The Robin

There was once a lovely young maiden whose greatest wish was to marry a prince. However after much waiting and wishing she decided to go in search of him herself, for nothing interesting ever happens if you don’t help it along.

The maiden packed up her few belongings and kissed her father and mother farewell. After traveling a fortnight she met an old beggar woman on the road.

“Will you share your meal dear child?” The woman asked. The maiden, who had been raised to be kind to every living creature agreed.

“Of course grandmother, however I am afraid there is not much to share.”

As they finished their meal and were about to go their separate ways the beggar woman said to the maiden, “because you have been so kind I shall give you a word of advice, if you follow the lane to a fork in the road and stay on the left path you will find your heart’s desire.”

The maid was so delighted that she hurried off down the lane without a second thought. When she arrived at the fork the way to the right was clear and well used, while to the left weeds and branches grew across the path. The maiden hesitated for a moment and looked longingly at the well worn road, but remembering the old woman’s advice turned to the left.

She had not traveled long when she met a young fox crying out in pain. The maiden who was kind to every living creature bent down to the fox and removed a thorn from his small foot. The fox was so pleased to at last be free from the pain that he said, “Because you have been so kind I shall give you a word of advice, if you follow the path to the river and cross not the first but the second bridge you see you will find your heart’s desire.”

The maiden was so delighted that she hurried off down the path without a second though. When she arrived at the river she saw a lovely golden bridge. The maiden hesitated for a moment and looked longingly at the golden bridge, but remembering the fox’s advice walked farther down the path until she came to a broken down bridge where more than a few boards were missing. She had not traveled long when she met a small robin whose wing had been broken by a hunter’s arrow. The maiden who was kind to every living creature used twigs and string to set the robin’s wing in place.

The robin was so pleased to be on the mend that he said, “Because you have been so kind I shall give you a word of advice, if you will care for me for one full year, even after I am healthy and may fly again, you will receive your heart’s desire.”

The maiden was so delighted that she placed the robin on her shoulder and sang to him every song she knew and cared for his every need. After he was able to fly again she longed to continue her search for a prince to call her own, but remembering the robin’s advice she stayed with him for one full year.

At last the year had come to an end, the robin stood before the maiden and said, “Because you have been so kind and followed my advice you shall have your heart’s desire.” As the little robin launched himself into flight he transformed into a handsome prince who had been under a witch’s wicked spell until he could find someone with a pure heart to spend a year with him. The prince confessed his love to the maiden, and together they returned to his kingdom where they ruled for the rest of their days.