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East of the Sun and West of the Moon

by Peter Christen ASBJØRNSEN (1812 - 1885)

07 - The Three Princesses of Whiteland

Once on a time there was a poor husbandman who had so many children that he hadn’t much of either food or clothing to give them. Pretty children they all were, but the prettiest was the youngest daughter, who was so lovely there was no end to her loveliness.So one day, ’twas on a Thursday evening late at the fall of the year, the weather was so wild and rough outside, and it was so cruelly dark, and rain fell and wind blew, till the walls of the cottage shook again. There they all sat round the fire, busy with this thing and that. But just then, all at once something gave three taps on the window-pane. Then the father went out to see what was the matter; and, when he got out of doors, what should he see but a great big White Bear.“Good-evening to you!” said the White Bear.“The same to you!” said the man.“Will you give me your youngest daughter? If you will, I’ll make you as rich as you are now poor,” said the Bear. (from the book)This collection of old Scandinavian fairy tales will enchant you with stories of trolls, enchanted castles, princesses and a White Bear (summary by Nadine)

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Listen next episodes of East of the Sun and West of the Moon:
08 - Soria Moria Castle , 09 - The Giant Who had no Heart in his Body , 10 - The Princess on the Glass Hill , 11 - The Widow's Son , 12 - The Three Billy Goats Gruff , 13 - The Three Princesses in the Blue Mountain , 14 - The Cat on the Dovrefell , 15 - One's Own Children are always Prettiest