East of the Sun and West of the Moon

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

The story moves in clear, dreamlike steps—home, journey, helpful guides, and a hopeful rescue—so children can follow it without tension. The tone rewards steady bravery and ends with relief and warmth, which fits a calm wind‑down.

Story Synopsis

A poor family is visited by a mysterious white bear who offers to help them—if their youngest daughter will come and live with him. After hesitation, she agrees and is carried away to a far-off castle, where she has everything she needs. At night, someone comes to her room in the dark, kind and gentle, but never seen. She feels safe, yet curious. When she finally listens to a worried warning and lights a candle, the secret is revealed—and the spell is broken. To make things right, the girl begins a long journey “east of the sun and west of the moon,” meeting wise helpers and receiving gifts that will matter later. She learns to ask good questions, keep going when the road feels endless, and trust her own steady heart. In the end, her patience and courage bring her to the place she needs to be, and the story lands on a hopeful, satisfying rescue—one that feels like the world has settled back into order.

Story Excerpt

Once upon a time there lived a poor farmer and his wife, with many children and very little to spare. Their cottage was small, their cupboards were often plain, and their clothes were patched again and again. Still, the children were bright and sweet — and the youngest daughter was the loveliest of them all. One late Thursday evening in autumn, the wind rushed around the cottage like it was trying to push the door open. Rain drummed on the roof, and the whole little house trembled and creaked. The family sat close by the fire, each busy with something small, when — tap, tap, tap — three knocks sounded on the windowpane. The father rose and went out into the wild, dark weather. There, in the yard, stood a great big White Bear. “ Good evening to you, ” said the White Bear. “ Good evening, ” the farmer answered, holding his breath. “ Will you give me your youngest daughter? ” asked the White Bear. “ If you will, you shall be as rich as you are now poor. ” The farmer’s heart jumped at the thought of warm food and good clothing for all his children. But he was a kind man, and he would not decide without asking. He went inside and told his family what the White Bear had said. The youngest daughter shook her head at once. “ No, ” she said. “ I will not go. ” So the father went back out and asked the White Bear to come again the next Thursday evening for an answer. All week the family talked — quietly at first, and then more and more. They spoke of the riches the bear had promised, and how everyone could be safe and comfortable. At last, the youngest daughter looked at her thin sleeves, at her little brothers and sisters huddled by the fire, and she made up her mind. “ I will go, ” she said softly. She washed and mended what clothes she had, making herself as neat as she could. She packed a tiny bundle — very little, because very little belonged to her. The next Thursday evening, the White Bear returned. The girl climbed onto his broad back with her bundle in her arms, and off they went into the night. After they had traveled a long way, the White Bear asked, “ Are you afraid? ” “ No, ” she said, though her hands held tight. “ Hold fast to my fur, ” he told her, “ and then…

In One Glance