The Three Black Princesses
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Adapted Version
One day, a boy named Tom walks far. He finds a big dark castle. It is in the forest. It is very quiet inside.
The rooms are dark. The chairs are dark. The tables are dark. Then three princesses come in. They wear dark cloaks. They look very sad.
"Please help us," says the first princess. "We are under a spell," says she. "Be very quiet and patient," says the third princess. "Then the spell will go away."
Tom wants to help. "I will try," he says. He sits and waits. He is very quiet. Many days go by.
But Tom misses his papa. "I miss my home," he says. The princesses smile. "You can go home," they say. "Here is a magic coat. But come back soon!"
Tom puts on the magic coat. He is home! Papa hugs him. Mama hugs him. "Where did you go?" asks Papa. "I found a dark castle," says Tom. "Three sad princesses live there. They need my help."
Mama looks worried. "I am not sure," she says. "Take this special water. Put it on them. Then we will know they are good."
Tom goes back to the castle. He is a little worried. The princesses are sleeping. He puts the special water on them.
The princesses wake up. Their dark cloaks are now half bright. But they do not smile. They look very sad. "Oh no," says the first princess. "You did not wait," says the second princess. "Now we cannot be free," says the third princess. Tom feels bad. "I am sorry," he says.
The castle starts to fade. It fades like morning fog. The walls go away. The chairs go away. The tables go away. Soon there is no castle. There is only the forest.
Tom walks home slowly. He thinks about the princesses. He thinks about their sad faces. "I wish I was more patient," he says. "I wish I did listen."
He tells Papa and Mama. "I made a mistake," he says. "I did not wait."
Sometimes we must wait and listen. That is how we help.
And he never forgot.
Original Story
The three black princesses
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
East India was besieged by an enemy who would not retire until he had received six hundred dollars. Then the townsfolk caused it to be proclaimed by beat of drum that whosoever was able to procure the money should be burgomaster. Now there was a poor fisherman who fished on the lake with his son, and the enemy came and took the son prisoner, and gave the father six hundred dollars for him. So the father went and gave them to the great men of the town, and the enemy departed, and the fisherman became burgomaster. Then it was proclaimed that whosoever did not say, "Mr. Burgomaster," should be put to death on the gallows.
The son got away again from the enemy, and came to a great forest on a high mountain. The mountain opened, and he went into a great enchanted castle, wherein chairs, tables, and benches were all hung with black. Then came three young princesses who were entirely dressed in black, but had a little white on their faces; they told him he was not to be afraid, they would not hurt him, and that he could deliver them. He said he would gladly do that, if he did but know how. At this, they told him he must for a whole year not speak to them and also not look at them, and what he wanted to have he was just to ask for, and if they dared give him an answer they would do so. When he had been there for a long while he said he should like to go to his father, and they told him he might go. He was to take with him this purse with money, put on this coat, and in a week he must be back there again.
Then he was caught up, and was instantly in East India. He could no longer find his father in the fisherman's hut, and asked the people where the poor fisherman could be, and they told him he must not say that, or he would come to the gallows. Then he went to his father and said, "Fisherman, how hast thou got here?" Then the father said, "Thou must not say that, if the great men of the town knew of that, thou wouldst come to the gallows." He, however, would not stop, and was brought to the gallows. When he was there, he said, "O, my masters, just give me leave to go to the old fisherman's hut." Then he put on his old smock-frock, and came back to the great men, and said, "Do ye not now see? Am I not the son of the poor fisherman? Did I not earn bread for my father and mother in this dress?" Hereupon his father knew him again, and begged his pardon, and took him home with him, and then he related all that had happened to him, and how he had got into a forest on a high mountain, and the mountain had opened and he had gone into an enchanted castle, where all was black, and three young princesses had come to him who were black except a little white on their faces. And they had told him not to fear, and that he could deliver them. Then his mother said that might very likely not be a good thing to do, and that he ought to take a holy-water vessel with him, and drop some boiling water on their faces.
