Curdie Comes to Grief
by George MacDonald · from The Princess and the Goblin
Adapted Version
Curdie is a boy. He watches the goblins. The goblins are bad. Princess Irene plays in the garden.
Curdie watches the mountain. Goblins dig deep down. Curdie thinks this is safe. He watches them every day. Princess Irene has a happy summer. She plays with kids. She likes the flowers. She is very glad.
Lootie is Irene's nurse. She has strange ideas. She talks about Princess Irene. She says Irene is not right. She says Irene is too good. Lootie whispers to the servants. She says bad things.
Curdie felt sorry. He was not kind to Irene. He wanted to say sorry. His mother talked to him. She said, "Help her. Be kind." She told him often. Curdie felt better then. He wanted to do good.
One day, Curdie saw something new. Goblins did not dig down. They dug straight. Then they began to go up. They went up a hard rock. They went up again. Curdie watched them closely. This was not good. He felt worried.
Curdie went to the king's house. He left his tools at home. He took his bread. He climbed the garden wall. He hid in the garden. He listened for goblins. He put his ear down. He heard nothing. He stayed all night.
One night, Curdie was in the garden. The moon was bright. He crept past a rock. A guard saw him. The guard thought he was a goblin. An arrow hit Curdie's leg. It hurt him much. Curdie fell down. He could not run.
Guards came and held Curdie. He was hurt. He could not fight. "It is a boy!" they cried. "Who are you?" they asked. Curdie did not say much. Guards said, "You are a thief. Why are you here?"
Curdie wanted to talk. He said, "I will tell you." He felt weak. He fell down on the grass. The guards saw his leg. They saw his hurt leg. They saw the arrow wound. They knew he was hurt.
Guards carried Curdie inside. Lootie saw him there. She said, "It is that boy!" He was rude. He was rude to Irene. Lootie said bad things. She said he was a bad boy. She said he was a rascal.
The Captain heard Lootie. He did not know if it was true. He said, "Curdie must stay here." Guards took him. They helped his hurt leg. They locked the door. Curdie was alone.
Curdie felt sick. His leg hurt much. He saw a guard. Curdie told him about goblins. He said, "Goblins come up! They are a danger!" The guard ignored him. He thought Curdie talked strange words. He told Curdie to be quiet.
Curdie felt more sick. He talked strange words. The Captain came to see him. Curdie tried to warn him. He talked about goblins. The Captain did not listen. He thought Curdie was too sick. He did not believe Curdie.
Guards said, "We will help you." They did not care. Curdie fell asleep. His sleep was deep and quiet. The guards left the room. They locked the door. Curdie was alone. He was still hurt.
Original Story
Curdie Comes to Grief
Everything was for some time quiet above ground. The king was still away in a distant part of his dominions. The men-at-arms kept watching about the house. They had been considerably astonished by finding at the foot of the rock in the garden the hideous body of the goblin creature killed by Curdie; but they came to the conclusion that it had been slain in the mines, and had crept out there to die; and except an occasional glimpse of a live one they saw nothing to cause alarm. Curdie kept watching in the mountain, and the goblins kept burrowing deeper into the earth. As long as they went deeper there was, Curdie judged, no immediate danger.
To Irene the summer was as full of pleasure as ever, and for a long time, although she often thought of her grandmother during the day, and often dreamed about her at night, she did not see her. The kids and the flowers were as much her delight as ever, and she made as much friendship with the miners' children she met on the mountain as Lootie would permit; but Lootie had very foolish notions concerning the dignity of a princess, not understanding that the truest princess is just the one who loves all her brothers and sisters best, and who is most able to do them good by being humble towards them. At the same time she was considerably altered for the better in her behaviour to the princess. She could not help seeing that she was no longer a mere child, but wiser than her age would account for. She kept foolishly whispering to the servants, however—sometimes that the princess was not right in her mind, sometimes that she was too good to live, and other nonsense of the same sort.
All this time Curdie had to be sorry, without a chance of confessing, that he had behaved so unkindly to the princess. This perhaps made him the more diligent in his endeavours to serve her. His mother and he often talked on the subject, and she comforted him, and told him she was sure he would some day have the opportunity he so much desired.
Here I should like to remark, for the sake of princes and princesses in general, that it is a low and contemptible thing to refuse to confess a fault, or even an error. If a true princess has done wrong, she is always uneasy until she has had an opportunity of throwing the wrongness away from her by saying: 'I did it; and I wish I had not; and I am sorry for having done it.' So you see there is some ground for supposing that Curdie was not a miner only, but a prince as well. Many such instances have been known in the world's history.
