August 21, 2025 • 15 mins
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The devil with the three golden hairs. There was once
a poor woman who gave birth to a little son,
and as he came into the world with a call on,
it was predicted that in his fourteenth year he would
have the king's daughter for his wife. It happened that
soon afterwards the king came into the village, and no
one knew that he was the king. And when he
(00:22):
asked the people what news there was, they answered, a
child has just been born with a call on. Whatever
any one so born undertakes turns out well. It is
prophecied too that in his fourteenth year he will have
the king's daughter for his wife. The king, who had
a bad heart and was very angry about the prophecy,
(00:43):
went to the parents and, seeming quite friendly, said you
poor people, let me have your child and I will
take care of it. At first they refused, but when
the stranger offered them a large amount of gold for it,
then they thought it is a luck child and everything
must turn out well for it. They at last consented
(01:05):
and gave him the child. The king put it in
a box and rode away with it until he came
to a deep piece of water. Then he threw the
box into it and thought, I have freed my daughter
from her unlooked for suitor. The box, however, did not sink,
but floated like a boat, and not a drop of
water made its way into it. And it floated to
(01:28):
within two miles of the king's chief city, where there
was a mill, and it came to a standstill at
the mill dam. A miller's boy, who by luck was
standing there, noticed it and pulled it out with a hook,
thinking that he had found a great treasure. But when
he opened it there lay a pretty boy inside, quite
fresh and lively. He took him to the miller and
(01:50):
his wife, and as they had no children, they were
glad and said God has given him to us. They
took great care of the foundling, and he grew up
in all goodness. It happened that once in a storm
the king went into the mill and he asked the
mill folk if the tall youth was their son. No,
(02:10):
answered they, he is a foundling. Fourteen years ago. He
floated down to the mill dam in a box, and
the mill boy pulled him out of the water. Then
the king knew that it was none other than the
luck child which he had thrown into the water, and
he said, my good people, could not the youth take
a letter to the Queen. I will give him two
(02:32):
gold pieces as a reward, just as the King commands,
answered they, and they told the boy to hold himself
in readiness. Then the king wrote a letter to the queen,
wherein he said, as soon as the boy arrives with
this letter, let him be killed and buried, and all
must be done before I come home. The boy set
(02:55):
out with this letter, but he lost his way, and
in the evening came to a large forest. In the darkness,
he saw a small light. He went towards it and
reached a cottage. When he went in, an old woman
was sitting by the fire quite alone. She started when
she saw the boy and said, whencet thou you come,
(03:17):
and whither are you going? I come from the mill,
he answered, and wished to go to the queen, to
whom I am taking a letter. But as I have
lost my way in the forest, I should like to
stay here over night. You poor boy, said the woman.
You have come into a den of thieves, and when
they come home they will kill you. Let them come,
(03:40):
said the boy. I am not afraid, but I am
so tired that I cannot go any farther. And he
stretched himself upon a bench and fell asleep. Soon afterwards
the robbers came and angrily asked what strange boy was
lying there, Ah, said the old woman. It is an
innocent child who who has lost himself in the forest,
(04:02):
and out of pity I have let him come in.
He has to take a letter to the queen. The
robbers opened the letter and read it, and in it
was written that the boy, as soon as he arrived,
should be put to death. Then the hard hearted robbers
felt pity, and their leader tore up the letter and
wrote another, saying that as soon as the boy came
(04:25):
he should be married at once to the King's daughter.
Then they let him lie quietly on the bench until
the next morning, and when he awoke, they gave him
the letter and showed him the right way. And the Queen,
when she had received the letter and read it, did
as was written in it, and had a splendid wedding
feast prepared. And the King's daughter was married to the
(04:47):
luck child. And as the youth was handsome and agreeable,
she lived with him in joy and contentment. After some
time The king returned to his palace and saw that
the prophecy fulfilled and the luck child married to his daughter.
How has that come to pass? Said he, I have
quite another order in my letter. So the queen gave
(05:11):
him the letter and said that he might see for
himself what was written in it. The king read the
letter and saw quite well that it had been exchanged
for the other. He asked the youth what had become
of the letter entrusted to him, and why he had
brought another instead of it. I know nothing about it,
answered he. It must have been changed in the night
(05:33):
when I slept in the forest. The king said, in
a passion, you shall not have everything quite so much
your own way. Whosoever marries my daughter must fetch me
from hell three golden hairs from the head of the devil.
Bring me what I want, and you shall keep my daughter.
