Father Roquelaure
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Father Roquelaure is a French fairy tale collected by Achille Millien.[1]
It is Aarne-Thompson type 516.[2] Others of this type are Trusty John[3] and The Raven.[2]
[edit] Synopsis
A widowed queen urged her son, Emilien, to marry, but he put her off. She died. One day, he saw a portrait of the Princess Emilienne and fell in love. The portrait painter told him that the princess was kept confined to a tower by a fairy. Emilien confided in a trusted servant, Jean, and after Jean made the preparations in secret, they set out. They took turns keeping watch at night.
While the prince slept, Jean heard voices talking. One was of Father Roquelaure. He told how the Prince Emilien wanted to find the Princess Emilienne, but it would be hard. He would have to rub the wheels with moss to cross a river with no bridge, which would create a bridge; he would have to offer the fairy a distaff with diamonds and then give her a sleeping potion; when he took the princess, his horses would refuse to go on, and he would have to refuse offers from coachmen with horses and carriages and instead dash them to pieces; when the princess became thirsty and vendors offered to sell her drinks, the drinks would be poison and he would have to dash them to the ground; they would come upon a drowning man, and he would have to push him back into the water rather than rescue him; finally, he would have to rub the wheels with moss again. And if anyone told any of the things he had just told, the man would turn to stone.
Throughout their journey, Jean told Emilien to trust him and implemented Father Roquelaure's words. His actions so frightened the princess that she told Emilien that if he loved her, he would imprison Jean. When they returned and the marriage was complete, Emilien demanded that Jean explain his actions or be imprisoned. Jean finally explained and turned to stone. The prince was deeply grieved. Within a year, the princess had a son, whom the prince wished to name Jean in honor of his servant. A poor old woman came to the christening feast, and so that no one would be unhappy there, he gave her a place and food to eat. She told them that if they killed the baby, his blood would restore Jean. The prince killed the baby, and the blood brought Jean back to life. The old woman produced a magic wand and revived the baby. The princess realized that she was the fairy who had kept her, and begged her pardon. The fairy told her to be happy.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Paul Delarue, The Borzoi Book of French Folk-Tales, p 365, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York 1956
- ^ a b Paul Delarue, The Borzoi Book of French Folk-Tales, p 365, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York 1956
- ^ D.L. Ashliman, "The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales (Grimms' Fairy Tales)"
