Fairy Colina of Lionbruno

Overview

Colina descends in a bright light and takes the thirteen-year-old Lionbruno away from the Enemy, who is trying to claim him under his father’s contract. She raises him among the fairies in her palace. Years later she allows a twenty-day visit to his parents and declares that they will share her wealth as husband and wife. She gives him a ruby that grants requests, while the other fairies add gifts. The ruby enriches his parents and enables his winning performances in a royal tournament.

The boastful Lionbruno tells the king that his intended fairy bride surpasses the princess. The ruby transmits his summons but cannot compel Colina, since she supplied its power. She sends two increasingly beautiful servants before appearing herself, removing the ring and telling him he cannot find her until he wears out seven pairs of iron shoes. His eventual return depends on stolen magical boots and cloak and Sirocco’s guidance. Colina, meanwhile, has become dangerously ill from grief at the perceived betrayal and the wind’s harassment. Recognizing the returning Lionbruno restores her, and the complete account concludes with their splendid wedding. The early declarations of marriage and the later wedding are both retained rather than forced into a modern consistent chronology.

Origins & earliest records

Crane, Italian Popular Tales (1885), XXXVI: Lionbruno, pp. 136–147; story list identifies Basilicata, Comparetti, no. 41.

Records & interpretation

The complete selected English narrative distinguishes the Enemy, Colina and the wind family. Crane’s editorial conclusion distinguishes his oral-tradition selection from circulating chapbook versions; no independent original-language collation is claimed.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Italian Popular Tales, XXXVI: Lionbruno, pp. 136–147; notes 13–14

   Thomas Frederick Crane; selected from Domenico Comparetti, no. 41 · 1885

   Complete selected narrative through reunion and wedding; the interpretation of Borea’s name is explicitly Crane’s note.

Family, evolution & connections

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Primary textCrane 1885: Lionbruno, complete narrativeResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.