
In a distant kingdom a king has twelve sons, each more handsome than the last. The youngest, nicknamed Hamupipőke because he spends his time among the ashes, is deemed the least attractive and is left behind while his brothers set out to find brides. Alone and sorrowful, he encounters an ancient beggar who offers a cryptic piece of advice involving a stray foal and a mysterious fire‑brand.
The beggar’s words lead the prince to a deserted pasture where a ragged colt appears. When the prince grasps the fire‑brand, the animal miraculously transforms into a magnificent four‑legged creature that can fly. Riding this enchanted steed, Hamupipőke is whisked away toward a distant, foreboding castle where a grand banquet is already being prepared.
The tale blends humor, whimsical magic, and the timeless theme that kindness can turn even the most overlooked soul into a hero. Listeners will be drawn into vivid Hungarian folklore, hearing the rhythm of old verses and the sparkle of unexpected adventure.
Language
hu
Duration
~3 hours (223K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Albert László (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Books project.)
Release date
2012-04-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1837–1907
A 19th-century Hungarian collector of fairy tales, he helped preserve the flavor of regional storytelling in print. His books gather magical adventures, comic twists, and vivid folk imagination from several parts of Hungary.
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