Bearskin

A soldier discharged from the war found himself in dire straits. As he bemoaned his fate, a stranger with a cloven foot appeared. He offered the warrior wealth if he demonstrated his courage. After the soldier shot a bear, another condition was required. “You must not bathe or groom yourself for seven years. If you die, you are mine. If you survive, you will be wealthy and free all your life long.” They concurred, and the soldier acquired the bearskin as a cloak. From that moment forward, the soldier was known as Bearskin. Bearskin wandered the countryside, providing liberally for the poor and requesting their prayers for his life. Each year, his countenance became more monstrous so that people were terrified.

Alone one evening, Bearskin heard awful groaning. A decrepit man wept violently outside. Bearskin’s compassion persuaded the man to tell his story. Impoverished, the man had lost all his property and now feared he and his daughters would starve.

Bearskin satisfied the man’s debts, and out of gratitude, the man offered one of his daughters in marriage. The eldest daughter ran shrieking in fright at Bearskin’s appearance. The next oldest insisted she would rather wed their recent visitor, a bear masquerading as a human. The youngest daughter said, “Father, this benevolent man assisted you in your trouble. If you promised him a bride, your word must be kept.”

Bearskin removed a ring from his finger and separated it into two pieces, giving half to the bride. “Preserve it carefully,” he instructed. “If I return in three years, we will marry. If not, you are released, for I will have perished.”

At the end of the seven years, Bearskin gladly received his garment and a satchel of gold from the stranger. Bearskin and his bride joined their halves of the ring. Upon learning this was the same Bearskin and that their youngest sister would be his bride, the two older sisters ran from the house in rage and jealousy.