The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces | Read Aloud Grimm’s Fairy Tales with Olivia | KHM 133

The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces Grimm’s Fairy Tales KHM 133 Once upon a time, a king had twelve daughters, each more enchanting than the last. Every morning, their shoes were found in tatters, as though they had danced the night away. Despite locking their doors and posting guards, no one could solve the mystery. The frustrated king declared, “Whoever uncovers the secret shall marry one of my daughters. Fail, and it’s off with your head!” Princes and knights from across the kingdom tried their luck but left baffled—or headless. One day, a humble soldier, recently retired and carrying little more than a kind heart and a clever mind, wandered into the kingdom. Hearing of the challenge, he approached the castle. On his way, the soldier helped an old woman struggling with a heavy basket. She thanked him and handed him a cloak. “Wear this when the princesses invite you to join them, and you’ll see what no one else can.” That night, the soldier was stationed outside the princesses’ room. As midnight struck, he heard whispers and giggles. Peeking through the keyhole, he saw the eldest princess tapping a secret rhythm on the floor. The floorboards slid aside, revealing a glowing staircase. Donning the cloak, the soldier followed the princesses unseen. The staircase led to an underground world filled with sparkling trees and a crystal lake. Twelve handsome princes awaited the princesses in boats. The soldier stepped into the eldest princess’s boat, making it wobble. “Something’s strange tonight,” she murmured, but they sailed on. The group arrived at a dazzling palace where music filled the air. The soldier watched as the princesses danced and danced, their laughter echoing through the hall. By dawn, their shoes were in shreds. The soldier snuck back just in time and presented his findings to the king. The secret was revealed, and the princesses confessed. The eldest princess, impressed by the soldier’s courage and honesty, agreed to marry him. And so, the soldier and the eldest princess danced together for the rest of their lives—this time, on solid ground.