The Story of Old Mother Frost


Updated: 01 Jan, 2025

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The story of old Mother Frost, is beautiful retelling of a fairy tale. This story is about two sisters who learn an important life lesson. One is kind and hardworking, while the other is lazy and selfish.

Their adventures in a magical world show how good deeds bring rewards, and bad choices lead to consequences.

A heart warming story with a sprinkle of magic!

The History of Old Mother Frost

The fairy tale Old Mother Frost (also known as Mother Holle) is a classic German folktale collected by the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century.

It was first published in their book Children’s and Household Tales (Grimm’s Fairy Tales) in 1812.

This story has roots in old Germanic mythology, where Frau Holle (or Mother Frost) was believed to be a winter goddess who controlled snowfall.

In some traditions, she was seen as a kind and rewarding spirit, while in others, she punished laziness and rewarded diligence.

The tale reflects moral lessons common in many fairy tales—kindness and hard work bring rewards, while greed and laziness lead to misfortune.

Over the years, Mother Frost has remained a beloved story across Europe, inspiring different versions and adaptations in books, theater, and even animated films.

It continues to be told today as a timeless lesson on the value of kindness, effort, and fairness.

The Story of Old Mother Frost – Let’s Read

Once upon a time, in a small village, two sisters were very different from each other. Anna, the older sister, was kind and hardworking.

She always helped others and did her chores without complaining. On the other hand, Lila, the younger sister, was lazy and mean.

She never helped with anything and was always looking for ways to avoid work.

Anna’s Magical Journey

The two sisters lived with their mother, who unfairly loved Lila more.

Poor Anna had to do all the housework, while Lila spent her days relaxing and giving orders.

One day, Anna was spinning thread near the old village well.

Her hands moved quickly, but she accidentally pricked her finger.

A drop of blood fell onto the thread, and when she leaned over the well to clean it, her spindle slipped out of her hands and fell into the deep water.

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Anna was worried her mother would be angry, so she leaned further into the well to try and see the spindle.

Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell in!

Instead of landing in water, Anna found herself in a magical world. The sun was brighter, the flowers smelled sweeter, and everything felt alive with magic.

As she walked, she saw a small cottage with smoke rising from its chimney. Outside the cottage stood an old woman with twinkling eyes and snow-white hair.

“Welcome, my dear,” the old woman said kindly. “I am Mother Frost. If you help me with my work, I will take good care of you.”

Mother Frost’s Feather Beds

Anna agreed, and Mother Frost showed her what to do.

Every day, Anna shook Mother Frost’s feather beds until feathers flew into the air like snowflakes. Mother Frost explained, “This is how snow falls in your world.”

Anna worked hard. She cleaned the house, cooked meals, and shook the feather beds with care. Mother Frost was very pleased with Anna’s efforts.

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Kindness and hard work shine brighter than gold, while laziness and greed leave a lasting stain.

She gave Anna warm meals and a cozy bed and treated her kindly. After a while, Anna began to miss her family and asked if she could go home.

Mother Frost smiled and said, “You have been kind and hardworking. You deserve a reward.

She led Anna to a gate, and as Anna walked through, a shower of gold fell over her. Anna’s clothes sparkled, and her heart was full of joy as she returned home.

When her mother and Lila saw Anna covered in gold, they couldn’t believe their eyes. Anna told them the story, and greedy Lila decided she wanted the same reward.

The next morning, Lila threw her spindle into the well and jumped in after it.

Like Anna, Lila lands in the magical world and finds Mother Frost’s cottage. But unlike Anna, Lila was lazy and rude.

She barely shook the feather beds, didn’t clean properly, and complained about the work. Mother Frost grew tired of Lila’s bad attitude but didn’t say anything.

The Two Sisters' Rewards

When Lila asked to go home, Mother Frost led her to the gate. But instead of gold, a bucket of sticky black pitch poured over Lila.

This is your reward for being lazy and selfish,” Mother Frost said.

Lila returned home covered in pitch that would never come off.

Meanwhile, Anna continued to live happily, admired by everyone for her kindness and hard work. Lila’s greed and laziness became a lesson for the whole village.

And so, the story of Mother Frost teaches us that being kind and hardworking brings rewards, while being lazy and selfish only leads to trouble.

Lessons Kids Learn from The Story of Old Mother Frost

Fairy tales often teach valuable life lessons, and The Story of Old Mother Frost is no exception. Here’s what kids can learn from this classic tale:

  1. Hard Work is Always Rewarded: Anna’s kindness and dedication to her work lead to a golden reward. This teaches children that being responsible and putting effort into tasks will bring good results in life.
  2. Laziness and Greed Have Consequences: Lila, who was lazy and selfish, received a punishment instead of a reward. The story shows that cutting corners and avoiding responsibilities can lead to negative outcomes.
  3. Kindness is More Valuable Than Riches: Anna didn’t help Mother Frost because she expected a reward—she did it out of kindness and respect. This teaches children the importance of being good to others without expecting anything in return.
  4. Patience and Good Manners Matter: Anna was polite and respectful, which made Mother Frost happy. On the other hand, Lila’s rude behavior led to her downfall. Kids learn that treating others with kindness and patience is important.
  5. Greed Can Lead to Disappointment: Lila only wanted the gold and didn’t care about working for it. The story teaches children that true success comes from effort and honesty, not from shortcuts or selfishness.

By reading this tale, children can understand the importance of being hardworking, kind, and respectful—valuable traits that help them in life!

Follow-Up Questions For This Story

Follow Up Questions
  • Why do you think Mother Frost rewarded Anna with gold but punished Lila with pitch?
  • If you were in Anna’s place, would you have helped Mother Frost? Why or why not?
  • What lesson do you think Lila learned from her experience?
  • How do you think Anna felt when she returned home covered in gold?
  • Can you think of a time when hard work helped you achieve something special?

Rubeena kanwal

Rubeena kanwal

Hello! I am Rubeena Hammad, the storyteller behind this site. I created this space to share beautiful tales that inspire, entertain, and connect us all.From bedtime and moral to real-life stories, my goal is to add a little magic and meaning to my reader's life. Thanks for joining the journey—happy reading!

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