At length, however, he began to see signs of a change in the proceedings of the goblin excavators: they were going no deeper, but had commenced running on a level; and he watched them, therefore, more closely than ever. All at once, one night, coming to a slope of very hard rock, they began to ascend along the inclined plane of its surface. Having reached its top, they went again on a level for a night or two, after which they began to ascend once more, and kept on at a pretty steep angle. At length Curdie judged it time to transfer his observation to another quarter, and the next night he did not go to the mine at all; but, leaving his pickaxe and clue at home, and taking only his usual lumps of bread and pease pudding, went down the mountain to the king's house. He climbed over the wall, and remained in the garden the whole night, creeping on hands and knees from one spot to the other, and lying at full length with his ear to the ground, listening. But he heard nothing except the tread of the men-at-arms as they marched about, whose observation, as the night was cloudy and there was no moon, he had little difficulty in avoiding. For several following nights he continued to haunt the garden and listen, but with no success.
At length, early one evening, whether it was that he had got careless of his own safety, or that the growing moon had become strong enough to expose him, his watching came to a sudden end. He was creeping from behind the rock where the stream ran out, for he had been listening all round it in the hope it might convey to his ear some indication of the whereabouts of the goblin miners, when just as he came into the moonlight on the lawn, a whizz in his ear and a blow upon his leg startled him. He instantly squatted in the hope of eluding further notice. But when he heard the sound of running feet, he jumped up to take the chance of escape by flight. He fell, however, with a keen shoot of pain, for the bolt of a crossbow had wounded his leg, and the blood was now streaming from it. He was instantly laid hold of by two or three of the men-at-arms. It was useless to struggle, and he submitted in silence.
'It's a boy!' cried several of them together, in a tone of amazement. 'I thought it was one of those demons. What are you about here?'
'Going to have a little rough usage, apparently,' said Curdie, laughing, as the men shook him.
'Impertinence will do you no good. You have no business here in the king's grounds, and if you don't give a true account of yourself, you shall fare as a thief.'
'Why, what else could he be?' said one.
'He might have been after a lost kid, you know,' suggested another.
'I see no good in trying to excuse him. He has no business here, anyhow.'
'Let me go away, then, if you please,' said Curdie.
'But we don't please—not except you give a good account of yourself.'
'I don't feel quite sure whether I can trust you,' said Curdie.
'We are the king's own men-at-arms,' said the captain courteously, for he was taken with Curdie's appearance and courage.
'Well, I will tell you all about it—if you will promise to listen to me and not do anything rash.'
'I call that cool!' said one of the party, laughing. 'He will tell us what mischief he was about, if we promise to do as pleases him.'
'I was about no mischief,' said Curdie.
But ere he could say more he turned faint, and fell senseless on the grass. Then first they discovered that the bolt they had shot, taking him for one of the goblin creatures, had wounded him.
They carried him into the house and laid him down in the hall. The report spread that they had caught a robber, and the servants crowded in to see the villain. Amongst the rest came the nurse. The moment she saw him she exclaimed with indignation:
'I declare it's the same young rascal of a miner that was rude to me and the princess on the mountain. He actually wanted to kiss the princess. I took good care of that—the wretch! And he was prowling about, was he? Just like his impudence!' The princess being fast asleep, she could misrepresent at her pleasure.
When he heard this, the captain, although he had considerable doubt of its truth, resolved to keep Curdie a prisoner until they could search into the affair. So, after they had brought him round a little, and attended to his wound, which was rather a bad one, they laid him, still exhausted from the loss of blood, upon a mattress in a disused room—one of those already so often mentioned—and locked the door, and left him. He passed a troubled night, and in the morning they found him talking wildly. In the evening he came to himself, but felt very weak, and his leg was exceedingly painful. Wondering where he was, and seeing one of the men-at-arms in the room, he began to question him and soon recalled the events of the preceding night. As he was himself unable to watch any more, he told the soldier all he knew about the goblins, and begged him to tell his companions, and stir them up to watch with tenfold vigilance; but whether it was that he did not talk quite coherently, or that the whole thing appeared incredible, certainly the man concluded that Curdie was only raving still, and tried to coax him into holding his tongue. This, of course, annoyed Curdie dreadfully, who now felt in his turn what it was not to be believed, and the consequence was that his fever returned, and by the time when, at his persistent entreaties, the captain was called, there could be no doubt that he was raving. They did for him what they could, and promised everything he wanted, but with no intention of fulfilment. At last he went to sleep, and when at length his sleep grew profound and peaceful, they left him, locked the door again, and withdrew, intending to revisit him early in the morning.
