Nordic Tales / The Forest Bride: The Story of a Little Mouse Who Was a Princess

Once upon a time, there lived a farmer who had three sons. When the boys reached adulthood, their father addressed them, saying, "My sons, it is about time for all of you to get married. Tomorrow, I want you to embark on a quest to find suitable brides."

"But where should we go?" inquired the eldest son.

"I have considered that as well," responded the father. "Each of you should fell a tree and then proceed in the direction indicated by the fallen tree. I believe that if you travel far enough in that direction, you will each find a suitable bride."

The following day, the three sons proceeded to chop down trees. The tree of the eldest son fell, indicating the northward direction. "That's perfect!" he exclaimed, as he was aware of a farm situated in the north where a beautiful girl resided.

Similarly, the tree of the second son fell, pointing towards the south. "That's ideal!" the second son proclaimed, as he had frequently danced with a girl who lived on a farm in the southern region.

When it was the youngest son's turn, Veikko, his tree fell directly towards the forest. Upon seeing this, his older brothers burst into laughter. "Ha! Ha!" they mocked. "Veikko will have to court one of the Wolf girls or one of the Foxes!"

Their intention was to convey that the forest was inhabited solely by animals, and they believed they were humorously teasing Veikko. However, Veikko responded by expressing his complete willingness to accept the risk and follow the direction indicated by his fallen tree.

The older brothers joyfully departed and approached the two farmers, offering their intentions to the daughters they admired. Veikko, too, embarked with a bold demeanor, but as he ventured further into the forest, his courage started to diminish. He questioned himself, "In a location completely devoid of any human beings, how can I possibly discover a bride?"

At that moment, Veikko stumbled upon a small hut. He pushed open the door and entered, finding it vacant. However, there was a small mouse sitting on the table, delicately grooming its whiskers, Yet, Veikko considered that a mouse certainly did not fulfill the criteria he had in mind.

"There's nobody here!" Veikko exclaimed.

The little mouse interrupted her grooming, and facing him, responded with a reproachful tone, "Why, Veikko, I am here!"

"But you don't matter. You're just a mouse!" Veikko retorted.

"I absolutely matter!" asserted the little mouse confidently. "But do tell me, what were you expecting to discover?"

"I was hoping to find a beloved partner," Veikko replied.

Curious, the little mouse probed further, and Veikko proceeded to recount the entire tale of his brothers and the trees.

"The two older ones are effortlessly finding sweethearts," lamented Veikko, "but I can't see how I can do the same here in the forest. It would be shameful for me to return home and admit that I alone have failed."

"Listen, Veikko," suggested the little mouse, "why don't you consider me as your sweetheart?"

Veikko burst into hearty laughter. "But you're just a mouse! Who has ever heard of a man having a mouse as a sweetheart!"

The little mouse shook her head earnestly. "Believe me, Veikko, you could find someone far less suitable than me for a sweetheart! Even though I am just a mouse, I can love you and remain loyal to you."

The mouse was a precious and delicate little creature, and as she sat there, gazing up at Veikko with her paws delicately placed under her chin and her bright eyes gleaming, Veikko's fondness for her grew steadily.

Then the little mouse serenaded Veikko with a lovely melody, and the song brought him such joy that he momentarily forgot his disappointment of not finding a human sweetheart. As he bid farewell to the mouse and started to make his way home, he declared, "Alright, little mouse, I will accept you as my sweetheart!"

Upon hearing Veikko's acceptance, the mouse emitted sounds of delight, expressing her commitment to remain faithful and wait for him, regardless of how long it took for his return. Meanwhile, upon reaching home, the older brothers loudly boasted about their sweethearts, eager to share their romantic conquests.

"The one I found," declared the eldest brother, "has the most vibrant and rosiest red cheeks you've ever laid eyes on!"

"And mine," proclaimed the second brother, "has beautiful long yellow hair!"

Veikko remained silent, refraining from joining in the conversation.

"What's wrong, Veikko?" inquired the older brothers, chuckling. "Does your sweetheart have pretty pointed ears or sharp white teeth?"