgreatpainsinlookingeverywhereforone.However,anxioustopleasehisdearZelinda,hetookthefirstroadhecameto,andafterjourneyingawhilearrivedatahandsomegardenenclosedbyhighwallsbutasthegatewaspartlyopenheenteredsoftly.Hefoundthegardenfilledwitheverykindofflowersandplants,andinacornerwasatallrosebushfullofbeautifulrosebuds.Whereverhelookednolivingsoulappearedfromwhomhemightaskaroseasagiftorformoney,sothepoorman,withoutthinking,stretchedouthishand,andpickedaroseforhisZelinda.

Mercy!Scarcelyhadhepulledtheflowerfromthestalkwhentherearoseagreatnoise,andflamesdartedfromtheearth,andallatoncethereappearedaterriblemonsterwiththefigureofadragon,andhissedwithallhismight,andcriedout,enragedatthatpoorChristian,"Rashman!whathaveyoudone?Nowyoumustdieatonce,foryouhavehadtheaudacitytotouchanddestroymyrosebush."

Thepoorman,morethanhalfdeadwithterror,begantoweepandbegformercyonhisknees,askingpardonforthefaulthehadcommitted,andtoldwhyhehadpickedtheroseandthenheadded,"LetmedepartIhaveafamily,andifIamkilledtheywillgotodestruction"

Butthemonster,morewickedthanever,responded,"Listenonemustdie.EitherbringmethegirlthataskedfortheroseorIwillkillyouthisverymoment."Itwasimpossibletomovehimbyprayersorlamentationsthemonsterpersistedinhisdecision,anddidnotletthepoormangountilhehadsworntobringhimthereinthegardenhisdaughterZelinda.

Imaginehowdownheartedthatpoormanreturnedhome!HegavehisoldestdaughterstheirpresentsandZelindaherrosebuthisfacewasdistortedandaswhiteasthoughhehadarisenfromthedeadsothatthegirls,interror,askedhimwhathadhappenedandwhetherhehadmetwithanymisfortune.Theywereurgent,andatlastthepoorman,weepingbitterly,relatedthemisfortunesofthatunhappyjourneyandonwhatconditionhehadbeenablefinallytoreturnhome."Inshort,"heexclaimed,"eitherZelindaorImustbeeatenalivebythemonster."

ThenthetwosistersemptiedthevialsoftheirwrathonZelinda."Justsee,"theysaid,"thataffected,capriciousgirl!Sheshallgotothemonster!Shewhowantedrosesatthisseason.No,indeed!Papamuststaywithus.Thestupidcreature!"

AtallthesetauntsZelinda,withoutgrowingangry,simplysaid,"Itisrightthattheonewhohascausedthemisfortuneshouldpayforit.Iwillgotothemonster's.Yes,Papa,takemetothegarden,andtheLord'swillbedone."

ThenextdayZelindaandhersorrowfulfatherbegantheirjourneyandatnightfallarrivedatthegardengate.Whentheyenteredtheysawasusualnoone,buttheybeheldalordlypalacealllightedandthedoorswideopen.Whenthetwotravelersenteredthevestibule,suddenlyfourmarblestatues,withlightedtorchesintheirhands,descendedfromtheirpedestals,andaccompaniedthemupthestairstoalargehallwhereatablewaslavishlyspread.Thetravelers,whowereveryhungry,satdownandbegantoeatwithoutceremonyandwhentheyhadfinished,thesamestatuesconductedthemtotwohandsomechambersforthenight.Zelindaandherfatherweresowearythattheysleptlikedormiceallnight.



AtdaybreakZelindaandherfatherarose,andwereservedwitheverythingforbreakfastbyinvisiblehands.Thentheydescendedtothegarden,andbegantoseekthemonster.Whentheycametotherosebushheappearedinallhisfrightfulugliness.Zelinda,onseeinghim,becamepalewithfear,andherlimbstrembled,butthemonsterregardedherattentivelywithhisgreatfieryeyes,andafterwardsaidtothepoorman,"Verywellyouhavekeptyourword,andIamsatisfied.Nowdepartandleavemealoneherewiththeyounggirl."

