IT SNOADE JONKJE
by Simke Kloosterman · from Twiljocht-teltsjes : $b Maerkes
Adapted Version
Once, a king was very bored. His little girl had an idea.
The Princess said, "Let's play a game!" The King smiled. "A game! Yes!"
The King made a rule. "Win a shiny coin. Win a beautiful lady. But if you lose, you get no prize."
Many people came. The King asked, "What has long legs?" A man shouted, "A giraffe!" He was wrong. He did not win.
An old man tried. He was wrong too. The King was kind. "Go home," he said.
A boy named Johnny raised his hand. "The man with long legs!" he said. "He ran fastest!"
The King clapped. "You are wise!" He gave Johnny the coin.
The King asked again. "Three ships sailed. None came back. Which leaked first?" Many people tried. They were wrong.
Johnny said, "The ship with a hole!" He was right.
The King said, "You win the lady!" Johnny looked at her. "Thank you," he said. "But I am happy with my coin and animals. She can be free."
Johnny went home to his Mom. He showed her the coin. They were so happy. He bought many books to learn.
Many years later, Johnny was a teacher. The King called him. The King was old now. He liked Johnny.
The King said, "Eat with us." Johnny met the Princess. They talked and laughed. They became friends.
One day in the garden, Johnny gave the Princess a flower. "I like you," he said. She smiled. "I like you too."
They got married. They were very happy. They lived happily ever after.
Being wise and kind is better than being rich or strong. Johnny was happy because he was smart and nice.
Original Story
IT SNOADE JONKJE.
Der wie ris in kening en dy hie ien dochter en trije soannen. It famke telde noch net mei, hwent dy wie noch lyts, mar de soannen! nuvere bysfeinten wierne det, rare potsjemakkers! Hokker mâlle fiten as se wol net úthellen, der wie de ein fen wei. Sims gyng it wol ris hwet oer de hege skoen, mar it folk kniep ornaris in each ticht, hwent hja wierne ek al wer goederjowsk boppe mjitte en as ’t der op oan kaem, wierne de fiten wol bryk, mar noait gemien en nimmen hie der skea fen as de ljue, dy der wiilemoeds ynroanen. Dy-t de weach naem, moast den ek mar de útslach bilije doare.
De winter wie det jier bare lang en alle minsken forfeelden hjar ta de teannen út. De kening die neat oars as gapjen de hiele dei en de soannen spilen ek net swak by. Bergen fen boeken leine om hjar hinne, hja taelden der net nei, lietsjesjongers kamen by de fleet en galmen it hiele paleis by inoar, de kening treau boomwolle yn ’e earen en liet de doarren op ’t slot dwaen, greate learden woene him út prachtige nije boeken foarlêze, hja waerden ôfstegere mei in pong fol jild en in great ridderkrús en makken hânsum, det se wer foartkamen, do-t se de kening en de prinsen mar seagen. Hwent dy seagen sa prot det en hjar mâl sin stie spand op ’t springen ta.
Do kaem it prinseske op in dei ta de doar yn en wylt se der sa stie en hjar heit seach en de broerren, allegearre as moalsekken om ’e hird, sei se ynienen:
„To heit, jow nou de riedsels ris op fen Nane-moi.”
„Hea ja,” sei de kening, „der seistû my hwet, fanke, det hast my út it brein weiharke. Foartdaedlik scil ’k alle prikken yn ’t wirk stelle en yn nije wike scil ’t ha.”
It prinseske wie wakker op ’t snjit, det se de kening sa ’n goede ried jown hie en formakke hjar der tige mei, hwa it winne scoe, hwent it rieden scoe frij wêze for alle folk, heech en leech en de earste priis scoe in sulveren wikseldaelder wêze, der koe min yn ’t hiele ryk alles mei ynruilje, hwer min mar sin oan hie en det in wike lang en de twadde priis scoe de moaijste faem wêze, dy-t der mar to finen wie en dy de kening sels útrisse scoe mei alles, hwet der mar yn in húshâlding to pas komt.
Mar dy-t it net woan en det wie in rare snuver! dy moast in healjier nei de minen ta en der sûnder deihier arbeidzje det hiele lange skoft for de kening. It wie in bilechje fen de trije prinsen, mar de kening wie der ek lang net fij fen. It griisde it prinseske al hwet oan, hwent nou scoene de minsken wol by mennichten nei de minen moatte, mar it wie ek al wer tige snoad fen heit, hwent it spande altyd danich, om der folk hinne to krijen en nou gyng it licht wol hast fensels.
