Frau Perchta

“I will be the best bride ever. I will show Jahn I should be the one he marries,” said Katka as she spun into the night.

“Katka, were you spinning after midnight again? You know that is forbidden, and if you’re not careful, you shall draw the ire of Frau Prechta upon yourself,” warned her mother.

“Oh, that old nonsense again. Everyone knows that’s a fairytale told to lazy girls. I’m not lazy. I want Jahn to marry me instead of Christina. She’s the lazy one, not me,” scolded Katka.

“Mind what you say, child. The walls have ears. Now go out and help your father with the milking,” said her mother.

Night after night, Katka would sneak into the spinning room and work tirelessly spinning the flax, only to stop when the embers grew too dark.

“I hear Frau Blücher plans to have a dinner, and word of your hard work has caught her ear; perhaps she will invite you so you may meet her son, Jahn,” said Aunt Catherine one day as they walked to the market.

“I do hope so. I have been spinning day and night, except for Friday, as it is a holy day, and one must not bring shame to the Lord,” remarked Katka.

“Well, I do hope for your sake those old stories of Frau Prechta are just that, stories,” said Aunt Catherine.

Katka arrived home with the shopping to be met by her mother, who looked like she was about to explode excitedly.

“Oh, me. Oh my, Katka, you have been invited to Jahn’s home for dinner on Saturday night,” said her mother.

“My wish has been answered,” shouted the girl.

As Katka and her mother prepared her dining outfit, Katka noticed a tear in the helm. “Mother, I can’t go in this. What can I do?” cried the girl.

Don’t worry. I will sew a new liner tomorrow from the flax spun tonight. Remember, child, tomorrow is the holy day, and you know Frau Prechta is always ready to catch those who break the Sabbath,” warned her mother.

“Yes, mam, I will not break the Sabbath,” assured Katka.

Katka’s heart was light as she pumper the wheel’s peddle, and the time slipped away far faster than she could believe. “Almost finished. I want to make a little extra in case Mother needs it,” said Katka, who nervously looked at the clock.

“Only five minutes past midnight. The Lord should not hold me to that; after all, he is forgiving, and it is for a good cause,” remarked Katka as she put away the wheel.

The following morning, Katka’s mother went to wake her to prepare for that evening’s dinner part. “Wake up, sleepy head. Today is your big day,” said her mother as she drew back the current.

When Katka failed to rise, her mother gave her a good shake. The girl rolled out of bed and onto the floor with a loud thud.

Frau Prechta had indeed noticed the girl’s lack of respect by breaking the Sabbath and, following the ancient law, removed her intestines and replaced them with rock and straw.

“Oh, child, why did not you heed my warnings? You shall never be the bride you prayed for all those years,” sobbed her mother.

Katka was buried in unhallowed ground. She had broken the Lord’s command and was now doomed to wander the earth until the end of the world—a sad fate for one who only wanted to spin some flax.

Frau Prechta didn’t see it that way, so take this lesson, or you will join Katka as she wanders lost in time.