Tritill, Litill, and the Birds
by Andrew Lang · from The Crimson Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once, a clever young man met a big ogress. The ogress came home. She jumped on her bed. The cave shook! The pillows were full of feathers. She was surprised. "I will count them," she said.
The young man had one feather. He tickled her nose. The ogress sneezed! "Achoo! You did not do this alone," she said. "But I will let it pass."
The ogress gave him a task. "Find a golden apple," she said. "Bake a yummy pie. Make cups from shiny stones. If you do it, you can go free. You get three things! If not, you must help me forever."
The young man was alone. He called his friends. "Tritill, Litill, come help me!" His friends came. They found the golden apple. They baked a pie. They made shiny cups. They worked and laughed together.
"Ask for the chest by her bed," said Tritill. "Ask for what is on the bed," said Litill. "Ask for what is under the cave side." "Thank you," said the young man. His friends left.
The ogress came back. She saw the pie and cups. "You did not do this alone," she said. "But I keep my promise." They slept.
In the morning, the ogress said, "Pick three things." The young man said, "I choose the chest by your bed. I choose what is on the bed. I choose what is under the cave side."
"You did not choose alone," said the ogress. "But I give them." The thing on the bed was a princess! She was happy. The chest was full of gold and jewels. Under the cave side was a magic ship.
The young man, the princess, and the gold got on the ship. The ship sailed on land and water. It went to the king.
The king saw his daughter. He was so happy! He heard the young man's story. "You found her," said the king. "You will marry her." They got married. They all lived happily ever after. Being clever and having good friends can help you solve big problems.
Original Story
Tritill, Litill, and the birds.
Directly the ogress returned home she flung herself with all her weight
on the bed, and the whole cave quivered under her. The pillows were
soft and full instead of being empty, which surprised her, but that did
not content her. She got up, shook out the pillow-cases one by one, and
began to count the feathers that were in each. “If one is missing I
will have your head,” said she, and at that the young man drew the
feather from his pocket and thrust it up her nose, crying “If you want
your feather, here it is.”
“You did not sort those feathers alone,” answered the ogress calmly;
“however, this time I will let that pass.”
That night the young man slept soundly in his corner, and in the
morning the ogress told him that his work that day would be to slay one
of her great oxen, to cook its heart, and to make drinking cups of its
horns, before she returned home “There are fifty oxen,” added she, “and
you must guess which of the herd I want killed. If you guess right,
to-morrow you shall be free to go where you will, and you shall choose
besides three things as a reward for your service. But if you slay the
wrong ox your head shall pay for it.”
Left alone, the young man stood thinking for a little. Then he called:
“Tritill, Litill, come to my help!”
In a moment he saw them, far away, driving the biggest ox the youth had
ever seen. When they drew near, Tritill killed it, Litill took out its
heart for the young man to cook, and both began quickly to turn the
horns into drinking cups. The work went merrily on, and they talked
gaily, and the young man told his friends of the payment promised him
by the ogress if he had done her bidding. The old men warned him that
he must ask her for the chest which stood at the foot of her bed, for
whatever lay on the top of the bed, and for what lay under the side of
the cave. The young man thanked them for their counsel, and Tritill and
Litill then took leave of him, saying that for the present he would
need them no more.
Scarcely had they disappeared when the ogress came back, and found
everything ready just as she had ordered. Before she sat down to eat
the bullock’s heart she turned to the young man, and said: “You did not
do that all alone, my friend; but, nevertheless, I will keep my word,
and to-morrow you shall go your way.” So they went to bed and slept
till dawn.
When the sun rose the ogress awoke the young man, and called to him to
choose any three things out of her house.
“I choose,” answered he, “the chest which stands at the foot of your
bed; whatever lies on the top of the bed, and whatever is under the
side of the cave.”
“You did not choose those things by yourself, my friend,” said the
ogress; “but what I have promised, that will I do.”
And then she gave him his reward.
“The thing which lay on the top of the bed” turned out to be the lost
princess. “The chest which stood at the foot of the bed” proved full of
gold and precious stones; and “what was under the side of the cave” he
found to be a great ship, with oars and sails that went of itself as
well on land as in the water. “You are the luckiest man that ever was
born,” said the ogress as she went out of the cave as usual.
With much difficulty the youth put the heavy chest on his shoulders and
carried it on board the ship, the princess walking by his side. Then he
took the helm and steered the vessel back to her father’s kingdom. The
king’s joy at receiving back his lost daughter was so great that he
almost fainted, but when he recovered himself he made the young man
tell him how everything had really happened. “You have found her, and
you shall marry her,” said the king; and so it was done. And this is
the end of the story.
