The Wild Swans | TheBookSeekers

The Wild Swans


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Published: 2016

Great for age 7-10 years

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A princess has eleven brothers. The twelve siblings live happily and well, until their father decides to remarry. Their new stepmother is a wicked woman, and she turns all the brothers into swans and banishes the princess from the palace. And so it is left to Elisa to endure countless hardships alone in order to save her beloved brothers from the spell.

 

 

This book was published in 2016 by Pushkin Children's Books .

Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish author and poet, most famous for his writing down of many timeless, classic fairy tales. He is Denmark's most famous author and his birthday is celebrated every year with a part called "Odin Story Day".

 

This book contains the following story:

The Wild Swans

"The Wild Swans" is an enchanting fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. The story follows the journey of a young princess who must undergo immense trials to rescue her brothers from a curse. Here is a summary of the plot:

Once upon a time, a widowed king marries a wicked sorceress who transforms his eleven sons into swans and sends them far away. The king's daughter, Eliza, discovers her brothers' fate and decides to save them. To break the curse, she must weave eleven shirts out of nettles and cannot speak a word or laugh for seven years.

Eliza embarks on a perilous journey, guided by a mysterious old woman who gives her the ability to gather nettles without getting hurt. She finds refuge in a royal castle where the king, charmed by her silence and beauty, marries her. Despite her silent suffering, Eliza remains dedicated to her task.

During her quest, she faces numerous challenges, including accusations of witchcraft and the temptations of a handsome king. Throughout her journey, Eliza remains steadfast, silent, and focused on her mission.

As the seven years draw to a close, Eliza's brothers, now swans, find her and lead her to a church. There, she weaves the final shirt, but the wicked queen, her stepmother, discovers her and attempts to stop her. With the shirts completed, Eliza places them on her brothers, breaking the curse and turning them back into humans.

In the end, Eliza's brothers are restored, and she is finally able to speak. The tale concludes with a joyous reunion, emphasizing the power of love, determination, and sacrifice.

"The Wild Swans" is a tale of resilience, family bonds, and the triumph of good over evil.