The Twelve Coffins

Summary

Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest: Episode Summary – "The Twelve Coffins"

Podcast Title: Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest
Host/Author: Adam Gidwitz
Episode Title: The Twelve Coffins
Release Date: November 7, 2024
Rating: Grimmest

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Introduction

In the "Grimmest" episode of Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest, renowned author Adam Gidwitz delves into a dark and twisted retelling of a classic Grimm fairy tale titled "The Twelve Coffins." This episode promises an intense narrative filled with fear, transformation, and the complexities of familial bonds, perfectly suited for listeners seeking a spine-chilling experience.

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Setting the Scene

[03:58] Adam Gidwitz: "This story is called the 12 coffins. What is a coffin? Who can tell me what a coffin is?"

The tale begins in a kingdom ruled by a cruel and oppressive king who exerts his tyranny over his subjects, advisors, and even the animals within his castle. His wife, the queen, contrasts him with her inherent kindness, especially towards their twelve sons. This dynamic sets the stage for a story rife with tension and impending tragedy.

---

The King's Decree

[05:56] Andra Day: "Why, that's horrible. Gosh."

The king learns he is to have a thirteenth child. In a twisted decree, he demands that if the child is a boy, everything will remain as it is. However, if the child is a girl, the existing twelve sons must face execution. This authoritarian command forces the queen into a desperate plan to protect her sons.

---

Exile and Separation

[07:13] Andra Day: "Just why?"

[07:14] Adam Gidwitz: "Just why is right."

The queen secretly informs her sons of the grim decree and instructs them to flee into the forest, where they remain hidden in a cave. The princess, their newly born sister, grows up sheltered from the king's cruelty, unaware of her brothers' fate.

---

Birth of the Princess and the Red Flag

[07:53] Andra Day: "Because she does not want them to die."

Upon the princess's birth, the queen raises a red flag signaling that their new sister is a girl, ensuring her sons understand they must not return to the castle. The youngest son discovers the red flag and shares the devastating news with his brothers, igniting feelings of anger and helplessness.

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Emotional Turmoil and Curse

[10:35] Andra Day: "They felt angry at the Queen because the queen. Gift to the girl. But it's not the Queen's fault. It's their. It's the tummy's fault."

The brothers grapple with conflicting emotions—resentment towards their father, misplaced anger at their sister, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. Their turmoil culminates in a curse, transforming them into ravens, a fate sealed by their vow to kill their sister if ever they met her.

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The Princess’s Quest

[16:37] Adam Gidwitz: "And the princess simply vowed, I will find my brothers."

Determined to reunite with her brothers and break the curse, the princess discovers the secret coffins containing her exiled siblings’ pillowcases. Her quest leads her to the forest cave, where she encounters the youngest raven—a poignant moment of recognition and empathy that begins to dismantle the curse's hold.

---

Transformation and Redemption

[23:18] Andra Day: "They're all turned into crows."

An old toad woman presents the princess with a Herculean task: to remain silent for twelve years to lift the curse. The princess accepts the challenge, leading to the transformation of her brothers back into humans as the twelve-year period concludes. However, fulfillment comes too late for the youngest, who nearly perishes in his attempt to save her during their rescue from the fiery pyre orchestrated by the vengeful king.

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Climactic Resolution

[34:32] Andra Day: "Why is she crying? He's the one who put her to death."

In the climax, the princess and her brothers confront the evil king. The family's unity and the breaking of the curse culminate in the king's demise, allowing the siblings to reclaim their castle and live harmoniously, free from tyranny. The narrative underscores themes of redemption, the power of forgiveness, and the enduring strength of family bonds.

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Themes and Insights

[32:24] Andra Day: "My parents say there's no monsters, but I still believe they are."

Throughout the storytelling, Adam engages with the young listeners, prompting them to reflect on complex emotions such as anger, forgiveness, and the consequences of believing in harmful lies. The interplay between Adam and the kids highlights the moral lessons embedded within the tale, emphasizing that even natural but unjustified emotions must be navigated responsibly.

[35:30] Andra Day: "Taste of your own medicine. Yeah."

The resolution also touches on the destructive nature of lies, especially when propagated by those in power. The nobleman's transformation from an admirer to a believer in the king's deceit serves as a cautionary element about trust and manipulation.

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Conclusion

"The Twelve Coffins" episode of Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest offers a riveting and darkly enchanting retelling of a traditional Grimm fairy tale. Through rich narrative and interactive discussions, Adam Gidwitz not only entertains but also imparts profound lessons on the human psyche, the importance of truth, and the resilience of familial love. This episode stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of fairy tales in exploring the depths of human emotions and societal norms.

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Notable Quotes

• Adam Gidwitz [03:58]: "This story is called the 12 coffins. What is a coffin? Who can tell me what a coffin is?"

• Andra Day [05:56]: "Why, that's horrible. Gosh."

• Andra Day [07:53]: "Because she does not want them to die."

• Andra Day [10:35]: "They felt angry at the Queen because the queen. Gift to the girl. But it's not the Queen's fault. It's their. It's the tummy's fault."

• Adam Gidwitz [16:37]: "And the princess simply vowed, I will find my brothers."

• Andra Day [23:18]: "They're all turned into crows."

• Andra Day [32:24]: "My parents say there's no monsters, but I still believe they are."

---

Final Thoughts

Adam Gidwitz's "The Twelve Coffins" masterfully intertwines suspense, emotion, and moral complexity, making it a standout episode in the Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest series. Listeners are left contemplating the intricate dance between darkness and redemption, all while being captivated by the rich storytelling and engaging character dynamics.

Transcript

[Andra Day]

Pinna.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Did you know that you can listen to Grim, Grimmer Grimmest without any ads interrupting the story? Just subscribe to Pinna. Not only will you get to hear me tell these fairy tales straight through the way I tell them to kids, you get access to tons of other awesome original shows and audiobooks, all ad free. Subscribe to pinna at Pinna FM. That's P I N N A FM and use code GRIM with two M's to get 30% off an annual subscription. And remember, it's not a Smurf.

[Andra Day]

Once upon a time, there was a girl who dreamed of flying through the.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Stars, who dared to resist injustice, who.

[Ilana Glaser]

Lived to a beat and a rhythm.

[Adam Gidwitz]

That was all her own. Her name was Chloe. Frida. Oprah.

[Andra Day]

Celia Cruz.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Josephine.

[Andra Day]

Greta.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Ruth. Elise. One day, she wondered, could today be.

[Andra Day]

The beginning of something new?

[Brenda Chapman]

This was her one opportunity to do something. Something big.

[Adam Gidwitz]

So that's exactly what she did. Along the way, she discovered that she wasn't alone. Her body felt strong, her mind sharp. She was prepared to work as hard as it took.

[Andra Day]

Her words were making a real change.

[Ilana Glaser]

And she felt powerful.

[Adam Gidwitz]

I'm Gayle King.

[Andra Day]

I'm Andra Day. I'm Diane Gibbons. I'm Lindsey Vaughn.

[Adam Gidwitz]

I'm Jameela Jamel. I'm Anita Hill.

[Brenda Chapman]

I'm Brenda Chapman.

[Adam Gidwitz]

I'm Ilana Glaser. And this is Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.

[Andra Day]

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or find out [e-mail] audio.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Hi, my name is Adam Gidwitz. I'm an author. I'm also a storyteller. I like telling all kinds of stories, but I especially like telling grim fairy tales. You may think you know grim fairy tales and you may think that they are sweet and boring, but listen, those tales you heard were the cute, happy little kid bedtime versions of the Grimm tales. The original Grimm fairy tales aren't like that at all. They're weird and sometimes gross and often scary. In other words, they're grim. And I'm about to host a virtual storytelling session and tell one of the original Grim Grimm tales to a bunch of kids. Do you want to join me? Do you want to hear a grim fairy tale? I don't know if you said yes or no because I can't hear you. So let me help you decide. On a scale of grim, Grimmer and grimmest. This story is grimmest. There is a little death and a lot of fear and a guy who is super duper mean to his kids. If I get to a part of the story, and you start to feel scared or uncomfortable. This is what you could do. You could turn down the volume and count to five. Then turn the volume back up. If it still seems like a part you don't want to hear, turn it down and count to five again. You know how much weird and gross and scary you're ready for? You know what you need? Okay, I'm about to join the session. There are kids inside waiting to hear a grim fairy tale. So are you coming in? Grim Grimmer Grimace. All right. So I guess I'm gonna tell a fairy tale now. Is everyone cool with that?

[Andra Day]

Yay.

[Adam Gidwitz]

All right. This story is called the 12 coffins. What is a coffin? Who can tell me what a coffin is?

[Andra Day]

Death.

[Adam Gidwitz]

It's related to death, for sure.

[Andra Day]

A coffin is something that your dead body gets put in, and you get buried in it.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yes, and I see that you just gave that two thumbs up for some reason I do not understand.

[Andra Day]

Neither do I.

[Adam Gidwitz]

This story is called the 12 coffins, and it is based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm. Once upon a time, there was a mean and horrible king who was cruel to his subjects, to his advisors, to his generals, and to the cats and dogs and the mice who lived in the castle.

[Gayle King]

Subjects, I hate you. Advisers, you're dummies. Generals, you're cowards. Cats and dogs and mice, learn how to talk.

[Adam Gidwitz]

He was even cruel to his own family.

[Gayle King]

Wife, get these bratty kids away from me.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Anyone have a guess as to why he's so mean?

[Andra Day]

Because maybe one time when he was a kid, his mom said, you stupid boy. And then he was like, I'm confused with my family.

[Adam Gidwitz]

I love that idea. She called him a stupid boy one time, and he's been a cruel, mean jerk face ever since. Any other ideas?

[Andra Day]

There were bunnies that attacked him.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yes, there were constantly bunnies around. And he was like, I'm terrified of bunnies. Okay, it could be that. Well, we don't know for sure why this king was so cruel, but we definitely know that he was. The cruel king had a wife, the queen. And together they had 12 sons.

[Andra Day]

All gods are gonna die.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Why do you say that?

[Andra Day]

Because his car. 12 coffins.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Now, the king was mean and cruel, but the queen was kind.

[Andra Day]

Come here, my dears. Let's give your father some space. Who'd like to play a game?

[Adam Gidwitz]

She loved her sons very much, and she tried to keep them away from their cruel jerk face of a dad as best she could. And everything was fine, or at least as fine as it could be. With such a mean dad. Until one day when the queen learned that she was to have a 13th child. At first, the queen was very happy, but then the king said, it's going.

[Gayle King]

To have to be all boys or all girls, not both.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Why? Asked the queen. But the king wouldn't explain. He just said, if a 13th boy.

[Gayle King]

Is born, everything will be fine. But if it's a girl, our 12 boys must be put to death.

[Andra Day]

Why, that's horrible. Gosh.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The king ordered 12 coffins to be made and put into a secret room. If you opened one of the coffins, you would see a pillow with a boy's name on it, just waiting for the boy it belonged to.

[Andra Day]

Just why?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Just why is right. Well, the queen had no idea if her baby would be a boy or a girl. And she wouldn't let the king kill her boys. So she called them to her in secret and told them what the king had said. And she instructed them, go out into the forest and stay there.

[Andra Day]

Watch the highest tower of this castle.

[Adam Gidwitz]

If I give birth to a boy, I will raise a white flag and you can come home. But if I give birth to a girl, I will raise a red flag. Then you must never return. Why did she tell them that?

[Andra Day]

Because she does not want them to die.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Right. The queen embraced her boys, and they held each other and wept. And then the 12 boys went out to the forest to wait. Sometime later, the queen gave birth. And the baby was a girl?

[Andra Day]

No, you would expect it to be a girl. So it's a boy. It was a boy. It was a boy. It was a boy.

[Adam Gidwitz]

It was a girl. Of course.

[Andra Day]

Obviously. I knew it.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The queen crept to the castle's highest tower. With a heavy heart and tears in her eyes, she raised a red flag. Now, ever since they'd fled the castle, the boys had been hiding in a cave in the woods. Each day, one would climb to the top of a tall oak tree to look for a flag at the top of the castle's highest tower. On the day the queen raised the red flag, it was the youngest boy's turn to look for their mother's signal. When he saw that the flag was red, he nearly fell out of the tree. When his brothers heard the news, they.

[Andra Day]

Felt angry, Very sad. I think when all the other brothers heard the news, they were like, well, we can never go home again. I miss Mommy and Daddy.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yes, I think so.

[Andra Day]

You can't miss your dad if he's trying to put you to death, right? Okay. I don't miss my daddy.