AtthiscommandtheoldmanthoughtheshoulddieandZelinda,too,stoodtherehalfstupefiedandhereyesfulloftearsbutentreatieswereofnoavailthemonsterremainedasobdurateasastone,andthepoormanwasobligedtodepart,leavinghisdearZelindainthemonster'spower.

WhenthemonsterwasalonewithZelindahebegantocaressher,andmakelovingspeechestoher,andmanagedtoappearquitecivil.Therewasnodangerofhisforgettingher,andhesawthatshewantednothing,andeveryday,talkingwithherinthegarden,heaskedher,"Doyouloveme,Zelinda?Willyoubemywife?"

Theyounggirlalwaysansweredhiminthesameway,"Ilikeyou,sir,butIwillneverbeyourwife."

Thenthemonsterappearedverysorrowful,andredoubledhiscaressesandattentions,and,sighingdeeply,said,"Butyousee,Zelinda,ifyoushouldmarrymewonderfulthingswouldhappen.WhattheyareIcannottellyouuntilyouwillbemywife."

Zelinda,althoughinherheartnotdissatisfiedwiththatbeautifulplaceandwithbeingtreatedlikeaqueen,stilldidnotfeelatalllikemarryingthemonster,becausehewastoouglyandlookedlikeabeast,andalwaysansweredhisrequestsinthesamemanner.

Oneday,however,themonstercalledZelindainhaste,andsaid,"Listen,Zelindaifyoudonotconsenttomarrymeitisfatedthatyourfathermustdie.Heisillandneartheendofhislife,andyouwillnotbeableeventoseehimagain.SeewhetherIamtellingyouthetruth."And,drawingoutanenchantedmirror,themonstershowedZelindaherfatheronhisdeathbed.

AtthatspectacleZelinda,indespairandhalfmadwithgrief,cried,"Oh,savemyfather,formercy'ssake!Letmebeabletoembracehimoncemorebeforehedies.Yes,yes,IpromiseyouIwillbeyourfaithfulandconstantwife,andthatwithoutdelay.Butsavemyfatherfromdeath."

ScarcelyhadZelindautteredthesewordswhensuddenlythemonsterwastransformedintoaveryhandsomeyouth.Zelindawasastoundedbythisunexpectedchange,andtheyoungmantookherbythehand,andsaid,"Know,dearZelinda,thatIamthesonoftheKingoftheOranges.Anoldwitch,touchingme,changedmeintotheterriblemonsterIwas,andcondemnedmetobehiddeninthisrosebushuntilabeautifulgirlconsentedtobecomemywife."

Source:ThomasFrederickCrane,ItalianPopularTales(London:MacmillanandCompany,1885),no.2,pp.711.


TheSnakePrince

Greece

Scarletthread,spunonthewheel,Twistingonthetwirlingreel,



Likethedancersturnandspin,WhileInowmytalebegin!

Onceuponatimetherewasamerchant,andhetraded"allthewaytoBagdad,"asthesayingis.Hehadtwelveshipswhichsailedtoforeigncountries,andhehadbesidesthreeprettydaughters.

Well,astimewenton,luckturnedagainstthemerchant.Hiswifediedonebyonehelosthisshipsandeveryyearhebecamepoorerandpoorer.Atlasthehadlostallhispropertywiththeexceptionofonefarm,andhewenttolivetherewithhisdaughters.Astheyhadnownomoneytohirelaborers,themerchanttoldthegirlsthattheymustsettoandworkonthefarminorderthattheymightgainaliving.

"Wecannotdofarmwork,"repliedthetwoeldest,tossingtheirheads."Wearenotaccustomedtoit."

Buttheyoungest,whosenamewasRosa,lovedherfatherverydearlyandsheatoncepreparedtodoashewished.Soshesettowithawill,anddiggedinthegarden,andraked,andplantedandwhenthefruitsandvegetablesweregrown,sheroseearlyinthemorningtogatherthemforherfathertocarrytomarket.