Gjin minske forfeelde him nou mear yn dy kening syn ryk, alle minsken wierne sa wekker as in mûs yn in tsiispakhús sûnder kat. Min hie gjin oar praet mear, de minsken streamden de oare deis al to foet en op ’t hynsder en yn moaije weintsjes nei de sted ta, om der dochs mar gau by to wêzen, as de kening syn riedsels sei.
It wie in wike letter, do gyngen de gouden doarren fen ’t paleis op en alle folk mocht der yn. It like suver in swarte stream, dy-t ta dy gouden doarren yngjalpe. De kening en de prinsen forknypten hjar fen laeitsjen. De kening hie de hiele wike al net mear gappe, hy moast fierst tofolle prate en neitinke.
En sa siet ’r der op syn gouden troan en do-t optlêst alle minsken, dy-t riede woene en alle taharkers ta de doarren yn wierne, flapten dy ticht. It wie sa fier.
Min koe wol in spin op in spinrêch rinnen hearre, sa stil wie ’t.
En do sei de kening it earste riedsel:
„Trije mânljue roanen om ’t hirdst nei de sted,
„Hokker wie der earst?”
En in ryksbaron, in hiele hege oome, hâldde de wikseldaelder oan in swier sulveren ket yn ’e hichte. De minsken seagen hjar de eagen hast út de holle.
En do kaem der út in syddoar de moaijste faem fen it hiele ryk oankuierjen. Hja hie in kroan fen goud op ’e holle en in kleed fen side oan en trije mânljue droegen hjar greate koerren, optaest fol fen kostlikheit, efternei.
„O!” seine alle minsken en it wie krekt, as tongere it, mar de frouljue húnden se en seine: „Is det sa ’n moaijen? Nou ús kening is ek steksjoggerich, it roait wâl noch kant”. Hja bistoaren it hast fen spyt.
„Stiltme!” trommele in man op in greate trom en do kaem der wer hwet oars. Op ’e wei seach min in keppel skoane kij foarby skonkjen, in swart hynsder, in keppeltsje skiep en in fet baerch, dy-t der oer wraggele as in Krystgoes. Jonge! jonge! scoe ’t wetter yen net om ’e tosken rinne? seine de ljue. Det allegear to winnen! En hja waerden suver pûr.
Do kaem it lêste en hja seagen allegear nau ta, hwent in hege hear hâldde in lytse sulveren bos yn ’e hichte, der siet it andert op ’e riedsels yn. En nimmen oars as de kening sels en Nane-moi út de bosk wisten dy.
In dryst jongkearel, in krol swart bosk hier op ’e kop en in greate hirdfeger ûnder de noas, stiek de finger op en sei lûd en perfoastich wei:
„Ik wit it, o kening!” En hy sei it. De kening gnyske efkes fyntsjes. It wie mis. De jongkearel scoe him omkeare en gau foart, mar fjouwer tsjinders pakten him by ’t nekfel en sa derút. En sa gyng ’t wol mei tweintich en noch wol mear. In hiele bulte waerden binaud en slûpten foart, optlêst bleauwne der mar sa ’n stik twa foar de troane stean, in âld man en in jonkje fen sa ’n jier ef toalve.
„Moast dû ek noch riede?” sei de prinsesse, dy-t it om him bigrutte. Hy hie der al sa lang stien en dimmen en froed de oaren allegear foargean litten, nou ansens wie ’t on ef even en as se tocht, det hy nou licht ek wol nei de minen ta moast, den waerde it hjar nuvere frjemd om ’t hert. Hie se mar witten, ho-t it andert wie, den scoe se it wol útfikelearje kind ha, om him to helpen, mar heit hie ’t nimmen forteld.
De âld man syn andert roaide ek wer wâl noch kant en stilwei joech hy him nei de soldaten ta, om syn lot to ûndergean. Do wonk de kening en hy bleau stean. „Dû bist to âld, om noch by in oar yn tsjinst to kommen. Gien nei hûs en it húske, derstû oars to hier yn wennest, jow ik dy. Dû bist in tûken boer, mar ta riedselman doochstû net,” sei de kening.
De man foel op ’e knibbels del, sa bliid wie ’r en hy tútte de seame fen de mantel fen ’e kening. En do makke ’r det ’r foart kaem.
It jonkje bleau allinne stean.... foar him de greate kening en al syn hege steat, om him hinne it folk. Biskieden wachte hy, det de kening hwet sizze scoe.
