Long ago, in the cold northern land of Norroway, there lived a woman who had three daughters. The eldest two were proud and vain, but the youngest was kind-hearted and gentle. One day, the youngest daughter announced that she wished to go out into the world to seek her fortune. Her mother was reluctant, but the girl insisted. She packed a small bundle of bread and cheese and set off down the road. Before long, she came to a great black bull standing in her path. The bull spoke in a deep, rumbling voice: 'Will you ride upon my back, lass, and come with me to a far-off castle?' The girl was frightened, but something in the bull's eyes seemed trustworthy. She climbed onto his broad back, and they journeyed together through forests and over mountains.
As they travelled, the bull explained that he was under a powerful enchantment. By day he wore the shape of a beast, but by night he could become a handsome prince. The girl agreed to stay with him, and each evening she would light a candle and see the prince beside her. However, the bull warned her never to let the candle drip wax on him, or the spell would be broken. For many weeks, the girl kept her promise. She grew fond of the prince, and he treated her with kindness and respect. But one night, curiosity got the better of her. As the prince slept, she held the candle too close, and a drop of hot wax fell onto his shoulder. He awoke with a cry of pain and vanished into the darkness, leaving the girl alone in the castle.
The girl was heartbroken. She knew she had to find the prince and undo the damage she had caused. She set out across the wild countryside, asking everyone she met if they had seen a black bull or a prince with a scar on his shoulder. She walked for days, her feet growing sore and her clothes becoming ragged. At last, she came to a cottage where an old woman sat spinning. The old woman listened to her story and said, 'You must travel east of the sun and west of the moon, to the castle where the prince is held captive by a wicked witch. Only true love can break the spell completely.' The old woman gave her a golden apple and a silver comb, saying these would help her on her journey.
The girl agreed to stay with him, and each evening she would light a candle and see the prince beside her.
The girl continued on, and soon she reached a great glass mountain. The sides were so smooth that she could not climb them. She tried again and again, but each time she slipped back down. Exhausted and despairing, she sat at the base of the mountain and wept. Just then, a small bird landed beside her and chirped, 'Use the silver comb to carve steps into the glass.' The girl did as the bird suggested, and slowly she carved a path up the mountain. At the top, she found a magnificent castle made of gold and crystal. She knew this must be the place where the prince was imprisoned.
The girl entered the castle and saw the prince sitting on a throne, his eyes dull and lifeless. Beside him stood the witch, who cackled with glee. 'You have come too late,' the witch said. 'The prince has forgotten you, and he will marry my daughter tomorrow.' The girl felt her heart sink, but she remembered the golden apple. She held it out and said, 'Please, take this gift.' The witch's daughter snatched the apple and bit into it. Immediately, she fell into a deep sleep. The witch flew into a rage, but the girl rushed to the prince and touched his scarred shoulder. At that touch, the prince's eyes cleared, and he recognised her. 'You have broken the spell,' he whispered. 'Your love and courage have set me free.'
The witch shrieked and vanished in a puff of smoke, and the castle transformed into a beautiful garden. The prince and the girl were married the next day, and they lived happily ever after. The story of the Black Bull of Norroway has been retold many times, each version making different choices about which motifs to emphasise. Some versions focus on the motif of the animal bridegroom, while others highlight the quest structure or the theme of loyalty. By comparing these retellings, we can see how storytellers shape a tale to suit their audience and purpose. The core elements—the enchanted bull, the forbidden act, the arduous journey, and the power of love—remain constant, reminding us that some stories are so powerful they endure across centuries and cultures.