Maiden Bright-eye facts for kids

Maiden Bright-eye is a classic Danish fairy tale. It was collected by Andrew Lang in his famous book, The Pink Fairy Book. This story is known as an Aarne-Thompson type 480 tale, which means it's about a kind girl and an unkind girl.

The Story of Maiden Bright-eye

This fairy tale tells the story of a kind girl named Maiden Bright-eye. She lives with her father, her brother, and her cruel stepmother. The stepmother also has a daughter of her own. The stepmother is very mean to Maiden Bright-eye.

The Magical Meeting

One day, the stepmother sends Maiden Bright-eye to watch the sheep. She also tells her to pull up heather, which is a type of plant. For her lunch, the stepmother gives her pancakes mixed with ashes. While pulling heather, a tiny man in a red cap pops out of the ground. He asks why she is pulling the roof off his home. Maiden Bright-eye quickly says sorry. She then shares her ash-filled pancakes with him.

Because of her kindness, the little man gives her special gifts. She becomes much more beautiful. A gold coin falls from her mouth every time she speaks. Her voice also sounds like beautiful music. He also promises that she will marry a young king. The little man gives her a magic cap too. This cap can save her life if she wears it.

The Unkind Stepsister

Maiden Bright-eye tells her stepmother about the little man. But she does not mention sharing her food. The stepmother then sends her own daughter to the same spot. The stepsister is very rude to the little man. Because of her bad behavior, the little man gives her bad luck. She becomes ugly. A toad falls from her mouth whenever she speaks. He also promises her a very bad end.

A Royal Marriage

Meanwhile, Maiden Bright-eye's brother starts working for the king. The king hears stories about Maiden Bright-eye's amazing beauty. He asks her brother if these stories are true. The brother confirms that they are. The king then decides he wants to marry her. He sends the brother on a ship to bring Maiden Bright-eye to him.

The stepmother gives her own daughter a mask. She sends her daughter on the ship with Maiden Bright-eye and her brother. While the ship is sailing, the stepsister pushes Maiden Bright-eye overboard. She then pretends to be Maiden Bright-eye for the king. But Maiden Bright-eye quickly puts on her magic cap. The cap changes her into a duck. This allows her to swim safely away.

Trouble at the Castle

The king marries the stepsister, thinking she is Maiden Bright-eye. But then he sees her real, ugly face. He becomes very angry. He believes Maiden Bright-eye's brother lied to him. So, he throws the brother into a pit of snakes.

As a duck, Maiden Bright-eye swims to the king's castle. She waddles up a drain to the kitchen. There, she meets a small dog. She asks the dog about her brother and stepsister. The dog tells her what happened to them. Maiden Bright-eye says she will only come back two more times. The serving maids hear the duck talking. They tell everyone else about it.

The Duck's Return

The next night, many people come to listen to the duck. The duck asks her questions again. She says she will come one more time. Then she escapes. On the third night, a cook puts a net outside the drain. The cook catches the duck. The duck has many gold feathers. So, they take very good care of her.

The Truth Revealed

Maiden Bright-eye's brother dreams that his sister is at the castle as a duck. He dreams she can change back into her human form. He tells someone about his dream. The news reaches the king. The king asks if the brother can bring his real, beautiful sister. The brother says he can, if someone brings him a knife and the duck.

When they bring the duck and a knife, the brother cuts the duck. Maiden Bright-eye immediately changes back into her own beautiful form. The stepsister is punished for her cruel actions and deceit. The king then marries Maiden Bright-eye, and they live happily ever after.