THE EAGLES
by A. J. Gliński · from Polish Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, there was a king. He had many children. He had twelve boys and one girl. The King married a new queen. She was a Mean Queen. She was not kind.
The Mean Queen used magic. She changed the Princes into eagles. She changed The Princess into a dove. A Wise Old Man saw this. The Mean Queen tried to hurt him.
The Wise Old Man used his magic. He changed the Mean Queen. She became a Scary Monster. The Scary Monster was very bad. It made all run away. The palace was empty now.
The Princess was a dove. She met the Wise Old Man. He made her a girl again. He gave her magic bread. He gave her a special bottle. She must cry into it.
The Princess walked for a long time. She went to a far land. A Big Guard stood there. She cried many tears. She filled her special bottle.
The Princes flew there. They were eagles. They wanted to pass. The Big Guard said no. He sent them back.
The Princess saw her brothers. She poured her tears. The tears were magic. The eagles became Princes. They were happy.
They were in a deep, dark hole. They could not get out. They were stuck there. They felt sad.
The Princess prayed for help. A Magic Bird came down. It had rainbow wings. It was very big. It could fly them out. But it needed food.
The Princess gave the bird bread. It was magic bread. The bread never ran out. They flew for two days. They flew for two nights.
On the third day, wind blew. The wind took the bread. The bird was hungry. The bird was tired. The Princess gave her own strength. She helped the bird.
The bird became strong again. It flew to the top. The Princess was well. The bird flew away. It went to the sky.
The Princess and Princes went home. They saw The King. Their father was happy. They were all as one.
A brave man helped The King. He took a mirror. He showed it to the Scary Monster. The Scary Monster saw itself. It went away for good.
The scary monster was gone. The people were safe. They lived with joy in their big home. And they all lived with joy ever after.
Being kind and brave helps all. It can make bad things go away.
Original Story
THE EAGLES
HERE was once a king, who had lost his wife. They had a family of thirteen—twelve gallant sons, and one daughter, who was exquisitely beautiful.
For twelve years after his wife's death the king grieved very much; he used to go daily to her tomb, and there weep, and pray, and give away alms to the poor. He thought never to marry again; for he had promised his dying wife never to give her children a stepmother.
One day, when visiting his dead wife's grave as usual, he saw beside him a maiden so entrancingly fair, that he fell in love with her, and soon made her his second queen. But before long he found out that he had made a great mistake. Though she was so beautiful she turned out to be a wicked sorceress, and not only made the king himself unhappy, but proved most unkind to his children, whom she wished out of the way, so that her own little son might inherit the kingdom.
One day, when the king was far away, at war against his enemies, the queen went into her stepchildren's apartments, and pronounced some magical words—on which every one of the twelve princes flew away in the shape of an eagle, and the princess was changed into a dove.
The queen looked out of the window, to see in what direction they would fly, when she saw right under the window an old man, with a beard as white as snow.
"What are you here for, old man?" she asked.
"To be witness of your deed," he answered.
"Then you saw it?"
"I saw it."
"Then be what I command!"
She whispered some magical words. The old man disappeared in a blaze of sunshine; and the queen, as she stood there, dumb with terror, was changed into a basilisk.
The basilisk ran off in fright; trying to hide herself underground. But her glance was so deadly, that it killed every one she looked at; so that all the people in the palace were soon dead, including her own son, whom she slew by merely looking at him. And this once populous and happy royal residence quickly became an uninhabited ruin, which no one dared approach, for fear of the basilisk lurking in its underground vaults.
THE OLD MAN BLESSES THE PRINCESS
Meanwhile the princess, who had been changed into a dove, flew after her brothers the eagles, but not being able to overtake them, she rested under a wayside cross, and began cooing mournfully.
"What are you grieving for, pretty dove?" asked an old man, with a snow-white beard, who just then came by.
"I am grieving for my poor dear father, who is fighting in the wars far away; for my loved brothers, who have flown away from me into the clouds. I am grieving also for myself. Not long ago I was a happy princess; and now I must wander over the world as a dove, to hide from the birds of prey—and be parted for ever from my dear father and brothers!"
"You may grieve and weep, little dove; but do not lose hope," said the old man. "Sorrow is only for a time, and all will come right in the end."
So saying he stroked the little dove, and she at once regained her natural shape. She kissed the old man's hand in her gratitude, saying:
"How can I ever thank you enough! But since you are so kind, will you not tell me how to rescue my brothers?"
