The Seven Ravens by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm | Summary

The Seven Ravens

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Summary

‘The Seven Ravens’ is a story of love and sacrifice. The fairy tale shows the dedication and patience of a sister towards her brothers.

The story reveals that a man and his wife have seven sons and no daughter. Finally, a daughter is born, but she is so weak that they fear she might die. The man sends his seven sons to the spring to fetch water to baptize her. In their haste, they drop the pitcher into the well. When they don’t return home, the impatient man thinks that his sons have gone off to play. He curses them, wishing that they may all be turned into ravens. When his words are uttered, the seven coal-black ravens fly over the house. The parents grieve over the loss of their seven sons.

The girl grows stronger and beautiful. Her parents don’t reveal to their daughter the truth about her seven brothers. When she knows about it, she sets out in search of her brothers. She travels till the end of the world. She is discouraged by the sun and the moon. Finally, she reaches the stars. The morning star helps her by giving a key to unlock the iceberg in which her brothers are shut up. But she loses it. She puts her little finger into the lock instead of a key. She opens it and enters the iceberg.

A dwarf comes to her and tells her that the seven ravens are not at home but she can wait till they return. She takes some of their food and drink. She puts a ring she brought from home, into the last cup. The seven ravens get in. She hides behind the door. They notice that somebody consumes some of their food and drink. This makes them angry.

One of the ravens finds a ring. They know that the ring once belonged to their parents. They wish their sister would come there to save them. She stood before them. At the same time, they are restored back into their human forms. They kiss and hug each other and in great happiness start off to their parents.

Answer these questions.

1. What is the story about?
The story is about a devoted sister who sets off on a magical quest to rescue her seven brothers. They were transformed into ravens by their father’s angry curse.

2. Why does the father curse his sons to turn them into ravens?
The father curses his sons because they did not return home with water to baptize their little sister. He thought they were playing and carelessly wished them to become ravens.

3. What helps the girl in her search for her brothers in 'The Seven Ravens'?
In her search, the morning star helps the girl by giving her a key to unlock the iceberg where her brothers are trapped. Even after losing the key, she bravely uses her little finger to open the lock.

4. How do the seven ravens recognize their sister when she comes to save them?
The seven ravens recognize their sister when they find the ring she had dropped into one of their cups. They know the ring belonged to their parents and realize their sister has come to save them.