In this way, the king hoped to be rid of
(05:55):
him forever, but the luck child answered, I will fetch
the golden hair. I am not afraid of the devil.
Thereupon he took leave of them and began his journey.
The road led him to a large town, where the
watchman by the gates asked him what his trade was
and what he knew. I know everything, answered the luck child.
(06:17):
Then you can do as a favor, said the watchman,
if you will tell us why our market fountain, which
ones flowed with wine, has become dry and no longer
gives even water that you shall know. Answered he only
wait until I come back. Then he went farther and
came to another town, and there also the gatekeeper asked
(06:40):
him what his trade and what he knew? I know everything,
answered he. Then can you do as a favor and
tell us why a tree in our town, which once
bore golden apples, now does not even put forth leaves.
You shall know that, answered he only wait until I
come back. Then he went on and came to a
(07:03):
wide river over which he must go. The ferryman asked
him what his trade was and what he knew. I
know everything, answered he. Then you can do me a favor,
said the ferryman, and tell me why I must always
be rowing backwards and forwards, and am never set free.
You shall know that, answered he only wait until I
(07:24):
come back. When he had crossed the river, he found
the entrance to hell. It was black and sooty within,
and the devil was not at home, but his grandmother
was sitting in a large arm chair. What do you want,
said she to him, But she did not look so
very wicked. I should like to have three golden hairs
(07:47):
from the devil's head, answered he. Else I cannot keep
my wife. That tis a good deal to ask for,
said she. If the devil comes home and finds you,
it will cost you your life. But as I pity you,
I will see if I cannot help you. She changed
(08:08):
him into an aunt and said, creep into the folds
of my dress, and you will be safe there. Yes,
answered he, So far, so good. But there are three
things besides that. I want to know. Why a fountain
which once floated wine, has become dry and no longer
gives even water. Why a tree which once bore golden
(08:30):
apples does not even put forth leaves. And why a
ferryman must always be going backwards and forwards and is
never set free. Those are difficult questions, answered she. But
only be silent and quiet, and pay attention to what
the devil says when I pull out the three golden hairs.
(08:53):
As the evening came on, the devil returned home. No
sooner had he entered, than he noticed that the air
was not pure. I smell man's flesh, said he, all
is not right here. Then he pried into every corner
and searched, but could not find anything. His grandmother scolded him.
(09:15):
It has just been swept, said she, and everything put
in order, and now you are upsetting it again. You
have always got man's flesh in your nose. Sit down
and eat your supper. When he had eaten and drunk,
he was tired and laid his head in his grandmother's lap,
and before long he was fast asleep, snoring and breathing heavily.
(09:39):
Then the old woman took hold of a golden hair,
pulled it out, and laid it down near her. Ah,
cried the devil, what are you doing. I have had
a bad dream, answered the grandmother, So I seized hold
of your hair. What did you dream, then, said the devil.
(10:01):
I dreamed that a fountain in a market place, from
which wine once flowed, was dried up, and not even
water would flow out of it. What is the cause
of it? Oh, if they did but know it, answered
the devil. There's a toad sitting under a stone in
the well. If they killed it, the wine would flow again.
(10:25):
He went to sleep again and snored until the windows shook.
Then she pulled the second hair out. Ha, what are
you doing, cried the devil angrily. Do not take it ill,
said she. I did it in a dream. What have
you dreamt this time? Asked he? I dreamt that in
(10:46):
a certain kingdom there stood an apple tree which had
once borne gold and apples, but now would not even
bear leaves. What think you was the reason? Oh? If
they did? But no, answered the devil. A mouse is
gnawing at the root. If they killed this they would
have golden apples again. But if it gnaws much longer,
(11:09):
the tree will wither altogether. But leave me alone with
your dreams. If you disturb me in my sleep again,
you will get a box on the ear. The grandmother
spoke gently to him until he fell asleep again and snored.
Then she took hold of the third golden hair and
pulled it out. The devil jumped up, roared out, and
(11:31):
would have treated her ill if she had not quieted
him once more, and said, who can help bad dreams?
What was the dream? Then, asked he, and was quite curious.
I dreamt of a fairy man who complained that he
must always ferry from one side to the other and
was never released. What is the cause of it, ah,
(11:53):
the fool, answered the devil. When anyone comes and wants
to go across he he must put the oar in
his hand, and the other man will have to faery,
and he will be free. As the grandmother had plucked
out the three golden hairs and the three questions were answered,
she let the old serpent alone, and he slept until daybreak,
(12:16):
when the devil had gone out again. The old woman
took the aunt out of the fold of her dress
and gave the luck child his human shape again. There
are the three golden hairs for you, said she. What
the devil said to your three questions? I suppose you heard, yes,
answered he. I heard, and will take care to remember.
