We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge for the month of April. The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Becoming: Tales of Transformation & Calling.” We love exploring traditional tales from around the world within that theme.
About East of the Sun & West of the Moon:
In this Norwegian tale, a poor girl is taken to live with a mysterious white bear who becomes a man at night. Though she lives in comfort, curiosity leads her to break a promise—lighting a candle to see his face—revealing a prince under a spell. Because of this, he is taken far away to a distant castle east of the sun and west of the moon.
Determined to make things right, she sets out on an arduous journey. Along the way, she receives aid, trades precious gifts, and persists through impossible odds. In the end, through courage and cleverness, she frees the prince and claims her future. She transforms from passive recipient of fate to active seeker of her destiny.
Symbolism and Themes:
Curiosity and Consequence – Her desire to know leads to loss, but also growth.
Perseverance and Agency – She refuses to remain in regret and takes action to restore what was broken.
Transformation Through Journey – The trials she endures shape her into someone capable of reclaiming love and self-determination.
50-word-or-less summary:
A girl lives with a white bear who is a prince by night. Breaking a promise, she loses him to the troll queen, whom he must now marry. She journeys across impossible lands, gains magical help, and outwits a troll queen, ultimately freeing the prince.
Finding the Story:
Look for “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” in Norwegian folktale collections, especially those by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe and Gudrun Thorne-Thomsen (all three stories/books are possible to view through Project Gutenberg).
Finding the Transformation:
Her becoming unfolds through action. She moves from curiosity without foresight to wisdom earned through hardship. Rather than waiting to be rescued, she becomes the rescuer—crossing boundaries, enduring trials, and ultimately shaping her own ending.
When have you made a mistake that led to unexpected growth? What does it mean to take responsibility—and to journey toward making things right?
Share your thoughts in the comments! While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.
As for our past A to Z Challenges…
While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads celebrates the 11th hybrid summit & festival on May 2 & 4-6, 2026 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us.
Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Creative West; Utah Division of Arts and Museums; City of Murray; Salt Lake City Arts Council; Utah Storytelling Guild; Murray City Library; Pleasant Grove Library; American Fork Library and people like you.
I love that the girl undergoes transformation through her own efforts rather than being apathetic. I can think of plenty of mistakes I’ve made but not unexpected growth as a result. Maybe I have learnt to take other people’s feelings and opinions more into account when making decisions.
So many fairy tales twang on common strings, in all times and cultures. They set up challenges for the MC to overcome and grow in the process. I like this one as it has an enchanted bear/prince in it.