The magic swans

The Tale of the Six Swans and the Magic Swan

Long ago, in a kingdom shadowed by both love and envy, two tales unfolded—tales of swans, magic, and the strength of perseverance.

The Six Swans

A King, weary from hunting, became lost in a dark and tangled forest. Just as despair weighed on him, an old woman appeared and promised to guide him out—if he would marry her daughter. The King, desperate for safety, agreed. Yet, this union brought not peace, but sorrow.

The new Queen harbored a jealous heart. She could not bear the thought of the King’s children from his first marriage. In her malice, she wove a spell over his six sons, turning them into swans. Only their sister escaped the curse, left behind with the burden of love and sorrow.

The girl, determined to save her brothers, sought them out. They appeared to her by moonlight, feathers glistening white, and revealed the way to break the spell: she must sew shirts for each of them, made of starwort, and remain completely silent for six long years. Not a word could pass her lips, no matter the hardship.

So she worked in silence, enduring suspicion, false accusations, and even the threat of death. On the very day she was to be executed, her task was complete. She threw the starwort shirts over her brothers, breaking the curse. The swans became men once more, and the wicked Queen’s treachery was exposed. Justice was served, and the family was reunited in joy.

The Magic Swan

Far away, in another kingdom, lived a boy named Peter, the youngest of three brothers. His siblings mocked him and treated him cruelly, but fate had other plans for him. One day, a kind old woman offered Peter a chance to seek his fortune. With her guidance, he set off and soon came into possession of a wondrous creature: a swan with feathers so enchanting that no one could resist touching it.

But the swan bore a secret charm. Whoever laid a hand upon its feathers became stuck fast, unable to let go. Peter, clever and resourceful, used this strange gift to lead an ever-growing procession of trapped villagers through town—a sight so ridiculous it stirred laughter wherever he went.

At last, Peter’s parade reached a Princess who had never laughed in her life. The absurd spectacle broke through her sorrow, and she laughed with joy. The King, overjoyed at his daughter’s healing, rewarded Peter with her hand in marriage and rich lands of his own. From the boy once belittled, Peter grew into a wise and prosperous man.

The Lesson

Though different in their telling, both tales shine with the same light: the triumph of love, sacrifice, and determination over envy and cruelty. One sister’s silent devotion broke a terrible curse; one boy’s kindness and clever wit brought laughter and love. And so, these stories remind us that perseverance, whether born of sorrow or of hope, has the power to transform lives and lead to happiness.