The True Bride | Read Aloud Grimm’s Fairy Tales with Olivia | KHM 186

Описание: The True Bride
Grimm’s Fairy Tale KHM 186


Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a kind but unfortunate girl named Lena. She lived with her wicked stepmother, a woman so mean and wrinkly, she looked like an old boot left in the sun for too long.

Now, Lena wasn’t just treated badly—she was treated horrendously! From dawn till dusk, her stepmother gave her impossible chores.

“Lena, carry twelve barrels of water up the hill—on foot!”
“Lena, scrub the entire courtyard with a toothbrush!”
“Lena, pick up all the grains of rice I just threw into the grass!”

If Lena ever complained, the stepmother would wag her bony finger and snap, “You’ll stay here forever if you don’t finish your work!”

The Mysterious Helper

One day, as Lena sat exhausted in the dirt, a mysterious old woman appeared. She had kind eyes, a flowing silver cloak, and smelled faintly of freshly baked bread.

“My dear,” she said, “why do you look so tired?”

Lena sighed. “My stepmother gives me more work than ten people could finish in a lifetime.”

The old woman nodded. “Then let’s fix that.”

She clapped her hands—and in an instant, the barrels filled themselves with water, the courtyard scrubbed itself clean, and the grains of rice jumped back into the sack like tiny, obedient rabbits!

Lena’s jaw dropped.

The old woman smiled. “You are kind and patient, child. So, I will help you—but only if you promise to use your kindness wisely.”

Lena nodded eagerly.

And just like that, the old woman vanished.

A New Beginning

With her stepmother’s impossible tasks now magically completed, Lena was free!

She left the wretched house, skipping down the road without looking back.

For the first time in her life, she could choose her own future.

And as she walked through a golden meadow, she met a handsome young man with a mischievous grin and kind eyes.

They talked. And walked. And laughed.

By sunset, they were madly in love.

“I will marry you,” the young man said, “but first, I must go on a journey to find a home for us. Wait here, and I’ll return soon.”

Lena nodded happily, watching him disappear over the hills.

Waiting and Waiting…

But days turned into weeks.
Weeks turned into months.
And months turned into a whole year.

Lena waited by the meadow every single day, but her beloved never returned.

At first, she thought, Perhaps he’s lost! Then, Perhaps he’s sick! But after another whole year passed, she realized:

He had forgotten her.

Lena’s heart ached, but she was no longer a helpless girl. She had faced far worse than heartbreak!

So she picked up her skirts, lifted her chin, and marched toward the great city to find him.

The Shocking Truth

After a long journey, Lena arrived in a grand palace—and froze.

There, standing on a balcony covered in roses, was her beloved…

…engaged to another woman!

Lena’s heart dropped like a stone.

But before she could turn away, the old woman appeared beside her once more.

“My dear, do not cry,” she said gently. “This is your moment.”

She handed Lena a sparkling golden dress and whispered, “Go to the castle. They will know who the true bride is.”

Then, poof! She was gone.

The Grand Ball

That night, the castle held a grand ball. The entire kingdom was invited, and Lena, dressed in her golden gown, entered the ballroom like a queen.

The moment her beloved saw her, his eyes widened.

“Do I… know you?” he asked, confused.

Lena’s heart clenched.

But instead of answering, she simply smiled and turned away.

As the night went on, the prince felt restless.

Something about this mysterious girl stirred his heart, like a song he had forgotten.

Finally, as the ball neared its end, he approached her once more.

“Tell me your name,” he pleaded. “There is something familiar about you.”

Lena looked into his eyes and whispered, “You promised to return to me.”

And in that moment—he remembered.

Happily Ever After

Shame flooded his face. “I… I don’t know how I could have forgotten you!”

Lena smiled. “Well, you did. But luckily, I remembered for both of us.”

The prince dropped to one knee. “I made a terrible mistake, Lena. Will you forgive me?”

Now, Lena was no fool. She knew she had a choice.

She could walk away and find her own path.

Or… she could take the love she had waited for.

And because she still loved him, she forgave him.

So they married, and this time, the prince never left her side again.

As for the stepmother?

Well, let’s just say she spent the rest of her days talking to her broomstick, wondering how her poor, overworked stepdaughter had become a queen.

And that, dear reader, is why you should always keep your promises!