There was once a king and a queen, who had an only daughter. She was called Lilla (Little) Rosa, and was both fair and wise, so that she was much beloved by all who knew her. But after some time the queen died, and the king took another wife. The new queen also had an only daughter, but she was of a proud disposition and ugly of aspect, so that she acquired the name of Long Leda. Both stepsisters grew up together in the royal court; but everyone who saw them observed a great difference between them. Both the queen and Long Leda were bitterly envious of Lilla Rosa, and did her all the harm in their power. But the king's daughter was at all times gentle and submissive, and willingly performed her tasks, however heavy they might be. At this the queen was still more embittered, and grew more and more malignant, the more Lilla Rosa strove to please her in all things.
It happened one day, as the two princesses were walking in the garden, that they heard the head-gardener speaking to his man, and bidding him fetch an axe that had been left among the trees. On hearing this, the queen said that Lilla Rosa should go after the axe. The head-gardener objected and said that so mean an errand was ill-befitting the daughter of a king; but the queen persisted and prevailed. When Little Rosa came into the wood, as the queen had commanded, she soon found where the axe lay; but three white doves had perched on the haft. So taking some bread she had brought with her, she crumbled it and held it out to the little doves, saying: "My poor little doves! you must now go away; for I am compelled to carry the axe to my stepmother." The doves ate from the maiden's hand, willingly quitted the haft, and Lilla Rosa took away the axe, as she had been commanded.
She had not been gone long when the doves began to converse together, and to consider what reward they should bestow on the young damsel who had been so kind to them. One said: "I will give, that she shall be twice as fair as she now is." The second said: “I will give, that her hair shall be turned to golden hair." " And I," added the third, " will give, that every time she laughs a ring of red gold shall fall from her mouth." Having thus spoken, the doves flew their respective ways; but all came to pass as they had said. So when Lilla Rosa came back to her stepmother, all were amazed at her incomparable beauty, at her fine golden locks, and at the red gold rings that fell from her whenever she laughed. But the queen found out all that had taken place, and from that moment entertained a more intense hatred towards her stepdaughter than before.
The wicked stepmother now meditated both day and night only how her own daughter might become as beautiful as Lilla Rosa. To this end she secretly summoned the head-gardener to her presence, and told him what he should do. She then went with both princesses to walk in the flower-garden, according to her custom. As they passed by the head-gardener, he said that he had left his axe among the trees, and bade his man fetch it; whereupon the queen said that Long Leda should go for the axe. The head- gardener objected to this, as was just, and thought that so mean an errand was ill-befitting a young lady of rank; but the queen persisted and gained her object.
When Long Leda came into the wood, as the queen had ordered, she soon saw where the axe lay; but the three beautiful white doves were again sitting on the haft. On seeing them the evil-disposed damsel could not repress her ill-humour, but cast stones at the birds, cursed them, and said: "Away, ye ugly creatures! You shall not sit here and foul the axe-handle that I am to lay hold of with my white hands." At this address the doves flew away, and Long Leda took the axe, as she had been ordered. But she had not proceeded far on her return, when the doves began to converse together, and to consider what reward they should bestow on the ill-natured damsel for her malice. One of them said: "I will give her, that she shall be twice as ugly us =he now is." The second said: "I will give, that her hair shall be like a thorn-bush." "And I," added the third, "will give, that a toad shall spring out of her mouth every time she laughs." Having so spoken, the three doves flew their several ways; but all came to pass as they had said. When, therefore, Long Leda returned to her mother, she was wonder-struck at her loathsome aspect, at her hair, which resembled a thorn-bush, and at the toad which issued from her mouth every time she laughed. She was, as might be expected, deeply afflicted at this misfortune, and, it is said, neither she nor her daughter ever laughed from that day.
The stepmother could now no longer endure the sight of Lilla Rosa, but strove to injure and destroy her. With this view she secretly called to her a shipmaster, who was going to a far distant land, and promised him a great reward if he would take the king's daughter on board his ship, and sink her in the bottom of the sea. Allured by the promised gold, the great root of evil in this world, the shipmaster carried off Lilla Rosa by night, as her step- mother had desired. But when the vessel had put out to sea, and had sailed far away on the raging ocean, a violent storm arose, so that the ship perished, with freight and crew, all except Lilla Rosa, who was borne by the waves until she reached a green isle far out in the sea.
