Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a princess named Elisa and her eleven brothers. They were the children of the King, who loved them dearly. But after the Queen’s death, the King remarried a wicked woman who turned the eleven princes into swans and banished Elisa.
Elisa, heartbroken and alone, had a dream one night. In her dream, a fairy appeared and told her that she could break the spell on her brothers. “But the task will be difficult,” warned the fairy. “You must gather nettles with your bare hands and weave them into eleven coats. During this time, you must not speak or laugh, or the spell will never be broken.”
Determined to save her brothers, Elisa set off on her journey. She found the nettles and began the painful task of weaving the coats. Her hands were sore and bleeding, but she did not complain.
One day, a handsome king found Elisa and was struck by her beauty and grace. Despite her silence, he fell in love with her and took her to his kingdom. The people, not knowing her story, thought her strange and mute.
Meanwhile, Elisa continued her work, even in the face of hardship and misunderstanding. She didn’t stop, not even when she was accused of being a witch and sentenced to be burned at the stake.
On the day of her execution, Elisa’s brothers flew in as swans. Just as the flames were about to touch her, she threw the coats over them. Instantly, they transformed back into princes, and Elisa could finally speak and explain everything.
The king, realizing her bravery and love, asked for her forgiveness. Elisa and the king got married, and they lived happily ever after with her brothers. The kingdom celebrated their union, and they all remembered the brave and loving princess who would do anything for her family.
And that, dear reader, is the story of “The Wild Swans,” a tale that teaches us about the power of love, the courage to face hardships, and the unbreakable bond of family.
Also Read: The Steadfast Tin Soldier
Follow Up Questions
Why did Elisa have to stay silent while she worked to save her brothers?
How do you think Elisa felt when she saw her brothers turn back into princes?
What would you do if you were one of Elisa’s brothers when you turned back into a human?