Our Lady's Little Glass
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Original Story
Our lady's little glass
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
Once upon a time a waggoner's cart which was heavily laden with wine had stuck so fast that in spite of all that he could do, he could not get it to move again. Then it chanced that Our Lady just happened to come by that way, and when she perceived the poor man's distress, she said to him, "I am tired and thirsty, give me a glass of wine, and I will set thy cart free for thee." - "Willingly," answered the waggoner, "but I have no glass in which I can give thee the wine." Then Our Lady plucked a little white flower with red stripes, called field bindweed, which looks very like a glass, and gave it to the waggoner. He filled it with wine, and then Our Lady drank it, and in the self-same instant the cart was set free, and the waggoner could drive onwards. The little flower is still always called Our Lady's Little Glass.
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Story DNA
Moral
Even small acts of kindness can be rewarded with miraculous assistance.
Plot Summary
A waggoner's wine cart gets stuck, and he is unable to move it. Our Lady appears, offering to free the cart if he gives her a drink of wine. When the waggoner explains he has no glass, Our Lady plucks a field bindweed flower, which she uses as a cup. After she drinks, the cart is instantly freed, and the flower is forever known as 'Our Lady's Little Glass'.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale reflects a common motif in European folklore where natural phenomena or objects are given a religious or mythical origin, often involving saints or divine figures.
Plot Beats (10)
- A waggoner's cart, laden with wine, gets stuck.
- The waggoner struggles to move the cart.
- Our Lady appears and observes the waggoner's distress.
- Our Lady offers to free the cart in exchange for a glass of wine, stating her thirst.
- The waggoner agrees but states he has no glass.
- Our Lady plucks a field bindweed flower, which resembles a glass, and gives it to the waggoner.
- The waggoner fills the flower with wine, and Our Lady drinks it.
- Immediately, the cart is freed.
- The waggoner drives away.
- The little flower is thereafter known as 'Our Lady's Little Glass'.
Characters
Our Lady
Not described
Attire: Inferred to be simple, modest robes suitable for travel
Compassionate, helpful
the waggoner
Not described
Attire: Simple, sturdy clothing suitable for a working man of the time
Grateful, willing to help
Locations
Roadside
A road where a heavily laden wine cart is stuck.
Mood: Distressed, frustrating
The waggoner's cart gets stuck.
Field with Bindweed
A field with white flowers with red stripes (field bindweed).
Mood: Serene, helpful
Our Lady plucks the bindweed to use as a glass.