Week 14, Reading B: Simeli Mountain

This story reminded me of other classic tales with riches in the mountains - like the Cave of Wonders in Aladdin or Smaug's treasures in the Hobbit. Even though it has a dark ending, it's still an interesting little story about the dangers of greed!

Mount Semsi reminded me of this scene in Aladdin!

- once there were two brothers, a rich one and a poor one

- the rich one never helped out his poor brother, who struggled to provide for his family

- one day the poor brother was going by a mountain when he saw 12 large scary men come by

- the poor brother thought that they were robbers, so he hid himself

- he watched the men say "open mount semsi" and the mountain opened up and the men went in

- when the men left, the poor brother did the same thing 

- inside the mountain was gold and many treasures, and the poor brother took some with him

- he visited the mountain a few times and grew wealthy, but eventually the rich brother figured out what was happening and grew greedy

- the rich brother went to the mountain too and tried to carry out as much riches as he could

- he forgot the name of the mountain and kept saying "open mount simeli" and was stuck inside

- eventually the robbers came and they killed him

Story Source: "Simeli Mountain,"  The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales translated by D. L. Ashliman (1998-2013).