Story Summary
Explore The Twelve Dancing Princesses, a Grimm Brothers fairy tale about twelve sisters, worn-out shoes, and a soldier who uncovers an underground kingdom.
A King had twelve daughters of surpassing beauty who slept in twelve beds in a single room. Every night, the door was double-locked, yet every morning their shoes were found worn through as if they had been danced in all night. Puzzled, the King proclaimed that whoever discovered their secret within three days could choose a daughter for his bride and inherit the kingdom; those who failed would be put to death. Many princes tried and failed, falling into a deep sleep each night. Finally, an old soldier, wounded in battle, took up the challenge. An old woman gave him a cloak of invisibility and warned him not to drink the wine the princesses would offer. For three nights, the soldier feigned sleep, then donned his cloak and followed the sisters through a trapdoor beneath a bed. He followed them through magnificent forests of silver, gold, and diamond trees into an underground castle where they danced with twelve handsome princes. On the third night, he took a golden cup as final proof. When the soldier revealed the secret and showed the King the silver, gold, and diamond branches he had gathered, the princesses confessed. The soldier chose the eldest princess as his wife and was named the King’s heir.
The Moral
Wit and careful observation, combined with the wisdom of following good advice, can overcome even the most guarded secrets.
“Every morning their shoes were found to be quite worn through, as if they had been danced in all night.”
Fun Fact
This story is classified as Aarne-Thompson type 306, and while the Grimm version is the most famous, similar versions exist in Russian, French, and Scottish folklore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Twelve Dancing Princesses?
The moral is that intelligence and staying alert are more valuable than brute strength or royal status. It also suggests that secrets will eventually be brought to light by those who are observant.
Why were the princesses' shoes worn out every morning?
The princesses were secretly sneaking out every night to an underground kingdom. They would dance all night with twelve enchanted princes until their shoes were completely ruined.
How did the soldier solve the mystery?
The soldier used an invisibility cloak given to him by an old woman and avoided drinking the drugged wine. This allowed him to follow the princesses secretly and gather evidence of their nightly travels.
What happened to the princes who failed the challenge?
The King was very strict and decreed that anyone who failed to solve the mystery within three nights would be put to death. Many princes lost their lives before the soldier arrived.
What proof did the soldier bring back to the King?
To prove his story, the soldier broke branches from the silver, gold, and diamond trees he found in the underground woods. On the final night, he also took a golden cup from the underground palace.
Who wrote The Twelve Dancing Princesses?
The story was famously collected and published by the Brothers Grimm in their 1812 collection, 'Children's and Household Tales.' It is categorized as an Aarne-Thompson type 306 tale.
