Von dem Machandelboom

I would guess that you have never heard of this story, "Machandelboom" means "juniper tree" in Plattdeutsch. Because of this, I will do the story in its entirety. If you asked me, I would say this is one of the most demented of the Grimm's fairy tales. Believe it or not, it is also one of my favorites. I know I probably shouldn't like it, but I do anyway...

Dat is nu all lang heer, wol twe dusend Johr,

Long ago, at least two thousand years,

They better not say "gottlos" in this one... By the way, if you know Hochdeutsch, it could be a little struggle to read this, but you should be able to do it.

do wöör dar en ryk Mann, de hadd ene schöne frame Fru, un se hadden sik beyde sehr leef, hadden awerst kene Kinner, se wünschden sik awerst sehr welke, un de Fru bedd'd so veel dorüm Dag un Nacht, man se kregen keen un kregen keen.

there was a rich man who had a beautiful and pious wife, and they loved each other dearly. However, they had no children, though they wished very much to have some, and the woman prayed for them day and night, but they didn't get any, and they didn't get any.

And it sounded better auf Deutsch and it sounded better auf Deutsch

Vör erem Huse wöör en Hof, dorup stünn en Machandelboom, ünner dem stünn de Fru eens im Winter un schelld sik enen Appel, un as se sik [261] den Appel so schelld, so sneet se sik in'n Finger, un dat Blood feel in den Snee. »Ach,« säd de Fru, un süft'd so recht hoog up, un seg dat Blood vör sik an, un wöör so recht wehmödig, »hadd ik doch en Kind, so rood as Blood un so witt as Snee.« Un as se dat säd, so wurr ehr so recht fröhlich to Mode: ehr wöör recht, as schull dat wat warden.

In front of their house there was a courtyard where there stood a juniper tree. One day in winter the woman was standing beneath it, peeling herself an apple, and while she was thus peeling the apple, she cut her finger, and the blood fell into the snow.
"Oh," said the woman. She sighed heavily, looked at the blood before her, and was most unhappy. "If only I had a child as red as blood and as white as snow." And as she said that, she became quite contented, and felt sure that it was going to happen.

Sound familiar?

Do güng se to dem Huse, un't güng een Maand hen, de Snee vorgüng: un twe Maand, do wöör dat gröön: und dre Maand, do kömen de Blömer uut der Eerd: un veer Maand, do drungen sik alle Bömer in dat Holt, un de grönen Twyge wören all in eenanner wussen: door süngen de Vögelkens, dat dat ganße Holt schalld, un de Blöiten felen von den Bömern: do wörr de fofte Maand wech, un se stünn ünner dem Machandelboom, de röök so schön, do sprüng ehr dat Hart vör Freuden, un se füll up ere Knee un kunn sik nich laten: un as de soste Maand vorby wöör, do wurren de Früchte dick un staark, do wurr se ganß still: un de söwde Maand, do greep se na den Machandelbeeren un eet se so nydsch, do wurr se trurig un krank: do güng de achte Maand hen, un se reep eren Mann un weend un säd »wenn ik staarw, so begraaf my ünner den Machandelboom.« Do wurr se ganß getrost, un freude sik, bet de neegte Maand vorby wöör, do kreeg se en Kind so witt as Snee un so rood as Blood, un as se dat seeg, so freude se sik so, dat se stürw.

Then she went into the house, and a month went by, and the snow was gone. And two months, and everything was green. And three months, and all the flowers came out of the earth. And four months, and all the trees in the woods grew thicker, and the green branches were all entwined in one another, and the birds sang until the woods resounded and the blossoms fell from the trees.
Then the fifth month passed, and she stood beneath the juniper tree, which smelled so sweet that her heart jumped for joy, and she fell on her knees and was beside herself. And when the sixth month was over, the fruit was thick and large, and then she was quite still. And after the seventh month she picked the juniper berries and ate them greedily. Then she grew sick and sorrowful. Then the eighth month passed, and she called her husband to her, and cried, and said, "If I die, then bury me beneath the juniper tree." Then she was quite comforted and happy until the next month was over, and then she had a child as white as snow and as red as blood, and when she saw it, she was so happy that she died.

Oh, this sounds so familiar. I wonder where it's from. Maybe I'll look at last post. (My sarcasm is irritating you, isn't it?)

Do begroof ehr Mann se ünner den Machandelboom, un he füng an to wenen so sehr: ene Tyd lang, do wurr dat wat sachter, un do he noch wat weend hadd, do hüll he up, un noch en Tyd, do nöhm he sik wedder ene Fru.

Her husband buried her beneath the juniper tree, and he began to cry bitterly. After some time he was more at ease, and although he still cried, he could bear it. And some time later he took another wife.

That was fast, just like the last one...

Mit de tweden Fru kreeg he ene Dochter, dat Kind awerst von der eersten Fru wöör en lüttje Sähn, un wöör so rood as Blood un so witt as Snee. Wenn de Fru ere Dochter so anseeg, so hadd se se so leef, awerst denn seeg se den lüttjen Jung an, un dat güng ehr so dorch't Hart, un ehr düchd, as stünn he ehr allerwegen im Weg, un dachd denn man jümmer, wo se ehr Dochter all dat Vörmägent towenden wull,

He had a daughter by the second wife, but the first wife's child was a little son, and he was as red as blood and as white as snow. When the woman looked at her daughter, she loved her very much, but then she looked at the little boy, and it pierced her heart, for she thought that he would always stand in her way, and she was always thinking how she could get the entire inheritance for her daughter.

When I first read this, this part confused me, but now I realize that the daughter is her daughter and the boy is the stepson, and he is the fair one. By the way, apparently at that time some people thought "if it isn't your own blood, it doesn't matter, which explains a lot of the stepmother stories.

un de Böse gaf ehr dat in, dat se dem lüttjen Jung ganß gramm wurr un stödd em herüm von een Eck in de anner, un buffd em hier un knuffd em door, so dat dat aarme Kind jümmer [262] in Angst wöör. Wenn he denn uut de School köhm, so hadd he kene ruhige Städ.

And the Evil One filled her mind with this until she grew very angry with the little boy, and she pushed him from one corner to the other and slapped him here and cuffed him there, until the poor child was always afraid, for when he came home from school there was nowhere he could find any peace.

Just like Snow White, only Snow White didn't talk about "the Evil One" and it's a boy, a nameless boy at that matter...

Eens wöör de Fru up de Kamer gaan, do köhm de lüttje Dochter ook herup un säd »Moder, gif my enen Appel.« »Ja, myn Kind,« säd de Fru un gaf ehr enen schönen Appel uut der Kist; de Kist awerst hadd einen grooten sworen Deckel mit en groot schaarp ysern Slott.

One day the woman had gone upstairs to her room, when her little daughter came up too, and said, "Mother, give me an apple."
"Yes, my child," said the woman, and gave her a beautiful apple out of the chest. The chest had a large heavy lid with a large sharp iron lock.

Now, I wonder why they would specify that?

»Moder,« säd de lüttje Dochter, »schall Broder nich ook enen hebben?« Dat vördrööt de Fru, doch säd se »ja, wenn he uut de School kummt.« Un as se uut dat Fenster wohr wurr, dat he köhm, so wöör dat recht, as wenn de Böse äwer ehr köhm, un se grappst to un nöhm erer Dochter den Appel wedder wech und säd »du schalst nich ehr enen hebben as Broder.« Do smeet se den Appel in de Kist un maakd de Kist to: do köhm de lüttje Jung in de Döhr, do gaf ehr de Böse in, dat se fründlich to em säd »myn Sähn, wullt du enen Appel hebben?« un seeg em so hastig an. »Moder,« säd de lüttje Jung, »wat sühst du gräsig uut! ja, gif my enen Appel.«

"Mother," said the little daughter, "is brother not to have one too?"
This made the woman angry, but she said, "Yes, when he comes home from school."
When from the window she saw him coming, it was as though the Evil One came over her, and she grabbed the apple and took it away from her daughter, saying, "You shall not have one before your brother."
She threw the apple into the chest, and shut it. Then the little boy came in the door, and the Evil One made her say to him kindly, "My son, do you want an apple?" And she looked at him fiercely.
"Mother," said the little boy, "how angry you look. Yes, give me an apple."

Should he take the apple if she looks angry?

Do wöör ehr, as schull se em toreden. »Kumm mit my,« säd se un maakd den Deckel up, »hahl dy enen. Appel heruut.« Un as sik de lüttje Jung henin bückd, so reet ehr de Böse, bratsch! slöögt se den Deckel to, dat de Kopp afflöög un ünner de [263] roden Appel füll.

Then it seemed to her as if she had to persuade him. "Come with me," she said, opening the lid of the chest. "Take out an apple for yourself." And while the little boy was leaning over, the Evil One prompted her, and crash! she slammed down the lid, and his head flew off, falling among the red apples.

Bet you've never seen that happen in a fairy tale, a lock so sharp it could somehow cut through one's spinal cord. If you're wondering if I'm always this gruesome, it's only when I read this kind of stories.

Da äwerleep ehr dat in de Angst, un dachd »kunn ich dat von my bringen!« Da güng se bawen na ere Stuw na erem Draagkasten un hahl uut de bäwelste Schuuflad enen witten Dook, un sett't den Kopp wedder up den Hals un bünd den Halsdook so üm, dat'n niks sehn kunn, un sett't em vör de Döhr up enen Stohl un gaf em den Appel in de Hand.

Then fear overcame her, and she thought, "Maybe I can get out of this." So she went upstairs to her room to her chest of drawers, and took a white scarf out of the top drawer, and set the head on the neck again, tying the scarf around it so that nothing could be seen. Then she set him on a chair in front of the door and put the apple in his hand.

Who would be fooled by that!?