Story DNA
Moral
True courage and dedication to duty may be misunderstood and unrewarded in the short term, but are ultimately essential for the greater good.
Plot Summary
Curdie diligently monitors the goblins, noticing they are now burrowing towards the king's house. He shifts his watch to the king's garden but is accidentally shot and captured by the men-at-arms who mistake him for a goblin. Wounded and feverish, Curdie is further maligned by the princess's foolish nurse, Lootie, and his urgent warnings about the goblin threat are dismissed as ravings by the skeptical soldiers, leaving him imprisoned and the kingdom unknowingly vulnerable.
Themes
Emotional Arc
dedication to suffering to renewed determination
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
George MacDonald's fairy tales often blend Christian allegory with traditional fantasy elements, emphasizing moral and spiritual growth. The social hierarchy and roles reflect 19th-century European society.
Plot Beats (14)
- Curdie continues to monitor the goblins, who are burrowing deeper, while Irene enjoys a peaceful summer, though she misses her grandmother.
- Lootie, Irene's nurse, continues to hold foolish notions about the princess's dignity and spreads gossip about Irene's mental state.
- Curdie feels regret for his past unkindness to Irene and is comforted by his mother, who assures him he will have a chance to make amends.
- The narrator interjects to explain the importance of confessing faults, hinting at Curdie's princely qualities.
- Curdie observes a change in the goblins' behavior: they begin to ascend, moving towards the surface and the king's house.
- Curdie moves his surveillance to the king's garden, spending several nights listening for signs of the goblins.
- One evening, Curdie is spotted by the king's men-at-arms, who mistake him for a goblin and shoot him with a crossbow bolt.
- Wounded, Curdie is captured by the soldiers and questioned about his presence in the garden.
- Curdie attempts to explain his purpose but is interrupted when he faints from blood loss, revealing his wound.
- The soldiers carry Curdie into the house, where Lootie identifies him as the 'rascal miner' who was rude to her and the princess, adding false accusations.
- The captain, despite doubts, decides to hold Curdie prisoner until the matter can be investigated.
- Curdie, recovering from his wound and feverish, tries to warn a soldier about the goblins, but his warnings are dismissed as ravings.
- Curdie's fever worsens due to the disbelief, and when the captain is called, Curdie is clearly delirious, leading the soldiers to disregard his pleas.
- The soldiers promise to fulfill Curdie's requests without intention, then leave him locked in the room to sleep.
Characters
Curdie ★ protagonist
A sturdy, agile boy, likely lean from his work in the mines and mountain climbing. His movements are quick and stealthy when he needs to be unnoticed, but he can also be direct and bold. He is wounded in the leg by a crossbow bolt, causing significant blood loss and pain.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing suitable for a miner and mountain dweller. Probably made of coarse wool or linen, in muted, earthy tones like brown, grey, or dark green. He would wear sturdy boots for climbing and working.
Wants: To protect Princess Irene and the king's household from the goblins. He is driven by a desire to serve and to atone for his past rudeness to the princess.
Flaw: His youth and lack of authority make it difficult for others to believe him, especially when he is injured and incoherent. His determination can sometimes lead him into dangerous situations alone.
He begins the story diligently watching the goblins, driven by a desire to serve and atone. He suffers a serious injury and is misunderstood and disbelieved, highlighting the challenges of his role and his isolation in his knowledge.
Diligent, courageous, observant, determined, and honorable. He is quick-witted and can be impertinent when challenged, but also deeply sorry for his past unkindness. He feels a strong sense of duty.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy, around ten years old, with a lean, sturdy build. He has a determined expression, with dark, slightly unruly hair and observant dark eyes. His face is smudged with dirt. He wears a practical, patched tunic of coarse grey linen over simple trousers, and sturdy, worn leather boots. He stands with a slight limp, one hand clutching his leg. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Princess Irene ◆ supporting
A young girl, no longer a mere child, but described as wiser than her age. She is delicate and enjoys the simple pleasures of nature.
Attire: Though not explicitly detailed in this excerpt, as a princess, she would wear comfortable but well-made dresses, likely of fine linen or cotton, perhaps with simple embroidery, suitable for playing in the garden. Colors would be soft and pleasant.
Wants: To experience the simple joys of childhood and maintain her connection to her grandmother. She desires genuine connection, even with miners' children.
Flaw: Her innocence and youth make her vulnerable to the misinterpretations and overprotective nature of her nurse, Lootie.
In this segment, she remains largely unchanged, enjoying her summer, but her presence serves as a motivation for Curdie and a point of contention for Lootie.
