The Goose-Girl at the Well facts for kids

"The Goose-Girl at the Well" (German: Die Gänsehirtin am Brunnen) is a classic German fairy tale. It was collected by the famous Brothers Grimm. This story is known as Aarne-Thompson type 923, which is often called 'Love Like Salt'.

The Story of the Goose-Girl

The Old Woman and the Count

The tale begins in the mountains. An old woman lived there, taking care of her geese. One day, she met a count and asked him to help carry her very heavy load up the mountain. The count found the burden quite heavy. However, the old woman would not let him rest until they reached her small hut.

Inside the hut, an ordinary-looking girl was tending the geese. The old woman quickly sent the count away. She did not want him to spend time with the girl. Before he left, she gave him a special box. It was carved from a beautiful green emerald. This was her way of thanking him for his help.

The Royal Family's Sadness

The count wandered for three days through the woods. He finally arrived in a town ruled by a king and queen. He showed them the emerald box. When the queen saw it, she fainted as if she had died. The count was then taken to a dungeon and kept there.

When the queen woke up, she insisted on speaking with the count. She told him a sad story. Her youngest daughter had been a beautiful princess. This princess had a special gift: when she cried, her tears turned into pearls and jewels.

One day, the king asked his three daughters how much they loved him. The two older daughters gave grand answers. But the youngest princess said she loved him "like salt." The king was very angry. He divided his kingdom between his two older daughters. He then sent the youngest princess away. All she had was a sack of salt. The king later regretted his decision. However, his youngest daughter was never found again.

A Clue from the Emerald Box

When the queen opened the emerald box, she found a single pearl inside. It looked exactly like the jewel tears her lost daughter used to cry. The count then explained where he had gotten the box. The king and queen decided they must go and speak with the old woman in the mountains.

The Princess's Secret

Meanwhile, back in the mountains, the ordinary-looking girl had a secret. At night, she would go to a well and wash herself. When she did, she became a beautiful, though sad, young woman. But if the moonlight was blocked, she would turn back into her usual self.

When she returned to the hut one night, the old woman was cleaning. It was very late. The old woman told the girl that three years had passed. This meant they could no longer stay together in the hut. The girl was upset and asked what would happen to her. The old woman told her to wait in her room.

A Happy Reunion

The count had gone with the king and queen to the mountains. However, he got separated from them. He saw the ordinary girl wash in the well and become beautiful. He was amazed by her beauty and followed her. He then met the king and queen at the old woman's hut.

The old woman spoke to the king and queen. She told them they could have avoided their long walk if they had not been so unfair to their daughter. She led them inside the hut. Then, she told the girl to come out of her room. The family cried tears of joy as they saw each other again.

After this happy reunion, the old woman disappeared. The small hut magically turned into a grand castle. The count married the youngest princess. They lived happily in the castle forever after.

The Story in Music

The fairy tale "The Goose-Girl at the Well" has inspired other works. A German musical play called Gans oder gar nicht! opened in 2015. It was performed at the Waldbühne Kloster Oesede in Georgsmarienhütte, Germany.