[From Ungarische Mährchen.]
Story DNA
Moral
Cleverness and the right allies can help you overcome seemingly impossible challenges and achieve great rewards.
Plot Summary
A young man, held captive by an ogress, uses a clever trick involving a feather to avoid immediate punishment. The ogress then assigns him an impossible task: to kill a specific ox, prepare its heart, and make drinking cups from its horns. The young man calls upon his magical helpers, Tritill and Litill, who complete the task and advise him to choose three specific items as his reward. Upon choosing these items—a chest, what's on the bed, and what's under the cave—they are revealed to be treasure, a lost princess, and a magical ship. The young man and princess escape on the ship, return to her father's kingdom, and are married.
Themes
Emotional Arc
peril to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Andrew Lang's collections compiled folk tales from various European traditions, often simplifying or adapting them for a British Victorian audience. This specific tale is noted as being from 'Ungarische Mährchen' (Hungarian Fairy Tales).
Plot Beats (13)
- The ogress returns home and is surprised to find her pillows full, not empty, and begins counting feathers.
- The young man, having previously stolen a feather, thrusts it up her nose when she threatens him, proving his cleverness.
- The ogress assigns the young man an impossible task: slay a specific ox, cook its heart, and make drinking cups from its horns by her return, promising freedom and three rewards if successful, or death if he fails.
- Left alone, the young man calls upon his allies, Tritill and Litill.
- Tritill and Litill appear, kill the biggest ox, prepare its heart, and fashion drinking cups from its horns.
- Tritill and Litill advise the young man to ask for the chest at the foot of the bed, whatever is on the bed, and whatever is under the side of the cave as his reward.
- The ogress returns, finds the task completed, and, though suspicious, agrees to keep her word.
- The next morning, the ogress tells the young man to choose his three rewards.
- The young man chooses the chest at the foot of the bed, whatever is on the bed, and whatever is under the side of the cave.
- The ogress, again suspicious of his independent choice, grants his wishes.
- The 'thing on the bed' is revealed to be the lost princess, the 'chest' is full of gold and jewels, and 'under the cave side' is a magical ship.
- The young man, princess, and treasure board the magical ship and sail back to her father's kingdom.
- The king rejoices at his daughter's return and, hearing the young man's story, grants him her hand in marriage.
Characters
Young Man ★ protagonist
Not explicitly described, but likely strong enough to perform tasks and carry a chest.
Attire: Simple tunic and trousers appropriate for a working-class young man in a folk tale setting.
Resourceful, clever, and brave.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his mid-teens with a determined yet kind expression, standing tall with confident posture. He has tousled chestnut brown hair and warm hazel eyes. He is dressed in a simple, earth-toned tunic with rolled-up sleeves, sturdy brown trousers, and worn leather boots. A leather satchel is slung across his torso. He holds a weathered wooden staff in one hand, his other hand resting on his hip. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Ogress ⚔ antagonist
Large and heavy, capable of making the cave quiver.
Attire: Crude, ill-fitting garments.
Deceptive, demanding, and bound by her word.
Image Prompt & Upload
A hulking, middle-aged female figure with a broad, muscular build and mottled green-grey skin. Her face is wide with a flat nose, small, mean eyes, and a cruel, downturned mouth revealing crooked yellow teeth. Wild, tangled black hair sprouts from her scalp. She wears a crude, patchwork dress of rough hides and animal skins, belted with a rope. Her large, calloused hands grip a massive, gnarled wooden club. She stands in a hunched, aggressive posture, scowling down at the viewer. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Tritill ◆ supporting
Not described, but implied to be strong and capable of killing an ox.
Attire: No description given.
Helpful, loyal, and efficient.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young, gentle forest spirit with soft, moss-green skin and large, luminous amber eyes. They have a slender build, pointed ears peeking through wild, shoulder-length hair the color of birch bark. They wear a tunic woven from fresh leaves and lichen, with a belt of woven vines. Their expression is kind and curious, posture slightly leaning forward in a welcoming gesture, one hand extended as if offering help. They stand in a sun-dappled forest clearing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Litill ◆ supporting
Not described, but implied to be skilled at preparing food and crafting.
Attire: No description given.
