What is a soldier to do after the war is finished and he has nothing but the clothes on his back and his war gun. He makes a deal with the devil, who wouldn't take that deal. For seven years the soldier has endless gold. The catch is he has to wear a bearskin that he can never take off. If he does, or if he dies, the soldier's soul belongs to the devil. If the man succeeds he will be rich the rest of his life. The trooper soon learns the difficulties being stuck under a bearskin. People tolerate the sight and smell of the bear man because of his money. He gives the people some gold they'll let him sleep in the barn. He soon learns his endless money won't make him happy but it can help those of less fortune. He gives his money away to those in need in exchange for their prayers; in order to get his soul back he is forbidden from prayer to God. |
On returning to his betrothed after he has beaten the devil the soldier is cleaned up and an extremely handsome man. No one is able to tell his true identity. The two siblings who turned down the bear man swoon at this new gentleman. One daughter doesn't swoon because she is already betrothed; this is when he reveals himself.
In the Brothers Grimm telling the family isn't so lucky. The two other sisters are completely filled with jealousy and loathing. The two decide to commit suicide since they can not get their hands on this wealthy, handsome man. Some may say this is a tad extreme, I say it's punishment for judging someone who saves their father from prison and his daughters from being homeless.