Once upon a time, there was a poor little maid who traveled through a great forest with her masters. As they reached the edge of the forest, suddenly a band of robbers leapt out from the bushes, killing everyone they saw. The little girl was so frightened that she jumped off the carriage and hid behind a tree, narrowly escaping death while all the others were killed by the bandits. After looting their victims, the robbers left with their spoils. Then the little girl came out from behind the tree. Witnessing the disaster before her eyes, she couldn't help but burst into tears, saying: "I am so lonely now, what shall I do? How can I get out of this forest? There is no one else living here, I will surely starve to death!" So she wandered around aimlessly, looking for a way out, but all in vain. When night fell, she sat under a tree, praying for God's protection, deciding to stay put no matter what happened.
After a while, a white dove flew over, carrying a small golden key in its mouth. It placed the key in the little girl's hand and said: "Do you see the little lock on that big tree? Use this small key to open it, and you will find enough food so that you won't go hungry anymore." So the little girl went to the tree and opened the lock, finding a small plate inside filled with milk and white bread. She ate until she was full. After eating, she said: "Now it's time for the hens at home to return to their nests. I'm so tired, if only I could have a bed to sleep on!" As soon as she finished speaking, the white dove flew back again, carrying another small golden key in its mouth, saying: "Open that tree over there, and you will find a bed." So the little girl went and opened the tree, discovering a white bed, beautiful beyond compare. She immediately thanked God for his protection that evening, then lay down and fell asleep. The next morning, the white dove flew back again, carrying another small golden key in its mouth, saying: "Open that tree, and you will find clothes." The little girl opened the tree and found many clothes, all adorned with gold and jewels, more beautiful than those worn by princesses. From then on, she lived in the forest, and the white dove flew back and forth every day, bringing her all sorts of things she needed.
What a wonderful life!
One day, the white dove flew over and said: "Can you do me a favor?" "Of course," the little girl replied willingly. The white dove said: "I will take you to a little house. Go inside, and an old woman sitting by the fire will say hello to you. But don't answer her, just walk past her on the right side; further ahead, you will find an open door. Go inside, and there will be all kinds of rings, including one made of pearls and gemstones, extremely valuable. Don't touch them, just look for a plain one, take it, and come back to me quickly." The little girl went to the little house, and sure enough, there was an old woman sitting there staring at her and saying: "Hello, my child." The little girl ignored her and walked straight to the door. "Go away!" the old woman shouted, grabbing at her clothes to catch her, saying, "This is my house, no one is allowed to enter without my permission!" The little girl didn't speak, shaking off the old woman and rushing into the house. On the table inside, there were indeed many rings, shining brightly before her eyes. The little girl searched through all the rings, trying to find the plain one, but couldn't find it. She kept searching, and suddenly noticed that the old woman was holding a birdcage, preparing to sneak away quietly. The little girl rushed over immediately, snatching the birdcage and examining it closely. Inside was a bird with a plain ring in its mouth. So she reached in and took the ring, happily running back. She thought the white dove would surely come to take the ring, but it didn't. The little girl had no choice but to lean against a tree and wait quietly for the white dove. She stood there leaning against the tree for a long time, when suddenly she felt the tree was soft and loose, and the branches drooped down. Suddenly, the branches turned into two arms and embraced her. The little girl turned around and saw that the tree she had leaned against had actually turned into a handsome young man. He held the little girl in his arms, kissed her deeply, and said: "It is you who broke the old witch's spell and saved me. She turned me into a tree, and every day I had to become a white dove for two hours. As long as she possessed this ring, I could not regain my human form." Then, the servants and horses that the witch had turned into trees were also freed from the spell, standing behind him. This young man was originally a prince, and he led them all back to the palace. Later, the prince married the little girl, and they lived happily ever after.