(12:38):
You have what you want, said she, And now you
can go your way. He thanked the old woman for
helping him in his need and left hell well, content
that everything had turned out so fortunately. When he came
to the fairyman, he was expected to give the promised answer.
Ferry me across first, said the luck child, and then
(13:00):
I will tell you how you can be set free.
And when he reached the opposite shore. He gave him
the devil's advice. Next time any one comes who wants
to be ferried over, just put the oar in his hand.
He went on and came to the town wherein stood
the unfruitful tree, And there too the watchman wanted an answer,
(13:21):
so he told him what he had heard from the devil.
Killed the mouse, which is gnawing at its root, and
it will again bear golden apples. Then the watchman thanked
him and gave him as a reward two donkeys laden
with gold, which followed him. At last he came to
the town whose well was dry. He told the watchman
(13:42):
what the devil had said. A toad is in the
well beneath a stone. You must find it and kill it,
and the well will again give wine in plenty. The
watchman thanked him and also gave him two donkeys laden
with gold. At last, the luck child got home to
his wife, who was heartily glad to see him again
(14:02):
and to hear how well he had prospered in everything.
To the king, he took what he had asked for,
the devil's three golden hairs, and when the king saw
the four donkeys laden with gold. He was quite content
and said, now all the conditions are fulfilled, and you
can keep my daughter. But tell me, dear son in law,
(14:23):
where did all that gold come from. This is tremendous wealth.
I was rowed across the river, answered he, and got
it there. It lies on the shore instead of sand.
Can I too fight some of it? Said the king,
And he was quite eager about it, as much as
you like, answered he. There is a ferryman on the river.
(14:46):
Let him ferry you over, and you can fill your
sacks on the other side. The greedy king set out
in all haste, and when he came to the river,
he beckoned to the ferryman to put him across. The
ferryman came and bade him get in, And when they
got to the other shore, he put the oar in
his hand and sprang out. But from this time forth
(15:08):
the king had to fairy as a punishment for his sins.
Perhaps he is ferrying still. If he is, it is
because no one has taken the oar from him. The
end of the Devil with the three golden hairs
The devil with the three golden hairs. There was once
a poor woman who gave birth to a little son,
and as he came into the world with a call on,
it was predicted that in his fourteenth year he would
have the king's daughter for his wife. It happened that
soon afterwards the king came into the village, and no
one knew that he was the king. And when he
(00:22):
asked the people what news there was, they answered, a
child has just been born with a call on. Whatever
any one so born undertakes turns out well. It is
prophecied too that in his fourteenth year he will have
the king's daughter for his wife. The king, who had
a bad heart and was very angry about the prophecy,
(00:43):
went to the parents and, seeming quite friendly, said you
poor people, let me have your child and I will
take care of it. At first they refused, but when
the stranger offered them a large amount of gold for it,
then they thought it is a luck child and everything
must turn out well for it. They at last consented
(01:05):
and gave him the child. The king put it in
a box and rode away with it until he came
to a deep piece of water. Then he threw the
box into it and thought, I have freed my daughter
from her unlooked for suitor. The box, however, did not sink,
but floated like a boat, and not a drop of
water made its way into it. And it floated to
(01:28):
within two miles of the king's chief city, where there
was a mill, and it came to a standstill at
the mill dam. A miller's boy, who by luck was
standing there, noticed it and pulled it out with a hook,
thinking that he had found a great treasure. But when
he opened it there lay a pretty boy inside, quite
fresh and lively. He took him to the miller and
(01:50):
his wife, and as they had no children, they were
glad and said God has given him to us. They
took great care of the foundling, and he grew up
in all goodness. It happened that once in a storm
the king went into the mill and he asked the
mill folk if the tall youth was their son. No,
(02:10):
answered they, he is a foundling. Fourteen years ago. He
floated down to the mill dam in a box, and
the mill boy pulled him out of the water. Then
the king knew that it was none other than the
luck child which he had thrown into the water, and
he said, my good people, could not the youth take
a letter to the Queen. I will give him two
(02:32):
gold pieces as a reward, just as the King commands,
answered they, and they told the boy to hold himself
in readiness. Then the king wrote a letter to the queen,
wherein he said, as soon as the boy arrives with
this letter, let him be killed and buried, and all
must be done before I come home. The boy set
(02:55):
out with this letter, but he lost his way, and
in the evening came to a large forest. In the darkness,
he saw a small light. He went towards it and
reached a cottage. When he went in, an old woman
was sitting by the fire quite alone. She started when
she saw the boy and said, whencet thou you come,
(03:17):
and whither are you going? I come from the mill,
he answered, and wished to go to the queen, to
whom I am taking a letter. But as I have
lost my way in the forest, I should like to
stay here over night. You poor boy, said the woman.