Do köhm doorna Marleenken to erer Moder in de Kääk, de stünn by dem Führ un hadd enen Putt mit heet Water vör sik, den röhrd se jümmer üm. »Moder,« säd Marleenken, »Broder sitt vör de Döhr un süht ganz witt uut un hett enen Appel in de Hand, ik heb em beden, he schull my den Appel gewen, awerst he antwöörd my nich, do wurr my ganß grolich.«

After this Marlene came into the kitchen to her mother, who was standing by the fire with a pot of hot water before her which she was stirring around and around.
"Mother," said Marlene, "brother is sitting at the door, and he looks totally white and has an apple in his hand. I asked him to give me the apple, but he did not answer me, and I was very frightened."

Just say this out loud in a timid voice, it is strangely funny...

»Gah nochmaal hen,« säd de Moder, »un wenn he dy nich antworden will, so gif em eens an de Oren.«

"Go back to him," said her mother, "and if he will not answer you, then box his ears."

You already know what's going to happen...

Da güng Marleenken hen und säd »Broder, gif my den Appel.« Awerst he sweeg still, do gaf se em eens up de Oren, do feel de Kopp herünn, doräwer vörschrock se sik un füng an to wenen un to roren, un löp to erer Moder un säd »ach, Moder, ik hebb mynen Broder den Kopp afslagen,« un weend un weend un wull sik nich tofreden gewen.

So Marlene went to him and said, "Brother, give me the apple." But he was silent, so she gave him one on the ear, and his head fell off. Marlene was terrified, and began crying and screaming, and ran to her mother, and said, "Oh, mother, I have knocked my brother's head off," and she cried and cried and could not be comforted.

Admit it, you would react this way if you genuinly thought you had knocked your sibling's head off.

»Marleenken,« säd de Moder, »wat hest du dahn! awerst swyg man still, dat et keen Mensch markt, dat is nu [264] doch nich to ännern; wy willen em in Suhr kaken.«

"Marlene," said the mother, "what have you done? Be quiet and don't let anyone know about it. It cannot be helped now. We will cook him into stew."

Just letting you know, in the first version I read, they didn't stick him in the stew...

Da nöhm de Moder den lüttjen Jung un hackd em in Stücken, ded de in den Putt un kaakd em in Suhr. Marleenken awerst stünn daarby un weend un weend, un de Tranen füllen all in den Put, un se bruukden gorr keen Solt.

Then the mother took the little boy and chopped him in pieces, put him into the pot, and cooked him into stew. But Marlene stood by crying and crying, and all her tears fell into the pot, and they did not need any salt.

Yet another act of cannibalism...

Da köhm de Vader to Huus und sett't sik to Disch un säd »wo is denn myn Sähn?« Da droog de Moder ene groote groote Schöttel up mit Swartsuhr, un Marleenken weend un kunn sich nich hollen. Do säd de Vader wedder »wo is denn myn Sähn?« »Ach,« säd de Moder, »he is äwer Land gaan, na Mütten erer Grootöhm: he wull door wat blywen.« »Wat dait he denn door? un heft my nich maal adjüüs sechd!« »O he wull geern hen un bed my, of he door wol sos Wäken blywen kunn; he is jo woll door uphawen.« »Ach,« säd de Mann, »my is so recht trurig, dat is doch nich recht, he hadd my doch adjüüs sagen schullt.« Mit des füng he an to äten und säd »Marleenken, wat weenst du? Broder wart wol wedder kamen.« »Ach, Fru,« säd he do, »wat smeckt my dat Äten schöön! Gif my mehr!« Un je mehr he eet, je mehr wull he hebben, un säd »geeft my mehr, gy schöhlt niks door af hebben, dat is, as wenn dat all myn wör.« Un he eet un eet, un de Knakens smeet he all ünner den Disch, bet he allens up hadd.

Then the father came home, and sat down at the table and said, "Where is my son?" And the mother served up a large, large dish of stew, and Marlene cried and could not stop.
Then the father said again, "Where is my son?"
"Oh," said the mother, "he has gone across the country to his mother's great uncle. He will stay there awhile."
"What is he doing there? He did not even say good-bye to me."
"Oh, he wanted to go, and asked me if he could stay six weeks. He will be well taken care of there."
"Oh," said the man, "I am unhappy. It isn't right. He should have said good-bye to me." With that he began to eat, saying, "Marlene, why are you crying? Your brother will certainly come back."
Then he said, "Wife, this food is delicious. Give me some more." And the more he ate the more he wanted, and he said, "Give me some more. You two shall have none of it. It seems to me as if it were all mine." And he ate and ate, throwing all the bones under the table, until he had finished it all.

If you were not grossed out by that, I'm not sure what to say, but the line "It seems to me as if it were all mine" goes back to the thing about it being his son.

Marleenken awerst güng hen na ere Kommod und nöhm ut de ünnerste Schuuf eren besten syden Dook, un hahl all de Beenkens und Knakens ünner den Disch heruut un bünd se in den syden Dook und droog se vör de Döhr un weend ere blödigen Tranen.

Marlene went to her chest of drawers, took her best silk scarf from the bottom drawer, and gathered all the bones from beneath the table and tied them up in her silk scarf, then carried them outside the door, crying tears of blood.

That was nice of her, it's evident that she's not bad like her mother. However, if you're crying tears of blood, you better go to a hospital.

Door läd se se ünner den Machandelboom in dat gröne Gras, un as se se door henlechd hadd, so war ehr mit eenmal so recht licht, un weend nich mer.

She laid them down beneath the juniper tree on the green grass, and after she had put them there, she suddenly felt better and did not cry anymore.

Okay, that was sudden.

Do füng de Machandelboom an sik to bewegen, un de Twyge deden sik jümmer so recht von eenanner, un denn wedder tohoop, so recht as wenn sik eener so recht freut un mit de Händ so dait. Mit des so güng dar so'n Newel von dem Boom, un recht in dem Newel, dar brennd dat as Führ, un uut dem Führ, dar flöög so'n schönen Vagel heruut, de süng so herrlich und flöög hoog in de Luft, un as he wech wöör, do wöör de Machandelboom, as he vörhen west wör, un de Dook mit de Knakens wöör wech. Marleenken awerst [265] wöör so recht licht un vörgnöögt, recht as wenn de Broder noch leewd. Do güng se wedder ganß lustig in dat Huus by Disch un eet.

Then the juniper tree began to move. The branches moved apart, then moved together again, just as if someone were rejoicing and clapping his hands. At the same time a mist seemed to rise from the tree, and in the center of this mist it burned like a fire, and a beautiful bird flew out of the fire singing magnificently, and it flew high into the air, and when it was gone, the juniper tree was just as it had been before, and the cloth with the bones was no longer there. Marlene, however, was as happy and contented as if her brother were still alive. And she went merrily into the house, sat down at the table, and ate.

The bird thing may be what made me like this... Hey! Ate what? Her father ate all the stew and she knew very well what was in it!

Picture courtesy of http://www.artsycraftsy.com/goble/wg_juniper_tree.jpg

De Vagel awerst flöög wech un sett't sik up enen Goldsmidt syn Huus un füng an to singen

»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
De Goldsmidt seet in syn Waarkstäd un maakd ene gollne Kede, do höörd he den Vagel, de up syn Dack seet und süng, un dat dünkd em so schöön. Da stünn he up, un as he äwer den Süll güng, da vörlöör he eenen Tüffel. He güng awer so [266] recht midden up de Strat hen, eenen Tüffel un een Sock an: syn Schortfell hadd he vör, un in de een Hand hadd he de golln Kede un in de anner de Tang; un de Sünn schynd so hell up de Strat. Door güng he recht so staan un seeg den Vagel an. »Vagel,« secht he do, »wo schöön kannst du singen! Sing my dat Stück nochmaal.«

Then the bird flew away and lit on a goldsmith's house, and began to sing:

My mother, she killed me,

My father, he ate me,

My sister Marlene,

Gathered all my bones,

Tied them in a silken scarf,

Laid them beneath the juniper tree,

Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
The goldsmith was sitting in his workshop making a golden chain, when he heard the bird sitting on his roof and singing. The song seemed very beautiful to him. He stood up, but as he crossed the threshold he lost one of his slippers. However, he went right up the middle of the street with only one slipper and one sock on. He had his leather apron on, and in one hand he had a golden chain and in the other his tongs. The sun was shining brightly on the street.
He walked onward, then stood still and said to the bird, "Bird," he said, "how beautifully you can sing. Sing that piece again for me."

In case you're wondering, they are not listening to what the bird-boy is singing for some reason.

»Ne,« secht de Vagel, »twemaal sing ik nich umsünst. Gif my de golln Kede, so will ik dy't nochmaal singen.« »Door,« secht de Goldsmidt, »hest du de golln Kede, nu sing my dat nochmaal.« Do köhm de Vagel un nöhm de golln Kede so in de rechte Poot, un güng vor den Goldsmidt sitten un süng

»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«

"No," said the bird, "I do not sing twice for nothing. Give me the golden chain, and then I will sing it again for you."
The goldsmith said, "Here is the golden chain for you. Now sing that song again for me." Then the bird came and took the golden chain in his right claw, and went and sat in front of the goldsmith, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,My father, he ate me,My sister Marlene,Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.

I think it means "unrewarded," not "nothing," but I don't know

[267] Da flög de Vagel wech na enem Schooster, und sett't sik up den syn Dack un süng

»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
De Schooster höörd dat und leep vör syn Döhr in Hemdsaarmels, un seeg na syn Dack un mussd de Hand vör de Ogen hollen, dat de Sünn em nich blend't. »Vagel,« secht he, »wat kannst du schöön singen.« Do rööp he in syn Döhr henin »Fru, kumm mal heruut, dar is een Vagel: süh mal den Vagel, de kann maal schöön singen.« Do rööp he syn Dochter un Kinner un Gesellen, Jung un Maagd, un se kömen all up de Strat un [268] seegen den Vagel an, wo schöön he wöör, un he hadd so recht rode un gröne Feddern, un üm den Hals wöör dat as luter Gold, un de Ogen blünken em im Kopp as Steern.

