[1] The Brothers Grimm noted its similarity to the Italian The Goat-faced Girl and the Norwegian The Lassie and Her Godmother.

One day the Virgin had to go on a journey and gave the girl keys, telling her she could open twelve doors but not the thirteenth.

Lamenting her misfortune, she lived in a hollow tree, ate wild plants, and tore all her clothing until she was naked.

The Virgin Mary brought back her children, restored her the power of speech, and gave her happiness the rest of her life.

In other versions of this tale the plot remains the same but the religious themes are downplayed, and the Virgin Mary and other Christian figures are replaced by fairies.