Lullventyr
Brother and Sister — cover illustration
Classic story

Brother and Sister

by Andrew Lang

A brother and sister flee their cruel stepmother and wander into a deep, enchanted forest. Brother becomes thirsty, but Sister cleverly stops him from drinking water that turns drinkers into wild animals. Tragically, he drinks at the third stream and is transformed into a little Roe. Sister vows never to leave her beloved fawn and they find a cozy home together in the woods. Soon, the sound of a royal hunt draws the little Roe out to join the festivities. He plays happily during the day but returns home each evening using a special secret phrase known only to his sister. The King hears this magical rhyme and discovers the hidden house, where he meets and falls in love with Sister. They marry and live happily in the castle, with the little Roe by their side. Meanwhile, the wicked stepmother plots to destroy them by impersonating the Queen after she gives birth. The real Queen survives the witch's trap and visits her baby secretly each night. The King eventually recognizes his true wife, who is restored to life and health. The evil witch and her daughter are punished for their cruel deeds. With the darkness gone, Brother is finally freed from his animal form forever. The reunited siblings enjoy a joyful and peaceful life in the palace garden.

How it begins

Brother took sister by the hand and said: 'Look here; we haven't had one single happy hour since our mother died. That stepmother of ours is hard and cruel to us every day, and if we dare go near her she pushes us away. We never get anything but hard dry crusts to eat—why, the dog under the table is better off than we are. She does throw him a good morsel or two now and then. Oh dear! if our own dear mother only knew all about it! Come along, and let us go forth into the wide world together.' So off they started through fields and meadows, over hedges and ditches, and walked the whole day long, and…

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