The Fisherman and his Wife

"The Fisherman and his Wife.” The Juniper Tree, and other Tales from Grimm, Brothers Grimm, translated by Lore Segal, Randall Jarrell, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973, pp. 94-112.

Tale Summary Once upon a time there was a fisherman who lived with his wife in a pot. While he was out fishing one day, he caught a big flounder who begged for his life, explaining that he was an enchanted prince, and the fisherman let him back into the...

The Devil and his Three Golden Hairs

"The Devil and his Three Golden Hairs.” The Juniper Tree, and other Tales from Grimm, Brothers Grimm, translated by Lore Segal, Randall Jarrell, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973, pp. 80-93.

Tale Summary Once upon a time, a woman gave birth to a son who was still wrapped in his caul, and because such a thing is good luck, it was prophesied that he would marry the daughter of the king when he was fourteen years old. The king heard of...

Allerleirauh; or, the Many-Furred Creature

“Allerleirauh; or, the Many-Furred Creature.” The Green Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892, pp. 276-281.

Tale Summary Once upon a time, a king’s beautiful wife was on her deathbed, and had her husband promise not to remarry unless he found someone just as pretty as her, and with such golden hair as she had. No one in the land could match her beauty, until his...

Fitcher's Feathered Bird

"Fitcher's Feathered Bird.” The Juniper Tree, and other Tales from Grimm, Brothers Grimm, translated by Lore Segal, Randall Jarrell, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973, pp. 71-79.

Tale Summary There was once upon a time a sorcerer who disguised himself as a beggar, and would go door to door abducting pretty girls. He knocked on the door of a man who had three pretty daughters, and when the eldest handed him a bite of food he touched...

The Twelve Huntsmen

"The Twelve Huntsmen.” The Juniper Tree, and other Tales from Grimm, Brothers Grimm, translated by Lore Segal, Randall Jarrell, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973, pp. 63-70.

Tale Summary Once upon a time there was a prince who was very much in love with his bride. He received news that his father, the king, was dying, and that he requested his presence. He gave his bride a ring as a token and said he would come back...

Brother and Sister

"Brother and Sister.” The Juniper Tree, and other Tales from Grimm, Brothers Grimm, translated by Lore Segal, Randall Jarrell, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973, pp. 42-54.

Tale Summary After their mother died and their father was remarried to an evil woman, a brother and sister ran away to find a better life. When they woke up the next morning after a day’s travels, the boy was very thirsty and went with his sister to find a...

Hans my Hedgehog

"Hans my Hedgehog.” The Juniper Tree, and other Tales from Grimm, Brothers Grimm, translated by Lore Segal, Randall Jarrell, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973, pp. 11-22.

Tale Summary There was once upon a time a peasant who wished very badly for a child, so badly he would even be happy with a hedgehog. His wife told him that he had cursed them as she bore a child that was hedgehog above and boy below, who was...

The Three Feathers

"The Three Feathers.” The Juniper Tree, and other Tales from Grimm, Brothers Grimm, translated by Lore Segal, Randall Jarrell, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973, pp. 3-10.

Tale Summary Once upon a time there was a king who grew old and weak and did not know how to divide up his kingdom amongst his three sons. The eldest two were smart, but the youngest did not speak much and so he was called Dumbkin. He told them...

Thumbkinetta

“Thumbkinetta .” Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Andersen, translated by Harry Leigh Justice Ward, London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low, and Searle, 1872, pp. 51-58.

Tale Summary There was once a good-wife who longed for a child, and so went to visit an old Witch, who gave her a barleycorn to plant in a flower-pot, promising that something would come of it. As soon as the woman placed it in the soil, a tulip popped...

The Wild Swans

“The Wild Swans.” Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Andersen, translated by Harry Leigh Justice Ward, London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low, and Searle, 1872, pp. 1-12.

Tale Summary There was once a king who had eleven sons, and a daughter named Elisa. The boys were very well educated princes, and their sister had what she wanted to entertain her, no matter the cost. Their father married a wicked queen, who had no liking for the children...

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