You have come into a den of thieves, and when
they come home they will kill you. Let them come,
(03:40):
said the boy. I am not afraid, but I am
so tired that I cannot go any farther. And he
stretched himself upon a bench and fell asleep. Soon afterwards
the robbers came and angrily asked what strange boy was
lying there, Ah, said the old woman. It is an
innocent child who who has lost himself in the forest,
(04:02):
and out of pity I have let him come in.
He has to take a letter to the queen. The
robbers opened the letter and read it, and in it
was written that the boy, as soon as he arrived,
should be put to death. Then the hard hearted robbers
felt pity, and their leader tore up the letter and
wrote another, saying that as soon as the boy came
(04:25):
he should be married at once to the King's daughter.
Then they let him lie quietly on the bench until
the next morning, and when he awoke, they gave him
the letter and showed him the right way. And the Queen,
when she had received the letter and read it, did
as was written in it, and had a splendid wedding
feast prepared. And the King's daughter was married to the
(04:47):
luck child. And as the youth was handsome and agreeable,
she lived with him in joy and contentment. After some
time The king returned to his palace and saw that
the prophecy fulfilled and the luck child married to his daughter.
How has that come to pass? Said he, I have
quite another order in my letter. So the queen gave
(05:11):
him the letter and said that he might see for
himself what was written in it. The king read the
letter and saw quite well that it had been exchanged
for the other. He asked the youth what had become
of the letter entrusted to him, and why he had
brought another instead of it. I know nothing about it,
answered he. It must have been changed in the night
(05:33):
when I slept in the forest. The king said, in
a passion, you shall not have everything quite so much
your own way. Whosoever marries my daughter must fetch me
from hell three golden hairs from the head of the devil.
Bring me what I want, and you shall keep my daughter.
In this way, the king hoped to be rid of
(05:55):
him forever, but the luck child answered, I will fetch
the golden hair. I am not afraid of the devil.
Thereupon he took leave of them and began his journey.
The road led him to a large town, where the
watchman by the gates asked him what his trade was
and what he knew. I know everything, answered the luck child.
(06:17):
Then you can do as a favor, said the watchman,
if you will tell us why our market fountain, which
ones flowed with wine, has become dry and no longer
gives even water that you shall know. Answered he only
wait until I come back. Then he went farther and
came to another town, and there also the gatekeeper asked
(06:40):
him what his trade and what he knew? I know everything,
answered he. Then can you do as a favor and
tell us why a tree in our town, which once
bore golden apples, now does not even put forth leaves.
You shall know that, answered he only wait until I
come back. Then he went on and came to a
(07:03):
wide river over which he must go. The ferryman asked
him what his trade was and what he knew. I
know everything, answered he. Then you can do me a favor,
said the ferryman, and tell me why I must always
be rowing backwards and forwards, and am never set free.
You shall know that, answered he only wait until I
(07:24):
come back. When he had crossed the river, he found
the entrance to hell. It was black and sooty within,
and the devil was not at home, but his grandmother
was sitting in a large arm chair. What do you want,
said she to him, But she did not look so
very wicked. I should like to have three golden hairs
(07:47):
from the devil's head, answered he. Else I cannot keep
my wife. That tis a good deal to ask for,
said she. If the devil comes home and finds you,
it will cost you your life. But as I pity you,
I will see if I cannot help you. She changed
(08:08):
him into an aunt and said, creep into the folds
of my dress, and you will be safe there. Yes,
answered he, So far, so good. But there are three
things besides that. I want to know. Why a fountain
which once floated wine, has become dry and no longer
gives even water. Why a tree which once bore golden
(08:30):
apples does not even put forth leaves. And why a
ferryman must always be going backwards and forwards and is
never set free. Those are difficult questions, answered she. But
only be silent and quiet, and pay attention to what
the devil says when I pull out the three golden hairs.
(08:53):
As the evening came on, the devil returned home. No
sooner had he entered, than he noticed that the air
was not pure. I smell man's flesh, said he, all
is not right here. Then he pried into every corner
and searched, but could not find anything. His grandmother scolded him.
