What is the ATU classification?

ATU 707, 'The Three Golden Sons' or 'One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-Eyes.' It is part of the Cinderella family of tales.

Why does Two-Eyes suffer for being normal?

The tale satirizes human tendency to mock those who are 'different' in either direction—too many eyes or too few. Two-Eyes is persecuted precisely for fitting in.

What does the magic goat represent?

The goat represents providence and the idea that help comes from unexpected sources. It also symbolizes the nurturing aspect of nature.

What do the silver leaves and golden apples symbolize?

Silver and gold represent value and transformation. The tree growing from the goat's heart shows that love and kindness can create beauty from death.

Is this tale related to other Grimm stories?

Yes, it shares motifs with 'Cinderella' and 'Brother and Sister.' The persecuted sibling and magical helpers are common across many tales.

One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes

At a Glance

Europe / Germany

ATU 707

6 min read

Easy

Persecution

Magic

Justice

Key Takeaways

1.Those who seem ordinary—like everyone else—can have special gifts and destinies
2.Kindness to those who help us, even animals, leads to unexpected blessings
3.True worth is not measured by outward differences but by the heart within

One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes

Annotations Enabled

A woman had three daughters. The eldest had one eye in the middle of her forehead, the second had two eyes like ordinary people, and the youngest had three eyes—two like everyone and a third in her forehead.

Two-Eyes was mocked because she looked like other people. Her sisters made her do all the work while they ate good food. One day, Two-Eyes sat in the field and wept. A wise woman appeared and gave her a magic command: whenever she was hungry, she should say to her goat, 'Little goat, bleat, little table, appear,' and a feast would spread before her.

The sisters noticed Two-Eyes was no longer hungry and discovered her secret. They killed the magic goat. Two-Eyes wept again, and the wise woman appeared once more, telling her to bury the goat's heart. The next day, a beautiful tree with silver leaves and golden apples grew.

A knight saw the tree and promised to grant whoever brought him a golden apple anything they desired. The sisters tried but could not reach the fruit. When Two-Eyes tried, the branch lowered, and she easily plucked an apple.

The knight took her to his castle and married her. The tree came with them, and Two-Eyes lived happily. Her sisters, reduced to begging, came to her door, and she forgave them, proving that true beauty lies not in appearances but in kindness.