The tale explains the belief that hazel branches have protective properties against snakes and other creatures. The story is a blend of a Marian legend and explanatory tale. She then collects the strawberries and decides that from that moment on, hazel branches will protect people from creatures of the earth.

Maria hides behind a hazel bush, which helps her avoid the snake. While picking strawberries, a snake appears and starts chasing her. In this short tale, Maria goes to the forest to gather strawberries for her sleeping baby Jesus. They published the first volume of their collection in 1812, and it included many well-known fairy tales, such as „Cinderella,“ „Hansel and Gretel,“ „Snow White,“ and „Rapunzel.“ Their work has since become a treasure trove of European folk literature, with a significant influence on the development of Western literature and popular culture. The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, were German academics and linguists who dedicated themselves to collecting and preserving folklore and traditional tales. „The Hazel Branch“ is a lesser-known fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in their famous compilation, „Grimm’s Fairy Tales“ (also known as „Children’s and Household Tales“ or „Kinder- und Hausmärchen“ in German). The Princess and the Pea Backgrounds to fairy tale „The Hazel Branch“ Therefore, from the most remote times, a green hazel-branch has been the safest protection against adders, snakes, and everything else which creeps on the earth. „As the hazel-bush has been my protection this time, it shall in future protect others also.“ Then she gathered the strawberries, and as she set out on her way home she said: She hid herself behind a hazel-bush, and stood there until the adder had crept away again. The adder darted after her but Our Lady, as you can readily understand, knew what it was best to do. She was alarmed, left the strawberries where they were, and hastened away. In the wood outside, she found a spot with the most beautiful strawberries but as she was stooping down to gather one, an adder sprang up out of the grass. Sleep sweetly, and in the meantime I will go into the wood, and fetch thee a handful of strawberries, for I know that thou wilt be pleased with them when thou awakest.“ „Hast thou laid thyself down to sleep, my child?“ Then his mother came to him, looked at him full of gladness, and said: One afternoon the Christ-child had laid himself in his cradle-bed and had fallen asleep.

Hazel by julie hearn