A magic well, a prickly spindle, talking bread, and snowy beds - this week’s tale is our latest patron story poll winner, Mother Holle (Frau Holle)!

An evil step-mother and wicked step-sister force a young maiden into a parallel universe. When she reaches an enchanting cottage, she finds a scary old lady waiting. Will she pass the test of Mother Holle? And what will her nasty family do if she returns?

After this festive tale, we hear from German listeners about what Mother Holle means to them to today, and we trace Holle’s origins all the way to her ancient roots as a pagan goddess.

Our competition is still in full swing too! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes!

Story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/ 

Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z 

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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko

Other Music: Vivaldi's Four Seasons "Winter" Violin Concerto in F minor, RV 297 // Carl Czerny's Variations on a popular Viennese Waltz by Franz Schubert, Op. 12 // Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46 III. Anitra's Dance, recorded at Omega Studios, Edward S. Petersen conducting