The old man gave her an ever-growing loaf, and said:
"This loaf is enough to sustain, not only you, but a thousand people for a thousand years, without ever diminishing. Go towards the sunset, and weep your tears into this little bottle. And when it is full...."
And the old man told her what else to do, blessed her, and disappeared.
The princess travelled on towards the sunset; and in about a year she reached the boundary of the next world, and stood before an iron door, where Death was keeping guard with his scythe.
"Stop, princess!" he said; "You can proceed no further, for you are not yet parted by death from your own world."
"But what am I to do?" she asked. "Must I go back without my poor brothers?"
"Your brothers," said Death, "fly here every day in the guise of eagles. They want to reach the other side of this door, which leads into the other world; for they hate the one they live in; nevertheless they, and you also, must remain there, until your time be come. Therefore every day I must compel them to go back, which they can do, because they are eagles. But how are you going to get back yourself?—look there!"
The princess looked around her, and wept bitterly. For though she had not perceived this before, nor seen how she got there, she saw now that she was in a deep abyss, shut in on all sides by such high precipices, that she wondered how her brothers, even with eagle wings, could fly to the top.
But remembering what the mysterious old man had said she took courage, and began to pray and weep, till she had filled the little bottle with her tears. Soon she heard the sound of wings over her head, and saw twelve eagles flying.
The eagles dashed themselves against the iron portal, beating their wings upon it, and imploring Death to open it to them. But Death only threatened them with his scythe, saying:
"Hence! ye enchanted princes! you must fulfil your penance on earth, till I come for you myself."
The eagles were about to turn and fly, when all at once they perceived their sister. They came round her, and caressed her hands lovingly with their beaks.
She at once began to sprinkle them with her tears from the lachrymatory; and in one moment the twelve eagles were changed back into the twelve princes, and joyfully embraced their sister.
The princess then fed them all round from her ever-growing loaf; but when their hunger was appeased they began to be troubled as to how they were to ascend from the abyss, since they had no longer eagles' wings to fly up.
But the princess knelt down and prayed:
"Bird of heavenly pity here,
By each labour, prayer and tear,
Come in thine unvanquished power,
Come and aid us in this hour!"
And all at once there shot down from heaven to the depth of the abyss a ray of sunshine, on which descended a gigantic bird, with rainbow wings, a bright sparkling crest, and peacock's eyes all over his body, a golden tail, and silvery breast.
"What are your commands, princess?" asked the bird.
"Carry us from this threshold of eternity to our own world."
"I will, but you must know, princess, that before I can reach the top of this precipice with you on my back, three days and nights must pass; and I must have food on the way, or my strength will fail me, and I shall fall down with you to the bottom, and we shall all perish."
"I have an ever-growing loaf, which will suffice both for you and ourselves," replied the princess.
"Then climb upon my back, and whenever I look round, give me some bread to eat."
The bird was so large that all the princes, and the princess in the midst of them, could easily find place on his back, and he began to fly upwards.
He flew higher and higher, and whenever he looked round at her, she gave him bits of the loaf, and he flew on, and upwards.
So they went on steadily for two nights and days; but upon the third day, when they were hoping in a short time to view the summit of the precipice, and to land upon the borders of this world, the bird looked round as usual for a piece of the loaf.
The princess was just going to break off some to give him, when a sudden violent gust of wind from the bottom of the abyss snatched the loaf from her hand, and sent it whistling downwards.
Not having received his usual meal the bird became sensibly weaker, and looked round once more.
The princess trembled with fear; she had nothing more to give him, and she felt that he was becoming exhausted. In utter desperation she cut off a piece of her flesh, and gave it to him.
Having eaten this the bird recovered strength, and flew upwards faster than before; but after an hour or two he looked round once more.
So she cut off another piece of her flesh; the bird seized it greedily, and flew on so fast that in a few minutes he reached the ground at the top of the precipice. When they alighted, and he asked her:
"Princess, what were those two delicious morsels you gave me last? I never ate anything so good before."
"They were part of my flesh, I had nothing else for you," replied the princess in a faint voice, for she was swooning away with pain and loss of blood.
The bird breathed upon her wounds; and the flesh at once healed over, and grew again as before. Then he flew up again to heaven, and was lost in the clouds.
The princess and her brothers resumed their journey, this time towards the sunrise, and at last arrived in their own country, where they met their father, returning from the wars.
The king was coming back victorious over his enemies, and on his way home had first heard of the sudden disappearance of his children and of the queen, and how his palace was tenanted only by a basilisk with a death-dealing glance.
He was therefore most surprised and overjoyed to meet his dear children once more, and on the way his daughter told him all that had come to pass.
When they got back to the palace the king sent one of his nobles with a looking-glass down into the underground vaults. The basilisk saw herself reflected in this mirror, and her own glance slew her immediately.
They gathered up the remains of the basilisk, and burnt them in a great fire in the courtyard, afterwards scattering the ashes to the four winds. When this was done the king, his sons, and his daughter, returned to live in their former home and were all as happy as could be ever after.
TO TRICK THE BASILISK
THE BRIDE CARRIED OFF BY THE WHIRLWIND
Story DNA
Moral
True love and self-sacrifice can overcome even the darkest magic and bring about redemption.
Plot Summary
A king's new queen, a wicked sorceress, transforms his twelve sons into eagles and his daughter into a dove. An old man, witnessing her evil, turns the queen into a deadly basilisk that destroys the palace. The princess, guided by the same old man, embarks on a quest, collecting her tears in a magical bottle to restore her brothers. After finding them trapped in an abyss, she uses her tears to change them back and then sacrifices parts of her own flesh to feed a giant bird that carries them to safety. They return home, reunite with their father, and destroy the basilisk, restoring peace and happiness to their kingdom.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
A. J. Gliński collected and published Polish folk tales, often adapting them. This story reflects common European fairy tale motifs like wicked stepmothers, magical transformations, and heroic quests.
Plot Beats (15)
- A king with thirteen children remarries a wicked sorceress after his first wife's death.
- The queen transforms the twelve princes into eagles and the princess into a dove, then attempts to curse an old man who witnessed her deed.
- The old man transforms the queen into a basilisk, whose deadly gaze kills everyone in the palace, including her own son.
- The princess, as a dove, encounters the old man who restores her human form, gives her a magical loaf and a lachrymatory, and instructs her to travel west and collect her tears.
- The princess travels for a year, reaching the boundary of the next world, guarded by Death, and fills her lachrymatory with tears.
- Her eagle brothers arrive, trying to pass into the next world, but Death turns them back.
- The princess sprinkles her brothers with her tears, transforming them back into princes.
- The princes and princess are trapped in a deep abyss, unable to escape.
- The princess prays, and a gigantic, rainbow-winged bird descends to carry them out, requiring food for the three-day journey.
- The princess feeds the bird from her ever-growing loaf for two days and nights.
- On the third day, a gust of wind snatches the loaf, and the princess sacrifices pieces of her own flesh to feed the weakening bird.
- The bird, strengthened, reaches the top of the precipice, heals the princess's wounds, and flies away.
- The princess and her brothers return to their kingdom, reuniting with their father.
- The king's noble uses a mirror to trick the basilisk into killing itself with its own gaze.
- The basilisk's remains are burned, and the family lives happily in their restored palace.
Characters
The King ◆ supporting
A man of regal bearing, likely of average height and a sturdy build, showing the signs of a life of leadership and recent grief. His features would be etched with sorrow from the loss of his first wife, but also with the resilience of a ruler.
Attire: Royal attire befitting a Polish king of a historical period, perhaps a rich, dark velvet or brocade tunic, embroidered with gold thread, over a fine linen shirt. He would wear tailored breeches and polished leather boots. A heavy, fur-lined cloak might be worn for warmth and status, and a simple gold circlet or crown for formal occasions. When returning from war, he would be in battle-worn but still impressive armor or military regalia.
Wants: To honor his first wife's memory, to find happiness again (initially), to protect his children, to reclaim his kingdom.
Flaw: Vulnerability to beauty, leading to a hasty and ill-judged second marriage; perhaps a lack of discernment.
Starts grief-stricken, makes a terrible mistake in remarrying, goes to war, returns to find his children and kingdom in disarray, and is ultimately reunited with his family and restores order.
Grief-stricken, devoted (to his first wife's memory), somewhat naive (in marrying the sorceress), victorious, loving, overjoyed.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult male, a king of Polish descent, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a strong, defined face with a neatly trimmed dark beard and mustache, and dark hair greying at the temples. His eyes are dark and convey a sense of deep sorrow. He wears a rich, dark red velvet tunic embroidered with gold thread, over a white linen shirt, with tailored dark breeches and polished black leather boots. A heavy, fur-lined dark cloak is draped over his shoulders. He holds a simple gold circlet in his left hand. A grief-stricken yet resilient expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Wicked Queen ⚔ antagonist
As a human, she was entrancingly fair, with a captivating beauty that masked her evil nature. Her form as a basilisk would be terrifying, a reptilian creature with a deadly gaze.
Attire: As a human, luxurious and fashionable gowns of the period, perhaps in deep jewel tones like emerald green or sapphire blue, made of silk or brocade, with intricate embroidery and possibly a high collar or elaborate sleeves. As a basilisk, no clothing.
Wants: To secure the kingdom for her own son, to eliminate the king's children.
Flaw: Overconfidence in her magic, her own deadly gaze (as a basilisk).
Starts as a beautiful, manipulative sorceress, transforms the children, is cursed into a basilisk, accidentally kills her own son and many others, and is eventually destroyed by her own reflection.
Wicked, jealous, ambitious, cruel, magical, manipulative, ultimately terrified.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful young adult woman of Polish descent, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a perfectly symmetrical, captivating face with sharp, dark eyes and full lips. Her long, lustrous dark hair is styled in an elaborate updo with intricate braids. She wears a luxurious emerald green silk gown with a high, embroidered collar, long fitted sleeves, and a flowing skirt, adorned with subtle gold trim. A sly, manipulative smile plays on her lips. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Princess ★ protagonist
Exquisitely beautiful, with a delicate yet resilient build. Her journey would leave her looking weary but determined.
Attire: Initially, a simple but elegant gown befitting a princess, perhaps in soft blues or creams, made of fine linen or wool. During her journey, her clothes would become worn and travel-stained, but still retain a hint of her royal origin. She might wear a simple cloak for protection.
Wants: To rescue her brothers and reunite her family.
Flaw: Her initial helplessness as a dove, her physical vulnerability.
Transformed into a dove, she embarks on a perilous journey, receives magical aid, endures immense hardship and self-sacrifice, and ultimately rescues her brothers and restores her family.
Exquisitely beautiful, grieving, hopeful, determined, resourceful, self-sacrificing, pious.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult woman of Polish descent, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a beautiful, gentle face with expressive blue eyes and long, flowing light brown hair, slightly disheveled. She wears a simple, travel-worn cream linen dress with a modest neckline and long sleeves, and a dark blue wool cloak draped over her shoulders. Her hands are clasped gently in front of her, holding a small, ornate glass bottle. A determined yet weary expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Twelve Princes ◆ supporting
Gallant and strong, likely of similar build and height, reflecting their shared lineage. As eagles, they are powerful birds of prey.
Attire: Initially, fine princely attire, perhaps tunics and breeches in rich fabrics. As eagles, no clothing. After transformation back, they would be in their original, likely somewhat tattered, princely clothes.
Wants: To escape their cursed form, to reach the 'other world' to escape their suffering, to be reunited with their sister.
Flaw: Their enchantment, their inability to escape the abyss without help.
Transformed into eagles, they suffer in their cursed form, are eventually found and rescued by their sister, and return home.
Gallant, proud (as eagles), desperate, loving (towards their sister), grateful, joyful.
Image Prompt & Upload
Twelve young adult men of Polish descent, standing together, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. They have strong, noble faces with similar features, and neatly kept dark hair. They wear matching tunics of deep blue linen with silver embroidery, tailored dark breeches, and polished leather boots. Their expressions are joyful and relieved as they embrace their sister. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, multiple figures, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Man ◆ supporting
An old man with a long, snow-white beard, suggesting wisdom and age. His appearance is gentle and benevolent.
Attire: Simple, flowing robes, perhaps in a natural, undyed linen or wool, suggesting a hermit or a sage, rather than a man of wealth. He carries no visible possessions.
Wants: To witness justice, to aid the innocent, to guide the princess.
Flaw: None apparent, seems to be a powerful, almost divine figure.
Appears twice to provide crucial aid and guidance, then disappears, his role fulfilled.
Wise, benevolent, magical, mysterious, helpful, calm.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man of Polish descent, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a kind, deeply wrinkled face with gentle, knowing blue eyes. His long, thick, snow-white beard reaches his chest, and his long white hair flows over his shoulders. He wears simple, flowing robes of undyed coarse linen, tied with a rope belt. His expression is serene and wise. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Death ◆ supporting
A formidable, skeletal figure, embodying the universal concept of death. Not explicitly described beyond his scythe, but often depicted as gaunt and imposing.
