In a cozy little village, nestled beside a great, green forest, lived a young man named Joringel and a lovely maiden named Jorinda. They loved each other more than sunshine and strawberry pie, and they planned to be married very soon.

One bright afternoon, they decided to take a walk in the forest. "Let's not go too deep," Jorinda said, a little nervously, because she knew that in the heart of the woods stood an old, crumbly castle where a wicked old woman lived. This wasn't just any old woman; she was a sorceress! During the day, she could change herself into a cat or an owl. But her worst magic was this: if any young maiden came too close to her castle, she would turn her into a bird and pop her into a cage. And if anyone else got too near, they'd be frozen to the spot, unable to move a muscle!

Joringel, holding Jorinda's hand, said, "Don't worry, my dear. We'll stay on the sunny paths."

But as they chatted and laughed, they wandered further and further, until the trees grew thick and the sunlight barely peeked through. Suddenly, Jorinda stopped. "Oh, Joringel," she whispered, "I feel so strange. It's like the castle is pulling me."

Before Joringel could reply, Jorinda began to sing a sad little tune, then her voice changed. She wasn't Jorinda anymore! She had turned into a beautiful nightingale, a small brown bird with a sweet song. Joringel watched in horror. He tried to run to her, to help her, but his feet were stuck to the ground! He couldn't move, not even a finger. He was like a stone statue.

Just then, an old woman with a hooked nose and glowing eyes hobbled out from behind a tree. It was the sorceress! She cackled, scooped up the little nightingale, and put her into a tiny wicker cage. Then, with another cackle, she shuffled off towards her gloomy castle.

As soon as the sorceress was gone, Joringel found he could move again. But Jorinda was gone! He cried out her name, but only the echo answered. Heartbroken, Joringel couldn't bear to go back to his village alone. He wandered for many days, always staying near the terrible castle, hoping for a chance to save his Jorinda. He found work looking after a flock of sheep, and every evening, he would walk as close to the castle as he dared, listening for Jorinda's song.

One night, Joringel had a dream. In his dream, he found a beautiful, blood-red flower. In the very center of this flower was a large, sparkling pearl. The dream seemed to tell him that this flower could break any evil spell.

When Joringel woke up, he knew what he had to do. He searched high and low, through meadows and over hills. For nine long days he searched, and just when he was about to lose hope, he found it! There, under a thorny bush, was the blood-red flower with the shiny pearl in its center, exactly like in his dream.

Carefully, Joringel picked the flower. With new courage, he marched straight towards the sorceress's castle. He held the flower in front of him. As he approached the huge castle gate, it creaked open all by itself! He walked through the courtyard, and though he saw the old sorceress glaring at him, she couldn't come near him. The flower protected him.

He entered a great hall, and there he saw them – hundreds and hundreds of birdcages, hanging from the ceiling. In each cage was a little bird, chirping sadly. How would he find Jorinda?

He walked slowly, holding the flower high. As he passed one cage, he heard a familiar, sweet song. It was Jorinda! He touched the wicker cage with the blood-red flower.
Pop!
The cage vanished, and there stood Jorinda, herself again, beautiful and smiling! She rushed into Joringel's arms.

Joringel, overjoyed, didn't forget the other poor birds. He went from cage to cage, touching each one with the magic flower. Pop! Pop! Pop! With every touch, a bird turned back into a happy young maiden.

Soon, the hall was filled with joyful girls, all thanking Joringel. Together, they all ran out of the gloomy castle and into the bright sunshine, leaving the wicked sorceress behind, powerless and alone.

Joringel and Jorinda returned to their village, and soon after, they had the most wonderful wedding. And they, along with all the other rescued maidens, lived happily for many, many years.

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