Maid Maleen Story

The German fairy tale "Maid Maleen," also known as "Jungfrau Maleen," is number 198 in the Brothers Grimm collection. It is the entombed princess, Aarne-Thompson type 870. Karl Mullenhoff first published the story under the title Jungfer Maleen in the fourth volume of his anthology of German legends and folktales. Shannon Hale retells this tale in her 2007 book, "Book of a Thousand Days," for young people. The manga series Ludwig Revolution, which ran from 1999 to 2007, has a different recounting of the story. The fairy tale served as inspiration for the 2015 television movie, Prinzessin Maleen.

Maid Maleen

Maid Maleen Story

The daughter of a monarch, Maid Maleen, has fallen in love with and desires to wed a certain prince. However, her father wants her to wed someone else. Maid Maleen won't give up her love or submit to her father's wishes. The father of Maid Maleen has her locked up in a tower without any windows, with just a single female servant to keep her company. There is enough food and water for Maid Maleen and her servant to endure for seven years. By the end of those seven years, the king believes that his daughter will have acquired the ability to submit to him. Maid Maleen and her servant notice that the seven years are drawing to an end as the food and water start to run low. But no one shows up to set them free. Maid Maleen is compelled to use a bread knife to remove a stone from the tower's wall in order to prevent herself from starving to death.

Maid Maleen in Tower

When Maid Maleen and her servant ultimately make it down from the tower, they learn that an opposing army has occupied the realm. There are no people left; everything has been destroyed, and Maid Maleen's father has fled. There is no one to provide Maid Maleen and her servant with a place to stay or food. They must consume nettles in order to prevent starvation. They eventually travel to another kingdom and land a job in a castle's kitchen.

The prince that Maid Maleen fell in love with seven years before resides in the castle. The prince should marry someone else, according to the prince's father. The bride has already arrived at the castle, and the wedding has a date set. She looks terrible. She hides in her room and doesn't let anyone see her because of this. The bride chooses to have Maid Maleen stand in for her during the ceremony out of fear that everyone would make fun of her appearance on her wedding day. Maid Maleen protests, but the bride threatens to have her put to death if she doesn't comply.

When Maid Maleen is brought before the prince, she is dressed in the bride's attire and jewellery. The prince is astounded at how much Maid Maleen, whom he believes to be either still imprisoned in the tower or dead, resembles his wife. Maid Maleen notices several nettles on the walk to the chapel. She tells the nettles that, in the past, she used to eat them uncooked. The prince inquires as to what she said. She responds that Maid Maleen was in her thoughts. Additionally, Maid Maleen addresses the church entrance and a footbridge. "I am not the genuine bride," she continues, while admonishing them both not to break. The prince inquires as to what she said. She confirms that she was Maid Maleen, whom she claims to have heard of but never met. Before they enter the church and the wedding ceremony begins, the prince drapes a necklace around Maid Maleen's neck. Maleen, the maid, returns to the castle. She changes back into her own clothing, but she preserves the jewellery the prince gave her.

Princess Maleen

The woman the prince's father selected as his wife enters the prince's chamber at night, shrouded in darkness. "What did she say to the nettles?" the prince queries. He continues, saying that if she is unable to respond, she is not his actual wife. The bride claims to have forgotten and needs to ask her maid, who keeps track of everything. She goes to Maid Maleen to inquire. She informs the bride, who then informs the prince. The bride is then questioned by the prince about what she said to the footbridge and the church door. The bride returns both times to speak with Maid Maleen. "I am not the genuine bride," she says, repeating what Maid Maleen had stated. The bride is then asked by the prince to show him her jewellery. In response, she says she doesn't have one. If she lacks it, the prince claims that she cannot be his actual wife. He takes off her veil. The bride explains to the prince that she had a servant take her place because she was worried about being made fun of for her looks. The servant is taken to the prince, who requests it.

A maid named Maleen is presented to the prince. She mentions Maid Maleen on the walk to the church, and the prince informs her that she resembles Maid Maleen exactly. She responds that she is Maid Maleen and that, out of love for the prince, she endured seven years of incarceration, followed by a life of hardship and starvation. Maid Maleen continues, saying that since she and the prince were wed that day, she is now content. The prince accepts Maid Maleen as his bride, and the two of them live happily ever after.

Maid Maleen Summary

Maid Maleen is the daughter of a monarch and falls in love with a certain prince. Her father wants her to marry someone else so that she will no longer be able to submit to him. Maid Maleen refuses to give up her love or submit to her father's wishes. She and her servant are locked up in a tower for seven years, but no one shows up to set them free. Maid Maleen, the maid, returns to the castle and is dressed in the bride's attire and jewellery.

Maid Maleen notices several nettles on the walk to the chapel and tells the prince that she used to eat them uncooked. She also addresses the church entrance and a footbridge. The bride claims to have forgotten and needs to ask her maid, who keeps track of everything.

Tips for Parents

Folktales may impart important lessons to kids. They stand at the nexus of culture and imagination. The maid Maleen grimm tale, which details a specific version of the dream she witnessed, is a wonderful example. Stories usually cover a wide range of topics, so parents should take advantage of the opportunity to answer any questions their children may have. The fact that this story has been passed down through the ages like other folktales can help children learn if you apply this tried-and-true method. Maid Maleen pdf can be downloaded online from the websites.

Conclusion

The daughter of a king, Maid Maleen, develops feelings for a certain prince. In order for her to be unable to surrender to him, her father wants her to marry someone else. Maid Maleen won't give up her affection or comply with her father's instructions. Seven years pass as she and her servant are imprisoned in a tower, but no one comes to liberate them. The maid, Maleen, returns to the palace disguised as the bride and wearing her jewellery.

On the way to the chapel, Maid Maleen observes numerous nettles, and she informs the prince that she used to eat them raw. She also mentions a footbridge and the front of the church.