The fairy tale of the old dragon and the faithful Lisbeth

The fairy tale of the old dragon and the loyal Lisbeth is a fairy tale for children by Mary von Olfers , published in Leipzig in 1883 .

The fairy tale, which was still popular at the beginning of the 20th century, combines several motifs and topoi from old folk tales. The girl Lisbeth is an orphan who, although not abandoned, leaves her hometown voluntarily. After wandering around in a forest, it is not the witch but an old, almost blind dragon that the girl finds in its cave. After a meal, the dragon and the orphan make an agreement: while the dragon agrees to teach the girl to do magic , this promises to care for the aging dragon. When a young prince arouses the interest of the mature maiden, the claims of the old dragon and the young suitor come into conflict. Girls and dragons leave the place with magical help.

Despite preventing love, the girl proves her loyalty and is rewarded for this by a fairy Wagalaweia, who appears surprisingly in the story , who is introduced as Lorelei's sister and the girl's godmother. When the king's son, in his heartache, turns to the fairy, she teaches him two songs. One of the many frogs serving the fairy brings the prince in front of the cave of the dragon , who has now been revealed as a magician . Disguised as a minstrel, the prince enters and first sings the sad song that moves the dragon to tears. The following funny song finally makes the kite burst with laughter. After the abrupt departure of the opponent, who seems to split the throw against the wall from the Frog King between two actors, the girl is then free to marry the prince.

literature

Mary von Olfers: The fairy tale of the old dragon and the faithful Lisbeth. The fairy tale of Prince Pusack. Hansi and his nutcracker . Schneider, Leipzig 1883