Fitcher's Bird
A young woman marries a wealthy widower with two children. He tells her that his first wife was drowned by the miller's daughter who had been hired to help with household chores. The new wife discovers that her husband has made a pact with the devil and that she must be killed in order for him to gain wealth and power.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1812 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Horror, Fantasy · 1,680 words
First lines
There was once a wizard who used to take the form of a poor man, and went to houses and begged, and caught pretty girls. No one knew whither he carried them, for they were never seen more. One day he appeared before the door of a man who had three pretty daughters; he looked like a poor weak beggar, and carried a basket on his back, as if he meant to collect charitable gifts in it. He begged for a little food, and when the eldest daughter came out and was just reaching him a piece of bread, he did but touch her, and she was forced to jump into his basket. Thereupon he hurried away with long strides, and carried her away into a dark forest to his house, which stood in the midst of it. Everything in the house was magnificent; he gave her whatsoever she could possibly desire, and said, "My darling, thou wilt certainly be happy with me, for thou hast everything thy heart can wish for. " This lasted a few days, and then he said, "I must journey forth, and leave thee alone for a short time; there are the keys of the house; thou mayst go everywhere and look at everything except into one room, which this little key here opens, and there I forbid thee to go on pain of death. " He likewise gave her an egg and said, "Preserve the egg carefully for me, and carry it continually about with thee, for a great misfortune would arise from the loss of it."
What this Textopian page supports
Fitcher's Bird 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, Horror, Fantasy, Folklore, Gothic
- Length: 1,680 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Fitcher's Bird 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 Fitcher's Bird?
- 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 Robber Bridegroom by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Frau Trude by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Cat And Mouse In Partnership by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Jorinda And Joringel by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Old Woman In The Wood by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Hares Bride by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, a moral lesson, and follows the traditional structure of a fairy tale with a clear distinction between good and evil.
- Horror — The narrative includes gruesome and macabre elements, such as murder and dismemberment, creating a sense of fear and suspense.
- Fantasy — The presence of a wizard, magical resurrection, and enchanted objects like the egg contribute to the fantasy genre.
- Folklore — The story is rooted in oral tradition and reflects cultural beliefs and values, typical of folklore.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Magic Bird · