Brother Lustig
The story revolves around a poor but clever man who marries a wealthy woman after she falls in love with him. He uses his wit and cunning to outsmart her relatives and secure their wealth for himself. The tale explores themes of class, social status, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Adventure · 5,129 words
First lines
There was one on a time a great war, and when it came to an end, many soldiers were discharged. Then Brother Lustig also received his dismissal, and besides that, nothing but a small loaf of contract-bread, and four kreuzers in money, with which he departed. St. Peter had, however, placed himself in his way in the shape of a poor beggar, and when Brother Lustig came up, he begged alms of him. Brother Lustig replied, "Dear beggar-man, what am I to give you? I have been a soldier, and have received my dismissal, and have nothing but this little loaf of contract-bread, and four kreuzers of money; when that is gone, I shall have to beg as well as you. Still I will give you something. " Thereupon he divided the loaf into four parts, and gave the apostle one of them, and a kreuzer likewise. St. Peter thanked him, went onwards, and threw himself again in the soldier's way as a beggar, but in another shape; and when he came up begged a gift of him as before. Brother Lustig spoke as he had done before, and again gave him a quarter of the loaf and one kreuzer. St. Peter thanked him, and went onwards, but for the third time placed himself in another shape as a beggar on the road, and spoke to Brother Lustig. Brother Lustig gave him also the third quarter of bread and the third kreuzer. St. Peter thanked him, and Brother Lustig went onwards, and had but a quarter of the loaf, and one kreuzer.
What this Textopian page supports
Brother Lustig is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1819 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: 1819 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Adventure, Comedy, Moral Tale
- Length: 5,129 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Brother Lustig 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 Brother Lustig?
- 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?
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, moral lessons, and fantastical characters typical of fairy tales.
- Folklore — The narrative is rooted in traditional folklore, with themes of trickery, supernatural beings, and moral consequences.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with various encounters and challenges, characteristic of adventure stories.
- Comedy — The story includes humorous elements, such as the protagonist's cleverness and the absurd situations he finds himself in.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Short Story · Comedy · Satire · Social Commentary · Cleverness · Deception · Humor · Wit · Wordplay · Misdirection