Here she long continued without hearing or seeing a single human being, her food consisting of wild berries and roots, which grew in the woods. One day, while wandering on the sea-shore, she found the head and leg of a fawn that had been killed by the wild beasts. As the flesh was still fresh, she took the leg and set it on a pole, that the little birds might see it the better, and come and feed upon it. She then lay down on the earth, and slept for a short time, when she was wakened by a sweet song, more beautiful than anything that can be imagined. Lilla Rosa listened to the delightful notes, and thought she was dreaming; for nothing so exquisite had she ever heard before. On looking around her, she saw that the leg which she had placed as food for the little fowls of heaven was changed to a verdant linden, and the fawn's head to a little nightingale sitting on the linden's summit. But every single small leaf of the tree gave forth a sweet sound, so that their tones together composed a wondrous harmony; and the little nightingale sat among them and sang his lay so beautifully, that all who might hear it would certainly have imagined themselves in heaven. After that day it did not seem to the princess so tedious to dwell alone on the green isle; for whenever she was sad she had only to go to the musical linden, and her heart became glad. Nevertheless, she could not entirely forget her home, but often sat by the sea-shore, casting many a longing look over the wide ocean, whose billows roll be- tween land and land.
One day, as Lilla Rosa was, according to her custom, sitting by the sea, she observed a splendid bark sailing towards her. On the deck were many bold mariners, and their captain was a king's son. When the vessel came under the island, and the sailors heard the delightful song that resounded over the water, they thought that it must be an enchanted land, and would instantly put out to sea again. But their chieftain said that they should not depart until he had ascertained whence the wondrous song proceeded, and his will prevailed. When the king's son came on land, and heard the music of the linden and the song of the nightingale, he was singularly affected; for it seemed to him that he had never heard anything so exquisite and fascinating. But still more wonderful did it appear to him, as he proceeded further, when, under the verdant linden, he saw a damsel sitting, whose hair shone like gold, and whose face was as fair as the driven snow. The prince greeted the beautiful maiden, and asked whether she ruled over the island. Lilla Rosa answered in the affirmative. The prince again inquired whether she were a sea-damsel or a human being, whereupon she related to him the adventures she had passed through, and how she had been cast by a storm on the uninhabited island; she also informed him of her family and descent. At this the king's son was highly gratified, and could not sufficiently admire the young maiden's gentleness and beauty. They discoursed long together, and their conversation ended by the prince's proposal that Lilla Rosa should accompany him home and be his queen, to which she gave her consent.
They then sailed from the island, and arrived in the prince's dominions. But Lilla Rosa took with her the verdant linden, and placed it near the royal palace; and the linden-leaves played and the nightingale sang, so that die whole neighbourhood was delighted.
When Lilla Rosa had been married some time, she gave birth to a male child. She then thought of her aged father, and sent intelligence to him of all she had under-gone; but did not divulge to any one that the queen had been the cause of all her sorrows. At these tidings the old king was overjoyed, as were also his people; for Lilla Rosa was beloved by all.
But the queen and Long Leda were sorely vexed that Lilla Rosa was still living, and took counsel together how they should effect her destruction. The false stepmother, then, having prepared herself accordingly, said that she would go and visit Lilla Rosa. On her arrival she was received in the most friendly manner; for the king's daughter was unwilling to bear in remembrance all the evil her stepmother had perpetrated against her, and the queen herself feigned great friendship and spoke many kind words. One evening the stepmother said to Lilla Rosa that she would make her a present, as a memorial of love and friendship. The stepdaughter, suspecting no treachery, thanked her for the gift, and the queen drew forth a silken sark, every hem of which was embroidered in gold.
But the beautiful sark was wickedly enchanted, so that when Lilia Rosa put it on she was suddenly changed to a goose, that flew through the window, and cast itself into the sea. But as the king's daughter had beautiful golden hair, the goose also had golden feathers. At the same moment the linden ceased its playing, and the song of the nightingale was no longer heard; and the whole palace was overwhelmed with sorrow; but most of all was the consort of Rosa Lilla afflicted, and would not be comforted. At night, when the moon shone, and the king's fishermen were out at sea, looking after their nets, they observed a beautiful goose with golden feathers, which lay swinging to and fro on the billows. At this sight they greatly wondered, and it appeared to them something miraculous. But one night the beautiful goose swam close to the fisher- men's boat, and began to converse with them. After greeting them, it said:
"Good evening, fishers; how are things at home in the royal palace?
Does my linden play?
Does my nightingale sing?
Does my little son weep?
Does my lord ever make himself merry?"
When the fisherman heard this, and recognised the voice of the queen, he was singularly affected, and answered:
"At home, in the royal palace, it goes ill.
Thy linden plays not,
Thy nightingale sings not,
Thy son weeps both by night and by day,
Thy lord never makes himself merry."
The beautiful goose then sighed, and appeared deeply afflicted. She said:
"Poor I! Who now float on the blue waves,
And never more can be what I have been.
Good night, fisher; I will come twice again, and then never more."
At the same moment the bird disappeared; but the fisherman returned home, and recounted to the young king, his master, what he had seen and heard. Thereupon the king commanded that the golden goose should be caught, and promised the fisherman a great reward, if he executed his commission. The man accordingly prepared his snares and other implements, and went out to sea to look after his nets. When the moon had risen, the beautiful golden goose came again swimming on the waves towards his boat. She greeted him, and said:
"Good evening, fishers; how are things at home in the royal palace?
