E = East of the Sun & West of the Moon (Norway)

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…

Go to A to Z Archive

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.

Explore Summit & Festival

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.

D = Dead Bridegroom (Grimm)

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 The Dead Bridegroom:

In a tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, a young woman is promised to a man she does not fully trust. When he takes her deep into the forest to meet his family, her unease grows. Left alone in a dark house, she discovers a hidden room where she witnesses a horrifying truth: her fiancé and his companions are murderers who kill unsuspecting brides.

Instead of succumbing to fear, she hides, survives the night, and escapes. Later, at a public gathering, she retells the events in the form of a story, revealing the crime and bringing the killers to justice. She transforms from intended victim to truth-teller.

Symbolism and Themes:

Intuition as Guidance – The heroine senses danger before it is revealed and learns to trust that inner voice.

Voice as Power – She does not just survive; she speaks, and her testimony changes the outcome.

Transformation Through Truth – By naming what happened, she reclaims control of her story and her future.

50-word-or-less summary:

A miller’s daughter follows her uneasy instincts to her fiancé’s forest house. Hiding, she sees him and his band of robbers murder a young woman. Escaping with a severed finger as proof, she later exposes the crime at her wedding feast, bringing the robbers to justice by execution.

Finding the Story:

Look for “The Robber Bridegroom” in Grimm collections. Find one at Grimms’ Fairy Tale website as well as Wikisource and Project Gutenberg.

Finding the Transformation:

Her becoming is not about gaining status, but about stepping into her own authority. She listens to her instincts, survives through quick thinking, and ultimately claims her voice. In doing so, she shifts from powerless to powerful—not by force, but by truth.

When have you sensed something wasn’t right? What does it mean to trust your intuition—and to speak what you know, even when it’s difficult?

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…

Go to A to Z Archive

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.

Explore Summit & Festival

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.

C = Chandralekha (India)

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 Chandralekha:
In Indian folktale traditions, Chandralekha is a clever and courageous young woman who faces a series of impossible challenges set by a ruler or powerful figure. Whether solving riddles, completing difficult tasks, or navigating deception, she relies on intelligence, observation, and bold thinking. Rather than accepting defeat, she meets each trial with ingenuity. Through her actions, she earns recognition, transforms her circumstances, and steps into a new role shaped by her own capability.

Symbolism and Themes:

Cleverness as Strength – Chandralekha overcomes obstacles not with force, but through intelligence and creative problem-solving.

Agency and Initiative – She does not wait to be rescued; she acts, experiments, and takes risks to change her situation.

Transformation Through Action – Each challenge she meets builds her path forward, showing that becoming is created through what we do.

Meaning of Name – Chandralekha comes from Sanskrit roots: “Chandra” meaning “moon” and “lekha” meaning “line” or “mark,” often interpreted as “ray of moonlight.” The name suggests illumination, insight, and quiet brilliance—reflecting her ability to bring light to difficult situations.

50-word-or-less summary:
Chandralekha sets or faces deadly trials: choosing between identical doors hiding a tiger or a snake, solving riddles, and navigating traps meant to deceive. She studies clues, listens carefully, and makes bold choices. She reads the clues, makes the right choices, and survives each test, gaining her freedom and a place in the ruler’s court.

Finding the Story:

Finding the Transformation:
Chandralekha’s transformation unfolds through each challenge she meets. Her intelligence is not hidden—it is demonstrated. With every problem she solves, she reshapes her future and claims her place in the world.

What challenges invite you to think differently? How does your creativity help shape who you are becoming?

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…

Go to A to Z Archive


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.

Explore Summit & Festival


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.