Once there was a poor charcoal burner who had a daughter. He loved his daughter dearly, but because of his poverty he was unable to properly care for her. The girl’s mother had died when she was young, and so it fell on his shoulders to care for her. Time passed, and his daughter grew into a beautiful young woman, the loveliest of all in the land. Her name was Lilah, and all who saw her were stunned by her beauty. She was not only beautiful in appearance, but she possessed a kind-hearted and good demeanor.

    Now the time came when the girl was approaching marriageable age, and her father longed to see her wedded off. It just so happened that a nearby prince was soon to return from traveling the countryside. He would be holding a grand ball in his palace in order to find a suitable bride. Lilah approached her father one day, weeping.

    “My dear, what is the matter?” He asked her.

    “Oh Father,” she cried, “I want so desperately to go to the ball, and meet the prince. But the guards will never let me in wearing these rags!” The charcoal burner was determined to get his daughter to the ball, but he knew he was too poor to afford the proper garments for her.

    Now there lived a hideous troll in the dark inner part of the forest that bordered the charcoal burner’s village. Rumor had it that anyone who came near the troll was devoured, his bones turned into stew. As a result, the entire village lived in terror of entering the woods for fear of encountering the terrible monster. The charcoal burner watched the troll secretly for three days, taking note of when he left the cave to fetch his water. Each day the troll stood in the exact same place, drawing water from a pond into a bucket.

    On the third day the charcoal burner dug a deep hole in that exact spot and covered it up with leaves.  The troll arrived on time as expected, and he fell into the hole. The man ran to fill the hole with dirt. Afterwards, he went to the troll’s cave and searched within the darkness to see what he could find. In the back of the cave he found a chest filled with gold and beautiful, shining gems the likes of which he had never seen. He sold the gold in the market and had the jewels sewn into a beautiful gown that he purchased for his daughter.

     Wearing her fine gown, Lilah did not hesitate to attend the prince’s ball. Everyone was spellbound by her gentle mannerisms and exquisite beauty. The prince was captivated by her. When he asked where she had acquired her fine dress, she told him the truth: her father was but a poor charcoal burner who had killed the vile troll that terrorized the village. He had spent all the money from the treasure to purchase her gown for the ball. The prince declared that such a courageous act must have its reward. He immediately asked for Lilah’s hand in marriage, and they were wed the next day. He even built a wing in his palace for her father, so that he would never again have to live in poverty. And they all lived happily ever after.

    Once there was a poor charcoal burner who had a daughter. He loved his daughter dearly, but because of his poverty he was unable to properly care for her. The girl’s mother had died when she was young, and so it fell on his shoulders to care for her. Time passed, and his daughter grew into a beautiful young woman, the loveliest of all in the land. Her name was Lilah, and all who saw her were stunned by her appearance. Though she was lovely to look at, Lilah was conceited and haughty on account of her beauty.  She had a horrible temper and was quick to provoke to anger.

    Now the time came when the girl was approaching marriageable age, and her father longed to see her wedded off. It just so happened that a nearby prince was soon to return from traveling the countryside. He would be holding a grand ball in his palace in order to find a suitable bride. Lilah approached her father one day, fists clenched in anger.

    “My dear, what is the matter?” He asked her.

    “Father,” she protested, “You know that the prince will soon return, and that he seeks a bride. Everyone knows that I am too fair to be kept in this country bumpkin’s life! Winning over the prince is the only chance I have at attaining any wealth. But you know well that I will never catch his eye, clothed in these rags as I am.” The charcoal burner was determined to get his daughter to the ball, but he knew he was too poor to afford the proper garments for her.

            Now there lived a troll in the dark inner part of the forest who had a vast treasure that he kept hidden deep within a cave. The troll lived as a recluse; he was so frightening in his visage as to terrify all who came near enough to see his face. The tears he shed because of his plight formed a small lake in the middle of the woods, where he gathered water in which to bathe. The charcoal burner watched the troll secretly for three days, taking note of when he left the cave to go to the lake. Each day the troll stood in the exact same place, drawing water into a bucket.

    On the third day the charcoal burner dug a deep hole in that exact spot and covered it up with leaves.  The troll arrived on time as expected, and he fell into the hole. The man ran to fill the hole with dirt, burying the troll alive. Afterwards, he went to the troll’s cave and searched within the darkness for its treasure. In the back of the cave he found a chest filled with gold and beautiful, shining gems the likes of which he had never seen. He sold the gold in the market and had the jewels sewn into a beautiful gown that he purchased for his daughter.

            Wearing her fine gown, Lilah did not hesitate to attend the prince’s ball. Everyone was spellbound by her exquisite beauty.  The prince in particular could not keep his eyes off her. When he asked where she had acquired her fine dress, she was quick to boast: her father was but a poor charcoal burner who had killed a hideous troll that lived as a recluse in the forest. He had spent all the money from the treasure to purchase her gown for the ball. The prince asked that her father be brought before him in order to obtain his reward. Lilah eagerly agreed, and the poor charcoal burner was brought to the palace in front of the prince. Suddenly the handsome prince transformed into a hideous troll, much to the shock of Lilah and her father.

            “You fool,” he bellowed to the man, “It was you who tried to kill me and steal my treasure! Had you asked for even one diamond from my bounty, I would have given it to you. But because of your greed and treachery, you will be the one to die instead!” Immediately, the prince leapt upon the poor charcoal burner and ripped his head clean off with his claws; it fell to the floor with a sickening thud. He then turned to the girl, who had fallen to her knees in shock before him.

            “And you,” he began, “You who have had such pride in your beauty your whole life, will know true ugliness. You will appear beautiful at first glance, but the moment you utter speech, you will be seen for what you really are.” With that the prince cast a spell on Lilah; her appearance did not change except for when she spoke, when her countenance changed into that of a hideous troll. She was then forced into a life of prostitution and muteness, doomed to misery thereafter.