Brides on Their Trial
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Original Story
Brides on their trial
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
There was once a young shepherd who wished much to marry, and was acquainted with three sisters who were all equally pretty, so that it was difficult to him to make a choice, and he could not decide to give the preference to any one of them. Then he asked his mother for advice, and she said, "Invite all three, and set some cheese before them, and watch how they eat it." The youth did so; the first, however, swallowed the cheese with the rind on; the second hastily cut the rind off the cheese, but she cut it so quickly that she left much good cheese with it, and threw that away also; the third peeled the rind off carefully, and cut neither too much nor too little. The shepherd told all this to his mother, who said, "Take the third for thy wife." This he did, and lived contentedly and happily with her.
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Story DNA
Moral
Careful observation and practical wisdom are essential for making important life decisions, especially in choosing a partner.
Plot Summary
A young shepherd struggles to choose a wife from three equally pretty sisters. His mother advises him to observe how each sister eats cheese. The first eats it with the rind, the second wastes much cheese cutting the rind, but the third carefully peels it, wasting nothing. Based on this, the mother advises him to marry the third sister, and he does, living happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
uncertainty to contentment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects traditional European values where a woman's domestic competence and carefulness were highly prized qualities for a wife.
Plot Beats (10)
- A young shepherd wants to marry but is undecided between three equally pretty sisters.
- He asks his mother for advice on how to choose.
- His mother suggests inviting all three sisters and observing how they eat cheese.
- The shepherd follows his mother's advice.
- The first sister eats the cheese, rind and all.
- The second sister hastily cuts off the rind, wasting much good cheese in the process.
- The third sister carefully peels the rind, taking neither too much nor too little.
- The shepherd reports his observations to his mother.
- His mother advises him to choose the third sister.
- The shepherd marries the third sister and lives contentedly with her.
Characters
The Shepherd
Strong and healthy, accustomed to outdoor work.
Attire: Simple shepherd's clothing: woolen tunic, leather breeches, sturdy boots, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Indecisive, respectful, and values practical advice.
The Mother
Wise and experienced, with a knowing gaze.
Attire: Plain, practical clothing suitable for a rural setting: a long, dark dress with an apron.
Wise, observant, and pragmatic.
First Sister
Pretty, but lacking refinement.
Attire: Simple peasant dress, perhaps slightly more colorful than average.
Crude, unrefined, and wasteful.
Second Sister
Pretty, but careless.
Attire: Simple peasant dress, slightly better quality than the first sister's.
Hasty, wasteful, and lacking attention to detail.
Third Sister
Pretty and refined.
Attire: Neat and well-maintained peasant dress, with a clean apron.
Careful, efficient, and considerate.
Locations
Shepherd's Home
A simple dwelling where the shepherd lives with his mother.
Mood: homely, simple
The shepherd invites the three sisters to eat cheese to test them.