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Tale Summary

An old man has three daughters. The eldest two are vain, and selfish, and do not help with the housework, the youngest (Helga) is the most beautiful and selfless and serves the whole family. When their fire goes out one night, the first two sisters are sent in succession to a nearby cave to get some more fire. They both find a cauldron of stew and unbaked cakes and only make food for themselves. A black dog visits both of them, which they mistreat, and then bites each of the older sisters. Having failed to bring back the fire twice, the family sends Helga, who bakes the cakes and stew and waits for permission to eat. She encounters a three-headed giant with a black dog who bids her share his meal since she prepared it nicely. There are rumbles and earthquakes after their meal and the giant turns into a prince who gives Helga jewels and a nice dress and promises to return to marry her for breaking his curse. Helga goes back to her family and is still mistreated there. A while later the prince returns and asks to see the old man’s daughters. He claims that he has only two which are all bandaged up from getting bitten by the dog. Finally, the prince gets him to reveal Helga who comes away with him to be married.