The Girl in the Chest: the Story of the Third Si

Name: The Girl in the Chest: the Story of the Third Sister who was Brave and Good
Author: Parker Fillmore

A handsome young man, actually a Vampire, deceives an old woman into allowing him to marry her oldest daughter, whom he subsequently kills after luring her to his underground lair. He repeats this with the second daughter, leading to her demise as well. The youngest daughter, however, is resourceful and escapes the Vampire's clutches by praying for help and finding a locked chest to hide in. While living in the woods, she attracts the attention of a prince during his hunting expedition. He discovers her presence when his huntsmen bring the chest to his palace, where she continues to hide. The prince, intrigued by the mysterious disappearance of his meals, eventually catches her when he hides to observe her. He expresses his love and they plan to marry, but the Chamberlain, envious of the girl, plots to have her killed. The Chamberlain employs a Blackamoor to kidnap her, and she is left for dead in a field of nettles. An old woman finds her and nurses her back to health. The girl, wishing to help the prince who is grieving her absence, cooks a special dish of beans and sends it to him, including a lock of her hair as a sign. The prince, recognizing the hair, eagerly consumes the dish and seeks out the girl. When the prince visits the old woman, the girl hides in a bread trough to avoid being seen. However, the prince discovers her, and they share their love. She reveals the plot against her life, and they decide to inform the king. The king, upon hearing her story, punishes the Chamberlain and the Blackamoor, ensuring justice is served. The girl and the prince marry, living happily ever after, celebrated for her bravery and goodness.

By Parker Fillmore · First published 1920 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 3,145 words

First lines

There was once a horrible Vampire who took the form of a handsome young man and went to the house of an old woman who had three daughters and pretended he wanted to marry the oldest.

"I live far from here," the Vampire said. "I own my own farm and am well-to-do and in marrying me your daughter would get a desirable husband. Indeed, I am so well off that I don't have to ask any dowry."

What this Textopian page supports

The Girl in the Chest: the Story of the Third Sister who was Brave and Good is listed on Textopian as a short story by Parker Fillmore, dated 1920 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Parker Fillmore
Date: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Children's Literature
Length: 3,145 words
Structure: 1 section, 88 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Girl in the Chest: the Story of the Third Sister who was Brave and Good by Parker Fillmore
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Girl in the Chest: the Story of the Third Sister who was Brave and Good?
How does this short story by Parker Fillmore fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, a moral lesson, and a narrative structure typical of fairy tales.
Fantasy — The presence of a vampire and magical occurrences places the story within the fantasy genre.
Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges and escapes, characteristic of adventure narratives.
Romance — The plot includes a romantic relationship between the girl and the prince, central to the story's resolution.