Bedtime Story: East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon

Good evening and welcome.

I'm so happy to have you here with me today.

Tonight's bedtime story is entitled East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

The story written by Andrew Lang and published in 1889 can be found in the Blue Fairy Book.

I invite you to get comfortable as we hear tonight's bedtime story.

East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

Once upon a time there was a poor husband man who had many children and little to give them in the way of either food or clothing.

They were all pretty but the prettiest of all was the youngest daughter who was so beautiful that there were no bounds to her beauty.

So once it was late on a Thursday evening in autumn and wild weather outside terribly dark and raining so heavily and blowing so hard that the walls of the cottage shook again.

They were all sitting together by the fireside,

Each of them busy with something or other,

When suddenly someone rapped three times against the window pane.

The man went out to see what could be the matter and when he got out there stood a great big white bear.

Good evening to you said the white bear.

Good evening said the man.

Will you give me your youngest daughter said the white bear.

If you will you shall be as rich as you are now poor.

Truly the man would have had no objection to be rich but he thought to himself I must first ask my daughter about this.

So he went in and told them that there was a great white bear outside who had faithfully promised to make them all rich if he might but have the youngest daughter.

She said no and would not hear of it so the man went out again and settled with the white bear that he should come again next Thursday evening and get her answer.

Then the man persuaded her and talked so much to her about the wealth that they would have and what a good thing it would be for herself that at last she made up her mind to go and washed and mended all of her rags made herself as smart as she could and held herself in readiness to set out.

Little enough had she to take with her.

Next Thursday evening the white bear came to fetch her.

She seated herself on his back with her bundle and thus they departed.

When they had gone a great part of the way the white bear said are you afraid?

No that I am not said she.

Keep tight hold of my fur and then there is no danger said he and thus she rode far far away until they came to a great mountain.

Then the white bear knocked on it and a door opened and they went into a castle where there were many brightly colored rooms which shone with gold and silver.

Likewise a large hall in which there was a well-spread table and it was so magnificent that it would be hard to make anyone understand how splendid it was.

The white bear gave her a silver bell and told her that when she needed anything she had but to ring the spell and what she wanted would appear.

So after she had eaten and night was drawn near she grew sleepy after her journey and thought she would like to go to bed.

She rang the bell and scarcely had she touched it before she found herself in a chamber where a bed stood ready-made for her which was as pretty as anyone could wish to sleep in.

It had pillows of silk and curtains of silk fringed with gold and everything that was in the room was of gold or silver but when she had leaned down and put out the light a man came and lay down beside her and behold it was the white bear who cast off the form of a beast during the night.

She never saw him however for he always came after she had put out her light and went away before daylight appeared.

So all went well and happily for a time but then she began to be very sad and sorrowful for all day long she had to go about alone and she did so wish to go home to her father and mother and brothers and sisters.

Then the white bear asked what it was that she wanted and she told him that it was so dull there in the mountain and that she had to go about all alone and that in her parents house at home there were all her brothers and sisters and it was because she could not go to them that she was so sorrowful.

There might be a cure for that said the white bear.

If you would but promise me never to talk with your mother alone but only when the others are there too for she will take hold of your hand he said and will want to lead you in to a room to talk with you alone but that you must by no means do or you will bring great misery on both of us.

So one Sunday the white bear came and said that they could now set out to see her father and mother and they journeyed thither.

She sitting on his back and they went a long long way and it took a long long time but at last they came to a large white farmhouse and her brothers and sisters were running about outside it playing and it was so pretty that it was a pleasure to look at it.

Your parents dwell here now said the white bear but do not forget what I said to you or you will do much harm both to yourself and me.

No indeed she said I shall never forget and as soon as she was at home the white bear turned around and went back again.

There were such rejoicings when she went to her parents that it seemed as if they would never come to an end.

Everyone thought that he could never be sufficiently grateful to her for all she had done for them all.

Now they had everything that they wanted and everything was as good as it could be.

They all asked her how she was getting on where she was.

All was well with her too she said and she had everything that she could want.

What other answers she gave I cannot say but I'm pretty sure that they did not learn much from her.

But in the afternoon after they had dined at midday all happened just as the white bear had said.

Her mother wanted to talk with her alone in her own chamber but she remembered what the white bear had said and would on no account go.

What we have to say we can say at any time she answered but somehow or other her mother at last persuaded her and she was forced to tell the whole story.

So she told how every night a man came and lay down beside her when the lights were all put out and how she never saw him because he was always went away before it grew light in the morning and how she continually went about in sadness thinking how happy she would be if she could just but see him and how all day long she had to go about alone and it was so dull and solitary.

Oh cried the mother in horror you are very likely sleeping with a troll but I will teach you a way to see him.

You shall have a bit of one of my candles which you can take away with you hidden in your breast.

Look at him with that when he is asleep but take care not to let any hollow drop upon him.

So she took the candle and hid it in her breast and when evening drew near the white bear came to fetch her away.

When they had gone some distance on their way the white bear asked her if everything had not happened just as he had foretold and she could not but own that it had.

Then if you have done what your mother wished said he you've brought great misery on both of us.

No she said I have not done anything at all.

So when she had reached home and had gone to bed it was just the same as it had been before and a man came and lay down beside her and late at night when she could hear that he was sleeping she got up and kindled a light lit her candle let her light shine on him and saw him and he was the handsomest prince that eyes had ever beheld and she loved him so much that it seemed to her that she must die if she does not kiss him that very moment.

So she did kiss him but while she was doing it she let three drops of hot tallow fall upon his shirt and he awoke.

What have you done now said he you've brought misery on both of us if you had but held out for the space of one year I should have been free.

I have a stepmother who has bewitched me so that I am a white bear by day and a man by night but now all is at an end between you and me and I must leave you and go to her.

She lives in a castle which lies east of the Sun and west of the moon and there too is a princess with a nose who is three L's long and she is now the one whom I must marry.

She wept and lamented but all in vain for go he must.

Then she asked him if she could not go with him but no that could not be.

Can you tell me the way then and I will seek you that I may surely be allowed to do.

Yes you may do that said he but there's no way thither it lies east of the Sun and west of the moon and never would you find your way there.

When she awoke in the morning both the prince and the castle were gone and she was lying on a small green patch in the midst of a dark thick wood by her side lay the self-same bundle of rags which she had brought with her from her own home.

So when she had rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and wept till she was weary she set out on her way and thus she walked for many and many a long day until at last she came to a great mountain.

Outside it an aged woman was sitting playing with the golden apple.

The girl asked her if she knew the way to the prince who lived with his stepmother in a castle which lay east of the Sun and west of the moon and who was to marry a princess with a nose which was three L's long.

How do you happen to know about him?

Inquired the old woman.

Maybe you are she who ought to have had him.

Yes indeed I am she said.

So it is you then said the old woman.

I know nothing about him but that he dwells in a castle which is east of the Sun west of the moon.

You will be a long time in getting to it if ever you get to it at all but you shall have the loan of my horse and then you can ride on it to an old woman who is a neighbor of mine.

Perhaps she can tell you about him.

When you have got there you must just strike the horse beneath the left ear and bid it go home again but you may take the golden apple with you.

So the girl seated herself on the horse and rode for a long long way and at last she came to the mountain where an aged woman was sitting outside with a gold carding comb.

The girl asked her if she knew the way to the castle which lay east of the Sun and west of the moon but she said what the first old woman had said.

I know nothing about it but that it is east of the Sun and west of the moon and that you will be a long time in getting to it if ever you get there at all but you shall have the loan of my horse to an old woman who lives the nearest to me.

Perhaps she may know where the castle is and when you have got to her you may just strike the horse beneath the left ear and bid it go home again.

Then she gave her the gold carding comb for it might perhaps be of use to her she said.

So the girl seated herself on the horse and rode a weary some long way onward again and after a very long time she came to a great mountain where an aged woman was sitting spinning at a golden spinning wheel.

Of this woman too she inquired if she knew the way to the prince and where to find the castle which lay east of the Sun and west of the moon but it was only the same thing once again.

Maybe it was you who should have had the prince of the old woman.

Yes indeed I should have been the one said the girl but this old crone knew the way no better than the others.

It was east of the Sun and west of the moon she knew that and you will be a long time in getting to it if ever you get to it at all she said but you may have the loan of my horse and I think you had better ride to the east wind and ask him perhaps he may know where the castle is and will blow you thither but when you've got to him you must just strike the horse beneath the left ear and he will come home again and then she gave her the golden spinning wheel saying perhaps you may find that you have a use for it.

The girl had to ride for a great many days and for a long and weary some time before she got there but at last she did arrive and then she asked the east wind if he could tell her the way to the prince who dwelt east of the Sun and west of the moon.

Well said these twin I have heard tell of the prince and of his castle but I do not know the way to it for I've never blown so far but if you like I will go with you to my brother the West Wind he may know that for he's much stronger than I am.

You may sit on my back and then I can carry you there.

So she seated herself on his back and they did go so swiftly.

When they got there the east wind went in and said that the girl whom he had brought was the one who ought to have had the prince up at the castle which lay east of the Sun and west of the moon and that now she was traveling about to find him again so he had come there with her and would like to hear if the West Wind knew whereabouts the castle was.

No said the West Wind so far as that have I never blown but if you like I'll go with you to the South Wind for he is much stronger than either of us and he has roamed far and wide and perhaps he can tell you what you want to know.

You may seat yourself on my back and then I will carry you to him.

So she did this and journeyed to the South Wind neither was she very long on the way.

When they had got there the West Wind asked him if he could tell her the way to the castle that lay east of the Sun and west of the moon for she was the girl who ought to marry the prince who lived there.

Oh indeed said the South Wind is that she well he said I have wondered about a great deal in my time and in all kinds of places but I've never blown so far as that.

If you like however I will go with you to my brother the North Wind he is the oldest and strongest of all of us and if he does not know where it is no one in the whole world will be able to tell you.

You may sit upon my back and then I will carry you there.

So she seated herself on his back and off he went from his house in great haste and they were not long on the way.

When they came near the North Wind's dwelling he was so wild and frantic that they felt cold gusts a long while before they got there.

