The Seven Ravens (Grimm)
Division into sections is editorial.
The curse of the seven sons
A man lived with his wife and seven sons, longing desperately for a daughter. When his wife finally gave birth to a girl, the parents rejoiced, but the child was sickly and weak, requiring immediate baptism. The father sent one son to fetch water from the spring, and the other six brothers accompanied him. In their eagerness to be first to fill the jug, they accidentally dropped it into the well.
Standing by the well, none of the boys dared return home empty-handed. As time passed and they failed to return, their father grew increasingly impatient and angry. Fearing his newborn daughter would die without baptism, he cried out in frustration.
He became afraid that the girl would have to die without being baptized, and in his anger cried, 'I wish the boys were all turned into ravens.'
The moment he spoke these words, he heard the whirring of wings overhead and saw seven coal-black ravens flying away. The parents could not recall their curse, and though they grieved for their lost sons, they found some comfort in their daughter, who grew strong and beautiful.
The sisters discovery and decision to quest
For years, the girl remained unaware of her brothers' existence, as her parents carefully avoided mentioning them. One day, she overheard people saying that while she was beautiful, she was to blame for the misfortune that befell her seven brothers. Deeply troubled, she questioned her parents about the truth.
Unable to keep the secret any longer, her parents revealed what had happened, explaining that her birth had only been the innocent cause of Heaven's will. The maiden took this revelation deeply to heart and resolved to save her brothers.
But the maiden took it to heart daily, and thought she must deliver her brothers. She had no rest or peace until she set out secretly, and went forth into the wide world.
The journey through sun, moon, and stars
Taking only a ring as a keepsake, bread for hunger, water for thirst, and a small chair for rest, she ventured into the wide world to find her brothers. Her journey led her to the very ends of the earth, where she encountered celestial beings.
First, she came to the sun, but it was too hot and terrible, devouring little children.
She hastily fled to the moon, but it was far too cold and malicious. When it saw her, it threatened that it could smell human flesh.
Finally, she reached the stars, which were kind and good to her. Each star sat on its own little chair.
The morning star arose and gave her a chicken drumstick, explaining that without it, she could not open the Glass Mountain where her brothers lived.
The Glass Mountain and the brothers return
The maiden carefully wrapped the drumstick and traveled until she reached the Glass Mountain. When she tried to open the door, she discovered the cloth was empty - she had lost the precious gift. Desperate to rescue her brothers but lacking a key, she made a terrible sacrifice. Taking a knife, she cut off one of her little fingers and used it to successfully open the door.
Inside, a little dwarf greeted her and explained that the lord ravens were not home but invited her to wait.
The dwarf brought out seven little plates and glasses for the ravens' dinner. The sister ate a morsel from each plate and took a sip from each glass, but in the last glass she dropped her parents' ring. When the ravens returned and discovered someone had touched their food, the seventh brother found the ring at the bottom of his glass. Recognizing it as belonging to their parents, he wished that their sister might be present so they could be free. Hearing this wish from behind the door, the maiden stepped forward, and instantly all the ravens were restored to human form. They embraced joyfully and returned home together.