The Seven Ravens

Once upon a time, there was a man who had seven sons but longed for a daughter. At last, his wish was granted when his wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The parents were overjoyed, but the child was small and sickly, and they feared she might not survive her baptism.

“We must have the child baptized quickly,” the father said anxiously to his wife. “I will send the boys to fetch water from the well for the ceremony.”

The seven brothers, eager to help their new sister, rushed to the well with their pitchers. But in their haste, each boy accidentally dropped his pitcher into the well. Afraid to return home empty-handed and face their father’s disappointment, they stood frozen beside the well, unsure what to do.

Meanwhile, at home, the father grew impatient. “What could be taking them so long?” he wondered aloud, pacing back and forth. “The baby needs to be baptized without delay!”

As minutes turned to hours with no sign of his sons, the father’s worry turned to anger. “Those thoughtless boys!” he exclaimed in frustration. “They’ve probably forgotten their task and started playing instead, while their sister’s life hangs in the balance!”

In a moment of unthinking rage, he cried out, “I wish they would all turn into ravens!”

No sooner had these words left his lips than the sound of flapping wings filled the air. Looking up, the father saw seven black ravens flying over the house, cawing mournfully as they disappeared into the distance. The father’s face drained of color as he realized what he had done.

“What have I done?” he whispered, falling to his knees in grief. “My poor boys!”

The parents were devastated by the loss of their sons, but they took solace in their daughter, who grew stronger each day. For many years, they kept the fate of her brothers a secret from her, not wanting to burden her with their sorrow. But one day, she overheard villagers whispering about her family.

“That’s the girl whose seven brothers turned into ravens,” they said.

The girl, now a beautiful young woman, was shocked and confronted her parents. “Is it true?” she asked. “Did I have seven brothers who were transformed into ravens?”

With heavy hearts, her parents confirmed the story, explaining how her father’s hasty words had unintentionally cursed her brothers on the day of her birth.

The young woman was filled with determination. “It’s because of me that my brothers suffered this fate,” she declared. “So it’s my responsibility to free them from the curse. I will not rest until my brothers are human again.”

The next morning, she packed a small bundle of provisions—a ring from her parents as a token of remembrance, a loaf of bread for hunger, a pitcher of water for thirst, and a small chair for weariness—and set off to find her brothers.

She traveled far and wide, to the ends of the earth, to the sun, and to the moon, but they turned her away, claiming they did not eat children. Finally, she reached the stars, and the morning star welcomed her kindly.

“I don’t know where your brothers are,” said the morning star, “but here is a key to the Glass Mountain. Your brothers are inside.”

The young woman took the key and wrapped it carefully in a handkerchief. She traveled for many more days until she reached the Glass Mountain. But when she went to unlock the door with the key, she discovered she had lost the handkerchief with the key inside.

“What shall I do?” she cried in despair. But then, remembering her love for her brothers, she made a difficult decision. She took out a small knife and cut off her own little finger. Using it to unlock the door, she entered the Glass Mountain.

Inside, she was greeted by a dwarf. “What are you seeking, my child?” he asked.

“I’m looking for my seven brothers, the ravens,” she replied.

“The lord ravens are not at home,” said the dwarf, “but you may wait for them here. They will return at dinnertime.”

The dwarf showed her to a small room where seven plates and seven cups were set on a table. The young woman took a sip from each cup and a small bite from each plate, dropping her parents’ ring into the last cup.

Suddenly, she heard a rushing of wings. “There must be humans nearby,” the ravens cawed as they flew in. “Someone has eaten from our plates and drunk from our cups!”

The seventh raven, discovering the ring in his cup, recognized it. “Could it be from our sister?” he wondered aloud.

“If only it is our sister,” they all cried, “then we are saved!”

Hearing their voices, the young woman stepped forward. “Here I am, my brothers,” she said. “I have come to free you from your curse.”

The moment she appeared, the ravens transformed back into her seven brothers. They embraced their sister with joy, thanking her for her courage and devotion. Together, they made the long journey home, where their parents welcomed them with tears of happiness.

And so, through her unwavering love and willingness to sacrifice, the young woman restored her family. The seven brothers lived long, happy lives alongside their beloved sister, never forgetting how her courage had saved them from an eternity as ravens.