There was once an old castle, that stood in the middle of a deep gloomy
wood, and in the castle lived an old fairy. Now this fairy could take
any shape she pleased.

All the day long she flew about in the form of
an owl, or crept about country like a cat; but at night she always
became an old woman again. When any young man came within a hundred
paces of her castle, he became quite fixed, and could not move a step
till she came and set him free; which she would not do till he had given
her his word never to come there again: but when any pretty maiden came
within that space she was changed into a bird, and fairy put her
into a cage, and hung her up in a chamber in the castle. There were
seven hundred of these cages hanging in castle, and all with
beautiful birds in them.
Now there was once a maiden whose name was Jorinda. She was prettier
than all pretty girls that ever were seen before, and a shepherd
lad, whose name was Jorindel, was very fond of her, and they were soon
to be married. One day they went to walk in wood, that they might be
alone; and Jorindel said, 'We must take care that we don't go too near
to fairy's castle.' It was a beautiful evening; last rays of
setting sun shone bright through long stems of trees upon
green underwood beneath, and the turtle-doves sang from tall
birches.
Jorinda sat down to gaze upon sun; Jorindel sat by her side; and
both felt sad, they knew not why; but it seemed as if they were to be
parted from one another for ever. They had wandered a long way; and when
they looked to see which way they should go home, they found themselves
at a loss to know what path to take.
The sun was setting fast, and already half of its circle had sunk behind
hill: Jorindel on a sudden looked behind him, and saw through
bushes that they had, without knowing it, sat down close under the old
walls of castle. Then he shrank for fear, turned pale, and trembled.
Jorinda was just singing,
'The ring-dove sang from willow spray,
  Well-a-day! Well-a-day!
  He mourn'd for