There was once a man who had seven sons but longed for a daughter. At last, his wife gave birth to a girl. The child was weak and needed immediate baptism. The father sent his eldest son to fetch water, but all seven boys went. In their haste to fill the jug first, they dropped it into the well. Afraid to return empty-handed, they lingered.
Growing impatient, the father feared his daughter would die unbaptized. In anger, he cried out, "I wish those boys would turn into ravens!" Instantly, seven coal-black ravens flew away overhead. The curse could not be undone.
The parents grieved but found solace in their daughter, who grew strong and beautiful. She knew nothing of her brothers until she overheard people blaming her for their fate. Distraught, she questioned her parents and learned the truth. Determined to rescue them, she set out into the world with only a ring, a loaf of bread, a pitcher of water, and a small chair.
Her journey took her to the ends of the earth. The sun was too hot and cruel; the moon was cold and menacing, claiming to smell human flesh. Finally, she reached the kind stars. The morning star gave her a chicken drumstick, saying it was the key to the Glass Mountain where her brothers were trapped.
She carefully wrapped the drumstick and continued to the Glass Mountain. At the door, she discovered the drumstick was lost. Desperate to save her brothers, she cut off her little finger and used it to unlock the door.
Inside, a dwarf greeted her and said the ravens were away. He served their dinner on seven plates with seven glasses. The sister ate a morsel from each plate and sipped from each glass, dropping her ring into the last one.
Suddenly, the ravens returned. As they ate and drank, they noticed someone had tasted their food. The seventh raven found the ring at the bottom of his glass and recognized it. "God grant our sister is here," he wished, "then we shall be free."
Hearing this, the sister stepped out. Immediately, the ravens regained their human form. They embraced joyfully and returned home together.