An aged king urges his only son, a prince, to marry before he dies. The prince, lacking a romantic interest, encounters an old woman who instructs him to climb the Glass Hill and pluck the Three Citrons to find a wife. Determined, the prince embarks on a journey, facing challenges and meeting two ogres at lead and silver castles, who direct him to the Golden Castle for further guidance. At the Golden Castle, the prince learns that the Glass Hill is nearby. He struggles to climb the smooth hill but discovers that throwing dumplings creates steps, allowing him to reach the top. He successfully plucks the Three Citrons, which vanish, leaving him on a plain. Hungry, he opens the first citron, releasing a beautiful maiden who disappears when he cannot provide for her. The same occurs with the second citron. Upon returning home, the prince finally opens the last citron during a grand feast, revealing a stunning maiden who he can provide for, leading to their betrothal and wedding. After the king's death, the young king faces war and builds a throne for his queen in the garden to protect her. An old woman, angered by not being invited to the wedding, instructs a gipsy servant to deceive the queen. The gipsy tricks the queen into letting her up, puts a pin in her head, and takes her place. The king, returning from battle, is horrified to find the gipsy instead of his wife. He mourns her loss until a white dove reveals the pin in its head. Removing the pin transforms the dove back into the queen. The king punishes the gipsy and the old witch, restoring peace and happiness to his reign with his beloved wife.
By Parker Fillmore · First published 1925 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure