# Siegfrid and Handa explained — On a Pincushion

> Chapter companion for On a Pincushion by Mary De Morgan.

## What happens

In a happy, honest village, the shoemaker's son Siegfrid and the miller's daughter Handa are childhood sweethearts. A strange peddler sells cheap, shoddy shoes, leading the villagers to abandon the local shoemaker, Ralph. Misfortune follows, but Siegfrid, with the help of a Hare and an Owl, retrieves the worn-out shoes, burns them, and finds magical sandals that lead him to rescue Handa. The villagers repent, and Siegfrid marries Handa, restoring peace though the village's former perfection is lost.

## Themes in this chapter

### Consequences of Greed and Discontent

The villagers' greed for cheap shoes leads to the ruin of Ralph, the spread of fever, and the disappearance of children.

### Love and Sacrifice

Siegfrid sacrifices his eye to the Owl and risks everything to rescue Handa, demonstrating selfless love.

### Magic and Moral Lessons

The magical sandals, the talking animals, and the burning shoes teach the villagers the importance of honesty and community loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Siegfrid

The shoemaker's son, brave and selfless, gives his eye to the Owl to rescue Handa.

### Handa

The miller's daughter, Siegfrid's childhood sweetheart, taken by the stranger.

### Ralph

Siegfrid's father, the village shoemaker, abandoned by the villagers.

### The Owl

A magical creature who demands Siegfrid's eye in exchange for the villagers' shoes.

### Poor Hare

A kind hare who helps Siegfrid by revealing how to rescue Handa.

## Key lines

> The boy is right, said the miller; we behaved very wickedly and selfishly, and we have been justly punished for our conduct.

The miller admits that the villagers' selfishness caused their own suffering.

_A moment of collective repentance after the village's misfortunes._

> I would give both my eyes for Handa, only then I should not be able to see her at all.

Siegfrid would sacrifice anything for Handa, but fears losing the ability to see her.

_Highlights Siegfrid's deep love and the tension of sacrifice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/siegfrid-and-handa
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_a_pincushion_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters