Madschen
by Andrew Lang
The True Heir
Once upon a time, an old king lived. He was worried. Many men wanted to marry his daughter. They wanted his kingdom too. The king did not know what to do.
A farmer came to see the king. "Some men are like clever foxes," said the farmer. "But you have a true royal tiger." The king looked very confused. "What do you mean?" he asked. The farmer smiled kindly.
"The true prince is hidden," said the farmer. "Send the clever foxes away. I will tell you a story." The king sent the other men away. They left quickly.
The farmer told the king a secret. Long ago, he helped the first queen. She was kind and good. The farmer took care of her baby, Ameer Ali. He kept Ameer Ali safe and hidden. The farmer raised him like a son. Ameer Ali grew strong and brave.
The farmer brought the old queen to him. The king felt very sad and sorry. He saw his first queen again. She was old but still gentle. The king cried softly. "I am so sorry," he said.
"My time is over," the old king said. He gave his crown to Ameer Ali. "You are the new king now." Ameer Ali bowed his head. He promised to be a good king.
Ameer Ali wanted a queen. He called for the forest maiden. She came from the trees. This time, she said yes. She smiled at Ameer Ali.
They got married in a big wedding. Ameer Ali and Madschen became king and queen. They were very happy together. The kingdom celebrated with joy. Everyone danced and sang.
The old woman with the broken pitcher? She was a fairy godmother! Her job was done. She went back to her magic home. She waved goodbye with a smile.
The old king learned to be kind. He listened to his wife. They lived peacefully. So, good and honest deeds are rewarded.
Original Story
mad!' 'No, your majesty,' answered the farmer, 'I would only remind your majesty that there are plenty of jackals gathered to-day to try and claim your daughter and kingdom: every city has sent them, and they wait hungry and eager; but do not, O king, mistake or pretend again to mistake the howl of a jackal for the hunting cry of a tiger.' The king turned first red and then pale. 'There is,' continued the farmer, 'a royal tiger bred in the forest who has the first and only true claim to your throne.' 'Where? what do you mean?' stammered the king, growing pale as he listened. 'In prison,' replied the farmer; 'if your majesty will clear this court of the jackals I will explain.' 'Clear the court!' commanded the king; and, very unwillingly, the visitors left the palace. 'Now tell me what riddle this is,' said he. Then the farmer told the king and his ministers how he had rescued the queen and brought up Ameer Ali; and he fetched the old queen herself, whom he had left outside. At the sight of her the king was filled with shame and self-reproach, and wished he could have lived his life over again, and not have married the mother of the proud princess, who caused him endless trouble until her death. 'My day is past,' said he. And he gave up his crown to his son Ameer Ali, who went once more and called to the forest fairy to provide him with a queen to share his throne. 'There is only one person I will marry,' said he. And this time the maiden did not run away, but agreed to be his wife. So the two were married without delay, and lived long and reigned happily. As for the old woman whose pitcher Ameer Ali had broken, she was the forest maiden's fairy godmother, and when she was no longer needed to look after the girl she gladly returned to fairyland. The old king has never been heard to contradict his wife any more. If he even looks as if he does not agree with her, she smiles at him and says: 'Is it the tiger, then? or the jackal?' And he has not another word to say.
Moral of the Story
Past wrongs can be righted, and true worth will eventually be recognized and rewarded.
Characters
Ameer Ali ★ protagonist
Strong and brave
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a farmer, later royal attire
Honest, courageous, decisive
Madschen ★ protagonist
Beautiful and kind
Attire: Simple peasant dress, later a queen's gown
Shy, obedient, ultimately assertive
The King ◆ supporting
Regal appearance, but easily swayed
Attire: Royal robes and crown
Weak-willed, easily manipulated, regretful
The Farmer ◆ supporting
Strong and weathered
Attire: Simple farmer's clothing
Loyal, wise, brave
The Old Queen ◆ supporting
Humble and forgiving
Attire: Simple, worn clothing
Kind, patient, forgiving
The Fairy Godmother ◆ supporting
Magical and wise
Attire: Simple old woman's clothing, but with a hint of magic
Helpful, protective, wise
Locations
Royal Court
A grand hall filled with courtiers and visitors, now cleared of 'jackals'.
Mood: Initially tense and deceptive, then relieved and revelatory.
The farmer reveals Ameer Ali's true identity and the king abdicates.
Forest
A place where a royal tiger is bred and where Ameer Ali calls to the forest fairy.
Mood: Magical, mysterious, and potentially dangerous.
Ameer Ali first encounters the forest maiden and later calls upon the forest fairy to find a queen.
Prison
Where Ameer Ali was held.
Mood: Oppressive, unjust.
The farmer reveals that the true heir is imprisoned.
Story DNA
Moral
Past wrongs can be righted, and true worth will eventually be recognized and rewarded.
Plot Summary
An old king, troubled by his proud daughter and many opportunistic suitors, is confronted by a wise farmer. The farmer reveals that the king's true heir, Ameer Ali (son of his first, long-lost queen), is unjustly imprisoned. Filled with shame upon seeing his first queen, the king abdicates his throne to Ameer Ali, who then marries the forest maiden he previously encountered. They reign happily, and the old king learns humility from his reunited queen.
Themes
Emotional Arc
shame to redemption
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Andrew Lang collected and retold fairy tales from various cultures, often adapting them for a Western audience. This story, while not explicitly stated, carries elements common in South Asian folklore.
Plot Beats (12)
- A farmer confronts the king, who is troubled by his proud daughter and the many suitors (jackals) vying for her hand and the kingdom.
- The farmer uses the metaphor of 'jackals' versus a 'royal tiger' to imply the king's true heir is being overlooked.
- The king, initially confused and then pale, asks for clarification.
- The farmer reveals the 'royal tiger' (true heir) is in prison and demands the court be cleared of suitors to explain.
- The king clears the court, and the farmer reveals he rescued the king's first queen and raised their son, Ameer Ali.
- The farmer brings forth the old queen, filling the king with shame and regret for his past actions and his second marriage.
- The king, acknowledging his time is past, abdicates his crown to his son, Ameer Ali.
- Ameer Ali, now king, calls upon the forest fairy (who is the forest maiden he previously encountered) to provide him with a queen.
- The forest maiden, who had previously run away, agrees to marry Ameer Ali.
- Ameer Ali and the forest maiden are married and reign happily.
- The old woman whose pitcher Ameer Ali broke is revealed to be the forest maiden's fairy godmother, who returns to fairyland.
- The old king is depicted as never contradicting his reunited wife again, learning humility.