Loving, gentle, wise beyond her years, and enjoys nature and simple friendships. She is thoughtful and remembers her grandmother often.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young girl, around eight years old, with a delicate build and a thoughtful, kind expression. She has soft, light brown hair styled neatly, perhaps with a simple ribbon, and gentle, wide eyes. She wears a simple but well-made dress of pale blue linen with a white lace collar, and small, comfortable leather shoes. She stands with a slight tilt of her head, a hint of a smile. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Lootie ○ minor
Likely a woman of average build, perhaps a bit stout, given her role as a nurse. Her demeanor suggests a fussy and self-important nature.
Attire: Practical, modest clothing of a nurse or upper servant in a royal household. Likely a dark, durable dress of wool or linen, with a white apron and cap. Her attire would be neat but not luxurious.
Wants: To maintain the princess's dignity and protect her, albeit with misguided methods. She also seems to enjoy spreading rumors and asserting her authority.
Flaw: Her foolish notions of dignity, her gossiping nature, and her tendency to misrepresent facts, especially when the princess is not present to contradict her.
She remains largely consistent, still holding onto her foolish notions and gossiping, but showing a slight improvement in her direct behavior towards the princess.
Overprotective, gossipy, self-important, and prone to misrepresentation. She has foolish notions about dignity but has improved in her direct behavior towards the princess.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult woman, around forty years old, with a somewhat stout build and a stern, slightly pursed expression. She has dark hair pulled back neatly under a white cap. She wears a dark grey wool dress with long sleeves, a crisp white apron tied at her waist, and sensible dark shoes. Her posture is rigid and proper. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Captain of the Men-at-Arms ○ minor
A man of authority, likely of a strong build befitting a soldier. He is observant and capable of courtesy, but also bound by duty.
Attire: Military attire of the period, likely a tunic or jerkin over a shirt, possibly with some leather or metal armor elements. Colors would be functional, such as dark blues, greens, or browns, with the king's insignia if applicable. He would carry a sword or other weapon.
Wants: To uphold the law and protect the king's grounds, investigating any suspicious activity.
Flaw: His skepticism and reliance on others' (mis)information, leading him to disbelieve Curdie's urgent warnings.
He begins with a courteous curiosity towards Curdie but ultimately succumbs to the prevailing skepticism and Lootie's misrepresentations, leading him to dismiss Curdie's warnings.
Courteous, observant, dutiful, but also somewhat skeptical and easily swayed by others' reports (like Lootie's). He shows some initial sympathy for Curdie.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man, around forty-five years old, with a strong, authoritative build. He has a stern but fair expression, with short, dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He wears a dark blue tunic with silver buttons, a leather belt with a sheathed sword, and sturdy leather boots. His posture is upright and commanding. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The King's House Garden
A royal garden at the foot of a rock, where a stream runs out. It is enclosed by a wall. The ground is a lawn, and the area is exposed to moonlight when the clouds clear.
Mood: Tense, secretive, dangerous, later revealing and exposed
Curdie secretly observes the garden, listening for goblin activity, and is eventually discovered and wounded by the king's men-at-arms.
Image Prompt & Upload
A moonlit royal garden at night, enclosed by a tall, ancient stone wall. A small stream trickles from beneath a large, moss-covered rock formation, flowing across a manicured lawn. The air is cool and still, with long, stark shadows cast by unseen trees. The moonlight illuminates patches of short, dewy grass. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The King's House Hall
A large, central room within the king's house, where Curdie is brought after being wounded. It is a place where servants and guards gather.
Mood: Chaotic, public, judgmental, bustling
Curdie is carried into the hall after being shot, where his identity is revealed, and he is falsely accused by Lootie.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grand, high-ceilinged hall within a medieval European-style castle, lit by flickering torchlight from sconces on rough-hewn stone walls. A crowd of servants and armored men-at-arms gather, their faces illuminated by the warm, dancing light. The floor is made of large, uneven flagstones. The air is thick with anticipation and murmuring voices. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Disused Room in the King's House
A neglected, locked room within the king's house, where Curdie is imprisoned. It contains a mattress.
Mood: Confining, isolated, feverish, desperate
Curdie is held prisoner, suffers from his wound and fever, and attempts to warn the men-at-arms about the goblins, but is disbelieved.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, spartan, disused room within a medieval European castle, with thick, rough-hewn stone walls and a single, narrow window high up, letting in a sliver of pale moonlight. A simple straw mattress lies on the cold stone floor. The heavy wooden door is clearly locked from the outside. The air feels damp and still, with a sense of confinement. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
