Nordic Tales / The True Bride: The Story of Ilona and the King’s Son

Once upon a time, there existed two children who had lost their parents—an older brother and a younger sister, they resided in the ancient farmhouse that had been the home of their ancestors for numerous generations. The boy's name was Osmo, and his sister was called Ilona. Osmo was a diligent young person, but the farm they inherited was diminutive and infertile, making it challenging for him to earn a sufficient income.

"One day," he expressed to his sister, "I believe it would be beneficial for me to venture into the world and seek employment."

"Brother," Ilona responded, "Do what you deem best. I am confident that I can handle things here on my own."

With the intention of eventually providing his sister with a new home, Osmo embarked on his journey. He pledged to return for her as soon as possible. He traveled extensively and eventually secured a job as a shepherd in the service of the King's Son.

The King's Son, who was approximately the same age as Osmo, frequently encountered him while he was tending to his sheep, on such occasions, the King's Son would pause and engage in conversations with Osmo.

One day, Osmo opened up to the King's Son about his sister, Ilona.

"During my extensive travels across the world," he shared, "I have never laid eyes upon a maiden as exceptionally beautiful as Ilona."

Curiosity piqued, the King's Son inquired, "How would you describe her appearance?"

Osmo sketched a picture of Ilona, and upon seeing her beauty, the King's Son instantly fell in love with her.

"Osmo," the King's Son proposed, "if you return home and bring your sister, I am willing to marry her."

Filled with excitement, Osmo hastened back home, opting for a direct route over the water in a boat instead of the longer land route he had previously taken

"Sister!" Osmo exclaimed as soon as he laid eyes on Ilona, "You must come with me immediately! The King's Son desires to marry you!"

He anticipated Ilona's overwhelming joy, but instead, she sighed and shook her head in response.

"What troubles you, sister? Why do you sigh?"

Ilona expressed her sorrow, stating, "Leaving this ancestral home, where our forefathers resided for numerous generations, brings me great sadness."

Osmo countered her sentiment, dismissing it by saying, "Ilona, you're mistaken! Compared to the grandeur of the King's castle, where you will reside upon marrying the King's Son, this humble old house holds no significance."

However, Ilona simply shook her head in disagreement.

"It's futile, brother," she said. "I cannot bear to depart from this old house until the grindstone, which our ancestors used for countless generations to grind their meal, is completely worn out."

Upon realizing that Ilona was resolute in her decision, Osmo took matters into his own hands. Secretly, he broke the old grindstone into small fragments, carefully reassembling them to make it appear intact. However, when Ilona touched the grindstone again, it promptly crumbled into pieces, revealing the truth.

"Now, sister, will you come with me?" Osmo inquired, hopeful for a change in Ilona's response. However, once again, Ilona shook her head, indicating her continued refusal.

"It's futile, brother. I cannot bring myself to leave until the old stool, upon which our mothers have sat spinning for countless generations, is worn down completely," Ilona explained, emphasizing her attachment to their ancestral home

Again, Osmo assumed responsibility and proceeded discreetly to the old spinning stool, He deliberately broke it, ensuring that when Ilona sat on it once more, it disintegrated into fragments.

Subsequently, Ilona expressed her reluctance to leave until the old mortar, which had been used for generations, disintegrated with a single strike from the pestle. Osmo deliberately cracked the mortar, and when Ilona struck it with the pestle, it shattered as intended.

Ilona then declared that she would not leave until the old worn doorsill, over which numerous generations of their ancestors had walked, disintegrated into splinters from a mere touch of her skirt. Osmo covertly divided the doorsill into thin slivers, and when Ilona stepped over it once again, the movement of her skirt caused the splinters to scatter in all directions.

"I see now that I must go," Ilona acknowledged. "The attachment to the house of our ancestors no longer binds me."

Ilona proceeded to gather all her ribbons, bodices, and skirts, carefully placing them in a vibrant wooden box. With her faithful companion, the little dog Pilka, by her side, she embarked on the boat while Osmo rowed them towards the King's castle.