Then the bird flew away to a shoemaker, and lit on his roof and sang:
My mother, she killed me,My father, he ate me,My sister Marlene,Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
Hearing this, the shoemaker ran out of doors in his shirtsleeves, and looked up at his roof, and had to hold his hand in front of his eyes to keep the sun from blinding him. "Bird," said he, "how beautifully you can sing."
Then he called in at his door, "Wife, come outside. There is a bird here. Look at this bird. He certainly can sing." Then he called his daughter and her children, and the journeyman, and the apprentice, and the maid, and they all came out into the street and looked at the bird and saw how beautiful he was, and what fine red and green feathers he had, and how his neck was like pure gold, and how his eyes shone like stars in his head.

Couldn't they have talked about all of these things before?

»Vagel,« sägd de Schooster, »nu sing my dat Stück nochmaal.« »Ne,« secht de Vagel, »tweemal sing ik nich umsünst, du must my wat schenken.« »Fru,« säd de Mann, »gah na dem Bähn: up dem bäwelsten Boord, door staan een Poor rode Schö, de bring herünn.« Do güng de Fru hen un hahl de Schö. »Door, Vagel,« säd de Mann, »nu sing my dat Stück nochmaal.« Do köhm de Vagel und nöhm de Schö in de linke Klau, un flöög wedder up dat Dack un süng

»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«

"Bird," said the shoemaker, "now sing that song again for me."
"No," said the bird, "I do not sing twice for nothing. You must give me something."
"Wife," said the man, "go into the shop. There is a pair of red shoes on the top shelf. Bring them down." Then the wife went and brought the shoes.
"There, bird," said the man, "now sing that piece again for me." Then the bird came and took the shoes in his left claw, and flew back to the roof, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,My father, he ate me,My sister Marlene,Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.

Two things, what number is famous in a German fairy tale, now?

Un as he uutsungen hadd, so flöög he wech: de Kede hadd he in de rechte und de Schö in de linke Klau, un he flöög wyt wech na ene Mähl, un de Mähl güng »klippe klappe, klippe klappe, klippe klappe.« Un in de Mähl, door seeten twintig Mählenburßen, de hauden enen Steen und hackden »hick hack, hick hack, hick hack,« un de Mähl güng »klippe klappe, klippe klappe, klippe klappe.« Do güng de Vagel up enen Lindenboom sitten, de vör de Mähl stünn, un süng

»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,«

do höörd een up,

»mein Vater, der mich aß,«

do höörden noch twe up un höörden dat,

»mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,«

do höörden wedder veer up,

»sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,«

nu hackden noch man acht,

»legts unter«

[269] nu noch man fyw,

»den Machandelbaum.«

nu noch man een.

»Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«

Da hüll de lezte ook up und hadd dat lezte noch höörd. »Vagel,« secht he, »wat singst du schöön! laat my dat ook hören, sing my dat nochmaal.« »Ne,« secht de Vagel, »twemaal sing ik nich umsünst, gif my den Mählensteen, so will ik dat nochmaal singen.« »Ja,« secht he, »wenn he my alleen tohöörd, so schullst du em hebben.« »Ja,« säden de annern, »wenn he nochmaal singt, so schall he em hebben.« Do köhm de Vagel herünn, un de Möllers faat'n all twintig mit Böhm an un böhrden Steen up, »hu uh uhp, hu uh uhp, hu uh uhp!« Da stöök de Vagel den[270] Hals döör dat Lock un nöhm em üm as enen Kragen, un flöög wedder up den Boom un süng

»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vörn schöön Vagel bün ik!«

Un as he dat uutsungen hadd, do deed he de Flünk von eenanner, un hadd in de rechte Klau de Kede un in de linke de Schö un üm den Hals den Mählensteen, un floog wyt wech na synes Vaders Huse.

When he had finished his song he flew away. In his right claw he had the chain and in his left one the shoes. He flew far away to a mill, and the mill went clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack. In the mill sat twenty miller's apprentices cutting a stone, and chiseling chip-chop, chip-chop, chip-chop. And the mill went clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack.
Then the bird went and sat on a linden tree which stood in front of the mill, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,
Then one of them stopped working.
My father, he ate me,
Then two more stopped working and listened,
My sister Marlene,
Then four more stopped,
Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,
Now only eight only were chiseling,
Laid them beneath
Now only five,
the juniper tree,
Now only one,
Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
Then the last one stopped also, and heard the last words. "Bird," said he, "how beautifully you sing. Let me hear that too. Sing it once more for me."
"No," said the bird, "I do not sing twice for nothing. Give me the millstone, and then I will sing it again."
"Yes," he said, "if it belonged only to me, you should have it."
"Yes," said the others, "if he sings again he can have it."
Then the bird came down, and the twenty millers took a beam and lifted the stone up. Yo-heave-ho! Yo-heave-ho! Yo-heave-ho!
The bird stuck his neck through the hole and put the stone on as if it were a collar, then flew to the tree again, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,My father, he ate me,My sister Marlene,Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
When he was finished singing, he spread his wings, and in his right claw he had the chain, and in his left one the shoes, and around his neck the millstone. He flew far away to his father's house.

He's going home. Anyway, how does that bird carry the millstone around his neck when it was so hard for the millers to lift. Ah, well, he's probably magic.

In de Stuw seet de Vader, de Moder un Marleenken by Disch, un de Vader säd »ach, wat waart my licht, my is recht so good to Mode.« »Nä,« säd de Moder, »my is recht so angst, so recht, as wenn en swoor Gewitter kummt.« Marleenken awerst seet un weend un weend,

In the room the father, the mother, and Marlene were sitting at the table.
The father said, "I feel so contented. I am so happy."
"Not I," said the mother, "I feel uneasy, just as if a bad storm were coming."
But Marlene just sat and cried and cried.

Wasn't she feeling better?

da köhm de Vagel anflogen, un as he sik up dat Dack sett't, »ach,« säd de Vader, »my is so recht freudig, un de Sünn schynt buten so schöön, my is recht, as schull ik enen olen Bekannten weddersehn.« »Ne,« säd de Fru, »my is so angst, de Täne klappern my, un dat is my as Führ in den Adern.« Un se reet sik ehr Lyfken up un so mehr, awer Marleenken seet in en Eck un weend, und hadd eren Platen vör de Ogen, un weend den Platen ganß meßnatt. Do sett't sik de Vagel up den Machandelboom un süng

»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,«
Do hüll de Moder de Oren to un kneep de Ogen to, un wull nich sehn un hören, awer dat bruusde ehr in de Oren as de allerstaarkste Storm, un de Ogen brennden ehr un zackden as Blitz.

Then the bird flew up, and as it seated itself on the roof, the father said, "Oh, I feel so truly happy, and the sun is shining so beautifully outside. I feel as if I were about to see some old acquaintance again."
"Not I," said the woman, "I am so afraid that my teeth are chattering, and I feel like I have fire in my veins." And she tore open her bodice even more. Marlene sat in a corner crying. She held a handkerchief before her eyes and cried until it was wet clear through.
Then the bird seated itself on the juniper tree, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,
The mother stopped her ears and shut her eyes, not wanting to see or hear, but there was a roaring in her ears like the fiercest storm, and her eyes burned and flashed like lightning.

She is driven mad by the song that gives others so much joy.

»mein Vater, der mich aß,«

»Ach, Moder,« secht de Mann, »door is en schöön Vagel, de singt so herrlich, de Sünn schynt so warm, un dat rückt as luter Zinnemamen.«

»mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,«

[271] Do läd Marleenken den Kopp up de Knee un weend in eens wech, de Mann awerst säd »ik ga henuut, ik mutt den Vagel dicht by sehn.« »Ach, gah nich,« säd de Fru, »my is, as beewd dat ganße Huus un stünn in Flammen.« Awerst de Mann güng henuut un seeg den Vagel an.

»sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«

Mit des leet de Vagel de gollne Kede fallen, un se feel dem Mann jüst um'n Hals, so recht hier herüm, dat se recht so schöön passd. Do güng he herin un säd »süh, wat is dat vör'n schöön Vagel, heft my so'ne schöne gollne Kede schenkd, un süht so schöön uut.« De Fru awerst wöör so angst un füll langs [272] in de Stuw hen, un de Mütz füll ehr von dem Kopp. Do süng de Vagel wedder

My father, he ate me,
"Oh, mother," said the man, "that is a beautiful bird. He is singing so splendidly, and the sun is shining so warmly, and it smells like pure cinnamon."
My sister Marlene,
Then Marlene laid her head on her knees and cried and cried, but the man said, "I am going out. I must see the bird up close."
"Oh, don't go," said the woman, "I feel as if the whole house were shaking and on fire."
But the man went out and looked at the bird.
Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
With this the bird dropped the golden chain, and it fell right around the man's neck, so exactly around it that it fit beautifully. Then the man went in and said, "Just look what a beautiful bird that is, and what a beautiful golden chain he has given me, and how nice it looks."
But the woman was terrified. She fell down on the floor in the room, and her cap fell off her head. Then the bird sang once more:

Whatever happened to "I don't sing twice for nothing?" We will now place guesses for the ending of the story.

»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,«

»Ach, dat ik dusend Föder ünner de Eerd wöör, dat ik dat nich hören schull!«

»mein Vater, der mich aß,«

Do füll de Fru vör dood nedder.

»mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,«

»Ach,« säd Marleenken, »ik will ook henuut gahn un sehn, of de Vagel my wat schenkt.« Do güng se henuut.

»sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,«

Do schmeet he ehr de Schö herünn.

