SurLaLune Fairy Tales: Marian Roalfe Cox: Cinderella: Three Hundred and Forty-five Variants of Cinderella, Catskin, and Cap O' Rushes, abstracted and tabulated

Dying father bids three sons watch in turn on his grave-- Elder brothers make despised hero watch in their stead-- Dead father help at grave-- Hero receives three switches, a ball of thread, and directions from dead father-- Princess as prize to anyone who can twice ride to fourth storey of castle-- Brothers go to contest, leaving hero to mind pigs and heat oven-- Magic attire and gold horse from oak-tree, when struck with switches-- Hero twice reaches fourth storey, receiving kerchief and ring from princess is shot in the foot on way home-- Search for lame man; ragged hero taken to princess. Hero fetches magic dress and steed; displays trophies-- Happy marriage.

TABULATION

(1) Dying father bids his three sons (the youngest of whom is deemed stupid) watch one night each on his grave.-- (2) Eldest son is afraid to do so, and youngest watches in his stead. At midnight grave opens; dead father comes forth and gives son three switches.-- (3) Second night hero watches instead of second son, and receives from father a ball of thread. Hero tells nothing to brothers.-- (4) In the town is a king who has promised his daughter in marriage to anyone who can twice ride on horseback to the fourth storey of the castle. Princess will give the successful rider, first a kerchief, and the second time a ring, in token of his accomplishment. Many have already tried in vain.-- (5) When hero goes on third night on his own account to watch on father's grave, father commends him for his faithfulness, and says that if he would like to win the princess he must go to the oak-tree in the garden, strike its stem with the three switches, and he will then see what he is further to do.-- (6) Next day the two brothers determine to try for the princess, and bid youngest stay at home to mind the pigs and heat the oven. When they have started hero strikes the oak-tree, bids it open, and takes out gorgeous attire and a golden saddle-horse. He reaches the castle, rides up to the fourth storey, and receives the kerchief from the princess. When brothers return and find him in his accustomed place, as though naught had happened, they mock him.-- (7) Next day, when they have started to castle, hero equips himself at the oak-tree, rides up the castle-walls, and wins the ring from the princess. On the way home someone shoots at him, wounding his foot. He leaves outfit and horse, kerchief and ring, in the oak-tree, and goes home.-- (8) Princess seeks for the prince who has won her, and learning that he has been lamed, she gives orders for every lame person to be brought before her. The messengers come to the house of the three brothers. The two elder confess that the youngest is lame, though it cannot be he that they seek.-- (9) But they take him to the princess, who weeps at the thought of marrying one so ugly and dirty. Hero goes to the oak-tree, dons the magic dress, and rides back to the princess on the golden steed. A servant follows after him with six golden horses and twelve silver mares with twelve silver foals, all of which henceforth are his.-- (10) He shows the kerchief and ring; the princess rejoices, and they are married.

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.

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