This is a classic Grimm’s fairy tale about the touching experiences between the twelve princes and their sister. Through this story, we can learn important lessons about family, sacrifice and perseverance. Let’s enter this world full of magic and emotion together!
1. The King’s Decision: The Fate of the Twelve Sons
Once upon a time, there was a king and queen who longed for a daughter. However, fate seemed to be playing a joke on them, as the queen gave birth to twelve sons in quick succession. Although the king loved these children dearly, deep down he always longed for a daughter.
Finally, during the thirteenth birth, the queen gave birth to a lovely little princess. This girl was naturally beautiful, with a golden star on her forehead, as if an angel from heaven had come to earth. The king was overjoyed, and treated the little princess like the apple of his eye, declaring, “She will be the future queen and inherit my throne!”
However, there was a courtier in the palace who liked to flatter the king and always stirred up trouble. He said to the king, “Your Majesty, have you ever considered this? These twelve princes may threaten the position of the little princess and even take away her throne and wealth!”
Upon hearing this, the king’s heart began to waver. In the end, he even listened to the advice of his favorite minister and ordered his men to kill his twelve sons.
2. The wisdom of the mother: the escape of the twelve princes
Fortunately, the queen overheard this terrible plan. She was heartbroken at her husband’s stupidity and worried about the safety of her children. So she quickly gathered the twelve princes, told them about the impending danger, and said, “Run away! Hide in the forest! There is a magic house there that will protect you.”
The princes immediately left the palace and ran towards the forest. Deep in the forest, they did indeed find the mysterious enchanted house. From then on, they lived a reclusive life, relying on hunting for a living.
However, the experience of losing their home filled the princes with anger towards their father, and they took it out on their young sister. They vowed, “If we ever see her again, we will make sure we get our justice!”
3. The little princess grows up: searching for her lost brothers
Time flies, and the little princess grows up to become a smart, kind and beautiful young lady. Although the queen loves her well-behaved daughter very much, she can never forget her 12 sons, from whom she was forcibly separated. Whenever her longing for her sons wells up, she takes out their old clothes and reminisces.
One day, while the queen is holding these clothes and shedding tears, the little princess happens to walk in. Curiously, she asks, “Mom, whose clothes are these? Why do they look like they were worn by little boys?”
Realizing that she could no longer hide the truth, the queen told her daughter about her twelve brothers. After hearing the story, the little princess said excitedly, “I always dreamed of having brothers to keep me company. I never knew I had twelve of them! I’m going to the forest to find them!”
Before the queen could stop her, the little princess set off with firm resolve.
4. The siblings are reunited: from hostility to acceptance
After a long journey, the little princess finally arrived at the enchanted house in the forest. She met her 12 brothers, but at first they were hostile towards her, thinking that she was the culprit who caused their exile.
However, when they saw the little princess’s innocent smile and the golden star on her forehead, their resentment gradually melted. Especially when the little princess offered to help them cook and clean the house, her brothers completely accepted her and even began to love their younger sister.
5. The Lily’s Secret: The siblings are separated again
Near the Enchanted House is a garden full of flowers. One day, the little princess found twelve white lilies in the garden. She thought to herself, “These flowers are so beautiful, they’re perfect for my twelve brothers!” So she plucked all the lilies.
However, just as she plucked the last flower, a cawing sound suddenly came from the sky. Twelve crows then swept across the sky, and the Enchanted House vanished in an instant. The little princess was terrified and stood alone in the empty forest.
Then an old woman appeared and sighed, saying, “My child, don’t you know? These twelve lilies are actually your brothers. You plucked them, and they turned into crows.”
The little princess, with tears in her eyes, begged, “Old woman, please tell me, how can I save my brothers?”
The old woman replied, ”There is only one way: for seven years, do not speak or laugh. If you do, they will die forever.”
The little princess agreed without hesitation.
6. The test of silence: new life and challenges
In order to complete her mission, the little princess said goodbye to the forest and went to a new country. There, she met a young king. The king was attracted to the little princess’s beauty and invited her back to the palace to marry her and make her his queen.
Although the little princess could not speak or smile, her gentleness and kindness deeply touched the king. The two lived a happy life after they got married.
However, the king’s mother, the queen mother, was dissatisfied with the little princess. She thought that a “dumb” girl was not suitable to be the queen, so she sent someone to consult a sorcerer. The sorcerer took the opportunity to stir up trouble, claiming that the little princess would bring disaster to the country.
Therefore, the queen mother began to make things difficult for the little princess everywhere, and even on the last day of the seven years, while the king was not in the palace, she ordered the little princess to be tied to the stake and executed.
7. The miracle: the reunion of brother and sister
The flames grew stronger and stronger, threatening to consume the little princess’ body. However, at that moment, the seven-year period had just ended. Twelve ravens descended from the sky and instantly resumed their human form. They extinguished the fire and rescued their sister.
After the disaster, the little princess was finally able to speak and explain everything. After learning the truth, the king cherished this marriage even more. The twelve brothers also visited their sister frequently, and the family was finally reunited.
8. Inspiration: The power of love and perseverance
This story teaches us that true love requires sacrifice. The little princess guarded the lives of her 12 brothers with seven years of silence, demonstrating the power of selfless love. At the same time, it reminds us not to believe slander easily, and not to hurt others because of prejudice.
Dear children, no matter what difficulties you encounter, as long as you have a heart of love and perseverance, there will always be hope.
