The Seven Ravens

Seven brothers were changed into ravens by an angry, thoughtless wish. Their parents regretted it at once. Years later, their little sister learned the story and decided to search for them.

She packed bread, water and a small family ring. Her parents wished her a safe journey. Beyond the village, seven dark birds crossed the sky, and she followed the direction they flew.

She travelled past warm sunny hills and silver moonlit fields. At last, friendly stars guided her towards a shining mountain. A star keeper gave her a wooden key for its hidden doorway.

The girl reached the glass mountain, whose sides gleamed like clear ice. She unwrapped her cloth, but the wooden key was gone. For a moment, the closed door seemed the journey's end.

Instead of giving up, she retraced her steps carefully. The key lay beneath a tuft of grass. She picked it up, wrapped it tightly, and returned to open the mountain door.

Inside, a gentle keeper was preparing seven plates and seven cups. The ravens were away, he explained. The girl rested quietly and asked whether she might wait for her lost brothers.

She ate a little bread from each plate and sipped a little water. Into the last cup, she placed the family ring. Then she stepped behind the doorway as wings sounded outside.

Seven ravens entered and noticed someone had visited. The youngest found the ring shining in his cup. He recognised it and wished aloud that their sister were there to bring them home.

The girl stepped forward and called them her brothers. At that instant, feathers became sleeves and wings became arms. Seven smiling young men stood around her, free from the old enchantment.

Together they walked home beneath the friendly stars. Their parents embraced all eight children. The ring returned to its little box, and the family learned to choose kind words, even when upset.