Great Claus and Little Claus
The story revolves around two brothers, one of whom is kind and generous while the other is selfish and greedy. The kind brother's generosity ultimately leads to his downfall, while the selfish brother's actions have unintended consequences that benefit him in the end.
By Hans Christian Andersen · First published 1837 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Folk Tale, Humor · 5,293 words
First lines
IN A VILLAGE there once lived two men of the same name. Both of them were called Claus. But because one of them owned four horses while the other had but one, people called the one who had the four horses Big, or Great, Claus and the one who owned but a single horse Little Claus. Now I shall tell you what happened to each of them, for this is a true story.
All the days of the week Little Claus was obliged to plow for Great Claus and to lend him his one horse; then once a week, on Sunday, Great Claus helped Little Claus with his four horses, but always on a holiday.
What this Textopian page supports
Great Claus and Little Claus is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, dated 1837 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hans Christian Andersen
- Date: 1837 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Folk Tale, Humor, Adventure, Moral Story
- Length: 5,293 words
- Structure: 1 section, 117 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Great Claus and Little Claus by Hans Christian Andersen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features fantastical elements, moral lessons, and a narrative style typical of traditional fairy tales.
- Folk Tale — The narrative is rooted in folklore, with simple characters and a plot that conveys cultural values and wisdom.
- Humor — The story contains humorous elements, particularly in the cleverness and trickery of Little Claus.
- Adventure — The plot involves a series of adventurous events and escapades experienced by the protagonist.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Children's Literature · Short Story · Fantasy · Adventure · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Poverty · Wealth · Generosity