Annotated Tale

Annotations

History

Illustrations

Similar Tales Across Cultures

Modern Interpretations

Bibliography

Book Gallery

SurLaLune Fairy Tales Main Page

333

Leger, Louis. Contes populaires Slaves. Paris, 1882. Pp. 203-10. No. XXV. (A Slovan tale; taken from Recueil de litt. pop. Slovaque, published by "la Matica" [Literary Society]. Vienna, 1870. Vol. i.)

"LES DEUX FRERES."
(The Two Brothers).

ABSTRACT

Peasant's younger son called Cendrillot, because stupid. Elder son, journeyman cobbler, refuses cake to ants; will not replace fish in water, or settle dispute of fighting devils. Returns home having accomplished nothing-- Hero sets out with healing water and a loaf, feeds the ants, throws fish hack into water, and separates fighting devils. Reaches town where princess is dying. Whosoever can cure may wed her. Hero cures princess with healing water; but must perform Tasks to win her. Grateful beasts: ants separate poppy-seeds from ashes, fish fetches pearl, devils pick rose from Lucifer's garden-- Happy marriage.

TABULATION

(1) Poor peasant has two sons, Jozka and Janko. The latter works in the house, and being stupid and clumsy, is called Cendrillot.-- (2) Jozka is a journeyman cobbler, and one day, when setting out, his mother gives him some cakes, and his father his blessing. Ants ask for some of the cake, which he refuses them. A fish has jumped out of water, and he refuses to replace it. Some devils are disputing and fighting at the cross-roads, and he does not attempt to separate them. When he has eaten his cakes he returns home; Janko reproaches him with having effected nothing..-- (3) He sets out himself; father gives him water which will heal all diseases; mother makes him a loaf for the journey. He rests where his brother had rested, eats some bread, and feeds the ants. Arrived at river, he throws carp back into water. He separates the fighting devils.-- (4) Reaches a town where everyone is mourning; king's daughter is in mortal agony, and whoever can cure her shall marry her. Janko asks for an interview, and cures her with magic water.-- (5) Princess does n want to marry him; he must first perform tasks. She mixes together two bagfuls of poppy-seeds and two of ashes; he must separate them by next day. Ants perform task.-- (6) Princess will not marry him. He must procure the most precious pearl from the bottom of the sea. Fish gets it for him.-- (7) For third task he must bring a rose from hell. Devils pick him a lovely rose from Lucifer's garden. Janko's face is quite black from the hell-fire.-- (8) Princess is pleased with rose, but nut with black Janko; yet she must keep her word; so dons wedding robes, and the priceless pearl shines from her crown. She marries Janko.

Cox, Marian Roalfe. Cinderella: Three Hundred and Forty-five Variants of Cinderella, Catskin, and Cap O' Rushes, abstracted and tabulated. London: David Nutt for the Folklore Society, 1893.

While the original text of this book is out of copyright, the special formatting and compilation available on SurLaLune Fairy Tales is copyrighted. Be aware that while the original content has been honored, page numbering, footnote numbering, redesigned charts, links, and other aspects are unique to this site's version of the text. Use at your own risk. For private and fair use educational purposes only.

©Heidi Anne Heiner, SurLaLune Fairy Tales
E-mail: surlalune@aol.com
Page last updated March 2, 2006
www.surlalunefairytales.com