Once upon a time, there was a young girl who was very beautiful.But her life was not happy because she lost her mother when she was very young and her stepmother was very mean to her.No matter what her stepmother asked her to do, the girl always accepted it silently and tried to fulfill every task.Despite this, her stepmother’s heart was never touched, and instead she intensified her torment.The harder the girl worked, the more her stepmother found ways to add more work to her plate.These heavy burdens weighed her down, but she could only endure them, unable to resist.
One day, her stepmother gave her an almost impossible task – to finish plucking twelve pounds of feathers – and threatened to punish her severely if she hadn’t finished by the end of the day.The girl started to pluck the feathers, tears streaming down her face involuntarily.She knew that it was impossible for one person to do so much work in one day.Whenever she had just finished organizing a small pile of feathers, a gust of wind blew and the feathers flew away in all directions, so she had to pick them up again and continue her work.Just as she was despairing, a kindly old woman appeared before her, gently comforted her, and promised to help her with the task.The girl was finally able to rest for a while, and soon fell asleep from exhaustion.
Miraculous Help and the Stepmother’s Reaction
After the girl fell into a deep sleep, the old woman gently walked over to the pile of feathers.She barely had to move her hands before the feathers magically detached themselves from their stems and were neatly piled aside.Soon the whole twelve pounds of feathers were cleaned up, and the room was neat and bright.The girl woke up surprised to find all the work done, and her heart filled with gratitude.She didn’t think much of it, but just sat there in silence, waiting for night to fall.
When her stepmother came into the house, she was shocked to see that the girl had actually completed the task.Though she chided the girl for being lazy on her lips, she secretly thought to herself, “This girl can take more.”So, the next morning, the stepmother gave the girl a new challenge – to scoop dry the large pond by the garden with a spoon full of tiny holes.The girl took the spoon, realizing that it was impossible to do, but she tried anyway.Tears once again slid down her cheeks and dripped into the pond.Yet again, the mysterious old woman appears, gently reassuring the girl and promising to help her with this task.The girl listens to the old woman’s advice and goes to rest in peace, while the old woman casts a spell that causes the pond water to quickly evaporate, leaving behind only the dry muddy ground and the struggling fish.
When the girl wakes up and realizes that the pond has completely dried up, she immediately runs to tell her stepmother.The stepmother, though outwardly calm, has trouble hiding her inner rage.She realizes that the girl always seems to be able to miraculously accomplish those seemingly impossible tasks, and decides to set her up for even more difficult trials.
A new challenge with incredible results ##
Early the next morning, the stepmother said to the girl, “Today you must build a castle in that clearing before dark.”The girl was stunned to hear this request.Knowing there was no way she could accomplish such a task, she tried to explain, “How can I possibly do that?”However, her stepmother didn’t even give her a chance to argue and shouted, “Cut the crap!Since you can scoop the entire pond dry with a spoon with holes in it, that proves you can build a castle!”After saying this, she kicked the girl out of the house.
The girl went to the clearing and saw that there were only a few large stones on the ground, and even the smallest one was too heavy to move.She sat down on the ground and couldn’t help crying, with only one thought in her mind: she hoped that the mysterious old woman would appear again to help her.Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the old woman appeared.She gently comforted the girl and told her to go and rest under the shade of a tree, then gently touched those rocks.Incredibly, the heavy rocks flew up on their own, as if someone were carrying them, and one by one they were built into a solid castle.By noon, the weathervane on the roof had risen high, like a maiden in a silk dress fluttering in the wind.By evening, the castle interior is also arranged, luxurious as if the king’s palace in general.
The girl woke up and saw the brightly lit castle in front of her, couldn’t believe her eyes.She cautiously walked in, and found that the inside was magnificently decorated and gilded, completely beyond her imagination.The thought that the old woman had helped her to accomplish all this filled her with gratitude, and at the same time she hoped that this time her stepmother would be satisfied and allow her to live a peaceful life.
