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AT 0550: Alle volksverhalen
AT 0550 in Lexicon
AT 0550 in Grimm

- Search for the Golden Bird

Quest for the wonderful bird. With the help of an animal (wolf fox) the youngest brother succeeds. On his return he saves his brothers, who betray him. See analysis below: I a, b; II; III a, b; IV; V. ANALYSIS Types 550 and 551. I. Object of the Quest. (a) A bird which steals golden apples from the king's orchard at night drops a golden feather: the king orders a quest for the bird. (b) A sick (blind) king orders a quest for a magic remedy or (c) for the water of youth. II. The Three Sons. Three sons of a king go on the quest. The two elder are unkind to animals (old woman, dwarfs) that they meet, and they fail; but the third is kind and receives the help of the animals. III. Success of the Quest. (a) The hero reaches the tree of the golden bird, but is to receive the bird only after he undertakes further guests. (b) On these he receives a magic horse and a princess, and he takes them, along with the magic bird, home; - or (c) with the help of friendly animals and people the hero reaches a magic garden, where he sees a sleeping princess, lies by her, and on his departure writes his name and leaves it with her. (d) He secures the water of life (youth) and returns home. IV. The Treacherous Brothers. (a) The hero's elder brothers rob him and throw him into a well or (b) wolf's den. (c) He is helped out and his goods restored by his helpful fox or (b) by the wolf, to which he feeds meat. V. Conclusion. (a) The fox is decapitated and becomes a prince. (b) The princess seeks the father of her child and, in spite of the treachery of the elder brothers, finds and marries the hero.

F813.1.1

H1471

B102.1

H1210.1

H1331.1

H1213

H1331.1.2

H1331.1.3

H1324

H1321.2

D1500.1.18

H1321.3

D1338.1.2

L13

B31

I. F813.1.1. Golden apple. H1471. Watch for devastating monster. Youngest alone successful. B102.1. Golden bird. Bird with golden feathers. H1210.1. Quest assigned by father. H1331.1. Quest for marvelous bird. H1213. Quest for remarkable bird caused by sight of one of its feathers. H1331.1.2. Quest for three feathers of marvelous bird. H1331.1.3. Quest for golden bird. H1324. Quest for miraculous remedy. H1321.2. Quest for healing water. D1500.1.18. Magic healing water. H1321.3. Quest for water of youth. D1338.1.2. Water of youth.
II. Q2. Kind and unkind. L13. Compassionate youngest son. B313. Helpful animal an enchanted person. B560. Animals advise man. H1233.6. Animals help hero on quest.
III. H1241. Series of quests. One quest can be accomplished when a second is finished, etc. H1239.3. Quest accomplished by means of objects given by helpers. B184.1. Magic horse. D961. Magic garden. N711.3. Hero finds maiden in (magic) garden. T475.2. Hero lies by princess in magic sleep and begets child. H81.1. Hero lies by sleeping girl and leaves identification token with her. H1242. Youngest brother alone succeeds on quest.
IV. K2211. Treacherous brother. W154.12.3. Ungrateful brothers plot against rescuer. K1932. Impostors claim reward (prize) earned byhero. K1931.4. Impostors throw hero into pit. B391. Animal grateful for food. B544. Animal rescues captive. B435.1. Helpful fox. B435.3. Helpful wolf.
V. D711. Disenchantment by decapitation. H1381.2.1. Princess seeks unknown father of her child. L10. Victorious youngest son. L161. Lowly hero marries princess.

sprookje

Draak Onderzoekingen over de Roman van Walewein (Haarlem, 1939)

*BP I 503 (Grimm No. 57), Coffin 3. - Literary Treatments: Chauvin VI 6 f.

Wesselski Märchen 217 No. 28.