East of the Sun, West of the Moon

Tonight, we’ll read the complete story of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon”, a Norwegian fairy tale, collected by Asbjørnsen and Moe.

In this story, a talking bear approaches a poor peasant and asks if he will give him his daughter as a wife in return for making the family rich.

The tale belongs to a broader class of folktales known as “Animal Bridegroom” stories, where a maiden is betrothed to a mysterious creature whose true identity is hidden. It shares roots with stories like Cupid and Psyche and Beauty and the Beast, though its northern setting and surreal imagery give it a distinct, dreamlike quality. The journey “east of the sun and west of the moon” evokes a place that lies just beyond the edges of the known world—a poetic way of describing an impossible quest.

In the second half of the story, a “gold carding-comb” is mentioned several times. Not well-known nowadays, but in the past readers were more likely to know that a carding-comb is a tool used to brush and untangle wool before it’s spun into thread. The one in this story, made of gold, is more symbolic than practical—a glittering gift meant to dazzle, rather than do chores.

Asbjørnsen and Moe, sometimes called the “Grimms of Norway,” gathered this story during the 19th century as part of a national effort to preserve the country’s oral traditions. Their collections helped shape the image of Norwegian folklore: filled with towering mountains, icy winds, trolls, talking animals, and brave heroines who outwit enchantments. This story in particular has captivated readers for generations with its eerie beginning, evocative landscapes, and a heroine whose strength lies not in spells or swords, but in her persistence.

--read by 'V'--

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