Grimm's Fairy Tales, All 250 Children's and Household Tales of The Brothers Grimm, Editor Lord Henfield 2022
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Writabrata SenguptaGrimm's Fairy Tales, All 250 Children's and Household Tales of The Brothers Grimm, Editor Lord Henfield 2022
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Writabrata SenguptaALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
TO AUNT FREEDA
THIS DOCUMENT BY LORD HENFIELD CONTAINS ALL 250 FAIRY TALES AND FRAGMENTS
IN ENGLISH THAT HAVE EVER BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM!
DOCUMENT FORMAT: SEARCHABLE AND PRINTABLE PDF.
YOU MAY SHARE THIS WORK WITH ANYONE.
HOWEVER, ANY COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION OF
THIS WORK, OR PARTS OF IT, IS PROHIBITED.
The two red frontispieces were designed by Robert Anning Bell (1862–1933)
for Grimm's Household Tales, trans. Marian Edwardes, New York 1912
Book cover: Lith. Emrik & Binger for Snakerijen van Tyl Uilenspiegel,
B. Theod. Bom. Amsterdam, 1873; all re-designed by Lord Henfield, 2022
Short English title:
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Full English title:
All 250 Children's And Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm,
Editor Lord Henfield 2022
This English version
is a complete excerpt of all English parts
from the original trilingual work "Grimm's Fairy Tales,
All 250 Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, in English, Dutch, German,
Editor Lord Henfield, 2022"
Translation of the 211 official Grimm fairy tales: Margaret Hunt, 1882
(The trilingual work contains the original texts in Low German, and Upper
German translated into Standard German, Dutch, Afrikaans and Frisian.)
MANAGING EDITOR
Lord Henfield
CONSULTANT EDITOR
Aurelia Koning
FIRST EDITION
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield
Copyright © 2022 by Guildford Scientific Press
All rights reserved.
http//www.Internet Archive.org
email to: [email protected]
Notice that many of the newer translations in the Grimm's Fairy Tales are subject to copyright. As all translations in the
Grimm's Fairy Tales are available in the internet for free, Lord Henfield's Fairy Tales too is a non-profit publication.
The translators have done an important work. Showing their translations supports their culturally and historically valuable
work. You may share this work with anyone. However, any commercial distribution of this work is prohbited.
MADE IN ENGLAND
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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OF THIS WORK IS PROHBITED.
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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TABLE OF CONTENTS PART 1 Page
The code "KHM" stands for Kinder- und Hausmärchen,
"Children and Household Tales," denoting within the title that ORIGINAL DOUBLE FRONTISPIECE 72
there are two different tales to be found in this publication. The Ludwig Emil Grimm (1790–1863), 1819
titles are those as of 1857. Some titles in 1812 were different. All
editions from 1812 until 1857 split the stories into two volumes.
• KHM 1. The Frog King, or Iron Heinrich (Iron 75
One could say that from a modern point of view, the Grimms had
Henry)
missed the opportunity to re-arrange the tales into one volume
• KHM 2. Cat and Mouse in Partnership 76
digestable for smaller children and to reserve the second volume
only to be read by adults. However, we must recognise that in the • KHM 3. Mary's Child 77
mindset of earlier generations, violence and death was viewed as a • KHM 4. The Story of the Youth Who Went Forth 78
normal part of life; a point we modern and sophisticated and to Learn What Fear Was
always political correct humans need to reflect on for some time to • KHM 5. The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids 81
come. Already the Buddha figured out that suffering and death • KHM 6. Faithful John or Trusty John 83
belongs to a human's life as birth and happiness. Advice: Read the • KHM 7. The Good Bargain 85
tales before you decide to share them with your children. Grimm's • KHM 8. The Wonderly Musician or The Strange 87
title "Children and House Tales" suggests already that some of the Musician
tales are for children but others are for "the House," meaning • KHM 9. The Twelve Brothers 88
adults, to consume. • KHM 10. The Pack of Ragamuffins 90
This book is designed as computer-readable pdf from which you
• KHM 11. Little Brother and Little Sister 90
easily can copy parts and paste them into an MS-Word document
• KHM 12. Rapunzel 93
in order to print them separately according to your needs. Similar
• KHM 13. The Three Little Men in the Woods 94
to the Grand Bible, here also, you will find a couple of image
plates right after this Table of Contents. Name and a short • KHM 14. The Three Spinning Women 96
introduction gives you information on the contents of each single • KHM 15. Hansel and Gretel 97
tale. • KHM 16. The Three Snake-Leaves 100
The official Parts (volumes) 1 and 2 of The Children and • KHM 17. The White Snake 101
Household Tales contain 201 listings, as "KHM 1" to "KHM • KHM 18. The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean 102
200" in numerical sequence, plus the inserted "KHM 151a", plus • KHM 19. The Fisherman and His Wife 103
10 Children's Legends marked as KL ##. • KHM 20. The Brave Little Tailor or The Valiant 105
Lord Henfield's Children and House Tales contain an additional Little Tailor or The Gallant Tailor
section called "Part 3," 'Fairy Tales Removed From Earlier • KHM 21. Cinderella 108
Editions'." It contains 40 listings that once were banned from the • KHM 22. The Riddle 110
official Grimm's Collection. They are are numbered such as "1812
• KHM 23. The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage 112
KHM ###." Therefore, the usual or official collection of just
• KHM 24. Mother Holle or Mother Hulda or Old 112
211 items has increased to 251.
Mother Frost
• KHM 25. The Seven Ravens 113
INHALT / INHOUD / CONTENTS • KHM 26. Little Red Riding Hood or Little Red 114
Cap
TITLE Page • KHM 27. The Bremen Town Musicians 116
• KHM 28. The Singing Bone 117
DOUBLE FRONTISPIECE 4-5 • KHM 29. The Devil With the Three Golden Hairs 118
Robert Anning Bell (1862–1933), 1912 • KHM 30. The Louse and the Flea 120
• KHM 31. The Girl Without Hands or The Handless 120
TABLE OF CONTENTS 7 Maiden
• KHM 32. Clever Hans 122
THE IMAGE PLATES 12 • KHM 33. The Three Languages 123
Walter Crane (1845–1915) double frontispiece 16 • KHM 34. Clever Elsie or Clever Elsa 124
Carl Offterdinger (1829–1889) 28 • KHM 35. The Tailor in Heaven 125
Henry Justice Ford (1860–1941) 47 • KHM 36. The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Ass, and 126
Elenore Plaisted Abbott (1875–1935) 51 the Cudgel in the Sack
Alexander Zick (1845–1907) 52 • KHM 37. Thumbling or Tom Thumb 129
• KHM 38. The Wedding of Mrs. Fox 131
FOREWORD 63 • KHM 39. The Elves and the Shoemaker 132
INTRODUCTION 63 • KHM 40. The Robber Bridegroom 133
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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• KHM 41. Herr Korbes 134 PART 2 Page
• KHM 42. The Godfather 135
• KHM 43. Frau Trude 135 DOUBLE FRONTISPIECE 196
• KHM 44. Godfather Death 136 Hermann Wilhelm Vogel, 1910
• KHM 45. Thumbling's Travels or Tom Thumb's 137 Ludwig Emil Grimm (1790–1863), 1819
Travels
• KHM 46. Fitcher's Bird 138 • KHM 87. The Poor Man and the Rich Man 199
• KHM 47. The Juniper Tree (or The Gin Tree, not: 139 • KHM 88. The Singing, Springing Lark 200
The Almond Tree) • KHM 89. The Goose Girl 202
• KHM 48. Old Sultan 142 • KHM 90. The Young Giant 204
• KHM 49. The Six Swans 143 • KHM 91. The Elves or The Gnome 206
• KHM 50. Little Briar Rose or Sleeping Beauty 144 • KHM 92. The King of the Gold Mountain 208
• KHM 51. Bird-Foundling 146 • KHM 93. The Raven 210
• KHM 52. King Thrushbeard 146 • KHM 94. The Peasant's Wise Daughter 211
• KHM 53. Little Snow White 148 • KHM 95. Old Hildebrand 212
• KHM 54. The Knapsack, the Hat, and the Horn 151 • KHM 96. The Three Little Birds 214
• KHM 55. Rumpelstiltskin 153 • KHM 97. The Water of Life 215
• KHM 56. Sweetheart Roland 154 • KHM 98. Doctor Know-all 217
• KHM 57. The Golden Bird 155 • KHM 99. The Spirit in the Bottle 217
• KHM 58. The Dog and the Sparrow 158 • KHM 100. The Devil's Sooty Brother 219
• KHM 59. Frederick and Catherine 159 • KHM 101. Bearskin 220
• KHM 60. The Two Brothers 161 • KHM 102. The Willow Wren and the Bear 222
• KHM 61. The Little Peasant 167 • KHM 103. Sweet Porridge 222
• KHM 62. The Queen Bee 169 • KHM 104. Wise Folks 223
• KHM 63. The Three Feathers 170 • KHM 105. Tales of the Paddock 224
• KHM 64. The Golden Goose 171 • KHM 106. The Poor Miller's Boy and the Cat 225
• KHM 65. Allerleirauh or All-Kinds-of-Fur or Cat- 172 • KHM 107. The Two Travellers 226
Skin • KHM 108. Hans My Hedgehog 229
• KHM 66. The Hare's Bride 174 • KHM 109. The Shroud 230
• KHM 67. The Twelve Huntsmen 175 • KHM 110. The Jew Among Thorns 231
• KHM 68. The Thief and His Master 176 • KHM 111. The Skillful Huntsman 232
• KHM 69. Jorinde and Joringel 176 • KHM 112. The Flail from Heaven 234
• KHM 70. The Three Sons of Fortune 177 • KHM 113. The Two Kings' Children 235
• KHM 71. How Six Men got on in the World 178 • KHM 114. The Cunning Little Tailor or The Story 237
• KHM 72. The Wolf and the Man 180 of a Clever Tailor
• KHM 73. The Wolf and the Fox 180 • KHM 115. The Bright Sun Brings it to Light 238
• KHM 74. Gossip Wolf and the Fox 181 • KHM 116. The Blue Light 239
• KHM 75. The Fox and the Cat 181 • KHM 117. The Willful Child 240
• KHM 76. The Pink 182 • KHM 118. The Three Army Surgeons 240
• KHM 77. Clever Gretel 183 • KHM 119. The Seven Swabians 241
• KHM 78. The Old Man and his Grandson 184 • KHM 120. The Three Apprentices 242
• KHM 79. The Water Nixie 184 • KHM 121. The King's Son Who Feared Nothing 243
• KHM 80. The Death of the Little Hen 185 • KHM 122. Donkey Cabbages 245
• KHM 81. Brother Lustig 185 • KHM 123. The Old Woman in the Wood 247
• KHM 82. Gambling Hansel 188 • KHM 124. The Three Brothers 248
• KHM 83. Hans in Luck 189 • KHM 125. The Devil and His Grandmother 248
• KHM 84. Hans Married 191 • KHM 126. Ferdinand the Faithful and Ferdinand 249
• KHM 85. The Gold-Children 191 the Unfaithful
• KHM 86. The Fox and the Geese 193 • KHM 127. The Iron Stove 251
• KHM 128. The Lazy Spinner 252
• KHM 129. The Four Skillful Brothers 253
• KHM 130. One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes 254
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• KHM 131. Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie 257 Little Folks' Presents
• KHM 132. The Fox and the Horse 257 • KHM 183. The Giant and the Tailor 300
• KHM 133. The Shoes that were Danced to Pieces 258 • KHM 184. The Nail 300
• KHM 134. The Six Servants 259 • KHM 185. The Poor Boy in the Grave 301
• KHM 135. The White and the Black Bride 261 • KHM 186. The True Bride 302
• KHM 136. Iron John 262 • KHM 187. The Hare and the Hedgehog 304
• KHM 137. The Three Black Princesses 265 • KHM 188. Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle 305
• KHM 138. Knoist and his Three Sons 266 • KHM 189. The Peasant and the Devil 306
• KHM 139. The Maid of Brakel 266 • KHM 190. The Crumbs on the Table 306
• KHM 140. My Household 266 • KHM 191. The Sea-Hare 307
• KHM 141. The Lambkin and the Little Fish 266 • KHM 192. The Master Thief 308
• KHM 142. Simeli Mountain 267 • KHM 193. The Drummer 310
• KHM 143. Going a Traveling 268 • KHM 194. The Ear of Corn 313
• KHM 144. The Donkey or The Little Donkey 268 • KHM 195. The Grave Mound 313
• KHM 145. The Ungrateful Son 269 • KHM 196. Old Rinkrank 315
• KHM 146. The Turnip 270 • KHM 197. The Crystal Ball 315
• KHM 147. The Old Man Made Young Again 270 • KHM 198. Maid Maleen 316
• KHM 148. The Lord's and the Devil's Animals 271 • KHM 199. The Boots of Buffalo Leather 318
• KHM 149. The Beam 271 • KHM 200. The Golden Key 319
• KHM 150. The Old Beggar Woman 272
• KHM 151. The Three Sluggards 272
• KHM 151a. The Twelve Idle Servants 272 CHILDREN'S LEGENDS 321
• KHM 152. The Shepherd Boy 273 [First appeared in the G. Reimer 1819 edition at the
• KHM 153. The Star Money 274 end of volume 2.]
• KHM 154. The Stolen Farthings 274
• KHM 155. Looking for a Bride 274 • KL 1. oder KHM 201. Saint Joseph in the Forest 321
• KHM 156. Odds and Ends or The Hurds 275 • KL 2. oder KHM 202. The Twelve Apostles 322
• KHM 157. The Sparrow and His Four Children 275 • KL 3. oder KHM 203. The Rose 322
• KHM 158. The Story of Schlauraffen Land 276 • KL 4. oder KHM 204. Poverty and Humility Lead 322
• KHM 159. The Ditmarsch Tale of Lies 276 to Heaven
• KHM 160. A Riddling Tale 276 • KL 5. oder KHM 205. God's Food 323
• KHM 161. Snow-White and Rose-Red 277 • KL 6. oder KHM 206. The Three Green Twigs 323
• KHM 162. The Wise Servant 279 • KL 7. oder KHM 207. The Blessed Virgin's Little 324
• KHM 163. The Glass Coffin 279 Glass or Our Lady's Little Glass
• KHM 164. Lazy Harry or Lazy Henry 281 • KL 8. oder KHM 208. The Little Old Lady or The 324
• KHM 165. The Griffin 282 Aged Mother
• KHM 166. Strong Hans 284 • KL 9. oder KHM 209. The Heavenly Marriage or 324
• KHM 167. The Peasant in Heaven 286 The Heavenly Wedding
• KHM 168. Lean Lisa 286 • KL 10. oder KHM 210. The Hazel Branch 325
• KHM 169. The Hut in the Forest 286
• KHM 170. Sharing Joy and Sorrow 288
• KHM 171. The Willow Wren 288 PART 3 Page
• KHM 172. The Sole 289 (Fairy tales removed from earlier editions)
• KHM 173. The Bittern and the Hoopoe 290
• KHM 174. The Owl 290 DOUBLE FRONTISPIECE 328
• KHM 175. The Moon 291 Münchener Bilderbogen No 48, c.1855
• KHM 176. The Duration of Life 291 Ludwig Emil Grimm (1790–1863), 1819
• KHM 177. Death's Messengers 292
• KHM 178. Master Pfriem 293 • 1812 KHM 6. Of The Nightingale And The 331
• KHM 179. The Goose-Girl at the Well 294 Blindworm (Deaf Adder, Slow Worm; Limbless
• KHM 180. Eve's Various Children 297 Lizard)
• KHM 181. The Nixie of the Mill-Pond 297 • 1812 KHM 8. The Hand With The Knife 331
• KHM 182. The Gifts of the Little People or The 299
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• 1812 KHM 16. Herr Fix-Und-Fertig (Herr "fixed 331
and ready")
• 1812 KHM 22. The Children Who Played 332
Slaughtering Together
• 1812 KHM 27. Death And The Goose Keeper 333
• 1812 KHM 33. Puss In Boots 333
• 1812 KHM 37. Of The Napkin, The Knapsack, The 335
Cannon Shell (correctly: Hat, Shako) And The Horn
• 1812 KHM 43. The Gruesome Meal 336
• 1812 KHM 54. Hans Dumb or Foolish Hans 336
• 1812 KHM 59. The Swan Prince 337
• 1812 KHM 60. The Golden Egg 338
• 1812 KHM 61. Of The Tailor Who Soon Got Rich 338
• 1812 KHM 62. Bluebeard 339
• 1812 KHM 64. Of the Simpler or Of the Fool 340
• 1812 KHM 66. Hurleburlebutz 343
• 1812 KHM 68. Of The Summer And Winter Garden 343
• 1812 KHM 70. The Okerlo 344
• 1812 KHM 71. Princess Mouse Skin 345
• 1812 KHM 72. The Little Pear Will Not Fall 346
• 1812 KHM 73. The Murder Castle 347
• 1812 KHM 74. Of John Wassersprung and Caspar 348
Wassersprung
• 1812 KHM 75. The Phoenix Bird 349
• 1812 KHM 77. Of The Carpenter and Turner 349
• 1812 KHM 81. The Smith and the Devil 350
• 1812 KHM 82. The Three Sisters 350
• 1812 KHM 84. The Mother-in-Law (Fragment) 353
• 1812 KHM 85. Fragments 354
• 1815 KHM 99. The Frog Prince (Prince Frog) 356
• 1815 KHM 104. The Faithful Animals 356
• 1815 KHM 107. The Crows 357
• 1815 KHM 119. The Sluggard and the Diligent 358
• 1815 KHM 122. The Long Nose 359
• 1815 KHM 129. The Lion and the Frog 360
• 1815 KHM 130. The Soldier and the Carpenter 361
• 1815 KHM 136. The Wild Man 362
• 1815 KHM 143. The Starving Children 364
• 1815 KHM 152. The Holy Woman Kummernis 364
• 1840 KHM 175. The Accident 364
• 1843 KHM 182. Princess and the Pea (H. C. 364
Andersen)
• 1843 KHM 191. The Robber and His Sons 365
• 1856 FRAGMENTS (from the Annotations, i.e. 367
Part 3 [Volume 3]; 1822 or 1856)
Bibliography 369
The Author 372
In-House Advertising
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PICTORIAL
DOCUMENTATION
THE IMAGE PLATES
1. FRONTISPIECES BY LUDWIG EMIL GRIMM
(First frontispiece and the title wreaths)
2. IMAGES BY WALTER CRANE
(12 large scale monochrome engravings)
3. IMAGES BY CARL OFFTERDINGER
(18 large scale chromolithographs)
4. IMAGES BY HENRY JUSTICE FORD
(3 large scale monochrome engravings;
the 4th engraving is by ElenoreAbbott)
5. IMAGES BY ALEXANDER ZICK
(8 large scale chromolithographs)
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THE IMAGE PLATES
Most fairy tales, as interesting as they may be, became world famous largely due to their
suspenseful illustrations. Beside Ludwig Emil Grimm, jounger brother of Wilhelm and Jacob
Grimm and the earliest illustrator of Grimm's Fairy Tales, there are five others who
captivated the fantasy of Victorian readers:
• Carl Offterdinger (1829–1889) was a German genre painter and illustrator from Stuttgart.
He was a student of Heinrich von Rustige and he is particularly known for his paintings of
literary works such as The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann, Till
Eulenspiegel, Robinson Crusoe, the Leatherstocking Tales, Gulliver's Travels and fairy tales
from the Brothers Grimm. Together with Heinrich Leutemann, Carl Offterdinger illustrated a
German fairytale collection called "Mein erstes Märchenbuch" (My first Fairytale Book),
published in 1895. Some of his illustrations are now included in the Boston Harbor Museum.
• Walter Crane (1845–1915) was an English artist and book illustrator. Son of Thomas
Crane, a wellknown English portrait painter, he is considered to be the most influential, and
among the most prolific, children's book creators of his generation. He was part of the Arts
and Crafts movement and produced an array of paintings, illustrations, children's books,
ceramic tiles, wallpapers and other decorative arts. His sister Lucy Crane (1842–1882) a
gifted writer and musician, translated Grimm's fairy tales. It was one of those projects, they
worked on together.
• Alexander Zick (1845–1907) was a German portraitist, genre painter and illustrator.
Alexander was the greatgrandson of the painter and architect Januarius Zick, the son of fresco
artist Johannes Zick. Initially, he studied sculpture at the Royal Prussian Art Academy in
Düsseldorf, later he switched to painting and became a student of Eduard Bendemann and of
Alexandre Cabanel in Paris. Although active as a history painter, he was soon known
primarily as an illustrator and he made drawings for fairy tales, for magazines such as "Die
Gartenlaube", but also for an edition of Goethe's Faust.
• Henry Justice Ford (1860–1941) was a prolific and successful English artist and illustrator,
active from 1886 through to the late 1920s. He was a student of Cambridge University as
well as of German-born painter Hubert von Herkomer. Sometimes known as H. J. Ford or
Henry J. Ford, he came to public attention when he provided the numerous beautiful
illustrations for Andrew Lang's massive 12-volume Fairy Books, which captured the
imagination of generations of British children and were sold worldwide in the 1880s and
1890s.
• Elenore Plaisted Abbott (1875–1935) was an American book illustrator, set designer, and
painter. Abbott was educated at three art schools in Philadelphia and Paris and influenced by
Howard Pyle. She was among a group of New Women who sought educational and
professional opportunities for women, including creating professional art associations like
The Plastic Club to promote their work. She illustrated Robinson Crusoe, Kidnapped, and
some editions of Grimm's Fairy Tales from the early 20th century.
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IMAGES BY WALTER CRANE
(12 large scale monochrome engravings)
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IMAGES BY CARL OFFTERDINGER
(18 large scale chromolithographs)
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IMAGES BY HENRY JUSTICE FORD
(3 large scale monochrome engravings;
the 4th engraving is by ElenoreAbbott)
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IMAGES BY ALEXANDER ZICK
(8 large scale chromolithographs)
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FOREWORD INTRODUCTION
The oral tradition of the fairy tale came long before writing. WORD ORIGIN AND MEANING
Tales were told or enacted dramatically, rather than writing them The usual English title "Children's and Household Tales" is
down. They were handed down from generation to generation by partially wrong as these tales have nothing to do with a
mouth. Because of this, the history of their development is "household" in its meaning "the staff of the house." The German
necessarily obscure and blurred. Fairy tales appear, now and again, title "Kinder- Und Hausmärchen" means "Children's and Home
in written literature throughout literate cultures. The first famous Tales" or more precisely "Children's and Homeland Tales." This is
Western fairy tales are those of "Aesop" (6th century BC) in how Dutch, Afrikaans, Frisian, and German speakers understand
ancient Greece. In China, Daoist philosophers such as Liezi and this title still to this very day. In this sense, "homeland" refers to
Zhuangzi, recounted fairy tales in their philosophical works. And the ordinary people of earlier times.
Magical tales, such as "Bel and the Dragon" found their way even The English word "fairytale" derives from the Late Middle
into the Bible. (See: The Grand Bible, Internet Archive.) English "faerie," meaning "fairyland." It became "fairy" or just
The fairy tale itself resurfaced in Western literature in the 16th "fay" in Early Modern English. A fairy is an imaginary
and 17th centuries, with Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene", supernatural being, usually represented in diminutive human form.
William Shakespeare's "King Lear," "The Facetious Nights of It has to do with "fate" and derives via Old French "feie" from the
Straparola" by Giovanni Francesco Straparola (Italy, 1550 and Latin noun "fatum" and its verb "fari" meaning "oracular
1553) and the "Neapolitan Tales" of Giambattista Basile (Naples, utterance," an "inevitable fortune" that befalls a person or thing.
1634–36), which are all fairy tales. Pu Songling (1640–1715), in This word has survived in Portuguese as "falar," in Italian as
China, included many fairy tales in his collection, "Strange Stories "parlare," and French as "parler." It has also survived in our
from a Chinese Studio" (published posthumously in 1766). The modern word "parliament" for "talking edifice."
fairy tale itself became popular among upper-class people in The word "tale" is of Germanic origin and is related to the
France (1690–1710), and among the tales told in that time were English verb "to tell," the Dutch noun "taal" (language, speech)
the ones of Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) and the "Contes" of and its verb "vertellen" (to tell), the German noun "Erzählung"
Charles Perrault (1697), who fixed the forms of "Sleeping Beauty" (story, narration) and its verb "erzählen" (to tell).
and "Cinderella." Although Straparola's, Basile's and Perrault's The Standard German noun "das Märchen" or "die Mär" derives
collections contain the oldest known forms of various fairy tales, via Middle High German "daz maere" or "diu maere" from Old
modern writers rewrote the tales for literary effect. The Grimm High German "mari" and denotes "message, news, rumour." The
brothers were among the first modern compilers to try to preserve German suffix "-chen" transforms the noun into a diminutive. So,
the features of oral tales. They recorded lots of them from "das Märchen" is a little "Mär."
ordinary folks. We should be glad that they did as nowadays there
is no one who passes stories on by mouth nor is there anyone who ABOUT FAIRY TALES
can tell a story. Folktales have been transformed to film and Fairy tales are an important and very old text genre in oral
computer games. tradition and occur in all cultures. Fairy tales are prose texts that
Andrew Lang (1844–1912), one of the greatest tale collectors, tell of wondrous events. In contrast to the oral and anonymous
formulated the value of fairy tales: "In the old stories, despite the folk tale, there is the form of the artificial fairy tale, the author of
impossibility of the incidents, the interest is always real and which is well-known, such as Hans Christian Andersen. In contrast
human. The princes and princesses fall in love and marry. Nothing to saga and legend, a fairy tale is fictitious and its plot is not fixed
could be more human than that. Their lives and loves are crossed in either time or place. The demarcation between mythological
by human sorrows. The hero and heroine are persecuted or legends and fairy tales is blurred, both genres are closely related.
separated by cruel stepmothers or enchanters; they have A well-known example of this is the fairy tale The Sleeping Beauty,
wanderings and sorrows to suffer; they have adventures to achieve which seems to be a very simplified version of the Nibelungen saga.
and difficulties to overcome; they must display courage, loyalty Despite, or even because of, the storytellers' inventiveness,
and address, courtesy, gentleness and gratitude. Thus they are almost all of their stories contain a core of truth intended to
living in a real human world, though it wears a mythical face, captivate children and other listeners; and these contents deal with
though there are giants and lions in the way. The old fairy tales laziness and diligence, with complacency and drive, with cleverness
which a silly sort of people disparage as too wicked and ferocious and stupidity, with love and hate, with success and failure, with
for the nursery, are really 'full of matter,' and unobtrusively teach justice and injustice, with virtue and vice, with faithfulness and
the true lessons of our wayfaring in a world of perplexities and unfaithfulness, with truth and lies, with desire and displeasure, of
obstacles." good and evil. Only those who understand these positive and
One of the reasons for the success of Grimm's Fairy Tales was the negative commandments have a chance of a good life. It was so in
simplicity of their language. In 1946, George Orwell wrote about the past, it is so today, and it will be so in the future. Those who
the importance of a short, precise and clear language because it tell us that all their troubles stem solely from their origins are
shapes the way we think. As professional linguists, the Grimms lying not only to us, but to themselves. In their fairy tales, the
understood that much earlier. The tales of the Brothers Grimm Brothers Grimm displayed all these factors before our very eyes.
remain a treasure not only for linguists and folklorists but for In German-speaking countries, the term fairy tale was coined in
everyone who loves to read in order to dive into a world of fantasy particular by the collection of the Brothers Grimm. Misery,
and fairy dreams. exploitation, poverty, hunger, greed and the explosive growth of
Lord Henfield, 2022. cities showed them where the journey might lead. In their youth,
they experienced the effects of the Industrial Revolution as a shock.
The loss of life from famine, the French Revolution, and the
Napoleonic Wars were certainly some of the points that made the
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Brothers Grimm want to preserve the ancient tales of the common At Marburg they came under the influence of Clemens Brentano,
people. who awakened in both a love of folk poetry, and Friedrich Karl
Fairy tales are characterised, among other things, by the von Savigny, co-founder of the historical school of jurisprudence,
appearance of fantastic elements in the form of animals that speak who taught them a method of antiquarian investigation that
and act like humans, sorcery with the help of witches or magicians, formed the real basis of all their later work. Others, too, strongly
giants and dwarfs, ghosts and mythical creatures (unicorns, influenced the Grimms, particularly the philosopher Johann
dragons, etc.). All of these figures represent one or another Gottfried Herder (1744–1803), with his ideas on folk poetry.
variant of virtue and vice. Many fairy tales have social-realistic or Essentially, they remained individuals, creating their work
social-utopian traits and can say a lot about social conditions such according to their own principles.
as domination, servitude, poverty and hunger or even family In 1805 Jacob Grimm accompanied Friedrich Karl von Savigny
structures in the distant past. The blatant depiction of vice and to Paris in order to do research on legal manuscripts of the Middle
brutality on the one hand, and that of virtue and beneficence on Ages; the following year he became secretary to the war office in
the other, lead readers or listeners of fairy tales into the abyss of Kassel. Because of his health, Wilhelm remained without regular
the human psyche, but also offer a solution as to how one can pull employment until 1814. After the French entered in 1806, Jacob
oneself out of this misery. Man is not ruled by his consciousness became private librarian to King Jérôme of Westphalia in 1808
but - and the Buddha and Sigmund Freud already recognised this - and a year later auditeur of the Conseil d'État but returned to
by his subconscious or "unconscious". And this unconsciousness is Hessian service in 1813 after Napoleon's defeat. As secretary to the
reduced to the two opposing basic attitudes: "desire and legation, he went twice to Paris (1814–15), to recover precious
displeasure." books and paintings taken by the French from Hesse and Prussia.
The elitist representatives of modern affluent society do not like He also took part in the Congress of Vienna (September 1814–
to hear it: laziness and wanting to play the role of victimhood will June 1815). Meantime, Wilhelm had become secretary at the
not get anyone anywhere; they cannot present happiness to anyone Elector's library in Kassel (1814), and Jacob joined him there in
on the silver platter. Greed and benevolence are two other 1816.
opposing basic attitudes in the same category as desire and By that time the brothers had definitely given up thoughts of a
displeasure, which also appear again and again in fairy tales. legal career in favour of purely literary research. In the years to
Diligence and perseverance can offer a way out for which no state follow they lived frugally and worked steadily, laying the
social network can really offer a substitute. Another, but related, foundations for their lifelong interests. Their whole thinking was
theme in fairy tales is the dangers that may threaten one. Proper rooted in the social and political changes of their time and the
education has nothing to do with the indoctrination of ideologies challenge these changes held. Jacob and Wilhelm had nothing in
but with the training of one's own powers of judgement. common with the fashionable "Gothic" Romanticism of the 18th
and 19th centuries. Their state of mind made them more Realists
SHORT BIOGRAPHY ON THE GRIMM BROTHERS than Romantics. They investigated the distant past and saw in
If we ever want to understand history, we have to have some antiquity the foundation of all social institutions of their days.
basic information of the persons and their biography. This But their efforts to preserve these foundations did not mean that
includes in particular the person's: first language, religion or they wanted to return to the past. From the beginning, the
philosophical background, the teachers, the family, the geography, Grimms sought to include material from beyond their own
the relationships, as well as the long string of events that forms a frontiers—from the literary traditions of Scandinavia, Spain, The
person's personality and character. Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, England, Serbia, and Finland.
The German Grimm Brothers are famous for their classic They first collected folk songs and tales for their friends Achim
collections of folk songs and folktales. Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm von Arnim and Clemens Brentano, who had collaborated on an
(b. Jan. 4, 1785, Hanau, Hesse-Kassel [Germany]—d. Sept. 20, influential collection of folk lyrics in 1805, and the brothers
1863, Berlin) and Wilhelm Carl Grimm (b. Feb. 24, 1786, Hanau, examined in some critical essays the essential difference between
Hesse-Kassel [Germany]—d. Dec. 16, 1859, Berlin) were best folk literature and other writing. To them, folk poetry was the
known for Kinder- und Hausmärchen (1812–22; also called only true poetry, expressing the eternal joys and sorrows, the
Grimm's Fairy Tales), which led to the birth of the science of hopes and fears of mankind.
folklore. Jacob especially did important work in historical
linguistics and Germanic philology. "The German Grammar"
During this creative period in Kassel, Jacob Grimm worked on
Beginnings and Kassel Period the German grammar. The title is misleading because it is not a
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were the oldest in a family of five dry, schematic description of the structure of contemporary
brothers and one sister. Their father, Philipp Wilhelm, a lawyer, language. Rather, Jacob Grimm wanted "to conjure up a
was town clerk in Hanau and later justiciary in Steinau, another historical life with all the flow of joyful development in it". The
small Hessian town, where his father and grandfather had been extensive work refers to all Germanic languages, their connections
ministers of the Calvinistic Reformed Church. The father's death and their historical development. The first volume initially dealt
in 1796 brought social hardships to the family; the death of the with inflection, the second with word formation. Jacob Grimm
mother in 1808 left 23-year-old Jacob with the responsibility of did not complete a complete manuscript, but had sheet after sheet
four brothers and one sister. Jacob, a scholarly type, was small and printed once he had written the required amount of text. With a
slender with sharply cut features, while Wilhelm was taller, had a period of 14 months from January 1818 to the summer of 1819,
softer face, and was sociable and fond of all the arts. the printing of the first volume corresponded exactly to the period
After attending the high school in Kassel, the brothers followed in which Jacob Grimm worked on the work. By 1822 he had
their father's footsteps and studied law at the University of completely revised the first volume so that it was now more
Marburg (1802–06) with the intention of entering civil service. concerned with the formation of sounds. As with the first volume,
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he again wrote and printed sheet after sheet and continued this Croker's Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland,
principle until 1826 with the now officially second volume of the prefacing the edition with a lengthy introduction of their own on
Deutsche Grammatik. fairy lore. At the same time, the Grimms gave their attention to
In this groundbreaking work, Jacob Grimm was the first to the written documents of early literature, bringing out new
follow the development of languages (today called "Indo- editions of ancient texts, from both the Germanic and other
European" or "Indo-European") and the laws of sound change in languages. Wilhelm's outstanding contribution was Die deutsche
vowels and consonants. In doing so, he laid the foundation for Heldensage ("The German Heroic Tale"), a collection of themes
modern etymology, research into the origin of words and word and names from heroic legends mentioned in literature and art
components, taking into account word formation, inflection, from the 6th to the 16th centuries, together with essays on the art
sound change and change of meaning in various (related) of the saga.
languages. Jacob Grimm himself wrote: "Scientific word research While collaborating on these subjects for two decades (1806–26),
could not thrive in the Greeks and Romans, let alone in our Jacob also turned to the study of philology with an extensive work
Middle Ages ... Such helpless and uneasy wandering on the on grammar, the Deutsche Grammatik (1819–37). The word
surging sea of words was finally controlled by the advancement of deutsch in the title does not mean strictly "German," but it rather
the hitherto unexplored Sanskrit language and the entry of the refers to the etymological meaning of "common," thus being used
German, Slavic, Lithuanian and other European idioms entered to apply to all of the Germanic languages, the historical
the scientific circle of investigations." It was also clear to him that development of which is traced for the first time. He represented
the representatives of classical philology (Latin, Greek and the natural laws of sound change (both vowels and consonants) in
Hebrew) had no interest in studying other languages more closely, various languages and thus created bases for a method of scientific
since they regarded them as barbaric look at etymology; i.e., research into relationships between languages and
However, Jacob Grimm had forerunners: in 1787, William Jones development of meaning. In what was to become known as
in Bengal compared Sanskrit with the old Persian, Greek, Latin, Grimm's law, Jacob demonstrated the principle of the regularity
Gothic and Celtic languages on the basis of the structure and word of correspondence among consonants in genetically related
roots - but not yet systematically. The young Dane Rasmus languages, a principle previously observed by the Dane Rasmus
Christian Rask – following a request from Wilhelm von Humboldt Rask. Jacob's work on grammar exercised an enormous influence
– had just tackled this. Jacob Grimm knew (and discussed) his on the contemporary study of linguistics, Germanic, Romance,
writing and began to compare word formation and sound and Slavic, and it remains of value and in use even now. In 1824
development in Old Norse with those in Slavic and Greek. In the Jacob Grimm translated a Serbian grammar by his friend Vuk
German grammar, the earliest, then the later and finally the most Stefanović Karadžić, writing an erudite introduction on Slavic
recent stages of development of the languages under consideration languages and literature.
were treated comparatively. In the second edition, he presented the He extended his investigations into the Germanic folk-culture
insight that the phonetic correspondences uncovered by Rask were with a study of ancient law practices and beliefs published as
not (accidental) individual phenomena, but followed a law. This Deutsche Rechtsaltertümer (1828), providing systematic source
rule is still called Grimm's law by Anglo-Saxon researchers today. material but excluding actual laws. The work stimulated other
He also realised that there had been not one, but two such shifts. publications in France, The Netherlands, Russia, and the southern
These are now referred to as "Germanic" and "High German Slavic countries and has not yet been superseded.
sound shift" (or "first" or "second sound shift"). The German Dictionary, "Das Deutsche Wörterbuch"
Although the Grimm Brothers became famous for their collected
THE TALES AND STUDIES IN LANGUAGE fairy tales, their main interest lied in linguistics and etymology. In
Encouraged by Ludwig Achim von Arnim, they published their fact, their entire career and work rested on these three pillars: the
collected tales as the Kinder- und Hausmärchen, implying in the studies of linguistics, etymology, history as well as sources, the
title that the stories were meant for adults and children alike. In grammar, the people's speech, the people's legends, fairy tales,
contrast to the extravagant fantasy of the Romantic school's idioms, and all the other language traditions in speaking and
poetical fairy tales, the 200 stories of this collection (mostly taken writing. The "Deutsches Wörterbuch" (English: German
from oral sources, though a few were from printed sources) aimed Dictionary), in 30 volumes, is the first German dictionary
at conveying the soul, imagination, and beliefs of people through conceived on scientific lines; initiated by Jacob and Wilhelm
the centuries—or at a genuine reproduction of the teller's words Grimm. The dictionary was designed to give the etymology and
and ways. The great merit of Wilhelm Grimm is that he gave the history, illustrated by quotations, of all the words in the (New)
fairy tales a readable form without changing their folkloric High German literary language from the time of Martin Luther (c.
character. The results were threefold: the collection enjoyed wide 1500) to that of J.W. von Goethe (d. 1832), as well as significant
distribution in Germany and eventually in all parts of the globe dialectical words and forms; pronunciations were to be omitted.
(there are now translations in 70 languages); it became and The Grimm brothers completed four volumes of the massive
remains a model for the collecting of folktales everywhere; and the projected work, Jacob being responsible for volumes I (published
Grimm's notes to the tales, along with other investigations, at Leipzig in 1852), III, and IV up to the word Frucht ("fruit")
formed the basis for the science of the folk narrative and even of and Wilhelm for volume II. Other German philologists, essentially
folklore. To this day the tales remain the earliest "scientific" agreeing with the aims and principles established by the Grimms,
collection of folktales. continued to labour on the dictionary after the death of the
The Kinder- und Hausmärchen was followed by a collection of brothers. Cooperation between scholars from East and West
historical and local legends of Germany, Deutsche Sagen (1816– Germany expedited its completion (1960).
18), which never gained wide popular appeal, though it influenced Several modern one-volume dictionaries for personal use are
both literature and the study of the folk narrative. The brothers based on etymology and date of first appearance of a word. This is
then published (in 1826) a translation of Thomas Crofton fundamental information for any language learner as it opens the
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door to language understanding in general. In this connexion we (including Low Saxon) language forms and Dutch. However,
need to mention by name: Das Grosse Deutsche Wörterbuch, many phonetic, grammatical, and idiomatic features cannot be
Gerhard Wahrig, 1967; The Collins Concise Dictionary of the clearly delimited, which is why the majority of linguists are
English Language, T. William McLeod, 1982; Van Dale, Groot skeptical about absolutist delimitations.
Woordenboek van de Nederlandse Taal, G. Geerts en H. In their collection of fairy tales, the Brothers Grimm provide
Heestermans, 1992 (3 Vols). wonderful examples of German dialect differences. We have added
translations into Dutch, Afrikaans, Frisian and English so this
Some Basics On Linguistics collection offers a good cross-section of all West Germanic
The West Germanic languages constitute the largest of the three languages in use today.
branches of the Germanic family of languages (the others being the
North Germanic and the extinct East Germanic languages like THE GÖTTINGEN YEARS
Gothic.). Within Europe, the three most prevalent West Germanic The quiet contentment of the years at Kassel ended in 1829,
languages are English, German, and Dutch. The language family when the brothers suffered a snub—perhaps motivated
also includes Afrikaans (which is a daughter language of Dutch), politically—from the Elector of Hessen-Kassel: they were not
Yiddish, Luxembourgish, Frisian and Scots (which constitues the given advancement following the death of a senior colleague.
last remnant of Middle English.). Additionally, several creoles, Consequently, they moved to the nearby University of Göttingen,
patois, and pidgins are based on Dutch, English, and German, as where they were appointed librarians and professors. Jacob
they were each languages of colonial empires. English is by far the Grimm's Deutsche Mythologie, written during this period, was to
most-spoken West Germanic language, with more than 400 be of far-reaching influence. From poetry, fairy tales, and
million native speakers and another 1,000 million users of English folkloristic elements, he traced the pre-Christian faith and
as second language worldwide; this number is uncertain superstitions of the Germanic people, contrasting the beliefs to
depending if we just include only fluent speakers or also users of those of classical mythology and Christianity. The Mythologie had
any kind of basic English, which could increase the number many successors all over Europe, but often disciples were not as
considerably. careful in their judgments as Jacob had been. Wilhelm published
here his outstanding edition of Freidank's epigrams. But again
Early Written Testimonies fate overtook them. When Ernest Augustus, duke of Cumberland,
(West) Germanic names of tribes, gods and people are handed became king of Hanover, he high-handedly repealed the
down in Latinised form as early as in ancient writings, such as constitution of 1833, which he considered too liberal. Two weeks
Tacitus' Germania, along with a few words such as urus (aurochs), after the King's declaration, the Grimms, together with five other
glesum (amber), ganta (goose). and sapo (make-up). The earliest professors (the "Göttingen Seven"), sent a protest to the King,
autochthonous written testimony of West Germanic is the explaining that they felt themselves bound by oath to the old
Frienstedt comb with a runic inscription from the 3rd century AD, constitution. As a result they were dismissed, and three professors,
which, however, is largely isolated. About 80 other runic including Jacob, were ordered to leave the kingdom of Hanover at
inscriptions from West Germanic areas are known from the period once. Through their part in this protest directed against despotic
up to the 7th century, when the runic tradition then ended with authority, they clearly demonstrated the academic's sense of civil
Christianization. responsibilities, manifesting their own liberal convictions at the
A scarcely denser tradition of West Germanic language material same time. During three years of exile in Kassel, institutions in
in fragmentary written evidence begins from the 6th century. The Germany and beyond (Hamburg, Marburg, Rostock, Weimar,
Lex Salica, for example, dates from this period, a Latin text that Belgium, France, The Netherlands, and Switzerland) tried to
originated in the western part of the Frankish Empire and obtain the brothers' services.
contains individual words of Germanic origin that come from the
old Franconian language, which later became extinct. THE BERLIN PERIOD
The transmission of entire texts begins in the 8th century. Old In 1840 they accepted an invitation from the king of Prussia,
English texts have been documented for the first time in this Frederick William IV, to go to Berlin, where as members of the
century, although the best-known Old English source, the heroic Royal Academy of Sciences they lectured at the university. There
poem Beowulf, has only survived in a manuscript from around they began work in earnest on their most ambitious enterprise, the
1000. Also documented from the 8th century are texts in Old Deutsches Wörterbuch, a large German dictionary intended as a
Bavarian, Old Alemannic and Old Upper Franconian, those West guide for the user of the written and spoken word as well as a
Germanic variants that are also summarised under the term Old scholarly reference work. In the dictionary, all German words
High German. From the 9th century, texts in Old Saxon, the found in the literature of the three centuries "from Luther to
predecessor of Low German, have also been handed down, in Goethe" were given with their historical variants, their etymology,
particular Genesis and Heliand. Old Frisian has only been and their semantic development; their usage in specialised and
documented in written sources since the 13th century. everyday language was illustrated by quoting idioms and proverbs.
Begun as a source of income in 1838 for the brothers after their
Classification dismissal from Göttingen, the work required generations of
The usual classification of the West Germanic languages divides successors to bring the gigantic task to an end more than a
them into an Anglo-Frisian and a Continental Germanic branch. hundred years later. Jacob lived to see the work proceed to the
The Anglo-Frisian languages are further subdivided into Anglican letter F, while Wilhelm finished only the letter D. The dictionary
languages (with English as the main representative) and Frisian became an example for similar publications in other countries:
languages. On the other hand, there are the continental West Britain, France, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Germanic languages with the High German (with the Upper and Jacob's philological research later led to a history of the German
Central German dialects as well as Yiddish), Low German language, Geschichte der deutschen Sprache, in which he
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attempted to combine the historical study of language with the Grimm's later wife. When Ferdinand Grimm was dying, Jacob
study of early history. Research into names and dialects was visited him, while Wilhelm had broken off contact for good.
stimulated by Jacob Grimm's work, as were ways of writing and • Ludwig Emil Grimm (1790–1863) was the fifth and youngest
spelling—for example, he used roman type and advocated spelling of the Grimm Brothers. He was a German painter, art professor,
German nouns without capital letters. etcher and copper engraver. Most of the known pictures of the
family members are from him.
For some 20 years they worked in Prussia's capital, respected • Charlotte Amalie Grimm (1793-1833; also called Lotte or
and free from financial worries. Much of importance can be found Malchen), was the only sister of all five Grimm brothers and wife
in the brothers' lectures and essays, the prefaces and reviews of the Hessian Minister of State Ludwig Hassenpflug.
(Kleinere Schriften) they wrote in this period. In Berlin they • Herman Grimm (1828–1901), son of Wilhelm Grimm, was a
witnessed the Revolution of 1848 and took an active part in the German academic and writer.
political strife of the succeeding years. In spite of close and even
emotional ties to their homeland, the Grimms were not The Hassenpflug Family
nationalists in the narrow sense. They maintained genuine—even The Hassenpflug family (Johannes Hassenpflug) was one of the
political—friendships with colleagues at home and abroad, earliest and most prolific sources for the Grimm Brothers'
among them the jurists Savigny and Eichhorn; the historians F.C. collection of Children's and Household Tales (KHM). The Grimm
Dahlmann, G.G. Gervinus, and Jules Michelet; and the and Hassenpflug families were linked by marriage. The
philologists Karl Lachmann, John Mitchell Kemble, Jan Frans contributions came mainly from the daughters of the family from
Willems, Vuk Karadžić, and Pavel Josef Šafařik. Nearly all before their marriage. In Grimm's notes you have the note "from
academies in Europe were proud to count Jacob and Wilhelm Hesse", "from the Main areas" or also "from Hanau", since the
among their members. The more robust Jacob undertook many daughters of the family had moved from Hanau to Kassel when
journeys for scientific investigations, visiting France, The they were children. The family's French roots explain that some
Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Denmark, and lyrics go back to Charles Perrault. Significant Family Members:
Sweden. Jacob remained a bachelor; Wilhelm married Dorothea • Charlotte Amalie Hassenpflug, née Grimm (1793–1833),
Wild from Kassel, with whom he had four children. sister of the Brothers Grimm, wife of Ludwig Hassenpflug, mother
of Karl Hassenpflug
THE TALES - CONTRIBUTORS • Ludwig Hassenpflug (1794–1862), married Charlotte Amalie
The Grimm Family Grimm, the only sister of the Brothers Grimm, and he was
The Grimm family lived in Hanau. The great-grandfather, therefore the Brothers Grimm's brother-in-law. He was Minister
Friedrich Grimm the Elder (1672-1748), and the grandfather, of the Interior and Justice in the Electorate of Hesse, in the
Friedrich Grimm the Younger (1707-1777), were clergymen of Principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and in the Grand
the Reformed creed. The parents Dorothea, née Zimmer, and Duchy of Luxembourg
Philipp Wilhelm Grimm had nine children in their marriage, three • Marie Hassenpflug (1788–1856), sister-in-law of the Brothers
of whom died in infancy. In addition to Jacob and Wilhelm, the Grimm, collector of fairy tales
younger brother Ludwig Emil gained importance as a painter, • Johannes Hassenpflug (1755–1834), father-in-law of the
while the brother Ferdinand Philipp Grimm, who also collected Brothers Grimm, administrative officer in the Landgraviate and
legends and fairy tales, fell into oblivion. The birthplace of the later the Electorate of Hesse
Brothers Grimm was on the old Paradeplatz in Hanau. They spent • Karl Hassenpflug (1824–1890), nephew of the Brothers
their youth in Steinau an der Straße, where their father worked as Grimm, German sculptor, son of Ludwig Hassenpflug,
a bailiff. Family members: • Amalie Hassenpflug (1800–1871), German writer, friend and
sister-in-law of the Brothers Grimm and Annette von Droste-
• Philipp Wilhelm Grimm (died 1796) was a German lawyer and Hülshoff.
father to nine Grimm siblings; three died in infancy, six survived. • Walter Hassenpflug (1855–1921), curator of the Philipps
He was husband of Dorothea Grimm of whom almost nothing is University of Marburg, member of the provincial parliament
known.
• Jacob Ludwig Karl Grimm (1785–1863), also known as The Hassenpflugs' Contributions Formed The Basis Of Grimm's
Ludwig Karl, was a German linguist, philologist, jurist, and Fairy Tales:
folklorist. He is known as the discoverer of Grimm's law of • By Amalie Hassenpflug (1800–1871) came KHM 13 The three
linguistics, the co-author of the monumental Deutsches little men in the forest, KHM 42 The gentleman, perhaps also
Wörterbuch in 30 volumes, the author of Deutsche Mythologie, KHM 43a The whimsical hospitality.
and the editor of Grimm's Fairy Tales. He was the older brother of • From Johanna (Jeanette) Hassenpflug (1791–1860) came
Wilhelm Grimm, of the literary duo the Brothers Grimm. KHM 14 The three spinners, KHM 26 Little Red Riding Hood,
• Wilhelm Carl Grimm (1786–1859) was a German author and KHM 36 Set the table, gold donkey and stick out of the sack,
anthropologist, and the younger brother of Jacob Grimm, of the KHM 41 Mr. Korbes, KHM 67 The twelve hunters, KHM 33a
literary duo the Brothers Grimm. Der Puss in Boots, KHM 66a Hurleburlebutz, KHM 70a The
• Carl Friedrich Grimm (1787-1852) was the third of the Okerlo, KHM 71a Princess Mouse Skin.
Grimm brothers. He is almost unknown. • From Marie Hassenpflug (1788–1856) came KHM 11 Little
• Ferdinand (Philipp) Grimm (1788-1845) was the fourth of the Brothers and Sisters, KHM 26 Little Red Riding Hood, KHM 31
Grimm brothers and he is known as the "unknown brother" of the The Girl Without Hands, KHM 40 The Robber Bridegroom,
Brothers Grimm. He too was a German legend collector. In 1810 KHM 45 Thumb's Wanderings, KHM 50 The Sleeping Beauty,
there was a major argument with his siblings, the cause of which KHM 79 The Water Mermaid, KHM 200 The Golden One Key,
was perhaps a dispute about Dorothea Henriette Wild, Wilhelm KHM 75a Phoenix Bird, KHM 81a The Blacksmith and the Devil,
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KHM 99a The Frog Prince, the text fragment Princess with the Wolfgang von Goethe was Dorothea Viehmann's fifth cousin;
Louse, perhaps also KHM 53 Snow White.[2] both go back to the common progenitor Valentin Schröder.
Also from the Hassenpflug family came KHM 5 The wolf and the Dorothea Viehmann (born Katharina Dorothea Pierson, 1755-
seven young kids, KHM 17 The white snake, KHM 20 The brave 1815) was one of the most important sources for Grimm's fairy
little tailor, KHM 25 The seven ravens, KHM 32 Clever Hans, tales. The Brothers Grimm published Dorothea Viehmann's
KHM 52 King Drosselbart, KHM 55 Rumpelstiltskin, KHM 64 stories mainly in the second volume of their Children's and
The golden goose, KHM 54a Hans Dumm, KHM 62a Bluebeard, Household Tales (KHM).
KHM 76a The carnation, KHM 84a The mother-in-law, perhaps Dorothea Viehmann was born Katharina Dorothea Pierson in
also KHM 61a About the tailor who soon became rich and the text Rengershausen, the daughter of an innkeeper. The paternal
fragment The good rag. ancestors had come to Hesse-Kassel as persecuted Huguenots after
the Edict of Nantes was lifted. Due to this French origin, a
The Wild Family number of French fairy tale variations about Dorothea Viehmann
• Henriette Dorothea (Dortchen) Wild (1793–1867) became found expression in the collection of fairy tales by the Brothers
Wilhelm Grimm's wife in 1825. Along with the Hassenpflug Grimm. In 1777 Dorothea Pierson married the tailor Nikolaus
family, the Wild family was one of the earliest and most prolific Viehmann and moved with him to Niederzwehren (today a district
sources for the Grimm Brothers' collection of Children's and of Kassel) in 1787. After the death of her husband, she supported
Household Tales (KHM). This family also had Huguenot roots. herself and their seven children by selling produce from her garden
The family ran the Sonnenapotheke in the house at Marktgasse 21 at the market.
in Kassel, which was destroyed in 1943 and was only two houses In her father's inn, she also heard many stories, sagas and fairy
away from the first residential building of the Brothers Grimm in tales from merchants, craftsmen and carters passing through,
Kassel, the house at Wildemannsgasse 24 / corner of Marktgasse. which she later passed on to her brothers. Your collection of fairy
• From Wilhelm Grimm's wife, Henriette Dorothea Wild, came: tales appears to be a mixture of new texts, artificial fairy tales and
KHM 13 The three little men in the forest, KHM 24 Frau Holle, folk tales, some of which have been edited and modified.
KHM 28 The singing bone, KHM 36 Set the table, gold donkey
and stick from the Sack (in the version of the 1st edition), KHM Fairy Tales Based On Frau Viehmann: One of the fairy tales told
39 The Elves, KHM 46 Fitcher's Bird, KHM 49 The Six Swans, by Dorothea Viehmann to the Brothers Grimm is the fairy tale
KHM 52 King Thrushbeard, KHM 55 Rumpelstiltskin (with KHM 106 The poor miller's boy and the kitten. The Huguenot
Lisette Wild, 1782–1858), KHM 56 The Dearest Roland , KHM descent of Dorothea Viehmann is particularly clear here, because
65 Allerleirauh, KHM 88 The singing jumping little lion, KHM it bears a great deal of similarity to the French fairy tale The
103 The sweet porridge, KHM 104 The clever people, KHM 105 White Cat (La chatte blanche) by Madame d'Aulnoy. The final
Fairy tale about the toad (with Lisette Wild), maybe also KHM version of the fairy tale KHM 29 The Devil with the Three Golden
60a The golden egg. Hairs, published by the Brothers Grimm in 1819, also goes back
• Two contributions by Wilhelm Grimm's mother-in-law, the to Dorothea Viehmann. Texts going back to Dorothea Viehmann
pharmacist's wife Dorothea Catharina Wild (1752–1813), are always have the reference "from Zwehrn" in the annotations of the
documented: KHM 18 Straw, Charcoal and Beans and KHM 30 Brothers Grimm. Here is a selection (KHM No.): 6, 9, 34, 61, 63,
Little Lice and Fleas. As in other cases, the rest came exclusively 71, 76, 89, 94, 98, 100, 102, 108, 111, 115, 118, 125, 127, 128.
from the unmarried daughters of the family. KHM 176 Die Lifetime, could also be hers. In addition, versions
• From Wilhelm Grimm's older sister-in-law, Marie Elisabeth by Dorothea Viehmann were included in other fairy tales or are
Wild (1794–1858): KHM 44 The Grim Reaper. KHM 1 The Frog reproduced as variants in the notes.
King or Iron Henry probably also came from the Wild family.
• From Wilhelm Grimm's younger sister-in-law, Margarete Sergeant Krause
Marianne (Gretchen) Wild (1787–1819): KHM 2 Cat and Mouse Johann Friedrich Krause (1747-1828) was a cavalry soldier
in Company, KHM 3 Mary's Child, KHM 58 The Dog and the (dragoon sergeant, sergeant-major) and son of the schoolmaster,
Sparrow, KHM 154 The Stolen Heller, 1812 KHM 64 The White descendant of pastors and teachers. Along with Dorothea
Dove in The Dumbling, maybe also KHM 59a Prince Swan. Viehmann, he was one of the most important sources for the
collection of fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm; in their comments
Frau Dorothea Viehmann they always called him "Sergeant Krause". In 1811, Krause wrote
In 1813, Frau Viehmann met the Brothers Grimm and told them down various fairy tales, purrs and farces from the Hoof spinning
more than 40 fairy tales and fairy tale variations on at least 36 rooms in a notebook. He gave this booklet to the Brothers Grimm
fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm. Wilhelm Grimm wrote about in Kassel, whom he knew personally. Krause wrote KHM 16 The
her: "But it was one of those good coincidences that we got to Three Snake Leaves, KHM 48 The Old Sultan and KHM 54 The
know a peasant woman from the village of Nieder-Zwehrn near Satchel, the Little Hat and the Little Horn (at least in the version
Cassel, who told us most of the most beautiful fairy tales in the of the 1st edition) and KHM 16a Mr. Fix and Ready (only 1st
second volume. This woman, named Viehmännin, was still edition). For KHM 111 The Skilled Hunter, he provided a
vigorous and not much over fifty years old. .... She kept the old comparative version in Grimm's annotation. The origin of KHM
legends firmly in her memory". The Brothers Grimm were 92 The King of the Golden Mountain (Grimm's note: based on a
particularly impressed by the fact that they always knew how to soldier's tale) cannot be ascertained.
tell the fairy tales using the same choice of words.
The pose of a peasant woman was largely a fiction influenced by RECEPTION
the romantic mood of the Grimms, which symbolised a certain After the Second World War, the prevailing opinion in West
authenticity of the fairy tales. Dorothea Viehmann was by no Germany was that the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm were
means a simple peasant woman, but an educated woman. Johann partly responsible for the atrocities committed by the Nazis. In
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1947, British Major T. J. Leonard examined school textbooks dystopian) ideologues. Every time such ideologues propagate a
from the Wilhelmine era and, in his work First Steps in Cruelty, mass society, unrestricted immigration, restrictions on free speech,
published that same year, concluded that Grimm's fairy tales and the deliberate uniformisation of the individual, we are faced
created an unconscious tendency towards cruelty in German with all the dire effects that we have seen from Nazi rule,
children. In the American zone of occupation, children's and communist regimes, and other dictatorships. Tolerance of any
household tales were sorted out of schools and libraries and form of dictatorship inevitably always leads to the same disastrous
shipped overseas, and in the British zone of occupation no license result. And in this context, the ancient zeitgeist of a few fairy tales
was issued for reprinting for a time. Although opposing opinions hardly plays a role. A much larger role is played here by the evil
were also expressed, voices critical of fairy tales dominated the ideologies of Rousseau, Robespierre, Hegel, Marx, Engels,
discourse until the 1970s. Foucault, Mohammed, Hitler, Lenin, Mao, Stalin, Xi and Dugin;
The publication "Children need fairy tales" (1976) by Bruno to name just a few.
Bettelheim, who was interned as a Jew in the Dachau and The Brothers Grimm themselves only ever saw their collection as
Buchenwald concentration camps in 1938, brought about a a book of education. However, this was not aimed at conveying
gradual change, but was then able to emigrate to America in 1939. norms, but rather at a certain understanding of the world that
From a psychoanalytic point of view, fairy tales have a comforting fitted into pedagogical ideas of Enlightenment and Romanticism.
and empowering effect on children. As Bettelheim points out, We must never condemn the people and their works from the past
Sigmund Freud assumed that the "true human being" is largely simply because each of us follows a certain ideology. How will
made up of unconscious parts and that the influence of the people judge us in 200 or 500 years? With a little historical sense
environment is negligible. Through his experiences in the it is not difficult to imagine what people will think and say about
concentration camp, he had to realise that this idea was no longer us in the future; and this affects both our traditionalists and the
tenable. Here in the concentration camp, the influence of the so-called progressives. Nobody will do well with this. Fairy tales
environment on the individual was so strong that the character of have their critics and their friends, and that's a good thing. That's
the individual had completely changed within a very short time. why I deliberately reunited and republished all the fairy tales of
He concluded that the methods of psychoanalysis remain reduced the Brothers Grimm here. Read them and discuss what caused
to the special environment of a therapeutic practice, but that no their content and how we could deal with it. Education has
general statement can be made about the true human being. nothing to do with norms and their ignorance but with an open
The statements he made on the subject of the integration of the mind!
individual into mass society related in their most extreme form to
the experiences in the concentration camp. Bettelheim emphasises Attention
several times that the necessary insight into the inner nature of One does not really like to talk about it, but: Children have
man can only be understood if one is not still exposed to the same always been at risk. That was the case centuries ago and it is still
challenges as the Germans in the Third Reich after National the case today. Children should learn skepticism and healthy
Socialism and the concentration camps as a Veaen society that has distrust. Children and women need protection. Never leave your
been overcome. In this respect, he was not concerned with settling children unattended. Inform yourself. False shame can be deadly.
accounts with the criminal methods of the SS and the Gestapo, but We recommend taking the following legal terms seriously and
with revealing the natural connections between social coercion talking to the children about them as early as possible: sexual
and the individual's striving for autonomy. abuse of children and wards and other persons unable to resist,
Bettelheim explains that in mass society the individual has to neglect of children, rape, human trafficking, forced prostitution,
operate between the two poles of compulsion and needs. If the forced labour, kidnapping, abduction of minors, child trafficking ,
adaptations in the direction of coercion become too strong, the female genital mutilation, forced marriage, honor killing, incest,
individual can no longer perceive his needs and therefore can no extortion kidnapping, hostage-taking, blackmail. According to
longer integrate them. If adjustment is made too much in the estimates, tens of thousands of children are murdered worldwide
direction of needs, then society will break up into individuals. In and every year, hundreds of thousands are raped and around half a
any case, however, the adjustment service is a measure specifically million children are trafficked across national borders; including
tailored to the situation, in which the individual has to weigh up children and young people from Western countries. Prevention is
what best meets his or her needs. better than a lifetime of guilt!
In order to create this mental balance, however, the individual
must first be aware of their needs (not desires). Here Bettelheim Lord Henfield, 2022.
sees his central demand when he writes that we should no longer
be satisfied with a life in which the needs of our feelings are alien
to reason. He urgently warns not to explain the development with
the overcoming of evil when coming to terms with the Nazi rule.
Rather, the inhuman development of the Third Reich is the
natural consequence of the systematic de-individualisation of an
entire society. Even if there were no longer a Gestapo or a
concentration camp, the tension between the mass state and the
individual would remain unchanged.
In other words, one could say: Humans are still closely related
biologically to the other primates (bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas)
who have exactly the same conflicts. After parting from them a few
million years ago, we still have the same feelings as them. And that
will hardly change in the foreseeable future, despite all utopian (or
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DEEL 1 -- 1812 and eat off thy little golden plate, and drink out of thy little cup,
and sleep in thy little bed—if thou wilt promise me this I will go
down below, and bring thee thy golden ball up again."
1.—THE FROG-KING, OR IRON HENRY. "Oh, yes," said she, "I promise thee all thou wishest, if thou wilt
but bring me my ball back again." She, however, thought, "How
("The Frog Prince; or, Iron Henry" (German: Der Froschkönig silly the frog does talk! He lives in the water with the other frogs
oder der eiserne Heinrich, literally "The Frog King or the Iron and croaks, and can be no companion to any human being!"
Henry") is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm and But the frog when he had received this promise, put his head into
published in 1812 in Grimm's Fairy Tales (KHM 1). Traditionally, the water and sank down, and in a short time came swimming up
it is the first story in their folktale collection. It apparently comes again with the ball in his mouth, and threw it on the grass. The
from an oral tradition of Dortchen Wild's family in Kassel. The King's daughter was delighted to see her pretty plaything once
volume 2 of the first edition of Kinder- und Hausmärchen, more, and picked it up, and ran away with it. "Wait, wait," said
published in 1815, included a variation of this story entitled Der the frog. "Take me with thee. I can't run as thou canst." But what
Froschprinz (The Frog Prince), published as tale no. 13. As this did it avail him to scream his croak, croak, after her, as loudly as
version was not included in later editions, it has since remained he could? She did not listen to it, but ran home and soon forgot
relatively unknown. the poor frog, who was forced to go back into his well again.
Contents: In the tale, a spoiled princess reluctantly befriends the The next day when she had seated herself at table with the King
Frog Prince, whom she met after dropping a golden ball into a and all the courtiers, and was eating from her little golden plate,
pond under a linden tree, and he retrieves it for her in exchange something came creeping splish splash, splish splash, up the
for her friendship. The Frog Prince, who is under a wicked fairy's marble staircase, and when it had got to the top, it knocked at the
spell, magically transforms back into a handsome prince. In the door and cried, "Princess, youngest princess, open the door for
original Grimm version of the story, the frog's spell was broken me." She ran to see who was outside, but when she opened the
when the princess threw the frog against the wall, at which he door, there sat the frog in front of it. Then she slammed the door
transformed back into a prince, while in modern versions the to, in great haste, sat down to dinner again, and was quite
transformation is triggered by the princess kissing the frog. In frightened. The King saw plainly that her heart was beating
other early versions, it was sufficient for the frog to spend the violently, and said, "My child, what art thou so afraid of? Is there
night on the princess' pillow. The frog prince also has a loyal perchance a giant outside who wants to carry thee away?" "Ah,
servant named Henry (or Harry) who had three iron bands affixed no," replied she, "it is no giant, but a disgusting frog."
around his heart to prevent it from breaking in his sadness when "What does the frog want with thee?" "Ah, dear father,
his master got under a spell. When the frog prince reverts to his yesterday when I was in the forest sitting by the well, playing, my
human form, Henry's overwhelming happiness causes all three golden ball fell into the water. And because I cried so the frog
bands to break, freeing his heart from its bonds.) brought it out again for me, and because he insisted so on it, I
promised him he should be my companion, but I never thought he
In old times when wishing still helped one, there lived a king would be able to come out of his water! And now he is outside
whose daughters were all beautiful, but the youngest was so there, and wants to come in to me."
beautiful that the sun itself, which has seen so much, was In the meantime it knocked a second time, and cried,
astonished whenever it shone in her face. Close by the King's castle "Princess! youngest princess!
lay a great dark forest, and under an old lime-tree in the forest was Open the door for me!
a well, and when the day was very warm, the King's child went out Dost thou not know what thou saidst to me
into the forest and sat down by the side of the cool fountain, and Yesterday by the cool waters of the fountain?
when she was dull she took a golden ball, and threw it up on high Princess, youngest princess!
and caught it, and this ball was her favourite plaything. Open the door for me!"
Now it so happened that on one occasion the princess' golden Then said the King, "That which thou hast promised, must thou
ball did not fall into the little hand which she was holding up for perform. Go and let him in." She went and opened the door, and
it, but on to the ground beyond, and rolled straight into the water. the frog hopped in and followed her, step by step, to her chair.
The King's daughter followed it with her eyes, but it vanished, and There he sat still and cried, "Lift me up beside thee." She delayed,
the well was deep, so deep that the bottom could not be seen. On until at last the King commanded her to do it. When the frog was
this she began to cry, and cried louder and louder, and could not once on the chair he wanted to be on the table, and when he was
be comforted. And as she thus lamented, some one said to her, on the table he said, "Now, push thy little golden plate nearer to
"What ails thee, King's daughter? Thou weepest so that even a me that we may eat together." She did this, but it was easy to see
stone would show pity." She looked round to the side from whence that she did not do it willingly. The frog enjoyed what he ate, but
the voice came, and saw a frog stretching forth its thick, ugly head almost every mouthful she took choked her. At length he said, "I
from the water. "Ah! old water-splasher, is it thou?" said she; "I have eaten and am satisfied; now I am tired, carry me into thy
am weeping for my golden ball, which has fallen into the well." little room and make thy little silken bed ready, and we will both
"Be quiet, and do not weep," answered the frog. "I can help thee, lie down and go to sleep."
but what wilt thou give me if I bring thy plaything up again?" The King's daughter began to cry, for she was afraid of the cold
"Whatever thou wilt have, dear frog," said she—"my clothes, my frog which she did not like to touch, and which was now to sleep
pearls and jewels, and even the golden crown which I am in her pretty, clean little bed. But the King grew angry and said,
wearing." "He who helped thee when thou wert in trouble ought not
The frog answered, "I do not care for thy clothes, thy pearls and afterwards to be despised by thee." So she took hold of the frog
jewels, or thy golden crown, but if thou wilt love me and let me be with two fingers, carried him upstairs, and put him in a corner.
thy companion and play-fellow, and sit by thee at thy little table, But when she was in bed he crept to her and said, "I am tired, I
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want to sleep as well as thou, lift me up or I will tell thy father." A certain cat had made the acquaintance of a mouse, and had
Then she was terribly angry, and took him up and threw him with said so much to her about the great love and friendship she felt for
all her might against the wall. "Now, thou wilt be quiet, odious her, that at length the mouse agreed that they should live and keep
frog," said she. But when he fell down he was no frog but a king's house together. "But we must make a provision for winter, or else
son with beautiful, kind eyes. He by her father's will was now her we shall suffer from hunger," said the cat, "and you, little mouse,
dear companion and husband. Then he told her how he had been cannot venture everywhere, or you will be caught in a trap some
bewitched by a wicked witch, and how no one could have delivered day." The good advice was followed, and a pot of fat was bought,
him from the well but herself, and that to-morrow they would go but they did not know where to put it. At length, after much
together into his kingdom. Then they went to sleep, and next consideration, the cat said, "I know no place where it will be
morning when the sun awoke them, a carriage came driving up better stored up than in the church, for no one dares take anything
with eight white horses, which had white ostrich feathers on their away from there. We will set it beneath the altar, and not touch it
heads, and were harnessed with golden chains, and behind stood until we are really in need of it." So the pot was placed in safety,
the young King's servant, faithful Henry. Faithful Henry had been but it was not long before the cat had a great longing for it, and
so unhappy when his master was changed into a frog, that he had said to the mouse, "I want to tell you something, little mouse; my
caused three iron bands to be laid round his heart, lest it should cousin has brought a little son into the world, and has asked me to
burst with grief and sadness. The carriage was to conduct the be godmother; he is white with brown spots, and I am to hold him
young King into his kingdom. Faithful Henry helped them both in, at the christening. Let me go out to-day, and you look after the
and placed himself behind again, and was full of joy because of this house by yourself." "Yes, yes," answered the mouse, "by all means
deliverance. And when they had driven a part of the way, the go, and if you get anything very good, think of me, I should like a
King's son heard a cracking behind him as if something had drop of sweet red christening wine too." All this, however, was
broken. So he turned round and cried, "Henry, the carriage is untrue; the cat had no cousin, and had not been asked to be
breaking." godmother. She went straight to the church, stole to the pot of fat,
"No, master, it is not the carriage. It is a band from my heart, began to lick at it, and licked the top of the fat off. Then she took
which was put there in my great pain when you were a frog and a walk upon the roofs of the town, looked out for opportunities,
imprisoned in the well." Again and once again while they were on and then stretched herself in the sun, and licked her lips whenever
their way something cracked, and each time the King's son she thought of the pot of fat, and not until it was evening did she
thought the carriage was breaking; but it was only the bands return home. "Well, here you are again," said the mouse, "no
which were springing from the heart of faithful Henry because his doubt you have had a merry day." "All went off well," answered
master was set free and was happy. the cat. "What name did they give the child?" "Top off!" said the
cat quite coolly. "Top off!" cried the mouse, "that is a very odd
and uncommon name, is it a usual one in your family?" "What
2.—CAT AND MOUSE IN PARTNERSHIP. does it signify," said the cat, "it is no worse than Crumb-stealer, as
your god-children are called."
("Cat and Mouse in Partnership" is a fairy tale based upon an Before long the cat was seized by another fit of longing. She said
oral tradition communicated by Gretchen Wild (1787–1819) in to the mouse, "You must do me a favour, and once more manage
Kassel. the house for a day alone. I am again asked to be godmother, and,
Contents: A cat and a mouse, contrary to the custom of their as the child has a white ring round its neck, I cannot refuse." The
kinds, become friends, such good friends that they decide to share good mouse consented, but the cat crept behind the town walls to
a home. That they might have something to fall back on in time of the church, and devoured half the pot of fat. "Nothing ever seems
need, they buy a pot of fat and hide it away in a nook of a church so good as what one keeps to oneself," said she, and was quite
for safekeeping. After a short time, the cat tells her housemate that satisfied with her day's work. When she went home the mouse
one of her relations has given birth and that the mouse's friend has inquired, "And what was this child christened?" "Half-done,"
been asked to be godmother. Instead of going to a christening, answered the cat. "Half-done! What are you saying? I never heard
though, the cat goes to the nook of the church and eats the top the name in my life, I'll wager anything it is not in the calendar!"
layer of the fat in the pot. When the cat returns home, the mouse The cat's mouth soon began to water for some more licking. "All
asks the name of the kitten. The cat replies, "Top-off." The mouse good things go in threes," said she, "I am asked to stand
remarks that she has never heard such a name. Soon thereafter, the godmother again. The child is quite black, only it has white paws,
cat announces that she again has been invited to a christening. On but with that exception, it has not a single white hair on its whole
the cat's return, the mouse asks what name was given to this kitten. body; this only happens once every few years, you will let me go,
"Half-gone," answers the cat. Again the mouse wonders aloud at won't you?" "Top-off! Half-done!" answered the mouse, "they are
the oddness of the name. The cat goes a third time to the church, such odd names, they make me very thoughtful." "You sit at
this time finishing off the fat. When the cat returns, the mouse asks home," said the cat, "in your dark-grey fur coat and long tail, and
the name given at this christening. "All-gone," answers the cat. are filled with fancies, that's because you do not go out in the
Again the mouse shakes her head. Winter arrives, and with it the daytime." During the cat's absence the mouse cleaned the house,
lean times the friends had anticipated. The mouse proposes a trip and put it in order but the greedy cat entirely emptied the pot of
to the church to retrieve the provisions stored there. When she fat. "When everything is eaten up one has some peace," said she to
beholds the empty pot, enlightenment dawns on the mouse: "First herself, and well filled and fat she did not return home till night.
'Top-off,' " she murmurs, "then 'Half-gone,' and then ..." The cat The mouse at once asked what name had been given to the third
warns her to say no more, but the mouse persists. The cat pounces child. "It will not please you more than the others," said the cat.
on the mouse and eats her up. "And that is the way of the world," "He is called All-gone." "All-gone," cried the mouse, "that is the
the story closes.) most suspicious name of all! I have never seen it in print. All-gone;
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what can that mean?" and she shook her head, curled herself up, child, and gave her to the Virgin Mary, who took her up to heaven
and lay down to sleep. with her. There the child fared well, ate sugar-cakes, and drank
From this time forth no one invited the cat to be god-mother, sweet milk, and her clothes were of gold, and the little angels
but when the winter had come and there was no longer anything played with her. And when she was fourteen years of age, the
to be found outside, the mouse thought of their provision, and Virgin Mary called her one day and said, "Dear child, I am about
said, "Come cat, we will go to our pot of fat which we have stored to make a long journey, so take into thy keeping the keys of the
up for ourselves—we shall enjoy that." "Yes," answered the cat, thirteen doors of heaven. Twelve of these thou mayest open, and
"you will enjoy it as much as you would enjoy sticking that dainty behold the glory which is within them, but the thirteenth, to
tongue of yours out of the window." They set out on their way, which this little key belongs, is forbidden thee. Beware of opening
but when they arrived, the pot of fat certainly was still in its place, it, or thou wilt bring misery on thyself." The girl promised to be
but it was empty. "Alas!" said the mouse, "now I see what has obedient, and when the Virgin Mary was gone, she began to
happened, now it comes to light! You are a true friend! You have examine the dwellings of the kingdom of heaven. Each day she
devoured all when you were standing godmother. First top off, opened one of them, until she had made the round of the twelve. In
then half done, then—" "Will you hold your tongue," cried the each of them sat one of the Apostles in the midst of a great light,
cat, "one word more, and I will eat you too." "All gone" was and she rejoiced in all the magnificence and splendour, and the
already on the poor mouse's lips; scarcely had she spoken it before little angels who always accompanied her rejoiced with her. Then
the cat sprang on her, seized her, and swallowed her down. Verily, the forbidden door alone remained, and she felt a great desire to
that is the way of the world. know what could be hidden behind it, and said to the angels, "I
will not quite open it, and I will not go inside it, but I will unlock
it so that we can just see a little through the opening." "Oh no,"
3.—OUR LADY'S CHILD / MARY'S CHILD. said the little angels, "that would be a sin. The Virgin Mary has
forbidden it, and it might easily cause thy unhappiness." Then she
("Mary's Child" (also "Our Lady's Child", "A Child of Saint was silent, but the desire in her heart was not stilled, but gnawed
Mary" or "The Virgin Mary's Child") is a fairy tale communicated there and tormented her, and let her have no rest. And once when
to the Grimms by Gretchen Wild. the angels had all gone out, she thought, "Now I am quite alone,
Contents: A poor woodcutter and his wife had a three-year-old and I could peep in. If I do it, no one will ever know." She sought
daughter that they could not feed. The Virgin Mary appeared to out the key, and when she had got it in her hand, she put it in the
the woodcutter and promised to take care of the child, so they lock, and when she had put it in, she turned it round as well. Then
gave her the child. She grew up happily in Heaven. One day the the door sprang open, and she saw there the Trinity sitting in fire
Virgin had to go on a journey and gave the girl keys, telling her and splendour. She stayed there awhile, and looked at everything
she could open twelve doors but not the thirteenth. She opened the in amazement; then she touched the light a little with her finger,
first twelve and found the Apostles behind them. Then she opened and her finger became quite golden. Immediately a great fear fell
the thirteenth door. Behind it was the Trinity, and her finger was on her. She shut the door violently, and ran away. Her terror too
stained with gold. She tried to hide it, lying three times, and the would not quit her, let her do what she might, and her heart beat
Virgin Mary said she could no longer remain for her disobedience continually and would not be still; the gold too stayed on her
and lying. She fell asleep and woke to find herself in a forest. finger, and would not go away, let her rub it and wash it never so
Lamenting her misfortune, she lived in a hollow tree, ate wild much.
plants, and tore all her clothing until she was naked. One day, a It was not long before the Virgin Mary came back from her
king found her looking beautiful but incapable of speech. He took journey. She called the girl before her, and asked to have the keys
her home and married her. A year later, she had a son. The Virgin of heaven back. When the maiden gave her the bunch, the Virgin
Mary appeared and demanded that she confess to having opened looked into her eyes and said, "Hast thou not opened the
the door. She lied again, the Virgin took her son, and the people thirteenth door also?" "No," she replied. Then she laid her hand
whispered that she had killed and eaten the child. In another year, on the girl's heart, and felt how it beat and beat, and saw right
she had another son, and it went as before. The third year, she had well that she had disobeyed her order and had opened the door.
a daughter, and the Virgin Mary took her to heaven and showed Then she said once again, "Art thou certain that thou hast not
her her sons, but she would not confess. This time, the king could done it?" "Yes," said the girl, for the second time. Then she
not restrain his councilors, and the queen was condemned to death. perceived the finger which had become golden from touching the
When she was brought to the stake, she relented and wished she fire of heaven, and saw well that the child had sinned, and said for
could confess before she died. The Virgin Mary brought back her the third time, "Hast thou not done it?" "No," said the girl for the
children, restored her the power of speech, and gave her happiness third time. Then said the Virgin Mary, "Thou hast not obeyed me,
the rest of her life.) and besides that thou hast lied, thou art no longer worthy to be in
heaven."
Hard by a great forest dwelt a wood-cutter with his wife, who Then the girl fell into a deep sleep, and when she awoke she lay
had an only child, a little girl of three years old. They were, on the earth below, and in the midst of a wilderness. She wanted to
however, so poor that they no longer had daily bread, and did not cry out, but she could bring forth no sound. She sprang up and
know how to get food for her. One morning the wood-cutter went wanted to run away, but whithersoever she turned herself, she was
out sorrowfully to his work in the forest, and while he was cutting continually held back by thick hedges of thorns through which she
wood, suddenly there stood before him a tall and beautiful woman could not break. In the desert, in which she was imprisoned, there
with a crown of shining stars on her head, who said to him, "I am stood an old hollow tree, and this had to be her dwelling-place.
the Virgin Mary, mother of the child Jesus. Thou art poor and Into this she crept when night came, and here she slept. Here, too,
needy, bring thy child to me, I will take her with me and be her she found a shelter from storm and rain, but it was a miserable life,
mother, and care for her." The wood-cutter obeyed, brought his and bitterly did she weep when she remembered how happy she
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had been in heaven, and how the angels had played with her. thy heart not yet softened? If thou wilt own that thou openedst the
Roots and wild berries were her only food, and for these she forbidden door, I will give thee back thy two little sons." But for
sought as far as she could go. In the autumn she picked up the the third time the Queen answered, "No, I did not open the
fallen nuts and leaves, and carried them into the hole. The nuts forbidden door." Then the Virgin let her sink down to earth once
were her food in winter, and when snow and ice came, she crept more, and took from her likewise her third child.
amongst the leaves like a poor little animal that she might not Next morning, when the loss was reported abroad, all the people
freeze. Before long her clothes were all torn, and one bit of them cried loudly, "The Queen is a man-eater! She must be judged," and
after another fell off her. As soon, however, as the sun shone warm the King was no longer able to restrain his councillors. Thereupon
again, she went out and sat in front of the tree, and her long hair a trial was held, and as she could not answer, and defend herself,
covered her on all sides like a mantle. Thus she sat year after year, she was condemned to be burnt alive. The wood was got together,
and felt the pain and the misery of the world. One day, when the and when she was fast bound to the stake, and the fire began to
trees were once more clothed in fresh green, the King of the burn round about her, the hard ice of pride melted, her heart was
country was hunting in the forest, and followed a roe, and as it moved by repentance, and she thought, "If I could but confess
had fled into the thicket which shut in this bit of the forest, he got before my death that I opened the door." Then her voice came
off his horse, tore the bushes asunder, and cut himself a path with back to her, and she cried out loudly, "Yes, Mary, I did it;" and
his sword. When he had at last forced his way through, he saw a straightway rain fell from the sky and extinguished the flames of
wonderfully beautiful maiden sitting under the tree; and she sat fire, and a light broke forth above her, and the Virgin Mary
there and was entirely covered with her golden hair down to her descended with the two little sons by her side, and the new-born
very feet. He stood still and looked at her full of surprise, then he daughter in her arms. She spoke kindly to her, and said, "He who
spoke to her and said, "Who art thou? Why art thou sitting here repents his sin and acknowledges it, is forgiven." Then she gave
in the wilderness?" But she gave no answer, for she could not open her the three children, untied her tongue, and granted her
her mouth. The King continued, "Wilt thou go with me to my happiness for her whole life.
castle?" Then she just nodded her head a little. The King took her
in his arms, carried her to his horse, and rode home with her, and
when he reached the royal castle he caused her to be dressed in 4.—THE STORY OF THE YOUTH WHO WENT FORTH TO
beautiful garments, and gave her all things in abundance. LEARN WHAT FEAR WAS.
Although she could not speak, she was still so beautiful and
charming that he began to love her with all his heart, and it was ("The fairy tale of someone who went out to learn what fear was"
not long before he married her. is a fairy tale that was called "Gut Kegel- und Kartenspiel" from
After a year or so had passed, the Queen brought a son into the the 1st edition to the 3rd edition. It is based on a version "in the
world. Thereupon the Virgin Mary appeared to her in the night Schwalm area" (from Ferdinand Siebert), a "Meklenburg story"
when she lay in her bed alone, and said, "If thou wilt tell the truth and one "from Zwehrn" (probably by Dorothea Viehmann). The
and confess that thou didst unlock the forbidden door, I will open 1st edition version of 1812 Gut Kegel und Kartenspiel contained
thy mouth and give thee back thy speech, but if thou perseverest in only the episode in the castle."The Story is heavily influenced by
thy sin, and deniest obstinately, I will take thy new-born child the medieval adventure of Sir Lancelot du Lac called Les
away with me." Then the queen was permitted to answer, but she Merveilles de Rigomer in which he spends a night in a haunted
remained hard, and said, "No, I did not open the forbidden door;" castle and undergoes almost the same ordeals as the youth.
and the Virgin Mary took the new-born child from her arms, and Contents: A father had two sons. The dimwitted younger son,
vanished with it. Next morning, when the child was not to be when asked by his father what he would like to learn to support
found, it was whispered among the people that the Queen was a himself, said he would like to learn how to shudder (as in, learn to
man-eater, and had killed her own child. She heard all this and have fear). A sexton told the father that he could teach the boy.
could say nothing to the contrary, but the King would not believe After teaching him to ring the church bell, he sent him one
it, for he loved her so much. midnight to ring it and came after him, dressed as a ghost. The
When a year had gone by the Queen again bore a son, and in the boy demanded an explanation. When the sexton did not answer,
night the Virgin Mary again came to her, and said, "If thou wilt the boy, unafraid, pushed him down the stairs, breaking his leg.
confess that thou openedst the forbidden door, I will give thee thy His horrified father turned him out of house, so the boy set out to
child back and untie thy tongue; but if you continuest in sin and learn how to shudder. He complained whenever he could, "If only
deniest it, I will take away with me this new child also." Then the I could shudder!" One man advised him to stay the night beneath
Queen again said, "No, I did not open the forbidden door;" and the gallows, where seven hanged men were still hanging. He did so,
the Virgin took the child out of her arms, and away with her to and set a fire for the night. When the hanged bodies shook in the
heaven. Next morning, when this child also had disappeared, the wind, he thought they must be cold. He cut them down and sat
people declared quite loudly that the Queen had devoured it, and them close to his fire, but they did not stir even when their
the King's councillors demanded that she should be brought to clothing caught on fire. The boy, annoyed at their carelessness,
justice. The King, however, loved her so dearly that he would not hung them back up in the gallows. After the incident at the
believe it, and commanded the councillors under pain of death not gallows, he began traveling with a waggoner. When one night
to say any more about it. they arrived at an inn, the inn-keeper told him that if he wanted to
The following year the Queen gave birth to a beautiful little know how to shudder, he should visit the haunted castle nearby. If
daughter, and for the third time the Virgin Mary appeared to her he could manage to stay there for three nights in a row, he could
in the night and said, "Follow me." She took the Queen by the learn how to shudder, as well as win the king's daughter and all of
hand and led her to heaven, and showed her there her two eldest the rich treasures of the castle. Many men had tried, but none had
children, who smiled at her, and were playing with the ball of the succeeded. The boy accepted the challenge and went to the king.
world. When the Queen rejoiced thereat, the Virgin Mary said, "Is The king agreed, and told him that he may bring with him three
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non-living things into the castle. The boy asked for a fire, a lathe, tall and strong, and thou too must learn something by which thou
and a cutting board with a knife. The first night, as the boy sat in canst earn thy living. Look how thy brother works, but thou dost
his room, two voices from the corner of the room moaned into the not even earn thy salt." "Well, father," he replied, "I am quite
night, complaining about the cold. The boy, unafraid, claimed willing to learn something—indeed, if it could but be managed, I
that the owners of the voices were stupid not to warm themselves should like to learn how to shudder. I don't understand that at all
with the fire. Suddenly, two black cats jumped out of the corner yet." The elder brother smiled when he heard that, and thought to
and, seeing the calm boy, proposed a card game. The boy tricked himself, "Good God, what a blockhead that brother of mine is! He
the cats and trapped them with the cutting board and knife. Black will never be good for anything as long as he lives! He who wants
cats and dogs emerged from every patch of darkness in the room, to be a sickle must bend himself betimes."
and the boy fought and killed each of them with his knife. Then, The father sighed, and answered him. "Thou shalt soon learn
from the darkness, a bed appeared. He lay down on it, preparing what it is to shudder, but thou wilt not earn thy living by that."
for sleep, but it began walking all over the castle. Still unafraid, Soon after this the sexton came to the house on a visit, and the
the boy urged it to go faster. The bed turned upside down on him, father bewailed his trouble, and told him how his younger son was
but the boy, unfazed, just tossed the bed aside and slept next to the so backward in every respect that he knew nothing and learnt
fire until morning. As the boy settled in for his second night in the nothing. "Just think," said he, "when I asked him how he was
castle, half of a man fell down the chimney. The boy, again going to earn his bread, he actually wanted to learn to shudder."
unafraid, shouted up the chimney that the other half was needed. "If that be all," replied the sexton, "he can learn that with me.
The other half, hearing the boy, fell from the chimney and Send him to me, and I will soon polish him." The father was glad
reunited with the rest. More men followed with human skulls and to do it, for he thought, "It will train the boy a little." The sexton
dead men's legs with which to play nine-pins. The amused boy therefore took him into his house, and he had to ring the bell.
shaped the skulls into better balls with his lathe and joined the After a day or two, the sexton awoke him at midnight, and bade
men until midnight, when they vanished into thin air. On his third him arise and go up into the church tower and ring the bell.
and final night in the castle, the boy heard a strange noise. Six men "Thou shalt soon learn what shuddering is," thought he, and
entered his room, carrying a coffin. The boy, unafraid but secretly went there before him; and when the boy was at the top of
distraught, believed the body to be his own dead cousin. As he the tower and turned round, and was just going to take hold of
tried to warm the body, it came back to life, and, confusedly, the bell rope, he saw a white figure standing on the stairs opposite
threatened to strangle him. The boy, angry at his ingratitude, the sounding hole. "Who is there?" cried he, but the figure made
closed the coffin on top of the man again. An old man hearing the no reply, and did not move or stir. "Give an answer," cried the
noise came to see the boy. He visited with him, bragging that he boy, "or take thy self off, thou hast no business here at night."
could knock an anvil straight to the ground. The old man brought The sexton, however, remained standing motionless that the boy
him to the basement and, while showing the boy his trick, the boy might think he was a ghost. The boy cried a second time, "What
split the anvil and trapped the old man's beard in it, and then dost thou want here?—speak if thou art an honest fellow, or I will
proceeded to beat the man with an iron rod. The man, desperate throw thee down the steps!" The sexton thought, "he can't intend
for mercy, showed the boy all of the treasures in the castle. The to be as bad as his words," uttered no sound and stood as if he
following morning, the king told the boy that he could win his were made of stone. Then the boy called to him for the third time,
lovely daughter. The boy agreed, though upset that he had still and as that was also to no purpose, he ran against him and pushed
not learned how to shudder. After their wedding, the boy's the ghost down the stairs, so that it fell down ten steps and
continuing complaints "If only I could shudder!" annoyed his wife remained lying there in a corner. Thereupon he rang the bell, went
to no end. Reaching her wits' end, she sent for a bucketful of home, and without saying a word went to bed, and fell asleep. The
stream water, complete with gudgeons. She tossed the freezing sexton's wife waited a long time for her husband, but he did not
water onto her husband while he was asleep. As he awoke, come back. At length she became uneasy, and wakened the boy,
shuddering, he exclaimed that while he had finally learned to and asked, "Dost thou not know where my husband is? He climbed
shudder, he still did not know what true fear was.) up the tower before thou didst." "No, I don't know," replied the
boy, "but some one was standing by the sounding hole on the
A certain father had two sons, the elder of whom was smart and other side of the steps, and as he would neither give an answer nor
sensible, and could do everything, but the younger was stupid and go away, I took him for a scoundrel, and threw him downstairs,
could neither learn nor understand anything, and when people just go there and you will see if it was he. I should be sorry if it
saw him they said, "There's a fellow who will give his father some were." The woman ran away and found her husband, who was
trouble!" When anything had to be done, it was always the elder lying moaning in the corner, and had broken his leg.
who was forced to do it; but if his father bade him fetch anything She carried him down, and then with loud screams she hastened
when it was late, or in the night-time, and the way led through the to the boy's father. "Your boy," cried she, "has been the cause of a
churchyard, or any other dismal place, he answered, "Oh, no, great misfortune! He has thrown my husband down the steps and
father, I'll not go there, it makes me shudder!" for he was afraid. made him break his leg. Take the good-for-nothing fellow away
Or when stories were told by the fire at night which made the flesh from our house." The father was terrified, and ran thither and
creep,the listeners often said, "Oh, it makes us shudder!" The scolded the boy. "What wicked tricks are these?" said he, "the
younger sat in a corner and listened with the rest of them, and devil must have put this into thy head." "Father," he replied, "do
could not imagine what they could mean. "They are always saying, listen to me. I am quite innocent. He was standing there by night
'it makes me shudder, it makes me shudder!' It does not make me like one who is intending to do some evil. I did not know who it
shudder," thought he." That, too, must be an art of which I was, and I entreated him three times either to speak or to go
understand nothing!" away." "Ah," said the father, "I have nothing but unhappiness
Now it came to pass that his father said to him one day, with thee. Go out of my sight. I will see thee no more."
"Hearken to me, thou fellow in the corner there, thou art growing
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"Yes, father, right willingly, wait only until it is day. Then will I shame if such beautiful eyes as these should never see the daylight
go forth and learn how to shudder, and then I shall, at any rate, again."
understand one art which will support me." "Learn what thou But the youth said, "However difficult it may be, I will learn it,
wilt," spake the father, "it is all the same to me. Here are fifty and for this purpose indeed have I journeyed forth." He let the
thalers for thee. Take these and go into the wide world, and tell no host have no rest, until the latter told him, that not far from
one from whence thou comest, and who is thy father, for I have thence stood a haunted castle where any one could very easily learn
reason to be ashamed of thee." "Yes, father, it shall be as you will. what shuddering was, if he would but watch in it for three nights.
If you desire nothing more than that, I can easily keep it in mind." The King had promised that he who would venture should have
When day dawned, therefore, the boy put his fifty thalers into his his daughter to wife, and she was the most beautiful maiden the
pocket, and went forth on the great highway, and continually said sun shone on. Great treasures likewise lay in the castle, which were
to himself, "If I could but shudder! If I could but shudder!" Then a guarded by evil spirits, and these treasures would then be freed,
man approached who heard this conversation which the youth was and would make a poor man rich enough. Already many men had
holding with himself, and when they had walked a little farther to gone into the castle, but as yet none had come out again. Then the
where they could see the gallows, the man said to him, "Look, youth went next morning to the King and said that if he were
there is the tree where seven men have married the ropemaker's allowed he would watch three nights in the enchanted castle. The
daughter, and are now learning how to fly. Sit down below it, and King looked at him, and as the youth pleased him, he said, "Thou
wait till night comes, and thou wilt soon learn how to shudder." mayest ask for three things to take into the castle with thee, but
"If that is all that is wanted," answered the youth, "it is easily they must be things without life." Then he answered, "Then I ask
done; but if I learn how to shudder as fast as that, thou shalt have for a fire, a turning lathe, and a cutting-board with the knife."
my fifty thalers. Just come back to me early in the morning." Then The King had these things carried into the castle for him during
the youth went to the gallows, sat down below it, and waited till the day. When night was drawing near, the youth went up and
evening came. And as he was cold, he lighted himself a fire, but at made himself a bright fire in one of the rooms, placed the cutting-
midnight the wind blew so sharply that in spite of his fire, he could board and knife beside it, and seated himself by the turning-lathe.
not get warm. And as the wind knocked the hanged men against "Ah, if I could but shudder!" said he, "but I shall not learn it here
each other, and they moved backwards and forwards, he thought either." Towards midnight he was about to poke his fire, and as he
to himself, "Thou shiverest below by the fire, but how those up was blowing it, something cried suddenly from one corner, "Au,
above must freeze and suffer!" And as he felt pity for them, he miau! how cold we are!" "You simpletons!" cried he, "what are
raised the ladder, and climbed up, unbound one of them after the you crying about? If you are cold, come and take a seat by the fire
other, and brought down all seven. Then he stirred the fire, blew it, and warm yourselves." And when he had said that, two great black
and set them all round it to warm themselves. But they sat there cats came with one tremendous leap and sat down on each side of
and did not stir, and the fire caught their clothes. So he said, him, and looked savagely at him with their fiery eyes. After a short
"Take care, or I will hang you up again." The dead men, however, time, when they had warmed themselves, they said, "Comrade,
did not hear, but were quite silent, and let their rags go on shall we have a game at cards?" "Why not?" he replied, "but just
burning. On this he grew angry, and said, "If you will not take show me your paws." Then they stretched out their claws. "Oh,"
care, I cannot help you, I will not be burnt with you," and he hung said he, "what long nails you have! Wait, I must first cut them a
them up again each in his turn. Then he sat down by his fire and little for you." Thereupon he seized them by the throats, put them
fell asleep, and the next morning the man came to him and wanted on the cutting-board and screwed their feet fast. "I have looked at
to have the fifty thalers, and said, "Well, dost thou know how to your fingers," said he, "and my fancy for card-playing has gone,"
shudder?" "No," answered he, "how was I to get to know? Those and he struck them dead and threw them out into the water. But
fellows up there did not open their mouths, and were so stupid when he had made away with these two, and was about to sit down
that they let the few old rags which they had on their bodies get again by his fire, out from every hole and corner came black cats
burnt." Then the man saw that he would not get the fifty thalers and black dogs with red-hot chains, and more and more of them
that day, and went away saying, "One of this kind has never come came until he could no longer stir, and they yelled horribly, and
my way before." got on his fire, pulled it to pieces, and wanted to put it out. He
The youth likewise went his way, and once more began to mutter watched them for a while quietly, but at last when they were going
to himself, "Ah, if I could but shudder! Ah, if I could but too far, he seized his cutting-knife, and cried, "Away with ye,
shudder!" A waggoner who was striding behind him heard that vermin," and began to cut them down. Part of them ran away, the
and asked, "Who art thou?" "I don't know," answered the youth. others he killed, and threw out into the fish-pond. When he came
Then the waggoner asked, "From whence comest thou?" "I know back he blew up the embers of his fire again and warmed himself.
not." "Who is thy father?" " That I may not tell thee." "What is it And as he thus sat, his eyes would keep open no longer, and he felt
that thou art always muttering between thy teeth?" " Ah," replied a desire to sleep. Then he looked round and saw a great bed in the
the youth, "I do so wish I could shudder, but no one can teach me corner. "That is the very thing for me," said he, and got into it.
how to do it." "Give up thy foolish chatter," said the waggoner. When he was just going to shut his eyes, however, the bed began to
"Come, go with me, I will see about a place for thee." The youth move of its own accord, and went over the whole of the castle.
went with the waggoner, and in the evening they arrived at an inn "That's right," said he, "but go faster." Then the bed rolled on as
where they wished to pass the night. Then at the entrance of the if six horses were harnessed to it, up and down, over thresholds
room the youth again said quite loudly, "If I could but shudder! If and steps, but suddenly hop, hop, it turned over upside down, and
I could but shudder!" The host who heard this, laughed and said, lay on him like a mountain. But he threw quilts and pillows up in
"If that is your desire, there ought to be a good opportunity for the air, got out and said, "Now any one who likes, may drive,"
you here." "Ah, be silent," said the hostess, "so many inquisitive and lay down by his fire, and slept till it was day. In the morning
persons have already lost their lives, it would be a pity and a the King came, and when he saw him lying there on the ground, he
thought the evil spirits had killed him and he was dead. Then said
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he, "After all it is a pity,—he is a handsome man." The youth Then a man entered who was taller than all others, and looked
heard it, got up, and said, "It has not come to that yet." Then the terrible. He was old, however, and had a long white beard. "Thou
King was astonished, but very glad, and asked how he had fared. wretch," cried he, "thou shalt soon learn what it is to shudder, for
"Very well indeed," answered he; "one night is over, the two thou shalt die." "Not so fast," replied the youth. "If I am to die, I
others will get over likewise." Then he went to the innkeeper, who shall have to have a say in it." "I will soon seize thee," said the
opened his eyes very wide, and said, "I never expected to see thee fiend. "Softly, softly, do not talk so big. I am as strong as thou art,
alive again! Hast thou learnt how to shudder yet?" "No," said he, and perhaps even stronger." "We shall see," said the old man. "If
"it is all in vain. If some one would but tell me!" thou art stronger, I will let thee go—come, we will try." Then he
The second night he again went up into the old castle, sat down led him by dark passages to a smith's forge, took an axe, and with
by the fire, and once more began his old song, "If I could but one blow struck an anvil into the ground. "I can do that better
shudder!" When midnight came, an uproar and noise of tumbling still," said the youth, and went to the other anvil. The old man
about was heard; at first it was low, but it grew louder and louder. placed himself near and wanted to look on, and his white beard
Then it was quiet for awhile, and at length with a loud scream, hung down. Then the youth seized the axe, split the anvil with one
half a man came down the chimney and fell before him. "Hollo!" blow, and struck the old man's beard in with it. "Now I have
cried he, "another half belongs to this. This is too little!" Then the thee," said the youth. "Now it is thou who wilt have to die." Then
uproar began again, there was a roaring and howling, and the he seized an iron bar and beat the old man till he moaned and
other half fell down likewise. "Wait," said he, "I will just blow up entreated him to stop, and he would give him great riches. The
the fire a little for thee." When he had done that and looked round youth drew out the axe and let him go. The old man led him back
again, the two pieces were joined together, and a frightful man into the castle, and in a cellar showed him three chests full of gold.
was sitting in his place. "That is no part of our bargain," said the "Of these," said he, "one part is for the poor, the other is for the
youth, "the bench is mine." The man wanted to push him away; king, the third is thine." In the meantime it struck twelve, and the
the youth, however, would not allow that, but thrust him off with spirit disappeared; the youth, therefore, was left in darkness. "I
all his strength, and seated himself again in his own place. Then shall still be able to find my way out," said he, and felt about,
still more men fell down, one after the other; they brought nine found the way into the room, and slept there by his fire. Next
dead men's legs and two skulls, and set them up and played at nine- morning the King came and said "Now thou must have learnt
pins with them. The youth also wanted to play and said "Hark you, what shuddering is?" "No," he answered; "what can it be? My
can I join you?" "Yes, if thou hast any money." "Money enough," dead cousin was here, and a bearded man came and showed me a
replied he, "but your balls are not quite round." Then he took the great deal of money down below, but no one told me what it was
skulls and put them in the lathe and turned them till they were to shudder." "Then," said the King, "thou hast delivered the castle,
round. "There, now, they will roll better!" said he. "Hurrah! now and shalt marry my daughter." "That is all very well," said he,
it goes merrily!" He played with them and lost some of his money, "but still I do not know what it is to shudder!"
but when it struck twelve, everything vanished from his sight. He Then the gold was brought up and the wedding celebrated; but
lay down and quietly fell asleep. Next morning the King came to howsoever much the young King loved his wife, and however
enquire after him. "How has it fared with thee this time?" asked he. happy he was, he still said always "If I could but shudder—if I
"I have been playing at nine-pins," he answered, "and have lost a could but shudder." And at last she was angry at this. Her
couple of farthings." "Hast thou not shuddered then?" "Eh, waiting-maid said, "I will find a cure for him; he shall soon learn
what?" said he, "I have made merry. If I did but know what it was what it is to shudder." She went out to the stream which flowed
to shudder!" through the garden, and had a whole bucketful of gudgeons
The third night he sat down again on his bench and said quite brought to her. At night when the young King was sleeping, his
sadly, "If I could but shudder." When it grew late, six tall men wife was to draw the clothes off him and empty the bucketful of
came in and brought a coffin. Then said he, "Ha, ha, that is cold water with the gudgeons in it over him, so that the little
certainly my little cousin, who died only a few days ago," and he fishes would sprawl about him. When this was done, he woke up
beckoned with his finger, and cried "Come, little cousin, come." and cried "Oh, what makes me shudder so?—what makes me
They placed the coffin on the ground, but he went to it and took shudder so, dear wife? Ah! now I know what it is to shudder!"
the lid off, and a dead man lay therein. He felt his face, but it was
cold as ice. "Stop," said he, "I will warm thee a little," and went to
the fire and warmed his hand and laid it on the dead man's face, 5.—THE WOLF AND THE SEVEN LITTLE KIDS.
but he remained cold. Then he took him out, and sat down by the
fire and laid him on his breast and rubbed his arms that the blood ("The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats" (German: Der Wolf
might circulate again. As this also did no good, he thought to und die sieben jungen Geißlein) is a fairy tale that has obvious
himself, "When two people lie in bed together, they warm each resemblance to "The Three Little Pigs" and other type 124
other," and carried him to the bed, covered him over and lay down folktales. The rescue of the kids from the wolf's belly and his
by him. After a short time the dead man became warm too, and punishment by filling him with stones can also been compared to
began to move. Then said the youth, "See, little cousin, have I not the rescue and revenge of Little Red Cap (Little Red Riding Hood)
warmed thee?" The dead man, however, got up and cried, "Now against the wolf. The story was published by the Brothers Grimm
will I strangle thee." in the first edition of Kinder- und Hausmärchen in 1812. Their
"What!" said he, "is that the way thou thankest me? Thou shalt source was the Hassenpflug family from Hanau. A similar tale,
at once go into thy coffin again," and he took him up, threw him "The Wolf and the Kids," has been told in the Middle East and
into it, and shut the lid. Then came the six men and carried him parts of Europe, and probably originated in the first century.
away again. "I cannot manage to shudder," said he. "I shall never Contents: A mother goat leaves her seven children at home while
learn it here as long as I live." she ventures into the forest to find food. Before she leaves, she
warns her young about the wolf who will try to sneak into the
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house and gobble them up. He will pretend to be their mother and thought to himself, "The wolf wants to deceive someone," and
convince the kids to open the door. The young children will be refused; but the wolf said, "If thou wilt not do it, I will devour
able to recognise their true mother by her white feet and sweet thee." Then the miller was afraid, and made his paws white for him.
voice. The mother goat leaves and the seven kids stay in the house. Truly men are like that.
Before long, they hear a voice at the door that says "Let me in So now the wretch went for the third time to the house-door,
children, your mother has something for each and every one of knocked at it and said, "Open the door for me, children, your dear
you." It was the wolf, whose gruff voice betrays him and the kids little mother has come home, and has brought every one of you
do not let him in. The wolf goes to a marketplace, store, or something back from the forest with her." The little kids cried, "
pharmacy and steals some honey, medicine or chalk, to soften his First show us thy paws that we may know if thou art our dear
voice. A little while later, the kids hear another voice at the door: little mother." Then he put his paws in through the window, and
"Let me in children, your mother has something for each and every when the kids saw that they were white, they believed that all he
one of you." This time the voice is high and sweet like their said was true, and opened the door. But who should come in but
mother's. They are about to let him in when the youngest kid the wolf! They were terrified and wanted to hide themselves. One
looks under the crack in the door and notices the wolf's big, black sprang under the table, the second into the bed, the third into the
feet. They refuse to open the door, and the wolf goes away again. stove, the fourth into the kitchen, the fifth into the cupboard, the
The wolf goes to the bakery or mill and steals some flour, sixth under the washing-bowl, and the seventh into the clockcase.
smearing it all over his coat, turning his black feet white. He But the wolf found them all, and used no great ceremony; one after
returns to the children's house, and says "Let me in children, your the other he swallowed them down his throat. The youngest, in
mother has something for each and every one of you." The kids see the clock-case, was the only one he did not find. When the wolf
his white feet and hear his sweet voice, so they open the door. The had satisfied his appetite he took himself off, laid himself down
wolf jumps into the house and gobbles up six of the kids. The under a tree in the green meadow outside, and began to sleep.
youngest child hides from the wolf in the grandfather clock and Soon afterwards the old goat came home again from the forest. Ah!
does not get eaten. Later that day, the mother goat returns home what a sight she saw there! The house-door stood wide open. The
from the forest. She is distraught to find the door wide open and table, chairs, and benches were thrown down, the washing-bowl
all but one of her children missing. She looks around and sees the lay broken to pieces, and the quilts and pillows were pulled off the
wolf, fast asleep under a tree. He has eaten so much, he cannot bed. She sought her children, but they were nowhere to be found.
move. The mother goat calls to her youngest child to quickly get She called them one after another by name, but no one answered.
her a pair of scissors, a needle and some thread. She cuts open the At last, when she came to the youngest, a soft voice cried, "Dear
wolf's belly and the six children spring out miraculously unharmed. mother, I am in the clock-case." She took the kid out, and it told
They fill the wolf's belly with rocks, and the mother sews it back her that the wolf had come and had eaten all the others. Then you
up again. When the wolf wakes up, he is very thirsty. He goes to may imagine how she wept over her poor children.
the river to drink, but being so heavy he falls in and drowns under At length in her grief she went out, and the youngest kid ran
the weight of the rocks. All the children feel great to find with her. When they came to the meadow, there lay the wolf by the
themselves safe. The family lives happily ever after.) tree and snored so loud that the branches shook. She looked at
him on every side and saw that something was moving and
There was once upon a time an old goat who had seven little kids, struggling in his gorged body. "Ah, heavens," said she, "is it
and loved them with all the love of a mother for her children. One possible that my poor children whom he has swallowed down for
day she wanted to go into the forest and fetch some food. So she his supper, can be still alive?" Then the kid had to run home and
called all seven to her and said, "Dear children, I have to go into fetch scissors, and a needle and thread, and the goat cut open the
the forest, be on your guard against the wolf; if he come in, he will monster's stomach, and hardly had she made one cut, than one
devour you all--skin, hair, and all. The wretch often disguises little kid thrust its head out, and when she had cut farther, all six
himself, but you will know him at once by his rough voice and his sprang out one after another, and were all still alive, and had
black feet." The kids said, "Dear mother, we will take good care of suffered no injury whatever, for in his greediness the monster had
ourselves; you may go away without any anxiety." Then the old swallowed them down whole. What rejoicing there was! Then they
one bleated, and went on her way with an easy mind. embraced their dear mother, and jumped like a tailor at his
It was not long before some one knocked at the house-door and wedding. The mother, however, said, "Now go and look for some
cried, "Open the door, dear children; your mother is here, and has big stones, and we will fill the wicked beast's stomach with them
brought something back with her for each of you." But the little while he is still asleep." Then the seven kids dragged the stones
kids knew that it was the wolf, by the rough voice; "We will not thither with all speed, and put as many of them into his stomach as
open the door," cried they, "thou art not our mother. She has a they could get in; and the mother sewed him up again in the
soft, pleasant voice, but thy voice is rough; thou art the wolf!" greatest haste, so that he was not aware of anything and never
Then the wolf went away to a shopkeeper and bought himself a once stirred.
great lump of chalk, ate this and made his voice soft with it. The When the wolf at length had had his sleep out, he got on his legs,
he came back, knocked at the door of the house, and cried, "Open and as the stones in his stomach made him very thirsty, he wanted
the door, dear children, your mother is here and has brought to go to a well to drink. But when he began to walk and move
something back with her for each of you." But the wolf had laid about, the stones in his stomach knocked against each other and
his black paws against the window, and the children saw them and rattled. Then cried he,
cried, "We will not open the door, our mother has not black feet "What rumbles and tumbles
like thee; thou art the wolf!" Then the wolf ran to a baker and said, Against my poor bones?
"I have hurt my feet, rub some dough over them for me." And I thought 't was six kids,
when the baker had rubbed his feet over, he ran to the miller and But it's naught but big stones."
said, "Strew some white meal over my feet for me." The miller
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And when he got to the well and stooped over the water and was show. If he sees that picture, he will fall violently in love with her,
just about to drink, the heavy stones made him fall in, and there and will drop down in a swoon, and go through great danger for
was no help, but he had to drown miserably. When the seven kids her sake, therefore thou must preserve him from that." And when
saw that, they came running to the spot and cried aloud, "The Faithful John had once more given his promise to the old King
wolf is dead! The wolf is dead!" and danced for joy round about about this, the King said no more, but laid his head on his pillow,
the well with their mother. and died.
When the old King had been carried to his grave, Faithful John
told the young King all that he had promised his father on his
6.—FAITHFUL JOHN. deathbed, and said, "This will I assuredly perform, and will be
faithful to thee as I have been faithful to him, even if it should cost
("Trusty John", "Faithful John", "Faithful Johannes", or "John me my life." When the mourning was over, Faithful John said to
the True" (German: Der treue Johannes) is a fairy tale told to the him, "It is now time that thou shouldst see thine inheritance. I will
Grimms by the German storyteller Dorothea Viehmann, from the show thee thy father's palace." Then he took him about
village of Niederzwehren near Kassel. Andrew Lang called it "The everywhere, up and down, and let him see all the riches, and the
Faithful Servant" in his Fairy Books. magnificent apartments, only there was one room which he did
Contents: A king on his deathbed orders his servant, Trusty John, not open, that in which hung the dangerous picture. The picture
not to let his son see a certain room, which holds a portrait of a was, however, so placed that when the door was opened you
princess. When the new king comes to power, he forces his way looked straight on it, and it was so admirably painted that it
into the room. Instantly, he falls in love with the princess. The seemed to breathe and live, and there was nothing more charming
king does not know how to win her. Trusty John tells him to or more beautiful in the whole world. The young king, however,
prepare a ship with all manner of rich treasure, and then either plainly remarked that Faithful John always walked past this one
sails with it himself, or has the king sail with him, to her country. door, and said, "Why dost thou never open this one for me?"
The princess is lured aboard by the goods, and the ship sets sail, "There is something within it," he replied, "which would terrify
carrying her off. She is shocked when she notices the betrayal, but thee." But the King answered, "I have seen all the palace, and I
is reconciled when the king's son reveals himself and his love. will know what is in this room also," and he went and tried to
Faithful Johannes listens to three ravens at the bow. They speak of break open the door by force. Then Faithful John held him back
a chestnut horse that will carry the king away unless someone else and said, "I promised thy father before his death that thou
jumps up and shoots him first, a bridal dress made of sulfur and shouldst not see that which is in this chamber, it might bring the
pitch that will burn him to the bone unless someone with gloves greatest misfortune on thee and on me." "Ah, no," replied the
throws it into the fire, and that the bride will fall dead as she young King, "if I do not go in, it will be my certain destruction. I
dances and die unless someone draws three drops of blood from should have no rest day or night until I had seen it with my own
her breast and spits it out again. But whoever tells the king that eyes. I shall not leave the place now until thou hast unlocked the
will turn to stone. When faithful John silently forestalls the king door."
and takes care of the horse and the robe, he still defends him in Then Faithful John saw that there was no help for it now, and
front of the other servants. But when he saves the bride by with a heavy heart and many sighs, sought out the key from the
drawing blood from her breast, he has him led to the gallows. great bunch. When he had opened the door, he went in first, and
There, faithful John explains why he is unjustly condemned and is thought by standing before him he could hide the portrait so that
turned to stone. The king repents and has the stone image set up the King should not see it in front of him, but what availed that?
next to his bed. One day it tells him that he can save his faithful The King stood on tip-toe and saw it over his shoulder. And when
servant if he cuts off the heads of his two little sons and smears he saw the portrait of the maiden, which was so magnificent and
them with their blood. The father does it with a heavy heart, shone with gold and precious stones, he fell fainting on the ground.
whereupon Johannes comes to life and also revives the little sons. Faithful John took him up, carried him to his bed, and
After the queen proves she would have done the same, they live sorrowfully thought, "The misfortune has befallen us, Lord God,
happily ever after.) what will be the end of it?" Then he strengthened him with wine,
until he came to himself again. The first words the King said were,
There was once on a time an old king who was ill, and thought "Ah, the beautiful portrait! whose it it?" "That is the princess of
to himself, "I am lying on what must be my death-bed." Then said the Golden Dwelling," answered Faithful John. Then the King
he, "Tell Faithful John to come to me." Faithful John was his continued, "My love for her is so great, that if all the leaves on all
favourite servant, and was so called, because he had for his whole the trees were tongues, they could not declare it. I will give my life
life long been so true to him. When therefore he came beside the to win her. Thou art my most Faithful John, thou must help me."
bed, the King said to him, "Most faithful John, I feel my end The faithful servant considered within himself for a long time
approaching, and have no anxiety except about my son. He is still how to set about the matter, for it was difficult even to obtain a
of tender age, and cannot always know how to guide himself. If sight of the King's daughter. At length he thought of a way, and
thou dost not promise me to teach him everything that he ought to said to the King, "Everything which she has about her is of gold --
know, and to be his foster-father, I cannot close my eyes in peace." - tables, chairs, dishes, glasses, bowls, and household furniture.
Then answered Faithful John, "I will not forsake him, and will Among thy treasures are five tons of gold; let one of the
serve him with fidelity, even if it should cost me my life." On this, goldsmiths of the kingdom work these up into all manner of
the old King said, "Now I die in comfort and peace." Then he vessels and utensils, into all kinds of birds, wild beasts and strange
added, "After my death, thou shalt show him the whole castle: all animals, such as may please her, and we will go there with them
the chambers, halls, and vaults, and all the treasures which lie and try our luck."
therein, but the last chamber in the long gallery, in which is the The King ordered all the goldsmiths to be brought to him, and
picture of the princess of the Golden Dwelling, shalt thou not they had to work night and day until at last the most splendid
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things were prepared. When everything was stowed on board a One cried, "Oh, there he is carrying home the princess of the
ship, Faithful John put on the dress of a merchant, and the King Golden Dwelling." "Yes," replied the second, "but he has not got
was forced to do the same in order to make himself quite her yet." Said the third, "But he has got her, she is sitting beside
unrecognisable. Then they sailed across the sea, and sailed on until him in the ship." Then the first began again, and cried, "What
they came to the town wherein dwelt the princess of the Golden good will that do him? When they reach land a chestnut horse will
Dwelling. leap forward to meet him, and the prince will want to mount it,
Faithful John bade the King stay behind on the ship, and wait but if he does that, it will run away with him, and rise up into the
for him. "Perhaps I shall bring the princess with me," said he, air with him, and he will never see his maiden more." Spake the
"therefore see that everything is in order; have the golden vessels second, "But is there no escape?"
set out and the whole ship decorated." Then he gathered together "Oh, yes, if any one else gets on it swiftly, and takes out the
in his apron all kinds of gold things, went on shore and walked pistol which must be in its holster, and shoots the horse dead with
straight to the royal palace. When he entered the courtyard of the it, the young King is saved. But who knows that? And whosoever
palace, a beautiful girl was standing there by the well with two does know it, and tells it to him, will be turned to stone from the
golden buckets in her hand, drawing water with them. And when toe to the knee." Then said the second, "I know more than that;
she was just turning round to carry away the sparkling water she even if the horse be killed, the young King will still not keep his
saw the stranger, and asked who he was. So he answered, "I am a bride. When they go into the castle together, a wrought bridal
merchant," and opened his apron, and let her look in. Then she garment will be lying there in a dish, and looking as if it were
cried, "Oh, what beautiful gold things!" and put her pails down woven of gold and silver; it is, however, nothing but sulphur and
and looked at the golden wares one after the other. Then said the pitch, and if he put it on, it will burn him to the very bone and
girl, "The princess must see these, she has such great pleasure in marrow." Said the third, "Is there no escape at all?"
golden things, that she will buy all you have." She took him by the "Oh, yes," replied the second, "if any one with gloves on seizes
hand and led him upstairs, for she was the waiting-maid. When the the garment and throws it into the fire and burns it, the young
King's daughter saw the wares, she was quite delighted and said, King will be saved. But what avails that? Whosoever knows it and
"They are so beautifully worked, that I will buy them all of thee." tells it to him, half his body will become stone from the knee to the
But Faithful John said, "I am only the servant of a rich merchant. heart."
The things I have here are not to be compared with those my Then said the third, "I know still more; even if the bridal
master has in his ship. They are the most beautiful and valuable garment be burnt, the young King will still not have his bride.
things that have ever been made in gold." She wanted to have After the wedding, when the dancing begins and the young Queen
everything brought to her there, but he said, "There are so many is dancing, she will suddenly turn pale and fall down as if dead,
of them that it would take a great many days to do that, and so and if some one does not lift her up and draw three drops of blood
many rooms would be required to exhibit them, that your house is from her right breast and spit them out again, she will die. But if
not big enough." Then her curiosity and longing were still more any one who knows that were to declare it, he would become stone
excited, until at last she said, "Conduct me to the ship, I will go from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot." When the
there myself, and behold the treasures of thy master." ravens had spoken of this together, they flew onwards, and
On this Faithful John was quite delighted, and led her to the ship, Faithful John had well understood everything, but from that time
and when the King saw her, he perceived that her beauty was even forth he became quiet and sad, for if he concealed what he had
greater than the picture had represented it to be, and thought no heard from his master, the latter would be unfortunate, and if he
other than that his heart would burst in twain. Then she got into discovered it to him, he himself must sacrifice his life. At length,
the ship, and the King led her within. Faithful John, however, however, he said to himself, "I will save my master, even if it bring
remained behind with the pilot, and ordered the ship to be pushed destruction on myself."
off, saying, "Set all sail, till it fly like a bird in air." Within, When therefore they came to shore, all happened as had been
however, the King showed her the golden vessels, every one of foretold by the ravens, and a magnificent chestnut horse sprang
them, also the wild beasts and strange animals. Many hours went forward. "Good," said the King, "he shall carry me to my palace,"
by whilst she was seeing everything, and in her delight she did not and was about to mount it when Faithful John got before him,
observe that the ship was sailing away. After she had looked at the jumped quickly on it, drew the pistol out of the holster, and shot
last, she thanked the merchant and wanted to go home, but when the horse. Then the other attendants of the King, who after all
she came to the side of the ship, she saw that it was on the deep sea were not very fond of Faithful John, cried, "How shameful to kill
far from land, and hurrying onwards with all sail set. "Ah," cried the beautiful animal, that was to have carried the King to his
she in her alarm, "I am betrayed! I am carried away and have fallen palace!" But the King said, "Hold your peace and leave him alone,
into the power of a merchant--I would die rather!" The King, he is my most faithful John, who knows what may be the good of
however, seized her hand, and said, "I am not a merchant. I am a that!" They went into the palace, and in the hall there stood a dish,
king, and of no meaner origin than thou art, and if I have carried and therein lay the bridal garment looking no otherwise than as if
thee away with subtlety, that has come to pass because of my it were made of gold and silver. The young king went towards it
exceeding great love for thee. The first time that I looked on thy and was about to take hold of it, but Faithful John pushed him
portrait, I fell fainting to the ground." When the princess of the away, seized it with gloves on, carried it quickly to the fire and
Golden Dwelling heard that, she was comforted, and her heart was burnt it. The other attendants again began to murmur, and said,
inclined unto him, so that she willingly consented to be his wife. "Behold, now he is even burning the King's bridal garment!" But
It happened, however, while they were sailing onwards over the the young King said, "Who knows what good he may have done,
deep sea, that Faithful John, who was sitting on the fore part of leave him alone, he is my most faithful John."
the vessel, making music, saw three ravens in the air, which came And now the wedding was solemnised: the dance began, and the
flying towards them. On this he stopped playing and listened to bride also took part in it; then Faithful John was watchful and
what they were saying to each other, for that he well understood. looked into her face, and suddenly she turned pale and fell to the
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ground, as if she were dead. On this he ran hastily to her, lifted her 7.—THE GOOD BARGAIN.
up and bore her into a chamber--then he laid her down, and knelt
and sucked the three drops of blood from her right breast, and ("The Good Bargain" is a farce [a trivial folk tale] published in
spat them out. Immediately she breathed again and recovered the Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm and
herself, but the young King had seen this, and being ignorant why from the 2nd edition of 1819 took place 7 (KHM 7) where in the
Faithful John had done it, was angry and cried, "Throw him into 1st edition was "The Stolen Heller" (renumbered as KHM 154 ).
a dungeon." Next morning Faithful John was condemned, and led The Grimms state "from Paderborn" (from the Haxthausen
to the gallows, and when he stood on high, and was about to be family). This antisemitic fairytale was added to the Grimm's
executed, he said, "Every one who has to die is permitted before collection with the second edition of 1819. A similar anti-Semitic
his end to make one last speech; may I too claim the right?" "Yes," tale collected by the Grimms is "The Jew Among Thorns." Of the
answered the King, "it shall be granted unto thee." Then said 211 folk tales collected and published by the Brothers Grimm in
Faithful John, "I am unjustly condemned, and have always been the final edition of 1857, three have central Jewish characters: The
true to thee," and he related how he had hearkened to the Good Bargain, The Jew Among Thorns (KHM 110) and The
conversation of the ravens when on the sea, and how he had been Bright Sun Brings It to Light (KHM 115), with the first two
obliged to do all these things in order to save his master. Then being overtly antisemitic while the third is more ambiguous in the
cried the King, "Oh, my most Faithful John. Pardon, pardon-- way in which it depicts the Jewish characters. Whether these tales
bring him down." But as Faithful John spoke the last word he had reflect the views of the Grimm Brothers or just those of the
fallen down lifeless and become a stone. population is unknown.
Thereupon the King and the Queen suffered great anguish, and Antisemitic views of Christians and Muslims have their origin in
the King said, "Ah, how ill I have requited great fidelity!" and the earliest texts of the New Testament, the epistles of the Roman
ordered the stone figure to be taken up and placed in his bedroom citizen Shaul ha Tarsi (Saul of Tarsos), better known as Paul the
beside his bed. And as often as he looked on it he wept and said, Apostle. His letters, and consequently all other New Testament
"Ah, if I could bring thee to life again, my most faithful John." texts, are definitely anti-Jewish reflecting the political events of
Some time passed and the Queen bore twins, two sons who grew the time. Paul was a member of the Pharisees, one of the two main
fast and were her delight. Once when the Queen was at church and Jewish movements in the 1st century AD. The other group were
the two children were sitting playing beside their father, the latter the Messianist Jews of the Holy Land who launched the First
full of grief again looked at the stone figure, sighed and said, "Ah, Roman-Jewish War. Paul was a Roman official who, according to
if I could but bring thee to life again, my most faithful John." his own letters, was persecuting all sorts of Messianists ("For ye
Then the stone began to speak and said, "Thou canst bring me to have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion,
life again if thou wilt use for that purpose what is dearest to thee." how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God [meaning
Then cried the King, "I will give everything I have in the world for the Messianists in the Holy Land, first led by James the brother of
thee." The stone continued, "If thou wilt cut off the heads of thy Jesus], and wasted it;" Galatians 1:13). The conflict was about law
two children with thine own hand, and sprinkle me with their and politics. On order of Emperor Nero, the general and later
blood, I shall be restored to life." emperor Titus Flavius Vespasianus crushed the separatistic
The King was terrified when he heard that he himself must kill Messianists in a massive war with over a million deaths. The
his dearest children, but he thought of faithful John's great fidelity, mainly peaceful Pharisees survived and became the reformed
and how he had died for him, drew his sword, and with his own "Roman Jews" or "Rabbinic Jews," as we call them today. The big
hand cut off the children's heads. And when he had smeared the war however, tarnished the reputation of the peaceful Jews and the
stone with their blood, life returned to it, and Faithful John stood early Jewish Christians; Vespasian's adoptive son Titus Flavius
once more safe and healthy before him. He said to the King, "Thy Josephus reported in his book "The Jewish Wars" on those events
truth shall not go unrewarded," and took the heads of the children, extensively. (See the Introduction to the New Testament, the
put them on again, and rubbed the wounds with their blood, on Letters of Paul the Apostle, the Babylonian Talmud, the
which they became whole again immediately, and jumped about, "Recognitions" and "Homilies" by Titus Flavius Clemens, and the
and went on playing as if nothing had happened. Then the King Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran [which represent the only surviving
was full of joy, and when he saw the Queen coming he hid Faithful texts of the Messianists]; all in the Grand Bible, Internet Archive.)
John and the two children in a great cupboard. When she entered, Contents: A farmer sells his cow for seven thalers. On the way
he said to her, "Hast thou been praying in the church?" "Yes," home, frogs croak "ak, ak, ak, ak." He thinks they mean "eight"
answered she, "but I have constantly been thinking of Faithful thalers, wants to lecture them and throws the money into the pond.
John and what misfortune has befallen him through us." Then said As he brings the meat of the next cow to town, a dog barks "what,
he, "Dear wife, we can give him his life again, but it will cost us what, what, what." The farmer thinks he wants "what" and lets
our two little sons, whom we must sacrifice." The Queen turned the pack eat everything. The butcher who owns the dog is
pale, and her heart was full of terror, but she said, "We owe it to supposed to pay him back after three days, but he beats him out.
him, for his great fidelity." Then the King was rejoiced that she He complains to the king, and his daughter laughs for the first
thought as he had thought, and went and opened the cupboard, time in her life. He should marry her for that, but his wife is
and brought forth Faithful John and the children, and said, "God enough for him. The angry king promises him "five hundred". The
be praised, he is delivered, and we have our little sons again also," gatekeeper asks for 200 of these as a gift, and a Jew exchanges the
and told her how everything had occurred. Then they dwelt rest for bad pennies and whines when it turns out to be a beating.
together in much happiness until their death. The king laughs and the farmer can help himself from the treasury.
In the inn he counts the money and scolds the king for not giving
it to him himself. The Jew reports him for this, is supposed to
bring him to the king and lends him his coat. The farmer accuses
him of lying, gets money again and keeps the coat.)
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There was once a peasant who had driven his cow to the fair, and Thereupon the King's daughter began to laugh heartily, and the
sold her for seven thalers. On the way home he had to pass a pond, King said to him, "I cannot give you justice in this, but you shall
and already from afar he heard the frogs crying, "Aik, aik, aik, have my daughter to wife for it,--in her whole life she has never yet
aik." "Well," said he to himself, "they are talking without rhyme laughed as she has just done at thee, and I have promised her to
or reason, it is seven that I have received, not eight." When he got him who could make her laugh. Thou mayst thank God for thy
to the water, he cried to them, "Stupid animals that you are! good fortune!"
Don't you know better than that? It is seven thalers and not "Oh," answered the peasant, "I will not have her, I have a wife
eight." The frogs, however, stood to their, "aik, aik, aik, aik." already, and she is one too many for me; when I go home, it is just
"Come, then, if you won't believe it, I can count it out to you," as bad as if I had a wife standing in every corner." Then the King
and he got his money out of his pocket and counted out the seven grew angry, and said, "Thou art a boor." "Ah, Lord King,"
thalers, always reckoning four and twenty groschen to a thaler. replied the peasant, "what can you expect from an ox, but beef?"
The frogs, however, would not pay any attention to his reckoning, "Stop," answered the King, "thou shalt have another reward. Be
but still cried, "aik, aik, aik, aik." "What," cried the peasant quite off now, but come back in three days, and then thou shalt have five
angry, "since you are determined to know better than I, count it hundred counted out in full."
yourselves," and threw all the money into the water to them. He When the peasant went out by the gate, the sentry said, "Thou
stood still and wanted to wait until they were done and had hast made the King's daughter laugh, so thou wilt certainly
brought him his own again, but the frogs maintained their receive something good." "Yes, that is what I think," answered the
opinion and cried continually, "aik, aik, aik, aik," and besides peasant; "five hundred are to be counted out to me." "Hark thee,"
that, did not throw the money out again. He still waited a long said the soldier, "give me some of it. What canst thou do with all
while until evening came on and he was forced to go home. Then that money?" "As it is thou," said the peasant, "thou shalt have
he abused the frogs and cried, "You water-splashers, you thick- two hundred; present thyself in three days' time before the King,
heads, you goggle-eyes, you have great mouths and can screech till and let it be paid to thee." A Jew, who was standing by and had
you hurt one's ears, but you cannot count seven thalers! Do you heard the conversation, ran after the peasant, held him by the coat,
think I'm going to stand here till you get done?" And with that he and said, "Oh, wonder! what a luck-child thou art! I will change it
went away, but the frogs still cried, "aik, aik, aik, aik," after him for thee, I will change it for thee into small coins, what dost thou
till he went home quite angry. want with the great thalers?" "Jew," said the countryman, "three
After a while he bought another cow, which he killed, and he hundred canst thou still have; give it to me at once in coin, in three
made the calculation that if he sold the meat well he might gain as days from this, thou wilt be paid for it by the King." The Jew was
much as the two cows were worth, and have the skin into the delighted with the profit, and brought the sum in bad groschen,
bargain. When therefore he got to the town with the meat, a great three of which were worth two good ones. After three days had
troop of dogs were gathered together in front of the gate, with a passed, according to the King's command, the peasant went before
large greyhound at the head of them, which jumped at the meat, the King. "Pull his coat off," said the latter, "and he shall have his
snuffed at it, and barked, "Wow, wow, wow." As there was no five hundred." "Ah!" said the peasant, "they no longer belong to
stopping him, the peasant said to him, "Yes, yes, I know quite well me; I presented two hundred of them to the sentinel, and three
that thou art saying, 'wow, wow, wow,' because thou wantest hundred the Jew has changed for me, so by right nothing at all
some of the meat; but I should fare badly if I were to give it to belongs to me." In the meantime the soldier and the Jew entered
thee." The dog, however, answered nothing but "wow, wow." and claimed what they had gained from the peasant, and they
"Wilt thou promise not to devour it all then, and wilt thou go bail received the blows strictly counted out. The soldier bore it
for thy companions?" "Wow, wow, wow," said the dog. "Well, if patiently and knew already how it tasted; but the Jew said
thou insistest on it, I will leave it for thee; I know thee well, and sorrowfully, "Alas, alas, are these the heavy thalers?" The King
know who is thy master; but this I tell thee, I must have my money could not help laughing at the peasant, and as all his anger was
in three days or else it will go ill with thee; thou must just bring it gone, he said, "As thou hast already lost thy reward before it fell
out to me." Thereupon he unloaded the meat and turned back to thy lot, I will give thee something in the place of it. Go into my
again, the dogs fell upon it and loudly barked, "wow, wow." treasure chamber and get some money for thyself, as much as thou
The countryman, who heard them from afar, said to himself, wilt." The peasant did not need to be told twice, and stuffed into
"Hark, now they all want some, but the big one is responsible to his big pockets whatsoever would go in. Afterwards he went to an
me for it." inn and counted over his money. The Jew had crept after him and
When three days had passed, the countryman thought, "To- heard how he muttered to himself, "That rogue of a King has
night my money will be in my pocket," and was quite delighted. cheated me after all, why could he not have given me the money
But no one would come and pay it. "There is no trusting any one himself, and then I should have known what I had? How can I tell
now," said he; and at last he lost patience, and went into the town now if what I have had the luck to put in my pockets is right or
to the butcher and demanded his money. The butcher thought it not?" "Good heavens!" said the Jew to himself, "that man is
was a joke, but the peasant said, "Jesting apart, I will have my speaking disrespectfully of our lord the King, I will run and
money! Did not the great dog bring you the whole of the inform, and then I shall get a reward, and he will be punished as
slaughtered cow three days ago?" Then the butcher grew angry, well."
snatched a broom-stick and drove him out. "Wait a while," said When the King heard of the peasant's words he fell into a passion,
the peasant, "there is still some justice in the world!" and went to and commanded the Jew to go and bring the offender to him. The
the royal palace and begged for an audience. He was led before the Jew ran to the peasant, "You are to go at once to the lord King in
King, who sat there with his daughter, and asked him what injury the very clothes you have on." "I know what's right better than
he had suffered. "Alas!" said he, "the frogs and the dogs have that," answered the peasant, "I shall have a new coat made first.
taken from me what is mine, and the butcher has paid me for it Dost thou think that a man with so much money in his pocket is to
with the stick," and he related at full length all that had happened. go there in his ragged old coat?" The Jew, as he saw that the
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peasant would not stir without another coat, and as he feared that musician quickly picked up a stone and with one blow wedged his
if the King's anger cooled, he himself would lose his reward, and two paws so fast that he was forced to stay there like a prisoner.
the peasant his punishment, said, "I will out of pure friendship "Stay there until I come back again," said the musician, and went
lend thee a coat for the short time. What will people not do for his way.
love!" The peasant was contented with this, put the Jew's coat on, After a while he again said to himself, "Time is beginning to pass
and went off with him. heavily with me here in the forest, I will fetch hither another
The King reproached the countryman because of the evil companion," and took his fiddle and again played in the forest. It
speaking of which the Jew had informed him. "Ah," said the was not long before a fox came creeping through the trees towards
peasant, "what a Jew says is always false--no true word ever comes him. "Ah, there's a fox coming!" said the musician. "I have no
out of his mouth! That rascal there is capable of maintaining that I desire for him." The fox came up to him and said, "Oh, dear
have his coat on." musician, how beautifully thou dost play! I should like to learn
"What is that?" shrieked the Jew. "Is the coat not mine? Have I that too." "That is soon learnt," said the musician. "Thou hast
not lent it to thee out of pure friendship, in order that thou might only to do everything that I bid thee." "Oh, musician," then said
appear before the lord King?" When the King heard that, he said, the fox, "I will obey thee as a scholar obeys his master." "Follow
"The Jew has assuredly deceived one or the other of us, either me," said the musician; and when they had walked a part of the
myself or the peasant," and again he ordered something to be way, they came to a footpath, with high bushes on both sides of it.
counted out to him in hard thalers. The peasant, however, went There the musician stood still, and from one side bent a young
home in the good coat, with the good money in his pocket, and hazel-bush down to the ground, and put his foot on the top of it,
said to himself, "This time I have hit it!" then he bent down a young tree from the other side as well, and
said, "Now little fox, if thou wilt learn something, give me thy left
front paw." The fox obeyed, and the musician fastened his paw to
8.—THE WONDERFUL MUSICIAN. the left bough. "Little fox," said he, "now reach me thy right paw"
and he tied it to the right bough. When he had examined whether
("The Wonderful Musician" or "The whimsical minstrel" is a they were firm enough, he let go, and the bushes sprang up again,
fairy tale that is in place 8 in Grimm's "Children's and Household and jerked up the little fox, so that it hung struggling in the air.
Tales" from the 2nd edition of 1819 (instead of "The hand with "Wait there till I come back again," said the musician, and went
the knife" from the 1st edition, which we find here in part 3) The his way.
Grimm's annotations mentioned "From Lorsch bei Worms", Again he said to himself, "Time is beginning to pass heavily with
comparing Orpheus and "a similar fairy tale among the Saxons in me here in the forest, I will fetch hither another companion," so he
Transylvania, Romania. The minstrel's ruthless behaviour towards took his fiddle, and the sound echoed through the forest. Then a
the animals could synonimously stand for "Do not trust any little hare came springing towards him. "Why, a hare is coming,"
stranger." said the musician, "I do not want him." "Ah, dear musician," said
Contents: A violinist wanders through the forest. Out of the hare, "how beautifully thou dost fiddle; I too, should like to
boredom he wants to fiddle with a friend. But he doesn't want the learn that." "That is soon learnt," said the musician, "thou hast
wolf that comes to learn how to play from him. He makes him put only to do everything that I bid thee."
his paws in a hollow tree and weighs them down with a stone. He "Oh, musician," replied the little hare, "I will obey thee as a
makes him wait and moves on. Similarly, a fox whose paws are tied scholar obeys his master." They went a part of the way together
to two crowns of hazelnut bushes, and a bunny which he makes until they came to an open space in the forest, where stood an
hop around an aspen tree with a string around its neck until it is aspen tree. The musician tied a long string round the little hare's
stuck. The wolf gets loose and frees the others. They want to tear neck, the other end of which he fastened to the tree. "Now briskly,
up the minstrel. But in the meantime he has found a woodcutter little hare, run twenty times round the tree!" cried the musician,
who listens enchantedly and defends him from the animals with an and the little hare obeyed, and when it had run round twenty
axe. The minstrel was looking for a person. He plays again in times, it had twisted the string twenty times round the trunk of
thanks and moves on.) the tree, and the little hare was caught, and let it pull and tug as it
liked, it only made the string cut into its tender neck. "Wait there
There was once a wonderful musician, who went quite alone till I come back," said the musician, and went onwards.
through a forest and thought of all manner of things, and when The wolf, in the meantime, had pushed and pulled and bitten at
nothing was left for him to think about, he said to himself, "Time the stone, and had worked so long that he had set his feet at liberty
is beginning to pass heavily with me here in the forest, I will fetch and had drawn them once more out of the cleft. Full of anger and
hither a good companion for myself." Then he took his fiddle from rage he hurried after the musician and wanted to tear him to pieces.
his back, and played so that it echoed through the trees. It was not When the fox saw him running, he began to lament, and cried with
long before a wolf came trotting through the thicket towards him. all his might, "Brother wolf, come to my help, the musician has
"Ah, here is a wolf coming! I have no desire for him!" said the betrayed me!" The wolf drew down the little tree, bit the cord in
musician; but the wolf came nearer and said to him, "Ah, dear two, and freed the fox, who went with him to take revenge on the
musician, how beautifully thou dost play! I should like to learn musician. They found the tied-up hare, whom likewise they
that, too." "It is soon learnt," the musician replied, "thou hast delivered, and then they all sought the enemy together.
only to do all that I bid thee." "Oh, musician," said the wolf, "I The musician had once more played his fiddle as he went on his
will obey thee as a scholar obeys his master." The musician bade way, and this time he had been more fortunate. The sound reached
him follow, and when they had gone part of the way together, they the ears of a poor wood-cutter, who instantly, whether he would
came to an old oak-tree which was hollow inside, and cleft in the or no, gave up his work and came with his hatchet under his arm
middle. "Look," said the musician, "if thou wilt learn to fiddle, to listen to the music. "At last comes the right companion," said
put thy fore paws into this crevice." The wolf obeyed, but the the musician, "for I was seeking a human being, and no wild
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beast." And he began and played so beautifully and delightfully will live, a red flag means the birth of a daughter and her
that the poor man stood there as if bewitched, and his heart leaped imminent death. The sons wait twelve days in the forest before a
with gladness. And as he thus stood, the wolf, the fox, and the hare red flag tells them to die. They swear bloody revenge on every girl
came up, and he saw well that they had some evil design. So he and move into an enchanted cottage deep in the forest, where they
raised his glittering axe and placed himself before the musician, as feed on animals. There she finds her sister, who finds out about
if to say, "Whoso wishes to touch him let him beware, for he will them ten years later, whereby Benjamin first hides her from the
have to do with me!" Then the beasts were terrified and ran back others as a precaution. They live in harmony. But when, out of
into the forest. The musician, however, played once more to the ignorance, she breaks off twelve white lilies, her brothers become
man out of gratitude, and then went onwards. ravens and fly away. At the behest of an old woman, she decides
not to speak or laugh for seven years in order to redeem her
brothers. A hunting king finds her and marries her. But his
9.—THE TWELVE BROTHERS. mother slanders the silent woman and persuades him to have her
burned. The redeemed brothers save her from the flames, and all
("The twelve brothers" is a fairy tale in the Children's and live happily together. The wicked mother-in-law is executed.)
Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm at position 9 (KHM 9).
According to his notes, Jacob Grimm had the fairy tale orally There were once on a time a king and a queen who lived happily
from Niederzwehren (in Hesse, near Kassel). It probably came together and had twelve children, but they were all boys. Then the
from Dorothea Viehmann, from whom he received it through the King said to his wife, "If the thirteenth child which thou art about
French pastor's daughters Julia and Charlotte Ramus in Kassel. to bring into the world, is a girl, the twelve boys shall die, in
The phrases "the twelve sons" and "the youngest son Benjamin" order that her possessions may be great, and that the kingdom
are allusions to "the twelve tribes of Israel" in the Old Testament. may fall to her alone." He caused likewise twelve coffins to be
Benjamin (Hebrew-Aramaic: Binyamin; meaning "Son of the made, which were already filled with shavings, and in each lay the
right", "The Righteous Son" or "The Son of Light" as the Hebrew little pillow for the dead, and he had them taken into a locked-up
Messianists said, in contrast to "The Son of Darkness", all non- room, and then he gave the Queen the key of it, and bade her not
Jews but in particular all Greeks and Romans as they were to speak of this to any one.
considered unclean conquerors of the Holy Land) was the last of The mother, however, now sat and lamented all day long, until
the two sons of Jacob and Rachel (Jacob's thirteenth child and the youngest son, who was always with her, and whom she had
twelfth and youngest son) in Jewish and Christian tradition. He named Benjamin, from the Bible, said to her, "Dear mother, why
was also the progenitor of the Israelite Tribe of Benjamin. The art thou so sad?"
name Benjamin goes 4,000 years back where the name is first "Dearest child," she answered, "I may not tell thee." But he let
mentioned in letters from King Sîn-kāšid of Uruk (1801–1771 her have no rest until she went and unlocked the room, and
BC), who called himself "King of Amnanum" and was a member of showed him the twelve coffins ready filled with shavings. Then she
the Amorite (Canaanite-Phoenician-Hebrew) tribal group the said, "My dearest Benjamin, thy father has had these coffins made
"Binu-Jamina" (single name "Binjamin"; Akkadian "Mar-Jamin"). for thee and for thy eleven brothers, for if I bring a little girl into
The name means "Son[s] of the South" and is linguistically related the world, you are all to be killed and buried in them." And as she
as a forerunner to the Old Testament name "Benjamin". It was the wept while she was saying this, the son comforted her and said,
same group that included the dynasty of King Hammurabi of "Weep not, dear mother, we will save ourselves, and go hence."
Babylon. The name means "sons of the south" and is linguistically But she said, "Go forth into the forest with thy eleven brothers,
related as a forerunner of the Old Testament name "Benjamin". and let one sit constantly on the highest tree which can be found,
According to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), Benjamin's name and keep watch, looking towards the tower here in the castle. If I
came about when Jacob intentionally changed the name "Benoni", give birth to a little son, I will put up a white flag, and then you
Benjamin's original name, as "Benoni" was an allusion to Rachel's may venture to come back, but if I bear a daughter, I will hoist a
death shortly after her birth, as it means "son of my sorrow". red flag, and then fly hence as quickly as you are able, and may the
Textual scholars consider these two names to be fragments of name good God protect you. And every night I will rise up and pray for
narratives drawn from different sources - one being the Yahwist you—in winter that you may be able to warm yourself at a fire,
and the other the Elohist. (Linguistic note: ben, bin, bar, bene, and in summer that you may not faint away in the heat."
benu, binu, etc. refers to the Semitic word "son", i.e. Barabbas = After she had blessed her sons therefore, they went forth into the
son of the father, Bene Israel = sons of Israel, Bar Matityahu = forest. They each kept watch in turn, and sat on the highest oak
son of Matthew, etc. See Grand Bible, Internet Archive.) and looked towards the tower. When eleven days had passed and
In the Grimm's story, the death of the sons is expressed first in the turn came to Benjamin, he saw that a flag was being raised. It
the coffins, then in their disappearance, and finally in the plucking was, however, not the white, but the blood-red flag which
of the lilies. In order to redeem her, the sister has to risk her own announced that they were all to die. When the brothers heard that,
death by remaining silent. Sigmund Freud saw both in being they were very angry and said, "Are we all to suffer death for the
unable to be found and in silence as a dream symbol for death (cf. sake of a girl? We swear that we will avenge ourselves!—
KHM 179 The Goose Lady at the Well). At the same time, the wheresoever we find a girl, her red blood shall flow."
sister, who through no fault of her own feels guilty of the death of Thereupon they went deeper into the forest, and in the midst of it,
her brothers, indirectly makes herself the accused of murder where it was the darkest, they found a little bewitched hut, which
through her silence. was standing empty. Then said they, "Here we will dwell, and
Contents: The king wants to kill his twelve sons if the thirteenth thou Benjamin, who art the youngest and weakest, thou shalt stay
child is a girl so that she alone inherits the kingdom. The queen at home and keep house, we others will go out and get food." Then
tells this to the youngest son, Benjamin, and that she will signal they went into the forest and shot hares, wild deer, birds and
them with a flag. A white flag means the child is a boy and they pigeons, and whatsoever there was to eat; this they took to
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Benjamin, who had to dress it for them in order that they might Once on a time the two at home had prepared a beautiful
appease their hunger. They lived together ten years in the little hut, entertainment, and when they were all together, they sat down
and the time did not appear long to them. and ate and drank and were full of gladness. There was, however, a
The little daughter which their mother the Queen had given little garden belonging to the bewitched house wherein stood
birth to, was now grown up; she was good of heart, and fair of twelve lily flowers, which are likewise called students.[1] She
face, and had a golden star on her forehead. Once, when it was the wished to give her brothers pleasure, and plucked the twelve
great washing, she saw twelve men's shirts among the things, and flowers, and thought she would present each brother with one
asked her mother, "To whom do these twelve shirts belong, for while at dinner. But at the self-same moment that she plucked the
they are far too small for father?" Then the Queen answered with a flowers the twelve brothers were changed into twelve ravens, and
heavy heart, "Dear child, these belong to thy twelve brothers." flew away over the forest, and the house and garden vanished
Said the maiden, "Where are my twelve brothers, I have never yet likewise. And now the poor maiden was alone in the wild forest,
heard of them?" She replied, "God knows where they are, they are and when she looked around, an old woman was standing near her
wandering about the world." Then she took the maiden and who said, "My child, what hast thou done? Why didst thou not
opened the chamber for her, and showed her the twelve coffins leave the twelve white flowers growing? They were thy brothers,
with the shavings, and pillows for the head. "These coffins," said who are now for evermore changed into ravens." The maiden said
she, "were destined for thy brothers, but they went away secretly weeping, "Is there no way of delivering them?"
before thou wert born," and she related to her how everything had "No," said the woman, "there is but one in the whole world, and
happened; then said the maiden, "Dear mother, weep not, I will go that is so hard that thou wilt not deliver them by it, for thou must
and seek my brothers." be dumb for seven years, and mayst not speak or laugh, and if thou
So she took the twelve shirts and went forth, and straight into speakest one single word, and only an hour of the seven years is
the great forest. She walked the whole day, and in the evening she wanting, all is in vain, and thy brothers will be killed by the one
came to the bewitched hut. Then she entered it and found a young word."
boy, who asked, "From whence comest thou, and whither art thou Then said the maiden in her heart, "I know with certainty that I
bound?" and was astonished that she was so beautiful, and wore shall set my brothers free," and went and sought a high tree and
royal garments, and had a star on her forehead. And she answered, seated herself in it and span, and neither spoke nor laughed. Now
"I am a king's daughter, and am seeking my twelve brothers, and I it so happened that a king was hunting in the forest, who had a
will walk as far as the sky is blue until I find them." She likewise great greyhound which ran to the tree on which the maiden was
showed him the twelve shirts which belonged to them. Then sitting, and sprang about it, whining, and barking at her. Then
Benjamin saw that she was his sister, and said, "I am Benjamin, the King came by and saw the beautiful King's daughter with the
thy youngest brother." And she began to weep for joy, and golden star on her brow, and was so charmed with her beauty that
Benjamin wept also, and they kissed and embraced each other with he called to ask her if she would be his wife. She made no answer,
the greatest love. But after this he said, "Dear sister, there is still but nodded a little with her head. So he climbed up the tree
one difficulty. We have agreed that every maiden whom we meet himself, carried her down, placed her on his horse, and bore her
shall die, because we have been obliged to leave our kingdom on home. Then the wedding was solemnised with great magnificence
account of a girl." Then said she, "I will willingly die, if by so and rejoicing, but the bride neither spoke nor smiled. When they
doing I can deliver my twelve brothers." had lived happily together for a few years, the King's mother, who
"No," answered he, "thou shalt not die, seat thyself beneath this was a wicked woman, began to slander the young Queen, and said
tub until our eleven brothers come, and then I will soon come to to the King, "This is a common beggar girl whom thou hast
an agreement with them." brought back with thee. Who knows what impious tricks she
She did so, and when it was night the others came from hunting, practises secretly! Even if she be dumb, and not able to speak, she
and their dinner was ready. And as they were sitting at table, and still might laugh for once; but those who do not laugh have bad
eating, they asked, "What news is there?" Said Benjamin, "Don't consciences." At first the King would not believe it, but the old
you know anything?" "No," they answered. He continued, "You woman urged this so long, and accused her of so many evil things,
have been in the forest and I have stayed at home, and yet I know that at last the King let himself be persuaded and sentenced her to
more than you do." "Tell us then," they cried. He answered, "But death.
promise me that the first maiden who meets us shall not be killed." And now a great fire was lighted in the courtyard in which she
"Yes," they all cried, "she shall have mercy, only do tell us." was to be burnt, and the King stood above at the window and
Then said he, "Our sister is here," and he lifted up the tub, and looked on with tearful eyes, because he still loved her so much.
the King's daughter came forth in her royal garments with the And when she was bound fast to the stake, and the fire was licking
golden star on her forehead, and she was beautiful, delicate, and at her clothes with its red tongue, the last instant of the seven
fair. Then they were all rejoiced, and fell on her neck, and kissed years expired. Then a whirring sound was heard in the air, and
and loved her with all their hearts. twelve ravens came flying towards the place, and sank
Now she stayed at home with Benjamin and helped him with the downwards,and when they touched the earth they were her twelve
work. The eleven went into the forest and caught game, and deer, brothers, whom she had delivered. They tore the fire asunder,
and birds, and wood-pigeons that they might have food, and the extinguished the flames, set their dear sister free, and kissed and
little sister and Benjamin took care to make it ready for them. She embraced her. And now as she dared to open her mouth and speak,
sought for the wood for cooking and herbs for vegetables, and put she told the King why she had been dumb, and had never laughed.
the pans on the fire so that the dinner was always ready when the The King rejoiced when he heard that she was innocent, and they
eleven came. She likewise kept order in the little house, and put all lived in great unity until their death. The wicked step-mother
beautifully white clean coverings on the little beds, and the was taken before the judge, and put into a barrel filled with
brothers were always contented and lived in great harmony with boiling oil and venomous snakes, and died an evil death.
her.
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10.—THE PACK OF RAGAMUFFINS. a step further, and that it was so dirty on the road, and asked if
they could not get into the carriage for a while. They had been at
("The Pack of Ragamuffins" is a farce [a trivial folk tale] in the the tailor's public-house by the gate, and had stayed too long over
Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm. The fairy the beer. As they were thin people, who did not take up much
tale comes from Paderborn. The farce is in the Children's and room, the cock let them both get in, but they had to promise him
Household Tales from the 1st edition of 1812 as No. 10. Grimm's and his little hen not to step on their feet. Late in the evening they
annotation reads "from dem Paderbörnische" (probably 1812 by came to an inn, and as they did not like to go further by night, and
August von Haxthausen). In this fairy tale, in addition to people as the duck also was not strong on her feet, and fell from one side
and animals, inanimate things are also characters. Another fairy to the other, they went in. The host at first made many objections,
tale of this kind is "Herr Korbes". The title has been variously his house was already full, besides he thought they could not be
translated into English, as in "The Adventures of Chanticleer and very distinguished persons; but at last, as they made pleasant
Partlet: How They Went to the Mountains to Eat Nuts", "The speeches, and told him that he should have the egg which the little
Pack of Ragamuffins", "The Vulgar Crew", "A Pack of No- hen had laid on the way, and should likewise keep the duck. which
goods", "Riffraff", and "The Pack of Scoundrels". laid one every day, he at length said that they might stay the night.
Contents: A rooster and a chicken go to the mountains to eat And now they had themselves well served, and feasted and rioted.
walnuts, but they are too lazy to walk back home. They build a Early in the morning, when day was breaking, and every one was
wagon out of walnut shells. As they argue about who should pull asleep, the cock awoke the hen, brought the egg, pecked it open,
the wagon, a duck walks by. The duck is angry that the rooster and they ate it together, but they threw the shell on the hearth.
and chicken ate the walnuts without permission. The duck wants Then they went to the needle which was still asleep, took it by the
to punish her for stealing the nuts, and a fight ensues. The duck head and stuck it into the cushion of the landlord's chair, and put
loses and is forced to pull the cart as punishment. Along the way, the pin in his towel, and at last without more ado they flew away
they take a pin and a sewing needle as passengers. They stop at an over the heath. The duck who liked to sleep in the open air and
innkeeper by promising him an egg and the duck. The innkeeper is had stayed in the yard, heard them going away, made herself
reluctant to let her stay the night, but agrees to the deal. They eat merry and found a stream, down which she swam, which was a
and drink heavily and go to bed. The next morning, the rooster much quicker way of travelling than being harnessed to a carriage.
and chicken wake up early, pierce the egg, drink its contents and The host did not get out of bed for two hours after this; he washed
throw away the shell. Then put the sewing needle in the armchair himself and wanted to dry himself, then the pin went over his face
and the pin in the host's towel and escape. The duck wakes up a and made a red streak from one ear to the other. After this he went
while later and runs away too. A few hours later the innkeeper into the kitchen and wanted to light a pipe, but when he came to
wakes up. He washes his face. But when he tries to dry himself with the hearth the egg-shell darted into his eyes. "This morning
the towel, he scratches his face with the needle stuck in it. When he everything attacks my head," said he, and angrily sat down on his
goes to the stove in the kitchen to light his tobacco pipe, eggshells grandfather's chair, but he quickly started up again and cried,
fly into the landlord's eyes. He is angry and wants to sit down in "Woe is me," for the needle had pricked him still worse than the
his chair, but the sewing needle sticks him in the buttocks. The pin, and not in the head. Now he was thoroughly angry, and
innkeeper swears never again to take in such a scoundrel who eats suspected the guests who had come so late the night before, and
and drinks so much but doesn't pay his bill.) when he went and looked about for them, they were gone. Then he
made a vow to take no more ragamuffins into his house, for they
The cock once said to the hen, "It is now the time when the nuts consume much, pay for nothing, and play mischievous tricks into
are ripe, so let us go to the hill together and for once eat our fill the bargain by way of gratitude.
before the squirrel takes them all away." "Yes," replied the hen,
"come, we will have some pleasure together." Then they went
away to the hill, and as it was a bright day they stayed till evening. 11.—BROTHER AND SISTER
Now I do not know whether it was that they had eaten till they
were too fat, or whether they had become proud, but they would ("Brother and Sister" (also "Little Sister and Little Brother" is a
not go home on foot, and the cock had to build a little carriage of fairy tale which was written down by the Brothers Grimm (KHM
nut-shells. When it was ready, the little hen seated herself in it and 11). A shorter version of the tale was published by the Brothers
said to the cock, "Thou canst just harness thyself to it." "I like Grimm in the first edition of Kinder- und Hausmärchen in 1812,
that!" said the cock, "I would rather go home on foot than let then substantially expanded and revised in the second edition
myself be harnessed to it; no, that is not our bargain. I do not (1819). Their version is based on the account of the German
mind being coachman and sitting on the box, but drag it myself I storyteller Marie Hassenpflug (1788–1856). The first recorded
will not." appearance of Brother and Sister is in Giambattista Basile's
As they were thus disputing, a duck quacked to them, "You Pentamerone around the 17th century. It was written down as the
thieving folks, who bade you go to my nut-hill? Wait, you shall tale of Ninnillo and Nennella. Since then it has circulated in a
suffer for it!" and ran with open beak at the cock. But the cock number of European countries under varying titles but with most
also was not idle, and fell boldly on the duck, and at last wounded of the main story intact. In Russia the story was more commonly
her so with his spurs that she begged for mercy, and willingly let known as Sister Alionushka, Brother Ivanushka, and collected by
herself be harnessed to the carriage as a punishment. The little Alexander Afanasyev in his Narodnye russkie skazki. At times,
cock now seated himself on the box and was coachman, and "Brother and Sister" has been confused with "Hansel and Gretel,"
thereupon they went off in a gallop, with "Duck, go as fast as thou which has in English also been known under the alternate title of
canst." When they had driven a part of the way they met two foot- "Little Brother and Little Sister, causing confusion for readers.
passengers, a pin and a needle. They cried "Stop! stop!" and said However, the Grimms never called "Hansel and Gretel" by any
that it would soon be as dark as pitch, and then they could not go other name.
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
In this story, children are made aware that humans are not The next day when they awoke, the sun was already high in the
always nice and straight forward with each other; plotting sky, and shone down hot into the tree. Then the brother said,
intrigues against one another is a fact of human life. According to "Sister, I am thirsty; if I knew of a little brook I would go and just
Bruno Bettelheim, children learn here how their soul develops take a drink; I think I hear one running." The brother got up and
different aspects that need to be reunited. Dangers and pain are took the little sister by the hand, and they set off to find the brook.
overcome, reference is also made to the two life crises of leaving But the wicked step-mother was a witch, and had seen how the
the family of origin and founding one's own family. two children had gone away, and had crept after them privily, as
Contents: The siblings brother and sister have had a difficult witches do creep, and had bewitched all the brooks in the forest.
time since the death of their biological mother. They are beaten by Now when they found a little brook leaping brightly over the
their stepmother every day and all they eat is hard crusts of bread. stones, the brother was going to drink out of it, but the sister
Tired of the cruel mistreatment they endure from their wicked heard how it said as it ran, "Who drinks of me will be a tiger; who
stepmother, who is also a witch, a brother and sister run away drinks of me will be a tiger." Then the sister cried, "Pray, dear
from home, wander off into the countryside, and spend the night brother, do not drink, or you will become a wild beast, and tear
in the woods. By morning, the boy is thirsty, so the children go me to pieces." The brother did not drink, although he was so
looking for a spring of clear water. However, their stepmother has thirsty, but said, "I will wait for the next spring."
already discovered their escape and has bewitched all the springs When they came to the next brook the sister heard this also say,
in the forest. The boy is about to drink from one, when his sister "Who drinks of me will be a wolf; who drinks of me will be a
hears how its rushing sound says "Whoever drinks from me will wolf." Then the sister cried out, "Pray, dear brother, do not drink,
become a tiger". Desperately, the girl begs her brother not to or you will become a wolf, and devour me." The brother did not
drink from the spring, lest he transformed into a tiger and drink, and said, "I will wait until we come to the next spring, but
attacked her. So they continue on their way, but when they come then I must drink, say what you like; for my thirst is too great."
to the second spring, the girl hears it say, "Whoever drinks from And when they came to the third brook the sister heard how it
me will become a wolf". Again, she desperately tries to prevent her said as it ran, "Who drinks of me will be a roebuck; who drinks of
brother from drinking from it. Reluctantly, he eventually agrees me will be a roebuck." The sister said, "Oh, I pray you, dear
to her pleas but insists he drink from the next spring they brother, do not drink, or you will become a roebuck, and run
encounter. And so they arrive at the third spring, and the girl away from me." But the brother had knelt down at once by the
overhears the rushing water cry, "Whoever drinks from me will brook, and had bent down and drunk some of the water, and as
become a deer". But before she could stop her brother, he has soon as the first drops touched his lips he lay there a young
already drunk from it, and turned into a deer. As the initial roebuck.
feeling of despair passes, the children decide to live in the woods And now the sister wept over her poor bewitched brother, and
forever. The girl takes care of her brother, and ties her gold chain the little roe wept also, and sat sorrowfully near to her. But at last
around his neck. They go to live in a little house deep within the the girl said, "Be quiet, dear little roe, I will never, never leave
woods and live there happily for some years, until they are you."
disturbed one day by a hunting party and the king himself who has Then she untied her golden garter and put it round the roebuck's
followed the strange deer home. Upon seeing the beautiful girl, he neck, and she plucked rushes and wove them into a soft cord. With
immediately asks her to marry him and she accepts. Thus she this she tied the little beast and led it on, and she walked deeper
becomes queen and they all live happily in the king's castle. Time and deeper into the forest.
passes and the queen gives birth to a son. Their stepmother, And when they had gone a very long way they came at last to a
however, soon discovers that they are still alive, and plots against little house, and the girl looked in; and as it was empty, she
them. One night, she kills the queen and replaces her with her own thought, "We can stay here and live." Then she sought for leaves
disfigured daughter, whom she has transformed to a physical copy and moss to make a soft bed for the roe; and every morning she
of her. When the queen's ghost secretly visits her baby's bedside for went out and gathered roots and berries and nuts for herself, and
three consecutive nights, the king catches on and her stepmother's brought tender grass for the roe, who ate out of her hand, and was
evil plan is exposed. The queen comes back to life when the king content and played round about her. In the evening, when the
embraces her, and her stepfamily are tried for their crimes. The sister was tired, and had said her prayer, she laid her head upon
daughter is banished into the woods where she is eaten by wild the roebuck's back: that was her pillow, and she slept softly on it.
animals, and the stepmother is burned at the stake. At the exact And if only the brother had had his human form it would have
moment of her death, the deer becomes human again, and at long been a delightful life.
last the family is reunited, and they lived happily ever after.) For some time they were alone like this in the wilderness. But it
happened that the King of the country held a great hunt in the
Little brother took his little sister by the hand and said, "Since forest. Then the blasts of the horns, the barking of dogs, and the
our mother died we have had no happiness; our step-mother beats merry shouts of the huntsmen rang through the trees, and the
us every day, and if we come near her she kicks us away with her roebuck heard all, and was only too anxious to be there. "Oh,"
foot. Our meals are the hard crusts of bread that are left over; and said he to his sister, "let me be off to the hunt, I cannot bear it any
the little dog under the table is better off, for she often throws it a longer;" and he begged so much that at last she agreed. "But,"
nice bit. May Heaven pity us. If our mother only knew! Come, we said she to him, "come back to me in the evening; I must shut my
will go forth together into the wide world." door for fear of the rough huntsmen, so knock and say, "My little
They walked the whole day over meadows, fields, and stony sister, let me in!" that I may know you; and if you do not say that,
places; and when it rained the little sister said, "Heaven and our I shall not open the door." Then the young roebuck sprang away;
hearts are weeping together." In the evening they came to a large so happy was he and so merry in the open air.
forest, and they were so weary with sorrow and hunger and the The King and the huntsmen saw the pretty creature, and started
long walk, that they lay down in a hollow tree and fell asleep. after him, but they could not catch him, and when they thought
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that they surely had him, away he sprang through the bushes and daughter, who was as ugly as night, and had only one eye,
could not be seen. When it was dark he ran to the cottage, grumbled at her and said, "A Queen! that ought to have been my
knocked, and said, "My little sister, let me in." Then the door was luck." "Only be quiet," answered the old woman, and comforted
opened for him, and he jumped in, and rested himself the whole her by saying, "when the time comes I shall be ready."
night through upon his soft bed. As time went on, the Queen had a pretty little boy, and it
The next day the hunt went on afresh, and when the roebuck happened that the King was out hunting; so the old witch took the
again heard the bugle-horn, and the ho! ho! of the huntsmen, he form of the chamber-maid, went into the room where the Queen
had no peace, but said, "Sister, let me out, I must be off." His lay, and said to her, "Come, the bath is ready; it will do you good,
sister opened the door for him, and said, "But you must be here and give you fresh strength; make haste before it gets cold."
again in the evening and say your pass-word." The daughter also was close by; so they carried the weakly Queen
When the King and his huntsmen again saw the young roebuck into the bath-room, and put her into the bath; then they shut the
with the golden collar, they all chased him, but he was too quick door and ran away. But in the bath-room they had made a fire of
and nimble for them. This went on for the whole day, but at last such deadly heat that the beautiful young Queen was soon
by the evening the huntsmen had surrounded him, and one of them suffocated.
wounded him a little in the foot, so that he limped and ran slowly. When this was done the old woman took her daughter, put a
Then a hunter crept after him to the cottage and heard how he said, nightcap on her head, and laid her in bed in place of the Queen.
"My little sister, let me in," and saw that the door was opened for She gave her too the shape and the look of the Queen, only she
him, and was shut again at once. The huntsman took notice of it could not make good the lost eye. But in order that the King
all, and went to the King and told him what he had seen and heard. might not see it, she was to lie on the side on which she had no eye.
Then the King said, "To-morrow we will hunt once more." In the evening when he came home and heard that he had a son he
The little sister, however, was dreadfully frightened when she was heartily glad, and was going to the bed of his dear wife to see
saw that her fawn was hurt. She washed the blood off him, laid how she was. But the old woman quickly called out, "For your life
herbs on the wound, and said, "Go to your bed, dear roe, that you leave the curtains closed; the Queen ought not to see the light yet,
may get well again." But the wound was so slight that the roebuck, and must have rest." The King went away, and did not find out
next morning, did not feel it any more. And when he again heard that a false Queen was lying in the bed.
the sport outside, he said, "I cannot bear it, I must be there; they But at midnight, when all slept, the nurse, who was sitting in the
shall not find it so easy to catch me." The sister cried, and said, nursery by the cradle, and who was the only person awake, saw the
"This time they will kill you, and here am I alone in the forest and door open and the true Queen walk in. She took the child out of
forsaken by all the world. I will not let you out." "Then you will the cradle, laid it on her arm, and suckled it. Then she shook up its
have me die of grief," answered the roe; "when I hear the bugle- pillow, laid the child down again, and covered it with the little
horns I feel as if I must jump out of my skin." Then the sister could quilt. And she did not forget the roebuck, but went into the
not do otherwise, but opened the door for him with a heavy heart, corner where it lay, and stroked its back. Then she went quite
and the roebuck, full of health and joy, bounded into the forest. silently out of the door again. The next morning the nurse asked
When the King saw him, he said to his huntsman, "Now chase the guards whether any one had come into the palace during the
him all day long till night-fall, but take care that no one does him night, but they answered, "No, we have seen no one."
any harm." She came thus many nights and never spoke a word: the nurse
As soon as the sun had set, the King said to the huntsmen, "Now always saw her, but she did not dare to tell any one about it.
come and show me the cottage in the wood;" and when he was at When some time had passed in this manner, the Queen began to
the door, he knocked and called out, "Dear little sister, let me in." speak in the night, and said—
Then the door opened, and the King walked in, and there stood a "How fares my child, how fares my roe?
maiden more lovely than any he had ever seen. The maiden was Twice shall I come, then never more."
frightened when she saw, not her little roe, but a man come in who The nurse did not answer, but when the Queen had gone again,
wore a golden crown upon his head. But the King looked kindly went to the King and told him all. The King said, "Ah, heavens!
at her, stretched out his hand, and said, "Will you go with me to what is this? To-morrow night I will watch by the child." In the
my palace and be my dear wife?" "Yes, indeed," answered the evening he went into the nursery, and at midnight the Queen again
maiden, "but the little roe must go with me, I cannot leave him." appeared and said—
The King said, "It shall stay with you as long as you live, and shall "How fares my child, how fares my roe?
want nothing." Just then he came running in, and the sister again Once will I come, then never more."
tied him with the cord of rushes, took it in her own hand, and And she nursed the child as she was wont to do before she
went away with the King from the cottage. disappeared. The King dared not speak to her, but on the next
The King took the lovely maiden upon his horse and carried her night he watched again. Then she said—
to his palace, where the wedding was held with great pomp. She "How fares my child, how fares my roe?
was now the Queen, and they lived for a long time happily This time I come, then never more."
together; the roebuck was tended and cherished, and ran about in Then the King could not restrain himself; he sprang towards her,
the palace-garden. and said, "You can be none other than my dear wife." She
But the wicked step-mother, because of whom the children had answered, "Yes, I am your dear wife," and at the same moment she
gone out into the world, thought all the time that the sister had received life again, and by God's grace became fresh, rosy, and full
been torn to pieces by the wild beasts in the wood, and that the of health.
brother had been shot for a roebuck by the huntsmen. Now when Then she told the King the evil deed which the wicked witch and
she heard that they were so happy, and so well off, envy and hatred her daughter had been guilty of towards her. The King ordered
rose in her heart and left her no peace, and she thought of nothing both to be led before the judge, and judgment was delivered
but how she could bring them again to misfortune. Her own against them. The daughter was taken into the forest where she
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
was torn to pieces by wild beasts, but the witch was cast into the was dreaded by all the world. One day the woman was standing by
fire and miserably burnt. And as soon as she was burnt the this window and looking down into the garden, when she saw a
roebuck changed his shape, and received his human form again, so bed which was planted with the most beautiful rampion (rapunzel),
the sister and brother lived happily together all their lives. and it looked so fresh and green that she longed for it, and had the
greatest desire to eat some. This desire increased every day, and as
she knew that she could not get any of it, she quite pined away,
12.—RAPUNZEL*. and looked pale and miserable. Then her husband was alarmed,
and asked, "What aileth thee, dear wife?" "Ah," she replied, "if I
("Rapunzel" is a fairy tale in the Grimm Brothers' Children's and can't get some of the rampion, which is in the garden behind our
Household Tales at position 12 (KHM 12). [* A possible origin of house, to eat, I shall die." The man, who loved her, thought,
the name Rapunzel: Campanula rapunculus (rampion), a congener "Sooner than let thy wife die, bring her some of the rampion
of the common harebell. It has a long white spindle-shaped root thyself, let it cost thee what it will." In the twilight of evening, he
which is eaten raw like a radish, and has a pleasant sweet flavour. clambered down over the wall into the garden of the enchantress,
Its leaves and young shoots are also used in salads—and so are the hastily clutched a handful of rampion, and took it to his wife. She
roots, sliced.—Tr] The fairy tale goes back indirectly to at once made herself a salad of it, and ate it with much relish. She,
Petrosinella in Basile's Pentameron II,1. Charlotte-Rose de however, liked it so much—so very much, that the next day she
Caumont de la Force's Persinette from 1697 moves it to courtly longed for it three times as much as before. If he was to have any
aristocratic milieu. Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy wrote La Chatte rest, her husband must once more descend into the garden. In the
Blanche in New Fairy Tales or The Contemporary Fairies (1698). gloom of evening, therefore, he let himself down again; but when
Such collections of French fairy tales also became known in he had clambered down the wall he was terribly afraid, for he saw
Germany in the 18th century. The earliest known mention of a the enchantress standing before him. "How canst thou dare," said
female character showing her long hair offering as a ladder for her she with angry look, "to descend into my garden and steal my
male lover is found in Persian mythology, in the epic of the rampion like a thief? Thou shalt suffer for it!" "Ah," answered he,
Shahnameh The Princess of Kabul, Rudabeh, offers the warrior "let mercy take the place of justice, I only made up my mind to do
from Zabulistan, Zāl, her long hair to climb the tower, unlike it out of necessity. My wife saw your rampion from the window,
Rapunzel however, Zal declines this offer, lest Rudabeh injure and felt such a longing for it that she would have died if she had
himself, and instead asks her to find a rope to climb up. not got some to eat." Then the enchantress allowed her anger to be
Contents: During her pregnancy, Rapunzel's mother is unable to softened, and said to him, "If the case be as thou sayest, I will
curb her pregnancy-related cravings for the Rapunzels growing in allow thee to take away with thee as much rampion as thou wilt,
the neighbour's garden. (This is either lamb's lettuce or the only I make one condition, thou must give me the child which thy
Rapunzel bellflower, which was also formerly grown as a salad wife will bring into the world; it shall be well treated, and I will
plant.) However, her husband is not strong enough to oppose her. care for it like a mother." The man in his terror consented to
When he repeatedly tries to steal the salad for his wife from a everything, and when the woman was brought to bed, the
sorceress's garden, he is caught by her and has to promise her his enchantress appeared at once, gave the child the name of Rapunzel,
child as punishment (and out of fear and to avoid her spell or and took it away with her.
exposure as a thief). Immediately after birth, she takes the Rapunzel grew into the most beautiful child beneath the sun.
newborn baby, names it Rapunzel, and when the girl is twelve When she was twelve years old, the enchantress shut her into a
years old (at the beginning of puberty, before she "develops into a tower, which lay in a forest, and had neither stairs nor door, but
woman"), she locks her in a secluded, doorless tower. The only quite at the top was a little window. When the enchantress wanted
way to get inside is for Rapunzel to let down her long hair from to go in, she placed herself beneath this, and cried,
the skylight so the sorceress can climb up and provide her with "Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
food. A king's son, attracted by Rapunzel's beautiful singing, Let down thy hair to me."
overhears her, imitates the sorceress' call formula ("Rapunzel, Rapunzel had magnificent long hair, fine as spun gold, and when
Rapunzel, let down your hair!"), pulls himself up to the beautiful she heard the voice of the enchantress she unfastened her braided
girl and wins her love. When Rapunzel then babbled on to the tresses, wound them round one of the hooks of the window above,
sorceress she called "Frau Gothel", the witch cut off her hair and and then the hair fell twenty ells down, and the enchantress
banished her to a desert. Then the sorceress hides in the tower, climbed up by it.
waits for the king's son, lets him climb up Rapunzel's braid and After a year or two, it came to pass that the King's son rode
frightens and taunts the prince so much that in his desperation he through the forest and went by the tower. Then he heard a song,
jumps off the tower, injures both his eyes in a thorn bush and goes which was so charming that he stood still and listened. This was
blind. Lamenting, he now wanders through the world until he Rapunzel, who in her solitude passed her time in letting her sweet
accidentally finds Rapunzel's prison and recognises the girl by her voice resound. The King's son wanted to climb up to her, and
singing. As her tears wet his eyes, he is cured of his blindness and looked for the door of the tower, but none was to be found. He
brings Rapunzel happily home to his kingdom.) rode home, but the singing had so deeply touched his heart, that
every day he went out into the forest and listened to it. Once when
There were once a man and a woman who had long in vain he was thus standing behind a tree, he saw that an enchantress
wished for a child. At length the woman hoped that God was came there, and he heard how she cried,
about to grant her desire. These people had a little window at the "Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
back of their house from which a splendid garden could be seen, Let down thy hair."
which was full of the most beautiful flowers and herbs. It was, Then Rapunzel let down the braids of her hair, and the
however, surrounded by a high wall, and no one dared to go into enchantress climbed up to her. "If that is the ladder by which one
it because it belonged to an enchantress, who had great power and
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mounts, I will for once try my fortune," said he, and the next day 13.—THE THREE LITTLE MEN IN THE WOOD.
when it began to grow dark, he went to the tower and cried,
"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, ("The three little men in the forest" is a fairy tale in the
Let down thy hair." Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm (KHM 13).
Immediately the hair fell down and the King's son climbed up. [In the original Haulemännchen or Höhlen-Waldmännlein. They
At first Rapunzel was terribly frightened when a man such as her are so called because they live in caves in the forests. They are little
eyes had never yet beheld, came to her; but the King's son began to dwarfs with large heads, and are supposed to steal unbaptised
talk to her quite like a friend, and told her that his heart had been children.] The text of the 1st edition from 1812 (after Dortchen
so stirred that it had let him have no rest, and he had been forced Wild) describes the boot episode, the strawberries in winter and
to see her. Then Rapunzel lost her fear, and when he asked her if briefly that Drowning and the transformation of the duck. The
she would take him for her husband, and she saw that he was rest was added from 1819 after Dorothea Viehmann (only the
young and handsome, she thought, "He will love me more than toads out of the mouth after Amalie Hassenpflug. Haulemannchen
old Dame Gothel does;" and she said yes, and laid her hand in his. are cave men who steal unbaptised children. The fairy tale deals
She said, "I will willingly go away with thee, but I do not know with the decision between right and wrong .
how to get down. Bring with thee a skein of silk every time that Contents: A woman offers her hand in marriage to a widower: in
thou comest, and I will weave a ladder with it, and when that is return, her daughter would wash and drink water, and the man's
ready I will descend, and thou wilt take me on thy horse." They daughter would wash with milk and drink wine. After performing
agreed that until that time he should come to her every evening, a test to determine his choice, he marries the woman, who keeps
for the old woman came by day. The enchantress remarked her word. However, by the second day of marriage, both
nothing of this, until once Rapunzel said to her, "Tell me, Dame daughters bathe and wash with water. By the third, the man's
Gothel, how it happens that you are so much heavier for me to daughter washes with and drinks water, while the woman's
draw up than the young King's son—he is with me in a moment." daughter drinks wine and washes with milk. It remains this way
"Ah! thou wicked child," cried the enchantress, "What do I hear afterwards, because the woman secretly hates her step-daughter
thee say! I thought I had separated thee from all the world, and yet due to her being prettier than her own. One day during winter, the
thou hast deceived me!" In her anger she clutched Rapunzel's step-mother makes her step-daughter put on a paper dress and go
beautiful tresses, wrapped them twice round her left hand, seized a out to find strawberries. The girl is horrified by this, as no fruit
pair of scissors with the right, and snip, snap, they were cut off, can be found in winter and the dress will not protect her from the
and the lovely braids lay on the ground. And she was so pitiless cold. The step-mother forces her to go out, forbidding her return
that she took poor Rapunzel into a desert where she had to live in until strawberries are brought. In reality, this is a plot to get rid
great grief and misery. of the girl due to the step-mother's immense hatred of her. The girl
On the same day, however, that she cast out Rapunzel, the soon finds a small house with three little men inside. She shows
enchantress in the evening fastened the braids of hair which she great kindness towards them as a houseguest, offers them her
had cut off to the hook of the window, and when the King's son coarse food given by the step-mother, and cleans house for them
came and cried, also. The men, feeling sorry for her circumstances, decide to give
"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, her three gifts: she will grow prettier every day, gold will fall from
Let down thy hair," her mouth at every word, and she will one day marry a king. The
she let the hair down. The King's son ascended, but he did not girl eventually finds strawberries near the back of their house and
find his dearest Rapunzel above, but the enchantress, who gazed at makes her way home happily. The girl returns home, but faces the
him with wicked and venomous looks. "Aha!" she cried mockingly, envy of her step-sister, who wants the same rewards. Her mother
"Thou wouldst fetch thy dearest, but the beautiful bird sits no initially doesn't let her search for strawberries, but the step-sister
longer singing in the nest; the cat has got it, and will scratch out begs until she is allowed. She is given a warm coat and good food,
thy eyes as well. Rapunzel is lost to thee; thou wilt never see her and soon finds the house with the three little men. However, she
more." The King's son was beside himself with pain, and in his acts rudely towards them and refuses to clean. When she realises
despair he leapt down from the tower. He escaped with his life, but she won't be given anything, she takes her leave. The three men
the thorns into which he fell, pierced his eyes. Then he wandered decide to punish her for her behavior: the girl will grow uglier
quite blind about the forest, ate nothing but roots and berries, every day, toads will jump out from her mouth at every word, and
and did nothing but lament and weep over the loss of his dearest she will die a horrible death. The step-sister returns home
wife. Thus he roamed about in misery for some years, and at unhappily, and her mother is disgusted by the toads that come out
length came to the desert where Rapunzel, with the twins to which of her mouth. The step-mother's hatred for her step-daughter
she had given birth, a boy and a girl, lived in wretchedness. He increases day by day due to her becoming more beautiful. She dips
heard a voice, and it seemed so familiar to him that he went yarn into boiling water and gives the girl an axe to cut a hole in an
towards it, and when he approached, Rapunzel knew him and fell iced river to rinse it. During the time she is doing so, a king
on his neck and wept. Two of her tears wetted his eyes and they arrives in his coach and is infatuated with her beauty. He takes her
grew clear again, and he could see with them as before. He led her along to his castle and marries her as the three men had foretold.
to his kingdom where he was joyfully received, and they lived for a Soon after, she has a baby boy. However, the step-mother hears of
long time afterwards, happy and contented. this and arrives with her daughter, pretending to visit. When they
are alone, they both seize the queen and toss her out the window,
where she falls into a stream and drowns. The woman's daughter is
immediately given the place of the queen, and the king is told she
is sick, so toads now come from her mouth instead of gold. During
the night, the kitchen-boy witnesses a duck swim up the gutter and
ask for the statuses of the king and baby. The boy answers they
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
sleep quietly. The duck temporarily turns into the queen to care Then the maiden was obedient, and put on the paper frock, and
for her baby and swims off as a duck through the gutter. This went out with the basket. Far and wide there was nothing but
happens again two more times: on the third, she tells the kitchen- snow, and not a green blade to be seen. When she got into the
boy to tell the king to brandish his sword over her three times. wood she saw a small house out of which peeped three little dwarfs.
The boy tells the king, who does so, and the duck turns back into She wished them good day, and knocked modestly at the door.
the queen, who comes back to life. The king hides his wife during They cried, "Come in," and she entered the room and seated
his child's baptism to confront the step-mother and false queen. He herself on the bench by the stove, where she began to warm herself
asks the step-mother what the punishment should be for someone and eat her breakfast. The elves said, "Give us, too, some of it."
who drags another from bed and drowns them: the woman "Willingly," said she, and divided her bit of bread in two, and
foolishly answers that they should be placed in a cask with nails gave them the half. They asked, "What dost thou here in the forest
inside and rolled down a hill into the water. The king then in the winter time, in thy thin dress?" "Ah," she answered, "I am
exclaims she has just spoken her own sentence, so the step-mother to look for a basketful of strawberries, and am not to go home
and false queen are then put inside said cask and rolled down a hill until I can take them with me." When she had eaten her bread,
into a nearby river.) they gave her a broom and said, "Sweep away the snow at the back
door with it." But when she was outside, the three little men said
There was once a man whose wife died, and a woman whose to each other, "What shall we give her as she is so good, and has
husband died, and the man had a daughter, and the woman also shared her bread with us?" Then said the first, "My gift is, that she
had a daughter. The girls were acquainted with each other, and shall every day grow more beautiful." The second said, "My gift is,
went out walking together, and afterwards came to the woman in that gold pieces shall fall out of her mouth every time she speaks."
her house. Then said she to the man's daughter, "Listen, tell thy The third said, "My gift is, that a king shall come and take her to
father that I would like to marry him, and then thou shalt wash wife."
thyself in milk every morning, and drink wine, but my own The girl, however, did as the little men had bidden her, swept
daughter shall wash herself in water and drink water." The girl away the snow behind the little house with the broom, and what
went home, and told her father what the woman had said. The did she find but real ripe strawberries, which came up quite dark-
man said, "What shall I do? Marriage is a joy and also a torment." red out of the snow! In her joy she hastily gathered her basket full,
At length as he could come to no decision, he pulled off his boot, thanked the little men, shook hands with each of them, and ran
and said, "Take this boot, it has a hole in the sole of it. Go with it home to take her step-mother what she had longed for so much.
up to the loft, hang it on the big nail, and then pour water into it. When she went in and said good-evening, a piece of gold at once
If it hold the water, then I will again take a wife, but if it run fell out of her mouth. Thereupon she related what had happened
through, I will not." The girl did as she was ordered, but the to her in the wood, but with every word she spoke, gold pieces fell
water drew the hole together, and the boot became full to the top. from her mouth, until very soon the whole room was covered with
She informed her father how it had turned out. Then he himself them. "Now look at her arrogance," cried the step-sister, "to
went up, and when he saw that she was right, he went to the throw about gold in that way!" but she was secretly envious of it,
widow and wooed her, and the wedding was celebrated. and wanted to go into the forest also to seek strawberries. The
The next morning, when the two girls got up, there stood before mother said, "No, my dear little daughter, it is too cold, thou
the man's daughter, milk for her to wash in and wine for her to mightest die of cold." However, as her daughter let her have no
drink, but before the woman's daughter stood water to wash peace, the mother at last yielded, made her a magnificent dress of
herself with and water for drinking. On the second morning, stood fur, which she was obliged to put on, and gave her bread-and-
water for washing and water for drinking before the man's butter and cake with her.
daughter as well as before the woman's daughter. And on the third The girl went into the forest and straight up to the little house.
morning; stood water for washing; and water for drinking before The three little elves peeped out again, but she did not greet them,
the man's daughter, and milk for washing and wine for drinking, and without looking round at them and without speaking to them,
before the woman's daughter, and so it continued. The woman she went awkwardly into the room, seated herself by the stove, and
became bitterly unkind to her step-daughter, and day by day did began to eat her bread-and-butter and cake. "Give us some of it,"
her best to treat her still worse. She was envious too because her cried the little men; but she replied, "There is not enough for
step daughter was beautiful and lovable, and her own daughter myself, so how can I give it away to other people?" When she had
ugly and repulsive. done eating, they said, "There is a broom for thee, sweep all clean
Once, in winter, when everything was frozen as hard as a stone, for us outside by the back-door." "Humph! Sweep for yourselves,"
and hill and vale lay covered with snow, the woman made a frock she answered, "I am not your servant." When she saw that they
of paper, called her step-daughter, and said, "Here, put on this were not going to give her anything, she went out by the door.
dress and go out into the wood, and fetch me a little basketful of Then the little men said to each other, "What shall we give her as
strawberries,—I have a fancy for some." "Good heavens!" said the she is so naughty, and has a wicked envious heart, that will never
girl, "no strawberries grow in winter! The ground is frozen, and let her do a good turn to any one? "The first said, "I grant that she
besides the snow has covered everything. And why am I to go in may grow uglier every day." The second said, "I grant that at
this paper frock? It is so cold outside that one's very breath freezes! every word she says, a toad shall spring out of her mouth." The
The wind will blow through the frock, and the thorns will tear it third said, "I grant that she may die a miserable death." The
off my body." "Wilt thou contradict me again?" said the maiden looked for strawberries outside, but as she found none, she
stepmother, "See that thou goest, and do not show thy face again went angrily home. And when she opened her mouth, and was
until thou hast the basketful of strawberries!" Then she gave her a about to tell her mother what had happened to her in the wood,
little piece of hard bread, and said, "This will last thee the day," with every word she said, a toad sprang out of her mouth, so that
and thought, "Thou wilt die of cold and hunger outside, and wilt every one was seized with horror of her.
never be seen again by me."
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Then the step-mother was still more enraged, and thought of said the King, "Thou hast pronounced thine own sentence;" and
nothing but how to do every possible injury to the man's daughter, he ordered such a barrel to be brought, and the old woman to be
whose beauty, however, grew daily greater. At length she took a put into it with her daughter, and then the top was hammered on,
cauldron, set it on the fire, and boiled yarn in it. When it was and the barrel rolled down hill until it went into the river.
boiled, she flung it on the poor girl's shoulder, and gave her an axe
in order that she might go on the frozen river, cut a hole in the ice,
and rinse the yarn. She was obedient, went thither and cut a hole 14.—THE THREE SPINNERS.
in the ice; and while she was in the midst of her cutting, a splendid
carriage came driving up, in which sat the King. The carriage ("The three spinners" is a fairy tale in the children's and
stopped, and the King asked, "My child, who art thou, and what household tales by the Brothers Grimm at position 14 (KHM 14).
art thou doing here?" "I am a poor girl, and I am rinsing yarn." In the 1st edition the title was "Von dem Bösenspinnen". Grimm's
Then the King felt compassion, and when he saw that she was so note locates the fairy tale text (from the 2nd Edition) in the
very beautiful, he said to her, "Wilt thou go away with me?" "Ah, "Principality of Corvei" (Corvey Abbey in the east of what is now
yes, with all my heart," she answered, for she was glad to get away North Rhine-Westphalia); the text is by Jeanette Hassenpflug.
from the mother and sister. Contents: A lazy girl is beaten by her mother because she does
So she got into the carriage and drove away with the King, and not want to work. The queen driving by outside hears the screams.
when they arrived at his palace, the wedding was celebrated with Ashamed of her daughter's laziness, the mother says she cannot
great pomp, as the little men had granted to the maiden. When a stop her daughter from spinning. Then she takes the queen to her
year was over, the young Queen bore a son, and as the step-mother castle and shows her three chambers full of flax. Once she has spun
had heard of her great good-fortune, she came with her daughter them into yarn, she should marry her son, even though she is poor.
to the palace and pretended that she wanted to pay her a visit. When she comes back on the third day, the daughter can still
Once, however, when the King had gone out, and no one else was apologize that she has not been able to start because of
present, the wicked woman seized the Queen by the head, and her homesickness. Then three old women come to her, the first has a
daughter seized her by the feet, and they lifted her out of the bed, wide flat foot, the second a large drooping lower lip, the third a
and threw her out of the window into the stream which flowed by. wide thumb. They spin her flax. In return, she should invite her to
Then the ugly daughter laid herself in the bed, and the old woman the wedding, it will be her happiness. The prince reacts amazed at
covered her up over her head. When the King came home again his bride's three bases. When they share how they got their
and wanted to speak to his wife, the old woman cried, "Hush, hush, disfigurements (the flat foot from kicking, the lip from licking,
that can't be now, she is lying in a violent perspiration; you must and the thumb from pulling threads), he will never let his wife spin
let her rest to-day." The King suspected no evil, and did not come again.)
back again till next morning; and as he talked with his wife and
she answered him, with every word a toad leaped out, whereas There was once a girl who was idle and would not spin, and let
formerly a piece of gold had fallen out. Then he asked what that her mother say what she would, she could not bring her to it. At
could be, but the old woman said that she had got that from the last the mother was once so overcome with anger and impatience,
violent perspiration, and would soon lose it again. During the that she beat her, on which the girl began to weep loudly. Now at
night, however, the scullion saw a duck come swimming up the this very moment the Queen drove by, and when she heard the
gutter, and it said, weeping she stopped her carriage, went into the house and asked
"King, what art thou doing now? the mother why she was beating her daughter so that the cries
Sleepest thou, or wakest thou?" could be heard out on the road? Then the woman was ashamed to
And as he returned no answer it said, reveal the laziness of her daughter and said, "I cannot get her to
"And my guests, What may they do?" leave off spinning. She insists on spinning for ever and ever, and I
The scullion said, am poor, and cannot procure the flax." Then answered the Queen,
"They are sleeping soundly, too." "There is nothing that I like better to hear than spinning, and I am
Then it asked again, never happier than when the wheels are humming. Let me have
"What does little baby mice?" your daughter with me in the palace, I have flax enough, and there
He answered, she shall spin as much as she likes." The mother was heartily
"Sleepeth in her cradle fine." satisfied with this, and the Queen took the girl with her. When
Then she went upstairs in the form of the Queen, nursed the baby, they had arrived at the palace, she led her up into three rooms
shook up its little bed, covered it over, and then swam away again which were filled from the bottom to the top with the finest flax.
down the gutter in the shape of a duck. She came thus for two "Now spin me this flax," said she, "and when thou hast done it,
nights; on the third, she said to the scullion, "Go and tell the King thou shalt have my eldest son for a husband, even if thou art poor.
to take his sword and swing it three times over me on the I care not for that, thy indefatigable industry is dowry enough."
threshold." Then the scullion ran and told this to the King, who The girl was secretly terrified, for she could not have spun the flax,
came with his sword and swung it thrice over the spirit, and at the no, not if she had lived till she was three hundred years old, and
third time, his wife stood before him strong, living, and healthy as had sat at it every day from morning till night. When therefore she
she had been before. Thereupon the King was full of great joy, but was alone, she began to weep, and sat thus for three days without
he kept the Queen hidden in a chamber until the Sunday, when the moving a finger. On the third day came the Queen, and when she
baby was to be christened. And when it was christened he said, saw that nothing had been spun yet, she was surprised; but the girl
"What does a person deserve who drags another out of bed and excused herself by saying that she had not been able to begin
throws him in the water?" "The wretch deserves nothing better," because of her great distress at leaving her mother's house. The
answered the old woman, "than to be taken and put in a barrel Queen was satisfied with this, but said when she was going away,
stuck full of nails, and rolled down hill into the water." "Then," "To-morrow thou must begin to work."
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
When the girl was alone again, she did not know what to do, and of Wilhelm's friend and future wife, Dortchen Wild, and partly
in her distress went to the window. Then she saw three women from other sources.
coming towards her, the first of whom had a broad flat foot, the The cannibalistic witch who intends to eat the children is
second had such a great under-lip that it hung down over her chin, probably reflecting long gone events in the Thirty Years War
and the third had a broad thumb. They remained standing before (1618-1648) which was so cruel that roughly 40% of all Germans
the window, looked up, and asked the girl what was amiss with died in it and left the survivors traumatised for centuries. With the
her? She complained of her trouble, and then they offered her their direct French intervention triggered by Cardinal Richelieu in
help and said, "If thou wilt invite us to the wedding, not be 1635, the war, that was already dying through exhaustion, was
ashamed of us, and wilt call us thine aunts, and likewise wilt place prolonged for another 12 years and caused most of the casualties.
us at thy table, we will spin up the flax for thee, and that in a very It was the culmination of a jihad-like religious conflict that
short time." "With all my heart," she replied, "do but come in and engulfed the Holy Roman Empire for 130 years. Estimated results:
begin the work at once." Then she let in the three strange women, 500,000 deaths on the battlefields, 1,100,000 military deaths
and cleared a place in the first room, where they seated themselves from disease, 5,500,000 total civilian dead, Total dead (including
and began their spinning. The one drew the thread and trod the famine due to requisition of food from civilians): 8,000,000–
wheel, the other wetted the thread, the third twisted it, and struck 10,000,000. France's annexation of the German-speaking
the table with her finger, and as often as she struck it, a skein of provinces of Alsace and Lorraine from the Holy Roman Empire
thread fell to the ground that was spun in the finest manner caused a fury hatred among the Germans against the French that
possible. The girl concealed the three spinners from the Queen, led consequently to World War I and II. The alleged harsh and un-
and showed her whenever she came the great quantity of spun emphatic mindset of the Germans, if there has ever been anything
thread, until the latter could not praise her enough. When the first like that, may well have its origin in these horrific conflicts.
room was empty she went to the second, and at last to the third, Contents based on the 1812 version: Hansel and Gretel are the
and that too was quickly cleared. Then the three women took leave children of a poor woodcutter who lives with them and his wife in
and said to the girl, "Do not forget what thou hast promised the forest. When the need becomes too great, she persuades her
us,—it will make thy fortune." husband to abandon the two children in the forest. Although it is
When the maiden showed the Queen the empty rooms, and the difficult for him, the woodcutter leads the children into the forest
great heap of yarn, she gave orders for the wedding, and the the next day and leaves them alone under a pretext. But Hansel has
bridegroom[1] rejoiced that he was to have such a clever and overheard the parents and laid a trail of small white stones on the
industrious wife, and praised her mightily. "I have three aunts," path into the forest, which the children can use to find their way
said the girl, "and as they have been very kind to me, I should not back. So it is that the mother's plan fails. But the second attempt
like to forget them in my good fortune; allow me to invite them to to abandon the children is successful: This time Hansel and Gretel
the wedding, and let them sit with us at table." The Queen and the only have a slice of bread with them, which Hansel crumbles to lay
bridegroom said, "Why should we not allow that?" Therefore a trail. However, it is picked up by birds. As a result, the children
when the feast began, the three women entered in strange apparel, can no longer find their way home and get lost. On the third day,
and the bride said, "Welcome, dear aunts." "Ah," said the the two come across a cottage made entirely out of bread, cake,
bridegroom, "how comest thou by these odious friends?" and sugar. First they break down parts of the house to satisfy their
Thereupon he went to the one with the broad flat foot, and said, hunger. However, in this house lives a witch who is a cannibal. In
"How do you come by such a broad foot?" "By treading," she the original version of the fairy tale from 1812 as well as in the
answered, "by treading." Then the bridegroom went to the second, later editions up to the "final edition" of 1857, she calls out in a
and said, "How do you come by your falling lip?" "By licking," kind of onomatopoeia: "Nibble, nibble, gnaw, who is nibbling at
she answered, "by licking." Then he asked the third, "How do you my little house?" The witch will not give up deceives, catches the
come by your broad thumb?" "By twisting the thread," she two, makes Gretel a maid and fattens Hansel in a cage to eat him
answered, "by twisting the thread." On this the King's son was later. However, Hansel uses a trick: to check whether the boy is
alarmed and said, "Neither now nor ever shall my beautiful bride already fat enough, the half-blind witch feels his finger every day.
touch a spinning-wheel." And thus she got rid of the hateful flax- However, Hansel always gives her a small bone. When she realises
spinning. that the boy does not seem to be getting fat, she loses patience and
[Braütigam, betrothed. The old English brydguma had the same wants to fry him immediately. The witch orders Gretel to look in
signification, and was only applied to a betrothed man, just as the oven to see if it is already hot. However, Gretel claims to be
brŷd, bride, was only applied to a betrothed woman.—Tr.] too small for it, so the witch has to check for herself. As she opens
the oven, Gretel pushes the Wicked Witch inside. The children
take treasures from the witch's house and find their way back to
15.—HÄNSEL AND GRETHEL. their father. The mother has since died. Now they live happily and
are no longer hungry.)
("Hansel and Gretel" (German: Hänsel und Gretel) is one of the
most famous fairy tales collected by the German Brothers Grimm Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife
and published in 1812 in Grimm's Fairy Tales (KHM 15). It is in and his two children. The boy was called Hänsel and the girl
English also known as Hansel and Grettel, Little Brother and Grethel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great
Little Sister or even Little Step Brother and Little Step Sister scarcity fell on the land, he could no longer procure daily bread.
which brings confusion with another Grimm-story that is called Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed
Brother and Sister [German: Brüderchen und Schwesterchen]. about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, "What is to
Although Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm credited "various tales from become of us? How are we to feed our poor children, when we no
Hesse" (the region where they lived) as their source, scholars have longer have anything even for ourselves?" "I'll tell you what,
argued that the brothers heard the story in 1809 from the family husband," answered the woman, "Early to-morrow morning we
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will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest, They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came
there we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one piece once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and
of bread more, and then we will go to our work and leave them when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hänsel and Grethel,
alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid she said, "You naughty children, why have you slept so long in the
of them." "No, wife," said the man, "I will not do that; how can I forest?—we thought you were never coming back at all!" The
bear to leave my children alone in the forest?—the wild animals father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave
would soon come and tear them to pieces." "O, thou fool!" said them behind alone.
she, "Then we must all four die of hunger, thou mayest as well Not long afterwards, there was once more great scarcity in all
plane the planks for our coffins," and she left him no peace until he parts, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their
consented. "But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the father, "Everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and
same," said the man. after that there is an end. The children must go, we will take them
The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out
had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Grethel again; there is no other means of saving ourselves!" The man's
wept bitter tears, and said to Hänsel, "Now all is over with us." heart was heavy, and he thought "it would be better for thee to
"Be quiet, Grethel," said Hänsel, "do not distress thyself, I will share the last mouthful with thy children." The woman, however,
soon find a way to help us." And when the old folks had fallen would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and
asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, reproached him. He who says A must say B, likewise, and as he had
and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.
which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. The children were, however, still awake and had heard the
Hänsel stooped and put as many of them in the little pocket of his conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hänsel again got up,
coat as he could possibly get in. Then he went back and said to and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles, but the woman had
Grethel, "Be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God locked the door, and Hänsel could not get out, Nevertheless he
will not forsake us," and he lay down again in his bed. When day comforted his little sister, and said, "Do not cry, Grethel, go to
dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke sleep quietly, the good God will help us."
the two children, saying, "Get up, you sluggards! we are going Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out
into the forest to fetch wood." She gave each a little piece of bread, of their beds. Their bit of bread was given to them, but it was still
and said, "There is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hänsel
before then, for you will get nothing else." Grethel took the bread crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a
under her apron, as Hänsel had the stones in his pocket. Then they morsel on the ground. "Hänsel, why dost thou stop and look
all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had round?" said the father, "go on." "I am looking back at my little
walked a short time, Hänsel stood still and peeped back at the pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to
house, and did so again and again. His father said, "Hänsel, what me," answered Hänsel. "Simpleton!" said the woman, "that is not
art thou looking at there and staying behind for? Mind what thou thy little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the
art about, and do not forget how to use thy legs." "Ah, father," chimney." Hänsel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs
said Hänsel, "I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting on the path.
up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me." The wife said, The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where
"Fool, that is not thy little cat, that is the morning sun which is they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was
shining on the chimneys." Hänsel, however, had not been looking again made, and the mother said, "Just sit there, you children, and
back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white when you are tired you may sleep a little; we are going into the
pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road. forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will
When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, come and fetch you away." When it was noon, Grethel shared her
"Now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you piece of bread with Hänsel, who had scattered his by the way.
may not be cold." Hänsel and Grethel gathered brushwood Then they fell asleep and evening came and went, but no one came
together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night,
when the flames were burning very high the woman said, "Now, and Hänsel comforted his little sister and said, "Just wait, Grethel,
children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread
the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home
back and fetch you away." again." When the moon came they set out, but they found no
Hänsel and Grethel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the
a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood- woods and fields, had picked them all up. Hänsel said to Grethel,
axe they believed that their father was near. It was, however, not "We shall soon find the way," but they did not find it. They
the axe, it was a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till
which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very
had been sitting such a long time, their eyes shut with fatigue, and hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries,
they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark which grew on the ground. And as they were so weary that their
night. Grethel began to cry and said, "How are we to get out of legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and
the forest now?" But Hänsel comforted her and said, "Just wait a fell asleep.
little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house.
way." And when the full moon had risen, Hänsel took his little They began to walk again, but they always got deeper into the
sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and
newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way. weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white
bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood
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still and listened to it. And when it had finished its song, it spread tears did flow down over her cheeks! "Dear God, do help us," she
its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until cried." If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we
they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted; and should at any rate have died together." "Just keep thy noise to
when they came quite up to the little house they saw that it was thyself," said the old woman, "all that won't help thee at all."
built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were Early in the morning, Grethel had to go out and hang up the
of clear sugar. "We will set to work on that," said Hänsel, "and cauldron with the water, and light the fire. "We will bake first,"
have a good meal. I will eat a bit of the roof, and thou, Grethel, said the old woman, "I have already heated the oven, and kneaded
canst eat some of the window, it will taste sweet." Hänsel reached the dough." She pushed poor Grethel out to the oven, from which
up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and flames of fire were already darting. "Creep in," said the witch,
Grethel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a "and see if it is properly heated, so that we can shut the bread in."
soft voice cried from the room, And when once Grethel was inside, she intended to shut the oven
"Nibble, nibble, gnaw, and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Grethel
Who is nibbling at my little house?" saw what she had in her mind, and said, "I do not know how I am
The children answered, to do it; how do you get in?" "Silly goose," said the old woman.
"The wind, the wind, "The door is big enough; just look, I can get in myself!" and she
The heaven-born wind," crept up and thrust her head into the oven. Then Grethel gave her
and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hänsel, who a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and
thought the roof tasted very nice, tore down a great piece of it, fastened the bolt. Oh! then she began to howl quite horribly, but
and Grethel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat Grethel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to
down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and death.
a very, very old woman, who supported herself on crutches, came Grethel, however, ran as quick as lightning to Hänsel, opened
creeping out. Hänsel and Grethel were so terribly frightened that his little stable, and cried, "Hänsel, we are saved! The old witch is
they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, dead!" Then Hänsel sprang out like a bird from its cage when the
however, nodded her head, and said, "Oh, you dear children, who door is opened for it. How they did rejoice and embrace each other,
has brought you here? Do come in, and stay with me. No harm and dance about and kiss each other! And as they had no longer
shall happen to you." She took them both by the hand, and led any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every
them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. "These are far
milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two better than pebbles!" said Hänsel, and thrust into his pockets
pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hänsel whatever could be got in, and Grethel said, "I, too, will take
and Grethel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven. something home with me," and filled her pinafore full. "But now
The old woman had only pretended to be so kind; she was in we will go away," said Hänsel, "that we may get out of the witch's
reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only forest."
built the little bread house in order to entice them there. When a When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great piece
child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that of water. "We cannot get over," said Hänsel, "I see no foot-plank,
was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, and no bridge." "And no boat crosses either," answered Grethel,
but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when "but a white duck is swimming there; if I ask her, she will help us
human beings draw near. When Hänsel and Grethel came into her over." Then she cried,
neighbourhood, she laughed maliciously, and said mockingly, "I "Little duck, little duck, dost thou see,
have them, they shall not escape me again!" Early in the morning Hänsel and Grethel are waiting for thee?
before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she There's never a plank, or bridge in sight,
saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump Take us across on thy back so white."
red cheeks, she muttered to herself, "That will be a dainty The duck came to them, and Hänsel seated himself on its back,
mouthful!" Then she seized Hänsel with her shrivelled hand, and told his sister to sit by him. "No," replied Grethel, "that will
carried him into a little stable, and shut him in with a grated door. be too heavy for the little duck; she shall take us across, one after
He might scream as he liked, that was of no use. Then she went to the other." The good little duck did so, and when they were once
Grethel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, "Get up, lazy thing, safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to
fetch some water, and cook something good for thy brother, he is be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from
in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the
eat him." Grethel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, she parlour, and threw themselves into their father's arms. The man
was forced to do what the wicked witch ordered her. had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the
And now the best food was cooked for poor Hänsel, but Grethel forest; the woman, however, was dead. Grethel emptied her
got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and
the little stable, and cried, "Hänsel, stretch out thy finger that I Hänsel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to
may feel if thou wilt soon be fat." Hänsel, however, stretched out a them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in
little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever
not see it, and thought it was Hänsel's finger, and was astonished catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it.
that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone
by, and Hänsel still continued thin, she was seized with impatience
and would not wait any longer, "Hola, Grethel," she cried to the
girl, "be active, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean,
to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him." Ah, how the poor little
sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
16.—THE THREE SNAKE-LEAVES. Near the coffin stood a table on which were four candles, four
loaves of bread, and four bottles of wine, and when this provision
("The Three Snake-Leaves" (German: Die drei Schlangenblätter) came to an end, he would have to die of hunger. And now he sat
is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number 16. there full of pain and grief, ate every day only a little piece of
According to Grimm's note, the text follows two stories that differ bread, drank only a mouthful of wine, and nevertheless saw death
only in minor things from Hoof in Hesse and from a village in daily drawing nearer. Whilst he thus gazed before him, he saw a
Paderborn. It is assumed that they come from Sergeant Krause or snake creep out of a corner of the vault and approach the dead
the von Haxthausen family. body. And as he thought it came to gnaw at it, he drew his sword
Contents: Via his valour in battle, a young man wins the king's and said, "As long as I live, thou shalt not touch her," and hewed
daughter to wife, but has to agree to an unusual demand from the the snake in three pieces. After a time a second snake crept out of
princess: if either of them should die, the other will be buried alive the hole, and when it saw the other lying dead and cut in pieces, it
with the former. Sometime later, the princess falls sick and dies, so went back, but soon came again with three green leaves in its
the prince is buried alive in her crypt. While waiting to starve to mouth. Then it took the three pieces of the snake, laid them
death, the prince is attacked by a snake, which he kills by together, as they ought to go, and placed one of the leaves on each
chopping into three pieces. Another snake revives the dead snake wound.[1] Immediately the severed parts joined themselves
with three leaves, giving the prince the idea to use the leaves on the together, the snake moved, and became alive again, and both of
princess, successfully reviving her. The prince and princess then them hastened away together. The leaves were left lying on the
take a sea voyage to visit his father. The princess falls in love with ground, and a desire came into the mind of the unhappy man who
the ship captain, and the pair throws the prince into the sea and had been watching all this, to know if the wondrous power of the
drown him. A servant rows after the prince's body, and he revives leaves which had brought the snake to life again, could not
him using the snake leaves. The prince and the servant return to likewise be of service to a human being. So he picked up the leaves
the kingdom and report the murder attempt. As punishment, she and laid one of them on the mouth of his dead wife, and the two
is put in a holed ship with the captain and driven out to sea, where others on her eyes. And hardly had he done this than the blood
they soon sink under the waves.) stirred in her veins, rose into her pale face, and coloured it again.
Then she drew breath, opened her eyes, and said, "Ah, God, where
There was once on a time a poor man, who could no longer am I?" "Thou art with me, dear wife," he answered, and told her
support his only son. Then said the son, "Dear father, things go so how everything had happened, and how he had brought her back
badly with us that I am a burden to you. I would rather go away again to life. Then he gave her some wine and bread, and when she
and see how I can earn my bread." So the father gave him his had regained her strength, he raised her up and they went to the
blessing, and with great sorrow took leave of him. At this time the door and knocked, and called so loudly that the sentries heard it,
King of a mighty empire was at war, and the youth took service and told the King. The King came down himself and opened the
with him, and with him went out to fight. And when he came door, and there he found both strong and well, and rejoiced with
before the enemy, there was a battle, and great danger, and it them that now all sorrow was over. The young King, however,
rained shot until his comrades fell on all sides, and when the leader took the three snake-leaves with him, gave them to a servant and
also was killed, those left were about to take flight, but the youth said, "Keep them for me carefully, and carry them constantly
stepped forth, spoke boldly to them, and cried, "We will not let about thee; who knows in what trouble they may yet be of service
our fatherland be ruined!" Then the others followed him, and he to us!"
pressed on and conquered the enemy. When the King heard that he A change had, however, taken place in his wife; after she had
owed the victory to him alone, he raised him above all the others, been restored to life, it seemed as if all love for her husband had
gave him great treasures, and made him the first in the kingdom. gone out of her heart. After some time, when he wanted to make a
The King had a daughter who was very beautiful, but she was voyage over the sea, to visit his old father, and they had gone on
also very strange. She had made a vow to take no one as her lord board a ship, she forgot the great love and fidelity which he had
and husband who did not promise to let himself be buried alive shown her, and which had been the means of rescuing her from
with her if she died first. "If he loves me with all his heart," said death, and conceived a wicked inclination for the skipper. And
she, "of what use will life be to him afterwards?" On her side she once when the young King lay there asleep, she called in the
would do the same, and if he died first, would go down to the skipper and seized the sleeper by the head, and the skipper took
grave with him. This strange oath had up to this time frightened him by the feet, and thus they threw him down into the sea. When
away all wooers, but the youth became so charmed with her beauty the shameful deed was done, she said, "Now let us return home,
that he cared for nothing, but asked her father for her. "But dost and say that he died on the way. I will extol and praise thee so to
thou know what thou must promise?" said the King. "I must be my father that he will marry me to thee, and make thee the heir to
buried with her," he replied, "if I outlive her, but my love is So his crown." But the faithful servant who had seen all that they did,
great that I do not mind the danger." Then the King consented, unseen by them, unfastened a little boat from the ship, got into it,
and the wedding was solemnised with great splendour. sailed after his master, and let the traitors go on their way. He
They lived now for a while happy and contented with each other, fished up the dead body, and by the help of the three snake-leaves
and then it befell that the young Queen was attacked by a severe which he carried about with him, and laid on the eyes and mouth,
illness, and no physician could save her. And as she lay there dead, he fortunately brought the young King back to life.
the young King remembered what he had been obliged to promise, They both rowed with all their strength day and night, and their
and was horrified at having to lie down alive in the grave, but little boat flew so swiftly that they reached the old King before the
there was no escape. The King had placed sentries at all the gates, others did. He was astonished when he saw them, come alone, and
and it was not possible to avoid his fate. When the day came when asked what had happened to them. When he learnt the wickedness
the corpse was to be buried, he wa taken down into the royal vault of his daughter he said, "I cannot believe that she has behaved so
with it, and then the door was shut and bolted. ill, but the truth will soon come to light," and bade both go into a
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secret chamber and keep themselves hidden from every one. Soon to shore for him. However, the king's daughter does not want to
afterwards the great ship came sailing in, and the godless woman marry a servant and sets him the task of collecting three sacks of
appeared before her father with a troubled countenance. He said, millet from the grass. After the ants have solved this task for him,
"Why dost thou come back alone? Where is thy husband?" "Ah, she sets him the task of bringing her an apple from the tree of life.
dear father," she replied, "I come home again in great grief; He starts hiking, but the three ravens get the apple for him. When
during the voyage, my husband became suddenly ill and died, and the princess eats from it, her feelings change and they get married.)
if the good skipper had not given me his help, it would have gone
ill with me. He was present at his death, and can tell you all." The A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom
King said, "I will make the dead alive again," and opened the through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed
chamber, and bade the two come out. When the woman saw her as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through
husband, she was thunderstruck, and fell on her knees and begged the air. But he had a strange custom; every day after dinner, when
for mercy. The King said, "There is no mercy. He was ready to die the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant
with thee and restored thee to life again, but thou hast murdered had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even
him in his sleep, and shalt receive the reward that thou deservest." the servant did not know what was in it, neither did any one know,
Then she was placed with her accomplice in a ship which had been for the King never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite
pierced with holes, and sent out to sea, where they soon sank amid alone.
the waves. This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who
[It is strange that it did not occur to the Brothers Grimm that took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he
three leaves were not wanted. The snake was cut in three pieces, could not help carrying the dish into his room. When he had
and there could only have been two wounds.—Tr.] carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white
snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny
himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut off a little bit and put it
17.—THE WHITE SNAKE or THE WHITE SERPENT. into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard
a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went
("The White Snake" or "The White Serpent" is a fairy tale in the and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were
Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm at point chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things
17 (KHM 17). This story contains many elements that also appear which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had
in other fairy tales: an innocent suspect who is able to happily given him power of understanding the language of animals.
prove his innocence (Die six swans), knowledge of the language of Now it so happened that on this very day the Queen lost her most
animals (The Three Languages) or animals that serve him out of beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this
gratitude (The Two Brothers), and finally the tasks he is faced trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere. The King
with in order to obtain the beautiful princess (The Six It is ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with
interesting to note the significance given to the serpent here, angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the
bringing wisdom and the ability to see through other beings, a thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In
motif also found in the Indian Mahabharata epic and other vain he declared his innocence; he was dismissed with no better
narrations. The apple (fruit) points to the tree of life in the answer.
Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible, Old Testament) and there is In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took
archaeological evidence that the Fruit of Life, the Tree of the thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks
Knowledge of Good and Evil as well as the Wise Serpent was were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest; and,
known in early times of Babylonia. Archaeologist George Smith whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills,
(1840–1876) described a seal (from 1850 BC) as having two they were having a confidential conversation together. The
facing figures (male and female) seated on each side of a tree, servant stood by and listened. They were telling one another of all
holding out their hands to the fruit, while between their backs is a the places where they had been waddling about all the morning,
serpent. and what good food they had found; and one said in a pitiful tone,
Contents: A king who is known for his wisdom and who doesn't "Something lies heavy on my stomach; as I was eating in haste I
miss a thing has the mysterious habit of eating something hidden swallowed a ring which lay under the Queen's window." The
under a lid after every midday meal. He only lifts the lid when no servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen,
one is looking. A curious servant takes a look and finds a prepared and said to the cook, "Here is a fine duck; pray kill her." "Yes,"
white snake underneath. When he eats from it, he can understand said the cook, and weighed her in his hand; "she has spared no
the language of the animals. When the king accuses him of stealing trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long
the queen's ring, he is able to prove his innocence by having a duck enough." So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for
slaughtered, which previously said it swallowed the ring. The king the spit, the Queen's ring was found inside her.
offers him a better post as an apology. Instead, the servant accepts The servant could now easily prove his innocence; and the King,
a horse and rides out into the world. Along the way he encounters to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favour, and
three fish, which he rescues from the reeds, an ant king, whose ant promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for.
colony he spares by riding a detour so as not to have to cross the The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and
ant trail, and finally three young, hungry ravens who are still some money for travelling, as he had a mind to see the world and
unable to fly and are rejected by their raven parents were, and for go about a little.
which he slaughters his horse. He comes to a castle whose beautiful When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day
king's daughter is promised to anyone who solves a task. But if he came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and
fails, then he must die. He volunteers as a suitor and the king tells gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he
him to fetch a ring from the sea. The three fish come and bring him heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and
prisoners back into the water. They quivered with delight, put out said, "Although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be
their heads, and cried to him, "We will remember you and repay my husband until he has brought me an apple from the Tree of
you for saving us!" Life."
He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a The youth did not know where the Tree of Life stood, but he set
voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would
complain, "Why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had
our bodies? That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a
treading down my people without mercy! "So he turned on to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling
side path and the ant-king cried out to him, "We will remember in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand. At the same
you—one good turn deserves another!" time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his
The path led him into a wood, and there he saw two old ravens knee, and said, "We are the three young ravens whom you saved
standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones. "Out from starving; when we had grown big, and heard that you were
with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures! "cried they; "we seeking the Golden Apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the
cannot find food for you any longer; you are big enough, and can world, where the Tree of Life stands, and have brought you the
provide for yourselves." But the poor young ravens lay upon the apple." The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the
ground flapping their wings, and crying, "Oh, what helpless Golden Apple to the King's beautiful daughter, who had now no
chicks we are! We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly! more excuses left to make. They cut the Apple of Life in two and
What can we do, but lie here and starve?" So the good young ate it together; and then her heart became full of love for him, and
fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age.
them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their
hunger, and cried, "We will remember you—one good turn
deserves another!" 18.—THE STRAW, THE COAL, AND THE BEAN.
And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a
long way, he came to a large city. There was a great noise and ("Straw, Coal and Beans" (German: Strohhalm, Kohle und
crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying Bohne) is a farce [a trivial folk tale] in the children's and
aloud, "The King's daughter wants a husband; but whoever sues household tales by the Brothers Grimm at position 18 (KHM 18).
for her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed Until the second edition it was called "Straw, Coal and Beans on a
he will forfeit his life." Many had already made the attempt, but in Journey". Wilhelm Grimm probably heard the farce from
vain; nevertheless when the youth saw the King's daughter he was Dorothea Catharina Wild in Kassel in 1808.
so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went Contents: An old woman has some beans that she intends to cook
before the King, and declared himself a suitor. over her fire. Being in a hurry, she grabs some straw to make the
So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, fire light faster. She pours the beans in the pot and, being in a
in his sight; then the King ordered him to fetch this ring up from hurry, she drops one on the floor which lands next to a piece of
the bottom of the sea, and added, "If you come up again without it straw. Soon the fire is burning nicely and a hot coal jumps out and
you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the lands next to the straw and the bean. They discuss that they have
waves." All the people grieved for the handsome youth; then they narrowly escaped the fire, and they band together to flee. At a
went away, leaving him alone by the sea. river, the straw lies down to let them cross. The coal, being hot-
He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when tempered by nature, immediately sets across. But when the coal is
suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and halfway across, the water rushes underneath, and the coal becomes
they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the terrified of being drowned. So he stops, too afraid to go on. The
middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the straw catches on fire from the coal and splitting in two, the straw
youth's feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay and the coal are swept downstream. The bean cannot help but
the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the King, and laugh at the misfortune of his comrades, and indeed he laughs so
expected that he would grant him the promised reward. hard that he bursts his side. He is in trouble, but luckily there is a
But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal friendly tailor nearby who sews him back up with some black
in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform thread, and ever since beans have had a black seam.)
another task. She went down into the garden and strewed with her
own hands ten sacks-full of milletseed on the grass; then she said, In a village dwelt a poor old woman, who had gathered together
"To-morrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and a dish of beans and wanted to cook them. So she made a fire on her
not a single grain be wanting." hearth, and that it might burn the quicker, she lighted it with a
The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might handful of straw. When she was emptying the beans into the pan,
be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, one dropped without her observing it, and lay on the ground
and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he beside a straw, and soon afterwards a burning coal from the fire
should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun leapt down to the two. Then the straw began and said, "Dear
shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, friends, from whence do you come here?" The coal replied, "I
quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had fortunately sprang out of the fire, and if I had not escaped by main
come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the force, my death would have been certain,—I should have been
grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet- burnt to ashes." The bean said, "I too have escaped with a whole
seed and gathered them into the sacks. skin, but if the old woman had got me into the pan, I should have
Presently the King's daughter herself came down into the garden, been made into broth without any mercy, like my comrades."
and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she "And would a better fate have fallen to my lot?" said the straw.
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
"The old woman has destroyed all my brethren in fire and smoke; sitting in her old hovel again". And with that, the sea becomes
she seized sixty of them at once, and took their lives. I luckily calm once more, and the fisherman and his wife are once more
slipped through her fingers." "But what are we to do now?" said living in nothing but their old, dirty hovel.)
the coal. "I think," answered the bean, "that as we have so
fortunately escaped death, we should keep together like good There was once on a time a Fisherman who lived with his wife in
companions, and lest a new mischance should overtake us here, we a miserable hovel close by the sea, and every day he went out
should go away together, and repair to a foreign country." fishing. And once as he was sitting with his rod, looking at the
The proposition pleased the two others, and they set out on their clear water, his line suddenly went down, far down below, and
way in company. Soon, however, they came to a little brook, and when he drew it up again, he brought out a large Flounder. Then
as there was no bridge or foot-plank, they did not know how they the Flounder said to him, "Hark, you Fisherman, I pray you, let
were to get over it. The straw hit on a good idea, and said, "I will me live, I am no Flounder really, but an enchanted prince. What
lay myself straight across, and then you can walk over on me as on good will it do you to kill me? I should not be good to eat, put me
a bridge." The straw therefore stretched itself from one bank to in the water again, and let me go." "Come," said the Fisherman,
the other, and the coal, who was of an impetuous disposition, "there is no need for so many words about it—a fish that can talk
tripped quite boldly on to the newly-built bridge. But when she I should certainly let go, anyhow," with that he put him back
had reached the middle, and heard the water rushing beneath her, again into the clear water, and the Flounder went to the bottom,
she was, after all, afraid, and stood still, and ventured no farther. leaving a long streak of blood behind him. Then the Fisherman
The straw, however, began to burn, broke in two pieces, and fell got up and went home to his wife in the hovel.
into the stream. The coal slipped after her, hissed when she got "Husband," said the woman, "have you caught nothing to-day?"
into the water, and breathed her last. The bean, who had "No," said the man, "I did catch a Flounder, who said he was an
prudently stayed behind on the shore, could not but laugh at the enchanted prince, so I let him go again." "Did you not wish for
event, was unable to stop, and laughed so heartily that she burst. anything first?" said the woman. "No," said the man; "what
It would have been all over with her, likewise, if, by good fortune, should I wish for?" "Ah," said the woman, "it is surely hard to
a tailor who was travelling in search of work had not sat down to have to live always in this dirty hovel; you might have wished for a
rest by the brook. As he had a compassionate heart he pulled out small cottage for us. Go back and call him. Tell him we want to
his needle and thread, and sewed her together. The bean thanked have a small cottage, he will certainly give us that." "Ah," said the
him most prettily, but as the tailor used black thread, all beans man, "why should I go there again?" "Why," said the woman,
since then have a black seam. "you did catch him, and you let him go again; he is sure to do it.
Go at once." The man still did not quite like to go, but did not
like to oppose his wife, and went to the sea.
19.—THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE. When he got there the sea was all green and yellow, and no
longer so smooth; so he stood and said,
("Of the fisherman and his wife" is a fairy tale written by Philipp "Flounder, flounder in the sea,
Otto Runge in Low German. The Brothers Grimm included it in Come, I pray thee, here to me;
19th place (KHM 19) in their collection of the Children's and For my wife, good Ilsabil, [Isabel]
Household Tales. It had different titles: Van den Fischer un siine Wills not as I'd have her will."
Fru, Von den Fischer und siine Fru, Von dem Fischer un siine Fru, Then the Flounder came swimming to him and said, "Well, what
and Von dem Fischer und syner Fru. does she want, then?" "Ah," said the man, "I did catch you, and
Contents: There is a poor fisherman who lives with his wife in a my wife says I really ought to have wished for something. She does
hovel by the sea, in the original Low German derogatorily called not like to live in a wretched hovel any longer; she would like to
"piss-pot". One day the fisherman catches a fish, which claims to have a cottage." "Go, then," said the Flounder, "she has it
be a one that can grant wishes and begs to be set free. The already."
fisherman kindly releases it. When his wife hears the story, she says When the man went home, his wife was no longer in the hovel,
he ought to have had the fish grant him a wish. She insists that he but instead of it there stood a small cottage, and she was sitting on
go back and ask the flounder to grant her wish for a nice house. a bench before the door. Then she took him by the hand and said
The fisherman reluctantly returns to the shore but is uneasy when to him, "Just come inside, look, now isn't this a great deal better?"
he finds that the sea seems to become turbid, as it was so clear So they went in, and there was a small porch, and a pretty little
before. He makes up a rhyme to summon the flounder, and it parlour and bedroom, and a kitchen and pantry, with the best of
grants the wife's wish. The fisherman is pleased with his new furniture, and fitted up with the most beautiful things made of tin
wealth, but the wife is not and demands more, and demands that and brass, whatsoever was wanted. And behind the cottage there
her husband go back and wish that he be made a king. Reluctantly, was a small yard, with hens and ducks, and a little garden with
he does and gets his wish. But again and again, his wife sends him flowers and fruit. "Look," said the wife, "is not that nice!" "Yes,"
back to ask for more and more. The fisherman knows this is wrong said the husband, "and so we must always think it,—now we will
but there is no reasoning with his wife. He says they should not live quite contented." "We will think about that," said the wife.
annoy the flounder, and be content with what they have been With that they ate something and went to bed.
given, but his wife is not content. Each time, the flounder grants Everything went well for a week or a fortnight, and then the
the wishes with the words: "just go home again, she has it already" woman said, "Hark you, husband, this cottage is far too small for
or similar, but each time the sea grows rougher and rougher. us, and the garden and yard are little; the Flounder might just as
Eventually, the wife wishes to command the sun, moon, and well have given us a larger house. I should like to live in a great
heavens, and she sends her husband to the flounder with the wish stone castle; go to the Flounder, and tell him to give us a castle."
"I want to become equal to God". Instead of granting this, the "Ah, wife," said the man, "the cottage is quite good enough; why
flounder just tells the fisherman to go home, stating that "she is should we live in a castle?" "What!" said the woman; "just go
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
there, the Flounder can always do that." "No, wife," said the man, So the man went, and when he came to the palace, the castle had
"the Flounder has just given us the cottage, I do not like to go become much larger, and had a great tower and magnificent
back so soon, it might make him angry." "Go," said the woman, ornaments, and the sentinel was standing before the door, and
"he can do it quite easily, and will be glad to do it; just you go to there were numbers of soldiers with kettle-drums and trumpets.
him." And when he went inside the house, everything was of real marble
The man's heart grew heavy, and he would not go. He said to and gold, with velvet covers and great golden tassels. Then the
himself, "It is not right," and yet he went. And when he came to doors of the hall were opened, and there was the court in all its
the sea the water was quite purple and dark-blue, and grey and splendour, and his wife was sitting on a high throne of gold and
thick, and no longer so green and yellow, but it was still quiet. diamonds, with a great crown of gold on her head, and a sceptre of
And he stood there and said— pure gold and jewels in her hand, and on both sides of her stood
"Flounder, flounder in the sea, her maids-in-waiting in a row, each of them always one head
Come, I pray thee, here to me; shorter than the last.
For my wife, good Ilsabil, Then he went and stood before her, and said, "Ah, wife, and now
Wills not as I'd have her will." you are King." "Yes," said the woman, "now I am King." So he
"Well, what does she want, then?" said the Flounder. "Alas," stood and looked at her, and when he had looked at her thus for
said the man, half scared, "she wants to live in a great stone some time, he said, "And now that you are King, let all else be,
castle." "Go to it, then, she is standing before the door," said the now we will wish for nothing more." "Nay, husband," said the
Flounder. woman, quite anxiously, "I find time pass very heavily, I can bear
Then the man went away, intending to go home, but when he got it no longer; go to the Flounder—I am King, but I must be
there, he found a great stone palace, and his wife was just standing Emperor, too." "Alas, wife, why do you wish to be Emperor?"
on the steps going in, and she took him by the hand and said, "Husband," said she, "go to the Flounder. I will be Emperor."
"Come in." So he went in with her, and in the castle was a great "Alas, wife," said the man, "he cannot make you Emperor; I may
hall paved with marble, and many servants, who flung wide the not say that to the fish. There is only one Emperor in the land. An
doors; and the walls were all bright with beautiful hangings, and Emperor the Flounder cannot make you! I assure you he cannot."
in the rooms were chairs and tables of pure gold, and crystal "What!" said the woman, "I am the King, and you are nothing
chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and all the rooms and bed- but my husband; will you go this moment? go at once! If he can
rooms had carpets, and food and wine of the very best were make a king he can make an emperor. I will be Emperor; go
standing on all the tables so that they nearly broke down beneath instantly." So he was forced to go. As the man went, however, he
it. Behind the house, too, there was a great court-yard, with was troubled in mind, and thought to himself, "It will not end
stables for horses and cows, and the very best of carriages; there well; it will not end well! Emperor is too shameless! The Flounder
was a magnificent large garden, too, with the most beautiful will at last be tired out."
flowers and fruit-trees, and a park quite half a mile long, in which With that he reached the sea, and the sea was quite black and
were stags, deer, and hares, and everything that could be desired. thick, and began to boil up from below, so that it threw up
"Come," said the woman, "isn't that beautiful?" "Yes, indeed," bubbles, and such a sharp wind blew over it that it curdled, and
said the man, "now let it be; and we will live in this beautiful castle the man was afraid. Then he went and stood by it, and said,
and be content." "We will consider about that," said the woman, "Flounder, flounder in the sea,
"and sleep upon it;" thereupon they went to bed. Come, I pray thee, here to me;
Next morning the wife awoke first, and it was just daybreak, and For my wife, sood Ilsabil,
from her bed she saw the beautiful country lying before her. Her Wills not as I'd have her will."
husband was still stretching himself, so she poked him in the side "Well, what does she want, then? " said the Flounder. "Alas,
with her elbow, and said, "Get up, husband, and just peep out of Flounder," said he, "my wife wants to be Emperor." "Go to her,"
the window. Look you, couldn't we be the King over all that land? said the Flounder; "she is Emperor already."
Go to the Flounder, we will be the King." "Ah, wife," said the So the man went, and when he got there the whole palace was
man, "why should we be King? I do not want to be King." "Well," made of polished marble with alabaster figures and golden
said the wife, "if you won't be King, I will; go to the Flounder, for ornaments, and soldiers were marching before the door blowing
I will be King." "Ah, wife," said the man, "why do you want to be trumpets, and beating cymbals and drums; and in the house,
King? I do not like to say that to him." "Why not?" said the barons, and counts, and dukes were going about as servants. Then
woman; "go to him this instant; I must be King!" So the man went, they opened the doors to him, which were of pure gold. And when
and was quite unhappy because his wife wished to be King. "It is he entered, there sat his wife on a throne, which was made of one
not right; it is not right," thought he. He did not wish to go, but piece of gold, and was quite two miles high; and she wore a great
yet he went. golden crown that was three yards high, and set with diamonds
And when he came to the sea, it was quite dark-grey, and the and carbuncles, and in one hand she had the sceptre, and in the
water heaved up from below, and smelt putrid. Then he went and other the imperial orb; and on both sides of her stood the yeomen
stood by it, and said, of the guard in two rows, each being smaller than the one before
"Flounder, flounder in the sea, him, from the biggest giant, who was two miles high, to the very
Come, I pray thee, here to me; smallest dwarf, just as big as my little finger. And before it stood a
For my wife, good Ilsabil, number of princes and dukes.
Wills not as I'd have her will." Then the man went and stood among them, and said, "Wife, are
"Well, what does she want, then?" said the Flounder. "Alas," you Emperor now?" "Yes," said she, "now I am Emperor." Then
said the man, "she wants to be King." "Go to her; she is King he stood and looked at her well, and when he had looked at her
already." thus for some time, he said, "Ah, wife, be content, now that you
are Emperor." "Husband," said she, "why are you standing there?
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Now, I am Emperor, but I will be Pope too; go to the Flounder." and see the sun and moon rising, I can't bear it. I shall not know
"Alas, wife," said the man, "what will you not wish for? You what it is to have another happy hour, unless I can make them rise
cannot be Pope; there is but one in Christendom; he cannot make myself." Then she looked at him so terribly that a shudder ran
you Pope." "Husband," said she, "I will be Pope; go immediately, over him, and said, "Go at once; I wish to be like unto God."
I must be Pope this very day." "No, wife," Said the man, "I do not "Alas, wife," said the man, falling on his knees before her, "the
like to say that to him; that would not do, it is too much; the Flounder cannot do that; he can make an emperor and a pope; I
Flounder can't make you Pope." "Husband," said she, "what beseech you, go on as you are, and be Pope." Then she fell into a
nonsense! if he can make an emperor he can make a pope. Go to rage, and her hair flew wildly about her head, and she cried, "I
him directly. I am Emperor, and you are nothing but my husband; will not endure this, I'll not bear it any longer; wilt thou go?"
will you go at once?" Then he put on his trousers and ran away like a madman. But
Then he was afraid and went; but he was quite faint, and shivered outside a great storm was raging, and blowing so hard that he
and shook, and his knees and legs trembled. And a high wind blew could scarcely keep his feet; houses and trees toppled over, the
over the land, and the clouds flew, and towards evening all grew mountains trembled, rocks rolled into the sea, the sky was pitch
dark, and the leaves fell from the trees, and the water rose and black, and it thundered and lightened, and the sea came in with
roared as if it were boiling, and splashed upon the shore; and in black waves as high as church-towers and mountains, and all with
the distance he saw ships which were firing guns in their sore need, crests of white foam at the top. Then he cried, but could not hear
pitching and tossing on the waves. And yet in the midst of the sky his own words,
there was still a small bit of blue, though on every side it was as "Flounder, flounder in the sea,
red as in a heavy storm. So, full of despair, he went and stood in Come, I pray thee, here to me;
much fear and said, For my wife, good Ilsabil,
"Flounder, flounder in the sea, Wills not as I'd have her will."
Come, I pray thee, here to me; "Well, what does she want, then?" said the Flounder. "Alas,"
For my wife, good llsabil, said he, " she wants to be like unto God." "Go to her, and you will
"Wills not as I'd have her will." find her back again in the dirty hovel." And there they are living
"Well, what does she want, then?" said the Flounder. "Alas," still at this very time.
said the man, "she wants to be Pope." "Go to her then," said the
Flounder; "she is Pope already."
So he went, and when he got there, he saw what seemed to be a 20.—THE VALIANT LITTLE TAILOR.
large church surrounded by palaces. He pushed his way through
the crowd. Inside, however, everything was lighted up with ("The Valiant Little Tailor" is a fairy tale in the Children's and
thousands and thousands of candles, and his wife was clad in gold, Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm at position 20 (KHM 20).
and she was sitting on a much higher throne, and had three great In the 1st edition the title was "Of a Brave Tailor". Today's best-
golden crowns on, and round about her there was much known version of the Brave Little Tailor is that of the brothers
ecclesiastical splendour; and on both sides of her was a row of Grimm, published in the first volume of the Children's and
candles the largest of which was as tall as the very tallest tower, Household Tales in 1812. The story is in fact a combination of
down to the very smallest kitchen candle, and all the emperors and several stories. The first part finds its origin in one or more tales
kings were on their knees before her, kissing her shoe. "Wife," said from south-west Germany. The Brothers Grimm note, however,
the man, and looked attentively at her, "are you now Pope?" that as early as in the 16th century above all Johann Fischart in
"Yes," said she, "I am Pope." So he stood and looked at her, and it his Gargantua translation alludes to a tailor who "kills several at
was just as if he was looking at the bright sun. When he had stood once".A second part of the story - based on the intervention of the
looking at her thus for a short time, he said, "Ah, wife, if you are king - is, according to the Brothers Grimm, directly a literary
Pope, do let well alone!" But she looked as stiff as a post, and did source of the Taken from the 16th century: Wegkürzer
not move or show any signs of life. Then said he, "Wife, now that (Wayshortener), by Martinus Montanus, published around 1557.
you are Pope, be satisfied, you cannot become anything greater Contents, Part 1: A tailor prepares to eat some sweets, but when
now." "I will consider about that," said the woman. Thereupon flies decide to land on them, he kills seven of them with one blow.
they both went to bed, but she was not satisfied, and greediness let He makes a banner that describes the action: "I killed seven at
her have no sleep, for she was continually thinking what there was once". Inspired, he goes out into the world to make his fortune.
left for her to be. The tailor happens to meet a giant, who assumes that "I killed
The man slept well and soundly, for he had run about a great seven at once" refers to seven men. The giant challenges the tailor.
deal during the day; but the woman could not fall asleep at all, When the giant squeezes water from a rock, the tailor squeezes
and flung herself from one side to the other the whole night water (or whey) from a cheese. The giant throws a stone in the air
through, thinking always what more was left for her to be, but and it takes time to fall. The tailor, to overcome the giant's feat,
unable to call to mind anything else. At length the sun began to throws a bird that flies away, the giant believes that the little bird
rise, and when the woman saw the red of dawn, she sat up in bed is a "stone" that is thrown so far that it never falls. The giant asks
and looked at it. And when, through the window, she saw the sun the tailor to help him carry a tree. The tailor tells the giant to
thus rising, she said, "Cannot I, too, order the sun and moon to carry the trunk, while the tailor would take the branches. Instead,
rise?" "Husband," said she, poking him in the ribs with her elbows, the tailor climbs up the tree, causing the giant to carry him as well.
"wake up! go to the Flounder, for I wish to be even as God is." The giant takes the tailor to his house, where other giants also live.
The man was still half asleep, but he was so horrified that he fell During the night, the giant tries to kill the tailor. However, the
out of bed. He thought he must have heard amiss, and rubbed his tailor, having found his bed too big, sleeps in the corner. Seeing
eyes, and said, "Alas, wife, what are you saying?" "Husband," said him still alive, the other giants flee.
she, "if I can't order the sun and moon to rise, and have to look on
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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Contents, Part 2: The tailor enters the royal service, but the In front of the door he observed a bird which had caught itself in
other soldiers are afraid that he will lose his temper one day, and the thicket. It had to go into his pocket with the cheese. Now he
with that seven of them could die with each blow. They address the took, to the road boldly, and as he was light and nimble, he felt no
king and ask the king to send the tailor away, otherwise they will. fatigue. The road led him up a mountain, and when he had reached
Afraid of being killed for sending him away, the king sends the the highest point of it, there sat a powerful giant looking about
tailor to defeat two giants, offering him half his kingdom and his him quite comfortably. The little tailor went bravely up, spoke to
daughter's hand in marriage. Throwing stones at the two giants him, and said, "Good day, comrade, so thou art sitting there
while they sleep, the tailor provokes the pair into combat with overlooking the wide-spread world! I am just on my way thither,
each other. The king then sends him after a unicorn, but the and want to try my luck. Hast thou any inclination to go with
cunning tailor uses a tree as trap to catch the unicorn in a tree, so me?" The giant looked contemptuously at the tailor, and said,
that when the unicorn comes to attack him, he will move out of "Thou ragamuffin! Thou miserable creature!"
the way causing the unicorn to ram his horn into the trunk. The "Oh, indeed?" answered the little tailor, and unbuttoned his coat,
king later sends him after a wild boar, but again the tailor sets a and showed the giant the girdle, "There mayst thou read what
trap, trapping the animal in a chapel. With that, the king allows kind of a man I am!" The giant read, "Seven at one stroke," and
the tailor to get married to his daughter. One night after the thought that they had been men whom the tailor had killed, and
wedding, the tailor's wife overhears him talking in his sleep and began to feel a little respect for the tiny fellow. Nevertheless, he
realises that he is just a tailor. She tells her father everything, and wished to try him first, and took a stone in his hand and squeezed
the king promises that he will send him away. A squire admonishes it together so that water dropped out of it. "Do that likewise,"
the tailor, who pretends to be asleep and says that he has done all said the giant, "if thou hast strength?" "Is that all?" said the tailor,
the deeds and is not afraid of the men behind the door. Terrified, "that is child's play with us!" and put his hand into his pocket,
they leave, and the king does not try to send him away again.) brought out the soft cheese, and pressed it until the liquid ran out
of it. "Faith," said he, "that was a little better, wasn't it?" The
One summer's morning a little tailor was sitting on his table by giant did not know what to say, and could not believe it of the
the window; he was in good spirits, and sewed with all his might. little man. Then the giant picked up a stone and threw it so high
Then came a peasant woman down the street crying, "Good jams, that the eye could scarcely follow it. "Now, little mite of a man, do
cheap! Good jams cheap!" This rang pleasantly in the tailor's ears; that likewise." "Well thrown," said the tailor, "but after all the
he stretched his delicate head out of the window, and called, stone came down to earth again; I will throw you one which shall
"Come up here, dear woman; here you will get rid of your goods." never come back at all," and he put his hand into his pocket, took
The woman came up the three steps to the tailor with her heavy out the bird, and threw it into the air. The bird, delighted with its
basket, and he made her unpack the whole of the pots for him. He liberty, rose, flew away and did not come back. "How does that
inspected all of them, lifted them up, put his nose to them, and at shot please you, comrade?" asked the tailor. "Thou canst certainly
length said, "The jam seems to me to be good, so weigh me out throw," said the giant, "but now we will see if thou art able to
four ounces, dear woman, and if it is a quarter of a pound that is carry anything properly." He took the little tailor to a mighty oak
of no consequence." The woman who had hoped to find a good tree which lay there felled on the ground, and said, "If thou art
sale, gave him what he desired, but went away quite angry and strong enough, help me to carry the tree out of the forest."
grumbling. "Now, God bless the jam to my use," cried the little "Readily," answered the little man; "take thou the trunk on thy
tailor, "and give me health and strength;" so he brought the bread shoulders, and I will raise up the branches and twigs; after all,
out of the cupboard, cut himself a piece right across the loaf and they are the heaviest." The giant took the trunk on his shoulder,
spread the jam over it. "This won't taste bitter," said he, "but I but the tailor seated himself on a branch, and the giant who could
will just finish the jacket before I take a bite." He laid the bread not look round, had to carry away the whole tree, and the little
near him, sewed on, and in his joy, made bigger and bigger tailor into the bargain: he behind, was quite merry and happy,
stitches. In the meantime the smell of the sweet jam ascended so to and whistled the song, "Three tailors rode forth from the gate," as
the wall, where the flies were sitting in great numbers, that they if carrying the tree were child's play. The giant, after he had
were attracted and descended on it in hosts. "Hola! who invited dragged the heavy burden part of the way, could go no further,
you?" said the little tailor, and drove the unbidden guests away. and cried, "Hark you, I shall have to let the tree fall! " The tailor
The flies, however, who understood no German, would not be sprang nimbly down, seized the tree with both arms as if he had
turned away, but came back again in ever-increasing companies. been carrying it, and said to the giant, "Thou art such a great
Then the little tailor at last lost all patience, and got a bit of cloth fellow, and yet canst not even carry the tree!"
from the hole under his work-table, and saying, "Wait, and I will They went on together, and as they passed a cherry-tree, the
give it to you," struck it mercilessly on them. When he drew it giant laid hold of the top of the tree where the ripest fruit was
away and counted, there lay before him no fewer than seven, dead hanging, bent it down, gave it into the tailor's hand, and bade him
and with legs stretched out. "Art thou a fellow of that sort?" said eat. But the little tailor was much too weak to hold the tree, and
he, and could not help admiring his own bravery. "The whole when the giant let it go, it sprang back again, and the tailor was
town shall know of this!" And the little tailor hastened to cut hurried into the air with it. When he had fallen down again
himself a girdle, stitched it, and embroidered on it in large letters, without injury, the giant said, "What is this? Hast thou not
"Seven at one stroke!" "What, the town!" he continued, "The strength enough to hold the weak twig?" "There is no lack of
whole world shall hear of it!" and his heart wagged with joy like a strength," answered the little tailor. "Dost thou think that could
lamb's tail. The tailor put on the girdle, and resolved to go forth be anything to a man who has struck down seven at one blow? I
into the world, because he thought his workshop was too small for leapt over the tree because the huntsmen are shooting down there
his valour. Before he went away, he sought about in the house to in the thicket. Jump as I did, if thou canst do it." The giant made
see if there was anything which he could take with him; however, the attempt, but could not get over the tree, and remained
he found nothing but an old cheese, and that he put in his pocket.
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hanging in the branches, so that in this also the tailor kept the and do not require the help of the hundred horsemen to do it; he
upper hand. who can hit seven with one blow, has no need to be afraid of two."
The giant said, "If thou art such a valiant fellow, come with me The little tailor went forth, and the hundred horsemen followed
into our cavern and spend the night with us." The little tailor was him. When he came to the outskirts of the forest, he said to his
willing, and followed him. When they went into the cave, other followers, "Just stay waiting here, I alone will soon finish off the
giants were sitting there by the fire, and each of them had a giants." Then he bounded into the forest and looked about right
roasted sheep in his hand and was eating it. The little tailor looked and left. After a while he perceived both giants. They lay sleeping
round and thought, "It is much more spacious here than in my under a tree, and snored so that the branches waved up and down.
workshop." The giant showed him a bed, and said he was to lie The little tailor, not idle, gathered two pocketsful of stones, and
down in it and sleep. The bed was, however, too big for the little with these climbed up the tree. When he was half-way up, he
tailor; he did not lie down in it, but crept into a corner. When it slipped down by a branch, until he sat just above the sleepers, and
was midnight, and the giant thought that the little tailor was then let one stone after another fall on the breast of one of the
lying in a sound sleep, he got up, took a great iron bar, cut giants. For a long time the giant felt nothing, but at last he awoke,
through the bed with one blow, and thought he had given the pushed his comrade, and said, "Why art thou knocking me?"
grasshopper his finishing stroke. With the earliest dawn the giants "Thou must be dreaming," said the other, "I am not knocking
went into the forest, and had quite forgotten the little tailor, when thee." They laid themselves down to sleep again, and then the
all at once he walked up to them quite merrily and boldly. The tailor threw a stone down on the second. "What is the meaning of
giants were terrified, they were afraid that he would strike them this?" cried the other. "Why art thou pelting me?" "I am not
all dead, and ran away in a great hurry. pelting thee," answered the first, growling. They disputed about it
The little tailor went onwards, always following his own pointed for a time, but as they were weary they let the matter rest, and
nose. After he had walked for a long time, he came to the court- their eyes closed once more. The little tailor began his game again,
yard of a royal palace, and as he felt weary, he lay down on the picked out the biggest stone, and threw it with all his might on the
grass and fell asleep. Whilst he lay there, the people came and breast of the first giant. "That is too bad!" cried he, and sprang up
inspected him on all sides, and read on his girdle, "Seven at one like a madman, and pushed his companion against the tree until it
stroke." "Ah!" said they, "What does the great warrior here in the shook. The other paid him back in the same coin, and they got
midst of peace? He must be a mighty lord." They went and into such a rage that they tore up trees and belaboured each other
announced him to the King, and gave it as their opinion that if so long, that at last they both fell down dead on the ground at the
war should break out, this would be a weighty and useful man who same time. Then the little tailor leapt down. "It is a lucky thing,"
ought on no account to be allowed to depart. The counsel pleased said he, "that they did not tear up the tree on which I was sitting,
the King, and he sent one of his courtiers to the little tailor to or I should have had to spring on to another like a squirrel; but we
offer him military service when he awoke. The ambassador tailors are nimble." He drew out his sword and gave each of them
remained standing by the sleeper, waited until he stretched his a couple of thrusts in the breast, and then went out to the
limbs and opened his eyes, and then conveyed to him this proposal. horsemen and said, "The work is done; I have given both of them
"For this very reason have I come here," the tailor replied, "I am their finishing stroke, but it was hard work! They tore up trees in
ready to enter the King's service." He was therefore honourably their sore need, and defended themselves with them, but all that is
received, and a separate dwelling was assigned him. to no purpose when a man like myself comes, who can kill seven at
The soldiers, however, were set against the little tailor, and one blow." "But are you not wounded?" asked the horsemen.
wished him a thousand miles away. "What is to be the end of this?" "You need not concern yourself about that," answered the tailor,
they said amongst themselves. "If we quarrel with him, and he "They have not bent one hair of mine." The horsemen would not
strikes about him, seven of us will fall at every blow; not one of us believe him, and rode into the forest; there they found the giants
can stand against him." They came therefore to a decision, betook swimming in their blood, and all round about, lay the torn-up
themselves in a body to the King, and begged for their dismissal. trees.
"We are not prepared," said they, "to stay with a man who kills The little tailor demanded of the King the promised reward; he,
seven at one stroke." The King was sorry that for the sake of one however, repented of his promise, and again bethought himself
he should lose all his faithful servants, wished that he had never set how he could get rid of the hero. "Before thou receivest my
eyes on the tailor, and would willingly have been rid of him again. daughter, and the half of my kingdom," said he to him, "thou
But he did not venture to give him his dismissal, for he dreaded must perform one more heroic deed. In the forest roams a unicorn
lest he should strike him and all his people dead, and place himself which does great harm, and thou must catch it first." "I fear one
on the royal throne. He thought about it for a long time, and at unicorn still less than two giants. Seven at one blow, is my kind of
last found good counsel. He sent to the little tailor and caused him affair." He took a rope and an axe with him, went forth into the
to be informed that as he was such a great warrior, he had one forest, and again bade those who were sent with him to wait
request to make to him. In a forest of his country lived two giants, outside. He had not to seek long. The unicorn soon came towards
who caused great mischief with their robbing, murdering, him, and rushed directly on the tailor, as if it would spit him on its
ravaging, and burning, and no one could approach them without horn without more ceremony. "Softly, softly; it can't be done as
putting himself in danger of death. If the tailor conquered and quickly as that," said he, and stood still and waited until the
killed these two giants, he would give him his only daughter to animal was quite close, and then sprang nimbly behind the tree.
wife, and half of his kingdom as a dowry, likewise one hundred The unicorn ran against the tree with all its strength, and struck
horsemen should go with him to assist him. "That would indeed be its horn so fast in the trunk that it had not strength enough to
a fine thing for a man like me!" thought the little tailor. "One is draw it out again, and thus it was caught. "Now, I have got the
not offered a beautiful princess and half a kingdom every day of bird," said the tailor, and came out from behind the tree and put
one's life!" "Oh, yes," he replied, "I will soon subdue the giants, the rope round its neck, and then with his axe he hewed the horn
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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out of the tree, and when all was ready he led the beast away and terms of content, it largely corresponds to the story in the then
took it to the King. current 5th edition of Grimm's fairy tales, which he also cites as a
The King still would not give him the promised reward, and source; but it is shorter and with fewer verbatim speeches.
made a third demand. Before the wedding the tailor was to catch Contents: The daughter of a rich man grows up in a sheltered
him a wild boar that made great havoc in the forest, and the environment. When the mother dies, on her deathbed she asks her
huntsmen should give him their help. "Willingly," said the tailor, daughter to plant a tree on her grave that she can shake if she has a
"that is child's play!" He did not take the huntsmen with him into wish, which the daughter does. Two years after the death of her
the forest, and they were well pleased that he did not, for the wild mother, the father marries a widow who brings two daughters
boar had several times received them in such a manner that they into the house. Stepmother and stepsisters make life difficult for
had no inclination to lie in wait for him. When the boar perceived the girl in every possible way. The girl is called Cinderella because
the tailor, it ran on him with foaming mouth and whetted tusks, she not only has to do the most dirty work, but also has to sleep in
and was about to throw him to the ground, but the active hero the ashes next to the hearth from now on. One day the king gives a
sprang into a chapel which was near, and up to the window at ball that lasts three days. The stepsisters let Cinderella prepare her
once, and in one bound out again. The boar ran in after him, but for the ball and give her a bowl of lentils to read until the evening.
the tailor ran round outside and shut the door behind it, and then As Cinderella gets to work, two pigeons come flying in and ask if
the raging beast, which was much too heavy and awkward to leap they can help her. Cinderella replies: "Yes, the bad ones in the
out of the window, was caught. The little tailor called the crop, the good ones in the potty." Then she stands on the top step
huntsmen thither that they might see the prisoner with their own of the dovecote and can see her sisters dancing with the prince. The
eyes. The hero, however, went to the King, who was now, whether next day, when the sisters see the lentils they have read and hear
he liked it or not, obliged to keep his promise, and gave him his Cinderella watching them, they have the dovecote torn down.
daughter and the half of his kingdom. Had he known that it was They give the girl a sack full of sweet peas for Cinderella to pick
no warlike hero, but a little tailor who was standing before him, it out again. The pigeons fly again and help her with the task. They
would have gone to his heart still more than it did. The wedding advise her to go to the tree on her mother's grave and wish for nice
was held with great magnificence and small joy, and out of a tailor clothes, but to be home before midnight. So when Cinderella
a king was made. shakes the little tree and says: "Tree, shake and shake yourself,
After some time the young Queen heard her husband say in his throw down beautiful clothes for me!" There is a silver dress,
dreams at night, "Boy, make me the doublet, and patch the pearls, stockings and silver slippers in front of her. When she has
pantaloons, or else I will rap the yard-measure over thine ears." put on the dress, there is a wagon with six centimes in front of her
Then she discovered in what state of life the young lord had been door, which takes her to the castle. In the castle, the prince
born, and next morning complained of her wrongs to her father, mistakes her for a foreign princess, and the sisters, who do not
and begged him to help her to get rid of her husband, who was recognise them, are annoyed that someone is more beautiful than
nothing else but a tailor. The King comforted her and said, them. At midnight, Cinderella leaves the ball and gives the clothes
"Leave thy bed-room door open this night, and my servants shall back to the tree on the grave. The next morning, the sisters are in a
stand outside, and when he has fallen asleep shall go in, bind him, bad mood and again give Cinderella a bowl of peas, which she has
and take him on board a ship which shall carry him into the wide to sort out. Again the doves help her and she goes to the tree for a
world." The woman was satisfied with this; but the King's new dress. This time it is made entirely of gold and precious stones
armour-bearer, who had heard all, was friendly with the young and has golden slippers. This time there is a wagon with six gray
lord, and informed him of the whole plot. "I'll put a screw into horses in front of her door, which drives her to the ball. When the
that business," said the little tailor. At night he went to bed with sisters see her and don't recognise her, they turn pale with envy.
his wife at the usual time, and when she thought that he had fallen However, so that she cannot run away so quickly, the prince has
asleep, she got up, opened the door, and then lay down again. The coated the castle steps with pitch. Cinderella forgets the time while
little tailor, who was only pretending to be asleep, began to cry dancing. When she hears the chime of the bell, she remembers the
out in a clear voice, "Boy, make me the doublet and patch me the warning of the doves and is startled. When she runs out, one of her
pantaloons, or I will rap the yard-measure over thine ears. I smote slippers gets caught in bad luck. The prince announces that he will
seven at one blow. I killed two giants, I brought away one unicorn, marry the girl who fits the shoe, but the shoe is too small for
and caught a wild boar, and am I to fear those who are standing everyone. The king's son also investigates his father's house. The
outside the room." When these men heard the tailor speaking thus, two stepsisters try in vain to pull the delicate shoe over their feet.
they were overcome by a great dread, and ran as if the wild On the mother's advice, the first cuts off her heel, and the second -
huntsman were behind them, and none of them would venture her big toe. On the way to the gate, however, the deceit is revealed
anything further against him. So the little tailor was a king and both times by the pigeons: "Juck di guck, rucke di guck! Blood is
remained one, to the end of his life. in the shoe (shoe): The shoe is too small, the real bride is still at
home. Cinderella, who is the only one who fits the shoe, is finally
recognised as the real bride.)
21.—CINDERELLA.
The wife of a rich man fell sick, and as she felt that her end was
("Cinderella" is a world-renowned fairy tale in the Grimm drawing near, she called her only daughter to her bedside and said,
Brothers' Children's and Household Tales at position 21 (KHM "Dear child, be good and pious, and then the good God will
21). It is based in part on Charles Perrault's "Cendrillon ou la always protect thee, and I will, look down on thee from heaven
Petite Pantoufle de verre" (Cinderella or the Little Glass Slipper) and be near thee." Thereupon she closed her eyes and departed.
from 1697 back. Another collector of fairy tales, Ludwig Every day the maiden went out to her mother's grave and wept,
Bechstein, published the story in 1845 in his book "Deutsches and she remained pious and good. When winter came the snow
Märchenbuch" (German Book of Fairy Tales) at position 70. In
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spread a white sheet over the grave, and when the spring sun had passed before they had finished, and all flew out again. Then the
drawn it off again, the man had taken another wife. girl took the dish to her step-mother, and was glad and believed
The woman had brought two daughters into the house with her, that now she would be allowed to go with them to the festival. But
who were beautiful and fair of face, but vile and black of heart. the step-mother said, "No, Cinderella, thou hast no clothes and
Now began a bad time for the poor step-child. "Is the stupid goose thou canst not dance; thou wouldst only be laughed at." And as
to sit in the parlour with us?" said they. "He who wants to eat Cinderella wept at this, the step-mother said, "If thou canst pick
bread must earn it; out with the kitchen-wench." They took her two dishes of lentils out of the ashes for me in one hour, thou shalt
pretty clothes away from her, put an old grey bedgown on her, go with us." And she thought to herself, "That she most certainly
and gave her wooden shoes. "Just look at the proud princess, how cannot do." When the step-mother had emptied the two dishes of
decked out she is!" they cried, and laughed, and led her into the lentils amongst the ashes, the maiden went through the back-door
kitchen. There she had to do hard work from morning till night, into the garden and cried, "You tame pigeons, you turtle-doves,
get up before daybreak, carry water, light fires, cook and wash. and all you birds under heaven, come and help me to pick
Besides this, the sisters did her every imaginable injury—they "The good into the pot,
mocked her and emptied her peas and lentils into the ashes, so that The bad into the crop."
she was forced to sit and pick them out again. In the evening when Then two white pigeons came in by the kitchen-window, and
she had worked till she was weary she had no bed to go to, but had afterwards the turtle-doves, and at length all the birds beneath the
to sleep by the fireside in the ashes. And as on that account she sky, came whirring and crowding in, and alighted amongst the
always looked dusty and dirty, they called her Cinderella. It ashes. And the doves nodded with their heads and began pick, pick,
happened that the father was once going to the fair, and he asked pick, pick, and the others began also pick, pick, pick, pick, and
his two step-daughters what he should bring back for them. gathered all the good seeds into the dishes, and before half an hour
"Beautiful dresses," said one, "Pearls and jewels," said the second. was over they had already finished, and all flew out again. Then
"And thou, Cinderella," said he, "what wilt thou have?" "Father, the maiden carried the dishes to the step-mother and was delighted,
break off for me the first branch which knocks against your hat on and believed that she might now go with them to the festival. But
your way home." So he bought beautiful dresses, pearls and jewels the step-mother said, "All this will not help thee; thou goest not
for his two step-daughters, and on his way home, as he was riding with us, for thou hast no clothes and canst not dance; we should be
through a green thicket, a hazel twig brushed against him and ashamed of thee!" On this she turned her back on Cinderella, and
knocked off his hat. Then he broke off the branch and took it with hurried away with her two proud daughters.
him. When he reached home he gave his step-daughters the things As no one was now at home, Cinderella went to her mother's
which they had wished for, and to Cinderella he gave the branch grave beneath the hazel-tree, and cried,
from the hazel-bush. Cinderella thanked him, went to her mother's "Shiver and quiver, little tree,
grave and planted the branch on it, and wept so much that the Silver and gold throw down over me."
tears fell down on it and watered it. It grew, however, and became Then the bird threw a gold and silver dress down to her, and
a handsome tree. Thrice a day Cinderella went and sat beneath it, slippers embroidered with silk and silver. She put on the dress
and wept and prayed, and a little white bird always came on the with all speed, and went to the festival. Her step-sisters and the
tree, and if Cinderella expressed a wish, the bird threw down to step-mother however did not know her, and thought she must be a
her what she had wished for. foreign princess, for she looked so beautiful in the golden dress.
It happened, however, that the King appointed a festival which They never once thought of Cinderella, and believed that she was
was to last three days, and to which all the beautiful young girls in sitting at home in the dirt, picking lentils out of the ashes. The
the country were invited, in order that his son might choose prince went to meet her, took her by the hand and danced with her.
himself a bride. When the two step-sisters heard that they too were He would dance with no other maiden, and never left loose of her
to appear among the number, they were delighted, called hand, and if any one else came to invite her, he said, "This is my
Cinderella and said, "Comb our hair for us, brush our shoes and partner."
fasten our buckles, for we are going to the festival at the King's She danced till it was evening, and then she wanted to go home.
palace." Cinderella obeyed, but wept, because she too would have But the King's son said, "I will go with thee and bear thee
liked to go with them to the dance, and begged her step-mother to company," for he wished to see to whom the beautiful maiden
allow her to do so. "Thou go, Cinderella!" said she; "Thou art belonged. She escaped from him, however, and sprang into the
dusty and dirty, and wouldst go to the festival? Thou hast no pigeon-house. The King's son waited until her father came, and
clothes and shoes, and yet wouldst dance!" As, however, then he told him that the stranger maiden had leapt into the
Cinderella went on asking, the step-mother at last said, "I have pigeon-house. The old man thought, "Can it be Cinderella?" and
emptied a dish of lentils into the ashes for thee, if thou hast picked they had to bring him an axe and a pickaxe that he might hew the
them out again in two hours, thou shalt go with us." The maiden pigeon-house to pieces, but no one was inside it. And when they
went through the back-door into the garden, and called, "You got home Cinderella lay in her dirty clothes among the ashes, and
tame pigeons, you turtle-doves, and all you birds beneath the sky, a dim little oil-lamp was burning on the mantle-piece, for
come and help me to pick Cinderella had jumped quickly down from the back of the pigeon-
"The good into the pot, house and had run to the little hazel-tree, and there she had taken
The bad into the crop." off her beautiful clothes and laid them on the grave, and the bird
Then two white pigeons came in by the kitchen-window, and had taken them away again, and then she had placed herself in the
afterwards the turtle-doves, and at last all the birds beneath the kitchen amongst the ashes in her grey gown.
sky, came whirring and crowding in, and alighted amongst the Next day when the festival began afresh, and her parents and the
ashes. And the pigeons nodded with their heads and began pick, step-sisters had gone once more, Cinderella went to the hazel-tree
pick, pick, pick, and the rest began also pick, pick, pick, pick, and and said—
gathered all the good grains into the dish. Hardly had one hour "Shiver and quiver, little tree,
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Silver and gold throw down over me." swallowed the pain, and went out to the King's son. He took her
Then the bird threw down a much more beautiful dress than on on his horse as his bride, and rode away with her, but when they
the preceding day. And when Cinderella appeared at the festival in passed by the hazel-tree, two little pigeons sat on it and cried,
this dress, every one was astonished at her beauty. The King's son "Turn and peep, turn and peep,
had waited until she came, and instantly took her by the hand and There's blood within the shoe,
danced with no one but her. When others came and invited her, he The shoe it is too small for her,
said, "She is my partner." When evening came she wished to leave, The true bride waits for you."
and the King's son followed her and wanted to see into which He looked down at her foot and saw how the blood was running
house she went. But she sprang away from him, and into the out of her shoe, and how it had stained her white stocking. Then
garden behind the house. Therein stood a beautiful tall tree on he turned his horse and took the false bride home again. "This also
which hung the most magnificent pears. She clambered so nimbly is not the right one," said he, "have you no other daughter?"
between the branches like a squirrel that the King's son did not "No," said the man, "There is still a little stunted kitchen-wench
know where she was gone. He waited until her father came, and which my late wife left behind her, but she cannot possibly be the
said to him, "The stranger-maiden has escaped from me, and I bride." The King's son said he was to send her up to him; but the
believe she has climbed up the pear-tree." The father thought, mother answered, "Oh no, she is much too dirty, she cannot show
"Can it be Cinderella?" and had an axe brought and cut the tree herself!" He absolutely insisted on it, and Cinderella had to be
down, but no one was on it. And when they got into the kitchen, called. She first washed her hands and face clean, and then went
Cinderella lay there amongst the ashes, as usual, for she had and bowed down before the King's son, who gave her the golden
jumped down on the other side of the tree, had taken the beautiful shoe. Then she seated herself on a stool, drew her foot out of the
dress to the bird on the little hazel-tree, and put on her grey gown. heavy wooden shoe, and put it into the slipper, which fitted like a
On the third day, when the parents and sisters had gone away, glove. And when she rose up and the King's son looked at her face
Cinderella went once more to her mother's grave and said to the he recognised the beautiful maiden who had danced with him and
little tree— cried, "That is the true bride!" The step-mother and the two sisters
"Shiver and quiver, little tree, were terrified and became pale with rage; he, however, took
Silver and gold throw down over me." Cinderella on his horse and rode away with her. As they passed by
And now the bird threw down to her a dress which was more the hazel-tree, the two white doves cried,
splendid and magnificent than any she had yet had, and the "Turn and peep, turn and peep,
slippers were golden. And when she went to the festival in the No blood is in the shoe,
dress, no one knew how to speak for astonishment. The King's son The shoe is not too small for her,
danced with her only, and if any one invited her to dance, he said, The true bride rides with you,"
"She is my partner." and when they had cried that, the two came flying down and
When evening came, Cinderella wished to leave, and the King's placed themselves on Cinderella's shoulders, one on the right, the
son was anxious to go with her, but she escaped from him so other on the left, and remained sitting there.
quickly that he could not follow her. The King's son had, however, When the wedding with the King's son had to be celebrated, the
used a strategem, and had caused the whole staircase to be smeared two false sisters came and wanted to get into favour with
with pitch, and there, when she ran down, had the maiden's left Cinderella and share her good fortune. When the betrothed couple
slipper remained sticking. The King's son picked it up, and it was went to church, the elder was at the right side and the younger at
small and dainty, and all golden. Next morning, he went with it to the left, and the pigeons pecked out one eye of each of them.
the father, and said to him, "No one shall be my wife but she Afterwards as they came back, the elder was at the left, and the
whose foot this golden slipper fits." Then were the two sisters glad, younger at the right, and then the pigeons pecked out the other
for they had pretty feet. The eldest went with the shoe into her eye of each. And thus, for their wickedness and falsehood, they
room and wanted to try it on, and her mother stood by. But she were punished with blindness as long as they lived.
could not get her big toe into it, and the shoe was too small for her.
Then her mother gave her a knife and said, "Cut the toe off; when
thou art Queen thou wilt have no more need to go on foot." The 22.—THE RIDDLE.
maiden cut the toe off, forced the foot into the shoe, swallowed the
pain, and went out to the King's son. Then he took her on his ("The Riddle" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in
horse as his bride and rode away with her. They were, however, Grimm's Fairy Tales in 1819 (KHM 22). It is sometimes known as
obliged to pass the grave, and there, on the hazel-tree, sat the two "A Riddling Tale" and is about a man whose wife is transformed
pigeons and cried, into a flower. Both Joseph Jacobs and John Francis Campbell
"Turn and peep, turn and peep, noted the similarity between this and Campbell's Scottish variant
There's blood within the shoe, The Ridere of Riddles, but that there is no information to discern
The shoe it is too small for her, which is the source. The tale is mainly used in children's adaptions
The true bride waits for you." of Grimm's Fairy Tales. Andrew Lang included it in his "The
Then he looked at her foot and saw how the blood was streaming Green Fairy Book." Lang's fine tale collection of 12 volumes was
from it. He turned his horse round and took the false bride home published from 1889 to 1910 with colour names as titles: 1. Blue,
again, and said she was not the true one, and that the other sister 2. Red, 3. Green, 4. Yellow, 5. Pink, 6. Grey, 7. Violet, 8.
was to put the shoe on. Then this one went into her chamber and Crimson, 9. Brown, 10. Orange, 11. Olive, 12. Lilac.
got her toes safely into the shoe, but her heel was too large. So her Contents: There once was a prince who decided to go on a
mother gave her a knife and said, "Cut a bit off thy heel; when journey with his servant. In a dark forest, they came to a small
thou art Queen thou wilt have no more need to go on foot." The house, where a maiden warned them that her stepmother was a
maiden cut a bit off her heel, forced her foot into the shoe, witch who disliked strangers, but unfortunately there was
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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nowhere else for shelter. The prince and his servant reluctantly brewed evil drinks. They slept quietly until early morning. When
entered the witch's house, but before they went to bed, the maiden they were making ready for their departure, and the King's son
warned the prince and his servant not to eat or drink anything the was already seated on his horse, the old woman said, "Stop a
witch gave them because it might be poisonous. The next morning, moment, I will first hand you a parting draught." Whilst she
the witch gave the prince's servant a poisonous drink, telling him fetched it, the King's son rode away, and the servant who had to
to give it to his master, but the servant ended up spilling it on the buckle his saddle tight, was the only one there when the wicked
prince's horse, killing it. When he told the prince what had witch came with the drink. "Take that to thy master," said she;
happened and they came to the dead horse, a raven was already but at that instant the glass broke and the poison spirted on the
eating the corpse. Deciding they may not find better food that day, horse, and it was so strong that the animal immediately fell down
the servant killed the bird and took it with him. Next, they dead. The servant ran after his master and told him what had
reached an inn and the servant gave the innkeeper the raven to happened, but would not leave his saddle behind him, and ran
make food of it. Unknown to the prince and his servant, the inn back to fetch it. When, however, he came to the dead horse, a
was really a robbers' den. The robbers returned, and, before raven was already sitting on it devouring it. "Who knows whether
killing the travellers, sat down to eat. Immediately after eating a we shall find anything better to-day?" said the servant; so he killed
few bites of the raven soup the innkeeper had prepared, the the raven, and took it with him. And now they journeyed onwards
robbers fell down dead from the poison that the raven had in its into the forest the whole day, but could not get out of it. By
body. The innkeeper's daughter then showed the prince and his nightfall they found an inn and entered it. The servant gave the
servant the robbers' hidden treasure, but the prince insisted that raven to the innkeeper to make ready for supper. They had,
the daughter keep it. Continuing on, the prince and his servant however, stumbled on a den of murderers, and during the darkness
next came to a town where a princess would marry any man who twelve of these came, intending to kill the strangers and rob them.
asked her a riddle that she could not solve. If she could solve it, the Before they set about this work, however, they sat down to supper,
man's head would be cut off. The prince asked the princess, "What and the innkeeper and the witch sat down with them, and together
slew none, and yet slew twelve?" The princess could not solve the they ate a dish of soup in which was cut up the flesh of the raven.
riddle, so she sent her maid to see if the prince revealed the riddle Hardly, however, had they swallowed a couple of mouthfuls,
while talking in his sleep. The prince was prepared, however, before they all fell down dead, for the raven had communicated to
because that night he had his servant sleep in his bed. When the them the poison from the horse-flesh. There was now no one else
maid came in, the servant ripped off her robe and chased her out. left in the house but the innkeeper's daughter, who was honest,
Next, the princess sent her chambermaid to spy on the prince while and had taken no part in their godless deeds. She opened all doors
he was asleep, but the prince's servant also ripped off her robe and to the stranger and showed him the heaped-up treasures. But the
chased her out. On the third night, the prince slept in his own bed, King's son said she might keep everything, he would have none of
and the princess herself came in. The prince pretended to be asleep it, and rode onwards with his servant.
and the princess asked him the answer to the riddle. After the After they had travelled about for a long time, they came to a
prince revealed the answer, the princess departed, but left her robe town in which was a beautiful but proud princess, who had caused
behind. The next morning, the princess announced the answer of it to be proclaimed that whosoever should set her a riddle which
the riddle: "A raven ate from a dead, poisoned horse, and died she could not guess, that man should be her husband; but if she
from it. Then, twelve robbers ate the raven and died from that." guessed it, his head must be cut off. She had three days to guess it
The prince declared that the princess had not solved the riddle in, but was so clever that she always found the answer to the riddle
herself, but rather questioned him in his sleep. The town judges given her, before the appointed time. Nine suitors had already
asked for proof, and the prince showed them the three robes. The perished in this manner, when the King's son arrived, and, blinded
judges ordered the princess's robe to be embroidered with gold by her great beauty, was willing to stake his life for it. Then he
and silver, for it was to be her wedding robe.) went to her and laid his riddle before her. "What is this?" said he,
"One slew none, and yet slew twelve." She did not know what that
There was once a King's son who was seized with a desire to was, she thought and thought, but she could not find out, she
travel about the world, and took no one with him but a faithful opened her riddle-books, but it was not in them—in short, her
servant. One day he came to a great forest, and when darkness wisdom was at an end. As she did not know how to help herself,
overtook him he could find no shelter, and knew not where to pass she ordered her maid to creep into the lord's sleeping-chamber,
the night. Then he saw a girl who was going towards a small house, and listen to his dreams, and thought that he would perhaps speak
and when he came nearer, he saw that the maiden was young and in his sleep and discover the riddle. But the clever servant had
beautiful. He spoke to her, and said, "Dear child, can I and my placed himself in the bed instead of his master, and when the maid
servant find shelter for the night in the little house?" "Oh, yes," came there, he tore off from her the mantle in which she had
said the girl, in a sad voice, "that you certainly can, but I do not wrapped herself, and chased her out with rods. The second night
advise you to venture it. Do not go in." "Why not?" asked the the King's daughter sent her maid-in-waiting, who was to see if
King's son. The maiden sighed and said, "My step-mother she could succeed better in listening, but the servant took her
practises wicked arts; she is ill-disposed to strangers." Then he saw mantle also away from her, and hunted her out with rods. Now the
very well that he had come to the house of a witch, but as it was master believed himself safe for the third night, and lay down in
dark, and he could not go farther, and also was not afraid, he his own bed. Then came the princess herself, and she had put on a
entered. The old woman was sitting in an arm-chair by the fire, misty-grey mantle, and she seated herself near him. And when she
and looked at the stranger with her red eyes. "Good evening," thought that he was asleep and dreaming, she spoke to him, and
growled she, and pretended to be quite friendly. "Take a seat and hoped that he would answer in his sleep, as many do, but he was
rest yourselves." She blew up the fire on which she was cooking awake, and understood and heard everything quite well. Then she
something in a small pot. The daughter warned the two to be asked, "One slew none, what is that?" He replied, "A raven, which
prudent, to eat nothing, and drink nothing, for the old woman ate of a dead and poisoned horse, and died of it." She inquired
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
further, "And yet slew twelve, what is that?" He answered, "That waited alone until little sausage came home and brought wood for
means twelve murderers, who ate the raven and died of it." next day. But the little sausage stayed so long on the road that
When she knew the answer to the riddle she wanted to steal away, they both feared something was amiss, and the bird flew out a
but he held her mantle so fast that she was forced to leave it behind little way in the air to meet it. Not far off, however, it met a dog
her. Next morning, the King's daughter announced that she had on the road who had fallen on the poor sausage as lawful booty,
guessed the riddle, and sent for the twelve judges and expounded it and had seized and swallowed it. The bird charged the dog with an
before them. But the youth begged for a hearing, and said, "She act of barefaced robbery, but it was in vain to speak, for the dog
stole into my room in the night and questioned me, otherwise she said he had found forged letters on the sausage, on which account
could not have discovered it." The judges said, "Bring us a proof its life was forfeited to him.
of this." Then were the three mantles brought thither by the The bird sadly took up the wood, flew home, and related what he
servant, and when the judges saw the misty-grey one which the had seen and heard. They were much troubled, but agreed to do
King's daughter usually wore, they said, "Let the mantle be their best and remain together. The bird therefore laid the cloth,
embroidered with gold and silver, and then it will be your and the mouse made ready the food, and wanted to dress it, and to
wedding-mantle." get into the pot as the sausage used to do, and roll and creep
amongst the vegetables to mix them; but before she got into the
midst of them she was stopped, and lost her skin and hair and life
23.—THE MOUSE, THE BIRD, AND THE SAUSAGE. in the attempt.
When the bird came to carry up the dinner, no cook was there. In
("The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage" (German: Von dem its distress the bird threw the wood here and there, called and
Mäuschen, Vögelchen und der Bratwurst) is Tale KHM 23 of the searched, but no cook was to be found! Owing to his carelessness
Grimm's Fairy Tales. The farce orginates from "Geschichte van the wood caught fire, so a conflagration ensued, the bird hastened
Philander von Sittewald" published in 1642. to fetch water, and then the bucket dropped from his claws into
Contents: Little mouse, woodpecker (in Grimm: a little bird) the well, and he fell down with it, and could not recover himself,
and sausage live together: the woodpecker fetches wood, the but had to drown there.
mouse fetches water, lights the fire and sets the table, the sausage
cooks. Another bird tells the woodpecker that he has the hardest
job and he insists on drawing lots. The sausage is supposed to fetch 24.—MOTHER HOLLE.
wood and is eaten by the dog. The woodpecker complains, but the
dog claims to have found false letters on her. The mouse falls into ("Frau Holle" [in English also known as Mother Holle or Holla,
the food. The woodpecker is looking for her. Fire arises. The Holda, Hulda, Perchta, Berchta, Berta, Bertha or Old Mother
woodpecker wants to extinguish it and falls into the well with the Frost, depending on the region] is a fairy tale in the Children's and
bucket.) Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm at position 24 (KHM 24).
It comes from Dorothea Wild, Wilhelm Grimm's wife. The
Once on a time a mouse, a bird, and a sausage became legendary figure Perchta (Frau Holle) was incorporated into the
companions, kept house together, lived well and happily with each fairy tale. Frau Perchta or Frau Percht is a legendary figure found
other, and wonderfully increased their possessions. The bird's in various ways in continental Germanic and Slavic mythology
work was to fly every day into the forest and bring back wood. and related to Frigga and Freya. In the second edition it was
The mouse had to carry water, light the fire, and lay the table, but changed by the insertion of the rooster. Wilhelm Grimm was
the sausage had to cook. inspired by Georg August Friedrich Goldmanns during a stay in
He who is too well off is always longing for something new. One Westphalia.
day, therefore, the bird met with another bird, on the way, to Contents: A widow really likes her ugly, lazy daughter, but not
whom it related its excellent circumstances and boasted of them. her beautiful, hard-working stepdaughter. She has to sit by the
The other bird, however, called it a poor simpleton for its hard well and spin yarn until her fingers bleed, while the other sits at
work, but said that the two at home had good times. For when the home doing nothing. While cleaning, the bloody coil falls into the
mouse had made her fire and carried her water, she went into her well. The stepmother wants her stepdaughter to get her back, she
little room to rest until they called her to lay the cloth. The jumps into the well and wakes up in a meadow. There she complies
sausage stayed by the pot, saw that the food was cooking well, and, with requests to get talking long-baked bread out of an oven and
when it was nearly time for dinner, it rolled itself once or twice to shake ripe apples from a talking tree. She serves old Frau Holle
through the broth or vegetables and then they were buttered, with the big teeth, diligently shakes her bed, then it snows in the
salted, and ready. When the bird came home and laid his burden world. Although she has a good life with Mother Holle, she finally
down, they sat down to dinner, and after they had had their meal, wants to go home because she is homesick. Mother Holle leads her
they slept their till till next morning, and that was a splendid life. through a gate where gold falls on her and also gives her back the
Next day the bird, prompted by the other bird, would go no spool. At home, the girl tells how she got rich. The widow then
more into the wood, saying that he had been servant long enough, sends her daughter there too, but she is lazy. Therefore she does
and had been made a fool of by them, and that they must change not comply with the requests of the bread, the apple tree or
about for once, and try to arrange it in another way. And, though Mother Holle. To say goodbye, Mother Holle leads them to the
the mouse and the sausage also begged most earnestly, the bird same gate, but as a reward, bad luck falls on them, which will not
would have his way, and said it must be tried. They cast lots about be missed for the rest of their lives.)
it, and the lot fell on the sausage who was to carry wood, the
mouse became cook, and the bird was to fetch water. There was once a widow who had two daughters—one of whom
What happened? The little sausage went out towards the wood, was pretty and industrious, whilst the other was ugly and idle. But
the little bird lighted the fire, the mouse stayed by the pot and she was much fonder of the ugly and idle one, because she was her
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
own daughter; and the other, who was a step-daughter, was So she went in to her mother, and as she arrived thus covered
obliged to do all the work, and be the Cinderella of the house. with gold, she was well received, both by her and her sister.
Every day the poor girl had to sit by a well, in the highway, and The girl told all that had happened to her; and as soon as the
spin and spin till her fingers bled. mother heard how she had come by so much wealth, she was very
Now it happened that one day the shuttle was marked with her anxious to obtain the same good luck for the ugly and lazy
blood, so she dipped it in the well, to wash the mark off; but it daughter. She had to seat herself by the well and spin; and in order
dropped out of her hand and fell to the bottom. She began to weep, that her shuttle might be stained with blood, she stuck her hand
and ran to her step-mother and told her of the mishap. But she into a thorn bush and pricked her finger. Then she threw her
scolded her sharply, and was so merciless as to say, "Since you have shuttle into the well, and jumped in after it.
let the shuttle fall in, you must fetch it out again." She came, like the other, to the beautiful meadow and walked
So the girl went back to the well, and did not know what to do; along the very same path. When she got to the oven the bread
and in the sorrow of her heart she jumped into the well to get the again cried, "Oh, take me out! take me out! or I shall burn; I have
shuttle. She lost her senses; and when she awoke and came to been baked a long time!" But the lazy thing answered, "As if I had
herself again, she was in a lovely meadow where the sun was any wish to make myself dirty?" and on she went. Soon she came to
shining and many thousands of flowers were growing. Along this the apple-tree, which cried, "Oh, shake me! shake me! we apples
meadow she went, and at last came to a baker's oven full of bread, are all ripe!" But she answered, "I like that! one of you might fall
and the bread cried out, "Oh, take me out! take me out! or I shall on my head," and so went on.
burn; I have been baked a long time!" So she went up to it, and When she came to Mother Holle's house she was not afraid, for
took out all the loaves one after another with the bread-shovel. she had already heard of her big teeth, and she hired herself to her
After that she went on till she came to a tree covered with apples, immediately.
which called out to her, "Oh, shake me! shake me! we apples are all The first day she forced herself to work diligently, and obeyed
ripe!" So she shook the tree till the apples fell like rain, and went Mother Holle when she told her to do anything, for she was
on shaking till they were all down, and when she had gathered thinking of all the gold that she would give her. But on the second
them into a heap, she went on her way. day she began to be lazy, and on the third day still more so, and
At last she came to a little house, out of which an old woman then she would not get up in the morning at all. Neither did she
peeped; but she had such large teeth that the girl was frightened, make Mother Holle's bed as she ought, and did not shake it so as
and was about to run away. to make the feathers fly up. Mother Holle was soon tired of this,
But the old woman called out to her, "What are you afraid of, and gave her notice to leave. The lazy girl was willing enough to
dear child? Stay with me; if you will do all the work in the house go, and thought that now the golden rain would come. Mother
properly, you shall be the better for it. Only you must take care to Holle led her too to the great door; but while she was standing
make my bed well, and to shake it thoroughly till the feathers beneath it, instead of the gold a big kettleful of pitch was emptied
fly—for then there is snow on the earth. I am Mother Holle."[1] over her. "That is the reward of your service," said Mother Holle,
As the old woman spoke so kindly to her, the girl took courage and shut the door.
and agreed to enter her service. She attended to everything to the So the lazy girl went home; but she was quite covered with pitch,
satisfaction of her mistress, and always shook her bed so and the cock by the well-side, as soon as he saw her, cried out—
vigorously that the feathers flew about like snow-flakes. So she "Cock-a-doodle-doo!
had a pleasant life with her; never an angry word; and boiled or Your pitchy girl's come back to you!"
roast meat every day. But the pitch stuck fast to her, and could not be got off as long as
She stayed some time with Mother Holle, and then she became she lived.
sad. At first she did not know what was the matter with her, but [Thus in Hesse, when it snows, they say, "Mother Holle is
found at length that it was homesickness: although she was many making her bed."]
thousand times better off here than at home, still she had a
longing to be there. At last she said to the old woman, "I have a
longing for home; and however well off I am down here, I cannot 25.—THE SEVEN RAVENS.
stay any longer; I must go up again to my own people." Mother
Holle said, "I am pleased that you long for your home again, and ("The Seven Ravens" (German: Die sieben Raben) is a fairy tale
as you have served me so truly, I myself will take you up again." collected by the Brothers Grimm (KHM 25). The tale was
Thereupon she took her by the hand, and led her to a large door. published in 1812 under the name "Die drei Raben" (The Three
The door was opened, and just as the maiden was standing beneath Ravens). In the second edition, in 1819, the name was retitled
the doorway, a heavy shower of golden rain fell, and all the gold "Die sieben Raben" and substantially rewritten. Their source was
remained sticking to her, so that she was completely covered over the Hassenpflug family, and others. The narration is a faszinating
with it. Déjà-vu-story, in which her fingerring plays an important role.
"You shall have that because you are so industrious," said Contents: A peasant has seven sons and no daughter. Finally a
Mother Holle; and at the same time she gave her back the shuttle daughter is born, but is sickly. The father sends his sons to fetch
which she had let fall into the well. Thereupon the door closed, water for her. In their haste, they drop the jug in the well. When
and the maiden found herself up above upon the earth, not far they do not return, their father thinks that they have gone off to
from her mother's house. play and curses them and so they turn into ravens. When the sister
And as she went into the yard the cock was standing by the well- is grown, she sets out in search of her brothers. She attempts to get
side, and cried— help first from the sun, which is too hot, then the moon, which
"Cock-a-doodle-doo! craves human flesh, and then the morning star. The star helps her
Your golden girl's come back to you!" by giving her a chicken bone and tells her she will need it to save
her brothers. She finds them on the Glass Mountain.
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Unfortunately, she has lost the bone, and chops off one of her own mountain. The good sister took a knife, cut off one of her little
fingers to use it as a key. She goes into the mountain, where a fingers, put it in the door, and succeeded in opening it. When she
dwarf tells her that her brothers will return. She takes some of had gone inside, a little dwarf came to meet her, who said, "My
their food and drink and leaves in the last cup a ring from home. child, what are you looking for?" "I am looking for my brothers,
When her brothers return, she hides. They turn back into human the seven ravens," she replied. The dwarf said, "The lord ravens
form and ask who has been at their food. The youngest brother are not at home, but if you will wait here until they come, step in."
finds the ring, and hopes it is their sister, in which case they are Thereupon the little dwarf carried the ravens' dinner in, on seven
saved. She emerges, and they return home.) little plates, and in seven little glasses, and the little sister ate a
morsel from each plate, and from each little glass she took a sip,
There was once a man who had seven sons, and still he had no but in the last little glass she dropped the ring which she had
daughter, however much he wished for one. At length his wife brought away with her.
again gave him hope of a child, and when it came into the world it Suddenly she heard a whirring of wings and a rushing through
was a girl. The joy was great, but the child was sickly and small, the air, and then the little dwarf said, "Now the lord ravens are
and had to be privately baptised on account of its weakness. The flying home." Then they came, and wanted to eat and drink, and
father sent one of the boys in haste to the spring to fetch water for looked for their little plates and glasses. Then said one after the
the baptism. The other six went with him, and as each of them other, "Who has eaten something from my plate? Who has drunk
wanted to be first to fill it, the jug fell into the well. There they out of my little glass? It was a human mouth. And when the
stood and did not know what to do, and none of them dared to go seventh came to the bottom of the glass, the ring rolled against his
home. As they still did not return, the father grew impatient, and mouth. Then he looked at it, and saw that it was a ring belonging
said, "They have certainly forgotten it for some game, the wicked to his father and mother, and said, "God grant that our sister may
boys!" He became afraid that the girl would have to die without be here, and then we shall be free." When the maiden, who was
being baptised, and in his anger cried, "I wish the boys were all standing behind the door watching, heard that wish, she came
turned into ravens." Hardly was the word spoken before he heard forth, and on this all the ravens were restored to their human form
a whirring of wings over his head in the air, looked up and saw again. And they embraced and kissed each other, and went joyfully
seven coal-black ravens flying away. The parents could not recall home.
the curse, and however sad they were at the loss of their seven sons,
they still to some extent comforted themselves with their dear little
daughter, who soon grew strong and every day became more 26.—LITTLE RED-RIDING-HOOD or LITTLE RED-CAP .
beautiful. For a long time she did not know that she had had
brothers, for her parents were careful not to mention them before ("Little Red Riding Hood" or "Little Red Cap" is a fairy tale in
her, but one day she accidentally heard some people saying of the Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales at position
herself, "that the girl was certainly beautiful, but that in reality 26 (KHM 26). Through Johanna and Marie Hassenpflug it goes
she was to blame for the misfortune which had befallen her seven back to Charles Perrault's "Le Petit Chaperon rouge" in his
brothers." Then she was much troubled, and went to her father "Contes de ma Mère l'Oye" (1695/1697). Other titles are Little
and mother and asked if it was true that she had had brothers, and Red Riding Hood and the (bad) wolf, in Austria and Hungary also
what had become of them? The parents now dared keep the secret Piroschka (from Hungarian piros = red). Here, as in many other
no longer, but said that what had befallen her brothers was the stories, the wolf was used as a synonym for strangers [or persons
will of Heaven, and that her birth had only been the innocent who are not well known]. The message of many fairy tales is clear:
cause. But the maiden laid it to heart daily, and thought she must Children should learn to be skeptical by having a certain amount
deliver her brothers. She had no rest or peace until she set out of healthy mistrust and act upon it.
secretly, and went forth into the wide world to trace out her Contents: A little girl, whose grandmother once gave her a red
brothers and set them free, let it cost what it might. She took cap, is called Little Red Riding Hood. It is sent by the mother to
nothing with her but a little ring belonging to her parents as a the sick grandmother, who lives in a house in the woods and is
keepsake, a loaf of bread against hunger, a little pitcher of water bedridden, with a basket of goodies (cake and wine). The mother
against thirst, and a little chair as a provision against weariness. urgently warns Little Red Riding Hood not to deviate from the
And now she went continually onwards, far, far, to the very end path. In the forest, it engages in a conversation with a wolf. He
of the world. Then she came to the sun, but it was too hot and listens to Little Red Riding Hood and draws her attention to the
terrible, and devoured little children. Hastily she ran away, and beautiful flowers in a nearby meadow, whereupon Little Red
ran to the moon, but it was far too cold, and also awful and Riding Hood decides to pick another bouquet, despite her
malicious, and when it saw the child, it said, "I smell, I smell the mother's warning. The wolf rushes straight to the grandmother
flesh of men." On this she ran swiftly away, and came to the stars, and devours her. He lies down in her bed in her nightgown and
which were kind and good to her, and each of them sat on its own waits for Little Red Riding Hood. Soon Little Red Riding Hood
particular little chair. But the morning star arose, and gave her arrives at the house, enters, and goes to Grandmother's bed. There,
the drumstick of a chicken, and said, "If thou hast not that Little Red Riding Hood wonders about the shape of her
drumstick thou canst not open the Glass mountain, and in the grandmother, but does not recognise the wolf before she is also
Glass mountain are thy brothers." devoured. Grandmother and Little Red Riding Hood are freed
The maiden took the drumstick, wrapped it carefully in a cloth, from the belly of the sleeping wolf by the hunter. Instead, stones
and went onwards again until she came to the Glass mountain. are stuffed into the wolves' stomach. Because of the weight of the
The door was shut, and she thought she would take out the stones, the wolf cannot escape and dies.)
drumstick; but when she undid the cloth, it was empty, and she
had lost the good star's present. What was she now to do? She Once upon a time there was a dear little girl who was loved by
wished to rescue her brothers, and had no key to the Glass every one who looked at her, but most of all by her grandmother,
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and there was nothing that she would not have given to the child. She was surprised to find the cottage-door standing open, and
Once she gave her a little cap of red velvet, which suited her so well when she went into the room, she had such a strange feeling that
that she would never wear anything else; so she was always called she said to herself, "Oh dear! how uneasy I feel to-day, and at
'Little Red-Cap.' other times I like being with grandmother so much." She called
One day her mother said to her, "Come, Little Red-Cap, here is a out, "Good morning," but received no answer; so she went to the
piece of cake and a bottle of wine; take them to your grandmother, bed and drew back the curtains. There lay her grandmother with
she is ill and weak, and they will do her good. Set out before it her cap pulled far over her face, and looking very strange.
gets hot, and when you are going, walk nicely and quietly and do "Oh! grandmother," she said, "what big ears you have!"
not run off the path, or you may fall and break the bottle, and "The better to hear you with, my child," was the reply.
then your grandmother will get nothing; and when you go into "But, grandmother, what big eyes you have!" she said.
her room, don't forget to say, 'Good-morning,' and don't peep "The better to see you with, my dear."
into every corner before you do it." "But, grandmother, what large hands you have!"
"I will take great care," said Little Red-Cap to her mother, and "The better to hug you with."
gave her hand on it. "Oh! but, grandmother, what a terrible big mouth you have!"
The grandmother lived out in the wood, half a league from the "The better to eat you with!"
village, and just as Little Red-Cap entered the wood, a wolf met And scarcely had the wolf said this, than with one bound he was
her. Red-Cap did not know what a wicked creature he was, and out of bed and swallowed up Red-Cap.
was not at all afraid of him. When the wolf had appeased his appetite, he lay down again in
"Good-day, Little Red-Cap," said he. the bed, fell asleep and began to snore very loud. The huntsman
"Thank you kindly, wolf." was just passing the house, and thought to himself, "How the old
"Whither away so early, Little Red-Cap?" woman is snoring! I must just see if she wants anything." So he
"To my grandmother's." went into the room, and when he came to the bed, he saw that the
"What have you got in your apron?" wolf was lying in it. "Do I find thee here, thou old sinner!" said he.
"Cake and wine; yesterday was baking-day, so poor sick "I have long sought thee!" Then just as he was going to fire at him,
grandmother is to have something good, to make her stronger." it occurred to him that the wolf might have devoured the
"Where does your grandmother live, Little Red-Cap?" grandmother, and that she might still be saved, so he did not fire,
"A good quarter of a league farther on in the wood; her house but took a pair of scissors, and began to cut open the stomach of
stands under the three large oak-trees, the nut-trees are just below; the sleeping wolf. When he had made two snips, he saw the little
you surely must know it," replied Little Red-Cap. Red-Cap shining, and then he made two snips more, and the little
The wolf thought to himself, "What a tender young creature! girl sprang out, crying, "Ah, how frightened I have been! How
what a nice plump mouthful—she will be better to eat than the dark it was inside the wolf;" and after that the aged grandmother
old woman. I must act craftily, so as to catch both." So he walked came out alive also, but scarcely able to breathe. Red-Cap,
for a short time by the side of Little Red-Cap, and then he said, however, quickly fetched great stones with which they filled the
"See, Little Red-Cap, how pretty the flowers are about here—why wolf's body, and when he awoke, he wanted to run away, but the
do you not look round? I believe, too, that you do not hear how stones were so heavy that he fell down at once, and fell dead.
sweetly the little birds are singing; you walk gravely along as if Then all three were delighted. The huntsman drew off the wolf's
you were going to school, while everything else out here in the skin and went home with it; the grandmother ate the cake and
wood is merry." drank the wine which Red-Cap had brought, and revived, but
Little Red-Cap raised her eyes, and when she saw the sunbeams Red-Cap thought to herself, "As long as I live, I will never by
dancing here and there through the trees, and pretty flowers myself leave the path, to run into the wood, when my mother has
growing everywhere, she thought, "Suppose I take grandmother a forbidden me to do so."
fresh nosegay; that would please her too. It is so early in the day It is also related that once when Red-Cap was again taking cakes
that I shall still get there in good time;" and so she ran from the to the old grandmother, another wolf spoke to her, and tried to
path into the wood to look for flowers. And whenever she had entice her from the path. Red-Cap was, however, on her guard,
picked one, she fancied that she saw a still prettier one farther on, and went straight forward on her way, and told her grandmother
and ran after it, and so got deeper and deeper into the wood. that she had met the wolf, and that he had said "good-morning"
Meanwhile the wolf ran straight to the grandmother's house and to her, but with such a wicked look in his eyes, that if they had not
knocked at the door. been on the public road she was certain he would have eaten her up.
"Who is there?" "Well," said the grandmother, "we will shut the door, that he may
"Little Red-Cap," replied the wolf. "She is bringing cake and not come in." Soon afterwards the wolf knocked, and cried, "Open
wine; open the door." the door, grandmother, I am little Red-Cap, and am fetching you
"Lift the latch," called out the grandmother, "I am too weak, some cakes." But they did not speak, or open the door, so the
and cannot get up." grey-beard stole twice or thrice round the house, and at last
The wolf lifted the latch, the door flew open, and without saying jumped on the roof, intending to wait until Red-Cap went home in
a word he went straight to the grandmother's bed, and devoured the evening, and then to steal after her and devour her in the
her. Then he put on her clothes, dressed himself in her cap, laid darkness. But the grandmother saw what was in his thoughts. In
himself in bed and drew the curtains. front of the house was a great stone trough, so she said to the child,
Little Red-Cap, however, had been running about picking "Take the pail, Red-Cap; I made some sausages yesterday, so carry
flowers, and when she had gathered so many that she could carry the water in which I boiled them to the trough." Red-Cap carried
no more, she remembered her grandmother, and set out on the until the great trough was quite full. Then the smell of the
way to her. sausages reached the wolf, and he sniffed and peeped down, and at
last stretched out his neck so far that he could no longer keep his
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footing and began to slip, and slipped down from the roof straight upon the gate, crowing with all his might. "Your crow goes
into the great trough, and was drowned. But Red-Cap went through and through one," said the donkey. "What is the
joyously home, and never did anything to harm any one. matter?"
"I have been foretelling fine weather, because it is the day on
which Our Lady washes the Christ-child's little shirts, and wants
27.—THE BREMEN TOWN-MUSICIANS. to dry them," said the cock; "but guests are coming for Sunday, so
the housewife has no pity, and has told the cook that she intends to
("The Bremen Town Musicians" is the title of a folk tale that was eat me in the soup to-morrow, and this evening I am to have my
first published by the Brothers Grimm in 1819 in their famous head cut off. Now I am crowing at full pitch while I can."
collection of children's and house tales ("Grimm's Fairy Tales"). "Ah, but red-comb," said the donkey, "you had better come
Two stories from the Paderborn region are given as the source, away with us. We are going to Bremen; you can find something
and the Freiherr is usually the mediator August Franz von better than death everywhere: you have a good voice, and if we
Haxthausen is assumed, although there is no proof of this. In a make music together it must have some quality!"
variant contributed by Dorothea Viehmann from the village of The cock agreed to this plan, and all four went on together. They
Zwehrn near Kassel, the domestic and farm animals enter the could not, however, reach the city of Bremen in one day, and in
house peacefully and play music in exchange for food for the the evening they came to a forest where they meant to pass the
robbers. The text has contained many proverbial phrases that are night. The donkey and the hound laid themselves down under a
in use in the German language still today. large tree, the cat and the cock settled themselves in the branches;
Content: The old donkey is about to be slaughtered. So he flees but the cock flew right to the top, where he was most safe. Before
and wants to become a town musician in Bremen. On the way he he went to sleep he looked round on all the four sides, and thought
meets the dog, the cat and the rooster one after the other. These he saw in the distance a little spark burning; so he called out to his
three are also old and should die. They follow the donkey and also companions that there must be a house not far off, for he saw a
want to become town musicians. On their way they come to a light. The donkey said, "If so, we had better get up and go on, for
forest and decide to spend the night there. They discover a robber's the shelter here is bad." The hound thought that a few bones with
house. By lining up in front of the window and breaking in with some meat on would do him good too!
loud "singing", they frighten and drive away the robbers. The So they made their way to the place where the light was, and
animals sit down at the table and take over the house for the night. soon saw it shine brighter and grow larger, until they came to a
A robber who finds out later in the night whether the house can be well-lighted robber's house. The donkey, as the biggest, went to
entered again is chased away by the animals again and thus finally. the window and looked in.
The Bremen Town Musicians like the house so much that they "What do you see, my grey-horse?" asked the cock. "What do I
don't want to leave and stay there.) see?" answered the donkey; " a table covered with good things to
eat and drink, and robbers sitting at it enjoying themselves."
A certain man had a donkey, which had carried the corn-sacks to "That would be the sort of thing for us," said the cock. "Yes, yes;
the mill indefatigably for many a long year; but his strength was ah, how I wish we were there!" said the donkey.
going, and he was growing more and more unfit for work. Then Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage
his master began to consider how he might best save his keep; but to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan. The
the donkey, seeing that no good wind was blowing, ran away and donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-
set out on the road to Bremen. "There," he thought, "I can surely ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey's back, the cat was to
be town-musician." When he had walked some distance, he found climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch
a hound lying on the road, gasping like one who had run till he upon the head of the cat.
was tired. "What are you gasping so for, you big fellow?" asked When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform
the donkey. their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the
"Ah," replied the hound, "as I am old, and daily grow weaker, cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the
and no longer can hunt, my master wanted to kill me, so I took to window into the room, so that the glass clattered! At this horrible
flight; but now how am I to earn my bread?" din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a
"I tell you what," said the donkey, "I am going to Bremen, and ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
shall be town-musician there; go with me and engage yourself also The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with
as a musician. I will play the lute, and you shall beat the what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
kettledrum." As soon as the four minstrels had done, they put out the light,
The hound agreed, and on they went. and each sought for himself a sleeping-place according to his
Before long they came to a cat, sitting on the path, with a face nature and to what suited him. The donkey laid himself down
like three rainy days! "Now then, old shaver, what has gone askew upon some straw in the yard, the hound behind the door, the cat
with you?" asked the donkey. upon the hearth near the warm ashes, and the cock perched himself
"Who can be merry when his neck is in danger?" answered the upon a beam of the roof; and being tired with their long walk,
cat. "Because I am now getting old, and my teeth are worn to they soon went to sleep.
stumps, and I prefer to sit by the fire and spin, rather than hunt When it was past midnight, and the robbers saw from afar that
about after mice, my mistress wanted to drown me, so I ran away. the light was no longer burning in their house, and all appeared
But now good advice is scarce. Where am I to go?" quiet, the captain said, "We ought not to have let ourselves be
"Go with us to Bremen. You understand night-music, so you can frightened out of our wits;" and ordered one of them to go and
be a town-musician." examine the house.
The cat thought well of it, and went with them. After this the The messenger finding all still, went into the kitchen to light a
three fugitives came to a farm-yard, where the cock was sitting candle, and, taking the glistening fiery eyes of the cat for live coals,
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he held a lucifer-match to them to light it. But the cat did not had kept. As a result, her son Meleagros died, as predicted by
understand the joke, and flew in his face, spitting and scratching. Atropos.
He was dreadfully frightened, and ran to the back-door, but the Contents: A boar lays waste to a country, and two brothers set
dog, who lay there, sprang up and bit his leg; and as he ran across out to kill it, with the prize being given the princess's hand in
the yard by the straw-heap, the donkey gave him a smart kick with marriage. The younger meets a dwarf who gives him a spear, and
its hind foot. The cock, too, who had been awakened by the noise, with it, he kills the boar. Carrying the body off, the man meets his
and had become lively, cried down from the beam, "Cock-a- older brother, who had joined with others to drink until he felt
doodle-doo!" brave. The older brother lures him in, gives him drink, and learns
Then the robber ran back as fast as he could to his captain, and of the younger brother's adventure. They then set out to deliver
said, "Ah, there is a horrible witch sitting in the house, who spat the body to the king, but on passing a bridge, the older kills the
on me and scratched my face with her long claws; and by the door younger and buries his body beneath it. He takes the boar himself
stands a man with a knife, who stabbed me in the leg; and in the to the king and marries the king's daughter as prize. One day a
yard there lies a black monster, who beat me with a wooden club; shepherd sees a bone under the bridge and uses it to make a
and above, upon the roof, sits the judge, who called out, 'Bring mouthpiece for a horn, which sings of the brother's fate. The
the rogue here to me!' so I got away as well as I could." shepherd takes this marvel to the king, who has the bridge
After this the robbers did not trust themselves in the house again; examined, and the bones of the deceased brother are found. The
but it suited the four musicians of Bremen so well that they did not older brother is not able to deny his actions, and is drowned as
care to leave it any more. And the mouth of him who last told this punishment. The younger brother's bones are reburied in a
story is still warm. beautiful grave.)
In a certain country there was once great lamentation over a wild
28.—THE SINGING BONE. boar that laid waste the farmers' fields, killed the cattle, and
ripped up people's bodies with his tusks. The King promised a
("The Singing Bone" (German: Der singende Knochen) is a fairy large reward to any one who would free the land from this plague;
tale, collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number KHM 28. but the beast was so big and strong that no one dared to go near
According to their annotation, the Brothers Grimm got the fairy the forest in which it lived. At last the King gave notice that
tale from three places in Lower Hesse. In his book "Fairytale in whosoever should capture or kill the wild boar should have his
the Ancient World" from 2002, Graham Anderson has identified only daughter to wife.
the ancient Greek story of Meleagros and the Calydonian boar as a Now there lived in the country two brothers, sons of a poor man,
possible ancient source of this story, noting that both stories who declared themselves willing to undertake the hazardous
involve a man who hunts a boar, murders a relative, and is killed enterprise; the elder, who was crafty and shrewd, out of pride; the
when this information is found out. Also, in both stories, the younger, who was innocent and simple, from a kind heart. The
murderer's doom is brought about by "a hidden, stick-like object King said, "In order that you may be the more sure of finding the
of whose effect the criminal himself can have no knowledge". beast, you must go into the forest from opposite sides." So the
It is quite possible that Roman trade spread such stories to elder went in on the west side, and the younger on the east.
Germania. In Greek mythology, Meleagros [English: Meleager] When the younger had gone a short way, a little man stepped up
was the son of Queen Althaea and King Oeneusa from Calydon in to him. He held in his hand a black spear and said, "I give you this
Aitolia, a mountainous region of Greece on the north coast of the spear because your heart is pure and good; with this you can
Gulf of Corinth. He was a hero famed as the host of the boldly attack the wild boar, and it will do you no harm."
Calydonian boar hunt. He was the brother of Deianeira, Toxeus, He thanked the little man, shouldered the spear, and went on
Clymenus, Periphas, Agelaus, Thyreus (or Phereus), Gorge, fearlessly.
Eurymede and Melanippe. Meleagros became father of Before long he saw the beast, which rushed at him; but he held
Parthenopeus by his lover Atalanta but then he married Cleopatra, the spear towards it, and in its blind fury it ran so swiftly against
daughter of Idas and Marpessa with whom he had a daughter, it that its heart was cloven in twain. Then he took the monster on
Polydora, who became the bride of Protesilaus. his back and went homewards with it to the King.
The legend roughly goes like this: When Meleagros was born, As he came out at the other side of the wood, there stood at the
Atropos, one of the three Moirai (the Fates) predicted that entrance a house where people were making merry with wine and
Meleagros would only live until a piece of wood, then burning in dancing. His elder brother had gone in here, and thinking that
the family hearth, was consumed by fire. Overhearing them, his after all the boar would not run away from him, was going to
mother Althaea immediately doused and hid it to keep him alive. drink until he felt brave. But when he saw his young brother
One day, Meleagros returned from a sea voyage with Iason to his coming out of the wood laden with his booty, his envious, evil
homeland of Calydon, where the Calydonian boar was sent by the heart gave him no peace. He called out to him, "Come in, dear
goddess Artemis to terrorise the area. Artemis wanted to punish brother, rest and refresh yourself with a cup of wine."
Althaia and Oineus for forgetting to offer her a sacrifice. Oeneus The youth, who suspected no evil, went in and told him about
sent Meleagros to gather up heroes from all over Greece to hunt the good little man who had given him the spear wherewith he had
the boar. He also invited Atalanta, a fierce huntress, whom he slain the boar.
loved. When Hylaeus and Rhaecus, two centaurs, tried to rape The elder brother kept him there until the evening, and then they
Atalanta, Meleagros killed them. Then Atalanta wounded the went away together, and when in the darkness they came to a
boar and Meleagros killed it. He awarded her the hide since she bridge over a brook, the elder brother let the other go first; and
had spilled the boar's blood first, but Queen Althaia's brothers when he was half-way across he gave him such a blow from behind
became jealous and stole the trophy. Enraged, Meleagros killed his that he fell down dead. He buried him beneath the bridge, took
own relatives, whereupon Althaia, as revenge, burned the log she the boar, and carried it to the King, pretending that he had killed
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it; whereupon he obtained the King's daughter in marriage. And hell, the devil's Ellermutter (Low German for grandmother) hides
when his younger brother did not come back he said, "The boar him as an ant in the folds of her skirt. She pulls a hair out of the
must have killed him," and every one believed it. sleeping devil three times and says she dreamed of the well, the tree
But as nothing remains hidden from God, so this black deed also and the ferryman. The devil always explains to the grandmother
was to come to light. how to solve the problem. So the child of fortune gets his hair,
Years afterwards a shepherd was driving his herd across the advises the devil's ferryman to give the next one the rudder pole,
bridge, and saw lying in the sand beneath, a snow-white little and has the toad in the well and the mouse killed in the tree root,
bone. He thought that it would make a good mouth-piece, so he for which he gets two donkeys each with gold. The lucky child tells
clambered down, picked it up, and cut out of it a mouth-piece for the greedy king that the gold lies like sand on the other bank. The
his horn. But when he blew through it for the first time, to his story ends with the king crossing the river with the ferryman, who
great astonishment, the bone began of its own accord to sing: hands him the rudder pole upon reaching the other side,
"Ah, friend, thou blowest upon my bone! condemning him to a life of ferrying travellers back and forth
Long have I lain beside the water; forever.)
My brother slew me for the boar,
And took for his wife the King's young daughter." There was once a poor woman who gave birth to a little son; and
"What a wonderful horn!" said the shepherd; "it sings by itself; I as he came into the world with a caul on, it was predicted that in
must take it to my lord the King." And when he came with it to his fourteenth year he would have the King's daughter for his wife.
the King the horn again began to sing its little song. The King It happened that soon afterwards the King came into the village,
understood it all, and caused the ground below the bridge to be and no one knew that he was the King, and when he asked the
dug up, and then the whole skeleton of the murdered man came to people what news there was, they answered, "A child has just been
light. The wicked brother could not deny the deed, and was sewn born with a caul on; whatever any one so born undertakes turns
up in a sack and drowned. But the bones of the murdered man out well. It is prophesied, too, that in his fourteenth year he will
were laid to rest in a beautiful tomb in the churchyard. have the King's daughter for his wife."
The King, who had a bad heart, and was angry about the
prophecy, went to the parents, and, seeming quite friendly, said,
29.—THE DEVIL WITH THE THREE GOLDEN HAIRS. "You poor people, let me have your child, and I will take care of
it." At first they refused, but when the stranger offered them a
("The devil with the three golden hairs" is a fairy tale in the large amount of gold for it, and they thought, "It is a luck-child,
Children's and Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm at and everything must turn out well for it," they at last consented,
position 29 (KHM 29). In the 1st edition the title was "Of the and gave him the child.
devil with three golden hairs". Grimm's notes say "From Zwehrn" The King put it in a box and rode away with it until he came to a
(by Dorothea Viehmann) and names an incomplete "Tales from deep piece of water; then he threw the box into it and thought, "I
the Main Regions", which was printed independently in the 1st have freed my daughter from her unlooked-for suitor."
edition as "Vogel Phoenix" (1812 KHM 75), and one "from The box, however, did not sink, but floated like a boat, and not
Lower Hesse" (by Amalie Hassenpflug ), which provided the text a drop of water made its way into it. And it floated to within two
of the 1st edition (1812 KHM 29).The current version appeared miles of the King's chief city, where there was a mill, and it came
from the 2nd edition in 1819. In Germany, Napoleon's 6-year to a stand-still at the mill-dam. A miller's boy, who by good luck
occupation of German territories (1806-1812), including Berlin, was standing there, noticed it and pulled it out with a hook,
and the subsequent defeat Napoleons, resulted to the rise of a thinking that he had found a great treasure, but when he opened it
German national movement. Risen hatred of all things French and there lay a pretty boy inside, quite fresh and lively. He took him to
pressure from public opinion led authors to begin to ban the miller and his wife, and as they had no children they were glad,
everything French and Italian (Napoleon was culturally Italian) and said, "God has given him to us." They took great care of the
from their texts. This also applied to the collection of fairy tales by foundling, and he grew up in all goodness.
the Brothers Grimm, whose 2nd edition (1819) was very different It happened that once in a storm the King went into the mill, and
from the 1st edition for this reason. he asked the mill-folk if the tall youth was their son. "No,"
Contents: A poor woman gives birth to a son with "caul" or answered they, "he's a foundling. Fourteen years ago he floated
"cowl" (Latin: Caput galeatum). This should ensure in his further down to the mill-dam in a box, and the mill-boy pulled him out of
life that everything he starts will turn out for the better. It is also the water."
prophesied that he will marry the king's daughter at the age of 14. Then the King knew that it was none other than the luck-child
But the king has a hard heart. He buys the child from the poor which he had thrown into the water, and he said, "My good
people, puts it in a box and throws it into the water. However, she people, could not the youth take a letter to the Queen; I will give
does not perish, but drifts to a mill, where the child is taken in by him two gold pieces as a reward?" "Just as the King commands,"
the miller's people and raised in love. Fourteen years later, when answered they, and they told the boy to hold himself in readiness.
the king came to the mill and heard the story, he sent the young Then the King wrote a letter to the Queen, wherein he said, "As
man a letter to the queen with orders to kill him immediately. On soon as the boy arrives with this letter, let him be killed and
the way to the queen, the young man stays with robbers in the buried, and all must be done before I come home."
forest. They read the letter, exchanged the letter out of pity, so The boy set out with this letter; but he lost his way, and in the
that he was married to the king's daughter. But the king demands evening came to a large forest. In the darkness he saw a small light;
from him the three golden hairs of the devil. On the way to hell, he went towards it and reached a cottage. When he went in, an old
two gatekeepers ask the young man why a well that used to spill woman was sitting by the fire quite alone. She started when she
wine is drying up and why a tree that used to bear gold apples is saw the boy, and said, "Whence do you come, and whither are you
drying up, and a ferryman asks why no one is taking his place. In going?" "I come from the mill," he answered, "and wish to go to
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the Queen, to whom I am taking a letter; but as I have lost my way want?" said she to him, but she did not look so very wicked. "I
in the forest I should like to stay here over night." "You poor should like to have three golden hairs from the devil's head,"
boy," said the woman, "you have come into a den of thieves, and answered he, "else I cannot keep my wife." "That is a good deal to
when they come home they will kill you." "Let them come," said ask for," said she; "if the devil comes home and finds you, it will
the boy, "I am not afraid; but I am so tired that I cannot go any cost you your life; but as I pity you, I will see if I cannot help you."
farther:" and he stretched himself upon a bench and fell asleep. She changed him into an ant and said, "Creep into the folds of
Soon afterwards the robbers came, and angrily asked what my dress, you will be safe there." "Yes," answered he, "so far, so
strange boy was lying there? "Ah," said the old woman, "it is an good; but there are three things besides that I want to know: why
innocent child who has lost himself in the forest, and out of pity I a fountain which once flowed with wine has become dry, and no
have let him come in; he has to take a letter to the Queen." The longer gives even water; why a tree which once bore golden apples
robbers opened the letter and read it, and in it was written that does not even put forth leaves; and why a ferry-man must always
the boy as soon as he arrived should be put to death. Then the be going backwards and forwards, and is never set free?"
hard-hearted robbers felt pity, and their leader tore up the letter "Those are difficult questions," answered she, "but only be silent
and wrote another, saying, that soon as the boy came, he should be and quiet and pay attention to what the devil says when I pull out
married at once to the King's daughter. Then they let him lie the three golden hairs."
quietly on the bench until the next morning, and when he awoke As the evening came on the devil returned home. No sooner had
they gave him the letter, and showed him the right way. he entered than he noticed that the air was not pure. "I smell man's
And the Queen, when she had received the letter and read it, did flesh," said he; "all is not right here." Then he pried into every
as was written in it, and had a splendid wedding-feast prepared, corner, and searched, but could not find anything. His
and the King's daughter was married to the luck-child; and as the grandmother scolded him. "It has just been swept," said she, "and
youth was handsome and agreeable she lived with him in joy and everything put in order, and now you are upsetting it again; you
contentment. have always got man's flesh in your nose. Sit down and eat your
After some time the King returned to his palace and saw that the supper."
prophecy was fulfilled, and the luck-child married to his daughter. When he had eaten and drunk he was tired, and laid his head in
"How has that come to pass?" said he; "I gave quite another order his grandmother's lap, and before long he was fast asleep, snoring
in my letter." and breathing heavily. Then the old woman took hold of a golden
So the Queen gave him the letter, and said that he might see for hair, pulled it out, and laid it down near her. "Oh!" cried the devil,
himself what was written in it. The King read the letter and saw "what are you doing?" "I have had a bad dream," answered the
quite well that it had been exchanged for the other. He asked the grandmother, "so I seized hold of your hair." "What did you
youth what had become of the letter entrusted to him, and why he dream then?" said the devil. "I dreamed that a fountain in a
had brought another instead of it. "I know nothing about it," market-place from which wine once flowed was dried up, and not
answered he; "it must have been changed in the night, when I slept even water would flow out of it; what is the cause of it?" "Oh, ho!
in the forest." The King said in a passion, "You shall not have if they did but know it," answered the devil; "there is a toad
everything quite so much your own way; whosoever marries my sitting under a stone in the well; if they killed it, the wine would
daughter must fetch me from hell three golden hairs from the head flow again."
of the devil; bring me what I want, and you shall keep my He went to sleep again and snored until the windows shook.
daughter." In this way the King hoped to be rid of him for ever. Then she pulled the second hair out. "Ha! what are you doing?"
But the luck-child answered, "I will fetch the golden hairs, I am cried the devil angrily. "Do not take it ill," said she, "I did it in a
not afraid of the Devil;" thereupon he took leave of them and dream." "What have you dreamt this time?" asked he. "I dreamt
began his journey. that in a certain kingdom there stood an apple-tree which had
The road led him to a large town, where the watchman by the once borne golden apples, but now would not even bear leaves.
gates asked him what his trade was, and what he knew. "I know What, think you, was the reason?" "Oh! if they did but know,"
everything," answered the luck-child. "Then you can do us a answered the devil. "A mouse is gnawing at the root; if they killed
favour," said the watchman, "if you will tell us why our market- this they would have golden apples again, but if it gnaws much
fountain, which once flowed with wine has become dry, and no longer the tree will wither altogether. But leave me alone with
longer gives even water?" "That you shall know," answered he; your dreams: if you disturb me in my sleep again you will get a box
"only wait until I come back." on the ear."
Then he went farther and came to another town, and there also The grandmother spoke gently to him until he fell asleep again
the gatekeeper asked him what was his trade, and what he knew. "I and snored. Then she took hold of the third golden hair and
know everything," answered he. "Then you can do us a favour, pulled it out. The devil jumped up, roared out, and would have
and tell us why a tree in our town which once bore golden apples treated her ill, but she quieted him once more and said, "Who can
now does not even put forth leaves?" "You shall know that," help bad dreams?" "What was the dream, then?" asked he, and was
answered he; "only wait until I come back." quite curious. "I dreamt of a ferry-man who complained that he
Then he went on and came to a wide river over which he must go. must always ferry from one side to the other, and was never
The ferryman asked him what his trade was, and what he know. "I released. What is the cause of it?" "Ah! the fool," answered the
know everything," answered he. "Then you can do me a favour," devil; "when any one comes and wants to go across he must put the
said the ferryman, "and tell me why I must always be rowing oar in his hand, and the other man will have to ferry and he will be
backwards and forwards, and am never set free?" "You shall know free." As the grandmother had plucked out the three golden hairs,
that," answered he; "only wait until I come back." and the three questions were answered, she let the old serpent
When he had crossed the water he found the entrance to Hell. It alone, and he slept until daybreak.
was black and sooty within, and the Devil was not at home, but his When the devil had gone out again the old woman took the ant
grandmother was sitting in a large arm-chair. "What do you out of the folds of her dress, and gave the luck-child his human
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shape again. "There are the three golden hairs for you," said she. door, "Little flea, why art thou screaming?" "Because the louse
"What the Devil said to your three questions, I suppose you has burnt herself."
heard?" "Yes," answered he, "I heard, and will take care to Then the little door began to creak. On this a little broom in the
remember." "You have what you want," said she, "and now you corner said, "Why art thou creaking, little door?" "Have I not
can go your way." He thanked the old woman for helping him in reason to creak?"
his need, and left hell well content that everything had turned out "The little louse has burnt herself,
so fortunately. The little flea is weeping."
When he came to the ferry-man he was expected to give the So the little broom began to sweep frantically. Then a little cart
promised answer. "Ferry me across first," said the luck-child, "and passed by and said, "Why art thou sweeping, little broom?" "Have
then I will tell you how you can be set free," and when he had I not reason to sweep?"
reached the opposite shore he gave him the devil's advice: "Next "The little louse has burnt herself,
time any one comes, who wants to be ferried over, just put the oar The little flea is weeping,
in his hand." The little door is creaking."
He went on and came to the town wherein stood the unfruitful So the little cart said, "Then I will run," and began to run wildly.
tree, and there too the watchman wanted an answer. So he told Then said the ash-heap by which it ran, "Why art thou running so,
him what he had heard from the devil: "Kill the mouse which is little cart?" "Have I not reason to run?"
gnawing at its root, and it will again bear golden apples." Then "The little louse has burnt herself,
the watchman thanked him, and gave him as a reward two asses The little flea is weeping,
laden with gold, which followed him. The little door is creaking,
At last he came to the town whose well was dry. He told the The little broom is sweeping."
watchman what the devil had said: "A toad is in the well beneath a The ash-heap said, "Then I will burn furiously," and began to
stone; you must find it and kill it, and the well will again give burn in clear flames. A little tree stood near the ash-heap and said,
wine in plenty." The watchman thanked him, and also gave him "Ash-heap, why art thou burning?" "Have I not reason to burn?"
two asses laden with gold. "The little louse has burnt herself,
At last the luck-child got home to his wife, who was heartily glad The little flea is weeping,
to see him again, and to hear how well he had prospered in The little door is creaking,
everything. To the King he took what he had asked for, the devil's The little broom is sweeping,
three golden hairs, and when the King saw the four asses laden The little cart is running."
with gold he was quite content, and said, "Now all the conditions The little tree said, "Then I will shake myself," and began to
are fulfilled, and you can keep my daughter. But tell me, dear son- shake herself so that all her leaves fell off; a girl who came up with
in-law, where did all that gold come from? this is tremendous her water-pitcher saw that, and said, "Little tree, why art thou
wealth!" "I was rowed across a river," answered he, "and got it shaking thyself?" "Have I not reason to shake myself?"
there; it lies on the shore instead of sand." "Can I too fetch some of "The little louse has burnt herself,
it?" said the King; and he was quite eager about it. "As much as The little flea is weeping,
you like," answered he. "There is a ferry-man on the river; let him The little door is creaking,
ferry you over, and you can fill your sacks on the other side." The The little broom is sweeping,
greedy King set out in all haste, and when he came to the river he The little cart is running,
beckoned to the ferry-man to put him across. The ferry-man came The little ash-heap is burning."
and bade him get in, and when they got to the other shore he put On this the girl said, "Then I will break my little water-pitcher,"
the oar in his hand and sprang out. But from this time forth the and she broke her little water-pitcher. Then said the little spring
King had to ferry, as a punishment for his sins. Perhaps he is from which ran the water, "Girl, why art thou breaking thy
ferrying still? If he is, it is because no one has taken the oar from water-jug?" "Have I not reason to break my water-jug?"
him. "The little louse has burnt herself,
The little flea is weeping,
The little door is creaking,
30.—THE LOUSE AND THE FLEA. The little broom is sweeping,
The little cart is running,
("The Louse and the Flea" or "Little Louse and Little Flea" The little ash-heap is burning,
(German: Läuschen und Flöhchen) is a fairy tale collected by the The little tree is shaking itself."
Brothers Grimm, number 30. It takes the form of a chain tale, "Oh, ho!" said the spring, "then I will begin to flow," and began
sometimes known as a cumulative tale. Wilhelm Grimm probably to flow violently. And in the water everything was drowned, the
heard the story from Dorothea Catharina Wild in 1808. girl, the little tree, the little ash-heap, the little cart, the broom,
Contents: A louse and a flea are married until the louse drowns the little door, the little flea, the little louse, all together.
while brewing. The flea mourns, inspiring a door to ask why and
start creaking, which inspires a broom to ask why and start
sweeping -- through a sequence of objects until a spring overflows 31.—THE GIRL WITHOUT HANDS.
at the news and drowns them all.)
("The Girl Without Hands" or "The Handless Maiden" or "The
A louse and a flea kept house together and were brewing beer in Girl With Silver Hands" or "The Armless Maiden" (German: Das
an egg-shell. Then the little louse fell in and burnt herself. On this Mädchen ohne Hände) is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers
the little flea began to scream loudly. Then said the little room- Grimm. It is tale number 31 and was first published in the 1812
edition of Children's and Household Tales. The fairy tale was in
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the 1st edition of 1812 based on a source "from Hesse" (Marie need, and forgive me the harm I do thee." She replied, "Dear
Hassenpflug). From The text of the 2nd edition is otherwise based father, do with me what you will, I am your child." Thereupon she
on a version "from Zwehrn" (by Dorothea Viehmann). In the 1st laid down both her hands, and let them be cut off. The devil came
edition the title was "Girl without hands". The story was revised for the third time, but she had wept so long and so much on the
by the Grimm brothers over the years, and the final version was stumps, that after all they were quite clean. Then he had to give in,
published in the 7th edition of Children's and Household Tales in and had lost all right over her.
1857. The miller said to her, "I have by means of thee received such
Contents: A poor miller meets the devil in the forest in the form great wealth that I will keep thee most delicately as long as thou
of an old man, who promises to make him rich in exchange for livest." But she replied, "Here I cannot stay, I will go forth,
what is behind his mill. He thinks that's his apple tree, but it's his compassionate people will give me as much as I require."
daughter who swept there. After three years the devil comes for Thereupon she caused her maimed arms to be bound to her back,
her, but the pious has washed herself clean, so he can't take her and by sunrise she set out on her way, and walked the whole day
with him. Her father, intimidated by the devil, takes the water until night fell. Then she came to a royal garden, and by the
away from her, she weeps on her hands. He strikes them off her, shimmering of the moon she saw that trees covered with beautiful
she cries on the stumps, and the devil has to give up. Her father fruits grew in it, but she could not enter, for there was much water
offers to take care of her, but she walks away. She comes to the round about it. And as she had walked the whole day and not
king's garden, where an angel helps her eat the pears. The king eaten one mouthful, and hunger tormented her, she thought, "Ah,
gives her silver hands and marries her. She gives birth to a son if I were but inside, that I might eat of the fruit, else must I die of
while he is at war. The devil exchanges their letters, and the hunger!" Then she knelt down, called on God the Lord, and
deceived queen mother has to banish her with the child. With an prayed. And suddenly an angel came towards her, who made a
angel in the forest house, her hands grow again. After seven years dam in the water, so that the moat became dry and she could walk
the king comes. The son doesn't know him and he doesn't know through it. And now she went into the garden and the angel went
her either. The angel shows the silver hands, everyone is happy.) with her. She saw a tree covered with beautiful pears, but they
were all counted. Then she went to them, and to still her hunger,
A certain miller had little by little fallen into poverty, and had ate one with her mouth from the tree, but no more. The gardener
nothing left but his mill and a large apple-tree behind it. Once was watching; but as the angel was standing by, he was afraid and
when he had gone into the forest to fetch wood, an old man thought the maiden was a spirit, and was silent, neither did he
stepped up to him whom he had never seen before, and said, "Why dare to cry out, or to speak to the spirit. When she had eaten the
dost thou plague thyself with cutting wood, I will make thee rich, pear, she was satisfied, and went and concealed herself among the
if thou wilt promise me what is standing behind thy mill?" "What bushes. The King to whom the garden belonged, came down to it
can that be but my apple-tree?" thought the miller, and said, next morning, and counted, and saw that one of the pears was
"Yes," and gave a written promise to the stranger. He, however, missing, and asked the gardener what had become of it, as it was
laughed mockingly and said, "When three years have passed, I will not lying beneath the tree, but was gone. Then answered the
come and carry away what belongs to me," and then he went. gardener, "Last night, a spirit came in, who had no hands, and ate
When the miller got home, his wife came to meet him and said, off one of the pears with its mouth." The King said, "How did the
"Tell me, miller, from whence comes this sudden wealth into our spirit get over the water, and where did it go after it had eaten the
house? All at once every box and chest was filled; no one brought pear?" The gardener answered, "Some one came in a snow-white
it in, and I know not how it happened." He answered, "It comes garment from heaven who made a dam, and kept back the water,
from a stranger who met me in the forest, and promised me great that the spirit might walk through the moat. And as it must have
treasure. I, in return, have promised him what stands behind the been an angel, I was afraid, and asked no questions, and did not
mill; we can very well give him the big apple-tree for it." "Ah, cry out. When the spirit had eaten the pear, it went back again."
husband," said the terrified wife, "that must have been the devil! The King said, "If it be as thou sayest, I will watch with thee to-
He did not mean the apple-tree, but our daughter, who was night."
standing behind the mill sweeping the yard." When it grew dark the King came into the garden and brought a
The miller's daughter was a beautiful, pious girl, and lived priest with him, who was to speak to the spirit. All three seated
through the three years in the fear of God and without sin. When themselves beneath the tree and watched. At midnight the maiden
therefore the time was over, and the day came when the Evil-one came creeping out of the thicket, went to the tree, and again ate
was to fetch her, she washed herself clean, and made a circle round one pear off it with her mouth, and beside her stood the angel in
herself with chalk. The devil appeared quite early, but he could white garments. Then the priest went out to them and said,
not come near to her. Angrily, he said to the miller, "Take all "Comest thou from heaven or from earth? Art thou a spirit, or a
water away from her, that she may no longer be able to wash human being?" She replied, "I am no spirit, but an unhappy
herself, for otherwise I have no power over her." The miller was mortal deserted by all but God." The King said, "If thou art
afraid, and did so. The next morning the devil came again, but she forsaken by all the world, yet will I not forsake thee." He took her
had wept on her hands, and they were quite clean. Again he could with him into his royal palace, and as she was so beautiful and
not get near her, and furiously said to the miller, "Cut her hands good, he loved her with all his heart, had silver hands made for her,
off, or else I cannot get the better of her." The miller was shocked and took her to wife.
and answered, "How could I cut off my own child's hands?" Then After a year the King had to take the field, so he commended his
the Evil-one threatened him and said, "If thou dost not do it thou young Queen to the care of his mother and said, "If she is brought
art mine, and I will take thee thyself." The father became alarmed, to bed take care of her, nurse her well, and tell me of it at once in a
and promised to obey him. So he went to the girl and said, "My letter." Then she gave birth to a fine boy. So the old mother made
child, if I do not cut off both thine hands, the devil will carry me haste to write and announce the joyful news to him. But the
away, and in my terror I have promised to do it. Help me in my messenger rested by a brook on the way, and as he was fatigued by
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the great distance, he fell asleep. Then came the Devil, who was and only wished to rest a little. Then he lay down to sleep, and put
always seeking to injure the good Queen, and exchanged the letter a handkerchief over his face.
for another, in which was written that the Queen had brought a Thereupon the angel went into the chamber where the Queen sat
monster into the world. When the King read the letter he was with her son, whom she usually called "Sorrowful," and said to
shocked and much troubled, but he wrote in answer that they were her, "Go out with thy child, thy husband hath come." So she went
to take great care of the Queen and nurse her well until his arrival. to the place where he lay, and the handkerchief fell from his face.
The messenger went back with the letter, but rested at the same Then said she, "Sorrowful, pick up thy father's handkerchief, and
place and again fell asleep. Then came the Devil once more, and cover his face again." The child picked it up, and put it over his
put a different letter in his pocket, in which it was written that face again. The King in his sleep heard what passed, and had
they were to put the Queen and her child to death. The old mother pleasure in letting the handkerchief fall once more. But the child
was terribly shocked when she received the letter, and could not grew impatient, and said, "Dear mother, how can I cover my
believe it. She wrote back again to the King, but received no other father's face when I have no father in this world? I have learnt to
answer, because each time the Devil substituted a false letter, and say the prayer, 'Our Father, which art in Heaven,' thou hast told
in the last letter it was also written that she was to preserve the me that my father was in Heaven, and was the good God, and how
Queen's tongue and eyes as a token that she had obeyed. can I know a wild man like this? He is not my father." When the
But the old mother wept to think such innocent blood was to be King heard that, he got up, and asked who they were. Then said
shed, and had a hind brought by night and cut out her tongue and she, "I am thy wife, and that is thy son, Sorrowful." And he saw
eyes, and kept them. Then said she to the Queen, "I cannot have her living hands, and said, "My wife had silver hands." She
thee killed as the King commands, but here thou mayst stay no answered, "The good God has caused my natural hands to grow
longer. Go forth into the wide world with thy child, and never again;" and the angel went into the inner room, and brought the
come here again." The poor woman tied her child on her back, and silver hands, and showed them to him. Hereupon he knew for a
went away with eyes full of tears. She came into a great wild forest, certainty that it was his dear wife and his dear child, and he kissed
and then she fell on her knees and prayed to God, and the angel of them, and was glad, and said, "A heavy stone has fallen from off
the Lord appeared to her and led her to a little house on which mine heart." Then the angel of God gave them one meal with her,
was a sign with the words, "Here all dwell free." A snow-white and after that they went home to the King's aged mother. There
maiden came out of the little house and said, "Welcome, Lady were great rejoicings everywhere, and the King and Queen were
Queen," and conducted her inside. Then they unbound the little married again, and lived contentedly to their happy end.
boy from her back, and held him to her breast that he might feed,
and then laid him in a beautifully-made little bed. Then said the
poor woman, "From whence knowest thou that I was a queen?" 32.—CLEVER HANS.
The white maiden answered, "I am an angel sent by God, to watch
over thee and thy child." The Queen stayed seven years in the little ("Clever Hans" (German "Der gescheite Hans") is a farce
house, and was well cared for, and by God's grace, because of her collected by the Brothers Grimm (KHM 32) about a boy who
piety, her hands which had been cut off, grew once more. ruins his engagement with a girl through a variety of comedic
At last the King came home again from the war, and his first events. The title seem to be ironic. The story comes probably from
wish was to see his wife and the child. Then his aged mother began the Hassenpflug family.
to weep and said, "Thou wicked man, why didst thou write to me Contents: A boy named Hans has a conversation with his mother
that I was to take those two innocent lives?" and she showed him every morning (in the morning conversations he simply is telling
the two letters which the Evil-One had forged, and then continued, her he is going to meet his fiancee Gretel) and evening (in which
"I did as thou badest me," and she showed the tokens, the tongue his mother reprimands him for mishandling a gift from his fiancee).
and eyes. Then the King began to weep for his poor wife and his Every morning when Hans meets Gretel he asks her for a gift. In
little son so much more bitterly than she was doing, that the aged order, she gives him: a needle, a knife, a young goat, a ham, a calf,
mother had compassion on him and said, "Be at peace, she still herself. In each instance, Hans mishandles the gifts. He sticks the
lives; I secretly caused a hind to be killed, and took these tokens needle in some hay but his mother tells him he should have stuck it
from it; but I bound the child to thy wife's back and bade her go through his sleeve. So he puts the knife in his sleeve but is told he
forth into the wide world, and made her promise never to come should have put it in his pocket. He puts the goat in his pocket,
back here again, because thou wert so angry with her." Then spake thus smothering it, and is told he should have led it by a rope. He
the King, "I will go as far as the sky is blue, and will neither eat tries to lead the ham by a rope, and dogs steal it, his mother
nor drink until I have found again my dear wife and my child, if in telling him he should have carried it on his head (or, in some
the meantime they have not been killed, or died of hunger." versions, under his arm). He carries the calf this way but it kicks
Thereupon the King travelled about for seven long years, and him until he drops it and it runs away. He is told he should have
sought her in every cleft of the rocks and in every cave, but he tied it in the stable. He ties Gretel in the stable and the story ends
found her not, and thought she had died of want. During the when he misunderstands his mother's advice ("Cast your adoring
whole of this time he neither ate nor drank, but God supported eyes at her") and gouges out the eyes of the livestock he owns to
him. At length he came into a great forest, and found therein the throw at Gretel. The result is a disengagement, portrayed in the
little house whose sign was, "Here all dwell free." Then forth came final sentence: "And that's how Hans lost his bride.")
the white maiden, took him by the hand, led him in, and said,
"Welcome, Lord King," and asked him from whence he came. He The mother of Hans said, "Whither away, Hans?" Hans answered,
answered, "Soon shall I have travelled about for the space of seven "To Grethel." "Behave well, Hans." "Oh, I'll behave well. Good-
years, and I seek my wife and her child, but cannot find them." The bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans." Hans comes to Grethel, "Good
angel offered him meat and drink, but he did not take anything, day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans. What dost thou bring that is
good?" "I bring nothing, I want to have something given me."
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Grethel presents Hans with a needle. Hans says, "Good-bye, been?" "With Grethel." "What didst thou take her?" "I took
Grethel." "Good-bye, Hans." nothing, but had something given me." "What did Grethel give
Hans takes the needle, sticks it into a hay-cart, and follows the thee?" "A calf." "Where hast thou the calf, Hans?" "I set it on my
cart home. "Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. head and it kicked my face." "That was ill done, Hans, thou
Where hast thou been?" "With Grethel." "What didst thou take shouldst have led the calf, and put it in the stall." "Never mind,
her?" "Took nothing; had something given me." "What did will do better next time."
Grethel give thee?" "Gave me a needle." "Where is the needle, "Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel, mother." "Behave well,
Hans?" "Stuck in the hay-cart." "That was ill done, Hans. Thou Hans." "I'll behave well. Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans."
shouldst have stuck the needle in thy sleeve." "Never mind, I'll do Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans.
better next time." What good thing dost thou bring?" "I bring nothing, but would
"Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel, mother." "Behave well, have something given." Grethel says to Hans, "I will go with
Hans." "Oh, I'll behave well. Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, thee."
Hans." Hans takes Grethel, ties her to a rope, leads her to the rack, and
Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans. binds her fast. Then Hans goes to his mother, "Good evening,
What dost thou bring that is good?" "I bring nothing, I want to mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where hast thou been?" "With
have something given to me." Grethel presents Hans with a knife. Grethel." "What didst thou take her?" "I took her nothing."
"Good-bye, Grethel." "Good-bye, Hans." Hans takes the knife, "What did Grethel give thee?" "She gave me nothing, she came
sticks it in his sleeve, and goes home. "Good evening, mother." with me." "Where hast thou left Grethel?" "I led her by the rope,
"Good evening, Hans. Where hast thou been?" "With Grethel." tied her to the rack, and scattered some grass for her." "That was
"What didst thou take her?" "Took her nothing, she gave me ill done, Hans, thou shouldst have cast friendly eyes on her."
something." "What did Grethel give thee?" "Gave me a knife." "Never mind, will do better."
"Where is the knife, Hans?" "Stuck in my sleeve." "That's ill done, Hans went into the stable, cut out all the calves' and sheep's eyes,
Hans, thou shouldst have put the knife in thy pocket." "Never and threw them in Grethel's face. Then Grethel became angry, tore
mind, will do better next time." "Whither away, Hans?" "To herself loose and ran away, and became the bride of Hans.
Grethel, mother." "Behave well, Hans." "Oh, I'll behave well.
Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans."
Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans. 33.—THE THREE LANGUAGES.
What good thing dost thou bring?" "I bring nothing, I want
something given me." Grethel presents Hans with a young goat. ("The Three Languages" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers
"Good-bye, Grethel." "Good-bye, Hans." Hans takes the goat, Grimm, tale number 33. The tale was collected by the Brothers
ties its legs, and puts it in his pocket. When he gets home it is Grimm from a man named Hans Truffer from Visp, capital of the
suffocated. "Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. The
Where hast thou been?" "With Grethel." "What didst thou take characters in the fairy tale could be Pope Sylvester II or Innocent
her?" "Took nothing, she gave me something." "What did Grethel III.
give thee?" "She gave me a goat." "Where is the goat, Hans?" Contents: A count's only son could learn nothing. Three times
"Put it in my pocket." "That was ill done, Hans, thou shouldst the count sent him for a year to famous masters. Each time, the son
have put a rope round the goat's neck." "Never mind, will do came back: saying first that he knew what dogs said when they
better next time." barked; the next time, what birds said; and finally, what frogs said.
"Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel, mother." "Behave well, Infuriated by his uselessness, his father ordered his people to take
Hans," "Oh, I'll behave well. Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, him to the woods and kill him, but they sympathised with him,
Hans." Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, and instead brought the count the eyes and tongue of a deer as
Hans. What good thing dost thou bring?" "I bring nothing, I proof of his death. The doves approach the bell - a portent
want something given me." Grethel presents Hans with a piece of signaling the election of the new Pope. Illustration by John Batten
bacon. "Good-bye, Grethel." "Good-bye, Hans." for Joseph Jacobs's Europa's Fairy Book (1916). On his
Hans takes the bacon, ties it to a rope, and drags it away behind wanderings, he liberated an area from haunting by dogs, by
him. The dogs come and devour the bacon. When he gets home, he raising a treasure from under a tower, which he could do because
has the rope in his hand, and there is no longer anything hanging he understood their language. The lord of the castle asked him to
to it. "Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where hast do so, and he came out with a chest of gold, and the lord adopted
thou been?" "With Grethel." "What didst thou take her?" "I took him as a son. He went to Rome. In Rome, the Pope had died, and
her nothing, she gave me something." "What did Grethel give the cardinals wanted him as the Pope's successor, as two doves had
thee?" "Gave me a bit of bacon." "Where is the bacon, Hans." "I sat on his shoulders as a divine sign. On his journey, listening to
tied it to a rope, brought it home, dogs took it." "That was ill the frogs had made him sad and thoughtful. He consented to his
done, Hans, thou shouldst have carried the bacon on thine head." appointment, as the doves advised him to do. When he had to read
"Never mind, will do better next time." "Whither away, Hans?" Mass, the doves whispered how to do it in his ear.)
"To Grethel, mother." "Behave well, Hans." "I'll behave well.
Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans." An aged count once lived in Switzerland, who had an only son,
Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, but he was stupid, and could learn nothing. Then said the father,
Hans." "What good thing dost thou bring?" "I bring nothing, but "Hark thee, my son, I can get nothing into thy head, let me try as I
would have something given." Grethel presents Hans with a calf. will. Thou must go from hence, I will give thee into the care of a
"Good-bye, Grethel." "Good-bye, Hans." celebrated master, who shall see what he can do with thee." The
Hans takes the calf, puts it on his head, and the calf kicks his face. youth was sent into a strange town, and remained a whole year
"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where hast thou with the master. At the end of this time, he came home again, and
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his father asked, "Now, my son, what hast thou learnt?" "Father, spot if he would be pope. He was undecided, and knew not if he
I have learnt what the dogs say when they bark." "Lord have were worthy of this, but the doves counselled him to do it, and at
mercy on us!" cried the father; "is that all thou hast learnt? I will length he said yes. Then was he anointed and consecrated, and thus
send thee into another town, to another master." The youth was was fulfilled what he had heard from the frogs on his way, which
taken thither, and stayed a year with this master likewise. When he had so affected him, that he was to be his Holiness the Pope. Then
came back the father again asked, "My son, what hast thou he had to sing a mass, and did not know one word of it, but the
learnt?" He answered, "Father, I have learnt what the birds say." two doves sat continually on his shoulders, and said it all in his ear.
Then the father fell into a rage and said, "Oh, thou lost man, thou
hast spent the precious time and learnt nothing; art thou not
ashamed to appear before mine eyes? I will send thee to a third 34.—CLEVER ELSIE.
master, but if thou learnest nothing this time also, I will no longer
be thy father." The youth remained a whole year with the third ("Clever Elsie" is a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. In the
master also, and when he came home again, and his father inquired, original 1812 edition, story KHM 32 was called "Hanses Trine".
"My son, what hast thou learnt?" he answered, "Dear father, I It was removed after the first edition and replaced by "Die Kluge
have this year learnt what the frogs croak." Then the father fell Elise" in the 2nd edition.
into the most furious anger, sprang up, called his people thither, Contents: Clever Elsie, as her parents call her, is to be married.
and said, "This man is no longer my son, I drive him forth, and When a suitor named Hans comes to visit, Elsie goes down to the
command you to take him out into the forest, and kill him." They cellar to get some beer. There she spots a pickaxe stuck in the wall
took him forth, but when they should have killed him, they could above the beer keg; she imagines that if she married Hans and
not do it for pity, and let him go, and they cut the eyes and the started a family, that pickaxe could fall and kill their child.
tongue out of a deer that they might carry them to the old man as Because of this impending misfortune, Elsie begins to cry loudly in
a token. the basement. One at a time, the maid, the manservant, and the
The youth wandered on, and after some time came to a fortress mother are sent to look for Elsie, until finally the father goes
where he begged for a night's lodging. "Yes," said the lord of the himself. When they find Elsie and discover the reason she is crying,
castle, "if thou wilt pass the night down there in the old tower, go they too begin to cry. In the end, Hans also goes into the cellar,
thither; but I warn thee, it is at the peril of thy life, for it is full of hears about the possible misfortune and decides to marry Clever
wild dogs, which bark and howl without stopping, and at certain Elsie, saying, "more sense is not necessary for my household." In
hours a man has to be given to them, whom they at once devour." the second part of the story, Hans and Elsie have been married for
The whole district was in sorrow and dismay because of them, and a while. Hans works to earn money while Elsie stays home to cut
yet no one could do anything to stop this. The youth, however, the corn. She cooks porridge, takes it to the field, eats it before she
was without fear, and said, "Just let me go down to the barking even starts to work, and then falls asleep. When Hans comes home,
dogs, and give me something that I can throw to them; they will he at first assumes that Elsie is still hard at work, and he praises
do nothing to harm me." As he himself would have it so, they gave her diligence. However, when he finds her sleeping in the corn, he
him some food for the wild animals, and led him down to the hangs a bird's yarn around her with small bells, goes home, and
tower. When he went inside, the dogs did not bark at him, but locks the front door. When Elsie wakes up in the dark and notices
wagged their tails quite amicably around him, ate what he set the clothes with bells, she no longer recognises herself. She goes
before them, and did not hurt one hair of his head. Next morning, home and asks at the door if Elsie is inside. When she hears "yes,"
to the astonishment of every one, he came out again safe and she runs away, crying, "Oh God, then it's not me." She is never
unharmed, and said to the lord of the castle, "The dogs have seen again.)
revealed to me, in their own language, why they dwell there, and
bring evil on the land. They are bewitched, and are obliged to There was once a man who had a daughter who was called Clever
watch over a great treasure which is below in the tower, and they Elsie. And when she had grown up her father said, "We will get
can have no rest until it is taken away, and I have likewise learnt, her married." "Yes," said the mother, "if only any one would come
from their discourse, how that is to be done." Then all who heard who would have her." At length a man came from a distance and
this rejoiced, and the lord of the castle said he would adopt him as wooed her, who was called Hans; but he stipulated that Clever
a son if he accomplished it successfully. He went down again, and Elsie should be really wise. "Oh," said the father, "she's sharp
as he knew what he had to do, he did it thoroughly, and brought a enough;" and the mother said, "Oh, she can see the wind coming
chest full of gold out with him. The howling of the wild dogs was up the street, and hear the flies coughing." "Well," said Hans, "if
henceforth heard no more; they had disappeared, and the country she is not really wise, I won't have her." When they were sitting at
was freed from the trouble. dinner and had eaten, the mother said, "Elsie, go into the cellar
After some time he took it into his head that he would travel to and fetch some beer." Then Clever Elsie took the pitcher from the
Rome. On the way he passed by a marsh, in which a number of wall, went into the cellar, and tapped the lid briskly as she went
frogs were sitting croaking. He listened to them, and when he that the time might not appear long. When she was below she
became aware of what they were saying, he grew very thoughtful fetched herself a chair, and set it before the barrel so that she had
and sad. At last he arrived in Rome, where the Pope had just died, no need to stoop, and did not hurt her back or do herself any
and there was great difficulty as to whom they should appoint as unexpected injury. Then she placed the can before her, and turned
his successor. They at length agreed that the person should be the tap, and while the beer was running she would not let her eyes
chosen as pope who should be distinguished by some divine and be idle, but looked up at the wall, and after much peering here and
miraculous token. And just as that was decided on, the young there, saw a pick-axe exactly above her, which the masons had
count entered into the church, and suddenly two snow-white doves accidentally left there.
flew on his shoulders and remained sitting there. The ecclesiastics Then Clever Elsie began to weep and said, "If I get Hans, and we
recognised therein the token from above, and asked him on the have a child, and he grows big, and we send him into the cellar
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here to draw beer, then the pick-axe will fall on his head and kill "What a clever Elsie I have; she is so industrious that she does not
him." Then she sat and wept and screamed with all the strength of even come home to eat." As, however, she still stayed away, and it
her body, over the misfortune which lay before her. Those upstairs was evening, Hans went out to see what she had cut, but nothing
waited for the drink, but Clever Elsie still did not come. Then the was cut, and she was lying among the corn asleep. Then Hans
woman said to the servant, "Just go down into the cellar and see hastened home and brought a fowler's net with little bells and
where Elsie is." The maid went and found her sitting in front of hung it round about her, and she still went on sleeping. Then he
the barrel, screaming loudly. "Elsie, why weepest thou?" asked the ran home, shut the house-door, and sat down in his chair and
maid. "Ah," she answered, "have I not reason to weep? If I get worked. At length, when it was quite dark, Clever Elsie awoke and
Hans, and we have a child, and he grows big, and has to draw beer when she got up there was a jingling all round about her, and the
here, the pick-axe will perhaps fall on his head, and kill him." bells rang at each step which she took. Then she was alarmed, and
Then said the maid, "What a clever Elsie we have!" and sat down became uncertain whether she really was Clever Elsie or not, and
beside her and began loudly to weep over the misfortune. After a said, "Is it I, or is it not I?" But she knew not what answer to make
while, as the maid did not come back, and those upstairs were to this, and stood for a time in doubt; at length she thought, "I
thirsty for the beer, the man said to the boy, "Just go down into will go home and ask if it be I, or if it be not I, they will be sure to
the cellar and see where Elsie and the girl are." The boy went know." She ran to the door of her own house, but it was shut; then
down, and there sat Clever Elsie and the girl both weeping she knocked at the window and cried, "Hans, is Elsie within?"
together. Then he asked, "Why are ye weeping?" "Ah," said Elsie, "Yes," answered Hans, "she is within." Hereupon she was terrified,
"have I not reason to weep? If I get Hans, and we have a child, and and said, "Ah, heavens! Then it is not I," and went to another
he grows big, and has to draw beer here, the pick-axe will fall on door; but when the people heard the jingling of the bells they
his head and kill him." Then said the boy, "What a clever Elsie we would not open it, and she could get in nowhere. Then she ran out
have!" and sat down by her, and likewise began to howl loudly. of the village, and no one has seen her since.
Upstairs they waited for the boy, but as he still did not return, the
man said to the woman, "Just go down into the cellar and see
where Elsie is!" The woman went down, and found all three in the 35.—THE TAILOR IN HEAVEN.
midst of their lamentations, and inquired what was the cause; then
Elsie told her also that her future child was to be killed by the ("The Tailor in Heaven" is a farce in the Children's and
pick-axe, when it grew big and had to draw beer, and the pick-axe Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition of
fell down. Then said the mother likewise, "What a clever Elsie we 1819 at position 35 (KHM 35). Wilhelm Grimm first published it
have!" and sat down and wept with them. The man upstairs waited in 1818 after Justus Möser in the magazine "Wünschelruthe" as
a short time, but as his wife did not come back and his thirst grew "The fairy tale of the tailor who went to heaven".The farce is
ever greater, he said, "I must go into the cellar myself and see based on Frey's "Garden Society" and Kirchhof's "Wendunmuth".
where Elsie is." But when he got into the cellar, and they were all Contents: God went to walk in the heavenly garden and took
sitting together crying, and he heard the reason, and that Elsie's everyone except St. Peter. A tailor arrived at the gate. St. Peter
child was the cause, and that Elsie might perhaps bring one into refused to admit him, because he had stolen clothing and because
the world some day, and that it might be killed by the pick-axe, if God had forbidden him to admit anyone. The tailor begged, and
it should happen to be sitting beneath it, drawing beer just at the St. Peter let him sit in the corner to await God. The tailor
very time when it fell down, he cried, "Oh, what a clever Elsie!" wandered off and found the chair where God could see everything
and sat down, and likewise wept with them. The bridegroom on earth. He sat and saw an old woman steal two veils while doing
stayed upstairs alone for a long time; then as no one would come laundry. He threw a golden stool at her. God returned, said that if
back he thought, "They must be waiting for me below; I too must he was that merciless, Heaven would be bare because he would
go there and see what they are about." When he got down, five of have thrown everything at the earth, and threw the tailor out.)
them were sitting screaming and lamenting quite piteously, each
out-doing the other. "What misfortune has happened then?" asked One very fine day it came to pass that the good God wished to
he. "Ah, dear Hans," said Elsie, "if we marry each other and have enjoy himself in the heavenly garden, and took all the apostles and
a child, and he is big, and we perhaps send him here to draw saints with him, so that no one stayed in heaven but Saint Peter.
something to drink, then the pick-axe which has been left up there The Lord had commanded him to let no one in during his absence,
might dash his brains out if it were to fall down, so have we not so Peter stood by the door and kept watch. Before long some one
reason to weep?" "Come," said Hans, "more understanding than knocked. Peter asked who was there, and what he wanted? "I am a
that is not needed for my household, as thou art such a clever Elsie, poor, honest tailor who prays for admission," replied a smooth
I will have thee," and he seized her hand, took her upstairs with voice. "Honest indeed," said Peter, "like the thief on the gallows!
him, and married her. Thou hast been light-fingered and hast snipped folks' clothes away.
After Hans had had her some time, he said, "Wife, I am going Thou wilt not get into heaven. The Lord hath forbidden me to let
out to work and earn some money for us; go into the field and cut any one in while he is out." "Come, do be merciful," cried the
the corn that we may have some bread." "Yes, dear Hans, I will do tailor. "Little scraps which fall off the table of their own accord
that," After Hans had gone away, she cooked herself some good are not stolen, and are not worth speaking about. Look, I am lame,
broth and took it into the field with her. When she came to the and have blisters on my feet with walking here, I cannot possibly
field she said to herself, "What shall I do; shall I shear first, or turn back again. Only let me in, and I will do all the rough work. I
shall I eat first? Oh, I will eat first." Then she emptied her basin of will carry the children, and wash their clothes, and wash and clean
broth, and when she was fully satisfied, she once more said, "What the benches on which they have been playing, and patch all their
shall I do? Shall I shear first, or shall I sleep first? I will sleep torn clothes." Saint Peter let himself be moved by pity, and
first." Then she lay down among the corn and fell asleep. Hans had opened the door of heaven just wide enough for the lame tailor to
been at home for a long time, but Elsie did not come; then said he, slip his lean body in. He was forced to sit down in a corner behind
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the door, and was to stay quietly and peaceably there, in order feeding it enough and as a result are kicked out of the house as
that the Lord, when he returned, might not observe him and be well. Only when the father goes out to feed the goat himself and
angry. The tailor obeyed, but once when Saint Peter went outside discovers that the creature still claims it hasn't eaten enough does
the door, he got up, and full of curiosity, went round about into he realise he misjudged his sons. He takes his razor, shaves the goat
every corner of heaven, and inspected the arrangement of every bare and uses his whip to drive it out of his house. The tailor is left
place. At length he came to a spot where many beautiful and alone in his house longing for his sons' return. The story then
delightful chairs were standing, and in the midst was a seat all of follows each son individually. The first one went to a maker of
gold which was set with shining jewels, likewise it was much furniture and learned the craft. After his service his master gave
higher than the other chairs, and a footstool of gold was before it. him a magic table as a sign of gratitude. Whenever he says "Table,
It was, however, the seat on which the Lord sat when he was at Deck Yourself" the table decks itself with the finest food and wine.
home, and from which he could see everything which happened on The son decides to travel home and show his father what he
earth. The tailor stood still, and looked at the seat for a long time, learned and earned. On his way he visits a local inn, where he
for it pleased him better than all else. At last he could master his demonstrates the powers of the magic table. At night the inn
curiosity no longer, and climbed up and seated himself in the chair. keeper steals the table and switches it for a normal table, without
Then he saw everything which was happening on earth, and the son being aware. When the son arrives home and tries to show
observed an ugly old woman who was standing washing by the the powers of the table to his father nothing happens, which upsets
side of a stream, secretly laying two veils on one side for herself. his father once again. The second son goes to work for a miller.
The sight of this made the tailor so angry that he laid hold of the His master gives him a magical ass who is able to produce gold out
golden footstool, and threw it down to earth through heaven, at of its mouth and behind at the command of "Bricklebrit!" Just like
the old thief. As, however, he could not bring the stool back again, the oldest son, the second son decides to travel home and happens
he slipped quietly out of the chair, seated himself in his place to visit the same inn his brother did. He too demonstrates the
behind the door, and behaved as if he had never stirred from the powers of the ass to the innkeeper who once again steals the
spot. animal at night and replaces it with a normal ass, without the son
When the Lord and master came back again with his heavenly being aware of what happened. When the son arrives home and
companions, he did not see the tailor behind the door, but when tries to show the powers of the ass instead of gold pieces landing
he seated himself on his chair the footstool was missing. He asked on the cloth, it is droppings like an ordinary donkey, which upsets
Saint Peter what had become of the stool, but he did not know. his father once again. The third son went to work for a
Then he asked if he had let any one come in. "I know of no one woodturner and is given a magic cudgel in a bag. Whenever
who has been here," answered Peter, "but a lame tailor, who is someone is injust, the owner of the cudgel just needs to say:
still sitting behind the door." Then the Lord had the tailor "Cudgel, out the sack!" and the object will start clobbering the
brought before him, and asked him if he had taken away the stool, wrongdoer. Only when the owner says: "Cudgel in the sack!" will
and where he had put it? "Oh, Lord," answered the tailor joyously, the thing return in the bag. Just like his brothers, the son visits the
"I threw it in my anger down to earth at an old woman whom I same inn, because he learned from their letters on what had
saw stealing two veils at the washing." "Oh, thou knave," said the happened. Instead of demonstrating the powers of his possession
Lord, "were I to judge as thou judgest, how dost thou think thou he deliberately remains vague about it, making the inn keeper
couldst have escaped so long? I should long ago have had no chairs, curious enough to go out at night and try to look what's in the
benches, seats nay, not even an oven-fork, but should have thrown bag. Anticipating this, the son orders the cudgel to beat the inn
everything down at the sinners. Henceforth thou canst stay no keeper up until he returns everything he has stolen. When the son
longer in heaven, but must go outside the door again. Then go returns home with the table, donkey and cudgel he tells his father
where thou wilt. No one shall give punishment here, but I alone, what had happened and demonstrates the powers of the objects.
the Lord." His father finally makes peace with his sons and they all live a rich
Peter was obliged to take the tailor out of heaven again, and as life ever after. As an epilogue, the story also informs the reader
he had torn shoes, and feet covered with blisters, he took a stick in what happened to the goat. The shaven animal went to hide inside
his hand, and went to "Wait-a-bit," where the good soldiers sit a fox hole. When the fox returned home it was scared away by the
and make merry. goat's eyes. The fox asks a bear for help, but he is also too
frightened to go in. Finally they take a bee along with them, who
stings the goat, causing the animal to run away in pain. The
36.—THE WISHING-TABLE, THE GOLD-ASS, AND THE storyteller concludes that nobody knows where she is now.)
CUDGEL IN THE SACK.
There was once upon a time a tailor who had three sons, and
("The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack" only one goat. But as the goat supported the whole of them with
is a fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. Stith Thompson indicated her milk, she was obliged to have good food, and to be taken every
that the oldest attestation of the tale was a collection of Chinese day to pasture. The sons, therefore, did this, in turn. Once the
Buddhistic legends of the 6th century. eldest took her to the churchyard, where the finest herbs were to
Content: A tailor had three sons who were all fed by the milk of be found, and let her eat and run about there. At night when it
their goat. The oldest son was given the task to let the animal was time to go home he asked, "Goat, hast thou had enough?" The
graze at the finest grass fields. At the end of the day the son asked goat answered,
the goat whether it had eaten enough and the animal confirmed "I have eaten so much,
this. However, when they returned home the goat claimed the Not a leaf more I'll touch, meh! meh!"
opposite, causing the tailor to get upset and drive his son out of "Come home, then," said the youth, and took hold of the cord
the house. This pattern repeats itself with the second oldest and round her neck, led her into the stable and tied her up securely.
youngest son too, who are also falsely blamed by the goat for not "Well," said the old tailor, "has the goat had as much food as she
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ought?" "Oh," answered the son, "she has eaten so much, not a "Wherewithal should I be satisfied?
leaf more she'll touch." But the father wished to satisfy himself, Among the graves I leapt about,
and went down to the stable, stroked the dear animal and asked, And found no leaves, so went without, meh! meh!"
"Goat, art thou satisfied?" The goat answered, When the tailor heard that, he was shocked, and saw clearly that
"Wherewithal should I be satisfied? he had driven away his three sons without cause. "Wait, thou
Among the graves I leapt about. ungrateful creature," cried he, "it is not enough to drive thee forth,
And found no food, so went without, meh! meh!" I will mark thee so that thou wilt no more dare to show thyself
"What do I hear?" cried the tailor, and ran upstairs and said to amongst honest tailors." In great haste he ran upstairs, fetched his
the youth, "Hollo, thou liar; thou saidst the goat had had enough, razor, lathered the goat's head, and shaved her as clean as the palm
and hast let her hunger!" and in his anger he took the yard- of his hand. And as the yard-measure would have been too good
measure from the wall, and drove him out with blows. for her, he brought the horsewhip, and gave her such cuts with it
Next day it was the turn of the second son, who looked out for a that she ran away in violent haste.
place in the fence of the garden, where nothing but good herbs When the tailor was thus left quite alone in his house he fell into
grew, and the goat cleared them all off. At night when he wanted great grief, and would gladly have had his sons back again, but no
to go home, he asked, "Goat, art thou satisfied?" The goat one knew whither they were gone. The eldest had apprenticed
answered, himself to a joiner, and learnt industriously and indefatigably, and
"I have eaten so much, when the time came for him to go travelling*, his master presented
Not a leaf more I'll touch, meh! meh!" him with a little table which had no particular appearance, and
"Come home, then," said the youth, and led her home, and tied was made of common wood, but it had one good property; if any
her up in the stable. "Well," said the old tailor, "has the goat had one set it out, and said, "Little table, spread thyself," the good
as much, food as she ought?" "Oh," answered the son, "she has little table was at once covered with a clean little cloth, and a plate
eaten so much, not a leaf more she'll touch." The tailor would not was there, and a knife and fork beside it, and dishes with boiled
rely on this, but went down to the stable and said, "Goat, hast meats and roasted meats, as many as there was room for, and a
thou had enough?" The goat answered, great glass of red wine shone so that it made the heart glad. 1.
"Wherewithal should I be satisfied? [* On the completion of his apprenticeship (Lehrjahire) a
Among the graves I leapt about. German artisan's travels (Wanderjahre) begin. This is a certain
And found no food, so went without, meh! meh!" period during which he is obliged by law, or custom, to travel
"The godless wretch!" cried the tailor, "to let such a good about from place to place, to perfect his knowledge of his craft. He
animal hunger," and he ran up and drove the youth out of doors cannot become a master until he has gone through this.].
with the yard-measure. The young journeyman thought, "With this thou hast enough
Now came the turn of the third son, who wanted to do the thing for thy whole life," and went joyously about the world and never
well, and sought out some bushes with the finest leaves, and let the troubled himself at all whether an inn was good or bad, or if
goat devour them. In the evening when he wanted to go home, he anything was to be found in it or not. When it suited him he did
asked, "Goat, hast thou had enough?" The goat answered, not enter an inn at all, but either in the plain, in a wood, a
"I have eaten so much, meadow, or wherever he fancied, he took his little table off his
Not a leaf more I'll touch, meh! meh!" back, set it down before him, and said, "Cover thyself," and then
"Come home, then," said the youth, and led her into the stable, everything appeared that his heart desired. At length he took it
and tied her up. "Well," said the old tailor, "has the goat had a into his head to go back to his father, whose anger would now be
proper amount of food?" "She has eaten so much, not a leaf more appeased, and who would now willingly receive him with his
she'll touch." The tailor did not trust to that, but went down and wishing-table. It came to pass that on his way home, he came one
asked, "Goat, hast thou had enough?" The wicked beast answered, evening to an inn which was filled with guests. They bade him
"Wherewithal should I be satisfied? welcome, and invited him to sit and eat with them, for otherwise
Among the graves I leapt about, he would have difficulty in getting anything. "No," answered the
And found no leaves, so went without, meh! meh!" joiner, "I will not take the few bites out of your mouths; rather
"Oh, the brood of liars!" cried the tailor, "each as wicked and than that, you shall be my guests." They laughed, and thought he
forgetful of his duty as the other! Ye shall no longer make a fool of was jesting with them; he, however, placed his wooden table in the
me," and, quite beside himself with anger, he ran upstairs and middle of the room, and said, "Little table, cover thyself."
belaboured the poor young fellow so vigorously with the yard- Instantly it was covered with food, so good that the host could
measure that he sprang out of the house. never have procured it, and the smell of it ascended pleasantly to
The old tailor was now alone with his goat. Next morning he the nostrils of the guests. "Fall to, dear friends," said the joiner;
went down into the stable, caressed the goat and said, "Come, my and the guests when they saw that he meant it, did not need to be
dear little animal, I will take thee to feed myself." He took her by asked twice, but drew near, pulled out their knives and attacked it
the rope and conducted her to green hedges, and amongst milfoil, valiantly. And what surprised them the most was that when a dish
and whatever else goats like to eat. "There thou mayest for once became empty, a full one instantly took its place of its own accord.
eat to thy heart's content," said he to her, and let her browse till The innkeeper stood in one corner and watched the affair; he did
evening. Then he asked, "Goat, art thou satisfied?" she replied, not at all know what to say, but thought, "Thou couldst easily
"I have eaten so much, find a use for such a cook as that in thy kitchen." The joiner and
Not a leaf more I'll touch, meh! meh!" his comrades made merry until late into the night; at length they
"Come home, then," said the tailor, and led her into the stable, lay down to sleep, and the young apprentice also went to bed, and
and tied her fast. When he was going away, he turned round again set his magic table against the wall. The host's thoughts, however,
and said, "Well, art thou satisfied for once?" But the goat did not let him have no rest; it occurred to him that there was a little old
behave better to him, and cried, table in his lumber-room, which looked just like the apprentice's,
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and he brought it out quite softly, and exchanged it for the left by a knot in the wood. The stranger spread out the cloth under
wishing-table. Next morning, the joiner paid for his bed, took up the animal and cried, "Bricklebrit," and immediately the beast
his table, never thinking that he had got a false one, and went his began to let gold pieces fall, so that it fairly rained down money
way. At mid-day he reached his father, who received him with on the ground. "Eh, my word," said the host, "ducats are quickly
great joy. "Well, my dear son, what hast thou learnt?" said he to coined there! A purse like that is not amiss." The guest paid his
him. "Father, I have become a joiner." score, and went to bed, but in the night the host stole down into
" A good trade," replied the old man;" but what hast thou the stable, led away the master of the mint, and tied up another ass
brought back with thee from thy apprenticeship?" "Father, the in his place. Early next morning the apprentice travelled away
best thing which I have brought back with me is this little table." with his ass, and thought that he had his gold-ass. At mid-day he
The tailor inspected it on all sides and said, "Thou didst not make reached his father, who rejoiced to see him again, and gladly took
a masterpiece* when thou mad'st that; it is a bad old table." him in. "What hast thou made of thyself, my son?" asked the old
[* Masterpiece—the piece of work which a journeyman has to man. "A miller, dear father," he answered. "What hast thou
make at the end of his Wanderjahre to prove his right to become a brought back with thee from thy travels?" "Nothing else but an
master craftsman.] ass." "There are asses enough here," said the father, "I would
"But it is a table which furnishes itself," replied the son. "When I rather have had a good goat." "Yes," replied the son, "but it is no
set it out, and tell it to cover itself, the most beautiful dishes stand common ass, but a gold-ass, when I say 'Bricklebrit,' the good
on it, and a wine also, which gladdens the heart. Just invite all our beast opens its mouth and drops a whole sheetful of gold pieces.
relations and friends, they shall refresh and enjoy themselves for Just summon all our relations hither, and I will make them rich
once, for the table will give them all they require." When the folks." "That suits me well," said the tailor, for then I shall have
company was assembled, he put his table in the middle of the room no need to torment myself any longer with the needle," and ran
and said, "Little table, cover thyself," but the little table did not out himself and called the relations together. As soon as they were
bestir itself, and remained just as bare as any other table which did assembled, the miller bade them make way, spread out his cloth,
not understand language. Then the poor apprentice became aware and brought the ass into the room. "Now watch," said he, and
that his table had been changed, and was ashamed at having to cried, "Bricklebrit," but no gold pieces fell, and it was clear that
stand there like a liar. The relations, however, mocked him, and the animal knew nothing of the art, for every ass does not attain
were forced to go home without having eaten or drunk. The father such perfection. Then the poor miller pulled a long face, saw that
brought out his patches again, and went on tailoring, but the son he was betrayed, and begged pardon of the relatives, who went
went to a master in the craft. home as poor as they came. There was no help for it, the old man
The second son had gone to a miller and had apprenticed himself had to betake him to his needle once more, and the youth hired
to him. When his years were over, the master said, "As thou hast himself to a miller.
conducted thyself so well, I give thee an ass of a peculiar kind, The third brother had apprenticed himself to a turner, and as
which neither draws a cart nor carries a sack." "To what use is he that is skilled labour, he was the longest in learning. His brothers,
put, then?" asked the young apprentice. "He lets gold drop from however, told him in a letter how badly things had gone with
his mouth," answered the miller. "If thou settest him on a cloth them, and how the inn-keeper had cheated them of their beautiful
and sayest 'Bricklebrit,' the good animal will drop gold pieces for wishing-gifts on the last evening before they reached home. When
thee." "That is a fine thing," said the apprentice, and thanked the the turner had served his time, and had to set out on his travels, as
master, and went out into the world. When he had need of gold, he he had conducted himself so well, his master presented him with a
had only to say "Bricklebrit" to his ass, and it rained gold pieces, sack and said, "There is a cudgel in it." "I can put on the sack,"
and he had nothing to do but pick them off the ground. said he, "and it may be of good service to me, but why should the
Wheresoever he went, the best of everything was good enough for cudgel be in it? It only makes it heavy." "I will tell thee why,"
him, and the dearer the better, for he had always a full purse. replied the master; "if any one has done anything to injure thee,
When he had looked about the world for some time, he thought, do but say, 'Out of the sack. Cudgel!' and the cudgel will leap forth
"Thou must seek out thy father, if thou goest to him with the among the people, and play such a dance on their backs that they
gold-ass he will forget his anger, and receive thee well." It came to will not be able to stir or move for a week, and it will not leave off
pass that he came to the same public-house in which his brother's until thou sayest, "Into the sack, Cudgel!" The apprentice thanked
table had been exchanged. He led his ass by the bridle, and the host him, put the sack on his back, and when any one came too near
was about to take the animal from him and tie him up, but the him, and wished to attack him, he said, "Out of the sack, Cudgel!"
young apprentice said, " Don't trouble yourself, I will take my and instantly the cudgel sprang out, and dusted the coat or jacket
grey horse into the stable, and tie him up myself too, for I must of one after the other on their backs, and never stopped until it
know where he stands." This struck the host as odd, and he had stripped it off them, and it was done so quickly, that before
thought that a man who was forced to look after his ass himself, any one was aware, it was already his own turn. In the evening the
could not have much to spend; but when the stranger put his hand young turner reached the inn where his brothers had been cheated.
in his pocket and brought out two gold pieces, and said he was to He laid his sack on the table before him, and began to talk of all
provide something good for him, the host opened his eyes wide, the wonderful things which he had seen in the world. "Yes," said
and ran and sought out the best he could muster. After dinner the he, "people may easily find a table which will cover itself, a gold-
guest asked what he owed. The host did not see why he should not ass, and things of that kind—extremely good things which I by no
double the reckoning, and said the apprentice must give two more means despise—but these are nothing in comparison with the
gold pieces. He felt in his pocket, but his gold was just at an end. treasure which I have won for myself, and am carrying about with
"Wait an instant, sir host," said he, "I will go and fetch some me in my sack there." The inn-keeper pricked up his ears, "What
money;" but he took the table-cloth with him. The host could not in the world can that be?" thought he; "the sack must be filled
imagine what this could mean, and being curious, stole after him, with nothing but jewels; I ought to get them cheap too, for all
and as the guest bolted the stable-door, he peeped through a hole good things go in threes." When it was time for sleep, the guest
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stretched himself on the bench, and laid his sack beneath him for a have nothing to do with the furious beast, and took to his heels.
pillow. When the inn-keeper thought his guest was lying in a The bee met him, and as she saw that he was ill at ease, she said,
sound sleep, he went to him and pushed and pulled quite gently "Bear, thou art really pulling a very pitiful face; what has become
and carefully at the sack to see if he could possibly draw it away of all thy gaiety?" "It is all very well for thee to talk," replied the
and lay another in its place. The turner had, however, been bear, "a furious beast with staring eyes is in Redskin's house, and
waiting for this for a long time, and now just as the inn-keeper we can't drive him out." The bee said, "Bear, I pity thee, I am a
was about to give a hearty tug, he cried, "Out of the sack. poor weak creature whom thou wouldst not turn aside to look at,
Cudgel!" Instantly the little cudgel came forth, and fell on the inn- but still, I believe, I can help thee." She flew into the fox's cave,
keeper, and gave him a sound thrashing. lighted on the goat's smoothly-shorn head, and stung her so
The host cried for mercy; but the louder he cried, so much the violently, that she sprang up, crying "Meh, meh," and ran forth
more heavily the cudgel beat the time on his back, until at length into the world as if mad, and to this hour no one knows where she
he fell to the ground exhausted. Then the turner said, "If thou dost has gone.
not give back the table which covers itself, and the gold-ass, the
dance shall begin afresh." "Oh, no," cried the host, quite humbly,
"I will gladly produce everything, only make the accursed kobold 37.—THUMBLING.
creep back into the sack." Then said the apprentice, "I will let
mercy take the place of justice, but beware of getting into mischief ("Thumbling" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in
again!" So he cried, "Into the sack, Cudgel!" and let him have rest. Grimm's fairy tales in the second edition, 1819 (KHM 37).
Next morning the turner went home to his father with the Contents: A poor childless peasant couple wishes for a child "no
wishing-table, and the gold-ass. The tailor rejoiced when he saw matter how small" aloud. Seven months later the wife has a small
him once more, and asked him likewise what he had learned in child "no longer than a thumb" which they call "Thumbling" and
foreign parts. "Dear father," said he, "I have become a turner." "A who becomes a "wise and nimble creature." Thumbling as he
skilled trade," said the father. "What hast thou brought back with grows wishes to help his father in the chores so one day asks if he
thee from thy travels?" can lead their horse to where his father is working by sitting in the
"A precious thing, dear father," replied the son, "a cudgel in the horse's ear and giving it directions. As Thumbling performs this
sack." chore, two strange men notice the horse being led by a loud voice,
"What!" cried the father, "a cudgel! That's worth thy trouble, and when they find out the voice belongs to a person sitting in the
indeed! From every tree thou canst cut thyself one." "But not one horse's ear, ask the peasant if they can buy Thumbling to "make a
like this, dear father. If I say 'Out of the sack. Cudgel!' the cudgel fortune" in exhibiting the little man. Thumbling convinces the
springs out and leads any one who means ill with me a weary dance, peasant to take the money and leaves with the men by sitting on
and never stops until he lies on the ground and prays for fair the brim of one of the men's hats. Then after a while Thumbling
weather. Look you, with this cudgel have I got back the wishing- tricks the men into letting him down and he goes to hide in a
table and the gold-ass which the thievish inn-keeper took away mouse hole. Later in the night Thumbling tries to sleep in a snail
from my brothers. Now let them both be sent for, and invite all shell but is awakened by the sound of robbers plotting to rob a
our kinsmen. I will give them to eat and to drink, and will fill pastor's house. Thumbling yells out to them to take him along and
their pockets with gold into the bargain." The old tailor would he will help them rob it, by going into the house and handing
not quite believe, but nevertheless got the relatives together. Then things out to them. The robbers agree to carry him to the pastor
the turner spread a cloth in the room and led in the gold-ass, and and Thumbling makes much noise in the house pretending to help
said to his brother, "Now, dear brother, speak to him." The miller the robbers steal. Thumbling wakes people up by yelling things
said, "Bricklebrit," and instantly the gold pieces fell down on the like "What do you want? Do you want everything...?" making the
cloth like a thunder-shower, and the ass did not stop until every robbery very obvious. A maid wakes up and scares off the robbers
one of them had so much that he could carry no more. (I can see in but does not see Thumbling. Thumbling gets a good night sleep in
thy face that thou also wouldst have liked to be there.) the hay. However, in the morning the maid feeds the hay that he
Then the turner brought the little table, and said, "Now, dear was sleeping in to the cow. Thumbling begins to yell from the
brother, speak to it." And scarcely had the carpenter said, "Table, cow's stomach but the pastor thinks that an "evil spirit" had
cover thyself," than it was spread and amply covered with the most entered the cow, and has it killed. The cow's stomach is thrown
exquisite dishes. Then such a meal took place as the good tailor into a dung heap, and before Thumbling climbs all the way out of
had never yet known in his house, and the whole party of kinsmen the stomach, a wolf eats it. Thumbling, now inside of the wolf's
stayed together till far in the night, and were all merry and glad. stomach, persuades the wolf to take him home to his parents' on
The tailor locked away needle and thread, yard-measure and goose, pretense of eating everything there. His parents kill the wolf to get
in a press, and lived with his three sons in joy and splendour. Thumbling out and promise never to sell him again, not for "all
(What, however, has become of the goat who was to blame for the riches in the world." They give him food, drink and new
the tailor driving out his three sons? That I will tell thee. She was clothes.)
ashamed that she had a bald head, and ran to a fox's hole and crept There was once a poor peasant who sat in the evening by the
into it. When the fox came home, he was met by two great eyes hearth and poked the fire, and his wife sat and span. Then said he,
shining out of the darkness, and was terrified and ran away. A "How sad it is that we have no children! With us all is so quiet,
bear met him, and as the fox looked quite disturbed, he said, and in other houses it is noisy and lively."
"What is the matter with thee, brother Fox, why dost thou look "Yes," replied the wife, and sighed, "even if we had only one, and
like that?" "Ah," answered Redskin, "a fierce beast is in my cave it were quite small, and only as big as a thumb, I should be quite
and stared at me with its fiery eyes." "We will soon drive him out," satisfied, and we would still love it with all our hearts." Now it so
said the bear, and went with him to the cave and looked in, but happened that woman fell ill, and after seven months, gave birth
when he saw the fiery eyes, fear seized on him likewise; he would to a child, that was perfect in all its limbs, but no longer than a
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thumb. Then said they, "It is as we wished it to be, and it shall be he heard two men go by, and one of them was saying, "How shall
our dear child;" and because of its size, they called it Thumbling. we contrive to get hold of the rich pastor's silver and gold?" "I
They did not let it want for food, but the child did not grow taller, could tell thee that," cried Thumbling, interrupting them. "What
but remained as it had been at the first, nevertheless it looked was that?" said one of the thieves in a fright, "I heard some one
sensibly out of its eyes, and soon showed itself to be a wise and speaking." They stood still listening, and Thumbling spoke again,
nimble creature, for everything it did turned out well. and said, "Take me with you, and I'll help you."
One day the peasant was getting ready to go into the. forest to "But where art thou?" "Just look on the ground, and observe
cut wood, when he said as if to himself, "How I wish that there was from whence my voice comes," he replied. There the thieves at
any one who would bring the cart to me!" "Oh, father," cried length found him, and lifted him up. "Thou little imp, how wilt
Thumbling, "I will soon bring the cart, rely on that; it shall be in thou help us?" they said. "A great deal," said he, "I will creep into
the forest at the appointed time." The man smiled and said, "How the pastor's room through the iron bars, and will reach out to you
can that be done, thou art far too small to lead the horse by the whatever you want to have." "Come then," they said, "and we will
reins?" "That's of no consequence, father, if my mother will only see what thou canst do." When they got to the pastor's house,
harness it, I will sit in the horse's ear, and call out to him how he is Thumbling crept into the room, but instantly cried out with all
to go." "Well," answered the man, "for once we will try it." his might, "Do you want to have everything that is here?" The
When the time came, the mother harnessed the horse, and placed thieves were alarmed, and said, "But do speak softly, so as not to
Thumbling in its ear, and then the little creature cried "Gee up, waken any one!" Thumbling, however, behaved as if he had not
gee up!" understood this, and cried again, "What do you want? Do you
Then it went quite properly as if with its master, and the cart want to have everything that is here?" The cook, who slept in the
went the right way into the forest. It so happened that just as he next room, heard this and sat up in bed, and listened. The thieves,
was turning a corner, and the little one was crying "Gee up," two however, had in their fright run some distance away, but at last
strange men came towards him. "My word!" said one of them. they took courage, and thought, "The little rascal wants to mock
"What is this? There is a cart coming, and a driver is calling to the us." They came back and whispered to him, "Come, be serious, and
horse, and still he is not to be seen!" "That can't be right," said the reach something out to us." Then Thumbling again cried as loudly
other, "we will follow the cart and see where it stops." The cart, as he could, "I really will give you everything, only put your hands
however, drove right into the forest, and exactly to the place in." The maid who was listening, heard this quite distinctly, and
where the wood had been cut. When Thumbling saw his father, he jumped out of bed and rushed to the door. The thieves took flight,
cried to him, "Seest thou, father, here I am with the cart; now take and ran as if the Wild Huntsman were behind them, but as the
me down." The father got hold of the horse with his left hand, and maid could not see anything, she went to strike a light. When she
with the right took his little son out of the ear. Thumbling sat came to the place with it, Thumbling, unperceived, betook himself
down quite merrily on a straw, but when the two strange men saw to the granary, and the maid, after she had examined every corner
him, they did not know what to say for astonishment. Then one of and found nothing, lay down in her bed again, and believed that,
them took the other aside and said, "Hark, the little fellow would after all, she had only been dreaming with open eyes and ears.
make our fortune if we exhibited him in a large town, for money. Thumbling had climbed up among the hay and found a beautiful
We will buy him." They went to the peasant and said, "Sell us the place to sleep in; there he intended to rest until day, and then go
little man. He shall be well treated with us." "No," replied the home again to his parents. But he had other things to go through.
father, "he is the apple of my eye, and all the money in the world Truly there is much affliction and misery in this world! When day
cannot buy him from me." Thumbling, however, when he heard of dawned, the maid arose from her bed to feed the cows. Her first
the bargain, had crept up the folds of his father's coat, placed walk was into the barn, where she laid hold of an armful of hay,
himself on his shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "Father, do give and precisely that very one in which poor Thumbling was lying
me away, I will soon come back again." Then the father parted asleep. He, however, was sleeping so soundly that he was aware of
with him to the two men for a handsome bit of money. "Where nothing, and did not awake until he was in the mouth of the cow,
wilt thou sit?" they said to him. "Oh, just set me on the rim of who had picked him up with the hay. "Ah, heavens!" cried he,
your hat, and then I can walk backwards and forwards and look at "how have I got into the fulling mill?" but he soon discovered
the country, and still not fall down." They did as he wished, and where he was. Then it was necessary to be careful not to let himself
when Thumbling had taken leave of his father, they went away go between the teeth and be dismembered, but he was nevertheless
with him. They walked until it was dusk, and then the little fellow forced to slip down into the stomach with the hay. "In this little
said, "Do take me down, I want to come down." The man took his room the windows are forgotten," said he, "and no sun shines in,
hat off, and put the little fellow on the ground by the wayside, and neither will a candle be brought." His quarters were especially
he leapt and crept about a little between the sods, and then he unpleasing to him, and the worst was, more and more hay was
suddenly slipped into a mouse-hole which he had sought out. always coming in by the door, and the space grew less and less.
"Good evening, gentlemen, just go home without me," he cried to Then, at length in his anguish, he cried as loud as he could, "Bring
them, and mocked them. They ran thither and stuck their sticks me no more fodder, bring me no more fodder." The maid was just
into the mouse-hole, but it was all lost labour. Thumbling crept milking the cow, and when she heard some one speaking, and saw
still farther in, and as it soon became quite dark, they were forced no one, and perceived that it was the same voice that she had heard
to go home with their vexation and their empty purses. in the night, she was so terrified that she slipped off her stool, and
When Thumbling saw that they were gone, he crept back out of spilt the milk. She ran in the greatest haste to her master, and said,
the subterranean passage. "It is so dangerous to walk on the "Oh, heavens, pastor, the cow has been speaking!" "Thou art
ground in the dark," said he; "how easily a neck or a leg is mad," replied the pastor; but he went himself to the byre to see
broken!" Fortunately he knocked against an empty snail-shell. what was there. Hardly, however, had he set his foot inside than
"Thank God!" said he. "In that I can pass the night in safety," and Thumbling again cried, "Bring me no more fodder, bring me no
got into it. Not long afterwards, when he was just going to sleep, more fodder." Then the pastor himself was alarmed, and thought
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that an evil spirit had gone into the cow, and ordered her to be lion. She rejects them because they do not have red pants and a
killed. She was killed, but the stomach, in which Thumbling was, pointed face. When a fox arrives and meets her requirements, she
was thrown on the midden. Thumbling had great difficulty in agrees to marry him and laments her first husband's selfishness.)
working his way; however, he succeeded so far as to get some room,
but, just as he was going to thrust his head out, a new misfortune First Story.
occurred. A hungry wolf ran thither, and swallowed the whole There was once on a time an old fox with nine tails, who believed
stomach at one gulp. Thumbling did not lose courage. "Perhaps," that his wife was not faithful to him, and wished to try her. He
thought he, "the wolf will listen to what I have got to say," and he stretched himself out under the bench, did not move a limb, and
called to him from out of his stomach, "Dear wolf, I know of a behaved as if he were stone dead. Mrs. Fox went up to her room,
magnificent feast for thee." shut herself in, and her maid. Miss Cat, sat by the fire, and did the
"Where is it to be had?" said the wolf. cooking. When it became known that the old fox was dead, wooers
"In such and such a house; thou must creep into it through the presented themselves. The maid heard some one standing at the
kitchen-sink, and wilt find cakes, and bacon, and sausages, and as house-door, knocking. She went and opened it, and it was a young
much of them as thou canst eat," and he described to him exactly fox, who said,
his father's house. The wolf did not require to be told this twice, "What may you be about, Miss Cat?
squeezed himself in at night through the sink, and ate to his heart's Do you sleep or do you wake?"
content in the larder. When he had eaten his fill, he wanted to go She answered,
out again, but he had become so big that he could not go out by "I am not sleeping, I am waking,
the same way. Thumbling had reckoned on this, and now began to Wouldst thou know what I am making?
make a violent noise in the wolf's body, and raged and screamed as I am boiling warm beer with butter so nice,
loudly as he could. "Wilt thou be quiet," said the wolf, "thou wilt Will the gentleman enter and drink some likewise?"
waken up the people!" "Eh, what," replied the little fellow, "thou "No, thank you, miss," said the fox, "what is Mrs. Fox doing?"
hast eaten thy fill, and I will make merry likewise," and began The maid replied,
once more to scream with all his strength. At last his father and "She sits all alone,
mother were aroused by it, and ran to the room and looked in And makes her moan.
through the opening in the door. When they saw that a wolf was Weeping her little eyes quite red,
inside, they ran away, and the husband fetched his axe, and the Because old Mr. Fox is dead."
wife the scythe. "Stay behind," said the man, when they entered "Do just tell her, miss, that a young fox is here, who would like
the room. "When I have given him a blow, if he is not killed by it, to woo her." "Certainly, young sir."
thou must cut him down and hew his body to pieces." Then The cat goes up the stairs trip, trap,
Thumbling heard his parents' voices, and cried, "Dear father, I am The door she knocks at tap, tap, tap,
here; I am in the wolfs body." Said the father, full of joy, "Thank "Mistress Fox, are you inside?"
God, our dear child has found us again," and bade the woman "Oh yes, my little cat," she cried.
take away her scythe, that Thumbling might not be hurt with it. "A wooer he stands at the door out there."
After that he raised his arm, and struck the wolf such a blow on his "Tell me what he is like, my dear?"
head that he fell down dead, and then they got knives and scissors "But has he nine as beautiful tails as the late Mr. Fox?" "Oh,
and cut his body open, and drew the little fellow forth. "Ah," said no," answered the cat, "he has only one."
the father, "what sorrow we have gone through for thy sake." "Then I will not have him." Miss Cat went downstairs and sent
"Yes, father, I have gone about the world a great deal. Thank the wooer away. Soon afterwards there was another knock, and
heaven, I breathe fresh air again!" "Where hast thou been, then?" another fox was at the door who wished to woo Mrs. Fox. He had
"Ah, father, I have been in a mouse's hole, in a cow's stomach, and two tails, but he did not fare better than the first. After this still
then in a wolf's; now I will stay with you." "And we will not sell more came, each with one tail more than the other, but they were
thee again, no, not for all the riches in the world," said his parents, all turned away, until at last one came who had nine tails, like old
and they embraced and kissed their dear Thumbling. They gave Mr. Fox. When the widow heard that, she said joyfully to the cat,
him to eat and to drink, and had some new clothes made for him, "Now open the gates and doors all wide,
for his own had been spoiled on his journey. And carry old Mr. Fox outside."
But just as the wedding was going to be solemnised, old Mr. Fox
stirred under the bench, and cudgelled all the rabble, and drove
38.—THE WEDDING OF MRS. FOX. them and Mrs. Fox out of the house.
("The Wedding of Mrs. Fox" (German: Die Hochzeit der Frau Second Story.
Füchsin) is a set of two fairy tales collected under the same title by When old Mr. Fox was dead, the wolf came as a wooer, and
the Brothers Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales as number 38. It was knocked at the door, and the cat who was servant to Mrs. Fox,
included in all editions. The second version of the tale was told to opened it for him. The wolf greeted her, and said,
the Grimms by Ludovico Brentano Jordis, who also wrote down "Good day, Mrs. Cat of Kehrewit,
"The Lion and the Frog" for the brothers. How comes it that alone you sit?
Contents: In the first version of the story, Mr. Fox has nine tails. What are you making good?"
He feigns death to test his wife's fidelity. Mrs. Fox rejects all the The cat replied,
fox suitors that have fewer than nine tails. When she gets engaged "In milk I'm breaking bread so sweet,
to another fox with nine tails, Mr. Fox arises and throws everyone Will the gentleman please to come in and eat?"
out of his house, including his wife. In the second version, Mr. Fox "No, thank you, Mrs. Cat," answered the wolf. "Is Mrs. Fox not
dies, and Mrs. Fox is suited by a dog, a deer, a hare, a bear, and a at home?"
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
The cat said, the neighbor's advice, she puts him on the stove and boils water in
"She sits upstairs in her room, two eggshells to make him laugh. Then he says: "Now I'm as old /
Bewailing her sorrowful doom, as the Westerwald, / and I didn't see anyone cooking in bowls,"
Bewailing her trouble so sore, and laughs, whereupon the elves bring the right child back.)
For old Mr. Fox is no more."
The wolf answered, First Story.
"If she's in want of a husband now, A shoemaker, by no fault of his own, had become so poor that at
Then will it please her to step below?" last he had nothing left but leather for one pair of shoes. So in the
The cat runs quickly up the stair, evening, he cut out the shoes which he wished to begin to make the
And lets her tail fly here and there, next morning, and as he had a good conscience, he lay down
Until she comes to the parlour door. quietly in his bed, commended himself to God, and fell asleep. In
With her five gold rings at the door she knocks, the morning, after he had said his prayers, and was just going to
"Are you within, good Mistress Fox? sit down to work, the two shoes stood quite finished on his table.
If you're in want of a husband now. He was astounded, and did not know what to say to it. He took
Then will it please you to step below?" the shoes in his hands to observe them closer, and they were so
Mrs. Fox asked, "Has the gentleman red stockings on and has he neatly made that there was not one bad stitch in them, just as if
a pointed mouth?" "No," answered the cat. "Then he won't do for they were intended as a masterpiece. Soon after, too, a buyer came
me." in, and as the shoes pleased him so well, he paid more for them
When the wolf was gone, came a dog, a stag, a hare, a bear, a than was customary, and, with the money, the shoemaker was able
lion, and all the beasts of the forest, one after the other. But one of to purchase leather for two pairs of shoes. He cut them out at
the good points which old Mr. Fox had possessed, was always night, and next morning was about to set to work with fresh
lacking, and the cat had continually to send the wooers away. At courage; but he had no need to do so, for, when he got up, they
length came a young fox. Then Mrs. Fox said, "Has the gentleman were already made, and buyers also were not wanting, who gave
red stockings on, and has he a little pointed mouth?" "Yes," said him money enough to buy leather for four pairs of shoes. The
the cat, "he has." "Then let him come upstairs," said Mrs. Fox, following morning, too, he found the four pairs made; and so it
and ordered the servant to prepare the wedding-feast. went on constantly, what he cut out in the evening was finished by
"Sweep me the room as clean as you can, the morning, so that he soon had his honest independence again,
Up with the window, fling out my old man! and at last became a wealthy man. Now it befell that one evening
For many a fine fat mouse he brought, not long before Christmas, when the man had been cutting out, he
Yet of his wife he never thought, said to his wife, before going to bed, "What think you if we were
But ate up every one he caught." to stay up to-night to see who it is that lends us this helping
Then the wedding was solemnised with young Mr. Fox, and hand?" The woman liked the idea, and lighted a candle, and then
there was much rejoicing and dancing; and if they have not left off, they hid themselves in a corner of the room, behind some clothes
they are dancing still. which were hanging up there, and watched. When it was midnight,
two pretty little naked men came, sat down by the shoemaker's
table, took all the work which was cut out before them and began
39.—THE ELVES. to stitch, and sew, and hammer so skilfully and so quickly with
their little fingers that the shoemaker could not turn away his eyes
("The Elves and The Shoemaker" (German: Die Wichtelmänner) for astonishment. They did not stop until all was done, and stood
is a set of three fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm (KHM finished on the table, and then they ran quickly away.
39) about a poor shoemaker who receives much-needed help from Next morning the woman said, "The little men have made us rich,
three young helpful elves. The tales come from Hesse (from and we really must show that we are grateful for it. They run
Dortchen Wild). In her translation of 1884, Margaret Hunt chose about so, and have nothing on, and must be cold. I'll tell thee what
"The Elves" as title for these three stories. I'll do: I will make them little shirts, and coats, and vests, and
Content 1: A poor, honest shoemaker leaves his last cut leather trousers, and knit both of them a pair of stockings, and do thou,
on the table in the evening. The next morning he finds an too, make them two little pairs of shoes." The man said, "I shall be
immaculate pair of shoes. The buyer also pays more than usual for very glad to do it;" and one night, when everything was ready,
it. So now he can buy leather for two pairs, and this goes on until they laid their presents all together on the table instead of the cut-
he is wealthy. One night he stays up with his wife and sees two out work, and then concealed themselves to see how the little men
small, naked men making shoes. On his wife's idea, next time they would behave. At midnight they came bounding in, and wanted to
lay out clothes and shoes for the elves. They put them on and sing, get to work at once, but as they did not find any leather cut out,
"Aren't we boys smooth and dapper? Why should we be cobblers but only the pretty little articles of clothing, they were at first
any longer?" Then they dance out and don't come back. The astonished, and then they showed intense delight. They dressed
shoemaker is doing well for life. themselves with the greatest rapidity, putting the pretty clothes on,
Content 2: A poor, hard-working maid finds a written invitation and singing,
from elves to be her godmother. At the persuasion of his ruler, he "Now we are boys so fine to see,
goes with three elves into a hollow mountain where everything is Why should we longer cobblers be?"
small and splendid. At her request, she rejoices for three days and Then they danced and skipped and leapt over chairs and benches.
goes with her pockets full of gold. The rulers at home are already At last they danced out of doors. From that time forth they came
dead, for it was seven years. no more, but as long as the shoemaker lived all went well with him,
Content 3: A mother's newborn child was traded by elves for a and all his undertakings prospered.
big-headed, staring-eyed changeling who only eats and drinks. On
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Second Story. the old woman protects her and hides her behind a cask. A band of
There was once a poor servant-girl, who was industrious and robbers arrives with a young woman whom they kill and prepare
cleanly, and swept the house every day, and emptied her sweepings to eat. When one chops off a finger to get at the golden ring on it,
on the great heap in front of the door. One morning when she was the finger and ring fly through the air and land in the lap of the
just going back to her work, she found a letter on this heap, and as hiding woman. The old woman discourages the group from
she could not read, she put her broom in the corner, and took the searching for it, because "neither the finger nor the ring are likely
letter to her master and mistress, and behold it was an invitation to run away: they will find it in the morning."
from the elves, who asked the girl to hold a child for them at its The old woman then drugs the robbers' wine. As soon as they fall
christening. The girl did not know what to do, but at length, after asleep, the two living women flee. Although wind has blown away
much persuasion, and as they told her that it was not right to the ashes that guided the miller's daughter to the house, the peas
refuse an invitation of this kind, she consented. Then three elves and lentils have sprung up into seedlings and the two follow the
came and conducted her to a hollow mountain, where the little path of plants and reach the young woman's home.
folks lived. Everything there was small, but more elegant and When the wedding day arrives and the guests are telling stories,
beautiful than can be described. The baby's mother lay in a bed of the bridegroom urges the young woman to tell a story. She says
black ebony ornamented with pearls, the coverlids were she will tell of a dream she had and tells the story of going to the
embroidered with gold, the cradle was of ivory, the bath of gold. murderers' den, in between each sentence saying, "This was only a
The girl stood as godmother, and then wanted to go home again, dream, my love!" When she tells the part of the finger falling into
but the little elves urgently entreated her to stay three days with her lap she produces the finger. The robber bridegroom and all his
them. So she stayed, and passed the time in pleasure and gaiety, band are subsequently put to death.)
and the little folks did all they could to make her happy. At last
she set out on her way home. Then first they filled her pockets There was once on a time a miller, who had a beautiful daughter,
quite full of money, and after that they led her out of the mountain and as she was grown up, he wished that she was provided for, and
again. When she got home, she wanted to begin her work, and well married. He thought, "If any good suitor comes and asks for
took the broom, which was still standing in the corner, in her her, I will give her to him." Not long afterwards, a suitor came,
hand and began to sweep. Then some strangers came out of the who appeared to be very rich, and as the miller had no fault to find
house, who asked her who she was, and what business she had with him, he promised his daughter to him. The maiden, however,
there? And she had not, as she thought, been three days with the did not like him quite so much as a girl should like the man to
little men in the mountains, but seven years, and in the meantime whom she is engaged, and had no confidence in him. Whenever she
her former masters had died. saw, or thought of him, she felt a secret horror. Once he said to her,
"Thou art my betrothed, and yet thou hast never once paid me a
Third Story. visit." The maiden replied, "I know not where thy house is." Then
A certain mother's child had been taken away out of its cradle by said the bridegroom, "My house is out there in the dark forest."
the elves, and a changeling with a large head and staring eyes, She tried to excuse herself, and said she could not find the way
which would do nothing but eat and drink, laid in its place. In her there. The bridegroom said, "Next Sunday thou must come out
trouble she went to her neighbour, and asked her advice. The there to me; I have already invited the guests, and I will strew
neighbour said that she was to carry the changeling into the ashes in order that thou mayst find thy way through the forest."
kitchen, set it down on the hearth, light a fire, and boil some When Sunday came, and the maiden had to set out on her way, she
water in two egg-shells, which would make the changeling laugh, became very uneasy, she herself knew not exactly why, and to mark
and if he laughed, all would be over with him. The woman did her way she filled both her pockets full of peas and lentils. Ashes
everything that her neighbour bade her. When she put the egg- were strewn at the entrance of the forest, and these she followed,
shells with water on the fire, the imp said, "I am as old now as the but at every step she threw a couple of peas on the ground. She
Wester forest, but never yet have I seen any one boil anything in an walked almost the whole day until she reached the middle of the
egg-shell!" And he began to laugh at it. Whilst he was laughing, forest, where it was the darkest, and there stood a solitary house,
suddenly came a host of little elves, who brought the right child, which she did not like, for it looked so dark and dismal. She went
set it down on the hearth, and took the changeling away with inside it, but no one was within, and the most absolute stillness
them. reigned. Suddenly a voice cried,
"Turn back, turn back, young maiden dear,
'Tis a murderer's house you enter here."
40.—THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM. The maiden looked up, and saw that the voice came from a bird,
which was hanging in a cage on the wall. Again it cried,
("The Robber Bridegroom" is a fairy tale collected by the "Turn back, turn back, young maiden dear,
Brothers Grimm, tale number 40. It comes from Hesse. 'Tis a murderer's house you enter here."
Contents: A miller wishes to marry his daughter off, and so when Then the young maiden went on farther from one room to
a rich suitor appears, he betroths her to him. One day the suitor another, and walked through the whole house, but it was entirely
complains that the daughter never visits him. He tells her that he empty and not one human being was to be found. At last she came
lives in the forest and overrides her reluctance to visit by telling to the cellar, and there sat an extremely aged woman, whose head
her he will leave a trail of ashes so she could find his home. She fills shook constantly. "Can you not tell me," said the maiden, "if my
her pockets with peas and lentils and marks the trail with them as betrothed lives here?"
she follows the ashes. They lead her to a dark and silent house. A "Alas, poor child," replied the old woman, "whither hast thou
bird in a cage calls out "Turn back, turn back, thou bonnie bride, come? Thou art in a murderer's den. Thou thinkest thou art a
Nor in this house of death abide." An old woman in a cellar bride soon to be married, but thou wilt keep thy wedding with
kitchen tells her that the people there will kill and eat her unless death. Look, I have been forced to put a great kettle on there, with
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
water in it, and when they have thee in their power, they will cut wines to drink, white, red, and yellow, with which her heart broke
thee to pieces without mercy, will cook thee, and eat thee, for they in twain. My darling, I only dreamt this. Thereupon they pulled
are eaters of human flesh. If I do not have compassion on thee, and off her pretty clothes, and hewed her fair body in pieces on a table,
save thee, thou art lost." and sprinkled them with salt. My darling, I only dreamt this. And
Thereupon the old woman led her behind a great hogshead one of the robbers saw that there was still a ring on her little
where she could not be seen. "Be as still as a mouse," said she, "do finger, and as it was hard to draw off, he took an axe and cut it off,
not make a sound, or move, or all will be over with thee. At night, but the finger sprang up in the air, and sprang behind the great
when the robbers are asleep, we will escape; I have long waited for hogshead, and fell in my bosom. And there is the finger with the
an opportunity." Hardly was this done, than the godless crew ring!" And with these words she drew it forth, and showed it to
came home. They dragged with them another young girl. They those present.
were drunk, and paid no heed to her screams and lamentations. The robber, who had during this story become as pale as ashes,
They gave her wine to drink, three glasses full, one glass of white leapt up and wanted to escape, but the guests held him fast, and
wine, one glass of red, and a glass of yellow, and with this her delivered him over to justice. Then he and his whole troop were
heart burst in twain. Thereupon they tore off her delicate raiment, executed for their infamous deeds.
laid her on a table, cut her beautiful body in pieces, and strewed
salt thereon. The poor bride behind the cask trembled and shook,
for she saw right well what fate the robbers had destined for her. 41.—HERR KORBES.
One of them noticed a gold ring on the little finger of the
murdered girl, and as it would not come off at once, he took an ("Herr Korbes" is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers
axe and cut the finger off, but it sprang up in the air, away over Grimm, number KHM 41. They found it in both the district of the
the cask and fell straight into the bride's bosom. The robber took Main (from Jeanette Hassenpflug) and Hesse (from Lisette Wild).
a candle and wanted to look for it, but could not find it. Then See KHM 10 "Das Lumpengesindel" (The Pack of Ragamuffins)
another of them said, "Hast thou looked behind the great for comparison.
hogshead?" But the old woman cried, "Come and get something to Contents: A chicken and a rooster travel in a wagon with red
eat, and leave off looking till the morning, the finger won't run wheels pulled by four little mice. They pick up a cat, a millstone,
away from you." an egg, a duck, a pin, and a sewing needle along the way. They
Then the robbers said, "The old woman is right," and gave up occupy Herr Korbes' house. When he comes home, the cat throws
their search, and sat down to eat, and the old woman poured a ashes at him, the duck throws water at him, the egg seals his eyes
sleeping-draught in their wine, so that they soon lay down in the shut, the needles stick him in the behind and in the head, the
cellar, and slept and snored. When the bride heard that, she came millstone kills him. From the 6th edition (1850) closes the fairy
out from behind the hogshead, and had to step over the sleepers, tale with the comment: Herr Korbes must have been a really bad
for they lay in rows on the ground, and great was her terror lest man.)
she should waken one of them. But God helped her, and she got
safely over. The old woman went up with her, opened the doors, There were once a cock and a hen who wanted to take a journey
and they hurried out of the murderers' den with all the speed in together. So the cock built a beautiful carriage, which had four
their power. The wind had blown away the strewn ashes, but the red wheels, and harnessed four mice to it. The hen seated herself in
peas and lentils had sprouted and grown up, and showed them the it with the cock, and they drove away together. Not long
way in the moonlight. They walked the whole night, until in the afterwards they met a cat who said, "Where are you going?" The
morning they arrived at the mill, and then the maiden told her cock replied,
father everything exactly as it had happened. "We are going
When the day came when the wedding was to be celebrated, the to the house of Herr Korbes."
bridegroom appeared, and the Miller had invited all his relations "Take me with you," said the cat. The cock answered,
and friends. As they sat at table, each was bidden to relate "Most willingly,
something. The bride sat still, and said nothing. Then said the get up behind,
bridegroom to the bride, "Come, my darling, dost thou know lest you fall off in front.
nothing? Relate something to us like the rest." She replied, "Then Take great care not to dirty my little red wheels.
I will relate a dream. I was walking alone through a wood, and at And you little wheels,
last I came to a house, in which no living soul was, but on the wall roll on, and you little mice pipe out,
there was a bird in a cage which cried, as we go forth on our way
"Turn back, turn back, young maiden dear, to the house of Herr Korbes."
'Tis a murderer's house you enter here." After this came a millstone, then an egg, then a duck, then a pin,
And this it cried once more. 'My darling, I only dreamt this. and at last a needle, who all seated themselves in the carriage, and
Then I went through all the rooms, and they were all empty, and drove with them. When, however, they reached the house of Herr
there was something so horrible about them! At last I went down Korbes, Herr Korbes was not there. The mice drew the carriage
into the cellar, and there sat a very very old woman, whose head into the barn, the hen flew with the cock upon a perch. The cat sat
shook; I asked her, 'Does my bridegroom live in this house?' She down by the hearth, the duck on the well-pole*. The egg rolled
answered, 'Alas, poor child, thou hast got into a murderer's den, itself into a towel, the pin stuck itself into the chair-cushion, the
thy bridegroom does live here, but he will hew thee in pieces, and needle jumped on to the bed in the middle of the pillow, and the
kill thee, and then he will cook thee, and eat thee.' My darling, I millstone laid itself over the door. Then Herr Korbes came home,
only dreamt this. But the old woman hid me behind a great went to the hearth, and was about to light the fire, when the cat
hogshead, and, scarcely was I hidden, when the robbers came home, threw a quantity of ashes in his face. He ran into the kitchen in a
dragging a maiden with them, to whom they gave three kinds of great hurry to wash it off, and the duck splashed some water in his
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face. He wanted to dry it with the towel, but the egg rolled up the first person who met him to be godfather. When he awoke, he
against him, broke, and glued up his eyes. He wanted to rest, and determined to obey his dream, and went outside the gate, and
sat down in the chair, and then the pin pricked him. He fell in a asked the first person who came up to him to be godfather. The
passion, and threw himself on his bed, but as soon as he laid his stranger presented him with a little glass of water, and said, "This
head on the pillow, the needle pricked him, so that he screamed is a wonderful water, with it thou canst heal the sick, only thou
aloud, and was just going to run out into the wide world in his must see where Death is standing. If he is standing by the patient's
rage, but when he came to the house-door, the millstone leapt head, give the patient some of the water and he will be healed, but
down and struck him dead. Herr Korbes must have been a very if Death is standing by his feet, all trouble will be in vain, for the
wicked man! sick man must die." From this time forth, the man could always
[* Well-pole, a pole used in an antique well, to draw up and let say whether a patient could be saved or not, and became famous
down the bucket.] for his skill, and earned a great deal of money. Once he was called
in to the child of the King, and when he entered, he saw Death
standing by the child's head and cured it with the water, and he
42.— THE GODFATHER. did the same a second time, but the third time Death was standing
by its feet, and then he knew the child was forced to die.
("The Godfather" (German: Der Herr Gevatter) is a German Once the man thought he would visit the godfather, and tell him
fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm as tale number 42. It how he had succeeded with the water. But when he entered the
comes from Amalie Hassenpflug, German writer and sister-in-law house, it was such a strange establishment! On the first flight of
of the Grimm brothers. stairs, the broom and shovel were disputing, and knocking each
Contents: An impoverished man has had so many children that other about violently. He asked them, "Where does the godfather
(by the time he has another) he finds that he has already asked live?" The broom replied, "One flight of stairs higher up." When
everyone in the world to be godparents for his previous children. he came to the second flight, he saw a heap of dead fingers lying.
Befuddled as to how he is supposed to find anyone to act as He asked, "Where does the godfather live?" One of the fingers
godparent for his newly-born child, he withdraws to his chamber replied, "One flight of stairs higher." On the third flight lay a
for the night. While fast asleep, he has a dream that tells him to heap of dead heads, which again directed him to a flight beyond.
leave his house and ask the first person he encounters to be his On the fourth flight, he saw fishes on the fire, which frizzled in the
child's godparent. As soon as he awakens, he proceeds to do this. pans and baked themselves. They, too, said, "One flight of stairs
The man he meets and makes godparent of his newly-born child higher." And when he had ascended the fifth, he came to the door
hands the impoverished man a small bottle containing water that of a room and peeped through the keyhole, and there he saw the
the man claims the impoverished man can use to heal the sick, so godfather who had a pair of long horns. When he opened the door
long as the sickness stems from the head and not the feet. The and went in, the godfather got into bed in a great hurry and
impoverished man subsequently becomes both well-known and covered himself up. Then said the man, "Sir godfather, what a
wealthy because of the magical water. He has a certain bout with strange household you have! When I came to your first flight of
treating the child of the King, in which he is able to use the stairs, the shovel and broom were quarrelling, and beating each
magical water on two successive occasions, but is unable to do so other violently."
on a third occasion, announcing thus to the King that his child "How stupid you are!" said the godfather. "That was the boy
will die. Not too long after the death of the King's child, the man and the maid talking to each other." "But on the second flight I
decides to visit the Godfather (to tell him of his undertakings with saw dead fingers lying." "Oh, how silly you are! Those were some
the magical water). However, when he arrives at the Godfather's roots of scorzonera*." [* Scorzonera hispanica, a plant cultivated
house, he notices that everything there is in disarray. On the first for the sake of its long fleshy tapering roots, which are sweet and
stair, a dustpan and brush quarrel with each other. On the second delicate in flavour, and are boiled like parsnips, and cooked in
stair, many fingers lie. On the third stair is a stack of bowls. On other ways.]
the fourth stair are fish that are cooking themselves. On the fifth "On the third flight lay a heap of dead men's heads." "Foolish
stair is the Godfather's room, and (when the man looks through man, those were cabbages." "On the fourth flight, I saw fishes in a
the keyhole on the door to the room) he sees the Godfather, pan, which were hissing and baking themselves." When he had said
donning very long horns. The man opens the door, and (as soon as that, the fishes came and served themselves up. "And when I got to
he does so) the Godfather retreats to a bed and cloaks himself. The the fifth flight, I peeped through the keyhole of a door, and there,
man asks the Godfather about the odd happenings occurring in godfather, I saw you, and you had long, long horns." "Oh, that is
the house, to which the Godfather brushes off most of and a lie!" The man became alarmed, and ran out, and if he had not,
counter-claims that the man was seeing things. Once the man who knows what the godfather would have done to him.
brings up the self-cooking fish, however, the fish enter the room
and present themselves (on a dish) to the Godfather. Finally, the
man brings up how, when peeking through the keyhole on the 43.—FRAU TRUDE.
door to the room, he saw the Godfather with long horns. At this,
the Godfather bellows at the man that he is telling falsehoods— ("Mother Trudy" (German: Frau Trude) is a fairy tale collected
frightened by his shouting, the man bolts from the house.) by the Brothers Grimm, tale number KHM 43.
Contents: A willful little girl will not obey her parents and,
A poor man had so many children that he had already asked having taken it into her head that she wants to see Frau Trude,
every one in the world to be godfather, and when still another goes in spite of all their warnings. She arrives terrified, and Frau
child was born, no one else was left whom he could invite. He Trude questions her. She tells of seeing a black man on her steps (a
knew not what to do, and, in his perplexity, he lay down and fell collier, says Frau Trude), a green man (a huntsman), a red man (a
asleep. Then he dreamt that he was to go outside the gate, and ask butcher), and, looking through her window, the devil instead of
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Frau Trude. Frau Trude says she saw the witch in her proper know how wisely God apportions riches and poverty. He turned
attire, and that she had been waiting for the girl. She turned her therefore away from the Lord, and went farther. Then the Devil
into a block of wood and threw her onto the fire, and then warmed came to him and said, "What seekest thou? If thou wilt take me as
herself by it, commenting on how bright the block made the fire.) a godfather for thy child, I will give him gold in plenty and all the
joys of the world as well." The man asked, "Who art thou?" "I am
There was once a little girl who was obstinate and inquisitive, the Devil." "Then I do not desire to have thee for godfather," said
and when her parents told her to do anything, she did not obey the man; "thou deceivest men and leadest them astray." He went
them, so how could she fare well? One day she said to her parents, onwards, and then came Death striding up to him with withered
"I have heard so much of Frau Trude, I will go to her some day. legs, and said, "Take me as godfather." The man asked, "Who art
People say that everything about her does look so strange, and thou?" "I am Death, and I make all equal." Then said the man,
that there are such odd things in her house, that I have become "Thou art the right one, thou takest the rich as well as the poor,
quite curious!" Her parents absolutely forbade her, and said, without distinction; thou shalt be godfather." Death answered, "I
"Frau Trude is a bad woman, who does wicked things, and if thou will make thy child rich and famous, for he who has me for a friend
goest to her, thou art no longer our child." But the maiden did can lack nothing." The man said, "Next Sunday is the christening;
not let herself be turned aside by her parent's prohibition, and still be there at the right time." Death appeared as he had promised,
went to Frau Trude. And when she got to her, Frau Trude said, and stood godfather quite in the usual way.
"Why art thou so pale?" "Ah," she replied, and her whole body When the boy had grown up, his godfather one day appeared and
trembled, "I have been so terrified at what I have seen." "What bade him go with him. He led him forth into a forest, and showed
hast thou seen?" "I saw a black man on your steps." "That was a him a herb which grew there, and said, "Now shalt thou receive
collier." "Then I saw a green man." "That was a huntsman." thy godfather's present. I make thee a celebrated physician. When
"After that I saw a blood-red man." "That was a butcher." "Ah, thou art called to a patient, I will always appear to thee. If I stand
Frau Trude, I was terrified; I looked through the window and saw by the head of the sick man, thou mayst say with confidence that
not you, but, as I verily believe, the devil himself with a head of thou wilt make him well again, and if thou givest him of this herb
fire." "Oho!" said she, "then thou hast seen the witch in her proper he will recover; but if I stand by the patient's feet, he is mine, and
costume. I have been waiting for thee, and wanting thee a long thou must say that all remedies are in vain, and that no physician
time already; thou shalt give me some light." Then she changed in the world could save him. But beware of using the herb against
the girl into a block of wood, and threw it into the fire. And when my will, or it might fare ill with thee."
it was in full blaze she sat down close to it, and warmed herself by It was not long before the youth was the most famous physician
it, and said, "That shines bright for once in a way." in the whole world. "He had only to look at the patient and he
knew his condition at once, and if he would recover, or must needs
die." So they said of him, and from far and wide people came to
44.—GODFATHER DEATH. him, sent for him when they had any one ill, and gave him so much
money that he soon became a rich man. Now it so befell that the
("Godfather Death" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers King became ill, and the physician was summoned, and was to say
Grimm and first published in 1812 (KHM 44). The Grimms noted if recovery were possible. But when he came to the bed, Death was
"from Hesse" (from Marie Elisabeth Wild). standing by the feet of the sick man, and the herb did not grow
Contents: A desperate poor man is looking for a godfather for which could save him. "If I could but cheat Death for once,"
his thirteenth child. But he rejects God ("you give to the rich and thought the physician, "he is sure to take it ill if I do, but, as I am
let the poor go hungry") as well as the devil ("you cheat and his godson, he will shut one eye; I will risk it." He therefore took
seduce people") and only accepts death "which makes everyone up the sick man, and laid him the other way, so that now Death
equal". Death shows the boy an herb with which he may heal the was standing by his head. Then he gave the King some of the herb,
sick if he sees death by their head but not if he sees death at their and he recovered and grew healthy again. But Death came to the
feet, and warns him not to break the commandment. Soon he is physician, looking very black and angry, threatened him with his
famous and rich as a doctor for his clear-sightedness. When first finger, and said, "Thou hast overreached me; this time I will
the king and then his daughter fall seriously ill, and she is pardon it, as thou art my godson; but if thou venturest it again, it
promised to the rescuer in marriage, it occurs to him to turn her in will cost thee thy neck, for I will take thee thyself away with me."
bed. Death forgives him once, the second time he fetches him and Soon afterwards the King's daughter fell into a severe illness. She
shows him the lights of life in a cave. His just expires. At his was his only child, and he wept day and night, so that he began to
request, Death pretends to fetch a new one, but drops what's left lose the sight of his eyes, and he caused it to be made known that
and the doctor dies.) whosoever rescued her from death should be her husband and
inherit the crown. When the physician came to the sick girl's bed,
A poor man had twelve children and was forced to work night he saw Death by her feet. He ought to have remembered the
and day to give them even bread. When therefore the thirteenth warning given by his godfather, but he was so infatuated by the
came into the world, he knew not what to do in his trouble, but great beauty of the King's daughter, and the happiness of
ran out into the great highway, and resolved to ask the first becoming her husband, that he flung all thought to the winds. He
person whom he met to be godfather. The first to meet him was the did not see that Death was casting angry glances on him, that he
good God who already knew what filled his heart, and said to him, was raising his hand in the air, and threatening him with his
"Poor man, I pity thee. I will hold thy child at its christening, and withered fist. He raised up the sick girl, and placed her head where
will take charge of it and make it happy on earth." The man said, her feet had lain. Then he gave her some of the herb, and instantly
"Who art thou?" "I am God." "Then I do not desire to have thee her cheeks flushed red, and life stirred afresh in her.
for a godfather," said the man; "thou givest to the rich, and When Death saw that for a second time he was defrauded of his
leavest the poor to hunger." Thus spake the man, for he did not own property, he walked up to the physician with long strides,
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and said, "All is over with thee, and now the lot falls on thee," and to-day?" "See for thyself," said his mother. So Thumbling jumped
seized him so firmly with his ice-cold hand, that he could not resist, on to the hearth, and peeped into the dish, but as he stretched his
and led him into a cave below the earth. There he saw how neck in too far the steam from the food caught hold of him, and
thousands and thousands of candles were burning in countless carried him up the chimney. He rode about in the air on the steam
rows, some large, others half-sized, others small. Every instant for a while, until at length he sank down to the ground again.
some were extinguished, and others again burnt up, so that the Now the little tailor was outside in the wide world, and he
flames seemed to leap hither and thither in perpetual change. travelled about, and went to a master in his craft, but the food was
"See," said Death, "these are the lights of men's lives. The large not good enough for him. "Mistress, if you give us no better
ones belong to children, the half-sized ones to married people in food," said Thumbling, "I will go away, and early to-morrow
their prime, the little ones belong to old people; but children and morning I will write with chalk on the door of your house, 'Too
young folks likewise have often only a tiny candle." "Show me the many potatoes, too little meat! Farewell, Mr. Potato-King.'"
light of my life," said the physician, and he thought that it would "What wouldst thou have forsooth, grasshopper?" said the
be still very tall. Death pointed to a little end which was just mistress, and grew angry, and seized a dish-cloth, and was just
threatening to go out, and said, "Behold, it is there." "Ah, dear going to strike him; but my little tailor crept nimbly under a
godfather," said the horrified physician, "light a new one for me, thimble, peeped out from beneath it, and put his tongue out at the
do it for love of me, that I may enjoy my life, be King, and the mistress. She took up the thimble, and wanted to get hold of him,
husband of the King's beautiful daughter." "I cannot," answered but little Thumbling hopped into the cloth, and while the mistress
Death, "one must go out before a new one is lighted." "Then place was opening it out and looking for him, he got into a crevice in
the old one on a new one, that will go on burning at once when the the table. "Ho, ho, lady mistress," cried he, and thrust his head
old one has come to an end," pleaded the physician. Death out, and when she began to strike him he leapt down into the
behaved as if he were going to fulfil his wish, and took hold of a drawer. At last, however, she caught him and drove him out of the
tall new candle; but as he desired to revenge himself, he purposely house.
made a mistake in fixing it, and the little piece fell down and was The little tailor journeyed on and came to a great forest, and
extinguished. Immediately the physician fell on the ground, and there he fell in with a band of robbers who had a design to steal
now he himself was in the hands of Death. the King's treasure. When they saw the little tailor, they thought,
"A little fellow like that can creep through a key-hole and serve as
picklock to us." "Hollo," cried one of them, "thou giant Goliath,
45.—THUMBLING AS JOURNEYMAN. wilt thou go to the treasure-chamber with us? Thou canst slip
thyself in and throw out the money." Thumbling reflected a while,
("Thumbling As Journeyman" is a fairy tale in the Children's and and at length he said "yes," and went with them to the treasure-
Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm at position 45 (KHM 45). chamber. Then he looked at the doors above and below, to see if
Jacob Grimm got the story from Marie Hassenpflug. there was any crack in them. It was not long before he espied one
Contents: A thumb-sized but courageous tailor's son wants to go which was broad enough to let him in. He was therefore about to
out into the world. His father gave him a darning needle as a get in at once, but one of the two sentries who stood before the
sword. Then he looks at the mother with the food. The steam door, observed him, and said to the other, "What an ugly spider is
carries him out to the chimney. He goes to a master and complains creeping there; I will kill it." "Let the poor creature alone," said
to his wife about the food. She chases him away. He meets robbers, the other, "it has done thee no harm." Then Thumbling got safely
for whom he penetrates through a crack in the door of the king's through the crevice into the treasure-chamber, opened the window
treasury and throws the thalers through the window. When the beneath which the robbers were standing, and threw out to them
king comes, he hides. He also fools the guards. The robbers praise one thaler after another. When the little tailor was in the full
him, but he takes only one kreuzer and moves on. He doesn't like swing of his work, he heard the King coming to inspect his
working and ends up at an inn where he is unpopular with the treasure-chamber, and crept hastily into a hiding-place. The King
maids because he sees all the petty thefts. One throws him to a cow noticed that several solid thalers were missing, but could not
with mown grass. He calls out from her stomach when she is being conceive who could have stolen them, for locks and bolts were in
milked and when she is about to be slaughtered, but is not heard good condition, and all seemed well guarded. Then he went away
and understood, not even during the slaughter. It jumps between again, and said to the sentries, "Be on the watch, some one is after
the knives and is smoked in the sausage in the chimney until winter. the money." When therefore Thumbling recommenced his labours,
When cutting it open at the table, he jumps out. A fox catches him they heard the money moving, and a sound of klink, klink, klink.
outside, but takes him home to his father because he gets his They ran swiftly in to seize the thief, but the little tailor, who
chickens in return.) heard them coming, was still swifter, and leapt into a corner and
covered himself with a thaler, so that nothing could be seen of him,
A certain tailor had a son, who happened to be small, and no and at the same time he mocked the sentries and cried, "Here am
bigger than a Thumb, and on this account he was always called I!" The sentries ran thither, but as they got there, he had already
Thumbling. He had, however, some courage in him, and said to hopped into another corner under a thaler, and was crying, "Ho,
his father, "Father, I must and will go out into the world." ho, here am I!" The watchmen sprang there in haste, but
"That's right, my son," said the old man, and took a long Thumbling had long ago got into a third corner, and was crying,
darning-needle and made a knob of sealing-wax on it at the candle, "Ho, ho, here am I!" And thus he made fools of them, and drove
"and there is a sword for thee to take with thee on the way." Then them so long round about the treasure-chamber that they were
the little tailor wanted to have one more meal with them, and weary and went away. Then by degrees he threw all the thalers out,
hopped into the kitchen to see what his lady mother had cooked despatching the last with all his might, then hopped nimbly upon
for the last time. It was, however, just dished up, and the dish it, and flew down with it through the window. The robbers paid
stood on the hearth. Then he said, "Mother, what is there to eat
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
him great compliments. "Thou art a valiant hero," said they; "wilt likewise bring thee a handsome bit of money," said Thumbling,
thou be our captain?" and gave his father the kreuzer which he had earned on his travels.
Thumbling, however, declined, and said he wanted to see the "But why did the fox get the poor chickens to eat?" "Oh, you
world first. They now divided the booty, but the little tailor only goose, your father would surely love his child far more than the
asked for a kreuzer because he could not carry more. fowls in the yard!"
