A destitute man, overwhelmed by the burden of feeding his numerous children, prays for divine assistance. In response, an angel visits him in a dream, instructing him to find a mirror, a red handkerchief, and an embroidered scarf hidden under his pillow. He is to venture into the woods beyond the third hill, where he will encounter a beautiful maiden with long golden hair bathing in a brook. The angel warns him not to speak to her, as doing so would allow her to bewitch him. Upon waking, the man follows the angel's guidance, finding the items and making his way to the brook. He encounters the maiden, who politely greets him, but he remains silent. She offers him a golden comb to help her with her hair. He complies, searching for a single blood-red hair among her tresses. Once he finds it, he yanks it out and flees as the maiden pursues him. To hinder her, he drops the scarf, the handkerchief, and finally the mirror, which captivates her with her reflection, allowing him to escape. Returning home with the hair, he believes it to be of great value and decides to sell it in the city. Merchants initially undervalue it, but as they speculate on its worth, bids escalate to one hundred golden ducats. The man, sensing its true potential, refuses the offer. The excitement surrounding the hair reaches the Tsar, who offers one thousand golden ducats for it. With the money, the man can now provide for his family, ensuring they will not starve. The Tsar, upon examining the hair, discovers a scroll containing significant secrets of nature, revealing the hair's true magical essence. The story concludes with the man's fortunes transformed, highlighting themes of hope, resourcefulness, and the unexpected value of seemingly ordinary things.
By Parker Fillmore · First published 1930 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure