The Two Beauteous Daughters — A Tale of Courage and Kindness | TaleTreasury

Once upon a time, in a kingdom beyond the distant mountains and sprawling forests, there lived a King blessed with two exceptionally beautiful daughters. The people of the realm admired their beauty, but even more so, they praised the girls’ courage and kindness.

Yet, despite their grace and charm, a deep sadness hung over the castle. Years earlier, the King’s beloved wife — the girls’ mother — had been stolen away by a wicked witch who dwelled in the shadowy woods to the north of the kingdom. The King, stricken with grief, spent his days in sorrow, his heart hollow with loss.

His daughters could no longer bear to see their once-mighty father consumed by despair. One day, they looked at each other and silently agreed — they would not wait any longer. They would journey to the northern woods, confront the Evil Witch, and bring their mother home.

At dawn the next morning, the two princesses packed bread, fresh water, and from the castle’s vault, a golden knife said to have magical properties capable of defeating any dark sorcery. Determined and brave, they set off on their quest.

Encounters on the Journey

As they journeyed toward the dark northern woods, the morning sun cast golden light across their path. Along the way, they encountered a poor boy sitting by the roadside, pale with hunger and dressed in ragged clothes. His eyes widened at the sight of the princesses.

“If there exists a creature more beautiful than you both,” he said with admiration, “may the witch lose her hands and legs!”

Touched by his words and struck by his obvious hunger, the elder sister offered the boy their food.

“Take this, kind boy. Your flattery was honest, and your eyes have seen beauty even when your stomach is empty,” she said. The boy gratefully accepted, his eyes shining with gratitude.

The princesses continued their journey. By midday, they came across another boy, resting under a withered tree, exhausted and parched.

“If there exists a creature more beautiful than you both,” he whispered, “may the witch lose her face and hair.”

Seeing his weariness, the younger sister knelt beside him and offered their water.

“Drink, weary boy. You have spoken with sincerity and deserve relief,” she said with a gentle smile.

Thankful beyond words, the boy blessed them and waved them on their way.

By late afternoon, the princesses reached the threshold of the dense northern woods. Before they could step into the shadows of the trees, they met a third boy — barefoot, penniless, and forlorn, leaning against a stone.

“If there exists a creature more beautiful than you both,” he declared, “may the witch catch fire and burn in agonizing pain!”

The sisters exchanged looks, and the elder one took the golden knife from her satchel.

“Poor boy, though we need this for our quest, your blessing is precious. Take this golden knife — may it change your fortune,” she said as she handed it to him.

The boy bowed low, tears in his eyes, and watched as the princesses disappeared into the forest’s depths.

Confrontation with the Evil Witch

By twilight, the woods grew darker, the air thicker with whispers and the scent of strange herbs. Finally, the sisters arrived at the Evil Witch’s hut, a crooked little house standing on a bed of bones and surrounded by thorny vines.

Without hesitation, the princesses pushed open the door. The witch, old and gnarled, sat hunched over a cauldron that belched green smoke.

“We have come for our mother,” the princesses announced boldly. “Your wickedness ends tonight!”

The witch cackled, revealing jagged teeth. “Foolish girls! You traded your only weapon — the golden knife — to a beggar boy. With what will you fight me now? I shall curse your beauty and turn you into hideous creatures of the woods!”

But the sisters stood firm, fearlessly facing her. Just as the witch raised her gnarled hands to cast her spell, the elder sister lunged forward, shoving her onto a heavy table beside the bubbling cauldron. The younger sister, meanwhile, searched the hut for their mother.

When she opened the attic door, a brilliant light spilled forth, for there sat a woman whose beauty surpassed even that of her daughters — their mother, radiant and gentle, though wearied from her long captivity.

At that very moment, as the mother was revealed, a strange magic stirred. The poor boy’s blessing, the tired boy’s wish, and the penniless boy’s curse echoed through the air. The witch’s hands and legs withered and fell. Her face and hair disintegrated into ash. Finally, her body caught aflame, and with a scream, she toppled into the cauldron, perishing in agonizing fire.

The forest trembled, the curse broken at last.

Homecoming and Joy

The princesses, overjoyed, embraced their mother tightly. Together, the three made the journey back to the castle, where the King, nearly broken by grief, could hardly believe his eyes when he saw his beloved queen walking through the gates.

Tears of happiness flowed freely. The King’s sorrow lifted, and the castle once again echoed with music and laughter.

Epilogue

The three boys, whom the princesses had aided on their quest, were not forgotten. The poor boy, gifted with the golden knife, found himself miraculously wealthy, for the knife turned whatever it touched into gold. The tired boy was granted a place in the royal court, where he was honored for his well-wishes. The penniless boy, who had spoken the strongest curse against the witch, was made the castle’s master storyteller, his life of hardship replaced by comfort and respect.

And so, kindness, gratitude, and courage prevailed. The King, Queen, and their beauteous daughters lived happily ever after, ruling their land with wisdom and grace.

Moral of the Story

Kindness repaid brings unexpected rewards, and courage shines brightest when paired with compassion.