Dy biseach him op en del. „Dû likest Lyts Tûmke wol,” sei ’r en nikte him frjeonlik ta.
„Net, hwet ik lykje, mar hwet ik bin, makket my,” andere it jonkje sêft.
„Wistû it riedsel?” frege de kening. En hy woe wol hûndert goune jaen, as dizze jonge it rette, sa graech mocht ’r him al lije.
„Ik hoopje der eat fen witte to meijen.”
„Nou den, harkje,” en de kening sei noch ris wer:
„Trije manljue roanen om ’t hirdst nei de sted,
„Hokker wie der earst?”
„Dy-t de langste skonken hie,” sei it jonkje.
„Det is redt!” rôp de kening bliid en it andert kaem út de bos en sjoch! it wie fen ’t selde.
„Wel noch ta, dû bist sa snoad as roet,” prize de kening en hy hinge him sels de wikseldaelder om ’t meagere halske.
De minsken waerden sa oerstjûr, det hja raesden it út fen „libje ús kening yn macht en hearlikheit!” en fiif tromslaggers kamen der nou by to pas, om oarder to skaffen en it dûrre wol in ketier, eart elts him stilhâlde.
Nou kaem it twadde riedsel en de minsken harken mei saun pear earen. En dit riedsel wie sa:
Trije skippen farden oer de wide, wide sé,
Nei in fiere frjemde ré,
Mar gjin ien dy kaem der oan,
By it daegjen fen de moarn,
Hokker is den ’t earste sonken?
De hege en wize hearen woene hjar net troch sa ’n jonge oer staek sette litte en kamen der nou permantich by kloftsjes op ta. Mar ’t gyng wer mis, altyd wer mis. It like suver wol tsjoenderij. En djip yn hjar hert hopen in patty minsken en de kening sels ek en de prinsesse, it jonkje scoe it wer winne.
Optlêst stie hy der wer allinne foar.... al de oaren hjar foarlân wie wer de minen en nou wierne der wol sa ’n tritich fen dy ongeloksfûgels.
„Is der nou nimmen mear for dit twadde riedsel as dit jonkje?” liet de kening freegje. Mar nimmen oppeneare him. Dit wie ommers noch folle slimmer as it earste.
„Mochste it ek net riede,” sei de kening greatmoedich, „dû hâldst dochs dyn earste priis en hoechste net nei de minen. Mar dit is slimmer riedsel. Wêz dos goed op dyn openst. It scoe my moije, astû it forlieze moast.”
„Der is mar ien riedsel yn ’e wrâld, det net to rieden is, oars alles wol,” sei it jonkje sêft.
„Hwet seistû?” frege de kening forheard. „En hokker den?”
„It libben sels, o kening,” sei it jonkje. „De berte en de dea... der is nimmen, dy-t det útlei wirdt en alle dei opnij wirdt dit riedsel ús optreauwn yn ús libben dwaen en litten.”
„Dû praetste wiis, ik bisou der fen.”
„Hwet ik siz, is mar sa deagewoan,” sei it jonkje.
En do sei de kening noch ris:
Trije skippen farden oer de wide, wide sé,
Nei in fiere frjemde ré,
Mar gjin ien, dy kaem der oan,
By it daegjen fen de moarn,
Hokker is den ’t earste sonken?
En it jonkje andere wis: „Dy-t it earste lek wie.”
It wie al wer goed... Nou bleau it folk stil. Ho scoe it komme mei dy moaije faem en hjar hiele habben en hâlden? Moast min net tinke, det in heechlearde jongfeint it winne scild hie en nou sa ’n bern?
„It is dyn rjucht, nim se mei,” sei de kening.
„En ik wol wol graech,” sei de faem en gyng deun neist it jonkje stean.
„nim se mei,” sei de kening. „En ik wol wol graech,” sei de faem
„Hwet myn part is fen de keningspriis, wol ik oannimme,” bigoan it jonkje, en de minsken harken sa, det hja doarsten hast net iens sykhelje, „en det moaije fé allegearre liket my wol sa skoan ta. Mar in minske syn lot doar ik net yn myn hânnen nimme. Det is keningsginst. Ik lit jou frij, om to gean, hwer jy wolle, faem.”
Do bûgde dy moaije faem hjar foardel en tútte him op syn swarte gledde jongeshier. Hy hie der wol net folle mei op, mar min moat yen fetsoen biwarje kinne en derom bleau hy deastil stean, krekt sa lang, det se him losliet en foart gyng.
