Tradition: Austrian Mythology
Alternative Names: Die sieben Rehe
Category: Deer
The Myth
The Seven Roe Deer are seven white roe deer that appear in an old tale from the Austrian Alps. Six of them are ordinary in appearance, while the seventh is slightly larger and wears a golden ring around its neck.
Once there was a count who possessed many forests and a large household of servants. He was very devout and had already won many victories. During times of peace, his greatest pleasure was hunting wild animals, often riding far into the forest with his retinue.
One day, while hunting near the end of May, the count saw a white roe deer running across a meadow in the distance. He immediately rode after it on horseback and pursued it deep into the forest. None of his servants followed him, as he was riding too quickly and soon disappeared from their sight.
The count eventually realized that he had become deeply lost in the forest. Although he repeatedly sounded his hunting horn, which could be heard from far away, nobody came. Nevertheless, he continued following the roe deer.
The animal eventually led him to a large and beautiful meadow. To his astonishment, six other white roe deer were there. One of them was somewhat larger than the others and wore a golden ring around its neck. The count tried several times to shoot it, but every shot missed.
The seven roe deer continued onward, and the count followed them. They led him alternately through dense forests, across beautiful meadows, and over mountains until they finally arrived before a great castle that appeared to be completely uninhabited. On either side of the gate stood two enormous lions guarding the entrance.
When the roe deer reached the gate, it opened. The deer and the count passed through, after which the gate closed by itself. The count found himself inside a large square courtyard with no other exit. He had been trapped within the castle walls.
He explored the upper floors and discovered rooms and halls decorated with extraordinary wealth. The walls were golden, the beds were golden, and golden tables stood throughout the chambers. In a smaller room he found a mirror hanging in a broad golden frame, with a parchment hidden behind it.
The count took out the parchment and read its message:
“Whoever frees the imprisoned princess shall possess an entire kingdom. But he must overcome a terrible monster that comes every night at twelve o’clock beneath a terrifying rattling of chains and devours everything that is on the golden tables.”
The count was filled with horror when he read this, but he decided to face the monster because he was well armed. He ate some food and prepared himself for the night. He lay down in one of the golden beds, placing his sword and two loaded pistols on a nearby table so that they would be immediately within reach.
He had not been asleep for long when he heard the terrifying rattling of chains coming up the staircase. Soon a black man appeared. He had a single enormous eye in the middle of his forehead, shining so brightly that it illuminated the entire room. His body was covered with hair, and chains were wound around his back.
As soon as the count saw him, he leapt toward the monster and fought him with his sword. After a fierce struggle, he managed to cut off the monster’s head. The monster then asked the count to give the golden necklace from the deer to him. The count refused.
After the battle, the count returned to bed and slept peacefully for the remainder of the night.
The following morning, when he entered the courtyard, he saw the same seven roe deer that had led him to the castle. He approached them and kissed the largest deer. The seven white deer then transformed before him into seven beautifully dressed maidens.
The largest deer, the one that had worn the golden ring around its neck, revealed that she was the princess of the kingdom. She and her companions had been transformed into deer by the terrible monster. She explained that she had already led many people to the castle, but none had been fortunate enough to defeat the monster.
The princess then married the count who had freed her, and the two lived happily together. The tale concludes that, if they have not died, they are still living happily to this day.
Sources
Vernaleken, Theodor. “Die sieben Rehe.” In Kinder- und Hausmärchen in den Alpenländern. Vienna, 1863. Reproduced by SAGEN.at. https://www.sagen.at/texte/maerchen/maerchen_oesterreich/allgemein/vernaleken/sieben_rehe.html