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Fairy tale princess turning suitors into stone
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I read this fairy tale when I was a kid, around 30 years ago. I've now tried searching for this story, checking the usual suspects (brothers Grimm and H.C.Andersen), but haven't found anything matching.
Here's the story:
Once upon a time there was a king of a small/poor kingdom, and he had three sons. Since they were so poor, the king decided that one of the princes should marry the princess in a much larger/richer kingdom. The problem was that this particular princess was very picky, and also had magical powers. So any suitors she didn't like, she would turn into stone statues.
The princes went to the princess' castle, and entered it one at a time (maybe only one prince was allowed in per day?). The garden of the castle was full stone statues, all the previous suitors.
Secretly, the princess had disguised/turned herself into a maid so that she could observe the princes before meeting them officially. The first (and of course the oldest) prince went in first; he was certain that the princess would be very impressed by his strength and fighting skills. He of course treated the maid very poorly. Needless to say, the princess turned him into a statue.
The second prince didn't do any better.
The third prince was very uncertain of himself, I think he discussed with the maid that he didn't really want to do this, but had to try in order to save his poor country. If all three princes were turned to stone, their kingdom would be ruined. He also treated the maid well.
I believe the maid turned into the princess right there in front of him. I guess they got married, and possibly she brought back to life the other too princes (maybe even everyone she had turned to stone?). And they lived happily ever after.
This story to me seems to be a bit more modern than Grimm/Andersen; the princess decides herself whom she wants to marry, and there are no animals featured.
story-identification fairy-tales
edited 6 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
35.6k14194235
asked 6 hours ago
rijnswind
432
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rijnswind is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
I read this fairy tale when I was a kid, around 30 years ago. I've now tried searching for this story, checking the usual suspects (brothers Grimm and H.C.Andersen), but haven't found anything matching.
Here's the story:
Once upon a time there was a king of a small/poor kingdom, and he had three sons. Since they were so poor, the king decided that one of the princes should marry the princess in a much larger/richer kingdom. The problem was that this particular princess was very picky, and also had magical powers. So any suitors she didn't like, she would turn into stone statues.
The princes went to the princess' castle, and entered it one at a time (maybe only one prince was allowed in per day?). The garden of the castle was full stone statues, all the previous suitors.
Secretly, the princess had disguised/turned herself into a maid so that she could observe the princes before meeting them officially. The first (and of course the oldest) prince went in first; he was certain that the princess would be very impressed by his strength and fighting skills. He of course treated the maid very poorly. Needless to say, the princess turned him into a statue.
The second prince didn't do any better.
The third prince was very uncertain of himself, I think he discussed with the maid that he didn't really want to do this, but had to try in order to save his poor country. If all three princes were turned to stone, their kingdom would be ruined. He also treated the maid well.
I believe the maid turned into the princess right there in front of him. I guess they got married, and possibly she brought back to life the other too princes (maybe even everyone she had turned to stone?). And they lived happily ever after.
This story to me seems to be a bit more modern than Grimm/Andersen; the princess decides herself whom she wants to marry, and there are no animals featured.
story-identification fairy-tales
edited 6 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
35.6k14194235
asked 6 hours ago
rijnswind
432
New contributor
rijnswind is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
I recognize this one. Good details.
– FuzzyBoots
6 hours ago
I've removed the italics from the description as in my opinion they made the post a bit harder to read than normal. Feel free to add them back in via an edit or rolling my edit back if you want though.
– TheLethalCarrot
6 hours ago
1
I forget what the second brother specialized in. Magic maybe? Also, the princess as maid tried to dissuade him, telling him that it wasn't with his life, that the princess was cruel. It was part of a modern anthology I read.
– FuzzyBoots
5 hours ago
@FuzzyBoots The first prince was physically strong and had whatever fighting skill came from his brute strength. The second was more of a military type, expert in fighting with weapons and armour - I don't remember if he was also a good military leader or not.
– JDM
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
I read this fairy tale when I was a kid, around 30 years ago. I've now tried searching for this story, checking the usual suspects (brothers Grimm and H.C.Andersen), but haven't found anything matching.
Here's the story:
Once upon a time there was a king of a small/poor kingdom, and he had three sons. Since they were so poor, the king decided that one of the princes should marry the princess in a much larger/richer kingdom. The problem was that this particular princess was very picky, and also had magical powers. So any suitors she didn't like, she would turn into stone statues.
The princes went to the princess' castle, and entered it one at a time (maybe only one prince was allowed in per day?). The garden of the castle was full stone statues, all the previous suitors.
Secretly, the princess had disguised/turned herself into a maid so that she could observe the princes before meeting them officially. The first (and of course the oldest) prince went in first; he was certain that the princess would be very impressed by his strength and fighting skills. He of course treated the maid very poorly. Needless to say, the princess turned him into a statue.
The second prince didn't do any better.
The third prince was very uncertain of himself, I think he discussed with the maid that he didn't really want to do this, but had to try in order to save his poor country. If all three princes were turned to stone, their kingdom would be ruined. He also treated the maid well.
I believe the maid turned into the princess right there in front of him. I guess they got married, and possibly she brought back to life the other too princes (maybe even everyone she had turned to stone?). And they lived happily ever after.
This story to me seems to be a bit more modern than Grimm/Andersen; the princess decides herself whom she wants to marry, and there are no animals featured.
story-identification fairy-tales
edited 6 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
35.6k14194235
asked 6 hours ago
rijnswind
432
New contributor
rijnswind is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I read this fairy tale when I was a kid, around 30 years ago. I've now tried searching for this story, checking the usual suspects (brothers Grimm and H.C.Andersen), but haven't found anything matching.
Here's the story:
Once upon a time there was a king of a small/poor kingdom, and he had three sons. Since they were so poor, the king decided that one of the princes should marry the princess in a much larger/richer kingdom. The problem was that this particular princess was very picky, and also had magical powers. So any suitors she didn't like, she would turn into stone statues.
The princes went to the princess' castle, and entered it one at a time (maybe only one prince was allowed in per day?). The garden of the castle was full stone statues, all the previous suitors.
Secretly, the princess had disguised/turned herself into a maid so that she could observe the princes before meeting them officially. The first (and of course the oldest) prince went in first; he was certain that the princess would be very impressed by his strength and fighting skills. He of course treated the maid very poorly. Needless to say, the princess turned him into a statue.
The second prince didn't do any better.
The third prince was very uncertain of himself, I think he discussed with the maid that he didn't really want to do this, but had to try in order to save his poor country. If all three princes were turned to stone, their kingdom would be ruined. He also treated the maid well.
I believe the maid turned into the princess right there in front of him. I guess they got married, and possibly she brought back to life the other too princes (maybe even everyone she had turned to stone?). And they lived happily ever after.
This story to me seems to be a bit more modern than Grimm/Andersen; the princess decides herself whom she wants to marry, and there are no animals featured.
story-identification fairy-tales
story-identification fairy-tales
edited 6 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
35.6k14194235
asked 6 hours ago
rijnswind
432
New contributor
rijnswind is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 6 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
35.6k14194235
asked 6 hours ago
rijnswind
432
New contributor
rijnswind is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 6 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
35.6k14194235
edited 6 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
35.6k14194235
edited 6 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
35.6k14194235
35.6k14194235
asked 6 hours ago
rijnswind
432
New contributor
rijnswind is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 6 hours ago
rijnswind
432
asked 6 hours ago
rijnswind
432
432
New contributor
rijnswind is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
rijnswind is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
rijnswind is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
I recognize this one. Good details.
– FuzzyBoots
6 hours ago
I've removed the italics from the description as in my opinion they made the post a bit harder to read than normal. Feel free to add them back in via an edit or rolling my edit back if you want though.
– TheLethalCarrot
6 hours ago
1
I forget what the second brother specialized in. Magic maybe? Also, the princess as maid tried to dissuade him, telling him that it wasn't with his life, that the princess was cruel. It was part of a modern anthology I read.
– FuzzyBoots
5 hours ago
@FuzzyBoots The first prince was physically strong and had whatever fighting skill came from his brute strength. The second was more of a military type, expert in fighting with weapons and armour - I don't remember if he was also a good military leader or not.
– JDM
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
2
I recognize this one. Good details.
– FuzzyBoots
6 hours ago
I've removed the italics from the description as in my opinion they made the post a bit harder to read than normal. Feel free to add them back in via an edit or rolling my edit back if you want though.
– TheLethalCarrot
6 hours ago
1
I forget what the second brother specialized in. Magic maybe? Also, the princess as maid tried to dissuade him, telling him that it wasn't with his life, that the princess was cruel. It was part of a modern anthology I read.
– FuzzyBoots
5 hours ago
@FuzzyBoots The first prince was physically strong and had whatever fighting skill came from his brute strength. The second was more of a military type, expert in fighting with weapons and armour - I don't remember if he was also a good military leader or not.
– JDM
3 hours ago
2
2
I recognize this one. Good details.
– FuzzyBoots
6 hours ago
I recognize this one. Good details.
– FuzzyBoots
6 hours ago
I've removed the italics from the description as in my opinion they made the post a bit harder to read than normal. Feel free to add them back in via an edit or rolling my edit back if you want though.
