Bearskin (French fairy tale) facts for kids

Bearskin is a classic French fairy tale. It was written by Marie-Madeleine de Lubert. This story was first published in 1710. It appeared in a special updated version of a book called Les Lutins du château de Kernosy (which means The Sprites of Kernosy Castle).

What is Bearskin?

Bearskin is a magical story about a princess, a scary ogre, and a special bearskin. It teaches us about courage, secrets, and how good can win over evil. Fairy tales like this often have lessons hidden inside them.

The Story of Bearskin

The tale begins with a king and queen who had only one daughter left. They were not in a hurry for her to marry. But then, a powerful and ugly ogre named Rhinoceros heard about the princess. He decided he wanted to marry her. He threatened the kingdom with his army of ogres. The king felt he had no choice but to agree.

The Ogre's Threat

When the princess learned about the ogre's threat, she bravely agreed to go. She set out with her close friend, Corianda. Corianda had tried to get help from the princess's fairy godmother, but the fairy godmother refused. This was because the king had not asked for her advice earlier.

The ogre Rhinoceros met them. He appeared in his giant rhinoceros shape. The princess was so scared that she fainted. Rhinoceros carried both of them to his castle. There, he changed back into his own ugly form. The princess was very upset, which annoyed him. He left to go hunting for bears.

The Princess's Transformation

While the ogre was away, Corianda had an idea. She suggested the princess hide inside a bearskin. Corianda sewed the princess into the bearskin. But as she did, the princess suddenly turned into a real she-bear! They thought her fairy godmother might have caused this change.

In her new bear form, Corianda helped the princess escape. Corianda then told the ogre that he had eaten the princess in his anger. The ogre went off to search for her. But the princess's fairy godmother had already guided her to a boat. The princess sailed away to another kingdom.

A New Kingdom and a Secret

The king of that new kingdom found the she-bear while he was hunting. He saw how gentle she was. So, instead of harming her, he decided to take her with him. The she-bear fell in love with the king. But she felt sad because she was ugly in her bear form.

Her fairy godmother appeared to her as a fish. She told the princess to wait. At midnight, the fairy godmother turned her back into a beautiful princess! But she gave the princess a warning. The princess had to put the bearskin back on every morning. She could only take it off at night. The princess followed these instructions carefully.

Meanwhile, the king realized he had fallen in love with the gentle bear. This surprised him very much. One day, he was with the she-bear when she suddenly changed back into a princess. Her fairy godmother then told the king to arrange a wedding. He quickly did so.

The she-bear came to the wedding. Before everyone in the court, she transformed into a princess. They were married and had two young sons within two years.

The Ogre's Return and the Fairy's Help

The ogre heard about their wedding. He set out with his magical seven-league boots, which let him travel very fast. In the kingdom, he disguised himself. He offered special golden distaffs (tools for spinning thread) and silver spindles (parts of a spinning wheel) to the nurses and governesses of the young princes. In return, he asked to spend one night in the babies' room.

When they agreed, the ogre took the babies away. He made it look like the queen was responsible. He then disguised himself as an astrologer (someone who studies stars). In this form, he told the king that the person who harmed the babies lived in the castle. A bloody knife was found, and the queen was accused. She was sentenced to a serious punishment.

The queen was very sad about her fate. But she was glad to die, thinking she had lost her husband's love. The king was moved by her words. He could not bring himself to let her be punished. But he was unable to speak loudly enough to stop his servants.

Just then, her fairy godmother appeared. She brought the two princes and Corianda with her. The fairy godmother showed everyone that the ogre was the real culprit. She returned the princes safely to their parents.