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Overview
The prince discovers this initially sick, sore-covered horse after all the impressive steeds fall under his touch. It remains standing and speaks. It prescribes the father’s youthful weapons and six weeks of personal care with oats boiled in milk. Once the arms are cleaned and its treatment completed, it shakes off the sores, appearing strong and equipped with four wings. The fairy later explicitly calls it unkillable because it is enchanted.
The horse identifies the hostile sisters, times their crossings and rises above each attacker so the prince can shoot. At the deathless palace it attempts to fly over the forest of guardian beasts; one hoof brushes a treetop, alerting them, and a resident fairy’s intervention saves the travellers. Introduced to the beasts, it thereafter grazes freely. When the prince longs for home, it warns him against departure but carries him back on condition that it may return alone. At the ruined childhood palace it offers one last immediate return, then flies away. It does not die with the prince or reverse his accumulating age on that journey.
Origins & earliest records
Roumanian Fairy Tales, collected by Mite Kremnitz, adapted and arranged by J. M. Percival (New York: Henry Holt, 1885), Youth Without Age and Life Without Death, pp. 42–55.
Records & interpretation
Complete selected English narrative and ending. The preface assigns tale 4 to P. Ispirescu’s collection; original Romanian and intermediate editions remain uncollated.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Roumanian Fairy Tales: Youth Without Age and Life Without Death, pp. 42–55
Preface assigns tale 4 to P. Ispirescu. Complete English journey, return and fatal ending read.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary historical English adaptationKremnitz/Percival 1885: Youth Without Age and Life Without DeathResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.