Then he once more buckled on his sword, bade the robbers good-
bye, and took to the road. First, he went to work with some
masters, but he had no liking for that, and at last he hired himself 46.—FITCHER'S BIRD.
as man-servant in an inn. The maids, however, could not endure
him, for he saw all that they did secretly, without their seeing him, ("Fitcher's bird" is a fairy tale in the Children's And Household
and he told their master and mistress what they had taken off the Tales by the Brothers Grimm at point 46 (KHM 46). The Grimms
plates, and carried away out of the cellar, for themselves. Then noted on the origin "two stories from Hesse" (from Friederike
said they, "Wait, and we will pay thee off!" and arranged with Mannel "from Allendorf an der Landsburg" and from Dortchen
each other to play him a trick. Soon afterwards when one of the Wild Kassel, Wilhelm Grimm's later wife).
maids was mowing in the garden, and saw Thumbling jumping Contents: The fairy tale describes how one man's three beautiful
about and creeping up and down the plants, she mowed him up daughters are kidnapped one after the other by a malicious
quickly with the grass, tied all in a great cloth, and secretly threw warlock. When the warlock has to leave his house one day, each of
it to the cows. Now amongst them there was a great black one, the girls is given a key and an egg to keep with the condition that
who swallowed him down with it without hurting him. Down they guard the egg and not use the key, which belongs to a
below, however, it pleased him ill, for it was quite dark, neither chamber. The first two girls fail in this task and are slaughtered in
was any candle burning. When the cow was being milked he cried, the room that they open despite the ban. However, the third girl
"Strip, strap, strull, proceeds with sufficient caution and not only remains
Will the pail soon be full?" undiscovered, but is even able to put the sisters back together into
But the noise of the milking prevented his being understood. living people. She sends the returned warlock, who now wants to
After this the master of the house came into the cow-byre and said, marry her after supposedly passing the exam, to her father with a
"That cow shall be killed to-morrow." Then Thumbling was so basket full of gold. The two revived sisters, however, are hidden in
alarmed that he cried out in a clear voice, "Let me out first, for I the basket and carried home with great effort by the warlock.
am shut up inside her." The master heard that quite well, but did While the older sisters are getting home, the warlock's wedding
not know from whence the voice came. "Where art thou?" asked he. guests are already arriving. The girl then leaves the house herself,
"In the black one," answered Thumbling, but the master did not but first rolls in honey and then in the feathers of a bed to escape
understand what that meant, and went out. as Fitcher's bird. The guests are asked to enter the warlock's house
Next morning the cow was killed. Happily Thumbling did not as they pass by. A skull arranged for this purpose pretends the
meet with one blow at the cutting up and chopping; he got among presence of the bride. When the guests are finally in the house and
the sausage-meat. And when the butcher came in and began his the returning warlock has joined them, the girls' relatives who
work, he cried out with all his might, "Don't chop too deep, don't have rushed to the house are now able, by setting the house on fire,
chop too deep, I am amongst it." No one heard this because of the to kill the warlock and his rabble.)
noise of the chopping-knife. Now poor Thumbling was in trouble,
but trouble sharpens the wits, and he sprang out so adroitly There was once a wizard who used to take the form of a poor
between the blows that none of them touched him, and he got out man, and went to houses and begged, and caught pretty girls. No
with a whole skin. But still he could not get away, there was one knew whither he carried them, for they were never seen more.
nothing for it, and he had to let himself be thrust into a black- One day he appeared before the door of a man who had three
pudding with the bits of bacon. His quarters there were rather pretty daughters; he looked like a poor weak beggar, and carried a
confined, and besides that he was hung up in the chimney to be basket on his back, as if he meant to collect charitable gifts in it.
smoked, and there time did hang terribly heavy on his hands. He begged for a little food, and when the eldest daughter came out
At length in winter he was taken down again, as the black- and was just reaching him a piece of bread, he did but touch her,
pudding had to be set before a guest. When the hostess was cutting and she was forced to jump into his basket. Thereupon he hurried
it in slices, he took care not to stretch out his head too far lest a bit away with long strides, and carried her away into a dark forest to
of it should be cut off; at last he saw his opportunity, cleared a his house, which stood in the midst of it. Everything in the house
passage for himself, and jumped out. was magnificent; he gave her whatsoever she could possibly desire,
The little tailor, however, would not stay any longer in a house and said, "My darling, thou wilt certainly be happy with me, for
where he fared so ill, but at once set out on his journey again. But thou hast everything thy heart can wish for." This lasted a few
his liberty did not last long. In the open country he met with a fox days, and then he said, "I must journey forth, and leave thee alone
who snapped him up in a fit of absence. "Hollo, Mr. Fox," cried for a short time; there are the keys of the house; thou mayst go
the little tailor, "it is I who am sticking in your throat, set me at everywhere and look at everything except into one room, which
liberty again." "Thou art right," answered the fox. "Thou art next this little key here opens, and there I forbid thee to go on pain of
to nothing for me, but if thou wilt promise me the fowls in thy death." He likewise gave her an egg and said, "Preserve the egg
father's yard I will let thee go." "With all my heart," replied carefully for me, and carry it continually about with thee, for a
Thumbling. "Thou shalt have all the cocks and hens, that I great misfortune would arise from the loss of it."
promise thee." Then the fox let him go again, and himself carried She took the keys and the egg, and promised to obey him in
him home. When the father once more saw his dear son, he everything. When he was gone, she went all round the house from
willingly gave the fox all the fowls which he had. "For this I the bottom to the top, and examined everything. The rooms shone
with silver and gold, and she thought she had never seen such
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
great splendour. At length she came to the forbidden door; she whenever he stood still, she cried this, and then he was forced to
wished to pass it by, but curiosity let her have no rest. She go onwards, until at last, groaning and out of breath, he took the
examined the key, it looked just like any other; she put it in the basket with the gold and the two maidens into their parents' house.
keyhole and turned it a little, and the door sprang open. But what At home, however, the bride prepared the marriage-feast, and sent
did she see when she went in? A great bloody basin stood in the invitations to the friends of the wizard. Then she took a skull with
middle of the room, and therein lay human beings, dead and hewn grinning teeth, put some ornaments on it and a wreath of flowers,
to pieces, and hard by was a block of wood, and a gleaming axe lay carried it upstairs to the garret-window, and let it look out from
upon it. She was so terribly alarmed that the egg which she held in thence. When all was ready, she got into a barrel of honey, and
her hand fell into the basin. She got it out and washed the blood then cut the feather-bed open and rolled herself in it, until she
off, but in vain, it appeared again in a moment. She washed and looked like a wondrous bird, and no one could recognise her.
scrubbed, but she could not get it out. Then she went out of the house, and on her way she met some of
It was not long before the man came back from his journey, and the wedding-guests, who asked,
the first things which he asked for were the key and the egg. She "O, Fitcher's bird, how com'st thou here?"
gave them to him, but she trembled as she did so, and he saw at "I come from Fitcher's house quite near."
once by the red spots that she had been in the bloody chamber. "And what may the young bride be doing?"
"Since thou hast gone into the room against my will," said he, "From cellar to garret she's swept all clean,
"thou shalt go back into it against thine own. Thy life is ended." And now from the window she's peeping, I ween."
He threw her down, dragged her thither by her hair, cut her head At last she met the bridegroom, who was coming slowly back. He,
off on the block, and hewed her in pieces so that her blood ran on like the others, asked,
the ground. Then he threw her into the basin with the rest. "O, Fitcher's bird, how com'st thou here?"
"Now I will fetch myself the second," said the wizard, and again "I come from Fitcher's house quite near."
he went to the house in the shape of a poor man, and begged. Then "And what may the young bride be doing?
the second daughter brought him a piece of bread; he caught her "From cellar to garret she's swept all clean,
like the first, by simply touching her, and carried her away. She And now from the window she's peeping, I ween."
did not fare better than her sister. She allowed herself to be led The bridegroom looked up, saw the decked-out skull, thought it
away by her curiosity, opened the door of the bloody chamber, was his bride, and nodded to her, greeting her kindly. But when he
looked in, and had to atone for it with her life on the wizard's and his guests had all gone into the house, the brothers and
return. Then he went and brought the third sister, but she was kinsmen of the bride, who had been sent to rescue her, arrived.
clever and crafty. When he had given her the keys and the egg, and They locked all the doors of the house, that no one might escape,
had left her, she first put the egg away with great care, and then set fire to it, and the wizard and all his crew had to burn.
she examined the house, and at last went into the forbidden room.
Alas, what did she behold! Both her sisters lay there in the basin,
cruelly murdered, and cut in pieces. But she began to gather their 47.—THE JUNIPER-TREE*.
limbs together and put them in order, head, body, arms and legs.
And when nothing further was wanting the limbs began to move ("The Juniper Tree" (it does not mean "almond tree" as in
and unite themselves together, and both the maidens opened their Walter Crane's illustration but juniper tree*) is a fairy tale. It is in
eyes and were once more alive. Then they rejoiced and kissed and the children's and household tales of the Brothers Grimm (KHM
caressed each other. 47) in Low German. The Low German name "Machandel-Boom"
On his arrival, the man at once demanded the keys and the egg, is in Standard German "Wacholderbaum". The fairy tale goes
and as he could perceive no trace of any blood on it, he said, back to the painter Philipp Otto Runge and was first published in
"Thou hast stood the test, thou shalt be my bride." He now had no 1808 in Achim von Arnim's "Zeitung für Einsiedler" (Newspaper
longer any power over her, and was forced to do whatsoever she for Hermits) under the title "Von den Mahandel Bohm". [* The
desired. "Oh, very well," said she, "thou shalt first take a basketful common juniper, (Latin: juniperus communis), is a species of small
of gold to my father and mother, and carry it thyself on thy back; tree or shrub in the cypress family (Latin: cupressaceae). An
in the meantime I will prepare for the wedding. Then she ran to evergreen conifer, it has the largest geographical range of any
her sisters, whom she had hidden in a little chamber and said, "The woody plant, with a circumpolar distribution throughout the cool
moment has come when I can save you. The wretch shall himself temperate Northern Hemisphere. Wacholder(schnaps) is also the
carry you home again, but as soon as you are at home send help to German name for "gin."]
me." She put both of them in a basket and covered them quite over Contents: While peeling an apple under the juniper tree, the
with gold, so that nothing of them was to be seen, then she called pious wife of a rich man cuts her finger and wishes for a child as
in the wizard and said to him, "Now carry the basket away, but I red as blood and as white as snow. She becomes pregnant, dies
shall look through my little window and watch to see if thou giving birth to her son and is buried under the tree. After
stoppest on the way to stand or to rest." mourning, the man marries a woman who has a daughter with him
The wizard raised the basket on his back and went away with it, but hates the stepson. When the daughter wants an apple, she gets
but it weighed him down so heavily that the perspiration streamed it first. But when she asks her brother to have one too, the mother
from his face. Then he sat down and wanted to rest awhile, but takes the apple away from her daughter and tells her to wait for
immediately one of the girls in the basket cried, "I am looking her brother. But when he bends down into the chest with the
through my little window, and I see that thou art resting. Wilt apples, his stepmother cuts off his head with the lid. Startled, she
thou go on at once?" He thought his bride was calling that to him; puts it on again, puts on a scarf and puts him in front of the house
and got up on his legs again. Once more he was going to sit down, with the apple in his hand. She arranges for the daughter to slap
but instantly she cried, "I am looking through my little window, him since he does not answer, causing his head to fall off. The girl
and I see that thou art resting. Wilt thou go on directly?" And is deeply upset, but the mother prepares a meal from the boy's
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
corpse, and the daughter cries into it. The father is sad when he One day the woman had gone upstairs to her room, and her little
hears that his son has suddenly left to visit relatives, but eats the daughter went up too, and said, "Mother, give me an apple." "Yes,
whole soup with special devotion. The daughter collects the bones my child," said the woman, and gave her a fine apple out of the
and puts them in a silk cloth under the tree, crying. She feels light, chest, but the chest had a great heavy lid with a great sharp iron
the juniper branches move like hands, and a beautiful singing bird lock. "Mother," said the little daughter, "is brother not to have
flies out of a fire in the mist. The bones are gone. The bird sings on one too?" This made the woman angry, but she said, "Yes, when
the roof of a goldsmith, a shoemaker and on the linden tree in he comes out of school." And when she saw from the window that
front of a mill. For the repetition of the song he asks for a gold he was coming, it was just as if the Devil entered into her, and she
chain, red shoes and a millstone. Then he sings at home on the snatched at the apple and took it away again from her daughter,
juniper tree, which makes the father happy and the mother afraid. and said, "Thou shalt not have one before thy brother." Then she
He throws the chain around his father's neck and throws his threw the apple into the chest, and shut it. Then the little boy
sister's shoes. Both are happy about it, so that the mother also came in at the door, and the Devil made her say to him kindly,
goes out; However, the bird throws the millstone at her head and "My son, wilt thou have an apple?" and she looked so wickedly at
kills her with it. Then the son reappears out of steam and flame, him. "Mother," said the little boy, "how dreadful you look! Yes,
and the father and the children happily sit down to eat.) give me an apple." Then it seemed to her as if she were forced to
say to him, "Come with me," and she opened the lid of the chest
It is now long ago, quite two thousand years, since there was a and said, "Take out an apple for thyself," and while the little boy
rich man who had a beautiful and pious wife, and they loved each was stooping inside, the Devil prompted her, and crash! she shut
other dearly. They had, however, no children, though they wished the lid down, and his head flew off and fell among the red apples.
for them very much, and the woman prayed for them day and Then she was overwhelmed with terror, and thought, "If I could
night, but still they had none. Now there was a court-yard in front but make them think that it was not done by me!" So she went
of their house in which was a juniper-tree, and one day in winter upstairs to her room to her chest of drawers, and took a white
the woman was standing beneath it, paring herself an apple, and handkerchief out of the top drawer, and set the head on the neck
while she was paring herself the apple she cut her finger, and the again, and folded the handkerchief so that nothing could be seen,
blood fell on the snow. "Ah," said the woman, and sighed right and she set him on a chair in front of the door, and put the apple
heavily, and looked at the blood before her, and was most in his hand.
unhappy, "ah, if I had but a child as red as blood and as white as After this Marlinchen came into the kitchen to her mother, who
snow!"[2] And while she thus spake, she became quite happy in her was standing by the fire with a pan of hot water before her which
mind, and felt just as if that were going to happen. Then she went she was constantly stirring round. "Mother," said Marlinchen,
into the house, and a month went by and the snow was gone, and "brother is sitting at the door, and he looks quite white, and has
two months, and then everything was green, and three months, an apple in his hand. I asked him to give me the apple, but he did
and then all the flowers came out of the earth, and four months, not answer me, and I was quite frightened." "Go back to him,"
and then all the trees in the wood grew thicker, and the green said her mother, "and if he will not answer thee, give him a box on
branches were all closely entwined, and the birds sang until the the ear." So Marlinchen went to him and said, "Brother, give me
wood resounded and the blossoms fell from the trees, then the fifth the apple." But he was silent, and she gave him a box on the ear,
month passed away and she stood under the juniper-tree, which on which his head fell down. Marlinchen was terrified, and began
smelt so sweetly that her heart leapt, and she fell on her knees and crying and screaming, and ran to her mother, and said, "Alas,
was beside herself with joy, and when the sixth month was over the mother, I have knocked my brother's head off" and she wept and
fruit was large and fine, and then she was quite still, and the wept and could not be comforted. "Marlinchen," said the mother,
seventh month she snatched at the juniper-berries and ate them "what hast thou done? but be quiet and let no one know it; it
greedily, then she grew sick and sorrowful, then the eighth month cannot be helped now, we will make him into black-puddings."
passed, and she called her husband to her, and wept and said, "If I Then the mother took the little boy and chopped him in pieces,
die, then bury me beneath the juniper-tree." Then she was quite put him into the pan and made him into black-puddings; but
comforted and happy until the next month was over, and then she Marlinchen stood by weeping and weeping, and all her tears fell
had a child as white as snow and as red as blood, and when she into the pan and there was no need of any salt.
beheld it she was so delighted that she died. Then the father came home, and sat down to dinner and said,
Then her husband buried her beneath the juniper-tree, and he "But where is my son?" And the mother served up a great dish of
began to weep sore; after some time he was more at ease, and black-puddings, and Marlinchen wept and could not leave off.
though he still wept he could bear it, and after some time longer Then the father again said, "But where is my son?" "Ah," said the
he took another wife. mother, "he has gone across the country to his mother's great
By the second wife he had a daughter, but the first wife's child uncle; he will stay there awhile." "And what is he going to do
was a little son, and he was as red as blood and as white as snow. there? He did not even say good-bye to me."
When the woman looked at her daughter she loved her very much, "Oh, he wanted to go, and asked me if he might stay six weeks, he
but then she looked at the little boy and it seemed to cut her to the is well taken care of there." "Ah," said the man, "I feel so unhappy
heart, for the thought came into her mind that he would always lest all should not be right. He ought to have said good-bye to
stand in her way, and she was for ever thinking how she could get me." With that he began to eat and said, "Marlinchen, why art
all the fortune for her daughter, and the Evil One filled her mind thou crying? Thy brother will certainly come back." Then he said,
with this till she was quite wroth with the little boy, and slapped "Ah, wife, how delicious this food is, give me some more." And the
him here and cuffed him there, until the unhappy child was in more he ate the more he wanted to have, and he said, "Give me
continual terror, for when he came out of school he had no peace some more, you shall have none of it. It seems to me as if it were all
in any place. mine." And he ate and ate and threw all the bones under the table,
until he had finished the whole. But Marlinchen went away to her
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
chest of drawers, and took her best silk handkerchief out of the "I do not sing twice for nothing; thou must give me something."
bottom drawer, and got all the bones from beneath the table, and "Wife," said the man, "go to the garret, upon the top shelf there
tied them up in her silk handkerchief, and carried them outside the stands a pair of red shoes, bring them down." Then the wife went
door, weeping tears of blood. Then the juniper-tree began to stir and brought the shoes. "There, bird," said the man, "now sing me
itself, and the branches parted asunder, and moved together again, that piece again." Then the bird came and took the shoes in his left
just as if some one was rejoicing and clapping his hands. At the claw, and flew back on the roof, and sang,
same time a mist seemed to arise from the tree, and in the centre of "My mother she killed me, My father he ate me, My sister, little
this mist it burned like a fire, and a beautiful bird flew out of the Marlinchen, Gathered together all my bones, Tied them in a silken
fire singing magnificently, and he flew high up in the air, and handkerchief, Laid them beneath the juniper-tree, Kywitt, kywitt,
when he was gone, the juniper-tree was just as it had been before, what a beautiful bird am I!"
and the handkerchief with the bones was no longer there. And when he had sung the whole he flew away. In his right claw
Marlinchen, however, was as gay and happy as if her brother were he had the chain and the shoes in his left, and he flew far away to a
still alive. And she went merrily into the house, and sat down to mill, and the mill went "klipp klapp, klipp klapp, klipp klapp,"
dinner and ate. and in the mill sat twenty miller's men hewing a stone, and cutting,
But the bird flew away and lighted on a goldsmith's house, and hick hack, hick hack, hick hack, and the mill went klipp klapp,
began to sing, klipp klapp, klipp klapp. Then the bird went and sat on a lime-
"My mother she killed me, tree which stood in front of the mill, and sang,
My father he ate me, "My mother she killed me,"
My sister, little Marlinchen, Then one of them stopped working,
Gathered together all my bones, "My father he ate me."
Tied them in a silken handkerchief, Then two more stopped working and listened to that,
Laid them beneath the juniper-tree, "My sister, little Marlinchen,"
Kywitt, kywitt, what a beautiful bird am I!' Then four more stopped,
The goldsmith was sitting in his workshop making a gold chain, "Gathered together all my bones,
when he heard the bird which was sitting singing on his roof, and Tied them in a silken handkerchief,"
very beautiful the song seemed to him. He stood up, but as he Now eight only were hewing,
crossed the threshold he lost one of his slippers. But he went away "Laid them beneath"
right up the middle of the street with one shoe on and one sock; he Now only five,
had his apron on, and in one hand he had the gold chain and in the "The juniper-tree,"
other the pincers, and the sun was shining brightly on the street. And now only one,
Then he went right on and stood still, and said to the bird, "Kywitt, kywitt, what a beautiful bird am I!"
"Bird," said he then, "how beautifully thou canst sing! Sing me Then the last stopped also, and heard the last words. "Bird," said
that piece again." "No," said the bird, "I'll not sing it twice for he, "how beautifully thou singest! Let me, too, hear that. Sing
nothing! Give me the golden chain, and then I will sing it again that once more for me."
for thee." "There," said the goldsmith, "there is the golden chain "Nay," said the bird, "I will not sing twice for nothing. Give me
for thee, now sing me that song again." Then the bird came and the millstone, and then I will sing it again."
took the golden chain in his right claw, and went and sat in front "Yes," said he, "if it belonged to me only, thou shouldst have it."
of the goldsmith, and sang, "Yes," said the others, "if he sings again he shall have it." Then
"My mother she killed me, the bird came down, and the twenty millers all set to work with a
My father he ate me, beam and raised the stone up. And the bird stuck his neck through
My sister, little Marlinchen, the hole, and put the stone on as if it were a collar, and flew on to
Gathered together all my bones, the tree again, and sang,
Tied them in a silken handkerchief, "My mother she killed me,
Laid them beneath the juniper-tree, My father he ate me,
Kywitt, kywitt, what a beautiful bird am I!" My sister, little Marlinchen,
Then the bird flew away to a shoemaker, and lighted on his roof, Gathered together all my bones,
and sang, Tied them in a silken handkerchief,
"My mother she killed me, My father he ate me, My sister, little Laid them beneath the juniper-tree,
Marlinchen, Gathered together all my bones, Tied them in a silken Kywitt, kywitt, what a beautiful bird am I!"
handkerchief, Laid them beneath the juniper-tree, Kywitt, kywitt, And when he had done singing, he spread his wings, and in his
what a beautiful bird am I!" right claw he had the chain, and in his left the shoes, and round his
The shoemaker heard that and ran out of doors in his shirt neck the millstone, and he flew far away to his father's house.
sleeves, and looked up at his roof, and was forced to hold his hand In the room sat the father, the mother, and Marlinchen at dinner,
before his eyes lest the sun should blind him. "Bird," said he, "how and the father said, "How light-hearted I feel, how happy I am!"
beautifully thou canst sing!" Then he called in at his door, "Wife, "Nay," said the mother, "I feel so uneasy, just as if a heavy storm
just come outside, there is a bird, look at that bird, he just can were coming." Marlinchen, however, sat weeping and weeping,
sing well." Then he called his daughter and children, and and then came the bird flying, and as it seated itself on the roof the
apprentices, boys and girls, and they all came up the street and father said, "Ah, I feel so truly happy, and the sun is shining so
looked at the bird and how beautiful he was, and what fine red and beautifully outside, I feel just as if I were about to see some old
green feathers he had, and how like real gold his neck was, and friend again." "Nay," said the woman, "I feel so anxious, my teeth
how the eyes in his head shone like stars. "Bird," said the chatter, and I seem to have fire in my veins." And she tore her stays
shoemaker, "now sing me that song again." "Nay," said the bird, open, but Marlinchen sat in a corner crying, and held her plate
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
before her eyes and cried till it was quite wet. Then the bird sat on Thompson–Uther" classification, is a catalogue of folktale types.
the juniper-tree, and sang, See: Bibliography]
"My mother she killed me," Contents: The Old Sultan is an old toothless dog that his master
Then the mother stopped her ears, and shut her eyes, and would wants to shoot. The wolf knows what to do and apparently robs
not see or hear, but there was a roaring in her ears like the most the little child, and the dog fetches it back. Now the farmer treats
violent storm, and her eyes burnt and flashed like lightning, him well. The wolf thinks he can steal a sheep with impunity, but
"My father he ate me," the dog tells the farmer, who beats the wolf. In return, the wolf
"Ah, mother," says the man, "that is a beautiful bird! He sings so tells the pig that he challenges the dog to a duel. When the old dog
splendidly, and the sun shines so warm, and there is a smell just shows up with an old three-legged cat, the other two mistake the
like cinnamon." cat's upturned tail for a saber and its limp for picking up stones.
"My sister, Marlinchen," They hide, but his ears give the pig away in the leaves. Ashamed,
Then Marlinchen laid her head on her knees and wept without the wolf makes peace.)
ceasing, but the man said, "I am going out, I must see the bird
quite close." "Oh, don't go," said the woman, "I feel as if the A farmer once had a faithful dog called Sultan, who had grown
whole house were shaking and on fire." But the man went out and old, and lost all his teeth, so that he could no longer hold
looked at the bird: anything fast. One day the farmer was standing with his wife
"Gathered together all my bones, before the house-door, and said, "To-morrow I intend to shoot
Tied them in a silken handkerchief, Old Sultan, he is no longer of any use."
Laid them under the juniper-tree, His wife, who felt pity for the faithful beast, answered, "He has
Kywitt, kywitt, what a beautiful bird am I!" served us so long, and been so faithful, that we might well give him
On this the bird let the golden chain fall, and it fell exactly round his keep."
the man's neck, and so exactly round it that it fitted beautifully. "Eh! what?" said the man. "You are not very sharp. He has not a
Then he went in and said, "Just look what a fine bird that is, and tooth left in his mouth, and not a thief is afraid of him; now he
what a handsome gold chain he has given me, and how pretty he may be off. If he has served us, he has had good feeding for it."
is!" But the woman was terrified, and fell down on the floor in the The poor dog, who was lying stretched out in the sun not far off,
room, and her cap fell off her head. Then sang the bird once more, had heard everything, and was sorry that the morrow was to be his
"My mother she killed me," last day. He had a good friend, the wolf, and he crept out in the
"Would that I were a thousand feet beneath the earth so as not to evening into the forest to him, and complained of the fate that
hear that!" awaited him. "Hark ye, gossip," said the wolf, "be of good cheer, I
"My father, he ate me," will help you out of your trouble. I have thought of something.
Then the woman fell down again as if dead. To-morrow, early in the morning, your master is going with his
"My sister, little Marlinchen." wife to make hay, and they will take their little child with them,
"Ah," said Marlinchen, "I too will go out and see if the bird will for no one will be left behind in the house. They are wont, during
give me anything," and she went out. work-time, to lay the child under the hedge in the shade; you lay
"Gathered together all my bones, yourself there too, just as if you wished to guard it. Then I will
Tied them in a silken handkerchief," come out of the wood, and carry off the child. You must rush
Then he threw down the shoes to her. swiftly after me, as if you would seize it again from me. I will let it
"Laid them beneath the juniper-tree, fall, and you will take it back to its parents, who will think that
Kywitt, kywitt, what a beautiful bird am I!" you have saved it, and will be far too grateful to do you any harm;
Then she was light-hearted and joyous, and she put on the new on the contrary, you will be in high favour, and they will never let
red shoes, and danced and leaped into the house. "Ah," said she, "I you want for anything again."
was so sad when I went out and now I am so light-hearted; that is a The plan pleased the dog, and it was carried out just as it was
splendid bird, he has given me a pair of red shoes!" "Well," said arranged. The father screamed when he saw the Wolf running
the woman, and sprang to her feet and her hair stood up like across the field with his child, but when Old Sultan brought it
flames of fire, "I feel as if the world were coming to an end! I, too, back then he was full of joy, and stroked him and said, "Not a hair
will go out and see if my heart feels lighter." And as she went out of yours shall be hurt, you shall eat my bread free as long as you
at the door, crash! the bird threw down the millstone on her head, live." And to his wife he said, "Go home at once and make Old
and she was entirely crushed by it. The father and Marlinchen Sultan some bread-sop that he will not have to bite, and bring the
heard what had happened and went out, and smoke, flames and pillow out of my bed, I will give him that to lie upon."
fire were rising from the place, and when that was over, there Henceforward Old Sultan was as well off as he could wish to be.
stood the little brother, and he took his father and Marlinchen by Soon afterwards the wolf visited him, and was pleased that
the hand, and all three were right glad, and they went into the everything had succeeded so well. "But, gossip," said he, "you will
house to dinner, and ate. just wink an eye if when I have a chance I carry off one of your
master's fat sheep." "Do not reckon upon that," answered the dog;
"I will remain true to my master; I cannot agree to that." The wolf,
48.—OLD SULTAN. who thought that this could not be spoken in earnest, came
creeping about in the night and was going to take away the sheep.
("Old Sultan" (German: Der alte Sultan) is an animal fairy tale But the farmer, to whom the faithful Sultan had told the wolf's
collected by the Brothers Grimm (KHM 48). The tale combines plan, caught him and dressed his hide soundly with the flail. The
two different Aarne–Thompson-Uther types: ATU* 101 ("The wolf had to pack off, but he cried out to the dog, "Wait a bit, you
Old Dog as Rescuer of the Child") and ATU* 103 ("War between scoundrel, you shall pay for this."
Wild Animals and Domestic Animals"). [* The "Aarne–
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
The next morning the wolf sent the boar to challenge the dog to "I have a daughter," said the old woman, "who is as beautiful as
come out into the forest so that they might settle the affair. Old any one in the world, and well deserves to be your consort, and if
Sultan could find no one to stand by him but a cat with only three you will make her your Queen, I will show you the way out of the
legs, and as they went out together the poor cat limped along, and forest." In the anguish of his heart the King consented, and the old
at the same time stretched out her tail into the air with pain. woman led him to her little hut, where her daughter was sitting by
The wolf and his friend were already on the spot appointed, but the fire. She received the King as if she had been expecting him,
when they saw their enemy coming they thought that he was and he saw that she was very beautiful, but still she did not please
bringing a sabre with him, for they mistook the outstretched tail him, and he could not look at her without secret horror. After he
of the cat for one. And when the poor beast hopped on its three had taken the maiden up on his horse, the old woman showed him
legs, they could only think every time that it was picking up a the way, and the King reached his royal palace again, where the
stone to throw at them. So they were both afraid; the wild boar wedding was celebrated.
crept into the under-wood and the wolf jumped up a tree. The King had already been married once, and had by his first
The dog and the cat, when they came up, wondered that there wife, seven children, six boys and a girl, whom he loved better
was no one to be seen. The wild boar, however, had not been able than anything else in the world. As he now feared that the step-
to hide himself altogether; and one of his ears was still to be seen. mother might not treat them well, and even do them some injury,
Whilst the cat was looking carefully about, the boar moved his ear; he took them to a lonely castle which stood in the midst of a forest.
the cat, who thought it was a mouse moving there, jumped upon it It lay so concealed, and the way was so difficult to find, that he
and bit it hard. The boar made a fearful noise and ran away, himself would not have found it, if a wise woman had not given
crying out, "The guilty one is up in the tree." The dog and cat him a ball of yarn with wonderful properties. When he threw it
looked up and saw the wolf, who was ashamed of having shown down before him, it unrolled itself and showed him his path. The
himself so timid, and made friends with the dog. King, however, went so frequently away to his dear children that
the Queen observed his absence; she was curious and wanted to
know what he did when he was quite alone in the forest. She gave a
49.—THE SIX SWANS. great deal of money to his servants, and they betrayed the secret to
her, and told her likewise of the ball which alone could point out
("The Six Swans" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm the way. And now she knew no rest until she had learnt where the
in Grimm's Fairy Tales in 1812 (KHM 49). It is very similar to the King kept the ball of yarn, and then she made little shirts of white
Twelve Brothers (KHM 9) and the Seven Ravens (KHM 25). The silk, and as she had learnt the art of witchcraft from her mother,
oldest written version of the swan children's fairy tale is that of she sewed a charm inside them. And once when the King had
Johannes de Alta Silva in "Dolopathos" around 1300. ridden forth to hunt, she took the little shirts and went into the
Contents: A king who got lost while hunting in the forest lets a forest, and the ball showed her the way. The children, who saw
witch show him the way and has to marry her daughter to do it. In from a distance that some one was approaching, thought that
order to protect his six sons and his daughter from his stepmother, their dear father was coming to them, and full of joy, ran to meet
he takes them to a castle in the forest, to which he finds the way him. Then she threw one of the little shirts over each of them, and
with a magic thread. When the queen finds out, she sews magic no sooner had the shirts touched their bodies than they were
shirts out of it and uses it to turn the brothers into swans. The changed into swans, and flew away over the forest. The Queen
sister wanders through the forest at night and meets her brothers went home quite delighted, and thought she had got rid of her
in a robber's hut, who can take off their swan skin for a quarter of step-children, but the girl had not run out with her brothers, and
an hour every day. To redeem her, she is not allowed to speak or the Queen knew nothing about her. Next day the King went to
laugh for six years and has to sew six shirts out of star flowers. A visit his children, but he found no one but the little girl. "Where
king on the hunt finds her and marries her, but his mother are thy brothers?" asked the King. "Alas, dear father," she
slanders the silent woman by stealing her newborn child three answered, "they have gone away and left me alone!" and she told
times and smearing her mouth with blood. When she is about to be him that she had seen from her little window how her brothers had
burned at the stake, the six swans come flying. The Queen is now flown away over the forest in the shape of swans, and she showed
free to speak and, with her brothers' support, defends herself him the feathers, which they had let fall in the courtyard, and
against the accusations against her. The Queen's missing children which she had picked up. The King mourned, but he did not think
are found alive and her evil mother-in-law is burned at the stake as that the Queen had done this wicked deed, and as he feared that
punishment. In the end, the queen, her husband, three children, the girl would also be stolen away from him, he wanted to take her
and six brothers live happily ever after.) away with him. But she was afraid of her step-mother, and
entreated the King to let her stay just this one night more in the
Once upon a time, a certain King was hunting in a great forest, forest castle.
and he chased a wild beast so eagerly that none of his attendants The poor girl thought, "I can no longer stay here. I will go and
could follow him. When evening drew near he stopped and looked seek my brothers." And when night came, she ran away, and went
around him, and then he saw that he had lost his way. He sought a straight into the forest. She walked the whole night long, and next
way out, but could find none. Then he perceived an aged woman day also without stopping, until she could go no farther for
with a head which nodded perpetually, who came towards him, weariness. Then she saw a forest-hut, and went into it, and found a
but she was a witch. "Good woman," said he to her, "Can you not room with six little beds, but she did not venture to get into one of
show me the way through the forest?" "Oh, yes, Lord King," she them, but crept under one, and lay down on the hard ground,
answered, "that I certainly can, but on one condition, and if you intending to pass the night there. Just before sunset, however, she
do not fulfil that, you will never get out of the forest, and will die heard a rustling, and saw six swans come flying in at the window.
of hunger in it." They alighted on the ground and blew at each other, and blew all
"What kind of condition is it?" asked the King. the feathers off, and their swan's skins stripped off like a shirt.
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Then the maiden looked at them and recognised her brothers, was away the newly-born child for the third time, and accused the
glad and crept forth from beneath the bed. The brothers were not Queen, who did not utter one word of defence, the King could do
less delighted to see their little sister, but their joy was of short no otherwise than deliver her over to justice, and she was
duration. "Here canst thou not abide," they said to her. "This is a sentenced to suffer death by fire.
shelter for robbers, if they come home and find thee, they will kill When the day came for the sentence to be executed, it was the last
thee." "But can you not protect me?" asked the little sister. "No," day of the six years during which she was not to speak or laugh,
they replied, "only for one quarter of an hour each evening can we and she had delivered her dear brothers from the power of the
lay aside our swan's skins and have during that time our human enchantment. The six shirts were ready, only the left sleeve of the
form; after that, we are once more turned into swans." The little sixth was wanting. When, therefore, she was led to the stake, she
sister wept and said, "Can you not be set free?" "Alas, no," they laid the shirts on her arm, and when she stood on high and the fire
answered, "the conditions are too hard! For six years thou mayst was just going to be lighted, she looked around and six swans
neither speak nor laugh, and in that time thou must sew together came flying through the air towards her. Then she saw that her
six little shirts of starwort for us. And if one single word falls from deliverance was near, and her heart leapt with joy. The swans
thy lips, all thy work will be lost." And when the brothers had said swept towards her and sank down so that she could throw the
this, the quarter of an hour was over, and they flew out of the shirts over them, and as they were touched by them, their swan's
window again as swans. skins fell off, and her brothers stood in their own bodily form
The maiden, however, firmly resolved to deliver her brothers, before her, and were vigorous and handsome. The youngest only
even if it should cost her her life. She left the hut, went into the lacked his left arm, and had in the place of it a swan's wing on his
midst of the forest, seated herself on a tree, and there passed the shoulder. They embraced and kissed each other, and the Queen
night. Next morning she went out and gathered starwort and went to the King, who was greatly moved, and she began to speak
began to sew. She could not speak to any one, and she had no and said, "Dearest husband, now I may speak and declare to thee
inclination to laugh; she sat there and looked at nothing but her that I am innocent, and falsely accused." And she told him of the
work. When she had already spent a long time there it came to treachery of the old woman who had taken away her three children
pass that the King of the country was hunting in the forest, and his and hidden them. Then to the great joy of the King they were
huntsmen came to the tree on which the maiden was sitting. They brought thither, and as a punishment, the wicked step-mother was
called to her and said, "Who art thou?" But she made no answer. bound to the stake, and burnt to ashes. But the King and the
"Come down to us," said they. "We will not do thee any harm." Queen with their six brothers lived many years in happiness and
She only shook her head. As they pressed her further with peace.
questions she threw her golden necklace down to them, and
thought to content them thus. They, however, did not cease, and
then she threw her girdle down to them, and as this also was to no 50.— SLEEPING BEAUTY or LITTLE BRIAR-ROSE.
purpose, her garters, and by degrees everything that she had on
that she could do without until she had nothing left but her shift. ("Sleeping Beauty" (French: La Belle au bois dormant), or
The huntsmen, however, did not let themselves be turned aside by "Little Briar Rose" (German: Dornröschen), also titled in English
that, but climbed the tree and fetched the maiden down and led as "The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods," is a classic fairy tale. The
her before the King. The King asked, "Who art thou? What art earliest known version of the story is found in the narrative
thou doing on the tree?" But she did not answer. He put the "Perceforest," composed between 1330 and 1344. The tale was
question in every language that he knew, but she remained as mute first published by Giambattista Basile in his collection of tales
as a fish. As she was so beautiful, the King's heart was touched, titled "The Pentamerone" (published posthumously in 1634).
and he was smitten with a great love for her. He put his mantle on Contents: The folktale begins with a princess whose parents are
her, took her before him on his horse, and carried her to his castle. told by a wicked fairy that their daughter will die when she pricks
Then he caused her to be dressed in rich garments, and she shone in her finger on a particular item. In Basile's version, the princess
her beauty like bright daylight, but no word could be drawn from pricks her finger on a piece of flax. In Perrault's and the Grimm
her. He placed her by his side at table, and her modest bearing and Brothers' versions, the item is a spindle. The parents rid the
courtesy pleased him so much that he said, "She is the one whom I kingdom of these items in the hopes of protecting their daughter,
wish to marry, and no other woman in the world." And after some but the prophecy is fulfilled regardless. Instead of dying, as was
days he united himself to her. foretold, the princess falls into a deep sleep. After some time, she is
The King, however, had a wicked mother who was dissatisfied found by a prince and is awakened. In Giambattista Basile's
with this marriage and spoke ill of the young Queen. "Who version of Sleeping Beauty, Sun, Moon, and Talia, the sleeping
knows," said she, "from whence the creature who can't speak, beauty, Talia, falls into a deep sleep after getting a splinter of flax
comes? She is not worthy of a king!" After a year had passed, when in her finger. She is discovered in her castle by a wandering king,
the Queen brought her first child into the world, the old woman who "carries her to a bed, where he gathers the first fruits of love."
took it away from her, and smeared her mouth with blood as she He leaves her there and she later gives birth to twins.
slept. Then she went to the King and accused the Queen of being a The second part begins after the prince and princess have had
man-eater. The King would not believe it, and would not suffer children. Through the course of the tale, the princess and her
any one to do her any injury. She, however, sat continually sewing children are introduced in some way to another woman from the
at the shirts, and cared for nothing else. The next time, when she prince's life. This other woman is not fond of the prince's new
again bore a beautiful boy, the false step-mother used the same family, and calls a cook to kill the children and serve them for
treachery, but the King could not bring himself to give credit to dinner. Instead of obeying, the cook hides the children and serves
her words. He said, "She is too pious and good to do anything of livestock. Next, the other woman orders the cook to kill the
that kind; if she were not dumb, and could defend herself, her princess. Before this can happen, the other woman's true nature is
innocence would come to light." But when the old woman stole revealed to the prince and then she is subjected to the very death
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
that she had planned for the princess. The princess, prince, and And the wind fell, and on the trees before the castle not a leaf
their children live happily ever after.) moved again.
But round about the castle there began to grow a hedge of
A long time ago there were a King and Queen who said every day, thorns, which every year became higher, and at last grew close up
"Ah, if only we had a child!" but they never had one. But it round the castle and all over it, so that there was nothing of it to
happened that once when the Queen was bathing, a frog crept out be seen, not even the flag upon the roof. But the story of the
of the water on to the land, and said to her, "Your wish shall be beautiful sleeping "Briar-rose," for so the princess was named,
fulfilled; before a year has gone by you shall have a daughter." went about the country, so that from time to time kings' sons came
What the frog had said came true, and the Queen had a little girl and tried to get through the thorny hedge into the castle.
who was so pretty that the King could not contain himself for joy, But they found it impossible, for the thorns held fast together, as
and ordered a great feast. He invited not only his kindred, friends if they had hands, and the youths were caught in them, could not
and acquaintance, but also the Wise Women, in order that they get loose again, and died a miserable death.
might be kind and well-disposed towards the child. There were After long, long years a King's son came again to that country,
thirteen of them in his kingdom, but, as he had only twelve golden and heard an old man talking about the thorn-hedge, and that a
plates for them to eat out of, one of them had to be left at home. castle was said to stand behind it in which a wonderfully beautiful
The feast was held with all manner of splendour, and when it princess, named Briar-rose, had been asleep for a hundred years;
came to an end the Wise Women bestowed their magic gifts upon and that the King and Queen and the whole court were asleep
the baby: one gave virtue, another beauty, a third riches, and so likewise. He had heard, too, from his grandfather, that many
on with everything in the world that one can wish for. kings' sons had already come, and had tried to get through the
When eleven of them had made their promises, suddenly the thorny hedge, but they had remained sticking fast in it, and had
thirteenth came in. She wished to avenge herself for not having died a pitiful death. Then the youth said, "I am not afraid, I will
been invited, and without greeting, or even looking at any one, go and see the beautiful Briar-rose." The good old man might
she cried with a loud voice, "The King's daughter shall in her dissuade him as he would, he did not listen to his words.
fifteenth year prick herself with a spindle, and fall down dead." But by this time the hundred years had just passed, and the day
And, without saying a word more, she turned round and left the had come when Briar-rose was to awake again. When the King's
room. son came near to the thorn-hedge, it was nothing but large and
They were all shocked; but the twelfth, whose good wish still beautiful flowers, which parted from each other of their own
remained unspoken, came forward, and as she could not undo the accord, and let him pass unhurt, then they closed again behind
evil sentence, but only soften it, she said, "It shall not be death, him like a hedge. In the castle-yard he saw the horses and the
but a deep sleep of a hundred years, into which the princess shall spotted hounds lying asleep; on the roof sat the pigeons with their
fall." heads under their wings. And when he entered the house, the flies
The King, who would fain keep his dear child from the were asleep upon the wall, the cook in the kitchen was still holding
misfortune, gave orders that every spindle in the whole kingdom out his hand to seize the boy, and the maid was sitting by the black
should be burnt. Meanwhile the gifts of the Wise Women were hen which she was going to pluck.
plenteously fulfilled on the young girl, for she was so beautiful, He went on farther, and in the great hall he saw the whole of the
modest, good-natured, and wise, that every one who saw her was court lying asleep, and up by the throne lay the King and Queen.
bound to love her. Then he went on still farther, and all was so quiet that a breath
It happened that on the very day when she was fifteen years old, could be heard, and at last he came to the tower, and opened the
the King and Queen were not at home, and the maiden was left in door into the little room where Briar-rose was sleeping. There she
the palace quite alone. So she went round into all sorts of places, lay, so beautiful that he could not turn his eyes away; and he
looked into rooms and bed-chambers just as she liked, and at last stooped down and gave her a kiss. But as soon as he kissed her,
came to an old tower. She climbed up the narrow winding- Briar-rose opened her eyes and awoke, and looked at him quite
staircase, and reached a little door. A rusty key was in the lock, sweetly.
and when she turned it the door sprang open, and there in a little Then they went down together, and the King awoke, and the
room sat an old woman with a spindle, busily spinning her flax. Queen, and the whole court, and looked at each other in great
"Good day, old dame," said the King's daughter; "what are you astonishment. And the horses in the court-yard stood up and
doing there?" "I am spinning," said the old woman, and nodded shook themselves; the hounds jumped up and wagged their tails;
her head. "What sort of thing is that, that rattles round so the pigeons upon the roof pulled out their heads from under their
merrily?" said the girl, and she took the spindle and wanted to wings, looked round, and flew into the open country; the flies on
spin too. But scarcely had she touched the spindle when the magic the wall crept again; the fire in the kitchen burned up and
decree was fulfilled, and she pricked her finger with it. flickered and cooked the meat; the joint began to turn and frizzle
And, in the very moment when she felt the prick, she fell down again, and the cook gave the boy such a box on the ear that he
upon the bed that stood there, and lay in a deep sleep. And this screamed, and the maid plucked the fowl ready for the spit.
sleep extended over the whole palace; the King and Queen who had And then the marriage of the King's son with Briar-rose was
just come home, and had entered the great hall, began to go to celebrated with all splendour, and they lived contented to the end
sleep, and the whole of the court with them. The horses, too, went of their days.
to sleep in the stable, the dogs in the yard, the pigeons upon the
roof, the flies on the wall; even the fire that was flaming on the
hearth became quiet and slept, the roast meat left off frizzling, and
the cook, who was just going to pull the hair of the scullery boy,
because he had forgotten something, let him go, and went to sleep.
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
51.—FUNDEVOGEL or BIRD-FOUNDLING. But when she came in, and went to the beds, both the children
were gone. Then she was terribly alarmed, and she said to herself,
("Foundling-Bird" or "Bird-Foundling" is a fairy tale collected "What shall I say now when the forester comes home and sees that
by the Brothers Grimm, number 51. The story is from Hesse. the children are gone? They must be followed instantly to get them
Contents: A forester found a baby in a bird's nest and brought back again."
him back to be raised with his daughter Lenchen. They called the Then the cook sent three servants after them, who were to run
child Fundevogel or Foundling-Bird, and he and Lenchen loved and overtake the children. The children, however, were sitting
each other. One day Lenchen saw the cook carrying many buckets outside the forest, and when they saw from afar the three servants
of water to the house and asked what she was doing. The cook told running, Lina said to Fundevogel, "Never leave me, and I will
her that the next day, she would boil Fundevogel in it. Lenchen never leave thee." Fundevogel said, "Neither now, nor ever." Then
went and told Fundevogel, and they fled. The cook, afraid of what said Lina, "Do thou become a rose-tree, and I the rose upon it."
the forester would say about his lost daughter, sent servants after When the three servants came to the forest, nothing was there but
them. Fundevogel transformed into a rosebush and Lenchen a rose a rose-tree and one rose on it, but the children were nowhere.
on it, and the servants went back empty-handed. When they told Then said they, "There is nothing to be done here," and they went
the cook they had seen nothing but the rosebush and the rose, she home and told the cook that they had seen nothing in the forest
scolded them for not bringing back the rose. They went again, and but a little rose-bush with one rose on it. Then the old cook
Fundevogel became a church, and Lenchen a chandelier in it. They scolded and said, "You simpletons, you should have cut the rose-
returned and told the cook what they had seen, and she scolded bush in two, and have broken off the rose and brought it home
them for not bringing back the chandelier. The cook set out with you; go, and do it at once." They had therefore to go out and
herself. Fundevogel turned into a pond and Lenchen a duck on it. look for the second time. The children, however, saw them coming
The cook knelt down to drink up the pool, but Lenchen caught from a distance. Then Lina said, "Fundevogel, never leave me, and
her head and drew her into the pond to drown. The children went I will never leave thee." Fundevogel said, "Neither now, nor
safely home again.) ever." Said Lina, "Then do thou become a church, and I'll be the
chandelier in it." So when the three servants came, nothing was
There was once a forester who went into the forest to hunt, and there but a church, with a chandelier in it. They said therefore to
as he entered it he heard a sound of screaming as if a little child each other, "What can we do here, let us go home." When they got
were there. He followed the sound, and at last came to a high tree, home, the cook asked if they had not found them; so they said no,
and at the top of this a little child was sitting, for the mother had they had found nothing but a church, and that there was a
fallen asleep under the tree with the child, and a bird of prey had chandelier in it. And the cook scolded them and said, "You fools!
seen it in her arms, had flown down, snatched it away, and set it why did you not pull the church to pieces, and bring the
on the high tree. chandelier home with you?" And now the old cook herself got on
The forester climbed up, brought the child down, and thought to her legs, and went with the three servants in pursuit of the
himself, "Thou wilt take him home with thee, and bring him up children. The children, however, saw from afar that the three
with thy Lina." He took it home, therefore, and the two children servants were coming, and the cook waddling after them. Then
grew up together. The one, however, which he had found on a tree said Lina, "Fundevogel, never leave me, and I will never leave
was called Fundevogel, because a bird had carried it away. thee." Then said Fundevogel, "Neither now, nor ever." Said Lina,
Fundevogel and Lina loved each other so dearly that when they "Be a fishpond, and I will be the duck upon it." The cook,
did not see each other they were sad. however, came up to them, and when she saw the pond she lay
The forester, however, had an old cook, who one evening took down by it, and was about to drink it up. But the duck swam
two pails and began to fetch water, and did not go once only, but quickly to her, seized her head in its beak and drew her into the
many times, out to the spring. Lina saw this and said, "Hark you, water, and there the old witch had to drown. Then the children
old Sanna, why are you fetching so much water?" "If thou wilt went home together, and were heartily delighted, and if they are
never repeat it to any one, I will tell thee why." So Lina said, no, not dead, they are living still.
she would never repeat it to any one, and then the cook said,
"Early to-morrow morning, when the forester is out hunting, I
will heat the water, and when it is boiling in the kettle, I will 52.—KING THRUSHBEARD.
throw in Fundevogel, and will boil him in it."
Betimes next morning the forester got up and went out hunting, ("King Thrushbeard" or "King Grizzlebeard" (German: König
and when he was gone the children were still in bed. Then Lina Drosselbart) is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm (KHM
said to Fundevogel, "If thou wilt never leave me, I too will never 52). The fairy tale is composed of three stories. The sources were
leave thee." Fundevogel said, "Neither now, nor ever will I leave the Hassenpflug family from Hanau, with supplements by
thee." Then said Lina, "Then will I tell thee. Last night, old Sanna Ludowine Haxthausen and by Wilhelm Grimm's friend and future
carried so many buckets of water into the house that I asked her wife, Dortchen Wild.)
why she was doing that, and she said that if I would promise not to Contents: A king's daughter taunts all invited suitors, especially
tell any one she would tell me, and I said I would be sure not to tell a king with a crooked chin, since then known as "Thrushbeard".
any one, and she said that early to-morrow morning when father Angry, her father gives her to a begging minstrel in marriage, who
was out hunting, she would set on the kettle full of water, throw takes her home. Along the way, she admires beautiful possessions
thee into it and boil thee; but we will get up quickly, dress and learns that everything belongs to King Thrushbeard,
ourselves, and go away together." whereupon she regrets her dismissive attitude toward Thrushbeard.
The two children therefore got up, dressed themselves quickly, The king's daughter now has to work in the minstrel's little house,
and went away. When the water in the kettle was boiling, the cook who emphasizes her incompetence. Because her weaving and
went into the bed-room to fetch Fundevogel and throw him into it. spinning fail, she has to offer dishes at the market. People like to
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
buy, but the second time a supposedly drunk hussar on horseback Thrushbeard; if you had taken him, it would have been yours."
breaks the goods. Her husband scolds her and sends her to the "Ah, unhappy girl that I am, if I had but taken King
royal palace as a kitchen maid, where she helps out and brings Thrushbeard!"
home leftovers. She only wants to watch the royal couple's "It does not please me," said the fiddler, "to hear you always
wedding, but King Thrushbeard drags her onto the dance floor, wishing for another husband; am I not good enough for you?" At
and the leftovers stolen that day fall out of her pockets. She tries last they came to a very little hut, and she said, "Oh, goodness!
to flee, but Drosselbart catches up with her on the stairs and what a small house; to whom does this miserable, mean hovel
reveals himself to be her husband, the alleged beggar. He had belong?" The fiddler answered, "That is my house and yours,
disguised himself as a minstrel to punish their pride and had also where we shall live together."
been the hussar. They end up getting married.) She had to stoop in order to go in at the low door. "Where are
the servants?" said the King's daughter. "What servants?"
A king had a daughter who was beautiful beyond all measure, answered the beggar-man; "you must yourself do what you wish to
but so proud and haughty withal that no suitor was good enough have done. Just make a fire at once, and set on water to cook my
for her. She sent away one after the other, and ridiculed them as supper, I am quite tired." But the King's daughter knew nothing
well. about lighting fires or cooking, and the beggar-man had to lend a
Once the King made a great feast and invited thereto, from far hand himself to get anything fairly done. When they had finished
and near, all the young men likely to marry. They were all their scanty meal they went to bed; but he forced her to get up
marshalled in a row according to their rank and standing; first quite early in the morning in order to look after the house.
came the kings, then the grand-dukes, then the princes, the earls, For a few days they lived in this way as well as might be, and
the barons, and the gentry. Then the King's daughter was led finished all their provisions. Then the man said, "Wife, we cannot
through the ranks, but to every one she had some objection to go on any longer eating and drinking here and earning nothing.
make; one was too fat, "The wine-cask," she said. Another was too You must weave baskets." He went out, cut some willows, and
tall, "Long and thin has little in." The third was too short, "Short brought them home. Then she began to weave, but the tough
and thick is never quick." The fourth was too pale, "As pale as willows wounded her delicate hands.
death." The fifth too red, "A fighting-cock." The sixth was not "I see that this will not do," said the man; "you had better spin,
straight enough, "A green log dried behind the stove." perhaps you can do that better." She sat down and tried to spin,
So she had something to say against every one, but she made but the hard thread soon cut her soft fingers so that the blood ran
herself especially merry over a good king who stood quite high up down. "See," said the man, "you are fit for no sort of work; I have
in the row, and whose chin had grown a little crooked. "Well," made a bad bargain with you. Now I will try to make a business
she cried and laughed, "he has a chin like a thrush's beak!" and with pots and earthenware; you must sit in the market-place and
from that time he got the name of King Thrushbeard. sell the ware." "Alas," thought she, "if any of the people from my
But the old King, when he saw that his daughter did nothing but father's kingdom come to the market and see me sitting there,
mock the people, and despised all the suitors who were gathered selling, how they will mock me?" But it was of no use, she had to
there, was very angry, and swore that she should have for her yield unless she chose to die of hunger.
husband the very first beggar that came to his doors. For the first time she succeeded well, for the people were glad to
A few days afterwards a fiddler came and sang beneath the buy the woman's wares because she was good-looking, and they
windows, trying to earn a small alms. When the King heard him paid her what she asked; many even gave her the money and left
he said, "Let him come up." So the fiddler came in, in his dirty, the pots with her as well. So they lived on what she had earned as
ragged clothes, and sang before the King and his daughter, and long as it lasted, then the husband bought a lot of new crockery.
when he had ended he asked for a trifling gift. The King said, With this she sat down at the corner of the market-place, and set it
"Your song has pleased me so well that I will give you my out round about her ready for sale. But suddenly there came a
daughter there, to wife." drunken hussar galloping along, and he rode right amongst the
The King's daughter shuddered, but the King said, "I have taken pots so that they were all broken into a thousand bits. She began
an oath to give you to the very first beggar-man, and I will keep to weep, and did not know what to do for fear. "Alas! what will
it." All she could say was in vain; the priest was brought, and she happen to me?" cried she; "what will my husband say to this?"
had to let herself be wedded to the fiddler on the spot. When that She ran home and told him of the misfortune. "Who would seat
was done the King said, "Now it is not proper for you, a beggar- herself at a corner of the market-place with crockery?" said the
woman, to stay any longer in my palace, you may just go away man; "leave off crying, I see very well that you cannot do any
with your husband." ordinary work, so I have been to our King's palace and have asked
The beggar-man led her out by the hand, and she was obliged to whether they cannot find a place for a kitchen-maid, and they have
walk away on foot with him. When they came to a large forest she promised me to take you; in that way you will get your food for
asked, "To whom does that beautiful forest belong?" "It belongs nothing."
to King Thrushbeard; if you had taken him, it would have been The King's daughter was now a kitchen-maid, and had to be at
yours." "Ah, unhappy girl that I am, if I had but taken King the cook's beck and call, and do the dirtiest work. In both her
Thrushbeard!" pockets she fastened a little jar, in which she took home her share
Afterwards they came to a meadow, and she asked again, "To of the leavings, and upon this they lived.
whom does this beautiful green meadow belong?" "It belongs to It happened that the wedding of the King's eldest son was to be
King Thrushbeard; if you had taken him, it would have been celebrated, so the poor woman went up and placed herself by the
yours." "Ah, unhappy girl that I am, if I had but taken King door of the hall to look on. When all the candles were lit, and
Thrushbeard!" people, each more beautiful than the other, entered, and all was
Then they came to a large town, and she asked again, "To whom full of pomp and splendour, she thought of her lot with a sad heart,
does this fine large town belong?" "It belongs to King
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
and cursed the pride and haughtiness which had humbled her and The queen is always pleased with that response because the magic
brought her to so great poverty. mirror never lies. But when Snow White is seven years old, her
The smell of the delicious dishes which were being taken in and fairness surpasses that of her stepmother. When the queen asks her
out reached her, and now and then the servants threw her a few mirror, it tells her that Snow White is the fairest. This gives the
morsels of them: these she put in her jars to take home. queen a great shock. She becomes envious, and from that moment
All at once the King's son entered, clothed in velvet and silk, on, her heart turns against Snow White, whom the queen grows to
with gold chains about his neck. And when he saw the beautiful hate increasingly with time. Eventually, the angry queen orders a
woman standing by the door he seized her by the hand, and would huntsman to take Snow White into the forest and kill her. As
have danced with her; but she refused and shrank with fear, for she proof that Snow White is dead, the queen also wants him to return
saw that it was King Thrushbeard, her suitor whom she had with her heart, which she will consume in order to become
driven away with scorn. Her struggles were of no avail, he drew immortal. The huntsman takes Snow White into the forest, but
her into the hall; but the string by which her pockets were hung after raising his dagger, he finds himself unable to kill her. When
broke, the pots fell down, the soup ran out, and the scraps were Snow White learns of her stepmother's evil plan she tearfully begs
scattered all about. And when the people saw it, there arose the huntsman, "Spare me this mockery of justice! I will run away
general laughter and derision, and she was so ashamed that she into the forest and never come home again!" After seeing the tears
would rather have been a thousand fathoms below the ground. She in the princess's eyes, the huntsman reluctantly agrees to spare
sprang to the door and would have run away, but on the stairs a Snow White and brings the queen the heart of an animal instead.
man caught her and brought her back; and when she looked at him After wandering through the forest for hours, Snow White
it was King Thrushbeard again. He said to her kindly, "Do not be discovers a tiny cottage belonging to a group of seven dwarfs.
afraid, I and the fiddler who has been living with you in that Since no one is at home, she eats some of the tiny meals, drinks
wretched hovel are one. For love of you I disguised myself so; and I some of their wine, and then tests all the beds. Finally, the last bed
also was the hussar who rode through your crockery. This was all is comfortable enough for her, and she falls asleep. When the
done to humble your proud spirit, and to punish you for the dwarfs return home, they immediately become aware that there
insolence with which you mocked me." has been a burglar in their house, because everything in their home
Then she wept bitterly and said, "I have done great wrong, and is in disorder. Prowling about frantically, they head upstairs and
am not worthy to be your wife." But he said, "Be comforted, the discover the sleeping Snow White. She wakes up and explains to
evil days are past; now we will celebrate our wedding." Then the them about her stepmother's attempt to kill her, and the dwarfs
maids-in-waiting came and put on her the most splendid clothing, take pity on her and let her stay with them in exchange for a job as
and her father and his whole court came and wished her happiness a housemaid. They warn her to be careful when alone at home and
in her marriage with King Thrushbeard, and the joy now began in to let no one in while they are working in the mountains. Snow
earnest. I wish you and I had been there too. White grows into an absolutely lovely, fair and beautiful young
maiden. Meanwhile, the queen, who believes she had gotten rid of
Snow White a decade earlier, asks her mirror once again: "Magic
53.—LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. mirror on the wall, who now is the fairest one of all?" The mirror
tells her that not only is Snow White still the fairest in the land,
("Snow White" is a 19th-century fairy tale that is today known but she is also currently hiding with the dwarfs. The queen is
widely across the World. The Brothers Grimm published it in furious when she learns that Snow White used her wits to fake her
1812 as "Schneeweißchen" in the first edition of their Children's death, and decides to kill the girl herself. First, she appears at the
and Household Tales and numbered as KHM 53. The original dwarfs' cottage, disguised as an old peddler, and offers Snow
Low German title was "Sneewittchen" (snee for snow, witt for White colourful, silky laced bodices as a present. The queen laces
white), but the first version gave the High German translation her up so tightly that Snow White faints; the dwarfs return just in
"Schneeweißchen", and the tale has become known in German by time to revive Snow White by loosening the laces. Next, the queen
the mixed form "Schneewittchen". The Brothers Grimm's "Snow dresses up as a comb seller and convinces Snow White to take a
White" was predated by Johann Karl August Musäus's "Richilde" beautiful comb as a present; she strokes Snow White's hair with
(1782). Albert Ludwig Grimm (no relation to the Brothers the poisoned comb. The girl is overcome by the poison from the
Grimm) published a play version in 1808. The Brothers Grimm comb, but she is again revived by the dwarfs when they remove the
shortened the tale a bit and turned it into a new story. Since then, comb from her hair. Finally, the queen disguises herself as a
it has become one of the most famous children's fairy tales farmer's wife and offers Snow White a poisoned apple. Snow
worldwide and it has appeared in all kinds of adaptations. White is hesitant to accept it, so the queen cuts the apple in half,
Contents: At the beginning of the story, a queen sits sewing at an eating the white (harmless) half and giving the red poisoned half
open window during a winter snowfall when she pricks her finger to Snow White; the girl eagerly takes a bite and then falls into a
with her needle, causing three drops of red blood to drip onto the coma or appearing to be dead, causing the Queen to think she has
freshly fallen white snow on the black windowsill. Then, she says finally triumphed. This time, the dwarfs are unable to revive Snow
to herself, "How I wish that I had a daughter that had skin as White, and, assuming that the queen has finally killed her, they
white as snow, lips as red as blood and hair as black as ebony." place her in a glass casket as a funeral for her. The next day, a
Sometime later, the queen gives birth to a baby daughter whom prince stumbles upon a seemingly-dead Snow White lying in her
she names Snow White, but the queen dies in childbirth. A year glass coffin during a hunting trip. After hearing her story from
later, Snow White's father, the king, marries again. His new wife the Seven Dwarfs, the prince is allowed to take Snow White to her
is a very beautiful, but also vain and wicked woman who practices proper resting place back at her father's castle. All of a sudden,
witchcraft. The new queen possesses a magic mirror, which she while Snow White is being transported, one of the prince's
asks every morning, "Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest servants trips and loses his balance. This dislodges the piece of the
one of all?" The mirror always tells the queen that she is the fairest. poisoned apple from Snow White's throat, magically reviving her.
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
The Prince is overjoyed with this miracle, and he declares his love leave me my life! I will run away into the wild forest, and never
for the now alive and well Snow White, who, surprised to meet come home again."
him face to face, humbly accepts his marriage proposal. The prince And as she was so beautiful the huntsman had pity on her and
invites everyone in the land to their wedding, except for Snow said, "Run away, then, you poor child." "The wild beasts will
White's stepmother. The queen, believing herself finally to be rid soon have devoured you," thought he, and yet it seemed as if a
of Snow White after ten years, again asks her magic mirror who is stone had been rolled from his heart since it was no longer needful
the fairest in the land. The mirror says that there is a bride of a for him to kill her. And as a young boar just then came running by
prince, who is yet fairer than she. The queen decides to visit the he stabbed it, and cut out its heart and took it to the Queen as a
wedding and investigate. Once she arrives, the Queen becomes proof that the child was dead. The cook had to salt this, and the
frozen with rage and fear when she finds out that the prince's bride wicked Queen ate it, and thought she had eaten the heart of Snow-
is her stepdaughter, Snow White herself. The furious Queen tries white.
to sow chaos and attempts to kill her again, but the prince But now the poor child was all alone in the great forest, and so
recognises her as a threat to Snow White when he learns the truth terrified that she looked at every leaf of every tree, and did not
from his bride. As a punishment for the attempted murder of Snow know what to do. Then she began to run, and ran over sharp
White, the prince orders the Queen to wear a pair of red-hot iron stones and through thorns, and the wild beasts ran past her, but
slippers and to dance in them until she drops dead. With the evil did her no harm. She ran as long as her feet would go until it was
Queen finally defeated and dead, Snow White has taken her almost evening; then she saw a little cottage and went into it to
revenge, so her wedding to the prince peacefully continues.) rest herself. Everything in the cottage was small, but neater and
cleaner than can be told. There was a table on which was a white
Once upon a time in the middle of winter, when the flakes of cover, and seven little plates, and on each plate a little spoon;
snow were falling like feathers from the sky, a queen sat at a moreover, there were seven little knives and forks, and seven little
window sewing, and the frame of the window was made of black mugs. Against the wall stood seven little beds side by side, and
ebony. And whilst she was sewing and looking out of the window covered with snow-white counterpanes.
at the snow, she pricked her finger with the needle, and three Little Snow-white was so hungry and thirsty that she ate some
drops of blood fell upon the snow. And the red looked pretty upon vegetables and bread from each plate and drank a drop of wine out
the white snow, and she thought to herself, "Would that I had a of each mug, for she did not wish to take all from one only. Then,
child as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as the wood of as she was so tired she laid herself down on one of the little beds,
the window-frame." but none of them suited her; one was too long, another too short,
Soon after that she had a little daughter, who was as white as but at last she found that the seventh one was right, and so she
snow, and as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony; and remained in it, said a prayer and went to sleep.
she was therefore called Little Snow-white. And when the child When it was quite dark the owners of the cottage came back;
was born, the Queen died. they were seven dwarfs who dug and delved in the mountains for
After a year had passed the King took to himself another wife. ore. They lit their seven candles, and as It was now light within the
She was a beautiful woman, but proud and haughty, and she could cottage they saw that some one had been there, for everything was
not bear that any one else should surpass her in beauty. She had a not in the same order in which they had left it.
wonderful looking-glass, and when she stood in front of it and The first said, "Who has been sitting on my chair?"
looked at herself in it, and said— The second, "Who has been eating off my plate?"
"Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, The third, "Who has been taking some of my bread?"
Who in this land is the fairest of all? " The fourth, "Who has been eating my vegetables?"
the looking-glass answered— The fifth, "Who has been using my fork?"
"Thou, O Queen, art the fairest of all!" The sixth, "Who has been cutting with my knife?"
Then she was satisfied, for she knew that the looking-glass spoke The seventh, "Who has been drinking out of my mug?"
the truth. Then the first looked round and saw that there was a little hole
But Snow-white was growing up, and grew more and more on his bed, and he said, "Who has been getting into my bed?" The
beautiful; and when she was seven years old she was as beautiful as others came up and each called out "Somebody has been lying in
the day, and more beautiful than the Queen herself. And once my bed too." But the seventh when he looked at his bed saw little
when the Queen asked her looking-glass— Snow-white who was lying asleep therein. And he called the
"Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, others' who came running up, and they cried out with
Who in this land is the fairest of all?" astonishment, and brought their seven little candles and let the
it answered — light fall on little Snow-white. "Oh, heavens! oh heavens!" cried
"Thou art fairer than all who are here, Lady Queen." they, "what a lovely child!" and they were so glad that they did
But more beautiful still is Snow-white, as I ween." not wake her up, but let her sleep on in the bed. And the seventh
Then the Queen was shocked, and turned yellow and green with dwarf slept with his companions, one hour with each, and so got
envy. From that hour, whenever she looked at Snow-white, her through the night.
heart heaved in her breast, she hated the girl so much. When it was morning little Snow-white awoke, and was
And envy and pride grew higher and higher in her heart like a frightened when she saw the seven dwarfs. But they were friendly
weed, so that she had no peace day or night. She called a huntsman, and asked her what her name was. "My name is Snow-white," she
and said, "Take the child away into the forest; I will no longer answered. "How have you come to our house?" said the dwarfs.
have her in my sight. Kill her, and bring me back her heart as a Then she told them that her step-mother had wished to have her
token." The huntsman obeyed, and took her away; but when he killed, but that the huntsman had spared her life, and that she had
had drawn his knife, and was about to pierce Snow-white's run for the whole day, until at last she had found their dwelling.
innocent heart, she began to weep, and said, "Ah, dear huntsman, The dwarfs said, "If you will take care of our house, cook, make
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
the beds, wash, sew, and knit, and if you will keep everything neat yon," and by the help of witchcraft, which she understood, she
and clean, you can stay with us and you shall want for nothing." made a poisonous comb. Then she disguised herself and took the
"Yes," said Snow-white, "with all my heart," and she stayed with shape of another old woman. So she went over the seven
them. She kept the house in order for them; in the mornings they mountains to the seven dwarfs, knocked at the door, and cried,
went to the mountains and looked for copper and gold, in the "Good things to sell, cheap, cheap!" Little Snow-white looked out
evenings they came back, and then their supper had to be ready. and said, "Go away; I cannot let any one come in." "I suppose you
The girl was alone the whole day, so the good dwarfs warned her can look," said the old woman, and pulled the poisonous comb out
and said, "Beware of your step-mother, she will soon know that and held it up. It pleased the girl so well that she let herself be
you are here; be sure to let no one come in." beguiled, and opened the door. When they had made a bargain the
But the Queen, believing that she had eaten Snow-white's heart, old woman said, "Now I will comb you properly for once." Poor
could not but think that she was again the first and most beautiful little Snow-white had no suspicion, and let the old woman do as
of all; and she went to her looking-glass and said — she pleased, but hardly had she put the comb in her hair than the
"Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, poison in it took effect, and the girl fell down senseless. "You
Who in this land is the fairest of all?" paragon of beauty," said the wicked woman, "you are done for
and the glass answered — now," and she went away.
"Oh, Queen, thou art fairest of all I see, But fortunately it was almost evening, when the seven dwarfs
But over the hills, where the seven dwarfs dwell. came home. When they saw Snow-white lying as if dead upon the
Snow-white is still alive and well, ground they at once suspected the stepmother, and they looked
And none is so fair as she." and found the poisoned comb. Scarcely had they taken it out when
Then she was astounded, for she knew that the looking-glass Snow-white came to herself, and told them what had happened.
never spoke falsely, and she knew that the huntsman had betrayed Then they warned her once more to be upon her guard and to open
her, and that little Snow-white was still alive. the door to no one.
And so she thought and thought again how she might kill her, The Queen, at home, went in front of the glass and said —
for so long as she was not the fairest in the whole land, envy let her "Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall,
have no rest. And when she had at last thought of something to do, "Who in this land is the fairest of all?"
she painted her face, and dressed herself like an old pedler-woman, then it answered as before —
and no one could have known her. In this disguise she went over "Oh, Queen, thou art fairest of all I see.
the seven mountains to the seven dwarfs, and knocked at the door But over the hills, where the seven dwarfs dwell.
and cried, "Pretty things to sell, very cheap, very cheap." Little Snow-white is still alive and well,
Snow-white looked out of the window and called out, "Good-day, And none is so fair as she."
my good woman, what have you to sell?" "Good things, pretty When she heard the glass speak thus she trembled and shook with
things," she answered; "stay-laces of all colours," and she pulled rage. "Snow-white shall die," she cried, "even if it costs me my
out one which was woven of bright-coloured silk. "I may let the life!"
worthy old woman in," thought Snow-white, and she unbolted Thereupon she went into a quite secret, lonely room, where no
the door and bought the pretty laces. "Child," said the old woman, one ever came, and there she made a very poisonous apple. Outside
"what a fright you look; come, I will lace you properly for once." it looked pretty, white with a red cheek, so that every one who saw
Snow-white had no suspicion, but stood before her, and let herself it longed for it; but whoever ate a piece of it must surely die.
be laced with the new laces. But the old woman laced so quickly When the apple was ready she painted her face, and dressed
and laced so tightly that Snow-white lost her breath and fell down herself up as a country-woman, and so she went over the seven
as if dead. "Now I am the most beautiful," said the Queen to mountains to the seven dwarfs. She knocked at the door. Snow-
herself, and ran away. white put her head out of the window and said, "I cannot let any
Not long afterwards, in the evening, the seven dwarfs came home, one in; the seven dwarfs have forbidden me." "It is all the same to
but how shocked they were when they saw their dear little Snow- me," answered the woman, "I shall soon get rid of my apples.
white lying on the ground, and that she neither stirred nor moved, There, I will give you one."
and seemed to be dead. They lifted her up, and, as they saw that "No," said Snow-white, "I dare not take anything." "Are you
she was laced too tightly, they cut the laces; then she began to afraid of poison?" said the old woman; "look, I will cut the apple
breathe a little, and after a while came to life again. When the in two pieces; you eat the red cheek, and I will eat the white." The
dwarfs heard what had happened they said, "The old pedler- apple was so cunningly made that only the red cheek was poisoned.
woman was no one else than the wicked Queen; take care and let Snow-white longed for the fine apple, and when she saw that the
no one come in when we are not with you." woman ate part of it she could resist no longer, and stretched out
But the wicked woman when she had reached home went in front her hand and took the poisonous half. But hardly had she a bit of
of the glass and asked— it in her mouth than she fell down dead. Then the Queen looked at
"Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, her with a dreadful look, and laughed aloud and said, "White as
Who in this land is the fairest of all?" snow, red as blood, black as ebony-wood! this time the dwarfs
and it answered as before— cannot wake you up again."
"Oh, Queen, thou art fairest of all I see, And when she asked of the Looking-glass at home—
But over the hills, where the seven dwarfs dwell, "Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall,
Snow-white is still alive and well, Who in this land is the fairest of all?"
And none is so fair as she." it answered at last—
When she heard that, all her blood rushed to her heart with fear, "Oh, Queen, in this land thou art fairest of all."
for she saw plainly that little Snow-white was again alive. "But Then her envious heart had rest, so far as an envious heart can
now," she said, "I will think of something that shall put an end to have rest.
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
The dwarfs, when they came home in the evening, found Snow- 54.—THE KNAPSACK, THE HAT, AND THE HORN.
white lying upon the ground; she breathed no longer and was dead.
They lifted her up, looked to see whether they could find anything ("The knapsack, the little hat and the little horn" is a fairy tale
poisonous, unlaced her, combed her hair, washed her with water in the Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm
and wine, but it was all of no use; the poor child was dead, and from the 2nd edition of 1819 at position 54 (KHM 54). The plot
remained dead. They laid her upon a bier, and all seven of them sat corresponds to the shorter "Of the Napkin, the Knapsack, the
round it and wept for her, and wept three days long. Cannon Hood and the Horn" from the 1st edition (See: 1812
Then they were going to bury her, but she still looked as if she KHM 37) and could be contributed by Sergeant Krause as well.
were living, and still had her pretty red cheeks. They said, "We Contents: Three brothers set out to seek their fortunes. In a
could not bury her in the dark ground," and they had a forest stands a mountain of silver. The eldest takes it and goes
transparent coffin of glass made, so that she could be seen from all home, then the second at one made of gold. The youngest almost
sides, and they laid her in it, and wrote her name upon it in golden starves to death in an even bigger forest. Even from a treetop he
letters, and that she was a king's daughter. Then they put the sees no end. Descending, he finds a set table. It's a wishing
coffin out upon the mountain, and one of them always stayed by it tablecloth. He meets three charcoal burners one after the other,
and watched it. And birds came too, and wept for Snow-white; who in return give him a soldier's satchel, a little hat and a little
first an owl, then a raven, and last a dove. horn. If you tap on the satchel, three soldiers will appear, and he
And now Snow-white lay a long, long time in the coffin, and she will have the cloth retrieved from them. At home, his rich brothers
did not change, but looked as if she were asleep; for she was as mock him for his shabby clothes. His soldiers beat them and also
white as snow, as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony. beat the king's troops. He sends more the next day, but the hero
It happened, however, that a king's son came into the forest, and turns the hat on his head and cannons fire. He has the king's
went to the dwarfs' house to spend the night. He saw the coffin on daughter given to him. She wants to get rid of him, takes his
the mountain, and the beautiful Snow-white within it, and read satchel and lets him chase him away, but he has the little hat.
what was written upon it in golden letters. Then he said to the When she tries again and takes that away from him, too, he blows
dwarfs, "Let me have the coffin, I will give you whatever you want the little horn* that destroys the city walls. By the use of these
for it." But the dwarfs answered, "We will not part with it for all items, he marries a princess and becomes the ruler of a nation. [*
the gold in the world." Then he said, "Let me have it as a gift, for I "the horn that destroys city walls" reminds us of the Battle of
cannot live without seeing Snow-white. I will honour and prize Jericho, See: Joshua [Yehoshua; Greek: Iesous = 'Jesus'], Moses'
her as my dearest possession." As he spoke in this way the good assistant 6:1–27; in: Tanakh [Old Testament], The Nevi'im
dwarfs took pity upon him, and gave him the coffin. [Prophets], Grand Bible, Internet Archive.].)
And now the King's son had it carried away by his servants on
their shoulders. And it happened that they stumbled over a tree- There were once three brothers who had fallen deeper and deeper
stump, and with the shock the poisonous piece of apple which into poverty, and at last their need was so great that they had to
Snow-white had bitten off came out of her throat. And before long endure hunger, and had nothing to eat or drink. Then said they,
she opened her eyes, lifted up the lid of the coffin, sat up, and was "We cannot go on thus, we had better go into the world and seek
once more alive. "Oh, heavens, where am I?" she cried. The King's our fortune." They therefore set out, and had already walked over
son, full of joy, said, "You are with me," and told her what had many a long road and many a blade of grass, but had not yet met
happened, and said, "I love you more than everything in the world; with good luck. One day they arrived in a great forest, and in the
come with me to my father's palace, you shall be my wife." midst of it was a hill, and when they came nearer they saw that the
And Snow-white was willing, and went with him, and their hill was all silver. Then spake the eldest, "Now I have found the
wedding was held with great show and splendour. But Snow- good luck I wished for, and I desire nothing more." He took as
white's wicked step-mother was also bidden to the feast. When she much of the silver as he could possibly carry, and then turned back
had arrayed herself in beautiful clothes she went before the and went home again. But the two others said, "We want
Looking-glass, and said— something more from good luck than mere silver," and did not
"Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, touch it, but went onwards. After they had walked for two days
Who in this land is the fairest of all? " longer without stopping, they came to a hill which was all gold.
the glass answered— The second brother stopped, took thought with himself, and was
"Oh, Queen, of all here the fairest art thou, undecided. "What shall I do?" said he; "shall I take for myself so
But the young Queen is fairer by far as I trow." much of this gold, that I have sufficient for all the rest of my life,
Then the wicked woman uttered a curse, and was so wretched, so or shall I go farther?" At length he made a decision, and putting as
utterly wretched, that she knew not what to do. At first she would much into his pockets as would go in, said farewell to his brother,
not go to the wedding at all, but she had no peace, and must go to and went home. But the third said, "Silver and gold do not move
see the young Queen. And when she went in she knew Snow-white; me, I will not renounce my chance of fortune, perhaps something
and she stood still with rage and fear, and could not stir. But iron better still will be given me." He journeyed onwards, and when he
slippers had already been put upon the fire, and they were brought had walked for three days, he got into a forest which was still
in with tongs, and set before her. Then she was forced to put on larger than the one before, and never would come to an end, and
the red-hot shoes, and dance until she dropped down dead. as he found nothing to eat or to drink, he was all but exhausted.
Then he climbed up a high tree to find out if up there he could see
the end of the forest, but so far as his eye could pierce he saw
nothing but the tops of trees. Then he began to descend the tree
again, but hunger tormented him, and he thought to himself, "If I
could but eat my fill once more!" When he got down he saw with
astonishment a table beneath the tree richly spread with food, the
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
steam of which rose up to meet him. "This time," said he, "my wish yet more brightly on him. By sunset he came to another charcoal-
has been fulfilled at the right moment." And without inquiring burner, who was making his supper ready by the fire. "If thou wilt
who had brought the food, or who had cooked it, he approached eat some potatoes with salt, but with no dripping, come and sit
the table, and ate with enjoyment until he had appeased his hunger. down with me," said the sooty fellow.
When he was done, he thought, "It would after all be a pity if the "No," he replied, "this time thou shalt be my guest," and he
pretty little table-cloth were to be spoilt in the forest here," and spread out his cloth, which was instantly covered with the most
folded it up tidily and put it in his pocket. Then he went onwards, beautiful dishes. They ate and drank together, and enjoyed
and in the evening, when hunger once more made itself felt, he themselves heartily. After the meal was over, the charcoal-burner
wanted to make a trial of his little cloth, and spread it out and said, said, "Up there on that shelf lies a little old worn-out hat which
"I wish thee to be covered with good cheer again," and scarcely has strange properties: when any one puts it on, and turns it round
had the wish crossed his lips than as many dishes with the most on his head, the cannons go off as if twelve were fired all together,
exquisite food on them stood on the table as there was room for. and they shoot down everything so that no one can withstand
"Now I perceive," said he, "in what kitchen my cooking is done. them. The hat is of no use to me, and I will willingly give it for thy
Thou shalt be dearer to me than the mountains of silver and gold." table-cloth."
For he saw plainly that it was a wishing-cloth. The cloth, however, "That suits me very well," he answered, took the hat, put it on,
was still not enough to enable him to sit down quietly at home; he and left his table-cloth behind him. Hardly, however, had he
preferred to wander about the world and pursue his fortune walked away than he tapped on his knapsack, and his soldiers had
farther. to fetch the cloth back again. "One thing comes on the top of
One night he met, in a lonely wood, a dusty, black charcoal- another," thought he, "and I feel as if my luck had not yet come to
burner, who was burning charcoal there, and had some potatoes an end." Neither had his thoughts deceived him. After he had
by the fire, on which he was going to make a meal. "Good evening, walked on for the whole of one day, he came to a third charcoal-
blackbird!" said the youth. "How dost thou get on in thy burner, who like the previous ones, invited him to potatoes
solitude?" without dripping. But he let him also dine with him from his
"One day is like another," replied the charcoal-burner, "and wishing-cloth, and the charcoal-burner liked it so well, that at last
every night potatoes! Hast thou a mind to have some, and wilt he offered him a horn for it, which had very different properties
thou be my guest?" "Many thanks," replied the traveller, "I won't from those of the hat. When any one blew it all the walls and
rob thee of thy supper; thou didst not reckon on a visitor, but if fortifications fell down, and all towns and villages became ruins.
thou wilt put up with what I have, thou shalt have an invitation." He certainly gave the charcoal-burner the cloth for it, but he
"Who is to prepare it for thee?" said the charcoal-burner. "I see afterwards sent his soldiers to demand it back again, so that at
that thou hast nothing with thee, and there is no one within a two length he had the knapsack, hat and horn, all three. "Now," said
hours' walk who could give thee anything." "And yet there shall he, "I am a made man, and it is time for me to go home and see
be a meal," answered the youth, "and better than any thou hast how my brothers are getting on."
ever tasted." Thereupon he brought his cloth out of his knapsack, When he reached home, his brothers had built themselves a
spread it on the ground, and said, "Little cloth, cover thyself," handsome house with their silver and gold, and were living in
and instantly boiled meat and baked meat stood there, and as hot clover. He went to see them, but as he came in a ragged coat, with
as if it had just come out of the kitchen. The charcoal-burner his shabby hat on his head, and his old knapsack on his back, they
stared, but did not require much pressing; he fell to, and thrust would not acknowledge him as their brother. They mocked and
larger and larger mouthfuls into his black mouth. When they had said, "Thou givest out that thou art our brother who despised
eaten everything, the charcoal-burner smiled contentedly, and said, silver and gold, and craved for something still better for himself.
"Hark thee, thy table-cloth has my approval; it would be a fine He will come in his carriage in full splendour like a mighty king,
thing for me in this forest, where no one ever cooks me anything not like a beggar," and they drove him out of doors. Then he fell
good. I will propose an exchange to thee; there in the corner hangs into a rage, and tapped his knapsack until a hundred and fifty men
a soldier's knapsack, which is certainly old and shabby, but in it lie stood before him armed from head to foot. He commanded them
concealed wonderful powers; but, as I no longer use it, I will give to surround his brothers' house, and two of them were to take
it to thee for the table-cloth." hazel-sticks with them, and beat the two insolent men until they
"I must first know what these wonderful powers are," answered knew who he was. A violent disturbance arose, people ran
the youth. together, and wanted to lend the two some help in their need, but
"That will I tell thee," replied the charcoal-burner; "every time against the soldiers they could do nothing. News of this at length
thou tappest it with thy hand, a corporal comes with six men came to the King, who was very angry, and ordered a captain to
armed from head to foot, and they do whatsoever thou march out with his troop, and drive this disturber of the peace out
commandest them." "So far as I am concerned," said he, "if of the town; but the man with the knapsack soon got a greater
nothing else can be done, we will exchange," and he gave the body of men together, who repulsed the captain and his men, so
charcoal-burner the cloth, took the knapsack from the hook, put that they were forced to retire with bloody noses. The King said,
it on, and bade farewell. When he had walked a while, he wished "This vagabond is not brought to order yet," and next day sent a
to make a trial of the magical powers of his knapsack and tapped it. still larger troop against him, but they could do even less. The
Immediately the seven warriors stepped up to him, and the youth set still more men against them, and in order to be done the
corporal said, "What does my lord and ruler wish for?" sooner, he turned his hat twice round on his head, and heavy guns
"March with all speed to the charcoal-burner, and demand my began to play, and the king's men were beaten and put to flight.
wishing-cloth back." They faced to the left, and it was not long "And now," said he, "I will not make peace until the King gives
before they brought what he required, and had taken it from the me his daughter to wife, and I govern the whole kingdom in his
charcoal-burner without asking many questions. The young man name." He caused this to be announced to the King, and the latter
bade them retire, went onwards, and hoped fortune would shine said to his daughter, "Necessity is a hard nut to crack,—what
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remains to me but to do what he desires? If I want peace and to her child. She is very sad, whereupon the male says that he will
keep the crown on my head, I must give thee away." waive his demand if she can guess his name. The queen then collects
So the wedding was celebrated, but the King's daughter was all the names she can find, from the usual to the unusual, but none
vexed that her husband should be a common man, who wore a of these names turn out to be the male's. His name is still known
shabby hat, and put on an old knapsack. She wished much to get when one night someone sees the little man dancing in the woods
rid of him, and night and day studied how she could accomplish by a fire, while he reveals his name while singing: "Nobody knows,
this. Then she thought to herself, "Is it possible that his wonderful nobody knows, that my name is Rumplestiltskin." The passerby
powers lie in the knapsack?" and she dissembled and caressed him, tells what he has heard to the queen. When the queen guesses again
and when his heart was softened, she said, "If thou wouldst but lay the next day and now calls out the correct name of the male,
aside that ugly knapsack, it disfigures thee so, that I can't help Rumplestiltskin stamps angrily on the ground and slumps halfway,
being ashamed of thee." "Dear child," said he, "this knapsack is tearing himself in half.)
my greatest treasure; as long as I have it, there is no power on
earth that I am afraid of." And he revealed to her the wonderful Once there was a miller who was poor, but who had a beautiful
virtue with which it was endowed. Then she threw herself in his daughter. Now it happened that he had to go and speak to the
arms as if she were going to kiss him, but dexterously took the King, and in order to make himself appear important he said to
knapsack off his shoulders, and ran away with it. As soon as she him, "I have a daughter who can spin straw into gold." The King
was alone she tapped it, and commanded the warriors to seize their said to the miller, "That is an art which pleases me well; if your
former master, and take him out of the royal palace. They obeyed, daughter is as clever as you say, bring her to-morrow to my palace,
and the false wife sent still more men after him, who were to drive and I will try what she can do."
him quite out of the country. Then he would have been ruined if he And when the girl was brought to him he took her into a room
had not had the little hat. But his hands were scarcely at liberty which was quite full of straw, gave her a spinning-wheel and a reel,
before he turned it twice. Immediately the cannon began to and said, "Now set to work, and if by to-morrow morning early
thunder, and struck down everything, and the King's daughter you have not spun this straw into gold during the night, you must
herself was forced to come and beg for mercy. As she entreated in die." Thereupon he himself locked up the room, and left her in it
such moving terms, and promised amendment, he allowed himself alone. So there sat the poor miller's daughter, and for her life
to be persuaded and granted her peace. She behaved in a friendly could not tell what to do; she had no idea how straw could be spun
manner to him, and acted as if she loved him very much, and after into gold, and she grew more and more miserable, until at last she
some time managed so to befool him, that he confided to her that began to weep.
even if any one got the knapsack into his power, he could do But all at once the door opened, and in came a little man, and
nothing against him so long as the old hat was still his. When she said, "Good evening. Mistress Miller; why are you crying so?"
knew the secret, she waited until he was asleep, and then she took "Alas!" answered the girl, "I have to spin straw into gold, and I do
the hat away from him, and had it thrown out into the street. But not know how to do it." "What will you give me," said the
the horn still remained to him, and in great anger he blew it with manikin, "if I do it for you?" "My necklace," said the girl. The
all his strength. Instantly all walls, fortifications, towns, and little man took the necklace, seated himself in front of the wheel,
villages, toppled down, and crushed the King and his daughter to and "whirr, whirr, whirr," three turns, and the reel was full; then
death. And had he not put down the horn and had just blown a he put another on, and whirr, whirr, whirr, three times round,
little longer, everything would have been in ruins, and not one and the second was full too. And so it went on until the morning,
stone would have been left standing on another. Then no one when all the straw was spun, and all the reels were full of gold. By
opposed him any longer, and he made himself King of the whole daybreak the King was already there, and when he saw the gold he
country. was astonished and delighted, but his heart became only more
greedy. He had the miller's daughter taken into another room full
of straw, which was much larger, and commanded her to spin that
55.—RUMPELSTILTSKIN. also in one night if she valued her life. The girl knew not how to
help herself, and was crying, when the door again opened, and the
(Rumpelstiltskin is a classic fairy tale, which was recorded by the little man appeared, and said, "What will you give me if I spin the
Brothers Grimm in their Children's and Household Tales as KHM straw into gold for you?" "The ring on my finger," answered the
55. The earliest version can be found in "La Tour ténébreuse et les girl. The little man took the ring, again began to turn the wheel,
Jours lumineux, Contes Anglais" from 1705 by Mademoiselle and by morning had spun all the straw into glittering gold.
L'Héritier, a collection of French fairy tales. The King rejoiced beyond measure at the sight, but still he had
Contents: A miller has a daughter he is so proud of that he claims not gold enough; and be had the miller's daughter taken into a
she can do anything, even spin gold out of straw. When the king still larger room full of straw, and said, "You must spin this, too,
hears this, he demands that she do this especially for him. She is in the course of this night; but if you succeed, you shall be my
locked in a room with straw and given one night. If she fails, she wife." "Even if she be a miller's daughter," thought he, "I could
will be killed. That night a man comes along and promises to help not find a richer wife in the whole world."
her in exchange for her necklace. The male will then spin the gold When the girl was alone the manikin came again for the third
out of straw for her. When the king sees the gold the next morning, time, and said, "What will you give me if I spin the straw for you
however, he wants more, and the male returns one more time. This this time also?" "I have nothing left that I could give," answered
time he asks for the ring from the girl. The third time he asks for the girl. "Then promise me, if you should become Queen, your first
her firstborn child in return. In her desperation, she promises that. child." "Who knows whether that will ever happen?" thought the
The king is so pleased with all the gold that he decides to marry miller's daughter; and, not knowing how else to help herself in this
her. After a year a child is born and the male comes to claim his strait, she promised the manikin what he wanted, and for that he
"wage". The queen offers him all her wealth, if only she could keep once more span the straw into gold.
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
And when the King came in the morning, and found all as he had wakes up and calls her child, the drop from the stairs answers,
wished, he took her in marriage, and the pretty miller's daughter then the one from the kitchen, then the one from the bed. Then she
became a Queen. realises her mistake and quickly follows the couple, but they turn
A year after, she had a beautiful child, and she never gave a into a lake with a duck on it, which cannot be lured by food, the
thought to the manikin. But suddenly he came into her room, and next day into a beautiful flower in a thorn hedge with a violin
said, "Now give me what you promised." The Queen was horror- player in front of it. He plays a magic dance for the witch so that
struck, and offered the manikin all the riches of the kingdom if he she has to dance and is torn to pieces by the thorns. While Roland
would leave her the child. But the manikin said, "No, something goes to his father to order the wedding, the girl turns into a red
that is living is dearer to me than all the treasures in the world." boulder to wait for him unrecognised. When he doesn't come back
Then the Queen began to weep and cry, so that the manikin pitied because he meets someone else, she turns into a flower for someone
her. "I will give you three days' time," said he; "if by that time you to kick over her. A shepherd breaks them off and puts them in his
find out my name, then shall you keep your child." box. From then on, his household takes care of itself. On the
So the Queen thought the whole night of all the names that she advice of a wise woman, in the morning he throws a white cloth
had ever heard, and she sent a messenger over the country to over the flower that is just coming out of its box. The girl
inquire, far and wide, for any other names that there might be. transformed back in this way tells him her fate. When he proposes
When the manikin came the next day, she began with Caspar, marriage, she says 'no', she wants to stay true to her sweetheart,
Melchior, Balthazar, and said all the names she knew, one after Roland. When all the girls are supposed to sing for the wedding
another; but to every one the little man said, "That is not my couple, they don't want to go. But when it sings, Roland
name." On the second day she had inquiries made in the recognises the right bride and remembers. They marry and become
neighbourhood as to the names of the people there, and she happy.)
repeated to the manikin the most uncommon and curious.
"Perhaps your name is Shortribs, or Sheepshanks, or Laceleg?" There was once on a time a woman who was a real witch and had
but he always answered, "That is not my name." two daughters, one ugly and wicked, and this one she loved
On the third day the messenger came back again, and said, "I because she was her own daughter, and one beautiful and good,
have not been able to find a single new name, but as I came to a and this one she hated, because she was her step-daughter. The
high mountain at the end of the forest, where the fox and the hare step-daughter once had a pretty apron, which the other fancied so
bid each other good night, there I saw a little house, and before much that she became envious, and told her mother that she must
the house a fire was burning, and round about the fire quite a and would have that apron. "Be quiet, my child," said the old
ridiculous little man was jumping: he hopped upon one leg, and woman, "and thou shalt have it. Thy step-sister has long deserved
shouted— death, to-night when she is asleep I will come and cut her head off.
"'To-day I bake, to-morrow brew, Only be careful that thou art at the far-side of the bed, and push
The next I'll have the young Queen's child. her well to the front." It would have been all over with the poor
Ha! glad am I that no one knew girl if she had not just then been standing in a corner, and heard
That Rumpelstiltskin I am styled.'" everything. All day long she dared not go out of doors, and when
You may think how glad the Queen was when she heard the name! bed-time had come, the witch's daughter got into bed first, so as to
And when soon afterwards the little man came in, and asked, lie at the far side, but when she was asleep, the other pushed her
"Now, Mistress Queen, what is my name?" at first she said, "Is gently to the front, and took for herself the place at the back, close
your name Conrad?" "No." "Is your name Harry?" "No." by the wall. In the night, the old woman came creeping in, she held
"Perhaps your name is Rumpelstiltskin?" an axe in her right hand, and felt with her left to see if any one was
"The devil has told you that! the devil has told you that!" cried lying at the outside, and then she grasped the axe with both hands,
the little man, and in his anger he plunged his right foot so deep and cut her own child's head off.
into the earth that his whole leg went in; and then in rage he When she had gone away, the girl got up and went to her
pulled at his left leg so hard with both hands that he tore himself sweetheart, who was called Roland, and knocked at his door.
in two. When he came out, she said to him, "Hear me, dearest Roland, we
must fly in all haste; my step-mother wanted to kill me, but has
struck her own child. When daylight comes, and she sees what she
56.—SWEETHEART ROLAND. has done, we shall be lost." "But," said Roland, "I counsel thee
first to take away her magic wand, or we cannot escape if she
("Sweetheart Roland" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers pursues us." The maiden fetched the magic wand, and she took the
Grimm (KHM 56). Grimm's note notes "from Hesse" (from dead girl's head and dropped three drops of blood on the ground,
Dortchen Wild). In a story by Ovid that was widely read in the one in front of the bed, one in the kitchen, and one on the stairs.
Middle Ages, Klytia was loved by the sun god and, after a long Then she hurried away with her lover. When the old witch got up
and fruitless wait and staring at the sun, turned into a sunflower. next morning, she called her daughter, and wanted to give her the
Contents: A witch loves her ugly, evil daughter and hates her apron, but she did not come. Then the witch cried, "Where art
beautiful, good stepdaughter. The daughter wants to have the thou?" "Here, on the stairs, I am sweeping," answered the first
beautiful apron of the others. The witch makes her lie in the back drop of blood. The old woman went out, but saw no one on the
of the bed so she can cut off her stepdaughter's head at night. But stairs, and cried again, "Where art thou?" "Here in the kitchen, I
she overhears and pushes the witches daughter forward at night, am warming myself," cried the second drop of blood. She went
so that she is killed instead. Then the stepdaughter goes to her into the kitchen, but found no one. Then she cried again, "Where
lover Roland, on whose advice she takes the witch's wand before art thou?" "Ah, here in the bed, I am sleeping." cried the third
escaping. She drips three more drops of blood from the dead head drop of blood. She went into the room to the bed. What did she
onto the stairs, into the kitchen and onto the bed. When the witch see there? Her own child, whose head she had cut off, bathed in her
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blood. The witch fell into a passion, sprang to the window, and as him, but she answered, "No," for she wanted to remain faithful to
she could look forth quite far into the world, she perceived her her sweetheart Roland, although he had deserted her, but she
step-daughter hurrying away with her sweetheart Roland. "That promised not to go away, but to keep house for the shepherd for
shall not serve you," cried she, "even if you have got a long way off, the future.
you shall still not escape me." She put on her many league boots, And now the time drew near when Roland's wedding was to be
in which she went an hour's walk at every step, and it was not long celebrated, and then, according to an old custom in the country, it
before she overtook them. The girl, however, when she saw the old was announced that all the girls were to be present at it, and sing
woman striding towards her, changed, with her magic wand, her in honour of the bridal pair. When the faithful maiden heard of
sweetheart Roland into a lake, and herself into a duck swimming this, she grew so sad that she thought her heart would break, and
in the middle of it. The witch placed herself on the shore, threw she would not go thither, but the other girls came and took her.
bread-crumbs in, and gave herself every possible trouble to entice When it came to her turn to sing, she stepped back, until at last
the duck; but the duck did not let herself be enticed, and the old she was the only one left, and then she could not refuse. But when
woman had to go home at night as she had come. On this the girl she began her song, and it reached Roland's ears, he sprang up and
and her sweetheart Roland resumed their natural shapes again, cried, "I know the voice, that is the true bride, I will have no
and they walked on the whole night until daybreak. Then the other!" Everything he had forgotten, and which had vanished
maiden changed herself into a beautiful flower which stood in the from his mind, had suddenly come home again to his heart. Then
midst of a briar hedge, and her sweetheart Roland into a fiddler. It the faithful maiden held her wedding with her sweetheart Roland,
was not long before the witch came striding up towards them, and and grief came to an end and joy began.
said to the musician, "Dear musician, may I pluck that beautiful
flower for myself?" "Oh, yes," he replied, "I will play to you while
you do it." As she was hastily creeping into the hedge and was just 57.—THE GOLDEN BIRD.
going to pluck the flower, for she well knew who the flower was,
he began to play, and whether she would or not, she was forced to ("The Golden Bird (German: Der goldene Vogel) is a fairy tale
dance, for it was a magical dance. The quicker he played, the more collected by the Brothers Grimm (KHM 57). The fairy tale
violent springs was she forced to make, and the thorns tore her probably comes from Wilhelm Christoph Günther's collection
clothes from her body, and pricked her and wounded her till she "Children's Tales" from 1787 (No. 26 The Faithful Fox).
bled, and as he did not stop, she had to dance till she lay dead on Contents: In the king's garden there is a tree that bears golden
the ground. apples. When the king realises that an apple is missing, his three
When they were delivered, Roland said, "Now I will go to my sons have to take turns watching. Only the youngest does not fall
father and arrange for the wedding." "Then in the meantime I will asleep. He sees a golden bird take an apple and shoots off a feather.
stay here and wait for thee," said the girl, "and that no one may The feather is so valuable that the king wants the bird and sends
recognise me, I will change myself into a red stone land-mark." his sons in turn to catch it. Everyone encounters a fox along the
Then Roland went away, and the girl stood like a red land-mark way that begs not to be shot. Only the youngest is merciful. In
in the field and waited for her beloved. But when Roland got return, the fox advises him not to go to the good inn in the village,
home, he fell into the snares of another, who prevailed on him so but to the bad one. The youth follows the advice without looking
far that he forgot the maiden. The poor girl remained there a long at his brothers, who are enjoying themselves. The fox shows him
time, but at length, as he did not return at all, she was sad, and the way past the sleeping soldiers into the castle, in the last room
changed herself into a flower, and thought, "Some one will surely of which the golden bird is sitting. But when, contrary to the fox's
come this way, and trample me down." advice, he takes the bird out of the wooden cage and puts it in the
It befell, however, that a shepherd kept his sheep in the field, and golden one instead, the bird utters a cry. The youth is seized by the
saw the flower, and as it was so pretty, plucked it, took it with him, soldiers and is said to die unless he takes the golden horse, which is
and laid it away in his chest. From that time forth, strange things at another castle, from the king of the castle. The fox shows him
happened in the shepherd's house. When he arose in the morning, the way. But this time, too, the youth does not follow the fox's
all the work was already done, the room was swept, the table and advice. He swaps the wooden and leather saddle for a gold one.
benches cleaned, the fire on the hearth was lighted, and the water Then the whinnying of the horse betrays him. Now he must bring
was fetched, and at noon, when he came home, the table was laid, the king's daughter from the golden castle to avoid death. On the
and a good dinner served. He could not conceive how this came to fox's advice, he intercepts her on the way to the bathhouse. But he
pass, for he never saw a human being in his house, and no one can't refuse her to say goodbye to her parents. So everyone wakes
could have concealed himself in it. He was certainly pleased with up and he gets arrested again. This time he has to remove the
this good attendance, but still at last he was so afraid that he went mountain that blocks the king's view of the castle. The fox also
to a wise woman and asked for her advice. The wise woman said, takes care of this task for him and lets him retrieve his other
"There is some enchantment behind it, listen very early some treasures after the king's daughter. The fox asks the youth to shoot
morning if anything is moving in the room, and if thou seest him dead and cut off his paws in exchange for his help. He doesn't.
anything, let it be what it may, throw a white cloth over it, and Nevertheless, the fox gives him one last piece of advice: he
then the magic will be stopped." shouldn't buy gallows meat and shouldn't sit on the edge of a well.
The shepherd did as she bade him, and next morning just as day Nevertheless, in a village, the young man ransoms his brothers,
dawned, he saw the chest open, and the flower come out. Swiftly who have become delinquents, from the gallows. However, they
he sprang towards it, and threw a white cloth over it. Instantly the throw their younger brother into a well. After the fox has pulled
transformation came to an end, and a beautiful girl stood before him out, he goes disguised as a beggar to his father's castle, where
him, who owned to him that she had been the flower, and that up the happy king's daughter recognises him. They are married off,
to this time she had attended to his housekeeping. She told him the brothers are executed. When the fox later gets his wish fulfilled,
her story, and as she pleased him he asked her if she would marry
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he turns into the brother of the king's daughter, because there was how to help himself; he is a little wanting at the best." But at last,
a magic spell on him. Now they all live happily together.) as he had no peace, he let him go.
Again the Fox was sitting outside the wood, and begged for his
In the olden time there was a king, who had behind his palace a life, and offered his good advice. The youth was good-natured,
beautiful pleasure-garden in which there was a tree that bore and said, "Be easy, little Fox, I will do you no harm." "You shall
golden apples. When the apples were getting ripe they were not repent it," answered the Fox; "and that you may get on more
counted, but on the very next morning one was missing. This was quickly, get up behind on my tail." And scarcely had he seated
told to the King, and he ordered that a watch should be kept every himself when the Fox began to run, and away he went over stock
night beneath the tree. and stone till his hair whistled in the wind. When they came to the
The King had three sons, the eldest of whom he sent, as soon as village the youth got off; he followed the good advice, and
night came on, into the garden; but when midnight came he could without looking round turned into the little inn, where he spent
not keep himself from sleeping, and next morning again an apple the night quietly.
was gone. The next morning, as soon as he got into the open country, there
The following night the second son had to keep watch, it fared sat the Fox already, and said, "I will tell you further what you
no better with him; as soon as twelve o'clock had struck he fell have to do. Go on quite straight, and at last you will come to a
asleep, and in the morning an apple was gone. castle, in front of which a whole regiment of soldiers is lying, but
Now it came to the turn of the third son to watch; and he was do not trouble yourself about them, for they will all be asleep and
quite ready, but the King had not much trust in him, and thought snoring. Go through the midst of them straight into the castle,
that he would be of less use even than his brothers: but at last he and go through all the rooms, till at last you will come to a
let him go. The youth lay down beneath the tree, but kept awake, chamber where a Golden Bird is hanging in a wooden cage. Close
and did not let sleep master him. When it struck twelve, something by, there stands an empty gold cage for show, but beware of
rustled through the air, and in the moonlight he saw a bird taking the bird out of the common cage and putting it into the
coming whose feathers were all shining with gold. The bird fine one, or it may go badly with you." With these words the Fox
alighted on the tree, and had just plucked off an apple, when the again stretched out his tail, and the King's son seated himself upon
youth shot an arrow at him. The bird flew off, but the arrow had it, and away he went over stock and stone till his hair whistled in
struck his plumage, and one of his golden feathers fell down. The the wind.
youth picked it up, and the next morning took it to the King and When he came to the castle he found everything as the Fox had
told him what he had seen in the night. The King called his council said. The King's son went into the chamber where the Golden Bird
together, and every one declared that a feather like this was worth was shut up in a wooden cage, whilst a golden one stood hard by;
more than the whole kingdom. "If the feather is so precious," and the three golden apples lay about the room. "But," thought he,
declared the King, "one alone will not do for me; I must and will "it would be absurd if I were to leave the beautiful bird in the
have the whole bird!" common and ugly cage," so he opened the door, laid hold of it,
The eldest son set out; he trusted to his cleverness, and thought and put it into the golden cage. But at the same moment the bird
that he would easily find the Golden Bird. When he had gone some uttered a shrill cry. The soldiers awoke, rushed in, and took him
distance he saw a Fox sitting at the edge of a wood, so he cocked off to prison. The next morning he was taken before a court of
his gun and took aim at him. The Fox cried, "Do not shoot me! justice, and as he confessed everything, was sentenced to death.
and in return I will give you some good counsel. You are on the The King, however, said that he would grant him his life on one
way to the Golden Bird; and this evening you will come to a condition—namely, if he brought him the Golden Horse which
village in which stand two inns opposite to one another. One of ran faster than the wind; and in that case he should receive, over
them is lighted up brightly, and all goes on merrily within, but do and above, as a reward, the Golden Bird.
not go into it; go rather into the other, even though it seems a bad The King's son set off, but he sighed and was sorrowful, for how
one." "How can such a silly beast give wise advice?" thought the was he to find the Golden Horse? But all at once he saw his old
King's son, and he pulled the trigger. But he missed the Fox, who friend the Fox sitting on the road. "Look you," said the Fox, "this
stretched out his tail and ran quickly into the wood. has happened because you did not give heed to me. However, be of
So he pursued his way, and by evening came to the village where good courage. I will give you my help, and tell you how to get to
the two inns were; in one they were singing and dancing; the other the Golden Horse. You must go straight on, and you will come to
had a poor, miserable look. "I should be a fool, indeed," he a castle, where in the stable stands the horse. The grooms will be
thought, "if I were to go into the shabby tavern, and pass by the lying in front of the stable; but they will be asleep and snoring,
good one." So he went into the cheerful one, lived there in riot and you can quietly lead out the Golden Horse. But of one thing
and revel, and forgot the bird and his father, and all good counsels. you must take heed; put on him the common saddle of wood and
When some time had passed, and the eldest son for month after leather, and not the golden one, which hangs close by, else it will
month did not come back home, the second set out, wishing to go ill with you. Then the Fox stretched out his tail, the King's son
find the Golden Bird. The Fox met him as he had met the eldest, seated himself upon it, and away he went over stock and stone
and gave him the good advice of which he took no heed. He came until his hair whistled in the wind.
to the two inns, and his brother was standing at the window of the Everything happened just as the Fox had said; the prince came to
one from which came the music, and called out to him. He could the stable in which the Golden Horse was standing, but just as he
not resist, but went inside and lived only for pleasure. was going to put the common saddle upon him, he thought, "It
Again some time passed, and then the King's youngest son will be a shame to such a beautiful beast, if I do not give him the
wanted to set off and try his luck, but his father would not allow it. good saddle which belongs to him by right." But scarcely had the
"It is of no use," said he, "he will find the Golden Bird still less golden saddle touched the horse than he began to neigh loudly.
than his brothers, and if a mishap were to befall him he knows not The grooms awoke, seized the youth, and threw him into prison.
The next morning he was sentenced by the court to death; but the
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King promised to grant him his life, and the Golden Horse as well, you have the cage in your hand gallop back to us, and take the
if he could bring back the beautiful princess from the Golden maiden away again.
Castle. When the plan had succeeded, and the King's son was about to
With a heavy heart the youth set out; yet luckily for him he soon ride home with his treasures, the Fox said, "Now you shall reward
found the trusty Fox. "I ought only to leave you to your ill-luck," me for my help." "What do you require for it?" asked the youth.
said the Fox, "but I pity you, and will help you once more out of "When you get into the wood yonder, shoot me dead, and chop off
your trouble. I his road takes you straight to the Golden Castle, my head and feet."
you will reach it by eventide; and at night when everything is quiet "That would be fine gratitude," said the King's son. "I cannot
the beautiful princess goes to the bathing-house to bathe. When possibly do that for you."
she enters it, run up to her and give her a kiss, then she will follow The Fox said, "If you will not do it I must leave you, but before I
you, and you can take her away with you; only do not allow her to go away I will give you a piece of good advice. Be careful about
take leave of her parents first, or it will go ill with you." two things. Buy no gallows'-flesh, and do not sit at the edge of any
Then the Fox stretched out his tail, the King's son seated himself well." And then he ran into the wood.
upon it, and away the Fox went over stock and stone, till his hair The youth thought, "That is a wonderful beast, he has strange
whistled in the wind. whims; who is going to buy gallows'-flesh? and the desire to sit at
When he reached the Golden Castle it was just as the fox had said. the edge of a well has never yet seized me."
He waited until midnight, when everything lay in deep sleep, and He rode on with the beautiful maiden, and his road took him
the beautiful princess was going to the bathing-house. Then he again through the village in which his two brothers had remained.
sprang out and gave her a kiss. She said that she would like to go There was a great stir and noise, and, when he asked what was
with him, but she asked him pitifully, and with tears, to allow her going on, he was told that two men were going to be hanged. As
first to take leave of her parents. At first he withstood her prayer, he came nearer to the place he saw that they were his brothers,
but when she wept more and more, and fell at his feet, he at last who had been playing all kinds of wicked pranks, and had
gave in. But no sooner had the maiden reached the bedside of her squandered all their wealth. He inquired whether they could not
father than he and all the rest in the castle awoke, and the youth be set free. "If you will pay for them," answered the people; "but
was laid hold of and put into prison. why should you waste your money on wicked men, and buy them
The next morning the King said to him, "Your life is forfeited, free." He did not think twice about it, but paid for them, and
and you can only find mercy if you take away the hill which stands when they were set free they all went on their way together.
in front of my windows, and prevents my seeing beyond it; and you They came to the wood where the Fox had first met them, and, as
must finish it all within eight days. If you do that you shall have it was cool and pleasant within it, whilst the sun shone hotly, the
my daughter as your reward." two brothers said, "Let us rest a little by the well, and eat and
The king's son began, and dug and shovelled without leaving off, drink." He agreed, and whilst they were talking he forgot himself,
but when after seven days he saw how little he had done, and how and sat down upon the edge of the well without foreboding any
all his work was as good as nothing, he fell into great sorrow and evil. But the two brothers threw him backwards into the well,
gave up all hope. But on the evening of the seventh day the Fox took the maiden, the Horse, and the Bird, and went home to their
appeared and said, "You do not deserve that I should take any father. "Here we bring you not only the Golden Bird," said they;
trouble about you; but just go away and lie down to sleep, and I "we have won the Golden Horse also, and the maiden from the
will do the work for you." Golden Castle." Then was there great joy; but the Horse would
The next morning when he awoke and looked out of the window not eat, the Bird would not sing, and the maiden sat and wept.
the hill had gone. The youth ran, full of joy, to the King, and told But the youngest brother was not dead. By good fortune the well
him that the task was fulfilled, and whether he liked it or not, the was dry, and he fell upon soft moss without being hurt, but he
King had to hold to his word and give him his daughter. could not get out again. Even in this strait the faithful Fox did not
So the two set forth together, and it was not long before the leave him: it came and leapt down to him, and upbraided him for
trusty Fox came up with them. "You have certainly got what is having forgotten its advice. "But yet I cannot give it up so," he
best," said he, "but the Golden Horse also belongs to the maiden said; "I will help you up again into daylight." He bade him grasp
of the Golden Castle. "How shall I get it?" asked the youth. "That his tail and keep tight hold of it; and then he pulled him up.
I will tell you," answered the Fox; "first take the beautiful maiden "You are not out of all danger yet," said the Fox. "Your
to the King who sent you to the Golden Castle. There will be brothers were not sure of your death, and have surrounded the
unheard-of rejoicing; they will gladly give you the Golden Horse, wood with watchers, who are to kill you if you let yourself be
and will bring it out to you. Mount it as soon as possible, and seen." But a poor man was sitting upon the road, with whom the
offer your hand to all in farewell; last of all to the beautiful youth changed clothes, and in this way he got to the King's palace.
maiden. And as soon as you have taken her hand swing her up on No one knew him, but the Bird began to sing, the Horse began
to the horse, and gallop away, and no one will be able to bring to eat, and the beautiful maiden left off weeping. The King,
you back, for the horse runs faster than the wind." astonished, asked, "What does this mean?" Then the maiden said,
All was brought to pass successfully, and the King's son carried "I do not know, but I have been so sorrowful and now I am so
off the beautiful princess on the Golden Horse. happy! I feel as if my true bridegroom had come." She told him all
The Fox did not remain behind, and he said to the youth, "Now I that had happened, although the other brothers had threatened
will help you to get the Golden Bird. When you come near to the her with death if she were to betray anything.
castle where the Golden Bird is to be found, let the maiden get The King commanded that all people who were in his castle
down, and I will take her into my care. Then ride with the Golden should be brought before him; and amongst them came the youth
Horse into the castle-yard; there will be great rejoicing at the in his ragged clothes; but the maiden knew him at once and fell
sight, and they will bring out the Golden Bird for you. As soon as upon his neck. The wicked brothers were seized and put to death,
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but he was married to the beautiful maiden and declared heir to the road, and fell fast asleep. Whilst he lay sleeping there, a
the King. waggoner came driving by, who had a cart with three horses,
But how did it fare with the poor Fox? Long afterwards the laden with two barrels of wine. The sparrow, however, saw that he
King's son was once again walking in the wood, when the Fox met was not going to turn aside, but was staying in the wheel track in
him and said, "You have everything now that you can wish for, which the dog was lying, so it cried, "Waggoner, don't do it, or I
but there is never an end to my misery, and yet it is in your power will make thee poor." The waggoner, however, growled to himself,
to free me," and again he asked him with tears to shoot him dead "Thou wilt not make me poor," and cracked his whip and drove
and to chop off his head and feet. So he did it, and scarcely was it the cart over the dog, and the wheels killed him. Then the sparrow
done when the Fox was changed into a man, and was no other cried, "Thou hast driven over my brother dog and killed him, it
than the brother of the beautiful princess, who at last was freed shall cost thee thy cart and horses." "Cart and horses indeed!" said
from the magic charm which had been laid upon him. And now the waggoner. "What harm canst thou do me?" and drove
nothing more was wanting to their happiness as long as they lived. onwards. Then the sparrow crept under the cover of the cart, and
pecked so long at the same bung-hole that he got the bung out,
and then all the wine ran out without the driver noticing it. But
58.—THE DOG AND THE SPARROW. once when he was looking behind him he saw that the cart was
dripping, and looked at the barrels and saw that one of them was
("The dog and the sparrow" is an animal fairy tale in the empty. "Unfortunate fellow that I am," cried he. "Not
Children's Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm (KHM 58). In unfortunate enough yet," said the sparrow, and flew on to the
the 1st edition the title was "Vom faithful Gevatter Sperling". head of one of the horses and pecked his eyes out. When the driver
Jacob Grimm first published it in 1812 in Friedrich Schlegels saw that, he drew out his axe and wanted to hit the sparrow, but
Magazine "Deutsches Museum" (vol. 1) at the end of an essay on the sparrow flew into the air, and he hit his horse on the head, and
Reinhart Fuchs. it fell down dead. "Oh, what an unfortunate man I am," cried he.
Contents: A dog owner lets his shepherd dog starve from hunger, "Not unfortunate enough yet," said the sparrow, and when the
causing it to run away. He meets a sparrow who steals something driver drove on with the two horses, the sparrow again crept
to eat from two butcher shops and two bakeries. On the country under the cover, and pecked the bung out of the second cask, so all
road, the sleeping dog is run over by a carter's wagon. The the wine was spilt. When the driver became aware of it, he again
sparrow pecks at the bung so that its wine casks spill, and at the cried, "Oh, what an unfortunate man I am," but the sparrow
eyes of the horses. When the man tries to kill the bird with an axe, replied, "Not unfortunate enough yet," and seated himself on the
he accidentally slays his own horses down. At his house he eats the head of the second horse, and pecked his eyes out. The driver ran
harvest with many other birds. In his anger, the man keeps hitting up to it and raised his axe to strike, but the sparrow flew in the air
the sparrow and destroying his house in the process. Finally, he and the blow struck the horse, which fell. "Oh, what an
devours him. The woman is to kill the sparrow in its mouth with unfortunate man I am." "Not unfortunate enough yet," said the
the hoe. Her punch hits the man. The sparrow escapes.) sparrow, and lighted on the third horse's head, and pecked out his
eyes. The driver, in his rage, struck at the sparrow without
A sheep-dog had not a good master, but, on the contrary, one looking round, and did not hit him, but killed his third horse
who let him suffer hunger. As he could stay no longer with him, he likewise. "Oh, what an unfortunate man I am," cried he. "Not
went quite sadly away. On the road he met a sparrow who said, unfortunate enough yet," answered the sparrow. "Now will I
"Brother dog, why art thou so sad?" The dog replied, "I am make thee unfortunate in thy home," and flew away.
hungry, and have nothing to eat." Then said the sparrow, "Dear The driver had to leave the waggon standing, and full of anger
brother, come into the town with me, and I will satisfy thy and vexation went home. "Ah," said he to his wife, "what
hunger." So they went into the town together, and when they misfortunes I have had! My wine has run out, and the horses are all
came in front of a butcher's shop the sparrow said to the dog, three dead!" "Alas, husband," she answered, "what a malicious
"Stay there, and I will pick a bit of meat down for thee," and he bird has come into the house! It has gathered together every bird
alighted on the stall, looked about him to see that no one was there is in the world, and they have fallen on our corn up there,
observing him, and pecked and pulled and tore so long at a piece and are devouring it." Then he went upstairs, and thousands and
which lay on the edge, that it slipped down. Then the dog seized it, thousands of birds were sitting in the loft and had eaten up all the
ran into a corner, and devoured it. The sparrow said, "Now come corn, and the sparrow was sitting in the midst of them. Then the
with me to another shop, and then I will get thee one more piece driver cried, "Oh, what an unfortunate man I am?"
that thou mayst be satisfied." When the dog had devoured the "Not unfortunate enough yet!" answered the sparrow;
second piece as well, the sparrow asked, "Brother dog, hast thou "waggoner, it shall cost thee thy life as well," and flew out.
now had enough?" "Yes, I have had meat enough," he answered, Then the waggoner had lost all his property, and he went
"but I have had no bread yet." Said the sparrow, "Thou shalt have downstairs into the room, sat down behind the stove and was
that also, come with me." Then he took him to a baker's shop, and quite furious and bitter. But the sparrow sat outside in front of
pecked at a couple of little buns till they rolled down, and as the the window, and cried, "Waggoner, it shall cost thee thy life."
dog wanted still more, he led him to another stall, and again got Then the waggoner snatched the axe and threw it at the sparrow,
bread for him. When that was consumed, the sparrow said, but it only broke the window, and did not hit the bird. The
"Brother dog, hast thou now had enough?" "Yes," he replied, sparrow now hopped in, placed itself on the stove and cried,
"now we will walk awhile outside the town." Then they both went "Waggoner, it shall cost thee thy life." The latter, quite mad and
out on to the highway. It was, however, warm weather, and when blind with rage, smote the stove in twain, and as the sparrow flew
they had walked a little way the dog said, "I am tired, and would from one place to another so it fared with all his household
like to sleep." "Well, do sleep," answered the sparrow, "and in the furniture, looking-glass, benches, table, and at last the walls of his
meantime I will seat myself on a branch." So the dog lay down on house, and yet he could not hit the bird. At length, however, he
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caught it with his hand. Then his wife said, "Shall I kill it?" "No," butter to it, and set it on the fire. The sausage began to fry and to
cried he, "that would be too merciful. It shall die much more hiss, Catherine stood beside it and held the handle of the pan, and
cruelly," and he took it and swallowed it whole. The sparrow, had her own thoughts as she was doing it. Then it occurred to her,
however, began to flutter about in his body, and fluttered up "While the sausage is getting done thou couldst go into the cellar
again into the man's mouth; then it stretched out its head, and and draw beer." So she set the frying-pan safely on the fire, took a
cried, "Waggoner, it shall still cost thee thy life." The driver gave can, and went down into the cellar to draw beer. The beer ran into
the axe to his wife, and said, "Wife, kill the bird in my mouth for the can and Kate watched it, and then she thought, "Oh, dear! The
me." The woman struck, but missed her blow, and hit the dog upstairs is not fastened up, it might get the sausage out of the
waggoner right on his head, so that he fell dead. But the sparrow pan. Well thought of." And in a trice she was up the cellar-steps
flew up and away. again, but the Spitz had the sausage in its mouth already, and
trailed it away on the ground. But Catherine, who was not idle,
set out after it, and chased it a long way into the field; the dog,
59.—FREDERICK AND CATHERINE. however, was swifter than Catherine and did not let the sausage
journey easily, but skipped over the furrows with it. "What's gone
("Frederick and Catherine" (in English also called "Freddy and is gone!" said Kate, and turned round, and as she had run till she
Katy Lizzy") is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers was weary, she walked quietly and comfortably, and cooled herself.
Grimm in Children and Household Tales, KHM 59. The During this time the beer was still running out of the cask, for
narrative's intention is probably showing a chilling example of Kate had not turned the tap. And when the can was full and there
boundless stupidity. There are such unbelievable events in real life. was no other place for it, it ran into the cellar and did not stop
Catherine's self-forgotten devotion to chthonic (earthly) powers, until the whole cask was empty.
how as an earth mother she wastes food pointlessly on the earth As soon as Kate was on the steps she saw the mischance. "Good
and the thieves' cry, "The devil is coming down from the tree" gracious!" she cried. "What shall I do now to stop Frederick
already anticipate the later verdict of the pastor. Her stupidity is knowing it!" She thought for a while, and at last she remembered
no longer funny in the sense of a farce, at the same time the fairy that up in the garret was still standing a sack of the finest wheat
tale is missing the logic of overcoming evil successfully. flour from the last fair, and she would fetch that down and strew it
Contents: Frederick and Catherine were husband and wife. He over the beer. "Yes," said she, "he who saves a thing when he
left to do his work. She started to fry a sausage and thought she ought, has it afterwards when he needs it," and she climbed up to
could get a beer while it cooked. In the cellar, drawing it, she the garret and carried the sack below, and threw it straight down
realised the dog was loose and might eat the sausage, but the dog on the can of beer, which she knocked over, and Frederick's
had already done so, and she chased it but could not catch it. draught swam also in the cellar. "It is all right," said Kate, "where
Meanwhile, the keg of beer emptied itself into the cellar. To hide the one is the other ought to be also," and she strewed the meal
this, she used flour she bought at a fair to dry it. Frederick was over the whole cellar. When it was done she was heartily delighted
furious hearing this. Frederick had some gold, told his wife it was with her work, and said, "How clean and wholesome it does look
counters for games, and hid it in the stable. Peddlars came by and here!" At mid-day home came Frederick: "Now, wife, what have
Catherine offered them the counters. When Frederick found out, you ready for me?" "Ah, Freddy," she answered, "I was frying a
they together set out in chase, and Catherine, falling behind, felt sausage for you, but whilst I was drawing the beer to drink with it,
pity for the ruts in the road and smeared butter into them. When a the dog took it away out of the pan, and whilst I was running after
cheese rolled out of her pocket, she sent another to fetch it back, the dog, all the beer ran out, and whilst I was drying up the beer
and then all the rest! Frederick sent her back to get food. She with the flour, I knocked over the can as well, but be easy, the
brought back dried pears, vinegar, and the door (to keep it secure). cellar is quite dry again." Said Frederick, "Kate, Kate, you should
They were caught in a tree with robbers underneath. She had to let not have done that! to let the sausage be carried off" and the beer
go of these things one by one: the thieves thought the pears were run out of the cask, and throw out all our flour into the bargain!"
leaves, the vinegar dew, and the door the devil itself, which made "Indeed, Frederick, I did not know that, you should have told
them flee. They get their gold back in the morning and went home. me." The man thought, "If my wife is like this, I must look after
Catherine went out to cut the grain and cut all her clothing to things more." Now he had got together a good number of thalers
pieces until she did not know herself. Catherine saw some thieves which he changed into gold, and said to Catherine, "Look, these
and offered to help them. When they agreed, she went about are counters for playing games; I will put them in a pot and bury
calling for people who wanted to be robbed. Catherine went to them in the stable under the cow's manger, but mind you keep
pull up beets in the pastor's garden, but looked so strange than away from them, or it will be the worse for you." Said she, "Oh,
someone told the pastor that the devil was in his garden. This no, Frederick, I certainly will not go." And when Frederick was
person helped the lame pastor there, but at the sight of her, they gone some pedlars came into the village who had cheap earthen-
ran off, and the lame pastor could run faster than the man who bowls and pots, and asked the young woman if there was nothing
helped him.) she wanted to bargain with them for? "Oh, dear people," said
Catherine, "I have no money and can buy nothing, but if you have
There was once on a time a man who was called Frederick and a any use for yellow counters I will buy of you." "Yellow counters,
woman called Catherine, who had married each other and lived why not? But just let us see them." "Then go into the stable and
together as young married folks. One day Frederick said, "I will dig under the cow's manger, and you will find the yellow counters.
now go and plough, Catherine; when I come back, there must be I am not allowed to go there." The rogues went thither, dug and
some roast meat on the table for hunger, and a fresh draught for found pure gold. Then they laid hold of it, ran away, and left their
thirst." "Just go, Frederick," answered Kate, "just go, I will have pots and bowls behind in the house. Catherine thought she must
all ready for you." Therefore when dinner-time drew near she got use her new things, and as she had no lack in the kitchen already
a sausage out of the chimney, put it in the frying-pan, put some without these, she knocked the bottom out of every pot, and set
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them all as ornaments on the paling which went round about the now you can take care of the house yourself." "Oh, heavens," said
house. When Frederick came and saw the new decorations, he said, he, "what a wise wife I have! She takes the under-door off the
"Catherine, what have you been about?" "I have bought them, hinges that everything may run in, and bolts the upper one. It is
Frederick, for the counters which were under the cow's manger. I now too late to go back home again, but since you have brought
did not go there myself, the pedlars had to dig them out for the door here, you shall just carry it farther." "I will carry the
themselves." "Ah, wife," said Frederick, "what have you done? door, Frederick, but the dried pears and the vinegar-jug will be
Those were not counters, but pure gold, and all our wealth; you too heavy for me; I will hang them on the door, it may carry
should not have done that." "Indeed, Frederick," said she, "I did them."
not know that, you should have forewarned me." And now they went into the forest, and sought the rogues, but
Catherine stood for a while and bethought herself; then she said, did not find them. At length as it grew dark they climbed into a
"Listen, Frederick, we will soon get the gold back again, we will tree and resolved to spend the night there. Scarcely, however, had
run after the thieves." "Come, then," said Frederick, "we will try they sat down at the top of it than the rascals came thither who
it; but take with you some butter and cheese that we may have carry away with them what does not want to go, and find things
something to eat on the way." "Yes, Frederick, I will take them." before they are lost. They sat down under the very tree in which
They set out, and as Frederick was the better walker, Catherine Frederick and Catherine were sitting, lighted a fire, and were
followed him. "It is to my advantage," thought she, "when we about to share their booty. Frederick got down on the other side
turn back I shall be a little way in advance." Then she came to a and collected some stones together. Then he climbed up again with
hill where there were deep ruts on both sides of the road. "There them, and wished to throw them at the thieves and kill them. The
one can see," said Catherine, "how they have torn and skinned and stones, however, did not hit them, and the knaves cried, "It will
galled the poor earth, it will never be whole again as long as it soon be morning, the wind is shaking down the fir-apples."
lives," and in her heart's compassion she took her butter and Catherine still had the door on her back, and as it pressed so
smeared the ruts right and left, that it might not be so hurt by the heavily on her, she thought it was the fault of the dried pears, and
wheels, and as she was thus bending down in her charity, one of said, "Frederick, I must throw the pears down." "No, Catherine,
the cheeses rolled out of her pocket down the hill. Said Catherine, not now," he replied, "they might betray us." "Oh, but, Frederick,
"I have made my way once up here, I will not go down again; I must! They weigh me down far too much." "Do it, then, and be
another may run and fetch it back." So she took another cheese hanged!" Then the dried pears rolled down between the branches,
and rolled it down. But the cheeses did not come back, so she let a and the rascals below said, "The leaves are falling."
third run down, thinking, "Perhaps they are waiting for company, A short time afterwards, as the door was still heavy, Catherine
and do not like to walk alone." As all three stayed away she said, said, "Ah, Frederick, I must pour out the vinegar." "No,
"I do not know what that can mean, but it may perhaps be that the Catherine, you must not, it might betray us." "Ah, but, Frederick,
third has not found the way, and has gone wrong, I will just send I must, it weighs me down far too much." "Then do it and be
the fourth to call it." But the fourth did no better than the third. hanged!" So she emptied out the vinegar, and it besprinkled the
Then Catherine was angry, and threw down the fifth and sixth as robbers. They said amongst themselves, "The dew is already
well, and these were her last. She remained standing for some time falling." At length Catherine thought, "Can it really be the door
watching for their coming, but when they still did not come, she which weighs me down so?" and said, "Frederick, I must throw
said, "Oh, you are good folks to send in search of death, you stay a the door down." "No, not now, Catherine, it might discover us."
fine long time away! Do you think I will wait any longer for you? I "Oh, but, Frederick, I must. It weighs me down far too much."
shall go my way, you may run after me; you have younger legs "Oh, no, Catherine, do hold it fast." "Ah, Frederick, I am letting
than I." Catherine went on and found Frederick, who was it fall!" "Let it go, then, in the devil's name." Then it fell down
standing waiting for her because he wanted something to eat. with a violent clatter, and the rascals below cried, "The devil is
"Now just let us have what you have brought with you," said he. coming down the tree!" and they ran away and left everything
She gave him the dry bread. "Where have you the butter and the behind them. Early next morning, when the two came down they
cheeses?" asked the man. "Ah, Freddy," said Catherine, "I smeared found all their gold again, and carried it home.
the cart-ruts with the butter and the cheeses will come soon; one When they were once more at home, Frederick said, "And now,
ran away from me, so I sent the others after to call it." Said Catherine, you, too, must be industrious and work." "Yes,
Frederick, "You should not have done that, Catherine, to smear Frederick, I will soon do that, I will go into the field and cut
the butter on the road, and let the cheeses run down the hill!" corn." When Catherine got into the field, she said to herself,
"Really, Frederick, you should have told me." Then they ate the "Shall I eat before I cut, or shall I sleep before I cut? Oh, I will eat
dry bread together, and Frederick said, "Catherine, did you make first." Then Catherine ate and eating made her sleepy, and she
the house safe when you came away?" "No, Frederick, you should began to cut, and half in a dream cut all her clothes to pieces, her
have told me to do it before." "Then go home again, and make the apron, her gown, and her shift. When Catherine awoke again after
house safe before we go any farther, and bring with you something a long sleep she was standing there half-naked, and said to herself,
else to eat. I will wait here for you." Catherine went back and "Is it I, or is it not I? Alas, it is not I." In the meantime night came,
thought, "Frederick wants something more to eat, he does not like and Catherine ran into the village, knocked at her husband's
butter and cheese, so I will take with me a handkerchief full of window, and cried, "Frederick."
dried pears and a pitcher of vinegar for him to drink." Then she "What is the matter?" "I should very much like to know if
bolted the upper half of the door fast, but unhinged the lower Catherine is in?" "Yes, yes," replied Frederick, "she must be in and
door, and took it on her back, believing that when she had placed asleep."
the door in security the house must be well taken care of. Said she, "'Tis well, then I am certainly at home already," and
Catherine took her time on the way, and thought, "Frederick will ran away.
rest himself so much the longer." When she had once more got up Outside Catherine found some vagabonds who were going to
to him she said, "Here is the house-door for you, Frederick, and steal. Then she went to them and said, "I will help you to steal."
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The rascals thought that she knew the situation of the place, and trampled the flames out. The huntsman cut off six of its heads and
were willing. Catherine went in front of the houses, and cried, its tail and had the animals tear it to bits. The princess distributed
"Good folks, have you anything? We want to steal." The thieves her necklace among the animals, and gave the huntsman her knife,
thought to themselves, "That's a fine way of doing things," and with which he cut off the dragon's tongues. He was exhausted and
wished themselves once more rid of Catherine. Then they said to told the lion to keep watch while he slept, but the lion was also
her, "Outside the village the pastor has some turnips in the field. exhausted, and told the bear to keep watch, and so on down to the
Go there and pull up some turnips for us." Catherine went to the hare, who had no one to tell to keep watch. The marshal cut off
ground, and began to pull them up, but was so idle that she did the huntsman's head and forced the princess to promise to say that
not gather them together. Then a man came by, saw her, and stood he had rescued her. The animals woke and would have killed the
still and thought that it was the devil who was thus rooting hare, but it said it knew of a root that would restore the huntsman,
amongst the turnips. He ran away into the village to the pastor, so they let it fetch it. The huntsman thought the princess must
and said, "Mr. Pastor, the devil is in your turnip-ground, rooting have killed him, to be rid of him, and wandered the world. A year
up turnips." "Ah, heavens," answered the pastor, "I have a lame later, he came back to the town and found it hung in red for the
foot, I cannot go out and drive him away." Said the man, "Then I princess's wedding to the marshal. The huntsman bet with the
will carry you on my back," and he carried him out on his back. innkeeper that he could get bread from the king's table, and sent
And when they came to the ground, Catherine arose and stood up the hare. The princess recognised it by the part of her necklace,
her full height. "Ah, the devil!" cried the pastor, and both hurried and sent a loaf with it. The innkeeper would bet no more, but he
away, and in his great fright the pastor could run better with his sent the fox, wolf, bear, and lion for meat, vegetables,
lame foot than the man who had carried him on his back could do confectionery, and wine. The king wondered at the animals, and
with his sound one. the princess told him to send for their master. When he arrived at
the castle, the seven dragon's heads were displayed, and the
huntsman opened their mouth and asked where their tongues were.
60.—THE TWO BROTHERS. He produced the tongues, and the princess confirmed his story.
The marshal was executed, and the huntsman and princess married.
("The Two Brothers" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers One day, the young king hunted a white stag and ended up alone
Grimm, tale number KHM 60. The Two Brothers follows the in the woods. An old woman begged to come near the fire, and
basic pattern of a story from Paderborn (probably from the von asked him to strike his animals with a wand so they would not
Haxthausen family). It has elements of old Germanic legends. A harm her. This turned them to stone, and so she was able to turn
similar story, of Sicilian origin, was also collected by author and him to stone. The older twin found the knife all rusted on one side,
folklorist Andrew Lang in The Pink Fairy Book. and went in search of his brother. He was welcomed as the young
Contents: A rich goldsmith and a poor broommaker were king in the town, but put a sword in the bed between himself and
brothers. The broommaker had two identical twin sons. One day, the princess. Hearing what his younger brother had been doing, he
the broommaker saw a golden bird in the woods, knocked off a set out to the same woods and found the same witch, but refused to
feather, and sold it to his brother for a great sum. He pursued the strike his animals. When he shot his gun at her, she was
bird again and found a golden lamp. A third time, he brought invulnerable to lead, but he tore off three silver buttons and shot
back the bird itself, and his brother, who knew its powers—that her again. He made her restore his brother, his brother's animals,
whoever ate its heart and liver would find a gold coin beneath his and many others. The brothers went home, telling their tales. On
pillow every night—had his wife cook it. But his nephews came to hearing that his older brother had been accepted as him and slept
the kitchen to beg, and when two bits fell from the bird, they ate in his bed, the young king cut off his head, but repented of it. The
them, and the gold coins appeared beneath their pillows. The hare brought the root again, and the brother was restored. They
goldsmith told his brother that his sons were working with the returned to the town, and the princess could recognise her
devil, and persuaded him to abandon them. A huntsman took husband by the necklace on his animals, and asked him why he had
them in and taught them his trade. Once they were grown, they put the sword in the bed that night, revealing to him that his
begged his permission to seek their fortune. He was pleased, brother had been true.)
because they talked like brave huntsmen, and he let them go. He
then gave them a knife with directions that if they ever parted, There were once upon a time two brothers, one rich and the
they should stick the knife into a tree, and when either one other poor. The rich one was a goldsmith and evil-hearted. The
returned, he could see how his brother was faring because the poor one supported himself by making brooms, and was good and
blade's side would rust if things were going badly for him. On the honourable. The poor one had two children, who were twin
way, they nearly shot a hare for hunger, but it begged for its life, brothers and as like each other as two drops of water. The two
offering to give them two young hares instead, so they let it go. boys went backwards and forwards to the rich house, and often
The same happened with a fox, a wolf, a bear, and a lion. The got some of the scraps to eat. It happened once when the poor man
young animals showed them a village where they could buy food. was going into the forest to fetch brush-wood, that he saw a bird
They parted ways, each one taking half the animals, and drove a which was quite golden and more beautiful than any he had ever
knife into a tree where they parted. The younger came to a town before chanced to meet with. He picked up a small stone, threw it
all hung in black, where a dragon had eaten every young maiden at him, and was lucky enough to hit him, but one golden feather
except the princess, who was to be given to it the next day. The only fell down, and the bird flew away. The man took the feather
huntsman climbed the dragon's hill and found three cups and a and carried it to his brother, who looked at it and said, "It is pure
sword. He was unable to wield the sword until he had drunk from gold!" and gave him a great deal of money for it. Next day the man
the cups. The next morning, the princess was brought to the hill, climbed into a birch-tree, and was about to cut off a couple of
and the king's marshal watched. The seven-headed dragon came branches when the same bird flew out, and when the man searched
and breathed fire, setting all the grass ablaze, but the animals he found a nest, and an egg lay inside it, which was of gold. He
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took the egg home with him, and carried it to his brother, who When they were grown up, their foster-father one day took them
again said, "It is pure gold," and gave him what it was worth. At into the forest with him, and said, "To-day shall you make your
last the goldsmith said, "I should indeed like to have the bird trial shot, so that I may release you from your apprenticeship, and
itself." The poor man went into the forest for the third time, and make you huntsmen." They went with him to lie in wait and stayed
again saw the golden bird sitting on the tree, so he took a stone there a long time, but no game appeared. The huntsman, however,
and brought it down and carried it to his brother, who gave him a looked above him, and saw a covey of wild geese flying in the form
great heap of gold for it. "Now I can get on," thought he, and of a triangle, and said to one of them, "Shoot me down one from
went contentedly home. each corner." He did it, and thus accomplished his trial shot. Soon
The goldsmith was crafty and cunning, and knew very well what after another covey came flying by in the form of the figure two,
kind of a bird it was. He called his wife and said, "Roast me the and the huntsman bade the other also bring down one from each
gold bird, and take care that none of it is lost. I have a fancy to eat corner, and his trial shot was likewise successful. "Now," said the
it all myself." The bird was, however, no common one, but of so foster-father, "I pronounce you out of your apprenticeship; you
wondrous a kind that whosoever ate his heart and liver found are skilled huntsmen." Thereupon the two brothers went forth
every morning a piece of gold beneath his pillow. The woman together into the forest, and took counsel with each other and
made the bird ready, put it on the spit, and let it roast. Now it planned something. And in the evening when they had sat down to
happened that while it was at the fire, and the woman was forced supper, they said to their foster-father, "We will not touch food,
to go out of the kitchen on account of some other work, the two or take one mouthful, until you have granted us a request." Said
children of the poor broom-maker ran in, stood by the spit and he, "What, then, is your request?" They replied, "We have now
turned it round once or twice. And as at that very moment two finished learning, and we must prove ourselves in the world, so
little bits of the bird fell down into the dripping-tin, one of the allow us to go away and travel." Then spake the old man joyfully,
boys said, "We will eat these two little bits; I am so hungry, and "You talk like brave huntsmen, that which you desire has been my
no one will ever miss them." Then the two ate the pieces, but the wish; go forth, all will go well with you." Thereupon they ate and
woman came to them and saw that they were eating something and drank joyously together.
said, "What have ye been eating?" "Two little morsels which fell When the appointed day came, their foster-father presented each
out of the bird," answered they. "That must have been the heart of them with a good gun and a dog, and let each of them take as
and the liver," said the woman, quite frightened, and in order that many of his saved-up gold pieces as he chose. Then he accompanied
her husband might not miss them and be angry, she quickly killed them a part of the way, and when taking leave, he gave them a
a young cock, took out his heart and liver, and put them beside the bright knife, and said, "If ever you separate, stick this knife into a
golden bird. When it was ready, she carried it to the goldsmith, tree at the place where you part, and then when one of you goes
who consumed it all alone, and left none of it. Next morning, back, he will be able to see how his absent brother is faring, for the
however, when he felt beneath his pillow, and expected to bring side of the knife which is turned in the direction by which he went,
out the piece of gold, no more gold pieces were there than there will rust if he dies, but will remain bright as long as he is alive."
had always been. The two brothers went still farther onwards, and came to a forest
The two children did not know what a piece of good-fortune had which was so large that it was impossible for them to get out of it
fallen to their lot. Next morning when they arose, something fell in one day. So they passed the night in it, and ate what they had
rattling to the ground, and when they picked it up there were two put in their hunting-pouches, but they walked all the second day
gold pieces! They took them to their father, who was astonished likewise, and still did not get out. As they had nothing to eat, one
and said, "How can that have happened?" When next morning of them said, "We must shoot something for ourselves or we shall
they again found two, and so on daily, he went to his brother and suffer from hunger," and loaded his gun, and looked about him.
told him the strange story. The goldsmith at once knew how it had And when an old hare came running up towards them, he laid his
come to pass, and that the children had eaten the heart and liver of gun on his shoulder, but the hare cried,
the golden bird, and in order to revenge himself, and because he "Dear huntsmen, do but let me live,
was envious and hard-hearted, he said to the father, "Thy children Two little ones to thee I'll give,"
are in league with the Evil One, do not take the gold, and do not and sprang instantly into the thicket, and brought two young
suffer them to stay any longer in thy house, for he has them in his ones. But the little creatures played so merrily, and were so pretty,
power, and may ruin thee likewise." The father feared the Evil One, that the huntsmen could not find it in their hearts to kill them.
and painful as it was to him, he nevertheless led the twins forth They therefore kept them with them, and the little hares followed
into the forest, and with a sad heart left them there. behind on foot. Soon after this, a fox crept past; they were just
And now the two children ran about the forest, and sought the going to shoot it, but the fox cried,
way home again, but could not find it, and only lost themselves "Dear huntsmen, do but let me live,
more and more. At length they met with a huntsman, who asked, Two little ones I'll also give."
"To whom do you children belong?" "We are the poor broom- He, too, brought two little foxes, and the huntsmen did not like
maker's boys," they replied, and they told him that their father to kill them either, but gave them to the hares for company, and
would not keep them any longer in the house because a piece of they followed behind. It was not long before a wolf strode out of
gold lay every morning under their pillows. "Come," said the the thicket; the huntsmen made ready to shoot him, but the wolf
huntsman, "that is nothing so very bad, if at the same time you cried,
keep honest, and are not idle." As the good man liked the children, "Dear huntsmen, do but let me live,
and had none of his own, he took them home with him and said, "I Two little ones I'll likewise give."
will be your father, and bring you up till you are big." They learnt The huntsmen put the two wolves beside the other animals, and
huntsmanship from him, and the piece of gold which each of them they followed behind them. Then a bear came who wanted to trot
found when he awoke, was kept for them by him in case they about a little longer, and cried:
should need it in the future. "Dear huntsmen, do but let me live,
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Two little ones I, too, will give." take up the sword, and his hand could quite easily wield it. When
The two young bears were added to the others, and there were the hour came when the maiden was to be delivered over to the
already eight of them. At length who came? A lion came, and dragon, the King, the marshal, and courtiers accompanied her.
tossed his mane. But the huntsmen did not let themselves be From afar she saw the huntsman on the dragon's hill, and thought
frightened and aimed at him likewise, but the lion also said, it was the dragon standing there waiting for her, and did not want
"Dear huntsmen, do but let me live, to go up to him, but at last, because otherwise the whole town
Two little ones I, too, will give." would have been destroyed, she was forced to go the miserable
And he brought his little ones to them, and now the huntsmen journey. The King and courtiers returned home full of grief; the
had two lions, two bears, two wolves, two foxes, and two hares, King's marshal, however, was to stand still, and see all from a
who followed them and served them. In the meantime their hunger distance.
was not appeased by this, and they said to the foxes, "Hark ye, When the King's daughter got to the top of the hill, it was not
cunning fellows, provide us with something to eat. You are crafty the dragon which stood there, but the young huntsman, who
and deep." They replied, "Not far from here lies a village, from comforted her, and said he would save her, led her into the church,
which we have already brought many a fowl; we will show you the and locked her in. It was not long before the seven-headed dragon
way there." So they went into the village, bought themselves came thither with loud roaring. When he perceived the huntsman,
something to eat, had some food given to their beasts, and then he was astonished and said, "What business hast thou here on the
travelled onwards. The foxes, however, knew their way very well hill?" The huntsman answered, "I want to fight with thee." Said
about the district and where the poultry-yards were, and were able the dragon, "Many knights have left their lives here, I shall soon
to guide the huntsmen. have made an end of thee too," and he breathed fire out of seven
Now they travelled about for a while, but could find no jaws. The fire was to have lighted the dry grass, and the huntsman
situations where they could remain together, so they said, "There was to have been suffocated in the heat and smoke, but the animals
is nothing else for it, we must part." They divided the animals, so came running up and trampled out the fire. Then the dragon
that each of them had a lion, a bear, a wolf, a fox, and a hare, then rushed upon the huntsman, but he swung his sword until it sang
they took leave of each other, promised to love each other like through the air, and struck off three of his heads. Then the dragon
brothers till their death, and stuck the knife which their foster- grew right furious, and rose up in the air, and spat out flames of
father had given them, into a tree, after which one went east, and fire over the huntsman, and was about to plunge down on him,
the other west. but the huntsman once more drew out his sword, and again cut off
The younger, however, arrived with his beasts in a town which three of his heads. The monster became faint and sank down,
was all hung with black crape. He went into an inn, and asked the nevertheless it was just going to rush upon the huntsman, but he
host if he could accommodate his animals. The innkeeper gave him with his last strength smote its tail off, and as he could fight no
a stable, where there was a hole in the wall, and the hare crept out longer, called up his animals who tore it in pieces. When the
and fetched himself the head of a cabbage, and the fox fetched struggle was ended, the huntsman unlocked the church, and found
himself a hen, and when he had devoured that got the cock as well, the King's daughter lying on the floor, as she had lost her senses
but the wolf, the bear, and the lion could not get out because they with anguish and terror during the contest. He carried her out,
were too big. Then the innkeeper let them be taken to a place and when she came to herself once more, and opened her eyes, he
where a cow was just then lying on the grass, that they might eat showed her the dragon all cut to pieces, and told her that she was
till they were satisfied. And when the huntsman had taken care of now delivered. She rejoiced and said, "Now thou wilt be my
his animals, he asked the innkeeper why the town was thus hung dearest husband, for my father has promised me to him who kills
with black crape? Said the host, "Because our King's only the dragon." Thereupon she took off her necklace of coral, and
daughter is to die to-morrow." The huntsman inquired if she was divided it amongst the animals in order to reward them, and the
"sick unto death?" "No," answered the host, "she is vigorous and lion received the golden clasp. Her pocket-handkerchief, however,
healthy, nevertheless she must die!" "How is that?" asked the on which was her name, she gave to the huntsman, who went and
huntsman. "There is a high hill without the town, whereon dwells cut the tongues out of the dragon's seven heads, wrapped them in
a dragon who every year must have a pure virgin, or he lays the the handkerchief, and preserved them carefully.
whole country waste, and now all the maidens have already been That done, as he was so faint and weary with the fire and the
given to him, and there is no longer any one left but the King's battle, he said to the maiden, "We are both faint and weary, we
daughter, yet there is no mercy for her; she must be given up to will sleep awhile." Then she said "yes," and they lay down on the
him, and that is to be done to-morrow." Said the huntsman, "Why ground, and the huntsman said to the lion, "Thou shalt keep
is the dragon not killed?" "Ah," replied the host, "so many watch, that no one surprises us in our sleep," and both fell asleep.
knights have tried it, but it has cost all of them their lives. The The lion lay down beside them to watch, but he also was so weary
King has promised that he who conquers the dragon shall have his with the fight, that he called to the bear and said, "Lie down near
daughter to wife, and shall likewise govern the kingdom after his me, I must sleep a little: if anything comes, waken me." Then the
own death." bear lay down beside him, but he also was tired, and called the
The huntsman said nothing more to this, but next morning took wolf and said, "Lie down by me, I must sleep a little, but if
his animals, and with them ascended the dragon's hill. A little anything comes, waken me." Then the wolf lay down by him, but
church stood at the top of it, and on the altar three full cups were he was tired likewise, and called the fox and said, "Lie down by me,
standing, with the inscription, "Whosoever empties the cups will I must sleep a little; if anything comes, waken me." Then the fox
become the strongest man on earth, and will be able to wield the lay down beside him, but he too was weary, and called the hare
sword which is buried before the threshold of the door." The and said, "Lie down near me, I must sleep a little, and if anything
huntsman did not drink, but went out and sought for the sword in should come, waken me." Then the hare sat down by him, but the
the ground, but was unable to move it from its place. Then he poor hare was tired too, and had no one whom he could call there
went in and emptied the cups, and now he was strong enough to to keep watch, and fell asleep. And now the King's daughter, the
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huntsman, the lion, the bear, the wolf, the fox, and the hare, were hold of the head the wrong way, but that he would repair his
all sleeping a sound sleep. The marshal, however, who was to look mistake. Then he tore the huntsman's head off again, turned it
on from a distance, took courage when he did not see the dragon round, and the hare healed it with the root.
flying away with the maiden, and finding that all the hill had The huntsman, however, was sad at heart, and travelled about
become quiet, ascended it. There lay the dragon hacked and hewn the world, and made his animals dance before people. It came to
to pieces on the ground, and not far from it were the King's pass that precisely at the end of one year he came back to the same
daughter and a huntsman with his animals, and all of them were town where he had delivered the King's daughter from the dragon,
sunk in a sound sleep. And as he was wicked and godless he took and this time the town was gaily hung with red cloth. Then he said
his sword, cut off the huntsman's head, and seized the maiden in to the host, "What does this mean? Last year the town was all
his arms, and carried her down the hill. Then she awoke and was hung with black crape, what means the red cloth to-day?" The
terrified, but the marshal said, "Thou art in my hands, thou shalt host answered, "Last year our King's daughter was to have been
say that it was I who killed the dragon." "I cannot do that," she delivered over to the dragon, but the marshal fought with it and
replied, "for it was a huntsman with his animals who did it." Then killed it, and so to-morrow their wedding is to be solemnised, and
he drew his sword, and threatened to kill her if she did not obey that is why the town was then hung with black crape for mourning,
him, and so compelled her that she promised it. Then he took her and is to-day covered with red cloth for joy."
to the King, who did not know how to contain himself for joy Next day when the wedding was to take place, the huntsman said
when he once more looked on his dear child in life, whom he had at mid-day to the inn-keeper, "Do you believe, sir host, that I
believed to have been torn to pieces by the monster. The marshal while with you here to-day shall eat bread from the King's own
said to him, "I have killed the dragon, and delivered the maiden table?" "Nay," said the host, "I would bet a hundred pieces of gold
and the whole kingdom as well, therefore I demand her as my wife, that that will not come true." The huntsman accepted the wager,
as was promised." The King said to the maiden, "Is what he says and set against it a purse with just the same number of gold pieces.
true?" "Ah, yes," she answered, "it must indeed be true, but I will Then he called the hare and said, "Go, my dear runner, and fetch
not consent to have the wedding celebrated until after a year and a me some of the bread which the King is eating." Now the little
day," for she thought in that time she should hear something of hare was the lowest of the animals, and could not transfer this
her dear huntsman. order to any of the others, but had to get on his legs himself.
The animals, however, were still lying sleeping beside their dead "Alas!" thought he, "if I bound through the streets thus alone, the
master on the dragon's hill, and there came a great bumble-bee butchers' dogs will all be after me." It happened as he expected,
and lighted on the hare's nose, but the hare wiped it off with his and the dogs came after him and wanted to make holes in his good
paw, and went on sleeping. The bumble-bee came a second time, skin. But he sprang away, have you never seen one running? and
but the hare again rubbed it off and slept on. Then it came for the sheltered himself in a sentry-box without the soldier being aware
third time, and stung his nose so that he awoke. As soon as the of it. Then the dogs came and wanted to have him out, but the
hare was awake, he roused the fox, and the fox the wolf, and the soldier did not understand a jest, and struck them with the butt-
wolf the bear, and the bear the lion. And when the lion awoke and end of his gun, till they ran away yelling and howling. As soon as
saw that the maiden was gone, and his master was dead, he began the hare saw that the way was clear, he ran into the palace and
to roar frightfully and cried, "Who has done that? Bear, why didst straight to the King's daughter, sat down under her chair, and
thou not waken me?" The bear asked the wolf, "Why didst thou scratched at her foot. Then she said, "Wilt thou get away?" and
not waken me?" and the wolf the fox, "Why didst thou not waken thought it was her dog. The hare scratched her foot for the second
me?" and the fox the hare, "Why didst thou not waken me?" The time, and she again said, "Wilt thou get away?" and thought it
poor hare alone did not know what answer to make, and the blame was her dog. But the hare did not let itself be turned from its
rested with him. Then they were just going to fall upon him, but purpose, and scratched her for the third time, then she peeped
he entreated them and said, "Kill me not, I will bring our master down, and knew the hare by its collar. She took him on her lap,
to life again. I know a mountain on which a root grows which, carried him into her chamber, and said, "Dear Hare, what dost
when placed in the mouth of any one, cures him of all illness and thou want?" He answered, "My master, who killed the dragon, is
every wound. But the mountain lies two hundred hours' journey here, and has sent me to ask for a loaf of bread like that which the
from here." The lion said, "In four-and-twenty hours must thou King eats." Then she was full of joy and had the baker summoned,
have run thither and have come back, and have brought the root and ordered him to bring a loaf such as was eaten by the King. The
with thee." Then the hare sprang away, and in four-and-twenty little hare said, "But the baker must likewise carry it thither for
hours he was back, and brought the root with him. The lion put me, that the butchers' dogs may do no harm to me." The baker
the huntsman's head on again, and the hare placed the root in his carried it for him as far as the door of the inn, and then the hare
mouth, and immediately everything united together again, and his got on his hind legs, took the loaf in his front paws, and carried it
heart beat, and life came back. Then the huntsman awoke, and was to his master. Then said the huntsman, "Behold, sir host, the
alarmed when he did not see the maiden, and thought, "She must hundred pieces of gold are mine." The host was astonished, but the
have gone away whilst I was sleeping, in order to get rid of me." huntsman went on to say, "Yes, sir host, I have the bread, but now
The lion in his great haste had put his master's head on the wrong I will likewise have some of the King's roast meat."
way round, but the huntsman did not observe it because of his The host said, "I should indeed like to see that," but he would
melancholy thoughts about the King's daughter. But at noon, make no more wagers. The huntsman called the fox and said, "My
when he was going to eat something, he saw that his head was little fox, go and fetch me some roast meat, such as the King eats."
turned backwards and could not understand it, and asked the The red fox knew the bye-ways better, and went by holes and
animals what had happened to him in his sleep. Then the lion told corners without any dog seeing him, seated himself under the chair
him that they, too, had all fallen asleep from weariness, and on of the King's daughter, and scratched her foot. Then she looked
awaking, had found him dead with his head cut off, that the hare down and recognised the fox by its collar, took him into her
had brought the life-giving root, and that he, in his haste, had laid chamber with her, and said, "Dear Fox, what dost thou want?" He
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answered, "My master, who killed the dragon, is here, and has sent some out of another barrel which was for the King's marshal. The
me. I am to ask for some roast meat such as the King is eating." lion said, "Stop, let me taste the wine first," and drew half a
Then she made the cook come, who was obliged to prepare a roast measure and drank it. "That is better, but still not right," said he.
joint, the same as was eaten by the King, and to carry it for the fox Then the cup-bearer grew angry and said, "How can a stupid
as far as the door. Then the fox took the dish, waved away with his animal like you understand wine?" But the lion gave him a blow
tail the flies which had settled on the meat, and then carried it to behind the ears, which made him fall down by no means gently,
his master. "Behold, sir host," said the huntsman, "bread and and when he had got up again, he conducted the lion quite silently
meat are here, but now I will also have proper vegetables with it, into a little cellar apart, where the King's wine lay, from which no
such as are eaten by the King." Then he called the wolf, and said, one ever drank. The lion first drew half a measure and tried the
"Dear Wolf, go thither and fetch me vegetables such as the King wine, and then he said, "That may possibly be the right sort," and
eats." Then the wolf went straight to the palace, as he feared no bade the cup-bearer fill six bottles of it. And now they went
one, and when he got to the King's daughter's chamber, he upstairs again, but when the lion came out of the cellar into the
twitched at the back of her dress, so that she was forced to look open air, he reeled here and there, and was rather drunk, and the
round. She recognised him by his collar, and took him into her cup-bearer was forced to carry the wine as far as the door for him,
chamber with her, and said, "Dear Wolf, what dost thou want?" and then the lion took the handle of the basket in his mouth, and
He answered, "My master, who killed the dragon, is here, I am to took it to his master. The huntsman said, "Behold, sir host, here
ask for some vegetables, such as the King eats." Then she made the have I bread, meat, vegetables, confectionery and wine such as the
cook come, and he had to make ready a dish of vegetables, such as King has, and now I will dine with my animals," and he sat down
the King ate, and had to carry it for the wolf as far as the door, and ate and drank, and gave the hare, the fox, the wolf, the bear,
and then the wolf took the dish from him, and carried it to his and the lion also to eat and to drink, and was joyful, for he saw
master. "Behold, sir host," said the huntsman, "now I have bread that the King's daughter still loved him. And when he had finished
and meat and vegetables, but I will also have some pastry to eat his dinner, he said, "Sir host, now have I eaten and drunk, as the
like that which the King eats." He called the bear, and said, "Dear King eats and drinks, and now I will go to the King's court and
Bear, thou art fond of licking anything sweet; go and bring me marry the King's daughter." Said the host, "How can that be,
some confectionery, such as the King eats." Then the bear trotted when she already has a betrothed husband, and when the wedding
to the palace, and every one got out of his way, but when he went is to be solemnised to-day?" Then the huntsman drew forth the
to the guard, they presented their muskets, and would not let him handkerchief which the King's daughter had given him on the
go into the royal palace. But he got up on his hind legs, and gave dragon's hill, and in which were folded the monster's seven
them a few boxes on the ears, right and left, with his paws, so that tongues, and said, "That which I hold in my hand shall help me to
the whole watch broke up, and then he went straight to the King's do it." Then the innkeeper looked at the handkerchief, and said,
daughter, placed himself behind her, and growled a little. Then "Whatever I believe, I do not believe that, and I am willing to
she looked behind her, knew the bear, and bade him go into her stake my house and courtyard on it." The huntsman, however,
room with her, and said, "Dear Bear, what dost thou want?" He took a bag with a thousand gold pieces, put it on the table, and
answered, "My master, who killed the dragon, is here, and I am to said, "I stake that on it."
ask for some confectionery such as the King eats." Then she Now the King said to his daughter, at the royal table, "What did
summoned her confectioner, who had to bake confectionery such all the wild animals want, which have been coming to thee, and
as the King ate, and carry it to the door for the bear; then the bear going in and out of my palace?" She replied, "I may not tell you,
first licked up the comfits which had rolled down, and then he but send and have the master of these animals brought, and you
stood upright, took the dish, and carried it to his master. "Behold, will do well." The King sent a servant to the inn, and invited the
sir host," said the huntsman, "now I have bread, meat, vegetables stranger, and the servant came just as the huntsman had laid his
and confectionery, but I will drink wine also, and such as the King wager with the innkeeper. Then said he, "Behold, sir host, now the
drinks." He called his lion to him and said, "Dear Lion, thou King sends his servant and invites me, but I do not go in this way."
thyself likest to drink till thou art intoxicated, go and fetch me And he said to the servant, "I request the Lord King to send me
some wine, such as is drunk by the King." Then the lion strode royal clothing, and a carriage with six horses, and servants to
through the streets, and the people fled from him, and when he attend me." When the King heard the answer, he said to his
came to the watch, they wanted to bar the way against him, but he daughter, "What shall I do?" She said, "Cause him to be fetched as
did but roar once, and they all ran away. Then the lion went to the he desires to be, and you will do well." Then the King sent royal
royal apartment, and knocked at the door with his tail. Then the apparel, a carriage with six horses, and servants to wait on him.
King's daughter came forth, and was almost afraid of the lion, but When the huntsman saw them coming, he said, "Behold, sir host,
she knew him by the golden clasp of her necklace, and bade him go now I am fetched as I desired to be," and he put on the royal
with her into her chamber, and said, "Dear Lion, what wilt thou garments, took the handkerchief with the dragon's tongues with
have?" He answered, "My master, who killed the dragon, is here, him, and drove off to the King. When the King saw him coming,
and I am to ask for some wine such as is drunk by the King." Then he said to his daughter, "How shall I receive him?" She answered,
she bade the cup-bearer be called, who was to give the lion some "Go to meet him and you will do well." Then the King went to
wine like that which was drunk by the King. The lion said, "I will meet him and led him in, and his animals followed. The King gave
go with him, and see that I get the right wine." Then he went him a seat near himself and his daughter, and the marshal, as
down with the cup-bearer, and when they were below, the cup- bridegroom, sat on the other side, but no longer knew the
bearer wanted to draw him some of the common wine that was huntsman. And now at this very moment, the seven heads of the
drunk by the King's servants; but the lion said, "Stop, I will taste dragon were brought in as a spectacle, and the King said, "The
the wine first," and he drew half a measure, and swallowed it down seven heads were cut off the dragon by the marshal, wherefore to-
at one draught. "No," said he, "that is not right." The cup-bearer day I give him my daughter to wife." Then the huntsman stood up,
looked at him askance, but went on, and was about to give him opened the seven mouths, and said, "Where are the seven tongues
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of the dragon?" Then was the marshal terrified, and grew pale and perceived that he had penetrated deep into the forest, and blew his
knew not what answer he should make, and at length in his horn but he received no answer, for his attendants could not hear
anguish he said, "Dragons have no tongues." The huntsman said, it. And as night, too, was falling, he saw that he could not get
"Liars ought to have none, but the dragon's tongues are the home that day, so he dismounted from his horse, lighted himself a
tokens of the victor," and he unfolded the handkerchief, and there fire near a tree, and resolved to spend the night by it. While he was
lay all seven inside it. And he put each tongue in the mouth to sitting by the fire, and his animals also were lying down beside him,
which it belonged, and it fitted exactly. Then he took the it seemed to him that he heard a human voice. He looked round,
handkerchief on which the name of the princess was embroidered, but could perceive nothing. Soon afterwards, he again heard a
and showed it to the maiden, and asked to whom she had given it, groan as if from above, and then he looked up, and saw an old
and she replied, "To him who killed the dragon." And then he woman sitting in the tree, who wailed unceasingly, "Oh, oh, oh,
called his animals, and took the collar off each of them and the how cold I am!" Said he, "Come down, and warm thyself if thou
golden clasp from the lion, and showed them to the maiden and art cold." But she said, "No, thy animals will bite me." He
asked to whom they belonged. She answered, "The necklace and answered, "They will do thee no harm, old mother, do come
golden clasp were mine, but I divided them among the animals down." She, however, was a witch, and said, "I will throw down a
who helped to conquer the dragon." Then spake the huntsman, wand from the tree, and if thou strikest them on the back with it,
"When I, tired with the fight, was resting and sleeping, the they will do me no harm." Then she threw him a small wand, and
marshal came and cut off my head. Then he carried away the he struck them with it, and instantly they lay still and were turned
King's daughter, and gave out that it was he who had killed the into stone. And when the witch was safe from the animals, she
dragon, but that he lied I prove with the tongues, the leapt down and touched him also with a wand, and changed him
handkerchief, and the necklace." And then he related how his to stone. Thereupon she laughed, and dragged him and the
animals had healed him by means of a wonderful root, and how he animals into a vault, where many more such stones already lay.
had travelled about with them for one year, and had at length As, however, the young King did not come back at all, the
again come there and had learnt the treachery of the marshal by Queen's anguish and care grew constantly greater. And it so
the inn-keeper's story. Then the King asked his daughter, "Is it happened that at this very time the other brother who had turned
true that this man killed the dragon?" And she answered, "Yes, it to the east when they separated, came into the kingdom. He had
is true. Now can I reveal the wicked deed of the marshal, as it has sought a situation, and had found none, and had then travelled
come to light without my connivance, for he wrung from me a about here and there, and had made his animals dance. Then it
promise to be silent. For this reason, however, did I make the came into his mind that he would just go and look at the knife that
condition that the marriage should not be solemnised for a year they had thrust in the trunk of a tree at their parting, that he
and a day." Then the King bade twelve councillors be summoned might learn how his brother was. When he got there his brother's
who were to pronounce judgement on the marshal, and they side of the knife was half rusted, and half bright. Then he was
sentenced him to be torn to pieces by four bulls. The marshal was alarmed and thought, "A great misfortune must have befallen my
therefore executed, but the King gave his daughter to the brother, but perhaps I can still save him, for half the knife is still
huntsman, and named him his viceroy over the whole kingdom. bright." He and his animals travelled towards the west, and when
The wedding was celebrated with great joy, and the young King he entered the gate of the town, the guard came to meet him, and
caused his father and his foster-father to be brought, and loaded asked if he was to announce him to his consort the young Queen,
them with treasures. Neither did he forget the inn-keeper, but sent who had for a couple of days been in the greatest sorrow about his
for him and said, "Behold, sir host, I have married the King's staying away, and was afraid he had been killed in the enchanted
daughter, and your house and yard are mine." The host said, "Yes, forest? The sentries, indeed, thought no otherwise than that he
according to justice it is so." But the young King said, "It shall be was the young King himself, for he looked so like him, and had
done according to mercy," and told him that he should keep his wild animals running behind him. Then he saw that they were
house and yard, and gave him the thousand pieces of gold as well. speaking of his brother, and thought, "It will be better if I pass
And now the young King and Queen were thoroughly happy, myself off for him, and then I can rescue him more easily." So he
and lived in gladness together. He often went out hunting because allowed himself to be escorted into the castle by the guard, and
it was a delight to him, and the faithful animals had to accompany was received with the greatest joy. The young Queen indeed
him. In the neighbourhood, however, there was a forest of which it thought that he was her husband, and asked him why he had
was reported that it was haunted, and that whosoever did but stayed away so long. He answered, "I had lost myself in a forest,
enter it did not easily get out again. The young King, however, and could not find my way out again any sooner." At night he was
had a great inclination to hunt in it, and let the old King have no taken to the royal bed, but he laid a two-edged sword between him
peace until he allowed him to do so. So he rode forth with a great and the young Queen; she did not know what that could mean, but
following, and when he came to the forest, he saw a snow-white did not venture to ask.
hart, and said to his people, "Wait here until I return, I want to He remained in the palace a couple of days, and in the meantime
chase that beautiful creature," and he rode into the forest after it, inquired into everything which related to the enchanted forest,
followed only by his animals. The attendants halted and waited and at last he said, "I must hunt there once more." The King and
until evening, but he did not return, so they rode home, and told the young Queen wanted to persuade him not to do it, but he
the young Queen that the young King had followed a white hart stood out against them, and went forth with a larger following.
into the enchanted forest, and had not come back again. Then she When he had got into the forest, it fared with him as with his
was in the greatest concern about him. He, however, had still brother; he saw a white hart and said to his people, "Stay here,
continued to ride on and on after the beautiful wild animal, and and wait until I return, I want to chase the lovely wild beast," and
had never been able to overtake it; when he thought he was near then he rode into the forest and his animals ran after him. But he
enough to aim, he instantly saw it bound away into the far could not overtake the hart, and got so deep into the forest that he
distance, and at length it vanished altogether. And now he was forced to pass the night there. And when he had lighted a fire,
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he heard some one wailing above him, "Oh, oh, oh, how cold I she sought for and found her little golden clasp on the lion, and
am!" Then he looked up, and the self-same witch was sitting in the she cried in her delight, "He who is followed by this lion is my true
tree. Said he, "If thou art cold, come down, little old mother, and husband." Then the young King laughed and said, "Yes, he is the
warm thyself." She answered, "No, thy animals will bite me." But right one," and they sat down together to table, and ate and drank,
he said, "They will not hurt thee." Then she cried, "I will throw and were merry. At night when the young King went to bed, his
down a wand to thee, and if thou smitest them with it they will do wife said, "Why hast thou for these last nights always laid a two-
me no harm." When the huntsman heard that, he had no edged sword in our bed? I thought thou hadst a wish to kill me."
confidence in the old woman, and said, "I will not strike my Then he knew how true his brother had been.
animals. Come down, or I will fetch thee." Then she cried, "What
dost thou want? Thou shalt not touch me." But he replied, "If
thou dost not come, I will shoot thee." Said she, "Shoot away, I do 61.—THE LITTLE PEASANT.
not fear thy bullets!" Then he aimed, and fired at her, but the
witch was proof against all leaden bullets, and laughed, and yelled ("The Little Peasant" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers
and cried, "Thou shalt not hit me." The huntsman knew what to Grimm in the Children's and Household Tales, number KHM 61.
do, tore three silver buttons off his coat, and loaded his gun with The Grimms noted "from Zwehrn" (from Dorothea Viehmann).
them, for against them her arts were useless, and when he fired she Contents: A poor peasant and his wife did not even have a cow.
fell down at once with a scream. Then he set his foot on her and They had a woodworker make them a calf of wood and brought it
said, "Old witch, if thou dost not instantly confess where my to the pasture. When the cowherd returned without it, they found
brother is, I will seize thee with both my hands and throw thee it had been stolen and took him to court for his carelessness, and
into the fire." She was in a great fright, begged for mercy, and said, the judge made him give them a cow. They had nothing to feed it
"He and his animals lie in a vault, turned to stone." Then he and so had to kill it. The peasant took the hide to town to sell. He
compelled her to go thither with him, threatened her, and said, found a raven with broken wings and wrapped it in the hide.
"Old sea-cat, now shalt thou make my brother and all the human Weather grew bad and he took shelter in a mill, where the miller's
beings lying here, alive again, or thou shalt go into the fire!" She wife gave him some bread and cheese. Then the parson arrived,
took a wand and touched the stones, and then his brother with his and because her husband was away, he and the wife had a feast.
animals came to life again, and many others, merchants, artizans, Her husband returned, and the wife hid the parson and the food.
and shepherds, arose, thanked him for their deliverance, and went The peasant pretended that the hide was a soothsayer and made
to their homes. But when the twin brothers saw each other again, the raven croak. He told the miller where the food was hidden, and
they kissed each other and rejoiced with all their hearts. Then they after they had eaten, that the Devil was in the parson's hiding
seized the witch, bound her and laid her on the fire, and when she place. The parson fled, and the miller gave the peasant 300 thalers.
was burnt the forest opened of its own accord, and was light and Being rich now, he was brought before the mayor to ask where he
clear, and the King's palace could be seen at about the distance of a had gotten his money; he said he had sold the hide. They killed
three hours' walk. their cows but could not get much for them. They sentenced him to
Thereupon the two brothers went home together, and on the way be rolled into the river in a barrel filled with holes. A shepherd
told each other their histories. And when the youngest said that he came along, and the peasant declared that he would not do it, and
was ruler of the whole country in the King's stead, the other explained that they were trying to force him to be mayor. The
observed, "That I remarked very well, for when I came to the town, shepherd changed places with him, the peasant took his sheep, and
and was taken for thee, all royal honours were paid me; the young they drowned the shepherd. Seeing him with the sheep later, they
Queen looked on me as her husband, and I had to eat at her side, asked where he had gotten them, and he said they were in the river.
and sleep in thy bed." When the other heard that, he became so Everyone jumped into the river and drowned, and the peasant was
jealous and angry that he drew his sword, and struck off his their sole heir and very rich.)
brother's head. But when he saw him lying there dead, and saw his
red blood flowing, he repented most violently: "My brother There was a certain village wherein no one lived but really rich
delivered me," cried he, "and I have killed him for it," and he peasants, and just one poor one, whom they called the little
bewailed him aloud. Then his hare came and offered to go and peasant. He had not even so much as a cow, and still less money to
bring some of the root of life, and bounded away and brought it buy one, and yet he and his wife did so wish to have one. One day
while yet there was time, and the dead man was brought to life he said to her, "Hark you, I have a good thought, there is our
again, and knew nothing about the wound. gossip the carpenter, he shall make us a wooden calf, and paint it
After this they journeyed onwards, and the youngest said, "Thou brown, so that it look like any other, and in time it will certainly
lookest like me, hast royal apparel on as I have, and the animals get big and be a cow." The woman also liked the idea, and their
follow thee as they do me; we will go in by opposite gates, and gossip the carpenter cut and planed the calf, and painted it as it
arrive at the same time from the two sides in the aged King's ought to be, and made it with its head hanging down as if it were
presence." So they separated, and at the same time came the eating.
watchmen from the one door and from the other, and announced Next morning when the cows were being driven out, the little
that the young King and the animals had returned from the chase. peasant called the cow-herd in and said, "Look, I have a little calf
The King said, "It is not possible, the gates lie quite a mile apart." there, but it is still small and has still to be carried." The cow-herd
In the meantime, however, the two brothers entered the courtyard said, "All right," and took it in his arms and carried it to the
of the palace from opposite sides, and both mounted the steps. pasture, and set it among the grass. The little calf always remained
Then the King said to the daughter, "Say which is thy husband. standing like one which was eating, and the cow-herd said, "It will
Each of them looks exactly like the other, I cannot tell." Then she soon run alone, just look how it eats already!" At night when he
was in great distress, and could not tell; but at last she was going to drive the herd home again, he said to the calf, "If
remembered the necklace which she had given to the animals, and thou canst stand there and eat thy fill, thou canst also go on thy
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four legs; I don't care to drag thee home again in my arms." But stove." "Upon my word!" cried the miller, and went thither, and
the little peasant stood at his door, and waited for his little calf, found the roast meat. The peasant made the raven prophesy still
and when the cow-herd drove the cows through the village, and more, and said, "Thirdly, he says that there is some salad on the
the calf was missing, he inquired where it was. The cow-herd bed." "That would be a fine thing!" cried the miller, and went
answered, "It is still standing out there eating. It would not stop there and found the salad. At last the peasant pinched the raven
and come with us." But the little peasant said, "Oh, but I must once more till he croaked, and said, "Fourthly, he says that there
have my beast back again." Then they went back to the meadow are some cakes under the bed." "That would be a fine thing!" cried
together, but some one had stolen the calf, and it was gone. The the miller, and looked there, and found the cakes.
cow-herd said, "It must have run away." The peasant, however, And now the two sat down to the table together, but the miller's
said, "Don't tell me that," and led the cow-herd before the mayor, wife was frightened to death, and went to bed and took all the keys
who for his carelessness condemned him to give the peasant a cow with her. The miller would have liked much to know the fifth, but
for the calf which had run away. the little peasant said, "First, we will quickly eat the four things,
And now the little peasant and his wife had the cow for which for the fifth is something bad." So they ate, and after that they
they had so long wished, and they were heartily glad, but they had bargained how much the miller was to give for the fifth prophesy,
no food for it, and could give it nothing to eat, so it soon had to until they agreed on three hundred thalers. Then the peasant once
be killed. They salted the flesh, and the peasant went into the town more pinched the raven's head till he croaked loudly. The miller
and wanted to sell the skin there, so that he might buy a new calf asked, "What did he say?" The peasant replied, "He says that the
with the proceeds. On the way he passed by a mill, and there sat a Devil is hiding outside there in the cupboard in the entrance." The
raven with broken wings, and out of pity he took him and miller said, "The Devil must go out," and opened the house-door;
wrapped him in the skin. As, however, the weather grew so bad then the woman was forced to give up the keys, and the peasant
and there was a storm of rain and wind, he could go no farther, unlocked the cupboard. The parson ran out as fast as he could, and
and turned back to the mill and begged for shelter. The miller's the miller said, "It was true; I saw the black rascal with my own
wife was alone in the house, and said to the peasant, "Lay thyself eyes." The peasant, however, made off next morning by daybreak
on the straw there," and gave him a slice of bread with cheese on it. with the three hundred thalers.
The peasant ate it, and lay down with his skin beside him, and the At home the small peasant gradually launched out; he built a
woman thought, "He is tired and has gone to sleep." In the beautiful house, and the peasants said, "The small peasant has
meantime came the parson; the miller's wife received him well, and certainly been to the place where golden snow falls, and people
said, "My husband is out, so we will have a feast." The peasant carry the gold home in shovels." Then the small peasant was
listened, and when he heard about feasting he was vexed that he brought before the Mayor, and bidden to say from whence his
had been forced to make shift with a slice of bread with cheese on wealth came. He answered, "I sold my cow's skin in the town, for
it. Then the woman served up four different things, roast meat, three hundred thalers." When the peasants heard that, they too
salad, cakes, and wine. wished to enjoy this great profit, and ran home, killed all their
Just as they were about to sit down and eat, there was a knocking cows, and stripped off their skins in order to sell them in the town
outside. The woman said, "Oh, heavens! It is my husband!" She to the greatest advantage. The Mayor, however, said, "But my
quickly hid the roast meat inside the tiled stove, the wine under servant must go first." When she came to the merchant in the town,
the pillow, the salad on the bed, the cakes under it, and the parson he did not give her more than two thalers for a skin, and when the
in the cupboard in the entrance. Then she opened the door for her others came, he did not give them so much, and said, "What can I
husband, and said, "Thank heaven, thou art back again! There is do with all these skins?"
such a storm, it looks as if the world were coming to an end." The Then the peasants were vexed that the small peasant should have
miller saw the peasant lying on the straw, and asked, "What is that thus overreached them, wanted to take vengeance on him, and
fellow doing there?" "Ah," said the wife, "the poor knave came in accused him of this treachery before the Mayor. The innocent little
the storm and rain, and begged for shelter, so I gave him a bit of peasant was unanimously sentenced to death, and was to be rolled
bread and cheese, and showed him where the straw was." The man into the water, in a barrel pierced full of holes. He was led forth,
said, "I have no objection, but be quick and get me something to and a priest was brought who was to say a mass for his soul. The
eat." The woman said, "But I have nothing but bread and cheese." others were all obliged to retire to a distance, and when the
"I am contented with anything," replied the husband, "so far as I peasant looked at the priest, he recognised the man who had been
am concerned, bread and cheese will do," and looked at the with the miller's wife. He said to him, "I set you free from the
peasant and said, "Come and eat some more with me." The peasant cupboard, set me free from the barrel." At this same moment up
did not require to be invited twice, but got up and ate. After this came, with a flock of sheep, the very shepherd who as the peasant
the miller saw the skin in which the raven was, lying on the knew had long been wishing to be Mayor, so he cried with all his
ground, and asked, "What hast thou there?" The peasant might, "No, I will not do it; if the whole world insists on it, I will
answered, "I have a soothsayer inside it." "Can he foretell not do it!" The shepherd hearing that, came up to him, and asked,
anything to me?" said the miller. "Why not?" answered the "What art thou about? What is it that thou wilt not do?" The
peasant, "but he only says four things, and the fifth he keeps to peasant said, "They want to make me Mayor, if I will but put
himself." The miller was curious, and said, "Let him foretell myself in the barrel, but I will not do it." The shepherd said, "If
something for once." Then the peasant pinched the raven's head, nothing more than that is needful in order to be Mayor, I would
so that he croaked and made a noise like krr, krr. The miller said, get into the barrel at once." The peasant said, "If thou wilt get in,
"What did he say?" The peasant answered, "In the first place, he thou wilt be Mayor." The shepherd was willing, and got in, and
says that there is some wine hidden under the pillow." "Bless me!" the peasant shut the top down on him; then he took the shepherd's
cried the miller, and went there and found the wine. "Now go on," flock for himself, and drove it away. The parson went to the crowd,
said he. The peasant made the raven croak again, and said, "In the and declared that the mass had been said. Then they came and
second place, he says that there is some roast meat in the tiled rolled the barrel towards the water. When the barrel began to roll,
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the shepherd cried, "I am quite willing to be Mayor." They was that the oldest had eaten a bit of sugar before she slept, the
believed no otherwise than that it was the peasant who was saying second a little syrup, and the youngest some honey. The queen bee
this, and answered, "That is what we intend, but first thou shalt picked out the youngest. This woke the castle, and restored those
look about thee a little down below there," and they rolled the who had been turned to stone. Simpleton married the youngest
barrel down into the water. princess, and his two brothers, the other princesses.)
After that the peasants went home, and as they were entering the
village, the small peasant also came quietly in, driving a flock of Two kings' sons once went out in search of adventures, and fell
sheep and looking quite contented. Then the peasants were into a wild, disorderly way of living, so that they never came home
astonished, and said, "Peasant, from whence comest thou? Hast again. The youngest, who was called Simpleton, set out to seek his
thou come out of the water?" "Yes, truly," replied the peasant, "I brothers, but when at length he found them they mocked him for
sank deep, deep down, until at last I got to the bottom; I pushed thinking that he with his simplicity could get through the world,
the bottom out of the barrel, and crept out, and there were pretty when they two could not make their way, and yet were so much
meadows on which a number of lambs were feeding, and from cleverer. They all three travelled away together, and came to an
thence I brought this flock away with me." Said the peasants, "Are ant-hill. The two elder wanted to destroy it, to see the little ants
there any more there?" "Oh, yes," said he, "more than I could do creeping about in their terror, and carrying their eggs away, but
anything with." Then the peasants made up their minds that they Simpleton said, "Leave the creatures in peace; I will not allow you
too would fetch some sheep for themselves, a flock apiece, but the to disturb them." Then they went onwards and came to a lake, on
Mayor said, "I come first." So they went to the water together, which a great number of ducks were swimming. The two brothers
and just then there were some of the small fleecy clouds in the blue wanted to catch a couple and roast them, but Simpleton would not
sky, which are called little lambs, and they were reflected in the permit it, and said, "Leave the creatures in peace, I will not suffer
water, whereupon the peasants cried, "We already see the sheep you to kill them." At length they came to a bee's nest, in which
down below!" The Mayor pressed forward and said, "I will go there was so much honey that it ran out of the trunk of the tree
down first, and look about me, and if things promise well I'll call where it was. The two wanted to make a fire beneath the tree, and
you." So he jumped in; splash! went the water; he made a sound as suffocate the bees in order to take away the honey, but Simpleton
if he were calling them, and the whole crowd plunged in after him again stopped them and said, "Leave the creatures in peace, I will
as one man. Then the entire village was dead, and the small not allow you to burn them." At length the two brothers arrived
peasant, as sole heir, became a rich man. at a castle where stone horses were standing in the stables, and no
human being was to be seen, and they went through all the halls
until, quite at the end, they came to a door in which were three
62.—THE QUEEN BEE. locks. In the middle of the door, however, there was a little pane,
through which they could see into the room. There they saw a
("The Queen Bee" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm little grey man, who was sitting at a table. They called him, once,
in Grimm's Fairy Tales (KHM 62). Grimm's annotation notes twice, but he did not hear; at last they called him for the third time,
"from Hesse", but Jacob Grimm's 1809 manuscript goes back to when he got up, opened the locks, and came out. He said nothing,
Albert Ludewig Grimm's collection "Kindermärchen" (1808, pp. however, but conducted them to a handsomely-spread table, and
113–134) and drastically abridged it. The fairy tale describes the when they had eaten and drunk, he took each of them to a
benefits of simple-mindedness paired with a friendly disposition. bedroom. Next morning the little grey man came to the eldest,
Albert Ludwig Grimm (1786-1872; wrongly spelled "Ludewig" beckoned to him, and conducted him to a stone table, on which
in his "Children's Tales" of 1809) from the Grand Duchy of Baden were inscribed three tasks, by the performance of which the castle
was a German writer, educator and politician. Grimm studied could be delivered. The first was that in the forest, beneath the
theology and philology (linguistics) at the Universities of moss, lay the princess's pearls, a thousand in number, which must
Tübingen and Heidelberg. Like the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm be picked up, and if by sunset one single pearl was wanting, he
Grimm, who were not related to him, he was an enthusiastic who had looked for them would be turned to stone. The eldest
collector of folk traditions. went thither, and sought the whole day, but when it came to an
Contents: Two sons of a king went out to seek their fortunes, but end, he had only found one hundred, and what was written on the
fell into disorderly ways. The third and youngest son, called table came to pass, and he was changed into stone. Next day, the
"Simpleton," went out to find them, but they mocked him. They second brother undertook the adventure; it did not, however, fare
traveled on, and Simpleton prevented his brothers from much better with him than with the eldest; he did not find more
destroying an ant hill, killing some ducks, and suffocating a bee than two hundred pearls, and was changed to stone. At last the
hive with smoke. Then they came to a castle with stone horses in turn came to Simpleton also, who sought in the moss. It was,
the stable, and no sign of anyone. They hunted through the castle however, so hard to find the pearls, and he got on so slowly, that
and found a room with a little gray man, who showed them to he seated himself on a stone, and wept. And while he was thus
dinner. In the morning, he showed the oldest son a stone table, on sitting, the King of the ants whose life he had once saved, came
which were written three tasks. Whoever performed them would with five thousand ants, and before long the little creatures had
free the castle. The first task was to collect the princess's thousand got all the pearls together, and laid them in a heap. The second
pearls, scattered in the woods. Whoever tried and failed would be task, however, was to fetch out of the lake the key of the King's
turned to stone. Each of the older brothers tried and failed, and daughter's bed-chamber. When Simpleton came to the lake, the
they were turned to stone. For Simpleton, however, the ants ducks which he had saved, swam up to him, dived down, and
collected the pearls. The second task was to fetch the key to the brought the key out of the water. But the third task was the most
princess's bedchamber from the lake, which the ducks did for him. difficult; from amongst the three sleeping daughters of the King
The third task was to pick out the youngest princess from the three was the youngest and dearest to be sought out. They, however,
sleeping princesses who looked exactly alike; the only difference resembled each other exactly, and were only to be distinguished by
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their having eaten different sweetmeats before they fell asleep: the wanted? He answered: "I should like to have the prettiest and
eldest a bit of sugar; the second a little syrup; and the youngest a finest carpet in the world." Then she called a young one and said:
spoonful of honey. Then the Queen of the bees, which Simpleton "Little green maiden small,
had protected from the fire, came and tasted the lips of all three, Hopping,
and at last she remained sitting on the mouth which had eaten Hopping hither and thither,
honey, and thus the King's son recognised the right princess. Then Hop quickly and bring me
the enchantment was at an end; everything was released from sleep, The great box here."
and those who had been turned to stone received once more their The young toad brought the box, and the fat toad opened it, and
natural forms. Simpleton married the youngest and sweetest gave Simpleton a carpet out of it, so beautiful and so fine, that on
princess, and after her father's death became King, and his two the earth above, none could have been woven like it. Then he
brothers received the two other sisters. thanked her, and ascended again.
The two others had, however, looked on their youngest brother
as so stupid that they believed he would find and bring nothing at
63.—THE THREE FEATHERS. all. "Why should we give ourselves a great deal of trouble to
search?" said they, and got some coarse handkerchiefs from the
("The Three Feathers" is a story by the Brothers Grimm, in their first shepherds' wives whom they met, and carried them home to
Kinder- und Hausmärchen, KHM 63. The Grimms noted "from the King. At the same time Simpleton also came back, and
Zwehrn" (from Dorothea Viehmann). brought his beautiful carpet, and when the King saw it he was
Contents: A king promises the kingdom to the one of his three astonished, and said: "If justice be done, the kingdom belongs to
sons who brings him the finest carpet. He blows three feathers in the youngest." But the two others let their father have no peace,
the air for them to follow. The two older and wise move to the and said that it was impossible that Simpleton, who in everything
East and the West. They laugh at the youngest, who is called lacked understanding, should be King, and entreated him to make
"Simpleton" (Idiot) because his feather falls to the ground. He's a new agreement with them. Then the father said: "He who brings
just sad. There he finds a trap door by the feather, underneath it a me the most beautiful ring shall inherit the kingdom," and led the
staircase and a door behind which a toad lives. She gives him what three brothers out, and blew into the air three feathers, which they
he needs. But his brothers, who in their arrogance only fetched were to follow. Those of the two eldest again went east and west,
cheap cloths, demand a new condition, because the simpleton lacks and Simpleton's feather flew straight up, and fell down near the
the sense. The king has the most beautiful ring and finally the most door into the earth. Then he went down again to the fat toad, and
beautiful woman brought to him. The toad gives Simpleton a told her that he wanted the most beautiful ring. She at once
hollowed-out yellow turnip covered with six mice. When he puts ordered her great box to be brought, and gave him a ring out of it,
one of the little toads in it, she becomes a beautiful woman in a which sparkled with jewels, and was so beautiful that no
carriage. The two older ones still demand that the women should goldsmith on earth would have been able to make it. The two
jump through a ring because they think their two peasant wives eldest laughed at Simpleton for going to seek a golden ring. They
could do it better. But they break their limbs. Dummling's wife, gave themselves no trouble, but knocked the nails out of an old
however, skilfully jumps through the ring like a deer. Then carriage-ring, and took it to the King; but when Simpleton
Simpleton becomes king and rules wisely.) produced his golden ring, his father again said, "The kingdom
belongs to him." The two eldest did not cease from tormenting the
There was once on a time a King who had three sons, of whom King until he made a third condition, and declared that the one
two were clever and wise, but the third did not speak much, and who brought the most beautiful woman home, should have the
was simple, and was called the Simpleton. When the King had kingdom. He again blew the three feathers into the air, and they
become old and weak, and was thinking of his end, he did not flew as before.
know which of his sons should inherit the kingdom after him. Then Simpleton without more ado went down to the fat toad,
Then he said to them: "Go forth, and he who brings me the most and said: "I am to take home the most beautiful woman!" - "Oh,"
beautiful carpet shall be King after my death." And that there answered the toad, "the most beautiful woman! She is not at hand
should be no dispute amongst them, he took them outside his at the moment, but still thou shalt have her." She gave him a
castle, blew three feathers in the air, and said: "You shall go as yellow turnip which had been hollowed out, to which six mice
they fly." One feather flew to the east, the other to the west, but were harnessed. Then Simpleton said quite mournfully: "What am
the third flew straight up and did not fly far, but soon fell to the I to do with that?" The toad answered: "Just put one of my little
ground. And now one brother went to the right, and the other to toads into it." Then he seized one at random out of the circle, and
the left, and they mocked Simpleton, who was forced to stay where put her into the yellow coach, but hardly was she seated inside it
the third feather had fallen. than she turned into a wonderfully beautiful maiden, and the
He sat down and was sad, then all at once he saw that there was a turnip into a coach, and the six mice into horses. So he kissed her,
trap-door close by the feather. He raised it up, found some steps, and drove off quickly with the horses, and took her to the King.
and went down them, and then he came to another door, knocked His brothers came afterwards; they had given themselves no
at it, and heard somebody inside calling: trouble at all to seek beautiful girls, but had brought with them
"Little green maiden small, the first peasant women they chanced to meet. When the King saw
Hopping, them he said: "After my death the kingdom belongs to my
Hopping hither and thither; youngest son." But the two eldest deafened the King's ears afresh
Hop to the door, with their clamour, "We cannot consent to Simpleton's being
And quickly see who is there." King," and demanded that the one whose wife could leap through
The door opened, and he saw a great, fat toad sitting, and round a ring which hung in the centre of the hall should have the
about her a crowd of little toads. The fat toad asked what he preference. They thought: "The peasant women can do that easily;
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they are strong enough, but the delicate maiden will jump herself little old grey man met him also, and begged for a little bit of cake
to death." The aged King agreed likewise to this. Then the two and a drink of wine. But the second son spoke out plainly, saying,
peasant women jumped, and jumped through the ring, but were so "What I give you I lose myself, so be off with you."
stout that they fell, and their coarse arms and legs broke in two. And leaving the little man standing there, he went off. The
And then the pretty maiden whom Simpleton had brought with punishment followed; as he was chopping away at the tree, he hit
him, sprang, and sprang through as lightly as a deer, and all himself in the leg so severely that he had to be carried home.
opposition had to cease. So he received the crown, and has ruled Then said the Simpleton,
wisely for a length of time. "Father, let me go for once into the forest to cut wood; and the
father answered, "Your brothers have hurt themselves by so doing;
give it up, you understand nothing about it."
64.—THE GOLDEN GOOSE. But the Simpleton went on begging so long, that the father said
at last,
(Translation: Although we generally have chosen to show the "Well, be off with you; you will only learn by experience."
translations by Margaret Hunt as they stick to the Grimm's The mother gave him a cake (it was only made with water, and
originals, in this case, however, we show the translation by Lucy baked in the ashes), and with it a flask of sour beer. When he came
Crane from 1882 as it is the better one. "The Golden Goose" is a into the forest the little old grey man met him, and greeted him,
fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm (KHM 64). The saying,
Grimms noted: "Based on a story from Hesse (perhaps the "Give me a bit of your cake, and a drink from your flask; I am so
Hassenpflug family) and another from Paderborn (probably the hungry and thirsty."
von Haxthausen family)." And the Simpleton answered, "I have only a flour and water cake
Contents: The youngest of three sons is despised and is called and sour beer; but if that is good enough for you, let us sit down
Simpleton (Idiot). When the eldest goes chopping wood, his together and eat." Then they sat down, and as the Simpleton took
mother gives him wine and pancakes. On the way, a gray male out his flour and water cake it became a rich pancake, and his sour
wants to eat, but he refuses. At work he hits his arm with an axe. beer became good wine; then they ate and drank, and afterwards
The second son does the same thing and hits himself in the foot. the little man said,
Finally the youngest is allowed too, only gets cinder cakes and "As you have such a kind heart, and share what you have so
sour beer, but likes to share with the little man. In return, it shows willingly, I will bestow good luck upon you. Yonder stands an old
him an old tree, which he knocks down and finds a golden goose. tree; cut it down, and at its roots you will find something," and
At the innkeeper's, the three daughters want to get hold of a thereupon the little man took his departure.
feather, the first catches her hand on it, the second on her, and the The Simpleton went there, and hewed away at the tree, and when
third on her. So Simpleton just takes them with him. On the way, it fell he saw, sitting among the roots, a goose with feathers of
the priest tries to stop the girls from running after him, but the pure gold. He lifted it out and took it with him to an inn where he
last one gets caught, followed by the sexton, then two more intended to stay the night. The landlord had three daughters who,
farmers. When she sees this necklace, the king's daughter laughs, when they saw the goose, were curious to know what wonderful
who is otherwise so serious that the king promised her to anyone kind of bird it was, and ended by longing for one of its golden
who would make her laugh. But because Simpleton is poor, he has feathers. The eldest thought, "I will wait for a good opportunity,
to bring a man who will drink up a wine cellar, then one who will and then I will pull out one of its feathers for myself;" and so,
eat up a mountain of bread, and finally a ship that will sail on when the Simpleton was gone out, she seized the goose by its
water and on land. Simpleton searches for the male, finds a thirsty wing—but there her finger and hand had to stay, held fast. Soon
man and a hungry man who complete the task, also gets the ship, after came the second sister with the same idea of plucking out one
then marries and inherits the kingdom.) of the golden feathers for herself; but scarcely had she touched her
sister, than she also was obliged to stay, held fast. Lastly came the
There was a man who had three sons, the youngest of whom was third with the same intentions; but the others screamed out,
called the Simpleton (Idiot), and was despised, laughed at, and "Stay away! for heaven's sake stay away!"
neglected, on every occasion. It happened one day that the eldest But she did not see why she should stay away, and thought, "If
son wished to go into the forest to cut wood, and before he went they do so, why should not I?" and went towards them. But when
his mother gave him a delicious pancake and a flask of wine, that she reached her sisters there she stopped, hanging on with them.
he might not suffer from hunger or thirst. When he came into the And so they had to stay, all night. The next morning the
forest a little old grey man met him, who wished him good day, Simpleton took the goose under his arm and went away,
and said, unmindful of the three girls that hung on to it. The three had
"Give me a bit of cake out of your pocket, and let me have a always to run after him, left and right, wherever his legs carried
drink of your wine; I am so hungry and thirsty." him. In the midst of the fields they met the parson, who, when he
But the prudent youth answered, saw the procession, said,
"Give you my cake and my wine? I haven't got any; be off with "Shame on you, girls, running after a young fellow through the
you." fields like this," and forthwith he seized hold of the youngest by
And leaving the little man standing there, he went off. Then he the hand to drag her away, but hardly had he touched her when he
began to fell a tree, but he had not been at it long before he made a too was obliged to run after them himself. Not long after the
wrong stroke, and the hatchet hit him in the arm, so that he was sexton came that way, and seeing the respected parson following at
obliged to go home and get it bound up. That was what came of the heels of the three girls, he called out,
the little grey man. "Ho, your reverence, whither away so quickly? You forget that
Afterwards the second son went into the wood, and the mother we have another christening to-day;" and he seized hold of him by
gave to him, as to the eldest, a pancake and a flask of wine. The his gown; but no sooner had he touched him than he was obliged
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
to follow on too. As the five tramped on, one after another, two of the king the Simpleton possessed the kingdom, and lived long
peasants with their hoes came up from the fields, and the parson and happily with his wife.
cried out to them, and begged them to come and set him and the
sexton free, but no sooner had they touched the sexton than they
had to follow on too; and now there were seven following the 65.—ALLERLEIRAUH or ALL-KINDS-OF-FUR or CAT-
Simpleton and the goose. SKIN
By and by they came to a town where a king reigned, who had an
only daughter who was so serious that no one could make her ("Allerleirauh" is a fairy tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm.
laugh; therefore the king had given out that whoever should make Since the second edition published in 1819, it has been recorded as
her laugh should have her in marriage. The Simpleton, when he Tale KHM 65. Andrew Lang included it in The Green Fairy Book.
heard this, went with his goose and his hangers-on into the The title Allerlei-Rauh was written up to the 2nd edition.
presence of the king's daughter, and as soon as she saw the seven Speakers of the German, Dutch and English languages can do
people following always one after the other, she burst out nothing at all with this strange title. It means "any kind of fur",
laughing, and seemed as if she could never stop. And so the "many-furred creature" or simply "animal fur". That the king
Simpleton earned a right to her as his bride; but the king did not wanted to marry his own daughter is a clear indication of intended
like him for a son-in-law and made all kinds of objections, and incest. The French version, Peau d'Âne (donkey skin) by Charles
said he must first bring a man who could drink up a whole cellar Perrault, first appeared in 1694 and then again in the Contes de
of wine. The Simpleton thought that the little grey man would be ma Mère l'Oye collection in 1697 Jacob Grimm's handwritten
able to help him, and went out into the forest, and there, on the original version is based on a story in Karl Nehrlich's novel
very spot where he felled the tree, he saw a man sitting with a very Schilly. It also influenced the first print from 1812, the text of
sad countenance. The Simpleton asked him what was the matter, which otherwise goes back to oral tradition by Dortchen Wild.
and he answered, Albert Ludwig Grimm (from Baden and not related to the
"I have a great thirst, which I cannot quench: cold water does brothers) designed a text "Brunnenhold und Brunnenstark" 1816
not agree with me; I have indeed drunk up a whole cask of wine, after the Brothers Grimm, which in turn had an effect on their
but what good is a drop like that?" later editions.
Then said the Simpleton, Contents: A king promised his dying wife that he would not re-
"I can help you; only come with me, and you shall have enough." marry unless it was to a woman who was as beautiful as she was,
He took him straight to the king's cellar, and the man sat himself and when he looked for a new wife, he realised that the only
down before the big vats, and drank, and drank, and before a day woman that could match her beauty was his own daughter. The
was over he had drunk up the whole cellar-full. The Simpleton daughter tried to make the wedding impossible by asking for three
again asked for his bride, but the king was annoyed that a dresses, one as golden as the sun, one as silver as the moon, and
wretched fellow, called the Simpleton by everybody, should carry one as dazzling as the stars, and a mantle made from the fur of
off his daughter, and so he made new conditions. He was to every kind of bird and animal in the kingdom. When her father
produce a man who could eat up a mountain of bread. The provided them, she took them, with a gold ring, a gold spindle,
Simpleton did not hesitate long, but ran quickly off to the forest, and a gold reel, and ran from the castle the night before the
and there in the same place sat a man who had fastened a strap wedding. She ran far away to another kingdom, and slept in a
round his body, making a very piteous face, and saying, great forest there, but the young king of that place and his dogs
"I have eaten a whole bakehouse full of rolls, but what is the use found her while he was hunting. She asked the king to have pity on
of that when one is so hungry as I am? My stomach feels quite her and received a place in the kitchen, where she worked, and
empty, and I am obliged to strap myself together, that I may not because she gave no name she was called "Allerleirauh." When the
die of hunger." king held a ball, she snuck out and went to it in her golden dress.
The Simpleton was quite glad of this, and said, The next morning, the cook set her to make soup for the king, and
"Get up quickly, and come along with me, and you shall have she put her golden ring in it. The king found it and questioned the
enough to eat." cook and then Allerleirauh, but she revealed nothing. The next
He led him straight to the king's courtyard, where all the meal in ball, she went dressed in her silver dress and put the golden spindle
the kingdom had been collected and baked into a mountain of in the soup, and the king again could discover nothing. The third
bread. The man out of the forest settled himself down before it and ball, she went in the star dress, and the king slipped a golden ring
hastened to eat, and in one day the whole mountain had on her finger without her noticing it and ordered that the last
disappeared. dance go longer than usual. She was not able to get away in time
Then the Simpleton asked for his bride the third time. The king, to change; she was able only to throw her fur mantle over her
however, found one more excuse, and said he must have a ship that clothing before she had to cook the soup. When the king
should be able to sail on land or on water. questioned her, he caught her hand, seeing the ring, and when she
"So soon," said he, "as you come sailing along with it, you shall tried to pull it away, her mantle slipped, revealing the dress of
have my daughter for your wife." stars. The king pulled off the mantle, revealing her, and they
The Simpleton went straight to the forest, and there sat the little married.)
old grey man with whom he had shared his cake, and he said,
"I have eaten for you, and I have drunk for you, I will also give There was once on a time a King who had a wife with golden
you the ship; and all because you were kind to me at the first." hair, and she was so beautiful that her equal was not to be found
Then he gave him the ship that could sail on land and on water, on earth. It came to pass that she lay ill, and as she felt that she
and when the king saw it he knew he could no longer withhold his must soon die, she called the King and said, "If thou wishest to
daughter. The marriage took place immediately, and at the death marry again after my death, take no one who is not quite as
beautiful as I am, and who has not just such golden hair as I have:
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
this thou must promise me." And after the King had promised her carriage, and took her home to the royal palace. There they
this she closed her eyes and died. pointed out to her a closet under the stairs, where no daylight
For a long time the King could not be comforted, and had no entered, and said, "Hairy animal, there canst thou live and sleep."
thought of taking another wife. At length his councillors said, Then she was sent into the kitchen, and there she carried wood and
"There is no help for it, the King must marry again, that we may water, swept the hearth, plucked the fowls, picked the vegetables,
have a Queen." And now messengers were sent about far and wide, raked the ashes, and did all the dirty work.
to seek a bride who equalled the late Queen in beauty. In the whole Allerleirauh lived there for a long time in great wretchedness.
world, however, none was to be found, and even if one had been Alas, fair princess, what is to become of thee now! It happened,
found, still there would have been no one who had such golden however, that one day a feast was held in the palace, and she said
hair. So the messengers came home as they went. to the cook, "May I go up-stairs for a while, and look on? I will
Now the King had a daughter, who was just as beautiful as her place myself outside the door." The cook answered, "Yes, go, but
dead mother, and had the same golden hair. When she was grown you must be back here in half-an-hour to sweep the hearth." Then
up the King looked at her one day, and saw that in every respect she took her oil-lamp, went into her den, put off her fur-dress, and
she was like his late wife, and suddenly felt a violent love for her. washed the soot off her face and hands, so that her full beauty once
Then he spake to his councillors, "I will marry my daughter, for more came to light. And she opened the nut, and took out her
she is the counterpart of my late wife, otherwise I can find no bride dress which shone like the sun, and when she had done that she
who resembles her." When the councillors heard that, they were went up to the festival, and every one made way for her, for no one
shocked, and said, "God has forbidden a father to marry his knew her, and thought no otherwise than that she was a king's
daughter, no good can come from such a crime, and the kingdom daughter. The King came to meet her, gave his hand to her, and
will be involved in the ruin." The daughter was still more shocked danced with her, and thought in his heart, "My eyes have never yet
when she became aware of her father's resolution, but hoped to seen any one so beautiful!" When the dance was over she curtsied,
turn him from his design. Then she said to him, "Before I fulfil and when the King looked round again she had vanished, and
your wish, I must have three dresses, one as golden as the sun, one none knew whither. The guards who stood outside the palace were
as silvery as the moon, and one as bright as the stars; besides this, I called and questioned, but no one had seen her.
wish for a mantle of a thousand different kinds of fur and hair She had, however, run into her little den, had quickly taken off
joined together, and one of every kind of animal in your kingdom her dress, made her face and hands black again, put on the fur-
must give a piece of his skin for it." But she thought, "To get that mantle, and again was Allerleirauh. And now when she went into
will be quite impossible, and thus I shall divert my father from his the kitchen, and was about to get to her work and sweep up the
wicked intentions." The King, however, did not give it up, and the ashes, the cook said, "Leave that alone till morning, and make me
cleverest maidens in his kingdom had to weave the three dresses, the soup for the King; I, too, will go upstairs awhile, and take a
one as golden as the sun, one as silvery as the moon, and one as look; but let no hairs fall in, or in future thou shalt have nothing
bright as the stars, and his huntsmen had to catch one of every to eat." So the cook went away, and Allerleirauh made the soup
kind of animal in the whole of his kingdom, and take from it a for the king, and made bread soup and the best she could, and
piece of its skin, and out of these was made a mantle of a thousand when it was ready she fetched her golden ring from her little den,
different kinds of fur. At length, when all was ready, the King and put it in the bowl in which the soup was served. When the
caused the mantle to be brought, spread it out before her, and said, dancing was over, the King had his soup brought and ate it, and
"The wedding shall be to-morrow." . he liked it so much that it seemed to him he had never tasted better.
When, therefore, the King's daughter saw that there was no But when he came to the bottom of the bowl, he saw a golden ring
longer any hope of turning her father's heart, she resolved to run lying, and could not conceive how it could have got there. Then he
away from him. In the night whilst every one was asleep, she got ordered the cook to appear before him.
up, and took three different things from her treasures, a golden The cook was terrified when he heard the order, and said to
ring, a golden spinning-wheel, and a golden reel. The three dresses Allerleirauh, "Thou hast certainly let a hair fall into the soup, and
of the sun, moon, and stars she put into a nutshell, put on her if thou hast, thou shalt be beaten for it." When he came before the
mantle of all kinds of fur, and blackened her face and hands with King the latter asked who had made the soup? The cook replied, "I
soot. Then she commended herself to God, and went away, and made it." But the King said, "That is not true, for it was much
walked the whole night until she reached a great forest. And as she better than usual, and cooked differently." He answered, "I must
was tired, she got into a hollow tree, and fell asleep. acknowledge that I did not make it, it was made by the rough
The sun rose, and she slept on, and she was still sleeping when it animal." The King said, "Go and bid it come up here." When
was full day. Then it so happened that the King to whom this Allerleirauh came, the King said, "Who art thou?" "I am a poor
forest belonged, was hunting in it. When his dogs came to the tree, girl who no longer has any father or mother." He asked further,
they sniffed, and ran barking round about it. The King said to the "Of what use art thou in my palace?" She answered, "I am good
huntsmen, "Just see what kind of wild beast has hidden itself in for nothing but to have boots thrown at my head." He continued,
there." The huntsmen obeyed his order, and when they came back "Where didst thou get the ring which was in the soup?" She
they said, "A wondrous beast is lying in the hollow tree; we have answered, "I know nothing about the ring." So the King could
never before seen one like it. Its skin is fur of a thousand different learn nothing, and had to send her away again.
kinds, but it is lying asleep." Said the King, "See if you can catch After a while, there was another festival, and then, as before,
it alive, and then fasten it to the carriage, and we will take it with Allerleirauh begged the cook for leave to go and look on. He
us." When the huntsmen laid hold of the maiden, she awoke full of answered, "Yes, but come back again in half-an-hour, and make
terror, and cried to them, "I am a poor child, deserted by father the King the bread soup which he so much likes." Then she ran
and mother; have pity on me, and take me with you." Then said into her den, washed herself quickly, and took out of the nut the
they, "Allerleirauh, thou wilt be useful in the kitchen, come with dress which was as silvery as the moon, and put it on. Then she
us, and thou canst sweep up the ashes." So they put her in the went up and was like a princess, and the King stepped forward to
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
meet her, and rejoiced to see her once more, and as the dance was it resembles Dutch more than Standard German. [* The
just beginning they danced it together. But when it was ended, she "Benrather Line" marks the northernmost area of the second or
again disappeared so quickly that the King could not observe "High German" sound shift and is associated with the sound shift
where she went. She, however, sprang into her den, and once more (from k [maken, ik] to ch [machen, ich]). This dialect boundary
made herself a hairy animal, and went into the kitchen to prepare runs from west to east, from Dunkerque via Leuven, Aachen,
the bread soup. When the cook had gone up-stairs, she fetched the Düsseldorf, Kassel, Magdeburg to Berlin and Frankfurt/Oder.
little golden spinning-wheel, and put it in the bowl so that the North of the line, people speak Dutch, Frisian, Low German (Low
soup covered it. German), English and Scandinavian. The "Speyer Line" (about
Then it was taken to the King, who ate it, and liked it as much as 100-300 km south of it) separates the mixed language area (High
before, and had the cook brought, who this time likewise was German or Central German) from the real upper German of the
forced to confess that Allerleirauh had prepared the soup. south: Alsace-Lorraine, Baden-Würtemberg, Switzerland, Austria,
Allerleirauh again came before the King, but she answered that Bavaria, Thuringia. That means: Linguistically, the entire
she was good for nothing else but to have boots thrown at her Germanic language area of Europe is divided into three, from west
head, and that she knew nothing at all about the little golden to east.]
spinning-wheel. Contents: A woman sends her daughter out to chase away the
When, for the third time, the King held a festival, all happened bunny that is eating the cabbage in the garden. The little hare
just as it had done before. The cook said, "Faith rough-skin, thou always invites her to sit on his tail and come along. The third time
art a witch, and always puttest something in the soup which makes she goes with him. The little hare lets her cook kale and millet,
it so good that the King likes it better than that which I cook," fetches the wedding guests and tells her to uncover three times.
but as she begged so hard, he let her go up at the appointed time. But the girl just cries. When the girl has to serve food for a third
And now she put on the dress which shone like the stars, and thus time, she puts a straw doll in her place, puts the doll on her own
entered the hall. Again the King danced with the beautiful maiden, clothes and goes home. The little hare smacks the doll's head,
and thought that she never yet had been so beautiful. And whilst causing her bonnet to fall off and revealing that it's just a doll.
she was dancing, he contrived, without her noticing it, to slip a Then the little hare goes away and is sad.)
golden ring on her finger, and he had given orders that the dance
should last a very long time. When it was ended, he wanted to hold There was once a woman and her daughter who lived in a pretty
her fast by her hands, but she tore herself loose, and sprang away garden with cabbages; and a little hare came into it, and during
so quickly through the crowd that she vanished from his sight. She the winter time ate all the cabbages. Then says the mother to the
ran as fast as she could into her den beneath the stairs, but as she daughter, "Go into the garden, and chase the hare away." The girl
had been too long, and had stayed more than half-an-hour she says to the little hare, " Shoo-shoo, hare, you are still eating up all
could not take off her pretty dress, but only threw over it her fur- our cabbages." Says the hare, "Come, maiden, and seat yourself on
mantle, and in her haste she did not make herself quite black, but my little hare's tail, and come with me into my little hare's hut."
one finger remained white. Then Allerleirauh ran into the kitchen, The girl will not do it. Next day the hare again comes and eats the
and cooked the bread soup for the King, and as the cook was away, cabbages, then says the mother to the daughter, "Go into the
put her golden reel into it. When the King found the reel at the garden, and drive the hare away." The girl says to the hare,
bottom of it, he caused Allerleirauh to be summoned, and then he "Shoo-shoo, little hare, you are still eating all the cabbages." The
espied the white finger, and saw the ring which he had put on it little hare says, "Maiden, seat thyself on my little hare's tail, and
during the dance. Then he grasped her by the hand, and held her come with me into my little hare's hut." The maiden refuses. The
fast, and when she wanted to release herself and run away, her third day the hare comes again, and eats the cabbages. On this the
mantle of fur opened a little, and the star-dress shone forth. The mother says to the daughter, " Go into the garden, and hunt the
King clutched the mantle and tore it off. Then her golden hair hare away." Says the maiden, "Shoo-shoo, little hare, you are still
shone forth, and she stood there in full splendour, and could no eating all our cabbages." Says the little hare, "Come, maiden, seat
longer hide herself. And when she had washed the soot and ashes thyself on my little hare's tail, and come with me into my little
from her face, she was more beautiful than anyone who had ever hare's hut." The girl seats herself on the little hare's tail, and then
been seen on earth. But the King said, "Thou art my dear bride, the hare takes her far away to his little hut, and says, "Now cook
and we will never more part from each other." Thereupon the green cabbage and millet-seed, and I will invite the wedding-
marriage was solemnised, and they lived happily until their death. guests." Then all the wedding-guests assembled. (Who were the
wedding guests?) That I can tell you as another told it to me. They
were all hares, and the crow was there as parson to marry the bride
66.—THE HARE'S BRIDE. and bridegroom, and the fox as clerk, and the altar was under the
rainbow.
("The Hare's Bride" is a fairy tale in the Children's and The girl, however, was sad, for she was all alone. The little hare
Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the second edition comes and says, "Open the doors, open the doors, the wedding-
of 1819 at position 66 (KHM 66). The short text uses simple, guests are merry." The bride says nothing, but weeps. The little
childlike motifs. The Brothers Grimm received the fairy tale in a hare goes away. The little hare comes back and says, "Take off the
letter from Georg Friedrich Fallenstein from Berlin in 1815; he lid, take off the lid, the wedding-guests are hungry." The bride
heard it from an old farmer's wife near Buckow in the Wendenland. again says nothing, and weeps. The little hare goes away. The
The fairy tale is written in a mix of Upper German and Low little hare comes back and says, "Take off the lid, take off the lid,
German, as could be found in Hesse or other areas south of the the wedding-guests are waiting." Then the bride says nothing, and
Benrather line* at the time of the Grimms. The Low German in the hare goes away, but she dresses a straw-doll in her clothes, and
Grimm's Dialect Fairy Tales is incomprehensible to Standard gives her a spoon to stir with, and sets her by the pan with the
German and especially to Upper German speakers of the South, as millet-seed, and goes back to her mother. The little hare comes
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
once more and says, "Take off the lid, take off the lid," and gets up, sad? Thou shalt have whatsoever thou wilt." She thought for a
and strikes the doll on the head so that her cap falls off. moment and said, "Dear father, I wish for eleven girls exactly like
Then the little hare sees that it is not his bride, and goes away myself in face, figure, and size." The father said, "If it be possible,
and is sorrowful. thy desire shall be fulfilled," and he caused a search to be made in
his whole kingdom, until eleven young maidens were found who
exactly resembled his daughter in face, figure, and size.
67.—THE TWELVE HUNTSMEN. When they came to the King's daughter, she had twelve suits of
huntsmen's clothes made, all alike, and the eleven maidens had to
("The Twelve Huntsmen" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers put on the huntsmen's clothes, and she herself put on the twelfth
Grimm as tale number 67 in their Grimm's Fairy Tales. In the 1st suit. Thereupon she took leave of her father, and rode away with
edition it was called "The King with the Lion." The Grimms them, and rode to the court of her former betrothed, whom she
noted on the origin "from Hesse" (by Jeanette Hassenpflug ).The loved so dearly. Then she inquired if he required any huntsmen,
motif is the forgotten first bride, a theme common in sagas. The and if he would take the whole of them into his service. The King
saying that it "almost broke the heart of the first bride" comes looked at her and did not know her, but as they were such
originally from legal practice. "You are mine and I am thine" is a handsome fellows, he said, "Yes," and that he would willingly take
betrothal formula common in medieval and later folk literature. them, and now they were the King's twelve huntsmen.
Andrew Lang included it in The Green Fairy Book. The King, however, had a lion which was a wondrous animal,
Contents: Once there was prince who was engaged to a beautiful for he knew all concealed and secret things. It came to pass that
maiden whom he loved. One day, the prince was summoned to his one evening he said to the King, "Thou thinkest thou hast twelve
father's deathbed and was so grief-stricken that he promised he huntsmen?" - "Yes," said the King, "they are twelve huntsmen."
would marry the neighboring princess whom his father wished he The lion continued, "Thou art mistaken, they are twelve girls."
would marry. After his father died and the prince became king, he The King said, "That cannot be true! How wilt thou prove that to
felt bound by his promise to marry the other princess. His fiancee me?" - "Oh, just let some peas be strewn in thy ante-chamber,"
heard of the new king's promise and asked her father for eleven answered the lion, "and then thou wilt soon see it. Men have a firm
maidens who looked exactly like her. Each maiden dressed as step, and when they walk over the peas none of them stir, but girls
huntsmen went to the king's court. At court, the king had a lion trip and skip, and drag their feet, and the peas roll about." The
who knew everything. It told him that the huntsmen were women, King was well pleased with the counsel, and caused the peas to be
and to test them, the king should put peas on the floor: a man's strewn.
firm step would crush them, while a woman's would make them There was, however, a servant of the King's who favored the
roll. The maiden heard this and warned her companions to step huntsmen, and when he heard that they were going to be put to
firmly. And so, when the huntsmen stepped on the peas, they were this test he went to them and repeated everything, and said, "The
crushed. The lion then said the king should put spinning wheels in lion wants to make the King believe that you are girls." Then the
the room, betraying the maidens' interest. Once again, the maiden King's daughter thanked him, and said to her maidens, "Put on
learned of the lion's plan and warned her companions. The lion some strength, and step firmly on the peas." So next morning
soon fell from favour as the king believed he did not know when the King had the twelve huntsmen called before him, and
everything, as once thought. When they went out for a hunt, it is they came into the ante-chamber where the peas were lying, they
said that the king's bride is coming, the real bride fainted and fell stepped so firmly on them, and had such a strong, sure walk, that
off the horse. The king wants to help, takes off her glove, sees the not one of the peas either rolled or stirred. Then they went away
ring, recognises her, kisses her and promises her loyalty: "Thou again, and the King said to the lion, "Thou hast lied to me, they
art mine, and I am thine, and no one in the world can alter that." walk just like men." The lion said, "They have got to know that
He leaves the other bride say, "he already has a wife, and a man they were going to be put to the test, and have assumed some
who had just found an old dish did not require a new one.") strength. Just let twelve spinning-wheels be brought into the ante-
chamber some day, and they will go to them and be pleased with
There was once a King's son who was betrothed to a maiden them, and that is what no man would do." The King liked the
whom he loved very much. And when he was sitting beside her and advice, and had the spinning-wheels placed in the ante-chamber.
very happy, news came that his father lay sick unto death, and But the servant, who was well disposed to the huntsmen, went to
desired to see him once again before his end. Then he said to his them, and disclosed the project. Then when they were alone the
beloved, "I must now go and leave thee, I give thee a ring as a King's daughter said to her eleven girls, "Put some constraint on
remembrance of me. When I am King, I will return and fetch yourselves, and do not look round at the spinning-wheels." And
thee." So he rode away, and when he reached his father, the latter next morning when the King had his twelve huntsmen summoned,
was dangerously ill, and near his death. He said to him, "Dear son, they went through the ante-chamber, and never once looked at the
I wished to see thee once again before my end, promise me to spinning wheels. Then the King again said to the lion, "Thou hast
marry as I wish," and he named a certain King's daughter who was deceived me, they are men, for they have not looked at the
to be his wife. The son was in such trouble that he did not think spinning-wheels." The lion replied, "They have learnt that they
what he was doing, and said, "Yes, dear father, your will shall be were going to be put to the test, and have restrained themselves."
done," and thereupon the King shut his eyes, and died. The King, however, would no longer believe the lion.
When therefore the son had been proclaimed King, and the time The twelve huntsmen always followed the King to the chase, and
of mourning was over, he was forced to keep the promise which he his liking for them continually increased. Now it came to pass that
had given his father, and caused the King's daughter to be asked in once when they were out hunting, news came that the King's
marriage, and she was promised to him. His first betrothed heard betrothed was approaching. When the true bride heard that, it
of this, and fretted so much about his faithlessness that she nearly hurt her so much that her heart was almost broken, and she fell
died. Then her father said to her, "Dearest child, why art thou so fainting to the ground. The King thought something had
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
happened to his dear huntsman, ran up to him, wanted to help him, bread with him, and to stand beneath the chimney. "There on the
and drew his glove off. Then he saw the ring which he had given to cross-beam is a basket, out of which a little bird is peeping, and
his first bride, and when he looked in her face he recognised her. that is your son."
Then his heart was so touched that he kissed her, and when she Hans goes thither, and throws a little basket full of black bread
opened her eyes he said, "Thou art mine, and I am thine, and no in front of the basket with the bird in it, and the little bird comes
one in the world can alter that." He sent a messenger to the other out, and looks up. "Hollo, my son, art thou here?" says the father,
bride, and entreated her to return to her own kingdom, for he had and the son is delighted to see his father, but the master-thief says,
a wife already, and a man who had just found an old dish did not "The devil must have prompted you, or how could you have
require a new one. Thereupon the wedding was celebrated, and the known your son?" "Father, let us go," said the youth.
lion was again taken into favour, because, after all, he had told the Then the father and son set out homeward. On the way a carriage
truth. comes driving by. Hereupon the son says to his father, "I will
change myself into a large greyhound, and then you can earn a
great deal of money by me."
68.—THE THIEF AND HIS MASTER. Then the gentleman calls from the carriage, "My man, will you
sell your dog?" "Yes," says the father. "How much do you want
("The Thief and His Master" is a fairy tale (original title: "De for it?" "Thirty thalers." "Eh, man, that is a great deal, but as it is
Gaudeif un sien Meester") collected by the Brothers Grimm in such a very fine dog I will have it." The gentleman takes it into his
Grimm's Fairy Tales as tale number KHM 68. It is written in Low carriage, but when they have driven a little farther the dog springs
German. The Grimms noted "From the Münsterland" (probably out of the carriage through the window, and goes back to his
from Jenny von Droste zu Hülshoff). father, and is no longer a greyhound.
Contents: Jan is told by the sexton behind the altar that his son They go home together. Next day there is a fair in the
should learn to steal quickly. Then he thinks it comes from God neighbouring town, so the youth says to his father, "I will now
and brings his son into the forest to a hut with an old woman and change myself into a beautiful horse, and you can sell me; but
her son. He teaches him thieves. The father should come after a when you have sold me, you must take off my bridle, or I cannot
year and only pay if he no longer recognises his son. He complains become a man again." Then the
to a male who advises him to throw a crust of bread in front of a father goes with the horse to the fair, and the master-thief comes
basket in the chimney. The birdie that comes out is his son. On the and buys the horse for a hundred thalers, but the father forgets,
way home, the son lets his father sell him as a sighthound, then as and does not take off the bridle. So the man goes home with the
a horse. But the master thief buys the horse and his father forgets horse, and puts it in the stable.
to take the bridle off him. When the master-thief stables him, he When the maid crosses the threshold, the horse says, "Take off
asks the maid to take off the bridle, and she is so surprised that he my bridle, take off my bridle." Then the maid stands still, and says,
talks that she does so. The son and the master-thief interchange a "What, canst thou speak?" So she goes and takes the bridle off,
transformation chase — first sparrows, then fish — with and the horse becomes a sparrow, and flies out at the door, and the
throwing lots, and the son ends it by turning into a fox when the wizard becomes a sparrow also, and flies after him. Then they
master is a cock, and biting its head off.) come together and cast lots, but the master loses, and betakes
Hans wished to put his son to learn a trade, so he went into the himself to the water and is a fish. Then the youth also becomes a
church and prayed to our Lord God to know which would be most fish, and they cast lots again, and the master loses. So the master
advantageous for him. Then the clerk got behind the altar, and changes himself into a cock, and the youth becomes a fox, and bites
said, "Thieving, thieving." the master's head off, and he died and has remained dead to this
On this Hans goes back to his son, and tells him he is to learn day.
thieving, and that the Lord God had said so. So he goes with his
son to seek a man who is acquainted with thieving. They walk a
long time and come into a great forest, where stands a little house 69.—JORINDA AND JORINGEL.
with an old woman in it. Hans says, "Do you know of a man who
is acquainted with thieving?" "You can learn that here quite ("Jorinde and Joringel" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers
well," says the woman, "my son is a master of it." Grimm (KHM 69). The tale is found virtually exclusively in
So he speaks with the son, and asks if he knows thieving really Germany, barring a Swedish variant. It comes from Johann
well? The master-thief says, "I will teach him well. Come back Heinrich Jung-Stilling's autobiography Heinrich Stilling's youth
when a year is over, and then if you recognise your son, I will take from 1777. Despite some details, the story is told briefly. The
no payment at all for teaching him; but if you don't know him, name of the two protagonists comes from Jorinker, a passerine
you must give me two hundred thalers." bird in the Paridae family (true tit).
The father goes home again, and the son learns witch craft and Contents; An old sorceress lives in a castle in the forest. She turns
thieving, thoroughly. When the year is out, the father is full of into a cat or night owl during the day. She lures animals to
anxiety to know how he is to contrive to recognise his son. As he is slaughter them. If you get too close to the castle, you can no
thus going about in his trouble, he meets a little dwarf, who says, longer move. She turns maidens into nightingales, which she keeps
"Man, what ails you, that you are always in such trouble?" in the castle. Jorinde and Joringel are a young couple who
"Oh," says Hans, "a year ago I placed my son with a master-thief accidentally come near the castle. First they cry and become very
who told me I was to come back when the year was out, and that if sad, then Jorinde turns into a nightingale, and while Joringel
I then did not know my son when I saw him, I was to pay two cannot move, the witch catches her and takes her away. Joringel
hundred thalers; but if I did know him I was to pay nothing, and begs her to set her free, but she won't budge. Joringel spends a
now I am afraid of not knowing him and can't tell where I am to long time abroad as a shepherd and often walks around the castle.
get the money." Then the dwarf tells him to take a small basket of Then he dreams of a blood-red flower with a pearl in the middle.
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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He wanders for nine days and finds the flower in the morning with he found a blood-red flower, in the middle of which was a
a drop of dew in the center. The witch is powerless against this, beautiful large pearl; that he picked the flower and went with it to
although she sprays poison and bile. When she tries to carry away the castle, and that everything he touched with the flower was
a bird, he recognises Jorinde and frees the 7,000 other birds as freed from enchantment; he also dreamt that by means of it he
well.) recovered his Jorinda.
In the morning, when he awoke, he began to seek over hill and
There was once an old castle in the midst of a large and thick dale if he could find such a flower. He sought until the ninth day,
forest, and in it an old woman who was a witch dwelt all alone. In and then, early in the morning, he found the blood-red flower. In
the day-time she changed herself into a cat or a screech-owl, but in the middle of it there was a large dew-drop, as big as the finest
the evening she took her proper shape again as a human being. She pearl.
could lure wild beasts and birds to her, and then she killed and Day and night he journeyed with this flower to the castle. When
boiled and roasted them. If any one came within one hundred he was within a hundred paces of it he was not held fast, but
paces of the castle he was obliged to stand still, and could not stir walked on to the door. Joringel was full of joy; he touched the
from the place until she bade him be free. But whenever an door with the flower, and it sprang open. He walked in through
innocent maiden came within this circle, she changed her into a the courtyard, and listened for the sound of the birds. At last he
bird, and shut her up in a wicker-work cage, and carried the cage heard it. He went on and found the room from whence it came,
into a room in the castle. She had about seven thousand cages of and there the witch was feeding the birds in the seven thousand
rare birds in the castle. cages.
Now, there was once a maiden who was called Jorinda, who was When she saw Joringel she was angry, very angry, and scolded
fairer than all other girls. She and a handsome youth named and spat poison and gall at him, but she could not come within
Joringel had promised to marry each other. They were still in the two paces of him. He did not take any notice of her, but went and
days of betrothal, and their greatest happiness was being together. looked at the cages with the birds; but there were many hundred
One day in order that they might be able to talk together in quiet nightingales, how was he to find his Jorinda again?
they went for a walk in the forest. "Take care," said Joringel, Just then he saw the old woman quietly take away a cage with a
"that you do not go too near the castle." bird in it, and go towards the door.
It was a beautiful evening; the sun shone brightly between the Swifty he sprang towards her, touched the cage with the flower,
trunks of the trees into the dark green of the forest, and the turtle- and also the old woman. She could now no longer bewitch any one;
doves sang mournfully upon the young boughs of the birch-trees. and Jorinda was standing there, clasping him round the neck, and
Jorinda wept now and then: she sat down in the sunshine and was she was as beautiful as ever!
sorrowful. Joringel was sorrowful too; they were as sad as if they
were about to die. Then they looked around them, and were quite
at a loss, for they did not know by which way they should go home. 70.—THE THREE SONS OF FORTUNE.
The sun was still half above the mountain and half set.
Joringel looked through the bushes, and saw the old walls of the ("The three Sons of Fortune" is a farce in the children's and
castle close at hand. He was horror-stricken and filled with deadly house fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm from the second edition of
fear. Jorinda was singing— 1819 (KHM 70). The Grimms noted "from the Paderborn region"
"My little bird, with the necklace red, (from the von Haxthausen family).
Sings sorrow, sorrow, sorrow, Contents: A father inherits a rooster, a scythe and a cat to his
He sings that the dove must soon be dead, three sons. That doesn't seem worth much, but they just have to
Sings sorrow, sor—— jug, jug, jug." look for a country where the like is still unknown. Each of the
Joringel looked for Jorinda. She was changed into a nightingale, three doesn't succeed until they get to an island. In the first, people
and sang "jug, jug, jug." A screech-owl with glowing eyes flew do not know the time at night, the second try to harvest their
three times round about her, and three times cried "to-whoo, to- grain with cannons set up near the fields, and the third suffer from
whoo, to-whoo!" a plague of mice. Each brother returns home with a donkey, horse
Joringel could not move: he stood there like a stone, and could or mule laden with gold. After the third brother left, people were
neither weep nor speak, nor move hand or foot. frightened by the screams of the cat, thirsty from catching mice.
The sun had now set. The owl flew into the thicket, and directly The councilors send a page to her as herald, to summon her to
afterwards there came out of it a crooked old woman, yellow and vacate the castle or to present that force is being used against her.
lean, with large red eyes and a hooked nose, the point of which He misinterprets the cat's 'meow, meow' as 'not at all'. The castle is
reached to her chin. She muttered to herself, caught the shot on fire, the cat escapes.)
nightingale, and took it away in her hand.
Joringel could neither speak nor move from the spot; the A father once called his three sons before him, and he gave to the
nightingale was gone. At last the woman came back, and said in a first a cock, to the second a scythe, and to the third a cat. "I am
hollow voice, "Greet thee, Zachiel. If the moon shines on the cage, already aged," said he, "my death is nigh, and I have wished to
Zachiel, let him loose at once." Then Joringel was freed. He fell on take thought for you before my end; money I have not, and what I
his knees before the woman and begged that she would give him now give you seems of little worth, but all depends on your
back his Jorinda, but she said that he should never have her again, making a sensible use of it. Only seek out a country where such
and went away. He called, he wept, he lamented, but all in vain, things are still unknown, and your fortune is made."
"Ah, what is to become of me?" After the father's death the eldest went away with his cock, but
Joringel went away, and at last came to a strange village; there wherever he came the cock was already known; in the towns he saw
he kept sheep for a long time. He often walked round and round him from a long distance, sitting upon the steeples and turning
the castle, but not too near to it. At last he dreamt one night that round with the wind, and in the villages he heard more than one
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
crowing; no one would show any wonder at the creature, so that it a monster as this." A noble youth, therefore, was sent to ask the
did not look as if he would make his fortune by it. cat "whether she would peaceably quit the castle?" But the cat,
At last, however, it happened that he came to an island where the whose thirst had become still greater, merely answered, "Mew!
people knew nothing about cocks, and did not even understand Mew!" The youth understood her to say, "Most certainly not!
how to divide their time. They certainly knew when it was most certainly not!" and took this answer to the King. "Then,"
morning or evening, but at night, if they did not sleep through it, said the councillors, "she shall yield to force." Cannon were
not one of them knew how to find out the time. brought out, and the palace was soon in flames. When the fire
"Look!" said he, "what a proud creature! it has a ruby-red crown reached the room where the cat was sitting, she sprang safely out
upon its head, and wears spurs like a knight; it calls you three of the window; but the besiegers did not leave off until the whole
times during the night, at fixed hours, and when it calls for the last palace was shot down to the ground.
time, the sun soon rises. But if it crows by broad daylight, then
take notice, for there will certainly be a change of weather."
The people were well pleased; for a whole night they did not 71.—HOW SIX MEN GOT ON IN THE WORLD.
sleep, and listened with great delight as the cock at two, four, and
six o'clock, loudly and clearly proclaimed the time. They asked if ("How Six Made Their Way in the World" (KHM 71). The
the creature were for sale, and how much he wanted for it? "About Grimms noted "from Zwehrn" (probably from Dorothea
as much gold as an ass can carry," answered he. "A ridiculously Viehmann). "How Six Men got on in the World" (Hunt, 1884),
small price for such a precious creature!" they cried unanimously, "How Six Travelled through the World" (Wehnert, 1853), and
and willingly gave him what he had asked. "Fritz and his Friends." are some of the English titles given for
When he came home with his wealth his brothers were astonished, this tale. This story is about discharged soldiers. The
and the second said, "Well, I will go forth and see whether I demobilisation of troops has always been a political and social
cannot get rid of my scythe as profitably." But it did not look as if problem (see: Thirty Years' War, or Freicorps). The fairy tale now
he would, for labourers met him everywhere, and they had scythes reverses reality in that the exploited and then released soldier,
upon their shoulders as well as he. together with his comrades, hold the king (the government)
At last, however, he chanced upon an island where the people accountable because those are thee ones who are actually
knew nothing of scythes. When the corn was ripe there, they took responsible for the misery.
cannon out to the fields and shot it down. Now this was rather an Contents: As the war is over, a soldier is dismissed from service
uncertain affair; many shot right over it, others hit the ears by the king with a small allowance. On the way he meets, one after
instead of the stems, and shot them away, whereby much was lost, the other, a man who collects whole oak trees for firewood and ties
and besides all this, it made a terrible noise. So the man set to them together with another oak tree, a hunter who wants to shoot
work and mowed it down so quietly and quickly that the people the eye out of a fly two miles away, a man who blows out of one
opened their mouths with astonishment. They agreed to give him nostril to power seven windmills, and a runner , who has to
what he wanted for the scythe, and he received a horse laden with unbuckle a leg to keep from going too fast, and a man who can
as much gold as it could carry. unleash a freeze with a magician's hat. The soldier asks them to
And now the third brother wanted to take his cat to the right follow him: "If we (six) are together, we should probably come
man. He fared just like the others; so long as he stayed on the through the whole world." They get to the royal court. The king,
mainland there was nothing to be done. Every place had cats, and his daughter and the court are megalomaniac, unscrupulous and
there were so many of them that new-born kittens were generally cruel - among other things, they try to burn the six comrades in an
drowned in the ponds. iron cage. Thanks to their wonderful arts, the Six survive the
At last he sailed over to an island, and it luckily happened that adventure and finally win the king's entire treasury.)
no cats had ever yet been seen there, and that the mice had got the
upper hand so much that they danced upon the tables and benches There was once a man who understood all kinds of arts; he served
whether the master were at home or not. The people complained in war, and behaved well and bravely, but when the war was over
bitterly of the plague; the King himself in his palace did not know he received his dismissal, and three farthings for his expenses on
how to secure himself against them; mice squeaked in every corner, the way. "Stop," said he, "I shall not be content with this. If I can
and gnawed whatever they could lay hold of with their teeth. But only meet with the right people, the King will yet have to give me
now the cat began her chase, and soon cleared a couple of rooms, all the treasure of the country." Then full of anger he went into the
and the people begged the King to buy the wonderful beast for the forest, and saw a man standing therein who had plucked up six
country. The King willingly gave what was asked, which was a trees as if they were blades of corn. He said to him, "Wilt thou be
mule laden with gold, and the third brother came home with the my servant and go with me?"
greatest treasure of all. "Yes," he answered, "but, first, I will take this little bundle of
The cat made herself merry with the mice in the royal palace, and sticks home to my mother," and he took one of the trees, and
killed so many that they could not be counted. At last she grew wrapped it round the five others, lifted the bundle on his back,
warm with the work and thirsty, so she stood still, lifted up her and carried it away. Then he returned and went with his master,
head and cried, "Mew. Mew!" When they heard this strange cry, who said, "We two ought to be able to get through the world very
the King and all his people were frightened, and in their terror ran well," and when they had walked on for a short while they found a
all at once out of the palace. Then the King took counsel what was huntsman who was kneeling, had shouldered his gun, and was
best to be done; at last it was determined to send a herald to the about to fire. The master said to Mm, " Huntsman, what art thou
cat, and demand that she should leave the palace, or if not, she was going to shoot?" He answered, "Two miles from here a fly is
to expect that force would be used against her. The councillors sitting on the branch of an oaktree, and I want to shoot its left eye
said, "Rather will we let ourselves be plagued with the mice, for to out." "Oh, come with me," said the man, "if we three are together,
that misfortune we are accustomed, than give up our lives to such we certainly ought to be able to get on in the world!"
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
The huntsman was ready, and went with him, and they came to advance. He did not lose heart, however, but ran back to the well
seven windmills whose sails were turning round with great speed, with his pitcher, again drew some water, and was still at home
and yet no wind was blowing either on the right or the left, and no again, ten minutes before the King's daughter. "Behold!" said he,
leaf was stirring. Then said the man, "I know not what is driving "I have not bestirred myself till now, it did not deserve to be called
the windmills, not a breath of air is stirring," and he went running before."
onwards with his servants, and when they had walked two miles But it pained the King, and still more his daughter, that she
they saw a man sitting on a tree who was shutting one nostril, and should be carried off by a common disbanded soldier like that; so
blowing out of the other. "Good gracious! what are you doing they took counsel with each other how to get rid of him and his
up there? "He answered, "Two miles from here are seven windmills; companions. Then said the King to her, "I have thought of a way;
look, I am blowing them till they turn round." "Oh, come with don't be afraid, they shall not come back again." And he said to
me," said the man. "If we four are together, we shall carry the them, "You shall now make merry together, and eat and drink,"
whole world before us!" and he conducted them to a room which had a floor of iron, and
Then the blower came down and went with him, and after a the doors also were of iron, and the windows were guarded with
while they saw a man who was standing on one leg and had taken iron bars. There was a table in the room covered with delicious
off the other, and laid it beside him. Then the master said, "You food, and the King said to them, " Go in, and enjoy yourselves."
have arranged things very comfortably to have a rest." "I am a And when they were inside, he ordered the doors to be shut and
runner," he replied, "and to stop myself running far too fast, I bolted. Then he sent for the cook, and commanded him to make a
have taken off one of my legs, for if I run with both, I go quicker fire under the room until the iron became red-hot. This the cook
than any bird can fly." "Oh, go with me. If we five are together, we did, and the six who were sitting at table began to feel quite warm,
shall carry the whole world before us." So he went with them, and and they thought the heat was caused by the food; but as it became
it was not long before they met a man who wore a cap, but had put still greater, and they wanted to get out, and found that the doors
it quite on one ear. Then the master said to him, "Gracefully, and windows were bolted, they became aware that the King must
gracefully, don't stick your cap on one ear, you look just like a have an evil intention, and wanted to suffocate them.
tom-fool!" "I must not wear it otherwise," said he, "for if I set my "He shall not succeed, however," said the one with the cap. "I
hat straight, a terrible frost comes on, and all the birds in the air will cause a frost to come, before which the fire shall be ashamed,
are frozen, and drop dead on the ground." "Oh, come with me," and creep away." Then he put his cap on straight, and immediately
said the master. "If we six are together, we can carry the whole there came such a frost that all heat disappeared, and the food on
world before us." the dishes began to freeze.
Now the six came to a town where the King had proclaimed that When an hour or two had passed by, and the King believed that
whosoever ran a race with his daughter and won the victory, they had perished in the heat, he had the doors opened to behold
should be her husband, but whosoever lost it, must lose his head. them himself. But when the doors were opened, all six were
Then the man presented himself and said, "I will, however, let my standing there, alive and well, and said that they should very much
servant run for me." The King replied, "Then his life also must he like to get out to warm themselves, for the very food was fast
staked, so that his head and thine are both set on the victory." frozen to the dishes with the cold. Then, full of anger, the King
"When that Avas settled and made secure, the man buckled the went down to the cook, scolded him, and asked why he had not
other leg on the runner, and said to him, "Now be nimble, and done what he had been ordered to do. But the cook replied,
help us to win." It was fixed that the one who was the first to bring "There is heat enough there, just look yourself." Then the King
some water from a far distant well, was to be the victor. The saw that a fierce fire was burning under the iron room, and
runner received a pitcher, and the King's daughter one too, and perceived that there was no getting the better of the six in this way.
they began to run at the same time, but in an instant, when the Again the King considered how to get rid of his unpleasant
King's daughter had got a very little way, the people who were guests, and caused their chief to be brought and said, "If thou wilt
looking on could see no more of the runner, and it was just as if take gold and renounce my daughter, thou shalt have as much as
the wind had whistled by. thou wilt."
In a short time he reached the well, filled his pitcher with water, "Oh, yes, Lord King," he answered, " give me as much as my
and turned back. Half-way home, however, he was overcome with servant can carry, and I will not ask for your daughter."
fatigue, and set his pitcher down, lay down himself, and fell asleep. On this the King was satisfied, and the other continued, "In
He had, however, made a pillow of a horse's skull which was lying fourteen days, I will come and fetch it." Thereupon he summoned
on the ground, in order that he might lie uncomfortably, and soon together all the tailors in the whole kingdom, and they were to sit
wake up again. for fourteen days and sew a sack. And when it was ready, the
In the meantime the King's daughter, who could also run very strong one who could tear up trees had to take it on his back, and
well—quite as well as any ordinary mortal can—had reached the go with it to the King. Then said the King, "Who can that strong
well, and was hurrying back with her pitcher full of water, and fellow be who is carrying a bundle of linen on his back that is as
when she saw the runner lying there asleep, she was glad and said, big as a house?" and he was alarmed and said, " What a lot of gold
"My enemy is delivered over into my hands," emptied his pitcher, he can carry away!" Then he commanded a ton of gold to be
and ran on. And now all would have been lost if by good luck the brought; it took sixteen of his strongest men to carry it, but the
huntsman had not been standing at the top of the castle, and had strong one snatched it up in one hand, put it in his sack, and said,
not seen everything with his sharp eyes. "Why don't you bring more at the same time?—that hardly covers
Then said he, "The King's daughter shall still not prevail against the bottom!" Then, little by little, the King caused all his treasure
us;" and he loaded his gun, and shot so cleverly, that he shot the to be brought thither, and the strong one pushed it into the sack,
horse's skull away from under the runner's head without hurting and still the sack was not half full with it." "Bring more," cried he,
him. Then the runner awoke, leapt up, and saw that his pitcher "these few crumbs don't fill it." Then seven thousand carts with
was empty, and that the King's daughter was already far in gold had to be gathered together in the whole kingdom, and the
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
strong one thrust them and the oxen harnessed to them into his but did not let himself be frightened, and attacked him again, on
sack. "I will examine it no longer," said he, " but will just take which the huntsman gave him the second barrel. The wolf
what comes, so long as the sack is but full." When all that was swallowed his pain, and rushed on the huntsman, but he drew out
inside, there was still room for a great deal more; then he said, "I his bright hanger, and gave him a few cuts with it right and left, so
will just make an end of the thing; people do sometimes tie up a that, bleeding everywhere, he ran howling back to the fox. "Well,
sack even when it is not full." So he took it on his back, and went brother wolf," said the fox, "how hast thou got on with man?"
away with his comrades. When the King now saw how one single "Ah!" replied the wolf, "I never imagined the strength of man to
man was carrying away the entire wealth of the country, he be what it is! First, he took a stick from his shoulder, and blew
became enraged, and bade his horsemen mount and pursue the six, into it, and then something flew into my face which tickled me
and ordered them to take the sack away from the strong one. Two terribly; then he breathed once more into the stick, and it flew
regiments speedily overtook the six, and called out, "You are into my nose like lightning and hail; when I was quite close, he
prisoners, put down the sack with the gold, or you will all be cut drew a white rib out of his side, and he beat me so with it that I
to pieces!" " What say you?" cried the blower," that we are was all but left lying dead." "See what a braggart thou art!" said
prisoners! Eather than that should happen, all of you shall dance the fox. "Thou throwest thy hatchet so far that thou canst not
about in the air." And he closed one nostril, and with the other fetch it back again!"
blew on the two regiments.
Then they were driven away from each other, and carried into
the blue sky over all the mountains—one here, the other there. 73.—THE WOLF AND THE FOX.
One sergeant cried for mercy; he had nine wounds, and was a brave
fellow who did not deserve illtreatment. ("The wolf and the fox" is an animal fairy tale in the children's
The blower stopped a little so that he came down without injury, and house fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition
and then the blower said to him, "Now go home to thy King, and (KHM 73). Grimm's comments note "from Hesse". A story from
tell him he had better send some more horsemen, and I will blow Schweich and one from Bavaria (from Ludwig Aurbacher;
them all into the air." When the King was informed of this he said, preserved in Grimm's records)
"Let the rascals go. They have the best of it." Then the six Contents: The wolf is the boss of the fox because he is stronger
conveyed the riches home, divided it amongst them, and lived in and the fox wants to get rid of his boss. One day the fox has to get
content until their death. food and he proposes to go to the farm to get a lamb. After eating
the lamb, the wolf wants more. He now goes to the farm himself,
but the mother of the lamb notices him and starts to scream. The
72.—THE WOLF AND THE MAN. farmers see the wolf and beat him terribly. The fox asks the wolf
why he is such a glutton. The next day they go into the field and
("The wolf and man" is an animal fairy tale in the children's and the fox has to get food. He goes to get pancakes from the farm and
house fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition of when the wolf has eaten six pancakes, he wants more. He goes to
1819 at position 72 (KHM 72). The Grimms noted "from Hesse". the farm, but lets the bowl fall to pieces. The woman hears the
A story from Schweich and one from Bavaria (from Ludwig noise and the servants beat him. The fox asks again why the wolf is
Aurbacher; preserved in Grimm's records). such a glutton. On the third day the fox has to fetch food and
Contents: The fox tells the wolf about human strength. The wolf proposes to fetch the flesh of a slaughtered animal. The wolf wants
does not believe it. The fox shows him a discharged soldier, "There to go right now and eats greedily, but the fox keeps looking
used to be one", then a schoolchild, "First he wants to become around as he eats and often walks to the hole through which they
one", then a hunter with a double-barrelled gun. The fox retreats entered. He always tests whether he has not become too fat due to
while the wolf charges at the man. The hunter shoots the buckshot the large amount of food. The wolf does not want to leave until all
into the wolf's face and hits him with the hunting knife. The wolf the food is gone, but then the farmer enters the cellar. The fox
runs back to the fox howling.) jumps out through the hole, but the wolf is too fat and is beaten to
death. The fox is happy to get rid of the old wolverine and runs
Once on a time the fox was talking to the wolf of the strength of into the woods.)
man; how no animal could withstand him, and how all were
obliged to employ cunning in order to preserve themselves from The wolf had the fox with him, and whatsoever the wolf wished,
him. Then the wolf answered, "If I had but the chance of seeing a that the fox was compelled to do, for he was the weaker, and he
man for once, I would set on him notwithstanding." "I can help would gladly have been rid of his master.
thee to do that," said the fox. "Come to me early to-morrow It chanced that once as they were going through the forest, the
morning, and I will show thee one." The wolf presented himself wolf said, "Red-fox, get me something to eat, or else I will eat thee
betimes, and the fox took him out on the road by which the thyself." Then the fox answered, "I know a farm-yard where there
huntsmen went daily. First came an old discharged soldier. "Is are two young lambs; if thou art inclined, we will fetch one of
that a man?" inquired the wolf. "No," answered the fox, " that them." That suited the wolf, and they went thither, and the fox
was one." Afterwards came a little boy who was going to school. " stole the little lamb, took it to the wolf, and went away. The wolf
Is that a man?" "No, that is going to be one." At length came a devoured it, but was not satisfied with one; he wanted the other as
hunter with his double-barrelled gun at his back, and hanger by well, and went to get it. As, however, he did it so awkwardly, the
his side. Said the fox to the wolf, "Look, there comes a man, thou mother of the little lamb heard him, and began to cry out terribly,
must attack him, but I will take myself off to my hole." and to bleat so that the farmer came running there. They found the
The wolf then rushed on the man. When the huntsman saw him wolf, and beat him so mercilessly, that he went to the fox limping
he said, "It is a pity that I have not loaded with a bullet," aimed, and howling. "Thou hast misled me finely," said he; "I wanted to
and fired his -small shot in his face. The wolf pulled a very wry face, fetch the other lamb, and the country folks surprised me, and have
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
beaten me to a jelly." The fox replied, "Why art thou such a The she-wolf brought forth a young one, and invited the fox to
glutton?" Next day they again went into the country, and the be godfather. "After all, he is a near relative of ours," said she, "he
greedy wolf once more said, "Red-fox, get me something to eat, or has a good understanding, and much talent; he can instruct my
I will eat thee thyself." Then answered the fox, "I know a farm- little son, and help him forward in the world." The fox, too,
house where the wife is baking pancakes to-night; we will get some appeared quite honest, and said, "Worthy Mrs. Gossip, I thank
of them for ourselves." you for the honour which you are doing me; I will, however,
They went there, and the fox slipped round the house, and conduct myself in such a way that you shall be repaid for it." He
peeped and sniffed about until he discovered where the dish was, enjoyed himself at the feast, and made merry; afterwards he said, "
and then drew down six pancakes and carried them to the wolf. Dear Mrs. Gossip, it is our duty to take care of the child, it must
"There is something for thee to eat," said he to him, and then went have good food that it may be strong.
his way. I know a sheep-fold from which we might fetch a nice morsel."
The wolf swallowed down the pancakes in an instant, and said, " The wolf was pleased with the ditty, and she went out with the fox
They make one want more," and went thither and tore the whole to the farm-yard. He pointed out the fold from afar, and said,
dish down so that it broke in pieces. "You will be able to creep in there without being seen, and in the
This made such a great noise that the woman came out, and when meantime I will look about on the other side to see if I can pick up
she saw the wolf she called the people, who hurried there, and beat a chicken." He, however, did not go there, but sat down at the
him as long as their sticks would hold together, till with two lame entrance to the forest, stretched his legs and rested.
legs, and howling loudly, he got back to the fox in the forest. The she-wolf crept into the stable. A dog was lying there, and it
"How abominably thou hast misled me!" cried he, "the peasants made such a noise that the peasants came running out, caught
caught me, and tanned my skin for me." But the fox replied, "Why Gossip Wolf, and poured a strong burning mixture, which had
art thou such a glutton?" been prepared for washing, over her skin. At last she escaped, and
On the third day, when they were out together, and the wolf dragged herself outside.
could only limp along painfully, he again said, "Red-fox, get me There lay the fox, who pretended to be full of complaints, and
something to eat, or I will eat thee thyself." The fox answered, " I said, "Ah, dear Mistress Gossip, how ill I have fared, the peasants
know a man who has been killing, and the salted meat is lying in a have fallen on me, and have broken every limb I have; if you do not
barrel in the cellar; we will get that." Said the wolf, "I will go want me to lie where I am and perish, you must carry me away."
when thou dost, that thou mayest help me if I am not able to get The she-wolf herself was only able to go away slowly, but she was
away." "I am willing," said the fox, and showed him the by-paths in such concern about the fox that she took him on her back, and
and ways by which at length they reached the cellar. There was slowly carried him perfectly safe and sound to her house.
meat in abundance, and the wolf attacked it instantly and thought, Then the fox cried to her, "Farewell, dear Mistress Gossip, may
"There is plenty of time before I need leave off! the roasting you have had do you good," laughed heartily at her,
"The fox liked it also, but looked about everywhere, and often and bounded off.
ran to the hole by which they had come in, and tried if his body
was still thin enough to slip through it. The wolf said, " Dear fox,
tell me why thou art running here and there so much, and jumping 75.—THE FOX AND THE CAT.
in and out?"
"I must see that no one is coming," replied the crafty fellow. ("The Fox and the Cat" is an animal fairy tale in the children's
"Don't eat too much!" Then said the wolf, "I shall not leave until and household tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition
the barrel is empty." In the meantime the farmer, who had heard of 1819 (KHM 75). Grimm's note from 1856 notes the place of
the noise of the fox's jumping, came into the cellar. When the fox Schweich (probably Friedrich Wilhelm Carové) and compares it
saw him he was out of the hole at one bound. The wolf wanted to with Reinhart Fox. Reineke Fuchs is the main character of an epic
follow him, but he had made himself so fat with eating that he in verse and prose, the tradition of which goes back to the
could no longer get through, but stuck fast. European Middle Ages. A Low German verse version "Reynke de
Then came the farmer with a cudgel and struck him dead, but the vos" printed in Lübeck in 1498 became a bestseller in the 16th
fox bounded into the forest, glad to be rid of the old glutton. century in the Low German and Dutch-speaking world.
Contents: The cat meets the fox and gives him a friendly greeting
because he is considered to be so clever. But the fox is haughty and
74.—GOSSIP WOLF AND THE FOX or THE FOX AND HIS boasts that he has mastered a hundred arts and a bag of tricks,
COUSIN or THE FOX AND THE GODMOTHER. while the cat modestly admits that her only art is to climb a tree to
escape from the dogs. When the dogs come, the cat jumps up a tree
("The fox and the mother godmother" is an animal fairy tale in while they grab the fox. She calls to him: "Untie the sack, Herr
the children's and house fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm from Fuchs, untie the sack!" and "Your hundred arts get stuck. If you
the 2nd edition of 1819 (KHM 74). The Grimms noted in 1856 could have crawled up like me, your life would not have been
"from Deutschböhmen" (Sudetenland, Czech Republic). lost.")
Contents: The she-wolf invites the fox to be her godmother for
her newborn cub because he is closely related and clever. The fox It happened that the cat met the fox in a forest, and as she
first acts respectable and enjoys it at the festival. Then he shows thought to herself, "He is clever and full of experience, and much
her a farm where she can get a sheep. Under the pretense of getting esteemed in the world," she spoke to him in a friendly way.
a chicken, he escapes and rests until the she-wolf comes back after "Good-day, dear Mr. Fox, how are you? How is all with you?
the peasants have doused her with lye. He pretends to have been How are you getting through this dear season?" The fox, full of all
beaten himself and lets himself be carried home. Then he laughs at kinds of arrogance, looked at the cat from head to foot, and for a
her and jumps away.) long time did not know whether he would give any answer or not.
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
At last he said, "Oh, thou wretched beard-cleaner, thou piebald moon could be seen, and had his wife put into it, and walled up.
fool, thou hungry mouse-hunter, what canst thou be thinking of? Here she was to stay for seven years without meat or drink, and die
Dost thou venture to ask how I am getting on? What hast thou of hunger. But God sent two angels from heaven in the shape of
learnt? How many arts dost thou understand?" "I understand but white doves, which flew to her twice a day, and carried her food
one," replied the cat, modestly. "What art is that?" asked the fox. until the seven years were over.
"When the hounds are following me, I can spring into a tree and The cook, however, thought to himself, " If the child has the
save myself." "Is that all?" said the fox. "I am master of a hundred power of wishing, and I am here, he might very easily get me into
arts, and have into the bargain a sackful of cunning. Thou makest trouble." So he left the palace and went to the boy, who was
me sorry for thee; come vdih me, I will teach thee how people get already big enough to speak, and said to him, "Wish for a
away-from the hounds." Just then came a hunter with four dogs. beautiful palace for thyself with a garden, and all else that pertains
The cat sprang nimbly up a tree, and sat down at the top of it, to it." Scarcely were the words out of the boy's mouth, when
where the branches and foliage quite concealed her. "Open your everj^thing was there that he had wished for. After a while the
sack, Mr. Fox, open your sack," cried the cat to him, but the dogs cook said to him, " It is not well for thee to be so alone, wish for a
had already seized him, and were holding him fast. "Ah, Mr. pretty girl as a companion." Then the King's son wished for one,
Fox," cried the cat. "You with your hundred arts are left in the and she immediately stood before him, and was more beautiful
lurch! Had you been able to climb like me, you would not have lost than any painter could have painted her. The two played together,
your life." and loved each other with all their hearts, and the old cook went
out hunting like a nobleman. The thought, however, occurred to
him that the King's son might some day wish to be with his father,
76.—THE PINK or THE CARNATION. and thus bring him into great peril. So he went out and took the
maiden aside, and said, " To-night when the boy is asleep, go to
("The Pink" or "The Carnation" is a fairy tale collected by the his bed and plunge this knife into his heart, and bring me his heart
Brothers Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales as tale number 76. It is a and tongue, and if thou dost not do it, thou shalt lose thy life."
contribution by Familie Hassenpflug. Thereupon he went away, and when he returned next day she had
Contents: At her request, a childless queen receives a son from not done it, and said, "Why should I shed the blood of an innocent
God whose dreams are fulfilled. The cook robs it while she is boy w^ho has never harmed any one?" The cook once more said,
sleeping and drips her blood on her dress, whereupon the king has "If thou dost not do it, it shall cost thee thy own life." When he
her walled in. But two angels bring her food as white doves. The had gone away, she had a little hind brought to her, and ordered
cook goes away with the son and makes him wish for a castle with her to be killed, and took her heart and tongue, and laid them on a
a garden and a companion. The son and she love each other. The plate, and when she saw the old man coming, she said to the boy,"
cook is scared and wants to force her to murder him. She doesn't, Lie down in thy bed, and draw the clothes over thee." Then the
fools him with the heart and lungs of a hind. The son curses the wicked wretch came in and said, "Where are the boy's heart and
cook into a black poodle with a gold chain that eats coal. He looks tongue?" The girl reached the plate to him, but the King's son
after his mother, with the maiden carnation in her pocket, who threw off the quilt, and said, "Thou old sinner, why didst thou
otherwise doesn't want to come along, and the poodle. Then he want to kill me? Now will I pronounce thy sentence. Thou shalt
lets himself be hired as a hunter, wishes for a lot of game, and is become a black poodle and have a gold collar round thy neck, and
seated at his side by the king for the festival. He has a servant shalt eat burning coals, till the flames burst forth from thy
bring up his mother and clears everything up by having poodle throat." And when he had spoken these words, the old man was
and carnation show their shapes. The queen is taken, but she does changed into a poodle dog, and had a gold collar round his neck,
not eat and dies. The king follows her out of grief. The son marries and the cooks were ordered to bring up some live coals, and these
the maiden.) he ate, until the flames broke forth from his throat. The King's son
remained there a short while longer, and he thought of his mother,
There was once on a time a Queen to whom God had given no and wondered if she were still alive. At length he said to the
children. Every morming she went into the garden and prayed to maiden, "I will go home to my own country; if thou wilt go with
God in heaven to bestow on her a son or a daughter. Then an me, I will provide for thee." "Ah," she replied, "the way is so long,
angel from heaven came to her and said, "Be at rest, thou shalt and what shall I do in a strange land where I am unknown?" As
have a son with the power of wishing, so that whatsoever in the she did not seem quite willing, and as they could not be parted
world he wishes for, that shall he have." Then she went to the from each other, he wished that she might be changed into a
King, and told him the joyful tidings, and when the time was come beautiful pink, and took her with him. Then he went away to his
she gave birth to a son, and the King was filled with gladness. own country, and the poodle had to run after him. He went to the
Every morning she went with the child to the garden where the tower in which his mother was confined, and as it was so high, he
wild beasts were kept, and washed herself there in a clear stream. It wished for a ladder which would reach up to the very top. Then he
happened once when the child was a little older, that it was lying mounted up and looked inside, and cried, "Beloved mother. Lady
in her arms and she fell asleep. Then came the old cook, who knew Queen, are you still alive, or are you dead?" She answered "I have
that the child had the power of wishing, and stole it away, and he just eaten, and am still satisfied," for she thought the angels were
took a hen, and cut it in pieces, and dropped some of its blood on there. Said he, "I am your dear son, whom the wild beasts were
the Queen's apron and on her dress. Then he carried the child away said to have torn from your arms; but I am alive still, and will
to a secret place, where a nurse was obliged to suckle it, and he ran speedily deliver you." Then he descended again, and went to his
to the King and accused the Queen of having allowed her child to father, and caused himself to be announced as a strange huntsman,
be taken from her by the wild beasts. When the King saw the and asked if he could give him a place. The King said yes, if he was
blood on her apron, he believed this, fell into such a passion that skilful and could get game for him, he should come to him, but
he ordered a high tower to be built, in which neither sun nor that deer had never taken up their quarters in any part of the
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
district or country. Then the huntsman promised to procure as 77.—CLEVER GRETHEL.
much game for him as he coiild possibly use at the royal table. So
he summoned all the huntsmen together, and bade them go out ("Clever Gretel" is a farce collected by the Brothers Grimm,
into the forest with him. And he went with them and made them KHM 77. The text is based exclusively on Andreas Strobl's sermon
form a great circle, open at one end where he stationed himself, example "Oster-Märl" (in "Ovum paschal novum" or "neugefärbte
and began to wish. Two hundred deer and more came running Oster-Ayr" [newly coloured Easter Eggs], Salzburg 1710, pp. 23–
inside the circle at once, and the huntsmen shot them. Then they 26), as Wilhelm Grimm's surviving copy shows. He shortened
were all placed on sixty country carts, and driven home to the excessive descriptions.
King, and for once he was able to deck his table with game, after Content: A housekeeper with the typical name "Gretel" who
having had none at all for years. loves to eat and drink receives the order from her employer to
Now the King felt great joy at this, and commanded that his roast two chickens for him and the expected guest. She sets to
entire household should eat with him next day, and made a great work, but when the host and guest are a little late, she eats first
feast. When they were all assembled together, he said to the one chicken, then the other. To avoid being punished by her
huntsman, "As thou art so clever, thou shalt sit by me." He replied, master, she plays him and the guest off against each other: she
"Lord King, your majesty must excuse me, I am a poor frightens the guest with the lie that the host wants to cut off both
huntsman." But the King insisted on it, and said, "Thou shalt sit his ears, while she tells her master that the guest stole the chickens.
by me," until he did it. Whilst he was sitting there, he thought of The guest flees, the landlord runs after him and asks him with the
his dearest mother, and wished that one of the King's principal shouted words: "Only one", leave him at least one chicken for
servants would begin to speak of her, and would ask how it was dinner. But the guest thinks he has to give up one of his two ears
faring with the Queen in the tower, and if she were alive still, or and runs as much as he can. Meanwhile, Gretel sits happily in her
had perished. Hardly had he formed the wish than the marshal kitchen.)
began, and said, "Your majesty, we live joyously here, but how is
the Queen living in the tower? Is she still alive, or has she died?" There was once a cook named Grethel, who wore shoes with red
But the King replied, "She let my dear son be torn to pieces by rosettes, and when she walked out with them on, she turned herself
wild beasts; I will not have her named." Then the huntsman arose this way and that, and thought, "You certainly are a pretty girl!"
and said, "Gracious lord father, she is alive still, and I am her son, And when she came home she drank, in her gladness of heart, a
and I was not carried away by wild beasts, but by that wretch the draught of wine, and as wine excites a desire to eat, she tasted the
old cook, who tore me from her arms when she was asleep, and best of whatever she was cooking until she was satisfied, and said,
sprinkled her apron with the blood of a chicken." Thereupon he "The cook must know what the food is like."
took the dog with the golden collar, and said, "That is the It came to pass that the master one day said to her, "Grethel,
wretch!" and caused live coals to be brought, and these the dogwas there is a guest coming this evening; prepare me two fowls very
compelled to devour before the sight of all, until flames burst daintily." "I will see to it, master," answered Grethel. She killed
forth from its throat. On this the huntsman asked the King if he two fowls, scalded them, plucked them, put them on the spit, and
would like to see the dog in his true shape, and wished him back towards evening set them before the fire, that they might roast.
into the form of the cook, in the which he stood immediately, with The fowls began to turn brown, and were nearly ready, but the
his white apron, and his knife by his side. When the King saw him guest had not yet arrived. Then Grethel called out to her master,
he fell into a passion, and ordered him to be cast into the deepest "If the guest does not come, I must take the fowls away from the
dungeon. Then the huntsman spake further and said, "Father, will fire, but it will be a sin and a shame if they are not eaten directly,
you see the maiden who brought me up so tenderly and who was when they are juiciest." The master said, "I will run myself, and
afterwards to murder me, but did not do it, though her own life fetch the guest." When the master had turned his back, Grethel
depended on it?" The King replied, "Yes, I would like to see her." laid the spit with the fowls on one side, and thought, "Standing so
The son said, "Most gracious father, I will show her to you in the long by the fire there, makes one hot and thirsty; who knows when
form of a beautiful flower," and he thrust his hand into his pocket they will come? Meanwhile, I will run into the cellar, and take a
and brought forth the pink, and placed it on the royal table, and it drink." She ran down, set a jug, said, "God bless it to thy use,
was so beautiful that the King had never seen one to equal it. Then Grethel," and took a good drink, and took yet another hearty
the son said, "Now will I show her to you in her own form," and draught.
wished that she might become a maiden, and she stood there Then she went and put the fowls down again to the fire, basted
looking so beautiful that no painter could have made her look them, and drove the spit merrily round. But as the roast meat
more so. smelt so good, Grethel thought, "Something might be wrong, it
And the King sent two waiting-maids and two attendants into ought to be tasted!" She touched it with her finger, and said, "Ah!
the tower, to fetch the Queen and bring her to the royal table. But how good fowls are! It certainly is a sin and a shame that they are
when she was led in she ate nothing, and said, " The gracious and not eaten directly!" She ran to the window, to see if the master was
merciful God who has supported me in the tower, will speedily not coming with his guest, but she saw no one, and went back to
deliver me." She lived three days more, and then died happily, and the fowls and thought, "One of the wings is burning! I had better
when she was buried, the two white doves which had brought her take it off and eat it." So she cut it off, ate it, and enjoyed it, and
food to the tower, and were angels of heaven, followed her body when she had done, she thought, "the other must go down too, or
and seated themselves on her grave. The aged King ordered the else master will observe that something is missing." When the two
cook to be torn in four pieces, but grief consumed the King's own wings were eaten, she went and looked for her master, and did not
heart, and he soon died. His son married the beautiful maiden see him. It suddenly occurred to her, "Who knows? They are
whom he had brought with him as a flower in his pocket, and perhaps not coming at all, and have turned in somewhere." Then
whether they are still alive or not, is known to God. she said, "Hallo, Grethel, enjoy yourself, one fowl has been cut
into, take another drink, and eat it up entirely; when it is eaten
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
you will have some peace, why should God's good gifts be spoilt?" earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it. And he used to look
So she ran into the cellar again, took an enormous drink and ate towards the table with his eyes full of tears. Once, too, his
up the one chicken in great glee. When one of the chickens was trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground
swallowed down, and still her master did not come, Grethel and broke. The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and
looked at the other and said, "Where one is, the other should be only sighed. Then they bought him a wooden bowl for a few half-
likewise, the two go together; what's right for the one is right for pence, out of which he had to eat.
the other; I think if I were to take another draught it would do me They were once sitting thus when the little grandson of four
no harm." So she took another hearty drink, and let the second years old began to gather together some bits of wood upon the
chicken rejoin the first. ground. "What are you doing there?" asked the father. "I am
When she was just in the best of the eating, her master came and making a little trough," answered the child," for father and
cried, "Haste thee, Grethel, the guest is coming directly after me!" mother to eat out of when I am big." The man and his wife looked
"Yes, sir, I will soon serve up," answered Grethel. Meantime the at each other for a while, and presently began to cry. Then they
master looked to see that the table was properly laid, and took the took the old grandfather to the table, and henceforth always let
great knife, wherewith he was going to carve the chickens, and him eat with them, and likewise said nothing if he did spill a little
sharpened it on the steps. Presently the guest came, and knocked of anything.
politely and courteously at the house-door. Grethel ran, and
looked to see who was there, and when she saw the guest, she put
her finger to her lips and said, "Hush! hush! get away as quickly as 79.—THE WATER-NIX.
you can, if my master catches you it will be the worse for you; he
certainly did ask you to supper, but his intention is to cut off your ("The Water Nixie" or "The Water-Nix" is a fairy tale collected
two ears. Just listen how he is sharpening the knife for it!" The by the Brothers Grimm, tale number KHM 79. It came from
guest heard the sharpening, and hurried down the steps again as Hanau in Hesse.
fast as he could. Grethel was not idle; she ran screaming to her Contents: A brother and sister fell into a well, where a nixie
master, and cried, "You have invited a fine guest!" "Eh, why, caught them and made them work for her. One Sunday while she
Grethel? What do you mean by that?" "Yes," said she, "he has was at church, they ran away. The nixie chased them. The girl
taken the chickens which I was just going to serve up, off the dish, threw a brush, which became a mountain with thousands of spikes,
and has run away with them!" "That's a nice trick!" said her which the nixie got through with great effort. The boy threw a
master, and lamented the fine chickens. "If he had but left me one, comb behind them, which became mountains with thousands of
so that something remained for me to eat." He called to him to teeth, which the nixie got through with great effort. The girl
stop, but the guest pretended not to hear. Then he ran after him threw a mirror behind them, which became a mountain too slick
with the knife still in his hand, crying, "Just one, just one," for the nixie to climb. She went back to get an axe, but before she
meaning that the guest should leave him just one chicken, and not could chop through the mountain, they escaped.)
take both. The guest, however, thought no otherwise than that he
was to give up one of his ears, and ran as if fire were burning under A little brother and sister were once playing by a well, and while
him, in order to take them both home with him. they were thus playing, they both fell in. A water-nix lived down
below, who said, "Now I have got you, now you shall work hard
for me!" and carried them off with her. She gave the girl dirty
78.—THE OLD MAN AND HIS GRANDSON. tangled flax to spin, and she had to fetch water in a bucket with a
hole in it, and the boy had to hew down a tree with a blunt axe,
("The Old Man and his Grandson" is a moral parable in Grimm's and they got nothing to eat but dumplings as hard as stones. Then
Fairy Tales (KHM 78). It comes from Johann Heinrich Jung- at last the children became so impatient, that they waited until one
Stilling's autobiography Heinrich Stillings Jünglingsjahre (1778), Sunday, when the nix was at church, and ran away. But when
but is attested earlier. Jung-Stillings Version based on Johann church was over, the nix saw that the birds were flown, and
Michael Moscherosch's admonition poem "Kinderspiegel" from followed them with great strides. The children saw her from afar,
1643 in Insomnis cura parentum. and the girl threw a brush behind her which formed an immense
Content: The old grandfather can no longer eat his soup hill of bristles, with thousands and thousands of spikes, over which
properly, he spills it and it keeps running out of his mouth. Since the nix was forced to scramble with great difficulty; at last,
his son and daughter-in-law are disgusted by it, he has to sit in the however, she got over. When the children saw this, the boy threw
corner when he eats. When he also breaks his bowl, he only gets a behind him a comb which made a great hill of combs with a
wooden bowl from which he has to eat. Shortly thereafter, the thousand times a thousand teeth, but the nix managed to keep
four-year-old grandson collects little boards and explains to his herself steady on them, and at last crossed over that. Then the girl
parents that he wants to make a little trough that his father and threw behind her a looking-glass which formed a hill of mirrors,
mother can eat from when he grows up and they are old. Then the and was so slippery that it was impossible for the nix to cross it.
parents start crying and bring the grandfather back to the dining Then she thought, "I will go home quickly and fetch my axe, and
table.) cut the hill of glass in half." Long before she returned, however,
and had hewn through the glass, the children had escaped to a
There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his great distance, and the waternix was obliged to betake herself to
ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table her well again.
he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the
table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth. His son and his son's
wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit
in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
80.—THE DEATH OF THE LITTLE HEN. the carriage, for in the front my little horses could not drag thee."
Then the fox seated himself at the back, and after that the wolf, the
("The Death of the little Hen" is a fairy tale in the Grimm bear, the stag, the lion, and all the beasts of the forest did the same.
Brothers' Children's and Household Tales (KHM 80). Grimm's Then the procession went onwards, and they reached the stream.
note notes "from Hesse" and refers to "the terrifying story of the "How are we to get over?" said the little cock. A straw was lying
hen and the little hen" according to Charles Crodel in "Des by the stream, and it said, "I will lay myself straight across, and
Knaben Wunderhorn" by Clemens Brentano, 1808. then you can drive over me." But when the six mice came to the
Contents: The hen goes with the rooster to the nut mountain and bridge, the straw slipped and fell into the water, and the six mice
agrees that whoever finds a nut will share it with the other. The all fell in and were drowned. Then they were again in difficulty,
hen finds the nut, but she wants to eat it alone. The nut is too and a coal came and said, "I am large enough, I will lay myself
thick and gets stuck in her throat. She yells at rooster and he runs across, and you shall drive over me." So the coal also laid itself
to the well for water. The well will only water when it goes to the across the water, but unhappily just touched it, on which the coal
bride and asks for red silk. The rooster does this, but the bride hissed, was extinguished and died. When a stone saw that, it took
first wants the rooster to get her wreath that has stuck to the pity on the little cock, wished to help him, and laid itself over the
willow. He gets this quickly and then brings the red silk to the water. Then the cock drew the carriage himself, but when he got it
well and gets water. Rooster brings the water to the hen, but she over and reached the shore with the dead hen, and was about to
has now choked on the nut. Rooster starts to cry and all the draw over the others who were sitting behind as well, there were
animals come to mourn. Six mice build a cart and they'll bring the too many of them, the carriage ran back, and they all fell into the
hen back in no time. But they meet the fox and he asks if he can water together, and were drowned. Then the little cock was left
ride with them. The wolf, the bear, the deer, the lion and all the alone with the dead hen, and dug a grave for her and laid her in it,
animals of the forest also ride along. They come to the stream and and made a mound above it, on which he sat down and fretted
see a straw on the bank. The straw offers to lie down over the until he died too, and then every one was dead.
stream, but during the ride the straw collapses. Six mice drown
and then a coal fire comes and offers to lie across the stream. But
coal hits the water and starts to hiss and is dead. A stone sees this 81.— BROTHER LUSTIG.
and then wants to help the rooster and lies over the water. Rooster
pulls the wagon herself and cannot get to the other side with the ("Bruder Lustig" is a fairy tale in the Children's and Household
heavily loaded wagon. The car falls back and all residents drown. Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition of 1819 (KHM
Rooster digs a grave and puts a hen in it, he makes a mound on it 81). The Brothers Grimm had the fairy tale by Georg Passy, who
and sits on top of it until he dies himself. And then everyone was heard it from an old woman in Vienna. She had it probably from
dead.) Weitra in Lower Austria. [Estimated coin value in the following
text: One "Kreutzer" (or Kreuzer; so called due to its cross on its
Once upon a time the little hen went with the little cock to the face) is an Upper German currency equivalent to an English
nut-hill, and they agreed together that whichsoever of them found tuppence or thruppence; Pre-decimal value: 1 Shilling = 12
a kernel of a nut should share it with the other. When the hen Pennies, 1 Pounds = 240 Pennies.]
found a large, large nut, but said nothing about it, intending to Contents: After the war, the soldier, Bruder Lustig, receives a
eat the kernel herself. The kernel, however, was so large that she loaf of bread and four kreutzers as a compensation. On the way he
could not swallow it, and it remained sticking in her throat, so meets Saint Peter three times as a beggar, to whom he gives a
that she was alarmed lest she should be choked. Then she cried, quarter of the bread and a kreuzer each time. For the fourth
"Cock, I entreat thee to run as fast as thou canst, and fetch me kreuzer he gets a beer with his bread in the inn. When he meets
some water, or I shall choke." The little cock did run as fast as he Peter again and has nothing more to give, he goes with him to
could to the spring, and said, "Stream, thou art to give me some heal a sick person. Peter does not want a wage, but Brother Lustig
water; the little hen is lying on the nut-hill, and she has swallowed accepts a lamb anyway. When it gets too heavy for him, he wants
a large nut, and is choking." The well answered, "First run to the to cook it. But he should only start eating when Peter is back.
bride, and get her to give thee some red silk." The little cock ran When he doesn't come, he eats the lamb's heart and then claims
to the bride and said, "Bride, you are to give me some red silk; I that it doesn't have any. As they wade through water along the
want to give red silk to the well, the well is to give me some water, way, Peter causes the water to rise so that Brother Lustig will
I am to take the water to the little hen who is lying on the nut-hill confess to eating the heart, but he does not confess. Saint Peter
and has swallowed a great nut-kernel, and is choking with it." The brings a deceased king's daughter to life. Then he divides the gold
bride answered, "First run and bring me my little wreath which is that Brother Lustig received for it into three parts: one for both of
hanging to a willow." So the little cock ran to the willow, and them and one for the person who ate the lamb's heart. When
drew the wreath from the branch and took it to the bride, and the Brother Lustig takes two parts and is now convicted of lying,
bride gave him some red silk for it, which he took to the well, who Peter leaves him. Brother Lustig is wasting the money. With the
gave him some water for it. Then the little cock took the water to next dead king's daughter, he wants to imitate what he saw with
the hen, but when he got there the hen had choked in the meantime, Peter, but puts the bones together wrong. Peter comes and helps
and lay there dead and motionless. Then the cock was so distressed him. After the soldier has received his knapsack full of gold again,
that he cried aloud, and every animal came to lament the little hen, contrary to Peter's prohibition, Peter leaves him for good. Before
and six mice built a little carriage to carry her to her grave, and that, he gives his satchel the ability to wish for anything in it.
when the carriage was ready they harnessed themselves to it, and Brother Lustig applies this to two roast geese, one of which he
the cock drove. On the way, however, they met the fox, who said, gives away to two tradesmen, who are then mistaken for the
"Where art thou going, little cock?" "I am going to bury my little thieves. He spends the night in a castle where he is attacked by nine
hen." "May I drive with thee?" "Yes, but seat thyself at the back of devils, whom he kills by wishing them in his knapsack and having
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the blacksmiths beat them on them. Only one escapes to hell. He if thou wilt insist on having it, thou must carry it." "That is
remembers when Brother Lustig was standing in front of Hell's nothing," said Brother Lustig, "I will easily carry it," and took it
gates at the end of his life and won't let him in. Peter does not on his shoulder. Then they departed and came to a wood, but
want to let him in at the gates of heaven, but Brother Lustig gives Brother Lustig had begun to feel the lamb heavy, and he was
him his knapsack back and then wishes himself inside.) hungry, so he said to St. Peter, "Look, that's a good place, we
might cook the lamb there, and eat it." "As you like," answered St.
There was once on a time a great war, and when it came to an Peter, "but I can't have anything to do with the cooking; if thou
end, many soldiers were discharged. Then Brother Lustig also wilt cook, there is a kettle for thee, and in the meantime I will
received his dismissal, and besides that, nothing but a small loaf of walk about a little until it is ready. Thou must, however, not
contract-bread, and four kreuzers in money, with which he begin to eat until I have come back, I will come at the right time."
departed. St. Peter had, however, placed himself in his way in the "Well, go, then," said Brother Lustig, "I understand cookery, I
shape of a poor beggar, and when Brother Lustig came up, he will manage it." Then St. Peter went away, and Brother Lustig
begged alms of him. Brother Lustig replied, "Dear beggar-man, killed the lamb, lighted a fire, threw the meat into the kettle, and
what am I to give you? I have been a soldier, and have received my boiled it. The lamb was, however, quite ready, and the apostle
dismissal, and have nothing but this little loaf of contract-bread, Peter had not come back, so Brother Lustig took it out of the
and four kreuzers of money; when that is gone, I shall have to beg kettle, cut it up, and found the heart. "That is said to be the best
as well as you. Still I will give you something." Thereupon he part," said he, and tasted it, but at last he ate it all up. At length
divided the loaf into four parts, and gave the apostle one of them, St. Peter returned and said, "Thou mayst eat the whole of the
and a kreuzer likewise. St. Peter thanked him, went onwards, and lamb thyself, I will only have the heart, give me that." Then
threw himself again in the soldier's way as a beggar, but in Brother Lustig took a knife and fork, and pretended to look
another shape; and when he came up begged a gift of him as before. anxiously about amongst the lamb's flesh, but not to be able to
Brother Lustig spoke as he had done before, and again gave him a find the heart, and at last he said abruptly, "There is none here."
quarter of the loaf and one kreuzer. St. Peter thanked him, and "But where can it be?" said the apostle. "I don't know," replied
went onwards, but for the third time placed himself in another Brother Lustig, "but look, what fools we both are, to seek for the
shape as a beggar on the road, and spoke to Brother Lustig. lamb's heart, and neither of us to remember that a lamb has no
Brother Lustig gave him also the third quarter of bread and the heart!" "Oh," said St. Peter, "that is something quite new! Every
third kreuzer. St. Peter thanked him, and Brother Lustig went animal has a heart, why is a lamb to have none?" "No, be assured,
onwards, and had but a quarter of the loaf, and one kreuzer. With my brother," said Brother Lustig, "that a lamb has no heart; just
that he went into an inn, ate the bread, and ordered one kreuzer's consider it seriously, and then you will see that it really has none."
worth of beer. When he had had it, he journeyed onwards, and "Well, it is all right," said St. Peter, "if there is no heart, then I
then St. Peter, who had assumed the appearance of a discharged want none of the lamb; thou mayst eat it alone." "What I can't eat
soldier, met and spoke to him thus: "Good day, comrade, canst now, I will carry away in my knapsack," said Brother Lustig, and
thou not give me a bit of bread, and a kreuzer to get a drink?" he ate half the lamb, and put the rest in his knapsack.
"Where am I to procure it?" answered Brother Lustig; "I have They went farther, and then St. Peter caused a great stream of
been discharged, and I got nothing but a loaf of ammunition- water to flow right across their path, and they were obliged to
bread and four kreuzers in money. I met three beggars on the road, pass through it. Said St. Peter, "Do thou go first." "No,"
and I gave each of them a quarter of my bread, and one kreuzer. answered Brother Lustig, "thou must go first," and he thought,
The last quarter I ate in the inn, and had a drink with the last "if the water is too deep I will stay behind." Then St. Peter strode
kreuzer. Now my pockets are empty, and if thou also hast nothing through it, and the water just reached to his knee. So Brother
we can go a-begging together." "No," answered St. Peter," we Lustig began to go through also, but the water grew deeper and
need not quite do that. I know a little about medicine, and I will reached to his throat. Then he cried, "Brother, help me!" St. Peter
soon earn as much as I require by that." "Indeed," said Brother said, "Then wilt thou confess that thou hast eaten the lamb's
Lustig, "I know nothing of that, so I must go and beg alone." heart?" "No," said he, "I have not eaten it." Then the water grew
"Just come with me," said St. Peter, "and if I earn anything, thou deeper still, and rose to his mouth. "Help me, brother," cried the
shalt have half of it." "All right," said Brother Lustig, so they soldier. St. Peter said, "Then wilt thou confess that thou hast
went away together. eaten the lamb's heart?" "No," he replied, "I have not eaten it." St.
Then they came to a peasant's house inside which they heard loud Peter, however, would not let him be drowned, but made the
lamentations and cries; so they went in, and there the husband was water sink and helped him through it.
lying sick unto death, and very near his end, and his wife was Then they journeyed onwards, and came to a kingdom where
crying and weeping quite loudly. "Stop that howling and crying," they heard that the King's daughter lay sick unto death. "Hollo,
said St. Peter, "I will make the man well again," and he took a brother!" said the soldier to St. Peter, "this is a chance for us; if
salve out of his pocket, and healed the sick man in a moment, so we can heal her we shall be provided for, for life!" But St. Peter
that he could get up, and was in perfect health. In great delight the was not half quick enough for him, "Come, lift your legs, my dear
man and his wife said, "How can we reward you? What shall we brother," said he, "that we may get there in time." But St. Peter
give you?" But St. Peter would take nothing, and the more the walked slower and slower, though Brother Lustig did all he could
peasant folks offered him, the more he refused. Brother Lustig, to drive and push him on, and at last they heard that the princess
however, nudged St. Peter, and said, "Take something; sure was dead. "Now we are done for!" said Brother Lustig; "that
enough we are in need of it." At length the woman brought a lamb comes of thy sleepy way of walking!" "Just be quiet," answered St.
and said to St. Peter that he really must take that, but he would Peter, "I can do more than cure sick people; I can bring dead ones
not. Then Brother Lustig gave him a poke in the side, and said, to life again." "Well, if thou canst do that," said Brother Lustig,
"Do take it, you stupid fool; we are in great want of it!" Then St. "it's all right, but thou shouldst earn at least half the kingdom for
Peter said at last, "Well, I will take the lamb, but I won't carry it; us by that." Then they went to the royal palace, where every one
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was in great grief, but St. Peter told the King that he would and said, "Godless man, what art thou doing? How can the dead
restore his daughter to life. He was taken to her, and said, "Bring maiden arise, when thou hast thrown about her bones in such
me a kettle and some water," and when that was brought, he bade confusion?" "Dear brother, I have done everything to the best of
every one go out, and allowed no one to remain with him but my ability," he answered. "This once, I will help thee out of thy
Brother Lustig. Then he cut off all the dead girl's limbs, and threw difficulty, but one thing I tell thee, and that is that if ever thou
them in the water, lighted a fire beneath the kettle, and boiled undertakest anything of the kind again, it will be the worse for
them. And when the flesh had fallen away from the bones, he took thee, and also that thou must neither demand nor accept the
out the beautiful white bones, and laid them on a table, and smallest thing from the King for this!" Thereupon St. Peter laid
arranged them together in their natural order. When he had done the bones in their right order, said to the maiden three times, "In
that, he stepped forward and said three times, "In the name of the the name of the most holy Trinity, dead maiden, arise," and the
holy Trinity, dead woman, arise." And at the third time, the King's daughter arose, healthy and beautiful as before. Then St.
princess arose, living, healthy and beautiful. Then the King was in Peter went away again by the window, and Brother Lustig was
the greatest joy, and said to St. Peter, "Ask for thy reward; even if rejoiced to find that all had passed off so well, but was very much
it were half my kingdom, I would give it thee." But St. Peter said, vexed to think that after all he was not to take anything for it. "I
"I want nothing for it." "Oh, thou tomfool!" thought Brother should just like to know," thought he, "what fancy that fellow has
Lustig to himself, and nudged his comrade's side, and said, "Don't got in his head, for what he gives with one hand he takes away
be so stupid! If thou hast no need of anything, I have." St. Peter, with the other—there is no sense whatever in it!" Then the King
however, would have nothing, but as the King saw that the other offered Brother Lustig whatsoever he wished to have, but he did
would very much like to have something, he ordered his treasurer not dare to take anything; however, by hints and cunning, he
to fill Brother Lustig's knapsack with gold. Then they went on contrived to make the King order his knapsack to be filled with
their way, and when they came to a forest, St. Peter said to gold for him, and with that he departed. When he got out, St.
Brother Lustig, "Now, we will divide the gold." "Yes," he replied, Peter was standing by the door, and said, "Just look what a man
"we will." So St. Peter divided the gold, and divided it into three thou art; did I not forbid thee to take anything, and there thou
heaps. Brother Lustig thought to himself, "What craze has he got hast thy knapsack full of gold!" "How can I help that," answered
in his head now? He is making three shares, and there are only two Brother Lustig, "if people will put it in for me?" "Well, I tell thee
of us!" But St. Peter said, "I have divided it exactly; there is one this, that if ever thou settest about anything of this kind again
share for me, one for thee, and one for him who ate the lamb's thou shalt suffer for it!" "Eh, brother, have no fear now I have
heart." money, why should I trouble myself with washing bones?"
"Oh, I ate that!" replied Brother Lustig, and hastily swept up the "Faith," said St. Peter, "the gold will last a long time! In order
gold. "You may trust what I say." "But how can that be true," that after this thou mayst never tread in forbidden paths, I will
said St. Peter, "when a lamb has no heart?" "Eh, what, brother, bestow on thy knapsack this property, namely, that whatsoever
what can you be thinking of? Lambs have hearts like other animals, thou wishest to have inside it, shall be there. Farewell, thou wilt
why should they only have none?" "Well, so be it," said St. Peter, now never see me more." "Good-bye," said Brother Lustig, and
"keep the gold to yourself, but I will stay with you no longer; I thought to himself, "I am very glad that thou hast taken thyself off,
will go my way alone." "As you like, dear brother," answered thou strange fellow; I shall certainly not follow thee." But of the
Brother Lustig. "Farewell." magical power which had been bestowed on his knapsack, he
Then St. Peter went a different road, but Brother Lustig thought no more.
thought, "It is a good thing that he has taken himself off, he is a Brother Lustig travelled about with his money, and squandered
strange saint, after all." Then he had money enough, but did not and wasted what he had as before. When at last he had no more
know how to manage it, squandered it, gave it away, and when than four kreuzers, he passed by an inn and thought, "The money
some time had gone by, once more had nothing. Then he arrived in must go," and ordered three kreuzers' worth of wine and one
a certain country where he heard that the King's daughter was kreuzer's worth of bread for himself. As he was sitting there
dead. "Oh, ho!" thought he, "that may be a good thing for me; I drinking, the smell of roast goose made its way to his nose.
will bring her to life again, and see that I am paid as I ought to Brother Lustig looked about and peeped, and saw that the host
be." So he went to the King, and offered to raise the dead girl to had two geese standing in the oven. Then he remembered that his
life again. Now the King had heard that a discharged soldier was comrade had said that whatsoever he wished to have in his
travelling about and bringing dead persons to life again, and knapsack should be there, so he said, "Oh, ho! I must try that with
thought that Brother Lustig was the man; but as he had no the geese." So he went out, and when he was outside the door, he
confidence in him, he consulted his councillors first, who said that said, "I wish those two roasted geese out of the oven and in my
he might give it a trial as his daughter was dead. Then Brother knapsack," and when he had said that, he unbuckled it and looked
Lustig ordered water to be brought to him in a kettle, bade every in, and there they were inside it. "Ah, that's right!" said he, "now I
one go out, cut the limbs off, threw them in the water and lighted am a made man!" and went away to a meadow and took out the
a fire beneath, just as he had seen St. Peter do. The water began to roast meat. When he was in the midst of his meal, two journeymen
boil, the flesh fell off, and then he took the bones out and laid came up and looked at the second goose, which was not yet
them on the table, but he did not know the order in which to lay touched, with hungry eyes. Brother Lustig thought to himself,
them, and placed them all wrong and in confusion. Then he stood "One is enough for me," and called the two men up and said,
before them and said, "In the name of the most holy Trinity, dead "Take the goose, and eat it to my health." They thanked him, and
maiden, I bid thee arise," and he said this thrice, but the bones did went with it to the inn, ordered themselves a half bottle of wine
not stir. So he said it thrice more, but also in vain: "Confounded and a loaf, took out the goose which had been given them, and
girl that you are, get up!" cried he. "Get up, or it shall be worse began to eat. The hostess saw them and said to her husband,
for you!" When he had said that, St. Peter suddenly appeared in "Those two are eating a goose; just look and see if it is not one of
his former shape as a discharged soldier; he entered by the window ours, out of the oven." The landlord ran thither, and behold the
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oven was empty! "What!" cried he, "you thievish crew, you want shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven." The hermit replied,
to eat goose as cheap as that? Pay for it this moment; or I will "There are two roads, one is broad and pleasant, and leads to hell,
wash you well with green hazel-sap." The two said, "We are no the other is narrow and rough, and leads to heaven." "I should be
thieves, a discharged soldier gave us the goose, outside there in the a fool," thought Brother Lustig, "if I were to take the narrow,
meadow." "You shall not throw dust in my eyes that way! the rough road." So he set out and took the broad and pleasant road,
soldier was here—but he went out by the door, like an honest and at length came to a great black door, which was the door of
fellow. I looked after him myself; you are the thieves and shall Hell. Brother Lustig knocked, and the door-keeper peeped out to
pay!" But as they could not pay, he took a stick, and cudgelled see who was there. But when he saw Brother Lustig, he was
them out of the house. terrified, for he was the very same ninth devil who had been shut
Brother Lustig went his way and came to a place where there was up in the knapsack, and had escaped from it with a black eye. So
a magnificent castle, and not far from it a wretched inn. He went he pushed the bolt in again as quickly as he could, ran to the
to the inn and asked for a night's lodging, but the landlord turned devil's lieutenant, and said, "There is a fellow outside with a
him away, and said, "There is no more room here, the house is full knapsack, who wants to come in, but as you value your lives don't
of noble guests." "It surprises me that they should come to you and allow him to enter, or he will wish the whole of hell into his
not go to that splendid castle," said Brother Lustig. "Ah, indeed," knapsack. He once gave me a frightful hammering when I was
replied the host, "but it is no slight matter to sleep there for a inside it." So they called out to Brother Lustig that he was to go
night; no one who has tried it so far, has ever come out of it alive." away again, for he should not get in there!" If they won't have me
"If others have tried it," said Brother Lustig, "I will try it too." here," thought he, "I will see if I can find a place for myself in
"Leave it alone," said the host, "it will cost you your neck." "It Heaven, for I must be somewhere." So he turned about and went
won't kill me at once," said Brother Lustig, "just give me the key, onwards until he came to the door of Heaven, where he knocked.
and some good food and wine." So the host gave him the key, and St. Peter was sitting hard by as door-keeper. Brother Lustig
food and wine, and with this Brother Lustig went into the castle, recognised him at once, and thought, "Here I find an old friend, I
enjoyed his supper, and at length, as he was sleepy, he lay down on shall get on better." But St. Peter said, "I really believe that thou
the ground, for there was no bed. He soon fell asleep, but during wantest to come into Heaven." "Let me in, brother; I must get in
the night was disturbed by a great noise, and when he awoke, he somewhere; if they would have taken me into Hell, I should not
saw nine ugly devils in the room, who had made a circle, and were have come here." "No," said St. Peter, "thou shalt not enter."
dancing around him. Brother Lustig said, "Well, dance as long as "Then if thou wilt not let me in, take thy knapsack back, for I will
you like, but none of you must come too close." But the devils have nothing at all from thee." "Give it here, then," said St. Peter.
pressed continually nearer to him, and almost stepped on his face Then Brother Lustig gave him the knapsack into Heaven through
with their hideous feet. "Stop, you devils' ghosts," said he, but the bars, and St. Peter took it, and hung it up beside his seat. Then
they behaved still worse. Then Brother Lustig grew angry, and said Brother Lustig, "And now I wish myself inside my knapsack,"
cried, "Hola! but I will soon make it quiet," and got the leg of a and in a second he was in it, and in Heaven, and St. Peter was
chair and struck out into the midst of them with it. But nine devils forced to let him stay there.
against one soldier were still too many, and when he struck those
in front of him, the others seized him behind by the hair, and tore
it unmercifully. "Devils' crew," cried he, "it is getting too bad, but 82.—GAMBLING HANSEL.
wait. Into my knapsack, all nine of you!" In an instant they were in
it, and then he buckled it up and threw it into a corner. After this ("Gambling Hansel" is a fairy tale in the children's and
all was suddenly quiet, and Brother Lustig lay down again, and household tales of the Brothers Grimm from the second edition of
slept till it was bright day. Then came the inn-keeper, and the 1819 (KHM 82). It is written in Middle Bavarian. According to
nobleman to whom the castle belonged, to see how he had fared; Hans-Jörg Uther, it comes from the German-Bohemian (today:
but when they perceived that he was merry and well they were Czech) Friedberg and appears to have been sent to Jacob Grimm
astonished, and asked, "Have the spirits done you no harm, then?" by Simon Sechter in 1815. [Coin in the following text: A
"The reason why they have not," answered Brother Lustig, "is "groschen" had a value similar to that of a "kreuzer". The
because I have got the whole nine of them in my knapsack! You kreutzer was used in the Upper German Catholic south, but the
may once more inhabit your castle quite tranquilly, none of them groschen in the Lower German Protestant north. See introduction
will ever haunt it again." The nobleman thanked him, made him to previous story. With Martin Luther's Reformation and the
rich presents, and begged him to remain in his service, and he schism in the Church, the North was forced to issue its own money,
would provide for him as long as he lived. "No," replied Brother independent of the Catholic South. A separate Protestant culture
Lustig, "I am used to wandering about, I will travel farther." developed.]
Then he went away, and entered into a smithy, laid the knapsack, Content: Spielhansl only ever plays and gambles away everything.
which contained the nine devils on the anvil, and asked the smith Then God and Peter visit him. Because he has nothing to offer
and his apprentices to strike it. So they smote with their great them, Peter sends him to the baker with three groschen. But the
hammers with all their strength, and the devils uttered howls players lure him to them and also take the three groschen from
which were quite pitiable. When he opened the knapsack after this, him. He pretends to have lost her, gets three groschen and buys the
eight of them were dead, but one which had been lying in a fold of bread. In the morning he is allowed to ask for three mercies and
it, was still alive, slipped out, and went back again to hell. wishes for cards and dice, with which he always wins, and a fruit
Thereupon Brother Lustig travelled a long time about the world, tree that no one can climb down without his order. From then on
and those who know them can tell many a story about him, but at he gains so much that Peter advises God to send him death. Death
last he grew old, and thought of his end, so he went to a hermit wants to take him out of the game with him, but Spielhansl sends
who was known to be a pious man, and said to him, "I am tired of him up the tree and keeps him up there for seven years so that
wandering about, and want now to behave in such a manner that I nobody dies anymore. Only on God's command does he let him
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down, and death takes him with him. However, he finds admission down," and Death took him directly and put an end to him. They
neither in heaven nor in purgatory, but only in hell with Lucifer, went away together and. came to the next world, and then
from whom he wins his devils. With them he pulls out hop poles, Gambling Hansel made straight for the door of Heaven, and
which they push against the sky until he is allowed in. Inside he's knocked at it. "Who is there?" "Gambling Hansel." "Ah, we will
playing again and making a fuss. Then they throw him out, and have nothing to do with him! Begone!" So he went to the door of
his soul divides and enters all players on earth.) Purgatory, and knockedX)nce more, "Who is there?" "Gambling
Hansel." "Ah, there is quite enough weeping and wailing here
Once upon a time there was a man who did nothing but gamble, without him. We do not want to gamble, just go away again."
and for that reason people never called him anything but Then he went to the door of Hell, and there they let him in.
Gambling Hansel, and as he never ceased to gamble, he played There was, however, no one at home but old Lucifer and the
away his house and all that he had. Now the very day before his crooked devils who had just been doing their evil work in the
creditors were to take his house from him, came the Lord and St. world. And no sooner was Hansel there than he sat down to
Peter, and asked him to give them shelter for the night. Then gamble again. Lucifer, however, had nothing to lose, but his mis-
Gambling Hansel said, "For my part, you may stay the night, but shapen devils, and Gambling Hansel won them from him, as with
I cannot give you a bed or anything to eat." So the Lord said he his cards he could not fail to do. And now he was off again with
was just to take them in, and they themselves would buy something his crooked devils, and they went to Hohenfueit and pulled up a
to eat, to which Gambling Hansel made no objection. Thereupon hop-pole, and with it went to Heaven and began to thrust the pole
St. Peter gave him three groschen, and said he was to go to the against it, and Heaven began to crack. So again St. Peter said,
baker's and fetch some bread. So Gambling Hansel went, but when "Lord, this thing cannot go on, we must let him in, or he will
he reached the house where the other gambling vagabonds were throw us down from Heaven." And they let him in. But Gambling
gathered together, they, although they had won all that he had, Hansel instantly began to play again, and there was such a noise
greeted him clamorously, and said, "Hansel, do come in." "Oh," and confusion that there was no hearing what they themselves
said he, "do you want to win the three groschen, too?" On this were saying. Therefore St. Peter once more said, "Lord, this
they would not let him go. So he went in, and played away the cannot go on, we must throw him down, or he will make all
three groschen also. Meanwhile St. Peter and the Lord were Heaven rebellious." So they went to him at once, and threw him
waiting, and as he was so long in coming, they set out to meet him. down, and his soul broke into fragments, and went into the
When Gambling Hansel came, however, he pretended that the gambling vagabonds who are living this very day.
money had fallen into the gutter, and kept raking about in it all
the while to find it, but our Lord already knew that he had lost it
in play. St. Peter again gave him three groschen, and now he did 83.—HANS IN LUCK
not allow himself to be led away once more, but fetched them the
loaf. Our Lord then inquired if he had no wine, and he said, ("Hans in Luck" is a farce in the children's and household tales of
"Alack, sir, the casks are all empty!" But the Lord said he was to the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition of 1819 (KHM 83). It
go down into the cellar, for the best wine was still there. For a comes from the magazine "Wünschelruthe", where Friedrich
long time he would not believe this, but at length he said, "Well, I August Wernicke wrote it a year earlier (b. 1818, Issue 33) under
will go down, but I know that there is none there." When he the title "Hans Wohlgemut". Hans in Luck looks like an ironic
turned the tap, however, lo and behold, the best of wine ran out! fairy tale which inverts the modern "from rags to riches" story
So he took it to them, and the two passed the night there. Early into the opposite. It can be interpreted as anti-materialistic as
next day our Lord told Gambling Hansel that he might beg three Hans deliberately and gradually gets rid of his riches.
favours. The Lord expected that he would ask to go to Heaven; Contents: Hans is paid a head-sized lump of gold for seven years
but Gambling Hansel asked for a pack of cards with which he of work. He exchanges it for a horse, the horse for a cow, the cow
could win everything, for dice with which he would win for a pig, the pig for a goose, and the goose he gives for a
everything, and for a tree whereon every kind of fruit would grow, whetstone along with a simple field stone. He has the feeling that
and from which no one who had climbed up, could descend until he always exchanges in such a way that everything he desires
he bade him do so. The Lord gave him all that he had asked, and arrives and feels favoured by luck "like a Sunday child". Finally,
departed with St. Peter. when he is about to drink, the two heavy stones fall into a well.
And now Gambling Hansel at once set about gambling in real Finally he is happy not to have to carry the heavy stones anymore.)
earnest, and before long he had gained half the world. Upon this
St. Peter said to the Lord, "Lord, this thing must not go on, he Hans had served his master for seven years, so he said to him,
will win, and thou lose, the whole world. We must send Death to "Master, my time is up. Now I would like to go back home to my
him." When Death appeared, Gambling Hansel had just seated mother. Give me my wages."
himself at the gaming-table, and Death said, "Hansel, come out a The master answered, "You have served me faithfully and
while." But Gambling Hansel said, "Just wait a little until the honestly. As the service was, so shall the reward be." And he gave
game is done, and in the meantime get up into that tree out there, Hans a piece of gold as big as his head. Hans pulled his
and gather a little fruit that we may have something to munch on handkerchief out of his pocket, wrapped up the lump in it, put it
our way." Thereupon Death climbed up, but when he wanted to on his shoulder, and set out on the way home. As he went on,
come down again,* he could not, and Gambling Hansel left him up always putting one leg before the other, he saw a horseman
there for seven years, during which time no one died. trotting quickly and merrily by on a lively horse.
So St. Peter said to the Lord, "Lord, this thing must not go on. Ah, said Hans quite loud, "what a fine thing it is to ride. There
People no longer die; we must go ourselves." And they went you sit as on a chair, never stumbling over a stone, saving your
themselves, and the Lord commanded Hansel to let Death come shoes, and making your way without even knowing it."
down. So Hansel went at once to Death and said to him, "Come
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
The rider, who had heard him, stopped and called out, "Hey I do not care much for beef, it is not juicy enough for me. But to
there, Hans, then why are you going on foot?" have a young pig like that! It tastes quite different, and there are
I must, answered he, "for I have this lump to carry home. It is sausages as well."
true that it is gold, but I cannot hold my head straight for it, and Listen, Hans, said the butcher. "To do you a favor, I will trade,
it hurts my shoulder." and will let you have the pig for the cow."
I will tell you what, said the rider. "Let's trade. I will give you God reward you for your kindness, said Hans as he gave up the
my horse, and you can give me your lump." cow. The pig was unbound from the cart, and the cord by which it
With all my heart, said Hans. "But I can tell you, you will be was tied was put in his hand. Hans went on, thinking to himself
dragging along with it." how everything was going just as he wished. If anything
The rider got down, took the gold, and helped Hans up, then troublesome happened to him, it was immediately set right.
gave him the bridle tight in his hands and said, "If you want to go Presently he was joined by a lad who was carrying a fine white
fast, you must click your tongue and call out, 'jup, jup.'" goose under his arm. They greeted one another, and Hans began
Hans was heartily delighted as he sat upon the horse and rode to tell of his good luck, and how he had always made such good
away so bold and free. After a little while he thought that it ought trades. The boy told him that he was taking the goose to a
to go faster, and he began to click with his tongue and call out, christening feast.
"jup, jup." The horse started a fast trot, and before Hans knew "Just heft her," he added, taking hold of her by the wings. "Feel
where he was, he was thrown off and lying in a ditch which how heavy she is. She has been fattened up for the last eight weeks.
separated the fields from the highway. The horse would have Anyone who bites into her after she has been roasted will have to
escaped if it had not been stopped by a peasant, who was coming wipe the fat from both sides of his mouth."
along the road and driving a cow before him. Yes, said Hans, hefting her with one hand, "she weighs a lot, but
Hans pulled himself together and stood up on his legs again, but my pig is not so bad either."
he was vexed, and said to the peasant, "It is a poor joke, this Meanwhile the lad looked suspiciously from one side to the other,
riding, especially when one gets hold of a mare like this, that kicks and shook his head. "Look here, he said at last. "It may not be all
and throws one off, so that one has a chance of breaking one's neck. right with your pig. In the village through which I passed, the
Never again will I mount it. Now I like your cow, for one can walk mayor himself had just had one stolen out of its sty. I fear -- I fear
quietly behind her, and moreover have one's milk, butter, and that you have got hold of it there. They have sent out some people
cheese every day without fail. What would I not give to have such and it would be a bad business if they caught you with the pig. At
a cow?" the very least, you would be shut up in the dark hole.
Well, said the peasant, "if it would give you so much pleasure, I Good Hans was terrified. "For goodness' sake," he said. "help
do not mind trading the cow for the horse." Hans agreed with the me out of this fix. You know more about this place than I do. Take
greatest delight, and the peasant jumped upon the horse and rode my pig and leave me your goose."
quickly away. I am taking a risk, answered the lad, "but I do not want to be the
Hans drove his cow quietly before him, and thought over his cause of your getting into trouble." So he took the cord in his
lucky bargain. "If only I have a morsel of bread -- and that can hand, and quickly drove the pig down a bypath. Good Hans, free
hardly fail me -- I can eat butter and cheese with it as often as I like. from care, went homewards with the goose under his arm.
If I am thirsty, I can milk my cow and drink the milk. My goodness, When I think about it properly, he said to himself, "I have even
what more can I want?" gained by the trade. First there is the good roast meat, then the
When he came to an inn he stopped, and to celebrate his good quantity of fat which will drip from it, and which will give me
fortune, he ate up everything he had with him -- his dinner and goose fat for my bread for a quarter of a year, and lastly the
supper -- and all he had, and with his last few farthings had half a beautiful white feathers. I will have my pillow stuffed with them,
glass of beer. Then he drove his cow onwards in the direction of his and then indeed I shall go to sleep without being rocked. How
mother's village. glad my mother will be!"
As noon approached, the heat grew more oppressive, and Hans As he was going through the last village, there stood a scissors
found himself upon a moor which would take at least another grinder with his cart, as his wheel whirred he sang,
hour to cross. He felt very hot, and his tongue stuck to the roof of I sharpen scissors and quickly grind,
his mouth with thirst. "I can find a cure for this," thought Hans. My coat blows out in the wind behind.
"I will milk the cow now and refresh myself with the milk." He Hans stood still and looked at him. At last he spoke to him and
tied her to a withered tree, and as he had no pail, he put his leather said, "All's well with you, as you are so merry with your
cap underneath, but try as he would, not a drop of milk came. And grinding."
because he was working in a clumsy way, the impatient beast at Yes, answered the scissors grinder, "this trade has a golden
last gave him such a blow on his head with its hind foot, that he foundation. A real grinder is a man who as often as he puts his
fell to the ground, and for a long time did not know where he was. hand into his pocket finds gold in it. But where did you buy that
By good fortune a butcher just then came along the road with a fine goose?"
pushcart, in which lay a young pig. I did not buy it, but traded my pig for it.
What sort of a trick is this? he cried, and helped good Hans up. And the pig?
Hans told him what had happened. I got it for a cow.
The butcher gave him his flask and said, "Take a drink and And the cow?
refresh yourself. The cow will certainly give no milk. It is an old I got it for a horse.
beast. At the best it is only fit for the plow, or for the butcher." And the horse?
Well, well, said Hans, as he stroked his hair down on his head. For that I gave a lump of gold as big as my head.
"Who would have thought it? Certainly it is a fine thing when one And the gold?
can slaughter a beast like that for oneself. What meat one has! But Well, that was my wages for seven years' service.
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
You have known how to look after yourself each time, said the to view her groom's ground. Hans goes to her in his Sunday coat
grinder. "If you can only get on so far as to hear the money jingle and patched smock and he knocks on the patch of his smock when
in your pocket whenever you stand up, you will have made your he says that the patch is his. Someone tells of having been present
fortune." as a wedding guest with a veil of snow. The veil melted as the sun
How shall I manage that? said Hans. rose and the cobweb dress tore. The glass slippers bumped against
You must become a grinder, as I am. Nothing particular is a stone and shattered.)
needed for it but a grindstone. Everything else takes care of itself.
I have one here. It is certainly a little worn, but you need not give There was once on a time a young peasant named Hans, whose
me anything for it but your goose. Will you do it? uncle wanted to find him a rich wife. He therefore seated Hans
How can you ask? answered Hans. "I shall be the luckiest fellow behind the stove, and had it made very hot. Then he fetched a pot
on earth. If I have money whenever I put my hand in my pocket, of milk and plenty of white bread, gave him a bright newly-coined
why should I ever worry again?" And he handed him the goose and farthing in his hand, and said, "Hans, hold that farthing fast,
received the grindstone in exchange. crumble the white bread into the milk, and stay where you are,
Now, said the grinder, picking up an ordinary heavy stone that and do not stir from that spot till I come back." "Yes," said Hans,
lay nearby, "here is another good stone for you as well, which you "I will do all that." Then the wooer put on a pair of old patched
can use to hammer on and straighten your old nails. Carry it along trousers, went to a rich peasant's daughter in the next village, and
with you and take good care of it." said, "Won't you marry my nephew Hans—you will get an honest
Hans loaded himself with the stones, and went on with a and sensible man who will suit you?" The covetous father asked,
contented heart, his eyes shining with joy. "I must have been born "How is it with regard to his means? Has he bread to break?"
with lucky skin," he cried. "Everything I want happens to me just "Dear friend," replied the wooer, "my young nephew has a snug
as if I were a Sunday's child." berth, a nice bit of money in hand, and plenty of bread to break,
Meanwhile, as he had been on his legs since daybreak, he began besides he has quite as many patches as I have," (and as he spoke,
to feel tired. Hunger also tormented him, for in his joy at the he slapped the patches on his trousers, but in that district small
bargain by which he got the cow he had eaten up all his store of pieces of land were called patches also.) "If you will give yourself
food at once. At last he could only go on with great difficulty, and the trouble to go home with me, you shall see at once that all is as
was forced to stop every minute. The stones, too, weighed him I have said." Then the miser did not want to lose this good
down dreadfully, and he could not help thinking how nice it opportunity, and said, "If that is the case, I have nothing further
would be if he would not have to carry them just then. to say against the marriage."
He crept like a snail until he came to a well in a field, where he So the wedding was celebrated on the appointed day, and when
thought that he would rest and refresh himself with a cool drink of the young wife went out of doors to see the bridegroom's property,
water. In order that he might not damage the stones in sitting Hans took off his Sunday coat and put on his patched suiock-frock
down, he laid them carefully by his side on the edge of the well. and said, "I might spoil my good coat." Then together they went
Then he sat down on it, and was about to bend over and drink, out and wherever a boundary line came in sight, or fields and
when he slipped, pushed against the stones, and both of them fell meadows were divided from each other, Hans pointed with his
into the water. When Hans saw them with his own eyes sinking to finger and then slapped either a large or a small patch on his
the bottom, he jumped for joy, and then knelt down, and with smock-frock, and said, "That patch is mine, and that too, my
tears in his eyes thanked God for having shown him this favor also, dearest, just look at it," meaning thereby that his wife should not
and delivered him in so good a way, and without his having any stare at the broad land, but look at his garment, which was his
need to reproach himself, from those heavy stones which had been own. "Were you indeed at the wedding?" "Yes, indeed I was there,
the only things that troubled him. and in full dress. My head-dress was of snow; then the sun came
No one under the sun is as fortunate as I am, he cried out. With a out, and it was melted. My coat was of cobwebs, and I had to pass
light heart and free from every burden he now ran on until he was by some thorns which tore it off me, my shoes were of glass, and I
at home with his mother. pushed against a stone and they said, "Klink," and broke in two.
84.—HANS MARRIED. 85.—THE GOLD-CHILDREN.
("Hans married" is a farce in the children's and household tales ("The Gold-Children" is a fairy tale in the Children's and
of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition of 1819 (KHM 84) Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition of
and comes from Johannes Praetorius' magazine "Wünschelruthe" 1819 at position 85 (KHM 85). Before that it was at position 63.
from 1667. Its model was a pseudonym "Ernst Wolgemuth from The tale comes from Hesse.
Warhausen im Warnethal" published farcical book "500 main Contents: A poor fisherman catches a golden fish that gives him a
pills" Grimm wrote the title Hans marries. castle with good food for the rest of his life as long as he does not
Contents: Hans's nephew wants to find him a rich wife and he tell anyone the reason. But his wife will not let him rest. When he
gives Hans a newly minted shiny penny and fires up the stove. He tells her it is all gone. The whole thing repeats itself when he
gets milk and white bread and tells him to crumble the bread in catches the fish again. The third time the fish advises him to cut it
the milk. The matchmaker goes to a rich farmer's daughter in in six pieces and give two each to his wife and two to his horse and
patched trousers and says that Hans is a rich, sensible man. The bury two. From this come two golden lilies, two golden foals and
miserly man asks how the estate is doing and the marriage broker two golden sons. When they grow up, they ride out into the world.
says that he has something to say. He is warm and can do no less One returns home when people in an inn mock them. The other,
than himself, says the nephew, while patting his pants. The miser disguised in a bearskin, happily rides through a forest of robbers.
agrees to the marriage. The young woman goes out into the field He's marrying a girl. His father wants to kill the bearskin. But
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
when he sees him in bed in the morning, he's glad he did not do it. "Ah," said the woman, "I had rather not have riches if I am not to
Following a dream, the golden child goes hunting a deer and finds know from whom they come, for then I have no peace." The man
a witch who turns it to stone. His brother, seeing the fallen lily, went back to fish, and after a while he chanced to draw out the
comes and forces him free.) gold fish for a third time. "Listen," said the fish, "I see very well
that I am fated to fall into yonr hands, take me home and cut me
There was once a poor man and a poor woman who had nothing into six pieces; give your wife two of them to eat, two to your
but a little cottage, and who earned their bread by fishing, and horse and bury two of them in the ground, then they will bring
always lived from hand to mouth. But it came to pass one day you a blessing." The fisherman took the fish home with him, and
when the man was sitting by the water-side, and casting his net, did as it had bidden him. It came to pass, however, that from the
that he drew out a fish entirely of gold. As he was looking at the two pieces that were buried in the ground two golden lilies sprang
fish, full of astonishment, it began to speak and said, "Hark you, up, that the horse had two golden foals, and the fisherman's wife
fisherman, if you will throw me back again into the water, I will bore two children who were made entirely of gold. The children
change your little hut into a splendid castle." Then the fisherman grew up, became tall and handsome, and the lilies and horses grew
answered, "Of what use is a castle to me, if I have nothing to eat?" likewise. Then they said, "Father, we want to mount our golden
The gold fish continued, "That shall be taken care of, there will be steeds and travel out in the world." But he answered sorrowfully,
a cupboard in the castle in which, when you open it, shall be dishes "How shall I bear it if you go away, and I know not how it fares
of the most delicate meats, and as many of them as you can desire." with you?" Then they said, "The two golden lilies remain here. By
"If that be true," said the man, "then I can well do you a favour." them you can see how it is with us; if they are fresh, then we are in
"Yes," said the fish, "there is, however, the condition that you health; if they are withered, we are ill; if they perish, then we are
shall disclose to no one in the world, whosoever he may be, whence dead." So they rode forth and came to an inn, in which were many
your good luck has come, if you speak but one single word, all will people, and when they perceived the gold-children they began to
be over." Then the man threw the wonderful fish back again into laugh, and jeer. When one of them heard the mocking he felt
the water, and went home. But where his hovel had foimerly stood, ashamed and would not go out into the world, but turned back
now stood a great castle. He opened wide his eyes, entered, and and went home again to his father. But the other rode forward and
saw his wife dressed in beautiful clothes, sitting in a splendid room, reached a great forest. As he was about to enter it, the people said,
and she was quite delighted, and said, "Husband, how has all this "It is not safe for you to ride through, the wood is full of robbers
come to pass? It suits me very well." "Yes," said the man, "it suits who would treat you badly. You will fare ill, and when they see
me too, but I am frightfully hungry, just give me something to that you are all of gold, and your horse likewise, they will
eat." Said the wife. "But I have got nothing and don't know where assuredly kill you." But he would not allow himself to be
to find anything in this new house." "There is no need of your frightened, and said, "I must and will ride through it." Then he
knowing," said the man, "for I see yonder a great cupboard, just took bear-skins and covered himself and his horse with them, 80
unlock it." When she opened it, there stood cakes, meat, fruit, that the gold was no more to be seen, and rode fearlessly into the
wine, quite a bright prospect. forest. When he had ridden onward a little he heard a rustling in
Then the woman cried joyfully, "What more can you want, my the bushes, and heard voices speaking together. From one side
dear?" and they sat down, and ate and drank together. When they came cries of, "There is one," but from the other, "Let him go, 'tis
had had enough, the woman said, "But, husband, whence come all an idle fellow, as poor and bare as a church-mouse, what should
these riches?" "Alas," answered he, "do not question me about it, we gain from him?" So the gold-child rode joyfully through the
for I dare not tell you anything; if I disclose it to any one, then all forest, and no evil befell him. One day he entered a village wherein
our good fortune will fly." "Very good," said she, "if I am not to he saw a maiden, who was so beautiful that he did not believe that
know anything, then I do not want to know anything." However, any more beautiful than she, existed in the world. And as such a
she was not in earnest; she never rested day or night, and she mighty love took possession of him, he went up to her and said, "I
goaded her husband until in his impatience he revealed that all was love thee with my whole heart, wilt thou be my wife?" He, too,
owing to a wonderful golden fish which he had caught, and to pleased the maiden so much that she agreed and said, "Yes, I will
which in return he had given its liberty. And as soon as the secret be thy wife, and be true to thee thy whole life long." Then they
was out, the splendid castle with the cupboard immediately were married, and just as they were in the greatest happiness,
disappeared, they were once more in the old fisherman's hut, and home came the father of the bride, and when he saw that his
the man was obliged to follow his former trade and fish. But daughter's wedding was being celebrated, he was astonished, and
fortune would so have it, that he once more drew out the golden said, "Where is the bridegroom?" They showed him the gold-child,
fish. "Listen," said the fish, "if you will throw me back into the who, however, still wore his bear-skins. Then the father said
water again, I will once more give you the castle with the wrathfully, "A vagabond shall never have my daughter!" and was
cupboard full of roast and boiled meats ; only be firm, for your about to kill him. Then the bride begged as hard as she could, and
life's sake don't reveal from whom you have it, or you will lose it said, "He is ray husband, and I love him with all my heart!" until
all again!" "I will take good care," answered the fisherman, and at last he allowed himself to be appeased. Nevertheless the idea
threw the fish back into the water. Now at home everything was never left his thoughts, so that next morning he rose early, wishing
once more in its former magnificence, and the wife was overjoyed to see whether his daughter's husband was a common ragged
at their good fortune, but curiosity left her no peace, so that after beggar. But when he peeped in, he saw a magnificent golden man
a couple of days she began to ask again how it had come; to pass, in the bed, and the cast-off bear-skins lying on the groimd. Then
and how he had managed to secure it. The man; kept silence for a he went back and thought, "What a good thing it was that I
short time, but at last she made him so angry that he broke out, restrained my anger! I should have committed a great crime." But
and betrayed the secret. In an instant the castle disappeared, and the gold-child dreamed that he rode out to the chase of a splendid
they were back again in their old hut. "Now you have got what stag, and when he awoke in the morning, he said to his wife, "I
you want," said he; "and we can gnaw at a bare bone again." must go out hunting." She was uneasy, and begged him to stay
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there, and said, "You might easily meet with a great misfortune," in our sins, and then we will place ourselves in a row, so that you
but he answered, " I must and will go." can always pick yourself out the fattest." "Yes," said the fox, "that
Thereupon he got up, and rode forth into the forest, and it was is reasonable, and a pious request. Pray away, I will wait till you
not long before a fine stag crossed his path exactly according to his are done." Then the first began a good long prayer, for ever saying,
dream. He aimed and was about to shoot it, when the stag ran "Ga! Ga!" and as she would make no end, the second did not wait
away. He gave chase over hedges and ditches for the whole day until her turn came, but began also, "Ga! Ga! "The third and
Avithout feeling tired, but in the evening the stag vanished from fourth followed her, and soon they were all cackling together.
his sight, and when the gold-child looked round him, he was (When they have done praying, the story shall be continued
standing before a little house, wherein was a witch. He knocked, further, but at present they are still praying without stopping.)
and a little old woman came out and asked, "What are you doing
so late in the midst of the great forest?" "Have you not seen a
stag?" "Yes," answered she, "I know the stag well," and thereupon
a little dog which had come out of the house with her, barked at
the man violently. "Wilt thou be silent, thou odious toad," said he,
"or I will shoot thee dead." Then the witch cried out in a passion,
"What! will you slay my little dog?" and immediately transformed
him, so that he lay like a stone, and his bride awaited him in vain,
and thought, "That which I so greatly dreaded, which lay so
heavily on my heart, has come upon him!" But at home the other
brother was standing by the goldlilies, when one of them suddenly
drooped. "Good heavens!" said he, "my brother has met with some
great misfortune! I must away to see if I can possibly rescue him."
Then the father said, "Stay here, if I lose you also, what shall I
do?" But he answered, "I must and will go forth!"
Then he mounted his golden horse, and rode forth and entered
the great forest, where his brother lay turned to stone. The old
witch came out of her house and called him, wishing to entrap him
also, but he did not go near her, but said, "I will shoot you, if you
will not bring my brother to life again." She touched the stone,
though very unwillingly, with her forefinger, and he was
immediately restored to his human shape. But the two gold-
children rejoiced, when they saw each other again, kissed and
caressed each other, and rode away together out of the forest, the
one home to his bride, the other to his father. The father then said,
"I knew well that you had rescued your brother, for the golden lily
suddenly rose up and blossomed out again." Then they lived
happily, and all prospered with them until their death.
86.—THE FOX AND THE GEESE.
("The Fox and the Geese" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers
Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales as tale number KHM 86. The fairy
tale formed the end of the first volume (called "First Part" by the
Grimms) as number 86) of the children's and Household Tales,
which appeared in 1812. So it had a similar function as The
Golden Key (KHM 200) as an open conclusion to the entire
collection of fairy tales.
Contents: The fox wants to eat a flock of geese and will not listen
to any request other than that they may say a prayer. They get
permission to pray first, and pray on and on, and the story will
continue when they stop.)
The fox once came to a meadow in whicli was a flock of fine fat
geese, on which he smiled and said, "I come at the nick of time,
you are sitting together quite beautifully, so that I can eat you up
one after the other." The geese cackled with terror, sprang up, and
began to wail and beg piteously for their lives. But the fox would
listen to nothing, and said, "There is no mercy to be had! You
must die." At length one of them took heart and said, "If we poor
geese are to yield up our vigorous young lives, show us the only
possible favour and allow us one more prayer, that we may not die
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DEEL 2 -- 1815 walking the whole day through, and that makes one weary."
"With all my heart," he answered. "I will go and offer it to him;"
and he went to the stranger and invited him, if he had no objection,
87.—THE POOR MAN AND THE RICH MAN. to sleep in their bed and rest his limbs properly. But the Lord was
unwilling to take their bed from the two old folks; however, they
("The Poor Man and the Rich Man" is a fairy tale in the would not be satisfied, until at length he did it and lay down in
Brothers Grimm's Children's and Household Tales at position 87 their bed, while they themselves lay on some straw on the ground.
(KHM 87) of the entire collection. It is at the first position of the Next morning they got up before daybreak, and made as good a
second volume, which appeared in 1815. There it was number 1. breakfast as they could for the guest. When the sun shone in
The annotations note "from the Schwalm area" in Hesse (probably through the little window, and the Lord had got up, he again ate
from Ferdinand Siebert from Treysa). with them, and then prepared to set out on his journey.
Contents: The good Lord on his travels wants to stop by a rich But as he was standing at the door he turned round and said, "As
man's house in the evening because he probably will not be a you are so kind and good, you may wish three things for
burden to him, but he is turned away. The poor man in the house yourselves and I will grant them." Then the man said, "What else
opposite and his wife give him a friendly welcome, eat with him should I wish for but eternal happiness, and that we two, as long
and insist that he sleep in their bed. In the morning God grants as we live, may be healthy and have every day our daily bread; for
them three wishes and the man chooses happiness, health and gets the third wish, I do not know what to have." And the Lord said to
a nicer house. When the rich man hears this, he gets angry. His him, "Will you wish for a new house instead of this old one?" "Oh,
wife lets him ride after the wanderer and also ask for three wishes. yes," said the man; "if I can have that, too, I should like it very
God advises against it, but on the way home he thinks frantically much." And the Lord fulfilled his wish, and changed their old
how he could wish enough. His restless horse bothers him so much house into a new one, again gave them his blessing, and went on.
that he wishes it dead. He runs with the saddle on his back and The sun was high when the rich man got up and leaned out of his
curses his wife, who is at home, that she has to be on the saddle. At window and saw, on the opposite side of the way, a new clean-
home he wants to think about his remaining wish alone, but has to looking house with red tiles and bright windows where the old hut
put his wife off the saddle.) used to be. He was very much astonished, and called his wife and
said to her, "Tell me, what can have happened? Last night there
In olden times, when the Lord himself still used to walk about on was a miserable little hut standing there, and to-day there is a
this earth amongst men, it once happened that he was tired and beautiful new house. Run over and see how that has come to pass."
overtaken by the darkness before he could reach an inn. Now there So his wife went and asked the poor man, and he said to her,
stood on the road before him two houses facing each other; the one "Yesterday evening a traveller came here and asked for a night's
large and beautiful, the other small and poor. The large one lodging, and this morning when he took leave of us he granted us
belonged to a rich man, and the small one to a poor man. three wishes—eternal happiness, health during this life and our
Then the Lord thought, "I shall be no burden to the rich man, I daily bread as well, and, besides this, a beautiful new house instead
will stay the night with him." When the rich man heard some one of our old hut."
knocking at his door, he opened the window and asked the When the rich man's wife heard this, she ran back in haste and
stranger what he wanted. The Lord answered, "I only ask for a told her husband how it had happened. The man said, "I could
night's lodging." tear myself to pieces! If I had but known that! The traveller came
Then the rich man looked at the traveller from head to foot, and to our house too, and wanted to sleep here, and I sent him away."
as the Lord was wearing common clothes, and did not look like "Quick!" said his wife, "get on your horse. You can still catch the
one who had much money in his pocket, he shook his head, and man up, and then you must ask to have three wishes granted you."
said, "No, I cannot take you in, my rooms are full of herbs and The rich man followed the good counsel and galloped away on
seeds; and if I were to lodge every one who knocked at my door, I his horse, and soon came up with the Lord. He spoke to him softly
might very soon go begging myself. Go somewhere else for a and pleasantly, and begged him not to take it amiss that he had
lodging," and with this he shut down the window and left the not let him in directly; he was looking for the front-door key, and
Lord standing there. in the meantime the stranger had gone away, if he returned the
So the Lord turned his back on the rich man, and went across to same way he must come and stay with him. "Yes," said the Lord;
the small house and knocked. He had hardly done so when the "if I ever come back again, I will do so." Then the rich man asked
poor man opened the little door and bade the traveller come in. if he might not wish for three things too, as his neighbour had
"Pass the night with me, it is already dark," said he; "you cannot done? "Yes," said the Lord, he might, but it would not be to his
go any further to-night." This pleased the Lord, and he went in. advantage, and he had better not wish for anything; but the rich
The poor man's wife shook hands with him, and welcomed him, man thought that he could easily ask for something which would
and said he was to make himself at home and put up with what add to his happiness, if he only knew that it would be granted. So
they had got; they had not much to offer him, but what they had the Lord said to him, "Ride home, then, and three wishes which
they would give him with all their hearts. Then she put the you shall form, shall be fulfilled."
potatoes on the fire, and while they were boiling, she milked the The rich man had now gained what he wanted, so he rode home,
goat, that they might have a little milk with them. When the cloth and began to consider what he should wish for. As he was thus
was laid, the Lord sat down with the man and his wife, and he thinking he let the bridle fall, and the horse began to caper about,
enjoyed their coarse food, for there were happy faces at the table. so that he was continually disturbed in his meditations, and could
When they had had supper and it was bed-time, the woman called not collect his thoughts at all. He patted its neck, and said,
her husband apart and said, "Hark you, dear husband, let us make "Gently, Lisa," but the horse only began new tricks. Then at last
up a bed of straw for ourselves to-night, and then the poor he was angry, and cried quite impatiently, "I wish your neck was
traveller can sleep in our bed and have a good rest, for he has been broken!" Directly he had said the words, down the horse fell on
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the ground, and there it lay dead and never moved again. And thus column, 8th line, Grand Bible, Internet Archive.) Almost the
was his first wish fulfilled. As he was miserly by nature, he did not same applies to the mythological figure of the dragon or serpent
like to leave the harness lying there; so he cut it off, and put it on dragon (Greek: drakon, Latin: draco, Old High German:
his back; and now he had to go on foot. "I have still two wishes Lindwurm) whose body is represented in Asia and Europe as a
left," said he, and comforted himself with that thought. winged lizard with a raptor's head. A raptor is a long-tailed,
And now as he was walking slowly through the sand, and the sun carnivorous, feathered dinosaur similar to a Tyrannosaurus Rex
was burning hot at noon-day, he grew quite hot-tempered and but smaller. Dinosaurs are the direct ancestors of birds, which
angry. The saddle hurt his back, and he had not yet any idea what (after the meteorite impact 65 million years ago) survived because
to wish for. "If I were to wish for all the riches and treasures in the of their ability to fly. The oldest Sumerian depictions of griffins
world," said he to himself, "I should still think of all kinds of and dragons can be found on cylinder seals from around 3000 BC.
things besides later on, I know that, beforehand. But I will The oldest written mention of a dragon can be found in the
manage so that there is nothing at all left me to wish for Sumerian "Kesh Temple Hymn" from around 2600 BC. [See: p.
afterwards." Then he sighed and said, "Ah, if I were but that 5249, paragraphs 75-86, Grand Bible, Internet Archive.]
Bavarian peasant, who likewise had three wishes granted to him, Contents: There is a man with three daughters. One day, he must
and knew quite well what to do, and in the first place wished for a leave on a journey and asks each of his daughters what they would
great deal of beer, and in the second for as much beer as he was like him to bring back. The oldest wants diamonds, the second
able to drink, and in the third for a barrel of beer into the pearls, and the youngest a singing, springing lark. The man is able
bargain." to find diamonds and pearls, but he fails to find a lark. On his
Many a time he thought he had found it, but then it seemed to journey home, the man sees a lark in a tall tree, and orders his
him to be, after all, too little. Then it came into his mind, what an servant to catch it. Suddenly a lion springs out and threatens to
easy life his wife had, for she stayed at home in a cool room and kill them both for trying to steal the lark. In exchange for their
enjoyed herself. This really did vex him, and before he was aware, lives and the lark, the lion demands that the man bring him the
he said, "I just wish she was sitting there on this saddle, and could first thing to meet him on his return home. The man fears it will be
not get off it, instead of my having to drag it along on my back." his youngest daughter who greets him, but his servant persuades
And as the last word was spoken, the saddle disappeared from his him to accept the bargain. Just as the man has feared, his youngest
back, and he saw that his second wish had been fulfilled. Then he daughter is the first to greet him. When told of his promise, the
really did feel warm. He began to run and wanted to be quite alone daughter consoles her father and sets out the next morning to meet
in his own room at home, to think of something really large for his the lion. At the lion's castle, she is greeted by lions that, at night,
last wish. But when he arrived there and opened the parlour-door, turn human and she marries the lion whose lark her father had
he saw his wife sitting in the middle of the room on the saddle, tried to take and lives with him, sleeping by day. One night the
crying and complaining, and quite unable to get off it. So he said, lion tells her that her oldest sister is marrying and offers to send
"Do bear it, and I will wish for all the riches on earth for thee, her with his lions. She goes, and her family is glad to see her. After
only stay where thou art." She, however, called him a fool, and her return, the lion tells her that her second sister is marrying, and
said, "What good will all the riches on earth do me, if I am to sit she says he must go with her and their child. The lion tells her that
on this saddle? Thou hast wished me on it, so thou must help me if any candlelight falls on him, he will be transformed into a dove
off." So whether he would or not, he was forced to let his third for seven years. The youngest daughter has a chamber built to
wish be that she should be quit of the saddle, and able to get off it, protect him, but the door is made of green wood, and it warps,
and immediately the wish was fulfilled. So he got nothing by it but making a crack. When her sister's wedding procession goes by,
vexation, trouble, abuse, and the loss of his horse; but the poor candlelight falls on him, and he turns into a dove. The dove tells
people lived happily, quietly, and piously until their happy death. his wife that for every seven steps she takes, he will drop a feather
and a drop of blood, and perhaps she can track him by that, and
flies off. When the seven years are nearly up, the youngest
88.—THE SINGING, SOARING LARK or THE SINGING, daughter loses the trail. She climbs up to the sun and asks after the
SPRINGING LARK. white dove; the sun does not know, but gives her a casket. She then
asks the moon, who does not know, but gives her an egg. She asks
("The Singing, Soaring Lark" or "The Singing, Springing the night wind, and it can not help her but tells her to wait for the
Lark" is a fairy tale in the Brothers Grimm's Children's and others; the east and west wind can not, but the south wind says
Household Tales (KHM 88). Larks are passerine birds of the that the dove was again a lion and fighting a dragon that is an
family Alaudidae and of the Order of Passeriformes (singing birds). enchanted princess near the Red Sea. The night wind advises her to
An important background theme are griffins* and dragons*. strike the lion and dragon with a certain reed, to allow the lion to
[* The griffin or lion-eagle (Akkadian: karabu [c.2500 BC], win and both creatures to regain their form, and then to escape on
Hebrew-Aramaic: cherub [c.900 BC], Greek: grypos, Latin: the back of a griffin. It gives her a nut that will grow to a nut tree
gryphus, Old High German: grifo) is, like the sphinx, a mythical in the middle of the sea, which would allow the griffin to rest. The
hybrid creature made of body-parts from different animals. Most youngest daughter stops the fight, but the princess also regains her
often it appears as a lion with a bird's head and wings. Suspicions form and takes the man who had been a lion with her on the griffin.
are growing that in ancient times, nomadic gold miners, in the The daughter follows until she finds a castle where the princess
vast deserts of Central Asia, have found fossils of "Protoceratops" and her husband are to be married. She opens the casket and finds
dinosaurs whose remains are common in the Cretaceous deposits of a dazzling dress in it. She brings it to the castle, and the princess
this region. Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) wrote that "these people buys it from her, the price being that the daughter is to spend the
are constantly at war over their mines with the griffins, a kind of night in her husband's bedchamber. But it is to no avail because
wild winged beast commonly reported to dig gold out of mines". the princess has a page give him a sleeping draught. Though the
(See: Natural History by Gaius Plinius Secundus, p. 3459, middle daughter pleads with him, he thinks it is the wind's whistling. The
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next day, she opens the egg. It holds a chicken with twelve golden lions shall conduct thee." She said, "Yes, I should very much like
chicks. The princess again buys them for the same price, but this to see my father again," and went thither, accompanied by the
time her husband asks the page what was the wind the previous lions. There was great joy when she arrived, for they had all
night, and the page confesses to the draught. He does not drink it believed that she had been torn in pieces by the lion, and had long
the second night, and he and his wife flee on the griffin to their ceased to live. But she told them what a handsome husband she
home.) had, and how well off she was, remained with them while the
wedding-feast lasted, and then went back again to the forest.
There was once on a time a man who was about to set out on a When the second daughter was about to be married, and she was
long journey, and on parting he asked his three daughters what he again invited to the wedding, she said to the lion, "This time I will
should bring back with him for them. Whereupon the eldest not be alone, thou must come with me." The lion, however, said
wished for pearls, the second wished for diamonds, but the third that it was too dangerous for him, for if when there a ray from a
said, "Dear father, I should like a singing, soaring lark." The burning candle fell on him, he would be changed into a dove, and
father said, "Yes, if I can get it, you shall have it," kissed all three, for seven years long would have to fly about with the doves. She
and set out. Now when the time had come for him to be on his way said, "Ah, but do come with me, I will take great care of thee, and
home again, he had brought pearls and diamonds for the two guard thee from all light." So they went away together, and took
eldest, but he had sought everywhere in vain for a singing, soaring with them their little child as well. She had a chamber built there,
lark for the youngest, and he was very unhappy about it, for she so strong and thick that no ray could pierce through it; in this he
was his favourite child. Then his road lay through a forest, and in was to shut himself up when the candles were lit for the wedding-
the midst of it was a splendid castle, and near the castle stood a feast. But the door was made of green wood which warped and left
tree, but quite on the top of the tree, he saw a singing, soaring a little crack which no one noticed. The wedding was celebrated
lark. "Aha, you come just at the right moment!" he said, quite with magnificence, but when the procession with all its candles
delighted, and called to his servant to climb up and catch the little and torches came back from church, and passed by this apartment,
creature. But as he approached the tree, a lion leapt from beneath a ray about the breadth of a hair fell on the King's son, and when
it, shook himself, and roared till the leaves on the tree trembled. this ray touched him, he was transformed in an instant, and when
"He who tries to steal my singing, soaring lark," he cried, "will I she came in and looked for him, she did not see him, but a white
devour." Then the man said, "I did not know that the bird dove was sitting there. The dove said to her, "For seven years must
belonged to thee. I will make amends for the wrong I have done I fly about the world, but at every seventh step that thou takest I
and ransom myself with a large sum of money, only spare my life." will let fall a drop of red blood and a white feather, and these will
The lion said, "Nothing can save thee, unless thou wilt promise to show thee the way, and if thou followest the trace thou canst
give me for mine own what first meets thee on thy return home; release me." Thereupon the dove flew out at the door, and she
but if thou wilt do that, I will grant thee thy life, and thou shalt followed him, and at every seventh step a red drop of blood and a
have the bird for thy daughter, into the bargain." But the man little white feather fell down and showed her the way.
hesitated and said, "That might be my youngest daughter, she So she went continually further and further in the wide world,
loves me best, and always runs to meet me on my return home." never looking about her or resting, and the seven years were
The servant, however, was terrified and said, "Why should your almost past; then she rejoiced and thought that they would soon
daughter be the very one to meet you, it might as easily be a cat, or be delivered, and yet they were so far from it! Once when they were
dog?" Then the man allowed himself to be over-persuaded, took thus moving onwards, no little feather and no drop of red blood
the singing, soaring lark, and promised to give the lion fell, and when she raised her eyes the dove had disappeared. And as
whatsoever should first meet him on his return home. she thought to herself, "In this no man can help thee," she climbed
When he reached home and entered his house, the first who met up to the sun, and said to him, "Thou shinest into every crevice,
him was no other than his youngest and dearest daughter, who and over every peak, hast not thou seen a white dove flying?"
came running up, kissed and embraced him, and when she saw that "No," said the sun, "I have seen none, but I present thee with a
he had brought with him a singing, soaring lark, she was beside casket, open it when thou art in sorest need." Then she thanked
herself with joy. The father, however, could not rejoice, but began the sun, and went on until evening came and the moon appeared;
to weep, and said, "My dearest child, I have bought the little bird she then asked her, "Thou shinest the whole night through, and on
dear. In return for it, I have been obliged to promise thee to a every field and forest, hast thou not seen a white dove flying?"
savage lion, and when he has thee he will tear thee in pieces and "No," said the moon, "I have seen no dove, but here I give thee an
devour thee," and he told her all, just as it had happened, and egg, break it when thou art in great need." She thanked the moon,
begged her not to go there, come what might. But she consoled and went on until the night wind came up and blew on her, then
him and said, "Dearest father, indeed your promise must be she said to it, "Thou blowest over every tree and under every leaf,
fulfilled. I will go thither and soften the lion, so that I may return hast thou not seen a white dove flying?" "No," said the night wind,
to thee safely." Next morning she had the road pointed out to her, "I have seen none, but I will ask the three other winds, perhaps
took leave, and went fearlessly out into the forest. The lion, they have seen it." The east wind and the west wind came, and had
however, was an enchanted prince and was by day a lion, and all seen nothing, but the south wind said, "I have seen the white dove,
his people were lions with him, but in the night they resumed their it has flown to the Red Sea, there it has become a lion again, for
natural human shapes. On her arrival she was kindly received and the seven years are over, and the lion is there fighting with a
led into the castle. When night came, the lion turned into a dragon; the dragon, however, is an enchanted princess." The night
handsome man, and their wedding was celebrated with great wind then said to her, "I will advise thee; go to the Red Sea, on the
magnificence. They lived happily together, remained awake at right bank are some tall reeds, count them, break off the eleventh,
night, and slept in the daytime. One day he came and said, "To- and strike the dragon with it, then the lion will be able to subdue
morrow there is a feast in thy father's house, because thy eldest it, and both then will regain their human form. After that, look
sister is to be married, and if thou art inclined to go there, my round and thou wilt see the griffin which is by the Red Sea; swing
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thyself, with thy beloved, on to his back, and the bird will carry compelled to forget thee, but God has delivered me from the spell
you over the sea to your own home. Here is a nut for thee, when at the right time." Then they both left the castle secretly in the
thou art above the centre of the sea, let the nut fall, it will night, for they feared the father of the princess, who was a sorcerer,
immediately shoot up, and a tall nut-tree will grow out of the and they seated themselves on the griffin which bore them across
water on which the griffin may rest; for if he cannot rest, he will the Red Sea, and when they were in the midst of it, she let fall the
not be strong enough to carry you across, and if thou forgettest to nut. Immediately a tall nut-tree grew up, whereon the bird rested,
throw down the nut, he will let you fall into the sea." and then carried them home, where they found their child, who
Then she went thither, and found everything as the night wind had grown tall and beautiful, and they lived thenceforth happily
had said. She counted the reeds by the sea, and cut off the eleventh, until their death.
struck the dragon therewith, whereupon the lion overcame it, and
immediately both of them regained their human shapes. But when
the princess, who had before been the dragon, was delivered from 89.—THE GOOSE-GIRL.
enchantment, she took the youth by the arm, seated herself on the
griffin, and carried him off with her. There stood the poor maiden ("The Goose Girl" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers
who had wandered so far and was again forsaken. She sat down Grimm and first published in Grimm's Fairy Tales in 1815 (KHM
and cried, but at last she took courage and said, "Still I will go as 89). According to Jacob Grimm, he followed the tale version he
far as the wind blows and as long as the cock crows, until I find recorded from Dorothea Viehmann from Niederzwehren (in Hesse,
him," and she went forth by long, long roads, until at last she near Kassel). The story was first translated into English by Edgar
came to the castle where both of them were living together; there Taylor in 1826, then by many others, such as Lucy Crane in 1881
she heard that soon a feast was to be held, in which they would and Margaret Hunt in 1884. Andrew Lang included it in The Blue
celebrate their wedding, but she said, "God still helps me," and Fairy Book in 1889.
opened the casket that the sun had given her. A dress lay therein as Contents: A queen whose husband died a long time ago sends her
brilliant as the sun itself. So she took it out and put it on, and only daughter far away to marry a king's son. She gives her a maid,
went up into the castle, and every one, even the bride herself, a talking horse named Falada, and a cloth with three drops of her
looked at her with astonishment. The dress pleased the bride so blood as a travel talisman. But the daughter loses this cloth when
well that she thought it might do for her wedding-dress, and asked she has to bend over a stream because the maid refuses to give her
if it was for sale? "Not for money or land," answered she, "but for water with the golden cup. The maid even forces the princess to
flesh and blood." The bride asked her what she meant by that, then swap horses and clothes and then makes her swear not to tell
she said, "Let me sleep a night in the chamber where the anyone about it. The princess humbly tolerates all this. When they
bridegroom sleeps." The bride would not, yet wanted very much arrive at the castle in reversed roles, the prince receives the maid as
to have the dress; at last she consented, but the page was to give his bride, and the old king sends the king's daughter out to look
the prince a sleeping-draught. When it was night, therefore, and after the gooses with a little boy named Conrad. The false bride
the youth was already asleep, she was led into the chamber; she has the horse Falada's head chopped off because she fears he will
seated herself on the bed and said, "I have followed after thee for betray him, but at the request of the king's daughter the butcher
seven years. I have been to the sun and the moon, and the four nails the head under the gate through which she and Conrad go
winds, and have enquired for thee, and have helped thee against every day with the geese. There, the princess always talks to the
the dragon; wilt thou, then, quite forget me?" But the prince slept horsehead as she passes by, who addresses her as "maiden queen".
so soundly that it only seemed to him as if the wind were whistling On the goose meadow, she loosens her shiny golden hair to braid it
outside in the fir-trees. When therefore day broke, she was led out again, and Conrad tries to pluck out a few of her hair. But she
again, and had to give up the golden dress. And as that even had casts a spell that causes a gust of wind to blow the little hat off the
been of no avail, she was sad, went out into a meadow, sat down girl's head. He has to run after him, and by the time he comes back,
there, and wept. While she was sitting there, she thought of the she'll be done with the hairdo. Conrad complains to the king, and
egg which the moon had given her; she opened it, and there came he secretly observes the two of them the following day and finds
out a clucking hen with twelve chickens all of gold, and they ran everything that Conrad reported. In the evening he takes the
about chirping, and crept again under the old hen's wings; king's daughter aside and demands an explanation. But she refuses
nothing more beautiful was ever seen in the world! Then she arose, to speak, citing the oath she had taken. The king lets her complain
and drove them through the meadow before her, until the bride to the furnace and overhears her unnoticed. The king's son learns
looked out of the window. The little chickens pleased her so much the truth. The king lets the false bride make her own judgement,
that she immediately came down and asked if they were for sale. and she is dragged to death in a spiked barrel. A magnificent
"Not for money or land, but for flesh and blood; let me sleep wedding is celebrated.)
another night in the chamber where the bridegroom sleeps." The
bride said, "Yes," intending to cheat her as on the former evening. There was once upon a time an old Queen whose husband had
But when the prince went to bed he asked the page what the been dead for many years, and she had a beautiful daughter. When
murmuring and rustling in the night had been? On this the page the princess grew up she was betrothed to a prince who lived at a
told all; that he had been forced to give him a sleeping-draught, great distance. When the time came for her to be married, and she
because a poor girl had slept secretly in the chamber, and that he had to journey forth into the distant kingdom, the aged Queen
was to give him another that night. The prince said, "Pour out the packed up for her many costly vessels of silver and gold, and
draught by the bed-side." At night, she was again led in, and when trinkets also of gold and silver; and cups and jewels, in short,
she began to relate how ill all had fared with her, he immediately everything which appertained to a royal dowry, for she loved her
recognised his beloved wife by her voice, sprang up and cried, child with all her heart. She likewise sent her maid in waiting, who
"Now I really am released! I have been as it were in a dream, for was to ride with her, and hand her over to the bridegroom, and
the strange princess has bewitched me so that I have been each had a horse for the journey, but the horse of the King's
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daughter was called Falada, and could speak. So when the hour of do me a favour." He answered, "I will do so most willingiy."
parting had come, the aged mother went into her bedroom, took a "Then send for the knacker, and have the head of the horse on
small knife and cut her finger with it until it bled, then she held a which I rode here cut off, for it vexed me on the way." In reality,
white handkerchief to it into which she let three drops of blood she was afraid that the horse might tell how she had behaved to the
fall, gave it to her daughter and said, "Dear child, preserve this King's daughter. Then she succeeded in making the King promise
carefully, it will be of service to you on your way." that it should be done, and the faithful Falada was to die; this
So they took a sorrowful leave of each other; the princess put the came to the ears of the real princess, and she secretly promised to
piece of cloth in her bosom, mounted her horse, and then went pay the knacker a piece of gold if he would perform a small service
away to her bridegroom. After she had ridden for a while she felt a for her. There was a great dark-looking gateway in the town,
burning thirst, and said to her waiting-maid, "Dismount, and through which morning and evening she had to pass with the geese:
take my cup which thou hast brought with thee for me, and get me would he be so good as to nail up Falada's head on it, so that she
some water from the stream, for I should like to drink." "If you might see him again, more than once. The knacker's man promised
are thirsty," said the waiting-maid, "get off your horse yourself, to do that, and cut off the head, and nailed it fast beneath the dark
and lie down and drink out of the water, I don't choose to be your gateway.
servant." So in her great thirst the princess alighted, bent down Early in the morning, when she and Conrad drove out their flock
over the water in the stream and drank, and was not allowed to beneath this gateway, she said in passing,
drink out of the golden cup. Then she said, "Ah, Heaven!" and the "Alas, Falada, hanging there!"
three drops of blood answered, "If thy mother knew this, her heart Then the head answered,
would break." But the King's daughter was humble, said nothing, "Alas, young Queen, how ill you fare!
and mounted her horse again. She rode some miles further, but the If this your tender mother knew,
day was warm, the sun scorched her, and she was thirsty once more, Her heart would surely break in two."
and when they came to a stream of water, she again cried to her Then they went still further out of the town, and drove their
waiting-maid, "Dismount, and give me some water in my golden geese into the country. And when they had come to the meadow,
cup," for she had long ago forgotten the girl's ill words. But the she sat down and unbound her hair which was like pure gold, and
waiting-maid said still more haughtily, "If you wish to drink, Conrad saw it and delighted in its brightness, and wanted to pluck
drink as you can, I don't choose to be your maid." Then in her out a few hairs. Then she said,
great thirst the King's daughter alighted, bent over the flowing "Blow, blow, thou gentle wind, I say.
stream, wept and said, "Ah, Heaven!" and the drops of blood Blow Conrad's little hat away,
again replied, "If thy mother knew this, her heart would break." And make him chase it here and there,
And as she was thus drinking and leaning right over the stream, Until I have braided all my hair.
the handkerchief with the three drops of blood fell out of her And bound it up again."
bosom, and floated away with the water without her observing it, And there came such a violent wind that it blew Conrad's hat far
so great was her trouble. The waiting-maid, however, had seen it, away across country, and he was forced to run after it. When he
and she rejoiced to think that she had now power over the bride, came back she had finished combing her hair and was putting it up
for since the princess had lost the drops of blood, she had become again, and he could not get any of it. Then Conrad was angry, and
weak and powerless. So now when she wanted to mount her horse would not speak to her, and thus they watched the geese until the
again, the one that was called Falada, the waiting-maid said, evening, and then they went home.
"Falada is more suitable for me, and my nag will do for thee," and Next day when they were driving the geese out through the dark
the princess had to be content with that. Then the waiting-maid, gateway, the maiden said,
with many hard words, bade the princess exchange her royal "Alas, Falada, hanging there!"
apparel for her own shabby clothes; and at length she was Falada answered,
compelled to swear by the clear sky above her, that she would not "Alas, young Queen, how ill you fare!
say one word of this to any one at the royal court, and if she had If this your tender mother knew,
not taken this oath she would have been killed on the spot. But Her heart would surely break in two."
Falada saw all this, and observed it well. And she sat down again in the field and began to comb out her
The waiting-maid now mounted Falada, and the true bride the hair, and Conrad ran and tried to clutch it, so she said in haste,
bad horse, and thus they travelled onwards, until at length they "Blow, blow, thou gentle wind, I say,
entered the royal palace. There were great rejoicings over her Blow Conrad's little hat away,
arrival, and the prince sprang forward to meet her, lifted the And make him chase it here and there,
waiting-maid from her horse, and thought she was his consort. Uutil I have braided all my hair.
She was conducted upstairs, but the real princess was left standing And bound it up again."
below. Then the old King looked out of the window and saw her Then the wind blew, and blew his little hat off his head and far
standing in the courtyard, and how dainty and delicate and away, and Conrad was forced to run after it, and when he came
beautiful she was, and instantly went to the royal apartment, and back, her hair had been put up a long time, and he could get none
asked the bride about the girl she had with her who was standing of it, and so they looked after their geese till evening came.
down below in the courtyard, and who she was? "I picked her up But in the evening after they had got home, Conrad went to the
on my way for a companion; give the girl something to work at, old King, and said, "I won't tend the geese with that girl any
that she may not stand idle." But the old King had no work for longer!" "Why not?" inquired the aged King. "Oh, because she
her, and knew of none, so he said, "I have a little boy who tends vexes me the whole day long." Then the aged King commanded
the geese, she may help him." The boy was called Conrad, and the him to relate what it was that she did to him. And Conrad said,
true bride had to help him to tend the geese. Soon afterwards the "In the morning when we pass beneath the dark gateway with the
false bride said to the young King, "Dearest husband, I beg you to flock, there is a sorry horse's head on the wall, and she says to it,
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
"Alas, Falada, hanging there!" young King married his true bride, and both of them reigned over
And the head replies, their kingdom in peace and happiness.
"Alas, young Queen how ill you fare!
If this your tender mother knew,
Her heart would surely break in two." 90.—THE YOUNG GIANT.
And Conrad went on to relate what happened on the goose
pasture, and how when there he had to chase his hat. ("The young giant" is a fairy tale in the Children's And
The aged King commanded him to drive his flock out again next Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm (KHM 90). In the 1st
day, and as soon as morning came, he placed himself behind the edition the title was "Of a young giant". Grimm's comment: "from
dark gateway, and heard how the maiden spoke to the head of the Leine area" (probably from Georg August Friedrich
Falada, and then he too went into the country, and hid himself in Goldmann, Hanover, Lower Saxony).
the thicket in the meadow. There he soon saw with his own eyes Contents: A farmer takes his son, who is only the size of his
the goosegirl and the goose-boy bringing their flock, and how thumb, to the field because he is crying and wants to go with him.
after a while she sat down and unplaited her hair, which shone A giant takes him there and suckles him on his breast until he can
with radiance. And soon she said, uproot trees. When the young giant comes home, his parents are
"Blow, blow, thou gentle wind, I say, frightened of him. He plows much better than his father, but they
Blow Conrad's little liat away, cannot feed him or get him an iron stick that he will not break. He
And make him chase it here and there. gets a job with a blacksmith without pay, in return he wants to
Until I have braided all my hair, give him two blows on the day of pay. But because he breaks the
And bound it up again." iron apart and heaves the anvil into the ground, he is dismissed
Then came a blast of wind and carried off Conrad's hat, so that immediately, only hits the blacksmith once over the haystack and
he had to run far away, while the maiden quietly went on combing goes on with the thickest iron rod as a stick. He becomes a
and plaiting her hair, all of which the King observed. Then, quite foreman for a bailiff, as stingy as the smith, whom he only wants
unseen, he went away, and when the goose-girl came home in the to trick three times a year. He gets up two hours after the others to
evening, he called her aside, and asked why she did all these things. chop wood, eats in peace and yet is faster than everyone else. After
"I may not tell you that, and I dare not lament my sorrows to any a year, the bailiff wants to avoid the blows, asks for time to think
human being, for I have sworn not to do so by the heaven which is it over and first sends him to clean the well, where a millstone is
above me; if I had not done that, I should have lost my life." He dropped on his head, then he grinds grain in an enchanted mill.
urged her and left her no peace, but he could draw nothing from There he dines with invisible people at a table. Then they slap him
her. Then said he, "If thou wilt not tell me anything, tell thy in the dark, but he always hits back until morning. So the mill is
sorrows to the iron-stove there," and he went away. Then she redeemed. Then he kicks the cowardly magistrate and his wife, so
crept into the iron-stove, and began to weep and lament, and that they are blown up through the window.)
emptied her whole heart, and said, "Here am I deserted by the
whole world, and yet I am a King's daughter, and a false waiting- Once on a time a countryman had a son who was as big as a
maid has by force brought me to such a pass that I have been thumb, and did not become any bigger, and during several years
compelled to put off my royal apparel, and she has taken my place did not grow one hair's breadth. Once when the father was going
with my bridegroom, and I have, to perform menial service as a out to plough, the little one said, "Father, I will go out with you."
goose-girl. If my mother did but know that, her heart would "Thou wouldst go out with me?" said the father. "Stay here, thou
break." The aged King, however, was standing outside by the pipe wilt be of no use out there, besides thou mightst get lost!" Then
of the stove, and was listening to what she said, and heard it. Then Thumbling began to cry, and for the sake of peace his father put
he came back again, and bade her come out of the stove. And royal him in his pocket, and took him with him. When he was outside in
garments were placed on her, and it was marvellous how beautiful the field, he took him out again, and set him in a freshly-cut
she was! The aged King summoned his son, and revealed to him furrow. Whilst he was there, a great giant came over the hill.
that he had got the false bride who was only a waiting-maid, but "Dost thou see that great bogie?" said the father, for he wanted to
that the true one was standing there, as the sometime goose-girl. frighten the little fellow to make him good; "he is coming to fetch
The young King rejoiced with all his heart when he saw her beauty thee." The giant, however, had scarcely taken two steps with his
and youth, and a great feast was made ready to which all the long legs before he was in the furrow. He took up little Thumbling
people and all good friends were invited. At the head of the table carefully with two fingers, examined him, and without saying one
sat the bridegroom with the King's daughter at one side of him, word went away with him. His father stood by, but could not
and the waiting-maid on the other, but the waiting-maid was utter a sound for terror, and he thought nothing else but that his
blinded, and did not recognise the princess in her dazzling array. child was lost, and that as long as he lived he should never set eyes
When they had eaten and drunk, and were merry, the aged King on him again.
asked the waiting-maid as a riddle, what a person deserved who The giant, however, carried him home, suckled him, and
had behaved in such and such a way to her master, and at the same Thumbling grew and became tall and strong after the manner of
time related the whole story, and asked what sentence such an one giants. When two years had passed, the old giant took him into
merited? Then the false bride said, "She deserves no better fate the forest, wanted to try him, and said, "Pull up a stick for
than to be stripped entirely naked, and put in a barrel which is thyself." Then the boy was already so strong that he tore up a
studded inside with pointed nails, and two white horses should be young tree out of the earth by the roots. But the giant thought,
harnessed to it, which will drag her along through one street after "We must do better than that," took him back again, and suckled
another, till she is dead." "It is thou," said the aged King, "and him two years longer. When he tried him, his strength had
thou hast pronounced thine own sentence, and thus shall it be increased so much that he could tear an old tree out of the ground.
done unto thee." And when the sentence had been carried out, the That was still not enough for the giant; he again suckled him for
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
two years, and when he then went with him into the forest and said, also, and said, "Father, I see that you will not be able to procure
"Now, just tear up a proper stick for me," the boy tore up the me any such staff as I want, I will remain no longer with you."
strongest oak-tree from the earth, so that it split, and that was a So he went away, and gave out that he was a smith's apprentice.
mere trifle to him. "Now that will do," said the giant, "thou art He arrived at a village, wherein lived a smith who was a greedy
perfect," and took him back to the field from whence he had fellow, who never did a kindness to any one, but wanted
brought him. His father was there following the plough. The everything for himself. The youth went into the smithy to him,
young giant went up to him, and said, "Does my father see what a and asked if he needed a journeyman. "Yes," said the smith, and
fine man his son has grown into?" looked at him, and thought, "That is a strong fellow who will
The farmer was alarmed, and said, "No, thou art not my son; I strike out well, and earn his bread." So he asked, "How much
don't want thee—leave me!" "Truly I am your son; allow me to do wages dost thou want?" "I don't want any at all," he replied,
your work, I can plough as well as you, nay better." "No, no, thou "only every fortnight, when the other journeymen are paid, I will
art not my son, and thou canst not plough—go away!" However, give thee two blows, and thou must bear them." The miser was
as he was afraid of this great man, he left hold of the plough, heartily satisfied, and thought he would thus save much money.
stepped back and stood at one side of the piece of land. Then the Next morning, the strange journeyman was to begin to work, but
youth took the plough, and just pressed it with one hand, but his when the master brought the glowing bar, and the youth struck
grasp was so strong that the plough went deep into the earth. The his first blow, the iron flew asunder, and the anvil sank so deep
farmer could not bear to see that, and called to him, "If thou art into the earth, that there was no bringing it out again. Then the
determined to plough, thou must not press so hard on it, that miser grew angry, and said, "Oh, but I can't make any use of you,
makes bad work." The youth, however, unharnessed the horses, you strike far too powerfully; what will you have for the one
and drew the plough himself, saying, "Just go home, father, and blow?"
bid my mother make ready a large dish of food, and in the Then said he, "I will only give you quite a small blow, that's all."
meantime I will go over the field." Then the farmer went home, And he raised his foot, and gave him such a kick that he flew away
and ordered his wife to prepare the food; but the youth ploughed over four loads of hay. Then he sought out the thickest iron bar in
the field which was two acres large, quite alone, and then he the smithy for himself, took it as a stick in his hand, and went
harnessed himself to the harrow, and harrowed the whole of the onwards.
land, using two harrows at once. When he had done it, he went When he had walked for some time, he came to a small farm, and
into the forest, and pulled up two oak-trees, laid them across his asked the bailiff if he did not require a head-servant. "Yes," said
shoulders, and hung one harrow on them behind and one before, the bailiff, "I can make use of one; you look a strong fellow who
and also one horse behind and one before, and carried all as if it can do something, how much a year do you want as wages?" He
had been a bundle of straw, to his parents' house. When he entered again replied that he wanted no wages at all, but that every year
the yard, his mother did not recognise him, and asked, "Who is he would give him three blows, which he must bear. Then the
that horrible tall man?" The farmer said, "That is our son." She bailiff was satisfied, for he, too, was a covetous fellow. Next
said, "No, that cannot be our son, we never had such a tall one, morning all the servants were to go into the wood, and the others
ours was a little thing." She called to him, "Go away, we do not were already up, but the head-servant was still in bed. Then one of
want thee!" The youth was silent, but led his horses to the stable, them called to him, "Get up, it is time; we are going into the wood,
gave them some oats and hay, and all that they wanted. When he and thou must go with us." "Ah," said he quite roughly and
had done this, he went into the parlour, sat down on the bench surlily, "you may just go, then; I shall be back again before any of
and said, "Mother, now I should like something to eat, will it soon you." Then the others went to the bailiff, and told him that the
be ready?" Then she said, "Yes," and brought in two immense head-man was still lying in bed, and would not go into the wood
dishes full of food, which would have been enough to satisfy herself with them. The bailiff said they were to awake him again, and tell
and her husband for a week. The youth, however, ate the whole of him to harness the horses. The head-man, however, said as before,
it himself, and asked if she had nothing more to set before him. "Just go there, I shall be back again before any of you." And then
"No," she replied, "that is all we have." "But that was only a taste, he stayed in bed two hours longer. At length he arose from the
I must have more." She did not dare to oppose him, and went and feathers, but first he got himself two bushels of peas from the loft,
put a huge caldron full of food on the fire, and when it was ready, made himself some broth with them, ate it at his leisure, and when
carried it in. "At length come a few crumbs," said he, and ate all that was done, went and harnessed the horses, and drove into the
there was, but it was still not sufficient to appease his hunger. wood. Not far from the wood was a ravine through which he had
Then said he, "Father, I see well that with you I shall never have to pass, so he first drove the horses on, and then stopped them, and
food enough; if you will get me an iron staff which is strong, and went behind the cart, took trees and brushwood, and made a great
which I cannot break against my knees, I will go out into the barricade, so that no horse could get through. When he was
world." The farmer was glad, put his two horses in his cart, and entering the wood, the others were just driving out of it with their
fetched from the smith a staff so large and thick that the two loaded carts to go home; then said he to them, "Drive on, I will
horses could only just bring it away. The youth laid it across his still get home before you do." He did not drive far into the wood,
knees, and snap! he broke it in two in the middle like a bean-stick, but at once tore two of the very largest trees of all out of the earth,
and threw it away. The father then harnessed four horses, and threw them on his cart, and turned round. When he came to the
brought a bar which was so long and thick, that the four horses barricade, the others were still standing there, not able to get
could only just drag it. The son snapped this also in twain against through. "Don't you see," said he, "that if you had stayed with me,
his knees, threw it away, and said, "Father, this can be of no use to you would have got home just as quickly, and would have had
me, you must harness more horses, and bring a stronger staff." So another hour's sleep?" He now wanted to drive on, but his horses
the father harnessed eight horses, and brought one which was so could not work their way through, so he unharnessed them, laid
long and thick, that the eight horses could only just carry it. them at the top of the cart, took the shafts in his own hands, and
When the son took it in his hand, he broke a bit from the top of it drew it over, and he did this just as easily as if it had been laden
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with feathers. When he was over, he said to the others, "There, distinctly heard all the candles being suddenly snuffed out, and as
you see, I have got over quicker than you," and drove on, and the it was now pitch dark, he felt something like a box on the ear.
others had to stay where they were. In the yard, however, he took Then he said, "If anything of that kind comes again, I shall strike
a tree in his hand, showed it to the bailiff, and said, "Isn't that a out in return." And when he had received a second box on the ear,
fine bundle[1] of wood?" Then said the bailiff to his wife, "The he, too, struck out. And so it continued the whole night, he took
servant is a good one, if he does sleep long, he is still home before nothing without returning it, but repaid everything with interest,
the others." So he served the bailiff a year, and when that was over, and did not lay about him in vain. At daybreak, however,
and the other servants were getting their wages, he said it was time everything ceased. When the miller had got up, he wanted to look
for him to have his too. The bailiff, however, was afraid of the after him, and wondered if he were still alive. Then the youth said,
blows which he was to receive, and earnestly entreated him to "I have eaten my fill, have received some boxes on the ear, but I
excuse him from having them; for rather than that, he himself have given some in return." The miller rejoiced, and said that the
would be head-servant, and the youth should be bailiff. "No," said mill was now released from the spell, and wanted to give him much
he, "I will not be a bailiff, I am head-servant, and will remain so, money as a reward. But he said, "Money, I will not have, I have
but I will administer that which we agreed on." The bailiff was enough of it." So he took his meal on his back, went home, and
willing to give him whatsoever he demanded, but it was of no use, told the bailiff that he had done what he had been told to do, and
the head-servant said no to everything. Then the bailiff did not would now have the reward agreed on. When the bailiff heard that,
know what to do, and begged for a fortnight's delay, for he he was seriously alarmed and quite beside himself; he walked
wanted to find some way of escape. The head-servant consented to backwards and forwards in the room, and drops of perspiration
this delay. The bailiff summoned all his clerks together, and they ran down from his forehead. Then he opened the window to get
were to think the matter over, and give him advice. The clerks some fresh air, but before he was aware the head-servant had given
pondered for a long time, but at last they said that no one was sure him such a kick that he flew through the window out into the air,
of his life with the head-servant, for he could kill a man as easily as and so far away that no one ever saw him again. Then said the
a midge, and that the bailiff ought to make him get into the well head-servant to the bailiff's wife, "If he does not come back, you
and clean it, and when he was down below, they would roll up one must take the other blow." She cried, "No, no, I cannot bear it,"
of the mill-stones which was lying there, and throw it on his head; and opened the other window, because drops of perspiration were
and then he would never return to daylight. The advice pleased the running down her forehead. Then he gave her such a kick that she,
bailiff, and the head-servant was quite willing to go down the well. too, flew out, and as she was lighter she went much higher than
When he was standing down below at the bottom, they rolled her husband. Her husband cried, "Do come to me," but she replied,
down the largest mill-stone and thought they had broken his skull, "Come thou to me, I cannot come to thee." And they hovered
but he cried, "Chase away those hens from the well, they are about there in the air, and could not get to each other, and
scratching in the sand up there, and throwing the grains into my whether they are still hovering about, or not, I do not know, but
eyes, so that I can't see." So the bailiff cried, "Sh-sh,"—and the young giant took up his iron bar, and went on his way.
pretended to frighten the hens away. When the head-servant had [Klafterstück. A klafter of wood is, according to Mr. Baring
finished his work, he climbed up and said, "Just look what a Gould, 144 cubic feet, but 44 feet are deducted for the space
beautiful neck-tie I have on," and behold it was the mill-stone between the blocks, consequently it equals 100 feet of solid
which he was wearing round his neck. The head-servant now wood.—Tr.]
wanted to take his reward, but the bailiff again begged for a
fortnight's delay. The clerks met together and advised him to send
the head-servant to the haunted mill to grind corn by night, for 91.—THE ELVES or THE GNOME.
from thence as yet no man had ever returned in the morning alive.
The proposal pleased the bailiff, he called the head-servant that ("The Gnome" is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers
very evening, and ordered him to take eight bushels of corn to the Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales, tale number 91. The fairy tale
mill, and grind it that night, for it was wanted. So the head- comes from Paderborn and was written in Low German.
servant went to the loft, and put two bushels in his right pocket, Contents: A rich king curses anyone who takes an apple from his
and two in his left, and took four in a wallet, half on his back, and tree. The youngest daughter says he probably does not mean her,
half on his breast, and thus laden went to the haunted mill. The picks one and offers it to her two sisters too. Then they sink
miller told him that he could grind there very well by day, but not underground. The king promises to marry one of the three to
by night, for the mill was haunted, and that up to the present time anyone who finds her. So three huntsmen come into a house where
whosoever had gone into it at night had been found in the food is always warm, which they eventually eat. They draw lots so
morning, lying dead inside. He said, "I will manage it, just you go that two of them always look for the daughters while one stays
away to bed. Then he went into the mill, and poured out the corn. there. The first two are beaten by a little man who first asks for
About eleven o'clock he went into the miller's room, and sat down bread and then attacks them when they try to pick it up for him.
on the bench. When he had sat there a while, a door suddenly The youngest does not do it, but spanks it. Then it shows him a
opened, and a large table came in, and on the table, wine and dry well into which he has to lower himself alone, since his
roasted meats placed themselves, and much good food besides, but companions mean it dishonestly with him. Below, the king's
everything came of itself, for no one was there to carry it. After daughters have to scratch the heads of three dragons, which he has
this the chairs pushed themselves up, but no people came, until all to cut off. He tells the brothers, who wind themselves down with
at once he beheld fingers, which handled knives and forks, and laid the rope, but then let it be pulled up again. But the youngest frees
food on the plates, but with this exception he saw nothing. As he the king's daughters. He has her pulled up, then he puts a stone in
was hungry, and saw the food, he, too, placed himself at the table, the basket instead of himself. The brothers cut the rope and let the
ate with those who were eating, and enjoyed it. When he had had king marry them off to their daughters, who are not allowed to
enough, and the others also had quite emptied their dishes, he reveal anything. The youngest walks around below until he finds a
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flute. When he blows it, gnomes come and carry him up. When he good as to give him that piece again. Then said Hans to the little
comes into the castle, the daughters faint. The king lets her tell the mannikin, "What! canst thou not pick up that piece thyself? If
oven her secret and overhears her. The evil brothers are hanged, thou wilt not take as much trouble as that for thy daily bread,
the youngest is married to the youngest.) thou dost not deserve to have it." Then the mannikin grew very
angry and said he was to do it, but the huntsman would not, and
There was once on a time a rich King who had three daughters, took my dear mannikin, and gave him a thorough beating. Then
who daily went to walk in the palace garden, and the King was a the mannikin screamed terribly, and cried, "Stop, stop, and let me
great lover of all kinds of fine trees, but there was one for which he go, and I will tell thee where the King's daughters are." When
had such an affection, that if anyone gathered an apple from it he Hans heard that, he left off beating him and the mannikin told him
wished him a hundred fathoms under ground. And when harvest that he was an earth-mannikin, and that there were more than a
time came, the apples on this tree were all as red as blood. The thousand like him, and that if he would go with him he would
three daughters went every day beneath the tree and looked to see show him where the King's daughters were. Then he showed him a
if the wind had not blown down an apple, but they never by any deep well, but there was no water in it. And the elf said that he
chance found one, and the tree was so loaded with them that it was knew well that the companions Hans had with him did not intend
almost breaking, and the branches hung down to the ground. to deal honourably with him, therefore if he wished to deliver the
Then the King's youngest child had a great desire for an apple, King's children, he must do it alone. The two other brothers
and said to her sisters, "Our father loves us far too much to wish us would also be very glad to recover the King's daughters, but they
underground, it is my belief that he would only do that to people did not want to have any trouble or danger. Hans was therefore to
who were strangers." And while she was speaking, the child take a large basket, and he must seat himself in it with his hanger
plucked off quite a large apple, and ran to her sisters, saying, "Just and a bell, and be let down. Below were three rooms, and in each
taste, my dear little sisters, for never in my life have I tasted of them was a princess, with a many-headed dragon, whose heads
anything so delightful." Then the two other sisters also ate some she was to comb and trim, but he must cut them off. And having
of the apple, whereupon all three sank deep down into the earth, said all this, the elf vanished. When it was evening the two
where they could hear no cock crow. brothers came and asked how he had got on, and he said, "pretty
When mid-day came, the King wished to call them to come to well so far," and that he had seen no one except at mid-day when a
dinner, but they were nowhere to be found. He sought them little mannikin had come who had begged for a piece of bread,
everywhere in the palace and garden, but could not find them. that he had given some to him, but that the mannikin had let it fall
Then he was much troubled, and made known to the whole land and had asked him to pick it up again; but as he did not choose to
that whosoever brought his daughters back again should have one do that, the elf had begun to lose his temper, and that he had done
of them to wife. Hereupon so many young men went about the what he ought not, and had given the elf a beating, on which he
country in search, that there was no counting them, for every one had told him where the King's daughters were. Then the two were
loved the three children because they were so kind to all, and so so angry at this that they grew green and yellow. Next morning
fair of face. Three young huntsmen also went out, and when they they went to the well together, and drew lots who should first seat
had travelled about for eight days, they arrived at a great castle, in himself in the basket, and again the lot fell on the eldest, and he
which were beautiful apartments, and in one room a table was laid was to seat himself in it, and take the bell with him. Then he said,
on which were delicate dishes which were still so warm that they "If I ring, you must draw me up again immediately." When he had
were smoking, but in the whole of the castle no human being was gone down for a short distance, he rang, and they at once drew
either to be seen or heard. They waited there for half a day, and him up again. Then the second seated himself in the basket, but he
the food still remained warm and smoking, and at length they did just the same as the first, and then it was the turn of the
were so hungry that they sat down and ate, and agreed with each youngest, but he let himself be lowered quite to the bottom. When
other that they would stay and live in that castle, and that one of he had got out of the basket, he took his hanger, and went and
them, who should be chosen by casting lots, should remain in the stood outside the first door and listened, and heard the dragon
house, and the two others seek the King's daughters. They cast lots, snoring quite loudly. He opened the door slowly, and one of the
and the lot fell on the eldest; so next day the two younger went out princesses was sitting there, and had nine dragon's heads lying
to seek, and the eldest had to stay at home. At mid-day came a upon her lap, and was combing them. Then he took his hanger and
small, small mannikin and begged for a piece of bread, then the hewed at them, and the nine fell off. The princess sprang up, threw
huntsman took the bread which he had found there, and cut a her arms round his neck, embraced and kissed him repeatedly, and
round off the loaf and was about to give it to him, but whilst he took her stomacher, which was made of red gold, and hung it
was giving it to the mannikin, the latter let it fall, and asked the round his neck. Then he went to the second princess, who had a
huntsman to be so good as to give him that piece again. The dragon with five heads to comb, and delivered her also, and to the
huntsman was about to do so and stooped, on which the mannikin youngest, who had a dragon with four heads, he went likewise.
took a stick, seized him by the hair, and gave him a good beating. And they all rejoiced, and embraced him and kissed him without
Next day, the second stayed at home, and he fared no better. When stopping. Then he rang very loud, so that those above heard him,
the two others returned in the evening, the eldest said, "Well, how and he placed the princesses one after the other in the basket, and
have you got on?" had them all drawn up, but when it came to his own turn he
"Oh, very badly," said he, and then they lamented their remembered the words of the elf, who had told him that his
misfortune together, but they said nothing about it to the comrades did not mean well by him. So he took a great stone
youngest, for they did not like him at all, and always called him which was lying there, and placed it in the basket, and when it was
Stupid Hans, because he did not exactly belong to the forest. On about half way up, his false brothers above cut the rope, so that
the third day, the youngest stayed at home, and again the little the basket with the stone fell to the ground, and they thought that
mannikin came and begged for a piece of bread. When the youth he was dead, and ran away with the three princesses, making them
gave it to him, the elf let it fall as before, and asked him to be so promise to tell their father that it was they who had delivered
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
them, and then they went to the King, and each demanded a thoughts, he went out to this field, and as he was walking
princess in marriage. backwards and forwards in it, a little black mannikin stood
In the meantime the youngest huntsman was wandering about suddenly by his side, and asked why he was so sad, and what he was
the three chambers in great trouble, fully expecting to have to end taking so much to heart. Then said the merchant, "If thou couldst
his days there, when he saw, hanging on the wall, a flute; then said help me I would willingly tell thee." "Who knows?" replied the
he, "Why dost thou hang there, no one can be merry here?" He black dwarf. "Perhaps, I can help thee." Then the merchant told
looked at the dragon's head likewise and said, "You too cannot him that all he possessed had gone to the bottom of the sea, and
help me now." He walked backwards and forwards for such a long that he had nothing left but this field. "Do not trouble thyself,"
time that he made the surface of the ground quite smooth. But at said the dwarf. "If thou wilt promise to give me the first thing that
last other thoughts came to his mind, and he took the flute from rubs itself against thy leg when thou art at home again, and to
the wall, and played a few notes on it, and suddenly a number of bring it here to this place in twelve years' time, thou shalt have as
elves appeared, and with every note that he sounded one more much money as thou wilt." The merchant thought, "What can that
came. Then he played until the room was entirely filled. They all be but my dog?" and did not remember his little boy, so he said yes,
asked what he desired, so he said he wished to get above ground gave the black man a written and sealed promise, and went home.
back to daylight, on which they seized him by every hair that grew When he reached home, his little boy was so delighted that he
on his head, and thus they flew with him on to the earth again. held by a bench, tottered up to him and seized him fast by the legs.
When he was above ground, he at once went to the King's palace, The father was shocked, for he remembered his promise, and now
just as the wedding of one princess was about to be celebrated, and knew what he had pledged himself to do; as, however, he still
he went to the room where the King and his three daughters were. found no money in his chest, he thought the dwarf had only been
When the princesses saw him they fainted. Hereupon the King was jesting. A month afterwards he went up to the garret, intending to
angry, and ordered him to be put in prison at once, because he gather together some old tin and to sell it, and saw a great heap of
thought he must have done some injury to the children. When the money lying. Then he was happy again, made purchases, became a
princesses came to themselves, however, they entreated the King to greater merchant than before, and felt that this world was well
set him free again. The King asked why, and they said that they governed. In the meantime the boy grew tall, and at the same time
were not allowed to tell that, but their father said that they were sharp and clever. But the nearer the twelfth year approached the
to tell it to the stove. And he went out, listened at the door, and more anxious grew the merchant, so that his distress might be seen
heard everything. Then he caused the two brothers to be hanged in his face. One day his son asked what ailed him, but the father
on the gallows, and to the third he gave his youngest daughter, would not say. The boy, however, persisted so long, that at last he
and on that occasion I wore a pair of glass shoes, and I struck them told him that without being aware of what he was doing, he had
against a stone, and they said, "Klink," and were broken. promised him to a black dwarf, and had received much money for
doing so. He said likewise that he had set his hand and seal to this,
and that now when twelve years had gone by he would have to give
92.—THE KING OF THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN. him up. Then said the son, "Oh, father, do not be uneasy, all will
go well. The black man has no power over me." The son had
("The King of the Golden Mountain" (German: Der König vom himself blessed by the priest, and when the time came, father and
goldenen Berg) is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in son went together to the field, and the son made a circle and
Grimm's Fairy Tales (KHM 92). The tale was taken down from a placed himself inside it with his father. Then came the black dwarf
soldier; there is also a variant collected from Zwehrn (Dorothea and said to the old man, "Hast thou brought with thee that which
Viehmann). thou hast promised me?" He was silent, but the son asked, "What
Contents: A businessman accidentally gives his son to a black dost thou want here?" Then said the black dwarf, "I have to speak
man. After the twelve-year period has expired, however, they with thy father, and not with thee." The son replied, "Thou hast
disagree and the son has to go down the river in a boat. The father betrayed and misled my father, give back the writing." "No," said
thinks he is dead. The son finds an enchanted castle. At the request the black dwarf, "I will not give up my rights." They spoke
of the king's daughter, who has been transformed into a snake, he together for a long time after this, but at last they agreed that the
redeems the kingdom. In addition, he lets black men beat him to son, as he did not belong to the enemy of mankind, nor yet to his
death in three nights without saying a word, and she brings him father, should seat himself in a small boat, which should lie on
back to life. He marries her and becomes king. After eight years he water which was flowing away from them, and that the father
wants to see his family again. She doesn't want that and makes him should push it off with his own foot, and then the son should
promise not to wish her to be his parents with the wish ring she remain given up to the water. So he took leave of his father, placed
gives him. He breaks the promise out of anger when his parents himself in a little boat, and the father had to push it off with his
don't believe his story. She is so angry about this that she leaves own foot. The boat capsised so that the keel was uppermost, and
him alone at the river without the ring to take another man. On the father believed his son was lost, and went home and mourned
his way back to the castle he meets three giants from whom he for him.
takes a magical cloak, sword and shoes. In doing so, he takes back The boat, however, did not sink, but floated quietly away, and
his wife and rulership.) the boy sat safely inside it, and it floated thus for a long time, until
There was a certain merchant who had two children, a boy and a at last it stopped by an unknown shore. Then he landed and saw a
girl; they were both young, and could not walk. And two richly- beautiful castle before him, and set out to go to it. When he
laden ships of his sailed forth to sea with all his property on board, entered it, however, he found that it was bewitched. He went
and just as he was expecting to win much money by them, news through every room, but all were empty until he reached the last,
came that they had gone to the bottom, and now instead of being a where a snake lay coiled in a ring. The snake, however, was an
rich man he was a poor one, and had nothing left but one field enchanted maiden, who rejoiced to see him, and said, "Hast thou
outside the town. In order to drive his misfortune a little out of his come, oh, my deliverer? I have already waited twelve years for thee;
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
this kingdom is bewitched, and thou must set it free." "How can I first drew the ring from his finger, then she drew away the foot
do that?" he inquired. "To-night come twelve black men, covered which was under him, leaving only the slipper behind her, and she
with chains who will ask what thou art doing here; keep silence, took her child in her arms, and wished herself back in her own
however; give them no answer, and let them do what they will kingdom. When he awoke, there he lay quite deserted, and his wife
with thee; they will torment thee, beat thee, stab thee; let and child were gone, and so was the ring from his finger, the
everything pass, only do not speak; at twelve o'clock, they must go slipper only was still there as a token. "Home to thy parents thou
away again. On the second night twelve others will come; on the canst not return," thought he, "they would say that thou wast a
third, four-and-twenty, who will cut off thy head, but at twelve wizard; thou must be off, and walk on until thou arrivest in thine
o'clock their power will be over, and then if thou hast endured all, own kingdom." So he went away and came at length to a hill by
and hast not spoken the slightest word, I shall be released. I will which three giants were standing, disputing with each other
come to thee, and will have, in a bottle, some of the water of life. I because they did not know how to divide their father's property.
will rub thee with that, and then thou wilt come to life again, and When they saw him passing by, they called to him and said little
be as healthy as before." Then said he, "I will gladly set thee free." men had quick wits, and that he was to divide their inheritance for
And everything happened just as she had said; the black men could them. The inheritance, however, consisted of a sword, which had
not force a single word from him, and on the third night the snake this property that if any one took it in his hand, and said, "All
became a beautiful princess, who came with the water of life and heads off but mine," every head would lie on the ground; secondly,
brought him back to life again. So she threw herself into his arms of a cloak which made any one who put it on invisible; thirdly, of a
and kissed him, and there was joy and gladness in the whole castle. pair of boots which could transport the wearer to any place he
After this their marriage was celebrated, and he was King of the wished in a moment. He said, "Give me the three things that I may
Golden Mountain. see if they are still in good condition." They gave him the cloak,
They lived very happily together, and the Queen bore a fine boy. and when he had put it on, he was invisible and changed into a fly.
Eight years had already gone by, when the King bethought him of Then he resumed his own form and said, "The cloak is a good one,
his father; his heart was moved, and he wished to visit him. The now give me the sword." They said, "No, we will not give thee
Queen, however, would not let him go away, and said, "I know that; if thou wert to say, 'All heads off but mine,' all our heads
beforehand that it will cause my unhappiness;" but he suffered her would be off, and thou alone wouldst be left with thine."
to have no rest until she consented. At their parting she gave him a Nevertheless they gave it to him with the condition that he was
wishing-ring, and said, "Take this ring and put it on thy finger, only to try it against a tree. This he did, and the sword cut in two
and then thou wilt immediately be transported whithersoever thou the trunk of a tree as if it had been a blade of straw. Then he
wouldst be, only thou must promise me not to use it in wishing me wanted to have the boots likewise, but they said, "No, we will not
away from this place and with thy father." That he promised her, give them; if thou hadst them on thy feet and wert to wish thyself
put the ring on his finger, and wished himself at home, just outside at the top of the hill, we should be left down here with nothing."
the town where his father lived. Instantly he found himself there, "Oh, no," said he, "I will not do that." So they gave him the boots
and made for the town, but when he came to the gate, the sentries as well. And now when he had got all these things, he thought of
would not let him go in, because he wore such strange and yet such nothing but his wife and his child, and said just as it were to
rich and magnificent clothing. Then he went to a hill where a himself, "Oh, if I were but on the Golden Mountain," and at the
shepherd was watching his sheep, changed clothes with him, put same moment he vanished from the sight of the giants, and thus
on his old shepherd's-coat, and then entered the town without their inheritance was divided. When he was near his palace, he
hindrance. When he came to his father, he made himself known to heard sounds of joy, and fiddles, and flutes, and the people told
him, but he did not at all believe that the shepherd was his son, him that his wife was celebrating her wedding with another. Then
and said he certainly had had a son, but that he was dead long ago; he fell into a rage, and said, "False woman, she betrayed and
however, as he saw he was a poor, needy shepherd, he would give deserted me whilst I was asleep!" So he put on his cloak, and
him something to eat. Then the shepherd said to his parents, "I am unseen by all went into the palace. When he entered the dining-
verily your son. Do you know of no mark on my body by which hall a great table was spread with delicious food, and the guests
you could recognise me?" "Yes," said his mother, "our son had a were eating and drinking, and laughing, and jesting. She sat on a
raspberry mark under his right arm." He slipped back his shirt, royal seat in the midst of them in splendid apparel, with a crown
and they saw the raspberry under his right arm, and no longer on her head. He placed himself behind her, and no one saw him.
doubted that he was their son. Then he told them that he was King When she put a piece of meat on a plate for herself, he took it away
of the Golden Mountain, and a king's daughter was his wife, and and ate it, and when she poured out a glass of wine for herself, he
that they had a fine son of seven years old. Then said the father, took it away and drank it. She was always helping herself to
"That is certainly not true; it is a fine kind of king who goes about something, and yet she never got anything, for plate and glass
in a ragged shepherd's-coat." On this the son fell in a passion, and disappeared immediately. Then dismayed and ashamed, she arose
without thinking of his promise, turned his ring round, and and went to her chamber and wept, but he followed her there. She
wished both his wife and child with him. They were there in a said, "Has the devil power over me, or did my deliverer never
second, but the Queen wept, and reproached him, and said that he come?" Then he struck her in the face, and said, "Did thy deliverer
had broken his word, and had brought misfortune upon her. He never come? It is he who has thee in his power, thou traitor. Have I
said, "I have done it thoughtlessly, and not with evil intention," deserved this from thee?" Then he made himself visible, went into
and tried to calm her, and she pretended to believe this; but she the hall, and cried, "The wedding is at an end, the true King has
had mischief in her mind. returned." The kings, princes and councillors who were assembled
Then he led her out of the town into the field, and showed her there, ridiculed and mocked him, but he did not trouble to answer
the stream where the little boat had been pushed off, and then he them, and said, "Will you go away, or not?" On this they tried to
said, "I am tired; sit down, I will sleep awhile on thy lap." And he seize him and pressed upon him, but he drew his sword and said,
laid his head on her lap, and fell asleep. When he was asleep, she "All heads off but mine," and all the heads rolled on the ground,
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
and he alone was master, and once more King of the Golden you will not eat, take one drink out of the glass; one is nothing."
Mountain. Then he let himself be persuaded, and drank. Shortly before two
o'clock in the afternoon he went into the garden to the tan heap to
wait for the raven. As he was standing there, his weariness all at
93.—THE RAVEN. once became so great that he could not struggle against it, and lay
down for a short time, but he was determined not to go to sleep.
("The Raven" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, Hardly, however, had he lain down, than his eyes closed of their
number KHM 93 in their Children's and Household Tales. own accord, and he fell asleep and slept so soundly that nothing in
Probably "from the Leine area" (Georg August Friedrich the world could have aroused him. At two o'clock the raven came
Goldmann, Hanover, Lower Saxony). driving up with four white horses, but she was already in deep
Contents: A girl is cursed by her angry mother in the form of a grief and said, "I know he is asleep." And when she came into the
raven and flies from her arm into a dark forest. She explains to a garden, he was indeed lying there asleep on the heap of tan. She
man how he can redeem her: In a house in the woods there is an old alighted from the carriage, went to him, shook him, and called
woman whose food and drink he should not take, but wait for her him, but he did not awake. Next day about noon, the old woman
on the Tan Hucke in the garden. On the first day she came in a came again and brought him food and drink, but he would not
carriage with four white stallions, on the second with four red, take any of it. But she let him have no rest and persuaded him until
and on the third with four black. But every time he takes a sip of at length he again took one drink out of the glass. Towards two
the old woman's wine and falls asleep. The king's daughter gives o'clock he went into the garden to the tan heap to wait for the
him bread, a piece of meat and a bottle of wine that will never be raven, but all at once felt such a great weariness that his limbs
used up, a golden ring and a letter that he can redeem when he would no longer support him. He could not stand upright, and
comes to Stromberg Castle. On his way he meets two giants in a was forced to lie down, and fell into a heavy sleep. When the raven
dark forest. Because he has the inexhaustible food, they don't eat drove up with four brown horses, she was already full of grief, and
him, but look for the castle for him and carry him the long way. It said, "I know he is asleep." She went to him, but there he lay
stands on a glass mountain. He sees the king's daughter, but sleeping, and there was no wakening him. Next day the old woman
cannot go up to her, and lives in a hut downstairs for a year. He asked what was the meaning of this? He was neither eating nor
takes a magic stick, a camouflage cloak and a horse from three drinking anything; did he want to die? He replied, "I am not
robbers. With that he rides up, breaks open the gate with the stick allowed to eat or drink, and will not do so." She, however, set a
and invisibly throws the ring into the golden chalice filled with dish with meat, and a glass with wine before him, and when he
wine of the Virgin. She finds her savior on horseback in front of smelt it he could not resist, and swallowed a deep draught. When
the castle. When she greets him, he dismounts and they marry.) the time came, he went out into the garden to the heap of tan, and
waited for the King's daughter; but he became still more weary
There was once on a time a Queen who had a little daughter who than on the day before, and lay down and slept as soundly as if he
was still so young that she could not walk. One day the child was had been a stone. At two o'clock the raven came with four black
naughty, and the mother might say what she liked, but the child horses, and the coachman and everything else was black. She was
would not be quiet. Then she became impatient, and as the ravens already in the deepest grief, and said, "I know that he is asleep and
were flying about the palace, she opened the window and said, "I cannot deliver me." When she came to him, there he was lying fast
wish you were a raven and would fly away, and then I should have asleep. She shook him and called him, but she could not waken
some rest." Scarcely had she spoken the words, before the child him. Then she laid a loaf beside him, and after that a piece of meat,
was changed into a raven, and flew from her arms out of the and thirdly a bottle of wine, and he might consume as much of all
window. It flew into a dark forest, and stayed in it a long time, of them as he liked, but they would never grow less. After this she
and the parents heard nothing of their child. Then one day a man took a gold ring from her finger, and put it on his, and her name
was on his way through this forest and heard the raven crying, and was graven on it. Lastly, she laid a letter beside him wherein was
followed the voice, and when he came nearer, the bird said, "I am a written what she had given him, and that none of the things would
King's daughter by birth, and am bewitched, but thou canst set me ever grow less; and in it was also written, "I see right well that
free." "What am I to do?" asked he. She said, "Go further into the thou wilt never be able to deliver me here, but if thou art still
forest, and thou wilt find a house, wherein sits an aged woman, willing to deliver me, come to the golden castle of Stromberg; it
who will offer thee meat and drink, but thou must accept nothing; lies in thy power, of that I am certain." And when she had given
for if thou eatest or drinkest anything, thou wilt fall into a sleep, him all these things, she seated herself in her carriage, and drove
and then thou wilt not be able to deliver me. In the garden behind to the golden castle of Stromberg.
the house there is a great heap of tan, and on this thou shalt stand When the man awoke and saw that he had slept, he was sad at
and wait for me. For three days I will come every afternoon at two heart, and said, "She has certainly driven by, and I have not set her
o'clock in a carriage. On the first day four white horses will be free." Then he perceived the things which were lying beside him,
harnessed to it, then four chestnut horses, and lastly four black and read the letter wherein was written how everything had
ones; but if thou art not awake, but sleeping, I shall not be set happened. So he arose and went away, intending to go to the
free." The man promised to do everything that she desired, but the golden castle of Stromberg, but he did not know where it was.
raven said, "Alas! I know already that thou wilt not deliver me; After he had walked about the world for a long time, he entered
thou wilt accept something from the woman." Then the man once into a dark forest, and walked for fourteen days without stopping,
more promised that he would certainly not touch anything either and still could not find his way out. Then it was once more evening,
to eat or to drink. But when he entered the house the old woman and he was so tired that he lay down in a thicket and fell asleep.
came to him and said, "Poor man, how faint you are; come and Next day he went onwards, and in the evening, as he was again
refresh yourself; eat and drink." "No," said the man, "I will not about to lie down beneath some bushes, he heard such a howling
eat or drink." She, however, let him have no peace, and said, "If and crying that he could not go to sleep. And when the time came
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when people light the candles, he saw one glimmering, and arose for these three things. Money indeed have I not, but I have other
and went towards it. Then he came to a house which seemed very things of more value; but first I must try yours to see if you have
small, for in front of it a great giant was standing. He thought to told the truth." Then they put him on the horse, threw the mantle
himself, "If I go in, and the giant sees me, it will very likely cost me round him, and gave him the stick in his hand, and when he had all
my life." these things they were no longer able to see him. So he gave them
At length he ventured it and went in. When the giant saw him, he some vigorous blows and cried, "Now, vagabonds, you have got
said, "It is well that thou comest, for it is long since I have eaten; I what you deserve: are you satisfied?" And he rode up the glass-
will at once eat thee for my supper." "I'd rather you would leave mountain, but when he came in front of the castle at the top, it was
that alone," said the man, "I do not like to be eaten; but if thou shut. Then he struck the door with his stick, and it sprang open
hast any desire to eat, I have quite enough here to satisfy thee." "If immediately. He went in and ascended the stairs until he came to
that be true," said the giant, "thou mayst be easy, I was only going the hall where the maiden was sitting with a golden cup full of
to devour thee because I had nothing else." Then they went, and wine before her. She, however, could not see him because he had
sat down to the table, and the man took out the bread, wine, and the mantle on. And when he came up to her, he drew from his
meat which would never come to an end. "This pleases me well," finger the ring which she had given him, and threw it into the cup
said the giant, and ate to his heart's content. Then the man said to so that it rang. Then she cried, "That is my ring, so the man who is
him, "Canst thou tell me where the golden castle of Stromberg is?" to deliver me must be here." They searched the whole castle and
The giant said, "I will look in my map; all the towns, and villages, did not find him, but he had gone out, and had seated himself on
and houses are to be found in it." He brought out the map which the horse and thrown off the mantle. When they came to the door,
he had in the room and looked for the castle, but it was not to be she saw him and cried aloud in her delight. Then he alighted and
found in it. "It's no matter!" said he, "I have some still larger maps took the King's daughter in his arms, but she kissed him and said,
in my cupboard upstairs, and we will look in them." But there, "Now hast thou set me free, and to-morrow we will celebrate our
too, it was in vain. The man now wanted to go onwards, but the wedding."
giant begged him to wait a few days longer until his brother, who
had gone out to bring some provisions, came home. When the
brother came home they inquired about the golden castle of 94.—THE PEASANT'S WISE DAUGHTER.
Stromberg. He replied, "When I have eaten and have had enough,
I will look in the map." Then he went with them up to his chamber, ("The Peasant's Wise Daughter", "The Peasant's Clever
and they searched in his map, but could not find it. Then he Daughter" or "The Clever Lass" is a fairy tale collected by the
brought out still older maps, and they never rested until they Brothers Grimm as tale number 94 in Children's and Household
found the golden castle of Stromberg, but it was many thousand Tales. The Grimms noted "from Zwehrn" (Dorothea Viehmann).
miles away. "How am I to get there?" asked the man. The giant Contents: A peasant begged some land from the king. When he
said, "I have two hours' time, during which I will carry you into and his daughter dug the field, they found a mortar made of gold.
the neighbourhood, but after that I must be at home to suckle the The daughter warned that if they gave it to the king for his
child that we have." So the giant carried the man to about a kindness, he would ask for the pestle as well; the father gave it
hundred leagues from the castle, and said, "Thou canst very well nonetheless, and the king asked for the pestle and put him in
walk the rest of the way alone." And he turned back, but the man prison until he got it. The peasant lamented his folly in not
went onwards day and night, until at length he came to the golden listening to his daughter. The king had him brought before him
castle of Stromberg. It stood on a glass-mountain, and the again, and asked what he meant. The peasant explained. The king
bewitched maiden drove in her carriage round the castle, and then summoned the daughter and set her riddle: to come to him neither
went inside it. He rejoiced when he saw her and wanted to climb naked nor clothed, neither walking nor riding, neither on the
up to her, but when he began to do so he always slipped down the road nor off it. If she guessed it, she had proved her cleverness and
glass again. And when he saw that he could not reach her, he was would marry him. She wrapped herself in fish net, and tied it to a
filled with trouble, and said to himself, "I will stay down here donkey's tail so that it had to drag her along, and she kept only
below, and wait for her." So he built himself a hut and stayed in it one toe touching the ground. The king agreed that she had
for a whole year, and every day saw the King's daughter driving guessed the riddle; he freed her father and married her. Some years
about above, but never could go to her. Then one day he saw from later, a mare gave birth to a foal that ran off and lay down under
his hut three robbers who were beating each other, and cried to an ox. Both the peasant who owned the mare and the one who
them, "God be with ye!" They stopped when they heard the cry, owned the ox claimed it; the king said it belonged where it was
but as they saw no one, they once more began to beat each other, found. The peasant who owned the mare went to the queen for
and that too most dangerously. So he again cried, "God be with help. She told him to take a fishing net and pretend to fish on dry
ye." Again they stopped, looked round about, but as they saw no land where the king would see; when the king said it was
one they went on beating each other. Then he cried for the third impossible, he was to say it was no more impossible than oxen
time, "God be with ye," and thought, "I must see what these three giving birth to foals. The peasant did so, and the king gave him
are about," and went thither and asked why they were beating the foal but got from him that the queen had given him the advice.
each other so furiously. One of them said that he had found a stick, He sent the queen back to her father, saying she could take only
and that when he struck a door with it, that door would spring one thing, what she valued most, from the castle. The queen gave
open. The next said that he had found a mantle, and that whenever him a sleeping draught and took him back to her father's house.
he put it on, he was invisible, but the third said he had found a When he woke, she told him that it was him what she valued most
horse on which a man could ride everywhere, even up the glass- in the castle; thus he took her back with him to the castle and once
mountain. And now they did not know whether they ought to again recognised her as his wife.)
have these things in common, or whether they ought to divide
them. Then the man said, "I will give you something in exchange
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There was once a poor peasant who had no land, but only a small before the King, and he gave the verdict that the foal should stay
house, and one daughter. Then said the daughter, "We ought to where it had been found, and so the peasant with the oxen, to
ask our lord the King for a bit of newly-cleared land." When the whom it did not belong, got it. Then the other went away, and
King heard of their poverty, he presented them with a bit of land, wept and lamented over his foal. Now he had heard how gracious
which she and her father dug up, and intended to sow with a little his lady the Queen was because she herself had sprung from poor
corn and grain of that kind. When they had dug nearly the whole peasant folks, so he went to her and begged her to see if she could
of the field, they found in the earth a mortar made of pure gold. not help him to get his foal back again. Said she, "Yes, I will tell
"Listen," said the father to the girl, "as our lord the King has been thee what to do, if thou wilt promise me not to betray me. Early
so gracious and presented us with the field, we ought to give him to-morrow morning, when the King parades the guard, place
this mortar in return for it." The daughter, however, would not thyself there in the middle of the road by which he must pass, take
consent to this, and said, "Father, if we have the mortar without a great fishing-net and pretend to be fishing; go on fishing too,
having the pestle as well, we shall have to get the pestle, so you and empty out the net as if thou hadst got it full"—and then she
had much better say nothing about it." He would, however, not told him also what he was to say if he was questioned by the King.
obey her, but took the mortar and carried it to the King, said that The next day, therefore, the peasant stood there, and fished on dry
he had found it in the cleared land, and asked if he would accept it ground. When the King passed by, and saw that, he sent his
as a present. The King took the mortar, and asked if he had found messenger to ask what the stupid man was about? He answered, "I
nothing besides that? "No," answered the countryman. Then the am fishing." The messenger asked how he could fish when there
King said that he must now bring him the pestle. The peasant said was no water whatever there? The peasant said, "It is as easy for
they had not found that, but he might just as well have spoken to me to fish on dry land as it is for an ox to have a foal." The
the wind; he was put in prison, and was to stay there until he messenger went back and took the answer to the King, who
produced the pestle. The servants had daily to carry him bread and ordered the peasant to be brought to him and told him that this
water, which is what people get in prison, and they heard how the was not his own idea, and he wanted to know whose it was? The
man cried out continually, "Ah! if I had but listened to my peasant must confess that at once. The peasant, however, would
daughter! Alas, alas, if I had but listened to my daughter!" Then not do so, and said always, God forbid he should! the idea was his
the servants went to the King and told him how the prisoner was own. They laid him, however, on a heap of straw, and beat him
always crying, "Ah! if I had but listened to my daughter!" and and tormented him so long that at last he admitted that he had got
would neither eat nor drink. So he commanded the servants to the idea from the Queen.
bring the prisoner before him, and then the King asked the When the King reached home again, he said to his wife, "Why
peasant why he was always crying, "Ah! if I had but listened to my hast thou behaved so falsely to me? I will not have thee any longer
daughter!" and what it was that his daughter had said. "She told for a wife; thy time is up, go back to the place from whence thou
me that I ought not to take the mortar to you, for I should have to camest—to thy peasant's hut." One favour, however, he granted
produce the pestle as well." "If you have a daughter who is as wise her; she might take with her the one thing that was dearest and
as that, let her come here." She was therefore obliged to appear best in her eyes; and thus was she dismissed. She said, "Yes, my
before the King, who asked her if she really was so wise, and said dear husband, if you command this, I will do it," and she embraced
he would set her a riddle, and if she could guess that, he would him and kissed him, and said she would take leave of him. Then she
marry her. She at once said yes, she would guess it. Then said the ordered a powerful sleeping draught to be brought, to drink
King, "Come to me not clothed, not naked, not riding, not farewell to him; the King took a long draught, but she took only a
walking, not in the road, and not out of the road, and if thou little. He soon fell into a deep sleep, and when she perceived that,
canst do that I will marry thee." So she went away, put off she called a servant and took a fair white linen cloth and wrapped
everything she had on, and then she was not clothed, and took a the King in it, and the servant was forced to carry him into a
great fishing net, and seated herself in it and wrapped it entirely carriage that stood before the door, and she drove with him to her
round and round her, and then she was not naked, and she hired own little house. She laid him in her own little bed, and he slept
an ass, and tied the fisherman's net to its tail, so that it was forced one day and one night without awakening, and when he awoke he
to drag her along, and that was neither riding nor walking. The looked round and said, "Good God! where am I?" He called his
ass had also to drag her in the ruts, so that she only touched the attendants, but none of them were there. At length his wife came
ground with her great toe, and that was neither being in the road to his bedside and said, "My dear lord and King, you told me I
nor out of the road. And when she arrived in that fashion, the might bring away with me from the palace that which was dearest
King said she had guessed the riddle and fulfilled all the and most precious in my eyes—I have nothing more precious and
conditions. Then he ordered her father to be released from the dear than yourself, so I have brought you with me." Tears rose to
prison, took her to wife, and gave into her care all the royal the King's eyes and he said, "Dear wife, thou shalt be mine and I
possessions. will be thine," and he took her back with him to the royal palace
Now when some years had passed, the King was once drawing up and was married again to her, and at the present time they are very
his troops on parade, when it happened that some peasants who likely still living.
had been selling wood stopped with their waggons before the
palace; some of them had oxen yoked to them, and some horses.
There was one peasant who had three horses, one of which was 95.—OLD HILDEBRAND.
delivered of a young foal, and it ran away and lay down between
two oxen which were in front of the waggon. When the peasants ("Old Hildebrand" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers
came together, they began to dispute, to beat each other and make Grimm in Children's and Household Tales (KHM 95). It is written
a disturbance, and the peasant with the oxen wanted to keep the in an Austrian dialect which is a form of Bavarian Upper German.
foal, and said one of the oxen had given birth to it, and the other Contents: A peasant's wife and the parson fancied each other, so
said his horse had had it, and that it was his. The quarrel came the wife feigned illness, and the parson preached that whoever had
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an ill family member could go to the Cuckoo's Mountain in Italy, went away. He was, however, hardly gone before the woman got
and get laurel leaves that would cure the ill person. The peasant, up, and the parson was there directly.
Hildebrand, left to get them, and the parson came to his house. But now we will leave these two for a while, and follow the
But on the way, Hildebrand met his cousin, an egg merchant, who peasant, who walked on quickly without stopping, in order to get
alerted him and brought him to the house in his cart. The parson the sooner to the Göckerli hill, and on his way he met his gossip.
and the wife began to sing, the merchant sang, and Hildebrand His gossip was an egg-merchant, and was just coming from the
sang that it was enough. He jumped from the basket and beat the market, where he had sold his eggs. "May you be blessed," said the
parson out of the house.) gossip, "where are you off to so fast?"
"To all eternity, my friend," said the peasant, "my wife is ill, and
Once upon a time lived a peasant and his wife, and the parson of I have been to-day to hear the parson's sermon, and he preached
the village had a fancy for the wife, and had wished for a long that if any one had in his house a sick child, a sick husband, a sick
while to spend a whole day happily with her, and the peasant wife, a sick father, a sick mother, a sick sister, brother or any one
woman, too, was quite willing. One day, therefore, he said to the else, and made a pilgrimage to the Göckerli hill in Italy, where a
woman, "Listen, my dear friend, I have now thought of a way by peck of laurel-leaves costs a kreuzer, the sick child, the sick
which we can for once spend a whole day happily together. I'll tell husband, the sick wife, the sick father, the sick mother, the sick
you what; on Wednesday, you must take to your bed, and tell your sister, brother, or whosoever else it was, would be cured
husband you are ill, and if you only complain and act being ill immediately, and so I have got the bag for the laurel-leaves and
properly, and go on doing it until Sunday when I have to preach, I the kreuzer from the parson, and now I am beginning my
will then say in my sermon that whosoever has at home a sick child, pilgrimage." "But listen, gossip," said the egg-merchant to the
a sick husband, a sick wife, a sick father, a sick mother, a sick sister, peasant, "are you, then, stupid enough to believe such a thing as
brother or whosoever else it may be, and makes a pilgrimage to that? Don't you know what it means? The parson wants to spend a
the Göckerli hill in Italy, where you can get a peck of laurel-leaves whole day alone with your wife in peace, so he has given you this
for a kreuzer, the sick child, the sick husband, the sick wife, the job to do to get you out of the way."
sick father, or sick mother, the sick sister, or whosoever else it may "My word!" said the peasant. "How I'd like to know if that's
be, will be restored to health immediately." true!"
"I will manage it," said the woman directly. Now therefore, on "Come, then," said the gossip, "I'll tell you what to do. Get into
the Wednesday, the peasant woman took to her bed, and my egg-basket and I will carry you home, and then you will see for
complained and lamented as agreed on, and her husband did yourself." So that was settled, and the gossip put the peasant into
everything for her that he could think of, but nothing did her any his egg-basket, and carried him home.
good, and when Sunday came the woman said, "I feel as ill as if I When they got to the house, hurrah! but all was going merrily
were going to die at once, but there is one thing I should like to do there! The woman had already had nearly everything killed that
before my end—I should like to hear the parson's sermon that he was in the farmyard, and had made pancakes, and the parson was
is going to preach to-day." On that the peasant said, "Ah, my there, and had brought his fiddle with him. The gossip knocked at
child, do not do it—thou mightest make thyself worse if thou the door, and the woman asked who was there. "It is I, gossip,"
wert to get up. Look, I will go to the sermon, and will attend to it said the egg-merchant, "give me shelter this night; I have not sold
very carefully, and will tell thee everything the parson says." my eggs at the market, so now I have to carry them home again,
"Well," said the woman, "go, then, and pay great attention, and and they are so heavy that I shall never be able to do it, for it is
repeat to me all that thou hearest." So the peasant went to the dark already."
sermon, and the parson began to preach and said, if any one had at "Indeed, my friend," said the woman, "thou comest at a very
home a sick child, a sick husband, a sick wife, a sick father, a sick inconvenient time for me, but as thou art here it can't be helped,
mother, a sick sister, brother or any one else, and would make a come in, and take a seat there on the bench by the stove." Then she
pilgrimage to the Göckerli hill in Italy, where a peck of laurel- placed the gossip and the basket which he carried on his back on
leaves costs a kreuzer, the sick child, sick husband, sick wife, sick the bench by the stove. The parson, however, and the woman were
father, sick mother, sick sister, brother, or whosoever else it might as merry as possible. At length the parson said, "Listen, my dear
be, would be restored to health instantly, and whosoever wished to friend, thou canst sing beautifully; sing something to me." "Oh,"
undertake the journey was to go to him after the service was over, said the woman, "I cannot sing now, in my young days indeed I
and he would give him the sack for the laurel-leaves and the could sing well enough, but that's all over now."
kreuzer. Then no one was more rejoiced than the peasant, and "Come," said the parson once more, "do sing some little song."
after the service was over, he went at once to the parson, who gave On that the woman began and sang,
him the bag for the laurel-leaves and the kreuzer. After that he "I've sent my husband away from me
went home, and even at the house door he cried, "Hurrah! dear To the Göckerli hill in Italy."
wife, it is now almost the same thing as if thou wert well! The Thereupon the parson sang,
parson has preached to-day that whosoever had at home a sick "I wish 'twas a year before he came back,
child, a sick husband, a sick wife, a sick father, a sick mother, a I'd never ask him for the laurel-leaf sack."
sick sister, brother or whoever it might be, and would make a Hallelujah.
pilgrimage to the Göckerli hill in Italy, where a peck of laurel- Then the gossip who was in the background began to sing (but I
leaves costs a kreuzer, the sick child, sick husband, sick wife, sick ought to tell you the peasant was called Hildebrand), so the gossip
father, sick mother, sick sister, brother, or whosoever else it was, sang,
would be cured immediately, and now I have already got the bag "What art thou doing, my Hildebrand dear,
and the kreuzer from the parson, and will at once begin my There on the bench by the stove so near?"
journey so that thou mayst get well the faster," and thereupon he Hallelujah.
And then the peasant sang from his basket,
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
"All singing I ever shall hate from this day, In the white lily bloom,
And here in this basket no longer I'll stay." Brave boy, is thy tomb."
Hallelujah. When the two heard that, they were frightened to death, and ran
And he got out of the basket, and cudgelled the parson out of the away in great haste. When the King came home they told him that
house. the Queen had been delivered of a dog. Then the King said, " What
God does, is well done!" But a fisherman who dwelt near the water
fished the little boy out again while he was still alive, and as his
96.—THE THREE LITTLE BIRDS. wife had no children they reared him. When a year had gone by,
the King again went away, and the Queen had another little boy,
("The Three Little Birds" is a Low German fairy tale in the whom the false sisters likewise took and threw into the water.
Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm at position Then up flew a little bird again and sang,
96 (KHM 96). It comes from the north-east of North Rhine- "To thy death art thou sped,
Westphalia, near the town of Höxter, where the Teutoburg Forest Until God's word be said.
has with the Köterberg its highest peak. In the white lily bloom,
Contents: Three cowherds on the Köterberg see the king riding Brave boy, is thy tomb."
with two ministers out hunting and they absolutely want to marry And when the King came back, they told him that the Queen had
only them. The king hears this and grants her wish. The eldest once more given birth to a dog, and he again said, "What God
becomes queen and has a son with a red star, another son and a does, is well done." The fisherman, however, fished this one also
daughter when the king is away. They throw the childless sisters out of the water, and reared him.
into the Weser, whereupon a singing bird flies up, and say it was Then the King again journeyed forth, and the Queen had a little
puppies and a cat. The king imprisons his wife. The children grow girl, whom also the false sisters threw into the water. Then again a
up with a fisherman. When the eldest finds out his fate, he goes to little bird flew up on high and sang,
look for his father. He meets an old fisherwoman who carries him "To thy death art thou sped,
across the water, as well as the second who follows him. The Until God's word be said.
daughter is given a rod and the advice to walk silently past a dog, In the white lily bloom,
through a lock, and take a bird and a glass of water from a tree in Brave boy, is thy tomb."
a well and hit the dog in the face on the way back. She also finds And when the King came home they told him that the Queen had
her brothers and the fisherwoman carries them home across the been delivered of a cat. Then the King grew angry, and ordered his
water. The bird they hang on the wall and the fisherman tell the wife to be cast into prison, and therein was she shut up for many
king everything that the second son finds playing the flute on the long years.
hunt. He leads the children home, frees the emaciated mother, In the meantime the children had grown up. Then the eldest once
heals the daughter with water and marries the prince.) went out with some other boys to fish, but the other boys would
not have him with them, and said, "Go thy way, foundling."
About a thousand or more years ago, there were in this country Hereupon he was much troubled, and asked the old fisherman if
nothing but small kings, and one of them lived on the Keuterberg that was true? The fisherman told him that once when he was
who was very fond of hunting. Once on a time when he was riding fishing he had drawn him out of the water. So the boy said he
forth from his castle with his huntsmen, three girls were watching would go forth and seek his father. The fisherman, however,
their cows upon the mountain, and when they saw the King with entreated him to stay, but he would not let himself be hindered,
all his followers, the eldest girl pointed to him, and called to the and at last the fisherman consented. Then the boy went on his way
two other girls, "Hilloa! hilloa! If I do not get that one, I will have and walked for many days together, and at last he came to a great
none." Then the second girl answered from the other side of the piece of water by the side of which stood an old woman fishing.
hill, and pointed to the one who was on the King's right hand, "Good day, mother," said the boy.
"Hilloa! hilloa! If I do not get that one, I will have none." And "Many thanks," said she.
then the youngest pointed to the one who was on the left hand, "Thou wilt fish long enough before thou catchest anything."
and cried, "Hilloa! hilloa! If I do not get him I will have no one." "And thou wilt seek long enough before thou findest thy father.
These, however, were the two ministers. The King heard all this, How wilt thou get over the water?" said the woman.
and when he had come back from the chase, he caused the three "God knows."
girls to be brought to him, and asked them what they had said Then the old woman took him up on her back and carried him
yesterday on the mountain. They would not tell him that, so the through it, and he sought for a long time, but could not find his
King asked the eldest if she really would take him for her husband? father.
Then she said, "Yes," and the two ministers married the two sisters, When a year had gone by, the second boy set out to seek his
for they were all three fair and beautiful of face, especially the brother. He came to the water, and all fared with him just as with
Queen, who had hair like flax. But the two sisters had no children, his brother. And now there was no one at home but the daughter,
and once when the King was obliged to go from home he invited and she mourned for her brothers so much that at last she also
them to come to the Queen in order to cheer her, for she was about begged the fisherman to let her set forth, for she wished to go in
to bear a child. She had a little boy who brought a bright red star search of her brothers. Then she likewise came to the great piece of
into the world with him. Then the two sisters said to each other water, and she said to the old woman, "Good day, mother."
that they would throw the beautiful boy into the water. When "Many thanks," replied the old woman.
they had thrown him in (I believe it was into the Weser), a little "May God help you with your fishing," said the maiden. When
bird flew up into the air, which sang, the old woman heard that, she became quite friendly, and carried
"To thy death art thou sped, her over the water, gave her a wand, and said to her, "Go, my
Until God's word be said. daughter, ever onwards by this road, and when you come to a
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great black dog, you must pass it silently and boldly, without other hand, comes through his advice to an enchanted castle,
either laughing or looking at it. Then you will come to a great opens the gate with an iron rod and calms two lions with two
high castle, on the threshold of which you must let the wand fall, loaves of bread. Inside he finds enchanted princes whose rings he
and go straight through the castle, and out again on the other side. pulls off, then a sword and bread, and a redeemed maiden who
There you will see an old fountain out of which a large tree has wants to marry him in a year. He falls asleep in a bed. He doesn't
grown, whereon hangs a bird in a cage which you must take down. wake up until a quarter to twelve and quickly takes the water of
Take likewise a glass of water out of the fountain, and with these life from the well before the castle gate slams shut at twelve. It still
two things go back by the same way. Pick up the wand again from knocks off its heel. The dwarf tells him that the sword slays whole
the threshold and take it with you, and when you again pass by the armies and that bread never runs out and releases the brothers
dog strike him in the face with it, but be sure that you hit him, and when asked. The youngest rides with them through three
then just come back here to me." The maiden found everything kingdoms, which he rescues from trouble with bread and sword.
exactly as the old woman had said, and on her way back she found On a boat trip, while he sleeps, his brothers swap his water for sea
her two brothers who had sought each other over half the world. water. When he gives it to his father at home, whereupon he
They went together to the place where the black dog was lying on becomes even more ill, they accuse him of wanting to poison him
the road; she struck it in the face, and it turned into a handsome and heal him with the water of life. They mock the youngest. The
prince who went with them to the river. There the old woman was father wants to have him shot while hunting, but the hunter warns
still standing. She rejoiced much to see them again, and carried the prince, who then flees. When three wagons carrying gold and
them all over the water, and then she too went away, for now she jewels arrive from the saved realms, the king is glad to learn that
was freed. The others, however, went to the old fisherman, and all his command has not been carried out. The king's daughter
were glad that they had found each other again, but they hung the recognises him because, thinking of her, he rides to her on the
bird on the wall. golden road, while the brothers did not want to damage the road.
But the second son could not settle at home, and took his cross- They marry. The brothers sail away.)
bow and went a-hunting. When he was tired he took his flute, and
made music. The King, however, was hunting too, and heard that There was once a King who had an illness, and no one believed
and went thither, and when he met the youth, he said, " Who has that he would come out of it with his life. He had three sons who
given thee leave to hunt here?" were much distressed about it, and went down into the palace-
"Oh, no one." garden and wept. There they met an old man who inquired as to
"To whom dost thou belong, then? " the cause of their grief. They told him that their father was so ill
"I am the fisherman's son." that he would most certainly die, for nothing seemed to cure him.
"But he has no children." Then the old man said, "I know of one more remedy, and that is
"If thou wilt not believe, come with me." the water of life; if he drinks of it he will become well again; but it
That the King did and questioned the fisherman, who told is hard to find." The eldest said, "I will manage to find it," and
everything to him, and the little bird on the wall began to sing, went to the sick King, and begged to be allowed to go forth in
"The mother sits alone search of the water of life, for that alone could save him. "No,"
There in the prison small, said the King, 'the danger of it is too great. I would rather die."
O King of royal blood, But he begged so long that the King consented. The prince
These are thy children all. thought in his heart, "If I bring the water, then I shall be best
The sisters twain so false. beloved of my father, and shall inherit the kingdom." So he set out,
They wrought the children woe, and when he had ridden forth a little distance, a dwarf stood there
There in the waters deep in the road who called to him and said, "Whither away so fast?"
Where the fishermen come and go." "Silly shrimp," said the prince, very haughtily, "it is nothing to
Then they were all terrified, and the King took the bird, the you," and rode on. But the little dwarf had grown angry, and had
fisherman and the three children back with him to the castle, and wished an evil wish. Soon after this the prince entered a ravine,
ordered the prison to be opened and brought his wife out again. and the further he rode the closer the mountains drew together,
She had, however, grown quite ill and weak. Then the daughter and at last the road became so narrow that he could not advance a
gave her some of the water of the fountain to drink, and she step further; it was impossible either to turn his horse or to
became strong and healthy. But the two false sisters were burnt, dismount from the saddle, and he was shut in there as if in prison.
and the daughter married the prince. The sick King waited long for him, but he came not. Then the
second son said, "Father, let me go forth to seek the water," and
thought to himself, "If my brother is dead, then the kingdom will
97.—THE WATER OF LIFE. fall to me." At first the King would not allow him to go either,
but at last he yielded, so the prince set out on the same road that
("The Water of Life" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers his brother had taken, and he too met the dwarf, who stopped him
Grimm, tale number 97. According to the Grimm's notes, the to ask, whither he was going in such haste? "Little shrimp," said
brothers combined their version from a Hessian and a Paderborn the prince, "that is nothing to thee," and rode on without giving
version. John Francis Campbell noted it as a parallel of the him another look. But the dwarf bewitched him, and he, like the
Scottish fairy tale, The Brown Bear of the Green Glen. other, got into a ravine, and could neither go forwards nor
Contents: The king is terminally ill. An old man tells his grieving backwards. So fare haughty people.
sons about the water of life that would heal him. The eldest wants As the second son also remained away, the youngest begged to be
to find it so he can inherit the kingdom. On the way he is rude to a allowed to go forth to fetch the water, and at last the King was
dwarf, who therefore curses him into a narrow gorge, as does the obliged to let him go. When he met the dwarf and the latter asked
second, who moves out after his absence. The youngest, on the him whither he was going in such haste, he stopped, gave him an
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explanation, and said, "I am seeking the water of life, for my and sailed over the sea. During the passage, the two eldest
father is sick unto death." "Dost thou know, then, where that is to conversed apart and said, "The youngest has found the water of
be found?" "No," said the prince. "As thou hast borne thyself as is life and not we, for that our father will give him the kingdom,—
seemly, and not haughtily like thy false brothers, I will give thee the kingdom which belongs to us, and he will rob us of all our
the information and tell thee how thou mayst obtain the water of fortune." They then began to seek revenge, and plotted with each
life. It springs from a fountain in the courtyard of an enchanted other to destroy him. They waited until once when they found him
castle, but thou wilt not be able to make thy way to it, if I do not fast asleep, then they poured the water of life out of the cup, and
give thee an iron wand and two small loaves of bread. Strike thrice took it for themselves, but into the cup they poured salt sea-water.
with the wand on the iron door of the castle, and it will spring Now therefore, when they arrived at home, the youngest took his
open: inside lie two lions with gaping jaws, but if thou throwest a cup to the sick King in order that he might drink out of it, and be
loaf to each of them, they will be quieted, then hasten to fetch cured. But scarcely had he drunk a very little of the salt sea-water
some of the water of life before the clock strikes twelve, else the than he became still worse, than before. And as he was lamenting
door will shut again, and thou wilt be imprisoned." The prince over this, the two eldest brothers came, and accused the youngest
thanked him, took the wand and the bread, and set out on his way. of having intended to poison him, and said that they had brought
When he arrived, everything was as the dwarf had said. The door him the true water of life, and handed it to him. He had scarcely
sprang open at the third stroke of the wand, and when he had tasted it, when he felt his sickness departing, and became strong
appeased the lions with the bread, he entered into the castle, and and healthy as in the days of his youth. After that they both went
came in a large and splendid hall, wherein sat some enchanted to the youngest, mocked him, and said, "You certainly found the
princes whose rings he drew off their fingers. A sword and a loaf of water of life, but you have had the pain, and we the gain; you
bread were lying there, which he carried away. After this, he should have been sharper, and should have kept your eyes open.
entered a chamber, in which was a beautiful maiden who rejoiced We took it from you whilst you were asleep at sea, and when a year
when she saw him, kissed him, and told him that he had delivered is over, one of us will go and fetch the beautiful princess. But
her, and should have the whole of her kingdom, and that if he beware that you do not disclose aught of this to our father; indeed
would return in a year their wedding should be celebrated; he does not trust you, and if you say a single word, you shall lose
likewise she told him where the spring of the water of life was, and your life into the bargain, but if you keep silent, you shall have it
that he was to hasten and draw some of it before the clock struck as a gift."
twelve. Then he went onwards, and at last entered a room where The old King was angry with his youngest son, and thought he
there was a beautiful newly-made bed, and as he was very weary, had plotted against his life. So he summoned the court together,
he felt inclined to rest a little. So he lay down and fell asleep. and had sentence pronounced upon his son, that he should be
When he awoke, it was striking a quarter to twelve. He sprang up secretly shot. And once when the prince was riding forth to the
in a fright, ran to the spring, drew some water in a cup which chase, suspecting no evil, the King's huntsman had to go with him,
stood near, and hastened away. But just as he was passing through and when they were quite alone in the forest, the huntsman looked
the iron door, the clock struck twelve, and the door fell to with so sorrowful that the prince said to him, "Dear huntsman, what
such violence that it carried away a piece of his heel. He, however, ails you?" The huntsman said, "I cannot tell you, and yet I ought."
rejoicing at having obtained the water of life, went homewards, Then the prince said, "Say openly what it is, I will pardon you."
and again passed the dwarf. When the latter saw the sword and the "Alas!" said the huntsman, "I am to shoot you dead, the King has
loaf, he said, "With these thou hast won great wealth; with the ordered me to do it." Then the prince was shocked, and said,
sword thou canst slay whole armies, and the bread will never come "Dear huntsman, let me live; there, I give you my royal garments;
to an end." But the prince would not go home to his father give me your common ones in their stead." The huntsman said, "I
without his brothers, and said, "Dear dwarf, canst thou not tell will willingly do that, indeed I should not have been able to shoot
me where my two brothers are? They went out before I did in you." Then they exchanged clothes, and the huntsman returned
search of the water of life, and have not returned." "They are home; the prince, however, went further into the forest. After a
imprisoned between two mountains," said the dwarf. "I have time three waggons of gold and precious stones came to the King
condemned them to stay there, because they were so haughty." for his youngest son, which were sent by the three Kings who had
Then the prince begged until the dwarf released them; he warned slain their enemies with the prince's sword, and maintained their
him, however, and said, "Beware of them, for they have bad people with his bread, and who wished to show their gratitude for
hearts." When his brothers came, he rejoiced, and told them how it. The old King then thought, "Can my son have been innocent?"
things had gone with him, that he had found the water of life, and and said to his people, "Would that he were still alive, how it
had brought a cupful away with him, and had delivered a beautiful grieves me that I have suffered him to be killed!" "He still lives,"
princess, who was willing to wait a year for him, and then their said the huntsman, "I could not find it in my heart to carry out
wedding was to be celebrated, and he would obtain a great your command," and told the King how it had happened. Then a
kingdom. After that they rode on together, and chanced upon a stone fell from the King's heart, and he had it proclaimed in every
land where war and famine reigned, and the King already thought country that his son, might return and be taken into favour again.
he must perish, for the scarcity was so great. Then the prince went The princess, however, had a road made up to her palace which
to him and gave him the loaf, wherewith he fed and satisfied the was quite bright and golden, and told her people that whosoever
whole of his kingdom, and then the prince gave him the sword also, came riding straight along it to her, would be the right wooer and
wherewith he slew the hosts of his enemies, and could now live in was to be admitted, and whoever rode by the side of it, was not the
rest and peace. The prince then took back his loaf and his sword, right one, and was not to be admitted. As the time was now close
and the three brothers rode on. But after this they entered two at hand, the eldest thought he would hasten to go to the King's
more countries where war and famine reigned, and each time the daughter, and give himself out as her deliverer, and thus win her
prince gave his loaf and his sword to the Kings, and had now for his bride, and the kingdom to boot. Therefore he rode forth,
delivered three kingdoms, and after that they went on board a ship and when he arrived in front of the palace, and saw the splendid
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golden road, he thought it would be a sin and a shame if he were house-door." The peasant did everything that he had been told to
to ride over that, and turned aside, and rode on the right side of it. do. When he had doctored people awhile, but not long, a rich and
But when he came to the door, the servants told him that he was great lord had some money stolen. Then he was told about Doctor
not the right man, and was to go away again. Soon after this the Know-all who lived in such and such a village, and must know
second prince set out, and when he came to the golden road, and what had become of the money. So the lord had the horses put in
his horse had put one foot on it, he thought it would be a sin and a his carriage, drove out to the village, and asked Crabb if he were
shame to tread a piece of it off, and he turned aside and rode on Doctor Know-all? Yes, he was, he said. Then he was to go with
the left side of it, and when he reached the door, the attendants him and bring back the stolen money. "Oh, yes, but Grethe, my
told him he was not the right one, and was to go away again. wife, must go too." The lord was willing, and let both of them
When at last the year had entirely expired, the third son likewise have a seat in the carriage, and they all drove away together.
wished to ride out of the forest to his beloved, with her to forget When they came to the nobleman's castle, the table was spread,
his sorrows. So he set out and thought of her so incessantly, and and Crabb was told to sit down and eat. "Yes, but my wife, Grethe,
wished to be with her so much, that he never noticed the golden too," said he, and he seated himself with her at the table. And
road at all. So his horse rode onwards up the middle of it, and when the first servant came with a dish of delicate fare, the peasant
when he came to the door, it was opened and the princess received nudged his wife, and said, "Grethe, that was the first," meaning
him with joy, and said he was her deliverer, and lord of the that was the servant who brought the first dish. The servant,
kingdom, and their wedding was celebrated with great rejoicing. however, thought he intended by that to say, "That is the first
When it was over she told him that his father invited him to come thief," and as he actually was so, he was terrified, and said to his
to him, and had forgiven him. So he rode thither, and told him comrade outside, "The doctor knows all: we shall fare ill, he said I
everything; how his brothers had betrayed him, and how he had was the first." The second did not want to go in at all, but was
nevertheless kept silence. The old King wished to punish them, but forced. So when he went in with his dish, the peasant nudged his
they had put to sea, and never came back as long as they lived. wife, and said, "Grethe, that is the second." This servant was just
as much alarmed, and he got out. The third did not fare better, for
the peasant again said, "Grethe, that is the third." The fourth had
98.—DOCTOR KNOW-ALL. to carry in a dish that was covered, and the lord told the doctor
that he was to show his skill, and guess what was beneath the cover.