[Adam Gidwitz]

I don't miss my daddy, Just my mommy.

[Andra Day]

Exactly.

[Adam Gidwitz]

First, the other brothers couldn't believe it. This can't be.

[Andra Day]

Let's look.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Each boy climbed up the tall oak to be absolutely certain the flag really was red. Then once they were forced to admit that the flag was red, they were scared. And then absolutely furious. And finally they cried. And when they cried, something very strange happened. Where their tears fell, on the dirt lilies grew 12 lily flowers, one for each boy. But the boy's fury did not go away. Quite the contrary. It grew. They felt furious at so many things and so many people. Who do you think they felt angry at?

[Andra Day]

The king. The King? King.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yes, definitely the king. Who else?

[Andra Day]

The Queen.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Why did they feel angry at the Queen?

[Andra Day]

They felt angry at the Queen because the queen. Gift to the girl. But it's not the Queen's fault. It's their. It's the tummy's fault.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Interesting. Okay, who else did they feel angry at?

[Andra Day]

The sister. Their sister.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Why?

[Andra Day]

Because she existed.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Mmm. You're so right. Now, is that fair? To be angry at her just for existing?

[Andra Day]

No.

[Adam Gidwitz]

But they did feel that way. And you know what? It's a natural feeling. Even though it doesn't make any sense. We all sometimes have feelings that don't make sense, but are natural. Don't you think?

[Andra Day]

Yeah.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Do you know what I mean by that?

[Andra Day]

Yeah.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Like when I was a kid, sometimes I felt angry with my little brother just because he was around. He was in my house with me. I loved him. I still love him. But sometimes you have feelings that are totally natural, that still aren't actually fair. Well, the anger I felt at my little brother was just a sliver of the anger those boys felt at this little sister they hadn't even met. Now again, it's okay that they felt angry at her, but what they decided to do about it, that was not okay. The boys all swore then and there that if ever they met this little sister, they would kill.

[Andra Day]

Kill her.

[Adam Gidwitz]

They would kill her.

[Andra Day]

They would. Bum, bum, bum.

[Adam Gidwitz]

We swear. Swear on our lives.

[Andra Day]

We swear.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Good idea. Good plan. What do you think?

[Andra Day]

It's a terrible plan.

[Adam Gidwitz]

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[Ilana Glaser]

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[Adam Gidwitz]

Well, since the boys could not return to the castle, they decided to stay in the cave and make a life there. Every day, the eldest boy would take 10 of his brothers out to gather food.

[Andra Day]

Come on boys.

[Adam Gidwitz]

You three go that way. You three go that way. The rest of you come with me. And the youngest boy would stay home and keep house and water, the 12 lilies that grew before the entrance to the cave. Each time, before the older boys went out, the eldest would always make them promise. Anyone who sees our sister must kill her instantly. And all the boys would promise. We would promise.

[Andra Day]

Even the little one?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Even the little boy.

[Andra Day]

That's evil.

[Adam Gidwitz]

It is evil. Meanwhile, back at the castle, the queen was terribly sad. Yes, she had a beautiful baby girl, and she loved her very much. But she was so heartbroken over her son's absence that within three days of raising the red flag, the queen died of grief.

[Andra Day]

Is that possible?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Uh, no. Just in fairy tales.

[Andra Day]

Oh, okay. Cause if it was possible, I wouldn't. I would try to never get sad.

[Adam Gidwitz]

You don't have to worry about that. When you feel sad, you should let yourself feel sad, because you cannot die of sadness in real life. In real life, it's important to let yourself feel all of the emotions inside of you, Even the sad and uncomfortable ones.

[Andra Day]

But this is a fairy tale.

[Adam Gidwitz]

You're right. The princess was raised by the castle servants because her father was a jerk and wasn't so much into parenting.

[Andra Day]

Oh, do let me help with that.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Princess, let me give you a hand here.

[Andra Day]

Princess, let me help you. Thank you.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The servants were kind to her, and the princess grew a good heart in her chest. But she often thought, I wish I.

[Andra Day]

Had someone to play with.

[Adam Gidwitz]

One day, after some years, the princess was exploring the castle, bored and quite lonely, when she found a hidden door. Ah. What's this? She opened it and entered a secret room.

[Andra Day]

It's going to be the room with the 12 coffins.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And in that secret room, she found 12 coffins. 12 coffins with 12 pillows inside, each with a boy's name on it. The princess hurried to one of the servants who'd raised her and asked what the 12 coffins were doing there. And the servant burst into tears and told her the whole story. Princess. When the princess had heard every last terrible detail, she didn't cry. She also didn't run and kick the king in the shins like he deserved. The princess simply vowed, I will find my brothers. So she took the 12 pillowcases off the pillows, packed the pillowcases in a sack, and went out looking for her lost brothers.

[Andra Day]

Oh, no. But they're gonna kill her if she. If she finds them.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Uh oh. The princess wandered through the forest for a long time, but eventually, she came across a cave. And there the youngest boy was keeping house. Oh. When he saw her, he invited her inside and was about to offer her something to eat when she said, have.

[Andra Day]

You seen 12 boys living in these woods? I'm looking for my brothers. Oh.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The youngest boy couldn't believe it. Could this really be his sister? Well, he guessed he had to kill her.

[Andra Day]

No.

[Adam Gidwitz]

He had sworn after all. And she had stolen his life.

[Andra Day]

That wasn't her fault. She doesn't deserve this.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The youngest boy stared at the girl. She looked just like him, except younger. Gazing at her, he remembered what he had felt like when he was her age and had been banished to the forest. And he.

[Andra Day]

He felt sympathy in his heart. Did mercy. He didn't want to kill her. Maybe he just burst into tears.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The youngest boy said, you're looking for your brothers. The princess said, I am. And the boy said, well, you found them. And instantly they were clasped in the tightest hug you have ever seen or felt or even heard of.

[Andra Day]

Aw, so sweet.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Then they wiped away their happy tears, and the youngest boy prepared a grand lunch for the princess, who was very hungry from all her walking. And they sat down and ate and talked about their lives and found that they had so much in common. And before the end of the meal, they loved each other, just as a brother and sister should.

[Andra Day]

What about the older brother? They're going to come back and they're going to kill her. Yeah, I feel like they're going to kill him too, for not owning up to his word.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Just then, they heard footsteps outside the cave. The boy looked panicked. The princess could see that and whispered, what's the matter? And the youngest boy had to tell his sister, I swore that if I.

[Andra Day]

Ever met you, I'd kill you. And all my brothers swore too.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And the princess said, what?

[Andra Day]

You've gotta hide. But where?

[Adam Gidwitz]

The youngest boy said. And the princess said, uh, I brought.

[Andra Day]

This sack of pillowcases that have all your names on them that I got out of your coffins.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And the youngest boy should have said.

[Andra Day]

Uh, that's a weird thing to bring us. Thank you.

[Adam Gidwitz]

But instead he said, perfect.

[Andra Day]

Hop in the sack.

[Adam Gidwitz]

So the princess hopped into the sack with the pillowcases. And just as she did, the youngest boy cinched it up and put a chair in front of it. Just then, the other 11 boys came into the cave. The youngest invited them to sit down at the table and served them the grand lunch that he had prepared for their sister. And as they were eating, he said.

[Andra Day]

Can you believe it?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Can we believe what? The eldest boy replied. And the youngest said, you don't know? We don't know what? The youngest boy laughed.

[Andra Day]

How can it be that you go out all day and I stay here and yet I know the news and.

[Adam Gidwitz]

You don't just tell us? The eldest boy shouted. So the youngest said, I'll do something even better.

[Andra Day]

I'll show you, but only on one condition. Whatever I'm about to show you, he will be very careful with and take Very good care of it.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The boys couldn't imagine what their littlest brother would show them. And they really wanted to know the news now. So they quickly agreed. Why did he say this?

[Andra Day]

Because he wanted them to take care of the prince.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yes.

[Andra Day]

And not kill them.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And not kill her. The youngest said, do you promise? We promise. What is it? And the youngest said, I think you.

[Andra Day]

Mean, who is it?

[Adam Gidwitz]

And out of the sack popped their sister. She showed them the pillowcases with their names on them to prove who she was. But she needn't have bothered. And as soon as the older boys saw her, they knew exactly who she was. And even though they had promised they wouldn't attack her, they did. They attacked her with hugs and kisses and tears. And they were reunited as a family.

