The Stone of Plouhinec Story in English | Stories for Teenagers | @EnglishFairyTales

Summary

In this charming fairy tale set in the French village of Pluineck, protective brother Marzine shields his beloved sister Rosinek from unsuitable suitors — unaware she loves the humble woodcutter Bernese. A deceptive witch, Daario, seeks riches and Rosinek’s hand, learning of a rare purple apple that allows thieves to plunder the treasure revealed when ancient stones drink at night. Bernese, lured into the scheme, helps draw the treasure but is saved when the living stones judge honesty and punish Daario. In the end virtue triumphs: Bernese and Rosinek marry, proving integrity and love beat greed.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story is set in a small town called Pluineck in France, featuring two rows of towering stones with mystical qualities.
• 😀 Marzine, the protective brother of Rosnick, refuses all marriage proposals for her, believing she deserves a prince, not a common man.
• 😀 Rosnick is in love with her childhood friend Bernese, who is a poor woodcutter, but Marzine remains unaware of their feelings.
• 😀 A mysterious man named Dario, who claims to be a witch, arrives at Marzine's house and requests food and shelter in exchange for using his magic to find a suitable prince for Rosnick.
• 😀 Dario overhears a conversation between a donkey and a sheep, learning about the treasure hidden beneath the stones in Pluineck, which can only be accessed once every hundred years.
• 😀 Dario embarks on a quest to find the elusive purple apple, which is necessary to safely retrieve the treasure hidden under the stones.
• 😀 After much searching, Dario finds the purple apple and heads to the stone avenue where Bernese is carving a heart on a stone, symbolizing his love for Rosnick.
• 😀 Dario convinces Bernese to help him retrieve the treasure, promising wealth in exchange, but only if Bernese agrees to perform a morally questionable act.
• 😀 During the treasure retrieval, Dario’s greed leads to his downfall, as he is caught by the stones and turned into dust, while Bernese is spared for his honesty.
• 😀 Bernese refuses to take the treasure for himself and is instead rewarded by the stones for his virtuous actions, symbolizing the value of integrity over material wealth.
• 😀 The story ends with Bernese and Rosnick marrying, with Marzine finally accepting Bernese as a suitable match for his sister, realizing that love and honesty are more important than wealth.

Q & A

What is the significance of the tall stones in the town of Pluineck?

The tall stones in Pluineck are believed to have been placed upright by fairies. They have a magical property: every hundred years, they move to the river to drink, uncovering treasures underneath. This event is central to the plot, as it provides the opportunity for treasure hunting and eventual conflict.

How does Marzine's protective nature affect his sister Rosinek's future?

Marzine is very protective of Rosinek and rejects all marriage proposals, believing that she deserves a prince, not a common man. This overprotectiveness prevents Rosinek from openly pursuing her love for her childhood friend, Bernese, causing tension in the story.

What is the relationship between Bernese and Rosinek?

Bernese and Rosinek are childhood friends who secretly love each other. However, due to Marzine's interference, they are unable to express their feelings openly, creating a central emotional conflict in the story.

Who is Dario, and what role does he play in the plot?

Dario is a witch who seeks food and shelter from Marzine and his family. In exchange, Dario promises to help find a suitable prince for Rosinek's marriage. However, he is motivated by greed and ambition, as he later tries to use magic to gain treasure and marry Rosinek himself.

What is the importance of the purple apple in the story?

The purple apple is a rare and magical item that grants the holder protection from the stones when they are uncovering treasures. Dario acquires the purple apple in his quest for wealth, believing it will protect him from the stones' wrath.

How does Dario's greed lead to his downfall?

Dario's greed leads him to steal the treasure beneath the stones with the help of Bernese, but his failure to adhere to the moral stipulation—being a person free from sin—results in his punishment. Dario is ultimately turned into dust by the stones as retribution for his wrongdoings.

What is the significance of Bernese's moral code in the story?

Bernese's strong moral code, which prioritizes virtue over wealth, distinguishes him from Dario. His refusal to participate in wrongdoing ultimately leads to his survival and success, as he earns the respect and reward of the stones for his honesty.

What lesson does Marzine learn by the end of the story?

Marzine learns that wealth and status are not the most important factors in finding a suitable partner for his sister. He comes to realize that love, respect, and integrity—qualities embodied by Bernese—are more valuable than money or a princely title.

What role do the stones play in Bernese's survival and success?

The stones serve as both a trial and a reward in the story. They recognize Bernese's honesty and moral integrity, saving him when Dario is punished. They even give him the treasure that Dario had sought, acknowledging Bernese as a worthy man.

How does the story conclude for Bernese and Rosinek?

The story concludes with Bernese and Rosinek marrying in a grand ceremony. Marzine, once protective and blind to their love, finally accepts Bernese as a suitable match for his sister. The couple’s happiness symbolizes the triumph of genuine love over materialism.