The True Bride facts for kids

The True Bride is a classic German fairy tale collected by the famous Brothers Grimm. It's tale number 186 in their well-known book, Grimm's Fairy Tales. This story is special because it combines two common fairy tale themes: a hero or heroine who is treated badly, and a hero or heroine who is left behind by their true love.

The Story of the True Bride

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young girl who had a very mean stepmother. The stepmother made the girl work incredibly hard every single day.

The Stepmother's Impossible Tasks

One day, the wicked stepmother gave the girl a truly impossible task. She ordered her to collect twelve pounds of feathers before nightfall. If the girl failed, she would receive a beating. The poor girl felt very sad and started to cry.

Suddenly, an old woman appeared and kindly asked why she was crying. The girl explained her troubles. The old woman promised to help and told the girl to lie down and rest. The girl fell asleep, and while she slept, the old woman magically gathered all the feathers.

The next day, the stepmother gave another impossible chore. She told the girl to empty a large pond using only a small spoon. Again, the old woman helped. She told the girl to sleep in a nearby bush. The old woman then touched the pond with the spoon, and the water instantly turned into vapor and disappeared!

On the third day, the stepmother's demand was even bigger. She ordered the girl to build a grand castle in a rocky valley. The old woman once more came to the rescue. She had the girl rest in the shade. Then, with her magic, she moved the rocks and built a magnificent castle.

Freedom and a New Life

The stepmother came to inspect the new castle, threatening to beat the girl if anything was wrong. She went to check the cellar, and as she entered, the cellar door accidentally closed on her. That was the end of the wicked stepmother.

The girl now lived alone in the beautiful castle. It was filled with many treasures. Stories of her beauty and wealth spread far and wide. Many young men came to try and win her heart.

A Prince and a Promise

Finally, a kind prince came to the castle, and the girl fell in love with him. He won her heart, and they decided to get married. The prince left to get his father's permission for the marriage. Before he left, the girl kissed him and told him not to let anyone else kiss him on that same cheek. She then sat under a lime tree, waiting for his return.

After four days, the prince had not come back. The girl became worried. She packed three special dresses, each embroidered with pictures of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Then, she set out to find him.

A New Identity

The girl searched everywhere, asking everyone she met, but she couldn't find the prince. Eventually, she took a job as a cowherd, looking after cows. She carefully buried her beautiful dresses and jewels under a large rock to keep them safe. She made friends with a little calf and would sing sad songs to it about being left alone.

The Prince's Wedding

After a few years, the girl heard news that the king's daughter was going to marry. To her surprise, the groom was her own prince! As the prince rode by, she sang to her calf. The prince looked at her, but he didn't remember her at all.

There were three days of big parties to celebrate the wedding. On the first night, the girl secretly put on her amazing dress with the suns. She went to the ball, and the prince was so enchanted by her that he forgot all about his new bride.

The second night, she wore her gown with the moons. Again, she enchanted the prince. She had to promise to come back the third night to be able to leave. On the third night, she wore her stunning dress with the stars. When she kissed the prince, he suddenly remembered everything! He remembered her, their love, and their promise.

They left the wedding celebration and went back to her beautiful castle. There, they finally married and lived happily ever after.

Other Versions of the Story

The story of "The True Bride" has been told in different ways. For example, in an episode of Jim Henson's TV show The Storyteller, the helpful old woman was changed into a White Lion, and the wicked stepmother became a troll!