Does my linden play?
Does my nightingale sing?
Does my little son weep?
Does my lord ever make himself merry?"
The fishermen replied:
"At home, in the royal palace, it goes ill.
Thy linden plays not,
Thy nightingale sings not,
Thy son weeps both by night and by day,
Thy lord never makes himself merry."
The beautiful goose then sorely grieved, and said:
"Poor I! Who now float on the blue waves,
And never more can be what I have been.
Good night, fishers; I will come hither once again, and afterwards never more."
With these words the bird was about to go its way; but the fishermen were prepared, and hastily cast their snares over it. The goose then began to beat with its wings, and screamed mournfully: "Let go quickly, or hold fast! Let go quickly, or hold fast!" In the same moment it changed its form, and was changed into serpents, dragons, and other savage creatures. At this sight the fishermen trembled for their lives, and let go the snares, so that the bird escaped.
When the king heard the result of their attempt he was highly displeased, and said, they ought not to have allowed themselves to be frightened by an illusion. He then ordered new and stronger snares to be made ready, in order to catch the golden goose, and forbade the fishermen, on pain of death, to let her escape, when she should next make her appearance. On the third night, when the moon had risen, the king's fishermen again rowed out to sea to look after their nets. They waited a long while, but no golden goose appeared. At length she came floating on the billows, and swam to their boat, greeting them as before.
"Good evening, fishers; how are things at home in the royal palace?
Does my linden play?
Does my nightingale sing?
Does my little son weep?
Does my lord ever make himself merry?"
The fishermen replied:
"At home, in the royal palace, it goes ill.
Thy linden plays not,
Thy nightingale sings not,
Thy son weeps both by night and by day,
Thy lord never makes himself merry."
The beautiful goose then sorely grieved, and said:
"Poor I! Who now float on the blue waves,
And never more can be what I have been.
Good night, fishers; Now I come hither never more."
The goose was then about to go, but the fishermen cast their snares and held her fast. The bird then became very unruly, beat violently with its wings, and screamed: "Let go quickly, or hold fast! Let go quickly, or hold fast!" It then changed its form, and appeared as serpents, dragons, and other dangerous creatures. But the fishermen, dreading the king's wrath, held the snare firmly and fast, and thus succeeded in catching the golden goose, which they conveyed to the king's palace, where it was closely watched, lest it should escape. But the bird was silent and sullen, and would not speak, so that the king's affliction was even greater than before.
It happened some time after that an aged woman, of singular aspect, arrived at the royal palace, and begged to speak with the king. The watch answered, as he was commanded, that the king, in consequence of his sorrow, would not converse with any one. But the woman was extremely urgent, and so gained admittance. When she came before the king, he demanded her errand. She answered: "Sir king, I have been informed that your queen has been transformed into a golden goose, and that you mourn over this great misfortune both night and day. I am now come hither to solve the sorcery and restore your consort to you, provided you will promise to consent to a condition which I shall propose." When the king heard these words, he was exceedingly glad, and asked her what it was she desired. The woman then said: "I have my abode on the declivity of the mountain that lies on the other side of the black river. I now request that you will order a stone wall to be built round the mountain, so that your cattle may not come and annoy me, when they are sent out to graze." This seemed to the king a small request, and he promised readily to grant it however much he might doubt the old woman's ability to keep her word, according to her engagement. The old woman now requested to see the beautiful silken sark, which Lilla Rosa had received as a token of affection from her stepmother. The king ordered the sark to be brought, and they then proceeded together to the apartment in which the golden goose was confined. On entering it, the Troll-woman went up to the beautiful goose and drew the garment over it. The sorcery was then at an end, Little Rosa recovered her natural form, and, in place of a golden goose, there stood a beautiful woman with golden locks, as before. At the same instant the linden again began to play, and the nightingale to sing in its summit, so that it was delightful to hear. There was now rejoicing throughout the palace; and the king, seeing that the old woman had told the truth, religiously kept to his promise.
Lilla Rosa and her consort afterwards made preparations to go and visit the king, Rosa's father. On seeing them the old king was so overjoyed that he seemed to be restored to youth, and the whole kingdom rejoiced with him, for all had heard what a misfortune had befallen the king's daughter. But there was one who was not glad, and that was the queen; for she well knew that her treachery was discovered and her time out. And when the old king was informed of the falsehood and cruelty that his daughter had experienced from her wicked stepmother, he was bitterly exasperated, and doomed the queen to death. But Lilla Rosa interceded for the life of her stepmother, and the king granted her prayer, but placed his consort in a prison tower for the remainder of her days. The queen's daughter, Long Leda, shared the fate of her mother; but the young king and Lilla Rosa returned to their own kingdom. And there the linden plays, and the nightingale sings; there the prince weeps neither by day nor night there and the king constantly makes himself merry.