Timepassed,andaftermanymonthstidingscametothemerchantthatthreeofhisbelatedshipshadcomeintoportladenwithcostlygoods,whenheimmediatelypreparedtogotothecity.Butbeforemountinghishorse,heaskedhisdaughterswhateachdesiredasapresent.

Thetwoeldestbeggedforfinesilkengownsbutwhenheaskedtheyoungest,shesaid,"Iwantnothing,papamine,nowthatIseeyoureleasedfromyourpoverty."Andwhenherfatherpressedher,shesaid,"Well,then,papamine,bringmearose,abeautiful,sweetsmellingdamaskrose."

Sothemerchantsetofffortheport,andlandedhisgoods.Intwelvedays'timehehadsoldthemallsavethetwosilkengownswhichhehadkeptforhisdaughtersbuthehadfoundnorosefortheyoungest.

Ashewasridinghometohisfarm,itbegantorainsoheavilythatwhentheycametotheopengatewayofahousebythewayside,hishorsetrottedthroughitintothecourtyard.Therewasnooneabout,soheputthehorseinthestable,andwentuptothehouse.Thedoorstoodwideopen,sohewalkedinandsatehimselfdownonaseatinthehall.Atoncehefoundbyhissidecoffeeandsweetmeats,andalongpipefilledwithfragranttobacco,withouthisseeingwhohadbroughtthem.

Presentlytherainceased,andthemerchantaroseandwentfromchambertochambertoseekthehostandthankhimfortheshelterandentertainment.Findingnoone,however,hewasgoingforthtotakehisbeastfromthestableandcontinuehisjourney,when,ashecrossedthecourtyard,hecaughtsightofabushofdamaskroseswhichhadthreeblossomsononestem.

Nosooner,however,hadhestretchedouthishandandpluckedthemthanthereappearedathisfeetasnake,whosaid,"Ah,thanklessman!AfterIhaveopenedmydoorstosavetheefromthestorm,canstnotseearoseortwowithoutdesiringandpluckingthem?"

"Isoughtthroughthechamberstofindthehostandsaya"Thankyou"tohim,butfoundhimnot,"themerchantreplied.

"Listentome,"thensaidthesnake."Thouhastthreedaughters,andthoumustbringmetheyoungest.ThinknottothyselfthatIamonlyasnake,andcannotcomeandfindtheeifthoudostnotmybidding."

Thepoormanaskedhowmanydays'gracehewouldgivehimandhegrantedhimfortydays.

Atlasthegothometohishousehisdaughtersgatheredroundhimandwhenthetwoeldesthadgot



theirgownshegavetherosestotheyoungest,andthensatdownweeping.

"Whatisthematter,papamine,thatyouweep?"sheasked,anxiously.

Then,asthemerchantrelatedhisadventure,Rosa'ssistersbegantoreproachher,andpointtheirfingersather,saying,"Wretchedgirlthatthouart!Agownwasnotgoodenoughforthee,butthoumusthaveadamaskrose,forsooth,thatthesnakemightcomeanddestroyus!"

Whenherfatherhadalsotoldthemofthefortydays'grace,Rosawenttoherchamberandwrotedownthedateandshedidnotseematalltroubled,thoughhersisterswerecontinuallyreproachingher.

Onthethirtyeighthdayshewenttoherfatherandsaid,"Papamine,saddlenowthehorsesothatwemaygowhereIaminvited."

"CanItakethee,mydarlingchild,tothesnakewhowilldestroythee?"criedtheunhappyman.

"Thesnakewillnotdestroyme,ifIdohisbidding,"repliedRosa."Whatillwillcanhehaveagainstme?Arise,andletusbegone."

Shebadefarewelltohersisterssheandherfathersetoutontheirjourney,andonthefortiethdaytheyarrivedatthesnake'sabode.Thegatewasopen,asbefore,andwhenthemerchanthadstabledhishorseheledhisdaughterintothehouse,andtheysatethemdown.

Sooncamecoffeeandsweets,asbefore,withoutanyonebeingseenandinalittlewhilethesnakeappearedandsaidtothemerchant,"Sothouhastdonemybiddingandbroughtthydaughter?"

"Yea,Ihavebroughther,asIpromised,"herepliedandwhenhehadkissedandembracedhisdaughter,hemountedhishorseandrodehomeagain.Butinafewdayshefellillwithgriefandtooktohisbed.Sothepoorgirlwasleftalonewiththesnake.

Anditbecamethesnake'scustom,everydaywhenshewastakinghercoffeeafterdinner,toclimbintoherlapandaskher,"Wiltthoutakemeforthyhusband?"

Andshewouldreply,"ButIamafraidofthee."

Andshewasverysadandlonelybecauseherfatherdidnotcometoseeherashehadpromised.Well,oneday,asshewassittingatthetable,itsuddenlyopenedbeforeheranddisclosedamirrorinwhichalltheworldwasreflectedand,whenshesawinitherfatherlyingillinbed,shebegantoweepandtearherhair.

Thesnake,whowasinthegarden,hearinghercriesandherbreastbeatings,hurriedtoherandasked,"Whatailsthee,myRose?"

"Seeinthemirror,"shecried,"howmyfatherliesnighuntodeath!"

Thensaidthesnake,"Openthetabledrawerandthouwiltfindaring.Putitonthyfinger,andtellmehowmanydaysthouwiltbeabsent?"

"Iwillcomeback,"shereplied,"assoonasmyfatherrecovers."

"Well,Iwillgivetheethirtyonedays'leave.Ifthoucomeonedaylater,thouwiltfindmedeadonsomemoundinthegarden."

"Dothyselfnoharm,"saidthegirl."WhenmyleavehasexpiredIwillreturntothee."



Thesnakeorderedsuppertobeserved,andwhenshehadeaten,hesaid,"Puttheringonthytongue,andthouwiltfindthyselfathomeinthychamber."

Rosalaydown,puttheringonhertongue,andclosedhereyes.Herfather'sservants,passingthedoorofherchamber,heardherbreathing,andrantotelltheiryoungmistresses,whohastenedinandfoundherasleeponherbed.Themaidenawoke,andwhenshefoundthatshewasindeedathomeagainshepraisedGod.

HerfatherwasrejoicedtoseehisRosaagain,andaskedhermanyquestionsaboutherlifewiththesnake.Whenshetoldhimwhatthesnakehadsaidtohereverydayatdinnertime,andthatshehadreplied,"ButIamafraidofthee,"hesaidtoher,"Mydaughterdear,thenexttimeheaskstheethatquestion,dothouanswer,"Yea,Iwilltakethee!"andweshallseewhatwillhap."

Andshepromisedtosaythis.Hersisters,however,triedtopersuadehernottogoback,sothatthesnakemightdieandtheywouldberidofhim.

ButRosawasindignant,andreplied,"HowcouldIleavemybeasttodie,whohavereceivedsuchhelpfromhim?"

Sosheremainedwithherfather,whosejoyshewas,forasmanydaysasshehadleave.Then,biddinghimandhersistersfarewell,shelaydownonherbed,puttheringinhermouth,andwentbacktothesnake.

Whenhesawher,hesaid,"Ah,thouhastcomebacktome,myRose!"

Andafterdinner,whencoffeewasserved,andhelayinherlapasbeforeandasked,"Wiltthoutakemeforthyhusband?"shereplied,"Yea,Iwilltakethee!"

Whenshehadsaidthesewordsthesnake'sskinfelloffhim,andhebecameahandsomeprince.Andthetableagainopenedandalltheworldwasseentherein.ThenRosaaskedhimwhatmannerofmanhewas,andhowhehadbecomeasnake.Andhetoldherhowthathehadfallenunderthespellofanenchantresswhohadchangedhimintoasnake,andhaddoomedhimtoretainthatshapeuntilheshouldfindamaidenwhowouldconsenttomarryhim.

