Listen Full Story:
Read Full Story:
Once there was a very rich man who lived in a grand mansion far from the village. He had fine horses, glittering carriages, and servants who obeyed his every word. But there was one strange thing about him—his beard was an unnatural shade of blue. It was thick and shining, and though he was handsome in every other way, that blue beard made people uneasy. Many whispered that it made him look wicked, and some even said it was a sign of something dark inside him. Because of this, women were afraid to marry him, even though he was very wealthy.
Bluebeard had been married several times, but each of his wives had mysteriously disappeared. No one knew what had happened to them, and when people asked, he only gave a cold smile and said they had gone away on long journeys. Still, no one ever saw them again. In a nearby village lived a lady who had two beautiful daughters. Bluebeard visited her often, trying to choose one of the sisters to marry. Both girls were frightened of him at first, but he was polite, generous, and threw grand feasts that dazzled everyone. He gave them jewels, dresses, and golden cups. In time, the younger daughter began to think he might not be so bad after all.
Bluebeard asked for the younger sister’s hand in marriage, and her mother, tempted by his wealth, agreed. The wedding was splendid, with music, lights, and tables covered with food. Afterward, Bluebeard took his new wife to his great country house. It was full of beautiful furniture, mirrors, and fine carpets. The young bride was amazed at the richness of her new home. Her husband treated her kindly at first, giving her everything she could wish for. After some weeks, he told her that he must go on a journey for several days and gave her all the keys to the house.
“These keys,” said Bluebeard, “open all the rooms in my castle. You may go anywhere you wish—open every door, enjoy yourself, and invite your friends if you like. But this little golden key,” he said, handing her one smaller than the rest, “opens a small room at the end of the long corridor on the lower floor. You may not enter that room. I forbid it, and if you disobey me, you will bring great trouble upon yourself.” She promised to obey him, and Bluebeard kissed her and left.
As soon as he was gone, the young wife invited her sister, cousins, and friends to come see the castle. They ran from room to room in delight, laughing and admiring the splendid decorations. There were rooms filled with silver dishes, others with embroidered curtains and velvet chairs. The more they saw, the more curious they became. “Surely,” whispered her sister, “we must see every corner of this house. What harm can it do to look into the last room?” The young wife’s heart beat fast. She remembered her promise but felt a growing curiosity. After her friends had left, she stood before the forbidden door alone, holding the little golden key.
She hesitated for a long time, trembling. “My husband will never know,” she whispered. At last, she unlocked the door and pushed it open. At first, it was dark inside, and she could not see anything. But as her eyes adjusted to the light, she saw the floor was covered with blood. All around the room hung the bodies of Bluebeard’s former wives. They looked pale and lifeless, their dresses stained red. The young woman gasped in horror, dropping the key. She quickly picked it up, locked the door, and ran out trembling. Her hands shook so much she could hardly hold the key.
When she looked at it, she saw that it was stained with blood. Terrified, she tried to wipe it clean with her dress, but the blood would not come off. She washed it with soap and water, scrubbed it with sand, even used her finest cloths, but the blood stayed. It was a magic key, and nothing could make it clean again. Late that night, Bluebeard returned home earlier than expected. His wife did her best to hide her fear, but he noticed at once that something was wrong. “How did you pass your time while I was away?” he asked kindly. “Very well,” she said faintly. “I have visited my friends and looked after the house.”
“Good,” said Bluebeard. “And did you open all the doors with the keys I left you?” “Yes,” she said. “All except the one at the end of the corridor.” “And that,” said Bluebeard, “is exactly what I wished you to do. Now, give me back my keys.” Her heart sank as she handed them over. He examined each one carefully. At last, he held up the little golden key. “Why is there blood on this key?” he asked in a dreadful voice. “I don’t know,” she stammered. “It must be the fault of the lock.” “You are lying,” he shouted. “You went into the forbidden room! You shall go in again—but this time to stay forever.”
The poor wife fell to her knees, begging for forgiveness. She confessed her disobedience and promised never to do it again. Bluebeard’s face was cruel and cold. “You must die,” he said. “Tomorrow morning, prepare yourself.” She wept and clung to him, pleading for mercy, but he pushed her away. “You have one half-hour to make peace with God,” he said, “then I will come for you.” She ran up to her room and called her sister, Anne, who was staying in the castle. “Sister Anne,” she cried, “please climb to the top of the tower and see if our brothers are coming. They promised to visit me today.” Sister Anne went up to the tower and looked out across the fields.
“Do you see them, Sister Anne?” called the poor wife. “I see nothing but the sun shining and the green grass growing,” she answered. Bluebeard’s voice thundered from below, “Are you ready? Your time is up.” “Just a moment, please,” cried his wife, trying to gain time. “Sister Anne, do you see anyone coming?” “I see a great cloud of dust, but no riders,” she replied. Bluebeard shouted again, “Come down now! I will have no more delay.” The young woman began to cry. “Sister Anne, please look again!” “I see two horsemen far away,” said Anne at last. “Praise God,” cried her sister. “They must be our brothers!”
Bluebeard began to climb the stairs, his face red with rage, his sword in hand. “Come down!” he roared. “It’s no use praying now.” The wife fell to her knees, begging one last time, but he only raised his sword above her head. “Sister Anne!” she screamed. “Do you see them now?” “Yes,” cried Anne. “They are galloping fast! One is dressed in blue, the other in red.” Bluebeard lifted his sword high. “Say your prayers,” he said. At that moment, the brothers burst into the courtyard and rode through the doors. They ran up the stairs, swords drawn, and rushed into the room just as Bluebeard was about to strike. One brother thrust his sword through Bluebeard’s chest, and the other cut him down.
Bluebeard fell to the floor dead, his blue beard dark with blood. The young wife threw herself into her brothers’ arms, trembling and crying with relief. They comforted her and led her out of the dreadful castle. Afterward, she inherited all of Bluebeard’s wealth, for he had no children or family left. She used part of it to provide dowries for her sister Anne and to buy fine clothes for her brothers. She gave much to the poor and was kind to everyone. After some time, she married a good and honest man who loved her dearly. With him, she lived peacefully for the rest of her life, free from fear and sorrow.
People in the village often spoke about Bluebeard’s strange castle and the secret room that no one dared open again. Some said the key had been cursed by magic to reveal the truth, while others said it was a warning to all who disobeyed their conscience. But the young woman never forgot the lesson she had learned—that curiosity can sometimes lead to danger, and that courage and patience can bring salvation. She lived long and happily, surrounded by her family and friends, and never again did she meet anyone with a beard of blue.
Years later, when her children asked about the scarlet key she kept in a silver box, she told them the story of how she once almost lost her life because of her disobedience. “Remember,” she would say gently, “it is good to be curious, but it is better to be wise.” And so the tale of Bluebeard was told for generations to remind people that secrets sometimes hide dreadful truths, and that bravery and faith can overcome even the darkest evil.
The villagers eventually turned Bluebeard’s castle into a quiet place where travelers could rest. The dreadful room was sealed forever, its door covered with stones. Flowers grew in the courtyard, and birds sang in the garden again. The young woman, now older and wiser, often walked there with her children, telling them stories about kindness, forgiveness, and courage. Though she had once faced death in that very house, she no longer felt afraid. For she knew that even in the darkest times, light could return again.
And when she grew old, people still came to her for advice and comfort. They called her “the lady who outlived the blue-bearded man.” Her story became a lesson about love, honesty, and the dangers of breaking trust. But most of all, it was remembered as the story of a woman who kept her faith and found freedom from fear, proving that even the most terrible secrets cannot hide forever.