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Author
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Comment
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JoanneMerriam
Registered User
(8/23/03 8:12 am)
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Three Tasks Set By A King?
I'm considering writing a twist of the sort of story where a king sets three tasks for a hero to accomplish before he may marry the king's daughter and future Queen. Problem is, even though I know I've seen this theme in a blue godzillion stories, I can't find the text of even one (except for the brief bit at the beginning of Deerskin). All of the variations I'm finding are ones where the princess herself sets the tasts, or the tasks aren't set by the king but just sort of happen and show the hero's worthiness in retrospect, or etc. It'd be tremendously helpful if anybody can refer me to any sources, especially classic ones (retellings would also be interesting but I'm mainly interested in the way this tale is traditionally told). Many thanks!
(Please forgive me if this has been covered in another thread, but after extensive searching I couldn't find anything.)
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gormghlaith
Registered User
(8/23/03 12:50 pm)
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Re: Three Tasks Set By A King?
In Grimm, the Gallant Tailor is sent by the King to defeat two giants, a unicorn and a boar, before he can marry the princess; the Golden Goose involves tasks of drinking a cellar of wine, a mountain of bread, and a ship that sails on land. (almost identical is the russian Fool and the Flying Ship).
The Master Thief (Scandanavian) must steal horses from beneath grooms, the horse from beneath the squire, and the sheet and shift of the squire's wife, before he can marry the squire's daughter. In The Dead Man's Arm the hero must survive three nights in a sorcerers castle; in the King's Daughter Who Could Never Get Enough Figs, he must retrieve a ring from the sea, capture three rabbits, and fill a bag with truth (both in Italo Calvino's collection).
The Brave Little Tailor
www.surlalunefairytales.c...index.html
How the Dragon was Tricked
www.surlalunefairytales.c...icked.html
are more coming back to you now? Good luck on your story!
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Heather
KT
Registered User
(8/23/03 2:17 pm)
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Re: Three Tasks Set By A King?
Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but in the White Cat (French, d'Aulnoy), the king gives his 3 sons impossible tasks to keep them from plotting against him. The youngest succeeds with the help of the (enchanted) princess.
Heather
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JoanneMerriam
Registered User
(8/23/03 2:59 pm)
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You guys rock.
Thanks a lot - that's tremendously helpful.
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