A miller, seeking to provide for his daughter, betrothed her to a man who appeared wealthy and refined. However, the girl felt an inexplicable dread whenever she looked at him. One day, the bridegroom insisted she visit his house deep in the forest. Fearing she would lose her way, she strewed peas and lentils along the path as she walked. When she reached the dark house, a bird in a cage warned her: 'Turn back, turn back, young bride, for you are in a house of murderers!' An old woman hidden in the cellar confirmed the danger and hid the girl behind a large barrel. From her hiding spot, the girl watched in horror as the bridegroom and his gang returned with a captive maiden, whom they murdered. In the struggle, a severed finger with a gold ring flew behind the barrel and landed in the girl's lap. Under the cover of night, she escaped, guided by the sprouted seeds along the path. At the wedding feast, when invited to share a story, she recounted her 'dream' of the forest house. As the bridegroom grew pale, she produced the severed finger as proof. The villain was seized by the guests and executed for his crimes.
Trust your intuition and look beyond outward appearances, for evil often hides behind a mask of respectability.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of The Robber Bridegroom?
The moral emphasizes the importance of intuition and caution. It teaches that one should not ignore internal warnings about a person's character, regardless of how charming or wealthy they may seem.
What does the bird say in The Robber Bridegroom?
The bird in the cage warns the girl as she enters the house, crying out: 'Turn back, turn back, thou young bride, for thou art in a house of murderers!'
How does the heroine escape the robbers?
With the help of an old woman, the girl hides behind a barrel until the robbers fall asleep. she then follows the trail of sprouted peas and lentils she scattered on her way there.
How does the bride expose her groom?
At the wedding feast, she tells the story of her experience as if it were a dream. At the climax of the tale, she pulls out the severed finger of his previous victim to prove his guilt.
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Good night.