("Doctor Know-all" is a farce collected by the Brothers Grimm, The doctor looked at the dish, had no idea what to say, and cried,
tale number KHM 98 in Grimm's Fairy Tales. The Grimms noted "Ah, poor Crabb." When the lord heard that, he cried, "There! he
"from Zwehrn" (by Dorothea Viehmann). knows who has the money!"
Contents: A poor farmer drove two oxen into town with a load On this the servants looked terribly uneasy, and made a sign to
of wood and sold it to a doctor for two talers. Now, seeing how the doctor that they wished him to go out for a moment. When
well the doctor lived, he decided to become a doctor too. He therefore he went out, all four of them confessed to him that they
bought an ABC book and from then on called himself "Doctor had stolen the money, and said that they would willingly restore it
Know-It-All". When a large sum of money was stolen from a rich and give him a heavy sum into the bargain, if he would not
man, he was called to clear up the theft. Shortly thereafter, he and denounce them, for if he did they would be hanged. They led him
his wife were eating at the place where the victim had been robbed. to the spot where the money was concealed. With this the doctor
When a servant served the first course, the Doctor All-Knowing was satisfied, and returned to the hall, sat down to the table, and
said to his wife, "That was the first," meaning the first course. said, "My lord, now will I search in my book where the gold is
However, the servant involved in the theft thought; the doctor hidden." The fifth servant, however, crept into the stove to hear if
meant to imply that he was the first thief. The same spectacle the doctor knew still more. The Doctor, however, sat still and
repeated itself twice more. The doctor was asked to guess what was opened his A B C book, turned the pages backwards and forwards,
under a bowl and said to himself, "Oh, poor me crab!" Indeed, it and looked for the cock. As he could not find it immediately he
was crabs. Then the four servants confessed their misdeeds to the said, "I know you are there, so you had better show yourself."
doctor and showed him the money hiding place, with the request Then the fellow in the stove thought that the doctor meant him,
not to betray them. The doctor returned the rich man's money but and full of terror, sprang out crying, "That man knows
did not say who stole it. So he got a generous reward from both everything!" Then Doctor Know-all showed the count where the
sides and became a famous man.) money was, but did not say who had stolen it, and received from
both sides much money in reward, and became a renowned man.
There was once on a time a poor peasant called Crabb, who
drove with two oxen a load of wood to the town, and sold it to a
doctor for two thalers. When the money was being counted out to 99.—THE SPIRIT IN THE BOTTLE.
him, it so happened that the doctor was sitting at table, and when
the peasant saw how daintily he ate and drank, his heart desired ("The Spirit in the Bottle" is a fairy tale collected by the
what he saw, and he would willingly have been a doctor too. So he Brothers Grimm, tale number KHM 99 (Before: KHM 95). It
remained standing a while, and at length inquired if he too could comes from Zwehrn in Hesse (Dorothea Viehmann).
not be a doctor. "Oh, yes," said the doctor, "that is soon Contents: Once there was an old woodcutter and his young son.
managed." "What must I do?" asked the peasant. "In the first The woodcutter always wanted his son to go to school but they
place, buy thyself an A B C book of the kind which has a cock on didn't have enough money, and after a few years he had to come
the frontispiece: in the second, turn thy cart and thy two oxen into home. The son insisted on going to the woods to work with his
money, and get thyself some clothes, and whatsoever else pertains father, but the father didn't think he could handle the hard work.
to medicine; thirdly, have a sign painted for thyself with the words, During a lunch break, instead of resting, he defied his father and
"I am Doctor Know-all," and have that nailed up above thy went wandering through the forest, where he heard a voice saying
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
it was trapped at the bottom of the tree. There he saw a bottle, but dangerous-looking oak, which certainly was already many
when he opened it a giant demon sprang out and said it would hundred years old, and which five men could not have spanned. He
break his neck and kill him. The young woodcutter then stood still and looked at it, and thought, "Many a bird must have
challenged the demon spirit, saying that it did not have the ability built its nest in that." Then all at once it seemed to him that he
to get back in the bottle. So the spirit, to show that he really could heard a voice. He listened and became aware that some one was
do whatever he wanted, re-entered the bottle to show the boy how crying in a very smothered voice, "Let me out, let me out!" He
strong he was, and the boy stopped the bottle up again. The looked around, but could discover nothing; nevertheless, he
demon, shocked, began begging the woodcutter's son to open the fancied that the voice came out of the ground. Then he cried,
bottle again, but he refused unless the spirit promised to benefit "Where art thou?" The voice answered, "I am here down amongst
the boy. The spirit pleaded with him and offered to make him rich. the roots of the oak-tree. Let me out! Let me out!" The scholar
The boy decided it was worth the risk and released the demon. The began to loosen the earth under the tree, and search among the
spirit gave him a special cloth with one side that would turn any roots, until at last he found a glass bottle in a little hollow. He
object into pure silver and the other side that would heal any lifted it up and held it against the light, and then saw a creature
wound. After turning his axe into silver, he tried to cut a tree in shaped like a frog, springing up and down in it. "Let me out! Let
front of his father but bent the axe head. The father was extremely me out!" it cried anew, and the scholar thinking no evil, drew the
disappointed that he would have to replace the axe, which cork out of the bottle. Immediately a spirit ascended from it, and
belonged to his neighbor. The boy went to sell the axe head and began to grow, and grew so fast that in a very few moments he
made 400 times more money than he needed to pay for the broken stood before the scholar, a terrible fellow as big as half the tree by
axe, and finally he told his father the story of the spirit in the which he was standing. "Knowest thou," he cried in an awful voice,
bottle. After that the father recognised that the boy's cleverness "what thy wages are for having let me out?" "No," replied the
had made them rich and was happy. The boy went back to school scholar fearlessly, "how should I know that?" "Then I will tell
to become a doctor and became one of the most successful and thee," cried the spirit; "I must strangle thee for it." "Thou
famous doctors with the help of his magical cloth that healed shouldst have told me that sooner," said the scholar, "for I should
wounds.) then have left thee shut up, but my head shall stand fast for all
thou canst do; more persons than one must be consulted about
There was once a poor woodcutter who toiled from early that." "More persons here, more persons there," said the spirit.
morning till late night. When at last he had laid by some money he "Thou shalt have the wages thou hast earned. Dost thou think
said to his boy, "You are my only child, I will spend the money that I was shut up there for such a long time as a favour. No, it was
which I have earned with the sweat of my brow on your education; a punishment for me. I am the mighty Mercurius. Whoso releases
if you learn some honest trade you can support me in my old age, me, him must I strangle." "Softly," answered the scholar, "not so
when my limbs have grown stiff and I am obliged to stay at home." fast. I must first know that thou really wert shut up in that little
Then the boy went to a High School and learned diligently so that bottle, and that thou art the right spirit. If, indeed, thou canst get
his masters praised him, and he remained there a long time. When in again, I will believe, and then thou mayst do as thou wilt with
he had worked through two classes, but was still not yet perfect in me." The spirit said haughtily, "That is a very trifling feat," drew
everything, the little pittance which the father had earned was all himself together, and made himself as small and slender as he had
spent, and the boy was obliged to return home to him. "Ah," said been at first, so that he crept through the same opening, and right
the father, sorrowfully, "I can give you no more, and in these hard through the neck of the bottle in again. Scarcely was he within
times I cannot earn a farthing more than will suffice for our daily than the scholar thrust the cork he had drawn back into the bottle,
bread." "Dear father," answered the son, "don't trouble yourself and threw it among the roots of the oak into its old place, and the
about it, if it is God's will, it will turn to my advantage I shall spirit was betrayed.
soon accustom myself to it." When the father wanted to go into And now the scholar was about to return to his father, but the
the forest to earn money by helping to pile and stack wood and spirit cried very piteously, "Ah, do let me out! ah, do let me out!"
also to chop it, the son said, "I will go with you and help you." "No," answered the scholar, "not a second time! He who has once
"Nay, my son," said the father, "that would be hard for you; you tried to take my life shall not be set free by me, now that I have
are not accustomed to rough work, and will not be able to bear it, caught him again." "If thou wilt set me free," said the spirit, "I
besides I have only one axe and no money left wherewith to buy will give thee so much that thou wilt have plenty all the days of thy
another." "Just go to the neighbour," answered the son, "he will life." "No," answered the scholar, "thou wouldst cheat me as thou
lend you his axe until I have earned one for myself." The father didst the first time." "Thou art playing away thy own good luck,"
then borrowed an axe of the neighbour, and next morning at said the spirit; "I will do thee no harm, but will reward thee
break of day they went out into the forest together. The son helped richly." The scholar thought, "I will venture it, perhaps he will
his father and was quite merry and brisk about it. But when the keep his word, and anyhow he shall not get the better of me."
sun was right over their heads, the father said, "We will rest, and Then he took out the cork, and the spirit rose up from the bottle
have our dinner, and then we shall work as well again." The son as he had done before, stretched himself out and became as big as a
took his bread in his hands, and said, "Just you rest, father, I am giant. "Now thou shalt have thy reward," said he, and handed the
not tired; I will walk up and down a little in the forest, and look scholar a little bag just like a plaster, and said, "If thou spreadest
for birds' nests." "Oh, you fool," said the father, "why should you one end of this over a wound it will heal, and if thou rubbest steel
want to run about there? Afterwards you will be tired, and no or iron with the other end it will be changed into silver." "I must
longer able to raise your arm; stay here, and sit down beside me." just try that," said the scholar, and went to a tree, tore off the
The son, however, went into the forest, ate his bread, was very bark with his axe, and rubbed it with one end of the plaster. It
merry and peered in among the green branches to see if he could immediately closed together and was healed. "Now, it is all right,"
discover a bird's nest anywhere. So he went up and down to see if he said to the spirit, "and we can part." The spirit thanked him for
he could find a bird's nest, until at last he came to a great
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his release, and the scholar thanked the spirit for his present, and soldier wants to go home to see how his father is doing. He gets
went back to his father. what he deserved and has to tie a backpack with dirt on his back,
"Where hast thou been racing about?" said the father; "why hast because he has looked in the cauldrons. Unwashed he must go
thou forgotten thy work? I said at once that thou wouldst never about and when people ask where he comes from, he must answer:
get on with anything." "Be easy, father, I will make it up." "Make "from hell". His king is the devil and he is his sooty brother. The
it up indeed," said the father angrily, "there's no art in that." soldier is not satisfied with his wages and in the forest he wants to
"Take care, father, I will soon hew that tree there, so that it will shake out his pack, but sees that it has become pure gold. He takes
split." Then he took his plaster, rubbed the axe with it, and dealt a it to an inn and the innkeeper is startled by his appearance and
mighty blow, but as the iron had changed into silver, the edge does not let him in until he has seen the gold. Hans eats and drinks,
turned: "Hollo, father, just look what a bad axe you've given me, but does not wash himself. The next night the innkeeper steals
it has become quite crooked." The father was shucked and said, Hans's pack and he goes back to hell the next morning. The devil
"Ah, what hast thou done? now I shall have to pay for that, and wants to help him and washes him and gives him a full whip. Hans
have not the wherewithal, and that is all the good I have got by must tell the innkeeper to return the stolen goods, otherwise the
thy work." "Don't get angry," said the son, "I will soon pay for devil will get him and he will look just like sooty Hans. Hans gets
the axe." "Oh, thou blockhead," cried the father, "wherewith wilt the gold and something extra and the innkeeper asks him to keep
thou pay for it? Thou hast nothing but what I give thee. These are quiet about the theft. Hans goes to his father and puts on a simple
students' tricks that are sticking in thy head, but thou hast no idea linen smock. As a musician he comes to an old king and he is
of wood-cutting." After a while the scholar said, "Father, I can allowed to marry the eldest daughter. However, she does not want
really work no more, we had better take a holiday." "Eh, what!" to marry an ordinary man and then Hans gets the youngest
answered he. "Dost thou think I will sit with my hands lying in my daughter, who likes to marry him. When the king dies, Hans gets
lap like thee? I must go on working, but thou mayst take thyself the whole country.)
off home." "Father, I am here in this wood for the first time, I
don't know my way alone. Do go with me." As his anger had now A disbanded soldier had nothing to live on, and did not know
abated, the father at last let himself be persuaded and went home how to get on. So he went out into the forest, and when he had
with him. Then he said to the son, "Go and sell thy damaged axe, walked for a short time, he met a little man who was, however, the
and see what thou canst get for it, and I must earn the difference, Devil. The little man said to him, "What ails you, you seem so very
in order to pay the neighbour." The son took the axe, and carried sorrowful?" Then the soldier said, "I am hungry, but have no
it into town to a goldsmith, who tested it, laid it in the scales, and money." The Devil said, "If you will hire yourself to me, and be my
said, "It is worth four hundred thalers, I have not so much as that serving-man, you shall have enough for all your life? You shall
by me." The son said, "Give me what you have, I will lend you the serve me for seven years, and after that you shall again be free. But
rest." The goldsmith gave him three hundred thalers, and one thing I must tell you, and that is, you must not wash, comb, or
remained a hundred in his debt. The son thereupon went home and trim yourself, or cut your hair or nails, or wipe the water from
said, "Father, I have got the money, go and ask the neighbour your eyes." The soldier said, "All right, if there is no help for it,"
what he wants for the axe." "I know that already," answered the and went off with the little man, who straightway led him down
old man, "one thaler six groschen." "Then give him two thalers, into hell. Then he told him what he had to do, he was to poke the
twelve groschen, that is double and enough; see, I have money in fire under the kettles wherein the hell-broth was stewing, keep the
plenty," and he gave the father a hundred thalers, and said, "You house clean, drive all the sweepings behind the doors, and see that
shall never know want, live as comfortably as you like." "Good everything was in order, but if he once peeped into the kettles, it
heavens!" said the father, "how hast thou come by these riches?" would go ill with him. The soldier said, "Good, I will take care."
The scholar then told how all had come to pass, and how he, And then the old Devil went out again on his wanderings, and the
trusting in his luck, had made such a good hit. But with the money soldier entered upon his new duties, made the fire, and swept the
that was left, he went back to the High School and went on dirt well behind the doors, just as he had been bidden. When the
learning more, and as he could heal all wounds with his plaster, he old Devil came back again, he looked to see if all had been done,
became the most famous doctor in the whole world. appeared satisfied, and went forth a second time. The soldier now
took a good look on every side; the kettles were standing all round
hell with a mighty fire below them, and inside they were boiling
100.—THE DEVIL'S SOOTY BROTHER. and sputtering. He would have given anything to look inside them,
if the Devil had not so particularly forbidden him: at last, he could
("The Devil's Sooty Brother" KHM 100 is a fairy tale collected no longer restrain himself, slightly raised the lid of the first kettle,
by the Brothers Grimm and published in the first edition of and peeped in, and there he saw his former corporal shut in. "Aha,
Kinder- und Hausmärchen (Grimm's Fairy Tales) in 1815. The old bird!" said he. "Do I meet you here? You once had me in your
Grimms noted "from Zwehrn in Hesse" (Dorothea Viehmann). power, now I have you," and he quickly let the lid fall, poked the
Contents: A discarded soldier comes across a little man, it's the fire, and added a fresh log. After that, he went to the second kettle,
devil. He may serve for seven years, but may not comb his hair, raised its lid also a little, and peeped in; his former ensign was
blow his nose, cut nails and hair, or rub moisture from his eyes. He inside that. "Aha, old bird, so I find you here! you once had me in
goes to hell and stokes the fire under the cauldrons. He does the your power, now I have you." He closed the lid again, and fetched
housework and wants to look in the cauldrons, but this is yet another log to make it really hot. Then he wanted to see who
forbidden by the devil. He lifts a lid anyway, sees a non- might be shut up in the third kettle—it was actually a general.
commissioned officer in the cauldron and puts some extra wood on "Aha, old bird, do I meet you here? Once you had me in your
the fire. In the next cauldron he sees his ensign and in the third power, now I have you," and he fetched the bellows and made hell-
cauldron his general. He takes out the bellows and stokes the fires. fire flare well up under him. So he did his work seven years in hell,
Seven years he serves in hell and it seems like half a year. The did not wash, comb, or trim himself, or cut his hair or nails, or
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wash the water out of his eyes, and the seven years seemed so short 101.—BEARSKIN.
to him that he thought he had only been half a year. Now when the
time had fully gone by, the Devil came and said, "Well Hans, what ("Bearskin" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm
have you done? " "I have poked the fire under the kettles, and I (KHM 101). Their story is based on the version collected by the
have swept all the dirt well behind the doors." von Haxthausen family (from Paderborn), and on the tale "Vom
"But you have peeped into the kettles as well; it is lucky for you Ursprung des Namens Bärnhäuter", first published in 1670 by
that you added fresh logs to them, or else your life would have Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen. A variant from
been forfeited; now that your time is up, will you go home again?" Sicily, "Don Giovanni de la Fortuna", was collected by Laura
"Yes," said the soldier, "I should very much like to see what my Gonzenbach in "Sicilianische Märchen". Laura Gonzenbach
father is doing at home." The Devil said, "In order that you may (1842–1878) was a Swiss fairy tale collector, active in Messina,
receive the wages you have earned, go and fill your knapsack full who collected fairy tales in a number of Sicilian dialects, one of the
of the sweepings, and take it home with you. You must also go few major collections of the nineteenth century to be compiled by
unwashed and uncombed, with long hair on your head and beard, a woman.
and with uncut nails and dim eyes, and when you are asked whence Contents: A brave young soldier is not accepted anywhere after
you come, you must say, "From hell," and when you are asked the end of the war, not even by his two brothers, and does not
who you are, you are to say, "The Devil's sooty brother, and my know what he can live on. On a heath under a ring of trees he
King as well." The soldier held his peace, and did as the Devil bade meets the devil, who first tests his courage with a bear and then
him, but he was not at all satisfied with his wages. Then as soon as offers him a deal: he has to live and sleep in the dead bear's skin for
he was up in the forest again, he took his knapsack from his back, seven years, is not allowed to wash or comb himself who cut nails
to empty it, but on opening it, the sweepings had become pure and do not pray the Lord's Prayer. If he dies during this time, he
gold. "I should never have expected that," said he, and was well belongs to the devil, he never runs out of money for it. The
pleased, and entered the town. The landlord was standing; in front bearskin wanders around and enjoys life. Because he is kind to the
of the inn, and when he saw the soldier approaching, he was poor, whom he asks to pray for him, and because he pays well, he
terrified, because Hans looked so horrible, worse than a scare- is always tolerated, even though he looks worse every year. When
crow. He called to him and asked, "Whence comest thou?" "From he pays the debts of a poor man, he promises to marry one of his
hell." "Who art thou?" "The Devil's sooty brother, and my King daughters. Only the youngest is willing and he gives her half of his
as well." Then the host would not let him enter, "but when Hans ring before going away for the last three years. When the seven
showed him the gold, he came and unlatched the door himself. years are up, he allows himself to be washed by the devil, puts on
Hans then ordered the best room and attendance, ate, and drank good clothes and drives to his bride in a carriage with four white
his fill, but neither washed nor combed himself as the Devil had horses. She recognises him when she finds his half of the ring in her
bidden him, and at last lay down to sleep. But the knapsack full of goblet of wine. Her two sisters, who often mocked her because of
gold remained before the eyes of the landlord, and left him no her husband but would now like to have the rich man, commit
peace, and during the night he crept in and stole it away. Next suicide. In the evening the devil comes and says: "You see, now I
morning, however, when Hans got up and wanted to pay the have two souls for your one.")
landlord and travel further, behold, his knapsack was gone! But he
soon composed himself and thought, "Thou hast been unfortunate There was once a young fellow who enlisted as a soldier,
from no fault of thine own," and straightway went back again to conducted himself bravely, and was always the foremost when it
hell, complained of his misfortune to the old Devil, and begged for rained bullets. So long as the war lasted, all went well, but when
his help. The Devil said, "Seat yourself, I will wash, comb, and peace was made, he received his dismissal, and the captain said he
trim you, cut your hair and nails, and wash your eyes for you," might go where he liked. His parents were dead, and he had no
and when he had done with him, he gave him the knapsack back longer a home, so he went to his brothers and begged them to take
again full of sweepings, and said, "Go and tell the landlord that he him in, and keep him until war broke out again. The brothers,
must return you your money, or else I will come and fetch him, however, were hard-hearted and said, "What can we do with thee?
and he shall poke the fire in your place." Hans went up and said to thou art of no use to us; go and make a living for thyself." The
the landlord, "Thou hast stolen my money; if thou dost not return soldier had nothing left but his gun; he took that on his shoulder,
it, thou shalt go down to hell in my place, and wilt look as and went forth into the world. He came to a wide heath, on which
horrible as I." Then the land-lord gave him the money, and more nothing was to be seen but a circle of trees; under these he sat
besides, only begging him to keep it secret, and Hans was now a sorrowfully down, and began to think over his fate. "I have no
rich man. money," thought he, "I have learnt no trade but that of fighting,
He set out on his way home to his father, bought himself a and now that they have made peace they don't want me any longer;
shabby smock-frock to wear, and strolled about making music, for so I see beforehand that I shall have to starve." All at once he
he had learned to do that while he was with the Devil in hell. heard a rustling, and when he looked round, a strange man stood
There was, however, an old King in that country, before whom he before him, who wore a green coat and looked right stately, but
had to play, and the King was so delighted with his playing, that had a hideous cloven foot. "I know already what thou art in need
he promised him his eldest daughter in marriage. But when she of," said the man; "gold and possessions shalt thou have, as much
heard that she was to be married to a common fellow in a smock- as thou canst make away with do what thou wilt, but first I must
frock, she said, "Rather than do it, I would go into the deepest know if thou art fearless, that I may not bestow my money in
water," and then the King gave him the youngest, who was quite vain." "A soldier and fear—how can those two things go
willing to do it to please her father, and thus the Devil's sooty together?" he answered; "thou canst put me to the proof." "Very
brother got the King's daughter, and when the aged King died, well, then," answered the man, "look behind thee." The soldier
the whole kingdom likewise. turned round, and saw a large bear, which came growling towards
him. "Oho!" cried the soldier, "I will tickle thy nose for thee, so
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that thou shalt soon lose thy fancy for growling," and he aimed at Bearskin well, and he went. When the eldest saw him she was so
the bear and shot it through the muzzle; it fell down and never terribly alarmed at his face that she screamed and ran away. The
stirred again. "I see quite well," said the stranger, "that thou art second stood still and looked at him from head to foot, but then
not wanting in courage, but there is still another condition which she said, " How can I accept a husband who no longer has a human
thou wilt have to fulfil." "If it does not endanger my salvation," form? The shaven bear that once was here and passed itself off for a
replied the soldier, who knew very well who was standing by him." man pleased me far better, for at any rate it wore a hussar's dress
If it does, I'll have nothing to do with it." "Thou wilt look to that and white gloves. If it were nothing but ugliness, I might get used
for thyself," answered Greencoat; "thou shalt for the next seven to that." The youngest, however, said, "Dear father, that must be
years neither wash thyself, nor comb thy beard, nor thy hair, nor a good man to have helped you out of your trouble, so if you have
cut thy nails, nor say one paternoster. I will give thee a coat and a promised him a bride for doing it, your promise must be kept." It
cloak, which during this time thou must wear. If thou diest during was a pity that Bearskin's face was cohered with dirt and with hair,
these seven years, thou art mine; if thou remainest alive, thou art for if not they might have seen how delighted he was when he
free, and rich to boot, for all the rest of thy life." The soldier heard these words. He took a ring from his finger, broke it in two,
thought of the great extremity in which he now found himself, and and gave her one half, the other he kept for himself. He wrote his
as he so often had gone to meet death, he resolved to risk it now name, however, on her half, and hers on his, and begged her to
also, and agreed to the terms. The Devil took off his green coat, keep her piece carefully, and then he took his leave and said, "I
gave it to the soldier, and said, " If thou hast this coat on thy back must still wander about for three years, and if I do not return then,
and puttest thy hand into the pocket, thou wilt always find it full thou art free, for I shall be dead. But pray to God to preserve my
of money." Then he pulled the skin off the bear and said, "This life."
shall be thy cloak, and thy bed also, for thereon shalt thou sleep, The poor betrothed bride dressed herself entirely in black, and
and in no other bed shalt thou lie, and because of this apparel shalt when she thought of her future bridegroom, tears came into her
thou be called Bearskin." After this the Devil vanished. eyes. Nothing but contempt and mockery fell to her lot from her
The soldier put the coat on, felt at once in the pocket, and found sisters, "Take care," said the eldest, "if thou givest him thy hand,
that the thing was really true. Then he put on the bearskin and he will strike his claws into it." "Beware!" said the second. "Bears
went forth into the world, and enjoyed himself, refraining from like sweet things, and if he takes a fancy to thee, he will eat thee
nothing that did him good and his money harm. During the first up." "Thou must always do as he likes," began the elder again, "or
year his appearance was passable, but during the second he began else he will growl." And the second continued, "but the wedding
to look like a monster. His hair covered nearly the whole of his will be a merry one, for bears dance well." The bride was silent,
face, his beard was like a piece of coarse felt, his fingers had claws, and did not let them vex her. Bearskin, however, travelled about
and his face was so covered with dirt that if cress had been sown on the world from one place to another, did good where he was able,
it, it would have come up. Whosoever saw him, ran away, but as and gave generously to the poor that they might pray for him.
he everywhere gave the poor money to pray that he might not die At length, as the last day of the seven years dawned, he went once
during the seven years, and as he paid well for everything he still more out on to the heath, and seated himself beneath the circle of
always found shelter. In the fourth year, he entered an inn where trees. It was not long before the wind whistled, and the Devil
the landlord would not receive him, and would not even let him stood before him and looked angrily at him; then he threw
have a place in the stable, because he was afraid the horses would Bearskin his old coat, and asked for his own green one back. " We
be scared. But as Bearskin thrust his hand into his pocket and have not got so far as that yet," answered Bearskin, "thou must
pulled out a handful of ducats, the host let himself be persuaded first make me clean." Whether the Devil liked it or not, he was
and gave him a room in an outhouse. Bearskin was, however, forced to fetch water, and wash Bearskin, comb his hair, and cut
obliged to promise not to let himself be seen, lest the inn should his nails. After this, he looked like a brave soldier, and was much
get a bad name. handsomer than he had ever been before.
As Bearskin was sitting alone in the evening, and wishing from When the Devil had gone away, Bearskin was quite light-hearted.
the bottom of his heart that the seven years were over, he heard a He went into the town, put on a magnificent velvet coat, seated
loud lamenting in a neighbouring room. He had a compassionate himself in a carriage drawn by four white horses, and drove to his
heart, so he opened the door, and saw an old man weeping bitterly, bride's house. No one recognised him, the father took him for a
and wringing his hands. Bearskin went nearer, but the man sprang distinguished general, and led him into the room where his
to his feet and tried to escape from him. At last when the man daughters were sitting. He was forced to place himself between the
perceived that Bearskin's voice was human he let himself be two eldest, they helped him to wine, gave him the best pieces of
prevailed on, and by kind words Bearskin succeeded so far that the meat, and thought that in all the world they had never seen a
old man revealed the cause of his grief. His property had dwindled handsomer man. The bride, however, sat opposite to him in her
away by degrees, he and his daughters would have to starve, and black dress, and never raised her eyes, nor spoke a word. When at
he was so poor that he could not pay the innkeeper, and was to be length he asked the father if he would give him one of his
put in prison. "If that is your only trouble," said Bearskin, "I have daughters to wife, the two eldest jumped up, ran into their
plenty of money." He caused the innkeeper to be brought thither, bedrooms to put on splendid dresses, for each of them fancied she
paid him and put a purse full of gold into the poor old man's was the chosen one. The stranger, as soon as he was alone with his
pocket besides. bride, brought out his half of the ring, and threw it in a glass of
When the old man saw himself set free from all his troubles he wine which he reached across the table to her. She took the wine,
did not know how to be grateful enough. "Come with me," said he but when she had drunk it, and found the half ring lying at the
to Bearskin; "my daughters are all miracles of beauty, choose one bottom, her heart began to beat. She got the other half, which she
of them for thyself as a wife. When she hears what thou hast done wore on a ribbon round her neck, joined them, and saw that the
for me, she will not refuse thee. Thou dost in truth look a little two pieces fitted exactly together. Then said he, "I am thy
strange, but she will soon put thee to rights again." This pleased betrothed bridegroom, whom thou sawest as Bearskin, but
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through God's grace I have again received my human form, and suffer for it—we will punish thee by a bloody war." Thus war was
have once more become clean." He went up to her, embraced her, announced to the Bear, and all four-footed animals were
and gave her a kiss. In the meantime the two sisters came back in summoned to take part in it, oxen, asses, cows, deer, and every
full dress, and when they saw that the handsome man had fallen to other animal the earth contained. And the willow-wren summoned
the share of the youngest, and heard that he was Bearskin, they everything which flew in the air, not only birds, large and small,
ran out full of anger and rage. One of them drowned herself in the but midges, and hornets, bees and flies had to come.
well, the other hanged herself on a tree. In the evening, some one When the time came for the war to begin, the willow-wren sent
knocked at the door, and when the bridegroom opened it, it was out spies to discover who was the enemy's commander-in-chief.
the Devil in his green coat, who said, "Seest thou, I have now got The gnat, who was the most crafty, flew into the forest where the
two souls in the place of thy one!" enemy was assembled, and hid herself beneath a leaf of the tree
where the watchword was to be given. There stood the bear, and
he called the fox before him and said, "Fox, thou art the most
102.—THE WILLOW-WREN AND THE BEAR. cunning of all animals, thou shalt be general and lead us."
"Good," said the fox, "but what signal shall we agree upon?" No
("The Willow-Wren and the Bear" is an animal fairy tale in the one knew that, so the fox said, "I have a fine long bushy tail, which
Children's and Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm at almost looks like a plume of red feathers. When I lift my tail up
position 102 (KHM 102). The story comes from Zwehrn in Lower quite high, all is going well, and you must charge; but if I let it
Hesse (from Dorothea Viehmann). hang down, run away as fast as you can." When the gnat had
Content: Bear and wolf are going for a walk in the forest. The heard that, she flew away again, and revealed everything, with the
bear wants to know which bird sings so beautifully. When he hears greatest minuteness, to the willow-wren. When day broke, and the
that it is the king of birds (the wren), he wants to see the palace. battle was to begin, all the four-footed animals came running up
He looks into the nest after the parents have flown away. He says with such a noise that the earth trembled. The willow-wren also
it's a poor palace and the children are dishonest. That offends her. came flying through the air with his army with such a humming,
Her father has to declare war on the bear, flying animals against and whirring, and swarming that every one was uneasy and afraid,
four-legged friends. The gnat sniffs out the wily General Fuchs, and on both sides they advanced against each other. But the
who holds his tail up like a plume of feathers when he's going willow-wren sent down the hornet, with orders to get beneath the
ahead, but low when it's time to run away. In battle, the wren has fox's tail, and sting it with all his might. When the fox felt the first
the hornet sting the fox's tail until it has to lower it and the sting, he started so that he drew up one leg, with the pain, but he
entourage flees. The wren children are only satisfied when the bear bore it, and still kept his tail high in the air; at the second sting, he
comes and apologizes, then they eat again.) was forced to put it down for a moment; at the third, he could
hold out no longer, and screamed out and put his tail between his
Once in summer-time the bear and the wolf were walking in the legs. When the animals saw that, they thought all was lost, and
forest, and the bear heard a bird singing so beautifully that he said, began to fly, each into his hole and the birds had won the battle.
"Brother wolf, what bird is it that sings so well?" "That is the Then the King and Queen flew home to their children and cried,
King of the birds," said the wolf, "before whom we must bow "Children, rejoice, eat and drink to your heart's content, we have
down." It was, however, in reality the willow-wren (Zaunkönig). won the battle!" But the young wrens said, "We will not eat yet,
"If that's the case," said the bear, "I should very much like to see the bear must come to the nest, and beg for pardon and say that we
his royal palace; come, take me thither." "That is not done quite are honourable children, before we will do that." Then the
as you seem to think," said the wolf; "you must wait until the willow-wren flew to the bear's hole and cried, "Growler, thou art
Queen comes." Soon afterwards, the Queen arrived with some food to come to the nest to my children, and beg their pardon, or else
in her beak, and the lord King came too, and they began to feed every rib of thy body shall be broken." So the bear crept thither in
their young ones. The bear would have liked to go at once, but the the greatest fear, and begged their pardon. And now at last the
wolf held him back by the sleeve, and said, "No, you must wait young wrens were satisfied, and sat down together and ate and
until the lord and lady Queen have gone away again." So they drank, and made merry till quite late into the night.
observed the hole in which was the nest, and trotted away. The
bear, however, could not rest until he had seen the royal palace,
and when a short time had passed, again went to it. The King and 103.—SWEET PORRIDGE.
Queen had just flown out, so he peeped in and saw five or six
young ones lying in it. "Is that the royal palace?" cried the bear; ("Sweet Porridge," often known in English under the title of
"it is a wretched palace, and you are not King's children, you are "The Magic Porridge Pot", is a folkloric fairy tale recorded by the
disreputable children!" When the young wrens heard that, they Brothers Grimm, as tale number 103 in Grimm's Fairy Tales, in
were frightfully angry, and screamed, "No, that we are not! Our the second volume 1815. Until the 2nd edition the title was "Of
parents are honest people! Bear, thou wilt have to pay for that!" the sweet porridge". The Grimms noted "From Hesse" (from
The bear and the wolf grew uneasy, and turned back and went Henriette Dorothea Wild, Wilhelm Grimm's wife).
into their holes. The young willow-wrens, however, continued to Contents: A child who lives alone with his poor mother goes
cry and scream, and when their parents again brought food they begging for food. An old woman gives him a magic pot, which
said, "We will not so much as touch one fly's leg, no, not if we prepares sweet millet porridge on the command "potty, cook" and
were dying of hunger, until you have settled whether we are stops at the words "potty, stand". From then on they will never go
respectable children or not; the bear has been here and has insulted hungry again. One day the girl is out of the house and the mother
us!" Then the old King said, "Be easy, he shall be punished," and tells the pot "potty, cook" and the pot boils porridge. She didn't
he at once flew with the Queen to the bear's cave, and called in, remember the second spell, so he doesn't stop there. The whole
"Old Growler, why hast thou insulted my, children? Thou shalt
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town is already buried under mush when the child comes home and but just as he was going out of the yard-door, the woman clutched
says to him "potty, stand". Then it stops boiling.) him by the sleeve and said, "You must give me the two hundred
thalers now, or I cannot let the cows go." "True," answered the
There was a poor but good little girl who lived alone with her man, "but I have forgotten to buckle on my money-belt. Have no
mother, and they no longer had anything to eat. So the child went fear, however, you shall have security for my paying. I will take
into the forest, and there an aged woman met her who was aware two cows with me and leave one, and then you will have a good
of her sorrow, and presented her with a little pot, which when she pledge." The woman saw the force of this, and let the man go away
said, "Cook, little pot, cook," would cook good, sweet porridge, with the cows, and thought to herself, "How pleased Hans will be
and when she said, "Stop, little pot," it ceased to cook. The girl when he finds how cleverly I have managed it!" The peasant came
took the pot home to her mother, and now they were freed from home on the third day as he had said he would, and at once
their poverty and hunger, and ate sweet porridge as often as they inquired if the cows were sold? "Yes, indeed, dear Hans,"
chose. Once on a time when the girl had gone out, her mother said, answered the woman, " and as you said, for two hundred thalers.
"Cook, little pot, cook." And it did cook and she ate till she was They are scarcely worth so much, but the man took them without
satisfied, and then she wanted the pot to stop cooking, but did not making any objection." "Where is the money?" asked the peasant.
know the word. So it went on cooking and the porridge rose over "Oh, I have not got the money," replied the woman; "he had
the edge, and still it cooked on until the kitchen and whole house happened to forget his money-belt, but he will soon bring it, and
were full, and then the next house, and then the whole street, just he left good security behind him." "What kind of security?" asked
as if it wanted to satisfy the hunger of the whole world, and there the man. "One of the three cows, which he shall not have until he
was the greatest distress, but no one knew how to stop it. At last has paid for the other two. I have managed very cunningly, for I
when only one single house remained, the child came home and have kept the smallest, which eats the least." The man was enraged
just said, "Stop, little pot," and it stopped and gave up cooking, and lifted up his stick, and was just going to give her the beating
and whosoever wished to return to the town had to eat his way he had promised her. Suddenly he let the stick fall and said, "You
back. are the stupidest goose that ever waddled on God's earth, but I am
sorry for you. I will go out into the highways and wait for three
days to see if I find any one who is still stupider than you. If I
104.—WISE FOLKS. succeed in doing so, you shall go scot-free, but if I do not find him,
you shall receive your well-deserved reward without any
("The Clever People" is a farce in the Children's and Household discount."
Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 7th edition of 1857 at He went out into the great highways, sat down on a stone, and
position 104 (KHM 104). In 1856, the Grimms noted "from waited for what would happen. Then he saw a peasant's waggon
Hesse" (from Dortchen Wild, sister of Wilhelm Grimm's wife. coming towards him, and a woman was standing upright in the
Contents: Farmer Hans lets his wife Trine sell the three cows in middle of it, instead of sitting on the bundle of straw which was
his absence, but not for less than two hundred thalers, otherwise lying beside her, or walking near the oxen and leading them. The
he wants to beat her up. The cattle dealer has no money with him man thought to himself, "That is certainly one of the kind I am in
and leaves her a cow as collateral. The angry man wants to they search of," and jumped up and ran backwards and forwards in
spare him if he finds someone even more stupid. On the street, a front of the waggon like one who is not very wise. "What do you
woman drives the wagon standing up so as not to bother the want, my friend?" said the woman to him; "I don't know you,
animals. He claims that he fell from heaven, her husband has no where do you come from?" "I have fallen down from Heaven,"
clothes there. She gets him her money and tells him so also her son, replied the man, "and don't know how to get back again, couldn't
who goes in search of the heavenly messenger and gives him his you drive me up?" "No," said the woman, "I don't know the way,
horse so that he can return to heaven more quickly. He rides home but if you come from Heaven you can surely tell me how my
satisfied.) husband, who has been there these three years, is. You must have
seen him?" "Oh, yes, I have seen him, but all men can't get on well.
One day a peasant took his good hazel-stick out of the corner He keeps sheep, and the sheep give him a great deal to do. They
and said to his wife, "Trina, I am going across country, and shall run up the mountains and lose their way in the wilderness, and he
not return for three days. If during that time the cattle-dealer has to run after them and drive them together again. His clothes
should happen to call and want to buy our three cows, you may are all torn to pieces too, and will soon fall off his body. There is
strike a bargain at once, but not unless you can get two hundred no tailor there, for Saint Peter won't let any of them in, as you
thalers for them; nothing less, do you hear?" "For heaven's sake know by the story." "Who would have thought it?" cried the
just go in peace," answered the woman, "I will manage that." woman, "I tell you what, I will fetch his Sunday coat which is still
"You, indeed," said the man. "You once fell on your head when hanging at home in the cupboard, he can wear that and look
you were a little child, and that affects you even now; but let me respectable. You will be so kind as to take it with you." "That
tell you this, if you do anything foolish, I will make your back won't do very well," answered the peasant; "people are not
black and blue, and not with paint, I assure you, but with the stick allowed to take clothes into Heaven, they are taken away from one
which I have in my hand, and the colouring shall last a whole year, at the gate." "Then hark you," said the woman, "I sold my line
you may rely on that." And having said that, the man went on his wheat yesterday and got a good lot of money for it, I will send that
way. to him. If you hide the purse in your pocket, no one will know that
Next morning the cattle-dealer came, and the woman had no you have it." "If you can't manage it any other way," said the
need to say many words to him. When he had seen the cows and peasant, "I will do you that favour." "Just sit still where you are,"
heard the price, he said, "I am quite willing to give that, honestly said she, "and I will drive home and fetch the purse, I shall soon be
speaking, they are worth it. I will take the beasts away with me at back again. I do not sit down on the bundle of straw, but stand up
once." He unfastened their chains and drove them out of the byre, in the waggon, because it makes it lighter for the cattle." She
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
drove her oxen away, and the peasant thought, "That woman has becomes thinner and thinner. The barn owl screeches at night and
a perfect talent for folly, if she really brings the money, my wife robins gathered twigs for the funeral wreath. The child was lying
may think herself fortunate, for she will get no beating." It was on the bier shortly afterwards. [2nd story] - An orphan girl spins
not long before she came in a great hurry with the money, and near the city wall and sees a snake coming out of a hole. She
with her own hands put it in his pocket. Before she went away, she spreads out her blue silk handkerchief and the serpent returns with
thanked him again a thousand times for his courtesy. a crown of finely spun gold. When the snake returns, the crown is
When the woman got home again, she found her son who had gone and he hits his head against the wall until he is dead. The girl
come in from the field. She told him what unlooked-for things had might have gotten more treasure had she left the crown. [3rd story]
befallen her, and then added, "I am truly delighted at having - The toad appears when the child calls and asks about his little
found an opportunity of sending something to my poor husband. sister, Redstocking. The toad has not seen her and asks ... )
Who would ever have imagined that he could be suffering for want
of anything up in Heaven?" The son was full of astonishment. First Story.
"Mother," said he, "it is not every day that a man comes from There was once a little child whose mother gave her every
Heaven in this way, I will go out immediately, and see if he is still afternoon a small bowl of milk and bread, and the child seated
to be found; he must tell me what it is like up there, and how the herself in the yard with it. When she began to eat however, a snake
work is done." He saddled the horse and rode off with all speed. came creeping out of a crevice in the wall, dipped its little head in
He found the peasant who was sitting under a willow-tree, and the dish, and ate with her. The child had pleasure in this, and
was just going to count the money in the purse. "Have you seen the when she was sitting there with her little dish and the snake did
man who has fallen down from Heaven?" cried the youth to him. not come at once, she cried,
"Yes," answered the peasant, "he has set out on his way back there, "Snake, snake, come swiftly
and has gone up that hill, from whence it will be rather nearer; Hither come, thou tiny thing,
you could still catch him up, if you were to ride fast." "Alas," said Thou shalt have thy crumbs of bread,
the youth, "I have been doing tiring work all day, and the ride Thou shall refresh thyself with milk."
here has completely worn me out; you know the man, be so kind as Then the snake came in haste, and enjoyed its food. Moreover it
to get on my horse, and go and persuade him to come here." showed gratitude, for it brought the child all kinds of pretty
"Aha!" thought the peasant, "here is another who has no wick in things from its hidden treasures, bright stones, pearls, and golden
his lamp!" "Why should I not do you this favour?" said he, and playthings. The snake, however, only drank the milk, and left the
mounted the horse and rode off in a quick trot. The youth bread-crumbs alone. Then one day the child took its little spoon
remained sitting there till night fell, but the peasant never came and struck the snake gently on its head with it, and said, "Eat the
back. "The man from Heaven must certainly have been in a great bread-crumbs as well, little thing." The mother, who was standing
hurry, and would not turn back," thought he, "and the peasant in the kitchen, heard the child talking to some one, and when she
has no doubt given him the horse to take to my father." He went saw that she was striking a snake with her spoon, ran out with a
home and told his mother what had happened, and that he had log of wood, and killed the good little creature.
sent his father the horse so that he might not have to be always From that time forth, a change came over the child. As long as
running about. "Thou hast done well," answered she, "thy legs are the snake had eaten with her, she had grown tall and strong, but
younger than his, and thou canst go on foot." now she lost her pretty rosy cheeks and wasted away. It was not
When the peasant got home, he put the horse in the stable beside long before the funeral bird began to cry in the night, and the
the cow which he had as a pledge, and then, went to his wife and redbreast to collect little branches and leaves for a funeral garland,
said, "Trina, as your luck would have it, I have found two who are and soon afterwards the child lay on her bier.
still sillier fools than you; this time you escape without a beating, I
will store it up for another occasion." Then he lighted his pipe, sat Second Story.
down in his grandfather's chair, and said, "It was a good stroke of An orphan child was sitting on the town walls spinning, when
business to get a sleek horse and a great purse full of money into she saw a snake coming out of a hole low down in the wall. Swiftly
the bargain, for two lean cows. If stupidity always brought in as she spread out beside this one of the blue silk handkerchiefs which
much as that I would be quite willing to hold it in honour." So snakes have such a strong liking for, and which are the only things
thought the peasant, but you no doubt prefer the simple folks. they will creep on. As soon as the snake saw it, it went back, then
returned, bringing with it a small golden crown, laid it on the
handkerchief, and then went away again. The girl took up the
105.— TALES OF THE PADDOCK crown, it glittered and was of delicate golden filagree work. It was
not long before the snake came back for the second time, but when
("Stories about Snakes" or "Tales of the Paddock" is a fairy tale it no longer saw the crown, it crept up to the wall, and in its grief
in the Children's And Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm, smote its little head against it as long as it had strength to do so,
KHM 105. Its original title is "Märchen von der Unke", meaning until at last it lay there dead. If the girl had but left the crown
"Fairytale of the Fire-bellied Toad". Fire-bellied toads (Bombina where it was, the snake would certainly have brought still more of
or Bombinatoridae) are a family of toad-like frogs (Anura). its treasures out of the hole.
Contents: [1st story] - A mother gives her son a saucer of milk
with chunks every afternoon and he eats it in the yard. A snake Third Story.
always comes to drink and gives the boy golden toys and shiny A snake cries, "Huhu, huhu." A child says, "Come out." The
stones and pearls. But one day the boy says that he also has to eat snake comes out, then the child inquires about her little sister:
chunks and gently hits the snake on the head. The mother hears "Hast thou not seen little Red-stockings?" The snake says, "No."
something and sees the snake, she kills the beast with a block of "Neither have I." "Then I am like you. Huhu, huhu, huhu."
wood. The child changes and he loses his beautiful red cheeks and
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106.—THE POOR MILLER'S BOY AND THE CAT. his stockings on for him, one tied his garters, one brought his
shoes, one washed him, and one dried his face with her tail. "That
("The poor Miller's Boy and the Cat" is a fairy tale in the feels very soft!" said Hans. He, however, had to serve the cat, and
Brothers Grimm's Children's and Household Tales (KHM 106). chop some wood every day, and to do that he had an axe of silver,
The Grimms noted "from Zwehrn" (from Dorothea Viehmann). and the wedge and saw were of silver and the mallet of copper. So
Contents: An old miller wants to give his mill to the farmhand he chopped the wood small; stayed there in the house and had
who can get the best horse. The other two don't want to take Hans, good meat and drink, but never saw any one but the tabby-cat and
the youngest, with them because they do not trust him and he does her servants. Once she said to him, "Go and mow my meadow, and
not want the mill, so they leave him in a cave at night. In the forest, dry the grass," and gave him a scythe of silver, and a whetstone of
a colourful kitten promises him a horse if he serves him for seven gold, but bade him deliver them up again carefully. So Hans went
years. In her enchanted castle there are many kittens who play thither, and did what he was bidden, and when he had finished the
music while eating. When he does not want to dance with her, they work, he carried the scythe, whetstone, and hay to the house, and
put him to bed. He has to chop wood, make hay and finally build a asked if it was not yet time for her to give him his reward. "No,"
house with tools made of copper, gold and silver. The kitten shows said the cat, "you must first do something more for me of the same
him the horses and then sends him home. There he is laughed at kind, there is timber of silver, carpenter's axe, square, and
because his old torn clothes no longer fit him. He has to sleep in everything that is needful, all of silver, with these build me a small
the goose pen. The next morning, a princess comes in a carriage house." Then Hans built the small house, and said that he had now
with her horse, which is better than the horses of the other done everything, and still be had no horse. Nevertheless, the seven
servants. Then she takes Hans to the house he built, which turned years had gone by with him as if they were six months. The cat
into a castle.) asked him if he would like to see her horses? "Yes," said Hans.
Then she opened the door of the small house, and when she had
In a certain mill lived an old miller who had neither wife nor opened it, there stood twelve horses,—such horses, so bright and
child, and three apprentices served under him. As they had been shining, that his heart rejoiced at the sight of them. And now she
with him several years, he one day said to them, "I am old, and gave him to eat and to drink, and said, "Go home, I will not give
want to sit in the chimney-corner, go out, and whichsoever of you thee thy horse away with thee; but in three days' time I will follow
brings me the best horse home, to him will I give the mill, and in thee and bring it." So Hans set out, and she showed him the way to
return for it he shall take care of me till my death." The third of the mill. She had, however, never once given him a new coat, and
the boys was, however, the drudge, who was looked on as foolish he had been obliged to keep on his dirty old smock-frock, which he
by the others; they begrudged the mill to him, and afterwards he had brought with him, and which during the seven years had
would not have it. Then all three went out together, and when everywhere become too small for him. When he reached home, the
they came to the village, the two said to stupid Hans, "Thou mayst two other apprentices were there again as well, and each of them
just as well stay here, as long as thou livest thou wilt never get a certainly had brought a horse with him, but one of them was a
horse." Hans, however, went with them, and when it was night blind one, and the other lame. They asked Hans where his horse
they came to a cave in which they lay down to sleep. The two sharp was? "It will follow me in three days' time." Then they laughed
ones waited until Hans had fallen asleep, then they got up, and and said, "Indeed, stupid Hans, where wilt thou get a horse? It
went away leaving him where he was. And they thought they had will be a fine one!" Hans went into the parlour, but the miller said
done a very clever thing, but it was certain to turn out ill for them. he should not sit down to table, for he was so ragged and torn,
When the sun arose, and Hans woke up, he was lying in a deep that they would all be ashamed of him if any one came in. So they
cavern. He looked around on every side and exclaimed, "Oh, gave him a mouthful of food outside, and at night, when they went
heavens, where am I?" Then he got up and clambered out of the to rest, the two others would not let him have a bed, and at last he
cave, went into the forest, and thought, "Here I am quite alone was forced to creep into the goose-house, and lie down on a little
and deserted, how shall I obtain a horse now?" Whilst he was thus hard straw. In the morning when he awoke, the three days had
walking full of thought, he met a small tabby-cat which said quite passed, and a coach came with six horses and they shone so bright
kindly, "Hans, where are you going?" "Alas, thou canst not help that it was delightful to see them!—and a servant brought a
me." "I well know your desire," said the cat. "You wish to have a seventh as well, which was for the poor miller's boy. And a
beautiful horse. Come with me, and be my faithful servant for magnificent princess alighted from the coach and went into the
seven years long, and then I will give you one more beautiful than mill, and this princess was the little tabby-cat whom poor Hans
any you have ever seen in your whole life." "Well, this is a had served for seven years. She asked the miller where the miller's
wonderful cat!" thought Hans, "but I am determined to see if she boy and drudge was? Then the miller said, "We cannot have him
is telling the truth." So she took him with her into her enchanted here in the mill, for he is so ragged; he is lying in the goose-
castle, where there were nothing but cats who were her servants. house." Then the King's daughter said that they were to bring him
They leapt nimbly upstairs and downstairs, and were merry and immediately. So they brought him out, and he had to hold his
happy. In the evening when they sat down to dinner, three of them little smock-frock together to cover himself. The servants
had to make music. One played the bassoon, the other the fiddle, unpacked splendid garments, and washed him and dressed him,
and the third put the trumpet to his lips, and blew out his cheeks and when that was done, no King could have looked more
as much as he possibly could. When they had dined, the table was handsome. Then the maiden desired to see the horses which the
carried away, and the cat said, "Now, Hans, come and dance with other apprentices had brought home with them, and one of them
me." "No," said he, "I won't dance with a pussy cat. I have never was blind and the other lame. So she ordered the servant to bring
done that yet." "Then take him to bed," said she to the cats. So the seventh horse, and when the miller saw it, he said that such a
one of them lighted him to his bed-room, one pulled his shoes off, horse as that had never yet entered his yard. "And that is for the
one his stockings, and at last one of them blew out the candle. third miller's-boy," said she. "Then he must have the mill," said
Next morning they returned and helped him out of bed, one put the miller, but the King's daughter said that the horse was there,
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and that he was to keep his mill as well, and took her faithful Hans to laugh, reached him his bottle, and said, "No harm was meant,
and set him in the coach, and drove away with him. They first take a drink, and swallow your anger down." The shoemaker took
drove to the little house which he had built with the silver tools, a very hearty drink, and the storm on his face began to clear away.
and behold it was a great castle, and everything inside it was of He gave the bottle back to the tailor, and said, "I spoke civilly to
silver and gold; and then she married him, and he was rich, so rich you; one speaks well after much drinking, but not after much
that he had enough for all the rest of his life. After this, let no one thirst. Shall we travel together?" "All right," answered the tailor,
ever say that any one who is silly can never become a person of "if only it suits you to go into a big town where there is no lack of
importance. work." "That is just where I want to go," answered the shoemaker.
"In a small nest there is nothing to earn, and in the country,
people like to go barefoot." They travelled therefore onwards
107.—THE TWO TRAVELLERS. together, and always set one foot before the other like a weasel in
the snow.
("The two Wanderers" is a fairy tale in the children's and Both of them had time enough, but little to bite and to break.
household tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 5th edition of When they reached a town they went about and paid their respects
1843 (KHM 107). The Grimms noted: "After a tale from to the tradesmen, and because the tailor looked so lively and merry,
Holstein" (by the student Mein of Kiel). This high-quality and had such pretty red cheeks, every one gave him work willingly,
narrative is about acceptance or denial of our path of maturity in and when luck was good the master's daughters gave him a kiss
which the perception of deeper insights of relations is possible only beneath the porch, as well. When he again fell in with the
by the eradication of ruthless egoism. shoemaker, the tailor had always the most in his bundle. The ill-
Contents: A light-hearted tailor and a grumpy shoemaker hike tempered shoemaker made a wry face, and thought, "The greater
together. The tailor makes more money because people like him the rascal the more the luck," but the tailor began to laugh and to
and is happy to share with the envious cobbler. A path of two days sing, and shared all he got with his comrade. If a couple of pence
and one of seven lead through the forest to the royal city. Because jingled in his pockets, he ordered good cheer, and thumped the
they don't know which one is the right one, the shoemaker buys table in his joy till the glasses danced, and it was lightly come,
bread for seven days, but the tailor only for two. When they still lightly, go, with him.
don't arrive on the third day and the tailor can't go any further on When they had travelled for some time, they came to a great
the fifth day because of hunger, the shoemaker gives him a piece of forest through which passed the road to the capital. Two foot-
bread but puts out his eye for it. This is repeated on the seventh paths, however, led through it, one of which was a seven days'
day. After the forest, the shoemaker leaves the blind tailor under a journey, and the other only two, but neither of the travellers knew
gallows. In the twilight, a hanged man with a crow on his head which way was the short one. They seated themselves beneath an
talks to the other, so that you can see who is washing himself with oak-tree, and took counsel together how they should forecast, and
the rope. This is how the tailor is fulfilled. He thanks God. Along for how many days they should provide themselves with bread.
the way, he encounters a bay foal that he wants to ride, a stork, The shoemaker said, "One must look before one leaps, I will take
young ducklings, and a beehive of honey that he wants to eat, but with me bread for a week." "What!" said the tailor, "drag bread
always lets the animals move them to their mercy. He soon became for seven days on one's back like a beast of burden, and not be able
famous in the city for his skills and became a court tailor. His to look about. I shall trust in God, and not trouble myself about
former comrade, the court shoemaker, wants to make him anything! The money I have in my pocket is as good in summer as
harmless. He once told the king that the tailor had dared to in winter, but in hot weather bread gets dry, and mouldy into the
retrieve the missing crown, then to depict the castle in wax, to let bargain; even my coat does not go as far as it might. Besides, why
water bubble in the castle courtyard and to be able to get the king should we not find the right way? Bread for two days, and that's
a son. The king threatens the tailor with banishment, enough." Each, therefore, bought his own bread, and then they
imprisonment and death if he doesn't do it, but the ducks, the bees, tried their luck in the forest.
the horse and the stork help him. For his marriage to the eldest It was as quiet there as in a church. No wind stirred, no brook
daughter of the king, the shoemaker has to make shoes for him and murmured, no bird sang, and through the thickly-leaved branches
leave the city. He throws himself down under the gallows in anger no sunbeam forced its way. The shoemaker spoke never a word,
and exhaustion. The crows peck out his eyes and he runs into the the heavy bread weighed down his back until the perspiration
forest.) streamed down his cross and gloomy face. The tailor, however,
was quite merry, he jumped about, whistled on a leaf, or sang a
Hill and vale do not come together, but the children of men do, song, and thought to himself, "God in Heaven must be pleased to
good and bad. In this way a shoemaker and a tailor once met with see me so happy."
each other in their travels. The tailor was a handsome little fellow This lasted two days, but on the third the forest would not come
who was always merry and full of enjoyment. He saw the to an end, and the tailor had eaten up all his bread, so after all his
shoemaker coming towards him from the other side, and as he heart sank down a yard deeper. In the meantime he did not lose
observed by his bag what kind of a trade he plied, he sang a little courage, but relied on God and on his luck. On the third day he
mocking song to him, lay down in the evening hungry under a tree, and rose again next
"Sew me the seam, morning hungry still; so also passed the fourth day, and when the
Draw me the thread, shoemaker seated himself on a fallen tree and devoured his dinner,
Spread it over with pitch, the tailor was only a looker-on. If he begged for a little piece of
Knock the nail on the head." bread the other laughed mockingly, and said, "Thou hast always
The shoemaker, however, could not endure a joke; he pulled a been so merry, now thou canst try for once what it is to be sad: the
face as if he had drunk vinegar, and made a gesture as if he were birds which sing too early in the morning are struck by the hawk
about to seize the tailor by the throat. But the little fellow began in the evening," in short he was pitiless. But on the fifth morning
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the poor tailor could no longer stand up, and was hardly able to soon forgot the pain of heart he had endured, and went on his way
utter one word for weakness; his cheeks were white, and his eyes singing and whistling.
red. Then the shoemaker said to him, "I will give thee a bit of The first thing he met was a brown foal running about the fields
bread to-day, but in return for it, I will put out thy right eye." at large. He caught it by the mane, and wanted to spring on it and
The unhappy tailor who still wished to save his life, could not do it ride into the town. The foal, however, begged to be set free. "I am
in any other way; he wept once more with both eyes, and then held still too young," it said, "even a light tailor such as thou art
them out, and the shoemaker, who had a heart of stone, put out would break my back in two—let me go till I have grown strong.
his right eye with a sharp knife. The tailor called to remembrance A time may perhaps come when I may reward thee for it."
what his mother had formerly said to him when he had been eating "Run off," said the tailor, "I see thou art still a giddy thing." He
secretly in the pantry. "Eat what one can, and suffer what one gave it a touch with a switch over its back, whereupon it kicked up
must." When he had consumed his dearly-bought bread, he got on its hind legs for joy, leapt over hedges and ditches, and galloped
his legs again, forgot his misery and comforted himself with the away into the open country.
thought that he could always see enough with one eye. But on the But the little tailor had eaten nothing since the day before. "The
sixth day, hunger made itself felt again, and gnawed him almost to sun to be sure fills my eyes," said he, "but the bread does not fill
the heart. In the evening he fell down by a tree, and on the seventh my mouth. The first thing that comes across me and is even half
morning he could not raise himself up for faintness, and death was eatable will have to suffer for it." In the meantime a stork stepped
close at hand. Then said the shoemaker, "I will show mercy and solemnly over the meadow towards him. "Halt, halt!" cried the
give thee bread once more, but thou shalt not have it for nothing, tailor, and seized him by the leg; "I don't know if thou art good to
I shall put out thy other eye for it." And now the tailor felt how eat or not, but my hunger leaves me no great choice. I must cut thy
thoughtless his life had been, prayed to God for forgiveness, and head off, and roast thee." "Don't do that," replied the stork; "I am
said, "Do what thou wilt, I will bear what I must, but remember a sacred bird which brings mankind great profit, and no one does
that our Lord God does not always look on passively, and that an me an injury. Leave me my life, and I may do thee good in some
hour will come when the evil deed which thou hast done to me, other way." "Well, be off, Cousin Longlegs," said the tailor. The
and which I have not deserved of thee, will be requited. When stork rose up, let its long legs hang down, and flew gently away.
times were good with me, I shared what I had with thee. My trade "What's to be the end of this?" said the tailor to himself at last,
is of that kind that each stitch must always be exactly like the "my hunger grows greater and greater, and my stomach more and
other. If I no longer have my eyes and can sew no more I must go more empty. Whatsoever comes in my way now is lost." At this
a-begging. At any rate do not leave me here alone when I am blind, moment he saw a couple of young ducks which were on a pond
or I shall die of hunger." The shoemaker, however, who had come swimming towards him. "You come just at the right
driven God out of his heart, took the knife and put out his left eye. moment," said he, and laid hold of one of them and was about to
Then be gave him a bit of bread to eat, held out a stick to him, and wring its neck. On this an old duck which was hidden among the
drew him on behind him. reeds, began to scream loudly, and swam to him with open beak,
When the sun went down, they got out of the forest, and before and begged him urgently to spare her dear children. "Canst thou
them in the open country stood the gallows. Thither the not imagine," said she, "how thy mother would mourn if any one
shoemaker guided the blind tailor, and then left him alone and wanted to carry thee off, and give thee thy finishing stroke?"
went his way. Weariness, pain, and hunger made the wretched man "Only be quiet," said the good-tempered tailor, "thou shalt keep
fall asleep, and he slept the whole night. When day dawned he thy children," and put the prisoner back into the water.
awoke, but knew not where he lay. Two poor sinners were When he turned round, he was standing in front of an old tree
hanging on the gallows, and a crow sat on the head of each of which was partly hollow, and saw some wild bees flying in and out
them. Then one of the men who had been hanged began to speak, of it. "There I shall at once find the reward of my good deed," said
and said, "Brother, art thou awake?" "Yes, I am awake," the tailor, "the honey will refresh me." But the Queen-bee came
answered the second. "Then I will tell thee something," said the out, threatened him and said, "If thou touchest my people, and
first; "the dew which this night has fallen down over us from the destroyest my nest, our stings shall pierce thy skin like ten
gallows, gives every one who washes himself with it his eyes again. thousand red-hot needles. But if thou wilt leave us in peace and go
If blind people did but know this how many would regain their thy way, we will do thee a service for it another time."
sight who do not believe that to be possible." The little tailor saw that here also nothing was to be done.
When the tailor heard that, he took his pocket-handkerchief, "Three dishes empty and nothing on the fourth is a bad dinner!"
pressed it on the grass, and when it was moist with dew, washed He dragged himself therefore with his starved-out stomach into
the sockets of his eyes with it. Immediately was fulfilled what the the town, and as it was just striking twelve, all was ready-cooked
man on the gallows had said, and a couple of healthy new eyes for him in the inn, and he was able to sit down at once to dinner.
filled the sockets. It was not long before the tailor saw the sun rise When he was satisfied he said, "Now I will get to work." He went
behind the mountains; in the plain before him lay the great royal round the town, sought a master, and soon found a good situation.
city with its magnificent gates and hundred towers, and the golden As, however, he had thoroughly learnt his trade, it was not long
balls and crosses which were on the spires began to shine. He could before he became famous, and every one wanted to have his new
distinguish every leaf on the trees, saw the birds which flew past, coat made by the little tailor, whose importance increased daily. "I
and the midges which danced in the air. He took a needle out of his can go no further in skill," said he, "and yet things improve every
pocket, and as he could thread it as well as ever he had done, his day." At last the King appointed him court-tailor.
heart danced with delight. He threw himself on his knees, thanked But how things do happen in the world! On the very same day his
God for the mercy he had shown him, and said his morning prayer. former comrade the shoemaker also became court-shoemaker.
He did not forget also to pray for the poor sinners who were When the latter caught sight of the tailor, and saw that he had
hanging there swinging against each other in the wind like the once more two healthy eyes, his conscience troubled him. "Before
pendulums of clocks. Then he took his bundle on his back and he takes revenge on me," thought he to himself, "I must dig a pit
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for him." He, however, who digs a pit for another, falls into it in his cloth and took it to the King, who could not admire it
himself. In the evening when work was over and it had grown dusk, enough, placed it in his largest hall, and in return for it presented
he stole to the King and said, "Lord King, the tailor is an the tailor with a large stone house.
arrogant fellow and has boasted that he will get the gold crown The shoemaker, however, did not give up, but went for the third
back again which was lost in ancient times." "That would please time to the King and said, "Lord King, it has come to the tailor's
me very much," said the King, and he caused the tailor to be ears that no water will spring up in the court-yard of the castle,
brought before him next morning, and ordered him to get the and he has boasted that it shall rise up in the midst of the court-
crown back again, or to leave the town for ever. "Oho!" thought yard to a man's height and be clear as crystal." Then the King
the tailor, "a rogue gives more than he has got. If the surly King ordered the tailor to be brought before him and said, "If a stream
wants me to do what can be done by no one, I will not wait till of water does not rise in my court-yard by to-morrow as thou hast
morning, but will go out of the town at once, to-day." He packed promised, the executioner shall in that very place make thee
up his bundle, therefore, but when he was without the gate he shorter by the head." The poor tailor did not take long to think
could not help being sorry to give up his good fortune, and turn about it, but hurried out to the gate, and because this time it was a
his back on the town in which all had gone so well with him. He matter of life and death to him, tears rolled down his face. Whilst
came to the pond where he had made the acquaintance of the ducks; he was thus going forth full of sorrow, the foal to which he had
at that very moment the old one whose young ones he had spared, formerly given its liberty, and which had now become a beautiful
was sitting there by the shore, pluming herself with her beak. She chestnut horse, came leaping towards him. "The time has come," it
knew him again instantly, and asked why he was hanging his head said to the tailor, "when I can repay thee for thy good deed. I
so? "Thou wilt not be surprised when thou hearest what has know already what is needful to thee, but thou shalt soon have
befallen me," replied the tailor, and told her his fate. "If that be help; get on me, my back can carry two such as thou." The tailor's
all," said the duck, "we can help thee. The crown fell into the courage came back to him; he jumped up in one bound, and the
water, and lies down below at the bottom; we will soon bring it up horse went full speed into the town, and right up to the court-yard
again for thee. In the meantime just spread out thy handkerchief of the castle. It galloped as quick as lightning thrice round it, and
on the bank." She dived down with her twelve young ones, and in at the third time it fell violently down. At the same instant,
five minutes she was up again and sat with the crown resting on however, there was a terrific clap of thunder, a fragment of earth
her wings, and the twelve young ones were swimming round about in the middle of the court-yard sprang like a cannon-ball into the
and had put their beaks under it, and were helping to carry it. air, and over the castle, and directly after it a jet of water rose as
They swam to the shore and put the crown on the handkerchief. high as a man on horseback, and the water was as pure as crystal,
No one can imagine how magnificent the crown was; when the sun and the sunbeams began to dance on it. When the King saw that he
shone on it, it gleamed like a hundred thousand carbuncles. The arose in amazement, and went and embraced the tailor in the sight
tailor tied his handkerchief together by the four corners, and of all men. But good fortune did not last long. The King had
carried it to the King, who was full of joy, and put a gold chain daughters in plenty, one still prettier than the other, but he had
round the tailor's neck. no son. So the malicious shoemaker betook himself for the fourth
When the shoemaker saw that one stroke had failed, he contrived time to the King, and said, "Lord King, the tailor has not given
a second, and went to the King and said, "Lord King, the tailor up his arrogance. He has now boasted that if he liked, he could
has become insolent again; he boasts that he will copy in wax the cause a son to be brought to the Lord King through the air." The
whole of the royal palace, with everything that pertains to it, King commanded the tailor to be summoned, and said, "If thou
loose or fast, inside and out." The King sent for the tailor and causest a son to be brought to me within nine days, thou shalt have
ordered him to copy in wax the whole of the royal palace, with my eldest daughter to wife." "The reward is indeed great,"
everything that pertained to it, movable or immovable, within and thought the little tailor; "one would willingly do something for it,
without, and if he did not succeed in doing this, or if so much as but the cherries grow too high for me, if I climb for them, the
one nail on the wall were wanting, he should be imprisoned for his bough will break beneath me, and I shall fall."
whole life under ground. He went home, seated himself cross-legged on his worktable, and
The tailor thought, "It gets worse and worse! No one can endure thought over what was to be done. "It can't be managed," cried he
that?" and threw his bundle on his back, and went forth. When he at last, "I will go away; after all I can't live in peace here." He tied
came to the hollow tree, he sat down and hung his head. The bees up his bundle and hurried away to the gate. "When he got to the
came flying out, and the Queen-bee asked him if he had a stiff neck, meadow, he perceived his old friend the stork, who was walking
since he held his head so awry? "Alas, no," answered the tailor, backwards and forwards like a philosopher. Sometimes he stood
"something quite different weighs me down," and he told her what still, took a frog into close consideration, and at length swallowed
the King had demanded of him. The bees began to buzz and hum it down. The stork came to him and greeted him. "I see," he began,
amongst themselves, and the Queen-bee said, "Just go borne again, "that thou hast thy pack on thy back. Why art thou leaving the
but come back tomorrow at this time, and bring a large sheet with town?" The tailor told him what the King had required of him,
you, and then all will be well." So he turned back again, but the and how he could not perform it, and lamented his misfortune.
bees flew to the royal palace and straight into it through the open "Don't let thy hair grow grey about that," said the stork, "I will
windows, crept round about into every corner, and inspected help thee out of thy difficulty. For a long time now, I have carried
everything most carefully. Then they hurried back and modelled the children in swaddling-clothes into the town, so for once in a
the palace in wax with such rapidity that any one looking on way I can fetch a little prince out of the well. Go home and be easy.
would have thought it was growing before his eyes. By the evening In nine days from this time repair to the royal palace, and there
all was ready, and when the tailor came next morning, the whole will I come." The little tailor went home, and at the appointed
of the splendid building was there, and not one nail in the wall or time was at the castle. It was not long before the stork came flying
tile of the roof was wanting, and it was delicate withal, and white thither and tapped at the window. The tailor opened it, and
as snow, and smelt sweet as honey. The tailor wrapped it carefully cousin Longlegs came carefully in, and walked with solemn steps
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over the smooth marble pavement. He had, however, a baby in his completely consumed. Hans appears black, as if he has been burned.
beak that was as lovely as an angel, and stretched out its little After physicians clean him he is shown to be a handsome young
hands to the Queen. The stork laid it in her lap, and she caressed it gentleman. After several years Hans returns home to collect his
and kissed it, and was beside herself with delight. Before the stork father and they live together in the kingdom.)
flew away, he took his travelling bag off his back and handed it
over to the Queen. In it there were little paper parcels with There was once a countryman who had money and land in plenty,
coloured sweetmeats, and they were divided amongst the little but how rich soever he was, one thing was still wanting to his
princesses. The eldest, however, had none of them, but got the happiness—he had no children. Often when he went into the town
merry tailor for a husband. "It seems to me," said he, "just as if I with the other peasants they mocked him and asked why he had no
had won the highest prize. My mother was right after all, she children. At last he became angry, and when he got home he said,
always said that whoever trusts in God and only has good luck, "I will have a child, even if it be a hedgehog." Then his wife had a
can never fail." child, that was a hedgehog in the upper part of his body, and a boy
The shoemaker had to make the shoes in which the little tailor in the lower, and when she saw the child, she was terrified, and
danced at the wedding festival, after which he was commanded to said, "See, there thou hast brought ill-luck on us." Then said the
quit the town for ever. The road to the forest led him to the man, "What can be done now? The boy must be christened, but we
gallows. Worn out with anger, rage, and the heat of the day, he shall not be able to get a godfather for him." The woman said,
threw himself down. When he had closed his eyes and was about to "And we cannot call him anything else but Hans the Hedgehog."
sleep, the two crows flew down from the heads of the men who When he was christened, the parson said, "He cannot go into any
were hanging there, and pecked his eyes out. In his madness he ran ordinary bed because of his spikes." So a little straw was put
into the forest and must have died there of hunger, for no one has behind the stove, and Hans the Hedgehog was laid on it. His
ever either seen him again or heard of him. mother could not suckle him, for he would have pricked her with
his quills. So he lay there behind the stove for eight years, and his
father was tired of him and thought, "If he would but die!" He did
108.—HANS THE HEDGEHOG. not die, however, but remained lying there. Now it happened that
there was a fair in the town, and the peasant was about to go to it,
("Hans The Hedgehog" or "Hans My Hedgehog" is a fairy tale and asked his wife what he should bring back with him for her. "A
collected by the Brothers Grimm (KHM 108). The tale was little meat and a couple of white rolls which are wanted for the
translated as "Jack My Hedgehog" by Andrew Lang and published house," said she. Then he asked the servant, and she wanted a pair
in The Green Fairy Book. Their source was the German storyteller of slippers and some stockings with clocks. At last he said also,
Dorothea Viehmann. The tale follows the events in the life of a "And what wilt thou have, Hans my Hedgehog?" "Dear father,"
diminutive half-hedgehog, half-human being named Hans, who he said, "do bring me bagpipes." When, therefore, the father came
eventually sheds his animal skin and turns wholly human after home again, he gave his wife what he had bought for her; meat and
winning a princess. white rolls, and then he gave the maid the slippers, and the
Contents: A wealthy but childless farmer wishes he had a child, stockings with clocks; and, lastly, he went behind the stove, and
even a hedgehog. He comes home to find that his wife has given gave Hans the Hedgehog the bagpipes. And when Hans the
birth to a baby boy that is a hedgehog from the waist up. They Hedgehog had the bagpipes, he said, "Dear father, do go to the
then name him "Hans My Hedgehog". After eight years, Hans forge and get the cock shod, and then I will ride away, and never
leaves his family riding a shod cockerel (a mature cock) to seek his come back again." On this, the father was delighted to think that
fortune. He goes off into the woods and watches over his donkeys he was going to get rid of him, and had the cock shod for him, and
and pigs. A few years later, a lost king stumbles upon Hans after when it was done, Hans the Hedgehog got on it, and rode away,
hearing him play beautifully on the bagpipes. Hans makes a deal but took swine and asses with him which he intended to keep in the
with the king: he will show him the way home if the king promises forest. When they got there he made the cock fly on to a high tree
to sign over whatever first comes to meet him upon his return. with him, and there he sat for many a long year, and watched his
However, the king thinks Hans is illiterate, and decides to trick asses and swine until the herd was quite large, and his father knew
him by writing an order that Hans should receive nothing. When nothing about him. While he was sitting in the tree, however, he
they arrive at the kingdom, the king's daughter runs to greet him. played his bagpipes, and made music which was very beautiful.
The king tells her about the deal Hans has tried to make and how Once a King came travelling by who had lost his way and heard
he has tricked him. Unconcerned by the betrayal, Hans continues the music. He was astonished at it, and sent his servant forth to
to tend to his animals in the forest. A second lost king stumbles look all round and see from whence this music came. He spied
upon Hans and agrees to his deal. Upon his return, the second about, but saw nothing but a little animal sitting up aloft on the
king's only daughter rushes out to greet him, and in doing so tree, which looked like a cock with a hedgehog on it which made
becomes the property of Hans. For the sake of her father, the this music. Then the King told the servant he was to ask why he sat
princess happily agrees to Hans' deal. In time, Hans My Hedgehog there, and if he knew the road which led to his kingdom. So Hans
goes to claim his promises. The first king attempts to withhold his the Hedgehog descended from the tree, and said he would show the
daughter, but Hans forces him to give her up. Hans then makes her way if the King would write a bond and promise him whatever he
take off her clothes, pierces her with his prickles until she is bloody first met in the royal courtyard as soon as he arrived at home.
all over, and sends her back to the kingdom in disgrace. The Then the King thought, "lean easily do that, Hans the Hedgehog
second king agrees to the marriage; the princess holds herself understands nothing, and I can write what I like." So the King
bound by her promise and Hans My Hedgehog marries her. On took pen and ink and wrote something, and when he had done it,
their wedding night, he tells the king to build a fire and to post Hans the Hedgehog showed him the way, and he got safely home.
guards at his door. Hans removes his hedgehog skin and instructs But his daughter, when she saw him from afar, was so overjoyed
the guards to throw the skin in the fire and watch it until it is that she ran to meet him, and kissed him. Then he remembered
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Hans the Hedgehog, and told her what had happened, and that he promised, or he would take both his life and his daughter's. Then
had been forced to promise whatsoever first met him when he got the King began to speak his daughter fair, and beg her to go away
home, to a very strange animal which sat on a cock as if it were a with Hans in order to save her own life and her father's. So she
horse, and made beautiful music, but that instead of writing that dressed herself in white, and her father gave her a carriage with six
he should have what he wanted, he had written that he should not horses and magnificent attendants together with gold and
have it. Thereupon the princess was glad, and said he had done possessions. She seated herself in the carriage, and placed Hans the
well, for she never would have gone away with the Hedgehog. Hedgehog beside her with the cock and the bagpipes, and then
Hans the Hedgehog, however, looked after his asses and pigs, they took leave and drove away, and the King thought he should
and was always merry and sat on the tree and played his bagpipes. never see her again. He was, however, deceived in his expectation,
Now it came to pass that another King came journeying by with for when they were at a short distance from the town, Hans the
his attendants and runners, and he also had lost his way, and did Hedgehog took her pretty clothes off, and pierced her with his
not know how to get home again because the forest was so large. hedgehog's skin until she bled all over. "That is the reward of your
He likewise heard the beautiful music from a distance, and asked falseness," said he, "go your way, I will not have you!" and on that
his runner what that could be, and told him to go and see. Then he chased her home again, and she was disgraced for the rest of her
the runner went under the tree, and saw the cock sitting at the top life.
of it, and Hans the Hedgehog on the cock. The runner asked him Hans the Hedgehog, however, rode on further on the cock, with
what he was about up there? "I am keeping my asses and my pigs; his bagpipes, to the dominions of the second King to whom he had
but what is your desire?" The messenger said that they had lost shown the way. This one, however, had arranged that if any one
their way, and could not get back into their own kingdom, and resembling Hans the Hedgehog should come, they were to present
asked if he would not show them the way. Then Hans the arms, give him safe conduct, cry long life to him, and lead him to
Hedgehog got down the tree with the cock, and told the aged the royal palace.
King that he would show him the way, if he would give him for his But when the King's daughter saw him she was terrified, for he
own whatsoever first met him in front of his royal palace. The looked quite too strange. She remembered, however, that she
King said, "Yes," and wrote a promise to Hans the Hedgehog that could not change her mind, for she had given her promise to her
he should have this. That done, Hans rode on before him on the father. So Hans the Hedgehog was welcomed by her, and married
cock, and pointed out the way, and the King reached his kingdom to her, and had to go with her to the royal table, and she seated
again in safety. When he got to the courtyard, there were great herself by his side, and they ate and drank. When the evening came
rejoicings. Now he had an only daughter who was very beautiful, and they wanted to go to sleep, she was afraid of his quills, but he
she ran to meet him, threw her arms round his neck, and was told her she was not to fear, for no harm would befall her, and he
delighted to have her old father back again. She asked him where told the old King that he was to appoint four men to watch by the
in the world he had been so long. So he told her how he had lost door of the chamber, and light a great fire, and when he entered
his way, and had very nearly not come back at all, but that as he the room and was about to get into bed, he would creep out of his
was travelling through a great forest, a creature, half hedgehog, hedgehog's skin and leave it lying there by the bedside, and that
half man, who was sitting astride a cock in a high tree, and the men were to run nimbly to it, throw it in the fire, and stay by
making music, had shown him the way and helped him to get out, it until it was consumed. When the clock struck eleven, he went
but that in return he had promised him whatsoever first met him into the chamber, stripped off the hedgehog's skin, and left it lying
in the royal court-yard, and how that was she herself, which made by the bed. Then came the men and fetched it swiftly, and threw it
him unhappy now. But on this she promised that, for love of her in the fire; and when the fire had consumed it, he was delivered,
father, she would willingly go with this Hans if he came. and lay there in bed in human form, but he was coal-black as if he
Hans the Hedgehog, however, took care of his pigs, and the pigs had been burnt. The King sent for his physician who washed him
multiplied until they became so many in number that the whole with precious salves, and anointed him, and he became white, and
forest was filled with them. Then Hans the Hedgehog resolved not was a handsome young man. When the King's daughter saw that
to live in the forest any longer, and sent word to his father to have she was glad, and the next morning they arose joyfully, ate and
every stye in the village emptied, for he was coming with such a drank, and then the marriage was properly solemnised, and Hans
great herd that all might kill who wished to do so. When his father the Hedgehog received the kingdom from the aged King.
heard that he was troubled, for he thought Hans the Hedgehog When several years had passed he went with his wife to his father,
had died long ago. Hans the Hedgehog, however, seated himself and said that he was his son. The father, however, declared he had
on the cock, and drove the pigs before him into the village, and no son—he had never had but one, and he had been born like a
ordered the slaughter to begin. Ha!—but there was a killing and a hedgehog with spikes, and had gone forth into the world. Then
chopping that might have been heard two miles off! After this Hans made himself known, and the old father rejoiced and went
Hans the Hedgehog said, "Father, let me have the cock shod once with him to his kingdom.
more at the forge, and then I will ride away and never come back My tale is done.
as long as I live." Then the father had the cock shod once more, And away it has run
and was pleased that Hans the Hedgehog would never return again. To little August's house.
Hans the Hedgehog rode away to the first kingdom. There the
King had commanded that whosoever came mounted on a cock
and had bagpipes with him should be shot at, cut down, or 109.—THE SHROUD.
stabbed by every one, so that he might not enter the palace. When,
therefore, Hans the Hedgehog came riding thither, they all pressed ("The Shroud" is a fairy tale in the Children's and Household
forward against him with their pikes, but he spurred the cock and Tales by the Brothers Grimm at position 109 (KHM 109). The
it flew up over the gate in front of the King's window and lighted Grimms noted "from Bavaria" (perhaps about Ferdinand Philipp
there, and Hans cried that the King must give him what he had Grimm, also known as "The unknown Grimm brother"). Another
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possible source for Grimm's version is the Munich doctor Johann Contents: After three years, a good servant only gets three
Nepomuk von Ringseis, who used the story therapeutically. Child hellers from his miserly master and is satisfied because he knows
mortality was a cruel fate that befell almost all parents before the nothing about money. He meets a little man who asks him for the
2nd World War. About 25% of the Children did not survive the money and, seeing his good heart, grants him three wishes. He
first year, 50% died before reaching puberty. This is still the case wishes for a bird's reed that hits everything, a violin to whose
in poor countries where unscrupulous dictators and their cronies music everyone has to dance and that nobody can refuse his wish.
put tax revenues and development funds into their own pockets. He meets a Jew whom he shoots a bird out of a tree with a bird
Thanks to the draconian hygiene education of past generations reed. But when he crawls through the thorns to fetch the bird, the
and the development of modern medicine (such as antibiotics and farmhand makes him dance until he receives a large sum of money
vaccinations) mortality has fallen below 0.4%. Critics of the from him, which he – albeit only in the first two editions – had
achievements of western civilisation ought to think about it. just bounced off a Christian. The Jew runs to the judge, who has
Content: A mother has a little boy that she loves very much. The the servant arrested and sentenced to death. On the scaffold, the
child dies at the age of seven. The mother cries a lot and the child servant begs to be allowed to play his violin again, whereupon the
appears at night and cries with her. Finally it appears to its whole market place has to dance so long and so wildly until he is
mother at night in its white shroud and says that the mother has to acquitted. Under the servant's threat that he will play again, the
stop crying so that its shroud will dry. The mother comes to terms Jew screams that he has stolen the money and is hanged.)
with her pain and the child finds rest.)
There was once a rich man, who had a servant who served him
There was once a mother who had a little boy of seven years old, diligently and honestly: he was every morning the first out of bed,
who was so handsome and loveable that no one could look at him and the last to go to rest at night; and, whenever there was a
without liking him, and she herself worshipped him above difficult job to be done, which nobody cared to undertake, he was
everything in the world. Now it so happened that he suddenly always the first to set himself to it. Moreover, he never complained,
became ill, and God took him to himself; and for this the mother but was contented with everything, and always merry. When a
could not be comforted, and wept both day and night. But soon year was ended, his master gave him no wages, for he said to
afterwards, when the child had been buried, it appeared by night himself, "That is the cleverest way; for I shall save something, and
in the places where it had sat and played during its life, and if the he will not go away, but stay quietly in my service." The servant
mother wept, it wept also, and when morning came it disappeared. said nothing, but did his work the second year as he had done it
As, however, the mother would not stop crying, it came one night, the first; and when at the end of this, likewise, he received no
in the little white shroud in which it had been laid in its coffin, wages, he made himself happy, and still stayed on.
and with its wreath of flowers round its head, and stood on the When the third year also was past, the master considered, put his
bed at her feet, and said, "Oh, mother, do stop crying, or I shall hand in his pocket, but pulled nothing out. Then at last the
never fall asleep in my coffin, for my shroud will not dry because of servant said, "Master, for three years I have served you honestly,
all thy tears, which fall upon it." The mother was afraid when she be so good as to give me what I ought to have; for I wish to leave,
heard that, and wept no more. The next night the child came again, and look about me a little more in the world."
and held a little light in its hand, and said, "Look, mother, my "Yes, my good fellow," answered the old miser; "you have served
shroud is nearly dry, and I can rest in my grave." Then the mother me industriously, and, therefore, you shall be cheerfully
gave her sorrow into God's keeping, and bore it quietly and rewarded;" and he put his hand into his pocket, but counted out
patiently, and the child came no more, but slept in its little bed only three farthings, saying, "There, you have a farthing for each
beneath the earth. year; that is large and liberal pay, such as you would have received
from few masters."
The honest servant, who understood little about money, put his
110.—THE JEW AMONG THORNS. fortune into his pocket, and thought, "Ah! now that I have my
purse full, why need I trouble and plague myself any longer with
("The Jew Among Thorns," also known as "The Jew in the hard work!" So on he went, up hill and down dale; and sang and
Brambles," is an antisemitic fairytale collected by the Brothers jumped to his heart's content. Now it came to pass that as he was
Grimm (KHM 110). The tale has been told in Europe since the going by a thicket a little man stepped out, and called to himy
15th century. In its earlier version, it did not depict a Jew but a "Whither away, merry brother? I see you do not carry many
Christian monk who is made to dance in a thorn bush by a boy cares." "Why should I be sad?" answered the servant; "I have
who, to effect the punishing trick, plays either a flute or a fiddle. enough; three years' wages are jingling in my pocket."
This anti-clerical leitmotif was often reprinted in jest books of "How much is your treasure?" the dwarf asked him.
that period and during the Renaissance. The Grimms knew at least 'How much? Three farthings sterling, all told."
4 previous versions: Albrecht Dietrich's Historia von einem "Look here," said the dwarf, "I am a poor needy man, give me
Bawrenknecht (1618), originally written as a rhymed theatre piece your three farthings; I can work no longer, but you are young,
in 1599, Jakob Ayrer's Fritz Dölla mit seiner gewünschten Geigen and can easily earn your bread."
(1620), and two oral versions from Hesse and the von Haxthausen And as the servant had a good heart, and felt pity for the old
family. A similar antisemitic tale in the collection is The Good man, he gave him the three farthings, saying, "Take them in the
Bargain (KHM 7) and The bright Sun will bring it into the Light name of Heaven, I shall not be any the worse for it."
of Day (KHM 115). That there is a virulent strain of antisemitism Then the little man said, "As I see you have a good heart I grant
in Grimm's fairy-tales is not an exception but a rule in all branches you three wishes, one for each farthing, they shall all be fulfilled."
of pre-World War II life. In some countries has antisemitism never "Aha?" said the servant, "you are one of those who can work
vanished or even turns up again. (See introduction to KHM 7.) wonders! Well, then, if it is to be so, I wish, first, for a gun, which
shall hit everything that I aim at; secondly, for a fiddle, which
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
when I play on it, shall compel all who hear it to dance; thirdly, was taken before the judge he said, "I did not touch the Jew, nor
that if I ask a favour of any one he shall not be able to refuse it." take his money; he gave it to me of his own free will, that I might
"All that shall you have," said the dwarf; and put his hand into leave off fiddling because he could not bear my music."
the bush, and only think, there lay a fiddle and gun, all ready, just "Heaven defend us!" cried the Jew, "his lies are as thick as flies
as if they had been ordered. These he gave to the servant, and then upon the wall."
said to him, " Whatever you may ask at any time, no man in the But the judge also did not believe his tale, and said, "This is a
world shall be able to deny you." bad defence, no Jew would do that." And because he had
"Heart alive! What can one desire more?" said the servant to committed robbery on the public highway, he sentenced the good
himself, and went merrily onwards. Soon afterwards he met a Jew servant to be hanged. As he was being led away the Jew again
with a long goat's-beard, who was standing listening to the song screamed after him, "You vagabond! you dog of a fiddler! now
of a bird which was sitting up at the top of a tree. "Good you are going to receive your well-earned reward!" The servant
heavens," he was exclaiming, "that such a small creature should walked quietly with the hangman up the ladder, but upon the last
have such a fearfully loud voice! if it were but mine! if only some step he turned round and said to the judge, "Grant me just one
one would sprinkle some salt upon its tail!" request before I die."
"If that is all," said the servant, "the bird shall soon be down "Yes, if you do not ask your life," said the judge.
here;" and taking aim he pulled the trigger, and down fell the bird "I do not ask for life," answered the servant, "but as a last favour
into the thorn-bushes. "Go, you rogue," he said to the Jew, "and let me play once more upon my fiddle." The Jew raised a great cry
fetch the bird out for yourself!" of "Murder! murder! for goodness' sake do not allow it! Do not
"Oh!" said the Jew, "leave out the rogue, my master, and I will allow it!" But the judge said, "Why should I not let him have this
do it at once. I will get the bird out for myself, as you really have short pleasure? it has been granted to him, and he shall have it."
hit it." Then he lay down on the ground, and began to crawl into However, he could not have refused on account of the gift which
the thicket. had been bestowed on the servant.
When he was fast among the thorns, the good servant's humour Then the Jew cried, "Oh! woe's me! tie me, tie me fast!" while the
so tempted him that he took up his fiddle and began to play. In a good servant took his fiddle from his neck, and made ready. As he
moment the Jew's legs began to move, and to jump into the air, gave the first scrape, they all began to quiver and shake, the judge,
and the more the servant fiddled the better went the dance. But the his clerk, and the hangman and his men, and the cord fell out of
thorns tore his shabby coat for him, combed his beard, and the hand of the one who was going to tie the Jew fast. At the
pricked and plucked him all over the body. "Oh dear," cried the second scrape all raised their legs, and the hangman let go his hold
Jew, "what do I want with your fiddling? leave the fiddle alone, of the good servant, and made himself ready to dance. At the third
master; I do not want to dance." scrape they all leaped up and began to dance; the judge and the
But the servant did not listen to him, and thought, "You have Jew being the best at jumping. Soon all who had gathered in the
fleeced people often enough, now the thornbushes shall do the market-place out of curiosity were dancing with them; old and
same to you; " and he began to play over again, so that the Jew young, fat and lean, one with another. The dogs, likewise, which
had to jump higher than ever, and scraps of his coat were left had run there got up on their hind legs and capered about; and the
hanging on the thorns. "Oh, woe's me!" cried the Jew; "I will give longer he played, the higher sprang the dancers, so that they
the gentleman whatsoever he asks if only he leaves off fiddling—a knocked against each other's heads, and began to shriek terribly.
purse full of gold." "If you are so liberal," said the servant, "I will At length the judge cried, quite out of breath, "I will give you
stop my music; but this I must say to your credit, that you dance to your life if you will only stop fiddling." The good servant
it so well that it is quite an art;" and having taken the purse he thereupon had compassion, took his fiddle and hung it round his
went his way. neck again, and stepped down the ladder. Then he went up to the
The Jew stood still and watched the servant quietly until he was Jew, who was lying upon the ground panting for breath, and said,
far off and out of sight, and then he screamed out with all his "You rascal, now confess, whence you got the money, or I will
might, "You miserable musician, you beer-house fiddler! wait till I take my fiddle and begin to play again." "I stole it, I stole it!"
catch you alone, I will hunt you till the soles of your shoes fall off! cried he; "but you have honestly earned it." So the judge had the
You ragamuffin! just put five farthings in your mouth, and then Jew taken to the gallows and hanged as a thief.
you may be worth three halfpence!" and went on abusing him as
fast as he could speak. As soon as he had refreshed himself a little
in this way, and got his breath again, he ran into the town to the 111.—THE SKILFUL HUNTSMAN.
justice.
"My lord judge," he said, "I have come to make a complaint; see ("The Skillful Huntsman" is a fairy tale in the Grimm Brothers'
how a rascal has robbed and ill-treated me on the public highway! Children's and Household Tales (KHM 111). The annotations of
a stone on the ground might pity me; my clothes all torn, my body the Grimms read "After two stories from Zwehrn" (one from
pricked and scratched, my little all gone with my purse,—good Dorothea Viehmann).
ducats, each piece better than the last; for God's sake let the man Contents: A young locksmith on the move is being trained as a
be thrown into prison!" hunter and is given a rifle by his master that always hits the mark.
"Was it a soldier," said the judge, "who cut you thus with his In a large forest at night he finds three giants roasting an ox over a
sabre?" "Nothing of the sort!" said the Jew; "it was no sword that fire. He shoots the bite out of your mouth three times, whereupon
he had, but a gun hanging at his back, and a fiddle at his neck; the they offer him to go with them and steal the king's daughter from
wretch may easily be known." the tower behind the lake for them. He takes a boat across, shoots
So the judge sent his people out after the man, and they found the guard dog before it can bark and goes in alone. In the first
the good servant, who had been going quite slowly along, and room he finds a silver saber with which you can kill anything, in
they found, too, the purse with the money upon him. As soon as he the second room the sleeping king's daughter. He takes the right
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
half of her kerchief and her right slipper, which like the saber wilt not come, and we have to bring thee by force, thou art a lost
bears a gold star and her father's name, and a piece of her shirt. man!" On this the youth went up to them and told them he was a
Calling the giants to crawl in through a hole, he cuts off their skilled huntsman, and that whatever he aimed at with his gun, he
heads and then their tongues, which he keeps. When the king asks was certain to hit. Then they said if he would go with them he
who killed the giants, an ugly one-eyed captain answers, who is should be well treated, and they told him that outside the forest
supposed to marry the daughter. When she refuses, she has to go there was a great lake, behind which stood a tower, and in the
away in peasant clothes and sell crockery for a potter. The king tower was imprisoned a lovely princess, whom they wished very
orders peasant wagons, which break it down, but she goes back to much to carry off. "Yes," said he, "I will soon get her for you."
the potter, and when he won't give her anything else, she tells her Then they added, "But there is still something else, there is a tiny
father that she wants to go out into the world. She has to sit out in little dog, which begins to bark directly any one goes near, and as
the woods in a little house that says "Today for free, tomorrow for soon as it barks every one in the royal palace wakens up, and for
money" and cook for everyone. Even the hunter who has no money this reason we cannot get there; canst thou undertake to shoot it
hears about it. There they recognise each other by the landmarks dead?" "Yes," said he, "that will be a little bit of fun for me."
they have taken with them, with which they also prove it to their After this he got into a boat and rowed over the lake, and as soon
father. At the banquet, he unknowingly lets the captain choose his as he landed, the little dog came running out, and was about to
own judgement, after which he is torn into four pieces. The king's bark, but the huntsman took his air-gun and shot it dead. When
daughter and the hunter are married and live happily.) the giants saw that, they rejoiced, and thought they already had
the King's daughter safe, but the huntsman wished first to see how
There was once a young fellow who had learnt the trade of matters stood, and told them that they must stay outside until he
locksmith, and told his father he would now go out into the world called them. Then he went into the castle, and all was perfectly
and seek his fortune. "Very well," said the father, "I am quite quiet within, and every one was asleep. When he opened the door
content with that," and gave him some money for his journey. So of the first room, a sword was hanging on the wall which was
he travelled about and looked for work. After a time he resolved made of pure silver, and there was a golden star on it, and the
not to follow the trade of locksmith any more, for he no longer name of the King, and on a table near it lay a sealed letter which
liked it, but he took a fancy for hunting. Then there met him in his he broke open, and inside it was written that whosoever had the
rambles a huntsman dressed in green, who asked whence he came sword could kill everything which opposed him. So he took the
and whither he was going? The youth said he was a locksmith's sword from the wall, hung it at his side and went onwards: then he
apprentice, but that the trade no longer pleased him, and he had a entered the room where the King's daughter was lying sleeping,
liking for huntsmanship, would he teach it to him? "Oh, yes," said and she was so beautiful that he stood still and, holding his breath,
the huntsman, "if thou wilt go with me." Then the young fellow looked at her. He thought to himself, "How can I give an innocent
went with him, bound himself to him for some years, and learnt maiden into the power of the wild giants, who have evil in their
the art of hunting. After this he wished to try his luck elsewhere, minds?" He looked about further, and under the bed stood a pair
and the huntsman gave him nothing in the way of payment but an of slippers, on the right one was her father's name with a star, and
air-gun, which had, however, this property, that it hit its mark on the left her own name with a star. She wore also a great neck-
without fail whenever he shot with it. Then he set out and found kerchief of silk embroidered with gold, and on the right side was
himself in a very large forest, which he could not get to the end of her father's name, and on the left her own, all in golden letters.
in one day. When evening came he seated himself in a high tree in Then the huntsman took a pair of scissors and cut the right corner
order to escape from the wild beasts. Towards midnight, it seemed off, and put it in his knapsack, and then he also took the right
to him as if a tiny little light glimmered in the distance. Then he slipper with the King's name, and thrust that in. Now the maiden
looked down through the branches towards it, and kept well in his still lay sleeping, and she was quite sewn into her night-dress, and
mind where it was. But in the first place he took off his hat and he cut a morsel from this also, and thrust it in with the rest, but he
threw it down in the direction of the light, so that he might go to did all without touching her. Then he went forth and left her lying
the hat as a mark when he had descended. Then he got down and asleep undisturbed, and when he came to the gate again, the giants
went to his hat, put it on again and went straight forwards. The were still standing outside waiting for him, and expecting that he
farther he went, the larger the light grew, and when he got close was bringing the princess. But he cried to them that they were to
to it he saw that it was an enormous fire, and that three giants come in, for the maiden was already in their power, that he could
were sitting by it, who had an ox on the spit, and were roasting it. not open the gate to them, but there was a hole through which
Presently one of them said, "I must just taste if the meat will soon they must creep. Then the first approached, and the huntsman
be fit to eat," and pulled a piece off, and was about to put it in his wound the giant's hair round his hand, pulled the head in, and cut
mouth when the huntsman shot it out of his hand. "Well, really," it off at one stroke with his sword, and then drew the rest of him in.
said the giant, "if the wind has not blown the bit out of my hand!" He called to the second and cut his head off likewise, and then he
and helped himself to another. But when he was just about to bite killed the third also, and he was well pleased that he had freed the
into it, the huntsman again shot it away from him. On this the beautiful maiden from her enemies, and he cut out their tongues
giant gave the one who was sitting next him a box on the ear, and and put them in his knapsack. Then thought he, "I will go home to
cried angrily, "Why art thou snatching my piece away from me?" my father and let him see what I have already done, and afterwards
"I have not snatched it away," said the other, "a sharpshooter I will travel about the world; the luck which God is pleased to
must have shot it away from thee." The giant took another piece, grant me will easily find me."
but could not, however, keep it in his hand, for the huntsman shot But when the King in the castle awoke, he saw the three giants
it out. Then the giant said, "That must be a good shot to shoot the lying there dead. So he went into the sleeping-room of his
bit out of one's very mouth, such an one would be useful to us." daughter, awoke her, and asked who could have killed the giants?
And he cried aloud, "Come here, thou sharpshooter, seat thyself at Then said she, "Dear father, I know not, I have been asleep." But
the fire beside us and eat thy fill, we will not hurt thee; but if thou when she arose and would have put on her slippers, the right one
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was gone, and when she looked at her neck-kerchief it was cut, and captain sat on the left side of the King's daughter, but the
the right corner was missing, and when she looked at her night- huntsman was on the right, and the captain thought he was a
dress a piece was cut out of it. The King summoned his whole foreign lord who had come on a visit. When they had eaten and
court together, soldiers and every one else who was there, and drunk, the old King said to the captain that he would set before
asked who had set his daughter at liberty, and killed the giants? him something which he must guess. "Supposing any one said that
Now it happened that he had a captain, who was one-eyed and a he had killed the three giants and he were asked where the giants'
hideous man, and he said that he had done it. Then the old King tongues were, and he were forced to go and look, and there were
said that as he had accomplished this, he should marry his none in their heads, how could that happen?" The captain said,
daughter. But the maiden said, "Rather than marry him, dear "Then they cannot have had any." "Not so," said the King. "Every
father, I will go away into the world as far as my legs can carry animal has a tongue," and then he likewise asked what any one
me." But the King said that if she would not marry him she should would deserve who made such an answer? The captain replied, "He
take off her royal garments and wear peasant's clothing, and go ought to be torn in pieces." Then the King said he had
forth, and that she should go to a potter, and begin a trade in pronounced his own sentence, and the captain was put in prison
earthen vessels. So she put off her royal apparel, and went to a and then torn in four pieces; but the King's daughter was married
potter and borrowed crockery enough for a stall, and she to the huntsman. After this he brought his father and mother, and
promised him also that if she had sold it by the evening, she would they lived with their son in happiness, and after the death of the
pay for it. Then the King said she was to seat herself in a corner old King he received the kingdom.
with it and sell it, and he arranged with some peasants to drive
over it with their carts, so that everything should be broken into a
thousand pieces. When therefore the King's daughter had placed 112.—THE FLAIL FROM HEAVEN.
her stall in the street, by came the carts, and broke all she had into
tiny fragments. She began to weep and said, "Alas, how shall I ("The Flail From Heaven" is a Brothers Grimm fairy tale
ever pay for the pots now?" The King had, however, wished by collected by the Brothers Grimm. Since the second edition
this to force her to marry the captain; but instead of that, she published in 1819, it has been recorded as Tale KHM 112. The
again went to the potter, and asked him if he would lend to her Grimms noted "From the Paderborn" (from the von Haxthausen
once more. He said, "No," she must first pay for the things she had family) and another story "from the Munsterland" (from the
already had. Then she went to her father and cried and lamented, family of the author Jenny von Droste-Hülshoff).
and said she would go forth into the world. Then said he, "I will Contents: Two oxen grow such long horns while plowing that
have a little hut built for thee in the forest outside, and in it thou the farmer gives them to the butcher on the way home. In return
shalt stay all thy life long and cook for every one, but thou shalt he brings him a Maas turnip seed and gets a taler for each grain.
take no money for it." When the hut was ready, a sign was hung On the way he loses a seed from which a tree grows into the sky.
on the door whereon was written, "To-day given, to-morrow He climbs up and sees the angels threshing straw. The tree shakes,
sold." There she remained a long time, and it was rumoured about someone wants to cut it down. The farmer makes a rope out of the
the world that a maiden was there who cooked without asking for chaff from the threshing and lowers himself with a hoe and a flail.
payment, and that this was set forth on a sign outside her door. He gets into a hole, makes a flight of stairs with the hoe, and has
The huntsman heard it likewise, and thought to himself, "That the flail as proof.)
would suit thee. Thou art poor, and hast no money." So he took
his air-gun and his knapsack, wherein all the things which he had A countryman was once going out to plough with a pair of oxen.
formerly carried away with him from the castle as tokens of his When he got to the field, both the animals' horns began to grow,
truthfulness were still lying, and went into the forest, and found and went on growing, and when he wanted to go home they were
the hut with the sign, "To-day given, to-morrow sold." He had so big that the oxen could not get through the gateway for them.
put on the sword with which he had cut off the heads of the three By good luck a butcher came by just then, and he delivered them
giants, and thus entered the hut, and ordered something to eat to over to him, and made the bargain in this way, that he should take
be given to him. He was charmed with the beautiful maiden, who the butcher a measure of turnip-seed, and then the butcher was to
was indeed as lovely as any picture. She asked him whence he came count him out a Brabant thaler for every seed. I call that well sold!
and whither he was going, and he said, "I am roaming about the The peasant now went home, and carried the measure of turnip-
world." Then she asked him where he had got the sword, for that seed to him on his back. On the way, however, he lost one seed out
truly her father's name was on it. He asked her if she were the of the bag. The butcher paid him justly as agreed on, and if the
King's daughter? "Yes," answered she. "With this sword," said he, peasant had not lost the seed, he would have had one thaler the
"did I cut off the heads of three giants." And he took their tongues more. In the meantime, when he went on his way back, the seed
out of his knapsack in proof. Then he also showed her the slipper, had grown into a tree which reached up to the sky. Then thought
and the corner of the neck-kerchief, and the bit of the night-dress. the peasant, "As thou hast the chance, thou must just see what the
Hereupon she was overjoyed, and said that he was the one who had angels are doing up there above, and for once have them before
delivered her. On this they went together to the old King, and thine eyes." So he climbed up, and saw that the angels above were
fetched him to the hut, and she led him into her room, and told threshing oats, and he looked on. While he was thus watching
him that the huntsman was the man who had really set her free them, he observed that the tree on which he was standing, was
from the giants. And when the aged King saw all the proofs of this, beginning to totter; he peeped down, and saw that some one was
he could no longer doubt, and said that he was very glad he knew just going to cut it down. "If I were to fall down from hence it
how everything had happened, and that the huntsman should have would be a bad thing," thought he, and in his necessity he did not
her to wife, on which the maiden was glad at heart. Then she know how to save himself better than by taking the chaff of the
dressed the huntsman as if he were a foreign lord, and the King oats which lay there in heaps, and twisting a rope of it. He likewise
ordered a feast to be prepared. When they went to table, the snatched a hoe and a flail which were lying about in heaven, and
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let himself down by the rope. But he came down on the earth When the young folks went to the bed-room there stood a stone
exactly in the middle of a deep, deep hole. So it was a real piece of image of St. Christopher, and the King's daughter said to it, "My
luck that he had brought the hoe, for he hoed himself a flight of father will come at nine o'clock, and every hour till it strikes three;
steps with it, and mounted up, and took the flail with him as a when he calls, give him an answer instead of the King's son." Then
token of his truth, so that no one could have any doubt of his story. the stone image of St. Christopher nodded its head quite quickly,
and then more and more slowly till at last it stood still. The next
morning the King said to him, "Thou hast done the business well,
113.—THE TWO KINGS' CHILDREN. but I cannot give my daughter away, thou must now watch a night
by my second daughter, and then I will consider with myself,
("The Two Kings' Children" is a Westphalian fairy tale in Low whether thou canst have my eldest daughter to wife, but I shall
German collected by the Brothers Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales, come every hour myself, and when I call thee, answer me, and if I
tale number KHM 113. According to notes of the Grimms, it is call thee and thou dost not reply, thy blood shall flow." Then they
"from Paderborn" (by Ludowine von Haxthausen). both went into the sleeping-room, and there stood a still larger
Contents: A 16-year-old prince, who, according to signs, is said stone image of St. Christopher, and the King's daughter said to it,
to have died at the hands of a deer at this age, sees one on the hunt, "If my father calls, do you answer him." Then the great stone
but doesn't meet him. In front of the forest there is a big man who image of St. Christopher again nodded its head quite quickly and
says he has been looking for him for a long time, takes him to his then more and more slowly, until at last it stood still again. And
castle, eats with him and sets him tasks. First he has to keep watch the King's son lay down on the threshold, put his hand under his
over his three daughters one night and answer their hourly calls. head and slept. The next morning the King said to him, "Thou
In return, he promises him the eldest daughter, but if he fails, he hast done the business really well, but I cannot give my daughter
must die. But they make a cairn answer for him so he can sleep. away; thou must now watch a night by the youngest princess, and
Then he has to cut down a forest, clean up a lake, rid a mountain then I will consider with myself whether thou canst have my
of thorn bushes and build a castle on it. The glass tool doesn't hold second daughter to wife, but I shall come every hour myself, and
up, but the youngest daughter ambushes him after dinner until he when I call thee answer me, and if I call thee and thou answerest
sleeps, letting meerkats do the work. When he still doesn't get her, not, thy blood shall flow for me."
he runs away with her at night. She sees her father coming and Then they once more went to the sleeping-room together, and
makes them both thorn bushes and roses, which the father pricks there was a much greater and much taller image of St. Christopher
himself with and goes home. His wife sends him to break off the than the two first had been. The King's daughter said to it, "When
rose, but they become a church and a pastor who preaches. The my father calls, do thou answer." Then the great tall stone image
father listens and goes home. Then the woman herself comes and of St. Christopher nodded quite half an hour with its head, until
drowns the lake with fish, into which the daughter turns them at length the head stood still again. And the King's son laid
both, but has to spit it out again and gives her three walnuts to himself down on the threshold of the door and slept. The next
take with her. The prince keeps his bride waiting in a village to be morning the King said, "Thou hast indeed watched well, but I
picked up by carriages, but after a kiss from his mother he forgets cannot give thee my daughter now; I have a great forest, if thou
her. She looks for a job and his mother finds a wife for him. When cuttest it down for me between six o'clock this morning and six at
they are about to be married, the king's daughter stands next to night, I will think about it." Then he gave him a glass axe, a glass
him in a dress made from one of the nuts, which she only gives to wedge, and a glass mallet. When he got into the wood, he began at
his door for one night. But only the servants hear her calling. once to cut, but the axe broke in two, then he took the wedge, and
They give him the second time instead of the ordered sleep- a struck it once with the mallet, and it became as short and as small
wake-up drink. But the mother locked the door. He waits until as sand. Then he was much troubled and believed he would have to
morning, apologises, and she takes the dress from the third nut to die, and sat down and wept.
the wedding.) Now when it was noon the King said, "One of you girls must
take him something to eat." No," said the two eldest, "We will not
There was once on a time a King who had a little boy of whom it take it to him; the one by whom he last watched, can take him
had been foretold that he should be killed by a stag when he was something." Then the youngest was forced to go and take him
sixteen years of age, and when he had reached that age the something to eat. When she got into the forest, she asked him how
huntsmen once went hunting with him. In the forest, the King's he was getting on? "Oh," said he, "I am getting on very badly."
son was separated from the others, and all at once he saw a great Then she said he was to come and just eat a little. "Nay," said he,
stag which he wanted to shoot, but could not hit. At length he "I cannot do that, I shall still have to die, so I will eat no more."
chased the stag so far that they were quite out of the forest, and Then she spoke so kindly to him and begged him just to try, that
then suddenly a great tall man was standing there instead of the he came and ate something. When he had eaten something she said,
stag, and said, "It is well that I have thee, I have already ruined six "I will comb thy hair a while, and then thou wilt feel happier."
pairs of glass skates with running after thee, and have not been So she combed his hair, and he became weary and fell asleep, and
able to get thee." Then he took the King's son with him, and then she took her handkerchief and made a knot in it, and struck it
dragged him through a great lake to a great palace, and then he three times on the earth, and said, "Earth-workers, come forth."
had to sit down to table with him and eat something. When they In a moment, numbers of little earth-men came forth, and asked
had eaten something together the King said, "I have three what the King's daughter commanded? Then said she, "In three
daughters, thou must keep watch over the eldest for one night, hours' time the great forest must be cut down, and the whole of the
from nine in the evening till six in the morning, and every time the wood laid in heaps." So the little earth-men went about and got
clock strikes, I will come myself and call, and if thou then givest together the whole of their kindred to help them with the work.
me no answer, to-morrow morning thou shalt be put to death, but They began at once, and when the three hours were over, all was
if thou always givest me an answer, thou shalt have her to wife." done, and they came back to the King's daughter and told her so.
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Then she took her white handkerchief again and said, "Earth- built on the top of the mountain that must be as strong as any one
workers, go home." On this they all disappeared. could conceive, and all the furniture that pertains to a castle must
When the King's son awoke, he was delighted, and she said, be inside it. They went away, and summoned their kindred to help
"Come home when it has struck six o'clock." He did as she told them and when the time was come, all was ready. Then they came
him, and then the King asked, "Hast thou made away with the to the King's daughter and told her so, and the King's daughter
forest?" "Yes," said the King's son. When they were sitting at took her handkerchief and struck thrice on the earth with it, and
table, the King said, "I cannot yet give thee my daughter to wife, said, "Earth-workers, go home," on which they all disappeared.
thou must still do something more for her sake." So he asked what When therefore the King's son awoke and saw everything done, he
it was to be, then? "I have a great fish-pond," said the King. was as happy as a bird in air.
"Thou must go to it to-morrow morning and clear it of all mud When it had struck six, they went home together. Then said the
until it is as bright as a mirror, and fill it with every kind of fish." King, "Is the castle ready?" "Yes," said the King's son. When they
The next morning the King gave him a glass shovel and said, "The sat down to table, the King said, "I cannot give away my youngest
fish-pond must be done by six o'clock." So he went away, and daughter until the two eldest are married." Then the King's son
when he came to the fish-pond he stuck his shovel in the mud and and the King's daughter were quite troubled, and the King's son
it broke in two, then he stuck his hoe in the mud, and broke it also. had no idea what to do. But he went by night to the King's
Then he was much troubled. At noon the youngest daughter daughter and ran away with her. When they had got a little
brought him something to eat, and asked him how he was getting distance away, the King's daughter peeped round and saw her
on? So the King's son said everything was going very ill with him, father behind her. "Oh," said she, "what are we to do? My father is
and he would certainly have to lose his head. "My tools have behind us, and will take us back with him. I will at once change
broken to pieces again." "Oh," said she, "thou must just come and thee into a briar, and myself into a rose, and I will shelter myself in
eat something, and then thou wilt be in another frame of mind." the midst of the bush." When the father reached the place, there
"No," said he, "I cannot eat, I am far too unhappy for that!" Then stood a briar with one rose on it, then he was about to gather the
she gave him many good words until at last he came and ate rose, when the thorn came and pricked his finger so that he was
something. Then she combed his hair again, and he fell asleep, so forced to go home again. His wife asked why he had not brought
once more she took her handkerchief, tied a knot in it, and struck their daughter back with him? So he said he had nearly got up to
the ground thrice with the knot, and said, "Earth-workers, come her, but that all at once he had lost sight of her, and a briar with
forth." In a moment a great many little earth-men came and asked one rose was growing on the spot.
what she desired, and she told them that in three hours' time, they Then said the Queen, "If thou hadst but gathered the rose, the
must have the fish-pond entirely cleaned out, and it must be so briar would have been forced to come too." So he went back again
clear that people could see themselves reflected in it, and every to fetch the rose, but in the meantime the two were already far
kind of fish must be in it. The little earth-men went away and over the plain, and the King ran after them. Then the daughter
summoned all their kindred to help them, and in two hours it was once more looked round and saw her father coming, and said, "Oh,
done. Then they returned to her and said, "We have done as thou what shall we do now? I will instantly change thee into a church
hast commanded." The King's daughter took the handkerchief and and myself into a priest, and I will stand up in the pulpit, and
once more struck thrice on the ground with it, and said, "Earth- preach." When the King got to the place, there stood a church,
workers, go home again." Then they all went away. and in the pulpit was a priest preaching. So he listened to the
When the King's son awoke the fish-pond was done. Then the sermon, and then went home again.
King's daughter went away also, and told him that when it was six Then the Queen asked why he had not brought their daughter
he was to come to the house. When he arrived at the house the with him, and he said, "Nay, I ran a long time after her, and just
King asked, "Hast thou got the fish-pond done?" "Yes," said the as I thought I should soon overtake her, a church was standing
King's son. That was very good. there and a priest was in the pulpit preaching." "Thou shouldst
When they were again sitting at table the King said, "Thou hast just have brought the priest," said his wife, "and then the church
certainly done the fish-pond, but I cannot give thee my daughter would soon have come. It is no use to send thee, I must go there
yet; thou must just do one thing more." "What is that, then?" myself." When she had walked for some time, and could see the
asked the King's son. The King said he had a great mountain on two in the distance, the King's daughter peeped round and saw her
which there was nothing but briars which must all be cut down, mother coming, and said, "Now we are undone, for my mother is
and at the top of it the youth must build up a great castle, which coming herself: I will immediately change thee into a fish-pond
must be as strong as could be conceived, and all the furniture and and myself into a fish."
fittings belonging to a castle must be inside it. And when he arose When the mother came to the place, there was a large fish-pond,
next morning the King gave him a glass axe and a glass gimlet and in the midst of it a fish was leaping about and peeping out of
with him, and he was to have all done by six o'clock. As he was the water, and it was quite merry. She wanted to catch the fish,
cutting down the first briar with the axe, it broke off short, and so but she could not. Then she was very angry, and drank up the
small that the pieces flew all round about, and he could not use the whole pond in order to catch the fish, but it made her so ill that
gimlet either. Then he was quite miserable, and waited for his she was forced to vomit, and vomited the whole pond out again.
dearest to see if she would not come and help him in his need. Then she cried, "I see very well that nothing can be done now,"
When it was mid-day she came and brought him something to eat. and said that now they might come back to her. Then the King's
He went to meet her and told her all, and ate something, and let daughter went back again, and the Queen gave her daughter three
her comb his hair and fell asleep. Then she once more took the walnuts, and said, "With these thou canst help thyself when thou
knot and struck the earth with it, and said, "Earth-workers, come art in thy greatest need." So the young folks went once more away
forth!" Then came once again numbers of earth-men, and asked together. And when they had walked quite ten miles, they arrived
what her desire was. Then said she, "In the space of three hours at the castle from whence the King's son came, and close by it was
they must cut down the whole of the briars, and a castle must be a village. When they reached it, the King's son said, "Stay here,
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my dearest, I will just go to the castle, and then will I come with a to his beloved, and told her everything which had happened to
carriage and with attendants to fetch thee." him, and prayed her not to be angry with him for having
When he got to the castle they all rejoiced greatly at having the forgotten her. Then the King's daughter opened the third walnut,
King's son back, again, and he told them he had a bride who was and within it was a still more magnificent dress, which she put on,
row in the village, and they must go with the carriage to fetch her. and went with her bridegroom to church, and numbers of children
Then they harnessed the horses at once, and many attendants came who gave them flowers, and offered them gay ribbons to bind
seated themselves outside the carriage. When the King's son was about their feet, and they were blessed by the priest, and had a
about to get in, his mother gave him a kiss, and he forgot merry wedding. But the false mother and the bride had to depart.
everything which had happened, and also what he was about to do. And the mouth of the person who last told all this is still warm.
On this his mother ordered the horses to be taken out of the
carriage again, and every one went back into the house. But the
maiden sat in the village and watched and watched, and thought 114.—THE CUNNING LITTLE TAILOR.
he would come and fetch her, but no one came. Then the King's
daughter took service in the mill which belonged to the castle, and ("The Cunning [or: clever] Little Tailor" is a fairy tale collected
was obliged to sit by the pond every afternoon and clean the tubs. by the Brothers Grimm, KHM 114. The Grimms noted "from the
And the Queen came one day on foot from the castle, and went Schwalm region in Hessen" (perhaps from Ferdinand Siebert).
walking by the pond, and saw the well-grown maiden sitting there, Contents: A proud princess set a riddle to her wooers and sent
and said, "What a fine strong girl that is! She pleases me well!" them away when they could not answer. Three tailors came. Two
Then she and all with her looked at the maid, but no one knew her. were known for their cleverness and skill, and the third for his
So a long time passed by during which the maiden served the uselessness. The princess asked them what two colours were her
miller honourably and faithfully. In the meantime, the Queen had hairs. The first said black and white; the second brown and red;
sought a wife for her son, who came from quite a distant part of the third gold and silver, and he was right. The princess demanded
the world. When the bride came, they were at once to be married. that he spend the night with a bear as well. In his stall, the tailor
And many people hurried together, all of whom wanted to see began to crack nuts. He offered the bear not nuts but pebbles, and
everything. Then the girl said to the miller that he might be so the bear could not crack them. The tailor took one away,
good as to give her leave to go also. So the miller said, "Yes, do go substituted a nut, and cracked it. The tailor began to fiddle, and
there." When she was about to go, she opened one of the three the bear danced. The tailor offered to teach it, but first he had to
walnuts, and a beautiful dress lay inside it. She put it on, and went cut its nails. He trapped it in a vise and left it there. The princess
into the church and stood by the altar. Suddenly came the bride agreed to marry him. The other two tailors freed the bear. It came
and bridegroom, and seated themselves before the altar, and when after the carriage. The tailor stuck his legs out the window and
the priest was just going to bless them, the bride peeped half round threatened the bear with the claim that they were a vise. It ran off.)
and saw the maiden standing there. Then she stood up again, and
said she would not be given away until she also had as beautiful a There was once on a time a princess who was extremely proud. If
dress as that lady there. So they went back to the house again, and a wooer came she gave him some riddle to guess, and if he could
sent to ask the lady if she would sell that dress. No, she would not not find it out, he was sent contemptuously away. She let it be
sell it, but the bride might perhaps earn it. Then the bride asked made known also that whosoever solved her riddle should marry
her how she was to do this? Then the maiden said if she might sleep her, let him be who he might. At length, therefore, three tailors
one night outside the King's son's door, the bride might have what fell in with each other, the two eldest of whom thought they had
she wanted. So the bride said, "Yes, she was to do that." But the done so many dexterous bits of work successfully that they could
servants were ordered to give the King's son a sleeping drink, and not fail to succeed in this also; the third was a little useless land-
then the maiden laid herself down on the threshold and lamented louper, who did not even know his trade, but thought he must
all night long. She had had the forest cut down for him, she had have some luck in this venture, for where else was it to come from?
had the fish-pond cleaned out for him, she had had the castle built Then the two others said to him, "Just stay at home; thou canst
for him, she had changed him into a briar, and then into a church, not do much with thy little bit of understanding." The little tailor,
and at last into a fish-pond, and yet he had forgotten her so however, did not let himself be discouraged, and said he had set his
quickly. The King's son did not hear one word of it, but the head to work about this for once, and he would manage well
servants had been awakened, and had listened to it, and had not enough, and he went forth as if the whole world were his.
known what it could mean. The next morning when they were all They all three announced themselves to the princess, and said she
up, the bride put on the dress, and went away to the church with was to propound her riddle to them, and that the right persons
the bridegroom. In the meantime the maiden opened the second were now come, who had understandings so fine that they could be
walnut, and a still more beautiful dress was inside it. She put it on, threaded in a needle. Then said the princess, "I have two kinds of
and went and stood by the altar in the church, and everything hair on my head, of what colour is it?" "If that be all," said the
happened as it had happened the time before. And the maiden first, "it must be black and white, like the cloth which is called
again lay all night on the threshold which led to the chamber of "pepper and salt." The princess said, "Wrongly guessed; let the
the King's son, and the servant was once more to give him a second answer." Then said the second, "If it be not black and white,
sleeping-drink. The servant, however, went to him and gave him then it is brown and red, like my father's company coat."
something to keep him awake, and then the King's son went to bed, "Wrongly guessed," said the princess, "let the third give the
and the miller's maiden bemoaned herself as before on the answer, for I see very well he knows it for certain." Then the little
threshold of the door, and told of all that she had done. All this tailor stepped boldly forth and said, "The princess has a silver and
the King's son heard, and was sore troubled, and what was past a golden hair on her head, and those are the two different
came back to him. Then he wanted to go to her, but his mother colours." When the princess heard that, she turned pale and nearly
had locked the door. The next morning, however, he went at once fell down with terror, for the little tailor had guessed her riddle,
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and she had firmly believed that no man on earth could discover it. thou shalt be put into it again." When the bear saw that, he
When her courage returned she said, "Thou hast not won me yet turned round and ran away. The tailor drove quietly to church,
by that; there is still something else that thou must do. Below, in and the princess was married to him at once, and he lived with her
the stable, is a bear with which thou shalt pass the night, and when as happy as a woodlark. Whosoever does not believe this, must pay
I get up in the morning if thou art still alive, thou shalt marry a thaler [dollar].
me." She expected, however, she should thus get rid of the tailor,
for the bear had never yet left any one alive who had fallen into his
clutches. The little tailor did not let himself be frightened away, 115.—THE BRIGHT SUN BRINGS IT TO LIGHT.
but was quite delighted, and said, "Boldly ventured is half won."
When therefore the evening came, our little tailor was taken ("The Bright Sun Brings It To Light" is a fairy tale collected by
down to the bear. The bear was about to set at the little fellow at the Brothers Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales, tale number 115.
once, and give him a hearty welcome with his paws: "Softly, The Grimms noted "from Zwehrn" (from Dorothea Viehmann).
softly," said the little tailor, "I will soon make thee quiet." Then Whilst the stories "The Good Bargain" (KHM 7) and "The Jew
quite composedly, and as if he had not an anxiety in the world, he Among Thorns" (KHM 110) are deemed antisemitic, this story is
took some nuts out of his pocket, cracked them, and ate the neither antisemitic nor anti-Jewish. It is about poverty, evil gossip
kernels. When the bear saw that, he was seized with a desire to and the rule of law. The Grimms could have used the name of an
have some nuts too. The tailor felt in his pockets, and reached him animal to denote the murderer instead. At that time, it should
a handful; they were, however, not nuts, but pebbles. The bear put have been worrying that many crime stories were randomly
them in his mouth, but could get nothing out of them, let him bite connected to Jews just by using their name of identity. How would
as he would. "Eh!" thought he, "what a stupid blockhead I am! I the people of the 19th century have felt if they witnessed the
cannot even crack a nut!" and then he said to the tailor, "Here, liberation of the concentration camps in Hitler's crumbling Nazi-
crack me the nuts." "There, see what a stupid fellow thou art!" Empire?
said the little tailor, "to have such a great mouth, and not be able Contents: An impoverished tailor robs and murders a Jew on the
to crack a small nut!" Then he took the pebble and nimbly put a road, despite the Jew saying he has nothing worth stealing. As the
nut in his mouth in the place of it, and crack, it was in two! "I Jew dies, he warns, "The bright sun will bring it to light." The
must try the thing again," said the bear: "when I watch you, I then man then settles down. One day, he sees the sunlight reflecting
think I ought to be able to do it too." So the tailor once more gave from his drink and jeers about its bringing "it" to light. His wife
him a pebble, and the bear tried and tried to bite into it with all bothers him until he tells her what he means. She gossips about it,
the strength of his body. But no one will imagine that he and the tailor is tried and executed.)
accomplished it. When that was over, the tailor took out a violin
from beneath his coat, and played a piece on it to himself. When A tailor's apprentice was travelling about the world in search of
the bear heard the music, he could not help beginning to dance, work, and at one time he could find none, and his poverty was so
and when he had danced a while, the thing pleased him so well that great that he had not a farthing to live on. Presently he met a Jew
he said to the little tailor, "Hark you, is the fiddle heavy?" "Light on the road, and as he thought he would have a great deal of
enough for a child. Look, with the left hand I lay my fingers on it, money about him, the tailor thrust God out of his heart, fell on
and with the right I stroke it with the bow, and then it goes the Jew, and said, "Give me thy money, or I will strike thee dead."
merrily, hop sa sa vivallalera!" "So," said the bear; "fiddling is a Then said the Jew, "Grant me my life, I have no money but eight
thing I should like to understand too, that I might dance whenever farthings." But the tailor said, "Money thou hast; and it shall be
I had a fancy. What dost thou think of that? Wilt thou give me produced," and used violence and beat him until he was near death.
lessons?" "With all my heart," said the tailor, "if thou hast a And when the Jew was dying, the last words he said were, "The
talent for it. But just let me see thy claws, they are terribly long, I bright sun will bring it to light," and thereupon he died. The
must cut thy nails a little." Then a vice was brought, and the bear tailor's apprentice felt in his pockets and sought for money, but he
put his claws in it, and the little tailor screwed it tight, and said, found nothing but eight farthings, as the Jew had said. Then he
"Now wait until I come with the scissors," and he let the bear took him up and carried him behind a clump of trees, and went
growl as he liked, and lay down in the corner on a bundle of straw, onwards to seek work. After he had travelled about a long while,
and fell asleep. he got work in a town with a master who had a pretty daughter,
When the princess heard the bear growling so fiercely during the with whom he fell in love, and he married her, and lived in good
night, she believed nothing else but that he was growling for joy, and happy wedlock.
and had made an end of the tailor. In the morning she arose After a long time when he and his wife had two children, the
careless and happy, but when she peeped into the stable, the tailor wife's father and mother died, and the young people kept house
stood gaily before her, and was as healthy as a fish in the water. alone. One morning, when the husband was sitting on the table
Now she could not say another word against the wedding because before the window, his wife brought him his coffee, and when he
she had given a promise before every one, and the King ordered a had poured it out into the saucer, and was just going to drink, the
carriage to be brought in which she was to drive to church with sun shone on it and the reflection gleamed hither and thither on
the tailor, and there she was to be married. When they had got the wall above, and made circles on it. Then the tailor looked up
into the carriage, the two other tailors, who had false hearts and and said, "Yes, it would like very much to bring it to light, and
envied him his good fortune, went into the stable and unscrewed cannot!" The woman said, "Oh, dear husband, and what is that,
the bear again. The bear in great fury ran after the carriage. The then? What dost thou mean by that?" He answered, "I must not
princess heard him snorting and growling; she was terrified, and tell thee." But she said, "If thou lovest me, thou must tell me," and
she cried, "Ah, the bear is behind us and wants to get thee!" The used her most affectionate words, and said that no one should ever
tailor was quick and stood on his head, stuck his legs out of the know it, and left him no rest. Then he told her how years ago,
window, and cried, "Dost thou see the vice? If thou dost not be off when he was travelling about seeking work and quite worn out
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and penniless, he had killed a Jew, and that in the last agonies of woman took him to the well, and let him down in a basket. He
death, the Jew had spoken the words, "The bright sun will bring it found the blue light, and made her a signal to draw him up again.
to light." And now, the sun had just wanted to bring it to light, She did draw him up, but when he came near the edge, she
and had gleamed and made circles on the wall, but had not been stretched down her hand and wanted to take the blue light away
able to do it. After this, he again charged her particularly never to from him. "No," said he, perceiving her evil intention, "I will not
tell this, or he would lose his life, and she did promise. When, give thee the light until I am standing with both feet upon the
however, he had sat down to work again, she went to her great ground." The witch fell into a passion, let him down again into
friend and confided the story to her, but she was never to repeat it the well, and went away.
to any human being, but before two days were over, the whole The poor soldier fell without injury on the moist ground, and
town knew it, and the tailor was brought to trial, and condemned. the blue light went on burning, but of what use was that to him?
And thus, after all, the bright sun did bring it to light. He saw very well that he could not escape death. He sat for a while
very sorrowfully, then suddenly he felt in his pocket and found his
tobacco pipe, which was still half full. "This shall be my last
116.—THE BLUE LIGHT. pleasure," thought he, pulled it out, lit it at the blue light and
began to smoke. When the smoke had circled about the cavern,
("The Blue Light" is a Brothers Grimm fairy tale about a suddenly a little black dwarf stood before him, and said, "Lord,
discarded soldier who finds a magical object that provides him a what are thy commands?" "What commands have I to give thee?"
supernatural helper. This story comes from Mecklenburg, the replied the soldier, quite astonished". "I must do everything thou
contributor, however, remains unknown. There are many of the biddest me," said the little man. "Good," said the soldier; "then in
features from Hans Christian Andersen's later work The the first place help me out of this well." The little man took him by
Tinderbox. the hand, and led him through an underground passage, but he
Contents: A soldier becomes an invalid and is abdicated by his did not forget to take the blue light with him. On the way the
king. He pulls away and comes to a witch's house in the forest. The dwarf showed him the treasures which the witch had collected and
witch gives him three tasks, two of which he fails, and the third is hidden there, and the soldier took as much gold as he could carry.
to bring her a blue light from a dry well. He is lowered, finds the When he was above, he said to the little man, "Now go and bind
lamp, but becomes suspicious and does not want to hand it over the old witch, and carry her before the judge." In a short time she,
until he is on solid ground. The enraged witch then lets him fall with frightful cries, came riding by, as swift as the wind on a wild
with the light. When he desperately lights his tobacco pipe at the tom-cat, nor was it long after that before the little man re-
blue light, a small, black man appears and asks: "Lord, what do appeared. "It is all done," said he, "and the witch is already
you command?" bring the king's daughter to his room at night so hanging on the gallows. What further commands has my lord?"
that she can do maid service for him. Before dawn, the little man inquired the dwarf. "At this moment, none," answered the soldier;
always brings them back. The third time she leads the king on the "thou canst return home, only be at hand immediately, if I
trail, the soldier is caught and led to the gallows. His last request summon thee." "Nothing more is needed than that thou shouldst
(he must not ask for his life) is there to light a pipe. The male light thy pipe at the blue light, and I will appear before thee at
appears again, everything turns out well, and he gets the princess once." Thereupon he vanished from his sight.
and the kingdom.) The soldier returned to the town from which he had come. He
went to the best inn, ordered himself handsome clothes, and then
There was once on a time a soldier who for many years had bade the landlord furnish him a room as handsomely as possible.
served the King faithfully, but when the war came to an end could When it was ready and the soldier had taken possession of it, he
serve no longer because of the many wounds which he had received. summoned the little black mannikin and said, "I have served the
The King said to him, "Thou mayst return to thy home, I need King faithfully, but he has dismissed me, and left me to hunger,
thee no longer, and thou wilt not receive any more money, for he and now I want to take my revenge." "What am I to do?" asked
only receives wages who renders me service for them." Then the the little man. "Late at night, when the King's daughter is in bed,
soldier did not know how to earn a living, went away greatly bring her here in her sleep, she shall do servant's work for me."
troubled, and walked the whole day, until in the evening he The mannikin said, "That is an easy thing for me to do, but a very
entered a forest. When darkness came on, he saw a light, which he dangerous thing for you, for if it is discovered, you will fare ill."
went up to, and came to a house wherein lived a witch. "Do give When twelve o'clock had struck, the door sprang open, and the
me one night's lodging, and a little to eat and drink," said he to mannikin carried in the princess. "Aha! art thou there?" cried the
her, "or I shall starve." "Oho!" she answered, "who gives anything soldier, "get to thy work at once! Fetch the broom and sweep the
to a runaway soldier? Yet will I be compassionate, and take you in, chamber." When she had done this, he ordered her to come to his
if you will do what I wish." "What do you wish?" said the soldier. chair, and then he stretched out his feet and said, "Pull off my
"That you should dig all round my garden for me, to-morrow." boots for me," and then he threw them in her face, and made her
The soldier consented, and next day laboured with all his strength, pick them up again, and clean and brighten them. She, however,
but could not finish it by the evening. "I see well enough," said the did everything he bade her, without opposition, silently and with
witch, "that you can do no more to-day, but I will keep you yet half-shut eyes. When the first cock crowed, the mannikin carried
another night, in payment for which you must to-morrow chop me her back to the royal palace, and laid her in her bed.
a load of wood, and make it small." The soldier spent the whole Next morning when the princess arose, she went to her father,
day in doing it, and in the evening the witch proposed that he and told him that she had had a very strange dream. "I was carried
should stay one night more. "To-morrow, you shall only do me a through the streets with the rapidity of lightning," said she, "and
very trifling piece of work. Behind my house, there is an old dry taken into a soldier's room, and I had to wait upon him like a
well, into which my light has fallen, it burns blue, and never goes servant, sweep his room, clean his boots, and do all kinds of
out, and you shall bring it up again for me." Next day the old menial work. It was only a dream, and yet I am just as tired as if I
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really had done everything." "The dream may have been true," 117.—THE WILFUL CHILD.
said the King, "I will give thee a piece of advice. Fill thy pocket
full of peas, and make a small hole in it, and then if thou art ("The Willful Child" is a legend collected by the Brothers Grimm
carried away again, they will fall out and leave a track in the as tale number KHM 117. The fairy tale comes from Hesse. It is
streets." But unseen by the King, the mannikin was standing based on the popular belief that a child's hand that strikes its
beside him when he said that, and heard all. At night when the parents grows over its grave. The legend should originally have
sleeping princess was again carried through the streets, some peas been meant as a warning against disobedient children.
certainly did fall out of her pocket, but they made no track, for the Contents: Because a child does not follow its mother, God causes
crafty mannikin had just before scattered peas in every street there it to become terminally ill. In the grave it always stretches out its
was. And again the princess was compelled to do servant's work arms and only finds rest after its mother hits it with a rod.)
until cock-crow.
Next morning the King sent his people out to seek the track, but Once upon a time there was a child who was wilful, and would
it was all in vain, for in every street poor children were sitting, not do what her mother wished. For this reason God had no
picking up peas, and saying, "It must have rained peas, last pleasure in her, and let her become ill, and no doctor could do her
night." "We must think of something else," said the King; "keep any good, and in a short time she lay on her death-bed. When she
thy shoes on when thou goest to bed, and before thou comest back had been lowered into her grave, and the earth was spread over her,
from the place where thou art taken, hide one of them there, I will all at once her arm came out again, and stretched upwards, and
soon contrive to find it." The black mannikin heard this plot, and when they had put it in and spread fresh earth over it, it was all to
at night when the soldier again ordered him to bring the princess, no purpose, for the arm always came out again. Then the mother
revealed it to him, and told him that he knew of no expedient to herself was obliged to go to the grave, and strike the arm with a
counteract this stratagem, and that if the shoe were found in the rod, and when she had done that, it was drawn in, and then at last
soldier's house it would go badly with him." "Do what I bid thee," the child had rest beneath the ground.
replied the soldier, and again this third night the princess was
obliged to work like a servant, but before she went away, she hid
her shoe under the bed. 118.—THE THREE ARMY-SURGEONS.
Next morning the King had the entire town searched for his
daughter's shoe. It was found at the soldier's, and the soldier ("The Three Army Surgeons" (KHM 118) is a Brothers Grimm
himself, who at the entreaty of the dwarf had gone outside the gate, fairy tale. The Grimms noted "from Zwehrn" in Hesse (from
was soon brought back, and thrown into prison. In his flight he Dorothea Viehmann).
had forgotten the most valuable things he had, the blue light and Contents: Three army surgeons (doctors) traveling through want
the gold, and had only one ducat in his pocket. And now loaded to show their host that they can cut out their hands, hearts and
with chains, he was standing at the window of his dungeon, when eyes and use them again. A girl is supposed to keep the pieces
he chanced to see one of his comrades passing by. The soldier overnight, but the cat steals them when she forgets to close the
tapped at the pane of glass, and when this man came up, said to closet door because of her lover. The lover, a soldier, takes the
him, "Be so kind as to fetch me the small bundle I have left lying in hand of a hanged man and the heart and eye of a pig and a cat. The
the inn, and I will give you a ducat for doing it." His comrade ran army surgeons use them in the morning. The host is impressed.
thither and brought him what he wanted. As soon as the soldier But on the way they notice that someone always wants to run into
was alone again, he lighted his pipe and summoned the black the dung, someone reaches out when a rich man does not look at
mannikin. "Have no fear," said the latter to his master. "Go his money, and someone sees badly during the day but sees mice in
wheresoever they take you, and let them do what they will, only the dark at night. You turn back. The girl runs away and the
take the blue light with you." Next day the soldier was tried, and innkeeper has to pay her a lot of money.)
though he had done nothing wicked, the judge condemned him to
death. When he was led forth to die, he begged a last favour of the Three army-surgeons who thought they knew their art perfectly,
King. "What is it?" asked the King. "That I may smoke one more were travelling about the world, and they came to an inn where
pipe on my way." "Thou mayst smoke three," answered the King, they wanted to pass the night. The host asked whence they came,
"but do not imagine that I will spare thy life." Then the soldier and whither they were going? "We are roaming about the world
pulled out his pipe and lighted it at the blue light, and as soon as a and practising our art." "Just show me for once in a way what you
few wreaths of smoke had ascended, the mannikin was there with a can do," said the host. Then the first said he would cut off his hand,
small cudgel in his hand, and said, "What does my lord and put it on again early next morning; the second said he would
command?" "Strike down to earth that false judge there, and his tear out his heart, and replace it next morning; the third said he
constable, and spare not the King who has treated me so ill." Then would cut out his eyes and heal them again next morning. "If you
the mannikin fell on them like lightning, darting this way and that can do that," said the innkeeper, "you have learnt everything."
way, and whosoever was so much as touched by his cudgel fell to They, however, had a salve, with which they rubbed themselves,
earth, and did not venture to stir again. The King was terrified; he which joined parts together, and they carried the little bottle in
threw himself on the soldier's mercy, and merely to be allowed to which it was, constantly with them. Then they cut the hand, heart
live at all, gave him his kingdom for his own, and the princess to and eyes from their bodies as they had said they would, and laid
wife. them all together on a plate, and gave it to the innkeeper. The
innkeeper gave it to a servant who was to set it in the cupboard,
and take good care of it. The girl, however, had a lover in secret,
who was a soldier. When therefore the innkeeper, the three army-
surgeons, and every one else in the house were asleep, the soldier
came and wanted something to eat. The girl opened the cupboard
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
and brought him some food, and in her love forgot to shut the the backdoor, and not come back. Then the three said he must give
cupboard-door again; she seated herself at the table by her lover, them a great deal of money, or they would set his house on fire.[1]
and they chattered away together. While she sat so contentedly He gave them what he had, and whatever he could get together,
there thinking of no ill luck, the cat came creeping in, found the and the three went away with it. It was enough for the rest of their
cupboard open, took the hand and heart and eyes of the three lives, but they would rather have had their own proper organs.
army-surgeons, and ran off with them. When the soldier had done ["Sonst liessen sie ihm den rothen Hahn übers Haus fliegen." The
eating, and the girl was taking away the things and going to shut symbol of a red cock for fire is of remote antiquity. (See Völuspá,
the cupboard she saw that the plate which the innkeeper had given 34, 35.) "I will set a red cock on your roof," is the incendiary's
her to take care of, was empty. Then she said in a fright to her threat in Germany, where fire is compared to a cock flying from
lover, "Ah, miserable girl, what shall I do? The hand is gone, the house to house.—Grimm's 'Deutsche Mythologie,' p. 568. Red
heart and the eyes are gone too, what will become of me in the cock-crawing—a cant phrase for fire-raising in the south of
morning?" "Be easy," said he, "I will help thee out of thy Scotland. See Jamieson's Et. Dict., where also the following
trouble—there is a thief hanging outside on the gallows, I will cut extract from Guy Mannering, i. 39, is given: "'Weel, there's ane
off his hand. Which hand was it!" "The right one." Then the girl abune a', but we'll see if the red cock craw not in his bonnie barn-
gave him a sharp knife, and he went and cut the poor sinner's right yard ae morning before day dawing.' 'What does she mean?' 'Fire-
hand off, and brought it to her. After this he caught the cat and raising,' answered the laconic Dominie." Sir Walter Scott was,
cut its eyes out, and now nothing but the heart was wanting. however, a German scholar at a time when German was little
"Have you not been killing, and are not the dead pigs in the studied, and the picturesqueness of the expression may have
cellar?" said he, "Yes," said the girl. "That's well," said the soldier, induced him to import it into North Britain.—Tr.]
and he went down and fetched a pig's heart. The girl placed all
together on the plate, and put it in the cupboard, and when after
this her lover took leave of her, she went quietly to bed. 119.—THE SEVEN SWABIANS.
In the morning when the three army-surgeons got up, they told
the girl she was to bring them the plate on which the hand, heart, ("The Seven Swabians" is a farce about the adventures of seven
and eyes were lying. Then she brought it out of the cupboard, and Swabians who are portrayed as clumsy. The highlight is the fight
the first fixed the thief's hand on and smeared it with his salve, and with a monster that turns out to be a rabbit 2nd edition from
it grew to his arm directly. The second took the cat's eyes and put 1819 (KHM 119) Grimm's note names Kirchhofs Wendunmuth as
them in his own head. The third fixed the pig's heart firm in the the source "1, St. 274". The term "Swabians" refers to people
place where his own had been, and the innkeeper stood by, from the Swabia region in the southwest of Germany, though in
admired their skill, and said he had never yet seen such a thing as Switzerland it refers to Germans in general.
that done, and would sing their praises and recommend them to Content: Seven Swabians are looking for adventure with a long
every one. Then they paid their bill, and travelled farther. spear. On the way (in the hay month) an insect buzzes in the
As they were on their way, the one with the pig's heart did not twilight, the foremost, Herr Schulz, thinks it's a war drum. He
stay with them at all, but wherever there was a corner he ran to it, escapes over a fence, steps on a rake, hitting him in the face with
and rooted about in it with his nose as pigs do. The others wanted the handle, and surrenders, as do the others. A hare sleeps on a
to hold him back by the tail of his coat, but that did no good; he fallow field in the sun. They discuss what to do and the seven of
tore himself loose, and ran wherever the dirt was thickest. The them attack the supposed dragon with a spear until Herr Schulz is
second also behaved very strangely; he rubbed his eyes, and said to so scared that he talks so loudly that the rabbit runs away. On the
the others, "Comrades, what is the matter? I don't see at all. Will Moselle they shout across the water how to get across and are not
one of you lead me, so that I do not fall." Then with difficulty they understood. Mr. Schulz misinterpreted the answer "what? wat!",
travelled on till evening, when they reached another inn. They wades in and sinks. His hat swims over, a frog croaks "wat, wat,
went into the bar together, and there at a table in the corner sat a wat", then the others follow and drown too.)
rich man counting money. The one with the thief's hand walked
round about him, made a sudden movement twice with his arm, Seven Swabians were once together. The first was Master Schulz;
and at last when the stranger turned away, he snatched at the pile the second, Jackli; the third, Marli; the fourth, Jergli; the fifth,
of money, and took a handful from it. One of them saw this and Michal; the sixth, Hans; the seventh, Veitli: all seven had made up
said, "Comrade, what art thou about? Thou must not steal— their minds to travel about the world to seek adventures, and
shame on thee!" "Eh," said he, "but how can I stop myself? My perform great deeds. But in order that they might go in security
hand twitches, and I am forced to snatch things whether I will or and with arms in their hands, they thought it would be advisable
not." that they should have one solitary, but very strong, and very long
After this, they lay down to sleep, and while they were lying spear made for them. This spear all seven of them took in their
there it was so dark that no one could see his own hand. All at hands at once; in front walked the boldest and bravest, and that
once the one with the cat's eyes awoke, aroused the others, and was Master Schulz; all the others followed in a row, and Veitli was
said, "Brothers, just look up, do you see the white mice running the last. Then it came to pass one day in the hay-making month
about there?" The two sat up, but could see nothing. Then said he, (July), when they had walked a long distance, and still had a long
"Things are not right with us, we have not got back again what is way to go before they reached the village where they were to pass
ours. We must return to the inn-keeper, he has deceived us." They the night, that as they were in a meadow in the twilight a great
went back, therefore, the next morning, and told the host they had beetle or hornet flew by them from behind a bush, and hummed in
not got what was their own again; that the first had a thief's hand, a menacing manner. Master Schulz was so terrified that he all but
the second cat's eyes, and the third a pig's heart. The innkeeper dropped the spear, and a cold perspiration broke out over his
said that the girl must be to blame for that, and was going to call whole body. "Hark! hark!" cried he to his comrades, "Good
her, but when she had seen the three coming, she had run out by heavens! I hear a drum." Jackli, who was behind him holding the
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spear, and who perceived some kind of a smell, said, "Something is how people contrived to get across. The distance and their way of
most certainly going on, for I taste powder and matches." At these speaking made the man unable to understand what they wanted,
words Master Schulz began to take to flight, and in a trice jumped and he said "What? what?" in the way people speak in the
over a hedge, but as he just happened to jump on to the teeth of a neighbourhood of Treves. Master Schulz thought he was saying,
rake which had been left lying there after the hay-making, the "Wade, wade through the water," and as he was the first, began to
handle of it struck against his face and gave him a tremendous set out and went into the Moselle. It was not long before he sank
blow. "Oh dear! Oh dear!" screamed Master Schulz. "Take me in the mud and the deep waves which drove against him, but his
prisoner; I surrender! I surrender!" The other six all leapt over, hat was blown on the opposite shore by the wind, and a frog sat
one on the top of the other, crying, "If you surrender, I surrender down beside it, and croaked "Wat, wat, wat." The other six on the
too! If you surrender, I surrender too!" At length, as no enemy was opposite side heard that, and said, "Oho, comrades, Master Schulz
there to bind and take them away, they saw that they had been is calling us; if he can wade across, why cannot we?" So they all
mistaken, and in order that the story might not be known, and jumped into the water together in a great hurry, and were
they be treated as fools and ridiculed, they all swore to each, other drowned, and thus one frog took the lives of all six of them, and
to hold their peace about it until one of them accidentally spoke of not one of the Swabian allies ever reached home again.
it.
Then they journeyed onwards. The second danger which they
survived cannot be compared with the first. Some days afterwards, 120.—THE THREE APPRENTICES.
their path led them through a fallow-field where a hare was sitting
sleeping in the sun. Her ears were standing straight up, and her ("The Three Apprentices" or "The Three Journeymen" is a fairy
great glassy eyes were wide open. All of them were alarmed at the tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales as
sight of the horrible wild beast, and they consulted together as to tale number KHM 120. The Grimms noted "a story from Zwehrn"
what it would be the least dangerous to do. For if they were to run (by Dorothea Viehmann) as the source.
away, they knew that the monster would pursue and swallow them Contents: Three apprentices banded together and agreed to work
whole. So they said, "We must go through a great and dangerous in the same town, but they had grown so poor that they thought
struggle. Boldly ventured, is half won," and all seven grasped the they had to separate. A richly dressed man asked them to help him
spear, Master Schulz in front, and Veitli behind. Master Schulz for money. One noticed that he had a horse's foot, but though he
was always trying to keep the spear back, but Veitli had become was the Devil, he assured them that he only wanted a soul that was
quite brave while behind, and wanted to dash forward and cried, already half his and not theirs. He gave them money and told them
"Strike home, in every Swabian's name, that, whenever they were spoken to, the first one was to say "All
Or else I wish ye may be lame." three of us"; the second, "For money"; and the third, "And quite
But Hans knew how to meet this, and said, right too!" They went and lived in an inn. The innkeeper thought
"Thunder and lightning, it's fine to prate, they were mad, and they saw everything that happened there. A
But for dragon-hunting thou'rt aye too late." merchant gave the innkeeper money to take care of, for fear the
Michal cried, apprentices would steal it. The innkeeper murdered the merchant
"Nothing is wanting, not even a hair, in the night and blamed the apprentices; their answers to the
Be sure the Devil himself is there." questions seemed confessions of guilt, but the Devil appeared as
Then it was Jergli's turn to speak, they were about to be executed and freed them. They then
"If it be not, it's at least his mother, announced that the innkeeper was the murderer, and where the
Or else it's the Devil's own step-brother." bodies were to be found. The innkeeper was beheaded, the Devil
And now Marli had a bright thought, and said to Veitli, got his soul, and the three apprentices had money for the rest of
"Advance, Veitli, advance, advance, their lives.)
And I behind will hold the lance."
Veitli, however, did not attend to that, and Jackli said, There were once three apprentices, who had agreed to keep
'Tis Schulz's place the first to be, always together while travelling, and always to work in the same
No one deserves that honour but he." town. At one time, however, their masters had no more work to
Then Master Schulz plucked up his courage, and said, gravely, give them, so that at last they were in rags, and had nothing to live
"Then let us boldly advance to the fight. on. Then one of them said, "What shall we do? We cannot stay
And thus we shall show our valour and might." here any longer, we will travel once more, and if we do not find
Hereupon they all together set on the dragon. Master Schulz any work in the town we go to, we will arrange with the innkeeper
crossed himself and prayed for God's assistance, but as all this was there, that we are to write and tell him where we are staying, so
of no avail, and he was getting nearer and nearer to the enemy, he that we can always have news of each other, and then we will
screamed "Oho! Oho! ho! ho! ho!" in the greatest anguish. This separate." And that seemed best to the others also. They went
awakened the hare, which in great alarm darted swiftly away. forth, and met on the way a richly-dressed man who asked who
When Master Schulz saw her thus flying from the field of battle, he they were, "We are apprentices looking for work; up to this time
cried in his joy. we have kept together, but if we cannot find anything to do we are
"Quick, Veitli, quick, look there, look there, going to separate." "There is no need for that," said the man, "if
The monster's nothing but a hare!" you will do what I tell you, you shall not want for gold or for
But the Swabian allies went in search of further adventures, and work;—nay, you shall become great lords, and drive in your
came to the Moselle, a mossy, quiet, deep river, over which there carriages!" One of them said, "If our souls and salvation be not
are few bridges, and which in many places people have to cross in endangered, we will certainly do it." "They will not," replied the
boats. As the seven Swabians did not know this, they called to a man, "I have no claim on you." One of the others had, however,
man who was working on the opposite side of the river, to know looked at his feet, and when he saw a horse's foot and a man's foot,
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he did not want to have anything to do with him. The Devil, the headsman, "It is a pardon coming," and "Pardon! pardon!"
however, said, "Be easy, I have no designs on you, but on another was called from the carriage also. Then the Devil stepped out as a
soul, which is half my own already, and whose measure shall but very noble gentleman, beautifully dressed and said, "You three are
run full." As they were now secure, they consented, and the Devil innocent; you may now speak, make known what you have seen
told them what he wanted. The first was to answer, "All three of and heard." Then said the eldest, "We did not kill the merchant,
us," to every question; the second was to say, "For money," and the murderer is standing there in the circle," and he pointed to the
the third, "And quite right too!" They were always to say this, one innkeeper. "In proof of this, go into his cellar, where many others
after the other, but they were not to say one word more, and if whom he has killed are still hanging." Then the judge sent the
they disobeyed this order, all their money would disappear at once, executioner's men thither, and they found it was as the apprentices
but so long as they observed it, their pockets would always be full. said, and when they had informed the judge of this, he caused the
As a beginning, he at once gave them as much as they could carry, innkeeper to be led up, and his head was cut off. Then said the
and told them to go to such and such an inn when they got to the Devil to the three, "Now I have got the soul which I wanted to
town. They went to it, and the innkeeper came to meet them, and have, and you are free, and have money for the rest of your lives."
asked if they wished for anything to eat? The first replied, "All
three of us." "Yes," said the host, "that is what I mean." The
second said, "For money." "Of course," said the host. The third 121.—THE KING'S SON WHO FEARED NOTHING
said, "And quite right too!" "Certainly it is right," said the host.
Good meat and drink were now brought to them, and they were ("The King's Son Who Feared Nothing" is a fairy tale in the
well waited on. After the dinner came the payment, and the children's and household tales of the Brothers Grimm from the
innkeeper gave the bill to the one who said, "All three of us," the 2nd edition of 1819 (KHM 121). The Grimm's annotations noted
second said, "For money," and the third, "And quite right too!" "From Paderborn" (from the von Haxthausen family).
"Indeed it is right," said the host, "all three pay, and without Contents: A king's son wanders into the world and plays with
money I can give nothing." They, however, paid still more than he man-sized skittles in front of a giant's house. He tells him to get an
had asked. The lodgers, who were looking on, said, "These people apple from the tree of life for his bride. The king's son finds the
must be mad." "Yes, indeed they are," said the host, "they are not garden with the tree. The wild animals that guard him do not
very wise." So they stayed some time in the inn, and said nothing harm him. When he breaks off the apple, the ring through which
else but "All three of us," "For money," and "And quite right you have to reach through closes around his arm, giving him great
too!" But they saw and knew all that was going on. It so happened strength. A lion wakes up and follows him as his master. He brings
that a great merchant came with a large sum of money, and said, the apple to the giant, but his bride is not satisfied if he doesn't
"Sir host, take care of my money for me, here are three crazy show her the ring as well. The giant first tries unsuccessfully to
apprentices who might steal it from me." The host did as he was take it from the prince in battle, then steals it when they are
asked. As he was carrying the trunk into his room, he felt that it bathing in the river, but the lion retrieves it. The giant gouges out
was heavy with gold. Thereupon he gave the three apprentices a the eyes of the king's son and then twice leads the blind man to a
lodging below, but the merchant came up-stairs into a separate cliff to make him fall to his death, but the lion prevents it both
apartment. When it was midnight, and the host thought that all times and throws the giant down. The lion leads the king's son to a
were asleep, he came with his wife, and they had an axe and struck stream whose water restores his sight. The king's son wanders on
the rich merchant dead; and after they had murdered him they and meets a black maiden in an enchanted castle, who begs him to
went to bed again. When it was day there was a great outcry; the redeem her. To do this, he spends three nights in the castle and lets
merchant lay dead in bed bathed in blood. All the guests ran at himself be tormented by little devils without being afraid or
once, but the host said, "The three crazy apprentices have done making a sound. The devils come every time at midnight, take no
this;" the lodgers confirmed it, and said, "It can have been no one notice of him at first, play and talk about his presence before
else." The innkeeper, however, had them called, and said to them, attacking him. In the morning the Virgin comes and heals him
"Have you killed the merchant!" "All three of us," said the first, with the water of life, gradually fading away from her black
"For money," said the second; and the third added, "And quite colour. Finally the castle is redeemed, the king's son and the snow-
right too!" "There now, you hear," said the host, "they confess it white princess get married.)
themselves." They were taken to prison, therefore, and were to be
tried. When they saw that things were going so seriously, they There was once a king's son, who was no longer content to stay
were after all afraid, but at night the Devil came and said, "Bear it at home in his father's house, and as he had no fear of anything, he
just one day longer, and do not play away your luck, not one hair thought, "I will go forth into the wide world, there the time will
of your head shall be hurt." not seem long to me, and I shall see wonders enough." So he took
The next morning they were led to the bar, and the judge said, leave of his parents, and went forth, and on and on from morning
"Are you the murderers!" "All three of us." "Why did you kill the till night, and whichever way his path led it was the same to him.
merchant!" "For money." "You wicked wretches, you have no It came to pass that he got to the house of a giant, and as he was so
horror of your sins?" "And quite right too!" "They have confessed, tired he sat down by the door and rested. And as he let his eyes
and are still stubborn," said the judge, "lead them to death roam here and there, he saw the giant's playthings lying in the
instantly." So they were taken out, and the host had to go with yard. These were a couple of enormous balls, and nine-pins as tall
them into the circle. When they were taken hold of by the as a man. After a while he had a fancy to set the nine-pins up and
executioner's men, and were just going to be led up to the scaffold then rolled the balls at them, and screamed and cried out when the
where the headsman was standing with naked sword, a coach nine-pins fell, and had a merry time of it. The giant heard the
drawn by four blood-red chestnut horses came up suddenly, noise, stretched his head out of the window, and saw a man who
driving so fast that fire flashed from the stones, and some one was not taller than other men, and yet played with his nine-pins.
made signs from the window with a white handkerchief. Then said "Little worm," cried he, "why art thou playing with my balls?
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Who gave thee strength to do it?" The King's son looked up, saw of his hand, and brought it back to its master. Then the giant
the giant, and said, "Oh, thou blockhead, thou thinkest indeed placed himself behind an oak-tree, and while the King's son was
that thou only hast strong arms, I can do everything I want to busy putting on his clothes again, surprised him, and put both his
do." The giant came down and watched the bowling with great eyes out.
admiration, and said, "Child of man, if thou art one of that kind, And now the unhappy King's son stood there, and was blind and
go and bring me an apple of the tree of life." "What dost thou knew not how to help himself. Then the giant came back to him,
want with it?" said the King's son. "I do not want the apple for took him by the hand as if he were some one who wanted to guide
myself," answered the giant, "but I have a betrothed bride who him, and led him to the top of a high rock. There he left him
wishes for it. I have travelled far about the world and cannot find standing, and thought, "Just two steps more, and he will fall down
the tree." "I will soon find it," said the King's son, "and I do not and kill himself, and I can take the ring from him." But the
know what is to prevent me from getting the apple down." The faithful lion had not deserted its master; it held him fast by the
giant said, "Thou really believest it to be so easy! The garden in clothes, and drew him gradually back again. When the giant came
which the tree stands is surrounded by an iron railing, and in front and wanted to rob the dead man, he saw that his cunning had been
of the railing lie wild beasts, each close to the other, and they keep in vain. "Is there no way, then, of destroying a weak child of man
watch and let no man go in." "They will be sure to let me in," said like that?" said he angrily to himself, and seized the King's son and
the King's son. "Yes, but even if thou dost get into the garden, and led him back again to the precipice by another way, but the lion
seest the apple hanging to the tree, it is still not thine; a ring hangs which saw his evil design, helped its master out of danger here also.
in front of it, through which any one who wants to reach the apple When they had got close to the edge, the giant let the blind man's
and break it off, must put his hand, and no one has yet had the hand drop, and was going to leave him behind alone, but the lion
luck to do it." "That luck will be mine," said the King's son. pushed the giant so that he was thrown down and fell, dashed to
Then he took leave of the giant, and went forth over mountain pieces, on the ground.
and valley, and through plains and forests, until at length he came The faithful animal again drew its master back from the precipice,
to the wondrous garden. and guided him to a tree by which flowed a clear brook. The
The beasts lay round about it, but they had put their heads down King's son sat down there, but the lion lay down, and sprinkled
and were asleep. Moreover, they did not awake when he went up the water in his face with its paws. Scarcely had a couple of drops
to them, so he stepped over them, climbed the fence, and got safely wetted the sockets of his eyes, than he was once more able to see
into the garden. There, in the very middle of it, stood the tree of something, and remarked a little bird flying quite close by, which
life, and the red apples were shining upon the branches. He wounded itself against the trunk of a tree. On this it went down to
climbed up the trunk to the top, and as he was about to reach out the water and bathed itself therein, and then it soared upwards
for an apple, he saw a ring hanging before it; but he thrust his and swept between the trees without touching them, as if it had
hand through that without any difficulty, and gathered the apple. recovered its sight again. Then the King's son recognised a sign
The ring closed tightly on his arm, and all at once he felt a from God and stooped down to the water, and washed and bathed
prodigious strength flowing through his veins. When he had come his face in it. And when he arose he had his eyes once more,
down again from the tree with the apple, he would not climb over brighter and clearer than they had ever been.
the fence, but grasped the great gate, and had no need to shake it The King's son thanked God for his great mercy, and travelled
more than once before it sprang open with a loud crash. Then he with his lion onwards through the world. And it came to pass that
went out, and the lion which had been lying down before, was he arrived before a castle which was enchanted. In the gateway
awake and sprang after him, not in rage and fierceness, but stood a maiden of beautiful form and fine face, but she was quite
following him humbly as its master. black. She spoke to him and said, "Ah, if thou couldst but deliver
The King's son took the giant the apple he had promised him, me from the evil spell which is thrown over me." "What shall I
and said, "Seest thou, I have brought it without difficulty." The do?" said the King's son. The maiden answered, "Thou must pass
giant was glad that his desire had been so soon satisfied, hastened three nights in the great hall of this enchanted castle, but thou
to his bride, and gave her the apple for which she had wished. She must let no fear enter thy heart. When they are doing their worst
was a beautiful and wise maiden, and as she did not see the ring on to torment thee, if thou bearest it without letting a sound escape
his arm, she said, "I shall never believe that thou hast brought the thee, I shall be free. Thy life they dare not take." Then said the
apple, until I see the ring on thine arm." The giant said, "I have King's son, "I have no fear; with God's help I will try it." So he
nothing to do but go home and fetch it," and thought it would be went gaily into the castle, and when it grew dark he seated himself
easy to take away by force from the weak man, what he would not in the large hall and waited. Everything was quiet, however, till
give of his own free will. He therefore demanded the ring from him, midnight, when all at once a great tumult began, and out of every
but the King's son refused it. "Where the apple is, the ring must be hole and corner came little devils. They behaved as if they did not
also," said the giant; "if thou wilt not give it of thine own accord, see him, seated themselves in the middle of the room, lighted a fire,
thou must fight with me for it." and began to gamble. When one of them lost, he said, "It is not
They wrestled with each other for a long time, but the giant right; some one is here who does not belong to us; it is his fault
could not get the better of the King's son, who was strengthened that I am losing." "Wait, you fellow behind the stove, I am
by the magical power of the ring. Then the giant thought of a coming," said another. The screaming became still louder, so that
stratagem, and said, "I have got warm with fighting, and so hast no one could have heard it without terror. The King's son stayed
thou. We will bathe in the river, and cool ourselves before we sitting quite quietly, and was not afraid; but at last the devils
begin again." The King's son, who knew nothing of falsehood, jumped up from the ground, and fell on him, and there were so
went with him to the water, and pulled off with his clothes the many of them that he could not defend himself from them. They
ring also from his arm, and sprang into the river. The giant dragged him about on the floor, pinched him, pricked him, beat
instantly snatched the ring, and ran away with it, but the lion, him, and tormented him, but no sound escaped from him.
which had observed the theft, pursued the giant, tore the ring out Towards morning they disappeared, and he was so exhausted that
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he could scarcely move his limbs, but when day dawned the black There was once a young huntsman who went into the forest to lie
maiden came to him. She bore in her hand a little bottle wherein in wait. He had a fresh and joyous heart, and as he was going
was the water of life wherewith she washed him, and he at once felt thither, whistling upon a leaf, an ugly old crone came up, who
all pain depart and new strength flow through his veins. She said, spoke to him and said; "Good-day, dear huntsman, truly you are
"Thou hast held out successfully for one night, but two more lie merry and contented, but I am suffering from hunger and thirst,
before thee." Then she went away again, and as she was going, he do give me an alms." The huntsman had compassion on the poor
observed that her feet had become white. The next night the devils old creature, felt in his pocket, and gave her what he could afford.
came and began their gambols anew. They fell on the King's son, He was then about to go further, but the old woman stopped him
and beat him much more severely than the night before, until his and said, "Listen, dear huntsman, to what I tell you; I will make
body was covered with wounds. But as he bore all quietly, they you a present in return for your kindness. Go on your way now,
were forced to leave him, and when dawn appeared, the maiden but in a little while you will come to a tree, whereon nine birds are
came and healed him with the water of life. And when she went sitting which have a cloak in their claws, and are plucking at it;
away, he saw with joy that she had already become white to the take your gun and shoot into the midst of them, they will let the
tips of her fingers. And now he had only one night more to go cloak fall down to you, but one of the birds will be hurt, and will
through, but it was the worst. The hob-goblins came again: "Art drop down dead. Carry away the cloak, it is a wishing-cloak; when
thou there still?" cried they, "thou shalt be tormented till thy you throw it over your shoulders, you only have to wish to be in a
breath stops." They pricked him and beat him, and threw him here certain place, and you will be there in the twinkling of an eye.
and there, and pulled him by the arms and legs as if they wanted to Take out the heart of the dead bird and swallow it whole, and
tear him to pieces, but he bore everything, and never uttered a cry. every morning early, when you get up, you will find a gold piece
At last the devils vanished, but he lay fainting there, and did not under your pillow." The huntsman thanked the wise woman, and
stir, nor could he raise his eyes to look at the maiden who came in, thought to himself, "Those are fine things that she has promised
and sprinkled and bathed him with the water of life. But suddenly me, if all does but come true." And verily when he had walked
he was freed from all pain, and felt fresh and healthy as if he had about a hundred paces, he heard in the branches above him such a
awakened from sleep, and when he opened his eyes he saw the screaming and twittering that he looked up and saw there a crowd
maiden standing by him, snow-white, and fair as day. "Rise," said of birds who were tearing a piece of cloth about with their beaks
she, "and swing thy sword three times over the stairs, and then all and claws, and tugging and fighting as if each wanted to have it
will be delivered." And when he had done that, the whole castle all to himself. "Well," said the huntsman, "this is wonderful, it has
was released from enchantment, and the maiden was a rich King's really come to pass just as the old wife foretold!" and he took the
daughter. The servants came and said that the table was already gun from his shoulder, aimed and fired right into the midst of
set in the great hall, and dinner served up. Then they sat down and them, so that the feathers flew about. The birds instantly took to
ate and drank together, and in the evening the wedding was flight with loud outcries, but one dropped down dead, and the
solemnised with great rejoicings. cloak fell at the same time. Then the huntsman did as the old
woman had directed him, cut open the bird, sought the heart,
swallowed it down, and took the cloak home with him.
122.—DONKEY CABBAGES. Next morning, when he awoke, the promise occurred to him, and
he wished to see if it also had been fulfilled. When he lifted up the
("Donkey Cabbages" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers pillow, the gold piece shone in his eves, and next day he found
Grimm, tale number KHM 122. The Grimm's notes mention another, and so it went on, every time he got up. He gathered
"from German Bohemia" (a historical region in the Czech together a heap of gold, but at last he thought, "Of what use is all
Republic). The man turning into a donkey can also be found in my gold to me if I stay at home? I will go forth and see the world."
Apuleius (c. 150 AD). He then took leave of his parents, buckled on his huntsman's
Contents: A young hunter is advised by an ugly mother in the pouch and gun, and went out into the world. It came to pass, that
forest for alms and his good heart to shoot nine birds that are one day he travelled through a dense forest, and when he came to
fighting over a coat and swallow the bird's heart. The coat takes the end of it, in the plain before him stood a fine castle. An old
you everywhere and with the heart you can find a piece of gold woman was standing with a wonderfully beautiful maiden,
every morning. He rests in a castle whose daughter he is in love looking out of one of the windows. The old woman, however, was
with. But their witch mother forces her to take the bird's heart a witch and said to the maiden, "There comes one out of the forest,
with an emetic and use the magic cloak to lure him up the grenade who has a wonderful treasure in his body, we must filch it from
hill to the gems. There she leaves him sleeping. Three giants come, him, my dear daughter, it is more suitable for us than for him. He
whom he hears saying that if he climbed higher, the clouds would has a bird's heart about him, by means of which a gold piece lies
carry him away. So he ends up in a herb garden. One type of every morning under his pillow." She told her what she was to do
lettuce turns him into a donkey back again. He goes back to the to get it, and what part she had to play, and finally threatened her,
castle with his skin tanned and says he brings the king the best and said with angry eyes, "And if you do not attend to what I say,
salad. The witch and the maid eat it, then he takes it to his beloved it will be the worse for you." Now when the huntsman came nearer
and drives the donkeys to a miller. He shall give the old one three he descried the maiden, and said to himself, "I have travelled about
slaps and one meal a day, the middle one one slap and three meals, for such a long time, I will take a rest for once, and enter that
and the youngest only three meals. When the old woman soon dies, beautiful castle. I have certainly money enough." Nevertheless, the
he takes pity on her and transforms her back. The daughter real reason was that he had caught sight of the pretty girl.
confesses and wants to break out the heart, but is allowed to keep He entered the house, and was well received and courteously
it and becomes his wife.) entertained. Before long he was so much in love with the young
witch that he no longer thought of anything else, and only saw
things as she saw them, and did what she desired. The old woman
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
then said, "Now we must have the bird's heart, he will never miss course of time; but I see here neither apples nor pears, nor any
it." She prepared a drink, and when it was ready, poured it into a other sort of fruit, everywhere nothing but cabbages," but at
cup and gave it to the maiden, who was to present it to the length he thought, "At a pinch I can eat some of the leaves, they do
huntsman. She did so, saying, "Now, my dearest, drink to me." So not taste particularly good, but they will refresh me." With that
he took the cup, and when he had swallowed the draught, he he picked himself out a fine head of cabbage, and ate it, but
brought up the heart of the bird. The girl had to take it away scarcely had he swallowed a couple of mouthfuls than he felt very
secretly and swallow it herself, for the old woman would have it so. strange and quite different.
Thence-forward he found no more gold under his pillow, but it lay Four legs grew on him, a large head and two thick ears, and he
instead under that of the maiden, from whence the old woman saw with horror that he was changed into an ass. Still as his
fetched it away every morning; but he was so much in love and so hunger increased every minute, and as the juicy leaves were
befooled, that he thought of nothing else but of passing his time suitable to his present nature, he went on eating with great zest.
with the girl. At last he arrived at a different kind of cabbage, but as soon as he
Then the old witch said, "We have the bird's heart, but we must had swallowed it, he again felt a change, and reassumed his former
also take the wishing-cloak away from him." The girl answered, human shape.
"We will leave him that, he has lost his wealth." The old woman Then the huntsman lay down and slept off his fatigue. When he
was angry and said, "Such a mantle is a wonderful thing, and is awoke next morning, he broke off one head of the bad cabbages
seldom to be found in this world. I must and will have it!" She and another of the good ones, and thought to himself, "This shall
gave the girl several blows, and said that if she did not obey, it help me to get my own again and punish treachery." Then he took
should fare ill with her. So she did the old woman's bidding, the cabbages with him, climbed over the wall, and went forth to
placed herself at the window and looked on the distant country, as seek for the castle of his sweetheart. After wandering about for a
if she were very sorrowful. The huntsman asked, "Why dost thou couple of days he was lucky enough to find it again. He dyed his
stand there so sorrowfully!" "Ah, my beloved," was her answer, face brown, so that his own mother would not have known him;
"over yonder lies the Garnet Mountain, where the precious stones and begged for shelter; "I am so tired," said he, "that I can go no
grow. I long for them so much that when I think of them, I feel further." The witch asked, "Who are you, countryman, and what
quite sad, but who can get them? Only the birds; they fly and can is your business?" "I am a king's messenger, and was sent out to
reach them, but a man never." "Hast thou nothing else to seek the most delicious salad which grows beneath the sun. I have
complain of?" said the huntsman. "I will soon remove that burden even been so fortunate as to find it, and am carrying it about with
from thy heart." With that he drew her under his mantle, wished me; but the heat of the sun is so intense that the delicate cabbage
himself on the Garnet Mountain, and in the twinkling of an eye threatens to wither, and I do not know if I can carry it any
they were sitting on it together. Precious stones were glistening on further."
every side so that it was a joy to see them, and together they When the old woman heard of the exquisite salad, she was greedy,
gathered the finest and costliest of them. Now, the old woman had, and said, "Dear countryman, let me just taste this wonderful
through her sorceries, contrived that the eyes of the huntsman salad." "Why not?" answered he, "I have brought two heads with
should become heavy. He said to the maiden, "We will sit down me, and will give you one of them," and he opened his pouch and
and rest awhile, I am so tired that I can no longer stand on my handed her the bad cabbage. The witch suspected nothing amiss,
feet." Then they sat down, and he laid his head in her lap, and fell and her mouth watered so for this new dish that she herself went
asleep. When he was asleep, she unfastened the mantle from his into the kitchen and dressed it. When it was prepared she could
shoulders, and wrapped herself in it, picked up the garnets and not wait until it was set on the table, but took a couple of leaves at
stones, and wished herself back at home with them. once, and put them in her mouth, but hardly had she swallowed
But when the huntsman had had his sleep out and awoke, and them than she was deprived of her human shape, and she ran out
perceived that his sweetheart had betrayed him, and left him alone into the courtyard in the form of an ass. Presently the maid-
on the wild mountain, he said, "Oh, what treachery there is in the servant entered the kitchen, saw the salad standing there ready
world!" and sat down there in care and sorrow, not knowing what prepared, and was about to carry it up; but on the way, according
to do. But the mountain belonged to some wild and monstrous to habit, she was seized by the desire to taste, and she ate a couple
giants who dwelt thereon and lived their lives there, and he had of leaves. Instantly the magic power showed itself, and she likewise
not sat long before he saw three of them coming towards him, so became an ass and ran out to the old woman, and the dish of salad
he lay down as if he were sunk in a deep sleep. Then the giants fell to the ground. Meantime the messenger eat beside the beautiful
came up, and the first kicked him with his foot and said, "What girl, and as no one came with the salad and she also was longing
sort of an earth-worm is lying curled up here? The second said, for it, she said, "I don't know what has become of the salad." The
"Step upon him and kill him." But the third said, "That would huntsman thought, "The salad must have already taken effect,"
indeed be worth your while; just let him live, he cannot remain and said, "I will go to the kitchen and inquire about it." As he
here; and when he climbs higher, toward the summit of the went down he saw the two asses running about in the courtyard;
mountain, the clouds will lay hold of him and bear him away." So the salad, however, was lying on the ground. "All right," said he,
saying they passed by. But the huntsman had paid heed to their "the two have taken their portion," and he picked up the other
words, and as soon as they were gone, he rose and climbed up to leaves, laid them on the dish, and carried them to the maiden. "I
the summit of the mountain, and when he had sat there a while, a bring you the delicate food myself," said he, "in order that you
cloud floated towards him, caught him up, carried him away, and may not have to wait longer." Then she ate of it, and was, like the
travelled about for a long time in the heavens. Then it sank lower, others, immediately deprived of her human form, and ran out into
and let itself down on a great cabbage-garden, girt round by walls, the courtyard in the shape of an ass.
so that he came softly to the ground on cabbages and vegetables. After the huntsman had washed his face, so that the transformed
Then the huntsman looked about him and said, "If I had but ones could recognise him, he went down into the courtyard, and
something to eat! I am so hungry, and my hunger will increase in said, "Now you shall receive the wages of your treachery," and
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bound them together, all three with one rope, and drove them under a tree, gave herself into God's keeping, and resolved to sit
along until he came to a mill. He knocked at the window, the waiting there and not go away, let what might happen. When,
miller put out his head, and asked what he wanted. "I have three however, she had sat there for a while, a white dove came flying to
unmanageable beasts," answered he, "which I don't want to keep her with a little golden key in its mouth. It put the little key in her
any longer. Will you take them in, and give them food and stable hand, and said, "Dost thou see that great tree, therein is a little
room, and manage them as I tell you, and then I will pay you what lock, it opens with the tiny key, and there thou wilt find food
you ask." The miller said, "Why not? but how am I to manage enough, and suffer no more hunger." Then she went to the tree
them?" The huntsman then said that he was to give three beatings and opened it, and found milk in a little dish, and white bread to
and one meal daily to the old donkey, and that was the witch; one break into it, so that she could eat her fill. When she was satisfied,
beating and three meals to the younger one, which was the she said, "It is now the time when the hens at home go to roost, I
servant-girl; and to the youngest, which was the maiden, no am so tired I could go to bed too." Then the dove flew to her again,
beatings and three meals, for he could not bring himself to have and brought another golden key in its bill, and said, "Open that
the maiden beaten. After that he went back into the castle, and tree there, and thou wilt find a bed." So she opened it, and found a
found therein everything he needed. beautiful white bed, and she prayed God to protect her during the
After a couple of days, the miller came and said he must inform night, and lay down and slept. In the morning the dove cams for
him that the old ass which had received three beatings and only the third time, and again brought a little key, and said, "Open
one meal daily was dead; "the two others," he continued, "are that tree there, and thou wilt find clothes." And when she opened
certainly not dead, and are fed three times daily, but they are so it, she found garments beset with gold and with jewels, more
sad that they cannot last much longer." The huntsman was moved splendid than those of any king's daughter. So she lived there for
to pity, put away his anger, and told the miller to drive them back some time, and the dove came every day and provided her with all
again to him. And when they came, he gave them some of the good she needed, and it was a quiet good life.
salad, so that they became human again. The beautiful girl fell on Once, however, the dove came and said, "Wilt thou do
her knees before him, and said, "Ah, my beloved, forgive me for something for my sake!" "With all my heart," said the girl. Then
the evil I have done you; my mother drove me to it; it was done said the little dove, "I will guide thee to a small house; enter it,
against my will, for I love you dearly. Your wishing-cloak hangs and inside it, an old woman will be sitting by the fire and will say,
in a cupboard, and as for the bird's-heart I will take a vomiting 'Good-day.' But on thy life give her no answer, let her do what she
potion." But he thought otherwise, and said, "Keep it; it is all the will, but pass by her on the right side; further on, there is a door,
same, for I will take thee for my true wife." So the wedding was which open, and thou wilt enter into a room where a quantity of
celebrated, and they lived happily together until their death. rings of all kinds are lying, amongst which are some magnificent
ones with shining stones; leave them, however, where they are, and
seek out a plain one, which must likewise be amongst them, and
123.—THE OLD WOMAN IN THE WOOD. bring it here to me as quickly as thou canst." The girl went to the
little house, and came to the door. There sat an old woman who
("The Old Woman in the Wood" (German: Die Alte im Wald) is stared when she saw her, and said, "Good day, my child." The girl
a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number gave her no answer, and opened the door. "Whither away," cried
123. The Grimms heard the fairy tale in July 1813 from the von the old woman, and seized her by the gown, and wanted to hold
Haxthausen family in Bökendorf (town of Brakel, district of her fast, saying, "That is my house; no one can go in there if I
Höxter) in North Rhine-Westphalia. choose not to allow it." But the girl was silent, got away from her,
Contents: A poor maid is the only one who survives an attack and went straight into the room. Now there lay on the table an
while driving through the forest. It doesn't know how to help enormous quantity of rings, which gleamed and glittered before
itself. A white dove comes and brings him little golden keys to her eyes. She turned them over and looked for the plain one, but
unlock trees so that he can find everything he needs when he wants could not find it. While she was seeking, she saw the old woman
to eat, sleep or dress. Finally, the little dove asks the girl to go and how she was stealing away, and wanting to get off with a bird-
into a hut and, without paying any attention to the old woman cage which she had in her hand. So she went after her and took the
there, select a simple ring from among many splendid ones and cage out of her hand, and when she raised it up and looked into it,
bring it to him. The girl follows this request and finds the ring in a bird was inside which had the plain ring in its bill. Then she took
the beak of a caged bird, which the old woman tries to carry out. the ring, and ran quite joyously home with it, and thought the
While she is waiting for the dove outside, the king's son, who was little white dove would come and get the ring, but it did not. Then
turned into a tree by the old witch, takes her in his arms and they she leant against a tree and determined to wait for the dove, and,
get married and are happy.) as she thus stood, it seemed just as if the tree was soft and pliant,
and was letting its branches down. And suddenly the branches
A poor servant-girl was once travelling with the family with twined around her, and were two arms, and when she looked
which she was in service, through a great forest, and when they round, the tree was a handsome man, who embraced and kissed her
were in the midst of it, robbers came out of the thicket, and heartily, and said, "Thou hast delivered me from the power of the
murdered all they found. All perished together except the girl, old woman, who is a wicked witch. She had changed me into a tree,
who had jumped out of the carriage in a fright, and hidden herself and every day for two hours I was a white dove, and so long as she
behind a tree. When the robbers had gone away with their booty, possessed the ring I could not regain my human form." Then his
she came out and beheld the great disaster. Then she began to servants and his horses, who had likewise been changed into trees,
weep bitterly, and said, "What can a poor girl like me do now? I were freed from the enchantment also, and stood beside him. And
do not know how to get out of the forest, no human being lives in he led them forth to his kingdom, for he was a King's son, and
it, so I must certainly starve." She walked about and looked for a they married, and lived happily.
road, but could find none. When it was evening she seated herself
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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124.—THE THREE BROTHERS. His brothers were satisfied with this, as was agreed beforehand;
and, as they loved one another very much, they all three stayed
("The three Brothers" is a farce in the children's and household together in the house, followed their trades, and, as they had
tales by the Brothers Grimm at point 124 (KHM 124). The learnt them so well and were so clever, they earned a great deal of
Grimm's comment reads "From the Schwalm region" (Hesse). money. Thus they lived together happily until they grew old; and
Contents: A father promises his house to whichever of his three at last, when one of them fell sick and died, the two others grieved
sons will make the best masterpiece. The eldest becomes a so sorely about it that they also fell ill, and soon after died. And
blacksmith, the second a barber, and the third a fencer. At home, because they had been so clever, and had loved one another so
one shaves a little beard from a rabbit while it is running, the much, they were all laid in the same grave.
other rips off the horseshoes of a team while it is running and
shoes them again. But the third fences so fast that he doesn't get
wet in the rain and gets the house. The three brothers continue to 125.—THE DEVIL AND HIS GRANDMOTHER.
live together in their father's house and remain in unity to the
grave.) ("The Devil and his Grandmother" or "The Dragon and His
Grandmother" (German: Der Teufel und seine Großmutter) is a
There was once a man who had three sons, and nothing else in German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, number 125.
the world but the house in which he lived. Now each of the sons The Grimms noted "from Zwehrn" (from Dorothea Viehmann).
wished to have the house after his father's death; but the father Contents: Three poorly paid soldiers desert and hide in the corn.
loved them all alike, and did not know what to do; he did not wish But the army surrounds the field until they fear starvation. A
to sell the house, because it had belonged to his forefathers, else he dragon carries them out. The devil gives them a little whip that
might have divided the money amongst them. At last a plan came makes money. In return, they should be his after seven years if they
into his head, and he said to his sons, "Go into the world, and try can't solve a riddle. They live in abundance but do no evil.
each of you to learn a trade, and, when you all come back, he who Eventually, two get scared that they won't be able to solve the
makes the best masterpiece shall have the house." riddle, but one is careless and, on the advice of an old woman, goes
The sons were well content with this, and the eldest determined to a stone house in the forest. The devil's grandmother hides him
to be a blacksmith, the second a barber, and the third a fencing- there while she eavesdrops on the devil's riddle: "There's a dead
master. They fixed a time when they should all come home again, monkey lying in the great North Sea, that's supposed to be her
and then each went his way. roast; and the rib of a whale shall be her silver spoon; and an old
It chanced that they all found skilful masters, who taught them hollow horse's foot, that shall be her wine glass." The soldier tells
their trades well. The blacksmith had to shoe the King's horses, the others. You answer the devil's questions and are allowed to
and he thought to himself, "The house is mine, without doubt." keep the whip.)
The barber only shaved great people, and he too already looked
upon the house as his own. The fencing-master got many a blow, There was a great war, and the King had many soldiers, but gave
but he only bit his lip, and let nothing vex him; "for," said he to them small pay, so small that they could not live upon it, so three
himself, "if you are afraid of a blow, you'll never win the house." of them agreed among themselves to desert. One of them said to
When the appointed time had gone by, the three brothers came the others, "If we are caught we shall be hanged on the gallows;
back home to their father; but they did not know how to find the how shall we manage it?" Another said, "Look at that great
best opportunity for showing their skill, so they sat down and cornfield, if we were to hide ourselves there, no one could find us;
consulted together. As they were sitting thus, all at once a hare the troops are not allowed to enter it, and to-morrow they are to
came running across the field. "Ah, ha, just in time!" said the march away." They crept into the corn, only the troops did not
barber. So he took his basin and soap, and lathered away until the march away, but remained lying all round about it. They stayed in
hare came up; then he soaped and shaved off the hare's whiskers the corn for two days and two nights, and were so hungry that
whilst he was running at the top of his speed, and did not even cut they all but died, but if they had come out, their death would have
his skin or injure a hair on his body. "Well done!" said the old been certain. Then said they, "What is the use of our deserting if
man, "your brothers will have to exert themselves wonderfully, or we have to perish miserably here?" But now a fiery dragon came
the house will be yours." flying through the air, and it came down to them, and asked why
Soon after, up came a nobleman in his coach, dashing along at they had concealed themselves there? They answered, "We are
full speed. "Now you shall see what I can do, father," said the three soldiers who have deserted because the pay was so bad, and
blacksmith; so away he ran after the coach, took all four shoes off now we shall have to die of hunger if we stay here, or to dangle on
the feet of one of the horses whilst he was galloping, and put him the gallows if we go out." "If you will serve me for seven years,"
on four new shoes without stopping him. "You are a fine fellow, said the dragon, "I will convey you through the army so that no
and as clever as your brother," said his father; "I do not know to one shall seize you." "We have no choice and are compelled to
which I ought to give the house." accept," they replied. Then the dragon caught hold of them with
Then the third son said, "Father, let me have my turn, if you his claws, and carried them away through the air over the army,
please; "and, as it was beginning to rain, he drew his sword, and and put them down again on the earth far from it; but the dragon
flourished it backwards and forwards above his head so fast that was no other than the Devil. He gave them a small whip and said,
not a drop fell upon him. It rained still harder and harder, till at "Whip with it and crack it, and then as much gold will spring up
last it came down in torrents; but he only flourished his sword round about as you can wish for; then you can live like great lords,
faster and faster, and remained as dry as if he were sitting in a keep horses, and drive your carriages, but when the seven years
house. When his father saw this he was amazed, and said, "This is have come to an end, you are my property." Then he put before
the master-piece, the house is yours!" them a book which they were all three forced to sign. "I will,
however, then set you a riddle," said he, "and if you can guess that,
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
you shall be free, and released from my power." Then the dragon the roast meat." The Devil was angry, and began to mutter "Hm!
flew away from them, and they went away with their whip, had hm! hm!" and asked the second, "But what will your spoon be?"
gold in plenty, ordered themselves rich apparel, and travelled "The rib of a whale, that is to be our silver spoon." The Devil
about the world. Wherever they were they lived in pleasure and made a wry face, again growled, "Hm! hm! hm!" and said to the
magnificence, rode on horseback, drove in carriages, ate and third, "And do you also know what your wine-glass is to be?" "An
drank, but did nothing wicked. The time slipped quickly away, old horse's hoof is to be our wine-glass." Then the Devil flew away
and when the seven years were coming to an end, two of them were with a loud cry, and had no more power over them, but the three
terribly anxious and alarmed; but the third took the affair easily, kept the whip, whipped as much money for themselves with it as
and said, "Brothers, fear nothing, my head is sharp enough, I shall they wanted, and lived happily to their end.
guess the riddle." They went out into the open country and sat
down, and the two pulled sorrowful faces. Then an aged woman
came up to them who inquired why they were so sad? "Alas!" said 126.—FERDINAND THE FAITHFUL AND FERDINAND THE
they, "how can that concern you? After all, you cannot help us." UNFAITHFUL
"Who knows?" said she, "confide your trouble to me." So they
told her that they had been the Devil's servants for nearly seven ("Ferdinand the Faithful and Ferdinand the Unfaithful" is a
years, and that he had provided them with gold as plentifully as if German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number
it had been blackberries, but that they had sold themselves to him, KHM 126. The annotations of the Grimms say "From the
and were forfeited to him, if at the end of the seven years they Paderborner Region" (from the von Haxthausen family) The fairy
could not guess a riddle." The old woman said, "If you are to be tale is written in the Low German dialect of the East-Westphalian
saved, one of you must go into the forest, there he will come to a region, as it was probably spoken 200 years ago.
fallen rock which looks like a little house, he must enter that, and Contents: A couple does not have a child while they are rich,
then he will obtain help." The two melancholy ones thought to only when they are poor. The father cannot find a godfather. A
themselves, "That will still not save us," and stayed where they beggar offers himself, who christens it Ferenand and leaves him a
were, but the third, the merry one, got up and walked on in the key to a lock on the heath with his mother. At the age of seven,
forest until he found the rock-house. In the little, house, however, when the other children are boasting about their godparents' gifts,
a very aged woman was sitting, who was the Devil's grandmother, he gets it. At fourteen the castle is there. There is mold in there.
and asked the soldier where he came from, and what he wanted On his ride he first finds a quill, which he picks up when a voice
there? He told her everything that had happened, and as he pleased calls, then a fish on the shore, which gives him a flute to save him,
her well, she had pity on him, and said she would help him. She which he can blow when he is in trouble. He goes unfaithfully to
lifted up a great stone which lay above a cellar, and said, "Conceal the inn with a Ferenand who can read minds. A girl there gets him
thyself there, thou canst hear everything that is said here; only sit the post of royal outrider. Then Ferenand unfaithfully demands
still, and do not stir. When the dragon comes, I will question him that she make him the king's servant, whom he persuades that
about the riddle, he tells everything to me, so listen carefully to his Ferenand must faithfully fetch his lost love. Ferenand faithfully
answer." At twelve o'clock at night, the dragon came flying complains to his horse, which advises him to have the king give
thither, and asked for his dinner. The grandmother laid the table, him a ship full of meat and one full of bread to please the giants
and served up food and drink, so that he was pleased, and they ate and the birds around the island of the sleeping princess and with
and drank together. In the course of conversation, she asked him their help bring her home. When he has to go there a second time
what kind of a day he had had, and how many souls he had got? to get her writings, his pen falls into the water. They get the fish
"Nothing went very well to-day," he answered, "but I have laid out for him. At court, the king's daughter cuts off his head and
hold of three soldiers,—I have them safe." "Indeed! three soldiers, puts it back on. When she is supposed to show it on the king, she
that's something like, but they may escape you yet." The Devil said acts as if she can no longer put it on because she does not like him
mockingly, "They are mine! I will set them a riddle, which they because he has no nose. Ferenand and the princess marry. His
will never in this world be able to guess!" "What riddle is that?" trusty horse transforms into a king's son as he rides with him three
she inquired. "I will tell you. In the great North Sea lies a dead times in a heath marked by the horse.)
dog-fish, that shall be your roast meat, and the rib of a whale shall
be your silver spoon, and a hollow old horse's hoof shall be your Once on a time lived a man and a woman who so long as they
wine-glass." When the Devil had gone to bed, the old were rich had no children, but when they were poor they had a
grandmother raised up the stone, and let out the soldier. "Hast little boy. They could, however, find no godfather for him, so the
thou paid particular attention to everything?" "Yes," said he, "I man said he would just go to another place to see if he could get
know enough, and will contrive to save myself." Then he had to go one there. As he went, a poor man met him, who asked him where
back another way, through the window, secretly and with all he was going. He said he was going to see if he could get a
speed to his companions. He told them how the Devil had been godfather, that he was poor, so no one would stand as godfather
overreached by the old grandmother, and how he had learned the for him. "Oh," said the poor man, "you are poor, and I am poor; I
answer to the riddle from him. Then they were all joyous, and of will be godfather for you, but I am so ill off I can give the child
good cheer, and took the whip and whipped so much gold for nothing. Go home and tell the nurse that she is to come to the
themselves that it ran all over the ground. When the seven years church with the child."
had fully gone by, the Devil came with the book, showed the When they all got to the church together, the beggar was already
signatures, and said, "I will take you with me to hell. There you there, and he gave the child the name of Ferdinand the Faithful.
shall have a meal! If you can guess what kind of roast meat you When he was going out of the church, the beggar said, "Now go
will have to eat, you shall be free and released from your bargain, home, I can give you nothing, and you likewise ought to give me
and may keep the whip as well." Then the first soldier began and nothing." But he gave a key to the nurse, and told her when she
said, "In the great North Sea lies a dead dog-fish, that no doubt is got home she was to give it to the father, who was to take care of it
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
until the child was fourteen years old, and then he was to go on the not do it, his head must be struck off." Then the King sent for
heath where there was a castle which the key would fit, and that all Ferdinand the Faithful, and told him that there was, in this place
which was therein should belong to him. Now when the child was or in that place, a girl he loved, and that he was to bring her to
seven years old and had grown very big, he once went to play with him, and if he did not do it he should die.
some other boys, and each of them boasted that he had got more Ferdinand the Faithful went into the stable to his white horse,
from his godfather than the other; but the child could say nothing, and complained and lamented "Oh, what an unhappy man I am!"
and was vexed, and went home and said to his father, "Did I get Then some one behind him cried, "Ferdinand the Faithful, why
nothing at all, then, from my godfather?" "Oh, yes," said the weepest thou?" He looked round but saw no one, and went on
father, "thou hadst a key—if there is a castle standing on the lamenting; "Oh, my dear little white horse, now must I leave thee;
heath, just go to it and open it." Then the boy went thither, but now must I die." Then some one cried once more, "Ferdinand the
no castle was to be seen, or heard of. Faithful, why weepest thou?" Then for the first time he was aware
After seven years more, when he was fourteen years old, he again that it was his little white horse who was putting that question.
went thither, and there stood the castle. When he had opened it, "Dost thou speak, my little white horse; canst thou do that?" And
there was nothing within but a horse,—a white one. Then the boy again, he said, "I am to go to this place and to that, and am to
was so full of joy because he had a horse, that he mounted on it bring the bride; canst thou tell me how I am to set about it?" Then
and galloped back to his father. "Now I have a white horse, and I answered the little white horse, "Go thou to the King, and say if
will travel," said he. So he set out, and as he was on his way, a pen he will give thee what thou must have, thou wilt get her for him. If
was lying on the road. At first he thought he would pick it up, but he will give thee a ship full of meat, and a ship full of bread, it will
then again he thought to himself, "Thou shouldst leave it lying succeed. Great giants dwell on the lake, and if thou takest no meat
there; thou wilt easily find a pen where thou art going, if thou with thee for them, they will tear thee to pieces, and there are the
hast need of one." As he was thus riding away, a voice called after large birds which would pick the eyes out of thy head if thou hadst
him, "Ferdinand the Faithful, take it with thee." He looked no bread for them." Then the King made all the butchers in the
around, but saw no one, then he went back again and picked it up. land kill, and all the bakers bake, that the ships might be filled.
When he had ridden a little way farther, he passed by a lake, and a When they were full, the little white horse said to Ferdinand the
fish was lying on the bank, gasping and panting for breath, so he Faithful, "Now mount me, and go with me into the ship, and then
said, "Wait, my dear fish, I will help thee to get into the water," when the giants come, say,
and he took hold of it by the tail, and threw it into the lake. Then "Peace, peace, my dear little giants,
the fish put its head out of the water and said, "As thou hast I have had thought of ye,
helped me out of the mud I will give thee a flute; when thou art in Something I have brought for ye;"
any need, play on it, and then I will help thee, and if ever thou and when the birds come, thou shalt again say,
lettest anything fall in the water, just play and I will reach it out "Peace, peace, my dear little birds,
to thee." Then he rode away, and there came to him a man who I have had thought of ye,
asked him where he was going. "Oh, to the next place." Then what Something I have brought for ye;"
his name was? "Ferdinand the Faithful." "So! then we have got then they will do nothing to thee, and when thou comest to the
almost the same name, I am called Ferdinand the Unfaithful." And castle, the giants will help thee. Then go up to the castle, and take
they both set out to the inn in the nearest place. a couple of giants with thee. There the princess lies sleeping; thou
Now it was unfortunate that Ferdinand the Unfaithful knew must, however, not awaken her, but the giants must lift her up,
everything that the other had ever thought and every thing he was and carry her in her bed to the ship." And now everything took
about to do; he knew it by means of all kinds of wicked arts. There place as the little white horse had said, and Ferdinand the Faithful
was, however, in the inn an honest girl, who had a bright face and gave the giants and the birds what he had brought with him for
behaved very prettily. She fell in love with Ferdinand the Faithful them, and that made the giants willing, and they carried the
because he was a handsome man, and she asked him whither he was princess in her bed to the King. And when she came to the King,
going. "Oh, I am just travelling round about," said he. Then she she said she could not live, she must have her writings, they had
said he ought to stay there, for the King of that country wanted an been left in her castle. Then by the instigation of Ferdinand the
attendant or an outrider, and he ought to enter his service. He Unfaithful, Ferdinand the Faithful was called, and the King told
answered he could not very well go to any one like that and offer him he must fetch the writings from the castle, or he should die.
himself. Then said the maiden, "Oh, but I will soon do that for Then he went once more into the stable, and bemoaned himself and
you." And so she went straight to the King, and told him that she said, "Oh, my dear little white horse, now I am to go away again,
knew of an excellent servant for him. He was well pleased with that, how am I to do it?" Then the little white horse said he was just to
and had Ferdinand the Faithful brought to him, and wanted to load the ships full again. So it happened again as it had happened
make him his servant. He, however, liked better to be an outrider, before, and the giants and the birds were satisfied, and made
for where his horse was, there he also wanted to be, so the King gentle by the meat. When they came to the castle, the white horse
made him an outrider. When Ferdinand the Unfaithful learnt that, told Ferdinand the Faithful that he must go in, and that on the
he said to the girl, "What! Dost thou help him and not me?" "Oh," table in the princess's bed-room lay the writings. And Ferdinand
said the girl, "I will help thee too." She thought, "I must keep the Faithful went in, and fetched them. When they were on the
friends with that man, for he is not to be trusted." She went to the lake, he let his pen fall into the water; then said the white horse,
King, and offered him as a servant, and the King was willing. "Now I cannot help thee at all." But he remembered his flute, and
Now when the King met his lords in the morning, he always began to play on it, and the fish came with the pen in its mouth,
lamented and said, "Oh, if I had but my love with me." Ferdinand and gave it to him. So he took the writings to the castle, where the
the Unfaithful was, however, always hostile to Ferdinand the wedding was celebrated.
Faithful. So once, when the King was complaining thus, he said, The Queen, however, did not love the King because he had no
"You have the outrider, send him away to get her, and if he does nose, but she would have much liked to love Ferdinand the
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Faithful. Once, therefore, when all the lords of the court were Then was she afraid, and thought, "Good Heavens! "What can I
together, the Queen said she could do feats of magic, that she do with an iron stove?" But as she much wished to get home to her
could cut off any one's head and put it on again, and that one of father, she promised to do as he desired. But he said, "Thou shalt
them ought just to try it. But none of them would be the first, so return here, and bring a knife with thee, and scrape a hole in the
Ferdinand the Faithful, again at the instigation of Ferdinand the iron." Then he gave her a companion who walked near her, but
Unfaithful, undertook it and she hewed off his head, and put it on did not speak, but in two hours he took her home; there was great
again for him, and it healed together directly, so that it looked as joy in the castle when the King's daughter came home, and the old
if he had a red thread round his throat. Then the King said to her, King fell on her neck, and kissed her. She, however, was sorely
"My child, and where hast thou learnt that?" "Yes," she said, "I troubled, and said, "Dear father, what I have suffered! I should
understand the art; shall I just try it on thee also?" "Oh, yes," said never have got home again from the great wild forest, if I had not
he. But she cut off his head, and did not put it on again; but come to an iron stove, but I have been forced to give my word that
pretended that she could not get it on, and that it would not keep I will go back to it, set it free, and marry it." Then the old King
fixed. Then the King was buried, but she married Ferdinand the was so terrified that he all but fainted, for he had but this one
Faithful. daughter. They there fore resolved they would send, in her place,
He, however, always rode on his white horse, and once when he the miller's daughter, who was very beautiful. They took her there,
was seated on it, it told him that he was to go on to the heath gave her a knife, and said she was to scrape at the iron stove. So
which he knew, and gallop three times round it. And when he had she scraped at it for four-and-twenty hours, but could not bring
done that, the white horse stood up on its hind legs, and was off the least morsel of it. When day dawned, a voice in the stove
changed into a King's son. said, "It seems to me it is day outside." Then she answered, "It
seems so to me too; I fancy I hear the noise of my father's mill."
"So thou art a miller's daughter! Then go thy way at once, and
127.—THE IRON STOVE. let the King's daughter come here." Then she went away at once,
and told the old King that the man outside there, would have none
("The Iron Stove" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, of her—he wanted the King's daughter. They, however, still had a
as tale number 127. Dorothea Viehmann contributed the story to swine-herd's daughter, who was even prettier then the miller's
the Grimm's collection. The Brothers Grimm heard it from daughter, and they determined to give her a piece of gold to go to
Dorothea Viehmann (from Zwehrn) in 1813. the iron stove instead of the King's daughter. So she was taken
Contents: A king's son is enchanted by an old witch to sit in an thither, and she also had to scrape for four-and-twenty hours. She,
iron oven in the forest. After many years, a king's daughter who however, made nothing of it. When day broke, a voice inside the
has lost her way comes by. He sends her someone to lead her home stove cried, "It seems to me it is day outside!" Then answered she,
in silence. For this she should come back with a knife, free him and "So it seems to me also; I fancy I hear my father's horn blowing."
marry him. Instead, she and her father send the beautiful miller's "Then thou art a swine-herd's daughter! Go away at once, and
daughter, then the even more beautiful swineherd's daughter. tell the King's daughter to come, and tell her all must be done as
Both scrape 24 hours without success and then give themselves was promised, and if she does not come, everything in the kingdom
away. Under threat, the princess has to come and free him herself. shall be ruined and destroyed, and not one stone be left standing
She likes him, but asks to be allowed to see her father again, which on another." When the King's daughter heard that she began to
he will grant her if she only speaks three words. But because she weep, but now there was nothing for it but to keep her promise.
speaks more, the iron stove is moved away. On her search, she So she took leave of her father, put a knife in her pocket, and went
comes across an old house with fat little toads. The old toad gives forth to the iron stove in the forest. When she got there, she began
her three needles, three nuts and a plow wheel. In doing so, she to scrape, and the iron gave way, and when two hours were over,
overcomes a glass mountain, three cutting swords and rushing she had already scraped a small hole. Then she peeped in, and saw
water and has herself employed as a maid in the prince's castle. She a youth so handsome, and so brilliant with gold and with precious
negotiates three times permission from his new bride to sleep in his jewels, that her very soul was delighted. Now, therefore, she went
chamber in exchange for the beautiful clothes made from the three on scraping, and made the hole so large that he was able to get out.
nuts. Twice he only finds out about her nocturnal wailing from Then said he, "Thou art mine, and I am thine; thou art my bride,
the servants, so that the third time he doesn't take the sleeping and hast released me." He wanted to take her away with him to his
potion and flees with her. The house with the toads has become a kingdom, but she entreated him to let her go once again to her
castle with children. They marry and also take in the lonely father.) father, and the King's son allowed her to do so, but she was not to
say more to her father than three words, and then she was to come
In the days when wishing was still of some use, a King's son was back again. So she went home, but she spoke more than three
bewitched by an old witch, and shut up in an iron stove in a forest. words, and instantly the iron stove disappeared, and was taken far
There he passed many years, and no one could deliver him. Then a away over glass mountains and piercing swords; but the King's
King's daughter came into the forest, who had lost herself, and sun was set free, and no longer shut up in it. After this she bade
could not find her father's kingdom again. After she had wandered good-bye to her father, took some money with her, but not much,
about for nine days, she at length came to the iron stove. Then a and went back to the great forest, and looked for the iron stove,
voice came forth from it, and asked her, "Whence comest thou, but it was nowhere to be found. For nine days she sought it, and
and whither goest thou?" She answered, "I have lost my father's then her hunger grew so great that she did not know what to do,
kingdom, and cannot get home again." Then a voice inside the for she could no longer live. When it was evening, she seated
iron stove said, "I will help thee to get home again, and that herself in a small tree, and made up her mind to spend the night
indeed most swiftly, if thou wilt promise to do what I desire of there, as she was afraid of wild beasts. When midnight drew near
thee. I am the son of a far greater King than thy father, and I will she saw in the distance a small light, and thought, "Ah, there I
marry thee." should be saved!" She got down from the tree, and went towards
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the light, but on the way she prayed. Then she came to a little old he. She, however, gave him a glass of wine in which she had
house, and much grass had grown all about it, and a small heap of poured a sleeping-draught. So the bridegroom and the scullery-
wood lay in front of it. She thought, " Ah, whither have I come," maid went to sleep in the room, and he slept so soundly that she
and peeped in through the window, but she saw nothing inside but could not waken him.
toads, big and little, except a table well covered with wine and She wept the whole night and cried, "I set thee free when thou
roast meat, and the plates and glasses were of silver. Then she took wert in an iron stove in the wild forest, I sought thee, and walked
courage, and knocked at the door. The fat toad cried, over a glass mountain, and three sharp swords, and a great lake
"Little green waiting-maid, before I found thee, and yet thou wilt not hear, me! "
Waiting-maid with the limping leg, The servants sat by the chamber-door, and heard how she thus
Little dog of the limping leg, wept the whole night through, and in the morning they told it to
Hop hither and thither, their lord. And the next evening when she had washed up, she
And quickly see who la without:" opened the second nut, and a far more beautiful dress was within it,
and a small toad came walking by and opened the door to her. and when the bride beheld it, she wished to buy that also. But the
When she entered, they all bade her welcome, and she was forced girl would not take money, and begged that she might once again
to sit down. They asked, "Where hast thou come from, and sleep in the bridegroom's chamber. The bride, however, gave him
whither art thou going?" Then she related all that had befallen her, a sleeping-drink, and he slept so soundly that he could hear
and how because she had transgressed the order which had been nothing. But the scullery-maid wept the whole night long, and
given her not to say more than three words, the stove, and the cried, "I set thee free when thou wert in an iron stove in the wild
King's son also, had disappeared, and now she was about to seek forest, I sought thee, and walked over a glass mountain, and over
him over hill and dale until she found him. Then the old fat one three sharp swords and a great lake before I found thee, and yet
said, thou wilt not hear me!" The servants sat by the chamber-door and
"Little green waiting-maid, heard her weeping the whole night through, and in the morning
Waiting-maid with the limping leg, informed their lord of it. And on the third evening, when she had
Little dog of the limping leg. washed up, she opened the third nut, and within it was a still more
Hop hither and thither, beautiful dress which was stiff with pure gold. When the bride saw
And bring me the great box." that she wanted to have it, but the maiden only gave it up on
Then the little one went and brought the box. After this they condition that she might for the third time sleep in the
gave her meat and drink, and took her to a well-made bed, which bridegroom's apartment. The King's son was, however, on his
felt like silk and velvet, and she laid herself therein, in God's name, guard, and threw the sleeping-draught away. Now, therefore,
and slept. When morning came she arose, and the old toad gave when she began to weep and to cry, "Dearest love, I set thee free
her three needles out of the great box which she was to take with when thou wert in the iron stove in the terrible wild forest," the
her; they would be needed by her, for she had to cross a high glass King's son leapt up and said, "Thou art the true one, thou art
mountain, and go over three piercing swords and a great lake. If mine, and I am thine." Thereupon, while it was still night, he got
she did all this she would get her lover back again. Then she gave into a carriage with her, and they took away the false bride's
her three things, which she was to take the greatest care of, namely, clothes so that she could not get up. When they came to the great
three large needles, a plough- wheel, and three nuts. With these lake, they sailed across it, and when they reached the three sharp-
she travelled onwards, and when she came to the glass mountain cutting swords they seated themselves on the plough-wheel, and
which was so slippery, she stuck the three needles first behind her when they got to the glass mountain they thrust the three needles
feet and then before them, and so got over it, and when she was in it, and so at length they got to the little old house; but when
over it, she hid them in a place which she marked carefully. After they went inside that, it was a great castle, and the toads were all
this she came to the three piercing swords, and then she seated disenchanted, and were King's children, and full of happiness.
herself on her plough- wheel, and rolled over them. At last she Then the wedding was celebrated, and the King's son and the
arrived in front of a great lake, and when she had crossed it, she princess remained in the castle, which was much larger than the
came to a large and beautiful castle. She went in and asked for a castles of their fathers. As, however, the old King grieved at being
place; she was a poor girl, she said, and would like to be hired. She left alone, they fetched him away, and brought him to live with
knew, however, that the King's son whom she had released from them, and they had two kingdoms, and lived in happy wedlock.
the iron stove in the great forest was in the castle. Then she was A mouse did run,
taken as a scullery-maid at low wages. But, already the King's son The story is done.
had another maiden by his side whom he wanted to marry, for he
thought that she had long been dead.
In the evening, when she had washed up and was done, she felt in 128.—THE LAZY SPINNER.
her pocket and found the three nuts which the old toad had given
her. She cracked one with her teeth, and was going to eat the ("The Lazy Spinner" or "The Lazy Spinning Woman" is a fairy
kernel when lo and behold there was a stately royal garment in it! tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number 128. Grimm's
But when the bride heard of this she came and asked for the dress, note notes "Aus Zwehrn" (by Dorothea Viehmann). Laziness is an
and wanted to buy it, and said, "It is not a dress for a servant- important theme in the Grimm's fairy tales because they were
girl." But she said, no, she would not sell it, but if the bride would aware of how much poverty and lack of opportunities are
grant her one thing she should have it, and that was, leave to sleep increased by such an attitude to life. Successes like "from rags to
one night in her bridegroom's chamber. The bride gave her riches" only come about through diligence, education and
permission because the dress was so pretty, and she had never had perseverance.
one like it. When it was evening she said to her bridegroom, "That Contents: A lazy woman did not like to spin and when she did,
silly girl will sleep in thy room." "If thou art willing so am I," said did not wind onto a reel, but left it on the bobbin. Her husband
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complained, and she said she needed a reel to do that, but when he the yarn which is in the kettle on the fire, but you must be at hand
went to cut one, she sneaked after and called out that whoever cut at once; mind that, for if the cock should happen to crow, and you
a reel would die. This put him off cutting it, but he still are not attending to the yarn, it will become tow." The man was
complained. She then made some yarn and said it must be boiled. willing and took good care not to loiter. He got up as quickly as
Then she put some tow in the pot instead and set her husband to he could, and went into the kitchen. But when he reached the
watch. After some time, he opened the pot, saw the tow, and kettle and peeped in, he saw, to his horror nothing but a lump of
thought he had ruined the yarn. From then on, the husband did tow. Then the poor man was as still as a mouse, thinking he had
not dare complain.) neglected it, and was to blame, and in future said no more about
yarn and spinning. But you yourself must own she was an odious
In a certain village there once lived a man and his wife, and the woman!
wife was so idle that she would never work at anything; whatever
her husband gave her to spin, she did not get done, and what she
did spin she did not wind, but let it all remain entangled in a heap. 129.—THE FOUR SKILFUL BROTHERS.
If the man scolded her, she was always ready with her tongue, and
said, "Well, how should I wind it, when I have no reel? Just you go ("The Four Skillful Brothers" is a fairy tale collected by the
into the forest and get me one." "If that is all," said the man, "then Brothers Grimm (KHM 129). The Brothers Grimm published this
I will go into the forest, and get some wood for making reels." tale in the second edition of Kinder- und Hausmärchen in 1819.
Then the woman was afraid that if he had the wood he would make Grimm's annotation notes "from Paderborn" (from the von
her a reel of it, and she would have to wind her yarn off, and then Haxthausen family).
begin to spin again. She bethought herself a little, and then a Contents: A poor father lets his four adult sons move out to learn
lucky idea occurred to her, and she secretly followed the man into a trade. They separate at a crossroads. Each is addressed by a man,
the forest, and when he had climbed into a tree to choose and cut and one is trained as a thief, one as a stargazer, one as a hunter,
the wood, she crept into the thicket below where he could not see and one as a tailor. After four years they show their father their
her, and cried, art. Five eggs are spotted in the treetop, taken away from the bird,
"He who cuts wood for reels shall die, shot around the corner, sewn back together and placed in the nest.
And he who winds, shall perish." When the chicks hatch, they only have a red stripe on their necks.
The man listened, laid down his axe for a moment, and began to When the king's daughter is kidnapped, the stargazer, who sees
consider what that could mean. "Hollo," he said at last, "what can her sitting on a rock with a dragon, requests a ship. The thief
that have been; my ears must have been singing, I won't alarm steals them from under the sleeping dragon. When he wakes up
myself for nothing." So he again seized the axe, and began to hew, and follows, the hunter shoots him dead, but he falls on the ship.
then again there came a cry from below: The tailor sews it back together. Before the king, they disagree as
"He who cuts wood for reels shall die, to who deserves the princess as a reward. Everyone gets half of the
And he who winds shall perish." kingdom.)
He stopped, and felt afraid and alarmed, and pondered over the
circumstance. But when a few moments had passed, he took heart There was once a poor man who had four sons, and when they
again, and a third time he stretched out his hand for the axe, and were grown up, he said to them, "My dear children, you must now
began to cut. But some one called out a third time, and said loudly, go out into the world, for 1 have nothing to give you, so set out,
"He who cuts wood for reels shall die. and go to some distance and learn a trade, and see how you can
And he who winds, shall perish." make your, way." So the four brothers took their sticks, bade
That was enough for him, and all inclination had departed from their father farewell, and went through the town-gate together.
him, so he hastily descended the tree, and set out on his way home. When they had travelled about for some time, they came to a
The woman ran as fast as she could by bye-ways so as to get home cross-way which branched off in four different directions. Then
first. So when he entered the parlour, she put on an innocent look said the eldest, "Here we must separate, but on this day four years,
as if nothing had happened, and said, "Well, have you brought a we will meet each other again at this spot, and in the meantime we
nice piece of wood for reels?" "No," said he, "I see very well that will seek our fortunes."
winding won't do," and told her what had happened to him in the Then each of them went his way, and the eldest met a man who
forest, and from that time forth left her in peace about it. asked him where he was going, and what he was intending to do?
Nevertheless after some time, the man again began to complain of "I want to learn a trade," he replied. Then the other said, "Come
the disorder in the house. "Wife," said he, "it is really a shame that with me, and be a thief." "No," he answered, "that is no longer
the spun yarn should lie there all entangled!" "I'll tell you what," regarded as a reputable trade, and the end of it is that one has to
said she, "as we still don't come by any reel, go you up into the loft, swing on the gallows." "Oh," said the man, "you need not be
and I will stand down below, and will throw the yarn up to you, afraid of the gallows; I will only teach you to get such things as no
and you will throw it down to me, and so we shall get a skein after other man could ever lay hold of, and no one will ever detect you."
all." "Yes, that will do," said the man. So they did that, and when So he allowed himself to be talked into it, and while with the man
it was done, he said, "The yarn is in skeins, now it must be boiled." became an accomplished thief, and so dexterous that nothing was
The woman was again distressed; she certainly said, "Yes, we will safe from him, if he once desired to have it. The second brother
boil it next morning early," but she was secretly contriving met a man who put the same question to him—what he wanted to
another trick. learn in the world. "I don't know yet," he replied. "Then come
Early in the morning she got up, lighted a fire, and put the kettle with me, and be an astronomer; there is nothing better than that,
on, only instead of the yarn, she put in a lump of tow, and let it for nothing is hid from you." He liked the idea, and became such a
boil. After that she went to the man who was still lying in bed, and skilful astronomer that when he had learnt everything, and was
said to him, "I must just go out, you must get up and look after about to travel onwards, his master gave him a telescope and said
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
to him, "With that canst thou see whatsoever takes place either on "I will soon know where she is," said the astronomer, and looked
earth or in heaven, and nothing can remain concealed from thee." through his telescope and said, "I see her already, she is far away
A huntsman took the third brother into training, and gave him from here on a rock in the sea, and the dragon is beside her
such excellent instruction in everything which related to watching her." Then he went to the King, and asked for a ship for
huntsmanship, that he became an experienced hunter. When he himself and his brothers, and sailed with them over the sea until
went away, his master gave him a gun and said, "It will never fail they came to the rock. There the King's daughter was sitting, and
you; whatsoever you aim at, you are certain to hit." The youngest the dragon was lying asleep on her lap. The huntsman said, "I dare
brother also met a man who spoke to him, and inquired what his not fire, I should kill the beautiful maiden at the same time."
intentions were. "Would you not like to be a tailor?" said he. "Then I will try my art," said the thief, and he crept thither and
"Not that I know of," said the youth; "sitting doubled up from stole her away from under the dragon, so quietly and dexterously,
morning till night, driving the needle and the goose backwards that the monster never remarked it, but went on snoring. Full of
and forwards, is not to my taste." "Oh, but you are speaking in joy, they hurried off with her on board ship, and steered out into
ignorance," answered the man; "with me you would learn a very the open sea; but the dragon, who when he awoke had found no
different kind of tailoring, which is respectable and proper, and princess there, followed them, and came snorting angrily through
for the most part very honourable." So he let himself be persuaded, the air. Just as he was circling above the ship, and about to
and went with the man, and learnt his art from the very beginning. descend on it, the huntsman shouldered his gun, and shot him to
When they parted, the man gave the youth a needle, and said, the heart. The monster fell down dead, but was so large and
"With this you can sew together whatever is given you, whether it powerful that his fall shattered the whole ship. Fortunately,
is as soft as an egg or as hard as steel; and it will all become one however, they laid hold of a couple of planks, and swam about the
piece of stuff, so that no seam will be visible." wide sea. Then again they were in great peril, but the tailor, who
When the appointed four years were over, the four brothers was not idle, took his wondrous needle, and with a few stitches
arrived at the same time at the cross-roads, embraced and kissed sewed the planks together, and they seated themselves upon them,
each other, and returned home to their father. "So now," said he, and collected together all the fragments of the vessel. Then he
quite delighted, "the wind has blown you back again to me." They sewed these so skilfully together, that in a very short time the ship
told him of all that had happened to them, and that each had was once more seaworthy, and they could go home again in safety.
learnt his own trade. Now they were sitting just in front of the When the King once more saw his daughter, there were great
house under a large tree, and the father said, "I will put you all to rejoicings. He said to the four brothers, "One of you shall have her
the test, and see what you can do." Then he looked up and said to to wife, but which of you it is to be you must settle among
his second son, "Between two branches up at the top of this tree, yourselves." Then a warm contest arose among them, for each of
there is a chaffinch's nest, tell me how many eggs there are in it?" them preferred his own claim. The astronomer said, "If I had not
The astronomer took his glass, looked up, and said, "There are seen the princess, all your arts would have been useless, so she is
five." Then the father said to the eldest, "Fetch the eggs down mine." The thief said, "What would have been the use of your
without disturbing; the bird which is sitting hatching them." The seeing, if I had not got her away from the dragon? so she is mine."
skilful thief climbed up, and took the five eggs from beneath the The huntsman said, "You and the princess, and all of you, would
bird, which never observed what he was doing, and remained have been torn to pieces by the dragon if my ball had not hit him,
quietly sitting where she was, and brought them down to his so she is mine." The tailor said, "And if I, by my art, had not sewn
father. The father took them, and put one of them on each corner the ship together again, you would all of you have been miserably
of the table, and the fifth in the middle, and said to the huntsman, drowned, so she is mine." Then the King uttered this saying,
"With one shot thou shalt shoot me the five eggs in two, through "Each of you has an equal light, and as all of you cannot have the
the middle." The huntsman aimed, and shot the eggs, all five as the maiden, none of you shall have her, but I will give to each of you,
father had desired, and that at one shot. He certainly must have as a reward, half a kingdom." The brothers were pleased with this
had some of the powder for shooting round corners. "Now it's decision, and said, "It is better thus than that we should be at
your turn," said the father to the fourth son; "you shall sew the variance with each other." Then each of them received half a
eggs together again, and the young birds that are inside them as kingdom, and they lived with their father in the greatest happiness
well, and you must do it so that they are not hurt by the shot." as long as it pleased God.
The tailor brought his needle, and sewed them as his father wished.
When he had done this the thief had to climb up the tree again,
and carry them to the nest, and put them back again under the 130.—ONE-EYE, TWO-EYES, AND THREE-EYES.
bird without her being aware of it. The bird sat her full time, and
after a few days the young ones crept out, and they had a red line ("One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes" is a German fairy tale
round their necks where they had been sewn together by the tailor. collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number KHM 130. The
"Well," said the old man to his sons, "I begin to think you are fairy tale comes from Upper Lusatia (Landkreis Bautzen). It
worth more than green clover; you have used your time well, and appeared in 1816 in Johann Gustav Büsching's magazine
learnt something good. I can't say which of you deserves the most "Wöchentliche Nachrichten für Freunde der Geschichte, Kunst
praise. That will be proved if you have but an early opportunity of und Gelehrtheit des Mittelalters" (Vol. 2, pp. 17-26). It is an
using your talents." Not long after this, there was a great uproar anomalous fairy tale, in that the protagonist is neither the
in the country, for the King's daughter was carried off by a dragon. youngest nor an only child, but the middle of three.
The King was full of trouble about it, both by day and night, and Contents: A woman has three daughters: One-eye has only one
caused it to be proclaimed that whosoever brought her back eye, Two-eyes has two, and Three-eyes has three eyes. Two-eyes is
should have her to wife. The four brothers said to each other, treated badly by the others because they look like other people.
"This would be a fine opportunity for us to show what we can do!" Once, while she was tending the goat, when she was sitting
and resolved to go forth together and liberate the King's daughter. hungrily in a grove and crying, a wise woman appeared to her and
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
told her how she could say a spell to the goat and get fine food. "Bleat, my little goat, bleat,
The saying goes: kid, meck, table, deck! But as soon as she was full, Cover the table with something to eat,"
she should say: kid, meck, little table, away! When Two-eyes, so and scarcely had she spoken the words than a little table, covered
full, does not eat anything at home, One-eye goes herding with her with a white cloth, was standing there, and on it was a plate with a
to find out why. Two-eyes manages to sing One-eye to sleep before knife and fork, and a silver spoon; and the most delicious food was
she says his spell, but the next day he fails to do the same with there also, warm and smoking as if it had just come out of the
Three-eyes, because she forgets to sing the third eye to sleep as well. kitchen. Then Two-eyes said the shortest prayer she knew, "Lord
Three-eyes reveals the secret to her mother, who kills the goat out God, be with us always, Amen," and helped herself to some food,
of envy. When Two-eyes weeps because of the loss, the wise woman and enjoyed it. And when she was satisfied, she said, as the wise
appears again and advises her to bury the goat's entrails in front of woman had taught her,
the front door. The next morning a tree with silver leaves and "Bleat, bleat, my little goat, I pray,
golden apples grew on this spot. Two-eyes is the only one who can And take the table quite away,"
pick the apples from the tree, but her mother does not thank her, and immediately the little table and everything on it was gone
takes them from her and treats her even harder than before. A again. "That is a delightful way of keeping house!" thought Two-
young knight comes to the tree, but the sisters hide Two-Eyes in a eyes, and was quite glad and happy.
barrel. When the knight asks who owns the tree, they claim it is In the evening, when she went home with her goat, she found a
theirs. However, they do not succeed in breaking fruit or twigs off small earthenware dish with some food, which her sisters had set
the knight. From her prison, Two-eyes rolls golden apples at the ready for her, but she did not touch it. Next day she again went
knight's feet. He notices her, has her brought out, and enchanted out with her goat, and left the few bits of broken bread which had
by Two-eyes' beauty, he takes her and marries her. With Two-Eyes, been handed to her, lying untouched. The first and second time
the tree also disappears. When, a long time later, two beggars that she did this, her sisters did not remark it at all, but as it
appear in front of the castle, Two-Eyes recognises them as her happened every time, they did observe it, and said, "There is
sisters. Despite all the evil they have done to her, she takes them in, something wrong about Two-eyes, she always leaves her food
causing her sisters to regret their actions.) untasted, and she used to eat up everything that was given her; she
must have discovered other ways of getting food." In order that
There was once a woman who had three daughters, the eldest of they might learn the truth, they resolved to send One-eye with
whom was called One-eye, because she had only one eye in the Two-eyes when she went to drive her goat to the pasture, to
middle of her forehead, and the second. Two-eyes, because she had observe what Two-eyes did when she was there, and whether any
two eyes like other folks, and the youngest, Three-eyes, because one brought her anything to eat and drink. So when Two-eyes set
she had three eyes; and her third eye was also in the centre of her out the next time, One-eye went to her and said, "I will go with
forehead. However, as Two-eyes saw just as other human beings you to the pasture, and see that the goat is well taken care of, and
did, her sisters and her mother could not endure her. They said to driven where there is food." But Two-eyes knew what was in One-
her, "Thou, with thy two eyes, art no better than the common eye's mind, and drove the goat into high grass and said, "Come,
people; thou dost not belong to us! "They pushed her about, and One-eye, we will sit down, and I will sing something to you." One-
threw old clothes to her, and gave her nothing to eat but what eye sat down and was tired with the unaccustomed walk and the
they left, and did everything that they could to make her unhappy. heat of the sun, and Two-eyes sang constantly,
It came to pass that Two-eyes had to go out into the fields and "One eye, wakest thou?
tend the goat, but she was still quite hungry, because her sisters One eye, sleepest thou?"
had given her so little to eat. So she sat down on a ridge and began until One-eye shut her one eye, and fell asleep, and as Boon as
to weep, and so bitterly that two streams ran down from her eyes. Two-eyes saw that One-eye was fast asleep, and could discover
And once when she looked up in her grief, a woman was standing nothing, she said,
beside her, who said, "Why art thou weeping, little Two-eyes?" "Bleat, my little goat, bleat,
Two-eyes answered, "Have I not reason to weep, when I have two Cover the table with something to eat,"
eyes like other people, and my sisters and mother hate me for it, and seated herself at her table, and ate and drank until she was
and push me from one corner to another, throw old clothes at me, satisfied, and then she again cried,
and give me nothing to eat but the scraps they leave? To-day they "Bleat, bleat, my little goat, I pray,
have given me so little that I am still quite hungry." Then the wise And take the table quite away,"
woman said, "Wipe away thy tears, Two-eyes, and I will tell thee and in an instant all was gone. Two-eyes now awakened One-eye,
something to stop thee ever suffering from hunger again; just say and said, "One-eye, you want to take care of the goat, and go to
to thy goat, sleep while you are doing it, and in the meantime the goat might
"Bleat, my little goat, bleat, run all over the world. Come, let us go home again." So they went
Cover the table with something to eat," home, and again Two-eyes let her little dish stand untouched, and
and then a clean well-spread little table will stand before thee, One-eye could not tell her mother why she would not eat it, and to
with the most delicious food upon it of which thou mayst eat as excuse herself said, "I fell asleep when I was out."
much as thou art inclined for, and when thou hast had enough, Next day the mother said to Three-eyes, "This time thou shalt go
and hast no more need of the little table, just say, and observe if Two-eyes eats anything when she is out, and if any
"Bleat, bleat, my little goat, I pray. one fetches her food and drink, for she must eat and drink in
And take the table quite away," secret." So Three-eyes went to Two-eyes, and said, "I will go with
and then it will vanish again from thy sight." Hereupon the wise you and see if the goat is taken proper care of, and driven where
woman departed. But Two-eyes thought, "I must instantly make a there is food." But Two-eyes knew what was in Three-eyes' mind,
trial, and see if what she said is true, for I am far too hungry," and and drove the goat into high grass and said, "We will sit down,
she said, and I will sing something to you, Three-eyes." Three-eyes sat
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down and was tired with the walk and with the heat of the sun, how the tree could have come there during the night, but Two-
and Two-eyes began the same song as before, and sang, eyes, saw that it had grown up out of the entrails of the goat, for it
"Three eyes, are you waking? " was standing on the exact spot where she had buried them. Then
but then, instead of singing, the mother said to One-eye, "Climb up, my child, and gather some
"Three eyes, are you sleeping?" of the fruit of the tree for us." One-eye climbed up, but when she
as she ought to have done, she thoughtlessly sang, was about to get hold of one of the golden apples, the branch
"Two eyes, are you sleeping?" escaped from her hands, and that happened each time, so that she
and sang all the time, could not pluck a single apple, let her do what she might. Then
"Three eyes, are you waking? said the mother, "Three-eyes, do you climb up; you with your
Two eyes, are you sleeping?" three eyes can look about you better than One-eye." One-eye
Then two of the eyes which Three-eyes had, shut and fell asleep, slipped down, and Three-eyes climbed up. Three-eyes was not
but the third, as it had not been named in the song, did not sleep. more skilful, and might search as she liked, but the golden apples
It is true that Three-eyes shut it, but only in her cunning, to always escaped her. At length the mother grew impatient, and
pretend it was asleep too, but it blinked, and could see everything climbed up herself, but could get hold of the fruit no better than
very well. And when Two-eyes thought that Three-eyes was fast One-eye and Three-eyes, for she always clutched empty air. Then
asleep, she used her little charm, said Two-eyes, "I will just go up, perhaps I may succeed better."
"Bleat, my little goat, bleat, The sisters cried, "You indeed, with your two eyes, what can you
Cover the table with something to eat," do?" But Two-eyes climbed up, and the golden apples did not get
and ate and drank as much as her heart desired, and then ordered out of her way, but came into her hand of their own accord, so
the table to go away again, that she could pluck them one after the other, and brought a
"Bleat, bleat, my little goat, I pray, whole apronful down with her. The mother took them away from
And take the table quite away," her, and instead of treating poor Two-eyes any better for this, she
and Three-eyes had seen everything. Then Two-eyes came to her, and One-eye and Three-eyes were only envious, because Two-eyes
waked her and said, "Have you been asleep, Three-eyes? You are a alone had been able to get the fruit, and they treated her still more
good care-taker! Come, we will go home." And when they got cruelly.
home, Two-eyes again did not eat, and Three-eyes said to the It so befell that once when they were all standing together by the
mother, "Now, I know why that high-minded thing there does not tree, a young knight came up. "Quick, Two-eyes," cried the two
eat. When she is out, she says to the goat, sisters, "creep under this, and don't disgrace us!" and with all
"Bleat, my little goat, bleat, speed they turned an empty barrel which was standing close by the
Cover the table with something to eat," tree over poor Two-eyes, and they pushed the golden apples which
and then a little table appears before her covered with the best of she had been gathering, under it too. When the knight came
food, much better than any we have here, and when she has eaten nearer he was a handsome lord, who stopped and admired the
all she wants, she says, magnificent gold and silver tree, and said to the two sisters, "To
"Bleat, bleat, my little goat, I pray, whom does this fine tree belong? Any one who would bestow one
And take the table quite away," branch of it on me might in return for it ask whatsoever he
and all disappears. I watched everything closely. She put two of desired." Then One-eye and Three-eyes replied that the tree
my eyes to sleep by using a certain form of words, but luckily the belonged to them, and that they would give him a branch. They
one in my forehead kept awake." Then the envious mother cried, both took great trouble, but they were not able to do it, for the
"Dost thou want to fare better than we do? The desire shall pass branches and fruit both moved away from them every time. Then
away," and she fetched a butcher's knife, and thrust it into the said the knight, "It is very strange that the tree should belong to
heart of the goat, which fell down dead. you, and that you should still not be able to break a piece off."
When Two-eyes saw that, she went out full of trouble, seated They again asserted that the tree was their property. Whilst they
herself on the ridge of grass at the edge of the field, and wept were saying so, Two-eyes rolled out a couple of golden apples from
bitter tears. Suddenly the wise woman once more stood by her side, under the barrel to the feet of the knight, for she was vexed with
and said, "Two-eyes, why art thou weeping?" "Have I not reason One-eye and Three-eyes, for not speaking the truth. When the
to weep?" she answered. "The goat which covered the table for me knight saw the apples he was astonished, and asked where they
every day when I spoke your charm, has been killed by my mother, came from. One-eye and Three-eyes answered that they had
and now I shall again have to bear hunger and want." The wise another sister, who was not allowed to show herself, for she had
woman said, "Two-eyes, I will give thee a piece of good advice; ask only two eyes like any common person. The knight, however,
thy sisters to give thee the entrails of the slaughtered goat, and desired to see her, and cried, "Two-eyes, come forth." Then Two-
bury them in the ground in front of the house, and thy fortune will eyes, quite comforted, came from beneath the barrel, and the
be made." Then she vanished, and Two-eyes went home and said to knight was surprised at her great beauty, and said, "Thou, Two-
her sisters, "Dear sisters, do give me some part of my goat; I don't eyes, canst certainly break off a branch from the tree for me."
wish for what is good, but give me the entrails." Then they "Yes," replied Two-eyes, "that I certainly shall be able to do, for
laughed and said, "If that's all you want, you can have it." So the tree belongs to me." And she climbed up, and with the greatest
Two-eyes took the entrails and buried them quietly in the evening, ease broke off a branch with beautiful silver leaves and golden
in front of the house-door, as the wise woman had counselled her fruit, and gave it to the knight. Then said the knight, "Twoeyes,
to do. what shall I give thee for it?" "Alas!" answered Two-eyes, "I suffer
Next morning, when they all awoke, and went to the house-door, from hunger and thirst, grief and want, from early morning till
there stood a strangely magnificent tree with leaves of silver, and late night; if you would take me with you, and deliver me from
fruit of gold hanging among them, so that in all the wide world these things, I should be happy." So the knight lifted Two-eyes on
there was nothing more beautiful or precious. They did not know to his horse, and took her home with him to his father's castle, and
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there he gave her beautiful clothes, and meat and drink to her Katrinelje are willing, you may have her." "Where is fair
heart's content, and as he loved her so much he married her, and Katrinelje, then?" "She is in the room counting out her
the wedding was solemnised with great rejoicing. When Two-eyes farthings." "Good day, fair Katrinelje." "Many thanks, Pif-paf-
was thus carried away by the handsome knight, her two sisters poltrie." "Wilt thou be my bride?" "Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe,
grudged her good fortune in downright earnest. "The wonderful Mother Malcho, Brother High-and-Mighty, and Sister Kasetraut
tree, however, still remains with us," thought they, "and even if are willing, I am ready."
we can gather no fruit from it, still every one will stand still and "Fair Katrinelje, how much dowry hast thou?" "Fourteen
look at it, and come to us and admire it. Who knows what good farthings in ready money, three and a half groschen owing" to me,
things may be in store for us?" But next morning, the tree had half a pound of dried apples, a handful of fried bread, and a
vanished, and all their hopes were at an end. And when Two-eyes handful of spices.
looked out of the window of her own little room, to her great And many other things are mine,
delight it was standing in front of it, and so it had followed her. Have I not a dowry fine?
Two-eyes lived a long time in happiness. Once two poor women "Pif-paf-poltrie, what is thy trade? Art thou a tailor?"
came to her in her castle, and begged for alms. She looked in their "Something better." "A shoemaker?" "Something better." "A
faces, and recognised her sisters. One-eye, and Three-eyes, who had husbandman?" "Something better." "A joiner?" . "Something
fallen into such poverty that they had to wander about and beg better." "A smith?" "Something better." "A miller?" "Something
their bread from door to door. Two-eyes, however, made them better." " Perhaps a broom-maker? " "Yes, that's what I am, is it
welcome, and was kind to them, and took care of them, so that not a fine trade?"
they both with all their hearts repented the evil that they had done
their sister in their youth.
132.—THE FOX AND THE HORSE.
131.—FAIR KATRINELJE AND PIF-PAF-POLTRIE*. ("The Fox and the Horse" is an animal fairy tale in the
Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm (KHM
("Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie" is a fairy tale collected by 132). Jenny von Droste-Hülshoff sent the fairy tale to Wilhelm
the Brothers Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales as tale KHM 131. Grimm on September 12, 1814.
The fairy tale comes from Paderborn and is a rhyming poem. "Pif Contents: The farmer chases his old horse away on the pretext
Paf Poltrie" probably comes from the onomatopoeic children's that he will keep it if it brings him a lion. The fox helps him, lets
language of the 18th century in imitation of shots from firearms. the horse lie down like it's dead and fetches a lion. Under the
The original is probably "piff paff rumbling"; today we would pretense of tying the horse's tail to him so he can drag it into his
probably say "Pif Paf Boom!". The fairy tale is very simple in cave, he ties his legs together. The horse pulls the roaring lion to
language and plot, characterised by slightly varied scenic its master, who now treats it well until death.)
repetitions and simple rhymes. The simple structure makes it
suitable even for very small children. A Peasant had a faithful horse which had grown old and could
Contents: Pif-Paf-Poltrie asks Fair Katrinelje's father for leave do no more work, so his master would no longer give him
to marry her. He is told he needs that of "her mother Milk-Cow, anything to eat and said, "I can certainly make no more use of thee,
her brother High-Pride, her sister Cheese-Love," as well as her but still I mean well by thee; if thou provest thyself still strong
own. Going through the list, he obtains it, on the condition of all enough to bring me a lion here, I will maintain thee, but now take
the others consenting. Fair Katrinelje is last; then she lists her thyself away out of my stable," and with that he chased him into
dowry: some pennies, a debt, roots, pretzels, and dried pears—a the open country. The horse was sad, and went to the forest to seek
fine dowry. She guesses at his occupation, and he declares it is a little protection there from the weather. Then the fox met him
finer than what she guesses until she guesses broommaker.) and said, "Why dost thou hang thy head so, and go about all
alone?" "Alas," replied the horse, "avarice and fidelity do not
"Good-day, Father Hollenthe." "Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie." dwell together in one house. My master has forgotten what
"May I be allowed to have your daughter?" "Oh, yes, if Mother services I have performed for him for so many years, and because I
Malcho (Milch-cow), Brother High-and-Mighty, Sister Käsetraut, can no longer plough well, he will give me no more food, and has
and fair Katrinelje are willing, you can have her." driven me out." "Without giving thee a chance?" asked the fox.
"Where is Mother Malcho, then?" "She is in the cow-house, "The chance was a bad one. He said, if I were still strong enough
milking the cow." to bring him a lion, he would keep me, but he well knows that I
"Good-day, Mother Malcho." "Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie." cannot do that." The fox said, "I will help thee, just lay thyself
"May I be allowed to have your daughter?" "Oh, yes, if Father down, stretch thyself out, as if thou wert dead, and do not stir."
Hollenthe, Brother High-and-Mighty, Sister Käsetraut, and fair The horse did as the fox desired, and the fox went to the lion, who
Katrinelje are willing, you can have her." "Where is Brother had his den not far off, and said, "A dead horse is lying outside
High-and-Mighty, then?" "He is in the room chopping some there, just come with me, thou canst have a rich meal." The lion
wood." "Good-day, Brother High-and-Mighty." "Many thanks, went with him, and when they were both standing by the horse the
Pif-paf-poltrie." "May I be allowed to have your sister?" "Oh, yes, fox said, "After all it is not very comfortable for thee here—I tell
if Father Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Sister Käsetraut, and fair thee what—I will fasten it to thee by the tail, and then thou canst
Katrinelje are willing, you can have her." "Where is Sister drag it into thy cave, and devour it in peace."
Käsetraut, then?" "She is in the garden cutting cabbages." This advice pleased the lion: he lay down, and in order that the
"Good-day, Sister Käsetraut." "Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie." fox might tie the horse fast to him, he kept quite quiet. But the fox
"May I be allowed to have your sister?" "Oh, yes, if Father tied the lion's legs together with the horse's tail, and twisted and
Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Brother High-and-Mighty, and fair fastened all so well and so strongly that no strength could break it.
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When he had finished his work, he tapped the horse on the sound asleep." With that she gave him a little cloak, and said, "If
shoulder and said, "Pull, white horse, pull." Then up sprang the you put on that, you will be invisible, and then you can steal after
horse at once, and drew the lion away with him. The lion began to the twelve." When the soldier had received this good advice, he
roar so that all the birds in the forest flew out in terror, but the went into the thing in earnest, took heart, went to the King, and
horse let him roar, and drew him and dragged him over the announced himself as a suitor. He was as well received as the others,
country to his master's door. When the master saw the lion, he was and royal garments were put upon him. He was conducted that
of a better mind, and said to the horse, "Thou shalt stay with me evening at bed-time into the ante-chamber, and as he was about to
and fare well," and he gave him plenty to eat until he died. go to bed, the eldest came and brought him a cup of wine, but he
had tied a sponge under his chin, and let the wine run down into it,
without drinking a drop. Then he lay down and when he had lain
133.—THE SHOES THAT WERE DANCED TO PIECES. a while, he began to snore, as if in the deepest sleep. The twelve
princesses heard that, and laughed, and the eldest said, "He, too,
("The Shoes that were Danced to Pieces" (or "The Worn-Out might as well have saved his life." With that they got up, opened
Dancing Shoes" or "The Twelve Dancing Princesses") is a fairy wardrobes, presses, cupboards, and brought out pretty dresses;
tale collected by the Brothers Grimm and published in Grimm's dressed themselves before the mirrors, sprang about, and rejoiced
Fairy Tales in 1815 (KHM 133). The Grimms got it from Jenny at the prospect of the dance. Only the youngest said, "I know not
von Droste zu Hülshoff. how it is; you are very happy, but I feel very strange; some
Contents: The twelve daughters of the king always have worn- misfortune is certainly about to befall us." "Thou art a goose, who
out shoes in the morning. The king wants to find out where they art always frightened," said the eldest. "Hast thou forgotten how
secretly dance at night. Anyone who finds out should be allowed many Kings' sons have already come here in vain? I had hardly any
to marry one of them. But if he hasn't found out after three nights, need to give the soldier a sleeping-draught, in any case the clown
he must die. Although some suitors get in touch, all of them fail to would not have awakened." When they were all ready they looked
solve the mystery because they fall asleep at night. Finally, a poor, carefully at the soldier, but he had closed his eyes and did not
wounded soldier reports who has been advised by an old woman to move or stir, so they felt themselves quite secure. The eldest then
wear a camouflage cloak and not to drink the evening drink that went to her bed and tapped it; it immediately sank into the earth,
the eldest daughter brings. So he manages to follow the daughters and one after the other they descended through the opening, the
three times unnoticed on their secret way to an underground castle. eldest going first. The soldier, who had watched everything,
There they dance with twelve enchanted princes to redeem them. tarried no longer, put on his little cloak, and went down last with
He always takes a piece of evidence with him. So after three days the youngest. Half-way down the steps, he just trod a little on her
the king gave him the eldest daughter in marriage at his request. dress; she was terrified at that, and cried out, "What is that? who
The twelve princes are cursed again.) is pulling at my dress?" "Don't be so silly!" said the eldest, "you
There was once upon a time a King who had twelve daughters, have caught it on a nail." Then they went all the way down, and
each one more beautiful than the other. They all slept together in when they were at the bottom, they were standing in a
one chamber, in which their beds stood side by side, and every wonderfully pretty avenue of trees, all the leaves of which were of
night when they were in them the King locked the door, and silver, and shone and glistened. The soldier thought, "I must carry
bolted it. But in the morning when he unlocked the door, he saw a token away with me," and broke off a twig from one of them, on
that their shoes were worn out with dancing, and no one could which the tree cracked with a loud report. The youngest cried out
find out how that had come to pass. Then the King caused it to be again, "Something is wrong, did you hear the crack?" But the
proclaimed that whosoever could discover where they danced at eldest said, "It is a gun fired for joy, because we have got rid of our
night, should choose one of them for his wife and be King after his prince so quickly." After that they came into an avenue where all
death, but that whosoever came forward and had not discovered it the leaves were of gold, and lastly into a third where they were of
within three days and nights, should have forfeited his life. It was bright diamonds; he broke off a twig from each, which made such
not long before a King's son presented himself, and offered to a crack each time that the youngest started back in terror, but the
undertake the enterprise. He was well received, and in the evening eldest still maintained that they were salutes. They went on and
was led into a room adjoining the princesses' sleeping-chamber. came to a great lake whereon stood twelve little boats, and in
His bed was placed there, and he was to observe where they went every boat sat a handsome prince, all of whom were waiting for
and danced, and in order that they might do nothing secretly or the twelve, and each took one of them with him, but the soldier
go away to some other place, the door of their room was left open. seated himself by the youngest. Then her prince said, "I can't tell
But the eyelids of the prince grew heavy as lead, and he fell asleep, why the boat is so much heavier to-day; I shall have to row with
and when he awoke in the morning, all twelve had been to the all my strength, if I am to get it across." "What should cause
dance, for their shoes were standing there with holes in the soles. that," said the youngest, "but the warm weather? I feel very warm
On the second and third nights it fell out just the same, and then too." On the opposite side of the lake stood a splendid, brightly-lit
his head was struck off without mercy. Many others came after this castle, from whence resounded the joyous music of trumpets and
and undertook the enterprise, but all forfeited their lives. Now it kettle-drums. They rowed over there, entered, and each prince
came to pass that a poor soldier, who had a wound, and could danced with the girl he loved, but the soldier danced with them
serve no longer, found himself on the' road to the town where the unseen, and when one of them had a cup of wine in her hand he
King lived. There he met an old woman, who asked him where he drank it up, so that the cup was empty when she carried it to her
was going. "I hardly know myself," answered he, and added in jest, mouth; the youngest was alarmed at this, but the eldest always
"I had half a mind to discover where the princesses danced their made her be silent. They danced there till three o'clock in the
shoes into holes, and thus become King." "That is not so morning when all the shoes were danced into holes, and they were
difficult," said the old woman, "you must not drink the wine forced to leave off; the princes rowed them back again over the
which will be brought to you at night, and must pretend to be lake, and this time the soldier seated himself by the eldest. On the
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shore they took leave of their princes, and promised to return the king's son sets the bride a task: he pretends to be the son of the
following night. When they reached the stairs the soldier ran on in swineherd and keeps up this lie for a week. Finally, the bride is
front and lay down in his bed, and when the twelve had come up taken to the royal palace, where the bridegroom reveals himself to
slowly and wearily, he was already snoring so loudly that they be the king's son. Now the wedding is celebrated.)
could all hear him, and they said, "So far as he is concerned, we
are safe." They took off their beautiful dresses, laid them away, In former times there lived an aged Queen who was a sorceress,
put the worn-out shoes under the bed, and lay down. Next and her daughter was the most beautiful maiden under the sun.
morning the soldier was resolved not to speak, but to watch the The old woman, however, had no other thought than how to lure
wonderful goings on, and again went with them. Then everything mankind to destruction, and when a wooer appeared, she said that
was done just as it had been done the first time, and each time they whosoever wished to have her daughter, must first perform a task,
danced until their shoes were worn to pieces. But the third time he or die. Many had been dazzled by the daughter's beauty, and had
took a cup away with him as a token. When the hour had arrived actually risked this, but they never could accomplish what the old
for him to give his answer, he took the three twigs and the cup, woman enjoined them to do, and then no mercy was shown; they
and went to the King, but the twelve stood behind the door, and had to kneel down, and their heads were struck off. A certain
listened for what he was going to say. When the King put the King's son who had also heard of the maiden's beauty, said to his
question, "Where have my twelve daughters danced their shoes to father, "Let me go there, I want to demand her in marriage."
pieces in the night?" he answered, "In an underground castle with "Never," answered the King; "if you were to go, it would be going
twelve princes," and related how it had come to pass, and brought to your death." On this the son lay down and was sick unto death,
out the tokens. The King then summoned his daughters, and asked and for seven years he lay there, and no physician could heal him.
them if the soldier had told the truth, and when they saw that they When the father perceived that all hope was over, with a heavy
were betrayed, and that falsehood would be of no avail, they were heart he said to him, "Go thither, and try your luck, for I know no
obliged to confess all. Thereupon the King asked which of them he other means of curing you." When the son heard that, he rose from
would have to wife? He answered, "I am no longer young, so give his bed and was well again, and joyfully set out on his way.
me the eldest." Then the wedding was celebrated on the self-same And it came to pass that as he was riding across a heath, he saw
day, and the kingdom was promised him after the King's death. from afar something like a great heap of hay lying on the ground,
But the princes were bewitched for as many days as they had and when he drew nearer, he could see that it was the stomach of a
danced nights with the twelve. man, who had laid himself down there, but the stomach looked
like a small mountain. When the fat man saw the traveller, he
stood up and said, "If you are in need of any one, take me into
134.—THE SIX SERVANTS. your service." The prince answered, "What can I do with such a
great big man?" "Oh," said the Stout-One, "this is nothing, when
("The Six Servants" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers I stretch myself out well, I am three thousand times fatter." "If
Grimm and published in Grimm's The Children's and Household that's the case," said the prince, "I can make use of thee, come with
Tales (KHM 134). Source: from Paderborn (the von Haxthausen me." So the Stout One followed the prince, and after a while they
family). found another man who was lying on the ground with his ear laid
Contents: A magician, evil queen lures many suitors to their to the turf. "What art thou doing there?" asked the King's son. "I
doom with the promise to give her daughter to the one who solves am listening," replied the man. "What art thou listening to so
her tasks. A king's son who wants to woo his daughter as "the attentively?" "I am listening to what is just going on in the world,
most beautiful girl under the sun" is held back by his father. After for nothing escapes my ears; I even hear the grass growing." "Tell
the young man has been lying ill for seven years, his father allows me," said the prince, "what thou hearest at the court of the old
him to set off. On the way, the king's son hires six servants with Queen who has the beautiful daughter." Then he answered, "I hear
extraordinary abilities: 1. an extremely fat man, 2. an extremely the whizzing of the sword that is striking off a wooer's head." The
tall man, 3. an eavesdropper, 4. a man who sees through King's son said, "I can make use of thee, come with me." They
everything, 5. a blindfolded man whose vision explodes everything, went onwards, and then saw a pair of feet lying and part of a pair
and 6 .one who can't stand it "in the middle of the ice for the heat of legs, but could not see the rest of the body. When they had
and in the middle of the fire for the cold". At the court of the evil walked on for a great distance, they came to the body, and at last
queen, the king's son fulfills three tasks: he fetches the queen's ring to the head also. "Why," said the prince, "what a tall rascal thou
from the Red Sea with the help of the all-seeing servant, the fat art!" "Oh," replied the Tall One, "that is nothing at all yet; when I
man and the tall man, he eats 300 oxen and drinks 300 barrels of really stretch out my limbs, I am three thousand times as tall, and
wine with the help of the fat man, and he spends the time from taller than the highest mountain on earth. I will gladly enter your
evening to midnight with the king's daughter in a room, which service, if you will take me." "Come with me," said the prince, "I
leads to complications (the king's son falls asleep, the evil old can make use of thee." They went onwards and found a man sitting
queen kidnaps the daughter, the eavesdropper hears her lamenting by the road who had bound up his eyes. The prince said to him,
in a rock cave, the tall man brings the one with the explosive look "Hast thou weak eyes, that thou canst not look at the light?"
and bring the king's daughter back before midnight). The enraged "No," replied the man, "but I must not remove the bandage, for
queen now incites her daughter against the supposedly unworthy whatsoever I look at with my eyes, splits to pieces, my glance is so
suitor, so that she sets another task: She builds a huge pyre, on powerful. If you can use that, I shall be glad to serve you." "Come
which either the bridegroom or a servant has to hold out. This with me," replied the King's son, "I can make use of thee." They
time the one who gets cold in the fire solves the task. The successful journeyed onwards and found a man who was lying in the hot
king's son, who still keeps his identity a secret, sets off with the sunshine, trembling and shivering all over his body, so that not a
bride on his way home. The evil queen sends an army that the limb was still. "How canst thou shiver when the sun is shining so
servants defeat. Then the couple arrives at a swineherd. Here the warm?" said the King's son. "Alack," replied the man, "I am of
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quite a different nature. The hotter it is, the colder I am, and the care that the maiden does not go out of my room again." When
frost pierces through all my bones; and the colder it is, the hotter I night fell, the old woman came with her daughter, and gave her
am. In the midst of ice, I cannot endure the heat, nor in the midst into the prince's arms, and then the Tall One wound himself round
of fire, the cold." "Thou art a strange fellow!" said the prince, the two in a circle, and the Stout One placed himself by the door,
"but if thou wilt enter my service, follow me." They travelled so that no living creature could enter. There the two sat, and the
onwards, and saw a man standing who made a long neck and maiden spake never a word, but the moon shone through the
looked about him, and could see over all the mountains. "What window on her face, and the prince could behold her wondrous
art thou looking at so eagerly?" said the King's son. The man beauty. He did nothing but gaze at her, and was filed with love
replied, "I have such sharp eyes that I can see into every forest and and happiness, and his eyes never felt weary. This lasted until
field, and hill and valley, all over the world." The prince said, eleven o'clock, when the old woman cast such a spell over all of
"Come with me if thou wilt, for I am still in want of such an one." them that they fell asleep, and at the self-same moment the maiden
And now the King's son and his six servants came to the town was carried away. Then they all slept soundly until a quarter to
where the aged Queen dwelt. He did not tell her who he was, but twelve, when the magic lost its power, and all awoke again. "Oh,
said, "If you will give me your beautiful daughter, I will perform misery and misfortune!" cried the prince, "now I am lost!" The
any task you set me." The sorceress was delighted to get such a faithful servants also began to lament, but the Listener said, "Be
handsome youth as this into her net, and said, "I will set thee three quiet, I want to listen." Then he listened for an instant and said,
tasks, and if thou art able to perform them all, thou shalt be "She is on a rock, three hundred leagues from hence, bewailing her
husband and master of my daughter." "What is the first to be?" fate. Thou alone. Tall One, canst help her; if thou wilt stand up,
"Thou shalt fetch me my ring which I have dropped into the Red thou wilt be there in a couple of steps."
Sea." So the King's son went home to his servants and said, "The "Yes," answered the Tall One, "but the one with the sharp eyes
first task is not easy. A ring is to be got out of the Red Sea. Come, must go with me, that we may destroy the rock." Then the Tall
find some way of doing it." Then the man with the sharp sight said, One took the one with bandaged eyes on his back, and in the
"I will see where it is lying," and looked down into the water and twinkling of an eye they were on the enchanted rock. The Tall One
said, "It is sticking there, on a pointed stone." The Tall One immediately took the bandage from the other's eyes, and he did
carried them thither, and said, "I would soon get it out, if I could but look round, and the rock shivered into a thousand pieces.
only see it." "Oh, is that all!" cried the Stout One, and lay down Then the Tall One took the maiden in his arms, carried her back in
and put his mouth to the water, on which all the waves fell into it a second, then fetched his companion with the same rapidity, and
just as if it had been a whirlpool, and he drank up the whole sea before it struck twelve they were all sitting as they had sat before,
till it was as dry as a meadow. The Tall One stooped down a little, quite merrily and happily. When twelve struck, the aged sorceress
and brought out the ring with his hand. Then the King's son came stealing in with a malicious face, which seemed to say, "Now
rejoiced when he had the ring, and took it to the old Queen. She he is mine!" for she believed that her daughter was on the rock
was astonished, and said, "Yes, it is the right ring. Thou hast three hundred leagues off. But when she saw her in the prince's
safely performed the first task, but now comes the second. Dost arms, she was alarmed, and said, "Here is one who knows more
thou see the meadow in front of my palace? Three hundred fat than I do!" She dared not make any opposition, and was forced to
oxen are feeding there, and these must thou eat, skin, hair, bones, give him her daughter. But she whispered in her ear, "It is a
horns and all, and down below in my cellar lie three hundred casks disgrace to thee to have to obey common people, and that thou art
of wine, and these thou must drink up as well, and if one hair of not allowed to choose a husband to thine own liking."
the oxen, or one little drop of the wine is left, thy life will be On this the proud heart of the maiden was filled with anger, and
forfeited to me." "May I invite no guests to this repast?" inquired she meditated revenge. Next morning she caused three hundred
the prince, "no dinner is good without some company." The old great bundles of wood to be got together, and said to the prince
woman laughed maliciously, and replied, "Thou mayst invite one that though the three tasks were performed, she would still not be
for the sake of companionship, but no more." his wife until some one was ready to seat himself in the midst of the
The King's son went to his servants and said to the Stout One, wood, and bear the fire. She thought that none of his servants
"Thou shalt be my guest to-day, and shalt eat thy fill." Hereupon would let themselves be burnt for him, and that out of love for her,
the Stout One stretched himself out and ate up the three hundred he himself would place himself upon it, and then she would be free.
oxen without leaving one single hair, and then he asked if he was But the servants said, "Every one of us has done something except
to have nothing but his breakfast. He drank the wine straight the Frosty One, he must set to work," and they put him in the
from the casks without feeling any need of a glass, and he licked middle of the pile, and set fire to it. Then the fire began to burn,
the last drop from his finger-nails. When the meal was over, the and burnt for three days until all the wood was consumed, and
prince went to the old woman, and told her that the second task when the flames had burnt out, the Frosty One was standing amid
also was performed. She wondered at this and said, "No one has the ashes, trembling like an aspen leaf, and saying, "I never felt
ever done so much before, but one task still remains," and she such a frost during the whole course of my life; if it had lasted
thought to herself, "Thou shalt not escape me, and wilt not keep much longer, I should have been benumbed!"
thy head on thy shoulders! This night," said she, "I will bring my As no other pretext was to be found, the beautiful maiden was
daughter to thee in thy chamber, and thou shalt put thine arms now forced to take the unknown youth as a husband. But when
round her, but when you are sitting there together. beware of they drove away to church, the old woman said, "I cannot endure
falling asleep. When twelve o'clock is striking, I will come, and if the disgrace," and sent her warriors after them with orders to cut
she is then no longer in thine arms, thou art lost." The prince down all who opposed them, and bring back her daughter. But the
thought, "The task is easy, I will most certainly keep my eyes Listener had sharpened his ears, and heard the secret discourse of
open." Nevertheless he called his servants, told them what the old the old woman. "What shall we do?" said he to the Stout One. But
woman had said, and remarked, "Who knows what treachery may he knew what to do, and spat out once or twice behind the
lurk behind this. Foresight is a good thing—keep watch, and take carriage some of the sea-water which he had drunk, and a great sea
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arose in which the warriors were caught and drowned. When the After a few days of this, the kitchen boy tells the king. The king
sorceress perceived that, she sent her mailed knights; but the cuts off the duck's head, which transforms into the white bride.
Listener heard the rattling of their armour, and undid the The king frees the brother from the snake pit and asks the
bandage from one eye of Sharp-eyes, who looked for a while rather stepmother what ought to be done to someone that did the deed
fixedly at the enemy's troops, on which they all sprang to pieces that she had done. She says that person should be stripped and put
like glass. Then the youth and the maiden went on their way in a barrel studded with nails, and a horse should drag it off. The
undisturbed, and when the two had been blessed in church, the six king has it done to her and the black bride, and he proceeds to
servants took leave, and said to their master, "Your wishes are marry the white bride.)
now satisfied, you need us no longer, we will go our way and seek
our fortunes." A woman was going about the unenclosed land with her
Half a league from the palace of the prince's father was a village daughter and her step-daughter cutting fodder, when the Lord
near which a swineherd tended his herd, and when they came came walking towards them in the form of a poor man, and asked,
thither the prince said to his wife, "Do you know who I really am? "Which is the way into the village?" "If you want to know," said
I am no prince, but a herder of swine, and the man who is there the mother, "seek it for yourself," and the daughter added, "If you
with that herd, is my father. We two shall have to set to work also, are afraid you will not find it, take a guide with you." But the
and help him." Then he alighted with her at the inn, and secretly step-daughter said, "Poor man, I will take you there, come with
told the innkeepers to take away her royal apparel during the me." Then God was angry with the mother and daughter, and
night. So when she awoke in the morning, she had nothing to put turned his back on them, and wished that they should become as
on, and the innkeeper's wife gave her an old gown and a pair of black as night and as ugly as sin. To the poor step-daughter,
worsted stockings, and at the same time seemed to consider it a however, God was gracious, and went with her, and when they
great present, and said, "If it were not for the sake of your were near the village, he said a blessing over her, and spake,
husband I should have given you nothing at all!" Then the princess "Choose three things for thyself, and I will grant them to thee."
believed that he really was a swineherd, and tended the herd with Then said the maiden, "I should like to be as beautiful and fair as
him, and thought to herself, "I have deserved this for my the sun," and instantly she was white and fair as day. "Then I
haughtiness and pride." This lasted for a week, and then she could should like to have a purse of money which would never grow
endure it no longer, for she had sores on her feet. And now came a empty." That the Lord gave her also, but he said, "Do not forget
couple of people who asked if she knew who her husband was. what is best of all." Said she, "For my third wish, I desire, after my
"Yes," she answered, "he is a swineherd, and has just gone out death, to inhabit the eternal kingdom of Heaven." That also was
with cords and ropes to try to drive a little bargain." But they said, granted unto her, and then the Lord left her. When the step-
"Just come with us, and we will take you to him," and they took mother came home with her daughter, and they saw that they were
her up to the palace, and when she entered the hall, there stood her both as black as coal and ugly, but that the step-daughter was
husband in kingly raiment. But she did not recognise him until he white and beautiful, wickedness increased still more in their hearts,
took her in his arms, kissed her, and said, "I suffered much for thee, and they thought of nothing else but how they could do her an
and now thou, too, hast had to suffer for me." And then the injury. The step-daughter, however, had a brother called Reginer,
wedding was celebrated, and he who has told you all this, wishes whom she loved much, and she told him all that had happened.
that he, too, had been present at it. Once on a time Reginer said to her, "Dear sister, I will take thy
likeness, that I may continually see thee before mine eyes, for my
love for thee is so great that I should like always to look at thee."
135.—THE WHITE BRIDE AND THE BLACK ONE. Then she answered, "But, I pray thee, let no one see the picture."
So he painted his sister and hung up the picture in his room; he,
("The White Bride and the Black One" is a fairy tale collected by however, dwelt in the King's palace, for he was his coachman.
the Brothers Grimm, tale number KHM 135. Source is the Every day he went and stood before the picture, and thanked God
Mecklenburg as well as the Paderborn regions (perhaps from Hans for the happiness of having such a dear sister. Now it happened
Rudolf Schröter and the von Haxthausen family). that the King whom he served, had just lost his wife, who had been
Contents: A woman and her daughter are cutting fodder when so beautiful that no one could be found to compare with her, and
the Lord comes up to them and asks the way to the village. The on this account the King was in deep grief. The attendants about
woman and the daughter refuse to help, and the woman's the court, however remarked that the coachman stood daily before
stepdaughter offers to show him. In return, the others turn black this beautiful picture, and they were jealous of him, so they
and ugly, but the stepdaughter is granted three wishes: beauty, an informed the King. Then the latter ordered the picture to be
everlasting purse of gold, and to go to Heaven upon her death. brought to him, and when he saw that it was like his lost wife in
Her brother Reginer, a coachman to the king, asks for a portrait every respect, except that it was still more beautiful, he fell
of her, and hangs it in his room. The king sees it and resolves to mortally in love with it. He caused the coachman to be brought
marry her. Her brother sends for her, and the stepmother and before him, and asked whom that portrait represented? The
stepsister come too. The stepmother enchants the coachman so he coachman said it was his sister, so the King resolved to take no one
is half-blind, and the bride so she is half-deaf. The white bride does but her as his wife, and gave him a carriage and horses and
not hear what the coachman says, and instead follows the splendid garments of cloth of gold, and sent him forth to fetch his
stepmother's command to remove her dress and garments, and chosen bride. When Reginer came on this errand, his sister was
then to look out the window, where she is pushed out. The king is glad, but the black maiden was jealous of her good fortune, and
horrified by the black bride, and throws the brother into a grew angry above all measure, and said to her mother, "Of what
snakepit, but the stepmother persuades him to marry the black use are all your arts to us now when you cannot procure such a
bride. A white duck comes to the kitchen and tells the kitchen boy piece of luck for me?" "Be quiet," said the old woman, "I will soon
to light the fire, and then asks of Reginer and the black bride. divert it to you"—and by her arts of witchcraft, she so troubled
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
the eyes of the coachman that he was half-blind, and she stopped The next night she came again and put the same questions, and
the ears of the white maiden so that she was half-deaf. Then they the third night also. Then the kitchen-boy could bear it no longer,
got into the carriage, first the bride in her noble royal apparel, and went to the King and discovered all to him. The King,
then the step-mother with her daughter, and Reginer sat on the however, wanted to see it for himself, and next evening went
box to drive. When they had been on the way for some time the thither, and when the duck thrust her head in through the sink, he
coachman cried, took his sword and cut through her neck, and suddenly she
"Cover thee well, my sister dear, changed into a most beautiful maiden, exactly like the picture,
That the rain may not wet thee, which her brother had made of her. The King was full of joy, and
That the wind may not load thee with dust, as she stood there quite wet, he caused splendid apparel to be
That thou may'st be fair and beautiful brought and had her clothed in it. Then she told how she had been
When thou appearest before the King." betrayed by cunning and falsehood, and at last thrown down into
The bride asked, "What is my dear brother saying?" "Ah," said the water, and her first request was that her brother should be
the old woman, "he says that you ought to take off your golden brought forth from the pit of snakes, and when the King had
dress and give it to your sister." Then she took it off, and put it on fulfilled this request, he went into the chamber where the old
the black maiden, who gave her in exchange for it a shabby grey witch was, and asked. What does she deserve who does this and
gown. They drove onwards, and a short time afterwards, the that? and related what had happened. Then was she so blinded
brother again cried, that she was aware of nothing and said, "She deserves to be
"Cover thee well, my sister dear, stripped naked, and put into a barrel with nails, and that a horse
That the rain may not wet thee. should be harnessed to the barrel, and the horse sent all over the
That the wind may not load thee with dust, world." All of which was done to her, and to her black daughter.
That thou may'st be fair and beautiful But the King married the white and beautiful bride, and rewarded
When thou appearest before the King." her faithful brother, and made him a rich and distinguished man.
The bride asked, "What is my dear brother saying?" "Ah," said
the old woman, "he says that you ought to take off your golden
hood and give it to your sister." So she took off the hood and put 136.—IRON JOHN.
it on her sister, and sat with her own head uncovered. And they
drove on farther. After a while, the brother once more cried, ("Iron John" ("Iron Hans" or "Der Eisenhans") is a fairy tale in
"Cover thee well, my sister dear, the children's and household tales of the Brothers Grimm first
That the rain may not wet thee, published in the 6th edition of 1850 (KHM 136). It comes from
That the wind may not load thee with dust, the Main area and is partly based on "Der Eisenhans" in
That thou may'st be fair and beautiful Friedmund von Arnim's collection "Hundert new fairy tales
When thou appearest before the King." collected in the mountains" (first edition 1844).
The bride asked, "What is my dear brother saying?" "Ah," said Contents: A king has a large forest with many wild animals in it.
the old woman, "he says you must look out of the carriage." They He sends a hunter to shoot a deer there, but the hunter does not
were, however, just on a bridge, which crossed deep water. When come back. The king sends out several more hunters to investigate
the bride stood up and leant forward out of the carriage, they the whereabouts of the first, but not a single hunter returns from
both pushed her out, and she fell into the middle of the water. At the forest. After all, nobody dares to go into the forest anymore.
the same moment that she sank, a snow-white duck arose out of One day, a new hunter comes roaming the forest with his dog. The
the mirror-smooth water, and swam down the river. The brother dog finds the danger point in the form of a pond, at the bottom of
had observed nothing of it, and drove the carriage on until they which a wild man, whose whole body is rust-brown in colour,
reached the court. Then he took the black maiden to the King as dwells and pulls man and beast into the depths. The hunter has the
his sister, and thought she really was so, because his eyes were dim, pond drained and captures the wild man, who is called "Iron
and he saw the golden garments glittering. When the King saw the Hans" because of the colour of his skin. Iron Hans is being held
boundless ugliness of his intended bride, he was very angry, and captive in a cage in the king's court. The king's son allows himself
ordered the coachman to be thrown into a pit which was full of to be persuaded by the wild man to steal the key to the cage under
adders and nests of snakes. The old witch, however, knew so well his mother's pillow and set him free. The wild man takes the king's
how to flatter the King and deceive his eyes by her arts, that he son and hides with him in the forest again. From now on, the
kept her and her daughter until she appeared quite endurable to king's son is supposed to look after a special fountain of the wild
him, and he really married her. man, in which everything that gets into it is gilded. However, he
One evening when the black bride was sitting on the King's knee, makes the mistake three times of letting something fall into it
a white duck came swimming up the gutter to the kitchen, and (especially his own long hair) and is therefore sent away by Iron
said to the kitchen-boy, "Boy, light a fire, that I may warm my Hans. However, he promises the king's son to help him if necessary.
feathers." The kitchen-boy did it, and lighted a fire on the hearth. The son never returns to his father's court. He travels the world,
Then came the duck and sat down by it, and shook herself and takes a job as a gardener for another king and falls in love with the
smoothed her feathers to rights with her bill. While she was thus king's daughter, who is also very fond of him. When this king
sitting and enjoying herself, she asked, "What is my brother becomes involved in a war with another realm, the young prince
Reginer doing?" The scullery-boy replied, "He is imprisoned in enlists the help of Iron Han for the first time and defeats the enemy
the pit with adders and with snakes." Then she asked, "What is the with his help, but quickly disappears from the scene. In order to
black witch doing in the house?" The boy answered, "She is loved lure the stranger out and thank him for his help, the king
by the King and happy." organizes a victory tournament in which his daughter is supposed
"May God have mercy on him," said the duck, and swam forth by to throw a golden apple among the participants. The prince
the sink. cannot resist the temptation and appears, decked out as a knight
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
by Eisenhans, on the three festival days in a row to catch the apple. shoulder, and went with hasty steps into the forest. When the King
The third time, however, he is exposed by the king's people and came home, he observed the empty cage, and asked the Queen how
confronted, he confesses his true origins and asks for the hand of that had happened? She knew nothing about it, and sought the
the princess, which both the king and his daughter willingly give key, but it was gone. She called the boy, but no one answered. The
him. During the wedding celebration, not only the parents of the King sent out people to seek for him in the fields, but they did not
prince arrive, who can then hug their lost son again, but also find him. Then he could easily guess what had happened, and much
another proud king with his entourage. He greets the king's son, grief reigned in the royal court.
reveals himself to be Eisenhans, explains to the prince that he has When the wild man had once more reached the dark forest, he
freed him from a curse, and in gratitude bequeaths his entire took the boy down from his shoulder, and said to him, "Thou wilt
wealth to him.) never see thy father and mother again, but I will keep thee with me,
for thou hast set me free, and I have compassion on thee. If thou
There was once on a time a King who had a great forest near his dost all I bid thee, thou shalt fare well. Of treasure and gold have I
palace, full of all kinds of wild animals. One day he sent out a enough, and more than any one in the world." He made a bed of
huntsman to shoot him a roe, but he did not come back. "Perhaps moss for the boy on which he slept, and the next morning the man
some accident has befallen him," said the King, and the next day took him to a well, and said, " Behold, the gold well is as bright
he sent out two more huntsmen who were to search for him, but and clear as crystal, thou shalt sit beside it, and take care that
they too stayed away. Then on the third day, he sent for all his nothing falls into it, or it will be polluted. I will come every
huntsmen, and said, "Scour the whole forest through, and do not evening to see if thou hast obeyed my order." The boy placed
give up until ye have found all three." But of these also, none came himself by the margin of the well, and often saw a golden fish or a
home again, and of the pack of hounds which they had taken with golden snake show itself therein, and took care that nothing fell in.
them, none were seen more. From that time forth, no one would As he was thus sitting, his finger hurt him so violently that he
any longer venture into the forest, and it lay there in deep stillness involuntarily put it in the water. He drew it quickly out again, but
and solitude, and nothing was seen of it, but sometimes an eagle or saw that it was quite gilded, and whatsoever pains he took to wash
a hawk flying over it. This lasted for many years, when a strange the gold off again, all was to no purpose. In the evening Iron John
huntsman announced himself to the King as seeking a situation, came back, looked at the boy, and said, "What has happened to
and offered to go into the dangerous forest. The King, however, the well?" "Nothing, nothing," he answered, and held his finger
would not give his consent, and said, "It is not safe in there; I fear behind his back, that the man might not see it. But he said, "Thou
it would fare with thee no better than with the others, and thou hast dipped thy finger into the water, this time it may pass, but
wouldst never come out again." The huntsman replied, "Lord, I take care thou dost not again let anything go in." By daybreak the
will venture it at my own risk, of fear I know nothing." boy was already sitting by the well and watching it. His finger
The huntsman therefore betook himself with his dog to the forest. hurt him again and he passed it over his head, and then unhappily
It was not long before the dog fell in with some game on the way, a hair fell down into the well. He took it quickly out, but it was
and wanted to pursue it; but hardly had the dog run two steps already quite gilded. Iron John came, and already knew what had
when it stood before a deep pool, could go no farther, and a naked happened. "Thou hast let a hair fall into the well," said he. "I will
arm stretched itself out of the water, seized it, and drew it under, allow thee to watch by it once more, but if this happens for the
When the huntsman saw that, he went back and fetched three men third time then the well is polluted, and thou canst no longer
to come with buckets and bale out the water. When they could see remain with me."
to the bottom there lay a wild man whose body was brown like On the third day, the boy sat by the well, and did not stir his
rusty iron, and whose hair hung over his face down to his knees. finger, however much it hurt him. But the time was long to him,
They bound him with cords, and led him away to the castle. There and he looked at the reflection of his face on the surface of the
was great astonishment over the wild man; the King, however, had water. And as he still bent down more and more while he was
him put in an iron cage in his court-yard, and forbade the door to doing so, and trying to look straight into the eyes, his long hair
be opened on pain of death, and the Queen herself was to take the fell down from his shoulders into the water. He raised himself up
key into her keeping. And from this time forth every one could quickly, but the whole of the hair of his head was already golden
again go into the forest with safety. and shone like the sun. You may imagine how terrified the poor
The King had a son of eight years, who was once playing in the boy was! He took his pocket-handkerchief and tied it round his
court-yard, and while he was playing, his golden ball fell into the head, in order that the man might not see it. When he came he
cage. The boy ran thither and said, "Give me my ball out." "Not already knew everything, and said, "Take the handkerchief off."
till thou hast opened the door for me," answered the man. "No," Then the golden hair streamed forth, and let the boy excuse
said the boy, "I will not do that; the King has forbidden it," and himself as he might, it was of no use. "Thou hast not stood the
ran away. The next day he again went and asked for his ball; the trial, and canst stay here no longer. Go forth into the world, there
wild man said, "Open my door," but the boy would not. On the thou wilt learn what poverty is. But as thou hast not a bad heart,
third day the King had ridden out hunting, and the boy went once and as I mean well by thee, there is one thing I will grant thee; if
more and said, "I cannot open the door even if I wished, for I have thou fallest into any difficulty, come to the forest and cry, "Iron
not the key." Then the wild man said, "It lies under thy mother's John," and then I will come and help thee. My power is great,
pillow, thou canst get it there." The boy, who wanted to have his greater than thou thinkest, and I have gold and silver in
ball back, cast all thought to the winds, and brought the key. The abundance."
door opened with difficulty, and the boy pinched his fingers. Then the King's son left the forest, and walked by beaten and
When it was open the wild man stepped out, gave him the golden unbeaten paths ever onwards until at length he reached a great
ball, and hurried away. The boy had become afraid; he called and city. There he looked for work, but could find none, and he had
cried after him, "Oh, wild man, do not go away, or I shall be learnt nothing by which he could help himself. At length he went
beaten!" The wild man turned back, took him up, set him on his to the palace, and asked if they would take him in. The people
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about court did not at all know what use they could make of him, troop of soldiers entirely equipped in iron, and their swords
but they liked him, and told him to stay. At length the cook took flashed in the sun. The youth made over his three-legged horse to
him into his service, and said he might carry wood and water, and the stable-boy, mounted the other, and rode at the head of the
rake the cinders together. Once when it so happened that no one soldiers. When he got near the battle-field a great part of the
else was at hand, the cook ordered him to carry the food to the King's men had already fallen, and little was wanting to make the
royal table, but as he did not like to let his golden hair be seen, he rest give way. Then the youth galloped thither with his iron
kept his little cap on. Such a thing as that had never yet come soldiers, broke like a hurricane over the enemy, and beat down all
under the King's notice, and he said, "When thou comest to the who opposed him. They began to fly, but the youth pursued, and
royal table thou must take thy hat off." He answered, "Ah, Lord, I never stopped, until there was not a single man left. Instead,
cannot; I have a bad sore place on my head." Then the King had however, of returning to the King, he conducted his troop by bye-
the cook called before him and scolded him, and asked how he ways back to the forest, and called forth Iron John. "What dost
could take such a boy as that into his service; and that he was to thou desire?" asked the wild man. "Take back thy horse and thy
turn him off at once. The cook, however, had pity on him, and troops, and give me my three-legged horse again." All that he
exchanged him for the gardener's boy. asked was done, and soon he was riding on his three-legged horse.
And now the boy had to plant and water the garden, hoe and dig, When the King returned to his palace, his daughter went to meet
and bear the wind and bad weather. Once in summer when he was him, and wished him joy of his victory. "I am not the one who
working alone in the garden, the day was so warm he took his carried away the victory," said he, "but a stranger knight who
little cap off that the air might cool him. As the sun shone on his came to my assistance with his soldiers." The daughter wanted to
hair it glittered and flashed so that the rays fell into the bed-room hear who the strange knight was, but the King did not know, and
of the King's daughter, and up she sprang to see what that could said, "He followed the enemy, and I did not see him again." She
be. Then she saw the boy, and cried to him, "Boy, bring me a inquired of the gardener where his boy was, but he smiled, and
wreath of flowers." He put his cap on with all haste, and gathered said, "He has just come home on his three-legged horse, and the
wild field-flowers and bound them together. When he was others have been mocking him, and crying, "Here comes our
ascending the stairs with them, the gardener met him, and said, hobblety jig back again!" They asked, too, "Under what hedge
"How canst thou take the King's daughter a garland of such hast thou been lying sleeping all the time?" He, however, said, "I
common flowers? Go quickly, and get another, and seek out the did the best of all, and it would have gone badly without me." And
prettiest and rarest." "Oh, no," replied the boy, "the wild ones then he was still more ridiculed."
have more scent, and will please her better." When he got into the The King said to his daughter, "I will proclaim a great feast that
room, the King's daughter said, "Take thy cap off, it is not seemly shall last for three days, and thou shalt throw a golden apple.
to keep it on in my presence." He again said, "I may not, I have a Perhaps the unknown will come to it." When the feast was
sore head." She, however, caught at his cap and pulled it off, and announced, the youth went out to the forest, and called Iron John.
then his golden hair rolled down on his shoulders, and it was "What dost thou desire?" asked he. "That I may catch the King's
splendid to behold. He wanted to run out, but she held him by the daughter's golden apple." "It is as safe as if thou hadst it already,"
arm, and gave him a handful of ducats. With these he departed, said Iron John. "Thou shalt likewise have a suit of red armour for
but he cared nothing for the gold pieces. He took them to the the occasion, and ride on a spirited chestnut-horse." When the day
gardener, and said, "I present them to thy children, they can play came, the youth galloped to the spot, took his place amongst the
with them." The following day the King's daughter again called to knights, and was recognised by no one. The King's daughter came
him that he was to bring her a wreath of field-flowers, and when forward, and threw a golden apple to the knights, but none of
he went in with it, she instantly snatched at his cap, and wanted to them caught it but he, only as soon as he had it he galloped away.
take it away from him, but he held it fast with both hands. She On the second day Iron John equipped him as a white knight,
again gave him a handful of ducats, but he would not keep them, and gave him a white horse. Again he was the only one who caught
and gave them to the gardener for playthings for his children. On the apple, and he did not linger an instant, but galloped off with it.
the third day things went just the same; she could not get his cap The King grew angry, and said, "That is not allowed; he must
away from him, and he would not have her money. appear before me and tell his name." He gave the order that if the
Not long afterwards, the country was overrun by war. The King knight who caught the apple, should go away again they should
gathered together his people, and did not know whether or not he pursue him, and if he would not come back willingly, they were to
could offer any opposition to the enemy, who was superior in cut him down and stab him.
strength and had a mighty army. Then said the gardener's boy, "I On the third day, he received from Iron John a suit of black
am grown up, and will go to the wars also, only give me a horse." armour and a black horse, and again he caught the apple. But
The others laughed, and said, "Seek one for thyself when we are when he was riding off with it, the King's attendants pursued him,
gone, we will leave one behind us in the stable for thee." When and one of them got so near him that he wounded the youth's leg
they had gone forth, he went into the stable, and got the horse out; with the point of his sword. The youth nevertheless escaped from
it was lame of one foot, and limped hobblety jig, hobblety jig; them, but his horse leapt so violently that the helmet fell from the
nevertheless he mounted it, and rode away to the dark forest. youth's head, and they could see that he had golden hair. They
When he came to the outskirts, he called "Iron John" three times rode back and announced this to the King.
so loudly that it echoed through the trees. Thereupon the wild The following day the King's daughter asked the gardener about
man appeared immediately, and said, "What dost thou desire?" "I his boy. "He is at work in the garden; the queer creature has been
want a strong steed, for I am going to the wars." "That thou shalt at the festival too, and only came home yesterday evening; he has
have, and still more than thou askest for." Then the wild man likewise shown my children three golden apples which he has
went back into the forest, and it was not long before a stable-boy won."
came out of it, who led a horse that snorted with its nostrils, and The King had him summoned into his presence, and he came and
could hardly be restrained, and behind them followed a great again had his little cap on his head. But the King's daughter went
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
up to him and took it off, and then his golden hair fell down over since they are now irredeemable. He jumps out the window, breaks
his shoulders, and he was so handsome that all were amazed. "Art his leg, the lock disappears.)
thou the knight who came every day to the festival, always in
different colours, and who caught the three golden apples?" asked East India* (see above) was besieged by an enemy who would not
the King. "Yes," answered he, "and here the apples are," and he retire until he had received six hundred dollars. Then the
took them out of his pocket, and returned them to the King. "If townsfolk caused it to be proclaimed by beat of drum that
you desire further proof, you may see the wound which your whosoever was able to procure the money should be burgomaster.
people gave me when they followed me. But I am likewise the Now there was a poor fisherman who fished on the lake with his
knight who helped you to your victory over your enemies." "If son, and the enemy came and took the son prisoner, and gave the
thou canst perform such deeds as that, thou art no gardener's boy; father six hundred dollars for him. So the father went and gave
tell me, who is thy father?" "My father is a mighty King, and gold them to the great men of the town, and the enemy departed, and
have I in plenty as great as I require." "I well see," said the King, the fisherman became burgomaster. Then it was proclaimed that
"that I owe thanks to thee; can I do anything to please thee?" whosoever did not say, "Mr. Burgomaster," should be put to
"Yes," answered he, "that indeed you can. Give me your daughter death on the gallows.
to wife." The maiden laughed, and said, "He does not stand much The son got away again from the enemy, and came to a great
on ceremony, but I have already seen by his golden hair that he forest on a high mountain. The mountain opened, and he went
was no gardener's boy," and then she went and kissed him. His into a great enchanted castle, wherein chairs, tables, and benches
father and mother came to the wedding, and were in great delight, were all hung with black. Then came three young princesses who
for they had given up all hope of ever seeing their dear son again. were entirely dressed in black, but had a little white on their faces;
And as they were sitting at the marriage-feast, the music suddenly they told him he was not to be afraid, they would not hurt him,
stopped, the doors opened, and a stately King came in with a great and that he could deliver them. He said he would gladly do that, if
retinue. He went up to the youth, embraced him and said, "I am he did but know how. On this, they told him he must for a whole
Iron John, and was by enchantment a wild man, but thou hast set year not speak to them and also not look at them, and what he
me free; all the treasures which I possess, shall be thy property." wanted to have he was just to ask for, and if they dared give him
an answer they would do so. When he had been there for a long
while he said he should like to go to his father, and they told him
137.—THE THREE BLACK PRINCESSES. he might go. He was to take with him this purse with money, put
on this coat, and in a week he must be back there again.
("The three Black Princesses" is a fairy tale in the Children's and Then he was caught up, and was instantly in East India. He could
Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm (KHM 137) in Low no longer find his father in the fisherman's hut, and asked the
German. The modern spelling is "De drei schwatten people where the poor fisherman could be, and they told him he
Prinzessinnen". [In Low German, unfortunately, there is no must not say that, or he would come to the gallows. Then he went
standardised orthography. Many authors use Standard German to his father and said, "Fisherman, how hast thou got here?" Then
orthography, although Dutch orthography is much closer to the the father said, "Thou must not say that, if the great men of the
actual pronunciation. The z in "Prinzessin" is one such example: town knew of that, thou wouldst come to the gallows." He,
the c fits better since the z sounds here like s rather than ts as in a however, would not stop, and was brought to the gallows. When
normal German z.] The Grimms noted "from the region of he was there, he said, "O, my masters, just give me leave to go to
Münster" (by Jenny von Droste-Hülshoff). The name* "East the old fisherman's hut." Then he put on his old smock-frock, and
India" (Dutch: Oostindië, Groningisch: Oost-Inje) in the came back to the great men, and said, "Do ye not now see? Am I
following fairy tale is the community of a village or small town in not the son of the poor fisherman? Did I not earn bread for my
the Dutch municipalities of Westerkwartier (province of father and mother in this dress?" Hereupon his father knew him
Groningen) and Noordenveld (Province of Drenthe). It lies to the again, and begged his pardon, and took him home with him, and
south of the municipality of Terheijl, which is an extension of then he related all that had happened to him, and how he had got
Nietap. This fairy tale could refer to an event in the Thirty Years' into a forest on a high mountain, and the mountain had opened
War (1618-1648), or more specifically the Eighty Years' War and he had gone into an enchanted castle, where all was black, and
(1568-1648). In this war, the Protestant Netherlands won their three young princesses had come to him who were black except a
independence from the House of Habsburg and thus from the little white on their faces. And they had told him not to fear, and
dictatorship of the Catholic King Philip II of Spain. that he could deliver them. Then his mother said that might very
Contents: The town of East India* (Oostindië) is under siege and likely not be a good thing to do, and that he ought to take a holy-
has to pay 600 thalers. Whoever raises it should therefore become water vessel with him, and drop some boiling water on their faces.
mayor. So it becomes a poor fisherman because the enemy robs his He went back again, and he was in great fear, and he dropped the
son and gives him 600 thalers in return. Anyone who does not call water on their faces as they were sleeping, and they all turned half-
him Mr. Mayor should hang. The son escapes and finds an white. Then all the three princesses sprang up, and said, "Thou
enchanted black castle in a mountain in the forest with three accursed dog, our blood shall cry for vengeance on thee! Now
princesses dressed in black. When he wants to go to his father, he there is no man born in the world, nor will any ever be born who
gets money, clothes and eight days' time. In the city he is looking can set us free! We have still three brothers who are bound by
for his father, whom he addresses as Fischer. On the gallows he seven chains—they shall tear thee to pieces." Then there was a
asks to be allowed to go to the fisherman's hut again, puts on his loud shrieking all over the castle, and he sprang out of the window,
old clothes, reveals himself and is accepted. He tells about the and broke his leg, and the castle sank into the earth again, the
castle. On his mother's advice, he drips consecrated wax onto the mountain shut to again, and no one knew where the castle had
princesses' faces. They turn half white from this, but curse him stood.
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
138.—KNOIST AND HIS THREE SONS. 140.— THE HOUSEHOLD or DOMESTIC SERVANTS.
("Knoist and his three sons" is a farce in the Brothers Grimm's ("The Household" or "Domestic Servants" is a dialogue text in
Children's and Household Tales (KHM 138). The Grimms noted the children's and household tales of the Brothers Grimm at
"from the Sauerland" (about August von Haxthausen from his position 140 (KHM 140) in Low German. The Brothers Grimm
sister in Gevelingen). Werrel is Werl and Soist is Soest. received it in 1812 from the von Haxthausen family (from
Contents: Knoist has a blind son, a lame son and a naked son. Paderborn), the manuscript has been preserved. It corresponds
The blind man shoots a rabbit, the lame man catches it, and the almost exactly to one Question game in Johannes Bolte's "All
naked man pockets it. On a great body of water a ship runs, one Kinds of Joke and Pledge Games" (1750).
sinks and one has no bottom, into which they go. In a chapel in a Contents: "Whither goest thou?" asks one the other, To Walpe is
tree in a forest, a hoary clergyman and a boxwood pastor the reply, man, child, cradle, servant, names the same for each
distribute holy water with clubs. The text ends with the rhyme: answer ("Walpe", "Cham", "Grind", "Hippodeige",
Blessed is the man who can escape the holy water.) "Machmirsrecht"), counts all names backwards; "so, so, together
we'll go.")
Between Werrel and Soist there lived a man whose name was
Knoist, and he had three sons. One was blind, the other lame, and "Whither goest thou?" "To Walpe." "I to Walpe, thou to Walpe,
the third stark-naked. Once on a time they went into a field, and so, so, together we'll go."
there they saw a hare. The blind one shot it, the lame one caught it, "Hast thou a man? What is his name?" "Cham." "My man Cham,
the naked one put it in his pocket. Then they came to a mighty big thy man Cham; I to Walpe, thou to Walpe; so, so, together we'll
lake, on which there were three boats, one sailed, one sank, the go." "Hast thou a child; how is he styled?" "Wild." "My child
third had no bottom to it. They all three got into the one with no Wild, thy child Wild; my man Cham, thy man Cham; I to Walpe,
bottom to it. Then they came to a mighty big forest in which there thou to Walpe, so, so, together we'll go." "Hast thou a cradle?
was a mighty big tree; in the tree was a mighty big chapel—in the How callest thou thy cradle? " "Hippodadle." "My cradle
chapel was a sexton made of beech-wood and a box-wood parson, Hippodadle, my child Wild, thy child Wild, my man Cham, thy
who dealt out holy-water with cudgels. man Cham; I to Walpe, thou to Walpe, so, so, together we'll go."
"How truly happy is that one "Hast thou also a drudge? what name has thy drudge?" "From-
Who can from holy water run!" thy-work-do-not-budge." "My drudge, From-thy-work-do-not-
budge, thy drudge. From-thy-work-do-not-budge: my child Wild,
thy child Wild; my man Cham, thy man Cham; I to Walpe, thou to
139.—THE MAID OF BRAKEL. Walpe; so, so, together we'll go."
("The Maid of Brakel" is a Low German farce in the Children's
and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm (KHM 139). It has a 141.—THE LAMBKIN AND THE LITTLE FISH.
connexion to the town of Brakel in the east of North Rhine-
Westphalia. The fairy tale "The Bremen Town Musicians" is said ("The Lambkin and the Little Fish" is a German fairy tale
to have been handed over to the Brothers Grimm in Brakel, who collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number 141. The Grimms
spent a summer there at the invitation of Baron von Haxthausen noted "from the Pricipality of Lippe-Detmold" (from Marianne
on the Bökerhof near Paderborn. von Haxthausen)
Contents: A chapel held a statue of Saint Anne and the Virgin Contents: A brother and sister had a stepmother who hated them.
Mary as a child. An unmarried woman prayed to Saint Anne that One day, they were playing a counting-out game in a meadow by a
she might wed a man. A clerk, who heard her, said she would not pool, and their stepmother turned the boy into a fish and the girl
have him. The woman took it to be the child Mary and scolded her, into a lamb. Then guests came, and the stepmother ordered the
because she was talking to her mother.) cook to serve the lamb. The lamb and fish lamented their fates to
each other, and the cook served another animal and gave the lamb
A girl from Brakel once went to St. Anne's Chapel at the foot of to a good peasant woman, who had been the girl's nurse. She
the Hinnenberg, and as she wanted to have a husband, and suspected who the lamb was, and brought her to a wise woman.
thought there was no one else in the chapel, she sang, This wise woman pronounced a blessing over the lamb and fish,
"Oh, holy Saint Anne! restoring their human forms, and gave them a little hut in the
Help me soon to a man [Husband.]. woods, where they lived happily.)
Thou know'st him right well,
By Suttmer gate does he dwell, There were once a little brother and a little sister, who loved
His hair it is golden, each other with all their hearts. Their own mother was, however,
Thou know'st him right well." dead, and they had a step-mother, who was not kind to them, and
The clerk, however, was standing behind the altar and heard that, secretly did everything she could to hurt them. It so happened that
so he cried in a very gruff voice, "Thou shalt not have him! Thou the two were playing with other children in a meadow before the
shalt not have him!" The maiden thought that the child Mary who house, and there was a pond in the meadow which came up to one
stood by her mother Anne had called out that to her, and was side of the house. The children ran about it, and caught each other,
angry, and cried, "Fiddle de dee, conceited thing, hold your and played at counting out.
tongue, and let your mother speak!" "Eneke Beneke, let me live,
And I to thee my bird will give.
The little bird, it straw shall seek,
The straw I'll give to the cow to eat.
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
The pretty cow shall give me milk, whereupon he opens and they go inside. When they come out again,
The milk I'll to the baker take. heavily laden, they call out: "Mount Semsi, Mount Semsi, close
The baker he shall bake a cake, yourself." He tries it too and finds silver, gold, pearls and precious
The cake I'll give unto the cat. stones inside, but only takes some of the gold. Now he can live well,
The cat shall catch some mice for that, but he also does good things for others. When he twice borrows a
The mice I'll hang up in the smoke, bushel from his envious brother, he spreads pitch on the floor,
And then you'll see the snow." leaving a piece of gold stuck, and forces him to tell him the truth.
They stood in a circle while they played this, and the one to Then the rich brother drives there in a wagon and loads up as
whom the word snow fell, had to run away and all the others ran many precious stones as he can. At this he forgets the name of the
after him and caught him. As they were running about so merrily mountain and calls out "Mount Simeli, open up!" but remains
the step-mother watched them from the window, and grew angry. trapped. In the evening the wild men come, suspect him of having
And as she understood arts of witchcraft she bewitched them both, entered the mountain before, and cut off his head.)
and changed the little brother into a fish, and the little sister into
a lamb. Then the fish swam here and there about the pond and was There were once two brothers, the one rich, the other poor. The
very sad, and the lambkin walked up and down the meadow, and rich one, however, gave nothing to the poor one, and he gained a
was miserable, and could not eat or touch one blade of grass. Thus scanty living by trading in corn, and often did so badly that he
passed a long time, and then strangers came as visitors to the castle. had no bread for his wife and children. Once when he was wheeling
The false stepmother thought, "This is a good opportunity," and a barrow through the forest he saw, on one side of him, a great,
called the cook and said to him, "Go and fetch the lamb from the bare, naked-looking mountain, and as he had never seen it before,
meadow and kill it, we have nothing else for the visitors." Then he stood still and stared at it with amazement.
the cook went away and got the lamb and took it into the kitchen While he was thus standing he saw twelve great, wild men
and tied its feet, and all this it bore patiently. When he had drawn coming towards him, and as he believed they were robbers he
out his knife and was whetting it on the door-step to kill the lamb, pushed his barrow into the thicket, climbed up a tree, and waited
he noticed a little fish swimming backwards and forwards in the to see what would happen. The twelve men, however, went to the
water, in front of the kitchen-sink and looking up at him. This, mountain and cried, "Semsi mountain, Semsi mountain, open,"
however, was the brother, for when the fish saw the cook take the and immediately the barren mountain opened down the middle,
lamb away, it followed them and swam along the pond to the and the twelve went into it, and as soon as they were within, it
house; then the lamb cried down to it, shut. After a short time, however, it opened again, and the men
" Ah, brother, in the pond so deep, came forth carrying heavy sacks on their shoulders, and when they
How sad is my poor heart! were all once more in the daylight they said, "Semsi mountain,
Even now the cook he whets his knife Semsi mountain, shut thyself; "then the mountain closed together,
To take away my tender life." and there was no longer any entrance to be seen to it, and the
The little fish answered, twelve went away.
" Ah, little sister, up on hig When they were quite out of sight the poor man got down from
How sad is my poor heart the tree, and was curious to know what really was secretly hidden
While in this pond I lie." in the mountain. So he went up to it and said, "Semsi mountain,
When the cook heard that the lambkin could speak and said such Semsi mountain, open," and the mountain opened to him also.
sad words to the fish down below, he was terrified and thought Then he went inside, and the whole mountain was a cavern full of
this could be no common lamb, but must be bewitched by the silver and gold, and behind lay great piles of pearls and sparkling
wicked woman in the house Then said he, "Be easy, I will not kill jewels, heaped up like corn. The poor man hardly knew what to do,
thee," and took another sheep and made it ready for the guests, and whether he might take any of these treasures for himself or not;
and conveyed the lambkin to a good peasant woman, to whom he but at last he filled his pockets with gold, but he left the pearls and
related all that he had seen and heard. precious stones where they were. When he came out again he also
The peasant was, however, the very woman who had been foster- said, "Semsi mountain, Semsi mountain, shut thyself;" and the
mother to the little sister, and she suspected at once who the lamb mountain closed itself, and he went home with his barrow.
was, and went with it to a wise woman. Then the wise woman And now he had no more cause for anxiety, but could buy bread
pronounced a blessing; over the lambkin and the little fish, by for his wife and children with his gold, and wine into the bargain.
means of which they regained their human forms, and after this she He lived joyously and uprightly, gave help to the poor, and did
took them both into a little hut in a great forest, where they lived good to every one. When, however, the money came to an end he
alone, but were contented and happy. went to his brother, borrowed a measure that held a bushel, and
brought himself some more, but did not touch any of the most
valuable things. When for the third time he wanted to fetch
142.—SIMELI MOUNTAIN. something, he again borrowed the measure of his brother. 1'he
rich man had, however, long been envious of his brother's
("Simeli Mountain" or "Mount Simeli" is a fairy tale in the possessions, and of the handsome way of living which he had set on
Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales (KHM 142). foot, and could not understand from whence the riches came, and
The Grimms noted "from the Münsterland" (by Ludowine von what his brother wanted with the measure. Then he thought of a
Haxthausen). This fairy tale is about greed mixed with stupidity. cunning trick, and covered the bottom of the measure with pitch,
Content: One of two brothers has to try to feed his family as a and when he got the measure back a piece of money was sticking in
corn dealer because his rich brother doesn't give him anything. it. He at once went to his brother and asked him, "What hast thou
Once in the forest, he observes twelve wild men in front of a been measuring in the bushel measure?" "Corn and barley," said
mountain shouting, "Mount Semsi, Mount Semsi, open up," the other. Then he showed him the piece of money, and threatened
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that if he did not tell the truth he would accuse him before a court Again the youth walked on for a long while and said, "May God
of justice. The poor man then told him everything, just as it had have pity on the poor soul!" Then he came to a pit by which stood
happened. The rich man, however, ordered his carriage to be made a knacker who was cutting up a horse. The youth said, "Good
ready, and drove away, resolved to use the opportunity better than morning; God have pity on the poor soul!" "What dost thou say,
his brother had done, and to bring back with him quite different thou ill-tempered knave?" and the knacker gave him such a box on
treasures. the ear, that he could not see out of his eyes. "What am I to say,
When he came to the mountain he cried, "Semsi mountain, Semsi then?" "Thou must say, 'There lies the carrion in the pit!'"
mountain, open." The mountain opened, and he went inside it. So he walked on, and always said, "There lies the carrion in the
There lay the treasures all before him, and for a long time he did pit, there lies the carrion in the pit." And he came to a cart full of
not know which to clutch at first. At length he loaded himself with people, so he said, "Good morning, there lies the carrion in the
as many precious stones as he could carry. He wished to carry his pit!" Then the cart pushed him into a hole, and the driver took his
burden outside, but, as his heart and soul were entirely full of the whip and cracked it upon the youth, till he was forced to crawl
treasures, he had forgotten the name of the mountain, and cried, back to his mother, and as long as he lived he never went out a-
"Simeli mountain, Simeli mountain, open." That, however, was travelling again.
not the right name, and the mountain never stirred, but remained
shut. Then he was alarmed, but the longer he thought about it the
more his thoughts confused themselves, and his treasures were no 144.—THE DONKEY.
more of any use to him. In the evening the mountain opened, and
the twelve robbers came in, and when they saw him they laughed, ("The Donkey", "The Ass", or "The Little Donkey" is a fairy
and cried out, "Bird, have we caught thee at last! Didst thou think tale collected by Brothers Grimm compiled in the Grimm's Fairy
we had never noticed that thou hadst been in here twice? We could Tales. It is based on a lost 14th-century manuscript called
not catch thee then; this third time thou shalt not get out again!" "Asinarius" (meaning: little donkey; genus: Equus Asinus).
Then he cried, "It was not I, it was my brother," but let him beg Contents: A king and queen had everything they wished for but
for his life and say what he would, they cut his head off. no children. Eventually, the queen gave birth, but to a young
donkey. They were disappointed but the king decided to raise the
donkey as his son and heir. The donkey requested to learn to play
143.—GOING A TRAVELLING. the lute and became an accomplished player. Seeing the reflection
of himself in the mirror one day, he became sad and decided to
("Going a Traveling" is a Low German farce in the children's travel outside of the kingdom. He eventually arrived to a kingdom
and house fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition that was ruled by an old king who had a beautiful daughter. When
of 1819 (KHM 143). The Grimms note about the origin "from the he knocked on the gate the gatekeeper did not give him
Münsterland" (probably from the family of Haxthausen). admittance, but when he played his lute, the gatekeeper ran to the
Contents: The mother advises the son not to travel because they king and told him. Initially mocked by the king's attendance, the
are poor, but he wants to help himself and always says: "Not much, donkey insists on being treated as a nobleman and the king lets the
not much, not much." He is then beaten up by fishermen because donkey sit beside his daughter and he behaves like a gentleman.
they catch really little. When asked what he should have said: After many days, the donkey grew sad and the king offered him
"Catch full, catch full, catch full." For this he is beaten at an many things to make him happy, as the king liked him a great deal.
execution. He should rather say: "God comfort the poor soul." The donkey would only accept the king's beautiful daughter as his
This in turn annoys a horse skinner at a ditch. For his sentence wife, and they married. After the wedding, the king sent a servant
"There lies the carcass in the ditch" he is whipped by coachmen so to watch their bedroom to see that the donkey behaved himself.
much that he crawls home and never travels again.) The servant observed the donkey take off his skin and underneath
he was a handsome young man. He related this to the king, who
There was once a poor woman who had a son, who much wished observed for himself later and threw the donkey skin away in the
to travel, but his mother said, "How canst thou travel? We have night. When the young man awoke, he panicked and decided to
no money at all for thee to take away with thee." Then said the son, run away. On his way out, the king found him and told him to stay
"I will manage very well for myself; I will always say, Not much, and offered to make him his heir. The young man accepted, and
not much, not much." when the old king died the next year, he became king and had a
So he walked for a long time and always said, "Not much, not glorious life.)
much, not much." Then he passed by a company of fishermen and
said, "God speed you! not much, not much, not much." "What Once on a time there lived a King and a Queen, who were rich,
sayst thou churl, 'not much?'" And when the net was drawn out and had everything they wanted, but no children. The Queen
they had not caught much fish. So one of them fell on the youth lamented over this day and night, and said, "I am like a field on
with a stick and said, "Hast thou never seen me threshing?" "What which nothing grows." At last God gave her her wish, but when
ought I to say, then?" asked the youth. "Thou must say, 'Get it full, the child came into the world, it did not look like a human child,
get it full.'" After this he again walked a long time, and said, "Get but was a little donkey. When the mother saw that, her
it full, get it full," until he came to the gallows, where they had lamentations and outcries began in real earnest; she said she would
got a poor sinner whom they were about to hang. Then said he, far rather have had no child at all than have a donkey, and that
"Good morning; get it full, get it full." "What sayst thou, knave, they were to throw it into the water that the fishes might devour it.
get it full? Dost thou want to make out that there are still more But the King said, "No, since God has sent him he shall be my son
wicked people in the world—is not this enough?" And he again and heir, and after my death sit on the royal throne, and wear the
got some blows on his back. "What am I to say, then?" said he. kingly crown." The donkey, therefore, was brought up and grew
"Thou must say, may God have pity on the poor soul." bigger, and his ears grew up beautifully high and straight. He was,
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
however, of a merry disposition, jumped about, played and had not got a proper man for thy husband?" "Oh, no, dear father, I
especial pleasure in music, so that he went to a celebrated musician love him as well as if he were the handsomest in the world, and I
and said, "Teach me thine art, that I may play the lute as well as will keep him as long as I live." The King was surprised, but the
thou dost." "Ah, dear little master," answered the musician, "that servant who had concealed himself came and revealed everything
would come very hard to you, your fingers are certainly not suited to him. The King said, "That cannot be true." "Then watch
to it, and are far too big. I am afraid the strings would not last." yourself the next night, and you will see it with your own eyes; and
No excuses were of any use. The donkey was determined to play the hark you, lord King, if you were to take his skin away and throw
lute; he was persevering and industrious, and at last learnt to do it it in the fire, he would be forced to show himself in his true shape."
as well as the master himself. The young lordling once went out "Thy advice is good," said the King, and at night when they were
walking full of thought and came to a well, he looked into it and asleep, he stole in, and when he got to the bed he saw by the light
in the mirror-clear water saw his donkey's form. He was so of the moon a noble-looking youth lying there, and the skin lay
distressed about it, that he went out into the wide world and only stretched on the ground. So he took it away, and had a great fire
took with him one faithful companion. They travelled up and lighted outside, and threw the skin into it, and remained by it
down, and at last they came into a kingdom where an old King himself until it was all burnt to ashes. As, however, he was anxious
reigned who had an only but wonderfully beautiful daughter. The to know how the robbed man would behave himself, he stayed
donkey said, "Here we will stay," knocked at the gate, and cried, awake the whole night and watched. When the youth had slept his
"A guest is without—open, that he may enter." As, however, the sleep out, he got up by the first light of morning, and wanted to
gate was not opened, he sat down, took his lute and played it in put on the ass's skin, but it was not to be found. On this he was
the most delightful manner with his two fore-feet. Then the door- alarmed, and, full of grief and anxiety, said, "Now I shall have to
keeper opened his eyes most wonderfully wide, and ran to the King contrive to escape." But when he went out, there stood the King,
and said, "Outside by the gate sits a young donkey which plays the who said, "My son, whither away in such haste? what hast thou in
lute as well as an experienced master!" "Then let the musician thy mind? Stay here, thou art such a handsome man, thou shalt
come to me," said the King. When, however, a donkey came in, not go away from me. I will now give thee half my kingdom, and
every one began to laugh at the lute-player. And now the donkey after my death thou shalt have the whole of it." "Then I hope that
was to sit down and eat with the servants. He, however, was what begins so well may end well, and I will stay with you," said
unwilling, and said, "I am no common stable-ass, I am a noble the youth. And the old man gave him half the kingdom, and in a
one." Then they said, "If that is what thou art, seat thyself with year's time, when he died, the youth had the whole, and after the
the men of war." "No," said he, "I will sit by the King." The King death of his father he had another kingdom as well, and lived in all
smiled, and said good-humouredly, "Yes, it shall be as thou wilt, magnificence.
little ass, come here to me." Then he asked, "Little ass, how does
my daughter please thee?" The donkey turned his head towards
her, looked at her, nodded and said, "I like her above measure, I 145.—THE UNGRATEFUL SON.
have never yet seen any one so beautiful as she is." "Well, then,
thou shalt sit next her too," said the King. "That is exactly what I ("The Ungrateful Son" is a fairy tale in the Grimm Brothers'
wish," said the donkey, and he placed himself by her side, ate and Children's and Household Tales (KHM 145). It comes from
drank, and knew how to behave himself daintily and cleanly. Johannes Pauli's collection "Schimpf und Ernst". In this
When the noble beast had stayed a long time at the King's court, eductional fairy tale, the social insight "sharing something with
he thought, "What good does all this do me, I shall still have to go someone else" is the foreground topic.
home again?" let his head hang sadly, and went to the King and Contents: A man and woman sit in front of their house and want
asked for his dismissal. But the King had grown fond of him, and to eat a fried chicken. The man sees his old father coming and
said, "Little ass, what ails thee? Thou lookest as sour as a jug of hides the chicken. The old man has a drink and leaves. The son
vinegar, I will give thee what thou wantest. Dost thou want wants to get the fried chicken out, but the it has turned into a big
gold?" "No," said the donkey, and shook his head. "Dost thou toad. The toad jumps in his face and remains there. The ungrateful
want jewels and rich dress?" "No." "Dost thou wish for half my son has to feed the toad every day or it will take a bite out of his
kingdom?" "Indeed, no." Then said the King, "If I did but know face. Thus the man wanders restlessly through the world.)
what would make thee content. Wilt thou have my pretty
daughter to wife?" "Ah, yes," said the ass, "I should indeed like A man and his wife were once sitting by the door of their house,
her," and all at once he became quite merry and full of happiness, and they had a roasted chicken set before them, and were about to
for that was exactly what he was wishing for. So a great and eat it together. Then the man saw that his aged father was coming,
splendid wedding was held. In the evening, when the bride and and hastily took the chicken and hid it, for he would not permit
bridegroom were led into their bed-room, the King wanted to him to have any of it. The old man came, took a drink, and went
know if the ass would behave well, and ordered a servant to hide away. Now the son wanted to put the roasted chicken on the table
himself there. When they were both within, the bridegroom bolted again, but when he took it up, it had become a great toad, which
the door, looked around, and as he believed that they were quite jumped into his face and sat there and never went away again, and
alone, he suddenly threw off his ass's skin, and stood there in the if any one wanted to take it off, it looked venomously at him as if
form of a handsome royal youth. "Now," said he, "thou seest who it would jump in his face, so that no one would venture to touch it.
I am, and seest also that I am not unworthy of thee." Then the And the ungrateful son was forced to feed the toad every day, or
bride was glad, and kissed him, and loved him dearly. When else it fed itself on his face; and thus he went about the world
morning came, he jumped up, put his animal's skin on again, and without knowing rest.
no one could have guessed what kind of a form was hidden beneath
it. Soon came the old King, "Ah," cried he, "is the little ass merry?
But surely thou art sad," said he to his daughter, "that thou hast
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
146.—THE TURNIP. him, and he resolved to kill his brother, he hired murderers, who
were to lie in ambush, and then he went to his brother and said,
("The Turnip" is a farce in the Grimm Brothers' Children's and "Dear brother, I know of a hidden treasure, we will dig it up
Household Tales at point 146 (KHM 146) and is based on a lost together, and divide it between us." The other agreed to this, and
14th-century manuscript called "Raparius" (Latin; also: rapa). accompanied him without suspicion. While they were on their way,
Contents: A poor soldier becomes a farmer and harvests a huge however, the murderers fell on him, bound him, and would have
turnip, which he gives to the king, for which he is richly rewarded. hanged him to a tree. But just as they were doing this, loud
Then his rich brother brings the king gold and horses, but only singing and the sound of a horse's feet were heard in the distance.
gets the turnip back. He lures his brother out under the pretense of On this their hearts were filled with terror, and they pushed their
treasure, where assassins seize him and hang him from a tree with a prisoner head first into the sack, hung it on a branch, and took to
sack over his head, the approaching tramp of horses driving them flight. He, however, worked up there until he had made a hole in
away. It is a student whom the farmer addresses from above, he is the sack through which he could put his head. The man who was
hanging in the sack of wisdom where he learns everything. The coming by was no other than a travelling student, a young fellow
student wants that, too, and is eventually allowed to pull it down who rode on his way through the wood joyously singing his song.
and pull himself up. The farmer takes the student's horse but sends When he who was aloft saw that some one was passing below him,
someone to free him.) he cried, " Good day! You have come at a lucky time." The student
looked round on every side, but did not know whence the voice
There were once two brothers who both served as soldiers; one of came. At last he said, "Who calls me?" Then an answer came from
them was rich, and the other poor. Then the poor one, to escape the top of the tree, "Raise your eyes; here I sit aloft in the Sack of
from his poverty, put off his soldier's coat, and turned farmer. He Wisdom. In a short time have I learnt great things; compared with
dug and hoed his bit of land, and sowed it with turnip-seed. The this all schools are a jest; in a very short time I shall have learnt
seed came up, and one turnip grew there which became large and everything, and shall descend wiser than all other men. I
vigorous, and visibly grew bigger and bigger, and seemed as if it understand the stars, and the signs of the zodiac, and the tracks of
would never stop growing, so that it might have been called the the winds, the sand of the sea, the healing of illness, and the virtues
princess of turnips, for never was such an one seen before, and of all herbs, birds, and stones. If you were once within it you
never will such an one be seen again. would feel what noble things issue forth from the Sack of
At length it was so enormous that by itself it filled a whole cart, Knowledge."
and two oxen were required to draw it, and the farmer had not the The student, when he heard all this, was astonished, and said,
least idea what he was to do with the turnip, or whether it would "Blessed be the hour in which I have found thee! May not I also
be a fortune to him or a misfortune. At last he thought, "If thou enter the sack for a while?" He who was above replied as if
sellest it, what wilt thou get for it that is of any importance, and if unwillingly, "For a short time I will let you get into it, if you
thou eatest it thyself, why the small turnips would do thee just as reward me and give me good words; but you must wait an hour
much good; it would be better to take it to the King, and make longer, for one thing remains which I must learn before I do it."
him a present of it." When the student had waited awhile he became impatient, and
So he placed it on a cart, harnessed two oxen, took it to the begged to be allowed to get in at once, his thirst for knowledge
palace, and presented it to the King. "What strange thing is this?" was so very great. So he who was above pretended at last to yield,
said the King. "Many wonderful things have come before my eyes, and said, "In order that I may come forth from the house of
but never such a monster as this! From what seed can this have knowledge you must let it down by the rope, and then you shall
sprung, or are you a luck-child and have met with it by chance?" enter it." So the student let the sack down, untied it, and set him
"Ah, no!" said the farmer, "no luck-child am I. I am a poor soldier, free, and then cried, "Now draw me up at once," and was about to
who because he could no longer support himself hung his soldier's get into the sack. "Halt!" said the other, "that won't do," and
coat on a nail and took to farming land. I have a brother who is took him by the head and put him upside down into the sack,
rich and well known to you. Lord King, but I, because I have fastened it, and drew the disciple of wisdom up the tree by the rope.
nothing, am forgotten by every one." Then he swung him in the air and said, "How goes it with thee, my
Then the King felt compassion for him, and said, "Thou shalt be dear fellow? Behold, already thou feelest wisdom coming, and art
raised from thy poverty, and shalt have such gifts from me that gaining valuable experience. Keep perfectly quiet until thou
thou shalt be equal to thy rich brother." Then he bestowed on him becomest wiser." Thereupon he mounted the student's horse and
much gold, and lands, and meadows, and herds, and made him rode away, but in an hour's time sent some one to let the student
immensely rich, so that the wealth of the other brother could not out again.
be compared with his. When the rich brother heard what the poor
one had gained for himself with one single turnip, he envied him,
and thought in every way how he also could get hold of a similar 147.—THE OLD MAN MADE YOUNG AGAIN.
piece of luck. He would, however, set about it in a much wiser way,
and took gold and horses and carried them to the King, and made ("The young-glowed little man" is a fairy tale in the children's
certain the King would give him a much larger present in return. and household tales of the Brothers Grimm (KHM 147) and
If his brother had got so much for one turnip, what would he not corresponds to Hans Sachs' verse-variation "Der affen ursprueng"
carry away with him in return for such beautiful things as these? from 1562.
The King accepted his present, and said he had nothing to give Contents: At Peter's request, Jesus rejuvenated a beggar at a
him in return that was more rare and excellent than the great blacksmith's shop by putting him in the fire. The blacksmith tries
turnip. So the rich man was obliged to put his brother's turnip in the same with his mother-in-law, but she burns herself and
a cart and have it taken to his home. When there he did not know becomes even more wrinkled. Two pregnant women are so
on whom to vent his rage and anger, until bad thoughts came to terrified that they give birth to the first two monkeys.)
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In the time when our Lord still walked this earth, he and St. goats have devil eyes, stubby tails, and the devil likes to take their
Peter stopped one evening at a smith's and received free quarters. shape.)
Then it came to pass that a poor beggar, hardly pressed by age and
infirmity, came to this house and begged alms of the smith. St. The Lord God had created all animals, and had chosen out the
Peter had compassion on him and said, "Lord and master, if it wolf to be his dog, but he had forgotten the goat. Then the Devil
please thee, cure his torments that he may be able to win his own made ready and began to create also, and created goats with fine
bread." The Lord said kindly, "Smith, lend me thy forge, and put long tails. Now when they went to pasture, they generally
on some coals for me, and then I will make this ailing old man remained caught in the hedges by their tails, then the Devil had to
young again." The smith was quite willing, and St. Peter blew the go there and disentangle them, with a great deal of trouble. This
bellows, and when the coal fire sparkled up large and high our enraged him at last, and he went and bit off the tail of every goat,
Lord took the little old man, pushed him in the forge in the midst as may be seen to this day by the stump.
of the red-hot fire, so that he glowed like a rose-bush, and praised Then he let them go to pasture alone, but it came to pass that the
God with a loud voice. After that the Lord went to the quenching Lord God perceived how at one time they gnawed away at a
tub, put the glowing little man into it so that the water closed fruitful tree, at another injured the noble vines, or destroyed other
over him, and after he had carefully cooled him, gave him his tender plants. This distressed him, so that in his goodness and
blessing, when behold the little man sprang nimbly out, looking mercy he summoned his wolves, who soon tore in pieces the goats
fresh, straight, healthy, and as if he were but twenty. The smith, that went there. When the devil observed this, he went before the
who had watched everything closely and attentively, invited them Lord and said, "Thy creatures have destroyed mine." The Lord
all to supper. He, however, had an old half-blind crooked mother- answered, "Why didst thou create things to do harm?" The Devil
in-law who went to the youth, and with great earnestness asked if said, "I was compelled to do it: inasmuch as my thoughts run on
the fire had burnt him much. He answered that he had never felt evil, what I create can have no other nature, and thou must pay me
more comfortable, and that he had sat in the red heat as if he had heavy damages." "I will pay thee as soon as the oak leaves fall;
been in cool dew. The youth's words echoed in the ears of the old come then, thy money will then be ready counted out." When the
woman all night long, and early next morning, when the Lord had oak-leaves had fallen, the Devil came and demanded what was due
gone on his way again and had heartily thanked the smith, the to him. But the Lord said, "In the church of Constantinople stands
latter thought he might make his old mother-in-law young again a tall oak-tree which still has all its leaves." With raging and
likewise, as he had watched everything so carefully, and it lay in curses, the Devil departed, and went to seek the oak, wandered in
the province of his trade. So he called to ask her if she, too, would the wilderness for six months before he found it, and when he
like to go bounding about like a girl of eighteen. She said, "With returned, all the oaks had in the meantime covered themselves
all my heart, as the youth has come out of it so well." So the smith again with green leaves. Then he had to forfeit his indemnity, and
made a great fire, and thrust the old woman into it, and she in his rage he put out the eyes of all the remaining goats, and put
writhed about this way and that, and uttered terrible cries of his own in instead.
murder. "Sit still; why art thou screaming and jumping about so?" This is why all goats have devil's eyes, and their tails bitten off,
cried he, and as he spoke he blew the bellows again until all her and why he likes to assume their shape.
rags were burnt. The old woman cried without ceasing, and the
smith thought to himself, "I have not quite the right art," and
took her out and threw her into the cooling-tub. Then she 149.—THE BEAM
screamed so loudly that the smith's wife upstairs and her daughter-
in-law heard, and they both ran downstairs, and saw the old ("The Beam" (German: Der Hahnenbalken = The Cock's Beam)
woman lying in a heap in the quenching-tub, howling and is a saga in the Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales
screaming, with her face wrinkled and shrivelled and all out of (KHM 149). It is an abbreviation of Friedrich Kind's poem of the
shape. Thereupon the two, who were both with child, were so same name in Wilhelm Gottlieb Becker's "Taschenbuch zum
terrified that that very night two boys were born who were not geselligen Vergnügen" from 1812.
made like men but apes, and they ran into the woods, and from Contents: A magician shows a cock carrying a beam. A girl
them sprang the race of apes. carrying a four-leafed clover realises and declares that it is just a
straw, not a beam. When she marries, the magician enchants her to
think she sees a stream and then breaks it after she has hiked up her
148.—THE LORD'S AND THE DEVIL'S ANIMALS. skirts to cross.)
There was once an enchanter who was standing in the midst of a
("The Lord's And The Devil's Animals" is a fairy tale in the great crowd of people performing his wonders. He had a cock
Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm (KHM brought in, which lifted a heavy beam and carried it as if it were as
148) It corresponds to Hans Sachs' (1494-1576) verse-variant light as a feather. But a girl was present who had just found a bit
"The devil created the goats" from 1557. of four-leaved clover, and had thus become so wise that no
Contents: God creates all animals, but forget about the goats. deception could stand out against her, and she saw that the beam
The devil makes her with a long tail, with which she gets stuck in was nothing but a straw. So she cried, "You people, do you not see
the bushes until he bites it off. Because they damage trees, God sets that it is a straw that the cock is carrying, and no beam?"
the wolves, his dogs, on them. The devil demands compensation, Immediately the enchantment vanished, and the people saw what it
which God promises when the oak leaves fall. But one in the was, and drove the magician away in shame and disgrace. He,
Cathedral of Constantinople (the Hagia Sophia) keeps its foliage. however, full of inward anger, said, "I will soon revenge myself?"
By the time the devil finds them, the others will have theirs back. After some time the girl's wedding-day came, and she was decked
Out of anger he gouges out the goats' eyes and uses his own. So out, and went in a great procession over the fields to the place
where the church was. All at once she came to a stream which was
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
very much swollen, and there was no bridge and no plank to cross warming myself, I would rather let my heel be burnt off than draw
it. Then the bride nimbly took her clothes up, and wanted to wade back my leg." The third said, "Father, the kingdom is mine, for I
through it. And just as she was thus standing in the water, a man, am so idle that if I were going to be hanged, and had the rope
and it was the enchanter, cried mockingly close beside her, "Aha! already round my neck, and any one put a sharp knife into my
Where are thine eyes that thou takest that for water?" Then her hand with which I might cut the rope, I would rather let myself be
eyes were opened, and she saw that she was standing with her hanged than raise my hand to the rope." When the father heard
clothes lifted up in the middle of a field that was blue with the that, he said, "Thou hast carried it the farthest, and shalt be
flowers of blue flax. Then all the people saw it likewise, and chased King."
her away with ridicule and laughter.
151a.—THE TWELVE IDLE SERVANTS.
150.—THE OLD BEGGAR-WOMAN.
("The Twelve Idle Servants" is a lie-tale in the Children's and
("The Old Beggar-Woman" is a short story in the children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 7th edition of
household tales of the Brothers Grimm at position 150 (KHM 150) 1857 at position 151 (KHM 151a). It comes from Adelbert von
It comes from Johann Heinrich Jung-Stilling's autobiography Keller's "Carnival Games from the 15th Century". The story was
"Heinrich Stillings Jünglingsjahre" (1778). first included in the seventh and final edition of the Children's and
Contents: An old beggar woman says when she gets something, Household Tales of 1857, in addition to the preceding fairy tale
"May God reward you". She comes to a door and a friendly rascal "The Three Sluggards", which has been included here since the
is warming himself by a fire and he asks why she is shivering so first edition. The double numbering is unique, the total number of
much. He lets her in, but she gets too close to the fire and the old 200 fairy tales should probably not be exceeded; therefore it bears
rags catch fire. The boy sees it and wonders if he should have put it the same number (KHM 151, called 151a here) as the preceding
out. If he had not had water, he would have cried, and all the fairy tale "The Three Sluggards".
water from his body would have produced two pretty streams.) Contents: Twelve lazy servants do not feel like working and
instead boast about how lazy they are. Each one tells his story.
There was once an old woman, but thou hast surely seen an old The first one says he only takes care of himself and just eats, drinks
woman go a-begging before now? This woman begged likewise, and gets up late. The second goes so far that he ignores the fact
and when she got anything she said, "May God reward you." The that he has to take care of his master's horse, by simply claiming
beggar-woman came to a door, and there by the fire a friendly the animal has already eaten. The third servant once went to sleep
rogue of a boy was standing warming himself. The boy said kindly in the sun and kept dreaming despite the fact that heavy rain
to the poor old woman as she was standing shivering thus by the suddenly came down and made a hole in his skull. The fourth
door, "Come, old mother, and warm yourself." She came in, but servant claims he never starts quickly and always asks others to
stood too near the fire, so that her old rags began to burn, and she help him out. The fifth one only works one cart load a day. The
was not aware of it. The boy stood and saw that, but he ought to sixth servant boasts that he never changes clothes for three weeks
have put the flames out. Is it not true that he ought to have put and has no buckles on his shoes. He counts the stairs so that he
them out? And if he had not any water, then should he have wept knows when to take a rest. The seventh servant claims that he
all the water in his body out of his eyes, and that would have crawls, rather than walks, and that four men are needed to get him
supplied two pretty streams with which to extinguish them. into motion. Once he fell asleep and had to be carried home,
because he did not wake up. The eighth servant doesn't lift his feet
whenever he sees a rock on the road, but just lies down in front of
151.—THE THREE SLUGGARDS. it. When it rains he just keeps lying there until he is dry again. The
ninth servant once nearly died from thirst because he was too lazy
("The Three Sluggards" is a farce in the children's and household to reach for a loaf of bread in his vicinity. Even a jug with water
tales by the Brothers Grimm (KHM 151) It comes from Johannes was too heavy to lift, so he preferred to stay thirsty. The tenth
Pauli's collection "Schimpf und Ernst". The following fairy tale servant has a severed leg, because he was resting on the roadside
"The Twelve Idle Servants" also has the number KHM 151. when a vehicle ran over his legs. He hadn't heard it coming,
Contents: A dying king wants to appoint the laziest of his sons as because bugs were crawling through his mouth, nose and ears. The
his heir. The first says he does not even close his eyes to sleep if a eleventh servant resigned from his job because he had to carry
drop falls into them. The second does not draw back his feet by the heavy books and his masters' clothes, which were already infested
fire when they are burning. The third would not cut the rope when with moths because he never touched them. The twelfth servant
hung. He becomes king.) once traveled by cart, but fell asleep during his trip, after which
robbers stole everything without him doing anything about it.)
A certain King had three sons who were all equally dear to him,
and he did not know which of them to appoint as his successor Twelve servants who had done nothing all the day would not
after his own death. When the time came when he was about to die, exert themselves at night either, but laid themselves on the grass
he summoned them to his bedside and said, "Dear children, I have and boasted of their idleness. The first said, "What is your laziness
been thinking of something which I will declare unto you; to me, I have to concern myself about mine own? The care of my
whichsoever of you is the laziest shall have the kingdom." The body is my principal work, I eat not a little and drink still more.
eldest said, "Then, father, the kingdom is mine, for I am so idle When I have had four meals, I fast a short time until I feel hunger
that if I lie down to rest, and a drop falls in my eye, I will not open again, and that suits me best. To rise betimes is not for me; when it
it that I may sleep." The second said, "Father, the kingdom is getting near mid-day, I already seek out a resting-place for
belongs to me, for I am so idle that when I am sitting by the fire myself. If the master call, I do exactly as if I had not heard him,
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
and if he call for the second time, I wait awhile before I get up, and The twelfth said, "To-day I had to drive the cart into the country,
go to him very slowly. In this way life is endurable." The second and made myself a bed of straw on it, and had a good sleep. The
said, "I have a horse to look after, but I leave the bit in his mouth, reins slipped out of my hand, and when I awoke, the horse had
and if I do not want to do it, I give him no food, and I say he has nearly torn itself loose, the harness was gone, the strap which
had it already. I, however, lay myself in the oat-chest and sleep for fastened the horse to the shafts was gone, and so were the collar,
four hours. After this I stretch out one foot and move it a couple of the bridle and bit. Some one had come by, who had carried all off.
times over the horse's body, and then he is combed and cleaned. Besides this, the cart had got into a quagmire and stuck fast. I left
Who is going to make a great business of that? Nevertheless it standing, and stretched myself on the straw again. At last the
service is too toilsome for me." The third said, "Why plague master came himself, and pushed the cart out, and if he had not
oneself with work? Nothing comes of it! I laid myself in the sun, come I should not be lying here but there, and sleeping in full
and fell asleep. It began to rain a little, but why should I get up? I tranquillity."
let it rain on in God's name. At last came a splashing shower, so
heavy indeed, that it pulled the hair out of my head and washed it
away, and I got a hole in the skull; I put a plaster on it, and then it 152.—THE SHEPHERD BOY.
was all right. I have already had several injuries of that kind." The
fourth said, "If I am to undertake a piece of work, I first loiter ("The Shepherd Boy" is a farce in the children's and household
about for an hour that I may save up my strength. After that I tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition of 1819 (KHM
begin quite slowly, and ask if no one is there who could help me. 152). Grimm's note notes "from Bavaria" (by Ludwig Aurbacher).
Then I let him do the chief of the work, and in reality only look on; Contents: A king summons a shepherd boy who is known for his
but that also is still too much for me." wise answers. He promises to adopt him if he answers three
The fifth said, "What does that matter? Just think, I am to take questions well. The first question is how many drops of water are
away the manure from the horse's stable, and load the cart with it. in the ocean. The boy replies that the king should first stop all the
I let it go on slowly, and if I have taken anything on the fork, I tributaries so that no more drops could come in; then he would say
only half-raise it up, and then I rest just a quarter of an hour until the number. The second question is how many stars are in the sky,
I quite throw it in. It is enough and to spare if I take out a cartful whereupon the shepherd boy draws countless dots on a sheet of
in the day. I have no fancy for killing myself with work." paper, each dot representing a star. The third question is about
The sixth said, "Shame on ye; I am afraid of no work, but I lie how many seconds is eternity. The boy replies with the story of a
down for three weeks, and never once take my clothes off. What is little bird that whets its beak on a mountain every hundred years.
the use of buckling your shoes on? For aught I care they may fall When the mountain has been removed, the first second of eternity
off my feet, it is no matter. If I am going up some steps, I drag one will have passed. The king is pleased with the shepherd boy's
foot slowly after the other on to the first step, and then I count the answers and keeps his promise.)
rest of them that I may know where I must rest.
The seventh said, "That will not do with me; my master looks There was once on a time a shepherd boy whose fame spread far
after my work, only he is not at home the whole day. But I neglect and wide because of the wise answers which he gave to every
nothing, I run as fast as it is possible to do when one crawls. If I question. The King of the country heard of it likewise, but did not
am to get on, four sturdy men must push me with all their might. I believe it, and sent for the boy. Then he said to him, "If thou canst
came where six men were lying sleeping on a bed beside each other. give me an answer to three questions which I will ask thee, I will
I lay down by them and slept too. There was no wakening me look on thee as my own child, and thou shalt dwell with me in my
again, and when they wanted to have me home, they had to carry royal palace." The boy said, "What are the three questions?" The
me." The eighth said, "I see plainly that I am the only active fellow; King said, "The first is, how many drops of water are there in the
if a stone lie before me, I do not give myself the trouble to raise my ocean?" The shepherd boy answered, "Lord King, if you will have
legs and step over it. I lay myself down on the ground, and if I am all the rivers on earth dammed up so that not a single drop runs
wet and covered with mud and dirt, I stay lying until the sun has from them into the sea until I have counted it, I will tell you how
dried me again. At the very most, I only turn myself so that it can many drops there are in the sea." The King said, "The next
shine on me." The ninth said, "That is the right way! To-day the question is, how many stars are there in the sky?" The shepherd
bread was before me, but I was too idle to take it, and nearly died boy said, "Give me a great sheet of white paper," and then he made
of hunger! Moreover a jug stood by it, but it was so big and heavy so many fine points on it with a pen that they could scarcely be
that I did not like to lift it up, and preferred bearing thirst. Just to seen, and it was all but impossible to count them; any one who
turn myself round was too much for me, I remained lying like a log looked at them would have lost his sight. Then he said, "There are
the whole day." The tenth said, "Laziness has brought misfortune as many stars in the sky as there are points on the paper; just count
on me, a broken leg and swollen calf. Three of us were lying in the them." But no one was able to do it. The King said, "The third
road, and I had my legs stretched out. Some one came with a cart, question is, how many seconds of time are there in eternity?" Then
and the wheels went over me. I might indeed have drawn my legs said the shepherd boy, "In Lower Pomerania is the Diamond
back, but I did not hear the cart coming, for the midges were Mountain, which is two miles and a half high, two miles and a half
humming about my ears, and creeping in at my nose and out again wide, and two miles and a half in depth; every hundred years a
at my mouth; who can take the trouble to drive the vermin away?" little bird comes and sharpens its beak on it, and when the whole
The eleventh said, "I gave up my place yesterday. I had no fancy mountain is worn away by this, then the first second of eternity
for carrying the heavy books to my master any longer or fetching will be over."
them away again. There was no end of it all day long. But to tell The King said, "Thou hast answered the three questions like a
the truth, he gave me my dismissal, and would not keep me any wise man, and shalt henceforth dwell with me in my royal palace,
longer, for his clothes, which I had left lying in the dust, were all and I will regard thee as my own child."
moth-eaten, and I am very glad of it."
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
153.—THE STAR-MONEY. denominated in half a Pfennig, named after the town of
(Schwäbisch) Hall.
("The Star-Money" or "The Sterntalers" is a short tale in The Contents: A couple was having dinner with a guest. At midnight,
Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the the guest saw a girl in white dress came in the house and go
2nd edition of 1819 (KHM 153). It is partly based on Achim von straight into the next room. The same thing happened again the
Arnim's novella "Die drei liebreichen Schwestern und der next day and the day after that. The guest told the father what
glückliche Färber" (1812). A "Sterntaler" is a silver coin from happened. The father said he had never seen the girl before. One
Hesse-Kassel, minted by Landgrave Friedrich II (1760–1785) in night, the guest peeked in the room. He saw the little girl sitting
1776, 1778 and 1779. The word Sterntaler (or Sternthaler) refers on the floor, and digging up something between the boards of the
to the eight-pointed star on the reverse, which represents the floor. He reported what he saw to the mother, and she told him
Order of the Golden Lion established in 1770. British soldiers that it was probably their child who had died a month ago. The
from Hesse, who fought in the American War of Independence child received 2 farthings from the mother and was planning on
(1775–1785), were rewarded with this type of coin. However, the giving it to a poor man. They donated the farthings to a poor man
Hessian thalers, known in America as "Blood Dollars", were not and the ghost never came back.)
used as wages but as signing bonus; the wages were paid in pounds.
The Americans, for their part, used the thalers to compensate the A father was one day sitting at dinner with his wife and his
families who lost their sons in the war. The Sterntaler-tale thus children, and a good friend who had come on a visit was with them.
has an American background. This particular thaler is also the And as they thus sat, and it was striking twelve o'clock, the
origin of the American currency name "dollar," which comes from stranger saw the door open, and a very pale child dressed in snow-
the German word "thaler," [pronounced "dholar" in German white clothes came in. It did not look around, and it did not speak;
dialects]. but went straight into the next room. Soon afterwards it came
Contents: A poor orphan girl who has nothing but a piece of back, and went out at the door again in the same quiet manner. On
bread goes out into the world. On the way he gives away his bread, the second and on the third day, it came also exactly in the same
then his cap, his shirt, his skirt and finally his shirt to other needy way. At last the stranger asked the father to whom the beautiful
people. Then the stars fall from the night sky as silver coins, and child that went into the next room every day at noon belonged?" I
he wears a new, fine linen shirt in which he collects them. As a have never seen it," said he, neither did he know to whom it could
result, she is rich until the end of her life.) belong. The next day when it again- came, the stranger pointed it
out to the father, who however did not see it, and the mother and
There was once on a time a little girl whose father and mother the children also all saw nothing. On this the stranger got up,
were dead, and she was so poor that she no longer had any little went to the room door, opened it a little, and peeped in. Then he
room to live in, or bed to sleep in, and at last she had nothing else saw the child sitting on the ground, and digging and seeking
but the clothes she was wearing and a little bit of bread in her about industriously amongst the crevices between the boards of
hand which some charitable soul had given her. She was, however, the floor, but when it saw the stranger, it disappeared. He now
good and pious. And as she was thus forsaken by all the world, she told what he had seen and described the child exactly, and the
went forth into the open country, trusting in the good God. Then mother recognised it, and said, "Ah, it is my dear child who died a
a poor man met her, who said, "Ah, give me something to eat, I month ago." They took up the boards and found two farthings
am so hungry!" She reached him the whole of her piece of bread, which the child had once received from its mother that it might
and said, "May God bless it to thy use," and went onwards. Then give them to a poor man; it, however, had thought, "Thou canst
came a child who moaned and said, "My head is so cold, give me buy thyself a biscuit for that," and had kept the farthings, and
something to cover it with." So she took off her hood and gave it hidden them in the openings between the boards; and therefore it
to him; and when she had walked a little farther, she met another had had no rest in its grave, and had come every day at noon to
child who had no jacket and was frozen with cold. Then she gave it seek for these far-things. The parents gave the money at once to a
her own; and a little farther on one begged for a frock, and she poor man, and after that the child was never seen again.
gave away that also. At length she got into a forest and it had
already become dark, and there came yet another child, and asked
for a little shirt, and the good little girl thought to herself, "It is a 155.—BRIDES ON THEIR TRIAL.
dark night and no one sees thee, thou canst very well give thy little
shirt away," and took it off, and gave away that also. And as she ("Looking for a Bride" or "Choosing a Bride" or "Brides on
so stood, and had not one single thing left, suddenly some stars Their Trial" is a farce collected by the Brothers Grimm in Grimm's
from heaven fell down, and they were nothing else but hard Fairy Tales, number 155. It comes from Johann Rudolf Wyss'
smooth pieces of money, and although she had just given her little "Idyllen, Volkssagen, Legenden und Erzählungen aus der
shirt away, she had a new one which was of the very finest linen. Schweiz" (Switzerland).
Then she gathered together the money into this, and was rich all Contents: A shepherd could not choose which of three sisters to
the days of her life. marry. His mother told him to give them cheese. One did not cut
off all the rind and so ate some. The second cut off good cheese
with the rind. The third carefully pared off the rind, and so he
154.—THE STOLEN FARTHINGS. married her.)
("The Stolen Farthings" is Tale 154 from Grimm's Fairy Tales. There was once a young shepherd who wished much to marry,
It is actually a ghost story. Wilhelm Grimm heard the legend in and was acquainted with three sisters who were all equally pretty,
1808 from Gretchen Wild, his wife's younger sister. A Heller or so that it was difficult to him to make a choice, and he could not
Haller, abbreviated hlr., is a late medieval German coin decide to give the preference to any one of them. Then he asked his
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
mother for advice, and she said, "Invite all three, and set some admonishes him again. The second was at court. The father warns
cheese before them, and watch how they eat it." The youth did so; him to go into the stable instead. The son says that stable boys
the first, however, swallowed the cheese with the rind on; the braid bird snares there. The father also praises his cunning and
second hastily cut the rind off the cheese, but she cut it so quickly urges caution. The third was on trails. His father warns him about
that she left much good cheese with it, and threw that away also; stone throwers. The boy says that some of them already had stones
the third peeled the rind off carefully, and cut neither too much with them, from which the father concludes they are miners. The
nor too little. The shepherd told all this to his mother, who said, father wants to keep the youngest and weakest with him, but he
"Take the third for thy wife." This he did, and lived contentedly answers with trust in God, because he was in church. The father is
and happily with her. impressed.)
A sparrow had four young ones in a swallow's nest. When they
156.—ODDS AND ENDS. were fledged, some naughty boys pulled out the nest, but
fortunately all the birds got safely away in the high wind. Then
("Odds and Ends" or "The Hurds" is a fairy tale collected by the the old bird was grieved that as his sons had all gone out into the
Brothers Grimm (KHM 156). The Grimms noted "from world, he had not first warned them of every kind of danger, and
Mecklenburg" (the North-East of Germany). given them good instruction how to deal with each. In the autumn
Contents: A lazy girl tore out handfuls of flax when she found a a great many sparrows assembled together in a wheat-field, and
knot while spinning. Her industrious servant gathered them and there the old bird met his four children again, and full of joy took
made a gown. The lazy girl was to marry, but when the servant them home with him. "Ah, my dear sons, what pain I have been in
was gaily dancing in her gown at a party on the eve of the wedding, about you all through the summer, because you got away in the
the bride told her bridegroom carelessly about the origin of that wind without my teaching; listen to my words, obey your father,
gown: it was made of "hurds" or "odds and ends" she threw away and be well on your guard. Little birds have to encounter great
– and the bridegroom married the servant instead.) dangers!" And then he asked the eldest where he had spent the
summer, and how he had supported himself? "I stayed in the
There was once on a time a maiden who was pretty, but idle and gardens, and looked for caterpillars and small worms, until the
negligent. When she had to spin she was so out of temper that if cherries got ripe." "Ah, my son," said the father, "tit-bits are not
there was a little knot in the flax, she at once pulled out a whole bad, but there is great risk about them; on that account take great
heap of it, and strewed it about on the ground beside her. Now she care of thyself henceforth, and particularly when people are going
had a servant who was industrious, and gathered together the bits about the gardens who carry long green poles which are hollow
of flax which were thrown away, cleaned them, span them fine, and inside and have a little hole at the top." "Yes, father, but what if a
had a beautiful gown made out of them for herself. A young man little green leaf is stuck over the hole with wax?" said the son.
had wooed the lazy girl, and the wedding was to take place. On the "Where hast thou seen that?" "In a merchant's garden," said the
eve of the wedding, the industrious one was dancing merrily about youngster. "Oh, my son, merchant folks are quick folks," said the
in her pretty dress, and the bride said,— father. "If thou hast been among the children of the world, thou
"Ah, how that girl does jump about, dressed in my odds and hast learned worldly shiftiness enough, only see that thou usest it
ends." well, and do not be too confident." After this he asked the next,
The bridegroom heard that, and asked the bride what she meant "Where hast thou passed thy time?" "At court," said the son.
by it? Then she told him that the girl was wearing a dress make of "Sparrows and silly little birds are of no use in that place—there
the flax which she had thrown away. When the bridegroom heard one finds much gold, velvet, silk, armour, harnesses, sparrow-
that, and saw how idle she was, and how industrious the poor girl hawks, screech-owls and hen-harriers; keep to the horses' stable
was, he gave her up and went to the other, and chose her as his where they winnow oats, or thresh, and then fortune may give thee
wife. thy daily grain of corn in peace." "Yes, father," said the son, "but
when the stable-boys make traps and fix their gins and snares in
the straw, many a one is caught fast." "Where hast thou seen
157.—THE SPARROW AND HIS FOUR CHILDREN. that?" said the old bird. "At court, among the stable-boys." "Oh,
my son, court boys are bad boys! If thou hast been to court and
("The Sparrow and His Four Children" is a story from Grimm's among the lords, and hast left no feathers there, thou hast learnt a
Fairy Tales. The story number was changed from KHM 35 to fair amount, and wilt know very well how to go about the world,
KHM 157 from the 2nd edition onwards. In Boltes Anmerkungen, but look around thee and above thee, for the wolves devour the
he mentions that the tale is from the deep Middle Ages. It was wisest dogs." The father examined the third also: "Where didst
taken from the seventh sermon in Johannes Mathesius Historien thou seek thy safety?" "I have broken up tubs and ropes on the
von Martin Luther (1563), but it goes back further to Aesop's cart-roads and highways, and sometimes met with a grain of corn
fables also. In the 1812 Anhang (appendix), it is listed as coming or barley." "That is indeed dainty fare," said the father, "but take
from "Out of Schuppii Schriften. (Fabul. Hans S. 837. 38.)." It is care what thou art about and look carefully around, especially
an almost exact transcription of the story from the 1677 published when thou seest any one stooping and about to pick up a stone,
book.) there is not much time to stay then." "That is true," said the son,
Contents: Four young sparrows are thrown out of the nest by "but what if any one should carry a bit of rock, or ore, ready
boys. In autumn they meet their worried father again in a field. beforehand in his breast or pocket?" "Where hast thou seen that?"
The first was in gardens. The father warns him against people who "Among the mountaineers, dear father; when they go out, they
carry long "green poles that are hollow inside and have a little generally take little bits of ore with them." "Mountain folks are
hole at the top". The son says that a sheet of wax was also glued on. working folks, and clever folks. If thou hast been among mountain
The father closes on merchants, praises his experience and lads, thou hast seen and learnt something, but when thou goest
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
thither beware, for many a sparrow has been brought to a bad end honey flowed like water from a deep valley at the top of a high
by a mountain boy." At length the father came to the youngest son: mountain, and these were strange things. There were two crows
"Thou, my dear chirping nestling, wert always the silliest and which were mowing a meadow, and I saw two gnats building a
weakest; stay with me, the world has many rough, wicked birds bridge, and two doves tore a wolf to pieces; two children brought
which have crooked beaks and long claws, and lie in wait for poor forth two kids, and two frogs threshed corn together. There I saw
little birds and swallow them. Keep with those of thine own kind, two mice consecrating a bishop, and two cats scratching out a
and pick up little spiders and caterpillars from the trees, or the bear's tongue. Then a snail came running up and killed two
house, and then thou wilt live long in peace." "My dear father, he furious lions. There stood a barber and shaved a woman's beard off;
who feeds himself without injury to other people fares well, and no and two sucking-children bade their mother hold her tongue.
sparrow-hawk, eagle, or kite will hurt him if he specially commits There I saw two greyhounds which brought a mill out of the water;
himself and his lawful food, evening and morning, faithfully to and a sorry old horse was beside it, and said it was right. And four
God, who is the Creator and Preserver of all forest and village horses were standing in the yard threshing corn with all their
birds, who likewise heareth the cry and prayer of the young ravens, might, and two goats were heating the stove, and a red cow shot
for no sparrow or wren ever falls to the ground except by his will." the bread into the oven. Then a cock crowed, Cock-a-doodle-doo!
"Where hast thou learnt this?" The son answered, "When the The story is all told—Cock-a-doodle-doo!
great blast of wind tore me away from thee I came to a church, and
there during the summer I have picked up the flies and spiders
from the windows, and heard this discourse preached. The Father 159.—THE DITMARSCH TALE OF LIES.
of all sparrows fed me all the summer through, and kept me from
all mischance and from ferocious birds." ("The Ditmarsch Tale of Lies" or "The Ditmarsch Tale of
"In sooth, my dear son, if thou takest refuge in the churches and Wonders" is a tall tale in the Children's And Household Tales of
helpest to clear away spiders and buzzing flies, and criest unto the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition of 1819 (KHM 159).
God like the young ravens, and commendest thyself to the eternal The text is based on Anton Vieth's "Das plattdeutsche Tanzlied".
Creator, all will be well with thee, and that even if the whole Contents: Two roast chickens fly with their bellies to heaven and
world were full of wild malicious birds." their backs to hell. An anvil and millstone swim across the Rhine
"He who to God commits his ways, and a frog eats a plowshare on the ice during Pentecost. Three
In silence suffers, waits, and prays, men want to catch a hare, the first is deaf, the second blind and the
Preserves his faith and conscience pure, third dumb and the fourth can't move a leg. They walk on crutches
He is of God's protection sure. and the blind man sees the hare running across the field. The dumb
calls the lame, who catches the hare. People sail over land and they
go over a high mountain and drown there. A lobster chases a hare
158.—THE STORY OF SCHLAURAFFEN LAND*. and a cow sits on a roof. The flies in the country are as big as goats
here and if you open the window, the lies fly out.)
("The Story Of Schlauraffenland" is a tall tale in the children's
and household tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 2nd edition I will tell you something. I saw two roasted fowls flying; they
of 1819 (KHM 158). Wilhelm Grimm translated the Middle High flew quickly and had their breasts turned to heaven and their
German poem "Sô ist diz von lügenen" from the 14th century. He backs to hell, and an anvil and a mill-stone swam across the Rhine
called the lie-tale "The Story Of Schlauraffenland" (Late Middle prettily, slowly, and gently, and a frog sat on the ice at
High German: slûraffe: lazybones), probably in allusion to Whitsuntide and ate a ploughshare. Three fellows who wanted to
Sebastian Brant's satire Narrenschiff (1494), where the catch a hare, went on crutches and stilts; one of them was deaf, the
Schlaraffen (the lazy people) live. This is where today's idea of a second blind, the third dumb, and the fourth could not stir a step.
land of milk and honey comes from, with plenty of food and drink, Do you want to know how it was done? First, the blind man saw
and without having anything to do for it. the hare running across the field, the dumb one called to the lame
Content: The text is a series of apparently impossible and one, and the lame one seized it by the neck. There were certain men
nonsensical observations from the "Schlaraffenzeit", almost who wished to sail on dry land, and they set their sails in the wind,
always people or animals doing something they obviously can't do, and sailed away over great fields. Then they sailed over a high
e.g. "I saw two mosquitoes building a bridge, and two pigeons mountain, and there they were miserably drowned. A crab was
tore one to pieces Wolf.") chasing a hare which was running away at full speed, and high up
on the roof lay a cow which had climbed up there. In that country
In the time of Schlauraffen I went there, and saw Rome and the the flies are as big as the goats are here. Open the window, that the
Lateran hanging by a small silken thread, and a man without feet lies may fly out.
who outran a swift horse, and a keen sharp sword that cut through
a bridge. There I saw a young ass with a silver nose which pursued
two fleet hares, and a lime-tree that was very large, on which hot 160.—A RIDDLING TALE.
cakes were growing. There I saw a lean old goat which carried
about a hundred cart-loads of fat on his body, and sixty loads of ("A Riddling Tale" is a text collected by the Brothers Grimm in
salt. Have I not told enough lies? There I saw a plough ploughing Grimm's Fairy Tales (KHM 160). Grimm's note: From a folk
without horse or cow, and a child of one year threw four book with riddles from the beginning of the 16th century in
millstones from Ratisbon to Treves, and from Treves to Strasburg, "Haupts Zeitschrift" 3, 34.
and a hawk swam over the Rhine, which he had a perfect right to Contents: Three women in the field have turned into flowers, but
do. There I heard some fishes begin to make such a disturbance one of them is allowed to go home at night. She tells her husband
with each other, that it resounded as far as heaven, and sweet
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
to come and pick her and she will be delivered and stay with him. They often ran about the forest alone and gathered red berries,
He picks the flower, but how did he recognise her?) and no beasts did them any harm, but came close to them trustfully.
The little hare would eat a cabbage-leaf out of their hands, the roe
Three women were changed into flowers which grew in the field, grazed by their side, the stag leapt merrily by them, and the birds
but one of them was allowed to be in her own home at night. Then sat still upon the boughs, and sang whatever they knew.
once when day was drawing near, and she was forced to go back to No mishap overtook them; if they had stayed too late in the
her companions in the field and become a flower again, she said to forest, and night came on, they laid themselves down near one
her husband, "If thou wilt come this afternoon and gather me, I another upon the moss, and slept until morning came, and their
shall be set free and henceforth stay with thee." And he did so. mother knew this and had no distress on their account.
Now the question is, how did her husband know her, for the Once when they had spent the night in the wood and the dawn
flowers were exactly alike, and without any difference? had roused them, they saw a beautiful child in a shining white
Answer: as she was at her home during the night and not in the dress sitting near their bed. He got up and looked quite kindly at
field, no dew fell on her as it did on the others, and by this her them, but said nothing and went away into the forest. And when
husband knew her. they looked round they found that they had been sleeping quite
close to a precipice, and would certainly have fallen into it in the
darkness if they had gone only a few paces further. And their
161.—SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED. mother told them that it must have been the angel who watches
over good children.
("Snow-White and Rose-Red" is a fairy tale collected by the Snow-white and Rose-red kept their mother's little cottage so
Brothers Grimm (KHM 161). An older, somewhat shorter version, neat that it was a pleasure to look inside it. In the summer Rose-
"The Ungrateful Dwarf", was written by Caroline Stahl (1776– red took care of the house, and every morning laid a wreath of
1837). flowers by her mother's bed before she awoke, in which was a rose
Contents: A mother has two very dear daughters, Snow White from each tree. In the winter Snow-white lit the fire and hung the
and Rose Red. They resemble the white and red rose trees in her kettle on the wrekin. The kettle was of copper and shone like gold,
garden. Snow-white is quieter and at home more often, whereas so brightly was it polished. In the evening, when the snowflakes
Rose-red prefers to pick flowers in the forest. The girls are not fell, the mother said, "Go, Snow-white, and bolt the door," and
threatened by the animals in the forest, and even when they sleep then they sat round the hearth, and the mother took her spectacles
right next to a chasm, their guardian angel protects them. Night and read aloud out of a large book, and the two girls listened as
after night one winter a bear seeks shelter with them, and the they sat and span. And close by them lay a lamb upon the floor,
children, although they are afraid at first, gain confidence and and behind thm upeon a perch sat a white dove with its head
play with him, whatever the bear likes. When it gets too bad for hidden beneath its wings.
him, he growls: "Let me live, you children. Snow-white, rose-red, One evening, as they were thus sitting comfortably together,
kill your suitor." In the spring, the bear has to leave again to some one knocked at the door as if he wished to be let in. The
protect his treasures from the dwarves. He rips his fur on the door mother said, "Quick, Rose-red, open the door, it must be a
frame and Snow White thinks he sees gold shimmering underneath. traveller who is seeking shelter." Rose-red went and pushed back
Later, the girls meet a dwarf three times in the forest, whose beard the bolt, thinking that it was a poor man, but it was not; it was a
is hanging on a felled tree, then on a fishing line, then a bird of bear that stretched his broad, black head within the door.
prey wants to carry him away. They help him every time, but he is Rose-red screamed and sprang back, the lamb bleated, the dove
ungrateful and scolds because they damage his beard and skirt. At fluttered, and Snow-white hid herself behind her mother's bed.
the fourth meeting, the dwarf gets angry because Snow White and But the bear began to speak and said, "Do not be afraid, I will do
Rose Red surprise him in front of a spread out pile of gems. The you no harm! I am half-frozen, and only want to warm myself a
bear comes and kills the dwarf. When they recognise the bear, he little beside you."
turns into a king's son, who, they learn, had been stolen by the "Poor bear," said the mother, "lie down by the fire, only take
dwarf and cursed him. Snow-white marries the king's son and care that you do not burn your coat." Then she cried, "Snow-
Rose-red his brother.) white, Rose-red, come out, the bear will do you no harm, he means
well." So they both came out, and by-and-by the lamb and dove
There was once a poor widow who lived in a lonely cottage. In came nearer, and were not afraid of him. The bear said, "Here,
front of the cottage was a garden wherein stood two rose-trees, children, knock the snow out of my coat a little;" so they brought
one of which bore white and the other red roses. She had two the broom and swept the bear's hide clean; and he stretched
children who were like the two rose-trees, and one was called himself by the fire and growled contentedly and comfortably. It
Snow-white, and the other Rose-red. They were as good and was not long before they grew quite at home, and played tricks
happy, as busy and cheerful as ever two children in the world were, with their clumsy guest. They tugged his hair with their hands,
only Snow-white was more quiet and gentle than Rose-red. Rose- put their feet upon his back and rolled him about, or they took a
red liked better to run about in the meadows and fields seeking hazel-switch and beat him, and when he growled they laughed.
flowers and catching butterflies; but Snow-white sat at home with But the bear took it all in good part, only when they were too
her mother, and helped her with her house-work, or read to her rough he called out, "Leave me alive, children,
when there was nothing to do. "Snowy-white, Rosy-red,
The two children were so fond of each other that they always Will you beat your lover dead?"
held each other by the hand when they went out together, and When it was bed-time, and the others went to bed, the mother
when Snow-white said, "We will not leave each other," Rose-red said to the bear, "You can lie there by the hearth, and then you
answered, "Never so long as we live," and their mother would add, will be safe from the cold and the bad weather." As soon as day
"What one has she must share with the other."
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dawned the two children let him out, and he trotted across the that the accursed fish wants to pull me in?" The little man had
snow into the forest. been sitting there fishing, and unluckily the wind had twisted his
Henceforth the bear came every evening at the same time, laid beard with the fishing-line; just then a big fish bit, and the feeble
himself down by the hearth, and let the children amuse themselves creature had not strength to pull it out; the fish kept the upper
with him as much as they liked; and they got so used to him that hand and pulled the dwarf towards him. He held on to all the reeds
the doors were never fastened until their black friend had arrived. and rushes, but it was of little good, he was forced to follow the
When spring had come and all outside was green, the bear said movements of the fish, and was in urgent danger of being dragged
one morning to Snow-white, "Now I must go away and cannot into the water.
come back for the whole summer." "Where are you going, then, The girls came just in time; they held him fast and tried to free
dear bear?" asked Snowwhite. "I must go into the forest and his beard from the line, but all in vain, beard and line were
guard my treasures from the wicked dwarfs. In the winter, when entangled fast together. Nothing was left but to bring out the
the earth is frozen hard, they are obliged to stay below and cannot scissors and cut the beard, whereby a small part of it was lost.
work their way through; but now, when the sun has thawed and When the dwarf saw that he screamed out, "Is that civil, you toad-
warmed the earth, they break through it, and come out to pry and stool, to disfigure one's face? Was it not enough to clip off the end
steal; and what once gets into their hands, and in their caves, does of my beard? Now you have cut off the best part of it. I cannot let
not easily see daylight again." myself be seen by my people. I wish you had been made to run the
Snow-white was quite sorry for his going away, and as she soles off your shoes!" Then he took out a sack of pearls which lay
unbolted the door for him, and the bear was hurrying out, he in the rushes, and without saying a word more he dragged it away
caught against the bolt and a piece of his hairy coat was torn off, and disappeared behind a stone.
and it seemed to Snow-white as if she had seen gold shining It happened that soon afterwards the mother sent the two
through it, but she was not sure about it. The bear ran away children to the town to buy needles and thread, and laces and
quickly, and was soon out of sight behind the trees. ribbons. The road led them across a heath upon which huge pieces
A short time afterwards the mother sent her children into the of rock lay strewn here and there. Now they noticed a large bird
forest to get fire- wood. There they found a big tree which lay hovering in the air, flying slowly round and round above them; it
felled on the ground, and close by the trunk something was sank lower and lower, and at last settled near a rock not far off.
jumping backwards and forwards in the grass, but they could not Directly afterwards they heard a loud, piteous cry. They ran up
make out what it was. When they came nearer they saw a dwarf and saw with horror that the eagle had seized their old
with an old withered face and a snow-white beard a yard long. The acquaintance the dwarf, and was going to carry him off.
end of the beard was caught in a crevice of the tree, and the little The children, full of pity, at once took tight hold of the little
fellow was jumping backwards and forwards like a dog tied to a man, and pulled against the eagle so long that at last he let his
rope, and did not know what to do. booty go. As soon as the dwarf had recovered from his first fright
He glared at the girls with his fiery red eyes and cried, "Why do he cried with his shrill voice, "Could you not have done it more
you stand there? Can you not come here and help me?" "What are carefully! You dragged at my brown coat so that it is all torn and
you about there, little man?" asked Rose-red. "You stupid, prying full of holes, you helpless clumsy creatures!" Then he took up a
goose!" answered the dwarf; "I was going to split the tree to get a sack full of precious stones, and slipped away again under the rock
little wood for cooking. The little bit of food that one of us wants into his hole. The girls, who by this time were used to his
gets burnt up directly with thick logs; we do not swallow so much thanklessness, went on their way and did their business in the town.
as you coarse, greedy folk. I had just driven the wedge safely in, As they crossed the heath again on their way home they surprised
and everything was going as I wished; but the wretched wood was the dwarf, who had emptied out his bag of precious stones in a
too smooth and suddenly sprang asunder, and the tree closed so clean spot, and had not thought that any one would come there so
quickly that I could not pull out my beautiful white beard; so now late. The evening sun shone upon the brilliant stones; they
it is tight in and I cannot get away, and the silly, sleek, milk-faced glittered and sparkled with all colours so beautifully that the
things laugh! Ugh! how odious you are!" children stood still and looked at them. "Why do you stand
The children tried very hard, but they could not pull the beard gaping there?" cried the dwarf, and his ashen-grey face became
out, it was caught too fast. "I will run and fetch some one," said copper-red with rage. He was going on with his bad words when a
Rose-red. "You senseless goose!" snarled the dwarf; "why should loud growhng was heard, and a black bear came trotting towards
you fetch some one? You are already two too many for me; can you them out of the forest. The dwarf sprang up in a fright, but he
not think of something better?" "Don't be impatient," said Snow- could not get to his cave, for the bear was already close. Then in
white, "I will help you," and she pulled her scissors out of her the dread of his heart he cried, "Dear Mr. Bear, spare me, I will
pocket, and cut off the end of the beard. give you all my treasures; look, the beautiful jewels lying there!
As soon as the dwarf felt himself free he laid hold of a bag which Grant me my life; what do you want with such a slender little
lay amongst the roots of the tree, and which was full of gold, and fellow as I? you would not feel me between your teeth. Come, take
lifted it up, grumbling to himself, "Uncouth people, to cut off a these two wicked girls, they are tender morsels for you, fat as
piece of my fine beard. Bad luck to you!" and then he swung the young quails; for mercy's sake eat them!" The bear took no heed of
bag upon his back, and went off without even once looking at the his words, but gave the wicked creature a single blow with his paw,
children. and he did not move again.
Some time after that Snow-white and Rose-red went to catch a The girls had run away, but the bear called to them, "Snow-
dish of fish. As they came near the brook they saw something like a white and Rose-red, do not be afraid; wait, I will come with you."
large grasshopper jumping towards the water, as if it were going Then they knew his voice and waited, and when he came up to
to leap in. They ran to it and found it was the dwarf. "Where are them suddenly his bearskin fell off, and lie stood there a handsome
you going?" said Rose-red; "you surely don't want to go into the man, clothed all in gold. "I am a King's son," he said, "and I was
water?" "I am not such a fool!" cried the dwarf; "don't you see bewitched by that wicked dwarf, who had stolen my treasures; I
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have had to run about the forest as a savage bear until I was freed a black bull and a large stag. The stag kills the bull and carries the
by his death. Now he has got his well-deserved punishment." tailor on his antlers to a cliff, whose door he opens. At the call of a
Snow-white was married to him, and Rose-red to his brother, voice, the tailor enters a hall made of square stones. Over a falling
and they divided between them the great treasure which the dwarf stone in the middle he comes into a second room of the same size
had gathered together in his cave. The old mother lived peacefully with smoke-filled glass vessels in the walls. He is looking at the
and happily with her children for many years. She took the two image of a lock in a box on the floor when the voice calls him to a
rose-trees with her, and they stood before her window, and every sleeping girl in a glass box. He frees the Awakening, who tells him
year bore the most beautiful roses, white and red. that she and her homestead were transformed into this form and
her brother into a stag when she turned down a black artist's
marriage proposal. They bring the vessels to the surface and open
162.—THE WISE SERVANT. them, whereupon all are redeemed.)
("The Wise Servant" is a farce in the children's and household Let no one ever say that a poor tailor cannot do great things and
tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 3rd edition of 1837 (KHM win high honours; all that is needed is that he should go to the
162), was published by Wilhelm Grimm in 1836 in the "Pfennig- right smithy, and what is of most consequence, that he should have
Magazine" for children and is based on Martin Luther's good luck. A civil, adroit tailor's apprentice once went out
interpretation of Psalm 101 back. travelling, and came into a great forest, and, as he did not know
Inhoud: A army likes to be lucky as a servant slim is in a room the way, he lost himself. Night fell, and nothing was left for him to
where it sounds, but he doesn't act in a liever to his own intentions. do, but to seek a bed in this painful solitude. He might certainly
Zo'n slimme Hans most een koe zoeken, maar kwam not terug. have found a good bed on the soft moss, but the fear of wild beasts
Zijn heer went he zoeken en zag hem heen en weer lopen in het veld. let him have no rest there, and at last he was forced to make up his
Hans shows then that he has not bred near the head of the farm, mind to spend the night in a tree. He sought out a high oak,
but three men's farm has been found. Een ziet hij, éen hoort hij en climbed up to the top of it, and thanked God that he had his goose
op de derde jaagt hij. Here you can call the first one beforehand; with him, for otherwise the wind which blew over the top of the
doe niet wat de Heer beveelt maar wel wat in je opkomt en waar je tree would have carried him away.
zin in heb.) After he had spent some hours in the darkness, not without fear
and trembling, he saw at a very short distance the glimmer of a
How fortunate is the master, and how well all goes in his house, light, and as he thought that a human habitation might be there,
when he has a wise servant who listens to his orders and does not where he would be better off than on the branches of a tree, he got
obey them, but prefers following his own wisdom. A clever John of carefully down and went towards the light. It guided him to a
this kind was once sent out by his master to seek a lost cow. He small hut that was woven together of reeds and rushes. He
stayed away a long time, and the master thought, "Faithful John knocked boldly, the door opened, and by the light which came
does not spare any pains over his work!" As, however, he did not forth he saw a little hoary old man who wore a coat made of bits of
come back at all, the master was afraid lest some misfortune had coloured stuff sewn together. "Who are you, and what do you
befallen him, and set out himself to look for him. He had to search want?" asked the man in a grumbling voice. "I am a poor tailor,"
a long time, but at last he perceived the boy who was running up he answered, "whom night has surprised here in the wilderness,
and down a large field. "Now, dear John," said the master when he and I earnestly beg you to take me into your hut until morning."
had got up to him, "hast thou found the cow which I sent thee to "Go your way," replied the old man in a surly voice, "I will have
seek?" "No, master," he answered, "I have not found the cow, but nothing to do with runagates; seek for yourself a shelter
then I have not looked for it." "Then what hast thou looked for, elsewhere." After these words he was about to slip into his hut
John?" "Something better, and that luckily I have found." "What again, but the tailor held him so tightly by the corner of his coat,
is that, John?" "Three blackbirds," answered the boy. "And where and pleaded so piteously, that the old man, who was not so ill-
are they?" asked the master. "I see one of them, I hear the other, natured as he wished to appear, was at last softened, and took him
and I am running after the third," answered the wise boy. Take into the hut with him where he gave him something to eat, and
example by this, do not trouble yourselves about your masters or then pointed out to him a very good bed in a corner.
their orders, but rather do what cornea into your head and pleases The weary tailor needed no rocking; but slept sweetly till
you, and then you will act just as wisely as prudent John. morning, but even then would not have thought of getting up, if
he had not been aroused by a great noise. A violent sound of
screaming and roaring forced its way through the thin walls of the
163.—THE GLASS COFFIN. hut. The tailor, full of unwonted courage, jumped up, put his
clothes on in haste, and hurried out. Then close by the hut, he saw
("The Glass Coffin" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers a great black bull and a beautiful stag, which were just preparing
Grimm, tale number 163. Andrew Lang included it in The Green for a violent struggle. They rushed at each other with such extreme
Fairy Book as The "Crystal Coffin." The story was published by rage that the ground shook with their trampling, and the air
Wilhelm Grimm in 1836 in the Pfennig magazine for children. It resounded with their cries. For a long time it was uncertain which
comes from the novel "The spoiled mother-son" or "Polidor's very of the two would gain the victory; at length the stag thrust his
special and extremely funny Curriculum Vitae at Schools and horns into his adversary's body, whereupon the bull fell to the
Universities" by Sylvano from 1728. earth with a terrific roar, and was thoroughly despatched by a few
Contents: A poor tailor gets lost in a forest. First he tries to strokes from the stag.
spend the night in a tree. Then he sees the light of a house where he The tailor, who had watched the fight with astonishment, was
finds a place to stay for the night, although the occupant tries to still standing there motionless, when the stag in full career
turn him away at first. He awakens to the sound of a fight between bounded up to him, and before he could escape, caught him up on
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
his great horns. He had not much time to collect his thoughts, for "I am the daughter of a rich count. My parents died when I was
it went in a swift race over stock and stone, mountain and valley, still in my tender youth, and recommended me in their last will to
wood and meadow. He held with both hands to the tops of the my elder brother, by whom I was brought up. We loved each other
horns, and resigned himself to his fate. It seemed, how ever, to him so tenderly, and were BO alike in our way of thinking and our
just as if he were flying away. At length the stag stopped in front inclinations, that we both embraced the resolution never to marry,
of a wall of rock, and gently let the tailor down. The tailor, more but to stay together to the end of our lives. In our house there was
dead than alive, required a longer time than that to come to no lack of company; neighbours and friends visited us often, and
himself. When he had in some degree recovered, the stag, which we showed the greatest hospitality to every one. So it came to pass
had remained standing by him, pushed its horns with such force one evening that a stranger came riding to our castle, and, under
against a door which was in the rock, that it sprang open. Flames pretext of not being able to get on to the next place, begged for
of fire shot forth, after which followed a great smoke, which hid shelter for the night. We granted his request with ready courtesy,
the stag from his sight. The tailor did not know what to do, or and he entertained us in the most agreeable manner during supper
whither to turn, in order to get out of this desert and back to by conversation intermingled with stories. My brother liked the
human beings again. Whilst he was standing thus undecided, a stranger so much that he begged him to spend a couple of days
voice sounded out of the rock, which cried to him, "Enter without with us, to which, after some hesitation, he consented. We did not
fear, no evil shall befall thee." He certainly hesitated, but driven rise from table until late in the night, the stranger was shown to a
by a mysterious force, he obeyed the voice and went through the room, and I hastened, as I was tired, to lay my limbs in my soft bed.
iron-door into a large spacious hall, whose ceiling, walls and floor Hardly had I slept for a short time, when the sound of faint and
were made of shining polished square stones, on each of which delightful music awoke me. As I could not conceive from whence it
were cut letters which were unknown to him. He looked at came, I wanted to summon my waiting-maid who slept in the next
everything full of admiration, and was on the point of going out room, but to my astonishment I found that speech was taken away
again, when he once more heard the voice which said to him, "Step from me by an unknown force. I felt as if a mountain were
on the stone which lies in the middle of the hall, and great good weighing down my breast, and was unable to make the very
fortune awaits thee." slightest sound. In the meantime, by the light of my night-lamp, I
His courage had already grown so great that he obeyed the order. saw the stranger enter my room through two doors which were
The stone began to give way under his feet, and sank slowly down fast bolted. He came to me and said, that by magic arts which were
into the depths. When it was once more firm, and the tailor looked at his command, he had caused the lovely music to sound in order
round, he found himself in a hall which in size resembled the to awaken me, and that he now forced his way through all
former. Here, however, there was more to look at and to admire. fastenings with the intention of offering me his hand and heart.
Hollow places were cut in the walls, in which stood vases of My repugnance to his magic arts was, however, so great that I
transparent glass which were filled with coloured spirit or with a vouchsafed him no answer. He remained for a time standing
bluish vapour. On the floor of the hall two great glass chests stood without moving, apparently with the idea of waiting for a
opposite to each other, which at once excited his curiosity. When favourable decision, but as I continued to keep silence, he angrily
he went to one of them he saw inside it a handsome structure like a declared he would revenge himself and find means to punish my
castle surrounded by farm-buildings, stables and barns, and a pride, and left the room. I passed the night in the greatest
quantity of other good things. Everything was small, but disquietude, and only fell asleep towards morning. When I awoke,
exceedingly carefully and delicately made, and seemed to be cut I hurried to my brother, but did not find him in his room, and the
out by a dexterous hand with the greatest exactitude. attendants told me that he had ridden forth with the stranger to
He might not have turned away his eyes from the consideration the chase by daybreak.
of this rarity for some time, if the voice had not once more made "I at once suspected nothing good. I dressed myself quickly,
itself heard. It ordered him to turn round and look at the glass ordered my palfrey to be saddled, and accompanied only by one
chest which was standing opposite. How his admiration increased servant, rode full gallop to the forest. The servant fell with his
when he saw therein a maiden of the greatest beauty! She lay as if horse, and could not follow me, for the horse had broken its foot. I
asleep, and was wrapped in her long fair hair as in a precious pursued my way without halting, and in a few minutes I saw the
mantle. Her eyes were closely shut, but the brightness of her stranger coming towards me with a beautiful stag which he led by
complexion and a ribbon which her breathing moved to and fro, a cord. I asked him where he had left my brother, and how he had
left no doubt that she was alive. The tailor was looking at the come by this stag, out of whose great eyes I saw tears flowing.
beauty with beating heart, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and Instead of answering me, he began to laugh loudly. I fell into a
started up at the sight of him in joyful terror. "Just Heaven!" cried great rage at this, pulled out a pistol and discharged it at the
she, "my deliverance is at hand! Quick, quick, help me out of my monster; but the ball rebounded from his breast and went into my
prison; if thou pushest back the bolt of this glass coffin, then I horse's head. I fell to the ground, and the stranger muttered some
shall be free." The tailor obeyed without delay, and she words which deprived me of consciousness.
immediately raised up the glass lid, came out and hastened into the "When I came to my senses again I found myself in this
corner of the hall, where she covered herself with a large cloak. underground cave in a glass coffin. The magician appeared once
Then she seated herself on a stone, ordered the young man to come again, and said he had changed my brother into a stag, my castle
to her, and after she had imprinted a friendly kiss on his lips, she with all that belonged to it, diminished in size by his arts, he had
said, "My long-desired deliverer, kind Heaven has guided thee to shut up in the other glass chest, and my people, who were all
me, and put an end to my sorrows. On the self-same day when they turned into smoke, he had confined in glass bottles. He told me
end, shall thy happiness begin. Thou art the husband chosen for that if I would now comply with his wish, it was an easy thing for
me by Heaven, and shalt pass thy life in unbroken joy, loved by me, him to put everything back in its former state, as he had nothing
and rich to overflowing in every earthly possession. Seat thyself, to do but open the vessels, and everything would return once more
and listen to the story of my life: to its natural form. I answered him as little as I had done the first
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time. He vanished and left me in my prison, in which a deep sleep So fat Trina became Harry's wife, and led out both the goats.
came on me. Amongst the visions which passed before my eyes, Harry had a good time of it, and had no work that he required to
that was the most comforting in which a young man came and set rest from but his own idleness. He only went out with her now and
me free, and when I opened my eyes to-day I saw thee, and beheld then, and said, "I merely do it that I may afterwards enjoy rest
my dream fulfilled. Help me to accomplish the other things which more, otherwise one loses all feeling for it."
happened in those visions. The first is that we lift the glass chest in But fat Trina was no less idle. "Dear Harry," said she one day,
which my castle is enclosed, on to that broad stone." "why should we make our lives so toilsome when there is no need
As soon as the stone was laden, it began to rise up on high with for it, and thus ruin the best days of our youth? Would it not be
the maiden and the young man, and mounted through the opening better for us to give the two goats which disturb us every morning
of the ceiling into the upper hall, from whence they then could in our sweetest sleep with their bleating, to our neighbour, and he
easily reach the open air. Here the maiden opened the lid, and it will give us a beehive for them. We will put the beehive in a sunny
was marvellous to behold how the castle, the houses, and the farm place behind the house, and trouble ourselves no more about it.
buildings which were enclosed, stretched themselves out and grew Bees do not require to be taken care of, or driven into the field;
to their natural size with the greatest rapidity. After this, the they fly out and find the way home again for themselves, and
maiden and the tailor returned to the cave beneath the earth, and collect honey without giving the very least trouble." "Thou hast
had the vessels which were filled with smoke carried up by the spoken like a sensible woman," replied Harry. "We will carry out
stone. The maiden had scarcely opened the bottles when the blue thy proposal without delay, and besides all that, honey tastes
smoke rushed out and changed itself into living men, in whom she better and nourishes one better than goat's milk, and it can be
recognised her servants and her people. Her joy was still more kept longer too."
increased when her brother, who had killed the magician in the The neighbour willingly gave a beehive for the two goats. The
form of the bull, came out of the forest towards them in his human bees flew in and out from early morning till late evening without
form, and on the self-same day the maiden, in accordance with her ever tiring, and filled the hive with the most beautiful honey, so
promise, gave her hand at the altar to the lucky tailor. that in autumn Harry was able to take a whole pitcherful out of it.
They placed the jug on a board which was fixed to the wall of
their bed-room, and as they were afraid that it might be stolen
164.—LAZY HARRY. from them, or that the mice might find it, Trina brought in a stout
hazel-stick and put it beside her bed, so that without unnecessary
("Lazy Harry" or "Lazy Henry" or "Lazy Heinz" is a farce getting up she might reach it with her hand, and drive away the
collected by the Brothers Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales, number uninvited guests.
164. It was first added in the third edition of 1837. It was first Lazy Harry did not like to leave his bed before noon. "He who
published by Wilhelm Grimm in 1836 in the Pfennig magazine for rises early," said he, "wastes his substance."
children and goes back to Eucharius Eyering's collection One morning when he was still lying amongst the feathers in
Proverbiorum Copia (Vol. 1, 1601). broad daylight, resting after his long sleep, he said to his wife,
Contents: Harry was so lazy he minded his only task, driving a "Women are fond of sweet things, and thou art always tasting the
goat to pasture and back. He married Fat Trina so she would honey in private; it will be better for us to exchange it for a goose
drive both his and her goats. Trina proposed trading the goats for with a young gosling, before thou eatest up the whole of it."
a hive, which would not need tending. They gather a pitcher of "But," answered Trina, "not before we have a child to take care of
honey and discuss whether to get a gosling. Trina wants a child to them! Am I to worry myself with the little geese, and spend all my
look after it; Harry says that children don't obey, any more than a strength on them to no purpose?" "Dost thou think," said Harry,
servant does. Trina goes to hit him with a stick and breaks the "that the youngster will look after geese? Now-a-days children no
pitcher. They agree that this way they do not have to look after longer obey, they do according to their own fancy, because they
the goose.) consider themselves cleverer than their parents, just like that lad
who was sent to seek the cow and chased three blackbirds." "Oh,"
Harry was lazy, and although he had nothing else to do but drive replied Trina, "this one shall fare badly if he does not do what I
his goat daily to pasture, he nevertheless groaned when he went say! I will take a stick and belabour his skin for him with more
home after his day's work was done. "It is indeed a heavy burden," blows than I can count. Look, Harry," cried she in her zeal, and
said he, "and a wearisome employment to drive a goat into the seized the stick which she had to drive the mice away with, "Look,
field this way year after year, till late into the autumn! If one could this is the way I will fall on him!" She reached her arm out to
but lie down and sleep, but no, one must have one's eyes open lest strike, but unhappily hit the honey-pitcher above the bed. The
it hurts the young trees, or squeezes itself through the hedge into a pitcher struck against the wall and fell down in fragments, and the
garden, or runs away altogether. How can one have any rest, or fine honey streamed down on the ground. "There lie the goose and
peace of one's life?" He seated himself, collected his thoughts, and the young gosling," said Harry, "and want no looking after. But
considered how he could set his shoulders free from this burden. it is lucky that the pitcher did not fall on my head. We have all
For a long time all thinking was to no purpose, but suddenly it reason to be satisfied with our lot." And then as he saw that there
was as if scales fell from his eyes. "I know what I will do," he cried, was still some honey in one of the fragments he stretched out his
"I will marry fat Trina who has also a goat, and can take mine out hand for it, and said quite gaily, "The remains, my wife, we will
with hers, and then I shall have no more need to trouble myself." still eat with a relish, and we will rest a little after the fright we
So Harry got up, set his weary legs in motion, and went right have had. What matters if we do get up a little later—the day is
across the street, for it was no farther, to where the parents of fat always long enough." "Yes," answered Trina, "we shall always get
Trina lived, and asked for their industrious and virtuous daughter to the end of it at the proper time. Dost thou know that the snail
in marriage. The parents did not reflect long. "Birds of a feather, was once asked to a wedding and set out to go, but arrived at the
flock together," they thought, and consented.
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christening. In front of the house it fell over the fence, and said, as it had gone with Uele. He also met the little iron man, who
'Speed does no good.'" asked what he had there in the basket. Seame said, "Hogs'
bristles," and the iron man said, "Well, so shall it be, and remain."
When Seame got to the King's palace and said he brought apples
165.—THE GRIFFIN with which the King's daughter might eat herself well, they did
not want to let him go in, and said that one fellow had already
("The Griffin" is a fairy tale in the Children's and Household been there, and had treated them as if they were fools. Seame,
Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 3rd edition of 1837 (KHM however, maintained that he certainly had the apples, and that
165) in Alemannic (Swiss) dialect. [On griffins and dragons, see they ought to let him go in. At length they believed him, and led
introduction to KHM 88.] him to the King. But when he uncovered the basket, he had but
Contents: The king's only daughter is ill and, according to the hogs' bristles. This enraged the King most terribly, so he caused
prophecy, is supposed to eat apples to keep herself healthy. Seame to be whipped out of the house. When he got home he
Whoever brings her some should be allowed to marry her. A related all that had befallen him, then the youngest boy, whose
farmer sends his eldest son, then the second, with beautiful red name was Hans, but who was always called Stupid Hans, came and
apples. On the way she speaks to an iron man and asks what they asked his father if he might go with some apples. "Oh!" said the
are carrying. They reply "frog legs" and "pig's bristles," which is father, "thou would^t be just the right fellow for such a thing! If
what it is when they show it to the king, who chases them away. the clever ones can't manage it, what canst thou do?" The boy,
The youngest, called stupid Hans, also wants to go there, is honest however, did not believe him, and said, "Indeed, father, I wish to
with the little man and heals the king's daughter with apples. The go." "Just get away, thou stupid fellow, thou must wait till thou
reluctant king demands a boat that walks better on land than on art wiser," said the father to that, and turned his back. Hans,
water. While the brothers pretend to make wooden implements, however, pulled at the back of his smock-frock and said, "Indeed,
Hans is open to the male again and succeeds. Now he has to look father, I wish to go." "Well, then, so far as I am concerned thou
after a hundred rabbits without losing one. He also resists when mayst go, but thou wilt soon come home again!" replied the old
the maid wants to borrow one. She sends the king's daughter to man in a spiteful voice. The boy, however. was tremendously
take one from him, but the little man gives Hans a whistle, which delighted and jumped for joy. "Well, act like a fool! thou growest
he uses to fetch it back. Finally, the king demands a feather from more stupid every day!" said the father again. Hans, however, did
the griffin. On the way, Hans sleeps in a castle where the key to the not care about that, and did not let it spoil his pleasure, but as it
money chest is missing and one where a cure for the sick daughter was then night, he thought he might as well wait until the morrow,
is being sought. A man carries him across a body of water seeking for he could not get to court that day. All night long he could not
deliverance from his office. The griffin's wife hides him under his sleep in his bed, and if he did doze for a moment, he dreamt of
bed. He rips three feathers off the sleeping man at night. His wife beautiful maidens, of palaces, of gold, and of silver, and all kinds
always calms him down and elicits the answers from him: the key is of things of that sort. Early in the morning, he went forth on his
in the wooden house, a toad has built a nest out of the patient's way, and directly afterwards the little shabby-looking man in his
hair, and the ferryman only has to park a passenger in the water. iron clothes, came to him and asked what he was carrying in the
Hans receives riches for the answers. The king also wants to go to basket. Hans gave him the answer that he was carrying apples with
the griffin. The ferryman lets him drown. Hans becomes king.) which the King's daughter was to eat herself well. "Then," said the
little man, "so shall they be, and remain." But at the court they
There was once upon a time a King, but where he reigned and would none of them let Hans go in, for they said two had already
what he was called, I do not know. He had no son, but an only been there who had told them that they were bringing apples, and
daughter who had always been ill, and no doctor had been able to one of them had frogs' legs, and the other hogs' bristles. Hans,
cure her. Then it was foretold to the King that his daughter however, resolutely maintained that he most certainly had no
should eat herself well with an apple. So he ordered it to be frogs' legs, but some of the most beautiful apples in the whole
proclaimed throughout the whole of his kingdom, that whosoever kingdom. As he spoke so pleasantly, the door-keeper thought he
brought his daughter an apple with which she could eat herself could not be telling a lie, and asked him to go in, and he was right,
well, should have her to wife, and be King. This became known to for when Hans uncovered his basket in the King's presence,
a peasant who had three sons, and he said to the eldest, "Go out golden-yellow apples came tumbling out. The King was delighted,
into the garden and take a basketful of those beautiful apples with and caused some of them to be taken to his daughter, and then
the red cheeks and carry them to the court; perhaps the King's waited in anxious expectation until news should be brought to him
daughter will be able to eat herself well with them, and then thou of the effect they had. But before much time had passed by, news
wilt marry her and be King." The lad did so, and set out. When he was brought to him: but who do you think it was who came? it
had gone a short way he met a little iron man who asked him what was his daughter herself! As soon as she had eaten of those apples,
he had there in the basket, to which replied Uele, for so was he she was cured, and sprang out of her bed. The joy the King felt
named, "Frogs' legs." On this the little man said, "Well, so shall it cannot be described! but now he did not want to give his daughter
be, and remain," and went away. At length Uele arrived at the in marriage to Hans, and said he must first make him a boat which
palace, and made it known that he had brought apples which would go quicker on dry land than on water. Hans agreed to the
would cure the King's daughter if she ate them. This delighted the conditions, and went home, and related how it had fared with him.
King hugely, and he caused Uele to be brought before him; but, Then the father sent Uele into the forest to make a boat of that
alas! when he opened the basket, instead of having apples in it he kind. He worked diligently, and whistled all the time. At mid-day,
had frogs' legs which were still kicking about. On this the King when the sun was at the highest, came the little iron man and
grew angry, and had him driven out of the house. When he got asked what he was making? Uele gave him for answer, "Wooden
home he told his father how it had fared with him. Then the father bowls for the kitchen." The iron man said, "So it shall be, and
sent the next son, who was called Seame, but all went with him just remain." By evening Uele thought he had now made the boat, but
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when he wanted to get into it, he had nothing but wooden bowls. why I am forced to carry everybody over the lake?" "Yes, indeed,
The next day Seame went into the forest, but everything went with most certainly I'll do that," said Hans. Then the man took him up
him just as it had done with Uele. On the third day Stupid Hans on his shoulders, and carried him across. At length Hans arrived
went. He worked away most industriously, so that the whole forest at the Griffin's house, but the wife only was at home, and not the
resounded with the heavy strokes, and all the while he sang and Griffin himself. Then the woman asked him what he wanted:
whistled right merrily. At mid-day, when it was the hottest, the Thereupon he told her everything;—that he had to get a feather
little man came again, and asked what he was making? "A boat out of the Griffin's tail, and that there was a castle where they had
which will go quicker on dry land than on the water," replied lost the key of their money-chest, and he was to ask the Griffin
Hans, "and when I have finished it, I am to have the King's where it was?—that in another castle the daughter was ill, and he
daughter for my wife." "Well," said the little man, "such an one was to learn what would cure her?—and then not far from thence
shall it be, and remain." In the evening, when the sun had turned there was a lake and a man beside it, who was forced to carry
into gold, Hans finished his boat, and all that was wanted for it. people across it, and he was very anxious to learn why the man was
He got into it and rowed to the palace. The boat went as swiftly as obliged to do it. Then said the woman, "But look here, my good
the wind. The King saw it from afar, but would not give his friend, no Christian can speak to the Griffin; he devours them all;
daughter to Hans yet, and said he must first take a hundred hares but if you like, you can lie down under his bed, and in the night,
out to pasture from early morning until late evening, and if one of when he is quite fast asleep, you can reach out and pull a feather
them got away, he should not have his daughter. Hans was out of his tail, and as for those things which you are to learn, I will
contented with this, and the next day went with his flock to the ask about them myself." Hans was quite satisfied with this, and
pasture, and took great care that none of them ran away. got under the bed. In the evening, the Griffin came home, and as
Before many hours had passed came a servant from the palace, soon as he entered the room, said, "Wife, I smell a Christian."
and told Hans that he must give her a hare instantly, for some "Yes," said the woman, "one was here to-day, but he went away
visitors had come unexpectedly. Hans, however, was very well again;" and on that the Griffin said no more.
aware what that meant, and said he would not give her one; the In the middle of the night when the Griffin was snoring loudly,
King might set some hare soup before his guests next day. The Hans reached out and plucked a feather from his tail. The Griffin
maid, however, would not believe in his refusal, and at last she woke up instantly, and said, "Wife, I smell a Christian, and it
began to get angry with him. Then Hans said that if the King's seems to me that somebody was pulling at my tail." His wife said,
daughter came herself, he would give her a hare. The maid told "Thou hast certainly been dreaming, and I told thee before that a
this in the palace, and the daughter did go herself. In the meantime, Christian was here to-day, but that he went away again. He told
however, the little man came again to Hans, and asked him what me all kinds of things—that in one castle they had lost the key of
he was doing there? He said he had to watch over a hundred hares their money-chest, and could find it nowhere." "Oh! the fools!"
and see that none of them ran away, and then he might marry the said the Griffin; "the key lies in the wood-house under a log of
King's daughter and be King. "Good," said the little man, "there wood behind the door." "And then he said that in another castle
is a whistle for thee, and if one of them runs away, just whistle the daughter was ill, and they knew no remedy that would cure
with it, and then it will come back again." When the King's her." "Oh! the fools!" said the Griffin; "under the cellar-steps a
daughter came, Hans gave her a hare into her apron; but when she toad has made its nest of her hair, and if she got her hair back she
had gone about a hundred steps with it, he whistled, and the hare would be well." "And then he also said that there was a place
jumped out of the apron, and before she could turn round was where there was a lake and a man beside it who was forced to carry
back to the flock again. When the evening came the hare-herd everybody across." "Oh, the fool!" said the Griffin; "if he only put
whistled once more, and looked to see if all were there, and then one man down in the middle, he would never have to carry another
drove them to the palace. The King wondered how Hans had been across." Early the next morning the Griffin got up and went out.
able to take a hundred hares to graze without losing any of them; Then Hans came forth from under the bed, and he had a beautiful
he would, however, not give him his daughter yet, and said he feather, and had heard what the Griffin had said about the key,
must now bring him a feather from the Griffin's tail. Hans set out and the daughter, and the ferry-man. The Griffin's wife repeated it
at once, and walked straight forwards. In the evening he came to a all once more to him that he might not forget it, and then he went
castle, and there he asked for a night's lodging, for at that time home again. First he came to the man by the lake, who asked him
there were no inns. The lord of the castle promised him that with what the Griffin had said, but Hans replied that he must first carry
much pleasure, and asked where he was going? Hans answered, him across, and then he would tell him. So the man carried him
"To the Griffin." "Oh! to the Griffin! They tell me he knows across, and when he was over Hans told him that all he had to do
everything, and I have lost the key of an iron money-chest; so you was to set one person down in the middle of the lake, and then he
might be so good as to ask him where it is." "Yes, indeed," said would never have to carry over any more. The man was hugely
Hans, "I will soon do that." Early the next morning he went delighted, and told Hans that out of gratitude he would take him
onwards, and on his way arrived at another castle in which he once more across, and back again. But Hans said no, he would
again stayed the night. When the people who lived there learnt save him the trouble, he was quite satisfied already, and pursued
that he was going to the Griffin, they said they had in the house a his way. Then he came to the castle where the daughter was ill; he
daughter who was ill, and that they had already tried every means took her on his shoulders, for she could not walk, and carried her
to cure her, but none of them had done her any good, and he down the cellar-steps and pulled out the toad's nest from beneath
might be so kind as to ask the Griffin what would make their the lowest step and gave it into her hand, and she sprang off his
daughter healthy again? Hans said he would willingly do that, and shoulder and up the steps before him, and was quite cured. Then
went onwards. Then he came to a lake, and instead of a ferry-boat, were the father and mother beyond measure rejoiced, and they
a tall, tall man was there who had to carry everybody across. The gave Hans gifts of gold and of silver, and whatsoever else he
man asked Hans whither he was journeying? "To the Griffin," said wished for, that they gave him. And when he got to the other
Hans. "Then when you get to him," said the man, "just ask him castle he went at once into the wood-house, and found the key
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under the log of wood behind the door, and took it to the lord of light, and in the midst stood a black table at which four other
the castle. He also was not a little pleased, and gave Hans as a robbers were sitting gambling, and the captain sat at the head of it.
reward much of the gold that was in the chest, and all kinds of As soon as he saw the woman he came and spoke to her, and told
things besides, such as cows, and sheep, and goats. When Hans her to be at ease and have no fear, they would do nothing to hurt
arrived before the King, with all these things—with the money, her, but she must look after the housekeeping, and if she kept
and the gold, and the silver and the cows, sheep and goats, the everything in order, she should not fare ill with them. Thereupon
King asked him how he had come by them. Then Hans told him they gave her something to eat, and showed her a bed where she
that the Griffin gave every one whatsoever he wanted. So the King might sleep with her child.
thought he himself could make such things useful, and set out on The woman stayed many years with the robbers, and Hans grew
his way to the Griffin; but when he got to the lake, it happened tall and strong. His mother told him stories, and taught him to
that he was the very first who arrived there after Hans, and the read an old book of tales about knights which she found in the
man put him down in the middle of it and went away, and the cave. When Hans was nine years old, he made himself a strong club
King was drowned. Hans, however, married the daughter, and out of a branch of fir, hid it behind the bed, and then went to his
became King. mother and said, "Dear mother, pray tell me who is my father; I
must and will know." His mother was silent and would not tell
him, that he might not become home-sick; moreover she knew that
166.—STRONG HANS. the godless robbers would not let him go away, but it almost
broke her heart that Hans should not go to his father. In the night,
("Strong Hans" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm when the robbers came home from their robbing expedition, Hans
and published in their collection as number KHM 166. The brought out his club, stood before the captain, and said, "I now
Grimms had the fairy tale from Karl Rudolf Hagenbach [Swiss wish to know who is my father, and if thou dost not at once tell me
theologian and historian, 1801-1874] via Wilhelm Wackernagel I will strike thee down." Then the captain laughed, and gave Hans
[German philologist and historian, 1806-1869]. such a box on the ear that he rolled under the table. Hans got up
Contents: A two-year-old child, Hans, and his mother are again, held his tongue, and thought, "I will wait another year and
kidnapped by thieves and taken to their hideout in a cave, the then try again, perhaps I shall do better then." When the year was
woman forced to be the bandits' housemaid. When he is nine years over, he brought out his club again, rubbed the dust off it, looked
old, Hans asks his mother where his father is, but the thieves' at it well, and said, "It is a stout strong club." At night the
leader beats the boy. One year later, Hans asks again, beats the robbers came home, drank one jug of wine after another, and their
drunken thieves and returns with his mother to his father, taking heads began to be heavy. Then Hans brought out his club, placed
the bandits' gold with him. Years later, now a youth, he walks the himself before the captain, and asked him who was his father? But
earth with his cane and meets two similarly strong individuals: one the captain again gave him such a vigorous box on the ear that
who can break pines into ropes, and another who can break rocks Hans rolled under the table, but it was not long before he was up
with his fists. The three strike a friendship and agree to hunt again, and beat the captain and the robbers so with his club, that
together and cook the game at home. One day, the two they could no longer move either their arms or their legs. His
companions are defeated by a mysterious being in the woods, who mother stood in a corner full of admiration of his bravery and
asked for some meat. When Hans meets the creature (a dwarf), the strength. When Hans had done his work, he went to his mother,
youth gives him a piece of meat and follows it to its lair in the and said, "Now I have shown myself to be in earnest, but now I
mountain. He calls his companions to help him enter the mountain must also know who is my father." "Dear Hans," answered the
with a long rope. There, Hans kills the dwarf and releases a king's mother, "come, we will go and seek him until we find him." She
daughter (a princess). When Hans takes the princess to his took from the captain the key to the entrance-door, and Hans
companions to pull her to the surface, the two companions cut the fetched a great meal-sack and packed into it gold and silver, and
rope and the youth is trapped in the dwarf's lair. He soon finds a whatsoever else he could find that was beautiful, until it was full,
magic ring and uses it to teleport out of the mountain.) and then he took it on his back. They left the cave, but how Hans
did open his eyes when he came out of the darkness into daylight,
There were once a man and a woman who had an only child, and and saw the green forest, and the flowers, and the birds, and the
lived quite alone in a solitary valley. It came to pass that the morning sun in the sky. He stood there and wondered at
mother once went into the wood to gather branches of fir, and everything just as if he had not been, very wise. His mother looked
took with her little Hans, who was just two years old. As it was for the way home, and when they had walked for a couple of hours,
spring-time, and the child took pleasure in the many-coloured they got safely into their lonely valley and to their little house.
flowers, she went still further onwards with him into the forest. The father was sitting in the doorway. He wept for joy when he
Suddenly two robbers sprang out of the thicket, seized the mother recognised his wife and heard that Hans was his son, for he had
and child, and carried them far away into the black forest, where long regarded them both as dead. But Hans, although he was not
no one ever came from one year's end to another. The poor woman twelve years old, was a head taller than his father. They went into
urgently begged the robbers to set her and her child free, but their the little room together, but Hans had scarcely put his sack on the
hearts were made of stone, they would not listen to her prayers bench by the stove, than the whole house began to crack—the
and entreaties, and drove her on farther by force. After they had bench broke down and then the floor, and the heavy sack fell
worked their way through bushes and briars for about two miles, through into the cellar. "God save us!" cried the father, "what's
they came to a rock where there was a door, at which the robbers that? Now thou hast broken our little house to pieces!" "Don't
knocked and it opened at once. They had to go through a long grow any grey hairs about that, dear father," answered Hans;
dark passage, and at last came into a great cavern, which was "there, in that sack, is more than is wanting for a new house." The
lighted by a fire which burnt on the hearth. On the wall hung father and Hans at once began to build a new house; to buy cattle
swords, sabres, and other deadly weapons which gleamed in the and land, and to keep a farm. Hans ploughed the fields, and when
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he followed the plough and pushed it into the ground, the meat. Then Hans thought, "He is a poor wretch, I will give him
bullocks had scarcely any need to draw. The next spring, Hans said, some of my share, that the others may not run short," and handed
"Keep all the money and get a walking-stick that weighs a him a bit. When the dwarf had devoured it, he again asked for
hundredweight made for me that I may go a-travelling." When the some meat, and good-natured Hans gave it to him, and told him it
wished-for stick was ready, he left his father's house, went forth, was a handsome piece, and that he was to be content with it. But
and came to a deep, dark forest. There he heard something the dwarf begged again for the third time. "Thou art shameless!"
crunching and cracking, looked round, and saw a fir-tree which said Hans, and gave him none. Then the malicious dwarf wanted
was wound round like a rope from the bottom to the top, and to spring on him and treat him as he had treated Fir-twister and
when he looked upwards he saw a great fellow who had laid hold Rock-splitter, but he had got to the wrong man. Hans, without
of the tree and was twisting it like a willow- wand. "Hollo!" cried exerting himself much, gave him a couple of blows which made
Hans, "what art thou doing up there?" The fellow replied, "I got him jump down the castle steps. Hans was about to run after him,
some faggots together yesterday and am twisting a rope for them." but fell right over him, for he was so tall. When he rose up again,
"That is what I like," thought Hans, "he has some strength," and the dwarf had got the start of him. Hans hurried after him as far as
he called to him, "Leave that alone, and come with me." The the forest, and saw him slip into a hole in the rock. Hans now went
fellow came down, and he was taller by a whole head than Hans, home, but he had marked the spot. When the two others came
and Hans was not little. "Thy name is now Fir-twister," said Hans back, they were surprised that Hans was so well. He told them
to him. Thereupon they went further and heard something what had happened, and then they no longer concealed how it had
knocking and hammering with such force that the ground shook fared with them. Hans laughed and said, "It served you quite right;
at every stroke. Shortly afterwards they came to a mighty rock, why were you so greedy with your meat? It is a disgrace that you
before which a giant was standing and striking great pieces of it who are so big should have let yourselves be beaten by the dwarf."
away with his fist. When Hans asked what he was about, he Thereupon they took a basket and a rope, and all three went to the
answered, "At night, when I want to sleep, bears, wolves, and hole in the rock into which the dwarf had slipped, and let Hans
other vermin of that kind come, which sniff and snuffle about me and his club down in the basket. When Hans had reached the
and won't let me rest; so I want to build myself a house and lay bottom, he found a door, and when he opened it a maiden was
myself inside it, so that I may have some peace." "Oh, indeed," sitting there who was lovely as any picture, nay, so beautiful that
thought Hans, "I can make use of this one also;" and said to him, no words can express it, and by her side sat the dwarf and grinned
"Leave thy house-building alone, and go with me; thou shalt be at Hans like a sea-cat! She, however, was bound with chains, and
called Rock-splitter." The man consented, and they all three looked so mournfully at him that Hans felt great pity for her, and
roamed through the forest, and wherever they went the wild beasts thought to himself, "Thou must deliver her out of the power of the
were terrified, and ran away from them. In the evening they came wicked dwarf," and gave him such a blow with his club that he fell
to an old deserted castle, went up into it, and laid themselves down down dead. Immediately the chains fell from the maiden, and Hans
in the hall to sleep. The next morning Hans went into the garden. was enraptured with her beauty. She told him she was a King's
It had run quite wild, and was full of thorns and bushes. And as he daughter whom^ a savage count had stolen away from her home,
was thus walking round about, a wild boar rushed at him; he, and imprisoned there among the rocks, because she would have
however, gave it such a blow with his club that it fell directly. He nothing to say to him. The count had, however, set the dwarf as a
took it on his shoulders and carried it in, and they put it on a spit, watchman, and he had made her bear misery and vexation enough.
roasted it, and enjoyed themselves. Then they arranged that each And now Hans placed the maiden in the basket and had her drawn
day, in turn, two should go out hunting, and one should stay at up; the basket came down again, but Hans did not trust his two
home, and cook nine pounds of meat for each of them. Fir-twister companions, and thought, "They have already shown themselves
stayed at home the first, and Hans and Rock-splitter went out to be false, and told me nothing about the dwarf; who knows what
hunting. When Fir-twister was busy cooking, a little shrivelled-up design they may have against me?" So he put his club in the basket,
old mannikin came to him in the castle, and asked for some meat. and it was lucky he did; for when the basket was half-way up, they
"Be off, sly hypocrite," he answered, "thou needest no meat." But let it fall again, and if Hans had really been sitting in it he would
how astonished Fir-twister was when the little insignificant dwarf have been killed. But now he did not know how he was to work his
sprang up at him, and belaboured him so with his fists that he way out of the depths, and when he turned it over and over in his
could not defend himself, but fell on the ground and gasped for mind he found no counsel. "It is indeed sad," said he to himself,
breath! The dwarf did not go away until he had thoroughly vented "that I have to waste away down here," and as he was thus walking
his anger on him. When the two others came home from hunting, backwards and forwards, he once more came to the little chamber
Fir-twister said nothing to them of the old mannikin and of the where the maiden had been sitting, and saw that the dwarf had a
blows which he himself had received, and thought, "When they ring on his finger which shone and sparkled. Then he drew it off
stay at home, they may just try their chance with the little and put it on, and when he turned it round on his finger, he
scrubbing-brush;" and the mere thought of that gave him pleasure suddenly heard something rustle over his head. He looked up and
already. saw spirits of the air hovering above, who told him he was their
The next day Rock-splitter stayed at home, and he fared just as master, and asked what his desire might be? Hans was at first
Fir-twister had done, he was very ill-treated by the dwarf because struck dumb, but afterwards he said that they were to carry him
he was not willing to give him any meat. When the others came above again. They obeyed instantly, and it was just as if he had
home in the evening. Fir-twister easily saw what he had suffered, flown up himself. When, however, he was above again, he found
but both kept silence, and thought, "Hans also must taste some of no one in sight. Fir-twister and Rock-splitter had hurried away,
that soup." and had taken the beautiful maiden with them. But Hans turned
Hans, who had to stay at home the next day, did his work in the the ring, and the spirits of the air came and told him that the two
kitchen as it had to be done, and as he was standing skimming the were on the sea. Hans ran and ran without stopping, until he came
pan, the dwarf came and without more ado demanded a bit of to the sea-shore, and there far, far out on the water, he perceived a
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
little boat in which his faithless comrades were sitting; and in guilder and it was given to her and she borrowed another and got
fierce anger he leapt, without thinking what he was doing, club in one from him, she would want to buy a cow. He is happy that he
hand into the water, and began to swim, but the club, which would then have milk. She complains that the milk is for the calves.
weighed a hundredweight, dragged him deep down until he was He pushes her onto the pillow until she falls asleep.)
all but drowned. Then in the very nick of time he turned his ring,
and immediately the spirits of the air came and bore him as swift as Lean Lisa was of a very different way of thinking from lazy
lightning into the boat. He swung his club and gave his wicked Harry and fat Trina, who never let anything disturb their peace.
comrades the reward they merited and threw them into the water, She scoured everything with ashes, from morning till evening, and
and then he sailed with the beautiful maiden, who had been in the burdened her husband, Long Laurence, with so much work that he
greatest alarm, and whom he delivered for the second time, home had heavier weights to carry than an ass with three sacks. It was,
to her father and mother, and married her, and all rejoiced however, all to no purpose, they had nothing and came to nothing.
exceedingly. One night as she lay in bed, and could hardly move one limb for
weariness, she still did not allow her thoughts to go to sleep. She
thrust her elbows into her husband's side, and said, "Listen Lenz,
167.—THE PEASANT IN HEAVEN. to what I have been thinking: if I were to find one florin and one
was given to me, I would borrow another to put to them, and thou
("The Peasant in Heaven" in the sky is a farce in the Children's too shouldst give me another, and then as soon as I had got the
and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 3rd edition four florins together, I would buy a young cow." This pleased the
of 1837 (KHM 167). It was written in the Alemannic (Swiss) husband right well. "It is true," said he, "that I do not know
dialect. Grimm's note reads: From Friedrich Schmid near Arau where I am to get the florin which thou wan test as a gift from me;
told it in the best way. Wilhelm Wackernagel sent it to them but, if thou canst get the money together, and canst buy a cow
together with "Der Vogel Greif" KHM 165. The oldest literary with it, thou wilt do well to carry out thy project. I shall be glad,"
precursor is the poem "Das Bürle im Himmel," a fairy tale by he added, "if the cow has a calf, and then I shall often get a drink
Daniel Schubart (1774). of milk to refresh me." "The milk is not for thee," said the woman,
Contents: A Peasant and a Rich Man went to Heaven. Saint "we must let the calf suck that it may become big and fat, and we
Peter let the Rich Man in but overlooked the Peasant; there was may be able to sell it well." "Certainly," replied the man, "but still
then great rejoicing and music in Heaven. Then St Peter noticed we will take a little milk; that will do no harm." "Who has taught
the Peasant and let him in, but there was no celebration. When the thee to manage cows?" said the woman; "Whether it does harm or
Peasant asked why, St Peter said that many poor people go to not, I will not allow it, and even if thou wert to stand on thy head
Heaven, but a rich man does only once a century or so.) for it, thou shouldst not have a drop of the milk! Dost thou think,
because there is no satisfying thee, Long Laurence, that thou art
Once on a time a poor pious peasant died, and arrived before the to eat up what I earn with so much difficulty?" "Wife," said the
gate of heaven. At the same time a very rich,, rich lord came there man, "be quiet, or I will give thee a blow on thy mouth!" "What!"
who also wanted to get into heaven. Then Saint Peter came with cried she, "thou threatenest me, thou glutton, thou rascal, thou
the key, and opened the door, and let the great man in, but lazy Harry!" She was just laying hold of his hair, but long
apparently did not see the peasant, and shut the door again. And Laurence got up, seized both Lean Lisa's withered arms in one
now the peasant outside, heard how the great man was received in hand, and with the other he pressed down her head into the pillow,
heaven with all kinds of rejoicing, and how they were making let her scold, and held her until she fell asleep for very weariness.
music, and singing within. At length all became quiet again, and Whether she continued to wrangle when she awoke next morning,
Saint Peter came and opened the gate of heaven, and let the or whether she went out to look for the florin which she wanted to
peasant in. The peasant, however, expected that they would make find, that I know not.
music and sing when he went in also, but all remained quite quiet;
he was received with great affection, it is true, and the angels came
to meet him, but no one sang. Then the peasant asked Saint Peter 169.—THE HUT IN THE FOREST.
how it was that they did not sing for him as they had done when
the rich man went in, and said that it seemed to him that there in ("The Hut in the Forest" is a fairy tale in the Kinder- und
heaven things were done with just as much partiality as on earth. Hausmärchen of the Brothers Grimm from the 4th edition of 1840
Then said Saint Peter, "By no means, thou art just as dear to us as (KHM 169). Wilhelm Grimm adapted the magic fairy tale written
any one else, and wilt enjoy every heavenly delight that the rich by Karl Goedeke zu Delligsen near Alfeld according to oral
man enjoys, but poor fellows like thee come to heaven every day, tradition.
but a rich man like this does not come more than once in a Contents: A poor woodcutter, when he goes to work, tells his
hundred years!" wife to let her eldest daughter bring him lunch. When this does
not come, he has the second and then the youngest sent the next
day. The first time he scatters millet grains to mark the way, the
168.—LEAN LISA or SKINNY LISA. second time lentils and then peas. But all the daughters get lost in
the forest because the birds are picking up the grain. Each asks for
("Lean Lisa" or "Skinny Lisa" is a farce in the Children's and lodging with an old man in a forest house. He first asks his animals,
Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 4th edition of a chicken, a cockerel and a cow, and lets the girls cook food. The
1840 (KHM 168). It comes from Hans Wilhelm Kirchhof's two older ones eat with him and then want to sleep. The animals
collection "Wendunmuth". lament the neglect. The old man sends her to a bedroom anyway.
Contents: Liese works hard and also plagues her husband, the Finding her asleep, he lowers her down a trapdoor to the
tall Lenz. In the evenings in bed she thinks that if she found a basement. Only the youngest takes care of the animals. The next
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
morning she wakes up in a castle with three servants and a king's that the second daughter should take him his dinner that day. "I
son, whom she has redeemed from a curse. She marries the king's will take a bag with lentils," said he; "the seeds are larger than
son and the older daughters are sent to a charcoal burner as maids millet, the girl will see them better, and can't lose her way." At
to improve their health.) dinner-time, therefore, the girl took out the food, but the lentils
had disappeared. The birds of the forest had picked them up as
A poor wood-cutter lived with his wife and three daughters in a they had done the day before, and had left none. The girl
little hut on the edge of a lonely forest. One morning as he was wandered about in the forest until night, and then she too reached
about to go to his work, he said to his wife, "Let my dinner be the house of the old man, was told to go in, and begged for food
brought into the forest to me by my eldest daughter, or I shall and a bed. The man with the white beard again asked the animals,
never get my work done, and in order that she may not miss her "Pretty little hen,
way," he added, "I will take a bag of millet with me and strew the Pretty little cock,
seeds on the path." When, therefore, the sun was just above the And pretty brindled cow,
centre of the forest, the girl set out on her way with a bowl of soup, What say ye to that?"
but the field-sparrows, and wood-sparrows, larks and finches, The animals again replied "Duks," and everything happened just
blackbirds and siskins had picked up the millet long before, and as it had happened the day before. The girl cooked a good meal,
the girl could not find the track. Then trusting to chance, she went ate and drank with the old man, and did not concern herself about
on and on, until the sun sank and night began to fall. The trees the animals, and when she inquired about her bed they answered,
rustled in the darkness, the owls hooted, and she began to be "Thou hast eaten with him,
afraid. Then in the distance she perceived a light which glimmered Thou hast drunk with him,
between the trees. "There ought to be some people living there, Thou hast had no thought for us,
who can take me in for the night," thought she, and went up to the So find out for thyself where thou canst pass the night."
light. It was not long before she came to a house the windows of When she was asleep the old man came, looked at her, shook his
which were all lighted up. She knocked, and a rough voice from head, and let her down into the cellar.
the inside, cried, "Come in." The girl stepped into the dark On the third morning the wood-cutter said to his wife, "Send
entrance, and knocked at the door of the room. "Just come in," our youngest child out with my dinner to-day, she has always been
cried the voice, and when she opened the door, an old grey-haired good and obedient, and will stay in the right path, and not run
man was sitting at the table, supporting his face with both hands, about after every wild humble-bee, as her sisters did." The mother
and his white beard fell down over the table almost as far as the did not want to do it, and said, "Am I to lose my dearest child, as
ground. By the stove lay three animals, a hen, a cock, and a well?"
brindled cow. The girl told her story to the old man, and begged "Have no fear," he replied, "the girl will not go astray; she is too
for shelter for the night. The man said, prudent and sensible; besides I will take some peas with me, and
"Pretty little hen, strew them about. They are still larger than lentils, and will show
Pretty little cock, her the way." But when the girl went out with her basket on her
And pretty brindled cow, arm, the wood-pigeons had already got all the peas in their crops,
What say ye to that?" and she did not know which way she was to turn. She was full of
"Duks," answered the animals, and that must have meant, "We sorrow and never ceased to think how hungry her father would be,
are willing," for the old man said, "Here you shall have shelter and and how her good mother would grieve, if she did not go home. At
food, go to the fire, and cook us our supper." The girl found in the length when it grew dark, she saw the light and came to the house
kitchen abundance of everything, and cooked a good supper, but in the forest. She begged quite prettily to be allowed to spend the
had no thought of the animals. She carried the full dishes to the night there, and the man with the white beard once more asked his
table, seated herself by the grey-haired man, ate and satisfied her animals,
hunger. When she had had enough, she said, "But now I am tired, "Pretty little hen,
where is there a bed in which I can lie down, and sleep?" The Pretty little cock,
animals replied, And beautiful brindled cow,
"Thou hast eaten with him, What say ye to that?"
Thou hast drunk with him. "Duks," said they. Then the girl went to the stove where the
Thou hast had no thought for us, animals were lying, and petted the cock and hen, and stroked their
So find out for thyself where thou canst pass the night." smooth feathers with her hand, and caressed the brindled cow
Then said the old man, "Just go upstairs, and thou wilt find a between her horns, and when, in obedience to the old man's orders,
room with two beds, shake them up, and put white linen on them, she had made ready some good soup, and the bowl was placed
and then I, too, will come and lie down to sleep." The girl went up, upon the table, she said, "Am I to eat as much as I want, and the
and when she had shaken the beds and put clean sheets on, she lay good animals to have nothing? Outside is food in plenty, I will
down in one of them without waiting any longer for the old man. look after them first." So she went and brought some barley and
After some time, however, the grey-haired man came, took his strewed it for the cock and hen, and a whole armful of sweet-
candle, looked at the girl and shook his head. When he saw that smelling hay for the cow. "I hope you will like it, dear animals,"
she had fallen into a sound sleep, he opened a trap-door, and let said she, "and you shall have a refreshing draught in case you are
her down into the cellar. thirsty." Then she fetched in a bucketful of water, and the cock
Late at night the wood-cutter came home, and reproached his and hen jumped on to the edge of it and dipped their beaks in, and
wife for leaving him to hunger all day. "It is not my fault," she then held up their heads as the birds do when they drink, and the
replied, "the girl went out with your dinner, and must have lost brindled cow also took a hearty draught. When the animals were
herself, but she is sure to come back to-morrow." The wood-cutter, fed, the girl seated herself at the table by the old man, and ate
however, arose before dawn to go into the forest, and requested what he had left. It was not long before the cock and the hen began
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
to thrust their heads beneath their wings, and the eyes of the cow Contents: A wicked tailor beats his good wife until he is
likewise began to blink. Then said the girl, "Ought we not to go imprisoned. He has to vow to get better, to share his love and
to bed?" sorrow with his wife. He backslides, but instead of hitting him, he
"Pretty little hen, pulls her hair and throws his cubit and scissors at her. In court he
Pretty little cock, says he wanted to fix her hair and throw the throws as a reminder
And pretty brindled cow, that she is not allowed to leave him and that if he met her he loved
What say ye to that?" it and she was sorry and vice versa.)
The animals answered "Duks,"
"Thou hast eaten with us, There was once a tailor, who was a quarrelsome fellow, and his
Thou hast drunk with us, wife, who was good, industrious, and pious, never could please
Thou hast had kind thought for all of us, him. Whatever she did, he was not satisfied, but grumbled and
We wish thee good-night." scolded, and knocked her about and beat her. As the authorities at
Then the maiden went upstairs, shook the feather-beds, and laid last heard of it, they had him summoned, and put in prison in
clean sheets on them, and when she had done it the old man came order to make him better. He was kept for a while on bread and
and lay down on one of the beds, and his white beard reached water, and then set free again. He was forced, however, to promise
down to his feet. The girl lay down on the other, said her prayers, not to beat his wife any more, but to live with her in peace, and
and fell asleep. share joy and sorrow with her, as married people ought to do. All
She slept quietly till midnight, and then there was such a noise in went on well for a time, but then he fell into his old ways, and was
the house that she awoke. There was a sound of cracking and surly and quarrelsome. And because he dared not beat her, he
splitting in every corner, and the doors sprang open, and beat would seize her by the hair and tear it out. The woman escaped
against the walls. The beams groaned as if they were being torn from him, and sprang out into the yard but he ran after her with
out of their joints, it seemed as if the staircase were falling down, his yard-measure and scissors, and chased her about, and threw the
and at length there was a crash as if the entire roof had fallen in. yard-measure and scissors at her, and whatever else came in his
As, however, all grew quiet once more, and the girl was not hurt, way. When he hit her he laughed, and when he missed her, he
she stayed quietly lying where she was, and fell asleep again. But stormed and swore. This went on so long that the neighbours came
when she woke up in the morning with the brilliancy of the to the wife's assistance. The tailor was again summoned before the
sunshine, what did her eyes behold? She was lying in a vast hall, magistrates, and reminded of his promise. "Dear gentlemen," said
and everything around her shone with royal splendour; on the he, "I have kept my word I have not beaten her, but have shared
walls, golden flowers grew up on a ground of green silk, the bed joy and sorrow with her." "How can that be," said the judge,
was of ivory, and the canopy of red velvet, and on a chair close by, "when she continually brings such heavy complaints against you?"
was a pair of shoes embroidered with pearls. The girl believed that "I have not beaten her, but just because she looked so strange I
she was in a dream, but three richly clad attendants came in, and wanted to comb her hair with my hand; she, however, got away
asked what orders she would like to give? "If you will go," she from me, and left me quite spitefully. Then I hurried after her, and
replied, "I will get up at once and make ready some soup for the in order to bring her back to her duty, I threw at her as a well-
old man, and then I will feed the pretty little hen, and the cock, meant admonition whatever came readily to hand. I have shared
and the beautiful brindled cow." She thought the old man was up joy and sorrow with her also, for whenever I hit her I was full of
already, and looked round at his bed; he, however, was not lying joy, and she of sorrow, and if I missed her, then she was joyful, and
in it, but a stranger. And while she was looking at him, and I sorry." The judges were not satisfied with this answer, but gave
becoming aware that he was young and handsome, he awoke, sat him the reward he deserved.
up in bed, and said, "I am a King's son, and was bewitched by a
wicked witch, and made to live in this forest, as an old grey-haired
man; no one was allowed to be with me but my three attendants in 171.—THE WILLOW-WREN.
the form of a cock, a hen, and a brindled cow. The spell was not to
be broken until a girl came to us whose heart was so good that she ("The Willow-Wren" is an animal fairy tale in the Kinder- und
showed herself full of love, not only towards mankind, but Hausmärchen of the Brothers Grimm from the 4th edition of 1840
towards animals—and that thou hast done, and by thee at (KHM 171). It is based on a version by Johann Jakob Nathanael
midnight we were set free, and the old hut in the forest was Mussäus (1789-1839); ethnologist and Protestant theologian) in
changed back again into my royal palace." And when they had "Yearbook of the Association for Mecklenburg History and
arisen, the King's son ordered the three attendants to set out and Archaeology" from 1840.
fetch the father and mother of the girl to the marriage feast. "But Contents: In ancient times, every thing still made sounds that
where are my two sisters?" inquired the maiden. "I have locked you could understand. The birds, whose language one also
them in the cellar, and to-morrow they shall he led into the forest, understands, want to elect a king. Only the lapwing wants to stay
and shall live as servants to a charcoal-burner, until they have free ("Where am I staying? Where am I staying?") and retreats to
grown kinder, and do not leave poor animals to suffer hunger." the swamps. The birds gather, only the hen does not know about it.
They decide, despite a frog's scruples, that the one who can fly the
highest will be king. All rise, the eagle the highest. When he sees
170.—SHARING JOY AND SORROW. that no one can follow him, he comes down again, but then a small,
nameless bird rises from his breast plumage ("King bün ick! König
("Sharing Joy and Sorrow" is a farce in the children's and bün ick!"). The others do not recognise the ruse. He shall be king
household tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 4th edition of who could fall deepest into the earth. The bird looks for a mouse
1840 at position 170 (KHM 170). It comes from Jörg Wickram's hole. They want to starve him and put the owl in front of him. She
(c.1505-1560) "Rollwagenbüchlein", published in 1555. takes turns guarding with one eye, but then forgets to open one
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
again and he escapes. Since then, birds hate owls, they hate mice, it was once more on the land! How quickly the cock scratched a
and the wren hangs around on fences.) hole! The duck came off the worst of all, for she leapt into a ditch,
but sprained her legs, and waddled away to a neighbouring pond,
In former days every sound had its meaning and application. crying, "Cheating, cheating!" The little bird without a name,
When the smith's hammer resounded, it cried, "Strike away! strike however, sought out a mouse-hole, slipped down into it, and cried
away." When the carpenter's plane grated, it said, "Here goes! out of it with his small voice, "I am King! I am King!"
here goes." If the mill wheel began to clack, it said, "Help, Lord "Thou our King!" cried the birds still more angrily. "Dost thou
God! help, Lord God!" and if the miller was a cheat and happened think thy cunning shall prevail?" They determined to keep him a
to leave the mill, it spoke high German, and first asked slowly, prisoner in the hole and starve him out. The owl was placed as
"Who is there? who is there?" and then answered quickly, "The sentinel in front of it, and was not to let the rascal out if she had
miller! the miller!" and at last quite in a hurry, "He steals bravely! any value for her life. When evening was come all the birds were
he steals bravely! three pecks in a bushel." feeling very tired after exerting their wings so much, so they went
At this time the birds also had their own language which every to bed with their wives and children. The owl alone remained
one understood; now it only sounds like chirping, screeching, and standing by the mouse-hole, gazing steadfastly into it with her
whistling, and to some, like music without, words. It came into great eyes. In the meantime she, too, had grown tired and thought
the bird's mind, however, that they would no longer be without a to herself, "You might certainly shut one eye, you will still watch
ruler, and would choose one of themselves to be their King. One with the other, and the little miscreant shall not come out of his
alone amongst them, the green plover, was opposed to this. He hole." So she shut one eye, and with the other looked straight at
had lived free and would die free, and anxiously flying hither and the mouse-hole. The little fellow put his head out and peeped, and
thither, he cried, "Where shall I go? where shall I go?" He retired wanted to slip away, but the owl came forward immediately, and
into a solitary and unfrequented marsh, and showed himself no he drew his head back again. Then the owl opened the one eye
more among his fellows. again, and shut the other, intending to shut them in turn all
The birds now wished to discuss the matter, and on a fine May through the night.
morning they all gathered together from the woods and fields: But when she next shut the one eye, she forgot to open the other,
eagles and chaffinches, owls and crows, larks and sparrows, how and as soon as both her eyes were shut she fell asleep. The little
can I name them all? Even the cuckoo came, and the hoopoe, his fellow soon observed that, and slipped away.
clerk, who is so called because he is always heard a few days before From that day forth, the owl has never dared to show herself by
him, and a very small bird which as yet had no name, mingled with daylight, for if she does the other birds chase her and pluck her
the band. The hen, which by some accident had heard nothing of feathers out. She only flies out by night, but hates and pursues
the whole matter, was astonished at the great assemblage. "What, mice because they make such ugly holes. The little bird, too, is
what, what is going to be done?" she cackled; but the cock calmed very unwilling to let himself be seen, because he is afraid it will
his beloved hen, and said, "Only rich people," and told her what cost him his life if he is caught. He steals about in the hedges, and
they had on hand. It was decided, however, that the one who could when he is quite safe, he sometimes cries, "I am King," and for this
fly the highest should be King. A tree-frog which was sitting reason, the other birds call him in mockery, 'King of the hedges'
among the bushes, when he heard that, cried a warning, "No, no, (Zaunkönig). No one, however, was so happy as the lark at not
no! no!" because he thought that many tears would be shed having to obey the little King. As soon as the sun appears, she
because of this; but the crow said, "Caw, caw," and that all would ascends high in the air and cries, "Ah, how beautiful that is!
pass off peaceably. It was now determined that on this fine beautiful that is! beautiful, beautiful! ah, how beautiful that is!"
morning they should at once begin to ascend, so that hereafter no
one should be able to say, "I could easily have flown much higher,
but the evening came on, and I could do no more." On a given 172.—THE SOLE.
signal, therefore, the whole troop rose up in the air. The dust
ascended from the land, and there was tremendous fluttering and ("The Sole" is an animal fairy tale in the Children's and
whirring and beating of wings, and it looked as if a black cloud Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 4th edition of
was rising up. The little birds were, however, soon left behind. 1840 (KHM 172). It is based on Johann Jakob Nathanael
They could go no farther, and fell back to the ground. The larger Mussäus' (1789-1839); ethnologist and Protestant theologian)
birds held out longer, but none could equal the eagle, who "The King's Choice Among the Fishes" in the "Yearbook of the
mounted so high that he could have picked the eyes out of the sun. Association for Mecklenburg history and archaeology" from 1840.
And when he saw that the others could not get up to him, he Contents: Chaos reigns among the fish. So they want to choose
thought, "Why shouldst thou fly still higher, thou art the King?" the king who can swim the fastest to help the weaker ones. In the
and began to let himself down again. The birds beneath him at race, the herring is ahead. The floe enviously calls out "De bare
once cried to him. "Thou must be our King, no one has flown so Hiering?". Since then, her mouth has been crooked as punishment.)
high as thou." "Except me," screamed the little fellow without a
name, who had crept into the breast-feathers of the eagle. And as The fishes had for a long time been discontented because no
he was not at all tired, he rose up and mounted so high that he order prevailed in their kingdom. None of them turned aside for
reached heaven itself. When, however, he had gone as far as this, the others, but all swam to the right or the left as they fancied, or
he folded his wings together, and called down with clear and darted between those who wanted to stay together, or got into
penetrating voice, "I am King! I am King." their way; and a strong one gave a weak one a blow with its tail,
"Thou, our King?" cried the birds angrily. "Thou hast which drove it away, or else swallowed it up without more ado.
compassed it by trick and cunning!" So they made another "How delightful it would be," said they, "if we had a king who
condition. He should be King who could go down lowest in the enforced law and justice among us!" and they met together to
ground. How the goose did flap about with its broad breast when
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
choose for their ruler, the one who could cleave through the water 174.—THE OWL.
most quickly, and give help to the weak ones.
They placed themselves in rank and file by the shore, and the pike ("The Owl" is a farce in the children's and household tales of the
gave the signal with his tail, on which they all started. Like an Brothers Grimm from the 4th edition of 1840 (KHM 174). It
arrow, the pike darted away, and with him the herring, the comes from Hans Wilhelm Kirchhof's "Of the owls to pain" in the
gudgeon, the perch, the carp, and all the rest of them. Even the "Wendunmuth" collection (1563 ).
sole swam with them, and hoped to reach the winning-place. All at Contents: In the story, a horned owl flies into a barn owned by a
once, the cry was heard, "The herring is first! the herring is first!" local at the nearby town. The owl quickly frightens all of the
"Who is first?" screamed angrily the flat envious sole, who had townspeople who try to enter the barn. The same day, a man
been left far behind, "who is first?" "The herring! The herring," known for his courage and bravery in warlike skills announces to
was the answer. "The naked herring?" cried the jealous creature, the populace that they are "all acting like women". He then
"the naked herring?" Since that time the sole's mouth has been at ventures into the barn with a spear. The owl hoots at him, and he
one side for a punishment. flees in terror. The townspeople finally come up with the decision
to burn the barn down and be rid of the owl forever.)
173.—THE BITTERN AND THE HOOPOE. Two or three hundred years ago, when people were far from
being so crafty and cunning as they are now-a-days, an
("The Bittern* and the Hoopoe" is a legend in the Kinder- und extraordinary event took place in a little town. By some mischance
Hausmärchen of the Brothers Grimm from the 4th edition of 1840 one of the great owls, called horned owls, had come from the
(KHM 173). It comes from Johann Jakob Nathanael Mussäus neighbouring woods into the barn of one of the townsfolk in the
(1789-1839); ethnologist and Protestant theologian), who night-time, and when day broke did not dare to venture forth
published it in 1840 as "Die Kuhhirten" in the "Yearbook of the again from her retreat, for fear of the other birds, which raised a
Association for Mecklenburg History and Archaeology". terrible outcry whenever she appeared. In the morning when the
[* Bitterns are birds belonging to the subfamily Botaurinae of man-servant went into the barn to fetch some straw, he was so
the heron family Ardeidae. Hoopoes are colourful birds found mightily alarmed at the sight of the owl sitting there in a corner,
across Africa, Asia, and Europe, notable for their distinctive that he ran away and announced to his master that a monster, the
"crown" of feathers.] like of which he had never set eyes on in his life, and which could
Content: An old cowherd explains that he prefers to graze the devour a man without the slightest difficulty, was sitting in the
cows where the grass is neither too fat nor too lean. Bittern and barn, rolling its eyes about in its head. "I know you already," said
hoopoe were also cowherds. One drove the cows to rich meadows the master, "you have courage enough to chase a blackbird about
with lots of flowers, the other to dry mountains. In the evening, the fields, but when you see a dead hen lying, you have to get a
bittern wanted to round up his high-spirited animals: "bunt, stick before you go near it. I must go and see for myself what kind
herüm" (bunte cow, around). Hoopoe wanted to raise his weary of a monster it is," added the master, and went quite boldly into
animals: "Up, up, up!" - "That's how it works if you don't measure the granary and looked round him. When, however, he saw the
up. Even today, when they no longer guard the flock, the bittern strange grim creature with his own eyes, he was no less terrified
cries 'colourful, come around,' and the hoopoe 'up, up, up!'") than the servant had been. With two bounds he sprang out, ran to
his neighbours, and begged them imploringly to lend him
"Where do you like best to feed your flocks?" said a man to an assistance against an unknown and dangerous beast, or else the
old cow-herd. "Here, sir, where the grass is neither too rich nor whole town might be in danger if it were to break loose out of the
too poor, or else it is no use." "Why not?" asked the man. "Do you barn, where it was shut up. A great noise and clamour arose in all
hear that melancholy cry from the meadow there?" answered the the streets, the townsmen came armed with spears, hay-forks,
shepherd, "that is the bittern; he was once a shepherd, and so was scythes, and axes, as if they were going out against an enemy;
the hoopoe also,—I will tell you the story. The bittern pastured finally, the senators appeared with the burgomaster at their head.
his flocks on rich green meadows where flowers grew in When they had drawn up in the market-place, they marched to the
abundance,[1] so his cows became wild and unmanageable. The barn, and surrounded it on all sides. Thereupon one of the most
hoopoe drove his cattle on to high barren hills, where the wind courageous of them stepped forth and entered with his spear
plays with the sand, and his cows became thin, and got no strength. lowered, but came running out immediately afterwards with a
When it was evening, and the shepherds wanted to drive their cows shriek and as pale as death, and could not utter a single word. Yet
homewards, the bittern could not get his together again; they two others ventured in, but they fared no better. At last one
were too high-spirited, and ran away from him. He called, "Come, stepped forth; a great strong man who was famous for his warlike
cows, come,"[2] but it was of no use; they took no notice of his deeds, and said, "You will not drive away the monster by merely
calling. The hoopoe, however, could not even get his cows up on looking at him; we must be in earnest here, but I see that you have
their legs, so faint and weak had they become. "Up, up, up," all turned into women, and not one of you dares to encounter the
screamed he, but it was in vain, they remained lying on the sand. animal." He ordered them to give him some armour, had a sword
That is the way when one has no moderation. And to this day, and spear brought, and armed himself. All praised his courage,
though they have no flocks now to watch, the bittern cries, "Come, though many feared for his life. The two barndoors were opened,
cows, come," and the hoopoe, "Up, up, up." and they saw the owl, which in the meantime had perched herself
on the middle of a great cross-beam. He had a ladder brought, and
when he raised it, and made ready to climb up, they all cried out to
him that he was to bear himself bravely, and commended him to St.
George, who slew the dragon. When he had just got to the top,
and the owl perceived that he had designs on her, and was also
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
bewildered by the crowd and the shouting, and knew not how to answered he; "our mayor bought it for three thalers, and fastened
escape, she rolled her eyes, ruffled her feathers, flapped her wings, it to the oak-tree. He has to pour oil into it daily, and to keep it
snapped her beak, and cried, "Tuwhit, tuwhoo," in a harsh voice. clean, so that it may always burn clearly. He receives a thaler a
"Strike home! strike home!" screamed the crowd outside to the week from us for doing it."
valiant hero. "Any one who was standing where I am standing," When the countryman had driven away, one of them said, "We
answered he, "would not cry, strike home!" He certainly did plant could make some use of this lamp, we have an oak-tree at home,
his foot one rung higher on the ladder, but then he began to which is just as big as this, and we could hang it on that. What a
tremble, and half-fainting, went back again. pleasure it would be not to have to feel about at night in the
And now there was no one left who dared to put himself in such darkness!" "I'll tell you what we'll do," said the second; "we will
danger. "The monster," said they, "has poisoned and mortally fetch a cart and horses and carry away the moon. The people here
wounded the very strongest man among us, by snapping at him may buy themselves another." "I'm a good climber," said the third,
and just breathing on him! Are we, too, to risk our lives?" They "I will bring it down." The fourth brought a cart and horses, and
took counsel as to what they ought to do to prevent the whole the third climbed the tree, bored a hole in the moon, passed a rope
town being destroyed. For a long time everything seemed to be of through it, and let it down. When the shining ball lay in the cart,
no use, but at length the burgomaster found an expedient. "My they covered it over with a cloth, that no one might observe the
opinion," said he, "is that we ought, out of the common purse, to theft. They conveyed it safely into their own country, and placed it
pay for this barn, and whatsoever corn, straw, or hay it contains, on a high oak. Old and young rejoiced, when the new lamp let its
and thus indemnify the owner, and then burn down the whole light shine over the whole land, and bed-rooms and sitting-rooms
building, and the terrible beast with it. Thus no one will have to were filled with it. The dwarfs came forth from their caves in the
endanger his life. This is no time for thinking of expense, and rocks, and the tiny elves in their little red coats danced in rings on
niggardliness would be ill applied." All agreed with him. So they the meadows.
set fire to the barn at all four corners, and with it the owl was The four took care that the moon was provided with oil, cleaned
miserably burnt. Let any one who will not believe it, go thither the wick, and received their weekly thaler, but they became old
and inquire for himself. men, and when one of them grew ill, and saw that he was about to
die, he appointed that one quarter of the moon, should, as his
property, be laid in the grave with him. When he died, the mayor
175.—THE MOON. climbed up the tree, and cut off a quarter with the hedge-shears,
and this was placed in his coffin. The light of the moon decreased,
("The Moon" is a fairy tale in the Grimm Brothers' Children's but still not visibly. When the second died, the second quarter was
and Household Tales from the 7th edition of 1857 (KHM 175). It buried with him, and the light diminished. It grew weaker still
is based on Heinrich Pröhle's (1822-1895) The Moonlight, No. 39 after the death of the third, who likewise took his part of it away
in his collection of fairy tales for the youth of 1854. with him; and when the fourth was borne to his grave, the old
Contents: Four boys from a land without a moon, where state of darkness recommenced, and whenever the people went out
darkness reigns at night, set off on a journey and arrive in a at night without their lanterns they knocked their heads together.
country where a glowing ball hangs on an oak tree and emits a When, however, the pieces of the moon had united themselves
light at night. When asked what that is, a farmer replies that their together again in the world below, where darkness had always
mayor (today the mayor) bought this so-called moon and now prevailed, it came to pass that the dead became restless and awoke
pours oil on it every day for a fee to keep it glowing. The boys from their sleep. They were astonished when they were able to see
decide to steal the moon and take it back to their country. There again; the moonlight was quite sufficient for them, for their eyes
they also hang it on an oak tree and demand a corresponding fee had become so weak that they could not have borne the brilliance
from the community. As the boys grow old and realise that they of the sun. They rose up and were merry, and fell into their former
are about to die, they take turns deciding that they each want to ways of living. Some of them went to the play and to dance, others
take a quarter of the moon to their graves. This is how the moon hastened to the public-houses, where they asked for wine, got
reaches the underworld and wakes the dead there with its unusual drunk, brawled, quarrelled, and at last took up cudgels, and
light. They become active again and start enjoying themselves belaboured each other. The noise became greater and greater, and
loudly. Seeing this noise, Saint Peter, believing that the dead at last reached even to heaven.
would attack, called the heavenly hosts together. In the absence of Saint Peter who guards the gate of heaven thought the lower
an attack, Peter personally goes to the underworld, calms the dead, world had broken out in revolt and gathered together the
and takes the moon up to heaven, where he hangs it.) heavenly troops, which are to drive back the Evil One when he and
his associates storm the abode of the blessed. As these, however,
In days gone by there was a land where the nights were always did not come, he got on his horse and rode through the gate of
dark, and the sky spread over it like a black cloth, for there the heaven, down into the world below. There he reduced the dead to
moon never rose, and no star shone in the obscurity. At the subjection, bade them lie down in their graves again, took the
creation of the world, the light at night had been sufficient. Three moon away with him, and hung it up in heaven.
young fellows once went out of this country on a travelling
expedition, and arrived in another kingdom, where, in the evening
when the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, a shining 176.—THE DURATION OF LIFE.
globe was placed on an oak-tree, which shed a soft light far and
wide. By means of this, everything could very well be seen and ("The Duration of Life" is a farce in the children's and household
distinguished, even though it was not so brilliant as the sun. The tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 4th edition of 1840 (KHM
travellers stopped and asked a countryman who was driving past 176). According to Grimm's note, the parable was told by "a
with his cart, what kind of a light that was. "That is the moon," farmer from Zwehrn near Kassel whilst working on the field in
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
1838" ( Sender was Carl Friedrich Münscher; Dr. Wilhelm Müller 177.—DEATH'S MESSENGERS.
1841 perhaps from the same source)
Contents: God was giving the animals and man their duration of ("Death's Messengers" is a fairy tale in the Children's and
life and offered all thirty years. He lessened the donkey's years Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 4th edition of
because of his burdens, the dog's because he had to run about, and 1840 (KHM 177). It is based on "Von deß todts botten" in Hans
the monkey's because he always had to amuse people. Man, Wilhelm Kirchhof's collection "Wendunmuth" (1563, No. 124). It
however, wanted more years, and so God gave him the years from also appears in medieval examples and in Aesop's fables. It may be
the others. For this reason, a man is a man only for his first thirty of Indian origin. Most Buddhist teachings are based on extensive
years; he carries burdens like donkey, then must sit in the corner philosophical (psycho)logical considerations in connexion with
like the dog, and then becomes silly and simple like the monkey.) guidelines for life-style, as is also the case in Chinese Daoism and
Confucianism. The foundations of Buddhist practice and theory
When God had created the world and was about to fix the length were formulated by the Buddha in the form of the "Four Noble
of each creature's life, the ass came and asked, "Lord, how long Truths": The First Noble Truth states that life is usually
shall I live?" "Thirty years," replied God; "does that content characterised by suffering (birth, old age, illness and death). The
thee?" "Ah, Lord," answered the ass, "that is a long time. Think practice of the exercises of the "Noble Eightfold Path" form an
of my painful existence! To carry heavy burdens from morning to almost psychological solution. [See: "The Four Noble Truths" in
night, to drag sacks of corn to the mill, that others may eat bread, the introduction to "The Questions To King Milinda," p.2828,
to be cheered and refreshed with nothing but blows and kicks. the Grand Bible, Internet Archive]
Relieve me of a portion of this long time." Then God had pity on Contents: Death comes across a giant and is badly beaten. The
him and relieved him of eighteen years. The ass went away young man comes across the beaten-down Death and helps him up.
comforted, and the dog appeared. "How long wouldst thou like to The grateful Death promises the young man that, though he
live?" said God to him. "Thirty years are too many for the ass, but cannot spare the young man, when the time comes he will send
thou wilt be satisfied with that." "Lord," answered the dog, "is messengers beforehand to warn the young man of his death. Many
that thy will? Consider how I shall have to run, my feet will never years later, the man, no longer young, is caught by surprise when
hold out so long, and when I have once lost my voice for barking, Death comes for him. The man complains to Death that Death did
and my teeth for biting, what will be left for me to do but run not send messengers beforehand to warn him as Death had
from one corner to another and growl?" God saw that he was promised. But Death points out that he had, in fact, sent
right, and released him from twelve years of life. Then came the messengers: illness, the signs of aging, and sleep.)
monkey, "Thou wilt certainly live thirty years willingly?" said the
Lord to him. "Thou hast no need to work as the ass and the dog In ancient times a giant was once travelling on a great highway,
have to do, and wilt always enjoy thyself." "Ah! Lord," he when suddenly an unknown man sprang up before him, and said,
answered, "it may seem as if that were the case, but it is quite "Halt, not one step farther!" "What!" cried the giant, "a creature
different. When it rains porridge I have no spoon. I am always to whom I can crush between my fingers, wants to block my way?
play merry pranks, and make faces which force people to laugh, Who art thou that thou darest to speak so boldly?" "I am Death,"
and if they give me an apple, and I bite into it, why it is sour! How answered the other. "No one resists me, and thou also must obey
often sadness hides itself behind mirth! I shall never be able to hold my commands." But the giant refused, and began to struggle with
out for thirty years." God was gracious and took off ten. Death. It was a long, violent battle, at last the giant got the upper
At last man appeared, joyous, healthy and vigorous, and begged hand, and struck Death down with his fist, so that he dropped by a
God to appoint his time for him. "Thirty years shalt thou live," stone. The giant went his way, and Death lay there conquered, and
said the Lord. "Is that enough for thee?" "What a short time," so weak that he could not get up again. "What will be done now,"
cried man, "when I have built my house and my fire burns on my said he, "if I stay lying here in a corner? No one will die now in the
own hearth; when I have planted trees which blossom and bear world, and it will get so full of people that they won't have room
fruit, and am just intending to enjoy my life, I am to die! O Lord, to stand beside each other." In the meantime a young man came
lengthen my time." "I will add to it the ass's eighteen years," said along the road, who was strong and healthy, singing a song, and
God. "That is not enough," replied the man. "Thou shalt also glancing around on every side. When he saw the half-fainting one,
have the dog's twelve years." "Still too little!" "Well, then," said he went compassionately to him, raised him up, poured a
God, "I will give thee the monkey's ten years also, but more thou strengthening draught out of his flask for him, and waited till he
shalt not have." The man went away, but was not satisfied. came round. "Dost thou know," said the stranger, whilst he was
So man lives seventy years. The first thirty are his human years, getting up, "who I am, and who it is whom thou hast helped on his
which are soon gone; then is he healthy, merry, works with legs again?" "No," answered the youth, "I do not know thee." "I
pleasure, and is glad of his life. Then follow the ass's eighteen years, am Death," said he. "I spare no one, and can make no exception
when one burden after another is laid on him, he has to carry the with thee,—but that thou mayst see that I am grateful, I promise
corn which feeds others, and blows and kicks are the reward of his thee that I will not fall on thee unexpectedly, but will send my
faithful services. Then come the dog's twelve years, when he lies in messengers to thee before I come and take thee away." "Well," said
the corner, and growls and has no longer any teeth to bite with, the youth, "it is something gained that I shall know when thou
and when this time is over the monkey's ten years form the end. comest, and at any rate be safe from thee for so long." Then he
Then man is weak-headed and foolish, does silly things, and went on his way, and was light-hearted, and enjoyed himself, and
becomes the jest of the children. lived without thought. But youth and health did not last long,
soon came sicknesses and sorrows, which tormented him by day,
and took away his rest by night. "Die, I shall not," said he to
himself, "for Death will send his messengers before that, but I do
wish these wretched days of sickness were over." As soon as he felt
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
himself well again he began once more to live merrily. Then one apprentice, "I will soon show thee how we make skins soft," and he
day some one tapped him on the shoulder. He looked round, and brought a strap and gave him a couple of strokes across the back.
Death stood behind him, and said, "Follow me, the hour of thy He called them all sluggards. He himself did not turn much work
departure from this world has come," "What," replied the man, out of his hands, for he never sat still for a quarter of an hour. If
"wilt thou break thy word? Didst thou not promise me that thou his wife got up very early in the morning and lighted the fire, he
wouldst send thy messengers to me before coming thyself? I have jumped out of bed, and ran bare-footed into the kitchen, crying,
seen none!" "Silence!" answered Death. "Have I not sent one "Wilt thou burn my house down for me? That is a fire one could
messenger to thee after another? Did not fever come and smite thee, roast an ox by! Does wood cost nothing?" If the servants were
and shake thee, and cast thee down? Has dizziness not bewildered standing by their wash-tubs and laughing, and telling each other
thy head? Has not gout twitched thee in all thy limbs? Did not all they knew, he scolded them, and said, "There stand the geese
thine ears sing? Did not tooth-ache bite into thy cheeks? Was it cackling, and forgetting their work, to gossip! And why fresh soap?
not dark before thine eyes? And besides all that, has not my own Disgraceful extravagance and shameful idleness into the bargain!
brother Sleep reminded thee every night of me? Didst thou not lie They want to save their hands, and not rub the things properly!"
by night as if thou wert already dead?" The man could make no And out he would run and knock a pail full of soap and water over,
answer; he yielded to his fate, and went away with Death. so that the whole kitchen was flooded. Some one was building a
new house, so he hurried to the window to look on. "There, they
are using that red sand-stone again that never dries!" cried he.
178.—MASTER PFRIEM. "No one will ever be healthy in that house! and just look how
badly the fellows are laying the stones! Besides, the mortar is good
("Meister Pfriem" is a fairy tale in the Children's and Household for nothing! It ought to have gravel in it, not sand. I shall live to
Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 5th edition of 1843 (KHM see that house tumble down on the people who are in it." He sat
178). It appeared shortly before in Caesar Albano Kletke's down, put a couple of stitches in, and then jumped up again,
"Berliner Taschenbuch" and is based on "Meister Pfriem*." unfastened his leather-apron, and cried, "I will just go out, and
Ostermärlein in "Die schönsten Kindermährchen" from the year appeal to those men's consciences." He stumbled on the carpenters.
1837. [* a Pfriem (or Ahle) is colloquial German for a cobbler's "What's this?" cried he, "you are not working by the line! Do you
awl, a sharp-pointed tool with with one can pierce a small hole expect the beams to be straight?—one wrong will put all wrong."
into leather. A cobbler is a person who repairs, and sometimes He snatched an axe out of a carpenter's hand and wanted to show
makes, shoes.] him how he ought to cut; but as a cart loaded with clay came by,
Contents: The unsightly and hectic shoemaker Pfriem is a know- he threw the axe away, and hastened to the peasant who was
it-all and reprimands everyone: a girl from whom he knocks the walking by the side of it: "You are not in your right mind," said
bucket of water out of her hand, his journeymen, wife and maids he, "who yokes young horses to a heavily-laden cart? The poor
when they make a fire or talk while washing. When a house is beasts will die on the spot." The peasant did not give him an
being built, he wants to explain his trade to the carpenter, but answer, and Pfriem in a rage ran back into his workshop. When he
throws away the ax to tell a farmer not to hitch young horses to a was setting himself to work again, the apprentice reached him a
heavy wagon. Back in the workshop, he yells at the apprentice shoe. "Well, what's that again?" screamed he, "Haven't I told you
about a bad shoe and overlooks the fact that he made it himself. you ought not to cut shoes so broad? Who would buy a shoe like
He dreams at night that he has died and is not allowed to blame this, which is hardly anything else but a sole? I insist on my orders
anything in heaven. He also controls himself when two of them being followed exactly." "Master," answered the apprentice, "you
carry a beam across, others pour water into a holey barrel. But may easily be quite right about the shoe being a bad one, but it is
then angels hitch horses in front of and behind a wagon stuck in a the one which you yourself cut out, and yourself set to work at.
hole. He scolds and before waking up sees that the horses are When you jumped up a while since, you knocked it off the table,
flying with the chariot. But he thinks it's a waste to give horses and I have only just picked it up. An angel from heaven, however,
wings. He's glad to still be alive to check on the house.) would never make you believe that."
One night Master Pfriem dreamed he was dead, and on his way
Master Pfriem was a short, thin, but lively man, who never to heaven. When he got there, he knocked loudly at the door. "I
rested a moment. His face, of which his turned-up nose was the wonder," said he to himself, "that they have no knocker on the
only prominent feature, was marked with small-pox and pale as door,—one knocks one's knuckles sore." The apostle Peter opened
death, his hair was grey and shaggy, his eyes small, but they the door, and wanted to see who demanded admission so noisily.
glanced perpetually about on all sides. He saw everything, "Ah, it's you, Master Pfriem;" said he, "well, I'll let you in, but I
criticised everything, knew everything best, and was always in the warn you that you must give up that habit of yours, and find fault
right. When he went into the streets, he moved his arms about as if with nothing you see in heaven, or you may fare ill." "You might
he were rowing; and once he struck the pail of a girl, who was have spared your warning," answered Pfriem. "I know already
carrying water, so high in the air that he himself was wetted all what is seemly, and here, God be thanked, everything is perfect,
over by it. "Stupid thing," cried he to her, while he was shaking and there is nothing to blame as there is on earth." So he went in,
himself, "couldst thou not see that I was coming behind thee?" By and walked up and down the wide expanses of heaven. He looked
trade he was a shoemaker, and when he worked he pulled his around him, to the left and to the right, but sometimes shook his
thread out with such force that he drove his fist into every one who head, or muttered something to himself. Then he saw two angels
did not keep far enough off. No apprentice stayed more than a who were carrying away a beam. It was the beam which some one
month with him, for he had always some fault to find with the very had had in his own eye whilst he was looking for the splinter in the
best work. At one time it was that the stitches were not even, at eye of another. They did not, however, carry the beam lengthways,
another that one shoe was too long, or one heel higher than the but obliquely. "Did any one ever see such a piece of stupidity?"
other, or the leather not cut large enough. "Wait," said he to his thought Master Pfriem; but he said nothing, and seemed satisfied
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with it. "It comes to the same thing after all, whichever way they who even when she was crying had tears falling from her eyes.
carry the beam, straight or crooked, if they only get along with it, There was a tear in the little box. The king had cast her out when,
and truly I do not see them knock against anything." Soon after when asked how she loved him, she replied that she loved him like
this he saw two angels who were drawing water out of a well into salt. The count is to lead the royal couple to the witch. The witch's
a bucket, but at the same time he observed that the bucket was full daughter sits with her in the house and spins. When a night owl
of holes, and that the water was running out of it on every side. hoots three times, she has to go out to a well under three old oaks.
They were watering the earth with rain. "Hang it," he exclaimed; She pulls the ugly skin off her face, washes herself and the skin she
but happily recollected himself, and thought, "Perhaps it is only a lets dry, and cries. When a branch snaps under the Count who is
pastime. If it is an amusement, then it seems they can do useless watching her, she is startled and disappears. The old woman
things of this kind even here in heaven, where people, as I have sweeps the house and lets her take off her skin and put on her old
already noticed, do nothing but idle about." He went farther and dress as the king's daughter. The daughter is shocked that she
saw a cart which had stuck fast in a deep hole. "It's no wonder," wants to leave her. But the witch explains everything to the
said he to the man who stood by it; "who would load so arriving parents, then she disappears and the little house is a castle
unreasonably? what have you there?" "Good wishes," replied the with servants.)
man. "I could not go along the right way with it, but still I have
pushed it safely up here, and they won't leave me sticking here." In There was once upon a time a very old woman, who lived with
fact an angel did come and harnessed two horses to it. "That's her flock of geese in a waste place among the mountains, and there
quite right," thought Pfriem, "but two horses wont get that cart had a little house. The waste was surrounded by a large forest, and
out, it must at least have four to it." Another angel came and every morning the old woman took her crutch and hobbled into it.
brought two more horses; she did not, however, harness them in There, however, the dame was quite active, more so than any one
front of it, but behind. That was too much for Master Pfriem, would have thought, considering her age, and collected grass for
"Clumsy creature," he burst out with, "what are you doing there? her geese, picked all the wild fruit she could reach, and carried
Has any one ever since the world began seen a cart drawn in that everything home on her back. Any one would have thought that
way? But you, in your conceited arrogance, think that you know the heavy load would have weighed her to the ground, but she
everything best." He was going to say more, but one of the always brought it safely home. If any one met her, she greeted him
inhabitants of heaven seized him by the throat and pushed him quite courteously. "Good day, dear countryman, it is a fine day.
forth with irresistible strength. Beneath the gateway Master Ah! you wonder that I should drag grass about, but every one
Pfriem turned his head round to take one more look at the cart, must take his burthen on his back." Nevertheless, people did not
and saw that it was being raised into the air by four winged horses. like to meet her if they could help it, and took by preference a
At this moment Master Pfriem awoke. "Things are certainly round-about way, and when a father with his boys passed her, he
arranged in heaven otherwise than they are on earth," said he to whispered to them, "Beware of the old woman. She has claws
himself, "and that excuses much; but who can see horses harnessed beneath her gloves; she is a witch." One morning, a handsome
both behind and before with patience; to be sure they had wings, young man was going through the forest. The sun shone bright,
but who could know that? It is, besides, great folly to fix a pair of the birds sang, a cool breeze crept through the leaves, and he was
wings to a horse that has four legs to run with already! But I must full of joy and gladness. He had as yet met no one, when he
get up, or else they will make nothing but mistakes for me in my suddenly perceived the old witch kneeling on the ground cutting
house. It is a lucky thing for me though, that I am not really grass with a sickle. She had already thrust a whole load into her
dead." cloth, and near it stood two baskets, which were filled with wild
apples and pears. "But, good little mother," said he, "how canst
thou carry all that away?" "I must carry it, dear sir," answered she,
179.—THE GOOSE-GIRL AT THE WELL. "rich folk's children have no need to do such things, but with the
peasant folk the saying goes, don't look behind you, you will only
("The Goose-Girl at the Well" is a fairy tale in the children's and see how crooked your back is!"
household tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 5th edition of "Will you help me?" she said, as he remained standing by her.
1843 (KHM 179) and is based on Andreas Schumacher's The "You have still a straight back and young legs, it would be a trifle
goose keeper in Hermann Kletke's almanac of German folk tales to you. Besides, my house is not so very far from here, it stands
from 1840. there on the heath behind the hill. How soon you would bound up
Contents: An old woman lives in a little house in the wilderness. thither." The young man took compassion on the old woman. "My
She takes good care of her geese and is friendly to everyone, but father is certainly no peasant," replied he, "but a rich count;
people don't like her very much and think she's a witch. She meets nevertheless, that you may see that it is not only peasants who can
a young count while she is gathering grass and fruit in the forest, carry things, I will take your bundle." "If you will try it," said she,
and lets him carry it to her house. She makes fun of him because "I shall be very glad. You will certainly have to walk for an hour,
he's having a harder time than first thought, sits down on the sling but what will that signify to you; only you must carry the apples
herself and hits his legs with stinging nettles. As a reward, he can and pears as well?" It now seemed to the young man just a little
rest on the bench in front of her door in the lovely surroundings. serious, when he heard of an hour's walk, but the old woman
He just doesn't understand why the old woman thinks he could fall would not let him off, packed the bundle on his back, and hung
in love with her ugly old daughter, but leaves her refreshed with a the two baskets on his arm. "See, it is quite light," said she. "No,
little emerald box that the old woman gives him as a gift. After it is not light," answered the count, and pulled a rueful face.
three days he finds his way out of the wilderness into a town where "Verily, the bundle weighs as heavily as if it were full of cobble
he is led to the castle. When he puts the book in front of the queen, stones, and the apples and pears are as heavy as lead! I can scarcely
she faints and he is to be taken away. But she wakes up and tells breathe." He had a mind to put everything down again, but the
him privately about her youngest and most beautiful daughter, old woman would not allow it. "Just look," said she mockingly,
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"the young gentleman will not carry what I, an old woman, have When he had slept a little while, the old woman came and shook
so often dragged along. You are ready with fine words, but when him till he awoke. "Sit up," said she, "thou canst not stay here; I
it comes to be earnest, you want to take to your heels. Why are have certainly treated thee hardly, still it has not cost thee thy life.
you standing loitering there?" she continued. "Step out. No one Of money and land thou hast no need, here is something else for
will take the bundle off again." As long as he walked on level thee." Thereupon she thrust a little book into his hand, which was
ground, it was still bearable, but when they came to the hill and cut out of a single emerald. "Take great care of it," said she, "it
had to climb, and the stones rolled down under his feet as if they will bring thee good fortune." The count sprang up, and as he felt
were alive, it was beyond his strength. The drops of perspiration that he was quite fresh, and had recovered his vigour, he thanked
stood on his forehead, and ran, hot and cold, down his back. the old woman for her present, and set off without even once
"Dame," said he, "I can go no farther. I want to rest a little." looking back at the beautiful daughter. When he was already some
"Not here," answered the old woman, "when we have arrived at way off, he still heard in the distance the noisy cry of the geese.
our journey's end, you can rest; but now you must go forward. For three days the count had to wander in the wilderness before
Who knows what good it may do you?" "Old woman, thou art he could find his way out. He then reached a large town, and as no
becoming shameless!" said the count, and tried to throw off the one knew him, he was led into the royal palace, where the King
bundle, but he laboured in vain; it stuck as fast to his back as if it and Queen were sitting on their throne. The count fell on one knee,
grew there. He turned and twisted, but he could not get rid of it. drew the emerald book out of his pocket, and laid it at the Queen's
The old woman laughed at this, and sprang about quite delighted feet. She bade him rise and hand her the little book. Hardly,
on her crutch. "Don't get angry, dear sir," said she, "you are however, had she opened it, and looked therein, than she fell as if
growing as red in the face as a turkey-cock! Carry your bundle dead to the ground. The count was seized by the King's servants,
patiently. I will give you a good present when we get home." and was being led to prison, when the Queen opened her eyes, and
What could he do? He was obliged to submit to his fate, and ordered them to release him, and every one was to go out, as she
crawl along patiently behind the old woman. She seemed to grow wished to speak with him in private.
more and more nimble, and his burden still heavier. All at once she When the Queen was alone, she began to weep bitterly, and said,
made a spring, jumped on to the bundle and seated herself on the "Of what use to me are the splendours and honours with which I
top of it; and however withered she might be, she was yet heavier am surrounded; every morning I awake in pain and sorrow. I had
than the stoutest country lass. The youth's knees trembled, but three daughters, the youngest of whom was so beautiful that the
when he did not go on, the old woman hit him about the legs with whole world looked on her as a wonder. She was as white as snow,
a switch and with stinging-nettles. Groaning continually, he as rosy as apple-blossom, and her hair as radiant as sun-beams.
climbed the mountain, and at length reached the old woman's When she cried, not tears fell from her eyes, but pearls and jewels
house, when he was just about to drop. When the geese perceived only. When she was fifteen years old, the King summoned all three
the old woman, they flapped their wings, stretched out their necks, sisters to come before his throne. You should have seen how all the
ran to meet her, cackling all the while. Behind the flock walked, people gazed when the youngest entered, it was just as if the sun
stick in hand, an old wench, strong and big, but ugly as night. were rising! Then the King spoke, "My daughters, I know not
"Good mother," said she to the old woman, "has anything when my last day may arrive; I will to-day decide what each shall
happened to you, you have stayed away so long?" "By no means, receive at my death. You all love me, but the one of you who loves
my dear daughter," answered she, "I have met with nothing bad, me best, shall fare the best." Each of them said she loved him best.
but, on the contrary, with this kind gentleman, who has carried "Can you not express to me," said the King, "how much you do
my burthen for me; only think, he even took me on his back when I love me, and thus I shall see what you mean?" The eldest spoke. "I
was tired. The way, too, has not seemed long to us; we have been love my father as dearly as the sweetest sugar." The second, "I love
merry, and have been cracking jokes with each other all the time." my father as dearly as my prettiest dress." But the youngest was
At last the old woman slid down, took the bundle off the young silent. Then the father said, "And thou, my dearest child, how
man's back, and the baskets from his arm, looked at him quite much dost thou love me?" "I do not know, and can compare my
kindly, and said, "Now seat yourself on the bench before the door, love with nothing." But her father insisted that she should name
and rest. You have fairly earned your wages, and they shall not be something. So she said at last, "The best food does not please me
wanting." Then she said to the goose-girl, "Go into the house, my without salt, therefore I love my father like salt." When the King
dear daughter, it is not becoming for thee to be alone with a heard that, he fell into a passion, and said, "If thou lovest me like
young gentleman; one must not pour oil on to the fire, he might salt, thy love shall also be repaid thee with salt." Then he divided
fall in love with thee." The count knew not whether to laugh or to the kingdom between the two elder, but caused a sack of salt to be
cry. "Such a sweetheart as that," thought he, "could not touch my bound on the back of the youngest, and two servants had to lead
heart, even if she were thirty years younger." In the meantime the her forth into the wild forest. We all begged and prayed for her,"
old woman stroked and fondled her geese as if they were children, said the Queen, "but the King's anger was not to be appeased.
and then went into the house with her daughter. The youth lay How she cried when she had to leave us! the whole road was strewn
down on the bench, under a wild apple-tree. The air was warm and with the pearls which flowed from her eyes. The King soon
mild; on all sides stretched a green meadow, which was set with afterwards repented of his great severity, and had the whole forest
cowslips, wild thyme, and a thousand other flowers; through the searched for the poor child, but no one could find her. When I
midst of it rippled a clear brook on which the sun sparkled, and think that the wild beasts have devoured her, I know not how to
the white geese went walking backwards and forwards, or paddled contain myself for sorrow; many a time I console myself with the
in the water. "It is quite delightful here," said he, "but I am so hope that she is still alive, and may have hidden herself in a cave,
tired that I cannot keep my eyes open; I will sleep a little. If only a or has found shelter with compassionate people. But picture to
gust of wind does not come and blow my legs off my body, for they yourself, when I opened your little emerald book, a pearl lay
are as rotten as tinder." therein, of exactly the same kind as those which used to fall from
my daughter's eyes; and then you can also imagine how the sight of
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
it stirred my heart. You must tell me how you came by that pearl." thou shalt find a roof to shelter thee, and the wages which I will
The count told her that he had received it from the old woman in give thee shall also content thee." "But tell me what is about to
the forest, who had appeared very strange to him, and must be a happen," the maiden continued to entreat. "I tell thee again, do
witch, but he had neither seen nor heard anything of the Queen's not hinder me in my work. Do not say a word more, go to thy
child. The King and the Queen resolved to seek out the old woman. chamber, take the skin off thy face, and put on the silken gown
They thought that there where the pearl had been, they would which thou hadst on when thou camest to me, and then wait in thy
obtain news of their daughter. chamber until I call thee."
The old woman was sitting in that lonely place at her spinning- But I must once more tell of the King and Queen, who had
wheel, spinning. It was already dusk, and a log which was burning journeyed forth with the count in order to seek out the old woman
on the hearth gave a scanty light. All at once there was a noise in the wilderness. The count had strayed away from them in the
outside, the geese were coming home from the pasture, and wood by night, and had to walk onwards alone. Next day it
uttering their hoarse cries. Soon afterwards the daughter also seemed to him that he was on the right track. He still went
entered. But the old woman scarcely thanked her, and only shook forward, until darkness came on, then he climbed a tree, intending
her head a little. The daughter sat down beside her, took her to pass the night there, for he feared that he might lose his way.
spinning-wheel, and twisted the threads as nimbly as a young girl. When the moon illumined the surrounding country he perceived a
Thus they both sat for two hours, and exchanged never a word. At figure coming down the mountain. She had no stick in her hand,
last something rustled at the window, and two fiery eyes peered in. but yet he could see that it was the goose-girl, whom he had seen
It was an old night-owl, which cried, "Uhu!" three times. The old before in the house of the old woman. "Oho," cried he, "there she
woman looked up just a little, then she said, "Now, my little comes, and if I once get hold of one of the witches, the other shall
daughter, it is time for thee to go out and do thy work." She rose not escape me!" But how astonished he was, when she went to the
and went out, and where did she go? Over the meadows ever well, took off the skin and washed herself, when her golden hair
onward into the valley. At last she came to a well, with three old fell down all about her, and she was more beautiful than any one
oak-trees standing beside it; meanwhile the moon had risen large whom he had ever seen in the whole world. He hardly dared to
and round over the mountain, and it was so light that one could breathe, but stretched his head as far forward through the leaves
have found a needle. She removed a skin which covered her face, as he dared, and stared at her. Either he bent over too far, or
then bent down to the well, and began to wash herself. When she whatever the cause might be, the bough suddenly cracked, and
had finished, she dipped the skin also in the water, and then laid it that very moment the maiden slipped into the skin, sprang away
on the meadow, so that it should bleach in the moonlight, and dry like a roe, and as the moon was suddenly covered, disappeared
again. But how the maiden was changed! Such a change as that from his eyes. Hardly had she disappeared, before the count
was never seen before! When the grey mask fell off, her golden hair descended from the tree, and hastened after her with nimble steps.
broke forth like sunbeams, and spread about like a mantle over her He had not been gone long before he saw, in the twilight, two
whole form. Her eyes shone out as brightly as the stars in heaven, figures coming over the meadow. It was the King and Queen, who
and her cheeks bloomed a soft red like apple-blossom. had perceived from a distance the light shining in the old woman's
But the fair maiden was sad. She sat down and wept bitterly. One little house, and were going to it. The count told them what
tear after another forced itself out of her eyes, and rolled through wonderful things he had seen by the well, and they did not doubt
her long hair to the ground. There she sat, and would have that it had been their lost daughter. They walked onwards full of
remained sitting a long time, if there had not been a rustling and joy, and soon came to the little house. The geese were sitting all
cracking in the boughs of the neighbouring tree. She sprang up round it, and had thrust their heads under their wings and were
like a roe which has been overtaken by the shot of the hunter. Just sleeping, and not one of them moved. The King and Queen looked
then the moon was obscured by a dark cloud, and in an instant the in at the window, the old woman was sitting there quite quietly
maiden had slipped on the old skin and vanished, like a light spinning, nodding her head and never looking round. The room
blown out by the wind. was perfectly clean, as if the little mist men, who carry no dust on
She ran back home, trembling like an aspen leaf. The old woman their feet, lived there. Their daughter, however, they did not see.
was standing on the threshold, and the girl was about to relate They gazed at all this for a long time, at last they took heart, and
what bad befallen her, but the old woman laughed kindly, and knocked softly at the window. The old woman appeared to have
said, "I already know all." She led her into the room and lighted a been expecting them; she rose, and called out quite kindly, "Come
new log. She did not, however, sit down to her spinning again, in,—I know you already." When they had entered the room, the
but fetched a broom and began to sweep and scour, "All must be old woman said, "You might have spared yourself the long walk,
clean and sweet," she said to the girl. "But, mother," said the if you had not three years ago unjustly driven away your child,
maiden, "why do you begin work at so late an hour? What do you who is so good and loveable. No harm has come to her; for three
expect?" "Dost thou know then what time it is?" asked the old years she has had to tend the geese; with them she has learnt no evil,
woman. "Not yet midnight," answered the maiden, "but already but has preserved her purity of heart. You, however, have been
past eleven o'clock." "Dost thou not remember," continued the sufficiently punished by the misery in which you have lived." Then
old woman, "that it is three years to-day since thou camest to me? she went to the chamber and called, "Come out, my little
Thy time is up, we can no longer remain together." The girl was daughter." Thereupon the door opened, and the princess stepped
terrified, and said, "Alas! dear mother, will you cast me off? out in her silken garments, with her golden hair and her shining
Where shall I go? I have no friends, and no home to which I can go. eyes, and it was as if an angel from heaven had entered.
I have always done as you bade me, and you have always been She went up to her father and mother, fell on their necks and
satisfied with me; do not send me away." The old woman would kissed them; there was no help for it, they all had to weep for joy.
not tell the maiden what lay before her. "My stay here is over," she The young count stood near them, and when she perceived him she
said to her, "but when I depart, house and parlour must be clean: became as red in the face as a moss-rose, she herself did not know
therefore do not hinder me in my work. Have no care for thyself, why. The King said, "My dear child, I have given away my
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kingdom, what shall I give thee?" "She needs nothing," said the which she cut their shoes. She had scarcely got ready, before there
old woman. "I give her the tears that she has wept on your account; was a knock at the house-door. Adam looked through a chink,
they are precious pearls, finer than those that are found in the sea, and saw that it was the Lord. Adam opened the door respectfully,
and worth more than your whole kingdom, and I give her my little and the Heavenly Father entered. There, in a row, stood the pretty
house as payment for her services." When the old woman had said children, and bowed before him, held out their hands, and knelt
that, she disappeared from their sight. The walls rattled a little, down. The Lord, however, began to bless them, laid his hands on
and when the King and Queen looked round, the little house had the first, and said, "Thou shalt be a powerful king;" and to the
changed into a splendid palace, a royal table had been spread, and second, "Thou a prince," to the third, "Thou a count," to he
the servants were running hither and thither. fourth, "Thou a knight," to the fifth, "Thou a nobleman," to the
The story goes still further, but my grandmother, who related it sixth, "Thou a burgher," to the seventh, "Thou a merchant," to
to me, had partly lost her memory, and had forgotten the rest. I the eighth, "Thou a learned man." He bestowed upon them also all
shall always believe that the beautiful princess married the count, his richest blessings. When Eve saw that the Lord was so mild and
and that they remained together in the palace, and lived there in gracious, she thought, "I will bring hither my ill-favoured
all happiness so long as God willed it. Whether the snow-white children also, it may be that he will bestow his blessing on them
geese, which were kept near the little hut, were verily young likewise." So she ran and brought them out of the hay, the straw,
maidens (no one need take offence,) whom the old woman had the stove, and wherever else she had concealed them. Then came
taken under her protection, and whether they now received their the whole coarse, dirty, shabby, sooty band. The Lord smiled,
human form again, and stayed as handmaids to the young Queen, I looked at them all, and said, "I will bless these also." He laid his
do not exactly know, but I suspect it. This much is certain, that the hands on the first, and said to him, "Thou shalt be a peasant," to
old woman was no witch, as people thought, but a wise woman, the second, "Thou a fisherman," to the third, "Thou a smith," to
who meant well. Very likely it was she who, at the princess's birth, the fourth, "Thou a tanner," to the fifth, "Thou a weaver," to the
gave her the gift of weeping pearls instead of tears. That does not sixth, "Thou a shoemaker," to the seventh, "Thou a tailor," to the
happen now-a-days, or else the poor would soon become rich. eighth, "Thou a potter," to the ninth, "Thou a waggoner," to the
tenth, "Thou a sailor," to the eleventh, "Thou an errand-boy," to
the twelfth, "Thou a scullion all the days of thy life."
180.—EVE'S VARIOUS CHILDREN. When Eve had heard all this she said, "Lord, how unequally thou
dividest thy gifts! After all they are all of them my children, whom
("The unequal children of Eva" or "Eve's Various Children" is a I have brought into the world, thy favours should be given to all
fairy tale in the Children's And Household Tales of the Brothers alike." But God answered, "Eve, thou dost not understand. It is
Grimm from the 5th edition of 1843 at position 180 (KHM 180). right and necessary that the entire world should be supplied from
It goes back to Hans Sachs' rhyming joke "The unequal children of thy children; if they were all princes and lords, who would grow
Eva" from the year 1558. corn, thresh it, grind and bake it? Who would be blacksmiths,
Contents: Adam and Eve, who were expelled from paradise, have weavers, carpenters, masons, labourers, tailors and seamstresses?
to work hard and have many children, both beautiful and ugly. Each shall have his own place, so that one shall support the other,
When an angel announces God's visit, Eve cleans the house, and all shall be fed like the limbs of one body." Then Eve answered,
admonishing her beautiful children but hiding the ugly ones. God "Ah, Lord, forgive me, I was too quick in speaking to thee. Have
blesses the children, declares them nobles and scholars. She also thy divine will with my children."
gets the ugly ones. But they get simple jobs. She does not
understand. God declares that it takes all estates to feed one
another.) 181.—THE NIX OF THE MILL-POND.
When Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise, they were ("The Nixie of the Mill-Pond" is a fairy tale in the Children's and
compelled to build a house for themselves on unfruitful ground, Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 5th edition of
and eat their bread in the sweat of their brow. Adam dug up the 1843 at position 181 (KHM 181). It is based on a fairy tale from
land, and Eve span. Every year Eve brought a child into the world; Upper Lusatia by Moriz Haupt (1808-1874) in his "Zeitschrift für
but the children were unlike each other, some pretty, and some deutsches Alterthum" from 1841.
ugly. After a considerable time had gone by, God sent an angel to Contents: An impoverished miller meets a mermaid in his mill
them, to announce that he was coming to inspect their household. pond. She promises him prosperity in exchange for what has just
Eve, delighted that the Lord should be so gracious, cleaned her grown young in his house. The miller agrees, not realising that
house diligently, decked it with flowers, and strewed reeds on the this is his newborn son. The son is said to have stayed away from
floor. Then she brought in her children, but only the beautiful the pond ever since. He grows up, becomes a hunter and gets
ones. She washed and bathed them, combed their hair, put clean married. One day, while hunting a deer, he accidentally gets near
raiment on them, and cautioned them to conduct themselves the pond, and when he wants to wash his hands in it, the mermaid
decorously and modestly in the presence of the Lord. They were to pulls him down. His wife finds out what has happened, wanders
bow down before him civilly, hold out their hands, and to answer around the water in her pain until she falls asleep and, stimulated
his questions modestly and sensibly. The ugly children were, by a dream, seeks out a wise old woman. She advises her to use a
however, not to let themselves be seen. One hid himself beneath the golden comb when the moon is full, the second time a flute and
hay, another under the roof, a third in the straw, the fourth in the finally a spinning wheel on the bank of the pond, whereupon the
stove, the fifth in the cellar, the sixth under a tub, the seventh man's head appears first, then the man's upper body the second
beneath the wine-cask, the eighth under an old fur cloak, the ninth time and he finally frees himself. The two survive the tide of the
and tenth beneath the cloth out of which she always made their rising waters by being transformed into a frog and a toad, but
clothes, and the eleventh and twelfth under the leather out of
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
never find each other again. Eventually they meet as lonely and at last shot it. He did not notice that he was now in the
shepherds abroad.) neighbourhood of the dangerous mill-pond, and went, after he
had disembowelled the stag, to the water, in order to wash his
There was once upon a time a miller who lived with his wife in blood-stained hands. Scarcely, however, had he dipped them in
great contentment. They had money and land, and their than the nix ascended, smilingly wound her dripping arms around
prosperity increased year by year more and more. But ill-luck him, and drew him quickly down under the waves, which closed
comes like a thief in the night, as their wealth had increased so did over him. When it was evening, and the huntsman did not return
it again decrease, year by year, and at last the miller could hardly home, his wife became alarmed. She went out to seek him, and as
call the mill in which he lived, his own. He was in great distress, he had often told her that he had to be on his guard against the
and when he lay down after his day's work, found no rest, but snares of the nix, and dared not venture into the neighbourhood of
tossed about in his bed, full of care. One morning he rose before the mill-pond, she already suspected what had happened. She
daybreak and went out into the open air, thinking that perhaps hastened to the water, and when she found his hunting-pouch
there his heart might become lighter. As he was stepping over the lying on the shore, she could no longer have any doubt of the
mill-dam the first sunbeam was just breaking forth, and he heard a misfortune. Lamenting her sorrow, and wringing her hands, she
rippling sound in the pond. He turned round and perceived a called on her beloved by name, but in vain. She hurried across to
beautiful woman, rising slowly out of the water. Her long hair, the other side of the pond, and called him anew; she reviled the nix
which she was holding off her shoulders with her soft hands, fell with harsh words, but no answer followed. The surface of the
down on both sides, and covered her white body. He soon saw that water remained calm, only the crescent moon stared steadily back
she was the Nix of the Mill-pond, and in his fright did not know at her. The poor woman did not leave the pond. With hasty steps,
whether he should run away or stay where he was. But the nix she paced round and round it, without resting a moment,
made her sweet voice heard, called him by his name, and asked him sometimes in silence, sometimes uttering a loud cry, sometimes
why he was so sad? The miller was at first struck dumb, but when softly sobbing. At last her strength came to an end, she sank down
he heard her speak so kindly, he took heart, and told her how he to the ground and fell into a heavy sleep. Presently a dream took
had formerly lived in wealth and happiness, but that now he was possession of her. She was anxiously climbing upwards between
so poor that he did not know what to do. "Be easy," answered the great masses of rock; thorns and briars caught her feet, the rain
nix, "I will make thee richer and happier than thou hast even been beat in her face, and the wind tossed her long hair about. When
before, only thou must promise to give me the young thing which she had reached the summit, quite a different sight presented itself
has just been born in thy house." "What else can that be," thought to her; the sky was blue, the air soft, the ground sloped gently
the miller, "but a young puppy or kitten?" and he promised her downwards, and on a green meadow, gay with flowers of every
what she desired. The nix descended into the water again, and he colour, stood a pretty cottage. She went up to it and opened the
hurried back to his mill, consoled and in good spirits. He had not door; there sat an old woman with white hair, who beckoned to
yet reached it, when the maid-servant came out of the house, and her kindly. At that very moment, the poor woman awoke, day had
cried to him to rejoice, for his wife had given birth to a little boy. already dawned, and she at once resolved to act in accordance with
The miller stood as if struck by lightning; he saw very well that the her dream. She laboriously climbed the mountain; everything was
cunning nix had been aware of it, and had cheated him. Hanging exactly as she had seen it in the night. The old woman received her
his head, he went up to his wife's bedside and when she said, "Why kindly, and pointed out a chair on which she might sit. "Thou
dost thou not rejoice over the fine boy?" he told her what had must have met with a misfortune," she said, "since thou hast
befallen him, and what kind of a promise he had given to the nix. sought out my lonely cottage." With tears, the woman related
"Of what use to me are riches and prosperity?" he added, "if I am what had befallen her. "Be comforted," said the old woman, "I
to lose my child; but what can I do?" Even the relations, who had will help thee. Here is a golden comb for thee. Tarry till the full
come thither to wish them joy, did not know what to say. In the moon has risen, then go to the mill-pond, seat thyself on the shore,
meantime prosperity again returned to the miller's house. All that and comb thy long black hair with this comb. When thou hast
he undertook succeeded, it was as if presses and coffers filled done, lay it down on the bank, and thou wilt see what will
themselves of their own accord, and as if money multiplied nightly happen." The woman returned home, but the time till the full
in the cupboards. It was not long before his wealth was greater moon came, passed slowly. At last the shining disc appeared in the
than it had ever been before. But he could not rejoice over it heavens, then she went out to the mill-pond, sat down and combed
untroubled, the bargain which he had made with the nix her long black hair with the golden comb, and when she had
tormented his soul. Whenever he passed the mill-pond, he feared finished, she laid it down at the water's edge. It was not long
she might ascend and remind him of his debt. He never let the boy before there was a movement in the depths, a wave rose, rolled to
himself go near the water. "Beware," he said to him, "if thou dost the shore, and bore the comb away with it. In not more than the
but touch the water, a hand will rise, seize thee, and draw thee time necessary for the comb to sink to the bottom, the surface of
down." But as year after year went by and the nix did not show the water parted, and the head of the huntsman arose. He did not
herself again, the miller began to feel at ease. The boy grew up to speak, but looked at his wife with sorrowful glances. At the same
be a youth and was apprenticed to a huntsman. When he had instant, a second wave came rushing up, and covered the man's
learnt everything, and had become an excellent huntsman, the lord head. All had vanished, the mill-pond lay peaceful as before, and
of the village took him into his service. In the village lived a nothing but the face of the full moon shone on it.
beautiful and true-hearted maiden, who pleased the huntsman, Full of sorrow, the woman went back, but again the dream
and when his master perceived that, he gave him a little house, the showed her the cottage of the old woman. Next morning she again
two were married, lived peacefully and happily, and loved each set out and complained of her woes to the wise woman. The old
other with all their hearts. woman gave her a golden flute, and said, "Tarry till the full moon
One day the huntsman was chasing a roe; and when the animal comes again, then take this flute; play a beautiful air on it, and
turned aside from the forest into the open country, he pursued it when thou hast finished, lay it on the sand; then thou wilt see what
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
will happen." The wife did as the old woman told her. No sooner Berggeister Geschenke in Sagen, Märchen und Gebräuche aus
was the flute lying on the sand than there was a stirring in the Sachsen und Thüringen" from 1846.
depths, and a wave rushed up and bore the flute away with it. Contents: In the moonlight, a tailor and a hunchbacked
Immediately afterwards the water parted, and not only the head of goldsmith meet small, singing people with whom they dance. The
the man, but half of his body also arose. He stretched out his arms chief, an old man with an ice-grey beard, shaves their hair and
longingly towards her, but a second wave came up, covered him, gives them a pile of coals that turn into gold overnight. The
and drew him down again. "Alas, what does it profit me?" said the goldsmith, who was the more fearless at first, goes there again
unhappy woman, "that I should see my beloved, only to lose him with large bags. But this time his gold turns to coal again, his hair
again!" Despair filled her heart anew, but the dream led her a doesn't grow back either, and he has two humps, one in front and
third time to the house of the old woman. She set out, and the wise one behind. The tailor shares with him.)
woman gave her a golden spinning-wheel, consoled her and said,
"All is not yet fulfilled, tarry until the time of the full moon, then A tailor and a goldsmith were travelling together, and one
take the spinning-wheel, seat thyself on the shore, and spin the evening when the sun had sunk behind the mountains, they heard
spool full, and when thou hast done that, place the spinning-wheel the sound of distant music, which became more and more distinct.
near the water, and thou wilt see what will happen." The woman It sounded strange, but so pleasant that they forgot all their
obeyed all she said exactly; as soon as the full moon showed itself, weariness and stepped quickly onwards. The moon had already
she carried the golden spinning-wheel to the shore, and span arisen when they reached a hill on which they saw a crowd of little
industriously until the flax came to an end, and the spool was men and women, who had taken each other's hands, and were
quite filled with the threads. No sooner was the wheel standing on whirling round in the dance with the greatest pleasure and delight.
the shore than there was a more violent movement than before in They sang to it most charmingly, and that was the music which
the depths of the pond, and a mighty wave rushed up, and bore the the travellers had heard. In the midst of them sat an old man who
wheel away with it. Immediately the head and the whole body of was rather taller than the rest. He wore a parti-coloured coat, and
the man rose into the air, in a water-spout. He quickly sprang to his iron-grey beard hung down over his breast. The two remained
the shore, caught his wife by the hand and fled. But they had standing full of astonishment, and watched the dance. The old
scarcely gone a very little distance, when the whole pond rose with man made a sign that they should enter, and the little folks
a frightful roar, and streamed out over the open country. The willingly opened their circle. The goldsmith, who had a hump,
fugitives already saw death before their eyes, when the woman in and like all hunchbacks was brave enough, stepped in; the tailor
her terror implored the help of the old woman, and in an instant felt a little afraid at first, and held back, but when he saw how
they were transformed, she into a toad, he into a frog. The flood merrily all was going, he plucked up his courage, and followed.
which had overtaken them could not destroy them, but it tore The circle closed again directly, and the little folks went on
them apart and carried them far away. When the water had singing and dancing with the wildest leaps. The old man, however,
dispersed and they both touched dry land again, they regained took a large knife which hung to his girdle, whetted it, and when
their human form, but neither knew where the other was; they it was sufficiently sharpened, he looked round at the strangers.
found themselves among strange people, who did not know their They were terrified, but they had not much time for reflection, for
native land. High mountains and deep valleys lay between them. In the old man seized the goldsmith and with the greatest speed,
order to keep themselves alive, they were both obliged to tend shaved the hair of his head clean off, and then the same thing
sheep. For many long years they drove their flocks through field happened to the tailor. But their fear left them when, after he had
and forest and were full of sorrow and longing. When spring had finished his work, the old man clapped them both on the shoulder
once more broken forth on the earth, they both went out one day in a friendly manner, as much as to say, they had behaved well to
with their flocks, and as chance would have it, they drew near each let all that be done to them willingly, and without any struggle.
other. They met in a valley, but did not recognise each other; yet He pointed with his finger to a heap of coals which lay at one side,
they rejoiced that they were no longer so lonely. Henceforth they and signified to the travellers by his gestures that they were to fill
each day drove their flocks to the same place; they did not speak their pockets with them. Both of them obeyed, although they did
much, but they felt comforted. One evening when the full moon not know of what use the coals would be to them, and then they
was shining in the sky, and the sheep were already at rest, the went on their way to seek a shelter for the night. When they had
shepherd pulled the flute out of his pocket, and played on it a got into the valley, the clock of the neighbouring monastery
beautiful but sorrowful air. When he had finished he saw that the struck twelve, and the song ceased. In a moment all had vanished,
shepherdess was weeping bitterly. "Why art thou weeping?" he and the hill lay in solitude in the moonlight.
asked. "Alas," answered she, "thus shone the full moon when I The two travellers found an inn, and covered themselves up on
played this air on the flute for the last time, and the head of my their straw-beds with, their coats, but in their weariness forgot to
beloved rose out of the water." He looked at her, and it seemed as take the coals out of them before doing so. A heavy weight on
if a veil fell from his eyes, and he recognised his dear wife, and their limbs awakened them earlier than usual. They felt in the
when she looked at him, and the moon shone in his face she knew pockets, and could not believe their eyes when they saw that they
him also. They embraced and kissed each other, and no one need were not filled with coals, but with pure gold; happily, too, the
ask if they were happy. hair of their heads and beards was there again as thick as ever.
They had now become rich folks, but the goldsmith, who, in
accordance with his greedy disposition, had filled his pockets
182.—THE LITTLE FOLKS' PRESENTS. better, was as rich again as the tailor. A greedy man, even if he has
much, still wishes to have more, so the goldsmith proposed to the
("The gifts of the little people" is a fairy tale in the Children's tailor that they should wait another day, and go out again in the
and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 6th edition evening in order to bring back still greater treasures from the old
of 1850 (KHM 182). It is based on Emil Sommer's "Der man on the hill. The tailor refused, and said, "I have enough and
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
am content; now I shall be a master, and marry my dear object (for but ever on and on. Once when he was out he perceived in the blue
so he called his sweetheart), and I am a happy man." But he stayed distance a steep hill, and behind it a tower reaching to the clouds,
another day to please him. In the evening the goldsmith hung a which rose up out of a wild dark forest. "Thunder and lightning,"
couple of bags over his shoulders that he might be able to stow cried the tailor, "what is that?" and as he was strongly goaded by
away a great deal, and took the road to the hill. He found, as on curiosity, he went boldly towards it. But what made the tailor
the night before, the little folks at their singing and dancing, and open his eyes and mouth when he came near it, was to see that the
the old man again shaved him clean, and signed to him to take tower had legs, and leapt in one bound over the steep hill, and was
some coal away with him. He was not slow about sticking as much now standing as an all powerful giant before him. "What dost
into his bags as would go, went back quite delighted, and covered thou want here, thou tiny fly's leg?" cried the giant, with a voice
himself over with his coat. "Even if the gold does weigh heavily," as if it were thundering on every side. The tailor whimpered, "I
said he, "I will gladly bear that," and at last he fell asleep with the want just to look about and see if I can earn a bit of bread for
sweet anticipation of waking in the morning an enormously rich myself, in this forest." "If that is what thou art after," said the
man. giant, "thou mayst have a place with me." "If it must be, why not?
When he opened his eyes, he got up in haste to examine his What wages shall I receive?" "Thou shalt hear what wages thou
pockets, but how amazed he was when he drew nothing out of shalt have. Every year three hundred and sixty-five days, and when
them but black coals, and that howsoever often he put his hands in it is leap-year, one more into the bargain. Does that suit thee?"
them. "The gold I got the night before is still there for me," "All right," replied the tailor, and thought, in his own mind, "a
thought he, and went and brought it out, but how shocked he was man must cut his coat according to his cloth; I will try to get away
when he saw that it likewise had again turned into coal. He smote as fast as I can." On this the giant said to him, "Go, little
his forehead with his dusty black hand, and then he felt that his ragamuffin, and fetch me a jug of water." "Had I not better bring
whole head was bald and smooth, as was also the place where his the well itself at once, and the spring too?" asked the boaster, and
beard should have been. But his misfortunes were not yet over; he went with the pitcher to the water. "What! the well and the spring
now remarked for the first time that in addition to the hump on too," growled the giant in his beard, for he was rather clownish
his back, a second, just as large, had grown in front on his breast. and stupid, and began to be afraid. "That knave is not a fool, he
Then he recognised the punishment of his greediness, and began to has a wizard in his body. Be on thy guard, old Hans, this is no
weep aloud. The good tailor, who was wakened by this, comforted serving-man for thee." When the tailor had brought the water, the
the unhappy fellow as well as he could, and said, "Thou hast been giant bade him go into the forest, and cut a couple of blocks of
my comrade in my travelling time; thou shalt stay with me and wood and bring them back. "Why not the whole forest, at once,
share in my wealth." He kept his word, but the poor goldsmith with one stroke. The whole forest, young and old, with all that is
was obliged to carry the two humps as long as he lived, and to there, both rough and smooth?" asked the little tailor, and went
cover his bald head with a cap. to cut the wood. "What! the whole forest, young and old, with all
that is there, both rough and smooth, and the well and its spring
too," growled the credulous giant in his beard, and was still more
183.—THE GIANT AND THE TAILOR. terrified. "The knave can do much more than bake apples, and has
a wizard in his body. Be on thy guard, old Hans, this is no serving-
("The Giant and the Tailor" is a farce collected by the Brothers man for thee!" When the tailor had brought the wood, the giant
Grimm for Children's and Household Tales and given the serial commanded him to shoot two or three wild boars for supper.
number KHM 183. The fairy tale comes from "Österreichische "Why not rather a thousand at one shot, and bring them all here?"
Volksmärchen" by Franz Ziska (1822). inquired the ostentatious tailor. "What!" cried the timid giant in
Contents: A tailor goes to the forest and sees a steep mountain great terror; "Let well alone to-night, and lie down to rest."
with a sky-high tower behind it. He goes there and sees that the The giant was so terribly alarmed that he could not close an eye
tower has legs, it is a giant. The giant leaps over the mountain and all night long for thinking what would be the best way to get rid
has a voice like thunder. He hires the tailor and receives as wages of this accursed sorcerer of a servant. Time brings counsel. Next
three hundred and sixty-five days each year, and an extra day in morning the giant and the tailor went to a marsh, round which
leap years. The tailor has to fetch a pitcher of water and says that stood a number of willow-trees. Then said the giant, "Hark thee,
the giant certainly wants the well and well, he wants to get away tailor, seat thyself on one of the willow-branches, I long of all
from the giant as soon as possible. The giant gets scared and sends things to see if thou art big enough to bend it down." All at once
the tailor into the forest to chop wood and the tailor says he wants the tailor was sitting on it, holding his breath, and making himself
the whole forest at once. The giant thinks that the tailor has so heavy that the bough bent down. When, however, he was
mangroves in his body and has the tailor get three swine. The compelled to draw breath, it hurried him (for unfortunately he
tailor says a thousand in one shot and the giant puts him to sleep, had not put his goose in his pocket) so high into the air that he
but lies awake himself. He doesn't know how to deal with the never was seen again, and this to the great delight of the giant. If
warlock and the next day they go to a swamp with willow trees. the tailor has not fallen down again, he must be hovering about in
The giant makes the tailor sit on a willow branch and bends the the air.
branch down. He then releases the branch and the tailor shoots
into the air, because he has no iron in his pocket. If it has not come
down yet, then he is still flying through the air.) 184.—THE NAIL.
A certain tailor who was great at boasting but ill at doing, took ("The Nail" or "The Horseshoe Nail" is an example text in the
it into his head to go abroad for a while, and look about the world. Children's And Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the
As soon as he could manage it, he left his workshop, and wandered 5th edition of 1843 (KHM 184) based on the template "Vom
on his way, over hill and dale, sometimes hither, sometimes thither,
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Reiter und seine Roß" from Ludwig Aurbacher's "Büchlein für die dies in the cold to the music of a wedding next door. When the
Youth". farmer finds out, he faints for fear of punishment. The farmer's
Contents: A merchant rides home after a successful deal and wife burns down the house with the fat in the pan. They live in
wants to be there before nightfall. A horseshoe is missing a nail poverty and remorse.)
while resting at midday, and the iron in the afternoon, but he is in
a hurry and won't have it replaced. The horse limps, trips and There was once a poor shepherd-boy whose father and mother
breaks a leg. He has to walk home and arrives late at night. He were dead, and he was placed by the authorities in the house of a
blames the nail.) rich man, who was to feed him and bring him up. The man and his
wife had, however, bad hearts, and were greedy and anxious about
A merchant had done good business at the fair; he had sold his their riches, and vexed whenever any one put a morsel of their
wares, and lined his money-bags with gold and silver. Then he bread in his mouth. The poor young fellow might do what he liked,
wanted to travel homewards, and be in his own house before he got little to eat, but only so many blows the more.
nightfall. So he packed his trunk with the money on his horse, and One day he had to watch a hen and her chickens, but she ran
rode away. through a quick-set hedge with them, and a hawk darted down
At noon he rested in a town, and when he wanted to go farther instantly, and carried her off through the air. The boy called,
the stable-boy brought out his horse and said, "A nail is wanting, "Thief! thief! rascal!" with all the strength of his body. But what
sir, in the shoe of its left hind foot." "Let it be wanting," answered good did that do? The hawk did not bring its prey back again. The
the merchant; "the shoe will certainly stay on for the six miles I man heard the noise, and ran to the spot, and as soon as he saw
have still to go. I am in a hurry." that his hen was gone, he fell in a rage, and gave the boy such a
In the afternoon, when he once more alighted and had his horse beating that he could not stir for two days. Then he had to take
fed, the stable-boy went into the room to him and said, "Sir, a care of the chickens without the hen, but now his difficulty was
shoe is missing from your horse's left hind foot. Shall I take him to greater, for one ran here and the other there. He thought he was
the blacksmith?" "Let it still be wanting," answered the man; "the doing a very wise thing when he tied them all together with a
horse can very well hold out for the couple of miles which remain. string, because then the hawk would not be able to steal any of
I am in haste." them away from him. But he was very much mistaken. After two
He rode forth, but before long the horse began to limp. It had days, worn out with running about and hunger, he fell asleep; the
not limped long before it began to stumble, and it had not bird of prey came, and seized one of the chickens, and as the others
stumbled long before it fell down and broke its leg. The merchant were tied, fast to it, it carried them all off together, perched itself
was forced to leave the horse where it was, and unbuckle the trunk, on a tree, and devoured them. The farmer was just coming home,
take it on his back, and go home on foot. And there he did not and when he saw the misfortune, he got angry and beat the boy so
arrive until quite late at night. "And that unlucky nail," said he to unmercifully that he was forced to lie in bed for several days.
himself, "has caused all this disaster." Hasten slowly. When he was on his legs again, the farmer said to him, "Thou art
too stupid for me, I cannot make a herdsman of thee, thou must go
as errand-boy." Then he sent him to the judge, to whom he was to
185.—THE POOR BOY IN THE GRAVE. carry a basketful of grapes, and he gave him a letter as well. On the
way hunger and thirst tormented the unhappy boy so violently
("The poor Boy in the Grave" is an example text in the that he ate two of the bunches of grapes. He took the basket to the
Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the judge, but when the judge had read the letter, and counted the
5th edition of 1843 (KHM 185). It is based on Ludwig bunches he said, "Two clusters are wanting." The boy confessed
Aurbacher's "Des armen Waisen Leben und Tod" in his booklet quite honestly that, driven by hunger and thirst, he had devoured
for the Youth of 1834. the two which were wanting. The judge wrote a letter to the
Contents: A poor orphan boy lives in the house of a rich, miserly farmer, and asked for the same number of grapes again. These also
farmer. While herding, the hen goes through a hedge fence and is the boy had to take to him with a letter. As he again was so
stolen by the hawk. He yells after the thief. The man hears it and extremely hungry and thirsty, he could not help it, and again ate
hits him. Now the orphan boy has to look after the chicks without two bunches. But first he took the letter out of the basket, put it
a mother hen. To keep them together he ties them to a string, but under a stone and seated himself thereon in order that the letter
the hawk takes them all away at once from the tired and hungry might not see and betray him. The judge, however, again made
boy. The man beats him even more and next time sends him to the him give an explanation about the missing bunches. "Ah," said the
judge as a messenger with a basket of grapes. When he reads the boy, "how have you learnt that? The letter could not know about
letter and counts it, the boy confesses that he ate two because he it, for I put it under a stone before I did it." The judge could not
was hungry. When he has to bring the judge a new basket, he puts help laughing at the boy's simplicity, and sent the man a letter
the letter under a stone to eat so that he cannot tell it. The judge wherein he cautioned him to keep the poor boy better, and not let
laughs at this simplicity and writes to the farmer that he should him want for meat and drink, and also that he was to teach him
hold him better and teach him right and wrong. The farmer lets what was right and what was wrong.
the boy cut straw into chaff while he and the others go to the fair. "I will soon show thee the difference," said the hard man, "if
The boy works so hard in his fear that he accidentally cuts his skirt thou wilt eat, thou must work, and if thou dost anything wrong,
that he had put on the straw in the heat. Because he would rather thou shalt be quite sufficiently taught by blows."
take his own life than wait for the man, he first takes a pot of The next day he set him a hard task. He was to chop two bundles
poison from under the farmer's wife's bed, then a bottle of fly of straw for food for the horses, and then the man threatened: "In
poison from the farmer's wardrobe, which, however, contains five hours," said he, "I shall be back again, and if the straw is not
honey and wine. He wonders about the sweet taste. But when the cut to chaff by that time, I will beat thee until thou canst not move
wine takes effect, he lies down in a grave in the churchyard and a limb." The farmer went with his wife, the man-servant and the
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girl, to the yearly fair, and left nothing behind for the boy but a knows about him, she sadly lives as a shepherdess for a few years.
small bit of bread. The boy seated himself on the bench, and began Twice her lover, whom another king's daughter wants to marry,
to work with all his might. As he got warm over it he put his little rides past her without recognising her. At the three-day festival,
coat off and threw it on the straw. In his terror lest he should not she dances with him one evening in a dress with suns, then one
get done in time he kept constantly cutting, and in his haste, with moons, and finally one with stars. When she kisses him on the
without noticing it, he chopped his little coat as well as the straw. left cheek, he recognises her. They are getting married in the true
He became aware of the misfortune too late; there was no bride's castle.)
repairing it. "Ah," cried he, "now all is over with me! The wicked
man did not threaten me for nothing; if he comes back and sees There was once on a time a girl who was young and beautiful,
what I have done, he will kill me. Rather than that I will take my but she had lost her mother when she was quite a child, and her
own life." step-mother did all she could to make the girl's life wretched.
The boy had once heard the farmer's wife say, "I have a pot with Whenever this woman gave her anything to do, she worked at it
poison in it under my bed." She, however, had only said that to indefatigably, and did everything that lay in her power. Still she
keep away greedy people, for there was honey in it. The boy crept could not touch the heart of the wicked woman by that; she was
under the bed, brought out the pot, and ate all that was in it. "I never satisfied; it was never enough. The harder the girl worked,
do not know," said he, "folks say death is bitter, but it tastes very the more work was put upon her, and all that the woman thought
sweet to me. It is no wonder that the farmer's wife has so often of was how to weigh her down with still heavier burdens, and
longed for death." He seated himself in a little chair, and was make her life still more miserable.
prepared to die. But instead of becoming weaker he felt himself One day she said to her, "Here are twelve pounds of feathers
strengthened by the nourishing food. "It cannot have been which thou must pick, and if they are not done this evening, thou
poison," thought he, "but the farmer once said there was a small mayst expect a good beating. Dost thou imagine thou art to idle
bottle of poison for flies in the box in which he keeps his clothes; away the whole day?" The poor girl sat down to the work, but
that, no doubt, will be the true poison, and bring death to me." It tears ran down her cheeks as she did so, for she saw plainly enough
was, however, no poison for flies, but Hungarian wine. The boy that it was quite impossible to finish the work in one day.
got out the bottle, and emptied it. "This death tastes sweet too," Whenever she had a little heap of feathers lying before her, and she
said he, but shortly after when the wine began to mount into his sighed or smote her hands together in her anguish, they flew away,
brain and stupefy him, he thought his end was drawing near. "I and she had to pick them out again, and begin her work anew.
feel that I must die," said he, "I will go away to the churchyard, Then she put her elbows on the table, laid her face in her two
and seek a grave." He staggered out, reached the churchyard, and hands, and cried, "Is there no one, then, on God's earth to have
laid himself in a newly-dug grave. He lost his senses more and pity on me?" Then she heard a low voice which said, "Be
more. In the neighbourhood was an inn where a wedding was comforted, my child, I have come to help thee." The maiden
being kept; when he heard the music, he fancied he was already in looked up, and an old woman was by her side. She took the girl
Paradise, until at length he lost all consciousness. The poor boy kindly by the hand, and said, "Only tell me what is troubling
never awoke again; the heat of the strong wine and the cold night- thee." As she spoke so kindly, the girl told her of her miserable life,
dew deprived him of life, and he remained in the grave in which he and how one burden after another was laid upon her, and she
had laid himself. never could get to the end of the work which was given to her. "If I
When the farmer heard the news of the boy's death he was have not done these feathers by this evening, my step-mother will
terrified, and afraid of being brought to justice—indeed, his beat me; she has threatened she will, and I know she keeps her
distress took such a powerful hold of him that he fell fainting to word." Her tears began to flow again, but the good old woman
the ground. His wife, who was standing on the hearth with a pan said, "Do not be afraid, my child; rest a while, and in the
of hot fat, ran to him to help him. But the flames darted against meantime I will look to thy work." The girl lay down on her bed,
the pan, the whole house caught fire, in a few hours it lay in ashes, and soon fell asleep. The old woman seated herself at the table
and the rest of the years they had to live they passed in poverty and with the feathers, and how they did fly off the quills, which she
misery, tormented by the pangs of conscience. scarcely touched with her withered hands! The twelve pounds were
soon finished, and when the girl awoke, great snow-white heaps
were lying, piled up, and everything in the room was neatly
186.—THE TRUE BRIDE. cleared away, but the old woman had vanished. The maiden
thanked God, and sat still till evening came, when the step-mother
("The True Bride" or "The True Sweetheart" is a fairy tale in the came in and marvelled to see the work completed. "Just look, you
Children's And Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the awkward creature," said she, "what can be done when people are
5th edition of 1843 (KHM 186). It comes from the "Zeitschrift für industrious; and why couldst thou not set about something else?
deutsches Alterthum" by Moriz Haupt, who wrote the fairy tale There thou sittest with thy hands crossed." When she went out she
from Upper Lusatia published there in 1842. said, "The creature is worth more than her salt. I must give her
Content: A beautiful and hardworking girl is being tormented some work that is still harder."
by her stepmother with increasingly difficult tasks. First it has to Next morning she called the girl, and said, "There is a spoon for
wear off twelve pounds of feathers in a day, then empty a lake with thee; with that thou must empty out for me the great pond which
a holey spoon, then build a castle. Every time an old woman comes is beside the garden, and if it is not done by night, thou knowest
and helps him while he sleeps. While inspecting the castle cellar, what will happen." The girl took the spoon, and saw that it was
the stepmother falls to her death. The girl becomes engaged to a full of holes; but even if it had not been, she never could have
king's son. When he wants to get his father's consent to the emptied the pond with it. She set to work at once, knelt down by
marriage, she kisses him on the left cheek and waits under a linden the water, into which her tears were falling, and began to empty it.
tree before going to look for him three days later. After nobody But the good old woman appeared again, and when she learnt the
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cause of her grief, she said, "Be of good cheer, my child. Go into anything thou shalt not escape thy punishment." But the fire was
the thicket and lie down and sleep; I will soon do thy work." As burning on the hearth, and the meat was cooking in the pans, the
soon as the old woman was alone, she barely touched the pond, tongs and shovel were leaning against the wall, and the shining
and a vapour rose up on high from the water, and mingled itself brazen utensils all arranged in sight. Nothing was wanting, not
with the clouds. Gradually the pond was emptied, and when the even a coal-box and water-pail. "Which is the way to the cellar?"
maiden awoke before sunset and came thither, she saw nothing but she cried. "If that is not abundantly filled, it shall go ill with
the fishes which were struggling in the mud. She went to her step- thee." She herself raised up the trap-door and descended; but she
mother, and showed her that the work was done. "It ought to have had hardly made two steps before the heavy trap-door which was
been done long before this," said she, and grew white with anger, only laid back, fell down. The girl heard a scream, lifted up the
but she meditated something new. door very quickly to go to her aid, but she had fallen down, and
On the third morning she said to the girl, "Thou must build me a the girl found her lying lifeless at the bottom.
castle on the plain there, and it must be ready by the evening." The And now the magnificent castle belonged to the girl alone. She
maiden was dismayed, and said, "How can I complete such a great at first did not know how to reconcile herself to her good fortune.
work?" "I will endure no opposition," screamed the step-mother. Beautiful dresses were hanging in the wardrobes, the chests were
"If thou canst empty a pond with a spoon that is full of holes, thou filled with gold or silver, or with pearls and jewels, and she never
canst build a castle too. I will take possession of it this very day, felt a desire that she was not able to gratify. And soon the fame of
and if anything is wanting, even if it be the most trifling thing in the beauty and riches of the maiden went over all the world.
the kitchen or cellar, thou knowest what lies before thee!" She Wooers presented themselves daily, but none pleased her. At
drove the girl out, and when she entered the valley, the rocks were length the son of the King came and he knew how to touch her
there, piled up one above the other, and all her strength would not heart, and she betrothed herself to him. In the garden of the castle
have enabled her even to move the very smallest of them. She sat was a lime-tree, under which they were one day sitting together,
down and wept, and still she hoped the old woman would help her. when he said to her, "I will go home and obtain my father's
The old woman was not long in coming; she comforted her and consent to our marriage. I entreat thee to wait for me here under
said, "Lie down there in the shade and sleep, and I will soon build this lime-tree, I shall be back with thee in a few hours." The
the castle for thee. If it would be a pleasure to thee, thou canst live maiden kissed him on his left cheek, and said, "Keep true to me,
in it thyself." When the maiden had gone away, the old woman and never let any one else kiss thee on this cheek. I will wait here
touched the grey rocks. They began to rise, and immediately under the lime-tree until thou returnest."
moved together as if giants had built the walls; and on these the The maid stayed beneath the lime-tree until sunset, but he did
building arose, and it seemed as if countless hands were working not return. She sat there three days from morning till evening,
invisibly, and placing one stone upon another. There was a dull waiting for him, but in vain. As he still was not there by the fourth
heavy noise from the ground; pillars arose of their own accord on day, she said, "Some accident has assuredly befallen him. I will go
high, and placed themselves in order near each other. The tiles laid out and seek him, and will not come back until I have found him."
themselves in order on the roof, and when noon-day came, the She packed up three of her most beautiful dresses, one
great weather-cock was already turning itself on the summit of the embroidered with bright stars, the second with silver moons, the
tower, like a golden figure of the Virgin with fluttering garments. third with golden suns, tied up a handful of jewels in her
The inside of the castle was being finished while evening was handkerchief, and set out. She inquired everywhere for her
drawing near. How the old woman managed it, I know not; but betrothed, but no one had seen him; no one knew anything about
the walls of the room were hung with silk and velvet; embroidered him. Far and wide did she wander through the world, but she
chairs were there, and richly ornamented arm-chairs by marble found him not. At last she hired herself to a farmer as a cow-herd,
tables; crystal chandeliers hung down from the ceilings, and and buried her dresses and jewels beneath a stone.
mirrored themselves in the smooth pavement; green parrots were And now she lived as a herdswoman, guarded her herd, and was
there in gilt cages, and so were strange birds which sang most very sad and full of longing for her beloved one; she had a little
beautifully, and there was on all sides as much magnificence as if a calf which she taught to know her, and fed it out of her own hand,
king were going to live there. The sun was just setting when the and when she said,
girl awoke, and the brightness of a thousand lights flashed in her "Little calf, little calf, kneel by my side,
face. She hurried to the castle, and entered by the open door. The And do not forget thy shepherd-maid,
steps were spread with red cloth, and the golden balustrade beset As the prince forgot his betrothed bride,
with flowering trees. When she saw the splendour of the apartment, Who waited for him 'neath the lime-tree's shade."
she stood as if turned to stone. Who knows how long she might the little calf knelt down, and she stroked it.
have stood there if she had not remembered the step-mother? And when she had lived for a couple of years alone and full of
"Alas!" she said to herself, "if she could but be satisfied at last, and grief, a report was spread over all the land that the King's
would give up making my life a misery to me." The girl went and daughter was about to celebrate her marriage. The road to the
told her that the castle was ready. "I will move into it at once," town passed through the village where the maiden was living, and
said she, and rose from her seat. When they entered the castle, she it came to pass that once when the maiden was driving out her
was forced to hold her hand before her eyes, the brilliancy of herd, her bridegroom travelled by. He was sitting proudly on his
everything was so dazzling. "Thou seest," said she to the girl, horse, and never looked round, but when she saw him she
"how easy it has been for thee to do this; I ought to have given recognised her beloved, and it was just as if a sharp knife had
thee something harder." She went through all the rooms, and pierced her heart. "Alas!" said she, "I believed him true to me, but
examined every corner to see if anything was wanting or defective; he has forgotten me."
but she could discover nothing. "Now we will go down below," Next day he again came along the road. When he was near her
said she, looking at the girl with malicious eyes. "The kitchen and she said to the little calf,
the cellar still have to be examined, and if thou hast forgotten "Little calf, little calf, kneel by my side,
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And do not forget thy shepherd-maid, Wetloopen deceive the hare and the hedgehog up de Buxtehuder
As the prince forgot his betrothed bride, heid". Gust. Sus (Konrad Gustav Süs, 1823-1881) drew the
Who waited for him 'neath the lime-tree's shade." illustrations. The earliest origin of the fairy tale could be an old
When he was aware of the voice, he looked down and reined in German poem of the 13th century in "Haupts Magazine 398-400".
his horse. He looked into the herd's face, and then put his hands Contents: One fine morning, the hare makes fun of the
before his eyes as if he were trying to remember something, but he hedgehog's crooked legs, whereupon the hedgehog challenges him
soon rode onwards and was out of sight. "Alas!" said she, "he no to a race to win a golden "Lujedor" (Louis d'or, a large French 23
longer knows me," and her grief was ever greater. carat gold coin) and a bottle of brandy. When the race in the field
Soon after this a great festival three days long was to be held at begins, the hedgehog only runs a few steps, but at the end of the
the King's court, and the whole country was invited to it. furrow he has placed his wife, who looks very much like him.
"Now will I try my last chance," thought the maiden, and when When the hare, certain of victory, storms in, the hedgehog's wife
evening came she went to the stone under which she had buried her rises and calls out to him: "Ick bün all hier!" ("I'm already here!").
treasures. She took out the dress with the golden suns, put it on, The hare cannot understand the defeat, he demands revenge and
and adorned herself with the jewels. She let down her hair, which conducts a total of 73 runs with always the same result. In the
she had concealed under a handkerchief, and it fell down in long 74th race he collapses exhausted and dies.)
curls about her, and thus she went into the town, and in the
darkness was observed by no one. When she entered the brightly- This story, my dear young folks, seems to be false, but it really is
lighted hall, every one started back in amazement, but no one true, for my grandfather, from whom I have it, used always, when
know who she was. The King's son went to meet her, but he did relating it, to say complacently, "It must be true, my son, or else
not recognise her. He led her out to dance, and was so enchanted no one could tell it to you." The story is as follows.
with her beauty, that he thought no more of the other bride. One Sunday morning about harvest time, just as the buckwheat
When the feast was over, she vanished in the crowd, and hastened was in bloom, the sun was shining brightly in heaven, the east
before daybreak to the village, where she once more put on her wind was blowing warmly over the stubble-fields, the larks were
herd's dress. singing in the air, the bees buzzing among the buckwheat, the
Next evening she took out the dress with the silver moons, and people were all going in their Sunday clothes to church, and all
put a half-moon made of precious stones in her hair. When she creatures were happy, and the hedgehog was happy too.
appeared at the festival, all eyes were turned upon her, but the The hedgehog, however, was standing by his door with his arms
King's son hastened to meet her, and filled with love for her, akimbo, enjoying the morning breezes, and slowly trilling a little
danced with her alone, and no longer so much as glanced at any song to himself, which was neither better nor worse than the songs
one else. Before she went away she was forced to promise him to which hedgehogs are in the habit of singing on a blessed Sunday
come again to the festival on the last evening. morning. Whilst he was thus singing half aloud to himself, it
When she appeared for the third time, she wore the star-dress suddenly occurred to him that, while his wife was washing and
which sparkled at every step she took, and her hair-ribbon and drying the children, he might very well take a walk into the field,
girdle were starred with jewels. The prince had already been and see how his turnips were going on. The turnips were, in fact,
waiting for her for a long time, and forced his way up to her. "Do close beside his house, and he and his family were accustomed to
but tell who thou art," said he, "I feel just as if I had already eat them, for which reason he looked upon them as his own. No
known thee a long time." "Dost thou not know what I did when sooner said than done. The hedgehog shut the house-door behind
thou leftest me?" Then she stepped up to him, and kissed him on him, and took the path to the field. He had not gone very far from
his left cheek, and in a moment it was as if scales fell from his eyes, home, and was just turning round the sloe-bush which stands there
and he recognised the true bride. "Come," said he to her, "here I outside the field, to go up into the turnip-field, when he observed
stay no longer," gave her his hand, and led her down to the the hare who had gone out on business of the same kind, namely,
carriage. The horses hurried away to the magic castle as if the to visit his cabbages. When the hedgehog caught sight of the hare,
wind had been harnessed to the carriage. The illuminated windows he bade him a friendly good morning. But the hare, who was in his
already shone in the distance. When they drove past the lime-tree, own way a distinguished gentleman, and frightfully haughty, did
countless glow-worms were swarming about it. It shook its not return the hedgehog's greeting, but said to him, assuming at
branches, and sent forth their fragrance. On the steps flowers were the same time a very contemptuous manner, "How do you happen
blooming, and the rooms echoed with the song of strange birds, to be running about here in the field so early in the morning?" "I
but in the hall the entire court was assembled, and the priest was am taking a walk," said the hedgehog. "A walk!" said the hare,
waiting to marry the bridegroom to the true bride. with a smile. "It seems to me that you might use your legs for a
better purpose." This answer made the hedgehog furiously angry,
for he can bear anything but an attack on his legs, just because
187.—THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG. they are crooked by nature. So now the hedgehog said to the hare,
"You seem to imagine that you can do more with your legs than I
("The Hare and the Hedgehog" or "The race between the Hare with mine." "That is just what I do think," said the hare. "That
and the Hedgehog" is a Low Saxon (Low German) fable. It was can be put to the test," said the hedgehog. "I wager that if we run
published 1843 in the 5th edition of Grimm's Children's and a race, I will outstrip you." "That is ridiculous! You with your
Household Tales (KHM 187). It comes from Wilhelm Schröder's short legs!" said the hare, "but for my part I am willing, if you
Hannoversche Volksblatt from 1840 (Title: Dat Wettlopen twisch have such a monstrous fancy for it. What shall we wager?" "A
den Hasen un den Swinegel up de lütje Heide bi Buxtehude). golden louis-d'or and a bottle of brandy," said the hedgehog.
Grimm's note states: "According to oral tradition in the area of "Done," said the hare. "Shake hands on it, and then it may as well
Osnabrück, recorded", and names Wolf's journal for German come off at once." "Nay," said the hedgehog, "there is no such
mythology "1, 381-383", "Firmenich 1, 210. 211 ", title: "Het
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great hurry! I am still fasting, I will go home first, and have a little Hamburg.] heath till he died, and since that time no hare has ever
breakfast. In half-an-hour I will be back again at this place." had any fancy for running races with a Buxtehuder hedgehog.
Hereupon the hedgehog departed, for the hare was quite satisfied The moral of this story, however, is, firstly, that no one, however
with this. On his way the hedgehog thought to himself, "The hare great he may be, should permit himself to jest at any one beneath
relies on his long legs, but I will contrive to get the better of him. him, even if he be only a hedgehog. And, secondly, it teaches, that
He may be a great man, but he is a very silly fellow, and he shall when a man marries, he should take a wife in his own position,
pay for what he has said." So when the hedgehog reached home, he who looks just as he himself looks. So whosoever is a hedgehog let
said to his wife, "Wife, dress thyself quickly, thou must go out to him see to it that his wife is a hedgehog also, and so forth.
the field with me." "What is going on, then?" said his wife. "I have
made a wager with the hare, for a gold louis-d'or and a bottle of
brandy. I am to run a race with him, and thou must be present." 188.—THE SPINDLE, THE SHUTTLE, AND THE NEEDLE.
"Good heavens, husband," the wife now cried, "art thou not right
in thy mind, hast thou completely lost thy wits? What can make ("Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle" is a German fairy tale collected
thee want to run a race with the hare?" "Hold thy tongue, by the Brothers Grimm, tale number KHM 188. It is based on
woman," said the hedgehog, "that is my affair. Don't begin to Ludwig Aurbacher's "Die Pathengeschenke" (the Godfathers'
discuss things which are matters for men. Be off, dress thyself, and Presents) in his Booklet for Young People from 1834.
come with me." What could the hedgehog's wife do? She was Contents: A girl's parents having died, was raised by her
forced to obey him, whether she liked it or not. godmother, who died, leaving her the house and a spindle, a
So when they had set out on their way together, the hedgehog shuttle, and a needle to earn her living. She did quite well at it.
said to his wife, "Now pay attention to what I am going to say. One day, a king's son came looking for a bride. He wanted one
Look you, I will make the long field our race-course. The hare who was at once the richest and the poorest. In this village, they
shall run in one furrow, and I in another, and we will begin to run pointed out the richest girl, and then the orphan girl. He rode by
from the top. Now all that thou hast to do is to place thyself here the richest girl, who bowed to him, and he rode on. He rode by the
below in the furrow, and when the hare arrives at the end of the poorest girl, who was spinning. When she saw he was looking at
furrow on the other side of thee, thou must cry out to him, 'I am her, she blushed and closed her eyes. He rode by, and she opened
here already!'" the window, saying it was hot, but watching until he left. Then she
Then they reached the field, and the hedgehog showed his wife remembered rhymes her godmother had used. She set the spindle
her place, and then walked up the field. When he reached the top, to guide the prince back by its golden thread, the shuttle to weave
the hare was already there. "Shall we start?" said the hare. a path to her hut, and the needle to adorn the hut. When the
"Certainly," said the hedgehog. "Then both at once." So saying, prince returned, he said she was both the richest and the poorest,
each placed himself in his own furrow. The hare counted, "Once, and married her. The spindle, shuttle, and needle were kept in the
twice, thrice, and away!" and went off like a whirlwind down the royal treasury.)
field. The hedgehog, however, only ran about three paces, and
then he stooped down in the furrow, and stayed quietly where he There was once a girl whose father and mother died while she
was. was still a little child. All alone, in a small house at the end of the
When the hare therefore arrived in full career at the lower end of village, dwelt her godmother, who supported herself by spinning,
the field, the hedgehog's wife met him with the cry, "I am here weaving, and sewing. The old woman took the forlorn child to
already!" The hare was shocked and wondered not a little, he live with her, kept her to her work, and educated her in all that is
thought no other than that it was the hedgehog himself who was good. When the girl was fifteen years old, the old woman, became
calling to him, for the hedgehog's wife looked just like her ill, called the child to her bedside, and said, "Dear daughter, I feel
husband. The hare, however, thought to himself, "That has not my end drawing near. I leave thee the little house, which will
been done fairly," and cried, "It must be run again, let us have it protect thee from wind and weather, and my spindle, shuttle, and
again." And once more he went off like the wind in a storm, so needle, with which thou canst earn thy bread." Then she laid her
that he seemed to fly. But the hedgehog's wife stayed quietly in her hands on the girl's head, blessed her, and said, "Only preserve the
place. So when the hare reached the top of the field, the hedgehog love of God in thy heart, and all will go well with thee."
himself cried out to him, "I am here already." The hare, however, Thereupon she closed her eyes, and when she was laid in the earth,
quite beside himself with anger, cried, "It must be run again, we the maiden followed the coffin, weeping bitterly, and paid her the
must have it again." "All right," answered the hedgehog, "for my last mark of respect. And now the maiden lived quite alone in the
part we'll run as often as you choose." So the hare ran seventy- little house, and was industrious, and span, wove, and sewed, and
three times more, and the hedgehog always held out against him, the blessing of the good old woman was on all that she did. It
and every time the hare reached either the top or the bottom, seemed as if the flax in the room increased of its own accord, and
either the hedgehog or his wife said, "I am here already." whenever she wove a piece of cloth or carpet, or had made a shirt,
At the seventy-fourth time, however, the hare could no longer she at once found a buyer who paid her amply for it, so that she
reach the end. In the middle of the field he fell to the ground, the was in want of nothing, and even had something to share with
blood streamed out of his mouth, and he lay dead on the spot. But others.
the hedgehog took the louis-d'or which he had won and the bottle About this time, the son of the King was travelling about the
of brandy, called his wife out of the furrow, and both went home country looking for a bride. He was not to choose a poor one, and
together in great delight, and if they are not dead, they are living did not want to have a rich one. So he said, "She shall be my wife
there still. who is the poorest, and at the same time the richest." When he
This is how it happened that the hedgehog made the hare run came to the village where the maiden dwelt, he inquired, as he did
races with him on the Buxtehuder [Buxtehude is a village near wherever he went, who was the richest and also the poorest girl in
the place? They first named the richest; the poorest, they said, was
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
the girl who lived in the small house quite at the end of the village. her forth, lifted her on to his horse, and took her to the royal
The rich girl was sitting in all her splendour before the door of her castle, where the wedding was solemnised with great rejoicings.
house, and when the prince approached her, she got up, went to The spindle, shuttle, and needle were preserved in the treasure-
meet him, and made him a low curtsey. He looked at her, said chamber, and held in great honour.
nothing, and rode on. When he came to the house of the poor girl,
she was not standing at the door, but sitting in her little room. He
stopped his horse, and saw through the window, on which the 189.—THE PEASANT AND THE DEVIL.
bright sun was shining, the girl sitting at her spinning-wheel,
busily spinning. She looked up, and when she saw that the prince ("The Peasant and the Devil" is a fairy tale collected by the
was looking in, she blushed all over her face, let her eyes fall, and Brothers Grimm, tale number KHM 189. It is based on Ludwig
went on spinning. I do not know whether, just at that moment, Aurbacher's "Der Teufel und der Bauer" (The Devil and the
the thread was quite even; but she went on spinning until the Farmer) in his booklet for young people from 1834.
King's son had ridden away again. Then she went to the window, Contents: A peasant found a devil in his fields, sitting on a fire.
opened it, and said, "It is so warm in this room!" but she still He guessed he was sitting on treasure, and the devil offered it if for
looked after him as long as she could distinguish the white feathers two years, half of the crop was his. The peasant agreed, and said
in his hat. Then she sat down to work again in her own room and that to prevent disputes, the half above the ground was the devil's,
went on with her spinning, and a saying which the old woman had and the half below the peasant's. When the devil agreed, the
often repeated when she was sitting at her work, came into her peasant planted turnips. When harvest time came, the devil saw his
mind, and she sang these words to herself,— leaves and the peasant's turnips, and said they must do it the other
"Spindle, my spindle, haste, haste thee away, way round the next year. The peasant agreed and planted wheat.
And here to my house bring the wooer, I pray." At harvest, the devil found he got nothing but stubble. Having
And what do you think happened? The spindle sprang out of her been outwitted twice, he retreated into the earth in a fury, and the
hand in an instant, and out of the door, and when, in her peasant took the treasure.)
astonishment, she got up and looked after it, she saw that it was
dancing out merrily into the open country, and drawing a shining There was once on a time a far-sighted, crafty peasant whose
golden thread after it. Before long, it had entirely vanished from tricks were much talked about. The best story is, however, how he
her sight. As she had now no spindle, the girl took the weaver's once got hold of the Devil, and made a fool of him. The peasant
shuttle in her hand, sat down to her loom, and began to weave. had one day been working in his field, and as twilight had set in,
The spindle, however, danced continually onwards, and just as was making ready for the journey home, when he saw a heap of
the thread came to an end, reached the prince. "What do I see?" he burning coals in the middle of his field, and when, full of
cried; "the spindle certainly wants to show me the way!" turned astonishment, he went up to it, a little black devil was sitting on
his horse about, and rode back with the golden thread. The girl the live coals. "Thou dost indeed sit upon a treasure!" said the
was, however, sitting at her work singing, peasant. "Yes, in truth," replied the Devil, "on a treasure which
"Shuttle, my shuttle, weave well this day, contains more gold and silver than thou hast ever seen in thy life!"
And guide the wooer to me, I pray." "The treasure lies in my field and belongs to me," said the peasant.
Immediately the shuttle sprang out of her hand and out by the "It is thine," answered the Devil, "if thou wilt for two years give
door. Before the threshold, however, it began to weave a carpet me the half of everything thy field produces. Money I have enough
which was more beautiful than the eyes of man had ever yet beheld. of, but I have a desire for the fruits of the earth." The peasant
Lilies and roses blossomed on both sides of it, and on a golden agreed to the bargain. "In order, however, that no dispute may
ground in the centre green branches ascended, under which arise about the division," said he, "everything that is above
bounded hares and rabbits, stags and deer stretched their heads in ground shall belong to thee, and what is under the earth to me."
between them, brightly-coloured birds were sitting in the The Devil was quite satisfied with that, but the cunning peasant
branches above; they lacked nothing but the gift of song. The had sown turnips.
shuttle leapt hither and thither, and everything seemed to grow of Now when the time for harvest came, the Devil appeared and
its own accord. wanted to take away his crop; but he found nothing but the yellow
As the shuttle had run away, the girl sat down to sew. She held withered leaves, while the peasant, full of delight, was digging up
the needle in her hand and sang, his turnips. "Thou hast had the best of it for once," said the Devil,
"Needle, my needle, sharp-pointed and fine, "but the next time that won't do. What grows above ground shall
Prepare for a wooer this house of mine." be thine, and what is under it, mine." "I am willing," replied the
Then the needle leapt out of her fingers, and flew everywhere peasant; but when the time came to sow, he did not again sow
about the room as quick as lightning. It was just as if invisible turnips, but wheat. The grain became ripe, and the peasant went
spirits were working; they covered tables and benches with green into the field and cut the full stalks down to the ground. When the
cloth in an instant, and the chairs with velvet, and hung the Devil came, he found nothing but the stubble, and went away in a
windows with silken curtains. Hardly had the needle put in the fury down into a cleft in the rocks. "That is the way to cheat the
last stitch than the maiden saw through the window the white Devil," said the peasant, and went and fetched away the treasure.
feathers of the prince, whom the spindle had brought thither by
the golden thread. He alighted, stepped over the carpet into the
house, and when he entered the room, there stood the maiden in 190.—THE CRUMBS ON THE TABLE.
her poor garments, but she shone out from within them like a rose
surrounded by leaves. "Thou art the poorest and also the richest," ("The Crumbs on the Table" is an animal fairy tale in the
said he to her. "Come with me, thou shalt be my bride." She did Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the
not speak, but she gave him her hand. Then he gave her a kiss, led 5th edition of 1843 at position 190 (KHM 190). It is written in
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Swiss German (High Allemannic) and comes from Moriz Haupt's alone, she caused it to be proclaimed that no one should ever be
"Zeitschrift for German Antiquity", where Wilhelm Wackernagel her husband who could not conceal himself from her so effectually,
published it in 1843 (Sagen und Märchen aus dem Aargau, No. 4, that it should be quite impossible for her to find him. He who
pp. 36-37). tried this, however, and was discovered by her, was to have his
Contents: A countryman tells his puppies to come into the parlor head struck off, and stuck on a post. Ninety-seven posts with the
and take the crumbs. They say the mistress will beat them, but he heads of dead men were already standing before the castle, and no
persists and persuades them. The mistress returns just then and one had come forward for a long time. The princess was delighted,
beats them, and the countryman only laughs, so they have to run and thought to herself, "Now I shall be free as long as I live." Then
away.) three brothers appeared before her, and announced to her that
they were desirous of trying their luck. The eldest believed he
A countryman one day said to his little puppies, "Come into the would be quite safe if he crept into a limepit, but she saw him from
parlour and enjoy yourselves, and pick up the bread-crumbs on the the first window, made him come out, and had his head cut off.
table; your mistress has gone out to pay some visits." Then the The second crept into the cellar of the palace, but she perceived
little dogs said, "No, no, we will not go. If the mistress gets to him also from the first window, and his fate was sealed. His head
know it, she will beat us." The countryman said, "She will know was placed on the nine and ninetieth post. Then the youngest came
nothing about it. Do come; after all, she never gives you anything to her and entreated her to give him a day for consideration, and
good." Then the little dogs again said, "Nay, nay, we must let it also to be so gracious as to overlook it if she should happen to
alone; we must not go." But the countryman let them have no discover him twice, but if he failed the third time, he would look
peace until at last they went, and got on the table, and ate up the on his life as over. As he was so handsome, and begged so earnestly,
bread-crumbs with all their might. But at that very moment the she said, "Yes, I will grant thee that, but thou wilt not succeed."
mistress came, and seized the stick in great haste, and beat them Next day he meditated for a long time how he should hide
and treated them very hardly. And when they were outside the himself, but all in vain. Then he seized his gun and went out
house, the little dogs said to the countryman, "Dost, dost, dost, hunting. He saw a raven, took a good aim at him, and was just
dost, dost thou see?" Then the countryman laughed and said, going to fire, when the bird cried, "Don't shoot; I will make it
"Didn't, didn't, didn't you expect it?" So they just had to run away. worth thy while not." He put his gun down, went on, and came to
a lake where he surprised a large fish which had come up from the
depths below to the surface of the water. When he had aimed at it,
191.—THE SEA-HARE. the fish cried, "Don't shoot, and I will make it worth thy while."
He allowed it to dive down again, went onwards, and met a fox
("The Sea-Hare" is a fairy tale in the Children's And Household which was lame. He fired and missed it, and the fox cried, "You
Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 7th edition of 1857 (KHM had much better come here and draw the thorn out of my foot for
191). It comes from Josef Haltrich's collection "Deutsche me." He did this; but then he wanted to kill the fox and skin it, the
Volksmärchen aus dem Sachsenlande in Siebenbürgen" (Romania) fox said, "Stop, and I will make it worth thy while." The youth let
from 1856 (No. 39): Von der Königstochter, die aus ihrem him go, and then as it was evening, returned home.
Schlosse alles in ihrem Reiche sah). Next day he was to hide himself; but howsoever much he puzzled
Contents: A princess had a magical tower with twelve windows, his brains over it, he did not know where. He went into the forest
and whenever she looked from a window, she saw more clearly to the raven and said, "I let thee live on, so now tell me where I am
from it than the one before. Being haughty, she had no wish to to hide myself, so that the King's daughter shall not see me." The
marry, and decreed that any suitor must hide from her to win her, raven hung his head and thought it over for a long time. At length
but if she found him, he was to lose his head. After ninety-seven he croaked, "I have it." He fetched an egg out of his nest, cut it
lost their lives, three brothers presented themselves, and the first into two parts, and shut the youth inside it; then made it whole
two lost. The youngest son asked for three tries. He went hunting again, and seated himself on it. When the King's daughter went to
and spared a raven, a fish, and a fox. The raven tried to hide him the first window she could not discover him, nor could she from
in an egg, where he could be seen only from the eleventh window. the others, and she began to be uneasy, but from the eleventh she
The fish swallowed him, where he could be seen only from the saw him. She ordered the raven to be shot, and the egg to be
twelfth. The fox turned him into a pretty sea-hare and sold him, to brought and broken, and the youth was forced to come out. She
the princess. When she went to the windows, he hid in her hair. said, "For once thou art excused, but if thou dost not do better
She could not see him and angrily threw the sea-hare out of her than this, thou art lost!"
hair. He sneaked off, the fox restored him, and he went to claim Next day he went to the lake, called the fish to him and said, "I
her, and they married.) suffered thee to live, now tell me where to hide myself so that the
King's daughter may not see me." The fish thought for a while,
There was once upon a time a princess, who, high under the and at last cried, "I have it! I will shut thee up in my stomach." He
battlements in her castle, had an apartment with twelve windows, swallowed him, and went down to the bottom of the lake. The
which looked out in every possible direction, and when she King's daughter looked through her windows, and even from the
climbed up to it and looked around her, she could inspect her eleventh did not see him, and was alarmed; but at length from the
whole kingdom. When she looked out of the first, her sight was twelfth she saw him. She ordered the fish to be caught and killed,
more keen than that of any other human being; from the second and then the youth appeared. Every one can imagine what a state
she could see still better, from the third more distinctly still, and of mind he was in. She said, "Twice thou art forgiven, but be sure
so it went on, until the twelfth, from which she saw everything that thy head will be set on the hundredth post."
above the earth and under the earth, and nothing at all could be On the last day, he went with a heavy heart into the country, and
kept secret from her. Moreover, as she was haughty, and would be met the fox. "Thou knowest how to find all kinds of hiding-
subject to no one, but wished to keep the dominion for herself places," said he; "I let thee live, now advise me where I shall hide
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
myself so that the King's daughter shall not discover me." "That's solves this task by fetching a corpse from the gallows hill and
a hard task," answered the fox, looking very thoughtful. At length putting it on his shoulders. He places a ladder in front of the
he cried, "I have it!" and went with him to a spring, dipped Count's bedroom and climbs it with the corpse on his shoulders
himself in it, and came out as a stall-keeper in the market, and until the corpse's head appears at the window. The Count, who
dealer in animals. The youth had to dip himself in the water also, was waiting for it, shoots the corpse "dead" with his pistol. But
and was changed into a small sea-hare. The merchant went into because it was his godchild, the Count goes into the garden to
the town, and showed the pretty little animal, and many persons bury the dead man. Meanwhile, the master thief climbs into the
gathered together to see it. At length the King's daughter came bedroom, pretends to the Countess that he is her husband and
likewise, and as she liked it very much, she bought it, and gave the needs the bed sheet to wrap up the dead man. He also asks her to
merchant a good deal of money for it. Before he gave it over to her, give the godchild the wedding ring to the grave and disappears
he said to it, "When the King's daughter goes to the window, with it. The third task: He is to steal the pastor and the sexton
creep quickly under the braids of her hair." And now the time from the church. The master thief solves this task by setting crabs,
arrived when she was to search for him. She went to one window on which he has glued burning candles on their backs, in the
after another in turn, from the first to the eleventh, and did not see churchyard at night and loudly announcing that these are the
him. "When she did not see him from the twelfth either, she was souls of the dead who have climbed out of the graves; Judgment
full of anxiety and anger, and shut it down with such violence that Day has come and it is Peter who is bringing people into the
the glass in every window shivered into a thousand pieces, and the kingdom of heaven. The vicar and the sexton want to be the first
whole castle shook. to get to heaven and willingly crawl into a sack. The master thief
She went back and felt the sea-hare beneath the braids of her hair. drags the sack through the village up to the castle and into the
Then she seized it, and threw it on the ground exclaiming, "Away dovecote. He leaves the two lying and makes them believe they
with thee, get out of my sight!" It ran to the merchant, and both heard the angels flapping their wings.)
of them hurried to the spring, wherein they plunged, and received
back their true forms. The youth thanked the fox, and said, "The One day an old man and his wife were sitting in front of a
raven and the fish are idiots compared with thee; thou knowest the miserable house resting a while from their work. Suddenly a
right tune to play, there is no denying that!" splendid carriage with four black horses came driving up, and a
The youth went straight to the palace. The princess was already richly-dressed man descended from it. The peasant stood up, went
expecting him, and accommodated herself to her destiny. The to the great man, and asked what he wanted, and in what way he
wedding was solemnised, and now he was king, and lord of all the could be useful to him? The stranger stretched out his hand to the
kingdom. He never told her where he had concealed himself for the old man, and said, "I want nothing but to enjoy for once a country
third time, and who had helped him, so she believed that he had dish; cook me some potatoes, in the way you always have them,
done everything by his own skill, and she had a great respect for and then I will sit down at your table and eat them with pleasure."
him, for she thought to herself, "He is able to do more than I." The peasant smiled and said, "You are a count or a prince, or
perhaps even a duke; noble gentlemen often have such fancies, but
you shall have your wish." The wife went into the kitchen, and
192.—THE MASTER-THIEF. began to wash and rub the potatoes, and to make them into balls,
as they are eaten by the country-folks. Whilst she was busy with
("The Master Thief" is a Norwegian fairy tale collected by Peter this work, the peasant said to the stranger, "Come into my garden
Chr. Asbjørnsen (1812–1885) and Jørgen Engebretsen Moe with me for a while, I have still something to do there." He had
(1813–1882). The Brothers Grimm included a shorter variant in dug some holes in the garden, and now wanted to plant some trees
their Children's and Household Tales as KHM 192, 5 Edition of in them. "Have you no children," asked the stranger, "who could
1843. This version comes from Moriz Haupt's 1843 journal for help you with your work?" "No," answered the peasant, "I had a
German antiquity (A fairy tale from Thuringia, by Georg son, it is true, but it is long since he went out into the world. He
Friedrich Stertzing). was a ne'er-do-well; sharp, and knowing, but he would learn
Contents: A master thief has become a rich man by practicing his nothing and was full of bad tricks, at last he ran away from me,
trade all over the world. In the end, however, he is drawn back to and since then I have heard nothing of him."
his homeland and tells his godfather, the count in the castle near The old man took a young tree, put it in a hole, drove in a post
his father's house, about his abilities. He is initially angry and beside it, and when he had shovelled in some earth and had
wants to hang the master thief immediately. But then he gives him trampled it firmly down, he tied the stem of the tree above, below,
the chance to prove his skills with three tasks. First, the master and in the middle, fast to the post by a rope of straw. "But tell
thief must steal the best horse from the count's stable, which is me," said the stranger, "why you don't tie that crooked knotted
guarded by soldiers. The thief disguises himself as an old lady and tree, which is lying in the corner there, bent down almost to the
sells the guards some sleepy wine. He then goes into the stable to ground, to a post also that it may grow straight, as well as these?"
join the three bodyguards, who are now anesthetised: one is The old man smiled and said, "Sir, you speak according to your
holding the reins of the horse, the other is holding the tail, and the knowledge, it is easy to see that you are not familiar with
third is snoring in the saddle, leaning forward. He gives the first a gardening. That tree there is old, and mis-shapen, no one can
rope, the second a bundle of straw, he lets the rider sit in the make it straight now. Trees must be trained while they are
saddle, but he lifts the saddle with several ropes from the beams so young." "That is how it was with your son," said the stranger, "if
high that he can pull the horse away from under him unnoticed. you had trained him while he was still young, he would not have
He wraps the horse's hooves in rags and leads it noiselessly to the run away; now he too must have grown hard and mis-shapen."
stable and out of the castle. The second task is: The master thief is "Truly it is a long time since he went away," replied the old man,
to steal the bed sheet from under the Count's body during the "he must have changed." "Would you know him again if he were
night and steal the wedding ring from the Countess' finger. He to come to you?" asked the stranger. "Hardly by his face," replied
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
the peasant, "but he has a mark about him, a birth-mark on his one where thou canst find it." The old woman tottered up to them,
shoulder, that looks like a bean." When he had said that the begged them to lift the basket from her back, and sat down beside
stranger pulled off his coat, bared his shoulder, and showed the them at the fire. "What hast thou got in thy little cask, old lady?"
peasant the bean. "Good God!" cried the old man, "thou art really asked one. "A good mouthful of wine," she answered. "I live by
my son!" and love for his child stirred in his heart. "But," he trade, for money and fair words I am quite ready to let you have a
added, "how canst thou be my son, thou hast become a great lord glass." "Let us have it here, then," said the soldier, and when he
and livest in wealth and luxury? How hast thou contrived to do had tasted one glass he said, "When wine is good, I like another
that?" "Ah, father," answered the son, "the young tree was bound glass," and had another poured out for himself, and the rest
to no post and has grown crooked, now it is too old, it will never followed his example. "Hallo, comrades," cried one of them to
be straight again. How have I got all that? I have become a thief, those who were in the stable, "here is an old goody who has wine
but do not be alarmed, I am a master-thief. For me there are that is as old as herself; take a draught, it will warm your
neither locks nor bolts, whatsoever I desire is mine. Do not stomachs far better than our fire." The old woman carried her cask
imagine that I steal like a common thief, I only take some of the into the stable. One of the soldiers had seated himself on the
superfluity of the rich. Poor people are safe, I would rather give to saddled riding-horse, another held its bridle in his hand, a third
them than take anything from them. It is the same with anything had laid hold of its tail. She poured out as much as they wanted
which I can have without trouble, cunning and dexterity—I never until the spring ran dry. It was not long before the bridle fell from
touch it." "Alas, my son," said the father, "it still does not please the hand of the one, and he fell down and began to snore, the other
me, a thief is still a thief, I tell thee it will end badly." He took him left hold of the tail, lay down and snored still louder. The one who
to his mother, and when she heard that was her son, she wept for was sitting in the saddle, did remain sitting, but bent his head
joy, but when he told her that he had become a master-thief, two almost down to the horse's neck, and slept and blew with his
streams flowed down over her face. At length she said, "Even if he mouth like the bellows of a forge. The soldiers outside had already
has become a thief, he is still my son, and my eyes have beheld him been asleep for a long time, and were lying on the ground
once more." They sat down to table, and once again he ate with his motionless, as if dead. When the master- thief saw that he had
parents the wretched food which he had not eaten for so long. The succeeded, he gave the first a rope in his hand instead of the bridle,
father said, "If our Lord, the count up there in the castle, learns and the other who had been holding the tail, a wisp of straw, but
who thou art, and what trade thou followest, he will not take thee what was he to do with the one who was sitting on the horse's back?
in his arms and cradle thee in them as he did when he held thee at He did not want to throw him down, for he might have awakened
the font, but will cause thee to swing from a halter." "Be easy, and have uttered a cry. He had a good idea, he unbuckled the
father, he will do me no harm, for I understand my trade. I will go girths of the saddle, tied a couple of ropes which were hanging to a
to him myself this very day." When evening drew near, the master- ring on the wall fast to the saddle, and drew the sleeping rider up
thief seated himself in his carriage, and drove to the castle. The into the air on it, then he twisted the rope round the posts, and
count received him civilly, for he took him for a distinguished man. made it fast. He soon unloosed the horse from the chain, but if he
When, however, the stranger made himself known, the count had ridden over the stony pavement of the yard they would have
turned pale and was quite silent for some time. At length he said, heard the noise in the castle. So he wrapped the horse's hoofs in
"Thou art my godson, and on that account mercy shall take the old rags, led him carefully out, leapt upon him, and galloped off.
place of justice, and I will deal leniently with thee. Since thou When day broke, the master galloped to the castle on the stolen
pridest thyself on being a master-thief, I will put thy art to the horse. The count had just got up, and was looking out of the
proof, but if thou dost not stand the test, thou must marry the window. "Good morning. Sir Count," he cried to him, "here is the
rope-maker's daughter, and the croaking of the raven must be thy horse, which I have got safely out of the stable! Just look, how
music on the occasion." "Lord count," answered the master-thief, beautifully your soldiers are lying there sleeping; and if you will
"Think of three things, as difficult as you like, and if I do not but go into the stable, you will see how comfortable your watchers
perform your tasks, do with me what you will." The count have made it for themselves." The count could not help laughing,
reflected for some minutes, and then said, "Well, then, in the first then he said, "For once thou hast succeeded, but things wou't go
place, thou shalt steal the horse I keep for my own riding, out of so well the second time, and I warn thee that if thou comest before
the stable; in the next, thou shalt steal the sheet from beneath the me as a thief, I will handle thee as I would a thief." When the
bodies of my wife and myself when we are asleep, without our countess went to bed that night, she closed her hand with the
observing it, and the wedding-ring of my wife as well; thirdly and wedding-ring tightly together, and the count said, "All the doors
lastly, thou shalt steal away out of the church, the parson and are locked and bolted, I will keep awake and wait for the thief, but
clerk. Mark what I am saying, for thy life depends on it." if he gets in by the window, I will shoot him." The master-thief,
The master-thief went to the nearest town; there he bought the however, went in the dark to the gallows, cut a poor sinner who
clothes of an old peasant woman, and put them on. Then he was hanging there down from the halter, and carried him on his
stained his face brown, and painted wrinkles on it as well, so that back to the castle. Then he set a ladder up to the bedroom, put the
no one could have recognised him. Then he filled a small cask with dead body on his shoulders, and began to climb up. When he had
old Hungary wine in which was mixed a powerful sleeping-drink. got so high that the head of the dead man showed at the window,
He put the cask in a basket, which he took on his back, and walked the count, who was watching in his bed, fired a pistol at him, and
with slow and tottering steps to the count's castle. It was already immediately the master let the poor sinner fall down, and hid
dark when he arrived. He sat down on a stone in the court-yard himself in one comer. The night was sufficiently lighted by the
and began to cough, like an asthmatic old woman, and to rub his moon, for the master to see distinctly how the count got out of the
hands as if he were cold. In front of the door of the stable some window on to the ladder, came down, carried the dead body into
soldiers were lying round a fire; one of them observed the woman, the garden, and began to dig a hole in which to lay it. "Now,"
and called out to her, "Come nearer, old mother, and warm thyself thought the thief, "the favourable moment has come," stole
beside us. After all, thou hast no bed for the night, and must take nimbly out of his corner, and climbed up the ladder straight into
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
the countess's bedroom. "Dear wife," he began in the count's voice, dragging them up the steps of the castle, he cried, "Now we are on
"the thief is dead, but, after all, he is my godson, and has been the steps of heaven, and will soon be in the outer court." When he
more of a scape-grace than a villain. I will not put him to open had got to the top, he pushed the sack into the pigeon-house, and
shame; besides, I am sorry for the parents. I will bury him myself when the pigeons fluttered about, he said, "Hark how glad the
before daybreak, in the garden that the thing may not be known, angels are, and how they are flapping their wings!" Then he bolted
so give me the sheet, I will wrap up the body in it, and bury him as the door upon them, and went away.
a dog buries things by scratching." The countess gave him the Next morning he went to the count, and told him that he had
sheet. "I tell you what," continued the thief, "I have a fit of performed the third task also, and had carried the parson and
magnanimity on me, give me the ring too,—the unhappy man clerk out of the church. "Where hast thou left them?" asked the
risked his life for it, so he may take it with him into his grave." She lord. "They are lying upstairs in a sack in the pigeon-house, and
would not gainsay the count, and although she did it unwillingly imagine that they are in heaven." The count went up himself, and
she drew the ring from her finger, and gave it to him. The thief convinced himself that the master had told the truth. When he had
made off with both these things, and reached home safely before delivered the parson and clerk from their captivity, he said, "Thou
the count in the garden had finished his work of burying. art an arch-thief, and hast won thy wager. For once thou escapest
What a long face the count did pull when the master came next with a whole skin, but see that thou leavest my land, for if ever
morning, and brought him the sheet and the ring. "Art thou a thou settest foot on it again, thou may'st count on thy elevation to
wizard?" said he, "Who has fetched thee out of the grave in which the gallows." The arch-thief took leave of his parents, once more
I myself laid thee, and brought thee to life again?" "You did not went forth into the wide world, and no one has ever heard of him
bury me," said the thief, "but the poor sinner on the gallows," and since.
he told him exactly how everything had happened, and the count
was forced to own to him that he was a clever, crafty thief. "But
thou hast not reached the end yet," he added, "thou hast still to 193.—THE DRUMMER.
perform the third task, and if thou dost not succeed in that, all is
of no use." The master smiled and returned no answer. When night ("The Drummer" is a fairy tale in the Children's And Household
had fallen he went with a long sack on his back, a bundle under his Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 5th edition of 1843 (KHM
arms, and a lantern in his hand to the village-church. In the sack 193). Jacob Grimm received the fairy tale in 1838 by letter from
he had some crabs, and in the bundle short wax-candles. He sat Karl Goedeke, who noted that he had received it from his aunt, " a
down in the churchyard, took out a crab, and stuck a wax-candle simple bourgeois woman", who in turn got it from a rag collector
on his back. Then he lighted the little light, put the crab on the in Eichsfeld.
ground, and let it creep about. He took a second out of the sack, Contents: A young drummer finds three pieces of fine linen at a
and treated it in the same way, and so on until the last was out of lake, one of which he takes with him without giving it a second
the sack. Hereupon he put on a long black garment that looked thought. As he falls asleep, a king's daughter appears who has
like a monk's cowl, and stuck a grey beard on his chin. When at been banished to the glass mountain by a witch. Without her
last he was quite unrecognisable, he took the sack in which the chemise, she cannot fly away from the lake where they are bathing
crabs had been, went into the church, and ascended the pulpit. The like her two sisters. He gives it to her and promises to help her.
clock in the tower was just striking twelve; when the last stroke She can only say that the glass mountain lies behind the forest of
had sounded, he cried with a loud and piercing voice, "Hearken, the cannibals. He goes into the forest and uses his drum to wake up
sinful men, the end of all things has come! The last day is at hand! a giant, telling him that this is a signal to many others coming to
Hearken! Hearken! Whosoever wishes to go to heaven with me kill him. They jump away when he tries to grab them, but when he
must creep into the sack. I am Peter, who opens and shuts the gate sleeps they climb up on him and smash his skull in with iron
of heaven. Behold how the dead outside there in the churchyard, hammers. The giant promises to leave her alone in the future and
ar wandering about collecting their bones. Come, come, and creep carries him with two others to the glass mountain, but not to the
into the sack; the world is about to be destroyed!" The cry echoed top. Two men are arguing about a magic saddle that can be used
through the whole village. The parson and clerk who lived nearest to wish anywhere. The drummer steals it from them by cunning
to the church, heard it first, and when they saw the lights which and makes a wish for himself on the glass mountain. He asks for a
were moving about the churchyard, they observed that something lodging with an old woman with a brown face, a long nose and red,
unusual was going on, and went into the church. They listened to sharp eyes. To do this, the next day he has to scoop out the fish
the sermon for a while, and then the clerk nudged the parson and pond in front of the house with a thimble and the day after that he
said, "It would not be amiss if we were to use the opportunity has to cut down the forest behind it with tools made of lead and
together, and before the dawning of the last day, find an easy way tin that don't hold up. Both times a girl comes to his aid at midday.
of getting to heaven." "To tell the truth," answered the parson, He puts his head in her lap and when he wakes up all the fish are
"that is what I myself have been thinking, so if you are inclined, we caught and all the wood is in order. Only a fish and a branch lie
will set out on our way." "Yes," answered the clerk, "but you, the alone. He hits the old woman with it when she asks about it. On
pastor, have the precedence, I will follow." So the parson went the third day he shall burn all the wood in one heap. He also
first, and ascended the pulpit where the master opened his sack. fearlessly climbs into the flames when she lets him get a log that
The parson crept in first, and then the clerk. The master doesn't burn. Then he turns into the king's daughter. He throws
immediately tied up the sack tightly, seized it by the middle, and the old woman into the fire as she tries to grab her. The king's
dragged it down the pulpit-steps, and whenever the heads of the daughter extends her hand to him and wishes them both outside
two fools bumped against the steps, he cried, "We are going over the city gate with a wishing ring. When he visits his parents and
the mountains," Then he drew them through the village in the kisses her on the right cheek despite warnings from his bride, he
same way, and when they were passing through puddles, he cried, forgets her. They use the gems from the witch's house to build a
"Now we are going through wet clouds," and when at last he was princely palace and arrange a marriage. The sad king's daughter,
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
who has meanwhile lived lonely in a cottage in the woods, wishes cannot protect myself from these earth-worms." "Listen, little
for a dress like the sun, then like the moon, then like the stars. fellow," said he; "go back again, and I will promise you that for
With this she buys from the bride three times to be allowed to the future I will leave you and your comrades in peace, and if there
sleep in front of the bridegroom's room. But only the people in the is anything else you wish for, tell me, for I am quite willing to do
house hear her calling, because the bride has a sleeping potion something to please you." "Thou hast long legs," said the
poured into his wine, and tell him. The third time he pours the drummer, "and canst run quicker than I; carry me to the glass-
sleeping potion behind the bed. Hearing her voice, he remembers, mountain, and I will give my followers a signal to go back, and
repents, and immediately takes her to his parents for marriage. they shall leave thee in peace this time." "Come here, worm," said
The other bride is happy with the dresses.) the giant; "seat thyself on my shoulder, I will carry thee where
thou wishest to be." The giant lifted him up, and the drummer
A young drummer went out quite alone one evening into the began to beat his drum up aloft to his heart's delight. The giant
country, and came to a lake on the shore of which he perceived thought, "That is the signal for the other people to turn back."
three pieces of white linen lying. "What fine linen," said he, and After a while, a second giant was standing in the road, who took
put one piece in his pocket. He returned home, thought no more of the drummer from the first, and stuck him in his own button-hole.
what he had found, and went to bed. Just as he was going to sleep, The drummer laid hold of the button, which was as large as a dish,
it seemed to him as if some one was saying his name. He listened, held on by it, and looked merrily around. Then they came to a
and was aware of a soft voice which cried to him, "Drummer, third giant, who took him out of the button-hole, and set him on
drummer, wake up!" As it was a dark night he could see no one, the rim of his hat. Then the drummer walked backwards and
but it appeared to him that a figure was hovering about his bed. forwards up above, and looked over the trees, and when he
"What do you want?" he asked. "Give me back my dress," perceived a mountain in the blue distance, he thought, "That must
answered the voice, "that you took away from me last evening by be the glass-mountain," and so it was. The giant only made two
the lake." "You shall have it back again," said the drummer, "if steps more, and they reached the foot of the mountain, when the
you will tell me who you are." "Ah," replied the voice, "I am the giant put him down. The drummer demanded to be put on the
daughter of a mighty King; but I have fallen into the power of a summit of the glass-mountain, but the giant shook his head,
witch, and am shut up on the glass-mountain. I have to bathe in growled something in his beard, and went back into the forest.
the lake every day with my two sisters, but I cannot fly back again And now the poor drummer was standing before the mountain,
without my dress. My sisters have gone away, but I have been which was as high as if three mountains were piled on each other,
forced to stay behind. I entreat you to give me my dress back." "Be and at the same time as smooth as a looking-glass, and did not
easy, poor child," said the drummer. "I will willingly give it back know how to get up it. He began to climb, but that was useless, for
to you." He took it out of his pocket, and reached it to her in the he always slipped back again. "If one was a bird now," thought he;
dark. She snatched it in haste, and wanted to go away with it. but what was the good of wishing, no wings grew for him.
"Stop a moment, perhaps I can help you." "You can only help me Whilst he was standing thus, not knowing what to do, he saw,
by ascending the glass-mountain, and freeing me from the power not far from him, two men who were struggling fiercely together.
of the witch. But you cannot come to the glass-mountain, and He went up to them and saw that they were disputing about a
indeed if you were quite close to it you could not ascend it." saddle which was lying on the ground before them, and which
"When I want to do a thing I always can do it," said the drummer; both of them wanted to have. "What fools you are," said he, "to
"I am sorry for you, and have no fear of anything. But I do not quarrel about a saddle, when you have not a horse for it!" "The
know the way which leads to the glass-mountain." "The road goes saddle is worth fighting about," answered one of the men;
through the great forest, in which the man-eaters live," she "whosoever sits on it, and wishes himself in any place, even if it
answered, "and more than that, I dare not tell you." And then he should be the very end of the earth, gets there the instant he has
heard her wings quiver, and she flew away. uttered the wish. The saddle belongs to us in common. It is my
By daybreak the drummer arose, buckled on his drum, and went turn to ride on it, but that other man will not let me do it." "I will
without fear straight into the forest. After he had walked for a soon decide the quarrel," said the drummer, and he went to a short
while without seeing any giants, he thought to himself, "I must distance and stuck a white rod in the ground. Then he came back
waken up the sluggards," and he hung his drum before him, and and said, "Now run to the goal, and whoever gets there first, shall
beat such a réveillé that the birds flew out of the trees with loud ride first." Both put themselves into a trot; but hardly had they
cries. It was not long before a giant who had been lying sleeping gone a couple of steps before the drummer swung himself on the
among the grass, rose up, and was as tall as a fir-tree. "Wretch!" saddle, wished himself on the glass-mountain, and before any one
cried he; "what art thou drumming here for, and wakening me out could turn round, he was there. On the top of the mountain was a
of my best sleep?" "I am drumming," he replied, "because I want plain; there stood an old stone house, and in front of the house lay
to show the way to many thousands who are following me." a great fish-pond, but behind it was a dark forest. He saw neither
"What do they want in my forest?" demanded the giant. "They men nor animals, everything was quiet; only the wind rustled
want to put an end to thee, and cleanse the forest of such a monster amongst the trees, and the clouds moved by quite close above his
as thou art!" "Oho!" said the giant, "I will trample you all to head. He went to the door and knocked. When he had knocked for
death like so many ants." "Dost thou think thou canst do the third time, an old woman with a brown face and red eyes
anything against us?" said the drummer; "if thou stoopest to take opened the door. She had spectacles on her long nose, and looked
hold of one, he will jump away and hide himself; but when thou sharply at him; then she asked what he wanted. "Entrance, food,
art lying down and sleeping, they will come forth from every and a bed for the night," replied the drummer. "That thou shalt
thicket, and creep up to thee. Every one of them has a hammer of have," said the old woman, "if thou wilt perform three services in
steel in his belt, and with that they will beat in thy skull." The return." "Why not?" he answered, "I am not afraid of any kind of
giant grew angry and thought, "If I meddle with the crafty folk, it work, however hard it may be." The old woman let him go in, and
might turn out badly for me. I can strangle wolves and bears, but I gave him some food and a good bed at night. The next morning
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
when he had had his sleep out, she took a thimble from her at noon, and when he had eaten, he laid his head on her lap, and
wrinkled finger, reached it to the drummer, and said, "Go to work went to sleep. When he awoke, the entire pile of wood was burning
now, and empty out the pond with this thimble; but thou must in one enormous flame, which stretched its tongues out into the
have it done before night, and must have sought out all the fishes sky. "Listen to me," said the maiden, "when the witch comes, she
which are in the water and laid them side by side, according to will give thee all kinds of orders; do whatever she asks thee
their kind and size." "That is strange work," said the drummer, without fear, and then she will not be able to get the better of thee,
but he went to the pond, and began to empty it. He baled the but if thou art afraid, the fire will lay hold of thee, and consume
whole morning; but what can any one do to a great lake with a thee. At last when thou hast done everything, seize her with both
thimble, even if he were to bale for a thousand years? thy hands, and throw her into the midst of the fire." The maiden
When it was noon, he thought, "It is all useless, and whether I departed, and the old woman came sneaking up to him. "Oh, I am
work or not it will come to the same thing." So he gave it up and cold," said she, "but that is a fire that burns; it warms my old
sat down. Then came a maiden out of the house who set a little bones for me, and does me good! But there is a log lying there
basket with food before him, and said, "What ails thee, that thou which won't burn, bring it out for me. When thou hast done that,
sittest so sadly here?" He looked at her, and saw that she was thou art free, and mayst go where thou likest, come; go in with a
wondrously beautiful. "Ah," said he, "I cannot finish the first good will."
piece of work, how will it be with the others? I came forth to seek The drummer did not reflect long; he sprang into the midst of
a king's daughter who is said to dwell here, but I have not found the flames, but they did not hurt him, and could not even singe a
her, and I will go farther." "Stay here," said the maiden, "I will hair of his head. He carried the log out, and laid it down. Hardly,
help thee out of thy difficulty. Thou art tired, lay thy head in my however, had the wood touched the earth than it was transformed,
lap, and sleep. When thou awakest again, thy work will be done." and the beautiful maiden who had helped him in his need stood
The drummer did not need to be told that twice. As soon as his before him, and by the silken and shining golden garments which
eyes were shut, she turned a wishing-ring and said, "Rise, water. she wore, he knew right well that she was the King's daughter. But
Fishes, come out." Instantly the water rose on high like a white the old woman laughed venomously, and said, "Thou thinkest
mist, and moved away with the other clouds, and the fishes sprang thou hast her safe, but thou hast not got her yet!" Just as she was
on the shore and laid themselves side by side each according to his about to fall on the maiden and take her away, the youth seized the
size and kind. When the drummer awoke, he saw with amazement old woman with both his hands, raised her up on high, and threw
that all was done. But the maiden said, "One of the fish is not lying her into the jaws of the fire, which closed over her as if it were
with those of its own kind, but quite alone; when the old woman delighted that the old witch was to be burnt.
comes to-night and sees that all she demanded has been done, she Then the King's daughter looked at the drummer, and when she
will ask thee, 'What is this fish lying alone for?' Then throw the saw that he was a handsome youth and remembered how he had
fish in her face, and say, 'This one shall be for thee, old witch.'" In risked his life to deliver her, she gave him her hand, and said,
the evening the witch came, and when she had put this question, he "Thou hast ventured everything for my sake, but I also will do
threw the fish in her face. She behaved as if she did not remark it, everything for thine. Promise to be true to me, and thou shalt be
and said nothing, but looked at him with malicious eyes. Next my husband. We shall not want for riches, we shall have enough
morning she said, "Yesterday it was too easy for thee, I must give with what the witch has gathered together here." She led him into
thee harder work. To-day thou must hew down the whole of the the house, where there were chests and coffers crammed with the
forest, split the wood into logs, and pile them up, and everything old woman's treasures. The maiden left the gold and silver where it
must be finished by the evening." She gave him an axe, a mallet, was, and took only the precious stones. She would not stay any
and two wedges. But the axe was made of lead, and the mallet and longer on the glass-mountain, so the drummer said to her, "Seat
wedges were of tin. When he began to cut, the edge of the axe thyself by me on my saddle, and then we will fly down like birds."
turned back, and the mallet and wedges were beaten out of shape. "I do not like the old saddle," said she, "I need only turn my
He did not know how to manage, but at mid-day the maiden came wishing-ring and we shall be at home." "Very well, then,"
once more with his dinner and comforted him. "Lay thy head on answered the drummer, "then wish us in front of the town-gate."
my lap," said she, "and sleep; when thou awakest, thy work will be In the twinkling of an eye they were there, but the drummer said,
done." She turned her wishing-ring, and in an instant the whole "I will just go to my parents and tell them the news, wait for me
forest fell down with a crash, the wood split, and arranged itself in outside here, I shall soon be back." "Ah," said the King's daughter,
heaps, and it seemed just as if unseen giants were finishing the "I beg thee to be careful. On thy arrival do not kiss thy parents on
work. When he awoke, the maiden said, "Dost thou see that the the right cheek, or else thou wilt forget everything, and I shall stay
wood is piled up and arranged, one bough alone remains; but behind here outside, alone and deserted." "How can I forget
when the old woman comes this evening and asks thee about that thee?" said he, and promised her to come back very soon, and gave
bough, give her a blow with it, and say, 'That is for thee, thou his hand upon it. When he went into his father's house, he had
witch.'" changed so much that no one knew who he was, for the three days
The old woman came, "There thou seest how easy the work was!" which he had passed on the glass-mountain had been three years.
said she; "but for whom hast thou left that bough which is lying Then he made himself known, and his parents fell on his neck with
there still?" joy, and his heart was so moved that he forgot what the maiden
"For thee, thou witch," he replied, and gave her a blow with it. had said, and kissed them on both cheeks. But when he had given
But she pretended not to feel it, laughed scornfully, and said, them the kiss on the right cheek, every thought of the King's
"Early to-morrow morning thou shalt arrange all the wood in one daughter vanished from him. He emptied out his pockets, and laid
heap, set fire to it, and burn it." He rose at break of day, and handfuls of the largest jewels on the table. The parents had not the
began to pick up the wood, but how can a single man get a whole least idea what to do with the riches. Then the father built a
forest together? The work made no progress. The maiden, magnificent castle all surrounded by gardens, woods, and
however, did not desert him in his need. She brought him his food meadows as if a prince were going to live in it, and when it was
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
ready, the mother said, "I have found a maiden for thee, and the but poured it behind the bed, and when everything was quiet, he
wedding shall be in three days." The son was content to do as his heard a sweet voice which called to him,
parents desired. "Drummer, drummer, I pray thee hear!
The poor King's daughter had stood for a long time without the Hast thou forgotten thou heldest me dear?
town waiting for the return of the young man. When evening came, That on the glass-mountain we sat hour by hour?
she said, "He must certainly have kissed his parents on the right That I rescued thy life from the witch's power?
cheek, and has forgotten me." Her heart was full of sorrow, she Didst thou not plight thy troth to me?
wished herself into a solitary little hut in a forest, and would not Drummer, drummer, hearken to me!"
return to her father's court. Every evening she went into the town Suddenly his memory returned to him. "Ah," cried he, "how can
and passed the young man's house; he often saw her, but he no I have acted so unfaithfully; but the kiss which in the joy of my
longer knew her. At length she heard the people saying, "The heart I gave my parents, on the right cheek, that is to blame for it
wedding will take place to-morrow." Then she said, "I will try if I all, that is what stupefied me!" He sprang up, took the King's
can win his heart back." daughter by the hand, and led her to his parents' bed. "This is my
On the first day of the wedding ceremonies, she turned her true bride," said he; "if I marry the other, I shall do a great
wishing-ring, and said, "A dress as bright as the sun." Instantly wrong." The parents, when they heard how everything had
the dress lay before her, and it was as bright as if it had been happened, gave their consent. Then the lights in the hall were
woven of real sunbeams. When all the guests were assembled, she lighted again, drums and trumpets were brought, friends and
entered the hall. Every one was amazed at the beautiful dress, and relations were invited to come, and the real wedding was
the bride most of all, and as pretty dresses were the things she had solemnised with great rejoicing. The first bride received the
most delight in, she went to the stranger and asked if she would beautiful dresses as a compensation, and declared herself satisfied.
sell it to her. "Not for money," she answered, "but if I may pass
the first night outside the door of the room where your betrothed
sleeps, I will give it up to you." The bride could not overcome her 194.—THE EAR OF CORN.
desire and consented, but she mixed a sleeping-draught with the
wine her betrothed took at night, which made him fall into a deep ("The Ear of Corn" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers
sleep, When all had become quiet, the King's daughter crouched Grimm, KHM 194. Different usages have led to this tale being
down by the door of the bedroom, opened it just a little, and cried, called "The Ear of Corn" and "The Ear of Wheat" in English.
"Drummer, drummer, I pray thee hear! Contents: Once the ears of wheat corn used to produce many
Hast thou forgotten thou heldest me dear? more grains, but one day God saw a woman using the grain to
That on the glass-mountain we sat hour by hour? clean off her muddy son. Angry, he cursed them to have no more
That I rescued thy life from the witch's power? grain, since they were not worthy of it. Bystanders pleaded with
Didst thou not plight thy troth to me? him to have mercy, especially because of the children, and God
Drummer, drummer, hearken to me!" chose to have the current amount of grain.)
But it was all in vain, the drummer did not awake, and when
morning dawned, the King's daughter was forced to go back again In former times, when God himself still walked the earth, the
as she came. On the second evening she turned her wishing-ring fruitfulness of the soil was much greater that it is now; then, the
and said, "A dress as silvery as the moon." When she appeared at ears of corn did not bear fifty or sixty, but four or five hundred-
the feast in the dress which was as soft as moonbeams, it again fold. Then the corn grew from the bottom to the very top of the
excited the desire of the bride, and the King's daughter gave it to stalk, and according to the length of the stalk was the length of
her for permission to pass the second night also, outside the door the ear. Men however are so made, that when they are too well off
of the bedroom. Then in the stillness of the night, she cried, they no longer value the blessings which come from God, but grow
"Drummer, drummer, I pray thee hear! indifferent and careless. One day a woman was passing by a corn-
Hast thou forgotten thou heldest me dear? field when her little child, who was running beside her, fell into a
That on the glass-mountain we sat hour by hour? puddle, and dirtied her frock. On this the mother tore up a
That I rescued thy life from the witch's power? handful of the beautiful ears of corn, and cleaned the frock with
Didst thou not plight thy troth to me? them.
Drummer, drummer, hearken to me!" When the Lord, who just then came by, saw that, he was angry,
But the drummer, who was stupefied with the sleeping-draught, and said, "Henceforth shall the stalks of corn bear no more ears;
could not be aroused. Sadly next morning she went back to her hut men are no longer worthy of heavenly gifts." The by-standers who
in the forest. But the people in the house had heard the heard this, were terrified, and fell on their knees and prayed that
lamentation of the stranger-maiden, and told the bridegroom he would still leave something on the stalks, even if the people
about it. They told him also that it was impossible that he could were undeserving of it, for the sake of the innocent birds which
hear anything of it, because the maiden he was going to marry had would otherwise have to starve. The Lord, who foresaw their
poured a sleeping-draught into his wine. suffering, had pity on them, and granted the request. So the ears
On the third evening, the King's daughter turned her wishing- were left as they now grow.
ring, and said, "A dress glittering like the stars." When she
showed herself therein at the feast, the bride was quite beside
herself with the splendour of the dress, which far surpassed the 195.—THE GRAVE-MOUND.
others, and she said, "I must, and will have it." The maiden gave it
as she had given the others for permission to spend the night ("The Grave Mound" is a fairy tale in the Children's And
outside the bridegroom's door. The bridegroom, however, did not Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 6th edition of
drink the wine which was handed to him before he went to bed, 1850 (KHM 195). It is based on Philipp Hoffmeister's "Das
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Mährchen vom dummen Teufel" in the magazine of the Hessian dropped down dead. No one knew exactly how it came to pass, but
History Association and Geography from 1847. no one grieved for him. When he was buried, the poor man
Contents: A miserly farmer looks at his wealth. Then he feels that remembered his promise; he would willingly have been released
there is a knock at the door of his heart. When asked about his life, from it, but he thought, "After all, he acted kindly by me. I have
he admits his selfishness. He is frightened and gives his poor fed my hungry children with his corn, and even if that were not the
neighbour, who knocks at the door, four measures [malter*] of case, where I have once given my promise I must keep it." At
grain for his hungry children, on the condition that he should nightfall he went into the churchyard, and seated himself on the
watch over his grave for three nights. [* The Malter (also Malder, grave-mound. Everything was quiet, only the moon appeared
abbreviation mltr.) was a volume measure in German-speaking above the grave, and frequently an owl flew past and uttered her
countries for bulk goods (grain, legumes, etc.) and corresponded melancholy cry. When the sun rose, the poor man betook himself
to about 100 litres.] The farmer dies three days later. On the third in safety to his home, and in the same manner the second night
night, the timid neighbour encounters a retired soldier who has passed quietly by. On the evening of the third day he felt a strange
not yet learned to fear and is keeping watch with him. Then comes uneasiness, it seemed to him that something was about to happen.
the devil who wants to chase them away to get the deceased soul. When he went out he saw, by the churchyard-wall, a man whom he
When the soldier shows himself to be fearless, the devil promises to had never seen before. He was no longer young, had scars on his
fill his boot with gold. But the soldier cuts off the sole. When the face, and his eyes looked sharply and eagerly around. He was
devil fails to fill the boot the third time, he is driven away by the entirely covered with an old cloak, and nothing was visible but his
first ray of sunshine. The soldier leaves his share of the gold to the great riding-boots. "What are you looking for here?" the peasant
poor and takes the other to his hut.) asked. "Are you not afraid of the lonely churchyard?"
"I am looking for nothing," he answered, "and I am afraid of
A rich farmer was one day standing in his yard inspecting his nothing! I am like the youngster who went forth to learn how to
fields and gardens. The corn was growing up vigorously and the shiver, and had his labour for his pains, but got the King's
fruit-trees were heavily laden with fruit. The grain of the year daughter to wife and great wealth with her, only I have remained
before still lay in such immense heaps on the floors that the rafters poor. I am nothing but a paid-off soldier, and I mean to pass the
could hardly bear it. Then he went into the stable, where were night here, because I have no other shelter." "If you are without
well-fed oxen, fat cows, and horses bright as looking-glass. At fear," said the peasant, "stay with me, and help me to watch that
length he went back into his sitting-room, and cast a glance at the grave there."
iron chest in which his money lay. "To keep watch is a soldier's business," he replied, "whatever we
Whilst he was thus standing surveying his riches, all at once fall in with here, whether it be good or bad, we will share it
there was a loud knock close by him. The knock was not at the between us." The peasant agreed to this, and they seated
door of his room, but at the door of his heart. It opened, and he themselves on the grave together.
heard a voice which said to him, "Hast thou done good to thy All was quiet until midnight, when suddenly a shrill whistling
family with it? Hast thou considered the necessities of the poor? was heard in the air, and the two watchers perceived the Evil One
Hast thou shared thy bread with the hungry? Hast thou been standing bodily before them. "Be off, you ragamuffins!" cried he
contented with what thou hast, or didst thou always desire to have to them, "the man who lies in that grave belongs to me; I want to
more?" The heart was not slow in answering, "I have been hard take him, and if you don't go away I will wring your necks!" "Sir
and pitiless, and have never shown any kindness to my own family. with the red feather*," said the soldier, "you are not my captain, I
If a beggar came, I turned away my eyes from him. I have not have no need to obey you, and I have not yet learned how to fear.
troubled myself about God, but have thought only of increasing Go away, we shall stay sitting here." [* red feather was an old
my wealth. If everything which the sky covers had been mine own, synonym in Germany for the Devil]
I should still not have had enough." The Devil thought to himself, "Money is the best thing with
When he was aware of this answer he was greatly alarmed, his which to get hold of these two vagabonds." So he began to play a
knees began to tremble, and he was forced to sit down. softer tune, and asked quite kindly, if they would not accept a bag
Then there was another knock, but the knock was at the door of of money, and go home with it? "That is worth listening to,"
his room. It was his neighbour, a poor man who had a number of answered the soldier, "but one bag of gold won't serve us, if you
children whom he could no longer satisfy with food. "I know," will give as much as will go into one of my boots, we will quit the
thought the poor man, "that my neighbour is rich, but he is as field for you and go away."
hard as he is rich. I don't believe he will help me, but my children "I have not so much as that about me," said the Devil, "but I will
are crying for bread, so I will venture it." He said to the rich man, fetch it. In the neighbouring town lives a money-changer who is a
"You do not readily give away anything that is yours, but I stand good friend of mine, and will readily advance it to me." When the
here like one who feels the water rising above his head. My Devil had vanished the soldier took his left boot off, and said, "We
children are starving, lend me four measures [malter*] of corn." will soon pull the charcoal-burner's nose for him, just give me
The rich man looked at him long, and then the first sunbeam of your knife, comrade." He cut the sole off the boot, and put it in
mercy began to melt away a drop of the ice of greediness. "I will the high grass near the grave on the edge of a hole that was half
not lend thee four measures," he answered, "but I will make thee a over-grown. "That will do," said he; "now the chimney-sweep may
present of eight, but thou must fulfil one condition." "What am I come."
to do?" said the poor man. "When I am dead, thou shalt watch for They both sat down and waited, and it was not long before the
three nights by my grave." The peasant was disturbed in his mind Devil returned with a small bag of gold in his hand. "Just pour it
at this request, but in the need in which he was, he would have in," said the soldier, raising up the boot a little, "but that won't
consented to anything; he accepted, therefore, and carried the corn be enough."
home with him. It seemed as if the rich man had foreseen what was The Black One shook out all that was in the bag; the gold fell
about to happen, for when three days were gone by, he suddenly through, and the boot remained empty. "Stupid Devil," cried the
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soldier, "it won't do! Didn't I say so at once? Go back again, and fellow with a very long grey beard came to meet her, and told her
bring more." The Devil shook his head, went, and in an hour's that if she would be his servant and do everything he bade her, she
time came with a much larger bag under his arm. "Now pour it might live, if not he would kill her. So she did all he bade her. In
in," cried the soldier, "but I doubt the boot won't be full." The the mornings he took his ladder out of his pocket, and set it up
gold clinked as it fell, but the boot remained empty. The Devil against the mountain and climbed to the top by its help, and then
looked in himself with his burning eyes, and convinced himself of he drew up the ladder after him. The princess had to cook his
the truth. "You have shamefully big calves to your legs!" cried he, dinner, make his bed, and do all his work, and when he came home
and made a wry face. "Did you think," replied the soldier, "that I again he always brought with him a heap of gold and silver. When
had a cloven foot like you? Since when have you been so stingy? she had lived with him for many years, and had grown quite old,
See that you get more gold together, or our bargain will come to he called her Mother Mansrot, and she had to call him Old
nothing!" The Wicked One went off again. This time he stayed Rinkrank. Then once when he was out, and she had made his bed
away longer, and when at length he appeared he was panting and washed his dishes, she shut the doors and windows all fast, and
under the weight of a sack which lay on his shoulders. He emptied there was one little window through which the light shone in, and
it into the boot, which was just as far from being filled as before. this she left open. When Old Rinkrank came home, he knocked at
He became furious, and was just going to tear the boot out of the his door, and cried, "Mother Mansrot, open the door for me."
soldier's hands, but at that moment the first ray of the rising sun "No," said she, "Old Rinkrank, I will not open the door for thee."
broke forth from the sky, and the Evil Spirit fled away with loud Then he said,
shrieks. The poor soul was saved. "Here stand I, poor Rinkrank,
The peasant wished to divide the gold, but the soldier said, "Give On my seventeen long shanks,
what falls to my lot to the poor, I will come with thee to thy On my weary, worn-out foot,
cottage, and together we will live in rest and peace on what "Wash my dishes, Mother Mansrot."
remains, as long as God is pleased to permit." "I have washed thy dishes already," said she. Then again he said,
"Here stand I, poor Rinkrank,
On my seventeen long shanks,
196.—OLD RINKRANK. On my weary worn-out foot,
Make me my bed, Mother Mansrot."
("Old Rinkrank" is a Low German fairy tale in the Children's "I have made thy bed already," said she. Then again he said,
and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 6th edition "Here stand I, poor Rinkrank,
of 1850 (KHM 196). According to the records of the Brothers On my seventeen long shanks,
Grimm, they found it in the Frisian Archive of Ehrentraut, On my weary, worn-out foot,
written in Frisian dialect, which may have appealed to the Grimms Open the door, Mother Mansrot."
for its peasant nature. Then he ran all round his house, and saw that the little window
Contents: A king wants to give his daughter to anyone who can was open, and thought, "I will look in and see what she can be
walk over a glass mountain. The daughter accompanies the suitor about, and why she will not open the door for me." He tried to
over there in case he falls. She slips, falls into the mountain and is peep in, but could not get his head through because of his long
not found again, even though the mountain is broken away. Below beard. So he first put his beard through the open window, but just
she has to serve an old man with a long gray beard who climbs out as he had got it through, Mother Mansrot came by and pulled the
of the mountain every morning with a ladder and gets treasures window down with a cord which she had tied to it, and his beard
until both are old and call themselves Mrs. Mansrot and Old was shut fast in it. Then he began to cry most piteously, for it hurt
Rinkrank. One evening she doesn't let him in until he wants to get him very much, and to entreat her to release him again. But she
in through a hatch, where she clamps him by the beard. He has to said not until he gave her the ladder with which he ascended the
give her the ladder, she goes to the father, who kills the old man mountain. Then, whether he would or not, he had to tell her
and takes his treasures. She gets the former groom and they live where the ladder was. And she fastened a very long ribbon to the
happily.) window, and then she set up the ladder, and ascended the
mountain, and when she was at the top of it she opened the
There was once on a time a King who had a daughter, and he window. She went to her father, and told him all that had
caused a glass mountain to be made, and said that whosoever happened to her. The King rejoiced greatly, and her betrothed was
could cross to the other side of it without falling should have his still there, and they went and dug up the mountain, and found Old
daughter to wife. Then there was one who loved the King's Rinkrank inside it with all his gold and silver. Then the King had
daughter, and he asked the King if he might have her. "Yes," said Old Rinkrank put to death, and took all his gold and silver. The
the King; "if you can cross the mountain without falling, you shall princess married her betrothed, and lived right happily in great
have her." And the princess said she would go over it with him, magnificence and joy.
and would hold him if he were about to fall. So they set out
together to go over it, and when they were half way up the
princess slipped and fell, and the glass-mountain opened and shut 197.—THE CRYSTAL BALL.
her up inside it, and her betrothed could not see where she had
gone, for the mountain closed immediately. Then he wept and ("The Crystal Ball" is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers
lamented much, and the King was miserable too, and had the Grimm, tale number KHM 197. The Brothers Grimm indicated
mountain broken open where she had been lost, and thought he the origin of "Die Kristallkugel" as Friedmund von Arnim's book,
would be able to get her out again, but they could not find the as tale Nr. 14, "Vom Schloss der goldnen Sonne" (The Castle of
place into which she had fallen. Meantime the King's daughter had the Golden Sun), published in 1815.
fallen quite deep down into the earth into a great cave. An old
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Contents: A sorceress was afraid of her three sons. She turned the human eyes can only see me in this state of ugliness, but that thou
oldest into an eagle and the second into a whale, and each could mayst know what I am like, look in the mirror—it does not let
take his human form for only two hours a day. The youngest son itself be misled—it will show thee my image as it is in truth." She
fled before he could suffer the same fate and went off to seek the gave him the mirror in his hand, and he saw therein the likeness of
king's daughter, bewitched and held prisoner in the Castle of the the most beautiful maiden on earth, and saw, too, how the tears
Golden Sun. He saw two giants quarreling over a wishing cap and were rolling down her cheeks with grief. Then said he, "How canst
they asked him to settle the dispute. He put on the cap, forgot he thou be set free? I fear no danger." She said, "He who gets the
had it on, and wished himself to the castle. The king's daughter crystal ball, and holds it before the enchanter, will destroy his
told him that only a crystal ball would break the enchantment. power with it, and I shall resume my true shape. Ah," she added,
She directed him to go down the mountain and fight a wild bull "so many have already gone to meet death for this, and thou art so
beside a spring. If he killed it, a bird would spring out of it. If the young; I grieve that thou shouldst encounter such great danger."
bird was forced to let free an egg in its body, the crystal ball was "Nothing can keep me from doing it," said he, "but tell me what I
its yolk, but the egg would light everything about it on fire if must do." "Thou shalt know everything," said the King's
dropped on the land. He fought the bull. The bird sprang free, but daughter; "when thou descendest the mountain on which the castle
his brother the eagle harried it until it dropped the egg. This stands, a wild bull will stand below by a spring, and thou must
landed on a fisherman's hut, setting it ablaze, but his brother the fight with it, and if thou hast the luck to kill it, a fiery bird will
whale drowned the hut with waves. The youngest brother took the spring out of it, which bears in its body a burning egg, and in the
crystal ball to the enchanter, who admitted himself defeated and egg the crystal ball lies like a yolk. The bird will not, however, let
told him that the ball would also break the spell on his brothers. the egg fall until forced to do so, and if it fall on the ground, it
The youngest hurried to the princess, and they exchanged rings.) will flame up and burn everything that is near, and melt even ice
itself, and with it the crystal ball, and then all thy trouble will
There was once an enchantress, who had three sons who loved have been in vain."
each other as brothers, but the old woman did not trust them, and The youth went down to the spring, where the bull snorted and
thought they wanted to steal her power from her. So she changed bellowed at him. After a long struggle he plunged his sword in the
the eldest into an eagle, which was forced to dwell in the rocky animal's body, and it fell down. Instantly a fiery bird arose from it,
mountains, and was often seen sweeping in great circles in the sky. and was about to fly away, but the young man's brother, the eagle,
The second, she changed into a whale, which lived in the deep sea, who was passing between the clouds, swooped down, hunted it
and all that was seen of it was that it sometimes spouted up a great away to the sea, and struck it with his beak until, in its extremity,
jet of water in the air. Each of them only bore his human form for it let the egg fall. The egg did not, however, fall into the sea, but
two hours daily. The third son, who was afraid she might change on a fisherman's hut which stood on the shore and the hut began at
him into a raging wild beast—a bear perhaps, or a wolf, went once to smoke and was about to break out in flames. Then arose in
secretly away. He had heard that a King's daughter who was the sea waves as high as a house, they streamed over the hut, and
bewitched, was imprisoned in the Castle of the Golden Sun, and subdued the fire. The other brother, the whale, had come
was waiting for deliverance. Those, however, who tried to free her swimming to them, and had driven the water up on high. When
risked their lives; three-and-twenty youths had already died a the fire was extinguished, the youth sought for the egg and
miserable death, and now only one other might make the attempt, happily found it; it was not yet melted, but the shell was broken by
after which no more must come. And as his heart was without fear, being so suddenly cooled with the water, and he could take out the
he caught at the idea of seeking out the Castle of the Golden Sun. crystal ball unhurt.
He had already travelled about for a long time without being able When the youth went to the enchanter and held it before him, the
to find it, when he came by chance into a great forest, and did not latter said, "My power is destroyed, and from this time forth thou
know the way out of it. All at once he saw in the distance two art the King of the Castle of the Golden Sun. With this canst thou
giants, who made a sign to him with their hands, and when he likewise give back to thy brothers their human form." Then the
came to them they said, "We are quarrelling about a cap, and youth hastened to the King's daughter, and when he entered the
which of us it is to belong to, and as we are equally strong, neither room, she was standing there in the full splendour of her beauty,
of us can get the better of the other. The small men are cleverer and joyfully they exchanged rings with each other.
than we are, so we will leave the decision to thee." "How can you
dispute about an old cap?" said the youth. "Thou dost not know
what properties it has! It is a wishing-cap; whosoever puts it on, 198.—MAID MALEEN.
can wish himself away wherever he likes, and in an instant he will
be there." "Give me the cap," said the youth, "I will go a short ("Maid Maleen" is a fairy tale in the Children's and Household
distance off, and when I call you, you must run a race, and the cap Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 6th edition of 1850 at
shall belong to the one who gets first to me." He put it on and position 198 (KHM 198). It comes from Karl Viktor Müllenhoff's
went away, and thought of the King's daughter, forgot the giants, (German philologist; 1818-1884) collection "Sagen, Märchen und
and walked continually onward. At length he sighed from the very Lieder der Herzogthümer Schleswig, Holstein und Lauenburg"
bottom of his heart, and cried, "Ah, if I were but at the Castle of from 1845.
the Golden Sun," and hardly had the words passed his lips than he Contents: Once there was a princess named Maid Maleen who fell
was standing on a high mountain before the gate of the castle. in love with a prince, but her father refused his suit. When Maid
He entered and went through all the rooms, until in the last he Maleen said she would marry no other, the king had her and her
found the King's daughter. But how shocked he was when he saw maidservant locked up in tower, with food that would be enough
her. She had an ashen-grey face full of wrinkles, blear eyes, and red to feed them for seven years. After seven long years, the food
hair. "Are you the King's daughter, whose beauty the whole world eventually ran out, but no one came to release them or deliver
praises?" cried he. "Ah," she answered, "this is not my form; more food. The princess and her maidservant then decided to
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escape from the tower using a simple knife. When they finally country, but nowhere did they find a shelter, or a human being to
managed to break free of the tower, they found the kingdom give them a mouthful of bread, and their need was so great that
destroyed and the king long since gone. Without knowing where they were forced to appease their hunger with nettles. When, after
to go, they finally arrived at the country of Maleen's lover, and long journeying, they came into another country, they tried to get
sought work in the royal kitchen. Since Maleen's imprisonment, work everywhere; but wherever they knocked they were turned
the prince had been betrothed by his father to another princess. away, and no one would have pity on them. At last they arrived in
This princess, lacking of confidence in herself, did not think that a large city and went to the royal palace. There also they were
she would be good enough for the prince. Thus, she would not ordered to go away, but at last the cook said that they might stay
leave her room and let him see her. On her wedding day, not in the kitchen and be scullions.
wishing to be seen, the princess sent Maid Maleen in her place. At The son of the King in whose kingdom they were, was, however,
the wedding, the prince put a golden necklace around Maid the very man who had been betrothed to Maid Maleen. His father
Maleen's neck as proof of their marriage. Later that night, the had chosen another bride for him, whose face was as ugly as her
prince went to the wedding chamber where the princess was heart was wicked. The wedding was fixed, and the maiden had
waiting, but he did not see the golden necklace around her neck. already arrived: because of her great ugliness, however, she shut
Immediately, he knew that the princess was not the one he was herself in her room, and allowed no one to see her, and Maid
married to. Meanwhile, the princess had sent out an assassin to kill Maleen had to take her her meals from the kitchen. When the day
Maid Maleen. The prince, who left the wedding chamber to look came for the bride and the bridegroom to go to church, she was
for his true bride, was guided by the shine of the golden necklace ashamed of her ugliness, and afraid that if she showed herself in
and came in time to save her. With the golden necklace as the the streets, she would be mocked and laughed at by the people.
proof of marriage, they were married, the princess was executed Then said she to Maid Maleen, "A great piece of luck has befallen
for her wickedness and the prince and Maleen lived happily ever thee. I have sprained my foot, and cannot well walk through the
after with laughter in their hearts.) streets; thou shalt put on my wedding-clothes and take my place; a
greater honour than that thou canst not have!" Maid Maleen,
There was once a King who had a son who asked in marriage the however, refused it, and said, "I wish for no honour which is not
daughter of a mighty King; she was called Maid Maleen, and was suitable for me." It was in vain, too, that the bride offered her
very beautiful. As her father wished to give her to another, the gold. At last she said angrily, "If thou dost not obey me, it shall
prince was rejected; but as they both loved each other with all cost thee thy life. I have but to speak the word, and thy head will
their hearts, they would not give each other up, and Maid Maleen lie at thy feet." Then she was forced to obey, and put on the bride's
said to her father, "I can and will take no other for my husband." magnificent clothes and all her jewels. When she entered the royal
Then the King flew into a passion, and ordered a dark tower to be hall, every one was amazed at her great beauty, and the King said
built, into which no ray of sunlight or moonlight should enter. to his son, "This is the bride whom I have chosen for thee, and
When it was finished, he said, "Therein shalt thou be imprisoned whom thou must lead to church." The bridegroom was astonished,
for seven years, and then I will come and see if thy perverse spirit is and thought, "She is like my Maid Maleen, and I should believe
broken." Meat and drink for the seven years were carried into the that it was she herself, but she has long been shut up in the tower,
tower, and then she and her waiting-woman were led into it and or dead." He took her by the hand and led her to church. On the
walled up, and thus cut off from the sky and from the earth. There way was a nettle-plant, and she said
they sat in the darkness, and knew not when day or night began. "Oh, nettle-plant,
The King's son often went round and round the tower, and called Little nettle-plant,
their names, but no sound from without pierced through the thick What dost thou here alone?
walls. What else could they do but lament and complain? I have known the time
Meanwhile the time passed, and by the diminution of the food and When I ate thee unboiled,
drink they knew that the seven years were coming to an end. They When I ate thee unroasted."
thought the moment of their deliverance was come; but no stroke "What art thou saying?" asked the King's son. "Nothing," she
of the hammer was heard, no stone fell out of the wall, and it replied, "I was only thinking of Maid Maleen." He was surprised
seemed to Maid Maleen that her father had forgotten her. As they that she knew about her, but kept silence. When they came to the
only had food for a short time longer, and saw a miserable death foot-plank into the churchyard, she said,
awaiting them, Maid Maleen said, "We must try our last chance, "Foot-bridge, do not break,
and see if we can break through the wall." She took the bread- I am not the true bride."
knife, and picked and bored at the mortar of a stone, and when she "What art thou saying there?" asked the King's son. "Nothing,"
was tired, the waiting-maid took her turn. With great labour they she replied, "I was only thinking of Maid Maleen." "Dost thou
succeeded in getting out one stone, and then a second, and third, know Maid Maleen?" "No," she answered, "how should I know
and when three days were over the first ray of light fell on their her; I have only heard of her." When they came to the church-door,
darkness, and at last the opening was so large that they could look she said once more,
out. The sky was blue, and a fresh breeze played on their faces; but "Church-door, break not,
how melancholy everything looked all around! Her father's castle I am not the true bride."
lay in ruins, the town and the villages were, so far as could be seen, "What art thou saying there?" asked he. "Ah," she answered, "I
destroyed by fire, the fields far and wide laid to waste, and no was only thinking of Maid Maleen." Then he took out a precious
human being was visible. When the opening in the wall was large chain, put it round her neck, and fastened the clasp. Thereupon
enough for them to slip through, the waiting-maid sprang down they entered the church, and the priest joined their hands together
first, and then Maid Maleen followed. But where were they to go? before the altar, and married them. He led her home, but she did
The enemy had ravaged the whole kingdom, driven away the King, not speak a single word the whole way. When they got back to the
and slain all the inhabitants. They wandered forth to seek another royal palace, she hurried into the bride's chamber, put off the
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magnificent clothes and the jewels, dressed herself in her grey heard her voice, hurried out of his chamber and ordered them to
gown, and kept nothing but the jewel on her neck, which she had set the maiden free instantly. Lights were brought, and then he
received from the bridegroom. saw on her neck the gold chain which he had given her at the
When the night came, and the bride was to be led into the church-door. "Thou art the true bride," said he, "who went with
prince's apartment, she let her veil fall over her face, that he might me to church; come with me now to my room." When they were
not observe the deception. As soon as every one had gone away, he both alone, he said, "On the way to the church thou didst name
said to her, "What didst thou say to the nettle-plant which was Maid Maleen, who was my betrothed bride; if I could believe it
growing by the wayside?" possible, I should think she was standing before me—thou art like
"To which nettle-plant?" asked she; "I don't talk to nettle- her in every respect." She answered, "I am Maid Maleen, who for
plants." "If thou didst not do it, then thou art not the true bride," thy sake was imprisoned seven years in the darkness, who suffered
said he. So she bethought herself, and said, hunger and thirst, and has lived so long in want and poverty. To-
"I must go out unto my maid, day, however, the sun is shining on me once more. I was married to
Who keeps my thoughts for me." thee in the church, and I am thy lawful wife." Then they kissed
She went out and sought Maid Maleen. "Girl, what hast thou each other, and were happy all the days of their lives. The false
been saying to the nettle?" "I said nothing but, bride was rewarded for what she had done by having her head cut
"Oh, nettle-plant, off.
Little nettle-plant, The tower in which Maid Maleen had been imprisoned remained
What dost thou here alone? standing for a long time, and when the children passed by it they
I have known the time sang,
When I ate thee unboiled, "Kling, klang, gloria.
When I ate thee unroasted." Who sits within this tower?
The bride ran back into the chamber, and said, "I know now A King's daughter, she sits within,
what I said to the nettle," and she repeated the words which she A sight of her I cannot win,
had just heard. "But what didst thou say to the foot-bridge when The wall it will not break.
we went over it?" asked the King's son. "To the foot-bridge?" she The stone cannot be pierced.
answered. "I don't talk to foot-bridges." "Then thou art not the Little Hans, with your coat so gay,
true bride." Follow me, follow me, fast as you may."
She again said,
"I must go out unto my maid,
Who keeps my thoughts for me," 199.—THE BOOTS OF BUFFALO-LEATHER.
and ran out and found Maid Maleen, "Girl, what didst thou say
to the foot-bridge?" ("The Boots of Buffalo Leather" is a fairy tale in the Children's
"I said nothing but, and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm from the 6th edition
"Foot-bridge, do not break, of 1850 (KHM 199). It comes from Friedmund von Arnim's
I am not the true bride." collection "Hundred new fairy tales collected in the mountains"
"That costs thee thy life!" cried the bride, but she hurried into ( No. 4 From Brother Bootschmeer).
the room, and said, "I know now what I said to the foot-bridge," Contents: A fearless, carefree soldier wanders around in his old
and she repeated the words. "But what didst thou say to the buffalo leather boots after his abdication. He meets a hunter
church-door?" "To the church-door?" she replied; "I don't talk to whom he calls "Brother Whipping Boots" because of his finer
church-doors." "Then thou art not the true bride." clothes. At night they seek shelter in a house where an old woman
She went out and found Maid Maleen, and said, "Girl, what hides them from twelve robbers who come home. When they find
didst thou say to the church-door?" "I said nothing but, them because the soldier couldn't stand the smell of the roast any
"Church-door, break not, longer and gave himself away, they allow them to eat before they
I am not the true bride." want to kill them. The soldier impresses her so much with his
"That will break thy neck for thee!" cried the bride, and flew appetite that he gets wine too. When he calls out health to them,
into a terrible passion, but she hastened back into the room, and "You shall all live, but open your mouth and raise your right
said, "I know now what I said to the church-door," and she hand," they are petrified. The two eat their fill. Then they go
repeated the words. "But where hast, thou the jewel which I gave home and the soldier fetches his comrades, who arrest the robbers.
thee at the church-door?" "What jewel?" she answered; "thou When the hunter announces himself as king, the soldier is startled,
didst not give me any jewel." "I myself put it round thy neck, and I but from then on he gets free food as a thank you.)
myself fastened it; if thou dost not know that, thou art not the
true bride." He drew the veil from her face, and when he saw her A soldier who is afraid of nothing, troubles himself about
immeasureable ugliness, he sprang back terrified, and said, "How nothing. One of this kind had received his discharge, and as he had
comest thou here? Who art thou?" "I am thy betrothed bride, but learnt no trade and could earn nothing, he travelled about and
because I feared lest the people should mock me when they saw me begged alms of kind people. He had an old waterproof on his back,
out of doors, I commanded the scullery-maid to dress herself in my and a pair of riding-boots of buffalo-leather which were still left
clothes, and to go to church instead of me." "Where is the girl?" to him. One day he was walking he knew not where, straight out
said he; "I want to see her, go and bring her here." She went out into the open country, and at length came to a forest. He did not
and told the servants that the scullery-maid was an impostor, and know where he was, but saw sitting on the trunk of a tree, which
that they must take her out into the court-yard and strike off her had been cut down, a man who was well dressed and wore a green
head. The servants laid hold of Maid Maleen and wanted to drag shooting-coat. The soldier shook hands with him, sat down on the
her out, but she screamed so loudly for help, that the King's son grass by his side, and stretched out his legs. "I see thou hast good
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
boots on, which are well blacked," said he to the huntsman; "but if hands stretched up in the air. The huntsman said to the soldier, "I
thou hadst to travel about as I have, they would not last long. see that thou art acquainted with tricks of another kind, but now
Look at mine, they are of buffalo-leather, and have been worn for come and let us go home." "Oho, my dear brother, but that would
a long time, but in them I can go through thick and thin." After a be marching away far too soon; we have conquered the enemy, and
while the soldier got up and said, "I can stay no longer, hunger must first take the booty. Those men there are sitting fast, and are
drives me onwards; but Brother Bright-boots, where does this opening their mouths with astonishment, but they will not be
road lead to?" "I don't know that myself," answered the huntsman, allowed to move until I permit them. Come, eat and drink." The
"I have lost my way in the forest." "Then thou art in the same old woman had to bring another bottle of the best wine, and the
plight as I," said the soldier; "birds of a feather flock together, let soldier would not stir until he had eaten enough to last for three
us remain together, and seek onr way." The huntsman smiled a days. At last when day came, he said, "Now it is time to strike our
little, and they walked on further and further, until night fell. tents, and that our march may be a short one, the old woman shall
"We do not get out of the forest," said the soldier, "but there in show us the nearest way to the town." When they had arrived
the distance I see a light shining, which will help us to something there, he went to his old comrades, and said, "Out in the forest I
to eat." They found a stone house, knocked at the door, and an old have found a nest full of gallows' birds, come with me and we will
woman opened it. "We are looking for quarters for the night," take it." The soldier led them, and said to the huntsman, "Thou
said the soldier, "and some lining for our stomachs, for mine is as must go back again with me to see how they shake when we seize
empty as an old knapsack." "You cannot stay here," answered the them by the feet." He placed the men round about the robbers, and
old woman; "this is a robber's house, and you would do wisely to then he took the bottle, drank a mouthful, brandished it above
get away before they come home, or you will be lost." "It won't be them, and cried, "Live again." Instantly they all regained the
so bad as that," answered the soldier, "I have not had a mouthful power of movement, but were thrown down and bound hand and
for two days, and whether I am murdered here or die of hunger in foot with cords. Then the soldier ordered them to be thrown into a
the forest is all the same to me. I shall go in." The huntsman would cart as if they had been so many sacks, and said, "Now drive them
not follow, but the soldier drew him in with him by the sleeve. straight to prison." The huntsman, however, took one of the men
"Come, my dear brother, we shall not come to an end so quickly as aside and gave him another commission besides. "Brother Bright-
that!" The old woman had pity on them and said, "Creep in here boots," said the soldier, "we have safely routed the enemy and been
behind the stove, and if they leave anything, I will give it to you on well fed, now we will quietly walk behind them as if we were
the sly when they are asleep." Scarcely were they in the corner stragglers!" When they approached the town, the soldier saw a
before twelve robbers came bursting in, seated themselves at the crowd of people pouring through the gate of the town who were
table which was already laid, and vehemently demanded some food. raising loud cries of joy, and waving green boughs in the air. Then
The old woman brought in some great dishes of roast meat, and he saw that the entire body-guard was coming up. "What can this
the robbers enjoyed that thoroughly. When the smell of the food mean?" said he to the huntsman. "Dost thou not know?" he
ascended the nostrils of the soldier, he said to the huntsman, "I replied, "that the King has for a long time been absent from his
cannot hold out any longer, I shall seat myself at the table, and eat kingdom, and that to-day he is returning, and every one is going
with them." "Thou wilt bring us to destruction," said the to meet him." "But where is the King?" said the soldier, "I do not
huntsman, and held him back by the arm. But the soldier began to see him." "Here he is," answered the huntsman, "I am the King,
cough loudly. When the robbers heard that, they threw away their and have announced my arrival." Then he opened his hunting-coat,
knives and forks, leapt up, and discovered the two who were and his royal garments were visible. The soldier was alarmed, and
behind the stove. "Aha, gentlemen, are you in the corner?" cried fell on his knees and begged him to forgive him for having in his
they, "What are you doing here? Have you been sent as spies? Wait ignorance treated him as an equal, and spoken to him by such a
a while, and you shall learn how to fly on a dry bough." "But do name. But the King shook hands with him, and said, "Thou art a
be civil," said the soldier, "I am hungry, give me something to eat, brave soldier, and hast saved my life. Thou shalt never again be in
and then you can do what you like with me." The robbers were want, I will take care of thee. And if ever thou wouldst like to eat a
astonished, and the captain said, "I see that thou hast no fear; well, piece of roast meat, as good as that in the robber's house, come to
thou shalt have some food, but after that thou must die." "We the royal kitchen. But if thou wouldst drink a health, thou must
shall see," said the soldier, and seated himself at the table, and first ask my permission."
began to cut away valiantly at the roast meat. "Brother
Brightboots, come and eat," cried he to the huntsman; "thou must
be as hungry as I am, and cannot have better roast meat at home," 200.—THE GOLDEN KEY.
but the huntsman would not eat. The robbers looked at the soldier (Englisch / Engels / English)
in astonishment, and said, "The rascal uses no ceremony." After a
while he said, "I have had enough food, now get me something ("The Golden Key" is a fairy tale in the Grimm Brothers'
good to drink." The captain was in the mood to humour him in Children's and Household Tales at position 200 (KHM 200). It
this also, and called to the old woman, "Bring a bottle out of the appears from the 1st edition, Volume 2, always at the end.
cellar, and mind it be of the best." The soldier drew the cork out According to their comment, the Brothers Grimm "had it over
with a loud noise, and then went with the bottle to the huntsman Hessen" (according to Wilhelm Grimm's note by Marie
and said, "Pay attention, brother, and thou shalt see something Hassenpflug).
that will surprise thee; I am now going to drink the health of the Contents: A poor boy gathering wood with a sleigh wants to
whole clan." Then he brandished the bottle over the heads of the warm himself by a fire and finds a small golden key beneath the
robbers, and cried, "Long life to you all, but with your mouths snow; then he finds a small iron box in the ground. The text ends
open and your right hands lifted up," and then he drank a hearty with the statement that the reader now has to wait until he has
draught. Scarcely were the words said than they all sat motionless unlocked it.)
as if made of stone, and their mouths were open and their right
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
In the winter time, when deep snow lay on the ground, a poor
boy was forced to go out on a sledge to fetch wood. When he had
gathered it together, and packed it, he wished, as he was so frozen
with cold, not to go home at once, but to light a fire and warm
himself a little. So he scraped away the snow, and as he was thus
clearing the ground, he found a tiny, gold key. Hereupon he
thought that where the key was, the lock must be also, and dug in
the ground and found an iron chest. "If the key does but fit it!"
thought he; "no doubt there are precious things in that little
box." He searched, but no keyhole was there. At last he discovered
one, but so small that it was hardly visible. He tried it, and the key
fitted it exactly. Then he turned it once round, and now we must
wait until he has quite unlocked it and opened the lid, and then we
shall learn what wonderful things were lying in that box.
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
CHILDREN'S LEGENDS herself a thick soup. When it was ready, St. Joseph said, "I am so
hungry; give me some of thy food." The child was quite willing,
(Die Kinderlegenden enthalten zehn Geschichten, die am Ende and gave him more than she kept for herself, but God's blessing
von Band 2 in der zweiten Auflage von 1819 hinzugefügt wurden. was with her, so that she was satisfied. When they had eaten, St.
Die meisten dieser Geschichten haben einen religiösen Charakter. Joseph said, "Now we will go to bed; I have, however, only one
The Children's Legends bevatten tien verhalen die zijn bed, lay thyself in it. I will lie on the ground on the straw." "No,"
toegevoegd aan het einde van deel 2 in de tweede druk van 1819. answered she, "stay in your own bed, the straw is soft enough for
De meeste van deze verhalen hebben een religieus karakter. me." St. Joseph, however, took the child in his arms, and carried
The Children's Legends contain ten stories that have been added her into the little bed, and there she said her prayers, and fell
to the end of volume 2 in the second edition of 1819. Most of these asleep. Next morning when she awoke, she wanted to say good
stories have a religious character.) morning to St. Joseph, but she did not see him. Then she got up
and looked for him, but could not find him anywhere; at last she
perceived, behind the door, a bag with money so heavy that she
1.—SAINT.JOSEPH IN THE FOREST. could just carry it, and on it was written that it was for the child
who had slept there that night. On this she took the bag, bounded
("Saint Joseph in the Forest" is the first of ten Children's away with it, and got safely to her mother, and as she gave her
Legends in the appendix to the children's and household tales by mother all the money, she could not help being satisfied with her.
the Brothers Grimm. It has either the number KHM 201 or KL 1. The next day, the second child also took a fancy to go into the
The fairy tale of legends is available from the 2nd edition (1819) forest. Her mother gave her a much larger piece of pancake and
as children's legend no 1. Later editions brought only small bread. It happened with her just as with the first child. In the
linguistic changes Grimm's note localises the text in the evening she came to St. Joseph's little hut, who gave her roots for a
"Paderborn region" (i.e. it is from the Haxthausen family). thick soup. When it was ready, he likewise said to her, "I am so
Contents: A mother loves her eldest, bad daughter and hates her hungry, give me some of thy food." Then the child said, "You may
youngest, good one, who she often sends off into the woods for have your share." Afterwards, when St. Joseph offered her his bed
that reason. Her guardian angel always takes her home again, but and wanted to lie on the straw, she replied, "No, lie down in the
one evening she comes to a hut with a venerable old man. It's Saint bed, there is plenty of room for both of us." St. Joseph took her in
Joseph. He lets her cook food and asks her to give him something, his arms and put her in the bed, and laid himself on the straw.
which she does generously. She wants to sleep on the straw, but he In the morning when the child awoke and looked for St. Joseph,
carries her to bed. In the morning she finds a money bag with her he had vanished, but behind the door she found a little sack of
name on it, which she brings to her mother. There goes the second money that was about as long as a hand, and on it was written that
daughter. But the eldest leaves the old man almost nothing to eat it was for the child who had slept there last night. So she took the
and takes the bed he offers her. As she seeks her wages, a second little bag and ran home with it, and took it to her mother, but she
nose sticks to her nose. At her entreaty, Joseph takes it from her secretly kept two pieces for herself.
and gives her two pennies. She tells her mother that the money was The eldest daughter had by this time grown curious, and the next
lost on the way. As they search, lizards and snakes come and stab morning also insisted on going out into the forest. Her mother
the elder daughter dead and the mother in the foot.) gave her pancakes with her—as many as she wanted, and bread
and cheese as well. In the evening she found St. Joseph in his little
There was once on a time a mother who had three daughters, the hut, just as the two others had found him. When the soup was
eldest of whom was rude and wicked, the second much better, ready and St. Joseph said, "I am so hungry, give me some of the
although she had her faults, but the youngest was a pious, good food," the girl answered, "Wait until I am satisfied; then if there is
child. The mother was, however, so strange, that it was just the anything left thou shalt have it." She ate, however, nearly the
eldest daughter whom she most loved, and she could not bear the whole of it, and St. Joseph had to scrape the dish. Afterwards, the
youngest. On this account, she often sent the poor girl out into the good old man offered her his bed, and wanted to lie on the straw.
great forest in order to get rid of her, for she thought she would She took it without making any opposition, laid herself down in
lose herself and never come back again. But the guardian-angel the little bed, and left the hard straw to the white-haired man.
which every good child has, did not forsake her, but always Next morning when she awoke, St. Joseph was not to be found,
brought her into the right path again. Once, however, the but she did not trouble herself about that. She looked behind the
guardian-angel behaved as if he were not there, and the child door for a money-bag. She fancied something was lying on the
could not find her way out of the forest again. She walked on ground, but as she could not very well distinguish what it was, she
constantly until evening came, and then she saw a tiny light stooped down, and examined it closely, but it remained hanging to
burning in the distance, ran up to it at once, and came to a little her nose, and when she got up again, she saw, to her horror, that
hut. She knocked, the door opened, and she came to a second door, it was a second nose, which was hanging fast to her own. Then she
where she knocked again. An old man, who had a snow-white began to scream and howl, but that did no good; she was forced to
beard and looked venerable, opened it for her; and he was no other see it always on her nose, for it stretched out so far. Then she ran
than St. Joseph. He said quite kindly, "Come, dear child, seat out and screamed without stopping till she met St. Joseph, at
thyself on my little chair by the fire, and warm thyself; I will fetch whose feet she fell and begged until, out of pity, he took the nose
thee clear water if thou art thirsty; but here in the forest, I have off her again, and even gave her two farthings. When she got home,
nothing for thee to eat but a couple of little roots, which thou her mother was standing before the door, and asked, "What hast
must first scrape and boil." thou had given to thee?" Then she lied and said, "A great bag of
St. Joseph gave her the roots. The girl scraped them clean, then money, but I have lost it on the way." "Lost it!" cried the mother,
she brought a piece of pancake and the bread that her mother had "oh, but we will soon find it again," and took her by the hand,
given her to take with her; mixed all together in a pan, and cooked and wanted to seek it with her. At first she began to cry, and did
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not wish to go, but at last she went. On the way, however, so many Contents: The younger child of a poor woman has to fetch wood
lizards and snakes broke loose on both of them, that they did not every day. It meets a child who carries the wood and gives it a rose,
know how to save themselves. As last they stung the wicked child when it blossoms it comes back. The mother doesn't believe it at
to death, and they stung the mother in the foot, because she had first, but puts her in the water. One morning she finds the child
not brought her up better. dead. It looks very beautiful and the rose has blossomed.)
There was once a poor woman who had two children. The
2.—THE TWELVE APOSTLES. youngest had to go every day into the forest to fetch wood. Once
when she had gone a long way to seek it, a little child, who was
("The twelve apostles" is the second of ten Children's Legends quite strong, came and helped her industriously to pick up the
appended to the Grimm's Children's and Household Tales (KHM wood and carry it home, and then before a moment had passed the
202 or KL 2). The Grimm's annotation localises the text in the strange child disappeared. The child told her mother this, but at
"Paderborn region" (i.e., from the Haxthausen family) text. first she would not believe it. At length she brought a rose home,
Contents: Three hundred years before the birth of Christ, a poor and told her mother that the beautiful child had given her this
mother has twelve sons who she has to send away one by one to rose, and had told her that when it was in full bloom, he would
look for bread. They each meet their little guardian angel, who return. The mother put the rose in water. One morning her child
fulfills their wish to see the Saviour. In a magnificent rock cave he could not get out of bed, the mother went to the bed and found
rocks her to sleep. They awaken on the night of Jesus' birth and her dead, but she lay looking very happy. On the same morning,
become the twelve apostles.) the rose was in full bloom.
Three hundred years before the birth of the Lord Christ, there
lived a mother who had twelve sons, but was so poor and needy 4.—POVERTY AND HUMILITY LEAD TO HEAVEN.
that she no longer knew how she was to keep them alive at all. She
prayed to God daily that he would grant that all her sons might be ("Poverty and Humility Lead to Heaven" is the fourth of ten
on the earth with the Redeemer who was promised. When her Children's Legends in the appendix to the Children's and
necessity became still greater she sent one of them after the other Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm (KHM 204 or KL 4).
out into the world to seek bread for her. The eldest was called Grimm's note locates the text in the "Paderborn region" (i.e. it is
Peter, and he went out and had already walked a long way, a from the Haxthausen family). The title reveals a popular topic
whole day's journey, when he came into a great forest. He sought throughout the past, it sounds very Christian. Christian
for a way out, but could find none, and went farther and farther philosophy however has its direct origin in the teachings of
astray, and at the same time felt such great hunger that he could Stoicism and Buddhism [See: The Grand Bible: The Gospel of
scarcely stand. At length he became so weak that he was forced to Didymus Judas Thomas p.758; The Questions of King Milinda
lie down, and he believed death to be at hand. Suddenly there p.2826; Barlaam and Josaphat p.2882; Plutarch's Morals p.2906;
stood beside him a small boy who shone with brightness, and was Seneca's Moral Letters p.2955; Lucius Flavius Arrianus'
as beautiful and kind as an angel. The child smote his little hands Discourses Of Epictetus p.3029; Meditations by Emperor Marcus
together, until Peter was forced to look up and saw him. Then the Aurelius p.3073; The Dhammapada p.7039; The Lotus Sutra
child said, "Why art thou sitting there in such trouble?" "Alas!" p.7065]
answered Peter, "I am going about the world seeking bread, that I Contents: A wandering prince looks at the sky and wants to go
may yet see the dear Saviour who is promised, that is my greatest up. On the advice of an old beggar, he puts on his clothes and
desire." The child said, "Come with me, and thy wish shall be wanders for seven years without taking money. When he returns
fulfilled." He took poor Peter by the hand, and led him between home, no one recognises him. The servants won't let him into the
some cliffs to a great cavern. When they entered it, everything was castle and only reluctantly tell the brothers, who don't care either.
shining with gold, silver, and crystal, and in the midst of it twelve He writes to his mother without identifying himself. She pityingly
cradles were standing side by side. Then said the little angel, "Lie lets him live under the stairs. One of the two servants who are
down in the first, and sleep a while, I will rock thee." Peter did so, supposed to bring him food keeps it for himself. Finally, the
and the angel sang to him and rocked him until he was asleep. And patient, who is growing weaker, demands the sacrament. When
when he was asleep, the second brother came also, guided thither the priest comes after mass, he is already dead, holding a rose in
by his guardian angel, and he was rocked to sleep like the first, one hand and a lily in the other, with a piece of paper with his
and thus came the others, one after the other, until all twelve lay story next to him. A rose grows out of his grave and a lily on the
there sleeping in the golden cradles. They slept, however, three other side.)
hundred years, until the night when the Saviour of the world was There was once a King's son who went out into the world, and he
born. Then they awoke, and were with him on earth, and were was full of thought and sad. He looked at the sky, which was so
called the twelve apostles. beautifully pure and blue, then he sighed, and said, "How well
must all be with one up there in heaven!" Then he saw a poor grey-
haired man who was coming along the road towards him, and he
3.—THE ROSE spoke to him, and asked, "How can I get to heaven?" The man
answered, "By poverty and humility. Put on my ragged clothes,
("The Rose" is the third of ten Children's Legends in the wander about the world for seven years, and get to know what
appendix to the Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales misery is, take no money, but if thou art hungry ask
(KHM 203). It is printed in Low German. Grimm's annotation compassionate hearts for a bit of bread; in this way thou wilt reach
localises the text in "Paderborn" (i.e. it is from the Haxthausen heaven."
family).
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Then the King's son took off his magnificent coat, and wore in to our supplications likewise." Scarcely had she uttered these
its place the beggar's garment, went out into the wide world, and words than the two little ones drew their last breath, whereupon
suffered great misery. He took nothing but a little food, said her heart broke, and she sank down dead.
nothing, but prayed to the Lord to take him into his heaven.
When the seven years were over, he returned to his father's palace,
but no one recognised him. He said to the servants, "Go and tell 6.—THE THREE GREEN TWIGS.
my parents that I have come back again." But the servants did not
believe it, and laughed and left him standing there. Then said he, ("The Three Green Twigs" is the sixth of ten Children's Legends
"Go and tell it to my brothers that they may come down, for I in the appendix to the Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household
should so like to see them again." The servants would not do that Tales (KHM 206 or KL 6). Grimm's annotation localises the text
either, but at last one of them went, and told it to the King's in the "Paderborn region" (i.e. it is from the Haxthausen family).
children, but these did not believe it, and did not trouble [The description of the hermit watering the birds and being fed by
themselves about it. Then he wrote a letter to his mother, and the angel alludes to the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:4; The Grand
described to her all his misery, but he did not say that he was her Bible p. 232).]
son. So, out of pity, the Queen had a place under the stairs Contents: A hermit lives godly on a mountain and brings water
assigned to him, and food taken to him daily by two servants. But up every evening for animals and plants, and an angel accompanies
one of them was ill-natured and said, "Why should the beggar him. Once, when he is old, a sinner is hanged, and he thinks he is
have the good food?" and kept it for himself, or gave it to the dogs, served right. The angel cannot think of that anymore. He fasts and
and took the weak wasted-away beggar nothing but water; the prays until he learns from a bird that God is angry with him
other, however was honest, and took the beggar what was sent to because he alone can judge. He has to move around begging with a
him. It was little, but he could live on it for a while, and all the dry branch as a pillow until three green twigs sprout from it. So
time he was quite patient, but he grew, continually weaker. As, he once comes to an old woman in a cave who does not want to let
however, his illness increased, he desired to receive the last him in at first because of her three thieving sons. They are angry
sacrament. When the host was being elevated down below, all the too when they see him. But when they hear his story, they are
bells in the town and neighbourhood began to ring. After mass the shocked at their own lives and repent. The hermit is found dead in
priest went to the poor man under the stairs, and there he lay dead. the morning, and the branch bears three green twigs.)
In one hand he had a rose, in the other a lily, and beside him was a
paper in which was written his history. There was once on a time a hermit who lived in a forest at the
When he was buried, a rose grew on one side of his grave, and a foot of a mountain, and passed his time in prayer and good works,
lily on the other. and every evening he carried, to the glory of God, two pails of
water up the mountain. Many a beast drank of it, and many a
plant was refreshed by it, for on the heights above, a strong wind
5.—GOD'S FOOD. blew continually, which dried the air and the ground, and the wild
birds which dread mankind wheel about there, and with their
("God's Food" is the fifth of ten Children's Legends in the sharp eyes search for a drink. And because the hermit was so pious,
appendix to the Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales an angel of God, visible to his eyes, went up with him, counted his
(KHM 205 or KL 5). Grimm's note localises the text in the steps, and when the work was completed, brought him his food,
"Paderborn region" (i.e. it is from the Haxthausen family). even as the prophet of old was by God's command fed by the raven.
Contents: A poor widow with five children asks her rich sister When the hermit in his piety had already reached a great age, it
for bread, but she is hard-hearted and sends her away. When the happened that he once saw from afar a poor sinner being taken to
rich man comes home and cuts the bread, blood spills out. He the gallows. He said carelessly to himself, "There, that one is
learns what had happened and wants to help the poor, but finds getting his deserts!" In the evening, when he was carrying the
her praying and dying with the children. She no longer wants water up the mountain, the angel who usually accompanied him
earthly food.) did not appear, and also brought him no food. Then he was
terrified, and searched his heart, and tried to think how he could
There were once upon a time two sisters, one of whom had no have sinned, as God was so angry, but he did not discover it. Then
children and was rich, and the other had five and was a widow, he neither ate nor drank, threw himself down on the ground, and
and so poor that she no longer had food enough to satisfy herself prayed day and night. And as he was one day thus bitterly weeping
and her children. In her need, therefore, she went to her sister, and in the forest, he heard a little bird singing beautifully and
said, "My children and I are suffering the greatest hunger; thou delightfully, and then he was still more troubled and said, "How
art rich, give me a mouthful of bread." The very rich sister was as joyously thou singest, the Lord is not angry with thee. Ah, if thou
hard as a stone, and said, "I myself have nothing in the house," couldst but tell me how I can have offended him, that I might do
and drove away the poor creature with harsh words. After some penance, and then my heart also would be glad again." Then the
time the husband of the rich sister came home, and was just going bird began to speak and said, "Thou hast done injustice, in that
to cut himself a piece of bread, but when he made the first cut into thou hast condemned a poor sinner who was being led to the
the loaf, out flowed red blood. When the woman saw that she was gallows, and for that the Lord is angry with thee. He alone sits in
terrified and told him what had occurred. He hurried away to help judgment. However, if thou wilt do penance and repent thy sins,
the widow and her children, but when he entered her room, he he will forgive thee." Then the angel stood beside him with a dry
found her praying. She had her two youngest children in her arms, branch in his hand and said, "Thou shalt carry this diy branch
and the three eldest were lying dead. He offered her food, but she until three green twigs sprout out of it, but at night when thou
answered, "For earthly food have we no longer any desire. God wilt sleep, thou shalt lay it under thy head. Thou shalt beg thy
has already satisfied the hunger of three of us, and he will hearken
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bread from door to door, and not tarry more than one night in the Once upon a time a waggoner's cart which was heavily laden
same house. That is the penance which the Lord lays on thee." with wine had stuck so fast that in spite of all that he could do, he
Then the hermit took the piece of wood, and went back into the could not get it to move again. Then it chanced that Our Lady just
world, which he had not seen for so long. He ate and drank happened to come by that way, and when she perceived the poor
nothing but what was given him at the doors; many petitions were, man's distress, she said to him, "I am tired and thirsty, give me a
however, not listened to, and many doors remained shut to him, so glass of wine, and I will set thy cart free for thee." "Willingly,"
that he often did not get a crumb of bread. answered the waggoner, "but I have no glass in which I can give
Once when he had gone from door to door from morning till thee the wine." Then Our Lady plucked a little white flower with
night, and no one had given him anything, and no one would red stripes, called field bindweed, which looks very like a glass,
shelter him for the night, he went forth into a forest, and at last and gave it to the waggoner. He filled it with wine, and then Our
found a cave which some one had made, and an old woman was Lady drank it, and in the self-same instant the cart was set free,
sitting in it. Then said he, "Good woman, keep me with you in and the waggoner could drive onwards. The little flower is still
your house for this night;" but she said, "No, I dare not, even if I always called Our Lady's Little Glass.
wished, I have three sons who are wicked and wild, if they come
home from their robbing expedition, and find you, they would kill
us both." The hermit said, "Let me stay, they will do no injury 8.—THE AGED MOTHER.
either to you or to me," and the woman was compassionate, and
let herself be persuaded. Then the man lay down beneath the stairs, ("The Old Mother" is the eighth of ten Children's Legends
and put the bit of wood under his head. When the old woman saw appended to the Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales
him do that, she asked the reason of it, on which he told her that (KHM 208 or KL 8). Grimm's note locates the text in "Hesse" (i.e.
he carried the bit of wood about with him for a penance, and used it is probably from Grimm's own family).
it at night for a pillow, and that he had offended the Lord, because, Contents: A lonely old woman accuses God because her sons and
when he had seen a poor sinner on the way to the gallows, he had all their friends are dead. She hears the bell ring and finds the
said he was getting his deserts. Then the woman began to weep church full of dead relatives, and her seat is taken too. An aunt
and cried, "If the Lord thus punishes one single word, how will it shows her her sons who, if they had not died young, would have
fare with my sons when they appear before him in judgment?" been hanged and wheeled. She goes home, thanks God, and dies.)
At midnight the robbers came home and blustered and stormed. In a large town there was an old woman who sat in the evening
They made a fire, and when it had lighted up the cave and they saw alone in her room thinking how she had lost first her husband,
a man lying under the stairs, they fell in a rage and cried to their then both her children, then one by one all her relations, and at
mother, "Who is the man? Have we not forbidden any one length, that very day, her last friend, and now she was quite alone
whatsoever to be taken in?" Then said the mother, "Let him alone, and desolate. She was very sad at heart, and heaviest of all her
it is a poor sinner who is expiating his crime." The robbers asked, losses to her was that of her sons; and in her pain she blamed God
"What has he done?" "Old man," cried they, "tell us thy sins." The for it. She was still sitting lost in thought, when all at once she
old man raised himself and told them how he, by one single word, heard the bells ringing for early prayer. She was surprised that she
had so sinned that God was angry with him, and how he was now had thus in her sorrow watched through the whole night, and
expiating this crime. The robbers were so powerfully touched in lighted her lantern and went to church. It was already lighted up
their hearts by this story, that they were shocked with their life up when she arrived, but not as it usually was with wax candles, but
to this time, reflected, and began with hearty repentance to do with a dim light. It was also crowded already with people, and all
penance for it. The hermit, after he had converted the three sinners, the seats were filled; and when the old woman got to her usual
lay down to sleep again under the stairs. In the morning, however, place it also was not empty, but the whole bench was entirely full.
they found him dead, and out of the dry wood on which his head And when she looked at the people, they were none other than her
lay, three green twigs had grown up on high. Thus the Lord had dead relations who were sitting there in their old-fashioned
once more received him into his favour. garments, but with pale faces. They neither spoke nor sang; but a
soft humming and whispering was heard all over the church. Then
an aunt of hers stood up, stepped forward, and said to the poor
7.—OUR LADY'S LITTLE GLASS. old woman, "Look there beside the altar, and thou wilt see thy
sons." The old woman looked there, and saw her two children, one
("Our Lady's Little Glass" is the title of the seventh Children's hanging on the gallows, the other bound to the wheel. Then said
Legend in the appendix to the Grimm Brothers' Children's and the aunt, "Behold, so would it have been with them if they had
Household Tales (KHM 207 or KL 7). There the title Mother lived, and if the good God had not taken them to himself when
God's Glass was written. Grimm's note localises the text in the they were innocent children." The old woman went trembling
"Paderborn region" (i.e. it is from the Haxthausen family). The home, and on her knees thanked God for having dealt with her
legend explains the colloquial name of the field bindweed more kindly than she had been able to understand, and on the
(Convolvulus arvensis, a plant from the convolvulus family third day she lay down and died.
[Convolvulaceae] that is widespread in Europe.)
Contents: A carter is stuck with his heavy wine cart. Then the
Mother of God comes and offers her help - for a glass of wine, 9.—THE HEAVENLY WEDDING.
because she is tired and thirsty. The carter is happy to give it to
her. But because he has no glass at hand, the Mother of God uses a ("The Heavenly Wedding" is the ninth of ten Children's Legends
cup-shaped flower called bindweed to drink. Since then, the field in the appendix to the Children's and Household Tales by the
bindweed has been popularly called "Mother of God's glass".) Brothers Grimm (KHM 209 or KL 9). The Grimms noted "From
Mecklenburg, but also known in Münsterland."
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Contents: A poor farm boy hears a sermon that the way to 1847 (No. 7: "D'haslaruetha", later "Die Muttergottes und die
heaven always leads straight ahead. He goes and comes to the Natter" (Our Lady and the Adder).
service in a large city church, thinks he is in heaven and cannot be Contents: Mary fetches strawberries from the forest for her
sent away. He sees people praying in front of Mary with the baby sleeping baby Jesus. As she bends down for the bush, a snake comes
Jesus and thinks it is God. He shares his food with him and the and pursues her. Maria hides behind a hazel bush, then she gets the
picture thickens. When he was bedridden for eight days, he went strawberries and decides that since then hazel branches protect
there and apologised for the picture. That invites him to the against earth animals.)
wedding next Sunday. The pastor who watched him isn't allowed
to go with him, but he gives him communion on Sundays and the One afternoon the Christ-child had laid himself in his cradle-bed
boy falls dead.) and had fallen asleep. Then his mother came to him, looked at him
full of gladness, and said, "Hast thou laid thyself down to sleep,
A poor peasant-boy one day heard the priest say in church that my child? Sleep sweetly, and in the meantime I will go into the
whosoever desired to enter into the kingdom of heaven must wood, and fetch thee a handful of strawberries, for I know that
always go straight onward. So he set out, and walked continually thou wilt be pleased with them when thou awakest." In the wood
straight onwards over hill and valley without ever turning aside. outside, she found a spot with the most beautiful strawberries; but
At length his way led him into a great town, and into the midst of as she was stooping down to gather one, an adder sprang up out of
a church, where just at that time God's service was being the grass. She was alarmed, left the strawberries where they were,
performed. Now when he beheld all the magnificence of this, he and hastened away. The adder darted after her; but Our Lady, as
thought he had reached heaven, sat down, and rejoiced with his you can readily understand, knew what it was best to do. She hid
whole heart. When the service was over, and the clerk bade him go herself behind a hazel-bush, and stood there until the adder had
out, he replied, "No, I will not go out again, I am glad to be in crept away again. Then she gathered the strawberries, and as she
heaven at last." So the clerk went to the priest, and told him that set out on her way home she said, "As the hazel-bush has been my
there was a child in the church who would not go out again, protection this time, it shall in future protect others also."
because he believed he was in heaven. The priest said, "If he Therefore, from the most remote times, a green hazel-branch has
believes that, we will leave him inside." So he went to him, and been the safest protection against adders, snakes, and everything
asked if he had any inclination to work. "Yes," the little fellow else which creeps on the earth.
replied, "I am accustomed to work, but I will not go out of heaven
again." So he stayed in the church, and when he saw how the
people came and knelt and prayed to Our Lady with the blessed
child Jesus which was carved in wood, he thought "that is the
good God," and said, "Dear God, how thin you are! The people
must certainly let you starve; but every day I will give you half my
dinner." From this time forth, he every day took half his dinner to
the image, and the image began to enjoy the food. When a few
weeks had gone by, people remarked that the image was growing
larger and stout and strong, and wondered much. The priest also
could not understand it, but stayed in the church, and followed
the little boy about, and then he saw how he shared his food with
the Virgin Mary, and how she accepted it.
After some time the boy became ill, and for eight days could not
leave his bed; but as soon as he could get up again, the first thing
he did was to take his food to Our Lady. The priest followed him,
and heard him say, "Dear God, do not take it amiss that I have not
brought you anything for such a long time, for I have been ill and
could not get up." Then the image answered him and said, "I have
seen thy good-will, and that is enough for me. Next Sunday thou
shalt go with me to the wedding." The boy rejoiced at this, and
repeated it to the priest, who begged him to go and ask the image
if he, too, might be permitted to go. "No," answered the image,
"thou alone." The priest wished to prepare him first, and give him
the holy communion and the child was willing, and next Sunday,
when the host came to him, he fell down and died, and was at the
eternal wedding.
10.—THE HAZEL-BRANCH.
(Englisch / Engels / English)
("The Hazel Branch" is the last of the ten Children's Legends in
the appendix to the Children's and Household Tales by the
Brothers Grimm (KHM 210 or KL 10) and comes from Franz
Josef Vonbun's "Volkssagen aus Vorarlberg" (Switzerland) from
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PART 3 1812 KHM 8. THE HAND WITH THE KNIFE.
TALES REMOVED FROM PART 1 (VOLUME 1) ("The hand with the knife" was a Scottish fairy tale or folk song
in the Brothers Grimm's Children's and Household Tales only in
The Brothers Grimm started their collections of fairy tales "as a the 1st edition of 1812 at position 8 (KHM 8). It comes from Anne
project", as we would say it today. In the first edition of their Grant of Laggans Essays on the Superstitions of the Highlanders
Kinder- und Hausmärchen, the Grimms published 156 fairy tales. of Scotland from 1811 (vol. 1, pp. 285-286).
That was 86 stories in volume 1 (1812), and another 70 stories Contents: A girl is neglected by her mother to three brothers and
(with 10 stories of the Children's Legends in addition) in volume 2 has to cut peat every day with a blunt tool, but an elf loves her and
(1815). That happened right at the time when Emperor Napoleon gives her always a sharp knife out of the hill. The mother suspects
had brought all German states, and other states in Europe, under that someone is helping her. She sends the brothers after her, who
his control by invasion. Public pressure against the spreading of steal the knife, imitate her knocking sign and cut off the hand that
French texts grew. Therefore, most of the foreign fairy tales were was stretched out. The elf believes he has been betrayed and no
removed and replaced by others. Some of the deleted fairy tales longer shows himself. Compare the plot to KHM 130 One-Eye,
were re-released by other publishers because they found a positive Two-Eyes and Three-Eyes.)
response from readers, such as Puss in Boots, for example, which
even enjoyed great success on the theatre stage. Most of these fairy There was a little girl who had three brothers who were
tales only exist in their original German version. I have therefore everything to her mother, and she was ignored everywhere, hit
translated these texts into Dutch and English. L.H. hard and had to go out early every morning to dig peat on the dry
heathland, which she needed for cooking and burning. In addition,
it was given an old and blunt implement with which to do the hard
1812 KHM 6. OF THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE SLOW work.
WORM. But the little girl had a lover who was an elf and lived near her
mother's house in a hill, and whenever she passed the hill he would
("Of the Nightingale and the Slow Worm" was an animal fairy put out his hand out of the rock, and held in it a very sharp knife ,
tale in the 1st edition of 1812 in place 6 (KHM 6) of the Brothers which was of special power and cut through everything. She soon
Grimm's Children's and Household Tales. It comes from Thomas- cut out the peat with this knife, went home happily with the
Philippe Légier's Traditions et usages de la Sologne (Traditions necessary load, and when she passed the rock she knocked twice on
and customs of the Sologne) in Mémoires de l'Académie celtique 2 it, reached out her hand and took the knife.
from 1808. Jacob Grimm translated the text from the French and But when the mother noticed how quickly and easily she always
reproduces the original verse in the annotation: "je ferai mon nid brought the peat home, she told the brothers that someone else
si haut, si haut, si haut! si bas! que tu ne le trouveras pas!" would have to help her, otherwise it wouldn't be possible. So the
Contents: Nightingale and Slowworm lived together in harmony brothers snuck after her and saw how she was getting the magic
with only one eye each. Once the nightingale borrowed that of the knife, caught up with her and forced it from her. Then they
slowworm to go to a wedding. Then she didn't give it back. The returned, struck at the rock as she was wont to do, and when the
slowworm swore revenge. The nightingale sang: "I am building good elf put out his hand, they cut it off with his own knife. The
my nest on those linden trees, so high, so high, so high, so high, bleeding arm withdrew, and as the elf believed his beloved had
you may never find it again! Since then, slowworms have had no done it out of treason, he has never been seen since.
eyes. They live in the bush under the nightingales' nests and try to
find their eggs to suck them out.)
1812 KHM 16. HERR FIX UND FERTIG
Once upon a time there were a nightingale and a slow worm,
they each had only one eye and lived together in a house for a long (The fairy tale "Herr Fix und Fertig" was in the children's and
time in peace and unity. But one day the nightingale was asked to household tales of the Brothers Grimm only in the first edition of
a wedding, so she said to the slowworm: "I've been asked to a 1812 at position 16 (KHM 16). It comes from Johann Friedrich
wedding and wouldn't like to go with one eye like that, be so good Krause from Hoof (Northern Hesse).
and lend me yours too, I bring you back tomorrow." And the slow Contents: Soldier Fix und Fertig is bored after the war, so he
worm did it as a favour. serves a master, he can and knows everything. As a test, he asks
But the next day, when the nightingale came home, she liked it so what his current desire is and is satisfied when he receives a pipe
much that she had two eyes in her head and could see on both sides with tobacco. He tells him to fetch Princess Nomini. Fix und
that she did not want to give the poor slowworm her borrowed eye Fertig takes a huge court with him for this. They come to one
back. Then the slowworm swore she wanted revenge on her, on her Forest with singing birds, which he circles so as not to disturb
children and grandchildren. "Just go, said the nightingale, and them, a field with hungry ravens, for which he has a horse stabbed,
look: and a water with a starving fish, which he puts in a river.He
I build my nest on those linden trees resides in the best inn and woos the princess. For this, the king has
so high, so high, so high, so high him collect sown poppy seeds, get a ring out of water, which the
you may never find it there again!" birds and fish do for him, and finally kill a unicorn. The ravens
Since that time, all nightingales have two eyes and all slowworms wait for it to lie asleep on its sick side and peck out its good eye,
have no eyes. But where the nightingale builds, there lives a slow causing it to impale itself on a tree in anger. Fix und Fertig brings
worm down in the bush, and it always tries to crawl up, bore holes the head to the king and the princess to his lord. He becomes First
in its enemy's eggs or drink them out. Minister.)
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Fix und Fertig had been a soldier for a long time, but because more thing, mine Son, said the king, my daughter once lost her
the war was over and there was nothing more to do than the same golden ring, you must first get it back for me before you can get
thing every day, he took his leave and wanted to become a footman it." Fix und Fertig didn't worry: "Let Ew. Majesty, just show me
with a great gentleman. There were clothes trimmed with gold, a the water and the bridge where the ring was lost, and it shall soon
lot to do and always something new. So he set off and came to a be brought back." When he was there, he looked down, and the
strange court, where he saw a gentleman walking in the garden. fish that he had put in the river on his journey swam up, stretched
Fix und Fertig didn't think twice, stepped up to him and said: "Sir, his head up and said: "Wait a few moments, I'm going down, a
I'm looking for a great gentleman to work for, it's Yours. Your whale has the ring under the raft spring, I'll get it there." He soon
Majesty yourself, that's how I prefer it, I can and know everything came back and threw it ashore. Fix und Fertig took him to the
that goes with it, short and long, as ordered." The Lord said: king, but he replied: "Now one more thing, in that forest there is a
"That's right, my son, I'd like that, tell me what's mine now unicorn, it has already done a lot of damage, if you can kill it, then
Desire?" Fix und Fertig without answering turned and ran there will be nothing left." Fix und Fertig didn't worry too much
hurriedly, bringing a pipe and tobacco. "That's right, my son, here either, but went straight into the forest. There were the
you're my servant, but now I'll give you the task of creating ravens, which he once fed and said: "Be patient for a little while,
Princess Nomini for me, the most beautiful in the world, I want now the unicorn is lying and sleeping, but not on the squinting
her for my wife." - "Well, said Fix und Fertig, that's me a small side, when it turns around we want it to have the one good eye it
one, they should Ew. Maj. soon, give me only a chaise drawn by has." , peck out, then it is blind and will run against the trees in its
sixes, a coachman, Haiducken, runners, footmen, a cook and a rage and impale itself with its horn; then you can easily kill it."
complete state, but princely clothes for myself, and everyone must Soon the animal rolled over a few times in its sleep and lay on its
obey my orders." Well, they drove off, the servant sat in the other side, when the ravens flew down and pecked out its good eye.
carriage and we always went to the royal court where the beautiful As soon as it felt the pain, it jumped up and ran madly about in the
princess was. When the road was over, they drove into the field forest, and soon it had also run into a thick oak tree. Then Fix und
and soon came to a large forest that was full of many thousands of Fertig sprang up, cut off his head, and brought it to the king. He
birds, there was a cruel song, magnificent in the blue air. "Halt! could no longer deny his daughter, she was handed over to Fix
halt!" shouted the Fix und Fertig, don't disturb the birds! they und Fertig, who got into the carriage with her in full state, drove
praise their creator and want to serve me once again, turn left!" so to his master and brought him the loving princess. There he was
the coachman had to turn around and drive around the forest. well received, and the wedding was held in all splendor; Fix und
After that it wasn't long before they came to a large field where Fertig became first minister.
about a thousand million ravens were sitting, crying loudly for Everyone in the company where this was told also wished to be at
food. the amusement, one wanted to be a maid, the other a cloakroom
"Halt! halt!" cried the gentleman Fix und Fertig: untie one of maid, in exchange one wanted to be a valet, the other a cook, etc.
the horses in front, lead it to the field and stab it dead so that the
ravens are fed, they shall not go hungry because of me." After the
ravens were fed, the journey continued and they came to a There 1812 KHM 22. HOW CHILDREN PLAYED BUTCHERING
was a fish in the water, which wailed pitifully: "For God's sake! I TOGETHER.
have no food in this bad swamp, put me in running water, I want
to serve you in return." Before he had finished speaking, Fix und (This scary fairy tale is also known as "Children's Butcher Game"
Fertig had stopped! just! called; "Cook put him in your apron, or "How Children Played Butchering Together". It was only in
coachman drive to running water." Fix und Fertig got out himself the 1st edition of the Brothers Grimm's Children's and Household
and put him in so that the fish wagged its tail with joy. Mr. Fix Tales in place 22 (KHM 22). There the title was written "How
und Fertig said: "Now let the horses run quickly, so that we can Children Played Slaughtering Together".
still be there by evening." When he arrived at the royal residence Criticism: The author Achim von Arnim criticised the texts as
he drove straight to the best inn, the innkeeper and all his people being too cruel for children and tempting to imitate. Wilhelm
came out and received him in the best way and thought that a Grimm defended his mother's fairy tale, saying that it had just
foreign king had arrived, and it was only a gentleman's servant. made him cautious and anxious at games but he banned it from
But Fix und Fertig immediately applied to the royal court, tried following editions. Cruelty is not just an issue in modern times and
to make himself popular, and asked for the princess. "My son," in computer games, it has always been an issue.
said the king, "many suitors like that have already been turned Contents: In Franeker, a town in the Dutch province of
away because nobody could do what I had asked them to do to win Friesland, five and six-year-old children play battles with divided
my daughter." "Well, said Fix und Fertig, give Ew. Majesty, roles: butcher, cook, pig, cook, undercook. The butcher pulls the
please do something right for me." The king said: "I have had a sow down and cuts its throat, the undercook collects the blood in
quarter of the poppy seed sown, can you bring it back for me so a bowl. A councilman sees this and takes the butcher with him.
that not a grain is missing, then you shall have the princess for The council sits in court. On the advice of a wise old man, the
your master." thought Fix und Fertig, that's a small one for me. judge holds out an apple and a guilder to the child. It takes the
Then he took a measure, sack and snow-white cloths, went out and apple and is found innocent. Two children see their father
spread the latter beside the sown field. It wasn't long before the slaughtering a pig. In the afternoon she wants to imitate one of
birds, which had not been disturbed in their singing in the forest, the little brothers and stabs him in the neck with the knife. The
came and picked up the seed, granule by granule, and carried it mother hears the screams, pulls out the knife and, in anger,
onto the white cloths. When they had all picked it up, Fix und plunges it into the heart of the other child. Meanwhile, her little
Fertig poured it into the sack together, took the measure under child drowns in the bathroom. She is heartbroken and hangs
his arm, went to the king and measured out the seeds he had sown herself. The man comes home, sees it and shortly thereafter dies of
again, now the princess thought it was his – but missed: "One grief.)
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
I. cross the water to the new world which lay beyond. The shepherd
In a town called Franecker, located in West Friesland, it said he was tired of this life and begged Death to take it with him.
happened that young children, five and six years old, girls and Death said it wasn't time yet, and he had other things to do now.
boys, played together. And they ordered one boy to be the butcher, But not far from there was a miser who was lying on his bed at
another boy to be the cook, and a third boy to be a sow. One girl, night, trying to find more money and possessions, but death led
they ordered, should be the cook, and another should be the him to the great water and pushed him into it. But because he
undercook; and the undercook should receive the blood of the sow couldn't swim, he sank to the bottom before he could get to shore.
in a little dish so that sausages can be made. The butcher, as agreed, His dogs and cats that ran after him drowned with him. A few days
came upon the little boy, who was supposed to be the sow, pulled later, Death came to the Goose Goose, found him singing happily
him down and cut his throat open with a little knife, and the and said to him: "Do you want to come with me now?" He was
undercook received the blood in her little crockery. A councilman willing and came over with his white geese, which were all
passing by sees this misery: he takes the butcher with him from changed into white sheep. The gooseneck looked at the beautiful
that hour and leads him to the chief's house, who immediately had land and heard that the shepherds of the places would become
the whole council assembled. They sat all over this bargain and did kings, and as he looked around properly, the shepherds Abraham,
not know how to do it, for they saw well that it was done in a Isaac and Jacob came to meet him, put a royal crown on his head,
childlike way. One of them, an old white man, gave the advice that and led him into the shepherd's castle, since he is yet to be found.
the chief judge should take a beautiful red apple in one hand and a
Rhenish guilder in the other, should call the child to him and
stretch out both hands towards him: take it Apple, then it should 1812 KHM 33. PUSS IN BOOTS
be recognised as empty, but if you take the guilder, you should kill
it. This is followed, but the child laughingly grasps the apple, so it (Source: The Blue Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang,
is recognised as free of all punishment. Longmans, Green, and Co., pages 141–147, London: 1889.
The fairy tale "Puss in Boots" (Alternative title: The Master Cat;
II. French: Le Maître Chat ou le Chat botté, "The Master Cat" or
Once upon a time a householder slaughtered a pig, his children "The Cat in Boots") was in the Children's and Household Tales of
saw it; When they wanted to play together in the afternoon, one the Brothers Grimm only in the 1st edition of 1812 as KHM 33.
child said to the other: "You shall be the little pig and I shall be According to his note, Wilhelm Grimm apparently had heard the
the butcher;" he took a mere knife and thrust it into his little fairy tale from Jeanette Hassenpflug, daughter of a French-
brother's neck. The mother, who was sitting upstairs in the room speaking Huguenot family.
bathing her youngest child in a tub, heard her other child crying, Contents: After the death of a miller, the mill falls to the eldest
ran downstairs at once, and when she saw what was happening, son, a donkey to the second, and a cat to the third, who apparently
she pulled the knife out of the child's neck and plunged it in Anger is only fit to make gloves out of his fur. However, the cat promises
in the heart of the other child who was the butcher. Then she help if its new owner will instead have it made a pair of boots so
immediately ran to the room and wanted to see what her child was that it can be seen among the people. That's how it happens. The
doing in the bath tub, but in the meantime it had drowned in the cat now catches partridges in a sack, gives them to the king of the
bath; Because of this the woman became so full of anxiety that she country as a gift from his master, the count, and is rewarded with
got into despair and did not want to be comforted by her servants, gold. Later, the tomcat lets the alleged count swim "naked" in a
but hanged herself. The man came from the field and when he saw lake that the king and his daughter pass on a drive and complains
all this, he became so sad that he died shortly afterwards. that a thief has stolen his master's clothes. The king has his own
clothes fetched and the supposed count dressed and taken along in
the carriage. The tomcat rushes ahead and gets workers in the
1812 KHM 27. DEATH AND THE GOOSE SHEPHERD. fields and forests to answer the king, who later drives by, when he
asks that the lands belong to the count. The tomcat seduces its real
(Death and the Goose Shepherd was a parable in the 1st edition owner, a powerful magician, to demonstrate his power, that he
of 1812 in place 27 (KHM 27) of the Brothers Grimm's Children's can even turn into a little mouse; to eat him up and take possession
and Household Tales and comes from Georg Philipp Harsdörffer's of his castle for the miller's son.)
collection of 1663. The parable is literal reproduced. It contains
the Christian conception of the compensatory justice of death. There was a miller who left no more estate to the three sons he
Contents: A goose herdsman meets Death at a large pool of had than his mill, his ass, and his cat. The partition was soon made.
water, who comes out of the water and wants to get out of the Neither the scrivener nor attorney was sent for. They would soon
world by water. The goose herder wants to go, but Death says it's have eaten up all the poor patrimony. The eldest had the mill, the
too soon and instead throws a miser into the water, who drowns second the ass, and the youngest nothing but the cat.
with his dogs and cats following him. Days later, death comes to The poor young fellow was quite comfortless at having so poor a
the happy goose herder. The geese become sheep and he becomes a lot.
king like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.) 'My brothers,' said he, 'may get their living handsomely enough
by joining their stocks together; but, for my part, when I have
There was a poor shepherd walking on the bank of a large and eaten up my cat, and made me a muff of his skin, I must die of
turbulent stream, tending a flock of white geese. Death came to hunger.'
him over water, and the shepherd asked him where he came from The Cat, who heard all this, but made as if he did not, said to
and where he was going? Death replied that he came from the him with a grave and serious air:
water and wanted out of the world. Poor Gooseshirt also asked: 'Do not thus afflict yourself, my good master; you have nothing
how could one get out of the world? Death said that one had to else to do but to give me a bag, and get a pair of boots made for
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
me, that I may scamper through the dirt and the brambles, and (for he was well made and very handsome in his person), the King's
you shall see that you have not so bad a portion of me as you daughter took a secret inclination to him, and the Marquis of
imagine.' Carabas had no sooner cast two or three respectful and somewhat
The Cat's master did not build very much upon what he said; he tender glances but she fell in love with him to distraction. The
had, however, often seen him play a great many cunning tricks to King would needs have him come into the coach and take part of
catch rats and mice; as when he used to hang by the heels, or hide the airing. The Cat, quite over-joyed to see his project begin to
himself in the meal, and make as if he were dead; so that he did not succeed, marched on before, and, meeting with some countrymen,
altogether despair of his affording him some help in his miserable who were mowing a meadow, he said to them:
condition. When the Cat had what he asked for, he booted himself 'Good people, you who are mowing, if you do not tell the King
very gallantly, and, putting his bag about his neck, he held the that the meadow you mow belongs to my Lord Marquis of
strings of it in his two fore paws, and went into a warren where Carabas, you shall be chopped as small as herbs for the pot.'
was great abundance of rabbits. He put bran and sow-thistle into The King did not fail asking of the mowers to whom the meadow
his bag, and, stretching out at length, as if he had been dead, he they were mowing belonged.
waited for some young rabbits, not yet acquainted with the deceits 'To my Lord Marquis of Carabas,' answered they altogether, for
of the world, to come and rummage his bag for what he had put the Cat's threats had made them terribly afraid.
into it. 'You see, sir,' said the Marquis, 'this is a meadow which never
Scarce was he lain down but he had what he wanted: a rash and fails to yield a plentiful harvest every year.'
foolish young rabbit jumped into his bag, and Monsieur Puss, The Master Cat, who went still on before, met with some reapers,
immediately drawing close the strings, took and killed him and said to them:
without pity. Proud of his prey, he went with it to the palace, and 'Good people, you who are reaping, if you do not tell the King
asked to speak with his Majesty. He was shown upstairs into the that all this corn belongs to the Marquis of Carabas, you shall be
King's apartment, and, making a low reverence, said to him: chopped as small as herbs for the pot.'
'I have brought you, sir, a rabbit of the warren, which my noble The King, who passed by a moment after, would needs know to
Lord, the Master of Carabas' (for that was the title which Puss was whom all that corn, which he then saw, did belong.
pleased to give his master) 'has commanded me to present to your 'To my Lord Marquis of Carabas,' replied the reapers, and the
Majesty from him.' King was very well pleased with it, as well as the Marquis, whom
'Tell thy master,' said the King, 'that I thank him, and that he he congratulated thereupon. The Master Cat, who went always
does me a great deal of pleasure.' before, said the same words to all he met, and the King was
Another time he went and hid himself among some standing corn, astonished at the vast estates of my Lord Marquis of Carabas.
holding still his bag open; and, when a brace of partridges ran Monsieur Puss came at last to a stately castle, the master of
into it, he drew the strings, and so caught them both. He went and which was an ogre, the richest had ever been known; for all the
made a present of these to the King, as he had done before of the lands which the King had then gone over belonged to this castle.
rabbit which he took in the warren. The King, in like manner, The Cat, who had taken care to inform himself who this ogre was
received the partridges with great pleasure, and ordered him some and what he could do, asked to speak with him, saying he could
money, to drink. not pass so near his castle without having the honour of paying his
The Cat continued for two or three months thus to carry his respects to him.
Majesty, from time to time, game of his master's taking. One day The ogre received him as civilly as an ogre could do, and made
in particular, when he knew for certain that he was to take the air him sit down.
along the river-side, with his daughter, the most beautiful princess 'I have been assured,' said the Cat, 'that you have the gift of being
in the world, he said to his master: able to change yourself into all sorts of creatures you have a mind
'If you will follow my advice your fortune is made. You have to; you can, for example, transform yourself into a lion, or
nothing else to do but go and wash yourself in the river, in that elephant, and the like.'
part I shall show you, and leave the rest to me.' 'That is true,' answered the ogre very briskly; 'and to convince
The Marquis of Carabas did what the Cat advised him to, you, you shall see me now become a lion.'
without knowing why or wherefore. While he was washing the Puss was so sadly terrified at the sight of a lion so near him that
King passed by, and the Cat began to cry out: he immediately got into the gutter, not without abundance of
'Help! help! My Lord Marquis of Carabas is going to be trouble and danger, because of his boots, which were of no use at
drowned.' all to him in walking upon the tiles. A little while after, when Puss
At this noise the King put his head out of the coach-window, and, saw that the ogre had resumed his natural form, he came down,
finding it was the Cat who had so often brought him such good and owned he had been very much frightened.
game, he commanded his guards to run immediately to the 'I have been moreover informed,' said the Cat, 'but I know not
assistance of his Lordship the Marquis of Carabas. While they how to believe it, that you have also the power to take on you the
were drawing the poor Marquis out of the river, the Cat came up shape of the smallest animals; for example, to change yourself into
to the coach and told the King that, while his master was washing, a rat or a mouse; but I must own to you I take this to be
there came by some rogues, who went off with his clothes, though impossible.'
he had cried out: 'Thieves! thieves!' several times, as loud as he 'Impossible!' cried the ogre; 'you shall see that presently.'
could. And at the same time he changed himself into a mouse, and began
This cunning Cat had hidden them under a great stone. The King to run about the floor. Puss no sooner perceived this but he fell
immediately commanded the officers of his wardrobe to run and upon him and ate him up.
fetch one of his best suits for the Lord Marquis of Carabas. Meanwhile the King, who saw, as he passed, this fine castle of the
The King caressed him after a very extraordinary manner, and as ogre's, had a mind to go into it. Puss, who heard the noise of his
the fine clothes he had given him extremely set off his good mien
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Majesty's coach running over the draw-bridge, ran out, and said starves to death in an even bigger forest. Even from a treetop he
to the King: sees no end. Descending, he finds a set table. It's a wishing
'Your Majesty is welcome to this castle of my Lord Marquis of tablecloth. He meets three charcoal burners one after the other,
Carabas.' who in return give him a soldier's satchel, a little hat and a little
'What! my Lord Marquis,' cried the King, 'and does this castle horn. If you tap on the satchel, three soldiers will appear, and he
also belong to you? There can be nothing finer than this court and will have the cloth retrieved from them. At home, his rich brothers
all the stately buildings which surround it; let us go into it, if you mock him for his shabby clothes. His soldiers beat them and also
please.' beat the king's troops. He sends more the next day, but the hero
The Marquis gave his hand to the Princess, and followed the turns the hat on his head and cannons fire. He has the king's
King, who went first. They passed into a spacious hall, where they daughter given to him. She wants to get rid of him, takes his
found a magnificent collation, which the ogre had prepared for his satchel and lets him chase him away, but he has the little hat.
friends, who were that very day to visit him, but dared not to enter, When she tries again and takes that from him, too, he blows the
knowing the King was there. His Majesty was perfectly charmed little horn. The falling walls kill the king and his daughter. He
with the good qualities of my Lord Marquis of Carabas, as was his makes himself king.)
daughter, who had fallen violently in love with him, and, seeing
the vast estate he possessed, said to him, after having drunk five or There were three brothers from Schwarzenfels, very poor by
six glasses: birth, who were traveling to Spain, when they came to a mountain
'It will be owing to yourself only, my Lord Marquis, if you are that was completely surrounded by silver. The eldest brother paid
not my son-in-law.' his way, took as much as he could carry, and went home with his
The Marquis, making several low bows, accepted the honour loot. The other two traveled further and came to a mountain
which his Majesty conferred upon him, and forthwith, that very where nothing but gold could be seen. Now one said to the other:
same day, married the Princess. "How shall we do it?" And the second also took as much gold as he
Puss became a great lord, and never ran after mice any more but could carry and went home; but the third wanted to try his luck
only for his diversion. even better and went further away. After three days he came to a
huge forest, he was tired, hunger and thirst tormented him, and he
could not get out of the forest. So he climbed up a tall tree and
1812 KHM 37. OF THE NAPKIN, THE KNAPSACK, THE wanted to see if he might find the end of the forest, but he saw
CANNON SHELL, AND THE HORN. nothing but the tops of trees; then he wished only once more to
feed his body and proceeded to climb down from the tree. When he
(The fairy tale "Of the Napkin, the Knapsack, the Cannon Shell*, came down, he saw under the tree a table set with all kinds of food,
and the Horn" was in the Children's And Household Tales of the so he was happy, approached the table and ate his fill. And when
Brothers Grimm in the 1st edition of 1812 at position 37 (1812 he had finished eating, he took the napkin with him and went on,
KHM 37). It is similar to "The Knapsack, the Hat, and the Horn" and when he was hungry and thirsty again, he uncovered the
in the 2nd edition of 1819 at position 54 (KHM 54). napkin and what he wanted was written on it. After a day's
[* Misinterpretation: Canon Shell (according to the German journey he came to a charcoal burner who burned coal and boiled
original "Kanonenhütlein" or "Kanonenhut"): meant is a top hat potatoes. The charcoal burner asked him to be his guest, but he
or a French shako, a tall, cylindrical military hat of the early 19th said: "I don't want to eat with you, but I want to ask you to be a
century, usually with a visor.] guest." The charcoal burner asked: "How is that possible, I can't
Those two titles are rather odd when we compare the two see that you have anything with you." – "That doesn't matter, just
originals. The old version had the German title "Von der Serviette, sit down" with that he uncovered his serviette, everything that
dem Tornister, dem Kanonenhütlein und dem Horn" (1812 KHM could be wished for was there. The charcoal burner enjoyed the
37), the title of the new version is "Der Ranzen, das Hütlein und meal and was very pleased with the napkin, and when they had
das Hörnlein". Both, the French word Serviette as well as the eaten he said: "Swap with me, I'll give you an old soldier's
word Tornister (from Czech-Hungarian tanystra) meant 200 years knapsack for the napkin if you tap it with your hand, a private
ago the same as the word Ranzen (Middle High German, c. 1200 and six men will come every time." Soldiers with upper and lower
AD) in the new version of that story: It was a kind of army and rifle out, they can't help me in the forest, but I'd love the napkin."
schoolbag looking like a briefcase that was worn on the back like a The exchange went ahead, the charcoal burner kept the napkin,
rucksack. The word Serviette gained a second meaning at this time; the Schwarzenfelser took the knapsack with him. But he had
that is why we find the word napkin or towel in translations. All hardly gone a piece of the way when he hit it when the war heroes
of these things, including the shako, can be identified as typical came out: "What does my lord want?" - "You march there and get
French items. It does not take much imagination to assume that my serviette from the charcoal burner, which I left there." So they
the French items were a mockery on the French whose Napoleonic went back and brought him back the napkin. In the evening he
armies occupied almost all German territories. The "Horn" or came to another charcoal burner, who in turn invited him to
"Hörnlein" is the only item that is directed against the French and supper and also had potatoes without fat. But Schwarzenfelser
it originates from the Bible. That "the horn destroys city walls" uncovered his napkin and asked him to be his guest, and
should remind the readers of the Battle of Jericho and that the everything was as desired. When the meal was over, this charcoal
righteous ones will prevail, See: Joshua [Yehoshua; Greek: Iesous burner also offered to exchange, he gave a hat in exchange for the
= 'Jesus', Moses' assistant] 6:1–27; in: Tanakh [Old Testament], napkin, if you turned it on your head, the guns went as if there
The Nevi'im [Prophets], Grand Bible, Internet Archive.].) were a battery on the spot. When Schwarzenfelser was a little way
Contents: Three poor brothers are looking for happiness. In a away, he patted his old knapsack again, and the private with six
forest stands a mountain of silver. The eldest takes it and goes men had to fetch his napkin again. Now it went further in the same
home, then the second at one made of gold. The youngest almost forest and in the evening he came to the third charcoal burner,
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
who invited him, like the others, to unmelted potatoes, but friendly manner by the blood sausage. The liver sausage began to
received a tractament from him and exchanged his napkin for a inquire about the strange things that were happening outside on
croissant, if one blew on it, it fell all towns and villages, as well as the stairs, but the blood sausage pretended not to hear, or as if it
all fortifications, overturned. But the charcoal burner did not wasn't worth talking about, or she said about the shovel and
keep the napkin any longer than the others, for the private with broom: "It must have been my maid chatting with someone on the
six men soon came and fetched it. When Schwarzenfelser had stairs," and brought the conversation to something else.
everything together, he returned home and wanted to visit his two The blood sausage went out and said she had to go to the kitchen
brothers. They were rich from their many gold and silver, and after the meal to make sure everything was done properly and not
when he came wearing an old torn coat, they did not want to throw anything in the ashes. While the liver sausage was
recognise him as their brother. Immediately he banged on his meanwhile pacing up and down the room, and always had the
knapsack and had 150 men marched up, who had to give his strange things on her mind, someone, I don't know who it was,
brothers a good hump. The whole village came to their aid, but came in and said: "I warn you, liverwurst, you are in a blood and
they did little; Then it was reported to the king, who sent a murderer's cave hurry away, if you value your life." The liver
military commando to take these soldiers prisoner; but the sausage didn't think twice, crept out the door and ran as far as she
Schwarzenfelser hit his knapsack all at once and had infantry and could, she didn't stop until she was out of the house in the middle
cavalry march up, which drove the military command back to its of the street. Then she looked around and saw the blood sausage
place. The next day the king had many more people march out to standing in the hole in the ground with a long, long knife that
put the old fellow in peace. But he banged on his knapsack until a shone as if it had been freshly sharpened, she threatened with it
whole army came out, he turned his hat a few times, then the guns and called down:
went and the enemy was beaten and put to flight. Then peace was "If I had you, I would want you!"
made, and he was made viceroy, and the princess was made his wife.
But the princess was constantly thinking that she must take such
an old fellow as her husband, and wished nothing more than to be 1812 KHM 54. HANS DUMB.
able to get rid of him again. She inquired daily into what
advantages his power consisted, he was also so faithful and ("Hans Dumb" or "The Dull Hans" ws a fairy tale only in the 1st
discovered everything to her. Then she talked his knapsack away edition of 1812 in the Children's And Household Tales of the
from him and threw him out, and when soldiers marched against Brothers Grimm at position 54 (KHM 54). According to Grimm's
him, his people were lost, but he still had his hutgen*, so he note, the magic fairy tale comes from the Hassenpflug siblings.
grabbed it and let the cannon go, so he defeated the enemy and The annotation refers to Basile's Pentameron I,3 Peruonto and at
became peace again made. After that, however, he let himself be Straparola III,1 Pietro pazzo.
deceived again, and the princess talked his little hat off of him. Contents: The princess is having a child and no-one knows the
And when the enemy pressed on him, he had nothing but his horn, father. The king orders that it should be the one who is handed a
so he blew on it, and immediately villages, towns and all the lemon in church. Only beautiful people are allowed in, but stupid,
fortifications collapsed. Then he was king alone and remained hunchbacked Hans Dumb pushes his way through and becomes her
until he died. [* This sentence is probably a phrase for "put on husband. The king puts them both in a barrel at sea. She accuses
ones hat" i.e. take command.] Hans Dumb, but he says she had the child because he wanted it. He
desires food, then a fine ship, and a castle on land, and himself as a
handsome prince. you live happily. Once the king comes to visit.
1812 KHM 43. THE GRUESOMEE MEAL. He doesn't recognise her. When he left, the princess had a golden
cup smuggled into his luggage and arrested for theft. When he
("The Gruesome Meal," was in the Grimm Brothers' Children's justifies himself, she lectures him that no one should immediately
And Household Tales only up to the 2nd edition of 1819 in place be held guilty. Everyone is happy, and Hans Dumb later becomes
43 (KHM 43). The horror fairy tale probably comes from Amalie king.)
Hassenpflug.
Contents: A liver sausage visits a blood sausage (a black pudding) There was a king who lived happily with his daughter, who was
and sees strange things: Broom and shovel hitting each other, a his only child: but suddenly the princess gave birth to a child, and
monkey with a head wound. But the blood sausage doesn't no one knew who the father was; For a long time the king didn't
respond and wants to see after the food. Someone warns the liver know what to do, in the end he ordered the princess to go to
sausage that it's a murderer's cave. She runs out. The blood church with the child, he was to be given a lemon and whoever
sausage threatens to throw a knife through the hole in the floor : handed it to the child's father and be the princess' husband. This
"If I had you, I would want you!") happened now, but the order had been given that no one but
beautiful people should be admitted to the church. But there was a
For a time a blood sausage and a liver sausage lived together, small, lopsided and hunchbacked fellow in town who wasn't very
and the blood sausage invited the liver sausage as a guest. When it clever, and that's why his name was Hans Dumb. He pushed his
was time to eat, the liver sausage went happily to the black way unseen among the others into the church, and when the child
pudding, but when she stepped through the front door she saw all was supposed to hand out the lemon, he did it to Hans Dumb. The
sorts of strange things, on every flight of stairs, which were many, princess was frightened, the king was so upset that he had her and
always something different, there was a broom and a shovel, the child put in a barrel with the fool and put out to sea. The
fighting each other, then a monkey with a big wound on its head, barrel soon swam away, and when they were alone at sea, the
and so on. princess complained and said: "You nasty, hunchbacked, snobbish
The liver sausage was quite shocked and dismayed by this, but boy, you are to blame for my misfortune, why have you pushed
she took heart and went into the room and was greeted in a yourself into church, the child didn't do anything to you - "Oh
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
yes," said Hans Dumb, that was probably my concern, because I but an enchanted prince, but thou canst redeem me if thou takest
once wished that you would have a child, and what I wish will the ball, unwind the yarn that I fly away; but beware that thou
come true." - "If that's true, then Do wish us something to eat dost not break the thread in two, otherwise I shall not come to my
here." – "I can do that too," said Hans Dumb, but wished for a kingdom, and shall not be redeemed; but if thou unwindest the
bowl full of potatoes, the princess would have liked something ball of yarn completely, then thou art my bride." The girl took the
better, but because she was so hungry she helped him eat potato ball of yarn and the swan soared into the air, and the yarn
After they were full, Hans Dumm said: "Now I want to wish us a unwound easily. She wound and wound all day, and in the evening
nice ship!" And scarcely had he said that than they were sitting in the end of the thread was already visible when, unfortunately, it
a splendid ship, in which there was everything in abundance that got caught on a thorn bush and broke off. The girl was very sad
one could ask for. The helmsman drove straight ashore, and when and wept, night was about to fall too, the wind was so loud in the
they got out, Hans Dumb said: "Now there should be a castle forest that she was afraid and started to run as best she could. And
there!" There was a magnificent castle and servants in gold clothes when she had run a long way, she saw a little light, hurried to it,
came and led the princess and the child in, and when they were in and found a house and knocked. A little old mother came out, who
the middle Hall were, said Hans Dumb: "Now I wish that I become was surprised when she saw that a girl was in front of the door:
a young and clever prince!" Then his hump lost, and he was "My child, where art thou coming from so late?" - "Give me a
handsome and straight and friendly, and the princess liked him hostel tonight, the girl said, I have lost my way in the forest; also a
very much and became her husband. little bread to eat." – "That is a difficult thing, said the old
So they lived happily for a long time; once the old king rode out, woman, I would gladly give it to thee, but my husband is a men-
got lost, and came to the castle. He was amazed because he had eater, if he finds thee he will eat thee up, there is no mercy; but if
never seen it before and stopped off. The princess recognised her thou stayest outside, the wild beasts will eat thee, I will see if I can
father at once, but he did not recognise her, he also thought that help thee through." So she let her in, and gave her a little bread to
she had long since drowned in the sea. She entertained him eat, and then hid her under the bed. But the men-eater always
splendidly, and when he wanted to go home again she secretly put came home before midnight, when the sun had completely set, and
a golden cup in his pocket. But after he had ridden away, she sent left again in the morning before it rose. It was not long before he
some horsemen to stop him and see if he had stolen the golden cup, came in: "I smell, I smell human flesh!" he said and searched the
and when they found it in his pocket they brought it back. He room, finally he reached under the bed and pulled the girl out:
swore to the princess that he had not stolen it, and did not know "that's still a good bite!" But his wife begged and begged until he
how it got into his pocket, "therefore, she said, one must be promised to let it live the rest of the night and not eat it until
careful not to think anyone guilty at once," and revealed himself breakfast tomorrow. Before sunrise, however, the old woman
as his daughter. Then the king was happy and they lived happily woke the girl: "Hurry up, get away, before my husband wakes up,
together, and after his death Hans Dumb became king. I shall give thee a little golden spinning wheel, which I hold dear.
My name is Sun." The girl went away and came to a house in the
evening, everything was the same as the previous evening, and the
1812 KHM 59. PRINCE SWAN. second old woman gave her a golden spindle as he parted and said:
"My name is Moon."
("Prince Swan" was a fairy tale in the Children's And Household And on the third evening a third house came, so the old woman
Tales of the Brothers Grimm that only appeared in the first gave him a golden reel and said: "My name is Star, and the Prince
edition of 1812 at position 59 (KHM 59). From the second Swan, although the thread was not completely unwound, was
edition, Prince Swan was only in the annotation to KHM 127 Der already so far that he was able to reach his kingdom, he is king
Eisenofen. there and has already married, and lives in great splendour on the
Contents: A girl meets a swan in the forest with a ball of yarn to glass mountain; you will come tonight, but a dragon and a lion lie
unwind while he flies to his kingdom to become his bride through before it and guard it, so take the bread and bacon and appease
night and wind to a small house. The old woman named Sun hides them with it." So it happened. The girl threw the bread and bacon
her from her husband, the man-eater. When he does find her, she down the monsters' throats, so they let her through and she got as
obtains respite and sends the girl on in time with a spinning wheel. far as the castle gate, but the guards would not let her into the
From the next one, Moon, she gets a spindle, from the third, Star, castle itself. Then she sat down in front of the gate and began to
a reel. On her advice, she appeases a dragon and a lion with bread spin her little golden wheel; the queen looked on from above, she
and bacon, and spins in front of the castle gate on the glass liked the beautiful little wheel, and she came down and wanted it.
mountain, where her prince has already married. His queen grants The girl said she should have it if she would allow it to spend a
her, for spinningwheel, spindle, and reel, each night outside his night near the king's bedroom. The queen agreed, and the girl was
bedroom, but gives him a sleeping drink so that he does not hear led upstairs, but what was said in the living room could all be
their singing. The third time the girl asks the servants not to give heard in the bedroom. As night came and the king lay in bed, it
him the sleeping drink but something else. The king recognises sang:
Juliana's voice and asks the queen whether to keep a found key or "Does the King Swan think
the newly made one. The queen replied that it was certainly the old still of his promised bride Juliana?
one. The king then stated: "Then you can no longer be my wife, I She went through Sun, Moon and Star,
have found my first bride again." The next morning the queen had through lions and through dragons:
to go home to her father again, and the king married his true Does the King Swan not want to wake up at all?"
bride Juliana, and they lived long and happily until they died.) But the king did not hear it, because the cunning queen was
afraid of the girl and gave her a nightcap, so he slept so soundly
There was a girl in the middle of a large forest when a swan came and would not have heard the girl, even if she had stood in front of
towards her with a ball of yarn and said to her: "I am not a swan, him. In the morning all was lost, and she had to go back to the
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
gate, so she sat down and spun her spindle, which pleased the found a golden egg, which he took and climbed down with it.
queen too, and she gave it away on the same condition that she They were delighted with their find and took it to the goldsmith,
could spend a night next to the king's bedroom . Then it sang who said it was fine gold and gave them a lot of money for it. The
again: next morning they went back into the forest and found another
"Does the King Swan think golden egg, and the little bird patiently let it be taken, just like
still of his promised bride Juliana? before. That lasted for a while, every morning they fetched the
She went through Sun, Moon and Star, gold egg and were soon rich: but one morning the bird said: "Now
through lions and through dragons: I won't lay any more eggs, but take me to the goldsmith, that will
Does the King Swan not want to wake up at all?" be your happiness." as it spoke and carried it to Goldschmidt, and
But the king was fast asleep again from a sleeping potion, and when it was alone with him it sang:
the girl had lost her spindle too. On the third morning it sat down "Who eats my little heart,
in front of the gate with its golden reel and reeled. The queen also will soon be king;
wanted the treasure and promised the girl that she would stay next who eats my liver
to the bedroom for one more night. But she noticed the deceit and finds a bag of gold under the pillow every morning!"
asked the king's servant if he could give him something else to When the goldsmith heard that, he called the two boys and said:
drink that evening. Then it sang again: "Leave me the bird and I will marry your little sister." The two
"Does the King Swan think said yes, and then the wedding took place. But the goldsmith said,
still of his promised bride Juliana? "I want to eat the bird at my wedding, you two, roast it on the spit
She went through Sun, Moon and Star, and take care that it doesn't spoil, and bring it up when it's done;"
through lions and through dragons: but he thought he would then Remove and eat heart and liver. The
Does the King Swan not want to wake up at all?" two brothers stood by the spit and turned it around as they turn it
Then the king awoke; hearing her voice, he recognised it and around, and the bird is soon fried falls out a bit. "Oh, says one, I
asked the queen: "if you lose a key and find it again, do you keep have to try that!" and ate it up. Soon afterwards another bit fell
the old one or the newly made one?" The queen said: "certainly the out: "That's for me," said the other, and savored it. But these were
old one." - "Well, then you can no longer be my wife, I have found the hearts and livers that they had eaten, and they did not know
my first bride again." The next morning the queen had to go home how lucky they were.
to her father again, and the king married his real bride Juliana, After that the bird was roasted, and they carried it to the
and they lived happily until they died. wedding table; the goldsmith cut it open and quickly wanted to
eat the heart and liver, but both were gone. Then he became
venomously angry and cried: "Who ate the heart and liver of the
1812 KHM 60. THE GOLDEN EGG. bird?" "We must have done that, they said, a few pieces fell out
when we turned them over, we took them." - "You have hearts and
(The magic fairy tale "The Golden Egg" in the Children's And eaten liver, you may also keep your sister!" and in his anger he
Household Tales probably comes from Dortchen Wild. Wilhelm drove them all away. –
Grimm's handwriting from 1810 is almost identical, only there are (Fragment.)
two chimney sweep boys who have to get the brushwood for their
brooms in the forest. From the 2nd edition the fragment is only in
the Note on the similar The Two Brothers (KHM 60). 1812 KHM 61. OF THE TAILOR WHO SOON GOT RICH.
Contents: A couple of poor broom-maker boys fetch brushwood
for brooms from the forest every day and the little sister sells them. (This was a farce about the tailor who soon became rich in the
Then the youngest finds a bird on a birch that lays a golden egg Children's And Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm in the
for them every morning, which they sell to the goldsmith. When first edition of 1812 at position 61 (KHM 61). The farce came
the bird stops laying eggs, he lets himself be carried to the from the Hassenpflug family according to Jacob Grimm's
goldsmith, to whom he sings: handwritten notes from 1810. The second edition had it only in
who eats my heart the annotation to KHM 61 Das Bürle, which is largely the same.
will soon be king; Contents: A tailor finds a frozen thrush on his way to his
who eats my liver brother's. Through the window he sees his wife hiding the priest
finds a bag of gold under the pillow every morning! with the roast meat and wine when her husband comes. The tailor
The goldsmith wants to marry his little sister and they should pretends that his thrush can divine that there is wine in the bed
roast his bird on a spit for the wedding. Two pieces fall out, which and roast meat in the oven, and sells them to him for the box in
cost them. When the goldsmith sees that the heart and liver are which the priest is sitting. He takes the box with him and sings
missing, he chases them all away.) that he wants to throw it into the water until the priest moves and
offers him 50 thalers. He tells people who are amazed at his
Once upon a time there were a few poor broom-maker boys who newfound wealth that he sold his cow's skin for so much. Everyone
still had a little sister to feed, and they were all short and imitates it, but this pushes the prices down so much that they get
miserable. They had to go into the forest every day to fetch almost nothing. They throw dirt in front of the tailor's house. He
brushwood, and when the brooms were tied, the little sister sold puts it in a box and gives it to an innkeeper for safekeeping. Later
them. Once they went into the forest, and the youngest climbed a he comes back, checks and rages because he is full of dirt. The
birch tree and wanted to cut down the branches, when he found a innkeeper gives him 100 talers. Enraged, the people then force the
nest, and in it sat a dark-coloured little bird with something tailor into a box and set him on a river. He screams loudly that he
shimmering through its wings, and because the little bird didn't doesn't want to do something until a shepherd approaches him.
fly away at all, and not being shy either, he picked up the wing and The tailor tells him that whoever comes down the river in this box
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 338
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
should marry the king's daughter. The shepherd sits in the box and "Oh, said the tailor, there is a king who has the foolish whim and
the tailor takes his flock. He tells the astonished farmers that he insists whoever comes swimming down the stream in this box
found the sheep under water. They also see the clouds reflected, should marry his only beautiful daughter, but I put my head on it
interpret the clumsy Schulzen jumping in as coming and jumping once, and so not, and if the whole world wants it." - "Listen, it's
after them. The village belongs to the tailor.) not possible that someone else puts in the box and gets the king's
daughter?" – "Oh yes, that works too." – "I want to put myself in
A poor tailor was walking across the field in wintertime and your place." Then the tailor got out, the shepherd got in; the
wanted to visit his brother. On the way he found a frozen thrush tailor closed the box and the shepherd soon went under. But the
and said to himself: "Anything bigger than a louse the tailor will tailor took all the shepherd's flock and drove them home.
take home with him!" So he picked up the thrush and put it with But the peasants wondered how it was possible that he would
him. When he got to his brother's house, he first looked in come back, and on top of that he would have so many sheep. The
through the window to see if they were at home too, when he saw a tailor said: "I had sunk, deep, deep! I found the whole herd on the
fat priest sitting at his sister-in-law's in front of a table with a ground and took them out with me." The farmers also wanted to
roast and a bottle of wine on it; Then there was a knock at the get sheep there and went out to the water together; That day the
front door, and the man wanted to come in, when he saw the sky was completely blue with little white clouds, so they called out:
woman quickly shut the priest in a box, put the roast in the oven, "We can already see the lambs on the ground below!" I call you."
and put the wine on the bed. The tailor then went into the house As he tumbled in, there was a rustling in the water: clumsy! so they
himself and welcomed his brother and sister-in-law, but sat down thought he called to them: come! and all rushed after him. Then
on the box in which the priest was. The man said: "Woman, I'm the whole village belonged to the tailor.
hungry, don't you have anything to eat?" - "No, I'm sorry, but
there is nothing in the house today." - But the tailor pulled out his
frozen choke, and his mouth spoke Brother: "My, what are you 1812 KHM 62. BLUEBEARD.
doing with the frozen thrush?" she is worth a lot of money, she can
tell the truth!" – "Now let her tell her fortune." – The tailor held ("Bluebeard" (French original: La barbe bleue), is a fairy tale. It
her to his ear and said: "The thrush says: there is a bowl full of is in Charles Perrault's Histoires ou contes du temps passé, avec
roast meat in the oven." – The man went there and found the roast: des moralités: contes de ma Mère l'Oye ("Tales or fairy tales from
"What does the thrush say?" - "There's a bottle of wine in the the past including morals: fairy tales of my mother goose") from
bed." He also found the wine: "Oh, I may have the thrush, sell it to 1697. Passed on orally via the Hassenpflug family, Bluebeard
me." - "You can they get it if you give me the box I'm sitting on." made it into the Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers
The man wanted to do it right away, but the woman said: "No, Grimm, but only in the 1st edition of 1812 Position 62 (KHM 62).
that won't work, the box is too dear to me, I won't give it away;" Contents: A rich man with all sorts of possessions in town and
but the man did said: "Don't be so stupid, what's the use of such an country would like to marry one of the two charming daughters of
old box?" With that he gave his brother the box for the bird. a neighbor who is of good standing. He leaves it up to the woman
The tailor took the box on a wheelbarrow and carried it away: and her daughters to marry him, but neither of them wants to
on the way he said: "I'll take the box and throw it into the water, marry him because they find his blue beard so ugly. Also, it scares
I'll take the box and throw it into the water!" Finally the priest them that no one knows what happened to their previous wives.
stirred inwardly and said: " you know a lot of what's in the box, However, after he has invited his mother, her daughters and
let me out, I'll give you 50 thalers." - "Yes, I'll do it for that," let friends to lavish parties and all kinds of entertainment in the
him out, and went home with the money. The people wondered country, the younger daughter decides to marry Bluebeard, since
where he got all that money from, but he said: "I want to tell you, his beard is not really that blue and he is a very decent man. Soon
the skins are so expensive, so I slaughtered my old cow and paid so after the wedding, Bluebeard tells his young wife that he has to go
much for the skin." The people in the village They also wanted to to the country for six weeks on important business. He hands her a
profit from it, came and cut off the necks of all their oxen, cows bunch of keys and tells her to roam the house and to enjoy herself
and sheep and carried the skins into the city, for which they paid while he's gone. Under no circumstances should she use a certain
very little, because so many were offered for sale at once. The small key to unlock the associated chamber on the ground floor,
peasants were angry about the damage and threw dirt and other unless she wanted to expose herself to his most terrible wrath. As
bad stuff in front of the tailor's door. But he put everything in his soon as Bluebeard has left, the wife's friends rush to Bluebeard's
box, went into town with it to an inn and asked the innkeeper if he house, marvel at the various treasures in the various rooms and
could take the box for him , in which the greatest treasures would envy the young woman. However, she is too restless to be happy
be kept for a while, they would not be safe with him? The about the compliments and secretly and driven by curiosity hurries
innkeeper was quite happy to say so, and took the box with him. down the stairs to the small chamber so quickly that she almost
Some time later the tailor came, asked for it back, and opened it to breaks her neck. She hesitates briefly as to whether she shouldn't
see if everything was still in it. But now that he was covered in dirt, rather observe the ban and provoke Bluebeard's anger, but then,
he raged abominably, insulted the innkeeper and threatened to sue trembling, she unlocks the door. In the chamber, she finds
him, so that the innkeeper, who shunned attention and feared for Bluebeard's previous wives murdered. Horrified, she drops the key
his credit, gladly gave him a hundred thalers. The peasants were into a pool of blood, picks it up and locks the chamber again.
angry again that everything they did to the tailor turned it into a Your attempts to clean the key from the blood stains fail because it
profit, they took the box, put it in by force, put it on the water is an enchanted key. Bluebeard returns unexpectedly quickly
and let it flow away. The tailor was silent for a while, until he had because he has been informed in a letter that the journey is no
flown away a corner, then he cried out loud: "No, I'm not like that! longer necessary and immediately notices that his prohibition has
and I thus not! and if the whole world wanted it." A shepherd been disregarded because of the traces of blood on the key. He
heard the shouting and asked: "What don't you want to do?" – becomes very angry and sentences his wife to immediate death so
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 339
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
that she can keep the corpses in the chamber company. The woman I I lost it in the hay, I have to look for it first." - "You haven't lost
manages to gain time and send her sister Anne up the tower so that it, said Bluebeard angrily, you put it there so that the bloodstains
she can signal her two brothers to hurry up as soon as they arrive can pull out, because you disobeyed my command and are in the
riding on their announced visit. At the very last moment, before room But now you're supposed to go in, even if you don't want
Bluebeard can behead his wife with a knife, the armed brothers to." Then she had to get the key, it was still covered in bloodstains:
appear and kill Bluebeard. The young widow inherits all of "Now prepare yourself to die, you're supposed to die today," said
Bluebeard's fortunes, getting her brothers commissions, helping Bluebeard, getting his big knife and led them to the heads of the
her sister to marry a long-loved man, and happily marrying an house. "Just let me say my prayer before I die," she said; "So go,
honorable man herself, soon forgetting Bluebeard.) but hurry, because I don't have time to wait." So she ran up the
stairs and called out the window as loud as she could: "Brothers,
In a forest lived a man who had three sons and a beautiful my dear brothers, come, help me!" Brothers were sitting in the
daughter. Once a golden chariot with six horses and a crowd of forest with a cool glass of wine when the youngest said: "I feel as if
servants drew up, stopped in front of the house, and a king got out I had heard our sister's voice; on! we must hurry to her aid!" so
and begged the man to give him his daughter to wife. The man was they jumped on their horses and rode as if they were the storm
glad that his daughter was so fortunate and immediately said yes; wind. But her sister was on her knees in fear; then Bluebeard called
there was nothing wrong with the suitor, except that he had a very from below: "Well, are you almost finished?" while she heard him
blue beard, so that one got a little fright every time one looked at sharpening his knife on the bottom step; She looked out, but she
him. The girl was frightened at first and hesitated to marry him, saw nothing but dust in the distance, as if a herd were coming.
but at the persuasion of her father she finally consented. But Then she cried out again: "Brothers, my dear brothers! come, help
because it felt so afraid, it first went to its three brothers, took me!" and her fear grew bigger and bigger. But Bluebeard called
them alone and said: "Dear brothers, if you hear me screaming, out: "If you don't come soon, I'll get you, my knife is sharpened!"
wherever you are, drop everything and come to my aid." The Then she looked out again and saw her three brothers riding
brothers promised him that and kissed him, "Farewell, dear sister, through the field as if they were flying like birds in the air when
when we hear your voice, we'll jump on our horses and be with you they screamed she for the third time in the greatest need and with
soon." Then he got into the carriage with Bluebeard and went all her strength: "Brothers, my dear brothers! come, help me!" and
with him away. When it came to his palace everything was the youngest was already so close that she heard his voice:
splendid, and whatever the queen wished was done, and they "comfort yourself, dear sister, just a moment, and we'll be with
would have been quite happy if she could only get used to the you!" I don't want to wait any longer, if you don't come, I'll get
king's blue beard, but whenever she saw it, scared her inside. After you!" "Oh! only for my three dear brothers, let me pray." – "But
that allowed some time, he said: "I have to make a long journey, he didn't listen, came up the stairs and pulled her down, and he
there you have the key to the whole lock, you can unlock it had just grabbed her by the hair and was about to stab her in the
everywhere and see everything, only the room to which this little heart with the knife, and there was a beating The three brothers
golden key belongs I forbid you ; if you unlock it, your life is went to the front door, broke in and snatched it from his hand,
forfeited." She took the key, promised to obey him, and when he then drew their sabers and cut him down. So he was hung up in the
was gone, she unlocked the doors one after the other, and saw so blood chamber with the other women whom he had killed, but the
many riches and glories that she thought from all over world they brothers took their dearest sister home with them, and all the
would be brought together here. There was nothing left now but riches of Bluebeard were hers."
the forbidden chamber, the key was made of gold, then she
thought, in this perhaps the most precious thing is locked;
curiosity was beginning to plague her, and she would rather not 1812 KHM 64. OF THE SIMPLER.
have seen all the rest if she only knew what was in this one. For a
while she resisted the desire, but at last it became so powerful that ("The white dove" in the Children's And Household Tales by the
she took the key and went to the chamber: "Who will see that I Brothers Grimm was only in the 1st edition of 1812 together with
open it," she said to herself, "I just want to take a look inside ." "The Queen Bee", "The Three Feathers" and "The Golden Goose"
Then she unlocked it, and when the door opened, a stream of under the surtitle "Of the Simpler" an Position 64 (KHM 64)
blood flowed towards her, and she saw dead women hanging on Later it was only in the annotation to KHM 57 The golden bird,
the walls, and of some only the skeletons were left. She was so while the other three remained in positions 62, 63 and 64.
frightened that she immediately slammed the door shut again, but According to his note, Wilhelm Grimm heard the fairy tale in
the key jumped out and fell on the blood. Quickly she picked it up 1808 from Margarete Marianne Wild. The printed version is
and wanted to wipe the blood away, but it was in vain, if she linguistically improved compared to his manuscript of 1810.
wiped it on one side, it came out on the other; she sat down all day Contents: The ripe pears disappear from the king's tree every
and rubbed it, and tried everything she could, but it didn't help, year.The brothers keep watch one year at a time, but fall asleep on
the bloodstains couldn't be removed; Finally in the evening she the last night until it's Simpleton's turn. He follows a white dove
put him in the hay, that should draw out the blood during the up a mountain into a rock and rescues a little gray man and a
night. The next day Bluebeard came back, and the first thing he king's daughter.)
did was to ask her for the keys; her heart was beating, she brought
the others and hoped he wouldn't notice that the golden one was I
missing. But he counted them all, and when he had finished he said: The white dove.
"Where is the one for the secret room?" and he looked her in the In front of a king's palace stood a magnificent pear tree, which
face. She turned blood red and answered: "He's lying upstairs, I've bore the most beautiful fruit every year, but when they were ripe
misplaced him, I'll look for him tomorrow." - "Better go straight they were all taken away in one night, and no one knew who had
away, dear wife, I'll need him today." - "Oh, I just want to tell you, done it. But the king had three sons, the youngest of whom was
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
considered simple, and was called Simpleton; so he ordered the before sunset not a single one could be missing, otherwise whoever
eldest to keep watch under the pear tree every night for a year so undertook it would turn to stone. The prince went and searched
that the thief would be discovered one day. He did that too and all day, but when the day was over he had only found a hundred
kept watch all night, the tree blossomed and was full of fruit, and and was turned into a stone. The following day the second brother
when they began to ripen, he kept watch even more diligently, and undertook the adventure; but he was turned to stone like the
finally they were quite ripe and were to be broken off the next day; eldest, because he was not found more than two hundred. At last it
but last night sleep overcame him, and he fell asleep, and when he was Simpleton's turn, he was searching in the moss, but it was so
woke up all the fruit was gone and only the leaves remained. Then difficult to find the pearls and he walked so slowly that he sat
the king commanded the second son to keep watch for a year, he down on a stone and wept. And as he sat there came the ant king,
was no better off than the first; he couldn't help sleeping last night, whom he had once received with five thousand ants, and it wasn't
and by morning the pears were all broken off. At last the king long before they found the pearls together and carried them in a
ordered Simpleton to keep watch for a year, and all who were at heap. But the second task was to fetch the key to the princess'
the king's court laughed at that. But Simpleton was awake, and bedroom from the sea. When Simpleton came to sea, the ducks he
last night he resisted sleep, when he saw a white dove come flying, had once rescued swam up, dived, and fetched the key from the
peck off one pear after the other and carry it away. And when she depths. The third task, however, was the most difficult: the
flew away with the last one, Simpleton got up and went after her; youngest and the dearest were to be selected from the three
but the dove flew up a high mountain and suddenly disappeared sleeping daughters of the king, but they were completely alike and
into a crack in the rock. Simpleton looked around, there was a differed in nothing other than that the eldest had a piece of sugar,
little gray man standing next to him, to whom he said: "God bless the second syrup, the youngest had eaten a spoonful of honey, and
you!" - "God has blessed me at this moment through these words it could only be recognised by the breath that ate the honey. But
of yours, the little man answered, because they have redeemed me, then came the queen bee of the bees, which Simpleton protected
you climb down into the rock, there you will find your happiness." from the fire, and tried the mouths of all three, finally she stayed
Simpleton stepped into the rock, many steps led him down, and on the mouth, the honey eaten, and so the prince recognised the
when he got there he saw the white dove completely entangled and right one, and there was all the magic over, all was awakened from
woven with cobwebs. But when she saw him she broke through, sleep, and whoever was of stone regained his human form, and
and when she tore the last thread, a beautiful princess stood before Simpleton married the youngest and dearest, and became king
him, whom he had also redeemed, and she became his wife and he a after her father's death; but his two brothers with the other two
rich king, and ruled his country with wisdom. sisters.
II. III.
The Queen Bee. The three feathers.
Two king's sons went out on adventures and got into a wild, Once upon a time there was a king who sent his three sons into
wasteful life, so that they never came home again. The youngest, the world, and whichever of them brought the finest linen yarn
Simpleton, went out looking for his brothers; When he found with him was to have the kingdom after his death. And so that
them, they mocked him for wanting to make his way through the they would know where they were going, he stood in front of his
world with his simplicity, since the two of them couldn't make it castle and blew three feathers into the air, so that they could fly
and were much wiser. So they went away together and came to an according to their flight. One flew west, followed by the eldest, the
anthill, the two eldest wanted to stir it up and see how the little other east, followed by the second, but the third fell on a stone not
ants crawled about in fear and carried away their eggs; but far from the palace, so the third prince, Simpleton, had to stay
Simpleton said, "Leave the animals alone, I'm sorry you don't behind, and the others laughed him and said he should look for
bother them." Then they went on and came to a lake on which the linen yarn by the stone. But Simpleton sat down on the stone
many, many ducks were swimming; The two brothers wanted to and wept, and as he tottered to and fro, the stone pushed away,
catch a few and roast them, but Simpleton said again, "Leave the and beneath it lay a marble slab with a ring. Simpleton picked her
animals alone, I'm sorry you're killing them." trunk ran down; the up, and there was a staircase that led down, then he went away and
two wanted to set fire under the tree so that the bees would came into a subterranean vault, where a girl sat and spun flax. She
suffocate and they could take away the honey. But Dummling asked him why his eyes were so weeping, so he complained to him
stopped them again and said: "Leave the animals alone, I'm sorry about his sorrow, that he should look for the finest linen and yet
you're going to burn them." Then the three brothers came to a he wasn't allowed to go out after it, then the girl unwound his
castle where there were nothing but stone horses in the stables, thread, it was the very finest linen thread and called him bring
and there wasn't anyone there to see, and they went through all that up to his father. When he came up, he had been away a long
the rooms, until they came to a door at the very end, in front of time, and his brothers had just returned, and no doubt thought
which hung three locks; but there was a little shutter in the middle they had brought the finest with them. But when each one showed
of the door, through which one could see into the room. Then they his own, Simpleton had something so fine again, and the empire
saw a little gray man sitting at a table, they called him once, twice, would have been his; but the other two were not satisfied, and
but he didn't hear; Finally they called out for the third time, and asked the father to make one more condition. The king now
then it got up and came out. It spoke not a word, but took hold of demanded the most beautiful carpet, and blew the three feathers
them and led them to a richly set table, and when they had eaten it up again, and the third fell again on the stone, and Simpleton was
led each one into his own bedchamber. The next morning it came not allowed to go any further, but the others went east and west.
to the eldest, waved to him and brought him to a stone tablet on He picked up the stone and went down again, and found the girl
which were written the three tasks by which the castle could be busy weaving a beautiful carpet of the most burning colours, and
redeemed. The first was: in the forest under the moss lay the king's when it was finished she said: "It was made for you, carry it up, no
daughter's thousand pearls, which had to be sought out, and one on it The world will have one so splendid." He outstripped his
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
father in this, and again surpassed his brothers, who had brought waiting a long time downstairs, finally went upstairs too, the
together the finest carpets from every country, but these persuaded others call out to her, for heaven's sake, she shouldn't go near the
the king to make the new condition as to who would inherit the goose, but she doesn't listen at all, thinks she must have a feather,
kingdom wanted to bring home the most beautiful woman. The and she stays depend on it. The next morning Simpleton took the
feathers are blown again, and Dummling's rests on the stone. Then goose in his arms and went away, the three girls were stuck and
he went downstairs and complained to the girl what his father had had to follow him. The pastor meets them in the field: "Ugh, you
done for him again, but the girl said she would help him, he nasty girls, why are you running after the young fellow so publicly,
should just go further into the vault, there he would find the most shame on yourselves!" With that he grabs one by the hand and
beautiful one in the world. Simpleton went and came to a room in wants to pull it back, but when he touches it he stays also clinging
which everything shimmered and shimmered with gold and jewels, to her, and now has to run behind it himself. It wasn't long before
but instead of a beautiful woman, there sat a nasty frog in the the sexton came: "Eh! Pastor, where do you go so quickly? Today
middle. The frog called out to him: "Embrace me and sink!" But is another child's baptism!" he runs towards him, grabs his sleeve,
he didn't want to, so the frog cried for the second and third time: but also gets stuck. As the five are marching one after the other,
"Embrace me and sink!" So Simpleton grabbed the frog and two farmers come out of the field with their hoes, the pastor calls
carried him up to a pond , and jumped in with him, but no sooner out to them to untie them, but they have hardly touched the
had the water touched her than he held the most beautiful maiden sexton before they get stuck, and there were now seven of them ran
in his arms. And they got out, and he led her before his father, after the simpleton with the goose. Then he came to a city where a
there she was a thousand times more beautiful than the women king reigned who had a daughter who was so serious that no one
that the other princes had brought with them. Now the kingdom could make her laugh. The king had given a law whoever could
would have been for Simpleton again, but the two clamored and make her laugh should marry her. Simpleton, when he heard this,
demanded that the one whose wife could jump up to a ring that went in front of the king's daughter with his goose and her
hung in the middle of the room should have priority; the king followers; when she saw the elevator, she started laughing out
finally consented to it. But the wife of the eldest could scarcely loud and didn't want to stop. He now asked her to be his bride,
climb half as high, the wife of the second got a little higher, but but the king made all sorts of objections and said he must first
the wife of the third jumped right into the ring; then they finally bring him a man who could drink a cellar full of wine. So he went
had to admit that Dummling should inherit the kingdom after into the forest, and on the spot where he had cut down the tree he
their father's death, and when he died he became king and reigned saw a man sitting, who made a very sad face, who asked Simpleton
in wisdom for a long time. what he was taking so much to heart? "Egg! I'm so thirsty and
can't get enough to drink, I've emptied a barrel of wine, but what's
IV a drop on a hot stone?" ----- "I can help you there," said
The golden goose. Simpleton, just come with me, you shall have enough." He led him
Once upon a time there was a man who had three sons, but the into the king's cellar, the man poured himself over the large casks,
youngest was a simpleton. One day the eldest said: "Father, I want drank and drank until his hips hurt, and before the day was out he
to go into the forest to cut wood." - "Don't do that," answered the had drunk the whole cellar. Simpleton now demanded his bride,
father, otherwise you'll come home with a bandaged arm." But the but the king was annoyed that a bad fellow, whom everyone called
son didn't pay attention, he thought knew how to be careful, put a simpleton, should carry his daughter away, and made new
cake in his pocket and went out. In the forest he met a gray old conditions: he must first find him a man who could eat a mountain
man who said: "Give me a piece of the cake you have in your full of bread . Simpleton went back into the forest, and there sat a
pocket, I'm so hungry." But the wise son said: "Why should I give man in the place of the tree, who tied his waist with a strap, made
you my cake? 'Then I've got nothing myself, get on your way!' and a morose face and said: "I ate a whole oven full of raspbread, but
went away with his ax and began to hew down a tree, but not for of what use is that to mine I'm very hungry, I don't feel any of it in
long before he made a mistake, the ax hit his arm and he had to go my body and I just have to tie my ties if I don't want to starve to
home and get connected. But that had come from the old gray man. death." When Simpleton heard that, he was happy and said:
Then the second son went into the forest, where the little man "Climb up and go with me, you should eat your fill. He led him to
asked him for a piece of cake. But he refused him too, and cut his the king, who had collected all the flour from all over the
leg for it, so that he had to be carried home. At last Simpleton kingdom and had an enormous mountain baked from it, but the
went out, the little man asked him, like the others, for a piece of man from the forest stood in front of it, and in one day and one
cake. "There you have it all," said Simpleton, and gave it up. Then night the whole mountain was gone. Simpleton demanded his
the little man said: "Cut down this tree and you will find bride again, but the king again sought evasion and demanded a
something." Simpleton cut it, and when the tree fell down, a ship that could go on land as well as on water; but if he manages
golden goose sat under it. He took them with him and went to an to do that, then he should have the princess right away. Simpleton
inn and wanted to spend the night there, but did not stay in the went into the forest once more, and there sat the little old gray
large room, but had one given to him alone, so he put his goose in man who had been given his cake and said: "I drank and ate for
the middle. The innkeeper's daughters saw the goose and were you, I want to give you the ship too, I'm doing all this because you
curious, and would have loved to have had a feather from her. showed mercy to me." So he gave him the ship that sailed on land
Then the eldest said, "I want to go up there, and if I don't come and sea, and when the king saw this, he had to give him his
back soon, follow me." Then she went to the goose, but as soon as daughter. Then the marriage was celebrated, and he inherited the
she touched the feather, she got caught on it; because she didn't kingdom, and lived happily with his wife for a long time.
come down again, the second followed her, and when she sees the
goose, she can't resist the urge to pull out a feather; the eldest
advises her what she can, but none of that helps, she grabs the
goose and gets caught by the feather. The third daughter, after
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
1812 KHM 66. HURLEBURLEBUTZ. and piss me off!" but laying his head on her lap , the princess
began to cry and said: "I am a king's daughter and am supposed to
("Hurleburlebutz" was a fairy tale published in the Children's stalk a fox, if I sat in my room at home now, I could see my flowers
And Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm only in the first in the garden!" Then the fox heard that he was the right bride
edition of 1812 at position 66 (KHM 66). The magic or turned into the little white man, and that was her husband now,
redemption fairy tale came from Johanna Hassenpflug. It was later with him she had to live in a small hut, cook and sew for him, and
only in the annotation to the similar KHM 127 The Iron Stove. it took a good while. But the male did everything for her love.
Contents: The king promises his youngest daughter to a white Once the male said to her: "I have to go, but soon three white
man who will show him the way out of the forest. After eight days doves will come flying, they will roam very low over the earth,
a fox comes into the castle, but they disguise him as a cowherd's catch the middle one, and when you have it, cut off its head right
daughter and the second time a goose herder's daughter. He away, beware." ' But you, that you take no other than the middle
carries her "Hurleburlebutz!" into the woods, but realises the one, otherwise a great misfortune will result from it.' The male
deceit in her speech when he lets himself be cheated. He threatens went away; It wasn't long before three white doves came flying.
the king, gets the princess, and lives with her in his hut as a white The princess took heed, took the middle one, took a knife and cut
man. Once he has to leave to return as the middle of three white off her head. But no sooner was he lying on the ground than a
doves, which the princess decapitates at his request. There he is a handsome young prince stood in front of her and said: "A fairy has
redeemed young prince, and they inherit the kingdom.) bewitched me, I shall lose my shape for seven years, and then fly
past my wife as a dove, between two others, there she has to catch
A king lost his way while hunting when a little white man me and cut off my head, and if she doesn't catch me, or a wrong
stepped in front of him: "Lord King, if you want to give me your one, and I've flown past once, then everything is over and
youngest daughter, I will lead you out of the forest again." The redemption is no longer possible: that's why I asked you to be
king agreed in his fear, the male took him on his way, then said careful, because I I am the little gray man and you are my wife."
goodbye and called after him: "In a week I'll come and fetch my The princess was happy, and they went together to her father, and
bride." At home, however, the king was sad about his promise, when he died they inherited the kingdom.
because he loved his youngest daughter best; The princesses saw
that in his eyes and wanted to know what was causing him trouble.
Then he finally had to admit that he had promised the youngest of 1812 KHM 68. OF THE SUMMER AND WINTER GARDEN.
them to a little white forest dwarf, and that she would come and
fetch her in a week. They said, however, that he should be of good (The Brothers Grimm got this version from Ferdinand Siebert.
courage, they wanted to lead the male. After that, when the day It was also included in "The Singing, Soaring Lark," which is
came, they dressed a cowherd's daughter in their clothes, put her included from the second part of the 1st edition (there No. 2) as
in her room, and commanded her, "If anyone comes and wants to the 88th fairy tale (KHM 88), and is there in the annotation
fetch you, you go with them." But they all went out of the house abridged as "from the Schwalmgebiet." Grimm's annotation to
themselves. They were hardly gone when a fox came into the castle the Summer and Winter Gardens states that it is about "Amor and
and said to the girl: "Sit on my rough tail, Hurleburlebutz! out Psyche", which is even clearer in other versions, and narrates
into the forest!" The girl sat on the fox's tail, and so he carried her Beauty and the Dragon from The Young American Woman (Ulm,
out into the forest; but when they came to a beautiful green place, 1765) (like Jacob Grimm's manuscript from 1810), and the
where the sun shone quite bright and warm, the fox said: "Get off seventh fairy tale from The Book of Morales for My Neighbours
and pet me!" The girl obeyed, the fox laid his head on her lap and (Leipzig, 1799). In the fine arts of antiquity, the depiction of
was petted; At work the girl said: "Yesterday at that time it was Cupid (Eros) and Psyche was already popular in the Hellenistic
nicer in the forest!" - "How did you get to the forest?" asked the era (Greek civilisation), long before the time of Apuleius. The
fox. – "Oh, I used to look after the cows with my father." – "So paintings of the French painter William Adolphe Bouguereau
you're not the princess! sit on my rough cock, hurleburlebutz! (1825-1905) are particularly outstanding. Their realism bears a
back to the castle!" The fox carried her back and said to the king: certain resemblance to the "academic art" found in the works of
"You have cheated me, she is a cowherd's daughter, in a week I'll the Dutch-English painter Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema .
come back and get yours." On the eighth day, however, the Contents: A merchant brings presents to his three daughters.
princesses dressed a gooseherd's daughter splendidly up, they sat He's only laughed at because of the rose in winter for the youngest.
down and went away. Then the fox came back and said: "Sit on my He finds her in a palace garden where it is half summer and half
rough tail, Hurleburlebutz! out into the woods!" When they got winter. But a black animal follows him and wants the daughter in
to the sunny spot in the woods, the fox said again: "get off and return. Contrary to expectations, it also brings her into his castle.
sniff me." And when the girl was spying on the fox, she sighed and It only eats what she gives it and she grows fond of it. When she
said: "where can my geese be now !" – "What do you know about sees her father and sisters mourning in a magic mirror, she has to
geese?" – "Oh, my father and I used to drive them out into the go there, but promises to stay only eight days. In grief over her
meadows every day." – "So you're not the king's daughter! sit on father's death, she misses the deadline and finds everything dead in
my rough cock, hurleburlebutz! back to the castle!" The fox the castle. When she finds the animal under rotten cabbage and
carried her back and said to the king: "You have betrayed me revives it with water, it is a king's son and they marry happily.)
again, that is a goose-herd's daughter, I will come again in a week,
and if you then do not give me your daughter, it shall be yours A merchant wanted to go to the fair when he asked his three
go." The king was afraid, and when the fox came back, he gave daughters what he should bring them. The eldest said: "A
him the princess. "Sit on my rough cock, Hurleburlebutz! out into beautiful dress;" the second: "A pair of pretty shoes;" the third:
the woods." So she had to ride out on the fox's tail, and when they "A rose." was the prettiest and she was enjoying the flowers so
came to the square in the sunshine, he also said to her: "Get off
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
much, the father said he would see if he could get them and make finally thought of her dear animal again, they were already there
an effort to get them. eight days around. Then she got really scared, and she felt as if
When the merchant was on his way back, he had a gorgeous dress that were sick too, and she got up straight away and went back to
for the eldest and a pair of beautiful shoes for the second, but he his castle. But when she came back, it was very quiet and sad in
couldn't get the rose for the third when he went into a garden and there, the musicians weren't playing, and everything was hung
looked for roses When asked, people laughed at him: "Doesn't he with black gauze; but the garden was all winter and covered with
think that roses grow in snow?" But he was really sorry about that, snow. And when she was looking for the animal herself, it was
and when he thought about whether he couldn't bring anything gone, and she looked everywhere, but she could not find it. She
for his dearest child, it occurred to him Castle, and next to it was a was doubly sad and didn't know how to console herself, and once
garden in which it was half summer and half winter, and on one she was walking so sadly in the garden and saw a bunch of cabbage
side the most beautiful flowers were blooming, large and small, heads, they were already old and rotten at the top, so she put them
and on the other everything was bare and there was deep snow. around and when she had turned a few over, she saw her dear
The man dismounted, and when he saw a whole hedge of roses on animal, which lay beneath it and was dead. She quickly fetched
the summer side, he was glad, went and broke one, then rode away water and kept pouring it over it, when it jumped up and was
again. He had already ridden a little way when he heard something suddenly transformed, and a handsome prince. Then the wedding
running behind him and panting, he turned around and saw a was celebrated and the musicians played again immediately, the
large black animal that called out: "You give me my rose back, or summer side of the garden came out magnificently, and the black
I'll kill you, you give me." my rose back, or I'll kill you!" Then the veil was torn off, and they lived happily ever after.
man said: "I beg you, leave me the rose, I should bring it to my
daughter, she is the most beautiful in the world." - "Okay, but
give it to me beautiful daughter for the wife?" The man, to get rid 1812 KHM 70. THE OKERLO.
of the animal, says yes, and thinks it won't come after all and she
will demand it, but the animal called out behind him: "I'll come ("The Okerlo" was a fairy tale in the Children's and Household
and get mine in a week Bride." Tales of the Brothers Grimm in the 1st edition of 1812 in place 70
The merchant now brought for each daughter what they had (KHM 70a). The Brothers Grimm got the magic fairy tale from
wished; they were all happy about it too, but the youngest was Johanna Hassenpflug, the final verses from communications from
most happy about the rose. After eight days the three sisters were Wilhelm Engelhardt's family. However, the origin seems to go
sitting together at the table when something came up the stairs back to Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy's fairy tale The Orange Tree
with a heavy step and came to the door and called out: "Open up!" and the Bee (L'Orangier et l'abeille).
Open it up!" So they opened it, but they were quite frightened Etymology: An ogre is a humanoid fiend in fairy tales, sagas,
when a large black animal entered: "Because my bride hasn't come fantastical or similar tales. The Italian huorco, the French. ogre,
and the time is up, I want to get her myself." With that, the mumbo-jumbo. The word today denotes a fictional, human-like
youngest daughter was approached and grabbed her. She started but misshapen being, which is usually characterised by enormous
screaming, but none of that helped, she had to go with us, and body size and strength. "Ogres" appear ugly and shy away from
when the father came home his dearest child had been kidnapped. human contact. They are usually portrayed as violent, aggressive
But the black animal carried the beautiful maiden into his castle, and rather stupid. They are also credited with a fondness for
it was wonderful and beautiful there, and there were musicians human meat, preferably for children. In English, such creatures
playing, and downstairs the garden was half summer and half are also called orc (or ork) or goblin. Orcs were made famous by
winter, and the animal did everything for her love she could only J.R.R. Tolkien, especially The Lord of the Rings. We also know
tell by her eyes. They ate together, and she had to scoop it up, them as Troll in Scandinavian languages, Jinn in Arabic,
otherwise it wouldn't eat, so she became fond of the animal, and Humbaba in the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, and Cyclops in
finally she really loved it. Once she said to him: "I'm so scared, I the Greco-Roman languages.
don't really know why, but I feel as if my father were ill, or one of Contents: A queen abandons her daughter in a golden cradle at
my sisters, if only I could see them once!" Then she led the animal sea. The cradle swims to a man-eater island. The cannibal raises
to one mirror and said, "Look in there," and when she looked in, the girl as a bride for her son. When she catches the girl, who has
it was just as if she were at home; She saw her room and her father, grown up in the meantime, with a prince who has swum by, he is
who was really ill with heartache because he blamed himself for his to be roasted for the wedding. Her husband, the Okerlo, gets
dearest child being kidnapped by a wild animal and even eaten by hungry at night and wants to eat the prince right away. The girl
it, if he had known how well he was doing, he would have done so who is sleeping in a room with the prince and the Okerlo children
had he not grieved; she also saw her two sisters sitting by the bed, hears this and puts the crown of an Okerlo child on the prince. In
crying. Her heart was very heavy from all this, and she begged the the dark, the cannibal mistakes the prince for her own child, who
animal to let her go home for just a few days. The animal didn't is devoured instead. The girl then flees with the prince, taking
want to for a long time, but finally, when she was lamenting, it with her a seven-league boot, a dowsing rod and a cake with a
took pity on her and said: "Go to your father, but promise me that bean. The bean warns them of the ogre that is pursuing them.
you'll be back in a week." when she left, she called out: "But don't With the help of the dowsing rod, the girl transforms herself and
stay away for more than eight days." the prince into a swan and a lake, into a cloud of dust and into a
When she came home, her father was happy to see her again, but rose bush and a bee, whereupon the cannibal leaves without
the sickness and suffering had already taken such a toll on his having achieved anything. As a rose bush and a bee, the two can
heart that he could not recover, and in a few days he died. She no longer transform back because the magic rod is too far away.
couldn't think of anything else because of sadness, and afterwards But the rose bush is in the garden of the girl's mother. She wants
her father was buried, so she went to the corpse, and then the to break the rose and is stung by the bee. The rose stalk is already
sisters cried together and consoled each other, and when she a little torn and the mother notices blood in it. She then has the
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
rose bush and bee redeemed by a fairy and is happy to see her beautiful flower, which amazed her so much that she wanted to cut
daughter again. The girl and the prince are now celebrating a it off. But Bee came and poked her hand so hard that she had to let
lavish wedding party.) go of the rose, but it had already torn a little. Then she saw that
blood was spurting from the stalk, and sent for a fairy to
A queen put her child on the sea in a golden cradle and let it disenchant the flower. Then the queen recognised her daughter
swim away; but it did not sink, but swam to an island where all the and was heartily glad and content. But a great wedding was held,
cannibals lived. As the cradle came floating, the ogre's wife was a large number of guests were invited, who came in splendid
standing on the bank, and when she saw the child, which was a clothes, a thousand lights flickered in the hall, and there was
beautiful girl, she resolved to raise her up for her son, who would playing and dancing until broad daylight.
one day have her as his wife. But she found it very difficult to hide "Did you also go to the wedding?" - "Yes, I was there:
it carefully from her husband, old Okerlo, for if he had seen it, it my headdress was made of butter, so I came out in the sun and it
would have been eaten whole and skin. melted off me;
When the girl had grown up, she was supposed to be married to my dress was of cobwebs, and I came through thorns that tore it
young Okerlo, but she didn't like him at all and cried all day. Once off;
when she was sitting on the shore, a handsome young prince came My slippers were made of glass, so I stepped on a stone and they
swimming, he liked him and he liked it too, and they made a split in two."
promise to each other; But just then the old cannibal came, who
became so angry that she found the prince at her son's bride, and
got hold of him at once: "Wait now, you shall be roasted at my 1812 KHM 71. PRINCESS MOUSE SKIN.
son's wedding!"
But the young prince, the girl and Okerlo's three children all ("Princess Mouse Skin" was only in the 1st edition of 1812 in the
slept together in one room, and as night fell, old Okerlo got a Brothers Grimm's Children's and Household Tales in place 71
craving for human flesh and said: "Woman, I don't feel like (KHM 71). Wilhelm Grimm's mauscript from 1810 is not
waiting until the wedding. just give me the prince right away!" significantly different from this text. The servant's offer to go is
But the girl heard everything through the wall, got up quickly, missing. There is a gap as far as the ring appears. The final
took the golden crown from one of Okerlo's children, which she dialogue is shorter. According to his notes, the fairy tale is from
wore on her head, and put it on the prince. The old ogre came Johanna Hassenpflug. It is related to the Slovak fairy tale Salt is
walking, and because it was dark she felt the heads, and that which More Valuable than Gold by Bozena Nemcova.
wore no crown she brought to the man, who ate it up immediately. Contents: A king wants to find out which of his daughters he
Meanwhile the girl was scared of heaven, she thought: "when the likes best. Each daughter should therefore tell the king what her
day comes, everything will come out, and it will go badly for us." love is like: the eldest says that she loves him as all the kingdom
Then she got up secretly and got a mile boot, a dowsing rod and a does, and the second claims that she loves him as all jewels do and
cake with a bean on everything gave answer. precious stones in the world. But the youngest daughter says she
Now she went away with the prince, they wore the mile boot, loves him like salt. For this answer, a servant of the king is
and with every step they covered a mile. Sometimes they asked the supposed to kill her in the forest. But he is loyal to her and offers
bean: to flee with her. The daughter refuses and only asks for a mouse
"Bean, are you there too?" skin dress. In doing so, she pretends to be a man and enters the
"Yes," said the bean, "there I am, but hurry, for the old ogre is service of the neighboring king. But if she takes off his boots, he
coming after her in the other mile boot that stayed there!" Then throws them at her head. When he later asks which country she
the girl took the dowsing rod and turned into a swan, the prince comes from, she replies: "From the country where you don't throw
into one pond on which the swan swims. The ogre came and lured your boots on people's heads." When a servant finds an expensive
the swan to the bank, but she did not succeed and went home in a ring on her, she finally has to reveal herself. She steps before the
huff. The girl and the prince continued on their way: king and takes off the mouse skin. When the king sees her golden
"Bean, are you there?" hair and her beauty, he wants to marry her. Her father also comes
"Yes," said the bean, "here I am, but the old woman will be back. to the wedding, but he doesn't recognise her and she only allows
The cannibal told her why she let herself be led." Then the girl unsalted food to be served to him. He then becomes angry and says:
took the staff and turned herself and the prince into a cloud of dust, "I would rather not live than eat such food!" Then his daughter
through which Mrs. Okerlo cannot penetrate, so she turned back reveals herself and he realises how she meant her declaration of
without having achieved anything, and so did the others love. He begs her forgiveness, and he prefers her to anything else.)
continued on their way.
"Bean, are you there?" A king had three daughters; so he wanted to know which one he
"Yes, here I am, but I see Mrs. Okerlo coming again, and she would like best, let her come to him and asked her. The eldest said
takes mighty steps." The girl took the divining wand for the third she loved him more than the whole kingdom; the second, than all
time and turned into a rose bush and the prince into a bee, then the precious stones and pearls in the world; but the third said she
came the old ogre, did not recognise her in this transformation preferred him to salt. The king, enraged that she should compare
and went home again. her love for him to so small a thing, handed her over to a servant,
But now the two could not assume their human form again, and commanded that he should lead her into the forest and kill her.
because the last time the girl, in fear, threw away the wand too far; When they got into the forest, the princess begged the servant for
but they had already gone so far that the rose bush was in a garden her life; he was loyal to her, and would not have killed her, he also
that belonged to the girl's mother. The bee sat on the rose and said he wanted to go with her and do according to her orders. But
stung those who wanted to break it off with its sting. Once it the princess asked nothing but a mouse-skin dress, and when he
happened that the queen herself went into her garden and saw the fetched it for her, she wrapped herself in it and went away. She
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 345
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
went straight to the court of a neighboring king, pretended to be the little dog does not bite the little cock,
a man, and begged the king to take her into his service. The king the little cock does not shake the little pear tree,
said yes, and she should wait on him: in the evening she had to the little pear does not want to fall.
take off his boots, which he always threw at her head. Once he
asked where she was from? – "From the country where people Then the master sends out the little water,
don't throw their boots around their heads." The king became it shall put out the little fire:
attentive, finally the other servants brought him a ring; the little water does not put out the little fire,
Mausehaut lost it, it was too valuable, he must have stolen it. The the little fire does not burn the little stick,
king let mouse skin come before him and asked where the ring the little stick does not hit the little dog,
came from? then mouse skin could no longer hide itself, she the little dog does not bite the little cock,
unwound herself from the mouse skin, her golden hair spurted out, the little cock does not shake the little pear tree,
and she stepped out so beautiful, but also so beautiful that the the little pear does not want to fall.
king immediately took the crown off his head and put it on her,
and she declared for his wife. Then the master sends the calf out,
The father of the mouse skin was also invited to the wedding; he it shall drink the little water
thought his daughter had long been dead and did not recognise the little calf does not drink the little water,
her. At the table, however, all the food that was set before him was the little water does not extinguish the little fire,
unsalted, so he got angry and said: "I would rather not live than the little fire does not burn the little stick,
eat such food!" I can't live without salt, and yet you once wanted the little stick does not hit the little dog,
to kill me because I said I would rather have you than salt!" Then the little dog does not bite the little cock,
he recognised his daughter and kissed her and begged her the little cock does not shake the little pear tree,
forgiveness, and he preferred it to his kingdom, and all the jewels the little pear does not want to fall.
of the world, that he may find them again.
Then the master sends the butcher out,
he shall slaughter the little calf:
1812 KHM 72. THE PEAR WILL NOT FALL. the butcher does not slaughter the calf,
the little calf does not drink the little water,
("The Little Pear will not fall" is a pun [chain fairy tale] in verse the little water does not extinguish the little fire,
form. It is based on the typical Swiss diminutive ending "-li" [-lein; the little fire does not burn the little stick,
-ly]. The pun was in the Children's And Household Tales of the the little stick does not hit the little dog,
Brothers Grimm only in the first edition of 1812 (KHM 72). the little dog does not bite the little cock,
Grimm's note noted orally from Switzerland.The fairy tale tells in the little cock does not shake the little pear tree,
eight stanzas that the Lord wants to shake a pear tree [Birnli] so the little pear does not want to fall.
that the little pear [Birnli] hanging to it, falls down. He sends the
cock [jockel, rooster], as he does not shake the tree - the dog, as he Then the master sends the hangman out
does not bite the cock - the club [truncheon], as he does not hit the he shall hang the butcher:
dog, etc. [fire, water, calf, butcher, executioner].) the hangman wants to hang the butcher,
the butcher wants to slaughter the little calf,
The master wants to shake the little pear tree, the little calf wants to drink the little water,
the little pear does not want to fall: the little water wants to put out the little fire,
the master sends the little cock out the little fire wants to burn the little stick,
it shall shake the little pear tree: the little stick wants to hit the little dog,
the little cock does not shake the pear tree, the little dog wants to bite the little cock,
the little pear does not want to fall. the little cock wants to shake the little pear tree,
the little pear wants to fall.
Then the master sends the little dog out,
it shall bite the little cock:
the little dog does not bite the little cock, 72. Grammar Experiment: THE PEARLY WILL NOT FALL
the little cock does not shake the little pear tree, by Lord Henfield
the little pear does not want to fall. (It is always said that English has no diminutive suffix such as the
Swiss -li, the Dutch -je or -tje, the German -lein or -chen, but is
Then the master sends out the little stick, that really true? Do we not also say "Maggie" for little Margaret,
it shall hit the little dog: "Richie" for little Richard, "Tommy" for little Tom, "piggy" for a
the little stick does not hit the little dog, little pig, "doggie" for a little dog?
the little dog does not bite the little cock, We can make a verse experiment. We use -ie, -y, or -ly as
the little cock does not shake the little pear tree, diminutive suffix. For the proper English sentence "the little dog
the little pear does not want to fall. does not bite the cock" we say "the doggie bites the cockie not"
instead. So we just omit the auxiliary "does not" or "doesn't" and
Then the master sends out the little fire, shift "not" towards the end of the sentence. It looks and sounds
it shall burn the little stick: like Geoffrey Chaucer's English and is quite fun.)
the little fire does not burn the little stick,
the little stick does not hit the little dog,
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 346
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
The master wants to shake the pear tree, the waterly wants to put out the firely,
the pearly want to fall: the firely wants to burn the stickly,
the master sends the cockie out the stickly wants to hit the doggie,
it shall shake the peary tree: the doggie wants to bite the cockie,
the cockie shakes the peary tree not, the cockie wants to shake the peary tree,
the peary wants not to fall. the peary wants to fall.
Then the master sends the doggie out,
it shall bite the cockie: 1812 KHM 73. THE MURDER CASTLE.
the doggie bites the cockie not,
the cockie shakes the peary tree not, ("The Murder Castle" was a fairy tale that was only included in
the peary wants not to fall. the children's and household tales of the Brothers Grimm in the
first edition of 1812 (KHM 73). The Brothers Grimm had the
Then the master sends out the stickly, fairy tale orally from the Dutchwoman de Kinsky. It is very
it shall hit the doggie: similar to Charles Perrault's "Bluebeard," which is why they
the stickly hits the doggie not, replaced it with the animal fairy tale The Wolf and the Fox from
the doggie bites the cockie not, the second edition.
the cockie shakes the peary tree not, Contents: A shoemaker's daughter lets a well-dressed gentleman
the peary wants not to fall. take her to his castle while her father is away. When he has to go
on a business trip the next day, he gives her all the keys so that she
Then the master sends out the fire, can look around the castle. On her tour, she finally meets an old
it shall burn the stickly: woman in the basement who is processing human intestines. The
the firely burns the stickly not, shoemaker's daughter is frightened and falls the cellar key into a
the stickly hits the doggie not, basin of blood, which makes her suspicious to the lord of the castle.
the doggie bites the cockie not, The old woman then helps her to escape on a hay wagon. In this
the cockie shakes the pearly tree not, way she gets to another castle, where she is well received and can
the pearly wants not to fall. entrust her discovery to the lord of the castle there. At a festival
that the righteous lord of the castle gives a little later, the lord of
Then the master sends out the waterly, the murder castle can finally be convicted with the help of the
it shall puts out the firely: shoemaker's daughter and goes to prison. The shoemaker's
the waterly puts out the firely not, daughter gets his property transferred and marries the son of the
the firely burns the stickly not, good lord of the castle.)
the stickly hits the doggie not,
the doggie bites the cockie not, Once upon a time there was a shoemaker who had three
the cockie shakes the peary tree not, daughters; At a time when the shoemaker was out, there came a
the peary wants not to fall. gentleman who was very well dressed, and who had a splendid
Then the master sends the calfly out, carriage, so that he was thought to be very rich, and fell in love
it shall drink the waterly with one of the beautiful daughters, who thought her happiness
the calfly drinks the waterly not, having made with such a rich gentleman, and so made no difficulty
the waterly puts out the firely not, in riding with him. When evening came while they were on their
the firely burns the stickly not, way, he asked them:
the stickly hits the doggie not, "The moon is shining so bright
the doggie bites the cockie not, my little horses run so fast
the cockie shakes the peary tree not, sweet love, don't you regret it too?"
the peary wants not to fall. "No, why should I regret it? I'm always safe with you," since she
was inwardly afraid. When they were in a big forest, she asked if
Then the master sends the butcher out, they would be there soon? "Yes," he said, "do you see the light in
he shall slaughter the calfly: the distance, that's my castle." Finally they got there, and
the butcher slaughters the calfly not, everything was very beautiful.
the calfly drinks the waterly not, The next day he said to her that he must leave her for a few days
the waterly puts out the firely not, because he had important affairs that would be necessary, but that
the firely burns the stickly not, he would leave her all the keys so that she could see the whole
the stickly hits the doggie not, castle, of which riches she was a master . When he was gone she
the doggie bites the cockie not, went through the whole house, finding everything so beautiful
the cockie shakes the peary tree not, that she was quite content with it, until at last she came to a cellar
the peary wants not to fall. where an old woman was sitting scraping intestines. "Mother,
what is she doing there?" - "I'm scraping intestines, my child,
Then the master sends the hangman out tomorrow I'll scrape yours too!" What frightened her so much
he shall hang the butcher: that she dropped the key that was in her hand into a basin with
the hangman wants to hang the butcher, blood. which was not easy to wash off again: "Now your death is
the butcher wants to slaughter the calfly, certain, said the old woman, because my lord can see that you were
the calfly wants to drink the waterly, in the room where no one but him and me is allowed to come."
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 347
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
(One must know, however, that the two previous sisters perished A king insisted that his daughter should not marry, and had a
in the same way.) house built for her in a forest in the greatest solitude, in which she
As a cart with hay drove away from the castle at that moment, had to live with her maidens, and never saw anyone else. But near
the old woman said that the only way to save your life was to hide the forest house was a spring with wonderful properties, from
under the hay and then drive away with it; which she did. Since the which the princess drank, and the result was that she gave birth to
gentleman came home in the meantime, he asked where the maid two princes, who were then named Johannes Wassersprung and
was! "Oh," said the old woman, since I had no more work and she Caspar Wassersprung, and one of whom was exactly like the other.
had to do it tomorrow, I've already killed her, and here is a lock of Her grandfather, the old king, taught her to hunt, and they grew
her hair, and the heart, as well as some warm blood, have the rest up, tall and beautiful. Then came the time when they had to go out
the dogs all eaten, and I scrape the intestines." The Lord was so into the world; each of them received a silver star, a horse and a
calm that she was dead. dog to take with them on the trip. They came first into a forest
In the meantime she comes with the hay wagon to a nearby castle and saw two hares at the same time and wanted to shoot at them,
where the hay was sold, and she comes out of the hay and tells the but the hares begged for mercy and said they could take them into
whole thing, and is asked to stay there for a while. After a while, their service, they could be useful to them and help them in every
the lord of this castle forces all the nobles who live nearby to a big danger. The two brothers were moved and took her along as
party, and the face and clothes of the strange maid are so changed servants; Not long after that two bears came as they aimed at them,
that she could not be recognised, because the lord of the murder- they also called for mercy and promised to serve faithfully: so the
Castell was invited. entourage was also increased with it. Now they came to a
Since they were all there, everyone had to tell something, when it crossroads, where they said: "We must separate, and one should go
was the turn of the maid, she told the conscious story, whereby the on to the right, the other to the left!" but each stuck a knife into a
so-called Herr Count felt so anxious that he wanted to leave by tree at the crossroads, and they wanted to know by its rust what it
force, but the good gentleman of him meanwhile the noble house was go to the other, and whether he is still alive; then they took
had taken care that the court took our beautiful Count in prison, leave, kissed each other, and rode away.
eradicated his castle, and gave all his goods to the maid, who after Johannes Wassersprung came to a town where everything was
the hand married the son of the house where she was so well quiet and sad, because the princess was to be sacrificed to a dragon
received and lived for many years. that was ravaging the whole country, and nothing else could be
appeased. It was announced that anyone who wanted to risk his
life and slay the dragon should have the princess as his wife, but no
1812 KHM 74. OF JOHANNES WASSERPRUNG AND one was found; They also wanted to deceive the monster and sent
CASPAR WASSERPRUNG. the princess's maid out, but she recognised it immediately and
didn't want to. Johannes Wassersprung thought: you must try
("Of Johannes Wassersprung and Caspar Wassersprung" was a your luck, maybe you'll succeed and set off with his companion
fairy tale in the children's and house fairy tales of the Brothers towards the dragon's nest. The fight was fierce: the dragon spat
Grimm only in the 1st edition of 1812 at position 74 (KHM 74). fire and flames, and set fire to the grass all around, so that John's
Origin: The fairy tale comes from Friederike Mannel from water-jump would certainly have been suffocated if rabbit, dog,
Allendorf (1808). The surviving transcript of the Brothers Grimm and bear had not stamped out and quenched the fire; But finally
by a different hand is more concise than the printed version, but the dragon had to succumb, and Johannes Wassersprung cut off its
identical in content. It is later only mentioned in the annotation to seven heads, then cut out the tongues and stuck them to himself;
the very similar but more detailed "The two Brothers" (KHM 60) but now he was so tired that he lay down on the spot and fell
as "fourth Hessian story". asleep. While he was sleeping the princess' coachman came, and
Contents: A king lets his daughter live alone in the forest, only when he saw the man lying there and the seven scorpionfish next to
with virgins. There she drinks from a spring and then gives birth him, he thought, you must make use of that, killed the Johannes
to Johannes Wassersprung and Caspar Wassersprung, which are water jump and took the seven scorpionfish with him . With that
completely alike. The king leaves the two boys hunters They take he went to the king, said he had killed the monster, he was
with them a silver star, a horse and a dog, and meet two rabbits bringing the seven heads as a symbol, and the princess became his
and two bears, who follow them as a reward for their mercy.When bride.
the brothers part, they stab two knives i a tree. Johann Meanwhile the animals of the Johannes water jump, which after
Wassersprung defeats a dragon with the help of the animals, but a the fight had lain down nearby and also slept, came back and
coachman stabs him as he rests from the fight, taking the dragon's found their master dead. Then they saw how the ants, whose
heads as a symbol and is supposed to get the princess in return. mound had been trampled underfoot in the battle, were smearing
The animals see ants smearing their dead with oak sap, and in the their dead with the sap of a nearby oak, from which they
same way bring their master back to life. The princess gives the immediately came to life again. The bear went and got some of the
animals roast meat and wine and has her servants lead them to him juice and smeared the John's water jump, from which he recovered
so that he can be invited to the wedding. There he proves his and before long he was fresh and healthy. He now thought of the
entitlement with the help of the cut out tongues of the dragon and princess he had fought for and hurried into town, just as the
becomes her husband. While hunting, he tracks a stag with silver wedding was being celebrated with the coachman, and the people
antlers to an old woman who turns it to stone. Caspar said he had killed the seven-headed dragon. Dog and bear ran into
Wassersprung sees the knife, comes to the city where he is mistaken the castle, where the princess tied roast meat and wine around
for his brother, finds him and redeems him. The bride keeps their necks, and ordered her servants to go after the animals, and
Johann Wassersprung because she hugs him first.) invited the man to whom they belonged to the wedding. So
Johannes Wassersprung came to the wedding, and the bowl with
the seven dragon heads, which the coachman had brought, was
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 348
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
just being served. Johannes Wassersprung pulled out the seven have my daughter, you should first bring me three feathers from
tongues and put them there, then he was recognised as the true the phoenix bird."
dragon slayer, the coachman chased away, and he the princess's The youth set off after the phoenix bird, and in the same place in
husband. the forest the same old man met him again and said: Go on all day
Not long after he went hunting, and pursued a stag with silver long, in the evening you will come to a tree on which two doves
antlers, he chased after it for a long time, but could not catch it, are sitting, they will give you say more! When he came to the tree
and finally came to an old woman, and she turned him, his dog, in the evening, two pigeons were sitting on it. One dove said:
horse, and bear into stone. Meanwhile Caspar Wassersprung came whoever wants to see the phoenix bird has to go all day, so in the
to the tree in which the two knives were standing and saw that his evening he will come to a gate that is locked. The other dove said:
brother's knife was rusty; Immediately deciding to seek him out, Under this tree lies a golden key that unlocks the gate. Then he
he rode away and came to the city where his brother's wife lived. found the key and unlocked the gate with it; Behind the gate sat
But because he looked so like him, she took him for her real two men, one man said: Whoever is looking for the phoenix bird
husband, rejoiced at his return, and insisted that he should stay must make a long way over the high mountain, and then he will
with her. Only Caspar Wassersprung moved on, found his brother finally come to the castle.
petrified with his companion, and forced the woman to break the On the evening of the third day he finally got to the castle, there
spell. Thereupon the two brothers rode home, and on the way they sat a white maid and said: What do you want here? – Oh, I would
agreed that the husband of the princess should be the one whose like to get three feathers from the phoenix bird [350]. She said:
arms she would embrace first, and that happened to the Johannes Your life is in danger, because if the phoenix bird saw you, it
Wassersprung. would eat you up skin and hair, but I want to see how I can help
you to get the three feathers, it comes here every day, so I have to
find it comb with a narrow comb; Quickly under the table here, it
1812 KHM 75. BIRD PHOENIX. was covered with cloth all around.
Meanwhile the phoenix bird came home, sat on the top of the
("The Phoenix Bird" was a fairy tale in the Children's And table and said: I scent, scent human flesh! - "What? you can see
Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm only in the 1st edition of that nobody is here" – comb my hair now, said the phoenix bird.
1812 in place of 75 (KHM 75). The Brothers Grimm received the The white maid combed his hair, and he fell asleep over it; when
text from Marie Hassenpflug in 1812. Later he is only mentioned he was fast asleep, she grabbed a feather, drew it out, and threw it
in the annotation to the similar KHM 29 The devil with the three under the table. Then he woke up: "Why are you pulling me like
golden hairs as another story from the Main area. that? I dreamed that a man would come and pull a feather from
Contents: A rich man finds a child in a box in the river and raises me." But she satisfied him, and so it went the other time and the
him, but his steward abandons him in a boat. So the boy comes to third time. When the young man had the three feathers, he went
the miller. When the manager finds him there, he sends him a home with them and got his bride.
letter to his wife telling her to have him killed immediately. On the
way he meets an old man who turns the letter over to say that his
daughter is now his wife. But the administrator first lets him get 1812 KHM 77. BY CARPENTER AND TURNER.
three feathers from the phoenix bird. The youth meets the old man
again, who lets him go on to two doves in a tree. One tells him ("By Carpenter And Turner" was a fairy tale only in the 1st
where a gate is, the other that the golden key to it is buried under edition of 1812 in the children's and house fairy tales of the
the tree. Behind the gate, one of two men tells him the way to the Brothers Grimm at position 77 (KHM 77). The version is based
castle behind the mountain. A mother hides him under the table on a manuscript by an unknown hand, which was only formulated
and rips three feathers off the man-eating phoenix while combing slightly for printing.
it, so he gets his bride.) Content: A carpenter makes a master piece of a floating table, a
turner a grand piano. Because people like the table better, the
One day a rich man went for a walk to the river, and a small box turner flies to another country and lends the wings to a prince. He
came swimming, he took this box and opened the lid, there was a flies to another kingdom with a brightly lit tower, where the
small child in it, which he took home and had it opened. The world's most beautiful princess lives. He gets caught with her.
steward, however, did not like the child, and once he took him They are to be burned, but he flies them home on his wings and
with him in a boat onto the river, and when he was in the middle, becomes king. Her father promises half his kingdom to anyone
he quickly jumped out onto land and left the child alone in the who brings her back. There comes the prince with her and an army,
boat. And the boat kept going as far as the mill, when the miller so that he must keep his promise.)
saw the child and took pity on him, took him out and brought him
up in his house. Once, however, the steward came to the same mill A carpenter and a turner should make their masterpiece. The
by accident, recognised the child and took him with him. Soon carpenter made a table that could float by itself, the wood turner
after, he gave the young man a letter to carry to his wife, which made wings with which one could fly. And everyone said that the
said: "You are to kill the person who brought this letter." On the carpenter could have done his trick better, so the turner took his
way, however, the young man met an old man in the forest, who wings, put them on, and flew away from the country, from
said: Tell me once the letter you're carrying in your hand! So he morning to evening at one and the same time.
took it, just turned it around once and gave it back, now it said: There was a young prince in the country who saw him flying and
You are to give our daughter to the bearer in marriage begged him to lend him his pair of wings, he would reward him
immediately! So it happened, and when the steward heard this, he well. So the prince got his wings and flew until he came to another
got angry and said: "Hey, it can't be that quick. Before I let you kingdom, there was a tower lit up with many lights, and he
lowered himself to the ground, asked why, and heard that the
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 349
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
most beautiful princess in the world lived here. Now he became invited his comrades, and was the happiest fellow in the world. A
extremely curious, and when evening came he flew into an open few years later the devil talked to him when he had been promised,
window; but when they had not been together long, the matter watched how the house was doing, and gave him a leather sack
was betrayed, and the prince and princess were to be burned at the when he left. Anyone who jumped into it could not get out again
stake. until the blacksmith himself took it out again fetched so he drove
The prince, meanwhile, took his wings up with him, and when his fun. After ten years, however, the devil came and said to the
the flame was already rising towards them, he tied his wings on Schmidt, "The time is up, now you're mine, get ready to travel."
and fled with the princess to his fatherland, where he settled down, "It's fine," said the smith, hung his leather sack around his back
and because everyone was saddened by his absence, so he revealed and went with the devil away; When they came to the place where
himself and was elected king. he wanted to hang himself in the forest, he said to the devil: "I
After a while, however, the father of the kidnapped princess let it must also know for certain that you are the devil, first make
be known that whoever brought his daughter back to him should yourself as big as a fir tree and as small as a mouse. ' The devil was
get half the kingdom. The prince finds out about this, equips an ready and that's it, and when he had turned into a mouse the
army and brings the princess himself to her father, whom he forces blacksmith grabbed him and put him in the sack, then he cut a
to fulfill his promise to him. stick from the nearest tree, threw down the sack and started
beating the devil . The devil screamed pitifully, ran back and forth
in his pocket, but in vain, he couldn't get out. Finally the
1812 KHM 81. THE SMITH AND THE DEVIL. blacksmith said I will let you go if you give me back the page from
your big book on which I wrote my name. The devil didn't want to,
("The Blacksmith and the Devil" was a fairy tale only in the first but finally he had to, so the page was torn out and the devil went
edition of the 1812 Children's And Household Tales by the home to hell, angry that he had been cheated and beaten on top of
Brothers Grimm (KHM 81). The Brothers Grimm heard the fairy that.
tale from Marie Hassenpflug in Kassel on December 1, 1812. The blacksmith went back to his smithy and lived happily on as
From the second edition onwards it was replaced by Brother long as God willed, finally he fell ill and when he realised he was
merry as No. 81 and was retained along with many other variants dead, he ordered only two good, long, pointed nails and a hammer
in the annotation text to No. 82. The Gambling Hansel. to be put in his coffin give. That happened too. When he was dead
Contents: The lively and argumentative blacksmith is broke and and came to the door of heaven, he knocked, but the apostle Peter
wants to hang himself in the forest, the devil offers him endless would not open it for him, because he had been living in covenant
riches. In return, the blacksmith should belong to the devil after with the devil. When the smith heard that, he turned around and
ten years. The blacksmith accepts and additionally receives a sack went to hell. But the devil did not want to let him in either, he did
from the devil from which no one escapes. When the devil wants to not want him in hell, he was only starting a spectacle there. The
pick up the blacksmith ten years later, he demands that the devil smith got angry and started making noise in front of the Hell Gate,
first transform himself into a fir tree and then into a mouse, as a little devil got curious and wanted to see what the smith was
proof of his identity, just like when he first met him Ied puts the doing, so he opened the gate a little, looked out, but the smith
mouse in the sack and beats the transformed devil until he agrees quickly grabbed him by the nose and nailed it fastened it to the
to the cancellation of the pact. Now the blacksmith lives gate of hell with the one nail he had with him. The little devil
undisturbed, and when he dies of natural causes, he has a hammer began to screech like a herb lion, then another one was lured to
and two nails put in his coffin. When he is not granted admission the gate, it also stuck its head out, but the blacksmith was not lazy,
to either heaven or hell, he makes a fuss until two little devils look got it by the ear and nailed it with it next to the first one. Then
out of hell. He nails it to the gate with nails. The devil then causes both of them started such a horrible screaming that the old devil
the blacksmith to be admitted to heaven.) himself came running, and when he saw the two little devils nailed
down, he became so angry that he began to weep with malice,
Once upon a time there was a blacksmith who lived in good jumped around, ran to heaven to God, and said he must take the
spirits, spent his money, processed a lot and when a few years had smith to heaven, come what may, he would nail all the devils up
passed he didn't have a penny left in his purse. How long should I his nose and ears, and he would no longer be master in hell. If the
torture myself in the world, he thought, went out into the forest good Lord and the apostle Peter wanted to get rid of the devil,
and wanted to hang himself on a tree there. As he was putting his they had to take the smith to heaven, where he now sits in good
neck in the noose, a man came out from behind the tree with a rest, but I don't know how the two little devils got rid of him.
long white beard and a large book in his hand. "Listen,
blacksmith, he said, write your name in the big book, and you
shall be well for ten years, but after that you will be mine, I'll get 1812 KHM 82. THE THREE SISTERS.
you." - "Who are you?" said the smith - "I am the devil." – "What
can you do?" – "I can make myself as big as a fir tree and as small ("The three sisters" was a story in the Children's And Household
as a mouse" – "So once that I see it," said the blacksmith, then the Tales of the Brothers Grimm only in the 1st edition of 1812
devil made himself like that tall as a fir tree and as small as a mouse. (KHM 82). It originates from Johann Karl August Musäus' "Die
"It's fine said the blacksmith, give me the book, I want to write Bücher der Chronika der drey Schwestern" von 1782. Grimm's
myself in it" - When he signed himself, the devil said: Just go home, text is an oral retelling. Wilhelm Grimm shortened Musäus' text
you'll find boxes and cases full, and because you didn't bother too by about 80%, simplified the sentences and removed satirical
long, so I want to visit you sometime during that time too. The allusions.
blacksmith went home, all the pockets, chests and cases were full of Contents: A king wasted his immense wealth until he found
ducats, and he could take as much of it as he wanted, it wasn't all, himself in a forest castle of Potatoes. Once he wants to hunt a
and not less either; then he began his merry life all over again, rabbit in the forest, where terrible animals are said to be. Just as
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 350
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
he is about to eat potatoes, a bear comes who wants to eat him told his daughter to be of good cheer, but so that she was quite
because he is sitting by his honey tree. Only in exchange for the safe from the bear groom, he gave her a little room high under the
king's eldest daughter , which the bear wants to fetch after seven battlement, in which she was to remain hidden until the seven days
days, he even gives him a hundredweight of gold.The king plans to were over would be. On the seventh morning, however, very early,
deceive him, but early in the morning a handsome prince with a while everyone was still asleep, a magnificent carriage drawn by
magnificent carriage, six horses and golden riders comes and leads six horses and surrounded by many gold-clad horsemen drove to
the Toc into the enchanted forest so that the father can only call the castle, and as it was in front of it, the drawbridges lowered of
out: "Ade! You young lady dare / Go there, you bear bride!" In their own accord and the locks sprang open without a key on.
return he finds a hundredweight of gold, with which he begins his Then the carriage drove into the courtyard and a handsome young
former life again until everything is used up and he has to return prince got out, and when the king woke up from the noise and
to the forest castle. He promises his second daughter to an eagle looked out of the window, he saw how the prince had already
while hunting with a falcon and the third to a whale while fishing, taken his eldest daughter out of the locked little room and into the
which they will fetch after seven weeks and seven months carriage and he could only call after her:
respectively. He is so saddened by the loss of the youngest that this "Ade! you dare miss
time he is being frugal. The queen gives birth to a son, Reinald, Go there, you bear bride!"
the child prodigy. When he is sixteen he goes to look for his sisters She waved him out of the carriage with her little white
and finds the first in a bear's den, the second in an eagle's nest and handkerchief, and then we went on, as if the wind were
the third in a crystal palace in the lake. Their husbands would eat pretensioned, always into the enchanted forest. But the king's
him if they didn't hide him, they are human only every seventh day, heart was heavy because he had given his daughter to a bear, and
week or month and give him three bear hairs, three eagle feathers wept three days with the queen, he was so sad. On the fourth day,
and three fish scales as a farewell if he were in need. He wanders however, when he had cried himself out, he thought, what has
seven more days and comes to a castle with a steel gate, in front of happened can't be changed, climbed down into the yard, there was
which is a black steel bull on which his sword and spear are broken. an ebony box and it was extremely difficult to lift, and
He takes his miraculous gifts; then a bear conquers the bull, from immediately he remembered what the bear had told him had
which a bird flies up, an eagle beats it, but it drops an egg into a promised, and opened it, there was a hundredweight of gold in it,
lake, which a fish spews onto land. Inside is a key, with which he shimmering and shimmering.
opens the gate and finds a sleeping maiden in the back room. She When the king saw the gold, he was comforted and redeemed his
awakens as he breaks a black slate. It is the sister of his three cities and his empire, and began the former prosperity from the
brothers-in-law. They were all transformed by an evil magician beginning. This lasted as long as the Centner Gold lasted, after
because the princess had refused to love him. The brothers come which he had to pluck everything again and retreat to the forest
home and Reinald marries the redeemed princess.) castle and eat potatoes. The king still had a falcon, which he took
a tag with out on the field and wanted to hunt with him, so that he
Once upon a time there was a rich king who was so rich that he could eat something better. The falcon rose, and flew to the dark
believed his wealth could not be exhausted his wealth diminished magic forest, in which the king no longer trusted, but he was
and after that he mortgaged one town and one castle after the hardly there, so an eagle shot forward and pursued the falcon,
other, and finally nothing was left but an old castle in the forest. which flew to the king. The king wanted to stop the eagle with his
He went there with the queen and the three princesses and they had spear, but the eagle grabbed the spear and broke it like a reed,
to keep themselves poor and had nothing but potatoes, which then he crushed the falcon with a claw, the others but he chopped
came on the table every day. Once the king wanted to go hunting the king in the shoulder and shouted: "why are you disturbing my
to see if he could shoot a hare, so he packed his pocket full of Rich in air, for that you should die or you would give me your
potatoes and went out. But there was a large forest nearby, into second daughter for a wife! "The king said:" yes you should have
which no one dared, because terrible things were told about what them, but what did you give me for that? " I, and took her off;
one encountered in it: bears that devoured people, eagles that "then he let him go and flew away into the woods.
pecked out their eyes, wolves, lions and all cruel animals. But the The king was saddened that he had also sold his second daughter
king was not a bit afraid and went straight in. At first he saw to a wild animal and did not dare to tell her anything about it. Six
nothing at all, there were big, mighty trees, but everything was weeks were around, in the seventh the princess went out to a lawn
quiet underneath; After walking around for a while and getting in front of the castle and wanted to eat her canvas, then suddenly
hungry, he sat down under a tree and wanted to eat his potatoes, came a magnificent train of beautiful knights and first of all rode
when suddenly a bear came out of the thicket, trotted straight the most beautiful, who jumped off and cried:
towards him and growled: "How dare you by my honey tree to sit? "Swing, swing up, you lady dare,
you shall pay dearly for that!" the king was frightened, gave the Come on, you beautiful eagle bread! "
bear his potatoes and wanted to appease him with them. But the and eh she could answer him, he had already raised her to the
bear began to speak and said, "I don't like your potatoes, I want ground and hunted with her into the woods as if a bird flew: Ade!
to eat you myself, and the only way you can save yourself from that Ade !!
is to give me your eldest daughter, but if you do that, I'll give you In the castle they waited a long time for the princess but she did
one." a centner of gold as well." The king, afraid of being eaten, not come and did not come, then the king finally discovered that
said, you shall have it, just leave me in peace. Then the bear he had once promised them an eagle in the Noth and they would
showed him the way and growled afterwards: "In seven days I'll have taken it. But when the king's sadness was a little out of place,
come and get my bride." he felt the promise of the eagle and he went down, and found on
But the king went home confidently and thought, the bear can't the lawn two golden eggs, each a centenarian heavy. Whoever has
crawl through a keyhole after all, and nothing else should be left gold is pious enough, he thought, and all hard thoughts got out of
open. So he had all the gates closed, the drawbridges raised, and hand! Then the hilarious life began anew, and lasted until the two
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
cents of gold were also spent, then the king returned to the forest But he went straight to the Magic Forest and had nothing else to
castle, and the princess, who was still left, had to sow the potatoes. do but look for his sisters. At first he wandered for a long time in
The king did not want to chase rabbits in the forest or birds in the great forest, without meeting a man or an animal. After three
the air anymore, but he liked to eat a fish. Then the princess had to days, however, he saw a young woman sitting in front of a cave
knit a net, so he went to a pond not far from the forest. Because it and playing with a young bear: another, very young, had she been
was a nightmare, he sat down and threw the net, then he caught on lying on her lap: Reinald thought that must be my oldest sister,
a train a lot of beautiful red-spotted trout. But as he wanted to left his horse behind, and went to her: "Dear sister, I am your
land with it, Nachen stood firm and he could not get rid of him, he brother Reinald and I have come to visit you." hurry and run away,
could stand as he wanted. Then suddenly a mighty whale came what do you know, if you love your life, my husband, the bear,
snorting: "What are you taking away from me, my subjects? That will come to your house and find you, so he will eat you without
should cost you your life." When the king saw the terrible revenge, mercy. "Reinald, however, spoke: you until I know how it is about
he lost all courage, then he felt his third daughter and he cried: you. When the princess saw that he was unable to move, she led
"give me life and you should have my youngest daughter" - geben; him to her cave, which was window and like a bear dwelling; on
I do not have gold, that is too bad for me, but the ground of my one side lay a heap of leaves and hay, on which the old man and his
sea is plastered with number pearls, of which I want to give you boys slept, but on the other side stood a magnificent bed, of red
three sacks full: in the seventh moon I come and take my bride. cloth with gold, which belonged to the princess. She made him
"Then he dived under. crawl under the bed and gave him something to eat. It did not take
The king now drove ashore and brought his trout home, but long for the bear to come home: "I wittre, wittre menschenfleisch"
when they were baked he did not want to eat any of them, and and wanted to put his thick head under the bed. But the princess
when he saw his daughter, the only one left to him and the most shouted: "Be quiet, who is to come in here!" again under the bed.
beautiful and dearest of all, he was, as cut a thousand knives his Then she gave him a footstep in the body, that he made a brush
heart. So six months passed, the queen and the princess did not tree, went to his camp, took the paws in his mouth and fell asleep.
know what was missing from the king, who did not make a happy Every seven days the bear was in its natural form and a handsome
mind at all. In the seventh moon, the princess was standing in prince, and its caves a magnificent castle and the animals in the
front of a tube well in the courtyard, letting a glass run full, then a forest, were its servants. On such a day he had taken the princess;
carriage with six white horses and all-silver people approached, beautiful young women came to meet her before the castle, it was a
and a prince rose from the carriage, so beautiful that she could not glorious feast and she slept in joys, but when she awoke, she lay in
beautify her life. had seen, and asked her for a glass of water. And a dark bear cave and her marriage had become a bear and hummed
when she had given him all that she had in her hand, he took her, at her feet, only the bed and everything she had touched remained
and took her in the chariot, and went out again to Thor, across unchanged in its natural state. So she lived six days in pain but on
the field to the pond. the seventh she was comforted, and since she was not old and was
Ade, you lady's trust, only counted one day, she was satisfied with her life. She had given
go there, you beautiful whale bread! birth to her husband two princes, who were also six days long
The queen stood at the window and saw the carriage still in the bears and the seventh in human form. She always stuffed her bed
distance, and when she did not see her daughter, she felt heavy in straw full of the most delicious food cakes and fruits, of which she
her heart, and she cried and looked for her all alone; but she had lived all week, and the bear was also obedient to her and that
nothing to hear or see. Then it was known and she began to weep which she wanted.
and the king now discovered her: they would have taken a whale, When Reinald woke up, he was lying in a silk bed, servants came
which he had to promise them, and that is why he would always to wait for him and gave him the richest clothes, because it was
have been so sad; he also wanted to comfort her, and told her of just the seventh day. His sister with two beautiful princes and his
the great wealth she would receive for it, but the Queen wanted to brother-in-law bear enter, and rejoice in his arrival. There
know nothing of it and said her only child would be dearer to her everything was in splendor and glory and the whole day was full of
than all the treasures of the world. While the whale prince had pleasure and joy; in the evening, however, the princess said: "Dear
robbed the princess, his servants had carried three mighty sacks in brother, now make sure you get away, with the start of the day my
the castle, which the king found standing at the door, and when he wife takes on the shape of a bear again, and if he finds you here
opened them, they were full of beautiful large pearls, as large as tomorrow, he can not resist his nature and eats you up." the prince
the thickest peas. Then he was at once richer and richer than he beared and gave him three bear hairs, and said; "If you're in need,
had ever been; he redeemed his cities and castles, but he did not so rub it in, and I want to come to your aid." They kissed and said
resume his prosperous life, but was quiet and frugal, and when he goodbye, and Reinald got into a car with six raps strapped and
thought of what his three dear daughters might have done to the drove away. So went over stock and stone, mountain up,
wild beasts they might have already eaten, he forgot them. all Lust. mountain down, through deserts and forests, Horst and hedges,
The queen, however, did not want to be comforted at all and without rest and rest, until about morning, when the sky began to
wept more tears for her daughter than the wallfish pearls had turn gray, then Reinald lay on once on earth and soot and
given for it. Finally she became a little quieter, and after a while Carriage had disappeared, and at Morgenroth he saw six ants
she was again completely satisfied, because she brought a beautiful galloping there and pulling a nutshell.
boy into the world and because God had given the child so Reinald saw that he was still in the magic forest, and wanted to
unexpectedly, it was called Reinald, the prodigy. The boy grew big look for his second sister. Again three days he wandered in vain in
and strong, and the queen often told him about his three sisters solitude, but on the fourth he heard a great eagle roaring down on
who had been captured in the magic forest by three animals. When a nest. Reinald stood in the bush and waited until he flew away
he was sixteen years old he demanded armor and sword from the again, after seven hours he also rose again. Then Reinald came
king, and when he got it now, he wanted to go on adventures, forward, stepped in front of the tree and shouted: "Dear sister,
blessed his parents, and left. you are there, so let me hear your voice, I am Reinald your brother,
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
and I have come to visit you!" Then he heard him shout, "are you but when that was over, the whale gave him three scales and said:
Reinald my dearest brother, whom I have not yet seen, so come up "If you are in trouble, rub them and I will come to your aid". and
to me. "Reinald wanted to climb up but the trunk was too thick let him drive back to shore, where he still found his armour.
and smooth, tried three times, but in vain soon to the eagle's nest, The prodigy then traveled seven days in the wilderness and seven
which was strong and solid, like a balcony on a linden tree. His nights he slept under the open sky, when he saw a castle with a
sister was sitting under a throne sky of rose-coloured silk, and on steel gate and a mighty lock on it. In front, however, went a black
her lap lay an eagle, which kept her warm and wanted to break it bull with sparkling eyes and guarded the entrance. Reinald lunged
out. They kissed and rejoiced, but after a while the princess said: at him and gave him a mighty blow on the neck, but the neck was
he turned to your servant who was looking for you in the woods. made of steel and the sword broke on it as if it were glass. He
"Reinald said," no I will stay here until your marriage is wanted to use his spear, but it was broken like a straw, and the
transformed "-" This only happens in six weeks, but if you can bull caught it in its horns and threw it in the air so that it got
endure it, stick to the tree, which is internally hollow, I want to caught on the branches of a tree. Then Reinald remembered the
give you food all day long. Reinald crawled into the tree, the three bear hairs, rubbed them in his hand and at that moment a
princess let him down every day, and when the eagle flew away, he bear trotted along, fought with the bull and tore it to pieces. But
came up to her. After six weeks of conversion, Reinald awoke out of the bull's belly a duckling flew up and hastened on; Then
again in a bed, as with his brother-in-law, only that everything Reinald rubbed the three eagle feathers, immediately a mighty
was even more magnificent, and he lived seven days with the eagle eagle came through the air and pursued the bird, which was
prince in all joy. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they fleeing to a pond, shot down at it and mauled it; but Reinald had
said goodbye, and the eagle gave him three feathers, and said, If seen him drop another golden egg into the water. Then he rubbed
thou be in distress, rub it, and I will help thee. the morning came, the three fish scales in his hand, and immediately a whale came
they were suddenly gone, and Reinald alone in a terrible swimming, swallowed the egg and spat it onto land. Reinald took
wilderness on a high rock wall. it and broke it open with a stone, there was a small key in it, and
Reinald looked around and in the distance he saw the mirror of a that was the key that opened the steel door. And as soon as he
large sea on which the first rays of the sun were just shining. He touched her with it, she jumped up of her own accord, and he
thought of his third sister and that she would be there. Then he stepped in, and the bolts in front of the other doors were pushed
began to descend, and worked his way through the bushes and back by themselves, and through seven of them he entered seven
between the rocks; he spent three days there, often losing sight of magnificent, brightly lit chambers, and in the last chamber lay a
the lake, but on the fourth morning he got there. He stood on the virgin on a bed and slept. But the maiden was so beautiful that he
bank and called out: "Dearest sister you are in it, so let me hear was completely blinded by it, he wanted to wake her up, but that
your voice, I am Reinald your brother and I have come to visit was in vain, she slept soundly as if she were dead. Then in his anger
you;" but no one answered and everything was very quiet. He he struck a black board that was standing by the bed; At that
crumbled breadcrumbs into the water and said to the fish: "You moment the maiden awoke, but immediately fell back to sleep, so
dear fish, go to my sister and tell her that Reinald the child he took the tablet and threw it on the stone floor, so that it
prodigy is here and wants to go to her." But the red-spotted trout shattered into a thousand pieces. No sooner had that happened
snapped up the bread and didn't stop his words. Then he saw a than the maiden opened her eyes brightly and the magic was
boat, immediately threw off his armor and kept only his naked broken. She was, however, the sister of Reinald's three brothers-
sword in his hand, jumped into the ship and rowed away. He had in-law, and because she refused her love to a godless sorcerer, he
been swimming for a long time when he saw a clear crystal had put her into the sleep of death, and turned her brothers into
chimney rising above the water, from which a pleasant smell rose. beasts, and this was to last as long as the black tablet remained
Reinald rowed towards it and thought, my sister must live down intact. Reinald led the maiden out, and when he came to the gate,
there, then he sat down in the chimney and slid down. The princess his brothers-in-law rode up from three sides and were now
was quite frightened when she suddenly saw a few human legs redeemed, and with them their wives and children, and the eagle
wriggling in the chimney, soon a whole man came down and bride had hatched the egg and a beautiful young lady in her arms;
revealed himself as her brother. She was heartily happy, but then so they all went to live with the old king and queen, and the child
she became sad and said: "The whale heard that you wanted to prodigy brought his three sisters home with her, and soon married
visit me and complained that if you came and he was a whale, he the beautiful maiden; there was joy and lust in every corner; and
could not resist his desire to eat you. and would break my crystal the cat runs home, my little fairy tale is over.
house, and then I would also perish in the floods." - "Can't you
hide me until the time comes when the magic is over." - "Oh no,
how could that work, you see the walls are not all made of crystal 1812 KHM 84. THE MOTHER-IN-LAW. (Fragment)
and completely transparent," but she thought and thought, finally
she remembered the wooden chamber, so she placed the wood so ("The mother-in-law" is a fragment of a fairy tale. It was only in
artificially that nothing could be seen from the outside and she hid the 1st edition of the Brothers Grimm in the 1st edition of 1812 at
the child prodigy inside. Presently the whale came and the princess position 84 (KHM 84). [See the shorter version from the
was trembling like a leaf, he swam around the crystal house a Annotation Volume under "Fragments" No. 5, "The evil mother-
couple of times and when he saw a bit of Reinald's dress sticking in-law."] According to Wilhelm Grimm's handwritten note of
out of the wood he flicked his tail and snorted violently and if he April 18, 1811, the text "comes from the Hassenpflugs". This
saw more he certainly would have hit the house. Every day he came fragment agrees with part of Perrault's la belle au bois dormant. -
and swam around it until finally in the seventh month the magic In Pentamerone v. 5 (sole, luna etalia) a jealous woman just about
ended. There Reinald was in a castle that even surpassed his eagle's summons the cook to cook her rival and her children. The But
in splendour, and stood in the middle of a beautiful island; Now here the entrance is from the dangerous spindle, as in Sleeping
he lived a whole month with his sister and brother-in-law happily,
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 353
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Beauty, and the transition between the two stories is particularly new one. Somewhat related is the fable of the sparrowhawk, which
beautiful and new. the daughter buys while the mother is at church.)
Content: The evil mother-in-law has the queen and her two sons
locked in the cellar when the king is at war. She sends the servant,
to cook her one child in brown sauce, then the other in white. The A) SNOWFLOWER.
queen lets him take a pig and a piglet. The mother-in-law also
wants to eat the queen. [The progression is indicated in brackets: ("Snowflower" was a fragment of a fairy tale only in the first
This time a hind is slaughtered, then the children scream and must edition of 1812 in the Brothers Grimm's Children's and
not be heard.]) Household Tales together with three others under the main title
Fragmente in place 85 (KHM 85a).
There was a king and a queen who had a very angry mother-in- Contents: A king's daughter is called Snowflower because she so
law. Once the king went into the field, the old queen had her in- white and born in winter. When she is looking for medicinal herbs
laws locked up in a musty cellar downstairs, and her two little sons for her sick mother, bees come out of a tree and cover her all over.
with her. One day she said to herself: I would like to eat one of the They do nothing to her but bring honey and she shines with
children, called her cook and told him to come down and take the beauty.)
one son, kill it and prepare it.
"With what broth?" asked the cook. With a brown one, said the A young king's daughter was called Snowflower because she
old queen. knows what snow was like and was born in winter. One day her
Then the cook went into the cellar and said: "Oh, Madam Queen, mother became ill and she went into the forest and wanted to pick
the old Madam Queen wants it, I am to slaughter and cook your medicinal herbs, when she passed a large tree, a swarm of bees flew
son tonight." Take the little pig, cook it the way you want it, and out and covered her whole body from head to foot. But they did
say it was my child. not sting her or hurt her, but put honey on her lips, and her whole
The cook did so, and served the little pig in brown broth, "Here body was radiant with beauty. . . . . . . .
is the child," and she ate it up with great appetite.
Soon after, the old woman thought: I liked the children's meat so
tenderly, you want to eat the second one too, called the cook and B-1) PRINCESS WITH THE LOUSE.
told him to go down into the cellar and slaughter the second son.
"With what kind of broth shall I cook it?" "Oh, with a white ("Princess with the louse" was a fragment of a fairy tale in the
one," said the old queen. Children's And Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm. It was
The cook went downstairs and said: Oh, the old lady queen told only in the 1st edition of 1812 together with three others under
me that I should now also slaughter and cook your second little the overall title Fragmente in place 85 (KHM 85b), later in the
son. The young queen said: Take a suckling pig and cook it as she annotation volume as a fragment Die Laus. Reminds of a variant
likes. of Droßelbart. Origin: The Brothers Grimm probably had the
The cook did this and put it in front of the old woman in a white farcical fairy tale from Marie Hassenpflug. Your annotation
broth, and she ate it with even greater appetite. compares KHM 52 King Drosselbart and in Giambattista Basile's
At last the old woman thought: now the children are in my Pentameron I,5 The Flea. Compare also KHM 22 The Riddle,
womb, you want to eat the young queen too, called the cook and KHM 71 Sixes come through the whole world, KHM 114 The
ordered him to cook the young queen. – – Clever Little Tailor, KHM 134 The Six Servants, KHM 181 The
(Fragment: the third time the cook slaughters a hind. But now Little Mermaid
the young queen has to keep her children from crying so that the Contents: A princess is so extremely clean that a louse is
old woman does not hear that they are still alive etc.) miraculously raised on her head to the size of a calf . When the
louse dies, the princess has the fur made into a dress and asks each
suitor what it is made of. (The text ends with the suggestion that
1812 KHM 85 FRAGMENTS. one finally finds out.)
(The Fragments (KHM 85) from the 1st edition. Once upon a time there was a princess who was so clean, certainly
A) Snow Flower, Snow Flower the cleanest in the whole world, you never saw the tiniest dirt or
B) Princess with the louse stain on her. Once, however, a louse was found sitting on her head,
C) The good rag, fragment The good rag which was considered a true miracle, and therefore one did not
D) From Prince Johannes, Fragment Of Prince Johannes want to kill the louse, but decided to feed it large with milk. This
happened, the louse grew more and more until it was finally as big
On the fragments. No. 85. a) A French. Folk tales, perceneige, as a calf. When this louse died, the princess had her fur removed
(spring flower, snowdrop, primrose recently intertwined in a and a dress made of it. When a suitor came and asked for her, she
poem: Thibaut ou la naissance du comte de champagne. Paris asked him to advise what animal the skin was from which she wore
1811. pag. 97. 98. b) Reminiscent of a variant of Thrushelbart. the dress. Since no one could guess this, they all had to withdraw.
The whole in full in Pentamerone I, 5. la polece. c) Karl Grass Finally a handsome prince figured it out in the following
remembers hearing this fairy tale told in his childhood in Liefland way. . . . . . . .
by a German wet nurse whose name was Marie. He turned it into a
poem in 12 cantos, which will hardly come close to the fairy tale. S.
Amusements 1812. Piece 5, 391-393. d) In the 1001st of the
copper lamp, which is also given out of stupidity in return for a
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 354
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
B-2.) THE LOUSE. this, we have to point it out again and again. The totalitarian
requirement to believe in only one particular God and to follow
("The Louse" was a fragment of a fairy tale in the Children's and only one particular religious school and organisation in Judaism,
Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm. It was only available in Christianity, and especially Islam, has certainly contributed to
the 1st edition of 1812 under the title "Princess with the Louse" such hostile sentiments over the past two millennia; [see: The
[page 267-268; 3rd edition ; Date of publication: 1856], together Grand Bible, Foreword, Introduction.] As researchers, the
with three others under the supertitle Fragmente at position 85 Brothers Grimm were not impressed by such texts. Jacob Grimm
(KHM 85b), later in the annotation volume as a slightly modified made a handwritten note: "Is not worth much.")
fragment.)
Two sewing girls had inherited nothing but a good old plaster
Once upon a time there was a king's daughter who was so clean that made money and on which they lived apart from their sewing
that there was certainly no cleaner in the world: she didn't tolerate earnings. One sister was very clever, the other very stupid. One day,
the slightest dirt or stain on herself. But in spite of her cleanliness, when the oldest was going to church, a Jew came up to the stupid
at one time a louse was found on her head. Everyone cried out, one; "Nice, new plaster to sell, or to exchange for old, nothing to
"This is a great miracle, the louse must not be killed, it must be fed trade?" So the stupid woman went and got the old plaster for the
large amounts of milk"; so it was taken down with care. From the Jew for a new piece, and the Jew well knew what virtue the old had.
good food it grew and became much bigger than a louse would When the eldest came home, she said: Our sewing income is going
normally be, in the end it was as big as a calf. When she died, the badly, I have to get us some money, where is our band-aid? - the
king's daughter had her fur skinned, tanned and prepared, and better, said the silly woman, I also traded a new and fresh piece for
made a dress out of it. When a suitor came, she asked him to guess the old one while you were out. . . . . (Afterwards the Jew becomes
what animal the skin was from which she was wearing her dress. a dog, the two girls become chickens, but the chickens finally
But since no one was fortunate enough to bring it out, they had to become people and beat the dog up Deaths.)
withdraw one after the other. But finally someone discovered the
secret.
D-2) THE GOOD PIECE OF CLOTH*.
C) OF PRINCE JOHANNES. (* The replacement sheet in the Appendix Volume 2 contains the
fairy tale "The Fox and the Geese", which the printer has
("From Prince Johannes," the tiny fragment of a fairy tale in the forgotten, as well as a slightly modified version of "The Good
Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales was only in the Plaster". The Good Piece of Cloth (first published as The Good
first edition of 1812 together with three others under the overall Plaster) is a fragment of a Fairy Tales. It was in Volume 2 of the
title Fragmente in place 85 (KHM 85c). It came from Karl Graß' Brothers Grimm's Children's and Household Tales only in the first
Erheiterungen magazine from 1812. Grimm's note gave the source: edition of 1815 together with three others under the overall title
Karl Grass claims to have heard it as a child (in Livonia) from his Fragments in place 85 (1815 KHM 85d).)
German wet nurse and made a poem out of it.)
Two sewing girls had inherited nothing but a good old rag that
Of his wanderings in yearning and melancholy, of his flight with turned everything you wrapped into gold, with that they had
the apparition, of the red castle, of the many heart-moving trials, enough and still sewed for a small income. One sister was very
until he was granted the only sight of the beautiful sun princess. clever, the other very stupid. One day, the eldest had gone to
church when a Jew came down the street and called out: "Nice
ones, new rags for sale or to exchange for old ones, nothing to
D-1) THE GOOD PLASTER. trade?" When the stupid woman heard that, she ran over and
exchanged clothes her good old rag for a new one; That's exactly
("The Good Plaster" was a small fragment of a fairy tale only in what the Jew wanted, for he knew very well the virtue of the old
the first edition of 1812 in the Brothers Grimm's Children's and man. When the eldest came home, she said: "The sewing wages are
Household Tales together with three others under the overall title bad, I have to get us some money, where is our rag?" and fresh
Fragments in place 85 (KHM 85d). Origin: Jacob Grimm's ones were traded for the old one." . . . . . (Afterwards the Jew
manuscript with the title The Good Plaster noted orally (perhaps becomes a dog, the two girls become chickens, but the chickens
the Hassenpflug family). The printed version, which was finally become people and beat the dog to death.)
unchanged in spirit, initially had the same title. It was
subsequently changed again slightly (gold instead of money) and
renamed "The good Piece of Cloth." The Note compares Aladdin
from Arabian Nights, where a lamp is foolishly exchanged for a
new one
Contents: Two closer sisters have inherited a rag that turns
everything into gold When the clever older one comes home from
church, the stupid one has it with a Jew, who probably knew what
was going on, was exchanged for a new one d beat the dog to
death. Nowadays one would describe this fragment as anti-Semitic,
or more precisely as anti-Jewish. Stereotypes of this kind were
"normal" in all societies and all states at that time, which also
includes prejudices among Christian groups. We must not ignore
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
TALES REMOVED FROM PART 2 (VOLUME 2) don't you know how you said
as I sat in the fountain
you wanted to be my darling too
1815 KHM 99. THE FROG PRINCE (PRINCE FROG). I would give you bright, bright little water."
"Egg! There's my darling, the frog, said the princess, now that
("The frog prince" was a fairy tale in the Kinder- und I've promised him I'll open it for him." So she got up, opened the
Hausmärchen by the Brothers Grimm only in the second part of door a little for him and lay down again. The frog hopped after
the first edition of 1815 (there No. 13) in place 99 (KHM 99). her and finally hopped down into the bed at her feet and stayed
Origin: Grimm's note noted, that the fairy tale comes from Hesse there, and when the night was over and morning dawned, he
(by Marie Hassenpflug), and assigns it together with KHM 1 The jumped down again and out the door. The next evening, when the
Frog King or Iron Henry to the basic idea of Cupid and Psyche, princess was in bed again, she crawled again and sang at the door.
like KHM 88 The singing jumping little lion and KHM 68 Of the The princess opened the door and the frog lay down at her feet
summer and winter garden. From the second edition it is only in again until daybreak. On the third evening he came, as on the
the annotation to The Frog King or Iron Henry, namely the previous ones. "But that's the last time I'll open it for you," said
daughter fetches the water for the sick father (cf. KHM 97 Das the princess, "it won't happen again in the future." Then the frog
Wasser des Lebens), the frog poem is longer: jumped under her pillow and the princess fell asleep. When she
Contents: Three daughters are leaving one by one to the well to woke up in the morning and thought that the frog should hop
draw water, but it is cloudy. When one of the sisters came, there away again, there stood before her a handsome young prince, who
was a frog on the edge of the well and said to her: "when you want said that he had been the enchanted frog, and that she had
to be my darling, I will give you bright, bright little water." Frog redeemed him because she had promised to be his treasure. So they
follows her home e and asked to be let into her room. The both went to the king, who gave them his blessing, and there the
following day in her room "there stood before her a handsome wedding took place. But the other two sisters were angry that they
young prince, who said that he had been the enchanted frog, and had not treasured the frog.
that she had redeemed him because she had promised to be his
sweetheart.")
1815 KHM 104. THE FAITHFUL ANIMALS.
Once upon a time there was a king who had three daughters, but
in his courtyard there was a well with beautiful, clear water. On a ("The Faithful Animals" was a Mongolian fairy tale in the
hot summer day the eldest went down and scooped out a glass full, Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm. It was
but looking at it and holding it up to the sun she saw that it was there from the 1st to the 6th edition of 1850 at position 104
cloudy. That seemed very unusual to her and she wanted to pour it (KHM 104). It comes from the Mongolian collection Siddhi Kür
back in when a frog stirred in the water, stretched his head up and or Ssidi Kur (No. 13; see: Quarterly review 1819. XLI. p. 99.").
finally jumped onto the edge of the fountain, when he said to her: Contents: A man on the move buys a mouse, a monkey and a bear
"whenever you want to be my darling, in loose from three villages, which are tormented there by boys.
I want to give you bright, bright little water." He wants to borrow something from the king's treasury, but is
"Oh, who wants to be the darling of a nasty frog," cried the caught and set on the river as a thief with water and bread in a box.
princess, and ran away. She told her sisters what a strange frog The animals free him. When they don't know what to do, comes a
that was making the water cloudy down there at the well. Then the white, egg-shaped miracle stone floated, with it the man wishes for
second became curious, went downstairs and also filled up a glass, a castle with a garden and stables. Later merchants come and he
which was just so cloudy that she didn't want to drink it. But the exchanges the stone for nice goods. There he sits again in the box
frog was also on the edge again and said: on the river. This time the animals cannot enter the castle open.
"whenever you want to be my darling, Since the merchants still live in the castle, the mouse goes in and
I want to give you bright, bright little water." nibbles the hair of the sleeper, and he chases away his cats. So the
"I'd like that," said the princess, and ran away. Finally the third following night, unnoticed, she bites off the red thread on which
one came and also drew, but she was no better and the frog also the stone is hanging and drags it to the door. The monkey gets
said to her: him out. The bear carries the monkey, which carries the stone in
"whenever you want to be my darling, its mouth, and the mouse through the water. On the way he chats
I want to give you bright, bright little water." and threatens the monkey because he doesn't answer, whereupon
"Yes, but! I want to be your darling, said the princess, just get the stone falls into the water. They tell the frogs and toads that an
me clean water," but she thought: what harm is that in you, you enemy is coming and that they must collect all the stones for a wall.
can easily speak like that to please him, a stupid frog can never be When the stone is there, they bring it to the man who has already
my darling. But the frog had jumped into the water again, and eaten the water and bread and is starving. He wishes he was back
when she drew the water for the second time, the water was so in the castle.)
clear that the sun twinkled in it with joy. She drank her fill and
brought her sisters upstairs: "How simple you were and were Once upon a time there was a man who didn't have much money,
afraid of the frog." and with what little he had left he went out into the wide world.
After that the princess thought no more of it and went to bed Then he came to a village where the boys were running together,
happily in the evening. As she lay there for a while and had not yet shouting and making noise. "What are you up to, you boys?"
fallen asleep, she suddenly heard something crawling at the door, asked the man. "Oh," they answered, "here we have a mouse, it has
and then she was singing: to dance for us, look what fun it is, how it is tripping around!"
"Open me! open me! But the man felt sorry for the poor little animal and he said, "Let
king's daughter, youngest, the mouse run, you Boys, I will give you money too." So he gave
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 356
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
them money, and they let go of the mouse, and the poor animal The mouse crept back in and did as the others said. The gentleman
ran as hard as it could into a hole. The man went away and came woke up, rubbed his nose, was angry, and said, "The cats are no
to another village, where the boys had a monkey that had to dance good, they let in the mice, which bite the hair off my head," and
and do somersaults, and they laughed about it and gave the animal chased them both away. Since the mouse had won the game.
no rest. So the man gave them money to let go of the monkey. When the master fell asleep again the next night, the mouse got
Then the man came to a third village, where the boys had a bear into it, nibbled and gnawed at the red ribbon to which the stone
on a chain, it had to sit up and dance, and if it growled, they were was attached until it broke in two and the stone fell off: then she
fine with it. So the man bought him free, and the bear was glad dragged it to the front door. But that made the poor little mouse
that he got on his four legs again and trotted away. very angry, and she said to the monkey, which was already lying in
But the man had now spent what little money he had left and wait, "Pull it out completely with your paw." That was easy for
didn't have a penny left in his pocket. Then he said to himself, the monkey, he took the stone in his hand, and they went with
"The king has so much in his treasury that he doesn't need: You each other to the river. Then the monkey said, "How are we
can't die of hunger, you want to take something, and when you get supposed to get to the box now?" The bear replied, "That's about
some money again, you can put it back in." So he made his way to happen, I'll go into the water and swim: Monkey, sit on my
over to the treasury and took a little of it, but as he was sneaking back, but hold on tight with your hands and take it Put a stone in
out he was caught by the king's people. They said he was a thief, your mouth: Little mouse, you can sit in my right ear." So they
and brought him before the court, and because he had done wrong did and swam down the river. After a while things got too quiet
he was sentenced to be thrown in a box on the water. The lid of the for the bear, he started chattering and said, "Listen, monkey,
box was full of holes so that air could get in: also a jug of water we're good comrades, don't you think?" But the monkey didn't
and a loaf of bread were put in it. As he swam on the water and answer and was silent. 'Is that manner?' said the bear, 'won't you
was really scared, he heard something crawling on the lock, answer your comrade? a bad guy who doesn't answer!" The
gnawing and snorting: suddenly the lock springs open and the monkey couldn't hold back any longer, he dropped the stone into
cover lifts up, and there are mouse, monkey and bear, the had done the water and called out, "Stupid guy, how could I answer you
because he had helped them, they wanted to help him again. But with the stone in my mouth? now he's lost, and it's your fault."
now they did not know what to do next, and took counsel "Don't quarrel," said the bear, "we'll think of something." So they
together. Just then a white stone came rolling in the water, it conferred and called together the tree frogs, toads, and all
looked like a round egg. Then the bear said it will come at the creatures that live in the water and said, "A mighty enemy will
right time, it is a miracle stone: whoever owns it can wish for come upon you, gather as many stones as you can, and we will
whatever he feels like." Then the man picked up the stone and, build you a wall that will protect you." The animals got
holding it in his hand, he wished himself a palace with a garden frightened and finally brought stones from all sides a fat old quack
and stables, and he had scarcely expressed his wish when he sat in frog came rowing up from the bottom and had the red ribbon with
the palace with the garden and stables, and everything was so the miracle stone in its mouth. Then the bear was happy, took the
beautiful and magnificent that he could not be amazed enough. frog's load, said everything was fine, they could go home again,
After a time, merchants passed the way. "Look," they cried, and said goodbye briefly. Then the three went down the river to
"what a glorious castle stands there, and the last time we passed the man in the chest, broke the lid with the help of the stone, and
there was bad sand." Being curious now, they went in and had come at the right time, for he had already eaten the bread and
inquired of the man like himself everything could have been built drunk the water, and was already half faint. But when he got his
so quickly. Then he said, "I didn't do that, it was my miracle hands on the miracle stone again, he wished himself good health
stone." "What kind of stone is that?" they asked. So he went and and went to his beautiful castle with the garden and royal stables;
fetched it and showed it to the merchants. They were very keen and he lived happily, and the three animals stayed with him and had a
asked if he could be bargained for, and they offered him all their good life.
beautiful goods in return. The goods stung the man's eyes, and
because the heart is unstable and longs for new things, he let
himself be deceived and thought the beautiful goods were worth 1815 KHM 107. THE CROWS.
more than his miracle stone and gave it up. But no sooner had he
let him out of his hands than all happiness was gone, and he (The magic fairy tale "The Crows" was in the Grimm Brothers'
suddenly sat in the locked box on the river again and had nothing Children's and Household Tales from the second part of the first
but a jug of water and a loaf of bread. The faithful animals, mouse, edition, which appeared in 1815, to the fourth edition of 1840 as
monkey, and bear, as they saw his misfortune, came again and No. 107 (or No. 21 of the second part). It came from from a letter
wanted to help him, but they could not even force open the lock, sent by August von Haxthausen and is reminiscent of "Die
because it was much stronger than the first time. Then the bear wahrsagenden Vögel in Feen-Mährchen" (Braunschweig, 1801).
said, "We must get the miracle stone back, or it will all be in From the fifth edition of 1843, it was replaced by the longer and
vain." Because the merchants had stayed in the castle and lived more varied "The Two Wanderers".
there, the animals went there together, and as they came close, he Contents: Two evil comrades rob a good soldier of his savings,
said Bear "Mouse, look through the keyhole and see what to start; gouge his eyes out and tie him to a gallows. At night he overhears
you're small, no one notices you." The mouse was willing, but two crows talking about a toad, whose ashes can heal the sick
came back and said, "It doesn't work, I looked in, the stone is king's daughter with water, about the dew under the gallows that
hanging under the mirror on a red ribbon, and here and there a makes the blind see again, and about a spring under the market
couple of big cats are sitting with it fiery eyes that shall watch over square. The soldier regains his sight and heals the king's daughter.
him." Then the others said, "just go back in and wait until the Because he looks poor, the king, contrary to his promise, only
master lies in bed and sleeps, then sneak in through a hole and gives her to him in marriage when he gets water for the city. When
crawl on the bed and pinch his nose and bite his own Hair off." the happily married meets his two comrades again and graciously
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
receives them, they also hope to hear something from under the to them and said, "Look, that's your former comrade, whose eyes
gallows. The crows, realising they were being overheard, peck out you put out so shamefully, but fortunately the good Lord let it
their eyes and beat them with their beaks until they die.) thrive on me." Then they fell at his feet, and begged for mercy, and
being kind-hearted, he took pity on them, and took them with him,
A decent soldier had earned some money and saved up because he and also gave them food and clothing. He then told them how he
was industrious and couldn't get by in the inns like the others. had fared and how he had gotten this honor. When the two heard
Now there were two of his comrades who actually had the wrong that, they couldn't rest and wanted to sit under the gallows for the
heart and wanted to cheat him out of his money, but on the night, to see if they might hear something good too. As they sat
outside they behaved quite amicably. At one point they said to him, under the gallows, something soon fluttered over their heads, and
"Listen, why should we lie here in the city, we are locked in there the three crows came. One said to the other, "Listen, sisters,
as if we were prisoners, and even someone like you could earn someone must have been listening to us, for the king's daughter is
something decent at home and live happily." They pestered him healthy, the toad has gone out of the pond, a blind man has seen,
with such speeches until he finally agreed and wanted to run away and in the city they have dug a fresh well, come, let us look for the
with them; but the other two had nothing else in mind than taking eavesdropper and punish him." So they fluttered down and found
his money from him outside. When they had gone a little way, the the two, and before they could help themselves, the ravens sat on
two said, "We have to turn right there if we want to get to the their heads and pecked out their eyes, and continued to peck at
border." 'What, you want to make a fool of yourself?' cried the their faces for so long until they were quite dead. There they
two, rushing at him, beating him until he fell down, and taking remained lying under the gallows. When they didn't come back for
his money from his pockets; but that was not enough, they gouged a couple of days, their former comrade thought, "Where can those
out his eyes, dragged him to the gallows, and tied him to it. So two be wandering about?" and went out to look for them. But
they left him and went back to town with the stolen money. there he found nothing more than her bones, which he carried
The poor blind man did not know what a bad place he was in, away from the gallows and laid them in a grave.
felt about himself and realised that he was sitting under a beam of
wood. Then he thought it was a cross, said, "It is good of you that
you have at least tied me under a cross, God is with me," and 1815 KHM 119. THE LAZY AND THE DILIGENT.
began to pray to God properly. As night fell he heard something
flapping; but there were three crows that alighted on the beam. ("The Lazy and the Diligent" was a fairy tale in the Children's
After that, he heard one saying, "Sister, what good do you bring? and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm in the second part of
yes, if people knew what we know! the king's daughter is ill and the 1st edition of 1815 (there No. 33) at position 119 (KHM
the old king has promised her to the one who will heal her; but no 119a). The Grimms noted "From the Schwalmgebiet" (probably
one can do that, because it will only be healed if the toad is burned from Ferdinand Siebert from Treysa), and that redemption
to ashes in the pond over there and it drinks the ashes with water." through a kiss often occurs in sagas.
Then the second said, "yes, if people knew what we know! Tonight Content: Two tradesmen always want to stay together, but one
a dew falls from heaven, so wonderful and healing, whoever is becomes busy and lazy , the other industrious. One evening the
blind and wipes his eyes with it, he regains his face." Then the industrious sees the lazy one lying under a gallows at night. He
third said, "Yes, if people knew what we know! The toad only covers him with his cloak and stays with it. He hears two ravens.
helps one, and the dew only helps a few, but there is great need in One says "God nourishes", the other "thu afterwards". The first
the city, all the wells have dried up, and nobody knows that the falls here off, the second takes care of him. The craftsmen take the
large square stone in the market place has to be taken away and ravens with them. The daughter of her landlord falls in love with
dug under it, the most beautiful water springs up there ." As the the always dressed raven and kisses him, whereupon he becomes a
three crows had said it, he heard it flapping again, and they flew man. He says they both insulted their father, who transformed
away. Gradually he freed himself from his bonds, and then he them. Nobody kisses the other raven until it dies. That's a lesson
stooped and broke off some weeds, and wiped his eyes with the dew for the lazy fellow.)
that had fallen on them. Immediately he saw again, and there were Once upon a time there were two journeyman craftsmen who
moon and stars in the sky, and he saw that he was standing by the traveled together and promised to stay with each other. But when
gallows. After that he sought shards, and gathered of the precious they came to a large city, one of them became a loose brother,
dew as much as he could get together, and when that was done he forgot his word, left the other, and went on alone, to and fro; he
went to the pond, dug the water from it, took out the toad, and liked best where things were going best. The other endured his
burned it to ashes. He took the ashes to the king's court and had time, worked diligently, and then wandered on. Then he passed
the king's daughter taken by them, and when she was healthy he the gallows in the night without knowing it, but on the ground he
asked her to be his wife, as had been promised. But the king didn't saw someone lying and sleeping, who was poor and bare, and
like him because he was wearing such bad clothes, and he said because it was starry, he recognised his former journeyman. So he
whoever wanted his daughter had to get water for the city first, lay down beside him, covered his cloak over him, and fell asleep.
and hoped that would get rid of him. But he went and told the But it didn't take long before he was woken up by two voices, they
people to lift up the square stone in the market place and dig were talking to each other, they were two ravens sitting on top of
under it for water. They had scarcely begun to dig when they came the gallows. One said: "God nourishes!" the other: "do
to a spring from which a mighty stream of water sprang. The king afterwards!" and after the words one fell down to the ground, the
could no longer refuse him his daughter, he was married to her, other stayed with him and waited until daybreak, when he fetched
and they lived a happy marriage. some worms and water, refreshed himself him with it and raised
At one point, when he was walking through the fields, he met his him from the dead. When the two tradesmen saw this, they were
two former comrades, who had treated him so treacherously. They amazed and asked one raven why the other was so miserable and ill,
didn't know him, but he recognised them straight away, went up the sick one said: "Because I didn't want to do anything and
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
believed that the food came from heaven." The two took the man and called who? "Good friend." - "What kind of friend?" -
ravens with him to the next village, one was lively and looked for "Three old retired soldiers." Then the little man gave him an old
his food, he bathed himself every morning and cleaned his beak, little bag that never ran out of money, no matter how much money
but the other crouched around in the corners, was morose and was taken out; but he should only tell his comrades during the day.
always looked shaggy. After a time, the daughter of the master of Then they went through the forest for the third day, and at night
the house, who was a beautiful girl, became very fond of the the third soldier had to stand guard. The little red man came to
industrious raven, picked him up from the ground, stroked him him too and called who there? "Good friend!" - "What good
with her hand, finally pressed his face once and kissed him with friend?" - "Three old retired soldiers." Then the little red man
pleasure. The bird fell to the ground, rolled and fluttered, and gave him a horn, and when you blew on it, all the peoples came
became a beautiful young man. Then he said the other raven was together. In the morning, when everyone had a present, the first
his brother and they had both insulted their father, who had one put on his cloak and wished they were out of the forest, when
cursed them for it and said: "Fly around as a raven until a they were right outside. They went to an inn and asked for food
beautiful girl kisses you voluntarily." So one was saved , but and drink, the best the innkeeper could muster; when they were
nobody wanted to kiss the other lazy one and he died as a raven. – done, the one with the bag paid for everything and didn't deduct a
Brother Sloppy took that as a lesson, became diligent and orderly penny from the innkeeper.
and stayed with his journeyman. Now they were tired of traveling when the one with the bag said
to the one with the coat: "I wanted you to wish us a castle there,
we have enough money, we could live like princes." So he wished
1815 KHM 122 THE LONG NOSE. for a castle and it was there right away and all the accessories were
there. When they had lived there for a while he wanted a carriage
(The magic fairy tale "The Long Nose" was contributed by with three white horses, they wanted to go to another kingdom
Dorothea Viehmann. From the second edition it was replaced by and pretend to be three king's sons. So they drove off with a large
"Donkey Cabbages" (KHM 122), where it is still reproduced in company of lackeys, so that it looked quite princely. They went to
the annotation [Note 36th in Edition 2, 1819]. a king who had only one princess, and when they arrived they were
Contents: Three poor, discharged soldiers get lost in a large reported and asked to go to table and sleep there that night. There
forest. In three nights one has to keep watch and is visited by a red was a good time, and when they had eaten and drunk they began
man who gives them a wish coat, a bag that always contains money to play cards, which the princess loved to do. She played with the
and a horn, which they are only allowed to show in the morning. one who had the purse, and no matter how much she won from
The one with the coat wishes her to go to an inn, and the one with him, she still saw that his purse was not empty, and realised that it
the purse pays. You want a lock. Then they go to a strange castle must be something to wish for. Then she said to him that he was so
with a daughter. She plays cards with them and finds out that one warm from playing that he should have a drink and poured it out
of them has a wish bag, gives him a sleeping potion and swaps the for him, but she put a sleeping draft in the wine. And as soon as he
bag. When they notice, the one with the coat wishes to come into had drunk it, he fell asleep, so she took his bag, went into her
her room, but she screams so loudly that he has to flee and leaves room and sewed another one that looked the same, put a little
the coat behind. The one with the horn blows troops and threatens money in it and put it in the place of the old one. The next
the king, but the princess goes to her camp and sings beautifully morning the three traveled on, and when one of them had spent
while her maid steals the horn from the tent. One soldier finds what little money was left in the bag and now put his hand in it
apples in the forest, from which the nose grows miles long, and again, it was empty and stayed empty. Then he exclaimed: "My
pears, from which it falls off again. He goes to the castle as a purse was exchanged for me by the wrong princess, now we are
gardener and sells the princess some of the apples. Then he comes poor people!" But the one with the cloak said: "Don't let your
as a doctor and alternately gives her apple and pear powder until hair grow gray, I want to have it done again soon." There hung he
she gives out the miracle things.) put on his cloak and wished himself in the princess's chamber; he'll
be there in a moment, and she sits there and counts the money that
There were three old, discharged soldiers, who were so old that she keeps taking out of her purse. When she sees him, she screams
they could no longer bite Libermilch, so the king sent them away, that there is a robber, and screams so loudly that the whole court
gave them no pension, they had nothing to live on and had to go comes running and wants to catch him. Then he jumps out of the
begging. There they traveled through a great forest and could not window in haste and lets his coat hang, and that too is lost. When
find the end of it; When evening came, two went to bed, and the the three got together again, they had nothing but the horn, so
third had to keep watch over them, so that they would not be torn the one who owned it said, "I'll help, we want to start the war,"
to pieces by the wild beasts. When the two had fallen asleep and and blew so many hussars and cavalry together that they couldn't
one was standing by and keeping watch, a little man in a red dress all be counted . Then he sent to the king and told him that if he did
came and called out: Who is it? "Good friend," said the soldier. not hand over the purse and cloak, not a stone should be left
"What kind of good friend?" - "Three old soldiers who have been unturned in his castle. Then the king persuaded his daughter to
discharged and who have nothing to live for." Then the little man give it back before they brought so much misfortune upon
said he should come to him, he wanted to give him something, if he themselves, but she would not listen and said she wanted to try
took care of that, he should have had enough of his life to have. So something first. So she dressed like a poor girl, put a basket on her
he went up and they gave him an old cloak, if he put it on, arm and went out into the camp to sell all kinds of drinks, and her
whatever he wished, it all came true, but he was not to tell his maid had to go with her. When she was in the middle of the camp,
comrades until daybreak. When it was day and they woke up, he she began to sing so beautifully that the whole army came out of
told them what had happened, and they traveled on until the the tents, and the one who had the horn ran out and listened. and
second evening, and when they lay down to sleep, the second had when she sees him, she signals to her maid, who sneaks into his tent,
to keep watch and stand guard with them. Then came the little red takes the horn, and runs into the castle with him. Then she went
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
home again and now had everything and the three comrades had her powder from the pears, then her nose fell off and 250 men had
to go begging again. to come and cut her to pieces. And he went away with the purse,
So they went away, then the one who had had the bag said: "You the cloak, and the horn to his comrades, and they made a wish to
know what, we can't always be together, you go out there, I want go back to their castle; there they will probably still sit and keep
to go out here." So he went alone and came into a forest, and house.
because he was tired, he lay down under a tree to sleep a little.
When he woke up and saw above him there was a beautiful apple
tree under which he had slept and magnificent apples were 1815 KHM 129 THE LION AND THE FROG.
hanging from it. Being hungry, he took one, ate it, and then
another. Then his nose begins to grow and grows and becomes so ("The Lion and the Frog" was a fairy tale in the Children's and
long that he can no longer get up; and grows through the forest Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm. It only appeared in the
and out sixty miles. But his comrades also went around the world second part of the 1st edition of 1815 (there No. 43) at position
looking for him because it was better in company, but they could 129 (KHM 129). The magic fairy tale comes from by Ludovica des
not find him. Suddenly someone bumped into something and Bordes, who wrote it down for the Brothers Grimm on May 31,
stepped on something soft, egg! what's that supposed to be, he 1814, with the comment that she heard it from her mother when
thought, then it stirred and it was a nose. Then they said we want she was five or six years old and didn't remember it all anymore.
to follow our noses and finally came into the forest to their Contents: The son and daughter of a royal couple love each other
comrade, who was lying there, unable to move or move. So they very much. When the son does not come home from hunting, the
took a stick and wrapped his nose around it and wanted to lift it daughter looks for him and, exhausted, meets a friendly lion, who
up and carry him away, but it was too heavy. So they looked for a carries her through a dark cave into a garden with a palace. She is
donkey in the forest, put it and its long nose on two sticks and supposed to serve the lion in order to get her brother back. As
carried it away, and when they had pulled a little further it was so once walking sadly in the garden, she sees a tree frog with a rose
heavy that they had to rest. As they were resting, they saw a tree petal on his head on an island in a pond, who promises to help her.
standing near them, with beautiful pears hanging from it; and the When the lion asks for a mosquito cake, the frog bakes one. She is
little red man came out from behind the tree and told the long- to give the sleeping lion n cut off the head. When she does, her
nosed one to eat one of the pears, so his nose fell off. So he ate a brother and his lover, who was the frog, are saved.)
pear and immediately his long nose fell off and he didn't keep any
more than he had before. Then the little man said, "Pear off the There was a king and a queen who had a son and a daughter who
apples and pears and make powder out of everyone; to whom you loved each other dearly. The prince often went hunting and
give the apple powder, his nose will grow, and when you then give sometimes stayed out in the forest for a long time, but once he
the pear powder, it will fall off again; and then travel as a doctor never came back. His sister wept almost blindly over this, and
and give the princess some of the apples and then some of the finally, unable to bear it any longer, she went away into the forest
powder too, her nose will grow twenty times longer than yours; to look for her brother. When she had gone a long way, she could
but hold on tight." So he took some of the apples, went to the not go on because of tiredness, and when she looked around, there
king's court and pretended to be a gardener's boy, and said he had was a lion standing next to her, who acted very friendly and
a kind of apple such as none grew in the country. But when the looked so good. So she sat down on his back and the lion carried
princess heard about it, she asked her father to buy her some of her away, stroking her with his tail and cooling her cheeks. When
these apples; the king said, "Buy as much as you want." So she he had run away a good distance, they came to a cave, and the lion
bought and ate one, which tasted so good to her that she thought carried her in, and she was not afraid and did not want to jump
she had never eaten so good in her life, and then ate another one; down, because the lion was so friendly. So they went through the
when that happened, the doctor went away. Then her nose began cave, which was getting darker and finally completely pitch black,
to grow and grew so much that she couldn't get up from the chair and when it had lasted a while, they came out into the daylight
and fell over. Then the nose grew sixty cubits around the table, again in a beautiful garden. Everything was so fresh and shone in
sixty around her cupboard, and then through the window a the sun, and in the middle stood a magnificent palace. When they
hundred cubits around the castle, and still twenty miles out of came to the gate, the lion stopped and the princess got down from
town. There she lay, unable to stir or move, and no doctor knew his back. Then the lion began to speak and said: "You shall live in
how to help her. The old king issued a decree that if any stranger the beautiful house and serve me, and if you fulfill everything I ask,
could be found who could help his daughter with anything, he you will see your brother again."
should have a lot of money. The old soldier had been waiting for it, Then the princess served the lion and obeyed him in everything.
and reported as a doctor: "If it were God's will, he would want to Once she went for a walk in the garden, it was so beautiful in there
help her." Then he gave her powder from the apples, and her nose and yet she was sad because she was so alone and deserted from
started to grow again and was even bigger; in the evening he gave everyone. As she walked up and down she became aware of a pond
her powder from the pears, and she got a little smaller, but not and in the middle of the pond was a small island with a tent. Then
much. The next day he gave her apple powder again to frighten she saw that a grass-green tree frog was sitting under the tent and
and punish her, and she grew again, much more than she had lost had a rose petal on its head instead of a hood. The frog looked at
yesterday. Finally he said: "Most gracious Princess, you must have her and said: "Why are you so sad?" "Oh, she said, why shouldn't I
stolen something once, if you don't give it up no advice will help." be sad?" , just come to me, and I will give you a hand with words
Then she said: "I don't know anything about it." and if you don't and deeds." "But how am I supposed to repay you for that?" "You
give it up, you'll die of the long nose." Then the old king said: don't have to repay me anything, said the quack frog, just bring
"Give back the purse, the cloak and the horn, you stole them after me a fresh rose petal every day To the bonnet." Then the princess
all, otherwise your nose can never get any smaller." There the went back and was a little comforted, and whenever the lion asked
maid had to get all three pieces and put them down and he gave for something, she ran to the pond, where the frog jumped over
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
and over and soon got her what she needed. At one point the lion second a fourteen-year-old and in front of the third a twelve-year-
said: "Tonight I would like to eat a mosquito pie, but it must be old who, on the way back, ask if the swan, the dog and the cat are
well prepared." Then the princess thought, how can I get it, that's still there. then they couldn't come up with me. In a chamber, they
quite impossible for me, ran out and complained to her frog. But find a bow and arrow, a sword, and pincers that say they can use
the frog said, "Don't worry, I'll get some mosquito pie." Then he them to kill the swan, the dog, and the cat. You can also find
sat down, opened his mouth left and right, snapped and caught as armor, but it's too heavy. A dove comes through a barred window
many mosquitoes as he needed. Then he jumped back and forth, and becomes a youth. The three of them kill the three animals,
collected wood chips and blew on a fire. As it burned, he kneaded then the storming old woman with her children. A murmur rises.
the pie and set it over coals, and in less than two hours it was ready They bury the bodies. When they return, the castle that the witch
and as good as anyone could wish for. Then he said to the girl, had petrified is redeemed. The three animals had been other
"But you won't get the pie until you promise me that as soon as sorcerers whom she had only been able to turn into animals.)
the lion falls asleep, you'll cut off its head with a sword that's
hidden behind its bed." "No," she said , I don't do that, the lion There lived in a town two carpenters whose houses adjoined each
has always been good to me." Then the frog said: "If you don't do other and each had a son; the children were always together,
that, you'll never see your brother again, and you won't do the played together and were therefore called Little Knife and Little
lion himself any harm either." There she plucked up courage, took Fork, which are always placed next to each other on the table.
the pie and brought it to the lion. "It looks pretty good," said the When they were both grown up, they did not want to leave each
lion, sniffed it and immediately began to bite, eating it up whole. other either, but one was brave and the other fearful, so one
When he was finished, he felt tired and wanted to sleep a little; So became a soldier, the other learned the trade. When the time came
he said to the princess: "Come and sit next to me and scratch my that he had to go on a journey, the soldier did not want to leave
ears a bit until I fall asleep." Then she sits next to him, scratches him and they went out together. They now came to a town where
him with her left hand and searches for the sword with her right the carpenter went to work for a master craftsman, the soldier
hand lies behind his bed. Now that he has fallen asleep, she pulls it wanted to stay there too and hired himself out to the same master
out, shuts her eyes and cuts off the lion's head with one stroke. But as a house boy. That would have been good, but the soldier didn't
when she looks again, the lion had disappeared and her dear feel like working, he was lying on his back and it wasn't long
brother was standing next to her, who kissed her warmly and said: before the master sent him away; the diligent one did not want to
"You have redeemed me, for I was the lion and was cursed to leave him alone out of loyalty, told the master and moved on with
remain so long until a girl's hand was gone Love for me would cut him. But that is how it always went on; If they had work, it did
off the lion's head." Then they went together into the garden and not take long, because the soldier was lazy and was sent away, but
wanted to thank the frog, but when they got there they saw him the other did not want to stay without him. Once they came to a
hopping around in all directions, looking for small shavings, and big city, but because the soldier didn't want to move a hand, he
making a fire. When it was burning really brightly, he hopped in was dismissed in the evening and they had to go out again the same
himself and it burned a little longer and then the fire went out and night. The path led them to an unknown, large forest; the timid
there was a beautiful girl who had also been cursed and was the one said: "I'm not going in, witches and ghosts are jumping
prince's lover. Then they go home together to the old king and the around in there." But the soldier answered: "Oh, what! I'm not
queen and a big wedding is held and whoever was there didn't go afraid of that yet!" went ahead, and the timid man, because he
home hungry. didn't want to let go of him, went with him. In a short time they
had lost their way and wandered through the trees in the darkness,
finally they saw a light. They sought it out and came to a beautiful
1815 KHM 130 THE SOLDIER AND THE CARPENTER. castle that was brightly lit, and outside lay a black dog and on a
pond nearby sat a red swan; but when they went in, they saw no
("The Soldier And The Carpenter" was a fairy tale in the one anywhere, until they came into the kitchen, there was a gray
Children's and Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm. It was cat sitting by a pot by the fire and cooking. They went further and
there only in the second part of the first edition of 1815 (there No. found many splendid rooms, all of which were empty, but in one a
44) at position 130 (KHM 130). The Grimms noted "from the table was plentifully occupied with food and drink. Because they
Münsterland" (probably from the von Haxthausen family). Some were now very hungry, they set about it and enjoyed it. Then the
of it was good, but the overall composition had apparently soldier said: "when you have eaten and are full, you should go to
suffered. Jacob Grimm wrote to his brother after it was published bed!" opened a room, in which were two nice beds. They lay down,
that he wished it gone, probably because of the confused plot. but just as they were about to fall asleep, the timid one
Contents: The sons of two carpenters are always together and remembered that they hadn't prayed yet, so he got up and saw a
remain so as adults, with the brave becoming a soldier and the cupboard in the wall, which he unlocked and there was a crucifix
timid carpenter Wherever the carpenter finds work, the soldier with two prayer books. Immediately he woke the soldier up so that
remains as a servant, but is quickly dismissed because of his he had to get up, and they both knelt down and said their prayers;
laziness, whereupon the carpenter goes with him.The same goes in after that they fell asleep peacefully. The next morning the soldier
a big city.Then they come to a forest, and because the brave one is was so violently pushed that he jumped up: "You, why are you
not afraid, he goes too the other with. They get lost, then they see hitting me?" he called out to the other, who had also received a
a light and come to a bright castle, with a black dog and a red push and said: "Why are you hitting me, I'm going to hit you."
swan on the pond. It's deserted, but a gray cat is cooking in the not!" Then the soldier said: "It must be a sign that we should come
kitchen, and there's food in one room. After that they go to sleep, out." When they came out, breakfast was already on the table, but
the timid one finds a crucifix and two prayer books. In the the timid man said: "Before we touch it, let's first looking for
morning both get a bump. They leave breakfast and go down into someone." "Yes, said the soldier, I always think the cat cooked it
the cellars. In front of the first is an old woman, in front of the and broke it in, so I lose all desire."
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 361
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
So they went through the castle again from bottom to top, but weapons, and when they were dead a strange murmuring began all
found no soul, finally the soldier said: "We also want to go down around and came from every corner. The timid man said, "We
into the cellar." When they were down the stairs, they saw an old want to bury the three bodies, they were Christians, we saw that
woman sitting in front of the first cellar; they spoke to her and on the crucifix." So they carried them out into the courtyard, dug
said, "Hello! did she cook us the good food?" – "Yes, children, did three graves and put them in them. But while they were working,
you like it?" So they went further and came to the second cellar, in the murmuring in the castle kept getting louder and louder, and
front of it sat a youth of 14 years, they also greeted him, but he when they were finished, they heard a good deal of voices in it and
gave them no answer. Finally they came to the third cellar, in someone called out: "Where are they? where are they?" And
front of it sat a girl of twelve who did not answer their greeting because the beautiful young man was no longer there, they were
either. They went further through all the cellars, but found no one afraid and ran away. When they had gone a little, the soldier said:
else. When they came back again, the girl had gotten up from her "Well, that's wrong that we ran away like that, we want to turn
seat, so they said to her: "Do you want to go up with us?" But she around and see what's there." "No," said the other, I don't want
said: "Is the red swan still up on the pond?" - "Yes, we have saw anything to do with the magic creature and seek my honest living
him at the entrance." - "That's sad, I can't go with you like that." in the city." But the soldier would not let him rest until he went
The youth had also got up and when they came to him, they asked back with him. When they got to the castle everything was full of
him: "Do you want to go up with us?" But he said: "Is the black life, horses were jumping through the yard and servants were
dog still in the yard?" – "Yes, we saw him at the entrance." – running to and fro. So they pretended to be two poor artisans and
"That's sad, I can't go with you like this." When they came to the asked for a little food. One of the crowd said: "Yes, just come in,
old woman, she had also straightened up: "Mother, they said, do today good things are being done for everyone." They were led
you want to go up with us?" - "Is the gray cat still upstairs in the into a beautiful room and given food and wine. After this they
kitchen?" - "Yes, she's sitting on the stove by a pot and cooking." - were asked if they had seen two young people coming from the
"That's sad, you guys If we don't kill the red swan, the black dog castle. "No," they said. But when someone saw that they had
and the gray cat, we can't get out of the cellar." blood on their hands, he asked where the blood came from? Then
When the two journeymen came back upstairs into the kitchen, the soldier said: "I cut my finger." But the servant told the
they wanted to pet the cat, but it made fiery eyes and looked very gentleman, who came himself and wanted to see it, but it was the
wild. Now there was a small chamber left, which they had not been beautiful youth who had stood by them and how he saw them with
in, when they opened it it was completely empty, only a bow and his eyes , he cried: "They are the ones who have saved the castle!"
arrow, a sword and iron tongs against the wall. Above the bow He welcomed them with joy and told how it had happened: "In the
and arrow were the words: "that kills the red swan," above the castle there was a housekeeper with her two children who was a
sword: "that cuts off the head of the black dog," and above the secret witch and when she once was scolded by the rulers, she fell
pincers: "that pinches the gray cat's head off." said the timid one, into malice and turned everything that had life in the castle to
we want to get away from here," but the soldier: "no, we want to stones, only over three other evil court servants who also knew
look for the animals." They took their weapons from the wall and magic, she had no real power and could only turn them into
went into the kitchen, where the three animals stood, the swan, animals, which now up in the castle, she was afraid of them and
the dog and the cat together as if they were up to something bad. fled to the cellar with her children. She only had enough power
When the timid man saw this, he ran away again; the soldier spoke over me to turn me into a white dove outside the castle. When you
a heart to him, but he first wanted to eat something; when he had two came into the castle you were supposed to kill the animals so
eaten he said: "I saw armor in a room, I want to put one on first." that she would be free and as a reward she wanted to kill you again,
When he was in the room he wanted to help himself and said: "it is but God did it better, the castle was redeemed and the stones came
better if we climb to the window outside, what do we care about to life again the moment when the wicked witch was slain with her
the animals!" But when he stepped to the window, there was a children, and the murmuring that belongs to her were the first
strong iron grating in front of it. Now he couldn't argue it any words that those who were free spoke." Then he led the two
longer, went to the armour and wanted to put one on, but they companions to the master of the house, who had two beautiful
were all too heavy. Then the soldier said: "Well, let's go as we daughters, who were given to them and they lived happily all their
are." "Yes," said the other, if there were three of us left." As he lives, as great knights.
spoke the words, a white dove fluttered to the outside of the
window and bumped into it , the soldier opened the door for her
and when she came in, a handsome young man was standing in 1815 KHM 136. THE WILD MAN .
front of them, who said: "I want to be with you and help you" and
took bow and arrow. The timid one said to him that he had it best ("The wild Man" is a fairy tale in Low German. The fairy tale
with the bow and arrow, after the shot it would be good and he was in the second part of the Children's and Household Tales
could go where he liked, but they had to get closer to the magic (there No. 50). It was in the first edition from 1815 to the 5th
beasts with their weapons. So the youth gave him the bow and edition from 1843 (KHM 136) The Grimms noted "from the
arrow and took the sword. Münsterland" (by Jenny von Droste-Hülshoff) and noted that a
Then all three went to the kitchen, where the animals were still male Cinderella or Allerleirauh appears here.
standing together, and the youth cut off the head of the black dog, [* The currency "ducats" is mentioned in the text: The ducat is a
and the soldier seized the gray cat with his tongs, and the timid gold coin that circulated throughout Europe until the early 20th
one stood behind and shot the red swan dead. And just as the three century. It has a fineness of 986/1000 and weighs about 3.49 g
animals fell, the old woman and her two children came running (fine weight about 3.44 g). During the reign of the East Roman
out of the cellar with a loud cry: "You have killed my dearest Emperor Constantine X (1006-1067 AD) from the Dukas dynasty,
friends, you are traitors," pressed on them and wanted to murder the East Roman gold coins were stamped with his Greek family
them. But the three overpowered them and killed them with their name "doukas". Around 1140, the word appears on the coins
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
struck by Roger II of Sicily. It was then reinterpreted as Middle and he answered that he did not know her. Then she gave him a
Latin "ducatus" ("duchy").] roast chicken full of ducats.* When he came back to the gardener,
Contents: A wild man devastates the farmers' harvest. A hunter he gave him the money and said: "What should I do with it?
catches him with liquor, wine and beer. The lord put him on Nobody needs that!" He was later ordered to bring another
display in a cage in the castle. Once a ball falls into a boy. The wild bouquet of flowers to the princess and she gave him a duck full of
man lets him unlock the cage and runs away. Because the boy ducats, which he also gave to the gardener. A third time she gave
screams that he is about to be beaten, the wild man takes him into him a goose full of ducats, which the young man passed on to the
the wilderness and sends him to the emperor's gardener's service. gardener. The princess thought he had money, and yet he had
Every morning he makes him wash and comb his hair and makes nothing. They got married secretly and her parents got angry and
the garden beautiful for him. The princess lets the handsome forced her to work in a brewery and she had to feed herself by
apprentice come to her, gives him more money each time and spiders too. The young man would go into the kitchen and help
secretly marries him. For this, her parents let her spin and he is a the cook prepare the roast, and sometimes he would steal a piece of
kitchen hand. When war comes, he wants to go too, but only gets meat and bring it to his wife.
a lame horse. On the way the wild man comes towards him: A Before long there was a mighty war in England, and the
mountain opens up with army and armor and he wins everything. Emperor and all the great armies had to travel there. The young
The Emperor is grateful, but he doesn't want to say who he is. man said he was going there too and asked if they had a horse in
After that, no one believes he fought. It goes like this twice more, the stable for him. They told him they had one on three legs that
when he receives a wound on his arm, which the emperor binds up. would be good enough for him. So he got on the horse, the horse
When he is about to get a beating for bragging again, he shows that went limp-hops limp-hops. Then the wild man comes towards
the wound. The emperor repents and gives him everything. There him, and there opens up such a large mountain in which a
the wild man is redeemed as an old king and the mountain is his regiment of a thousand soldiers and officers stood. The young man
castle.) put on beautiful clothes and was given a magnificent horse. Then
he went to war in England with all his men. The emperor greeted
Once upon a time there was a wild man who was under a magic him kindly and asked for his support. The young man defeated
spell, and he went into the farmers' gardens and wheat fields and everyone and won the battle, after which the emperor thanked him
destroyed everything. The farmers complained to their landlord and asked where his army came from. "You don't ask me that," he
and told him that they could no longer pay their rent. So the replied. "I can't tell you that." Then he rode off with his army and
landlord called all the hunters together and announced that left England. Then the wild man met him again and led all the men
whoever caught the wild beast would receive a great reward. Then back into the mountain. The young man mounted the three-legged
an old hunter came and said he would like to catch the animal. horse and went home. "Here comes our limp-foot again with his
You would only have to give him a bottle of booze, a bottle of three-legged horse!" shouted the people and asked: "Did you lie
wine and a bottle of beer to place on the bank where the animal behind the hedge and slept?" "Well," said he, "if I had not been in
washed every day. After that, the hunter hid behind a tree. Soon England, the Emperor would not have fared well!" "Boy," they
the animal came and drank up all the bottles. It licked its mouth said, "shut up, otherwise the army will give you something to
and looked around to make sure everything was alright. Being kill!" The second time everything was as before, and the third time
drunk, he lay down and fell asleep. The hunter went to him and the young man won the whole battle, but he was wounded in the
tied his hands and feet. Then he woke the savage and said: "You arm. The emperor took his cloth and bandaged his wounds. He
savage, come with me and you shall have something like this to tried to force the boy to stay there again. "No, I won't stay with
drink every day." The hunter brought the wild man to the noble you. It's none of your business who I am." Then the wild man came
castle, and there they put him in a cage. The squire then visited towards him again and led all his men back into the mountain.
them other nobles and invited them to see what kind of animal he The young man once more mounted his three-legged horse and
had caught. Meanwhile one of the young gentlemen was playing returned home. People started laughing and saying. "Here comes
with a ball and dropped it in the cage. "Wild man," said the child, our limp foot again. Where did you sleep this time?" "In fact, I
"throw the ball again out to me." "You'll have to get the ball back didn't sleep," he said. "England is totally defeated and at last there
yourself," said the savage. "Yes," said the child, "but I don't have is peace."
the key." "Then see that you get it out of your mother's pocket Then the emperor talked about the handsome knight who was
steal." So the child unlocked the cage and the wild man ran out. helping him, and the young man said to the emperor, "If I hadn't
"Oh, wild man!" Then the child began to cry. "Stay here, been with you, it wouldn't have turned out so well." The Emperor
otherwise I'll get beaten!" Then the wild man took the child really wanted to beat him up, but the young man said, "You there!
piggybacked and ran off into the wilderness with it, the wild man If you don't believe me, let me show you my arm." When he
was gone and the child was lost. The wild man put a bad smock on showed his arm and the emperor saw the wound, he was amazed
the child and d sent it to the gardener at the emperor's court, and said, "Perhaps you are the Lord God himself or an angel that
where he was to ask if they needed a gardener's assistant there. The God sent to me ", and he begged pardon for having treated him so
gardener said yes, but the boy was so scruffy that the others didn't cruelly, and gave him his whole empire. Then the wild man was
want to sleep near him. The boy replied that he would sleep on the released from the magic spell and stood there as a great king and
straw. Then he went into the garden early every morning, and told his whole story. The mountain now turned into a whole royal
then the wild man came towards him and said: "Now wash castle and the young man moved there with his wife and they lived
yourself and comb your hair. And the wild man has made the happily in the castle to the end of their days.
garden so beautiful that even the gardener could not do
better .The princess saw the pretty boy every morning and told the
gardener to have his little helper bring him a bunch of
flowers.When the boy came she asked him what his parentage was,
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 363
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
1815 KHM 143 THE CHILDREN IN FAMINE. and the portrait, which was dressed in golden slippers, let one let
loose from it and fall down, that it might benefit the pilgrim. He
("The children in famine" was a legend in the Children's And bowed gratefully and took the gift.
Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm only in the second part of Soon, however, the gold slipper was missing from the church and
the 1st edition of 1815 (there No. 57) in place 143 (KHM 143) was a question everywhere, until it was finally found with the poor
and comes from from Johannes Praetorius' collection "Der little violinist, who too was condemned as a wicked thief and
abentheuerliche Glückstopf " from 1669 (page 191). taken out to be hanged. On the way, however, the procession
Contents: A woman wants to slaughter her older daughter passed the church where the statue stood, and the minstrel asked
because she is starving. She asks for mercy and fetches a piece of to be allowed to go in, so that at last he could lament the distress
bread "without begging". Then it's the turn of the younger one . of his heart with his little fiddle and his benefactor. He was now
She fetches two pieces of bread. They persuade the mother to sleep allowed to do so. But no sooner had he drawn the first line than
until Judgment Day. No one can wake them up, but the mother is the image let the other golden slipper fall down, showing that he
gone. This story may reflect memories of the Thirty Years' War was innocent of theft. So the fiddler got rid of his iron and gangs,
(1618-1648) that ended with the First World War known as the happily wandered his streets that were safe. But maiden was called
cruelest of all European wars, resulting in tens of millions of dead, sorrow.
many of whom died of starvation.)
Once upon a time a woman and her two daughters fell into such 1840 KHM 175 THE MISFORTUNE.
poverty that they no longer had a bit of bread to put in their
mouths. When their hunger became so great that the mother (The Misfortune is a parable in the Children's and Household
became completely beside herself and in despair, she said to the Tales of the Brothers Grimm. It was only in the 4th edition (1840),
eldest: "I must kill you so that I have something to eat." The the 5th edition (1843) and the 6th edition (1850) at position 175
daughter said: "Oh, dear mother , spare me, I want to go out and (KHM 175) and is from Hans Wilhelm Kirchhof's Wendunmuth
see that I can get something to eat without begging." So she went (Von ein der ins holtz gieng, Nr. 178) Your 1856 note states that
out and came back, and had brought a piece of bread, which they it derives from a text in the oriental Bidpai, which is why it was
ate together, but it was not enough to satisfy the hunger replaced by Der Mond in 1857. A surviving letter dated February
breastfeed. So the mother started to the other daughter: "You 29, 1836 shows that Jacob Grimm had already researched the
have to do it." But she answered: "Oh, dear mother, spare me, I original source.
want to go and bring something to eat somewhere else without Contents: In the first sentence, the narrator explains that one
being noticed." So she went, came back and had brought in two cannot escape misfortune when it is looking for one.A poor man
pieces of bread; they ate it together, but it was not enough to does not even have one more firewood, and all the trees in the
satisfy their hunger. Therefore, after a few hours, the mother forest are too big to cut down. When he finally finds it, wolves
spoke to them again: "You must die, otherwise we must languish." come. He tries to escape over a bridge, but it collapses. He jumps.
To which they replied: "Dear mother, we want to lie down and Fishermen get him out and lean him against a wall. Yes when he
sleep and not get up again until the last day is coming." So they comes to, the wall collapses and e beats him.)
lay down and slept a deep sleep from which no one could wake
them, but the mother has gone away and no one knows where she Whom misfortune visits may crawl from one corner to the other,
is. or flee into the wide field, but it still knows how to find him. Once
upon a time a man had become so poor that he had no more logs
to keep the fire on his hearth. Then he went out into the forest and
1815 KHM 152 THE HOLY FRAU KUMMERNIS. wanted to cut down a tree, but they were all too big and strong: he
went deeper and deeper into it, and at last he found one that he
("The holy Frau Kummernis" was a legend in the Children's and could probably conquer. As he picked up the axe, he saw a flock of
Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm. It was only in the second wolves break out of the thicket and howl at him. He threw down
part of the 1st edition of 1815 (there No. 66) at position 152 the ax and fled, reaching a bridge. But the deep water had
(KHM 152). Wilhelm Grimm took over the legend of Andreas undermined the bridge, and just as he was about to step on it, it
Strobl's Ovum paschal or Newly Coloured Easter Ayr from 1700. cracked and collapsed. what should he do? If he stopped and
Contents: A virgin does not want to marry out of piety. Her waited for the wolves, they tore him to pieces. In need he dared to
father wants to force her. She asks God for a beard. She is crucified jump into the water, but as he could not swim he sank down. A
and a saint. As a minstrel kneels in front of her picture, she drops a couple of fishermen sitting on the opposite bank saw the man fall
gold shoe. He is accused of stealing, but is allowed to see her again. into the water, swam over, and brought him to shore. They leaned
As soon as he fiddles, the second shoe falls too. He is innocent.) him against an old wall for him to warm up in the sun and regain
his strength. But when he woke up from unconsciousness and
Once upon a time there was a pious virgin who vowed to God wanted to thank the fishermen and tell them his fate, the walls fell
not to marry, and was so beautiful that her father would not over him and killed him.
admit it, and was willing to force her into marriage. In this
distress she begged God that he should let her grow a beard, which
happened immediately; but the king was angry and had her 1843 KHM 182. THE PEAS SAMPLE.
crucified, and she became a saint.
Now it happened that a very poor minstrel came into the church ("The Peas Sample," is a well-known fairy tale by the Danish
where her portrait stood, knelt down in front of it, and the saint writer Hans Christian Andersen, which is entitled "Prinsessen på
was pleased that he was the first to acknowledge her innocence, ærten" in the Danish original. It was written in the style of satire
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 364
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
and was published on April 7, 1837 in an issue of the series Fairy eiderdown. When everything was ready, she led the girl upstairs to
Tales, for Children tells (Danish Eventyr fortalte for Børn) It was the bedroom. "You'll be tired after the long journey, my child,"
also known as The Pea Test in Grimm's Fairy Tales (KHM 182, she said. "Sleep well: we'll talk more tomorrow."
only in the 5th edition of 1843. The fairy tale was [more detailed The day had scarcely broken when the queen climbed up the
than Andersen's] in the 5th edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales as "The tower into the chamber. She thought she found the girl still sound
test of peas", however, was ruled out there again. The annotation asleep, but she was awake. "How did you sleep, my daughter?" she
to The Gifts of the Little People, which was included instead, gives asked. "It's pathetic," answered the princess, "I haven't slept all
the reason that it "probably comes from Andersen (p. 42)", it also night." "Why? My child, wasn't the bed good?" "I've never lain in
occurs in Cavallius "p. 222". The 14-year-old son Herman Grimm a bed like that in my life, hard from head to toe; it was as if I were
contributed it, his father and uncle probably did not notice the lying on nothing but peas." "I see," said the Queen, "you are a real
origin right away. princess. I will send you royal clothes, pearls and precious stones:
Contents: The fairy tale is about a prince who has unsuccessfully adorn yourself like a bride. We want to celebrate the wedding
traveled all over the world to find a real princess to marry. One today."
evening, during a storm, a rain-soaked young lady appears at the
city gate, claiming to be a real princess. To find out if this is the
truth, the old queen secretly puts a pea on the bottom of the 1843 KHM 191 THE ROBBER AND HIS SONS.
bedstead, and on it twenty mattresses and twenty eiderdown
comforters. When the princess complains the next morning that ("The robber and his sons" was a fairy tale only in the 5th
she slept badly because she was on something hard, the proof is edition (1843) and the 6th edition (1850) in the Children's And
there. Because only a real princess can be so sensitive. The prince Household Tales of the Brothers Grimm in place of 191 (KHM
then takes her to wife.) 191). It comes from Moriz Haupt's periodical Altdeutsche Blätter
from 1836 (1836, vol. 1, 119-128) In the 7th edition (1857) they
Once upon a time there was a king who had an only son who left out the magic fairy tale again.
wanted to marry him and asked his father for a wife. 'Your wish Contents: An old robber regrets his trade and improves himself.
shall be granted, my son,' said the king, 'but it is not fitting that His three sons want to become robbers again. He advises them not
you should take any other than a princess, and one is just about to to. But they steal the queen's horse by hiding the youngest in a
be had. In the meantime, I want to make it known, maybe someone bundle of grass, which they sell to the stable master. You will be
from afar will get in touch." So an open letter went out, and it caught. Because they are beautiful, the queen asks the father if he
wasn't long before enough princesses got in touch. Almost every wants to untie them. When he says they're not worth it, she just
day one came, but when her birth and descent were asked, it wants to hear the weirdest story of his life as a robber.)
turned out that she wasn't a princess, and she had to go away
without having accomplished anything. "If it goes on like this," Once upon a time there was a robber who lived in a large forest
said the prince, "I shall end up having no wife at all." happiness is and lived with his companions in ravines and caves in the rocks,
often at the door, one need only open it." It was really as the queen and when princes, lords and rich merchants roamed the country
had said. roads, he would lie in wait for them and rob them of their money
Soon afterwards, on a stormy evening, when the wind and rain and property. When he came of age he no longer liked the trade
were beating on the window, there was a violent knocking at the and regretted that he had done so much evil. So he began to lead a
gate of the royal palace. The servants opened the door, and a better life, lived honestly and did good deeds where he could. The
beautiful maiden entered, who asked to be brought at once before people marveled that he had converted so quickly, but they
the king. The king wondered about the late visit and asked her rejoiced. He had three sons, when they were grown he called them
where she came from, who she was and what she wanted. "I come before him and said, "Dear children, tell me what kind of trade do
from afar," she answered, "and am the daughter of a mighty king. you want to choose that you can earn an honest living with?" The
When your acquaintance with the image of your son came into my sons discussed with each other and gave him then to the answer
father's kingdom, I felt a fierce love for him, and set out at once "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, we want to feed ourselves
with the intention of becoming his wife.' 'That strikes me as a little as you fed yourselves: we want to become robbers. We don't like a
worrying,' said the latter King, "you don't even look like a trade in which we work ourselves from morning to night, and yet
princess to me. Since when does a princess travel alone, with no have little profit and a hard life." "Ah, dear children," answered
entourage, and in such bad clothes?' 'The entourage would only the father, "why don't you want to live quietly and be content
have held me up,' she replied; 'the colour on my clothes has faded with little be. Honesty is the best. Robbery is an evil and godless
in the sun, and the rain has washed it out completely. If you don't thing that leads to a bad end: you have no joy in the wealth you
think I'm a princess, just send a message to my father.' 'That's too amass: I know how I felt about it. I tell you it ends badly. The jar
far for me,' said the king; 'an embassy can't travel as fast as you. goes to water until it breaks: you will be caught at last and hanged
People must have the time to do it to have; it would be years on the gallows." But the sons ignored his admonitions and stuck
before they would come back. If you can't prove in some other way to their resolution.
that you're a princess, your honey won't flourish here, and you'd Now the three young men wanted to make their test piece right
do better the sooner the better to get back on your way." "Just let away. They knew that the queen had a fine horse in her stable,
her stay," said the Queen, "I want to put her to the test, and soon I which was of great value, and they wanted to steal it from her.
want to know if she is a princess." They also knew that the horse ate no other fodder than a lush
The queen herself went up the tower and had a bed made up in a grass that grew alone in a damp forest. So they went out, cut the
splendid room. When the mattress was brought, she put three peas grass, and made a big bundle of it, in which the two eldest put the
on it, one on top, one in the middle, and one below, then six soft youngest and smallest so that he could not be seen. They carried
mattresses were spread over them, linen cloths, and a covering of the bundle to the market, where the queen's equerry bought it, had
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
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ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
it carried to the horse in the stable, and laid down. When it was had to be quick and always run through with the animals between
midnight and everyone was asleep, the little boy got out of the his legs without him noticing me. At last I found the skin of a ram
bundle of grass, untied the horse, bridled it with the gold bridle, lying in a corner among the sheep, I slipped into it and managed
and put the gold-embroidered riding gear on it, and stopped the to do it in such a way that the animal's horns stood straight on my
bells that hung on it with wax , so that they would not make a head. The giant was in the habit of letting the sheep run through
sound. Then he opened the locked gate, and hurriedly rode away his legs before they went out to pasture. Then he counted them,
on horseback to the place where his brothers had sent him. But the and whichever was the fattest he seized, cooked, and with it kept
watchmen in the city, noticing the thief, rushed after him, and his meal. I would have liked to run away on that occasion, and
when they found him outside with his brothers, they arrested all pushed myself through his legs like sheep do, but when he grabbed
three and led them to prison. me and noticed that I was heavy, he said, "You are fat, you shall
The next morning they were brought before the queen, and when fill my belly today. I leaped out of his hands, but he grabbed me
she saw that they were three beautiful youths, she inquired about again. I escaped again, but he grabbed me again, and so it went
their origins, and learned that they were the sons of the old robber, seven times. Then he got angry and said, "Run, let the wolves eat
who had changed his way of life and lived as an obedient subject . you, you've fooled me enough." When I was outside, I threw off
So she had them taken back to prison and asked the father if he the skin, called out to him mockingly that I had escaped from him
wanted to release his sons. The old man came and said, "My sons after all, and taunted him. He pulled a ring from his finger and
are not worth my ransom with a penny." Then the queen said to said, "Take this golden ring as a gift from me, you have well
him, "You have been a well-known, notorious robber. Tell me the earned it. It is not fitting that a man so crafty and nimble should
strangest adventure from your life as a robber, and I will tell you leave me without a gift." I took the ring and put it on my finger,
reflect your children." but I did not know that there was magic in it. From the moment it
When the old man heard this, he began, "Mrs. Queen, hear my was on my finger, I couldn't stop shouting, "Here I am! here I
speech, I want to tell you an event that frightened me more than am!" I might like it or not. Since the giant could see where I was,
fire and water. I found out that in a wild forest gorge between two he ran after me into the forest. Because he was blind, he ran every
mountains, twenty miles away from the people, lived a giant who moment against a branch or a trunk and fell down like a mighty
had a great treasure, many thousands of marks of silver and gold. tree, but he quickly got up again and since he had long legs and
So I chose so many of my companions that there were a hundred of could take long strides, he always came for me again, and was
us, and we went. It was a long, arduous journey between rocks and already very close to me, because I kept calling out "Here I am!
chasms. We did not find the giant at home, were glad about it, and here I am." I realised that the ring was the cause of my crying, and
took as much of the gold and silver as we could carry. When we I wanted to pull it off, but I could not. I had no choice but to bite
were about to set off on our way home and thought we were quite my finger off with my teeth. At that moment I stopped shouting
safe, the giant unexpectedly came along with ten other giants and and happily escaped from the giant. Although I lost my finger, I
captured us all. They divided us among themselves: each received kept my life."
ten from us, and I and nine of my companions fell to the giant "Madam Queen," said the robber, "I told you this story in order
from whom we had taken his treasure. He tied our hands behind to free one of my sons; now, in order to free the second, I will tell
our backs and drove us like sheep into his cave in the rocks. We you what happened next. When I escaped from the hands of the
were ready to part with money and property, but he replied, "I giant, I strayed in the wilderness, knowing not where to turn. I
don't need your treasures, I want to keep you and eat your flesh, I climbed the tallest firs and the peaks of the mountains, but
prefer that." Then he felt us all, chose one, and said, "That's the wherever I looked there was not a house far and wide, not a field,
fattest one, I'll start with that one." and when it was boiled, he not a trace of human existence, everywhere nothing but a terrible
kept his meal. So he ate one of us every day, and as I was the wilderness. I descended from sky-high mountains into valleys, but
skinniest, I was to be the last. When my nine companions were they were like the deepest abysses. I encountered lions, bears,
exhausted and it was my turn, I thought of a ruse. "I can see well buffaloes, forest donkeys, poisonous snakes and horrid worms; I
that you have bad eyes," I said to him, "and that your face is saw wild, hairy forest people, people with horns and beaks, so
suffering: I am a doctor and am well experienced in my art, I will horrible that I still shudder when I think of it. I went on and on,
heal your eyes if you want to let me live." He promised me my life hunger and thirst tormented me, and I was afraid every moment I
if I could. He gave me everything I asked for. I put oil in a would collapse from exhaustion. Finally, just as the sun was about
cauldron, and mixed in it sulphur, pitch, salt, arsenic, and other to set, I came to a high mountain and saw smoke rising from a
perishable things, and put the cauldron over the fire as if desolate valley, as if from a lit oven. I ran down the mountain for
preparing a plaster for his eyes. As soon as the oil was boiling, the the smoke as fast as I could, when I got to the bottom I saw three
giant had to lie down, and I poured everything that was in the dead men hanging from the branch of a tree. I was frightened,
cauldron on his eyes, neck and body, so that he lost his face thinking I was about to be captured by another giant, and worried
completely and the skin burned all over his body and shrank. He for my life. But I plucked up courage, went on, and found a little
jumped up with a horrible howl, threw himself on the ground house whose door was wide open: and by the hearth fire there sat a
again, rolled about and shrieked and roared like a lion or an ox. woman with her child. I went in, greeted her, and asked why she
Then he jumped up in a rage, grabbed a big club, and running was sitting here all alone and where her husband was; I also asked
about the house he hit the ground and the wall, thinking he'd hit if it was still far to where people lived. She answered me that the
me. I could not escape, for the house was surrounded by high walls land where people lived was far away, and told me with tears in
and the doors were locked with iron bolts. I jumped from one her eyes that wild forest monsters had come last night and stolen
corner to the other, finally I didn't know what else to do, I her and the child from her husband's side and brought them into
climbed a ladder up to the roof and hung onto the rooster's beam this wilderness. Then they went out again in the morning and
with both hands. There I hung a day and a night, but when I could ordered her to kill and cook the child because they wanted to eat it
stand it no longer, I descended again and mingled with the sheep. I when they came back. When I heard that, I felt great pity for the
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 366
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
woman and the child, and resolved to put them out of their misery. 1856 FRAGMENTS (from the Annotations, i.e. Volume 3).
I ran to the tree from which the three thieves were hanging, took
down the middle one, who was healthy, and carried him into the 1. THE MAN FROM THE GALLOWS.
house. I cut it into pieces and told the woman to give it to the (from: Children's and Household Tales; large edition. vol. 3,
giants to eat. But I took the child and hid it in a hollow tree, then p. 267; Edition: 3rd edition; Release date: 1856.)
I hid myself behind the house, so that I could see where the wild
people were coming from and whether it was necessary to rush to An old woman receives guests late in the evening and has nothing
the woman's aid herself. As the sun was about to set, I saw the left to eat, does not know what to cook them, goes to the gallows
monsters running down from the mountain, they were hideous and where a dead man is hanging, cuts out his liver and roasts it for
terrible to behold, like apes in shape. They were dragging a dead the strangers who eat it.
body behind them, but I couldn't see who it was. When they came At midnight there is a knock at the hut, the woman opens, there
into the house, they kindled a great fire, tore the bloody body is a dead man with a bald head, without eyes and with a wound in
with their teeth, and ate it. After this they took the cauldron in his body.
which the thief's flesh was boiling, and divided the pieces among "Where is your hair?"
themselves for supper. When they were done, one who appeared to "The wind blew them away from me."
be their chief asked the woman if what they had eaten was the flesh "Where are your eyes?"
of her child. The woman said, "Yes." Then the monster said, "I "They hacked the ravens out of me."
think you hid your child and cooked us one of the thieves hanging "Where's your liver?"
from the branch." He told three of his companions to run there "You ate them."
and him from each of the three thieves bring a piece of meat that
he might see that they were all still there. When I heard that, I
quickly ran ahead and hung my hands between the two thieves on 3. THE STRONG HANS.
the rope from which I had taken the third one. When the monsters (From: Children's and Household Tales. Big edition. vol. 3, p.
came, they cut off a piece of meat from each of their loins. They 268; Edition: 3rd edition; Release date: 1856. Compare the
also cut a piece out of me, but I endured it without making a German legend no. 52.)
sound. I still have the scar on my body as a testimony."
Here the robber was silent for a moment and then said, "Mrs. Strong Hans goes to the devil in hell and wants to serve him
Queen, I have told you this adventure for my second son, now I when he sees the pots standing by the fire, in which the souls are
want to tell you the end of the story for the third. When the wild stuck. Compassionately he lifts the lids and redeems them;
people ran away with the three pieces of meat, I lowered myself whereupon the devil chases him away.
again and bandaged my wound with strips from my shirt as best I
could, but the blood could not be stopped, but streamed down on
me. But I didn't pay attention to it, just thinking how to keep my 4. PUSS IN BOOTS.
promise to the woman and save her and the child. So I hurried (From: Children's and Household Tales. Upper German, large
back to the house, hid myself, and listened to what was happening, edition. vol. 3, pp. 268-269; Edition: 3rd edition; Release date:
but I could barely stand up: the wound hurt and I was exhausted 1856. The fairy tale is usually told according to Perrault's French
from hunger and thirst. Meanwhile the giant tasted the three version, but the Transylvanian Saxons have received a unique and
pieces of meat that had been brought to him, and when he had good tradition (in Haltrich's handwritten collection no. 13) of it,
tasted what was cut from me and was still bloody, he said, "Run the Feather King. Also, in an Austrian folk song (in Schottky and
and bring me the meanest thief, his flesh is still fresh and agreeable Zischka, p 12) the idea before: )
me." Hearing this, I rushed back to the gallows, and again hung
myself on the rope between the two dead men. Presently the hop, hop, rabbit man,
monsters came and took me down from the gallows, and dragged our cat has boots on,
me over thorns and thistles to the house, where they laid me on the runs with it to Hollabrunn,
ground. They sharpened their teeth, sharpened their knives on me, finds a child in the sun.
and prepared to slaughter and eat me. They were just about to What should it be called?
lend a hand when suddenly such a storm arose with lightning, Tickl (victim) or scourge.
thunder and wind that the monsters themselves were frightened
and rushed out through the windows, doors and roof with horrid
screams and left me lying on the ground. After three hours it was 5. THE EVIL MOTHER-IN-LAW.
day, and the clear sun rose. I set out with the wife and child, we (From: Children's and Household Tales. Large edition. vol. 3, p.
wandered for forty days in the wilderness, and had no food but 269; Edition: 3rd edition; Release date: 1856. The Italian and
roots, berries, and herbs that grow in the forest. At last I was French fairy tale of the Sleeping Beauty in Perrault and Basile
among people again and brought the woman with the child back (Pentamerone 5, 5) agree with this in their conclusion, which is
to her husband: everyone can easily imagine how great his joy missing in the German. See the longer version 1812 KHM 84 "The
was." mother-in-law.")
That was the end of the robber's story. "By freeing the wife and
child you have made amends for much of the evil you have done," It was an evil old queen who had her in-laws locked in a cellar
said the queen to him, "I set your three sons free." with her two children while her son was off to war. Then one day
she said to the cook, "Go and slaughter one of the children and
prepare it for me, I want to eat it". "With what kind of broth?"
"With a brown one," said the evil woman. The cook could not
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 367
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
bring himself to kill the beautiful child, and the mother begged so
fervently: so he took a little pig and prepared it, and the old
woman ate the food with greed. Not long afterwards she called the
cook again and said, "The children's meat tastes so tender, prepare
the other boys for me too." "With what kind of broth?" "With a
white one," said the woman. But the cook did the same as the first
time and put a suckling pig in front of her, which she ate with even
greater delight. Finally, the old woman also wants to eat the
young queen, so the cook slaughters a hind. Now the young queen
has to keep the children from crying, so that the old woman does
not hear that they are still alive.
6. FAIRYTALE FRAGMENTS IN FOLK SONGS.
(From: Children's and Household Tales. Big edition. vol. 3,
p. 270; Edition: 3rd edition; Release date: 1856.)
baby wipes, alarm clocks,
want to eat with me?
bring me a knife
baby wipes, alarm clocks,
run over the fields,
has more legs than my dog has none.
(Fisharts Gargantua in game directory cap. 25.)
the fingers crack,
the men keep watch.
(There.)
Maths, come in! Pilate, get out!
there's a poor soul out there.
Poor soul, where are you from?
from rain and wind,
from the fiery ring.
(Andr. Gryphius poems p. 768.)
THE END
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 368
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
BIBLIOGRAPHY • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen,
Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der
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A. L. Grimm's Works 1, Göttingen, 1840.
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig; mit A. L. Danquart (Hrsg.): • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen,
Persephone, ein Jahrbuch auf 1806. Mohr, Frankfurt am Main Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der
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• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, Davids Erhöhung. ein Schauspiel in Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der
fünf Akten. Macklots Hofbuchhandlung, Karlsruhe 1811. Dieterichischen Buchhandlung, 5. Auflage, Grosse Ausgabe, Band
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, Lina's Mährchenbuch. Eine 1, Göttingen, 1843.
Weyhnachtsgabe. 2 Bände. Gebrüder Wilmans, Frankfurt am • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen,
Main 1816. Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, Geschichten aus der heiligen Schrift, Dieterichischen Buchhandlung, 5. Auflage, Grosse Ausgabe, Band
für Knaben und Mädchen erzählt. Joseph Engelmann, Heidelberg 2, Göttingen, 1843.
1817. • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen,
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, Mährchen-Bibliothek für Kinder. Aus Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der
den Mährchen aller Zeiten und Völker ausgewählt und erzählt. 7 Dieterichischen Buchhandlung, 6. Auflage, Grosse Ausgabe, Band
Bände. Gebrüder Wilmans, Frankfurt am Main 1820–26. 1, Göttingen, 1850.
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, Vorzeit und Gegenwart an der • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen,
Bergstrasse, dem Neckar und im Odenwald. Erinnerungsblätter Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der
für Freunde dieser Gegenden. C. W. Leske, Darmstadt, [1822]. Dieterichischen Buchhandlung, 6. Auflage, Grosse Ausgabe, Band
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, Die malerischen und romantischen 2, Göttingen, 1850.
Stellen der Bergstrasse, des Odenwaldes und der Neckar Gegenden, • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen,
in ihrer Vorzeit und Gegenwart. Carl Wilhelm Leske, Darmstadt Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der
1840–1843. Dieterichischen Buchhandlung, 3. Auflage (Anmerkungsband),
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, Deutsche Sagen und Märchen für die Band 2, Göttingen, 1856.
Jugend bearbeitet. J. M. Gebhardt’s Verlag, Leipzig 1867. • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen,
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, Musäus’ Volksmärchen der Deutschen. Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der
Für die Jugend ausgewählt und erzählt. J. M. Gebhardt’s Verlag, Dieterichischen Buchhandlung, 7. Auflage, Grosse Ausgabe, Band
Leipzig 1868. 1, Göttingen, 1857.
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, Hauff’s Märchen für die Jugend • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen,
durchgesehen. J. M. Gebhardt’s Verlag, Leipzig 1870. Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der
• Grimm, Albert Ludwig, A. L. Grimm’s Märchenbuch. Eine Dieterichischen Buchhandlung, 7. Auflage, Grosse Ausgabe, Band
Weihnachtsgabe für die Jugend. J. M. Gebhardt’s, Verlag, Leipzig 2, Göttingen, 1857.
1871.
Gebroeder Grimm, Nederlandse vertalingen
The Works of the Brothers Grimm in Deutsch • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Sprookjes-boek voor Kinderen.
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen, Uit de Nalatenschap van Moeder de Gans, bijeenverzameld en
Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Realschulbuchhandlung, 1. uitgegeven door de Gebroeders Grimm, 1820, Geïllustreerde
Auflage, Band 1, Berlin, 1812. collectie van twintig sprookjes, vermoedelijk naar de tweede editie
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen, van 1819
Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Realschulbuchhandlung, 1. • Aardige Sprookjes No.172, vroolijke fabels met mooie plaatjes,
Auflage, Band 2, Berlin, 1815. Adolph Engels, Berlin c.1890
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen, • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Volkssprookjes, 1866,
Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Gedruckt und verlegt bei G. Negenenveertig sprookjes met zwart-witplaten
Reimer, 2. Auflage, Band 1, Berlin, 1819. • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, De sprookjes van Grimm, vertaald
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen, door M.M. de Vries-Vogel, 1942
Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Gedruckt und verlegt bei G. • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Sprookjes voor kind en gezin,
Reimer, 2. Auflage, Band 2, Berlin, 1819. 1974; Complete uitgave van de 200 sprookjes en 10 legenden uit
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen, de editie van 1857, met zwart-witprenten, aantekeningen en
Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Gedruckt und verlegt bei G. register, samengesteld door diverse vertalers, illustratoren en
Reimer, 2. Auflage, Band 3 (Anmerkungsband), Berlin, 1822. onderzoekers
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen, • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, De ongeschminkte Grimm,
Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der vertaald en toegelicht door Patricia van Reet, 1983; Editie van de
Dieterichischen Buchhandlung, 3. Auflage, Band 1, Göttingen, 45 sprookjes uit het Ölenbergse handschrift, teruggevonden in
1837. 1920
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Kinder- und Haus-Märchen, • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Alle sprookjes van Grimm,
Gesammelt durch die Brüder Grimm; Druck und Verlag der vertaald door M.M. de Vries-Vogel en Mariska Hammerstein,
Dieterichischen Buchhandlung, 3. Auflage, Band 2, Göttingen, 2001, Selectie van 50 sprookjes uit de complete uitgave van 1942,
1837. overeenstemmend met de Kleine Uitgave. Vertaling van M.M. de
Copyright © 2022 by Lord Henfield, Guildford Scientific Press
PAGE 369
ALL 250 FAIRY TALES BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Vries-Vogel bewerkt door Mariska Hammerstein en • Lang, Andrew, The Violet Fairy Book (1901); Longmans,
kleurenillustraties van Philip Hopman Green, and Co., London. Illustrated by H J Ford: eight coloured
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, Grimm. Volledige uitgave van de plates, (the first to have these) 24 black & White full-page
200 sprookjes verzameld door de gebroeders Grimm, vertaald illustrations and 33 in-text.
door Ria van Hengel, 2005, Complete uitgave van de 200 • Lang, Andrew, The Crimson Fairy Book (1903); Longmans,
sprookjes uit de editie van 1857, zonder de 10 legenden, met Green, and Co., London. 8 colour plates and 35 full page steel
kleurenillustraties van Charlotte Dematons engravings by H. J. Ford.
• Lang, Andrew, The Brown Fairy Book (1904); Longmans,
The Brothers Grimm, English Translations Green, and Co. Eight Coloured Plates and 22 full page b/w
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm (1857), Hunt, Margaret, ed. illustrations plus 20 illustrations in text by H. J. Ford.
Grimm’s Household Tales, with Author’s Notes, 2 vols (1884). • Lang, Andrew, The Orange Fairy Book (1906); Longmans,
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm (1884). Grimm's Household Tales: Green, and Co., London, numerous illustrations throughout plus
With the Author's Notes. Vol. 1. Translated by Margaret Hunt. eight colour plates. Illustrated by H. J. Ford.
London: George Bell and Sons.; volume 2; vol. 1, vol. 2, Internet • Lang, Andrew, The Olive Fairy Book (1907); Longmans,
Archive Green, and Co., London, illustrated by H.J. Ford with eight
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm (1857), Household Stories by the colour plates, 20 black & White plates and 22 in-text illustrations.
Brothers Grimm, trans. Lucy Crane, illus. Walter Crane, first • Lang, Andrew, The Lilac Fairy Book (1910);Longmans, Green,
published by Macmillan and Company 1882. and Co., London, numerous illustrations throughout with six
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm (1857), Manheim, Ralph, tr. colour plates. Illustrated by H. J. Ford.
(1977) Grimm's Tales for Young and Old: The Complete Stories.
New York: Doubleday. Andrew Lang, Relevant literature
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm (1857), Luke, David; McKay, • de Cocq, Antonius P. L. (1968) Andrew Lang: A nineteenth
Gilbert; Schofield, Philip tr. (1982) Brothers Grimm: Selected century anthropologist (Diss. Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht, The
Tales. Netherlands). Tilburg: Zwijsen.
• Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm (1903). Grimm's Fairy Tales. • Demoor, Marysa. (1983) Andrew Lang (1844-1912): late
Translated by Edna Henry Lee Turpin. New York: Maynard, victorian humanist and journalistic critic with a descriptive
Merrill, & Co. checklist of the Lang letters. Vols. 1–2. RUG. Faculteit Letteren
en Wijsbegeerte.
Grimm, Ferdinand (Philipp), the unknown Grimm • Demoor, Marysa (1987). Andrew Lang’s Letters to Edmund
• Jule Ana Herrmann: Ein Denkmal aus Papier und Tinte. Zum Gosse: The Record of a Fruitful Collaboration as Poets, Critics,
literarischen Einfluss Benedikte Nauberts auf das Werk Ferdinand and Biographers. The Review of English Studies, 38(152), 492–
Grimms. Ergon, Baden-Baden 2020, ISBN 978-3-95650-739-7 509.
(Print), ISBN 978-3-95650-740-3 (PDF). • Lang, Andrew.(1989) “Friends over the Ocean: Andrew
• Heiner Boehncke und Hans Sarkowicz: Der fremde Ferdinand. Lang’s American Correspondents, 1881-1921.” Edited by Marysa
Märchen und Sagen des unbekannten Grimm-Bruders. Die Andere Demoor. Werken / Uitgegeven Door de Faculteit van de Letteren
Bibliothek, Berlin 2020, ISBN 978-3-8477-0428-7. En Wijsbegegeerte, Rijksuniversiteit. Gent: Universa.
• Doris Reimer: Passion & Kalkül. Der Verleger Georg Andreas • Lang, Andrew. (1990) Dear Stevenson: Letters from Andrew
Reimer (1776–1842). de Gruyter, Berlin/New York 1999, ISBN Lang to Robert Louis Stevenson with Five Letters from Stevenson
978-3-11-016643-9, S. 397–406. to Lang. Edited by Marysa Demoor. Leuven: Peeters.
• Ludwig Denecke: Grimm, Ferdinand Philipp. In: • Green, Roger Lancelyn. (1946) Andrew Lang: A critical
Enzyklopädie des Märchens, Band 6. de Gruyter, Berlin/New biography with a short-title bibliography. Leicester: Ward.
York 1990, ISBN 978-3-11-011763-9, Sp. 169–171. • Lang, Andrew. 2015. The Edinburgh Critical Edition of the
Selected Writings of Andrew Lang, Volume I. Edited by Andrew
Andrew Lang's Fairy Books Teverson, Alexandra Warwick, and Leigh Wilson. Edinburgh:
• Lang, Andrew, The Blue Fairy Book (1889); Published by Edinburgh University Press. 456 pages. ISBN 9781474400213
Longmans & Co, London, illustrated by H J Ford and G. P. (hard cover).
Jacomb Hood, 8 plates and many text black & white illustrations. • Lang, Andrew. 2015. The Edinburgh Critical Edition of the
• Lang, Andrew, The Red Fairy Book (1890); Longmans & Co, Selected Writings of Andrew Lang, Volume II. Edited by Andrew
London, 1890. Illustrated in black & white by H.J. Ford and Teverson, Alexandra Warwick, and Leigh Wilson. Edinburgh:
Lancelot Speed. Edinburgh University Press. 416 pages. ISBN 9781474400237
• Lang, Andrew, The Green Fairy Book (1892); Longmans, (hard cover).
Green, and Co., 1892 Illustrated with 13 in black & white plates
plus text illustrations by H.J. Ford. General Bibliography
• Lang, Andrew, The Yellow Fairy Book (1894); Longmans, • Arend, Helga; Barz, André (Hrsg.): Märchen – Kunst oder
Green, and Co. London. Full page frontispiece illustration ('The Pädagogik? (= Schriftenreihe Ringvorlesungen der Märchen-
Swineherd takes the Ten Kisses'), and numerous illustrations in Stiftung Walter Kahn. 9). Schneider Verlag Hohengehren,
the text by H. J. Ford, plus many full page. Baltmannsweiler 2009, ISBN 978-3-8340-0569-4.
• Lang, Andrew, The Pink Fairy Book (1897); Longmans, • Antti Aarne and Stith Thompson: The Types of the Folktale: A
Green and Co. With numerous illustrations by H. J. Ford. Classification and Bibliography (Helsinki, 1961)
• Lang, Andrew, The Grey Fairy Book (1900); Longmans, • Benedek Katalin. "Mese és fordítás idegen nyelvről magyarra
Green and Co. With numerous illustrations by H. J. Ford. és magyarról idegenre". In: Aranyhíd. Tanulmányok Keszeg
Vilmos tiszteletére. BBTE Magyar Néprajz és Antropológia
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Intézet; Erdélyi Múzeum-Egyesület; Kriza János Néprajzi Ellert & Richter Verlag, Hamburg 2022, ISBN 978-3-8319-0805-
Társaság. 2017. pp. 1001–1013. ISBN 978-973-8439-92-4. (In 9.
Hungarian) [for collections of Hungarian folktales]. • Küttner, Michael: Vom Geist aus der Flasche. Psychedelische
• Bettelheim, Bruno (1989). The Uses of Enchantment: The Handlungselemente in den Märchen der Brüder Grimm. Pieper's
Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales, wonder tale, magic tale. MedienXperimente, Löhrbach 1999, ISBN 3-930442-42-6
New York: Vintage Books. pp. 25. ISBN 0-679-72393-5. (Edition RauschKunde), (Zugleich: Gießen, Univ., 1993:
• Bettelheim, Bruno: Kinder brauchen Märchen. (= dtv. Dialog Psychedelische Handlungselemente in den Märchen der Brüder
und Praxis. 35028). 20. Auflage. Deutscher Taschenbuch-Verlag, Grimm.).
Frankfurt am Main 1997, ISBN 3-423-35028-8. • Lange, Günter (Hrsg.): Märchen – Märchenforschung –
• Briggs, K.M.; The Fairies in English Tradition and Literature, Märchendidaktik. (= Schriftenreihe Ringvorlesungen der
University of Chicago Press, London, 1967. Märchen-Stiftung Walter Kahn. 2). 2. Auflage. Schneider Verlag
• Byatt, A. S.; « Introduction », dans Maria Tatar (éd.), The Hohengehren, Baltmannsweiler 2007, ISBN 978-3-89676-939-8.
Annotated Brothers Grimm, W. W. Norton, Londres - New York, • Le Marchand, Bérénice Virginie. "Reframing the Early French
2004 (ISBN 0-393-05848-4). Fairy Tale: A Selected Bibliography". In: Marvels & Tales 19, no.
• Carrassi, Vito; "Il fairy tale nella tradizione narrativa irlandese: 1 (2005): 86-122. Accessed 7 September 2020.
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edition, "The Irish Fairy Tale: A Narrative Tradition from the • Lüthi, Max: Das europäische Volksmärchen. Form und Wesen.
Middle Ages to Yeats and Stephens", John Cabot University (1947). 11. Auflage, UTB / Francke, Tübingen / Basel 1997,
Press/University of Delaware Press, Roma-Lanham 2012. ISBN 978-3-8252-0312-2.
• Clute, John and Grant, John; The Encyclopedia of Fantasy. • Lüthi, Max: Märchen (Sammlung Metzler), Stuttgart 1962,
New York: St Martin's Press, 1997. ISBN 0-312-15897-1. bearbeitet von Heinz Rölleke, 10. Auflage. Metzler, Stuttgart
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• Swann Jones, Steven; The Fairy Tale: The Magic Mirror of THE AUTHOR
Imagination, Twayne Publishers, New York, 1995, ISBN 0-8057-
0950-9. Lord Henfield (1958) is an English scholar and educator. He
• Swart, P. D. “The Diffusion of the Folktale: With Special studied Archaeology, Ancient History and Linguistics. He focuses
Notes on Africa”. In: Midwest Folklore 7, no. 2 (1957): 69–84. on art, photography, digital image design, weapons technology,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/4317635. space exploration, legal texts and historical documents.
• Tatar, Maria, The Hard Facts of the Grimm's Fairy Tales, Lord Henfield has published a number of artworks (playing card
Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1987 (ISBN 0-691-06722- design and colourised photographs) and books. In 2018 he
8). published "Lord Henfield's Handbook of Practical English" which
• Tatar, Maria, The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales, W. W. introduces the reader to the history and some basics of the
Norton, Londres - New York, 2002 (ISBN 0-393-05163-3) dualistic structured English language.
• Tatar, Maria. The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales. W.W. The Grand Bible (2021) is his most recent work on history. It is
Norton & Company, 2002. ISBN 0-393-05163-3 a compilation of monumental proportions, showing almost all
• Tatar, Maria; The Hard Facts of the Grimm's Fairy Tales, religious and sacred documents, most of which are also legal texts
ISBN 0-691-06722-8. and thus the basis of all our modern civilisations. Not knowing
• THE GRAND BIBLE, Lord Henfield, Second Edition 2021, about those texts lead to the cultural disruptions and paradigm
Guildford Scientific Press, Internet Archive shifts we are all experiencing right now.
• Thompson, Stith. The Folktale. University of California Press.
1977. ISBN 0-520-03537-2.
• Thompson, Stith. Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of
Folklore, Mythology & Legend, 1972 s.v. "Fairy Tale"
• Tolkien, J.R.R.; "On Fairy-Stories", The Tolkien Reader
• Tüpker, Rosemarie: Musik im Märchen, Reichert-Verlag,
Wiesbaden 2011, ISBN 978-3-89500-839-9.
• Uther, Hans-Jörg (Hrsg.): Handbuch zu den "Kinder- und
Hausmärchen" der Brüder Grimm. Entstehung – Wirkung –
Interpretation. De Gruyter Verlag, Berlin 2013, ISBN 978-3-11-
031743-5.
• Velten, Harry; "The Influences of Charles Perrault's Contes de
ma Mère L'oie on German Folklore, Jack Zipes, ed., The Great
Fairy Tale Tradition: From Straparola and Basile to the Brothers
Grimm.
• Zaitsev, A. I. (1987). "On the Origin of the Wondertale". In:
Soviet Anthropology and Archeology, 26:1, 30-40.
doi:10.2753/AAE1061-1959260130.
• Zipes, Jack, The Great Fairy Tale Tradition: From Straparola
and Basile to the Brothers Grimm, W. W. Norton, Londres - New
York, 2000 (ISBN 0-393-97636-X).
• Zipes, Jack; (trad. de l'anglais par François Ruy-Vidal), Les
Contes de fées et l'art de la subversion : Étude de la civilisation des
mœurs à travers un genre classique : la littérature pour la jeunesse,
Paris, Payot & Rivages, coll. « Petite bibliothèque Payot » (no
637), 2007 (1re éd. 1986, trad.), 363 p. (ISBN 978-2-228-90215-
1, OCLC 224936973)
Other Useful Sources:
Internet Archive, Grimm's Fairy Tales
Project Gutenberg, Grimm's Fairy Tales
Wikipedia, Wikisource, Grimm, Kinder- und Hausmärchen
www.grimmstories.com /nl/grimm_sprookjes/list
Those readers who need further explanation and comparisons
may take a look at The ATU Index (The Aarne–Thompson–Uther
Index) which is a catalogue of folktale types used in folklore
studies.
English:
http://www.ruthenia.ru/folklore/thompson/index.htm
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/folktexts.html
German:
http://www.maerchenlexikon.de/sucheat.htm
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