Asbjørnsen and Moe- First published in 1859.
Reading Level: 9+ Number of Pages: 2 Genre: Classic Fairy-tale
Summary: There were once two brothers whose names were True and Untrue. True was so named because he was honest and good, while Untrue could not be trusted. The two brothers were journeying in a wood, and Untrue suggested that they eat out of True's knapsack first, and then after it was empty they could eat out of his. True agreed, but when later on their journey it was time to eat out of Untrue's knapsack, Untrue forbade him, saying it was all his. At this True protested, saying he was not surprised everyone called him Untrue. At this, Untrue rushed at his brother and plucked out his eyes, saying, "Now see if you can tell who is true and who is not!" With that he ran off into the forest.
True wandered through the forest blindly, groping his way until he perceived it was growing cold. Since it must have been nightfall, he climbed up into a tree to protect himself from the beasts below. As he sat in the tree, a group of beasts gathered together below him, and spoke among themselves.
"The king of England is in rough times now," said the bear. "His eyesight is terrible! Little does he know that he need only rub his eyes with the dew of this tree before us, and his eyesight would return, better than ever."
"Most certainly," said the wolf. "His daughter, who is deaf and dumb could also be cured, for below the stones of the mantlepiece in their house sits a toad who has swallowed a piece of communion bread. Let her eat that bread, and she shall be healed."
"That is not all!" said the hare. "For the orchard without the castle would regain its splendor, should only some one dig up the golden chain that is buried there. The king knows not his fortune!"
Their conversation continued, and when they had gone, the man descended and washed his eyes in the dew of the tree, and his sight returned, better than it had ever been. True went in search of the king, and blessed his household by healing his orchard, his eyesight, and his daughter by the news of these animals. He even got to keep the gold chain that encircled the orchard. The king promised him his daughter as a wife, now that she had been healed.
Soon after a beggar came to the kingdom, and True recognized him as his brother, Untrue, who had plucked out his eyes and left him in the forest. He begged at the feet of True, and asked him to bestow some of his wealth upon him. True replied, "Untrue you are in name and deed, but go to the tree in the forest and wait there to see if you hear anything interesting."
And so Untrue waited in the tree, straining his ears to hear the secrets told to his brother. Soon the animals gathered together for their meeting, and one suggested they tell stories, same as before. "No," said the bear. "For one of us has been telling our secrets we told last year. Therefore let us hold our tongues of what we know." And Untrue knew just as much as he did before
My Impressions: This is more of an allegory to teach about being faithful and obedient, as well as following instructions. I would like to point out that True was willing to give his brother advice, even after he had his eyes put out.
Parent's Guide: Untrue puts out the eyes of True.
Recommendations:Again, these old fairy tales are great, and recommended for everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment