East of the Sun and West of the Moon

Once upon a time there lived a poor cottager who had so many children he could barely give them food or clothing. All the children were lovely, but the loveliest was the youngest daughter. One Thursday evening late in autumn, when the wind howled and the rain rattled against the cottage walls, the family sat gathered round the hearth. Then, all at once, three heavy taps came on the windowpane. The father rose and went outside to see what it was. And what did he see in the dark? A great White Bear, vast as a snowdrift, with eyes that glowed calmly in the rain.

'Good evening to you,' said the White Bear in a low, soft voice. 'And the same to you,' answered the cottager, feeling the wind creep under his shirt. 'Will you give me your youngest daughter?' asked the Bear. 'If you give her to me, I will make you as rich as you are now poor.' The man felt both glad and afraid at once. He went inside and told it all to his family. The youngest daughter shook her head. 'No,' she said. 'No, I will not.' Then the Bear and the father agreed that he would come back the next Thursday evening for an answer.

All week the family talked about the bear. Father told of the fine clothes, the warm house and the good food they would have. Mother stroked her hair. Her brothers and sisters said she was brave. In the end, the youngest daughter thought perhaps it was not so dreadful after all. She washed and mended her rags, made herself as fine as she could, and packed up her little bundle. There was not much to pack. When Thursday evening came, the White Bear stood again outside the cottage, calm as a mountain of snow. She climbed up on his back, held tight to his thick fur, and off they went.

They travelled long through woods and over heaths. 'Are you afraid?' asked the Bear. 'No,' she said, 'not at all.' 'Hold tight to my shaggy fur, and nothing will happen to you.' At last they came to a steep, high mountain. The Bear knocked on the rock face, and a door opened. Inside lay a great castle, room after room, all lit up, all glittering with silver and gold. Tables stood spread with the finest dishes. The Bear gave her a little silver bell. 'When you wish for anything,' he said, 'just ring it, and you shall have it at once.' And so it was.