[273] »legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
Do wöör ehr so licht un fröhlich. Do truck se den neen roden Schö an, un danßd un sprüng herin. »Ach,« säd se, »ik wöör so trurig, as ick henuut güng, un nu is my so licht, dat is maal en herrlichen Vagel, hett my en Poor rode Schö schenkd.«

My mother killed me.
"I wish I were a thousand fathoms beneath the earth, so I would not have to hear that!"
My father, he ate me,
Then the woman fell down as if she were dead.
My sister Marlene,
"Oh," said Marlene, "I too will go out and see if the bird will give me something." Then she went out.
Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,
He threw the shoes down to her.
Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
Then she was contented and happy. She put on the new red shoes and danced and leaped into the house. "Oh," she said, "I was so sad when I went out and now I am so contented. That is a splendid bird, he has given me a pair of red shoes."

Father gets gold chain, Marleenken gets red shoes, bet you know what the mother's going to get.

»Ne,« säd de Fru und sprüng up, un de Hoor stünnen ehr to Baarg as Führsflammen, »my is, as schull de Welt ünnergahn, ik will ook henuut, of my lichter warden schull.«

"No," said the woman, jumping to her feet and with her hair standing up like flames of fire, "I feel as if the world were coming to an end. I too, will go out and see if it makes me feel better."

Do you think she'll feel better?

Un as se uut de Döhr köhm, bratsch! smeet ehr de Vagel den Mählensteen up den Kopp, dat se ganß tomatscht wurr. De Vader un Marleenken höörden dat un güngen henuut: do güng en Damp un Flamm un Führ up von der Städ, un as dat vorby wöör, do stünn de lüttje Broder door, un he nöhm synen Vader un Marleenken by der Hand, un wören all dre so recht vergnöögt un güngen in dat Huus by Disch, un eeten.

And as she went out the door, crash! the bird threw the millstone on her head, and it crushed her to death.
The father and Marlene heard it and went out. Smoke, flames, and fire were rising from the place, and when that was over, the little brother was standing there, and he took his father and Marlene by the hand, and all three were very happy, and they went into the house, sat down at the table, and ate.

What is it with this family and eating!? They must get it from the father's side. He's got to have been so hungry once that he, oh, ate his son or something! Anyway, what about the wife? I don't think the son would feel the best about crushing his stepmother, and Marleenken seemed to take the mother's death rather well. I wonder If the father will marry again. A nice woman with a nice large... apple-holding chest with a very sharp iron lock. If you thought that was ambiguous at this point, reread the first half of this post.

Regardless, did you like it? This is one fairy tale we'll probably never see in Disney any time soon. I know it seemed like I have a sick mind during this, but those of you who know me well enough know I'm not like that. Or do you?... Yes, you do. I couldn't resist saying that.

Original Text from http://www.zeno.org/Literatur/M/Grimm,+Jacob+und+Wilhelm/M%C3%A4rchen/Kinder-+und+Hausm%C3%A4rchen/47.+Von+dem+Machandelboom

Translation from http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm047.html

Sneewittchen

I assume that most of you have seen the movie Snow White, or at least heard the story. I also say it's saf to assume that you know this story primarily by the Disney version. I would hope you would know that Disney did not come up with this, and did change it somewhat from its original version. I am here to contrast the two, I'm not saying the Disney version is bad, I like the movie now that I'm not afraid of the Queen's transformation anymore, but it has changed a lot from the original story told in Plattdeutsch.
















Picture courtesy of http://www.ktimothy.com/stuff/Easter-Princess-Snow-White.jpg





Anyway, for those of you that don't know, Plattdeutsch is a German dialect, it's considered a language for those of you who feel touchy about it being called a dialect, but it's as much a dialect as Hochdeutsch is. Hochdeutsch means "High German," it originated from the more mountainous areas and is recognized as standard German, Plattdeutsch is the second most used dialect, it means "Flat German" and comes from the plains in the north of Germany. This story also comes with a Hochdeutsch translation, so I plan on using that one. By the way, this is not called "Schneeweisschen," but it means that in Plattdeutsch.



Es war einmal mitten im Winder, und die Schneeflocken fielen wie Federn vom Himmel herab, da saß eine Königin an einem Fenster, das einen Rahmen von schwarzem Ebenholz hatte, und nähte. Und wie sie so nähte und nach dem Schnee aufblickte, stach sie sich mit der Nadel in den Finger, und es fielen drei Tropfen Blut in den Schnee. Und weil das Rote im weißen Schnee so schön aussah, dachte sie bei sich »hätt ich ein Kind so weiß wie Schnee, so rot wie Blut, und so schwarz wie das Holz an dem Rahmen.« Bald darauf bekam sie ein Töchterlein, das war so weiß wie Schnee, so rot wie Blut, und so schwarzhaarig wie Ebenholz, und ward darum das Sneewittchen (Schneeweißchen) genannt. Und wie das Kind geboren war, starb die Königin.



Once upon a time in midwinter, when the snowflakes were falling like feathers from heaven, a queen sat sewing at her window, which had a frame of black ebony wood. As she sewed she looked up at the snow and pricked her finger with her needle. Three drops of blood fell into the snow. The red on the white looked so beautiful that she thought to herself, "If only I had a child as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as the wood in this frame."
Soon afterward she had a little daughter who was as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as ebony wood, and therefore they called her Little Snow-White. And as soon as the child was born, the queen died.



This never happened in the Disney version, they just skipped the mother entirely. By the way, there was nothing about the father dying in this one...

Sneewittchen aber wuchs heran und wurde immer schöner, und als es sieben Jahre alt war, war es so schön wie der klare Tag, und schöner als die Königin selbst. Als diese einmal ihren Spiegel fragte

»Spieglein, Spieglein an der Wand,
wer ist die Schönste im ganzen Land?«

so antwortete er

»Frau Königin, Ihr seid die Schönste hier,
aber Sneewittchen ist tausendmal schöner als Ihr.«

Da erschrak die Königin und ward gelb und grün vor Neid. Von Stund an, wenn sie Sneewittchen erblickte, kehrte sich ihr das Herz im Leibe herum, so haßte sie das Mädchen. Und der Neid und Hochmut wuchsen wie ein Unkraut in ihrem Herzen immer höher, daß sie Tag und Nacht keine Ruhe mehr hatte. Da rief sie einen Jäger und sprach »bring das Kind hinaus in den Wald, ich wills nicht mehr vor meinen Augen sehen. Du sollst es töten und mir Lunge und Leber zum Wahrzeichen mitbringen.« Der Jäger gehorchte und führte es hinaus, und als er den Hirschfänger gezogen hatte und Sneewittchens unschuldiges Herz durchbohren wollte, fing es an zu weinen und sprach »ach, lieber Jäger, laß mir mein Leben; ich will in den wilden Wald laufen und nimmermehr wieder heim kommen.« Und weil es so schön war, hatte der Jäger Mitleid und sprach »so lauf hin, du armes Kind.« »Die wilden Tiere werden dich bald gefressen haben,« dachte er, und doch wars ihm, als wär ein Stein von seinem Herzen gewälzt, weil er es nicht zu töten brauchte. Und als gerade ein junger Frischling dahergesprungen kam, stach er ihn ab, nahm Lunge und Leber heraus, und [299] brachte sie als Wahrzeichen der Königin mit. Der Koch mußte sie in Salz kochen, und das boshafte Weib aß sie auf und meinte, sie hätte Sneewittchens Lunge und Leber gegessen.

Snow-White grew up and became ever more beautiful. When she was seven years old she was as beautiful as the light of day, even more beautiful than the queen herself.
One day when the queen asked her mirror:
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, Who in this land is fairest of all?
It answered:
You, my queen, are fair; it is true. But Snow-White is a thousand times fairer than you.
The queen took fright and turned yellow and green with envy. From that hour on whenever she looked at Snow-White her heart turned over inside her body, so great was her hatred for the girl. The envy and pride grew ever greater, like a weed in her heart, until she had no peace day and night.
Then she summoned a huntsman and said to him, "Take Snow-White out into the woods. I never want to see her again. Kill her, and as proof that she is dead bring her lungs and her liver back to me."
The huntsman obeyed and took Snow-White into the woods. He took out his hunting knife and was about to stab it into her innocent heart when she began to cry, saying, "Oh, dear huntsman, let me live. I will run into the wild woods and never come back."
Because she was so beautiful the huntsman took pity on her, and he said, "Run away, you poor child."
He thought, "The wild animals will soon devour you anyway," but still it was as if a stone had fallen from his heart, for he would not have to kill her.
Just then a young boar came running by. He killed it, cut out its lungs and liver, and took them back to the queen as proof of Snow-White's death. The cook had to boil them with salt, and the wicked woman ate them, supposing that she had eaten Snow-White's lungs and liver.

Ummm... wierd cannibal queen person, Disney would never get away with that. In addition, Snow White knew that she was a princess, there was nothing about a scullery maid, Snow White had to beg, the woodsman released her for her beauty, not for his kindness, and it was the heart he took from the pig in the Disney Version, not the liver and lungs. A lot of differences...

Nun war das arme Kind in dem großen Wald mutterseelig allein, und ward ihm so angst, daß es alle Blätter an den Bäumen ansah und nicht wußte, wie es sich helfen sollte. Da fing es an zu laufen und lief über die spitzen Steine und durch die Dornen, und die wilden Tiere sprangen an ihm vorbei, aber sie taten ihm nichts. Es lief, solange nur die Füße noch fort konnten, bis es bald Abend werden wollte, da sah es ein kleines Häuschen und ging hinein, sich zu ruhen.

The poor child was now all alone in the great forest, and she was so afraid that she just looked at all the leaves on the trees and did not know what to do. Then she began to run. She ran over sharp stones and through thorns, and wild animals jumped at her, but they did her no harm. She ran as far as her feet could carry her, and just as evening was about to fall she saw a little house and went inside in order to rest.

Well, well, well, I didn't expect this. Her relationship with the animals of the forest, one of the things that made Snow White so memorable, is completely different in this version.