He went back again, and he was in great fear, and he dropped the water on their faces as they were sleeping, and they all turned half-white. Then all the three princesses sprang up, and said, "Thou accursed dog, our blood shall cry for vengeance on thee! Now there is no man born in the world, nor will any ever be born who can set us free! We have still three brothers who are bound by seven chains they shall tear thee to pieces." Then there was a loud shrieking all over the castle, and he sprang out of the window, and broke his leg, and the castle sank into the earth again, the mountain shut to again, and no one knew where the castle had stood.
- * * * *
Story DNA
Moral
Misguided advice, even from loved ones, can lead to irreversible and tragic consequences.
Plot Summary
A poor fisherman's son, whose father became burgomaster after his capture, escapes and finds an enchanted castle inhabited by three black princesses. They tell him he can free them by not speaking to or looking at them for a year. Upon returning home, his mother, fearing the princesses are evil, advises him to pour holy water on them. The son, in fear, pours boiling water on the sleeping princesses, partially breaking their enchantment but also incurring their curse, as they reveal he has doomed them and their brothers will seek vengeance. The castle sinks, and the son escapes with a broken leg, leaving the princesses' fate sealed.
Themes
Emotional Arc
hope to despair
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Grimm's fairy tales often reflect societal anxieties and moral lessons of 19th-century Germany, though this particular tale is less common and more ambiguous in its moral.
Plot Beats (12)
- An enemy besieges East India, demanding 600 dollars.
- A poor fisherman's son is taken prisoner, and the father receives 600 dollars for him, which he uses to become burgomaster.
- The son escapes and finds an enchanted castle where everything is black, and three black princesses reside.
- The princesses tell the son he can deliver them from their enchantment by not speaking to or looking at them for a year.
- After a long time, the son wishes to visit his father and is given a magical purse and coat, with instructions to return in a week.
- The son returns to East India, finds his father is now burgomaster, and nearly faces execution for addressing him as 'fisherman'.
- The son reveals his identity to his father and recounts his adventures in the enchanted castle.
- The son's mother, suspicious of the princesses, advises him to pour holy water on them to test if they are evil.
- The son returns to the castle, filled with fear, and pours boiling water on the sleeping princesses.
- The princesses awaken, now half-white, and curse the son, revealing he has ruined their chance for full liberation and that their brothers will seek vengeance.
- The castle begins to shriek and sink, and the son jumps from a window, breaking his leg.
- The mountain closes, and the castle vanishes, leaving no trace.
Characters
The Fisherman's Son ★ protagonist
Unspecified, but strong enough to fish and endure captivity.
Attire: Initially a smock-frock (peasant's tunic), later a fine coat provided by the princesses.
Obedient (initially), curious, somewhat naive, easily swayed by advice.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his late teens with a sturdy build, sun-weathered skin, and short, salt-tousled brown hair. He wears a simple, rough-spun tunic in faded blue, patched trousers, and goes barefoot. His expression is one of quiet determination, looking directly ahead with clear, focused eyes. He stands straight, holding a worn fishing net slung over one shoulder. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fisherman ◆ supporting
Unspecified, but implied to be poor and working class.
Attire: Simple fisherman's attire, later implied to be more formal as burgomaster.
Desperate, ambitious, fearful of authority, loving towards his son.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly fisherman with a deeply weathered face and kind, tired eyes. He has a thick, graying beard and wears a faded, wide-brimmed straw hat. His clothing consists of a patched, oatmeal-colored linen tunic, worn brown canvas trousers tied at the waist with a rope belt, and heavy, mud-stained leather boots. He is standing with a slight stoop, holding a large, empty wicker fishing basket in his weathered hands. A coarse fishing net is draped over his shoulder. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The First Black Princess ◆ supporting
Dressed entirely in black, with a little white on her face. Becomes half-white after the water is dropped on her.
Attire: Entirely black gown, implied to be regal.
Enchanted, hopeful for deliverance, vengeful when betrayed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman with deep, rich dark skin and voluminous natural hair styled in an elegant updo. She wears a flowing gown of royal blue silk with delicate gold embroidery at the neckline and sleeves. Her expression is serene and observant, with a gentle, knowing smile. She stands gracefully in a relaxed posture, one hand lightly touching a pendant at her throat. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Second Black Princess ◆ supporting
Dressed entirely in black, with a little white on her face. Becomes half-white after the water is dropped on her.
