A VERSION OF A VERY WIDESPREAD FAIRY TALE, STILL VIVID IN THE MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF THE BIHOR AREA

In the mountainous area of Bihor, traditional folktailes have been preserved, many of which resolve around the timeless conflict between good and evil. Beyound their narrative appeal, these folktails serve an important educational and moral function, offering life lessons to younger generation while safeguarding ancient local beliefs. One recurring motif is the portrayal of the stepmother – locally referred to as măștihoaie – as a symbol of malice in stark contrast to maternal love. A representative tale in this context is The story of the two sons with golden hair of the emperor, in which the protagonists embark on an initiatory journey marked by a series of metamorphoses: into fir trees, bed boards for royal chambers and golden-haired rams. These symbolic transformations draw from deep-rooted folk beliefs, emphasizing the enduring triumph of good over evil and illustrating the duality between cruelty and compassion.