Der erste sprach »wer hat auf meinem Stühlchen gesessen?« Der zweite »wer hat von meinem Tellerchen gegessen?« Der dritte »wer hat von meinem Brötchen genommen?« Der vierte »wer hat von meinem Gemüschen gegessen?« Der fünfte »wer hat mit meinem Gäbelchen gestochen?« Der sechste »wer hat mit meinem Messerchen geschnitten?« Der siebente »wer hat aus meinem Becherlein getrunken?« Dann sah sich der erste um und sah, daß auf seinem Bett eine kleine Delle war, da sprach er »wer hat in mein Bettchen getreten?« Die andern kamen gelaufen und riefen »in meinem hat auch jemand gelegen.« Der siebente aber, als er in sein Bett sah, erblickte Sneewittchen, das lag darin und schlief. Nun rief er die andern, die kamen herbeigelaufen, und schrien vor Verwunderung, holten ihre sieben Lichtlein und beleuchteten Sneewittchen. »Ei, du mein Gott! ei, du mein Gott!« riefen sie, »was [301] ist das Kind so schön!« und hatten so große Freude, daß sie es nicht aufweckten, sondern im Bettlein fortschlafen ließen. Der siebente Zwerg aber schlief bei seinen Gesellen, bei jedem eine Stunde, da war die Nacht herum.Als es Morgen war, erwachte Sneewittchen, und wie es die sieben Zwerge sah, erschrak es. Sie waren aber freundlich und fragten »wie heißt du?« »Ich heiße Sneewittchen,« antwortete es. »Wie bist du in unser Haus gekommen?« sprachen weiter die Zwerge. Da erzählte es ihnen, daß seine Stiefmutter es hätte wollen umbringen lassen, der Jäger hätte ihm aber das Leben geschenkt, und da wär es gelaufen den ganzen Tag, bis es endlich ihr Häuslein gefunden hätte. Die Zwerge sprachen »willst du unsern Haushalt versehen, kochen, betten, waschen, nähen und stricken, und willst du alles ordentlich und reinlich halten, so kannst du bei uns bleiben, und es soll dir an nichts fehlen.« »Ja,« sagte Sneewittchen, »von Herzen gern,« und blieb bei ihnen.

The first one said, "Who has been sitting in my chair?"
The second one, "Who has been eating from my plate?"
The third one, "Who has been eating my bread?"
The fourth one, "Who has been eating my vegetables?"
The fifth one, "Who has been sticking with my fork?"
The sixth one, "Who has been cutting with my knife?"
The seventh one, "Who has been drinking from my mug?"
Then the first one saw a that there was a little imprint in his bed, and said, "Who stepped on my bed?"
The others came running up and shouted, "Someone has been lying in mine as well."
But the seventh one, looking at his bed, found Snow-White lying there asleep. The seven dwarfs all came running up, and they cried out with amazement. They fetched their seven candles and shone the light on Snow-White. "Oh good heaven! Oh good heaven!" they cried. "This child is so beautiful!"

They were so happy, that they did not wake her up, but let her continue to sleep there in the bed. The seventh dwarf had to sleep with his companions, one hour with each one, and then the night was done.
The next morning Snow-White woke up, and when she saw the seven dwarfs she was frightened. But they were friendly and asked, "What is your name?"
"My name is Snow-White," she answered.
"How did you find your way to our house?" the dwarfs asked further.
Then she told them that her stepmother had tried to kill her, that the huntsman had spared her life, and that she had run the entire day, finally coming to their house.
The dwarfs said, "If you will keep house for us, and cook, make beds, wash, sew, and knit, and keep everything clean and orderly, then you can stay with us, and you shall have everything that you want."
"Yes," said Snow-White, "with all my heart."

Unnamed dwarves, 7th dwarf talking, originally wanted Snow White to stay, I definetely prefer the Disney version in many aspects

Und als sie sich endlich etwas ausgedacht hatte, färbte sie sich das Gesicht, und kleidete sich wie eine alte Krämerin, und war ganz unkenntlich. In dieser Gestalt ging sie über die sieben Berge zu den sieben Zwergen, klopfte an die Türe und rief »schöne Ware feil! feil!« Sneewittchen guckte zum Fenster heraus und rief »guten Tag, liebe Frau, was habt Ihr zu verkaufen?« »Gute Ware, schöne Ware«, antwortete sie, »Schnürriemen von allen Farben,« und holte einen hervor, der aus bunter Seide geflochten war. »Die ehrliche Frau kann ich hereinlassen,« dachte Sneewittchen, riegelte die Türe auf und kaufte sich den hübschen Schnürriemen. »Kind,« sprach die Alte, »wie du aussiehst! komm, ich will dich einmal ordentlich schnüren.« Sneewittchen hatte kein Arg, stellte sich vor sie, und ließ sich mit dem neuen Schnürriemen schnüren: aber die Alte schnürte geschwind und schnürte so fest, daß dem Sneewittchen der Atem verging, und es für tot hinfiel. »Nun bist du die Schönste gewesen,« sprach sie und eilte hinaus.Nicht lange darauf, zur Abendzeit, kamen die sieben Zwerge nach Haus, aber wie erschraken sie, als sie ihr liebes Sneewittchen auf der Erde liegen sahen; und es regte und bewegte sich nicht, als wäre es tot. Sie hoben es in die Höhe, und weil sie sahen, daß es zu fest geschnürt war, schnitten sie den Schnürriemen entzwei: da fing es an ein wenig zu atmen, und ward nach und nach wieder lebendig. Als die Zwerge hörten, was geschehen war, sprachen sie »die alte Krämerfrau [303] war niemand als die gottlose Königin: hüte dich und laß keinen Menschen herein, wenn wir nicht bei dir sind.«

At last she thought of something. Coloring her face, she disguised herself as an old peddler woman, so that no one would recognize her. In this disguise she went to the house of the seven dwarfs. Knocking on the door she called out, "Beautiful wares for sale, for sale!"
Snow-White peered out the window and said, "Good day, dear woman, what do you have for sale?"
"Good wares, beautiful wares," she answered. "Bodice laces in all colors." And she took out one that was braided from colorful silk. "Would you like this one?"
"I can let that honest woman in," thought Snow-White, then unbolted the door and bought the pretty bodice lace.
"Child," said the old woman, "how you look! Come, let me lace you up properly."
The unsuspecting Snow-White stood before her and let her do up the new lace, but the old woman pulled so quickly and so hard that Snow-White could not breathe.
"You used to be the most beautiful one," said the old woman, and hurried away.
Not long afterward, in the evening time, the seven dwarfs came home. How terrified they were when they saw their dear Snow-White lying on the ground, not moving at all, as though she were dead. They lifted her up, and, seeing that she was too tightly laced, they cut the lace in two. Then she began to breathe a little, and little by little she came back to life.
When the dwarfs heard what had happened they said, "The old peddler woman was no one else but the godless queen. Take care and let no one in when we are not with you."

Bet you didn't know the queen tried to kill her multiple times. She didn't use magic either. I'm questioning how she was able to come back to life after having her breath cut off for so long. They also seem to use "gottlos" as a random insult to the villain in these stories.

»Nun aber,« sprach sie, »will ich etwas aussinnen, das dich zugrunde richten soll,« und mit Hexenkünsten, die sie verstand, machte sie einen giftigen Kamm. Dann verkleidete sie sich und nahm die Gestalt eines andern alten Weibes an. So ging sie hin über die sieben Berge zu den sieben Zwergen, klopfte an die Türe und rief »gute Ware feil! feil!« Sneewittchen schaute heraus und sprach »geht nur weiter, ich darf niemand hereinlassen.« »Das Ansehen wird dir doch erlaubt sein,« sprach die Alte, zog den giftigen Kamm heraus und hielt ihn in die Höhe. Da gefiel er dem Kinde so gut, daß es sich betören ließ und die Türe öffnete. Als sie des Kaufs einig waren, sprach die Alte »nun will ich dich einmal ordentlich kämmen.« [304] Das arme Sneewittchen dachte an nichts, und ließ die Alte gewähren, aber kaum hatte sie den Kamm in die Haare gesteckt, als das Gift darin wirkte, und das Mädchen ohne Besinnung niederfiel. »Du Ausbund von Schönheit,« sprach das boshafte Weib, »jetzt ists um dich geschehen,« und ging fort. Zum Glück aber war es bald Abend, wo die sieben Zwerglein nach Haus kamen. Als sie Sneewittchen wie tot auf der Erde liegen sahen, hatten sie gleich die Stiefmutter in Verdacht, suchten nach, und fanden den giftigen Kamm, und kaum hatten sie ihn herausgezogen, so kam Sneewittchen wieder zu sich und erzählte, was vorgegangen war. Da warnten sie es noch einmal, auf seiner Hut zu sein und niemand die Türe zu öffnen.

Then with the art of witchcraft, which she understood, she made a poisoned comb. Then she disguised herself, taking the form of a different old woman. Thus she went across the seven mountains to the seven dwarfs, knocked on the door, and called out, "Good wares for sale, for sale!"
Snow-White looked out and said, "Go on your way. I am not allowed to let anyone in."
"You surely may take a look," said the old woman, pulling out the poisoned comb and holding it up. The child liked it so much that she let herself be deceived, and she opened the door.
After they had agreed on the purchase, the old woman said, "Now let me comb your hair properly."
She had barely stuck the comb into Snow-White's hair when the poison took effect, and the girl fell down unconscious.
"You specimen of beauty," said the wicked woman, "now you are finished." And she walked away.
Fortunately it was almost evening, and the seven dwarfs came home. When they saw Snow-White lying on the ground as if she were dead, they immediately suspected her stepmother. They examined her and found the poisoned comb. They had scarcely pulled it out when Snow-White came to herself again and told them what had happened. Once again they warned her to be on guard and not to open the door for anyone.

Man, Snow White fell for it again, if you know much about German fairy tales though, you know it will happen a third time with something else poisonous, something harder to remove than a comb, which it also seems strange that they could take her out of the poison by simply removing it.

Als sie den Spiegel so reden hörte, zitterte und bebte sie vor Zorn. »Sneewittchen soll sterben,« rief sie, »und wenn es mein eignes Leben kostet.« Darauf ging sie in eine ganz verborgene einsame Kammer, wo niemand hinkam, und machte da einen giftigen giftigen Apfel. Äußerlich sah er schön aus, weiß mit roten Backen, daß jeder, der ihn erblickte, Lust danach bekam, aber wer ein Stückchen davon aß, der mußte sterben. Als der Apfel fertig war, färbte sie sich das Gesicht und verkleidete sich in eine Bauersfrau, und so ging sie über die sieben Berge zu den sieben Zwergen. Sie klopfte an, Sneewittchen streckte den Kopf zum Fenster heraus und sprach »ich darf keinen Menschen einlassen, die sieben Zwerge haben mirs verboten.« »Mir auch recht,« antwortete die Bäuerin, »meine Äpfel will ich schon los werden. Da, einen will ich dir schenken.« »Nein,« sprach Sneewittchen, »ich darf nichts annehmen.« »Fürchtest du dich vor Gift?« sprach die Alte, »siehst du, da schneide ich den [305] Apfel in zwei Teile; den roten Backen iß du, den weißen will ich essen.« Der Apfel war aber so künstlich gemacht, daß der rote Backen allein vergiftet war. Sneewittchen lusterte den schönen Apfel an, und als es sah, daß die Bäuerin davon aß, so konnte es nicht länger widerstehen, streckte die Hand hinaus und nahm die giftige Hälfte. Kaum aber hatte es einen Bissen davon im Mund, so fiel es tot zur Erde nieder. Da betrachtete es die Königin mit grausigen Blicken und lachte überlaut und sprach »weiß wie Schnee, rot wie Blut, schwarz wie Ebenholz! diesmal können dich die Zwerge nicht wieder erwecken.«

When the queen heard the mirror saying this, she shook and trembled with anger, "Snow-White shall die," she shouted, "if it costs me my life!"
Then she went into her most secret room -- no one else was allowed inside -- and she made a poisoned, poisoned apple. From the outside it was beautiful, white with red cheeks, and anyone who saw it would want it. But anyone who might eat a little piece of it would died. Then, coloring her face, she disguised herself as a peasant woman, and thus went across the seven mountains to the seven dwarfs. She knocked on the door.
Snow-White stuck her head out the window and said, "I am not allowed to let anyone in. The dwarfs have forbidden me to do so."
"That is all right with me," answered the peasant woman. "I'll easily get rid of my apples. Here, I'll give you one of them."
"No," said Snow-White, "I cannot accept anything."
"Are you afraid of poison?" asked the old woman. "Look, I'll cut the apple in two. You eat the red half, and I shall eat the white half."
Now the apple had been so artfully made that only the red half was poisoned. Snow-White longed for the beautiful apple, and when she saw that the peasant woman was eating part of it she could no longer resist, and she stuck her hand out and took the poisoned half. She barely had a bite in her mouth when she fell to the ground dead.
The queen looked at her with a gruesome stare, laughed loudly, and said, "White as snow, red as blood, black as ebony wood! This time the dwarfs cannot awaken you."

Still no magical transformation, but you knew this was coming. It was clever of the queen to divide it into part normal and part poison, however.

Die Zwerglein, wie sie abends nach Haus kamen, fanden Sneewittchen auf der Erde liegen, und es ging kein Atem mehr aus seinem Mund, und es war tot. Sie hoben es auf, suchten, ob sie was Giftiges fänden, schnürten es auf, kämmten ihm die Haare, wuschen es mit Wasser und Wein, aber es half alles [306] nichts; das liebe Kind war tot und blieb tot. Sie legten es auf eine Bahre und setzten sich alle siebene daran und beweinten es, und weinten drei Tage lang. Da wollten sie es begraben, aber es sah noch so frisch aus wie ein lebender Mensch, und hatte noch seine schönen roten Backen. Sie sprachen »das können wir nicht in die schwarze Erde versenken,« und ließen einen durchsichtigen Sarg von Glas machen, daß man es von allen Seiten sehen konnte, legten es hinein, und schrieben mit goldenen Buchstaben seinen Namen darauf, und daß es eine Königstochter wäre. Dann setzten sie den Sarg hinaus auf den Berg, und einer von ihnen blieb immer dabei und bewachte ihn. Und die Tiere kamen auch und beweinten Sneewittchen, erst eine Eule, dann ein Rabe, zuletzt ein Täubchen. Nun lag Sneewittchen lange lange Zeit in dem Sarg und verweste nicht, sondern sah aus, als wenn es schliefe, denn es war noch so weiß als Schnee, so rot als Blut, und so schwarzhaarig wie Ebenholz. Es geschah aber, daß ein Königssohn in den Wald geriet und zu dem Zwergenhaus kam, da zu übernachten. [307] Er sah auf dem Berg den Sarg und das schöne Sneewittchen darin, und las, was mit goldenen Buchstaben darauf geschrieben war. Da sprach er zu den Zwergen »laßt mir den Sarg, ich will euch geben, was ihr dafür haben wollt.« Aber die Zwerge antworteten »wir geben ihn nicht um alles Gold in der Welt.« Da sprach er »so schenkt mir ihn, denn ich kann nicht leben, ohne Sneewittchen zu sehen, ich will es ehren und hochachten wie mein Liebstes.« Wie er so sprach, empfanden die guten Zwerglein Mitleiden mit ihm und gaben ihm den Sarg. Der Königssohn ließ ihn nun von seinen Dienern auf den Schultern forttragen. Da geschah es, daß sie über einen Strauch stolperten, und von dem Schüttern fuhr der giftige Apfelgrütz, den Sneewittchen abgebissen hatte, aus dem Hals. Und nicht lange, so öffnete es die Augen, hob den Deckel vom Sarg in die Höhe, und richtete sich auf, und war wieder lebendig. »Ach Gott, wo bin ich?« rief es. Der Königssohn sagte voll Freude »du bist bei mir,« und erzählte, was sich zugetragen hatte, und sprach »ich habe dich lieber als alles auf der Welt; komm mit mir in meines Vaters Schloß, du sollst meine Gemahlin werden.« Da war ihm Sneewittchen gut und ging mit ihm, und ihre Hochzeit ward mit großer Pracht und Herrlichkeit angeordnet.

When the dwarfs came home that evening they found Snow-White lying on the ground. She was not breathing at all. She was dead. They lifted her up and looked for something poisonous. They undid her laces. They combed her hair. They washed her with water and wine. But nothing helped. The dear child was dead, and she remained dead. They laid her on a bier, and all seven sat next to her and mourned for her and cried for three days. They were going to bury her, but she still looked as fresh as a living person, and still had her beautiful red cheeks.
They said, "We cannot bury her in the black earth," and they had a transparent glass coffin made, so she could be seen from all sides. They laid her inside, and with golden letters wrote on it her name, and that she was a princess. Then they put the coffin outside on a mountain, and one of them always stayed with it and watched over her. The animals too came and mourned for Snow-white, first an owl, then a raven, and finally a dove.
Snow-White lay there in the coffin a long, long time, and she did not decay, but looked like she was asleep, for she was still as white as snow and as red as blood, and as black-haired as ebony wood.
Now it came to pass that a prince entered these woods and happened onto the dwarfs' house, where he sought shelter for the night. He saw the coffin on the mountain with beautiful Snow-White in it, and he read what was written on it with golden letters.
Then he said to the dwarfs, "Let me have the coffin. I will give you anything you want for it."
But the dwarfs answered, "We will not sell it for all the gold in the world."
Then he said, "Then give it to me, for I cannot live without being able to see Snow-White. I will honor her and respect her as my most cherished one."
As he thus spoke, the good dwarfs felt pity for him and gave him the coffin. The prince had his servants carry it away on their shoulders. But then it happened that one of them stumbled on some brush, and this dislodged from Snow-White's throat the piece of poisoned apple that she had bitten off. Not long afterward she opened her eyes, lifted the lid from her coffin, sat up, and was alive again.
"Good heavens, where am I?" she cried out.
The prince said joyfully, "You are with me." He told her what had happened, and then said, "I love you more than anything else in the world. Come with me to my father's castle. You shall become my wife." Snow-White loved him, and she went with him. Their wedding was planned with great splendor and majesty.

Well, this may be where from the animal part came from. It's hard to believe, but the prince came even more suddenly this time. This version is a lot less romantic than before, wouldn't you rather be kissed than have a piece of apple spat out by a jarring force...

Fest wurde aber auch Sneewittchens gottlose Stiefmutter eingeladen. Wie sie sich nun mit schönen Kleidern angetan hatte, trat sie vor den Spiegel und sprach

»Spieglein, Spieglein an der Wand,
wer ist die Schönste im ganzen Land?«

Der Spiegel antwortete

»Frau Königin, Ihr seid die Schönste hier,aber die junge Königin ist tausendmal schöner als Ihr.«

Da stieß das böse Weib einen Fluch aus, und ward ihr so angst, so angst, daß sie sich nicht zu lassen wußte. Sie wollte zuerst gar nicht auf die Hochzeit kommen: doch ließ es ihr keine Ruhe, sie mußte fort und die junge Königin sehen. Und wie sie hineintrat, erkannte sie Sneewittchen, und vor Angst und Schrecken stand sie da und konnte sich nicht regen. Aber es waren schon eiserne Pantoffeln über Kohlenfeuer gestellt und wurden mit Zangen hereingetragen und vor sie hingestellt. Da mußte sie in die rotglühenden Schuhe treten und so lange tanzen, bis sie tot zur Erde fiel.

Snow-White's godless stepmother was also invited to the feast. After putting on her beautiful clothes she stepped before her mirror and said:
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, Who in this land is fairest of all?
The mirror answered:
You, my queen, are fair; it is true. But the young queen is a thousand times fairer than you.
The wicked woman uttered a curse, and she became so frightened, so frightened, that she did not know what to do. At first she did not want to go to the wedding, but she found no peace. She had to go and see the young queen. When she arrived she recognized Snow-White, and terrorized, she could only stand there without moving.
Then they put a pair of iron shoes into burning coals. They were brought forth with tongs and placed before her. She was forced to step into the red-hot shoes and dance until she fell down dead.

This death is more disturbing than the Disney one. Why did she even go? Could you imagine Snow White letting that happen, even to her "gottlose Stiefmutter." This shows how much Disney changed it to make it more compatible with kids of that time, and it's still somewhat scary.

Original Text from http://www.zeno.org/Literatur/M/Grimm,+Jacob+und+Wilhelm/M%C3%A4rchen/Kinder-+und+Hausm%C3%A4rchen/53.+Sneewittchen
Translation from http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm053.html

Two Brains are Better than One

Picture courtesy of http://cdn.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine/2009/06/survivor-samoa.jpg

You may be getting tired of my Survivor posts, but luckily for you, the season is almost over, when that happens I will start focusing a bit more on other topics, other ones which I repeat so much you will get tired of them, but regardless, this is the last episode before the finale. Unfortunately, I will not be watching the finale this week, so the post won't come up until after break, so don't tell me who wins or who gets voted out or the various intricacies of the episode, I don't want it SPOILED!

Anyway, this episode was interesting. The unthinkable happened, one of the Foa Foa 4 became friends with Brett, it's Natalie. The friendship started when Brett quoted Ecclesiastes 3:16-19 (I remember random things, okay?) They discovered they had similar interests and a bond began to form. Anyway, this bond became apparent to the rest of Foa Foa when Natalie picked Brett first as a teammate for a reward challenge. The challenge was to remove ropes from the net holding up coconuts without causing any coconuts to fall. Originally, Natalie's team went through and only 4 coconuts fell, while Russell's team hit about 50 coconuts, half the amount they needed to lose. All of a sudden, however Natalie accidentally caused about 40 coconuts to fall. Eventually, Russell's team won the reward that usually comes near the end, a visit to a settlement in the area, this was fortunate for Shambo because she wanted this part of the reward the whole time, and for Jaison, who had never won reward before.

Natalie, Brett, and Mick didn't win the reward, so they decided to do something else, make their own reward. All six people had a day of relaxation that day and were ready to pick it up again the next day.

When Russell got back, as expected, he questioned Natalie about Brett, she said that they were friends, but she was still loyal to the alliance. I believe her now, but in a day or two, that could change...

The challenge was interesting, they were supposed to memorize how many of each kind of things were in each group, but it was different for each group, I'm assuming it was the order because they were all looking at the same thing, they had to memorize this while Jeff was goading them and talking about how this would alter what would happen at Tribal Council. Brett won, again, but it didn't seem like he would, he was going very slowly at first, but then picked it up and eventually won.

After the challenge, Russell's snakelike nature was revealed, when Shambo asked if they were going for her, he said no, they were going for Mick, and when he was talking to Mick, he started talking about how Shambo was irritating and her breath was bad, it was odd. He said that he was undecided, but he eventually went with Shambo, who was voted out.

I can't say much else, except that I'm not sure I care who wins anymore, as long as it's not Russell.

Damage Control

Picture courtesy of http://cdn.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine/2009/06/survivor-samoa.jpg

This episode was different than I expected, there were two tribal councils in this one, no reward challenges and two immunity challenges. It seems like a lot of things have gone by in Survivor so far, and I'll be looking forward to seeing who wins. I think that it may reach the point where Russell wins. If he does, I will not be as sad as I thought I would have at the beginning, I still don't like Russell that much, but I do think he has a nice strategy, it seems to have worked so far. However, if he's not careful, he could get voted out soon.

Anyway, I don't remember much about the immunity challenge, but I do remember that it was a bowling tournament, and Jaison won it, so he got immunity.

I had forgotten quite a few of the details so I refreshed my memory in order to tell everything that needed to be told. Apparently, when Shambo questioned Russell when John was voted out, and he told her that John was going after her and that this time they would vote out Dave. John was never going after Shambo, but Monica was considering it at this Tribal Council, but they eventually decided to vote out Dave.

Normally, when people come back for the jury, there is a visible difference. They are able to have a change in clothes, are able to wash up, and are able to get a haircut if they want to. However, a negative change in hairstyle can change all this...

Anyway, on with the post.

I don't really remember the immunity challenge, because it wasn't very memorable. I just know that they had troubles getting the bags in the boxes.

Now, at this point there is little competition from the three remaining Galu members, Shambo is effectively a Foa Foa, so the only votes would be for Brett or Monica, if they don't vote for Foa Foa. Monica's the biggr threat, so they're going to try to vote her out. Monica, however, won't go out without a fight.

She said something that could really bring Russell down, his income. Russell said that the reason he played this game was to show people how easy it was to win it. Now, if he wins, he says that that will prove his point. If they find out that he makes more money than the prize money annually, it might decrease the amount of jury votes for him. In addition, she became crazed and said a bunch of things that may affect votes and possibly changed some votes. Russell got his way and Monica was voted out.

Some thing about this that could work against Russell is that Monica will now have access to the rest of the jury a lot more than he will. She could tell them then, because she didn't tall them in tribal council.

Amazing how this has played out, Foa Foa came into the merge with only 4 people and they don't get anyone voted out until the final episode, unless they have the jury vote at final 4, they have to have a Foa Foa on the jury. The only Galu that are left are someone who sided with the Foa Foa and someone who didn't stir up much trouble.

I do know one thing, Brett is probably going next. With a jury almost entirely composed of Galu, and Brett not doing much to help the Foa Foa or anger the Galu, so most of the Galu would probably vote for him.

Magnificent Frigatebird

Picture from http://www.junglewalk.com/animal-pictures/102/Magnificent-Frigatebird-8514.jpg

I know that this post should have been made last week, but we needed a new modem at our house, so...yeah.

I have decided to start talking about birds again. The first one is a bird I have never seen before and never may, primarily because it is a pelagic bird.

This bird lives in the tropical Atlantic area, breeding in areas aroung the Caribbean. This bird is also called the Man O'War for "its rakish lines, speed, and aerial piracy of other birds." (Source from Wikipedia)

Now, if you looked at that carefully you noticed the word "aerial piracy." True, the Magnifacent frigatebird is a pirate, like other friagtebirds. However, for now, we will just talk about the Magnificent frigatebird.

One other out of place fact, this bird is said to vagrant in Europe, which means some birds can be found there, but don't expect larger amounts.

Anyway, they are about 100 cm tall with a 215 cm wingspan, the measurements came in centimeters.

As you saw from the picture. The bird has a large red pouch, if you did not see this, look at the picture again, if you looked at it before...

Anyway, this pouch has one purpose, to attract mates and it is inflated during breeding season. The male is the only one with this pouch. The female looks similar to it, only it has no pouch and some other differences.

This bird is similar to other frigatebirds in size, except for the Lesser Frigatebird.

Now, about the aerial piracy. Although this is where they get their alternate name from, this is not where they primarily get their food from.

As for feeding in general, they do steal some food, but they catch the rest themselves. Unlike most pelagic birds, they can not take off from water, so they need to catch things in the air like eagles do.

I can't really say much more excpt that these birds are genetically close to pelicans.

Off with their Heads

Picture courtesy of http://cdn.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine/2009/06/survivor-samoa.jpg

I know this post is almost two weeks late, but I choose to blame this on having a hard week and the modem failing. In addition, this post won't be the best because I was working on an extra credit assignment and only got parts of it, but I did watch Tribal Council.

By the way, a correction from last time. My memory failed me and I thought Dave was voted out, it was actually Eric.

Anyway, one thing I do know is that they had a usual challenge, the auction. I don't remember much of what was done, but I do know that Jaison bid all of his money on a benefit in the immunity challenge. Everyone else spent their money on food, if there was anything else of importance. Eventually, Jaison won the challenge, thanks to his advantage.

The main events that I do know about were the events leading up to tribal. I know that they decided to cook the chickens that Galu had a while ago, which made Shambo sad, and when Dave critiqued her cooking, it made hr angry, so she wanted to vote him out next. Russell said that they would, but as you'll find out, that did not happen the way Shambo planned. One other thing I didn't see, I heard that Shambo claimed that she had a dream about Tribal Council. She said everyone voted out Dave. She thought it was clairvoyance and that was another reason she talked to Russell.

In addition, another plan was unfolding, Russell made a promise to John that if he voted for Laura, then they would vote out an old Foa Foa member. However, Russell did not want an old Foa Foa member to be votead d out. This problem would be easily alleviated by eliminating the only one who agreed, John. In addition, John found out that Russell had the hidden immunity idol, so he had to go. It was easy for Russell to guarantee votes from the old Foa Foa tribe. If you thought it was hard to get Galu votes, you would be wrong. Russell was not only able to use the fact that John voted out Laura against him, he was also able to use something that happened in the auction against him. When John won something, he had the option to give up his food for 4 other people to have that food, not including himself. John declined, he said that he hoped that the others would understand, apparently they didn't.

So, everybody was voting for John, except for Shambo, who still didn't know and voted for Dave, and John, who voted for Mick. Shambo seemed awfully smug, thinking that Dave was going home and thought it would be no surprise to anyone that he was. She was surprised when this ended up not being true.

So, this brings an end to this post, I'll try and do better on the final episode.

Der Froschkönig oder der eiserne Heinrich

If you don't speak German, the title of this is "The Frog King or Iron Heinrich." Chances are you know this story by the name "The Frog Prince. " There are two ways I know that this story is told. The right way and the wrong way. The wrong way is anything that involves the princess kissing the frog. THAT NEVER HAPPENED, PEOPLE! The correct way is different... I won't tell the whole story, but I will take little snippets, translate them, and comment on them. I know how to translate these things myself, but I am too lazy to do so. However, I will do a translation by an expert instead of something like Babelfish.



