Mari in All for you

Once upon a time there was a kind, gentle, sweet girl named Mari beautiful inside and out. She lived in a small farm on the edge of the Bere forest with her stepmother and stepsister.

Mari’s father died a long time ago and her stepmother favoured Rosemary, her own daughter.

Although Rosemary was not unattractive, her ungrateful, selfish and rude disposition shrivelled her beauty.

The stepmother feared that Rosemary would never marry, for every young man who came to call was immediately charmed by Mari. She vowed to make Mari ugly with hard work, harsh words. She gave her the worst, most thankless jobs, while her own daughter, Rosemary, lazed about. Yet, no matter what her stepmother heaped upon her, Mari remained beautiful. The stepmother’s fury and envy grew.

Winter had arrived and Christmas was approaching, one bitter cold day the stepmother decided to send Mari in search of the impossible, violets in winter. Mari cried out, “But its winter. There are no violets in winter.” The stepmother told her not to return until she had found them; and threw her out into the cold snow.

Mari travelled through fields of drifting snow, into the dark depths of the Bere forest. Half frozen, she followed the sound of tinkling bells and a light that glowed between the trees. She came upon twelve men sitting in a circle on seats of stone. She asked if she could warm herself by the fire. The eldest of the men agreed. “Do you know who we are?” he asked.

“You must be the Twelve Month Brothers,” Mari answered. Indeed we are said January, the oldest, the first month of the year. He asked why she was out in such harsh weather. “My sister wants violets, violets in winter. I can’t go home without them.”

January stood up and gave his staff to Brother March. March waved the staff, the snows melted away and violets bloomed. They told her to hurry and gather them. She filled her apron, thanked them and returned home. When she returned, her stepmother was shocked. She demanded to see the violets. Her stepsister reached out and grabbed every one of them, saving none for Mari.

The next day Rosemary demanded to have strawberries with her dinner. Once again, the stepmother pushed Mari out the door, warning, “Don’t come back without them!” Mari stumbled out into the snow and came upon the Twelve Month Brothers again. She told them she had to find strawberries for her sister.

January rose, handed the staff to Brother June. Instantly, the snow melted, flowers bloomed and strawberries grew red and sweet. They cautioned her to hurry. She picked them as fast as she could, thanked them and left for home. Once again, the stepmother and Rosemary took them all and left none for Mari. The next day the sister demanded apples, and Mari was sent out into the snow.

When she arrived at the place of the Twelve Month Brothers, January cautioned her that he could only help her once more. Mari asked for apples and Brother January handed his staff to Brother September. The snow melted, leaves grew and blossoms turned into green apples. Brother September told her to shake the tree, one apple fell. She shook it again, a second one fell. She picked them up, thanked each one of the Month Brothers and left for home.
It had become very dark but it was as if the animals knew it was a special eveningand walked and guided Mari home.

By the time Mari stepped in the house Christmas had arrived and she held out the two apples in her hands. Saying merry Christmas, Rosemary demanded to know why she hadn’t brought more. Mari explained that she could take only two. They called her a liar, took the apples from her and didn’t share a bite. Rosemary’s greed overtook her. She threw on her cloak and set out into the fierce cold for more apples.

Her mother called out that the snow was too deep, it was too cold, there were wolves about…but Rosemary paid her no attention.

Rosemary saw the same light, followed it and came upon the Twelve Month Brothers. She did not ask if she could warm herself, she went right up to the fire without asking permission. When they asked who she was, she scolded, “It is none of your business!” and after she had warmed herself, she made her way into the forest in search of apples.

Brother January was enraged, he raised his mighty staff and a great storm blew. Back at the farm, Rosemary’s mother saw the storm. She grabbed her coat and went in search of her daughter. The storm raged for days. Mari stayed home tending to the animals, keeping the food warm and the work done, and waiting for their return.

But they never came back; they froze to death in the forest. Mari inherited the small farm and animals. In time on the next Christmas she met and married an equally kind and caring farmer and they lived happily together for the rest of their years.

Mari of course had stories saved up about the magic of Bere forest she will read to her children when it was time