In a tale of the fairy named Vespera, love conquers all, retold from Brothers Grimm

Five minute bedtime story for beginning readers.

Our story begins in the old stone castle that stands in the middle of a tangle of roots and vines deep in the forest. Alone in the castle lived an old fairy named Vespera with pale blue skin and eyes like moonstones. She was known to the woodland creatures as the Bird Lady. Vespera was a curious creature who could take any shape she pleased. All day long, she flew about in the form of a bird or crept about like a cat, but at night, she always became an old woman again. She was very lonely, and her only companions were the songs of birds that drifted through the forest from the nearby village.

A tale of the fairy named Vespera

One especially beautiful summer evening, a gentle maiden named Jorinda and a shepherd lad named Jorindel went for a walk in the forest. Jorindel was very fond of Jorinda, and they were soon to be married. Humming merry tunes, they wandered a long way. 

The last rays of the setting sun shone bright. Jorinda sat down to rest. Jorindel saw through the bushes that they had, without knowing it, sat down close under the old walls of the castle. Then he shrank for fear, turned pale, and trembled. Jorinda was singing, unaware of her surroundings. When her song stopped suddenly. Jorindel turned to see the reason, and beheld his Jorinda changed into a nightingale.

Jorinda and Jorindel walking near the castle

Now, Vespera had a magical gift. When she felt lonely, she could call beautiful birds to her. Sadly, she had a hard time making friends with people, so she would turn young maidens into birds. She kept them in cages. There were seven hundred of these cages hanging in the castle, all with beautiful birds. Her heart was not cruel, but her actions were wrong.

Trapped maidens in Vespera's bird cages

Jorinda, with her flowing honey-brown hair and gentle laughter, caught Vespera’s attention. “Such a beautiful songbird she would make,” With a flicker of her hand, Jorinda vanished, and a nightingale with feathers the color of sunlit amber appeared, chirping a sad, sweet melody.

Jorindel gasped, but he couldn’t move a muscle. It wasn’t fear that held him in place but a strange sense of wonder. He watched as Vespera carried the nightingale gently into the castle. Then, his focus returned, and his heart filled with a love so strong it seemed to beat with a light of its own.

Jorindel, heartbroken but determined, vowed to find a way to free Jorinda. He journeyed far and wide, helping villagers, befriending animals, and always looking for clues about Vepera and her castle. His love for Jorinda made him strong and brave.

One evening, while traveling through a field of wildflowers, an old woman offered him a place by her fire. When he told her of his quest, she smiled softly. “I know how to break the Bird Lady’s spell,” she whispered. 

She told him of a rare, star-shaped blossom that only grew near Vespera’s castle. It was said to possess the power of understanding and compassion. Jorindel thanked the woman and set off at daybreak, his heart light with hope.

Jorindel picking the star shaped flower at daybreak

When he found the castle again, he noticed a shimmer in the air around it. This must be the magical barrier that held the birds, he thought. Carefully, fueled by the image of Jorinda, Jorindel picked the delicate star-shaped flower. The shimmer faded as he approached the castle gates, and he stepped inside.

Vespera emerged, surprised to see a visitor. But, as Jorindel came closer, she felt a warmth she hadn’t experienced in years. His unwavering love was powerful. Seeing the flower in his hand, she understood.

The castle was filled with the songs of hundreds of birds. Jorindel searched until he found the nightingale with feathers of amber sunlight. He gently touched it with the flower, and, in a shimmer of light, Jorinda was beside him, her smile warm and bright.

Jorindel searched until he found the nightingale with feathers of amber sunlight

Vespera felt a pang of regret. Jorindel explained, “Love is meant to be shared, not held captive.”

One by one, Jorindel touched all the birds with the flower, and the castle filled with joyful laughter as the maidens were restored. Vespera learned a valuable lesson that day. Love is the most powerful magic of all.

Jorinda and Jorindel invited her to their village, where they helped her make friends and find true companionship. And so, the Bird Lady was lonely no more.

Jorinda and Jorindel reunited in the castle

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