The Donkey (Grimm)
Short summary
A fairy tale kingdom, medieval times. A childless queen gave birth to a donkey. The horrified mother wanted to drown him, but the king declared the donkey his heir.
The donkey grew up merry and learned to play the lute masterfully despite his hooves. Distressed after seeing his reflection, he traveled to another kingdom where he impressed everyone with his musical skill. The old king grew fond of him and offered his beautiful daughter in marriage. The donkey joyfully accepted.
On their wedding night, when alone with his bride,
He suddenly threw off his ass's skin, and stood there in the form of a handsome royal youth. Now, thou seest who I am, and seest also that I am not unworthy
The king discovered the secret and burned the donkey skin. Unable to escape, the youth accepted half the kingdom. He eventually inherited both kingdoms and lived magnificently.
Detailed summary
Division into chapters is editorial.
The cursed birth and musical education of the donkey prince
A wealthy King and Queen lived in prosperity but remained childless for many years. The Queen lamented her barrenness day and night, comparing herself to an unfruitful field. At last, God granted her wish, but when the child was born, it appeared not as a human baby but as a small donkey. The Queen was horrified by this sight and began crying in earnest.
I am like a field on which nothing grows... she would far rather have had no child at all than have a donkey, and that they were to throw it into the water
However, the King showed compassion and wisdom, declaring that since God had sent the child, he would be accepted as son and heir.
No, since God has sent him he shall be my son and heir, and after my death sit on the royal throne, and wear the kingly crown.
The donkey was raised in the palace and grew larger, developing beautiful high and straight ears. Despite his unusual appearance, he possessed a merry disposition and showed particular talent for music. He approached a celebrated musician and requested lessons in playing the lute.
The musician initially doubted the donkey's ability, claiming his fingers were too large for the delicate strings. However, the donkey proved determined and industrious, eventually mastering the instrument as skillfully as his teacher.
Journey to a new kingdom and meeting the princess
One day, the young prince went walking and came to a well. When he looked into the mirror-clear water, he saw his donkey form reflected back at him. This sight filled him with such distress that he decided to leave his homeland and venture into the wide world, taking only one faithful companion with him.
He looked into it and in the mirror-clear water saw his donkey's form. He was so distressed about it, that he went out into the wide world
After traveling extensively, they arrived at a kingdom ruled by an old King who had a wonderfully beautiful daughter. The donkey decided to stay there and knocked at the castle gate, requesting entry as a guest. When the gate remained closed, he sat down and began playing his lute with his forefeet in the most delightful manner. The doorkeeper was amazed by this musical performance.
Courtship, wedding, and the secret revealed
The King summoned the musical donkey to court, where everyone initially laughed at the unusual performer. When offered a place among the servants, the donkey refused, declaring his noble status. He insisted on sitting beside the King himself, who was amused by his confidence and granted the request. The King then asked the donkey's opinion of his daughter.
I am no common stable-ass, I am a noble one... No, I will sit by the King.
The donkey expressed his admiration for the princess, and the King allowed him to sit beside her. After staying at court for some time, the donkey grew melancholy and requested permission to leave. The King, who had grown fond of him, offered gold, jewels, and even half his kingdom, but the donkey refused all these gifts. Finally, the King offered his daughter's hand in marriage.
Ah, yes, I should indeed like her, and all at once he became quite merry and full of happiness, for that was exactly what he was wishing for.
A magnificent wedding was celebrated. On their wedding night, the King ordered a servant to hide in the bedroom to observe the donkey's behavior. Once alone, the bridegroom bolted the door and suddenly threw off his donkey skin, revealing himself as a handsome royal youth. The bride was overjoyed to discover his true form, and they spent the night in happiness. By morning, he had resumed his animal disguise.
The kings intervention and happy ending
The next morning, the King was surprised to find his daughter content with her donkey husband. The hidden servant revealed the truth about the prince's transformation. Following the servant's advice, the King secretly entered their chamber that night and burned the donkey skin while the couple slept. When the youth awoke and found his disguise destroyed, he feared he would have to flee.
Oh, no, dear father, I love him as well as if he were the handsomest in the world, and I will keep him as long as I live.
However, the King welcomed him warmly, offering him half the kingdom immediately and promising the remainder upon his death. The prince accepted this generous offer and remained. When the old King died a year later, the prince inherited the entire kingdom. Eventually, after his own father's death, he ruled over two kingdoms and lived in magnificent prosperity.