Stadich gyng hy nei de kening ta en tanke him tige for de moaije presinten. Mar hy wie to greatsk, om djip to bûgen en mear fen sokke babbelegûchjes, mar do-t hy it prinseske foarby kaem om foart to gean, nikte hy efkes. En sjoch! hja nikte bliid en bizich werom.
En sa joech hy him op reis nei hûs ta, de wikseldaelder om ’e hals en de bisten en it hynsder en ’e fette baerch roanen him fensels efternei. De baerch krimmeneare sims al hwet, hwent syn skonkjes wierne mar koart, mar dochs kûrrele hy mei en alle minsken út ’e sted earst op in distânzje der efteroan. Mar do-t it jounich waerde en kâld, gyngen se werom.
Der barnde hjir en der al ris in lampe, do kamen se by it doarp, der hy thús hearde. Foar in âld húske bleau hy stean, helle de kaei ûnder it reid wei en die do it skûrdoarke op. Alle fé stapte der wiiswol ta ’n yn, de bisten nei ’t bûthús ta en it hynsder op ’e stâl en koéske yn ’t waerme strie yn ’t gol.
„Hwet scil Mem raer sjen!!” tocht it jonkje en hy gyng mei de wikseldaelder om ’e hals nei de winkel ta, hwer se it greate nijs ek al heard hiene en hy toaide der fen alles by inoar op ’e toanbank, hwet ’r mar fine koe, iten en drinken en bistefoer en bargemoal en in waerme wollen skelk for Mem en in krûdkoeke en trije poun bêste kofjebeanen, folle en net genôch en do koft ’r in kroade en kroade bliid-wei de hiele santepetryk nei hûs.
Mem rekke alhiel út de skroeven, do-t se dit allegearre seach, hja foel hast fen hjar sels en optlêst bigoan se to gûlen, greatsk op hjar snoade jonge en syn fortúnlikheit en bang, det se moarn alles weromhelje scoene en it blike scoe, it hie in forsin west ef hja hie alles dreamd, neat oars as dreamd!
En hja fielde ris op de bisten om, kaerde hjar gledde spekrêgen en boarnde se sels, om mar ris echt to witten, as se wol drinke woene en smiet se foer foar, ek al derom en it hynsder en ’e koés ek, dy-t fen wylderigens in greate krol yn ’e stirt hie.
It wie in wûnder, mar it wie wier. It jonkje koft for de wikseldaelder alle boeken, dy-t hy nedich hie en helle safolle jild út ’e sted, det hy wol tsjien jier leare koe, hwent der hie hy mar sin oan. En syn Mem joech hy alle fé presint en det waerde in hiele boerinne mei in faem en twa feinten.—
Lange jieren letter krige hy tynge fen ’e kening, dy-t yn dy twiskentiid in âld man waen wie, dy woe him yetteris sjen.
En do hy der kaem, jong en biskieden yn al syn leardens, gyng syn hert iepen en krige hy him ljeaf as in soan, hwent syn eigen soannen, der hie hy net folle wille fen bilibbe. Allinne de prinsesse, det wie syn hertlapke, der wie hy o sa mâl mei. En hy woe wol... hy woe wol...
Mar hy wie in kening en hy sei neat oars, as det ’r freegje liet, det de prefester hjoed noch ris mei him ite woe oan ’e keningstafel.
„De eare om út in goudene panne to iten, seit my neat,” andere de prefester, „mar de frjeonskip fen myn kening, al scoe ’t in swolchfol wetter wêze, det hy my bea, set ik heech.” Mar hy tochte om hiel hwet oars, do-t hy det sei.
Hy waerde dy joune klaeid yn in koarte broek mei goudene gaspen en sidene strikken, dy-t him by de kûten del bingelen en in swellestirtjas krige hy oan, oer en oer mei goud binaeid. En op in readsiden kjessen brocht in keamerhear him de heechste ridderoarde fen it lân, om op it boarst to spjeldzjen as in geskink fen ’e kening: hwent macht en wysheit ha altyd greate frjeonen west, liet hy der by sizze.
En hwa siet dy joune neist him? De prinsesse, nou in moai jongfaem en hja hiene it tige nei ’t sin togearre en de prefester sei sokke deagewoane domme dingen, det as hja it net witten hie, ho leard as ’r wol net wie, den hie hy suver wol in gewoan minske wêze kind. En hja winske, hja woe wol altyd by him wêze en net mear by it krûperige hôffolk mei syn geflaei en gestryk.
En de joune let... it wie o sok moai waer... kuieren se togearre yn ’t tún. Sa ’n moaije dei hie it noch noait west, tocht de prinsesse. En hja suchte der fen.
„Suchten binn’ winsken,” sei de prefester hiel sêft, det nimmen oars as de prinsesse en in bloeijende beam, hwer se ûnder stiene, it hearre koe.
„En as det nou sa ris wie?” tante de prinsesse him mei in ljeaf glimke fen hjar lyts mûltsje.
„For elts minske leit wol forfulling ré,” andere hy stadich en tepte ien fen de moaijste blommen fen de beam en joech him hjar oer. Hja roek der oan en stiek him do op hjar moaije sidene jûpe, hwer se hjar hertke tikjen fielde.
„Sa ’n blom heart tichte by myn hert,” sei se en sloech de eagen foardel. It wie as in riedsel, mar de prefester wie in tûken ien, det dit riedsel hie hy ek sa mar klear.
Der waerde in brilloft fierd, sa ’s noch noait sa moai en hja libben sechstich jier lang en lokkich mei inoar.—
Story DNA
Moral
True wisdom and kindness are more valuable than wealth or status, leading to genuine happiness and respect.
Plot Summary
A bored king, at his young daughter's suggestion, hosts a riddle contest with grand prizes and a harsh penalty of forced labor. Many fail, but a humble young boy correctly answers both riddles, winning a magic silver coin and a collection of animals. He humbly declines the offer of a beautiful maiden, choosing instead to use his winnings to pursue education. Years later, having become a respected professor, he is summoned by the aging king. The king, disappointed by his own sons, grows fond of the wise professor, who then falls in love with and marries the princess, living a long and happy life.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Simke Kloosterman was a Frisian writer, and this story reflects traditional Frisian storytelling, often emphasizing common sense, diligence, and the value of intellect over inherited status.
Plot Beats (16)
- A king and his three sons are bored during a long winter; only the young princess is not yet counted.
- The princess suggests a riddle contest, which the king enthusiastically adopts.
- The king announces the contest: prizes are a magic silver coin and a beautiful maiden, but the penalty for failure is six months of forced labor in the mines.
- Crowds gather, and the king poses the first riddle.
- Many contestants, including a boastful young man, fail and are sent to the mines.
- An old man fails but is shown mercy by the king and given his house.
- A humble young boy correctly answers the first riddle: "He who had the longest legs."
- The king, impressed, awards the boy the silver coin.
- The king poses the second, more difficult riddle.
- Again, many fail and are sent to the mines, but the boy correctly answers: "The one that leaked first."
- The king offers the boy the beautiful maiden, but the boy humbly declines, stating he cannot take responsibility for another's fate, accepting only the animals and the coin.
- The boy returns home to his mother, sharing his winnings and buying books to pursue his education.
- Years later, the boy, now a learned professor, is summoned by the aging king.
- The king, disappointed by his own sons, takes a liking to the professor and arranges for him to dine with the princess.
- The professor and princess fall in love, and he proposes to her with a symbolic flower.
- They marry and live happily for sixty years.
Characters
Jonkje (The Boy)
A young boy, approximately twelve years old, with a sturdy build typical of a peasant child. He is not described as particularly tall or short for his age, but rather as 'dimmen and froed' (quiet and wise).
Attire: Initially, he wears simple, unadorned peasant clothing, likely made of coarse wool or linen in muted, natural colors, reflecting his humble background. As an adult professor, he is dressed in 'koarte broek mei goudene gaspen en sidene strikken, dy't him by de kûten del bingelen en in swellestirtjas, oer en oer mei goud binaeid' (short breeches with golden clasps and silk ribbons dangling by his calves, and a swallowtail jacket embroidered all over with gold), indicating a formal, aristocratic court attire of the period.
Wants: Initially, to participate in the king's riddle contest. Later, to pursue knowledge and learning, and to provide for his mother. Ultimately, to find a meaningful connection and purpose.
Flaw: His modesty and humble origins might initially make him underestimated or overlooked by others.
Transforms from an unknown peasant boy into a renowned professor and eventually marries the princess, becoming a respected figure in the kingdom. He learns to navigate both the academic and royal worlds while retaining his core wisdom and modesty.
Wise, modest, observant, kind, practical.
The King
A king, initially bored and prone to yawning, later described as an 'âld man' (old man). He is likely of a regal and imposing stature, though his exact build is not specified.
Attire: Regal and opulent, consistent with his status. He sits on a 'gouden troan' (golden throne). Later, he is described as an 'âld man', suggesting his attire might become more comfortable but still royal. His clothing would be made of rich fabrics like velvet or silk, adorned with gold embroidery and jewels.