– TheLethalCarrot
6 hours ago
I've removed the italics from the description as in my opinion they made the post a bit harder to read than normal. Feel free to add them back in via an edit or rolling my edit back if you want though.
– TheLethalCarrot
6 hours ago
1
1
I forget what the second brother specialized in. Magic maybe? Also, the princess as maid tried to dissuade him, telling him that it wasn't with his life, that the princess was cruel. It was part of a modern anthology I read.
– FuzzyBoots
5 hours ago
I forget what the second brother specialized in. Magic maybe? Also, the princess as maid tried to dissuade him, telling him that it wasn't with his life, that the princess was cruel. It was part of a modern anthology I read.
– FuzzyBoots
5 hours ago
@FuzzyBoots The first prince was physically strong and had whatever fighting skill came from his brute strength. The second was more of a military type, expert in fighting with weapons and armour - I don't remember if he was also a good military leader or not.
– JDM
3 hours ago
@FuzzyBoots The first prince was physically strong and had whatever fighting skill came from his brute strength. The second was more of a military type, expert in fighting with weapons and armour - I don't remember if he was also a good military leader or not.
– JDM
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
This was "The Fable of the Three Princes" - an Isaac Asimov short story with some vaguely Wodehouse-ish humour, published in his short-story collection Magic.
"I believe the maid turned into the princess right there in front of
him. I guess they got married, and possibly she brought back to life
the other two princes (maybe even everyone she had turned to stone?).
And they lived happily ever after."
You are correct on all counts! The third brother had been on the verge of abandoning his mission before she transformed. He had come to care about the maid more and more, and was close to giving up on Operation 'Impress the Princess' and proposing instead to her.
Fortunately, he still wanted to marry her even after she revealed herself to be the princess.
edited 3 hours ago
FuzzyBoots
83.3k10251403
answered 3 hours ago
JDM
3869
1
Well this is embarrassing... I have that book in my bookshelf, and I've probably read that story this year. That explains why I remember the story so well. I did not associate the story with Asimov at all, as it's the "classic fairy tale" type.
– rijnswind
3 hours ago
@rijnswind I remember it being great fun (albeit very short) - well worth a reread! The Wodehouse-ish flavour of the humour was a bit of a clue too, Asimov had talked in an essay about liking Wodehouse and admiring his writing skill.
– JDM
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
This was "The Fable of the Three Princes" - an Isaac Asimov short story with some vaguely Wodehouse-ish humour, published in his short-story collection Magic.
"I believe the maid turned into the princess right there in front of
him. I guess they got married, and possibly she brought back to life
the other two princes (maybe even everyone she had turned to stone?).
And they lived happily ever after."
You are correct on all counts! The third brother had been on the verge of abandoning his mission before she transformed. He had come to care about the maid more and more, and was close to giving up on Operation 'Impress the Princess' and proposing instead to her.
Fortunately, he still wanted to marry her even after she revealed herself to be the princess.
edited 3 hours ago
FuzzyBoots
83.3k10251403
answered 3 hours ago
JDM
3869
1
Well this is embarrassing... I have that book in my bookshelf, and I've probably read that story this year. That explains why I remember the story so well. I did not associate the story with Asimov at all, as it's the "classic fairy tale" type.
– rijnswind
3 hours ago
@rijnswind I remember it being great fun (albeit very short) - well worth a reread! The Wodehouse-ish flavour of the humour was a bit of a clue too, Asimov had talked in an essay about liking Wodehouse and admiring his writing skill.
– JDM
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
This was "The Fable of the Three Princes" - an Isaac Asimov short story with some vaguely Wodehouse-ish humour, published in his short-story collection Magic.
"I believe the maid turned into the princess right there in front of
him. I guess they got married, and possibly she brought back to life
the other two princes (maybe even everyone she had turned to stone?).
And they lived happily ever after."
You are correct on all counts! The third brother had been on the verge of abandoning his mission before she transformed. He had come to care about the maid more and more, and was close to giving up on Operation 'Impress the Princess' and proposing instead to her.
Fortunately, he still wanted to marry her even after she revealed herself to be the princess.
edited 3 hours ago
FuzzyBoots
83.3k10251403
answered 3 hours ago
JDM
3869
1
Well this is embarrassing... I have that book in my bookshelf, and I've probably read that story this year. That explains why I remember the story so well. I did not associate the story with Asimov at all, as it's the "classic fairy tale" type.
– rijnswind
3 hours ago
@rijnswind I remember it being great fun (albeit very short) - well worth a reread! The Wodehouse-ish flavour of the humour was a bit of a clue too, Asimov had talked in an essay about liking Wodehouse and admiring his writing skill.