Helpful, loyal, and efficient.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late teens with a kind, gentle expression. She has long, chestnut brown hair loosely braided over one shoulder. She wears a simple, earth-toned linen dress with a practical leather apron over it. Her posture is slightly forward, as if ready to help, with her hands clasped softly in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Princess ◆ supporting
Not described, but implied to be beautiful.
Attire: Elegant but worn gown, perhaps with remnants of royal jewelry.
Passive, rescued, grateful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late teens with a gentle, kind expression and soft, warm brown eyes. Her long, wavy chestnut hair is adorned with a delicate silver tiara featuring small sapphires. She wears a flowing gown of pale lavender silk with intricate silver embroidery along the bodice and sleeves, the skirt layered with soft tulle. She stands in a graceful, slightly turned pose, one hand lightly touching a strand of her hair, the other holding a small bouquet of forget-me-nots. Her posture is poised yet approachable, embodying a quiet, supportive grace. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
King ○ minor
Not described.
Attire: Royal robes and crown.
Grateful, generous, and overjoyed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young male royal figure, approximately 18 years old, with a slender build and a determined yet youthful expression. He has neatly combed short brown hair and bright, attentive eyes. He wears an elaborate, deep blue velvet doublet with gold embroidery along the collar and sleeves, paired with matching trousers and polished black leather boots. A small, ornate golden crown rests atop his head, and he holds a slender silver scepter in his right hand. His posture is upright and proud, standing with his shoulders back and chin slightly raised, conveying a sense of nascent authority. He wears a short crimson cape clasped at his shoulder with a jeweled brooch. His hands are gloved in soft white leather. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Ogress's Cave
A large cave that quivers when the ogress throws herself on the bed. Contains a bed with soft pillows, a chest at the foot of the bed, and a hidden ship under the side of the cave.
Mood: eerie
The young man performs tasks for the ogress, sleeps, and ultimately chooses his reward, revealing the princess, gold, and the ship.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, damp cavern at dusk, its rough stone walls glistening with moisture. An oversized, crudely carved wooden bed dominates the space, piled with rumpled, deep crimson velvet pillows. A heavy, iron-bound chest sits at its foot. To the side, partially concealed by a natural rock outcrop and draped nets, the weathered bow of a small wooden ship is visible. Faint, eerie bioluminescent moss casts a cold blue-green glow, mixing with the last orange rays of sunlight filtering through a high fissure. The air is thick with dust motes, and fine pebbles tremble subtly on the cavern floor. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Ox Pasture
A field where fifty oxen graze.
Mood: peaceful
The young man must choose the correct ox to slay, aided by Tritill and Litill.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, gently rolling pasture under a late afternoon sky, bathed in warm, golden sunlight. The grass is a mix of deep greens and sun-bleached golds, trampled in winding paths. A few ancient, gnarled oak trees dot the landscape, casting long, soft shadows. In the distance, layered blue-green hills fade into the hazy horizon. The air is clear and still, with a few wispy clouds catching the orange and pink hues of the setting sun. A simple dirt track winds through the field. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Ship on Land
A great ship with oars and sails that can travel on both land and water.
Mood: magical
The young man uses the ship to transport the princess and treasure back to her father's kingdom.
Image Prompt & Upload
A massive, weathered wooden ship with both unfurled sails and raised oars rests upon a vast, shallow coastal plain where turquoise water meets golden sand. The hull is dark oak, carved with intricate nautical patterns, its keel leaving a deep furrow in the damp earth. The scene is set during the golden hour of a clear day, with low sunlight casting long, dramatic shadows and bathing everything in a warm, amber glow. Wispy clouds streak the sky. In the distance, a line of dunes and sparse, windswept grass marks the transition to true land. The water is calm, reflecting the fiery sky, with gentle ripples lapping at the ship's waterline and the wet sand around it. The atmosphere is serene, magical, and slightly surreal. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
King's Kingdom
The kingdom of the princess's father.
Mood: joyful
The young man returns the princess and is rewarded with her hand in marriage.
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic fairy tale kingdom at sunrise, bathed in golden light. A grand castle with tall towers and fluttering banners sits atop a hill, overlooking a prosperous valley. A winding river reflects the pink and orange sky, flowing through lush green fields and orchards. Stone bridges cross the river, leading to a bustling town with thatched roofs and cobblestone streets. Distant mountains are silhouetted against the dawn. Soft clouds drift in the pastel sky. The atmosphere is peaceful and vibrant, with rich colors of emerald green, royal blue, and warm gold. Detailed architecture, intricate stonework, and blooming gardens surround the castle. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
