# The Golden Bird explained — Household Tales > Chapter companion for Household Tales by Jacob Grimm. ## What happens A youth, aided by a magical Fox, undertakes a series of tasks to obtain a Golden Bird, a Golden Horse, and a beautiful princess. After being betrayed by his brothers and thrown into a well, he is rescued by the Fox, ultimately reunites with the princess, and the Fox is revealed to be her enchanted brother. ## Themes in this chapter ### Transformation and Redemption The Fox's transformation into the princess's brother at the end highlights redemption through the youth's act of kindness. ### Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished The youth's virtue is rewarded with marriage and inheritance, while his wicked brothers are executed. ### Family Dynamics and Betrayal The brothers' betrayal of the youth and their subsequent punishment illustrate family conflict and its consequences. ## Character check-ins ### the youth The protagonist who, with the Fox's help, wins the princess, horse, and bird, and is later betrayed by his brothers. ### the maiden The beautiful princess from the Golden Castle who becomes the youth's bride. ### the King The ruler who sets tasks for the youth and later marries him to the princess. ### the servant The grooms who seize the youth after the horse neighs. ### the brothers The youth's two older brothers who betray him and are ultimately executed. ## Key lines > touched the horse than he began to neigh loudly. The grooms awoke, seized the youth, and threw him into prison. As soon as he touched the horse, it neighed loudly, waking the grooms who captured him and put him in prison. _The youth's attempt to take the horse leads to his capture._ > The next morning he was sentenced by the court to death; but the King promised to grant him his life, and the Golden Horse as well, if he could bring back the beautiful princess from the Golden Castle. The court sentenced him to death, but the King offered to spare his life and give him the horse if he could retrieve the princess from the Golden Castle. _The King sets a new task for the youth._ > With a heavy heart the youth set out; yet luckily for him he soon found the trusty Fox. The youth departed sadly but soon encountered the helpful Fox. _The Fox reappears to assist the youth._ > I ought only to leave you to your ill-luck, said the Fox, but I pity you, and will help you once more out of your trouble. The Fox said he should leave the youth to his misfortune, but he felt pity and decided to help him again. _The Fox expresses reluctance but agrees to help._ > This road takes you straight to the Golden Castle, you will reach it by eventide; and at night when everything is quiet the beautiful princess goes to the bathing-house to bathe. The Fox directs the youth to the Golden Castle, explaining that at night the princess goes to bathe. _The Fox provides instructions for the next task._ > When she enters it, run up to her and give her a kiss, then she will follow you, and you can take her away with you; only do not allow her to take leave of her parents first, or it will go ill with you. The Fox advises the youth to kiss the princess when she enters the bathhouse, and she will follow him, but warns him not to let her say goodbye to her parents. _The Fox gives specific instructions to avoid failure._ > Then the Fox stretched out his tail, the King's son seated himself upon it, and away the Fox went, over stock and stone, till his hair whistled in the wind. The Fox extended his tail, the youth sat on it, and they sped away swiftly through the countryside. _The Fox transports the youth magically._ > When he reached the Golden Castle it was just as the Fox had said. He waited until midnight, when everything lay in deep sleep, and the beautiful princess was going to the bathing-house. Arriving at the castle, the youth waited until midnight when the princess went to bathe, just as the Fox predicted. _The youth follows the Fox's plan._ > Then he sprang out and gave her a kiss. She said that she would like to go with him, but she asked him pitifully, and with tears, to allow her first to take leave of her parents. He kissed her, and she agreed to go with him but begged tearfully to say goodbye to her parents. _The princess requests to bid farewell._ > At first he withstood her prayer, but when she wept more and more, and fell at his feet, he at last gave in. He initially refused, but her persistent tears and pleading made him relent. _The youth gives in to the princess's request._ > But no sooner had the maiden reached the bedside of her father than he and all the rest in the castle awoke, and the youth was laid hold of and put into prison. As soon as the princess reached her father's bed, everyone woke up, and the youth was captured and imprisoned. _The youth's failure to follow the Fox's advice leads to his capture._ > The next morning the King said to him, Your life is forfeited, and you can only find mercy if you take away the hill which stands in front of my windows, and prevents my seeing beyond it; and you must finish it all within eight days. The next day, the King told the youth he would be spared only if he removed the hill blocking the view from the windows within eight days. _The King sets another task._ > The King's son began, and dug and shovelled without leaving off, but when after seven days he saw how little he had done, and how all his work was as good as nothing, he fell into great sorrow and gave up all hope. The youth worked tirelessly for seven days but made little progress, causing him to despair. _The youth struggles with the impossible task._ > But on the evening of the seventh day the Fox appeared and said, You do not deserve that I should take any trouble about you; but just go away and lie down to sleep, and I will do the work for you. On the seventh evening, the Fox appeared, scolded the youth, but offered to complete the task while he slept. _The Fox helps again despite his frustration._ > The next morning when he awoke and looked out of the window the hill had gone. When the youth woke up, the hill had disappeared. _The Fox successfully removes the hill._ > The youth ran, full of joy, to the King, and told him that the task was fulfilled, and whether he liked it or not, the King had to hold to his word and give him his daughter. Joyfully, the youth informed the King that the task was done, and the King was compelled to honor his promise and give him his daughter. _The youth claims his reward._ > So the two set forth together, and it was not long before the trusty Fox came up with them. The youth and the princess set off, and soon the Fox joined them. _The Fox continues to accompany them._ > You have certainly got what is best, said he, but the Golden Horse also belongs to the maiden of the Golden Castle. The Fox remarked that the youth had obtained the best, but noted that the Golden Horse also belonged to the princess. _The Fox points out that the horse is still needed._ > How shall I get it? asked the youth. That I will tell you, answered the Fox; first take the beautiful maiden to the King who sent you to the Golden Castle. The youth asked how to get the horse, and the Fox instructed him to take the princess to the King who had sent him. _The Fox outlines the next step._ > There will be unheard-of rejoicing; they will gladly give you the Golden Horse, and will bring it out to you. The Fox predicted great celebration and that the King would willingly give the horse. _The Fox describes the expected outcome._ > Mount it as soon as possible, and offer your hand to all in farewell; last of all to the beautiful maiden. The Fox advised the youth to mount the horse quickly, shake hands with everyone, and finally with the princess. _The Fox gives specific instructions for the escape._ > And as soon as you have taken her hand swing her up on to the horse, and gallop away, and no one will be able to bring you back, for the horse runs faster than the wind. The Fox said to pull the princess onto the horse and ride away swiftly, as the horse is faster than the wind. _The Fox explains how to escape with the princess._ > All was carried out successfully, and the King's son carried off the beautiful princess on the Golden Horse. The plan succeeded, and the youth rode away with the princess on the Golden Horse. _The youth successfully obtains the horse and princess._ > The Fox did not remain behind, and he said to the youth, Now I will help you to get the Golden Bird. The Fox stayed with them and offered to help obtain the Golden Bird. _The Fox continues to assist._ > When you come near to the castle where the Golden Bird is to be found, let the maiden get down, and I will take her into my care. The Fox instructed the youth to leave the princess with him near the castle of the Golden Bird. _The Fox arranges for the princess's safety._ > Then ride with the Golden Horse into the castle-yard; there will be great rejoicing at the sight, and they will bring out the Golden Bird for you. The Fox said to ride the horse into the castle yard, where the people would celebrate and bring out the Golden Bird. _The Fox describes how to get the bird._ > As soon as you have the cage in your hand gallop back to us, and take the maiden away again. The Fox told the youth to grab the cage and ride back to them quickly. _The Fox instructs the youth to retrieve the bird and reunite with the princess._ > When the plan had succeeded, and the King's son was about to ride home with his treasures, the Fox said, Now you shall reward me for my help. After the plan worked, the Fox asked for a reward. _The Fox demands compensation._ > What do you require for it? asked the youth. When you get into the wood yonder, shoot me dead, and chop off my head and feet. The youth asked what the Fox wanted, and the Fox replied that he should be shot and dismembered in the woods. _The Fox requests a violent reward._ > That would be fine gratitude, said the King's son. I cannot possibly do that for you. The youth refused, saying that would be a poor way to show gratitude. _The youth declines the Fox's request._ > The Fox said, If you will not do it I must leave you, but before I go away I will give you a piece of good advice. Be careful about two things. Buy no gallows'-flesh, and do not sit at the edge of any well. The Fox said he would leave but gave advice: avoid buying 'gallows'-flesh' and never sit at the edge of a well. _The Fox gives final warnings._ > And then he ran into the wood. The youth thought, That is a wonderful beast, he has strange whims; who is going to buy gallows'-flesh? and the desire to sit at the edge of a well it has never yet seized me. The Fox ran away, and the youth mused that the Fox had odd ideas, dismissing the warnings as irrelevant. _The youth ignores the Fox's advice._ > He rode on with the beautiful maiden, and his road took him again through the village in which his two brothers had remained. The youth and princess rode through the village where his brothers were staying. _The youth encounters his brothers._ > There was a great stir and noise, and, when he asked what was going on, he was told that two men were going to be hanged. Hearing a commotion, the youth learned that two men were about to be hanged. _The youth discovers the impending execution._ > As he came nearer to the place he saw that they were his brothers, who had been playing all kinds of wicked pranks, and had squandered all their wealth. Drawing closer, he recognized his brothers, who had wasted their fortune and committed misdeeds. _The brothers are identified as the condemned._ > He inquired whether they could not be set free. If you will pay for them, answered the people; but why should you waste your money on wicked men, and buy them free. He asked if they could be freed, and the people said he could pay for their release, questioning why he would waste money on such men. _The youth considers ransoming his brothers._ > He did not think twice about it, but paid for them, and when they were set free they all went on their way together. Without hesitation, he paid for their freedom, and they all continued together. _The youth frees his brothers._ > They came to the wood where the Fox had first met them, as it was cool and pleasant within it, the two brothers said, Let us rest a little by the well, and eat and drink. They reached the wood where the Fox first appeared, and the brothers suggested resting by a well. _The brothers propose a stop._ > He agreed, and whilst they were talking he forgot himself, and sat down upon the edge of the well without thinking of any evil. He agreed and, while chatting, absentmindedly sat on the well's edge. _The youth ignores the Fox's warning._ > But the two brothers threw him backwards into the well, took the maiden, the Horse, and the Bird, and went home to their father. The brothers pushed him into the well and stole the princess, horse, and bird, returning to their father. _The brothers betray the youth._ > Here we bring you not only the Golden Bird, said they; we have won the Golden Horse also, and the maiden from the Golden Castle. The brothers boasted to their father that they had brought the bird, horse, and princess. _The brothers claim credit for the youth's achievements._ > Then was there great joy; but the Horse would not eat, the Bird would not sing, and the maiden sat and wept. There was celebration, but the horse refused to eat, the bird wouldn't sing, and the princess wept. _The treasures and princess are unhappy._ > But the youngest brother was not dead. By good fortune the well was dry, and he fell upon soft moss without being hurt, but he could not get out again. The youngest brother survived because the well was dry and he landed on soft moss, but he was trapped. _The youth survives the fall but is stuck._ > Even in this strait the faithful Fox did not leave him: it came and leapt down to him, and upbraided him for having forgotten its advice. The faithful Fox jumped into the well and scolded the youth for ignoring his advice. _The Fox returns to help despite the youth's mistake._ > But yet I cannot give it up so, he said; I will help you up again into daylight. He bade him grasp his tail and keep tight hold of it; and then he pulled him up. The Fox said he would still help, instructing the youth to hold his tail tightly as he pulled him out. _The Fox rescues the youth from the well._ > You are not out of all danger yet, said the Fox. Your brothers were not sure of your death, and have surrounded the wood with watchers, who are to kill you if you let yourself be seen. The Fox warned that the brothers had set watchers in the woods to kill him if he appeared. _The Fox alerts the youth to further danger._ > But a poor man was sitting upon the road, with whom the youth changed clothes, and in this way he got to the King's palace. The youth swapped clothes with a poor man and thus entered the palace unrecognized. _The youth disguises himself to reach the palace._ > No one knew him, but the Bird began to sing, the Horse began to eat, and the beautiful maiden left off weeping. Though unrecognized, the bird started singing, the horse ate, and the princess stopped crying. _The treasures respond to the youth's presence._ > The King, astonished, asked, What does this mean? Then the maiden said, I do not know, but I have been so sorrowful and now I am so happy! I feel as if my true bridegroom had come. The amazed King asked what was happening, and the princess said she felt as if her true bridegroom had arrived. _The princess senses the youth's return._ > She told him all that had happened, although the other brothers had threatened her with death if she were to betray anything. She revealed everything to the King, despite the brothers' threats to kill her if she spoke. _The princess exposes the brothers' treachery._ > The King commanded that all people who were in his castle should be brought before him; and amongst them came the youth in his ragged clothes; but the maiden knew him at once and fell upon his neck. The King ordered everyone in the castle to assemble, and when the youth appeared in rags, the princess immediately recognized and embraced him. _The youth is revealed and reunited with the princess._ > The wicked brothers were seized and put to death, but he was married to the beautiful maiden and declared heir to the King. The evil brothers were executed, and the youth married the princess and was named the King's heir. _Justice is served and the youth is rewarded._ > Long afterwards the King's son was once again walking in the wood, when the Fox met him and said, You have everything now that you can wish for, but there is never an end to my misery, and yet it is in your power to free me. Later, the youth encountered the Fox again, who said he still suffered and only the youth could free him. _The Fox reappears to request liberation._ > And again he asked him with tears to shoot him dead and chop off his head and feet. The Fox tearfully repeated his request to be shot and dismembered. _The Fox pleads for the same reward._ > So he did it, and scarcely was it done when the Fox was changed into a man, and was no other than the brother of the beautiful princess, who at last was freed from the magic charm which had been laid upon him. The youth complied, and immediately the Fox transformed into a man, who was the princess's brother, freed from a magic spell. _The Fox's true identity is revealed._ > And now nothing more was wanting to their happiness as long as they lived. They lived happily ever after with no further needs. _The story concludes with lasting happiness._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-golden-bird - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se/chapters