Story Summary
Discover the Brothers Grimm classic Mother Holle, where a diligent girl is showered in gold while her lazy sister faces a sticky fate for her selfishness.
A widow had two daughters: one beautiful and industrious, the other ugly and lazy. The widow loved her own lazy daughter more, forcing the stepdaughter to do all the work. One day, while spinning by a well, the industrious girl's spindle fell into the water. Fearing her stepmother's wrath, she jumped in after it and awoke in a beautiful meadow. As she walked, she passed an oven full of bread and an apple tree heavy with fruit; she helped both by taking the bread out before it burned and shaking the apples down. She soon reached the house of Mother Holle, an old woman with large teeth. The girl stayed to work, diligently shaking Mother Holle’s bed until feathers flew like snowflakes. When the girl grew homesick, Mother Holle led her through a great gate, showering her in gold as a reward for her service. Upon her return, the lazy sister, seeking the same reward, jumped into the well. However, she refused to help the bread or the tree and worked lazily for Mother Holle. Instead of gold, she was showered in black pitch that would never come off as long as she lived.
The Moral
Hard work, kindness, and diligence lead to great rewards, while laziness and selfishness result in lasting consequences.
“Cock-a-doodle-doo! Your golden girl has come back to you!”
Fun Fact
In German folklore, it is still common to say 'Mother Holle is making her bed' when it starts to snow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Mother Holle?
The story teaches that virtue and hard work are eventually rewarded, while laziness and greed lead to misfortune. It emphasizes that character is revealed through how one treats others and performs their duties.
Who is Mother Holle in mythology?
Mother Holle is widely believed to be a remnant of the pre-Christian Germanic goddess Holda or Berchta. She is a figure associated with the household, spinning, and the winter season.
What does shaking the bed mean in the story?
When the girl shakes Mother Holle's bed until the feathers fly, it is a folkloric explanation for why it snows on Earth. The feathers represent falling snowflakes.
Why was the lazy sister covered in pitch?
The pitch represents the permanent mark of her bad character and her refusal to work. Unlike the gold, which rewarded the sister's industry, the pitch served as a visible consequence of her selfishness.
What do the bread and apple tree symbolize?
These represent opportunities to do good and show character when no one is watching. The hardworking sister's willingness to help them demonstrates her natural kindness and sense of responsibility.
Is Mother Holle a hero or a villain?
Mother Holle acts as a neutral judge or a supernatural benefactor rather than a traditional hero or villain. She fairly distributes rewards and punishments based on the girls' own actions.
