Stacey Rutten Illustration

Drew some bird women today for when the mum comes back as a bird to 'help' Ashputtle. In Carter's version, it seems as if the bird mum is controlling Ashputtle, getting her to do certain things, some unpleasant, such as stepping into the bloody shoe. Is the mother doing this because she wants to help her daughter? or because she is in competition with the step mother, and doesn't want her to be successful in gaining a Prince as a son-in-law?

Ashputtle with the bird/ mum