(09:15):
It has just been swept, said she, and everything put
in order, and now you are upsetting it again. You
have always got man's flesh in your nose. Sit down
and eat your supper. When he had eaten and drunk,
he was tired and laid his head in his grandmother's lap,
and before long he was fast asleep, snoring and breathing heavily.
(09:39):
Then the old woman took hold of a golden hair,
pulled it out, and laid it down near her. Ah,
cried the devil, what are you doing. I have had
a bad dream, answered the grandmother, So I seized hold
of your hair. What did you dream, then, said the devil.
(10:01):
I dreamed that a fountain in a market place, from
which wine once flowed, was dried up, and not even
water would flow out of it. What is the cause
of it? Oh, if they did but know it, answered
the devil. There's a toad sitting under a stone in
the well. If they killed it, the wine would flow again.
(10:25):
He went to sleep again and snored until the windows shook.
Then she pulled the second hair out. Ha, what are
you doing, cried the devil angrily. Do not take it ill,
said she. I did it in a dream. What have
you dreamt this time? Asked he? I dreamt that in
(10:46):
a certain kingdom there stood an apple tree which had
once borne gold and apples, but now would not even
bear leaves. What think you was the reason? Oh? If
they did? But no, answered the devil. A mouse is
gnawing at the root. If they killed this they would
have golden apples again. But if it gnaws much longer,
(11:09):
the tree will wither altogether. But leave me alone with
your dreams. If you disturb me in my sleep again,
you will get a box on the ear. The grandmother
spoke gently to him until he fell asleep again and snored.
Then she took hold of the third golden hair and
pulled it out. The devil jumped up, roared out, and
(11:31):
would have treated her ill if she had not quieted
him once more, and said, who can help bad dreams?
What was the dream? Then, asked he, and was quite curious.
I dreamt of a fairy man who complained that he
must always ferry from one side to the other and
was never released. What is the cause of it, ah,
(11:53):
the fool, answered the devil. When anyone comes and wants
to go across he he must put the oar in
his hand, and the other man will have to faery,
and he will be free. As the grandmother had plucked
out the three golden hairs and the three questions were answered,
she let the old serpent alone, and he slept until daybreak,
(12:16):
when the devil had gone out again. The old woman
took the aunt out of the fold of her dress
and gave the luck child his human shape again. There
are the three golden hairs for you, said she. What
the devil said to your three questions? I suppose you heard, yes,
answered he. I heard, and will take care to remember.
(12:38):
You have what you want, said she, And now you
can go your way. He thanked the old woman for
helping him in his need and left hell well, content
that everything had turned out so fortunately. When he came
to the fairyman, he was expected to give the promised answer.
Ferry me across first, said the luck child, and then
(13:00):
I will tell you how you can be set free.
And when he reached the opposite shore. He gave him
the devil's advice. Next time any one comes who wants
to be ferried over, just put the oar in his hand.
He went on and came to the town wherein stood
the unfruitful tree, And there too the watchman wanted an answer,
(13:21):
so he told him what he had heard from the devil.
Killed the mouse, which is gnawing at its root, and
it will again bear golden apples. Then the watchman thanked
him and gave him as a reward two donkeys laden
with gold, which followed him. At last he came to
the town whose well was dry. He told the watchman
(13:42):
what the devil had said. A toad is in the
well beneath a stone. You must find it and kill it,
and the well will again give wine in plenty. The
watchman thanked him and also gave him two donkeys laden
with gold. At last, the luck child got home to
his wife, who was heartily glad to see him again
(14:02):
and to hear how well he had prospered in everything.
To the king, he took what he had asked for,
the devil's three golden hairs, and when the king saw
the four donkeys laden with gold. He was quite content
and said, now all the conditions are fulfilled, and you
can keep my daughter. But tell me, dear son in law,
(14:23):
where did all that gold come from. This is tremendous wealth.
I was rowed across the river, answered he, and got
it there. It lies on the shore instead of sand.
Can I too fight some of it? Said the king,
And he was quite eager about it, as much as
you like, answered he. There is a ferryman on the river.
(14:46):
Let him ferry you over, and you can fill your
sacks on the other side. The greedy king set out
in all haste, and when he came to the river,
he beckoned to the ferryman to put him across. The
ferryman came and bade him get in, And when they
got to the other shore, he put the oar in
his hand and sprang out. But from this time forth
(15:08):
the king had to fairy as a punishment for his sins.
Perhaps he is ferrying still. If he is, it is
because no one has taken the oar from him. The
end of the Devil with the three golden hairs
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