The Three Feathers
The Three Feathers is the 63rd story in the Brothers Grimm collection, first published in 1812. The Brothers Grimm heard this tale from famous storytellers like the Wild and Hassenpflug families, and the legendary Dorothea Viehmann. While it belongs to the global 'Animal Bride' story type (ATU 402), it has a wonderful twist: the magical helper is not a fairy godmother, but a big fat toad who uses a hollow turnip coach pulled by six mice!
Once upon a time, a very old king began to feel that his body was growing weaker every day. He had three sons. The eldest and the second prince were clever, capable and well taught. But the youngest prince was quiet and hardly ever spoke, so his brothers laughed and called him "the Simpleton." To be fair to everyone, the king decided to set a series of tests and choose the best person to take his throne.
One day, the king led his three sons to the castle gate and announced the first test: "Whoever brings back the most beautiful carpet will inherit the throne." To make it fair, the king blew three feathers into the air. He told them, "Whichever way a feather flies, that is the way you must go to search." The three brothers held their breath and watched the feathers float away on the wind.
The first feather flew to the east, and the second flew to the west. The eldest and second princes set off at once, full of confidence. But the third feather flew only a short way and then dropped straight down, landing right beside the Simpleton's feet. His two brothers burst out laughing and teased him that he did not need to go anywhere. Then they strode away. The Simpleton was left sitting all alone on the ground, feeling very sad inside.
The Simpleton was sitting there, feeling downhearted, when he suddenly noticed a hidden trapdoor right beside the feather. Curious, he pulled the trapdoor open. Underneath, he found a long stone staircase! He gathered his courage and walked, step by step, down into the dark underground. At the bottom he came to a heavy wooden door. He knocked softly, and from inside came a strange, magical song: "Little green girl, hop-hop toad, little toad babies, hop here and there, come quickly and see who is at the door!"
The wooden door slowly opened. The Simpleton was amazed to see a big, fat toad sitting inside, surrounded by a lively crowd of little toads. The big toad looked at him with gentle eyes and asked, "Child, what would you like?" The Simpleton bowed politely and answered, "Big toad, please may I have the most beautiful carpet in the whole world?"
When the big toad heard this, he at once told a little toad to fetch a heavy wooden chest. When the chest was opened, inside lay a carpet so lovely it took your breath away. Its delicate patterns and soft cloth were a masterpiece that no human weaver could ever make. The big toad kindly gave the carpet to the Simpleton. He thanked him again and again, and happily climbed back up to the ground, hugging the carpet.
Meanwhile, the eldest and second princes thought, "That silly little brother will never find anything good. We don't have to try very hard!" They walked into the first shepherd's home they saw, grabbed a rough old rag, and went back to the palace. When the three brothers stood together in the great hall, the king spread out the three "carpets" side by side. The difference was plain to see. The king was amazed and announced loudly, "By rights, the throne should go to my youngest son."
The eldest and second princes immediately made a big fuss. They said the Simpleton knew nothing, so how could he rule a country? They pestered their father, begging for one more contest. The king, at his wits' end, had to announce a second test: "Whoever brings back the most beautiful ring will inherit the throne." The feathers were blown into the air again, and strangely enough, the three feathers flew in exactly the same directions as before.
Without a moment's hesitation, the Simpleton went down the stairs again to see the big toad. Once more, the big toad had a little toad bring out the big wooden chest, and gave him a ring covered with sparkling jewels. The ring shone so brightly that even the cleverest goldsmith could never have made it. As for his two brothers, they were too lazy to even look. They simply pried an iron hoop off an old cart wheel and pretended it was a ring. The king took one look and firmly announced again: "The throne belongs to my youngest son."
The two brothers still would not give in. They cried and wailed and pestered the king until he had no choice but to announce a third test: "Whoever brings back the most beautiful maiden will be king." They thought to themselves, this time the Simpleton is sure to lose. The feathers flew for the third time, in exactly the same directions, and the Simpleton walked once more toward that familiar wooden door.
When the Simpleton saw the big toad, he explained that he wanted to bring home the most beautiful maiden. The big toad smiled and said, "The most beautiful maiden is not here right now, but you can still take her home." He gave the Simpleton a hollowed-out carriage made from a big yellow turnip, pulled by six little mice, and mysteriously told him, "Put one of my little toads inside the turnip."
The Simpleton did as he was told—and something magical happened! The moment the little toad sat down inside the turnip, it turned into a breathtakingly beautiful maiden. The big yellow turnip became a splendid golden carriage, and the six little mice became six tall, handsome horses! The Simpleton jumped for joy, and drove the carriage back to the palace with the maiden. Meanwhile, his brothers had simply brought back two rude village girls from the roadside. The king took one look and declared the Simpleton the winner once again.
The brothers were still not satisfied. They made one last unreasonable demand: "Whose maiden can jump through the big iron hoop hanging in the middle of the hall — that is the true winner!" They schemed in their hearts: those two sturdy village girls will surely make the jump, while the Simpleton's delicate maiden will surely fall and get badly hurt. Although the king felt uneasy, in the end he agreed.
The result astonished everyone: the two village girls did jump through, but because they were so heavy, they broke their arms and legs when they landed. The beautiful maiden, however, leapt lightly through the hoop as gracefully as a little deer, and landed safely. The whole hall fell silent, and the brothers had nothing more to say. At last, the Simpleton put on the crown, married the beautiful maiden, and became a clever and kind king who ruled wisely for many, many years. This story teaches us: never judge by appearances—sincerity and kindness are the most precious treasures of all.
