Catskin

Catskin is a fairy tale, appearing in various European traditions, most notably in France (as Peau d'âne by Charles Perrault) and Germany (as Allerleirauh by the Brothers Grimm). It belongs to the Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index type 510B, "The Persecuted Heroine."

The story typically involves a young princess whose mother dies. Her father, the king, overwhelmed by grief, declares he will only remarry a woman as beautiful as his late wife. He realizes his daughter is the only woman who fits this description and decides to marry her.

To escape this incestuous marriage proposal, the princess seeks the advice of a fairy godmother (in some versions) or her own intuition. She asks her father for seemingly impossible dresses: one the color of the sun, one the color of the moon, and one the color of the stars. He fulfills these requests. She then asks for a cloak made from the skins of all the animals in his kingdom. He grants this wish as well, hoping to finally wear down her resistance.

Disguised in the animal-skin cloak (hence the name "Catskin" or similar, as "cat" often referred to furry animals generally), the princess flees her kingdom. She finds work as a scullery maid in another kingdom. Because of her dirty appearance in the animal skin cloak, she is often ridiculed and called names like "Catskin" or "Allerleirauh" (meaning "all sorts of fur").

On special occasions, such as royal balls, the princess secretly dresses in one of her beautiful dresses and attends the festivities, captivating the prince. However, she always disappears before he can discover her true identity. Eventually, the prince, enamored with her, becomes ill with longing. He insists that only a cake baked by Catskin can cure him.

When Catskin bakes the cake, she drops her ring into it. The prince finds the ring, recognizes it, and insists that only the woman whose finger fits the ring can be his bride. Catskin, still disguised, tries on the ring, and it fits. She reveals her true identity, and the prince marries her. In some versions, her father, the king, repents his actions.