The Star Coins – A German Folk Tale about a Poor Girl and the Reward for Her Kindness
The German folk tale "The Star Coins" tells the story of an orphan girl who helps others despite her own poverty and receives a miraculous reward from the stars.
Brief Description:
The Star Coins is a German fairy tale about a poor girl who, despite having nothing, helps others by giving away everything she owns. As a reward, she receives miraculous gifts from the stars.
Once upon a time, there was an orphan girl who had nothing except a piece of bread, given to her by kind people. She had no home, no family, and no warm clothes to protect her from the cold. One day, when she had lost all hope for human help, she went out into the field, trusting only in her fate and God.
On her way, she met an old beggar. He looked so hungry and exhausted that the girl felt sorry for him. Without hesitation, she gave him her only piece of bread so he could satisfy his hunger. The beggar thanked her and left, and the girl continued on her way.
A little later, she encountered a child trembling from the cold. Noticing that the child had no hat, she took off her own and put it on the child’s head to help warm him. The little child smiled at her gratefully and ran off.
Further along the road, she saw another child covered only by a thin cloak. His lips had turned blue from the cold, and the girl, without hesitation, gave him her vest. The child hugged her in thanks, and although she was now cold, she felt joy in her heart.
By evening, the girl met the last traveler – a thin boy who was sitting, leaning against a tree. His hands were shaking from the cold, and the girl decided to give him her dress. In return, the boy gave her a warm smile and kind words.
When the sun set, the girl was all alone in the dense night forest. She had no blouse left, as she had given it to a freezing passerby. She stood barefoot, with no clothes or food, under the open sky. Yet, despite her hardships, she regretted nothing. She looked up at the sky, and at that moment, a miracle occurred.
The stars in the sky shone brighter than usual. They began to fall from the heavens like glowing snowflakes. But these were no ordinary stars. When they touched the ground, they turned into sparkling silver coins – thalers. The meadow around the girl lit up, and the stars continued to fall, filling the air with magic. The girl joyfully began collecting the thalers, and suddenly, she noticed that she was wearing a new shirt made of the finest linen. It was soft, warm, and protected her from the cold.
The silver coins she collected were enough for the girl for the rest of her life. She never again experienced hunger, cold, or poverty. But the most important thing was that she kept her good and pure heart, which made her truly happy.
The Moral of the Story:
The tale teaches that kindness and generosity will always be rewarded, even if it seems like you are losing everything at first. By helping others, we open the doors to true happiness.
Questions for Children:
- Why did the girl give her things and food to other people?
- What happened when she was left alone in the forest at night?
- What lesson can you learn from this story?
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