[Andra Day]

Woo.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And you would think that would be the ending of the story. Because it's a happy ending. And it's all over. They're all together happily ever after, right?

[Andra Day]

Yeah, but it's grim.

[Adam Gidwitz]

It hasn't been grim enough. Not yet. That night, the boys prepared for a great feast. The princess, wanting to help, went outside of the cave and saw the 12 lilies growing in a row. They were so lovely that she thought she should pick them to place them at the center of the table.

[Andra Day]

Don't pick them. Oh, no.

[Adam Gidwitz]

So she broke the lilies off one by one.

[Andra Day]

God. Gonna kill the brothers.

[Adam Gidwitz]

As the princess picked the last lily, she heard a cawing behind her. She turned and looked over her shoulder and saw the youngest brother grow black feathers and wings and scaly feet and a long, curved, shining beak.

[Andra Day]

They're all turned into crows.

[Adam Gidwitz]

When the youngest brother's transformation was complete, 11 more ravens wheeled out of the cave and into the air and then came to rest on the ground. They were her brothers, and they stared at her, unable to speak. All 12 brothers had been transformed into ravens. The princess didn't know what to do. Well, just then, there happened to be an old woman walking by the cave. Completely randomly, this old woman was so old and bent, she looked like a toad. Or maybe it was a toad that kind of looked like an old woman. We don't know. It's not clear what. And it doesn't matter, because this old toad woman only comes into the story right now. For one moment, the old toad woman said, little girl, what have you done? You've turned your brothers into ravens. The princess began to cry, and she.

[Andra Day]

Asked, please, is there any way to save them?

[Adam Gidwitz]

And the toad woman said, I fear there is not.

[Andra Day]

No way at all. There's Always one way.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Well, there is one way, but it's too hard for any human to do.

[Andra Day]

What is it?

[Adam Gidwitz]

No, it's too hard.

[Andra Day]

I can do it.

[Adam Gidwitz]

No way. I don't think.

[Andra Day]

Just tell me already.

[Adam Gidwitz]

So the toad woman said, well, if you can remain silent for 12 years, then they shall be freed from this curse. But I wouldn't bother. There's no way you can do that. And the princess said nothing. Right then and there, she silently promised herself that she would not speak for 12 whole years. Do you think you would do that?

[Andra Day]

I think I would do it for my siblings, but I don't think I could do it.

[Adam Gidwitz]

That's a good distinction.

[Andra Day]

I can't stop talking for even one day. How do you expect me to stop talking for 12 years?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Good point.

[Andra Day]

I could do it. Also Depends which sibling I was doing it for, though.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Is one of your siblings on this call right now?

[Andra Day]

Yeah.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Okay. Would it be that one? Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes.

[Andra Day]

Yes.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yes. She said. Yes. The years began to pass, and the princess kept living in the cave with the ravens as her companions. She fed them and cared for them. And the youngest brother, who was also the littlest raven, cuddled with her at night and perched on her shoulder throughout the day. But through all this time, never did she speak. And then one day, a young nobleman was riding through the forest, and it began to rain. And he saw the cave, hurried into it to shelter from the storm, and he saw the princess, who was older now and less of a girl and more of a young woman. Well, the nobleman saw the princess, and he fell in love with her. He instantly asked her to marry him. Hello. Will you marry me?

[Andra Day]

You just walk into a cave like do do do do do. So pretty. Can you marry me? You literally don't even know her name or anything.

[Adam Gidwitz]

So the nobleman asked the princess to marry him. And she. She shook her head no.

[Andra Day]

What?

[Adam Gidwitz]

The nobleman said. You won't marry me? The princess shook her head no again. You would rather keep living in this cave? The princess shrugged. Can you speak? The princess nodded yes. Will you speak? The princess shook her head no. The nobleman sat down to think. For then he said, would you like to come back to my manor with me? You can live there, and you won't have to marry me. The princess squinted skeptically. Then she gestured at the 12 Ravens. You want the ravens to come? The princess nodded yes. And the nobleman said, okay. So the nobleman brought the princess and her ravens back to his manor.

[Andra Day]

You're a creepy stalker. Get out of my House on my cave. And if you ever come back, I will ask my crows to peck your eyes out.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Okay, so you really don't trust this guy?