Stepmother’s Final Test and Death
With a glimmer of hope, the girl led her stepmother into the magnificent castle.As soon as the stepmother entered, she was shocked by the sight before her, and she had to admit that the girl had indeed accomplished this impossible task.However, instead of being satisfied, she was even more irritated.She looked at the girl coldly and said, “Since you were able to build this castle with ease, surely you can do better.”With that, she offered to inspect the kitchen and cellar, threatening to punish the girl if she found anything missing.
They entered the kitchen, where a fire was roaring in the fireplace, a pot of aromatic meat was simmering in the pot, and various cooking utensils were neatly arranged along the walls, even coal pots and buckets were not lacking.The stepmother frowned and looked around, but found nothing wrong.Then she walked towards the cellar and lifted the flap in preparation for walking down.However, just as she stepped onto the first step, the trapdoor suddenly fell heavily, knocking her to the ground.The girl, hearing the screams, rushed over and tried to lift the trapdoor to save her, but it was too late.The stepmother had fallen down into the cellar and lay motionless on the floor, never to wake up again.
At this moment, the girl was finally free from years of oppression.She stood in the empty castle, momentarily unable to adapt to this sudden freedom.The once tortured girl was now the owner of this luxurious palace.She opened the closet and found it full of gorgeous dresses; pulled open the drawers and filled them with gold, silver and jewels.She would never lack anything again, nor would she have to endure a life of misery.
News quickly spread throughout the kingdom, and the story of this beautiful and wealthy girl attracted countless suitors to her.However, the girl never found the one who truly touched her heart, until the arrival of a prince changed her fate.
A Twist of Fate: The Prince’s Promise
The arrival of a prince turns the girl’s life upside down.He is handsome, gentle in his demeanor, and most importantly, he is genuinely in love with the girl.The two of them get along well, share the same feelings for each other, and are soon engaged to be married.The castle was filled with joy and everyone was happy for their union.
One afternoon they were sitting under a linden tree in the castle garden, the sun was shining through the leaves and the breeze was blowing their faces.The prince looked at the girl and said fondly, “I am going to make a trip home to ask my father’s permission for our marriage.Will you wait here for me?I’ll be back in a few hours.”The girl nodded her head and responded softly, “I will always be here waiting for you, you must keep your word.”With that, she kissed the prince’s left cheek, making an important promise.
The prince mounted his horse and waved goodbye, and the girl watched him leave with anticipation in her heart.However, as the sun slowly set and night fell, the prince did not return as promised.The next day and the third day, the girl continued to sit under the linden tree, waiting day after day, but the prince never appeared.Early in the morning of the fourth day, she finally realized that something was wrong and thought, “Something must have happened; I must go to him.”So she packed up her three prettiest garments – one adorned with a golden sun, one embroidered with a silver moon, and one embellished with glittering stars – and wrapped the jewels in a handkerchief, and set out on a journey to find the prince.
The arduous journey in search of a prince ##
The girl set out on her journey alone and traveled to many places, asking passers-by for news of the prince.However, no one had seen him or knew his whereabouts.She traveled through the busy towns and through the desolate countryside, searching day after day without any clue.Time passed day by day, her hopes were gradually worn down by reality, and eventually, she came to a remote village where she worked as a cowherd girl.
She hid the three fancy dresses and jewels she brought with her under a big stone, changed into the simple clothes of a peasant woman, and started a new life.Every day, she had to take care of a herd of cows, among which there was a calf that was particularly docile and always snuggled up to her.Whenever she petted the calf, she would whisper a song:
“Calf, calf, kneel down beside me.
Don’t bring your cowherd girl to oblivion.
When the prince forgets his sworn bride.
Who waits under the linden tree?”
The calf seemed to understand her words, and each time it would kneel down obediently and let her caress it.And so she spent the long years in the village, never forgetting the attachment in her heart.
