Plot Summary

This fairy tale, based on an old French legend, takes place in the Middle Ages at the court of King Pepin. The king wants to marry and, on the advice of Duke Akilon, decides to court the Hungarian princess Bertha. Although the princess has a physical flaw—her feet are too large—Pepin does not care much about that. He remembers how he was friends with Bertha as a little boy and even then admired her bravery. Duke Akilon therefore sets off for Hungary to ask for Princess Bertha's hand in marriage for his king. However, he has his own plan and has no idea what will thwart it.