[Andra Day]

I don't.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The fact is, she's been living in a cave for years, so going to a home with, like, I don't know, proper food and warmth, I can understand why she would do that. But I agree, she doesn't really know this guy, so. That's a good point. So the young nobleman brought the princess and her ravens back to his manor. Every day, the young nobleman would take a long walk with the princess as the ravens flew above her head. And every day, the young nobleman would ask the princess to marry him. And every day, she would shake her head no.

[Andra Day]

He said, no. Give it up, man. Give it up.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Give it up, man.

[Andra Day]

Give it up.

[Adam Gidwitz]

But they did have wonderful walks. The nobleman would tell the princess stories and jokes. She would smile or look at him inquisitively, and sometimes skeptically. And even once in a while, she would let him take her arm in his. Every day, the nobleman asked the princess to marry him. And every day, she shook her head no until a year had passed. On that day, he took her on a very special walk to a very high hill where they watched the sun set. And the nobleman asked her one more time, will you marry me? And this time, at last, she said nothing, because she still won't talk. But she nodded yes. No. So a great wedding was held between the nobleman and the Princess.

[Andra Day]

The.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The 12 ravens were there, of course, and the young nobleman's family came, and someone else just happened to be invited.

[Andra Day]

A blue dwarf. A blue smurf. A blue smurf. It's a blue smurf. It's a smurf. It's a blue smurf. Her dad.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Her dad, the cruel and evil king. Now, many years had passed since the princess had left home, and we don't know if the king recognized his daughter.

[Andra Day]

Because the king never really paid attention to her.

[Adam Gidwitz]

So true. So true. But we do know that the princess recognized him. When the king learned that the young nobleman's bride refused to speak and that 12 ravens followed her wherever she went, the king threw his head back and laughed.

[Gayle King]

Why in the world are you marrying a witch? She must be a witch. A witch who has traded her power of speech for beauty. And those ravens are obviously her evil servants.

[Andra Day]

Rude.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Is this true? Is the princess a witch?

[Andra Day]

No. No. I wish she was.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Throughout the whole wedding ceremony, and then after the ceremony, during the wedding feast, and even when he was leaving the King teased the nobleman about having married a witch. He was as cruel about it as he could be.

[Gayle King]

Why would you want to marry a witch? Are you under her spell? Literally. What other reason could you possibly have for marrying a sorceress like that?

[Andra Day]

That's mean.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Right now, the king had a new obsession, taunting the nobleman mercilessly about his new wife. He would invite the young nobleman to go hunting with him every week. And every week, the king would tell the young nobleman terrible things that he was sure the princess was doing while the young nobleman was away. The young nobleman didn't want to go on these hunts because the king was such a jerk. But he was the king, and if the king invites you to something, you kind of have to say yes. As they rode along on their hunt, the king would say, her ravens are.

[Gayle King]

Probably stealing your gold. Or, I bet she's poisoning your food right now. Or, she probably put a curse on you. That's why you're so bad at hunting.

[Andra Day]

That's rude.

[Adam Gidwitz]

They were lies, of course. And stupid, rude ones. But here's the thing about lies. If they get repeated enough, especially if they're repeated by someone who is powerful, people start to believe those lies.

[Andra Day]

Mm.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Can anyone think of an example of lies that are told over and over again, maybe by somebody very powerful? And so everyone starts to believe those lies.

[Andra Day]

My parents say there's no monsters, but I still believe they are.

[Adam Gidwitz]

That's amazing. I don't think there are monsters. I think you're gonna be okay.

[Andra Day]

Liar.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Well, unfortunately, the young nobleman began to believe the king's lies about the princess.

[Andra Day]

Oh, no.

[Adam Gidwitz]

He began to believe that she was a witch and that the ravens were her evil messengers and that she was poisoning his food and had maybe made him a bad hunter, too.

[Andra Day]

Oh, no.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Whenever he asked the princess if these things were true, she said nothing. Nothing. She still refused to speak because she was determined to save her brothers. But the more she refused to speak, the more suspicious the young nobleman became, and the more he believed the king's lies. All the 12 Ravens could do was look on sadly. After nearly a year of this, the young nobleman couldn't take it anymore. And he asked the king, if my wife is a witch, what should I do?

[Andra Day]

Kill her.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And the king told him, there is.

[Gayle King]

Only one way to be rid of a witch. Burn her to death.

[Andra Day]

What?

[Adam Gidwitz]

So a great pyre was made.

[Andra Day]

Oh, no.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Do we remember what a pyre is? Yeah. What?

[Andra Day]

Yeah. A big wood platform that. Yeah.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yep. That has hay inside of it, so it lights on fire really easily. So a great pyre was made, and the princess was tied to it. And the king was there, smirking. And the young nobleman sat beside him, weeping. And the 12 ravens and many other people were there to watch, too.

[Andra Day]

The ravens are going to sweep down and save her.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The pyre was lit, and the flames danced up around the princess and licked her skin and her clothes. And soon her hair began to sing. The young nobleman watched and wept. The king watched and smirked.

[Andra Day]

Why is she crying? He's the one who put her to death.

[Adam Gidwitz]

But he was sad that he had done it. And at just that moment, the 12 years were up. The ravens transformed back into boys, their black feathers dissolving, their wings shrinking, their beaks falling off like dead skin. And the instant the youngest brother was a boy again, he leapt into the fire. He fought through the flames and untied the princess. But now the smoke had gotten in his lungs and he collapsed. But she dragged him out of the fire. They saved each other. Meanwhile, the 11 older boys grabbed the king.

[Gayle King]

Wait. No. I'm hungry.

[Adam Gidwitz]

No.

[Andra Day]

They killed the king. And they put the king over the fire and killed him. Yeah.

[Adam Gidwitz]

They threw him in the fire and he died.

[Andra Day]

Taste of your own medicine. Yeah.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The young nobleman begged the princess's forgiveness.

[Andra Day]

No.

[Adam Gidwitz]

No.

[Andra Day]

Burn him alive.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Burn?

[Andra Day]

Yes. Uno, reverse card.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Wait. Uno reverse card.

[Andra Day]

Yeah.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Cause he was gonna burn her, so. Uno reverse cards.

[Andra Day]

Yes. Yeah.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Well, she didn't kill the nobleman, but she also certainly wasn't going to stay with him. The princess and her brothers went back to their castle for the first time in many, many years, because it was theirs again, now that their father was dead. They were kind and loving to one another, just as their mother had taught them to be and their father had never been. And they lived happily ever after. The end.

[Andra Day]

Yay. That's a sad ending.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Explain. Why is that sad to you?

[Andra Day]

Because, like, the nobleman was like, oh, I'm like the main character. I'm cool, and I'm gonna get popular. And then he just loses his love.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yeah. Do you all think that he deserved to lose his love?

[Andra Day]

Yes. Yes. Yes. That's what you get for believing jerky. Make a jerk face. Jerk. Now he's gonna grow up to be a jerk face.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Oh, interesting. Maybe the nobleman will turn evil like the king.

[Andra Day]

And then the whole story starts again.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Grim Grimmer Grimmest is a Pinna original production created, written and narrated by me, Adam Gitwitz author of A Tale Dark and Grim co written by Ali Horne Produced and edited by Ilana Milner Casting by Paula Gammon Wilson Voice direction by Ilana Milner and Paula Gammon Wilson Sound design and mixing by Beat Street NYC Executive produced by Ann Richards Production support by Ashley Beecher and Thaddeus Dankwa Characters voiced by Alison Lee Rosenfeld, Baron Bass, Billy Bob Thompson, Cat Prittano, Sanofia Mitchell, Colin Ryan, Dylan Jones, Erica Schroeder, Kaelyn Clinton, Kylie Claxton, Lori Hyams, Michael Crouch, Mike Pollock, Nicholas Korda and Robert Rob Moreira. Special thanks to all the kids who joined us for our storytelling sessions. You guys are awesome.

[Brenda Chapman]

Do you like to laugh? Ah, who am I kidding? Who doesn't like to laugh? So okay, if you love to laugh, you'll love Don't Break the Rules. It's a hilarious comedy improv podcast where the voice actors make up their lines on the spot and try to be the only actor who doesn't break the rules. These talented actors are great at coming up with silly scenes and stories when they follow the rules for the episode, and it gets even sillier when they accidentally break the rules. The stories are guided by suggestions from kids like you, and the episodes feature laughs, burps, and the occasional unicorn. So if you'd like to giggle and play along, be sure to listen to Don't Break the Rules. Wherever you listen to podcasts.