An unexpected reunion
One day, news came from the village that the king’s daughter was about to be married, and the whole town was talking about the event.The road to the palace passed right through the village, and the girl, who was out grazing with her cattle, happened to meet the bridegroom’s procession.The bridegroom was riding on his horse in high spirits, completely oblivious to the cowgirl by the side of the road.However, the girl recognized him at once – it was the prince she once loved so much.
Seeing this scene, the girl’s heart was as painful as being cut by a knife.She had thought that the prince would fulfill his promise and return to her, but she didn’t realize that he had already married someone else.She looked down at the ground, tears welling up in her eyes, and muttered, “I thought you’d remember me …….”
The next day, the prince’s procession once again passed through the village.This time, the girl looked at the calf and softly hummed the familiar song:
“Calf, calf, come to me on your knees.
Don’t forget your cowherd girl come.
When the prince has forgotten his sworn bride.
Who waits under the linden tree?”
Hearing this familiar voice, the prince jerked his reins and looked down at the girl.He stared at her face for a long time, his brows furrowed as if he was trying to remember something.But after a moment, he shook his head and continued on his way, disappearing at the end of the road.The girl’s heart grew heavier as she saw this, certain that the prince had completely forgotten her.
A last attempt
Unwilling to give up on this, the girl decided to make one last effort to see if the prince still remembered her.She took out the three fancy dresses and jewels she had buried under the stone and dressed up.On the first night, she put on the long dress covered with golden suns, the sparkling jewelry, and her hair, and quietly walked into town.No one recognized her under the cover of night.When she stepped into the brightly lit banquet hall, the crowd was captivated by her beauty and cast curious glances.The prince was also impressed by her elegance and took the initiative to invite her to dance with him.He was so enamored of her charms that he almost forgot about his bride.However, after the banquet, the girl left quietly, changed back into her cowherd girl’s clothes before dawn, and returned to the village.
The next night she changed into the gown embroidered with a silver moon and again went to the banquet.As soon as the prince saw her, he couldn’t wait to ask her to dance.Throughout the night, his eyes rested on her, oblivious to the other guests.A glimmer of hope flares in the girl’s heart as she agrees to attend the last banquet.
On the third night, she wore the star-studded gown that shimmered with every step.Her hair was adorned with a jeweled hairpiece and her whole being was radiant.The prince had been waiting for a long time, and as soon as he saw her he asked eagerly, “Tell me, who are you?Why do I always feel that I know you?”The girl did not answer directly, but walked forward and gently kissed his left cheek.At this moment, the prince’s memory was instantly revived, and he finally recognized his true bride.
Back to true love
The prince gazed at the radiant woman in front of him, and a familiar emotion welled up in his heart.He finally remembered the vows he had made when he parted, and recalled the girl who had waited for him under the Bodhi tree.The girl gently kissed his left cheek, and at that moment, all the memories flooded into his mind like a tidal wave.He finally realized that the one in front of him was his real bride, not the princess who was about to become his wife.
The prince excitedly gripped the girl’s hand, a firm light shining in his eyes.“Come back with me, I can’t stay here anymore.”He whispered.The girl nodded, a long-lost smile on her face.The two of them walked out of the banquet hall hand in hand and rode on the carriage that had already been prepared.With the sound of hooves, the carriage sped off towards their castle.
Along the way, moonlight sprinkled on the road, and the surroundings were quiet and beautiful.When they passed the familiar linden tree, the tree was surrounded by fireflies, dots of light reflecting off the branches, and the air was filled with the faint scent of flowers.The girl gently leaned on the prince’s shoulder, feeling the warmth that had been missing for a long time.
Upon returning to the castle, everything seemed brand new.The entrance steps were covered with blooming flowers, and the birds inside the castle chirped happily to welcome their master’s return.In the hall, guests had already gathered, waiting to witness the belated wedding.The priest stood at the front, smiling as he awaited the couple’s arrival.The prince walked into the hall holding the girl’s hand, and all eyes turned to them as the applause of blessings resounded throughout the castle.At this moment, the girl finally found her own happiness, and the prince finally honored his promise.
