A fairy tale about an arrogant princess who learns humility through marriage to a beggar who is actually a prince in disguise.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Arrogant Princess
Princess Isabella's beauty attracts many suitors, but her arrogance leads her to reject them all, including Prince Richard whom she secretly admires.
Key Events
Princess's Beauty — Princess's beauty attracts suitors Characters: Prinzessin Isabella von Geranien, Prinz Richard von Begonien / König Drosselbart, König AugustLocation: Kingdom of Geranium
Rejection of Suitors — Princess rejects and insults her suitors Characters: Prinzessin Isabella von Geranien, Prinz Richard von Begonien / König DrosselbartLocation: Royal Court
Mockery of Prince — Princess mocks Prince Richard as 'King Thrushbeard' Characters: Prinzessin Isabella von Geranien, Prinz Richard von Begonien / König Drosselbart, König AugustLocation: Royal Court
Prince's Secret Feelings — Prince secretly admires the princess Characters: Prinz Richard von Begonien / König Drosselbart, Prinzessin Isabella von GeranienLocation: Royal Gardens
Royal Gathering — Kings and princes gather to court the princess Characters: Prinzessin Isabella von Geranien, Prinz Richard von Begonien / König Drosselbart, König August, König OttokarLocation: Royal Court
Princess's Pride — Princess displays her arrogant nature Characters: Prinzessin Isabella von Geranien, ZofeLocation: Princess's Chambers
The Mockery
Princess Isabella specifically mocks Prince Richard as 'King Thrushbeard', unaware of his true feelings for her.
Key Events
Mockery of Prince — Princess mocks Prince Richard as 'King Thrushbeard' Characters: Prinzessin Isabella von Geranien, Prinz Richard von Begonien / König Drosselbart, König AugustLocation: Royal Court
King's Patience Ends — King loses patience with his daughter's behavior Characters: König August, Prinzessin Isabella von GeranienLocation: Royal Palace
The Father's Decree
King August loses patience with his daughter's behavior and declares she will marry the first beggar who comes to the gate.
Key Events
King's Patience Ends — King loses patience with his daughter's behavior Characters: König August, Prinzessin Isabella von GeranienLocation: Royal Palace
Beggar's Decree — King declares daughter will marry first beggar Characters: König August, Prinzessin Isabella von GeranienLocation: Royal Palace Gates
Royal Council — Kings discuss the princess's behavior Characters: König August, König Ottokar, MaximilianeLocation: Royal Council Chamber
The Prince's Strategy
Prince Richard, secretly in love with the princess, begins devising a plan to win her affection despite her rejection.
Key Events
Beggar's Decree — King declares daughter will marry first beggar Characters: König August, Prinzessin Isabella von GeranienLocation: Royal Palace Gates
Prince's Plan — Prince devises plan to win the princess Characters: Prinz Richard von Begonien / König Drosselbart, HusarLocation: Prince's Quarters
Story Breakdown
The Beautiful Princess — Princess Isabella's beauty and arrogance
Attracting Suitors — Kings and princes come to court her
Arrogant Behavior — Rejects and insults her suitors
Secret Admiration — Secretly likes Prince Richard despite rejection
The Prince's Love — Prince Richard's feelings for the princess
Courtship Attempt — Comes to win the princess's hand
Mockery — Is mocked as 'King Thrushbeard'
Secret Plan — Devises strategy to win her affection
The King's Decision — King August's reaction to his daughter's behavior
Loss of Patience — Frustrated with constant rejections
The Decree — Declares she'll marry the first beggar
Consequences — Sets in motion the main plot
The Future — What will happen next in the story
The Beggar's Arrival — First beggar comes to the gate
The Disguise — Prince Richard's plan to win her
Lessons in Humility — Princess learns through hardship
A king has a daughter, Princess Isabella of Geranium, who is so beautiful that kings and princes come from miles around in hopes of winning her hand in marriage. But although she is beautiful, she is also proud and arrogant, and constantly insults and rejects her suitors. She even rejects noble Prince Richard of Begonia, and mocks him as "King Thrushbeard," even though she secretly likes him. Finally, her father loses patience with his rude daughter and declares that since she has rejected every man who has come to court her, she will be married to the first beggar who comes to the gate.
