Grimm: The Twelve Huntsmen

This story is part of the Brothers Grimm (LibriVox) unit. Story source: Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm, an audiobook recording available at LibriVox based on a Project Gutenberg publication.

(illustration by Otto Ubbelohde)

The Twelve Huntsmen

[LIBRIVOX AUDIO]

There was once a king's son who had a bride 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 you; I give you a ring as a remembrance of me. When I am king, I will return and fetch you.'

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 you 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 faithfulness that she nearly died. Then her father said to her: 'Dearest child, why are you so sad? You shall have whatsoever you will.'

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, your 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 her 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 asked if he required any huntsmen and if he would take all 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.

(illustration by Otto Ubbelohde)

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: 'You think you have twelve huntsmen?'

'Yes,' said the king, 'they are twelve huntsmen.'

The lion continued: 'You are mistaken; they are twelve girls.'

The king said: 'That cannot be true! How will you prove that to me?'

'Oh, just let some peas be strewn in the ante-chamber,' answered the lion, 'and then you will soon see. Men have a firm step, and when they walk over 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 favoured 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: 'Show 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: 'You have lied to me; they walk just like men.'

The lion said: 'They have been informed 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, 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. So when they were alone, the king's daughter said to her eleven girls: 'Show some constraint, 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: 'You have deceived me; they are men, for they have not looked at the spinning-wheels.'

The lion replied: 'They 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 bride 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: 'You are mine, and I am yours, 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 someone who had just found an old key 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.

Next: Jorinda and Jorindel

(1100 words)

Britomart: Britomart in Castle Joyous

This story is part of the Fairie Queen: Britomart unit. Story source: Stories from the Faerie Queene by Mary Macleod, with drawings by A. G. Walker (1916).

How it Fared with Britomart in Castle Joyous

(see previous page for audio)

The stately mansion into which Britomart and the rescued Knight now entered was called "Castle Joyous," and the owner of it was known to her retainers by the name of "the Lady of Delight." It would be impossible to tell all the wonderful richness and beauty of this building, which was adorned fit for the palace of a prince.

Passing through a lofty and spacious chamber, every pillar of which was pure gold set with pearls and precious stones, the knights came to an inner room hung with the most costly tapestry. The place was filled with the sweetest music and the singing of birds, but the wasteful luxury they saw on every side did not please Britomart nor the Knight, and they looked with a scornful eye on such lavish profusion.

Then they came into the presence of the Lady of the Castle. They found her seated on a splendid couch, glittering with gold and embroidery. She seemed very generous and of rare beauty, but she was neither gentle nor modest, and she never hesitated to gratify her own desires at any cost.

When she saw Britomart, who, in her armour, appeared to be a young and handsome knight, she took a great liking to her, and thought how nice it would be if she would enter into her service and stay altogether at the Castle. All through the splendid supper which was presently served, she tried to make herself as agreeable as ever she could, hoping that Britomart would be tempted to remain.

After supper, she begged her to lay aside her armour and enjoy some sport, but this the maiden refused to do, for she wore it as a disguise. Britomart would not be so discourteous as to repulse the kindly spoken offers of goodwill, but she in her heart thought that such a sudden affection for a wandering guest could not be worth very much.

When the supper-tables were cleared away, all the knights, and squires, and dames began to make merry. There was dancing and gambling, and every kind of revelry, but through it all Malecasta (which was the real name of the Lady of Delight) was plotting in her own mind how she could get hold of Britomart. If the gallant young Knight (as she thought him) would not consent to stay of his own free will, she determined to detain him by guile.

So that night, when Britomart had taken off her armour and was fast asleep, Malecasta went to her room. Britomart sprang up in a great fright, and ran to seize her weapon, but Malecasta shrieked for her six knights, and they all came rushing in, armed and half-armed. When they saw Britomart, with her sword drawn, they were afraid to go near her, but one of them drew a deadly bow and shot a keen arrow at her, which wounded her in the side. But the noise had also wakened the other Knight, who now ran to her help, and, fighting together side by side, they soon defeated their foes.

When they were all put to shameful flight, Britomart arrayed herself again in her armour, for she would stay no longer in a place where such things were done by those who were apparently noble knights and ladies. Quite early, therefore, while the dawn was still grey, she and her companion-knight took their steeds and went forth upon their journey.

Next: The Magic Mirror

(600 words)