I was riding through the forest one day when I heard strange birds singing. I had never heard such tiny, sweet songs. Who could possibly be making that shower of sound? I came close to the place, tied my horse to a tree, and followed the sound to a girl who was...
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Wounded Soldier
I was making my way toward the city when I met an old woman on the road. She noticed that I was badly wounded and asked me where I was going. “I really don’t know myself,” I said. I had heard about the kings’ twelve daughters, and how they had been wearing out their...
Seeker of the Silent Princess
I was the son of a pasha in Turkey, and an only child. I played with a golden ball that I would throw against the walls of the summer house and catch when it dropped. One day, I saw an old woman coming to draw water from the well, and I threw my ball at her pitcher....
Heartless Man’s Wife
I watched the old wizard wave his wand and turn my sisters and their lovers into stone statues. He spared me because I didn't have a partner. He took me into his cottage and made me his wife. He explained that he was terribly lonely in the deep wood. I asked him,...
Prince Employed by a Giant
I'm the youngest of many sons of the king, and When I grew into manhood, I was determined to go out into the world and try my luck. It took a long time to persuade my father, but I persisted and at last he was forced to let me go. I traveled around for several days...
Well-Bred Prince
My father isn't ready to give the throne to any of his three sons. Instead he sends us away on quests for things that are impossible to find. I don't protest. It's a waste of breath. And besides, I'm far too well-bred. The funny thing is, I enjoyed the quests. My...
Ali Baba
I'm cutting wood in the forest when suddenly I hear the sound of an army riding towards me. I scramble up the nearest tree and I see forty men riding fast, sending up a cloud of dust. They stop right under my tree, dismount, and tie their horses. Then their finely...
Lizard Fairy Godmother
I am interested in how good things—a comfortable home, physical beauty and riches, for example—influence human beings. Must they always corrupt the heart? To find out the answer to my question, I shall conduct a little experiment. The peasant Masaniello has twelve...
Naming Father
I was sitting on the front steps with my three daughters one night after the farm work had been done. They were grown up and it was time to be thinking about marriage. Jovially, I asked my eldest if she had decided what her husband's name will be. Names are important,...
Brother Who Gets to the Bottom of It
My two older brothers fell asleep but I did not. I stayed awake through the night, and I saw the hawk that has been breaking through the church window. I shot it in the wing. It fell right here, and under this great stone an abyss has opened up. I wonder what is down...
Surrendering King
I gave him every impossible task I could think of, and he accomplished every one. How did he do it? I'll be damned if I know how he made a flying ship, or how he fetched healing water from the ends of the earth. How did he eat and drink so much? How did he survive a...
Hopeful Ferryman
When did I begin to ferry the dead over the wide river? I cannot remember. It was such a long time ago. Back and forth, back and forth.... It is all I know, except for a growing longing to be free, which is making my job a hellish suffering. Today, I ferried a young...
Shepherd with a Flower
I never saw anything so beautiful as that delicate flower growing in the field. I could not help myself. I picked it, carried it home, and laid it with great care inside my chest. Ever since then, when I come home at the end of the day, the inside work is done. The...
Double-Crossed Queen
Our daughter is a shut-in. It's not her fault. We've shut her into a copper castle surrounded by many walls and towers. I don't like the arrangement, but it has been prophesized that she will marry a common soldier, and the king won't have it. A few nights ago, our...
Bluebeard’s Wife
Bluebeard, my new husband, told me that he had to go away for six weeks, and while he was gone, I could do what I pleased and invite my friends to our fine country house. He gave me the keys to two great wardrobes where he kept his finest furniture, along with another...
Cauldron
I am one of three cauldrons hidden in the house of a giant. We contain copper, silver and gold, and our metal boils without a fire beneath. Imagine how much heat we hold. One day a young prince came into my room. He knew he wasn't supposed to enter, but he was too...