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Index
Wedding of Mrs. Fox
Elves
Robber Bridegroom
Herr Korbes
Godfar
Frau Trude
Godfar Death
Thumbling
Fitcher's Bird
Juniper-Tree
Old Sultan
Six Swans
Little Briar-Rose
Foundling-Bird
King Thrushbeard
Little Snow-White
Knapsack
Rumpelstiltskin
Sweeart Roland
Golden Bird
Dog and Sparrow
Frederick and Carine
Two Brors
Little Peasant
Queen Bee
Three Fears
Golden Goose
Allerleirauh
Hare's Bride
Twelve Huntsmen
Thief and His Master
Jorinde and Joringel
Three Children of Fortune
Six Men Got On in World
Wolf and Man
Wolf and Fox
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There was once a King's son who was betrothed to a maiden whom he loved very much.
And when he was sitting beside her and very happy, news came that his
father lay sick unto death, and desired to see him once again before
his end. Then he said to his beloved, "I must now go and leave thee, I
give thee a ring as a remembrance of me. When I am King, I will
return and fetch thee." So he rode away, and when he reached his father, the latter was
dangerously ill, and near his death. He said to him, "Dear son, I
wished to see thee once again before my end, promise me to marry as I
wish," and he named a certain King's daughter who was to be his wife.
The son was in such trouble that he did not think what he was doing,
and said, "Yes, dear father, your will shall be done," and thereupon
the King shut his eyes, and died.
When therefore the son had been proclaimed King, and the time of
mourning was over, he was forced to keep the promise which he had
given his father, and caused the King's daughter to be asked in
marriage, and she was promised to him. His first betrothed heard of
this, and fretted so much about his faithlessness that she nearly
died. Then her father said to her, "Dearest child, why art thou so
sad? Thou shalt have whatsoever thou wilt." She thought for a moment
and said, "Dear father, I wish for eleven girls exactly like myself in
face, figure, and size." The father said, "If it be possible, thy desire shall be fulfilled," and he
caused a search to be made in his whole kingdom, until eleven young maidens were found who
exactly
resembled his daughter in face, figure, and size.
When they came to the King's daughter, she had twelve suits of
huntsmen's clothes made, all alike, and the eleven maidens had to put
on the huntsmen's clothes, and she herself put on the twelfth suit. Thereupon she took leave of
her father, and rode away with them, and
rode to the court of her former betrothed, whom she loved so dearly.
Then she inquired if he required any huntsmen, and if he would take the whole
of them into his service. The King looked at her and did not know
her, but as they were such handsome fellows, he said, "Yes," and that
he would willingly take them, and now they were the King's twelve
huntsmen.
The King, however, had a lion which was a wondrous animal, for he
knew all concealed and secret things. It came to pass that one
evening he said to the King, "Thou thinkest thou hast twelve huntsmen?"
"Yes," said the King, "they are twelve huntsmen." The lion continued, "Thou
art mistaken, they are twelve girls." The King said, "That cannot be true! How wilt thou prove
that to me?" "Oh, just let some peas be strewn in thy ante-chamber," answered the lion, "and
then thou wilt soon see it. Men have a firm step, and when
they walk over the peas none of them stir, but girls trip and skip,
and drag their feet, and the peas roll about." The King was well
pleased with the counsel, and caused the peas to be strewn.
There was, however, a servant of the King's who favored the huntsmen,
and when he heard that they were going to be put to this test he went
to them and repeated everything, and said, "The lion wants to make the
King believe that you are girls." Then the King's daughter thanked
him, and said to her maidens, "Put on some strength, and step firmly on
the peas." So next morning when the King had the twelve huntsmen
called before him, and they came into the ante-chamber where the peas
were lying, they stepped so firmly on them, and had such a strong,
sure walk, that not one of the peas either rolled or stirred. Then they went away again, and the
King said to the lion, "Thou hast lied to me, they walk just like men." The lion said, "They have
got to know that they were going to be put to the test, and have assumed
some strength. Just let twelve spinning-wheels be brought into the
ante-chamber some day, and they will go to them and be pleased with them, and
that is what no man would do." The King liked the advice, and had the
spinning-wheels placed in the ante-chamber.
But the servant, who was well disposed to the huntsmen, went to them,
and disclosed the project. Then when they were alone the King's
daughter said to her eleven girls, "Put some constraint on yourselves, and do not
look round at the spinning-wheels." And next morning when the King
had his twelve huntsmen summoned, they went through the ante-chamber,
and never once looked at the spinning wheels. Then the King again said to the lion, "Thou hast
deceived me, they are
men, for they have not looked at the spinning-wheels." The lion
replied, "They have learnt that they were going to be put to the test,
and have restrained themselves." The King, however, would no longer
believe the lion.
The twelve huntsmen always followed the King to the chase, and his
liking for them continually increased. Now it came to pass that once
when they were out hunting, news came that the King's betrothed was
approaching. When the true bride heard that, it hurt her so much
that her heart was almost broken, and she fell fainting to the
ground. The King thought something had happened to his dear
huntsman, ran up to him, wanted to help him, and drew his glove off.
Then he saw the ring which he had given to his first bride, and when
he looked in her face he recognized her. Then his heart was so touched that he kissed her, and
when she opened
her eyes he said, "Thou art mine, and I am thine, and no one in the
world can alter that." He sent a messenger to the other bride, and
entreated her to return to her own kingdom, for he had a wife
already, and a man who had just found an old dish did not require a new
one. Thereupon the wedding was celebrated, and the lion was again
taken into favour, because, after all, he had told the truth.
Margaret Hunt (London, 1884)
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