There was once a King who had a son who asked in marriage the daughter of a mighty King; she was called Maid Maleen, and was very beautiful.
(a tale by Brothers Grimm)
Since her father wished to give her to another, the prince was rejected; but as they both loved each other with all their hearts,
they would not give each other up,
and Maid Maleen said to her father,
"I can and will take no other for my husband."
Then the King flew into a passion, and ordered a Dark Tower to be built, into which no ray of sunlight or moonlight should enter.
When it was finished, he said,
"Therein shalt thou be imprisoned for seven years, and then I will come and see if thy perverse spirit is broken."
Meat and drink for the seven years were carried into the Tower,
and then she and her waiting-woman were led into it and walled up, thus cut off from the sky and from the earth.
There they sat in the darkness, and knew not when day or night began...
so the story of Maid Maleen unfolds...
Maleen escapes the Tower using a bread knife to dig through the walls.
After many more trials she is finally reunited with her betrothed.
Her courage in remaining faithful to the one she loves
was rewarded...
as destiny and her determination
brought them together again.
Her imprisonment was remembered for many years.
Local children sang this song whenever they passed by the Tower...
"Kling, klang, gloria.
Who sits within this tower?
A King's daughter, she sits within,
A sight of her I cannot win,
The wall it will not break,
The stone cannot be pierced.
Little Hans, with your coat so gay,
Follow me, follow me, fast as you may."
yet, Maid Maleen held the Key to her destiny...
that no lock nor Tower could contain. A tiny key hangs by a silver thread around her neck
and her
Lost love was Found
