Ashenputtel
A poor girl's stepmother and stepsisters mistreat her after her father remarries. The girl flees into a forest where she finds a cottage belonging to seven dwarfs who take her in. She cleans the house, cooks meals, and tends to the dwarfs' needs. The king invites all maidens to a ball, but Ashenputtel has no suitable gown. A fairy godmother appears and provides her with a beautiful dress and shoes that fit perfectly. At the ball, she dances with the prince, but must leave before midnight when the magic wears off. Ashenputtel loses one of her glass slippers on the way out, which the prince finds and sets out to find the girl who fits it. The stepsisters try to fit into the slipper by cutting off their toes, but it doesn't work. Ashenputtel's foot fits perfectly, and she is revealed as the true owner of the slipper. The king orders his guards to bring him the girl whose foot fits the slipper. When they arrive at Ashenputtel's house, her stepsisters try to trick them by hiding in a bed, but they are discovered when the prince arrives and sees their mutilated feet.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1812 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 3,159 words
First lines
The wife of a rich man fell ill, and when she felt that she was nearing her end, she called her only daughter to her bedside, and said:
'Dear child, continue devout and good, then God will always help you, and I will look down upon you from heaven, and watch over you.'
What this Textopian page supports
Ashenputtel is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1812 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
- Date: 1812 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Children's Literature, Drama
- Length: 3,159 words
- Structure: 1 section, 87 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ashenputtel by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Ashenputtel?
- How does this fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Old Beggar Woman by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Cinderella by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Little Snow White by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Two Brothers by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Three Sons Of Fortune by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Three Feathers by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, a moral lesson, and a traditional narrative structure typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The presence of magical birds, enchanted trees, and transformative clothing situates the story within the fantasy genre.
- Folklore — The tale is a traditional story passed down through generations, reflecting cultural values and beliefs.
- Children's Literature — The narrative is suitable for children, with simple language and a clear moral lesson.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Magic · Transformation · Beauty and the Beast · Cinderella Story · Poverty · Social Class · Love · Marriage · Family · Mother-Daughter Relationship