East of the Sun and West of the Moon

A poor farmer’s youngest daughter makes a difficult bargain with a White Bear who promises wealth for her family if he may take her away. She rides on his back to a magnificent castle where, by night, he transforms into a charming Prince while she lives in lonely luxury. However, she grows homesick and longs to see her family, so the Prince allows her to visit them with one strict warning: never listen to her mother’s advice. Her mother tricks her into revealing the secret, and the daughter lights a candle to see her husband’s true form, accidentally burning him with hot tallow. This act breaks the spell, forcing the Prince to leave for a distant castle East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Refusing to give up, the young woman embarks on a long journey, seeking guidance from three old hags who lend her magical gifts. She eventually enlists the help of the four winds, who carry her across the sky to the faraway castle. There, she trades her magical items for chances to see the Prince, who has been enchanted into a deep sleep by his step-mother. With the help of freed captives, the Prince fakes illness to test his new bride and exposes the trolls’ inability to wash the tallow spots from his shirt. The young daughter proves she is the only one who can clean it, breaking the final enchantment and freeing them both. They escape with their treasure and return home, leaving the wicked troll family behind.