Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle facts for kids

"Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle" is a classic German fairy tale collected by the famous Brothers Grimm. It's story number 188 in their collection of tales. This enchanting story tells us about a young girl, some magical tools, and a prince looking for a special bride.

The Story of Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle

A Special Inheritance

Once upon a time, there was a young girl who sadly lost both her parents. Her kind godmother took her in and raised her. When the godmother passed away, she left the girl her house. She also left her three very important tools: a spindle, a shuttle, and a needle. These tools were meant to help the girl earn a living. The girl was very good at using them and managed quite well on her own.

The Prince's Quest

One day, a prince from a nearby kingdom decided it was time to find a wife. He had a very unusual idea about who he wanted to marry. He wanted a bride who was both the richest and the poorest girl in the land.

The prince rode into the village where the girl lived. The villagers quickly pointed out the richest girl in town. The prince rode past her, and she bowed politely. But he kept riding. Then, they showed him the orphan girl, who was busy spinning thread.

Magic at Work

When the girl saw the prince looking at her, she blushed and quickly closed her eyes. The prince rode past her house too. After he left, she opened her window, pretending it was hot, but really she was watching him ride away.

Suddenly, she remembered some old rhymes her godmother used to say. She had an idea! She set her magical spindle to spin a golden thread. This thread would guide the prince back to her house. Next, she set her shuttle to weave a beautiful path right to her small hut. Finally, she used her needle to make her simple home look beautiful and inviting.

A Royal Wedding

When the prince returned, guided by the golden thread and the woven path, he saw the girl and her adorned hut. He realized she was exactly what he was looking for. She was poor because she had no family or great wealth. But she was also rich in spirit and skill, and her tools had made her home shine.

The prince declared that she was indeed both the richest and the poorest girl. He then asked her to marry him, and she agreed. They were married, and the special spindle, shuttle, and needle were kept safely in the royal treasury forever.