Attire: Traditionally a dark, flowing hooded cloak or shroud, obscuring his form, made of heavy, coarse fabric. No other adornments.
Wants: To fulfill his role as guardian of the boundary between worlds, to enforce the natural order.
Flaw: None, as he is a fundamental force.
Appears to explain the rules of the boundary and the princes' penance, then allows the princess to proceed when she fulfills her task.
Unemotional, unyielding, bound by cosmic law, authoritative.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, gaunt figure, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe, shrouded in a heavy, dark grey hooded cloak that obscures its face, leaving only deep shadows where the eyes should be. Its hands, visible as skeletal bone, grip a large, curved scythe with a long wooden handle. The figure stands with an unyielding, authoritative posture. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Gigantic Bird ◆ supporting
Gigantic in size, capable of carrying multiple humans. It has rainbow wings, a bright sparkling crest, peacock's eyes all over its body, a golden tail, and a silvery breast.
Attire: Its own magnificent plumage serves as its 'wardrobe'.
Wants: To fulfill the princess's command, provided it is sustained.
Flaw: Requires food to maintain its strength during long flights.
Appears when summoned, carries the princess and princes to safety, and then returns to heaven.
Powerful, wise, conditional (requires sustenance), grateful, benevolent.
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic, gigantic bird, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe, with an immense wingspan. Its wings are a vibrant rainbow of colors, shimmering with iridescent light. It has a bright, sparkling crest on its head, and its body is covered in iridescent feathers with numerous 'peacock's eyes' patterns. Its tail is long and golden, and its breast is a shimmering silver. Its eyes are large and intelligent. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Basilisk ⚔ antagonist
A terrifying reptilian creature, implied to be large and monstrous, with a gaze that instantly kills. It runs off in fright and hides underground.
Attire: No clothing.
Wants: To hide, to survive (unsuccessfully).
Flaw: Its own deadly gaze, which can be reflected back at it.
Created from the wicked queen, it accidentally kills its own son and others, then is destroyed by its own reflection.
Terrified (after transformation), deadly, destructive.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, terrifying reptilian creature, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has scaly, dark green skin, sharp claws, and a long, serpentine body. Its head is monstrous, with a wide, fanged mouth and piercing, glowing red eyes that emit a deadly aura. Its posture is low and slithering, conveying fear and aggression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Royal Palace
Once a populous and happy royal residence, it became an uninhabited ruin after the queen's transformation, with a basilisk lurking in its underground vaults. The children's apartments are where the transformation spell was cast.
Mood: Initially happy, then terrifying and desolate, later restored to happiness.
The queen transforms the children into eagles and a dove, then is herself transformed into a basilisk. Later, the basilisk is defeated in the underground vaults, and the palace is restored.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grand, ancient Polish royal palace, built of white stone with red tiled roofs and ornate wooden gables, now partially overgrown with ivy and showing signs of neglect. Sunlight streams through a tall, arched window into a dusty, empty chamber, revealing intricate frescoes on the walls and a large, carved wooden door ajar. The floor is scattered with debris, and shadows stretch long across the room. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Wayside Cross
A simple cross by the side of a path, where the princess (as a dove) rests and mourns.
Mood: Sorrowful, then hopeful and comforting.
The princess, in dove form, rests here and meets the mysterious old man who restores her human shape and gives her instructions for rescuing her brothers.
Image Prompt & Upload
A weathered, moss-covered wooden wayside cross stands at a bend in a narrow, dirt path, surrounded by tall, wild grasses and a few scattered wildflowers. A dense forest of birch and pine trees forms a dark backdrop, with dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves onto the path. The air is still and quiet, with a sense of ancient solitude. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Abyss at the Boundary of the Next World
A deep chasm, shut in on all sides by extremely high, sheer precipices. At its base is an iron door guarded by Death.
Mood: Desolate, daunting, hopeless, then miraculous and triumphant.
The princess reaches this abyss, fills her bottle with tears, and reunites with her brothers. They are then carried out of the abyss by a gigantic bird.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, dark, and incredibly deep abyss, with sheer, jagged rock precipices rising impossibly high on all sides, their surfaces rough and dark grey. At the very bottom, a massive, ancient iron door, heavily rusted and studded with rivets, stands against one cliff face. A faint, eerie light emanates from behind the door, and a single, narrow beam of golden sunlight pierces the gloom from above, illuminating a small, flat area of dark, broken rock at the chasm's base. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
