I was walking along the road when I passed a beggar asking for alms. He had become quite frustrated. “For Christ’s sake, pious man, give me something!” he shouted as I passed him by. Then a poor peasant who was walking behind me took pity on the...
I am made from an elder tree, a tree that grew out of a hole that contained a secret. The secret was spoken into the hole by a young man who could no longer keep it in his heart. The shepherds have been making flutes from my elder, and we all play the same tune. It...
Every morning I awake in pain and sorrow. Why, you ask? I had three daughters, the youngest of whom was so beautiful that the whole world looked on her as a wonder. She had a heart as pure as white snow, skin as rosy as an apple-blossom, and hair as radiant as...
I knew I wasn’t like anyone else. I was very awkward. But I had never thought about my difference until I became a young lord. Then one day I went walking and happened to see my image in the mirror of a clear pond. I was a donkey! From the tip of my ears to the brush...
I announced that my daughter was to be wed straight away, and a crowd of eager suitors assembled at the palace. I was trying to figure out how to select the most suitable partner for the spoiled girl when a farmer stepped forward. “You will know that the tiger,...
I hadn’t laughed in such a long time. There was nothing to laugh about. Then this fellow came along holding a goose, and he seemed to be stuck to it, and then the person behind him had become stuck to him, and the person behind him, and so on until there were...
You will think my story is dumb. Of course it is. All my stories are dumb! I’m always making a goose of myself. The important thing is, I made a princess laugh. A very serious princess. Until she met me she had not met a man who could her make her laugh because...
My father became so exasperated with me that he declared he would give me to the first beggar who came to the door. I thought he was joking! But here I am, living in a hovel, and going to the market to sell pots and crockery. I have no skills. I can’t cook, or...
When the princess grew up, she was betrothed to a prince who lived a long way away. Before she set off on her journey, her mother packed up many costly things for her: jewels, gold, silver, trinkets, and fine dresses. She also gave her a waiting-maid to ride with her...
I meant to skewer the little man to a tree but instead I skewered myself. When he cut off my horn, I lost my power, and now am I being led, by a cord, to the king. The Captured Unicorn in The Brave Little Tailor, Blue Fairy Book. Illustration by Kay...