Wants: To alleviate his boredom and that of his kingdom, to find amusement, and later, to find a worthy successor or companion for his daughter.
Flaw: Prone to boredom, initially somewhat detached from his people's suffering (sending them to the mines).
Starts as a bored ruler, becomes engaged by his daughter's suggestion, and later, as an old man, finds a true son and successor in Jonkje, recognizing wisdom over lineage.
Bored, clever, amused, generous (with prizes), stern (with punishments), wise (in later years), affectionate (towards his daughter and later Jonkje).
The Princess
Initially a 'lyts' (little) girl, she grows into a 'moai jongfaem' (beautiful young woman). Her exact height and build are not specified, but she is graceful and appealing.
Attire: As a child, her clothing would be appropriate for a princess, likely fine dresses. As a young woman, she wears a 'moaije sidene jûpe' (beautiful silk gown), indicating luxurious court attire. The color and style would be elegant and fashionable for a royal lady of the period.
Wants: Initially, to alleviate her father's boredom. Later, to find a genuine connection and escape the superficiality of court life.
Flaw: Her initial naivety regarding the harshness of the riddle contest's punishment.
Develops from a clever child who inspires the riddle contest into a beautiful and wise young woman who falls in love with Jonkje, choosing genuine wisdom over superficial status.
Intelligent, compassionate, charming, observant, thoughtful, affectionate.
The Beautiful Maiden
Described as 'de moaijste faem fen it hiele ryk' (the most beautiful maiden in the entire realm). Her specific height and build are not detailed, but she is presented as the epitome of beauty.
Attire: She wears a 'kroan fen goud op ’e holle en in kleed fen side oan' (a crown of gold on her head and a dress of silk). This indicates luxurious, royal-level attire, likely in rich colors and fine fabrics.
Wants: To be chosen as a prize, to find a husband, or to be free.
Flaw: Her status as a prize, which makes her an object rather than an individual with agency.
Starts as a passive prize, but gains agency when Jonkje frees her, allowing her to choose her own path.
Beautiful, desirable (as a prize), agreeable (she says 'En ik wol wol graech' when offered to Jonkje), but ultimately independent when given the choice.
Jonkje's Mother
An older woman, likely with the weathered appearance of a peasant woman who has worked hard. No specific details are given, but she is strong enough to handle farm animals.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant clothing, likely made of wool or linen in muted colors. Jonkje buys her a 'waerme wollen skelk' (warm woolen apron), indicating her typical attire.
Wants: To care for her son and maintain their humble home.
Flaw: Her fear that her good fortune is too good to be true, leading to anxiety.
Experiences a dramatic change in fortune due to her son's success, transforming from a struggling peasant to a 'hiele boerinne mei in faem en twa feinten' (a full farmer with a maid and two farmhands).
Loving, hardworking, emotional, proud, fearful (of losing her good fortune).
Locations
King's Palace - Great Hall
A vast, opulent hall within a Frisian-style palace, featuring golden doors that open to admit a large crowd. The king sits on a golden throne, surrounded by his sons. The atmosphere is initially one of boredom, then shifts to anticipation and tension during the riddle contest. The hall is large enough to accommodate a multitude of people, who fall silent enough to hear a spider walk.
Mood: Grand, tense, expectant, later celebratory
The king hosts the riddle contest, where the young boy wins the first prize and refuses the second prize (the maiden).
Young Boy's Humble Cottage
A small, old Frisian cottage, likely a 'spiker' or 'pleats' type, with a thatched roof. The key is hidden under the thatch. Inside, there's a 'bûthús' (cow shed) and a 'stâl' (stable) for animals, and a warm straw 'koéske' (pigsty). The interior is simple but becomes filled with provisions after the boy's win.
Mood: Humble, warm, surprising, joyful
The young boy returns home with his winnings, surprising his mother and transforming their humble abode.
King's Palace - Royal Dining Hall
A formal dining hall within the Frisian palace, where the king hosts the now-professor. It's a place of honor and refined atmosphere, where the professor is dressed in elaborate attire.
Mood: Formal, honorable, intimate, romantic
The professor is honored by the king and dines with the princess, beginning their romantic connection.
King's Palace - Garden
A beautiful palace garden, where the professor and princess stroll late at night. It features blooming trees and provides a private, romantic setting.
Mood: Romantic, serene, intimate, hopeful
The professor and princess share a romantic moment, confessing their feelings for each other.