– JDM
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
This was "The Fable of the Three Princes" - an Isaac Asimov short story with some vaguely Wodehouse-ish humour, published in his short-story collection Magic.
"I believe the maid turned into the princess right there in front of
him. I guess they got married, and possibly she brought back to life
the other two princes (maybe even everyone she had turned to stone?).
And they lived happily ever after."
You are correct on all counts! The third brother had been on the verge of abandoning his mission before she transformed. He had come to care about the maid more and more, and was close to giving up on Operation 'Impress the Princess' and proposing instead to her.
Fortunately, he still wanted to marry her even after she revealed herself to be the princess.
edited 3 hours ago
FuzzyBoots
83.3k10251403
answered 3 hours ago
JDM
3869
This was "The Fable of the Three Princes" - an Isaac Asimov short story with some vaguely Wodehouse-ish humour, published in his short-story collection Magic.
"I believe the maid turned into the princess right there in front of
him. I guess they got married, and possibly she brought back to life
the other two princes (maybe even everyone she had turned to stone?).
And they lived happily ever after."
You are correct on all counts! The third brother had been on the verge of abandoning his mission before she transformed. He had come to care about the maid more and more, and was close to giving up on Operation 'Impress the Princess' and proposing instead to her.
Fortunately, he still wanted to marry her even after she revealed herself to be the princess.
edited 3 hours ago
FuzzyBoots
83.3k10251403
answered 3 hours ago
JDM
3869
edited 3 hours ago
FuzzyBoots
83.3k10251403
edited 3 hours ago
FuzzyBoots
83.3k10251403
edited 3 hours ago
FuzzyBoots
83.3k10251403
83.3k10251403
answered 3 hours ago
JDM
3869
answered 3 hours ago
JDM
3869
answered 3 hours ago
JDM
3869
3869
1
Well this is embarrassing... I have that book in my bookshelf, and I've probably read that story this year. That explains why I remember the story so well. I did not associate the story with Asimov at all, as it's the "classic fairy tale" type.
– rijnswind
3 hours ago
@rijnswind I remember it being great fun (albeit very short) - well worth a reread! The Wodehouse-ish flavour of the humour was a bit of a clue too, Asimov had talked in an essay about liking Wodehouse and admiring his writing skill.
– JDM
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
1
Well this is embarrassing... I have that book in my bookshelf, and I've probably read that story this year. That explains why I remember the story so well. I did not associate the story with Asimov at all, as it's the "classic fairy tale" type.
– rijnswind
3 hours ago
@rijnswind I remember it being great fun (albeit very short) - well worth a reread! The Wodehouse-ish flavour of the humour was a bit of a clue too, Asimov had talked in an essay about liking Wodehouse and admiring his writing skill.
– JDM
3 hours ago
1
1
Well this is embarrassing... I have that book in my bookshelf, and I've probably read that story this year. That explains why I remember the story so well. I did not associate the story with Asimov at all, as it's the "classic fairy tale" type.
– rijnswind
3 hours ago
Well this is embarrassing... I have that book in my bookshelf, and I've probably read that story this year. That explains why I remember the story so well. I did not associate the story with Asimov at all, as it's the "classic fairy tale" type.
– rijnswind
3 hours ago
@rijnswind I remember it being great fun (albeit very short) - well worth a reread! The Wodehouse-ish flavour of the humour was a bit of a clue too, Asimov had talked in an essay about liking Wodehouse and admiring his writing skill.
– JDM
3 hours ago
@rijnswind I remember it being great fun (albeit very short) - well worth a reread! The Wodehouse-ish flavour of the humour was a bit of a clue too, Asimov had talked in an essay about liking Wodehouse and admiring his writing skill.
– JDM
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
rijnswind is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
rijnswind is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
rijnswind is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
rijnswind is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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2
I recognize this one. Good details.
– FuzzyBoots
6 hours ago
I've removed the italics from the description as in my opinion they made the post a bit harder to read than normal. Feel free to add them back in via an edit or rolling my edit back if you want though.
– TheLethalCarrot
6 hours ago
1
I forget what the second brother specialized in. Magic maybe? Also, the princess as maid tried to dissuade him, telling him that it wasn't with his life, that the princess was cruel. It was part of a modern anthology I read.
– FuzzyBoots
5 hours ago
@FuzzyBoots The first prince was physically strong and had whatever fighting skill came from his brute strength. The second was more of a military type, expert in fighting with weapons and armour - I don't remember if he was also a good military leader or not.
– JDM
3 hours ago