"Butnow,"hesaid,"Iwillreturntomykingdom.Thyfatherandsistersshallbeconveyedthither,andthenwewillholdourwedding."

Sotheyweremarried,andtheprincemadehisfatherinlawhisgrandvizier.Andwewillleavethemwell,andreturnandfindthembetterGodbepraised!

Source:LucyM.J.Garnett,GreekWonderTales(London:AdamandCharlesBlack,1913),,no.11,pp.18088.


TheEnchantedTsarvich

Russia

Onceuponatimetherewasamerchantwhohadthreedaughters.Itsohappenedhehadonedaytogotostrangecountriestobuywares,andsoheaskedhisdaughters,"WhatshallIbringyoufrombeyondtheseas?"



Theeldestaskedforanewcoat,andthenextonealsoaskedforanewcoatbuttheyoungestoneonlytookasheetofpaperandsketchedafloweronit."Bringme,btyushka[father],aflowerlikethis!"

Sothemerchantwentandmadealongjourneytoforeignkingdoms,buthecouldneverseesuchaflower.Sohecamebackhome,andhesawonhiswayasplendidloftypalacewithwatchtowers,turrets,andagarden.Hewentawalkinthegarden,andyoucannotimaginehowmanytreeshesawandflowers,everyflowerfairerthantheotherflowers.Andthenhelookedandhesawasingleoneliketheonewhichhisdaughterhadsketched.

"Oh,"hesaid,"Iwilltearoffandbringthistomybeloveddaughterevidentlythereisnobodyheretowatchme."

Soheranupandbrokeitoff,andassoonashehaddoneit,inthatveryinstantaboisterouswindaroseandthunderthundered,andafearfulmonsterstoodinfrontofhim,aformless,wingedsnakewiththreeheads."Howdaredyouplaythemasterinmygarden!"criedthesnaketothemerchant."Whyhaveyoubrokenoffablossom?"

Themerchantwasfrightened,fellonhiskneesandbesoughtpardon.

"Verywell,"saidthesnake,"Iwillforgiveyou,butonconditionthatwhoevermeetsyoufirst,whenyoureachhome,youmustgivemeforalleternityand,ifyoudeceiveme,donotforget,nobodycaneverhidehimselffromme.Ishallfindyouwhereveryouare."

Themerchantagreedtotheconditionandcamebackhome.Andtheyoungestdaughtersawhimfromthewindowandranouttomeethim.Thenthemerchanthunghishead,lookedathisbeloveddaughter,andbegantoshedbittertears.

"Whatisthematterwithyou?Whyareyouweeping,btyushka?"

Hegavehertheblossomandtoldwhathadbefallenhim.

"Donotgrieve,btyushka,"saidtheyoungestdaughter."ItisGod'sgift.PerhapsIshallfarewell.Takemetothesnake."

Sothefathertookheraway,setherinthepalace,badefarewell,andsetouthome.Thenthefairmaiden,thedaughterofthemerchant,wentinthedifferentrooms,andbeheldeverywheregoldandvelvetbutnoonewastheretobeseen,notasinglehumansoul.

Timewentbyandwentby,andthefairdamselbecamehungryandthought,"Oh,ifIcouldonlyhavesomethingtoeat!"Butbeforeevershehadthought,infrontofherstoodatable,andonthetableweredishesanddrinksandrefreshments.Theonlythingthatwasnottherewasbirds'milk.Thenshesatdowntothetable,drankandate,gotup,andithadallvanished.

Darknessnowcameon,andthemerchant'sdaughterwentintothebedroom,wishingtoliedownandsleep.Thenaboisterouswindrustledroundandthethreeheadedsnakeappearedinfrontofher.

"Hail,fairmaiden!

Beauty and the Beast_ Folktales of Type 425C

Documents

Transcript of Beauty and the Beast_ Folktales of Type 425C