Tale Summary
The tale begins with an old man, the antagonist, who approaches a poor miller about an exchange for wealth for what is standing behind the mill (the miller was unaware that his daughter was standing behind the mill). Three years later the old man came to claim his reward three different times but could not take the maiden because she had water on her. Threats from the old man caused the miller to chop off his daughters’ hands since there were tears on them. Ultimately, the old man gave up on his prize, leading to the handless maiden leaving her home and accidentally reaching the kings’ garden. Because she prayed to God, an angel was sent to help the maiden retrieve food from the garden, and she was later discovered by the king. The king and maiden eventually marry and she was given silver hands. Years later when the king left for war, the maiden had a baby and a messenger was sent with a letter that delivered the news. On the way the messenger stopped at the old man's house, and the old man replaced the letters with terrible orders including to murder the maiden and their child. The king’s mother couldn’t follow through with this, so she sent the maiden and child into the woods. Again, the maiden prayed which allowed the two of them to be taken care of in an angels’ house for seven years until the king finally discovered what the old man had done and found his wife and son. The tale concludes with a second happy ending of festivities and rejoicing in the kingdom.
Fairy Tale Title
The Maiden without Hands
Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)
Brothers Grimm
Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)
Richard André
Common Tale Type
The Maiden without Hands
Tale Classification
ATU 706
Page Range of Tale
pp. 150-154
Full Citation of Tale
Brothers Grimm. “The Maiden without Hands.” Grimm’s Household Fairy Tales, translated by Ella Boldey, with illustrations by R. André, New York: McLoughlin Bros., 1890, pp. 150-154.
Original Source of the Tale
Brothers Grimm
Tale Notes
This tale is a translation from the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale that is about nameless characters including a maiden whose hands get cut off by her own father, a miller, in order to follow through with a promise he had made to an old man who promised him riches. This version has a heavy emphasis on prayer and religion, highlighted in a black and white illustration of an angel that assists and ultimately leads the maiden to a happy ending of being reunited with the king (her husband). There is also a strong emphasis on an old man deceiving the main characters and driving forward the plot.
Research and Curation
Bri Doerfler, 2020
Book Title
Grimm's Household Fairy Tales
Book Author/Editor(s)
Brothers Grimm
Illustrator(s)
Richard André
Publisher
McLoughlin Bros.
Date Published
1890
Decade Published
1890-1899
Publisher City
New York
Publisher Country
United States
Language
English
Rights
Public Domain
Digital Copy
Book Notes
None