What do you want he roared out from afar and they froze as they heard.

Said the South Wind it is I and this is she who should have had the prince who lives in the castle which lies east of the Sun and west of the moon and now she wishes to ask you if you've ever been there and can tell her the way for she would gladly find him again.

Yes said the North Wind I know where it is I once blew an aspen leaf there but I was so tired that for many days afterward I was not able to blow at all.

However if you really are anxious to go there and are not afraid to go with me I will take you on my back and try if I can blow you there.

Get there I must said she and if there is any way of going I will and I have no fear no matter how fast you go.

Very well then said the North Wind but you must sleep here tonight for if we're ever to get there we must have the day before us.

The North Wind woke her best times next morning and puffed himself up and made himself so big and so strong that it was frightful to see him and away they went high up through the air as if they would not stop until they had reached the very end of the world.

Down below there was such a storm it blew down woods and houses and they were above the sea the ships were wrecked by hundreds and thus they tore on and on and a long time went by and then yet more time passed and still they were above the sea and the North Wind grew tired and more tired and it lasts so utterly weary that he was scarcely able to blow any longer and he sank lower and sank lower lower and lower until at last he went so low that the waves dashed against the heels of the poor girl he was carrying.

Art thou afraid said the North Wind?

I have no fear she said and it was true but they were not very very far from the land and there was just enough strength left in the North Wind to enable him to throw her onto the shore immediately under the windows of a castle which lay east of the Sun and west of the moon but then he was so weary and worn out that he was forced to rest for several days before he could go to his own home again.

Next morning she sat down beneath the walls of the castle to play with Golden Apple and the first person she saw was the maiden with the long nose who was to have the prince.

How much do you want for that gold apple of yours girl said she opening the window it can't be bought either for gold or money answered the girl if it cannot be bought for either gold or money what will buy it you may say what you please said the princess well if I may go to the prince who is here and be with him tonight you shall have it said the girl who had come with the North Wind you may do that said the princess first she had made up her mind what she would do so the princess got the golden apple but when the girl went up to the prince's apartment that night he was asleep for the princess had so contrived it the poor girl called to him and shook him and between wiles she wept but she could not wake him in the morning as soon as day dawned in came the princess with the long nose and drove her out again in the daytime she sat down once more beneath the windows of the castle and began to card with her golden carding comb and then all happened as it had before the princess asked her what she wanted for it and she replied that it was not for sale either for gold or money but then if she wished she could leave to go to the prince and be with him during the night she should have it but when she went up to the prince's room he was again asleep and let her call him shake him or weep as she would he still slept on and she could not put any life in him when daylight came in the morning the princess with the long nose came to and once more drove her away when day had quite come the girl seated herself under the castle windows to spin with her golden spinning wheel and the princess with the long nose wanted to have that also so she opened the window and asked what she would take for it the girl said what she had said on each of the former occasions that it was not for sale either for gold or for money but if she could just get leave to go to the prince who lived there and be with him during the night she would have it yes said the princess I will gladly consent to that but in that place there were some Christian folk who had been carried off and they had been sitting in the chamber which was next to that of the prince and had heard how a woman had been in there who had wept and called on him two nights running and they told the prince of this so that evening when the princess came once more with her sleeping drink he pretended to drink but threw it away behind him for he suspected that it was a sleeping drink so when the girl went into the prince's room this time he was awake and she had to tell him how she had come there you have come just in time said the prince for I should be married tomorrow but I will not have that long-nosed princess and you alone can save me I will say that I want to see what my bride can do and bid her wash the shirt which has the three drops of tallow on it this she will consent to do for she does not know that it is you who let them fall on it but no one can wash them out but one born of Christian folk it cannot be done by one of a pack of trolls and then I will say that no one shall be my bride but the woman who can do this and I know that you can there was great joy and gladness between them all that night but the next day when the wedding was to take place the prince said I must see what my bride can do that you may do said the stepmother I have a fine shirt which I want to wear as my wedding shirt but three drops of tallow have gotten upon it which I want to have washed off and I have vowed to marry no one but the woman who is able to do it if she cannot do that she's not worth having well that was a very small matter they thought and agreed to do it the princess with the long nose began to wash as well as she could but the more she washed and rubbed the larger the spots grew ah you can't wash it at all said the old troll hag who was her mother give it to me but she too had not had the shirt very long in her hands before it looked worse still and the more she washed it and rubbed it the larger and blacker grew the spots so the other trolls had to come and wash but the more they did the blacker and uglier grew the shirt until at length it was as black as if it had been up the chimney oh cried the prince not one of you is good for anything at all there is a beggar girl sitting outside the window and I'll be bound that she can wash better than any of you come in you girl there he cried so she came in can you wash the shirt clean he cried oh I don't know she said but I will try and no sooner had she taken the shirt and dipped it in the water then it was white as driven snow and even whiter than that I will marry you said the prince then the old troll hag flew into such a rage that she burst and the princess with the long nose and all the little trolls must have burst too for they have never been heard of since the prince and his bride set free all the Christian folk who were imprisoned there and took away with them all the gold and silver that they could carry and moved far away from the castle which lay east of the Sun and west of the moon good night