Doll i' the Grass facts for kids

Doll i' the Grass is a fascinating fairy tale from Norway. It was collected by two famous Norwegian writers, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. They put it in their well-known book, Norske Folkeeventyr. This story is a type of tale called "Animal Brides," similar to The Frog Princess.

What is "Doll i' the Grass"?

"Doll i' the Grass" is a traditional Norwegian fairy tale. It tells the story of a king's youngest son and his unusual journey to find a bride. The tale features magic, transformation, and a happy ending. It teaches us that true beauty and worth are not always what they seem on the outside.

The Story of the Doll i' the Grass

The fairy tale begins with a king who had twelve sons. He wanted them all to find wives. He gave them a special challenge: their future brides had to be able to spin, weave, and sew a shirt in just one day. Each son also received a mail coat and a horse for their journey.

The King's Challenge

The twelve princes set off to find their brides. After traveling some distance, the older brothers decided to leave the youngest one behind. They thought he was useless and would only slow them down. So, they continued their journey without him.

The Youngest Son's Journey

Left alone, the youngest prince soon met a small girl. She invited him to come and see "Doll i' the Grass." The prince followed her. When he met Doll i' the Grass, she was very tiny but also very lovely. He told her about his troubles and the king's challenge. Even though she was small, he was so charmed by her that he asked her to be his wife.

A Magical Transformation

Doll i' the Grass agreed to help him. She quickly made a shirt in one day, just as the king had asked. However, the shirt was tiny because she was so small! They then set out for the king's castle. The prince rode his horse, while Doll i' the Grass traveled in a silver spoon pulled by two white mice. The prince worried he might accidentally step on her.

They soon came to a body of water. The prince's horse suddenly got scared and shied away. This caused Doll i' the Grass to be thrown into the water. The prince was horrified, thinking he had lost her. But then, a merman appeared and brought her out of the water. To the prince's amazement, Doll i' the Grass was now of normal size!

The Royal Wedding

When they arrived at the castle, the prince's brothers were already there. They had brought their brides, but these women were not very pleasant. They had fought all the way home. Their hats were covered in tar and soot, and the rain had washed it onto their faces, making them look even worse.

The king was very disappointed with the older sons and their brides. He sent them all away. Then, he celebrated the wedding of his youngest son and the beautiful Doll i' the Grass. Everyone was happy for the new couple.

About the Fairy Tale Collectors

Peter Christen Asbjørnsen (1812–1885) and Jørgen Moe (1813–1882) were two important figures in Norwegian culture. They traveled all over Norway, listening to and writing down traditional folk tales. Their collection, Norske Folkeeventyr, became very famous. It helped preserve many old stories and traditions for future generations. Their work is similar to that of the Brothers Grimm in Germany.

What is an Animal Bride Tale?

"Doll i' the Grass" is classified as Aarne-Thompson type 402. This type of story is known as an "Animal Bride" tale. In these stories, a character, often a prince, marries someone who appears to be an animal or has an animal-like quality. Later, this character transforms into a human. A well-known example is The Frog Princess, where a frog turns into a princess. These tales often teach lessons about looking beyond appearances and finding true love or worth.