Ashputtel (like Cinderella) - Grimm's Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm - 35

Summary

In "Ashputtel," a retelling of a classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, a kind girl faces hardship after her mother’s death and her father's remarriage. Treated as a servant by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, Ashputtel remains resilient, finding solace at her mother’s grave. With the help of magical birds and a hazel tree, she secretly attends a royal ball, enchanting the prince with her beauty. After a series of trials involving a lost golden slipper, Ashputtel ultimately reveals her true identity, overcoming her adversities to claim her rightful place as the prince's bride.

Takeaways

• 🌟 A rich man's wife advises her daughter to always be good before passing away.
• 🌧️ The daughter, mourning her mother's death, becomes a servant to her new stepmother and stepsisters.
• 👗 The stepsisters mock and mistreat the girl, relegating her to kitchen work and giving her the name Ashputtel.
• 🌿 The girl's father brings home a hazel twig, which she plants at her mother's grave, nurturing it with her tears.
• 🐦 A bird builds a nest in the tree and grants Ashputtel her wishes, providing her with beautiful dresses.
• 🎉 The king hosts a three-day feast to find a bride for his son, and Ashputtel longs to attend.
• 🌟 Despite her stepmother's objections, Ashputtel attends the ball with the help of her bird friend and beautiful dresses.
• 👑 The prince dances only with Ashputtel, unaware of her true identity as she hides her beautiful clothes before returning home.
• 🥀 The prince searches for the owner of a golden slipper that Ashputtel drops while escaping after the ball.
• 💔 After two false brides, Ashputtel reveals herself, fitting the slipper perfectly, and she is recognized as the true bride.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the story of Ashputtel?

The main theme of 'Ashputtel' is the triumph of kindness and virtue over cruelty and jealousy, as demonstrated by Ashputtel's resilience despite her hardships.

What happens to Ashputtel after her mother dies?

After her mother's death, Ashputtel is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, forced into servitude, and given the derogatory nickname 'Ashputtel' due to her dirty appearance.

How does Ashputtel's mother influence her after death?

Before her death, Ashputtel's mother urges her to always be a good girl, promising to watch over her from heaven, which guides Ashputtel's kind behavior throughout her trials.

What magical assistance does Ashputtel receive?

Ashputtel receives magical assistance from a bird that appears after she plants a twig from her father's journey, which provides her with beautiful dresses and helps her go to the king's feast.

How do Ashputtel's stepsisters react to her participation in the ball?

Ashputtel's stepsisters do not recognize her in her beautiful clothes and assume she is a strange princess, as they believe she is at home in rags.

What trick do Ashputtel's stepsisters attempt regarding the golden slipper?

Ashputtel's stepsisters try to fit into the golden slipper by inflicting harm on themselves, with one cutting off her toe and the other squeezing her foot, but they fail to deceive the prince.

What role does the hazel tree play in the story?

The hazel tree is a symbol of Ashputtel's connection to her mother and serves as a source of magical assistance, providing her with elegant clothing for the ball.

How does Ashputtel ultimately reveal her identity to the prince?

Ashputtel reveals her identity by washing herself and fitting perfectly into the golden slipper, which confirms her as the true bride.

What does the story suggest about virtue and morality?

The story suggests that virtue and kindness will ultimately be rewarded, as Ashputtel's goodness leads to her happiness and recognition, contrasting with her stepsisters' cruelty.

What is the significance of the bird in Ashputtel's story?

The bird represents guidance and support, acting as a magical helper that aids Ashputtel in her moments of despair and plays a crucial role in her transformation for the ball.