Attire: Entirely black gown, implied to be regal.
Enchanted, hopeful for deliverance, vengeful when betrayed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late teens with deep brown skin and elegant features. She wears a fitted gown of midnight blue velvet with intricate silver embroidery along the bodice and sleeves. A delicate silver circlet rests on her coiled black hair, which is adorned with small, dark jewels. Her expression is calm and observant, with a slight, knowing smile. She stands poised with one hand gently resting on the back of an ornate wooden chair. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Third Black Princess ◆ supporting
Dressed entirely in black, with a little white on her face. Becomes half-white after the water is dropped on her.
Attire: Entirely black gown, implied to be regal.
Enchanted, hopeful for deliverance, vengeful when betrayed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young royal woman in her late teens with deep brown skin and an elegant, observant expression. Her hair is styled in intricate braids woven with small, dark jewels. She wears a flowing gown of layered black silk with subtle silver embroidery at the cuffs and high collar. Her posture is poised and ready, one hand gently resting on the back of a carved wooden chair. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fisherman's Mother ○ minor
Unspecified.
Attire: Simple peasant dress.
Suspicious, superstitious, gives ill-advised counsel.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly woman with a deeply lined, weathered face and kind, tired eyes. Her gray hair is pulled back in a simple bun under a faded linen headscarf. She wears a patched, earth-toned wool dress over a white apron, with a thick shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She stands slightly stooped, holding a wooden bowl, her expression one of quiet resilience. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Enchanted Castle on a High Mountain
A great enchanted castle, wherein chairs, tables, and benches were all hung with black. It is located inside a high mountain that opens to reveal it.
Mood: mysterious, eerie, enchanted, somber, foreboding
The son discovers the princesses and learns of their enchantment. Later, he attempts to free them, leading to their curse and his escape.
Image Prompt & Upload
A colossal mountain split open at twilight, revealing an enchanted castle nestled within the jagged stone. The castle is built of dark, glistening obsidian, its towers and battlements merging seamlessly with the interior rock face. A faint, eerie purple glow emanates from tall, narrow windows, hinting at the black-draped interiors. The mountain's opening is framed by ancient, gnarled pines dusted with snow. A frozen waterfall cascades silently beside the entrance. The sky above is a deep indigo, with a sliver of moon casting cold light on the scene. Bioluminescent moss clings to the mountain's inner walls, providing a subtle blue-green illumination. The air is still and heavy with enchantment. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
East India Town Square/Gallows
The central area of East India where public proclamations are made and executions are carried out. The gallows are a prominent feature.
Mood: tense, authoritarian, public, fearful
The son is brought to the gallows for not addressing his father as 'Mr. Burgomaster', leading to his identity reveal and reconciliation with his father.
Image Prompt & Upload
A somber dusk settles over the East India Town Square, the sky a gradient of bruised purple and deep orange. The central cobblestone plaza is dominated by a stark, weathered wooden gallows, its silhouette dark against the fading light. Surrounding the square are austere colonial-era buildings with shuttered windows and clay-tiled roofs, their plaster walls washed in pale yellows and blues. A few lonely, twisted palm trees cast long shadows. The air feels heavy and still, with a faint mist clinging to the ground, illuminated by the warm, flickering glow of a single wrought-iron streetlamp near the gallows. The overall atmosphere is historic, solemn, and hauntingly quiet. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Fisherman's Hut
The humble dwelling of the poor fisherman, presumably small and simple.
Mood: humble, familiar, domestic
The son returns here to find his father and later dons his old clothes to prove his identity. His mother gives him advice here regarding the princesses.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, weathered wooden hut sits on a quiet, misty coastline at dawn. The simple, single-room structure has a thatched roof, a crooked chimney, and a single glowing window. A rickety wooden dock extends into calm, glassy waters where a lone rowboat is beached on the shore. Soft pastel colors of pink and lavender light break through the coastal fog, illuminating the wet sand and smooth pebbles. Gentle waves lap at the shore, and sparse, windswept grasses dot the sandy terrain. The atmosphere is serene, humble, and isolated. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