"wenn nun der Tag recht heiß war, so ging das Königskind hinaus in den Wald und setzte sich an den Rand des kühlen Brunnens; und wenn sie Langeweile hatte, so nahm sie eine goldene Kugel, warf sie in die Höhe und fing sie wieder; und das war ihr liebstes Spielwerk."



In the heat of the day the princess would go out into the forest and sit on the edge of the cool well. To pass the time she would take a golden ball, throw it into the air, and then catch it. It was her favorite plaything.



This is unimportant to the story, but it was brought to my attention when we went over it in German. How can you throw a ball made of gold into the air? I don't think it was that large... Now, back to the story.



"Nun trug es sich einmal zu, daß die goldene Kugel der Königstochter nicht in ihr Händchen fiel, das sie in die Höhe gehalten hatte, sondern vorbei auf die Erde schlug und geradezu ins Wasser hineinrollte."



Now one day it happened that the princess's golden ball did not fall into her hands, that she held up high, but instead it fell to the ground and rolled right into the water.



I'm guessing that this is more like a spring than a well. I'm assuming the same thing for Rotkäppchen.



»Ach, du bist's, alter Wasserpatscher«, sagte sie, »ich weine über meine goldene Kugel, die mir in den Brunnen hinabgefallen ist.«



"Oh, it's you, old water-splasher," she said. "I am crying because my golden ball has fallen into the well."



"Wasserpatcher" *snickers*



Der Frosch antwortete: »Deine Kleider, deine Perlen und Edelsteine, und deine goldene Krone, die mag ich nicht; aber wenn du mich liebhaben willst, und ich soll dein Geselle und Spielkamerad sein, an deinem Tischlein neben dir sitzen, von deinem goldenen Tellerlein essen, aus deinem Becherlein trinken, in deinem Bettlein schlafen: wenn du mir das versprichst, so will ich hinuntersteigen und dir die goldene Kugel wieder heraufholen.«



The frog answered, "I do not want your clothes, your pearls and precious stones, nor your golden crown, but if you will love me and accept me as a companion and playmate, and let me sit next to you at your table and eat from your golden plate and drink from your cup and sleep in your bed, if you will promise this to me, then I'll dive down and bring your golden ball back to you."



I bet a thought went through your head when reading that, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't intended that way. However, there is another story that involves something like that...

»Ach lieber Vater, als ich gestern im Wald bei dem Brunnen saß und spielte, da fiel meine goldene Kugel ins Wasser. Und weil ich so weinte, hat sie der Frosch wieder heraufgeholt, und weil er es durchaus verlangte, so versprach ich ihm, er sollte mein Geselle werden, ich dachte aber nimmermehr, daß er aus seinem Wasser heraus könnte. Nun ist er draußen und will zu mir herein.«

"Oh, father dear, yesterday when I was sitting near the well in the forest and playing, my golden ball fell into the water. And because I was crying so much, the frog brought it back, and because he insisted, I promised him that he could be my companion, but I didn't think that he could leave his water. But now he is just outside the door and wants to come in."

Well, of course he can leave the water. He's not a fish!

Endlich sprach er: »Ich habe mich satt gegessen und bin müde, nun trag mich in dein Kämmerlein und mach dein seiden Bettlein zurecht, da wollen wir uns schlafen legen.«

Finally he said, "I have eaten all I want and am tired. Now carry me to your room and make your bed so that we can go to sleep."

The reference is back...

Da packte sie ihn mit zwei Fingern, trug ihn hinauf und setzte ihn in eine Ecke. Als sie aber im Bett lag, kam er gekrochen und sprach: »Ich bin müde, ich will schlafen so gut wie du: heb mich herauf, oder ich sag's deinem Vater.« Da ward sie erst bitterböse, holte ihn herauf und warf ihn aus allen Kräften wider die Wand. »Nun wirst du Ruhe haben, du garstiger Frosch.«

She picked him up with two fingers, carried him upstairs, and set him in a corner. As she was lying in bed, he came creeping up to her and said, "I am tired, and I want to sleep as well as you do. Pick me up or I'll tell your father."
With that she became bitterly angry and threw him against the wall with all her might. "Now you will have your peace, you disgusting frog!"

The princess has become violent!

Der treue Heinrich hatte sich so betrübt, als sein Herr war in einen Frosch verwandelt worden, daß er drei eiserne Bande hatte um sein Herz legen lassen, damit es ihm nicht vor Weh und Traurigkeit zerspränge.

Faithful Heinrich had been so saddened by his master's transformation into a frog that he had had to place three iron bands around his heart to keep it from bursting in grief and sorrow.

... No comment

Und als sie ein Stück Wegs gefahren waren, hörte der Königssohn, daß es hinter ihm krachte, als wäre etwas zerbrochen. Da drehte er sich um und rief: »Heinrich, der Wagen bricht.«

»Nein, Herr, der Wagen nicht,

es ist ein Band von meinem Herzen,

das da lag in großen Schmerzen,

als Ihr in dem Brunnen saßt,

als Ihr eine Fretsche (Frosch) wast (wart).«

After they had gone a short distance, the prince heard a crack from behind, as though something had broken.
He turned around and said, "Heinrich, the carriage is breaking apart."
No, my lord, the carriage it's not,

But one of the bands surrounding my heart,

That suffered such great pain,

When you were sitting in the well,

When you were a frog.

"Fretsche wast?" And wasn't Heinrich sitting next to him? And what happened to the princess? Anyway, he transformed after he was "warfed" against the wall he transformed. He never went in her bed! She didn't keep her promise, he shouldn't have changed back yet! How did they get married?

As you can see, there was no kiss. You may know it by this version, you may not, but now you know the real version. This story was for small kids. Small kids should have things repeated to make sure they get it.

Die Moral der Geschichte: Was du versprochen hast musst du auch halten.

More may come, if you like this, keep reading.

The version I used, the original, can be found here and the translation can be found here.

Survivor Posts are back up

Picture courtesy of http://cdn.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine/2009/06/survivor-samoa.jpg

It is time once again for me to start blogging about Survivor. In this post, I will talk about the three episodes I did not post when they came up. I will not talk about this weeks' episode yet because I was engrossed in the Oregon Trail. I will save this for next week as well as the episode that will be next week. These posts will not come until the weekend, for reasons I will not tell. Anyway, on to the episodes.

The merge finally happened with Galu having twice as many people as Foa Foa. It ended with 3 blindsides removing people from Galu.

First episode of the merge, Russell started to plant his seeds, his "Russell Seeds" if you remember. He did not win over many of the Foa Foa, but he did get Shambo, who you could say was already on their side, and John to some degree. I noticed something just then, Shambo has a grudge on Laura for some reason. In addition, it turned out that none of my family members liked Laura either. I didn't really know much about her and didn't think that she was that bad. Anyway, Shambo really wanted her to be voted out and tried to get Russell to vote her out, because he didn't like her either. So when Laura got the immunity idol, Shambo became sad and possibly angry. Okay, normally you would expect them to try and vote out a Foa Foa, right? Wrong. Well, you saw that I said all the people were Galu, so... yeah. Laura convinced everyone, or almost everyone, to vote for Dave, saying that he was bad. Russell and Dave both had hidden immunity idols. Russell played his, Dave didn't. Dave became sad when he was voted out because he thought that he was perfectly safe. In addition, when Dave came in as the first member of the jury, one of the Galu members said, "We don't want another Dave" right in front of him.

Next episode. Russell has used his hidden immunity, so they thought it was a good idea to take him out this time. However, when Russell didn't win the reward challenge, it gave him an oppurtunity to search for the idol. He found it, as some people would expect. In addition, like last time, Laura got the immunity idol, which, like last time, changed who they were going to vote for. Foa Foa decided that they were going to vote for Kelly this time because her anonymity could be dangerous. I didn't really understand how this could be true, but then I thought of Suzie from either one season before or two seasons before. She remained relatively anonymous and made it to the final three. Anyway, I think you know how it went, every Galu member voted for Russell, he pulled out the idol, jaws dropped, and Kelly went home. However, you know something that was really bad about this, they were saying that maybe they should distribute their votes in case Russell had somehow gotten the idol. They had the chance, but they underestimated him.

Now, the third episode. One really funny thing that happened in this episode was the reward challenge. For the challenge, they broke up into two groups. One person was on this piece of wood in the shape of a rectangular prism suspended over 18 small flags. They were supossed to get the flags in order and place them in another spot. They had to get to the flags by the rest of the team mates helping to manuever the piece of wood to get at them. The group with Natalie, which included Russell, won. The funny part was the way they were positioned. John was just on it. He had to get in closer to reach. Natalie, on the other hand, was much further off the edge and, eventually, if her legs weren't holding her, she would have fallen off. I did not take a picture of this, so I made a very hasty illustration, as shown below.

The illustration is deplorable and John's head is not that large but you get the picture. The other funny thing is when they were searching for the idol. Russell had the clue, so he immediately went off with Jaison to go look for it. As soon as they left, Laura and Eric, I think, went after them to try and find it as well. At one point, Russell starts running and Eric starts chasing him. After he loses him and Laura follows Eric looking for him Russell loops back and finds the idol. At this point, my view of Russell changed somewhat. I still don't like him, but I do respect him. One thing for sure, he is great at finding hidden immunity idols. This time, they knew Russell had the idol, so they were going to try and get rid of Natalie. They originally planned to have Monica say that they were voting for John because Shambo was going to vote for Laura no matter what. John wasn't briefed on this, so he struck up a deal that if he votes for Laura, they vote out a Foa Foa member next time. They planned on making a tie, so it was a random decision who was voted out. John wasn't risking it, so he changed his vote after the tie. That probably won't be the best for him next time.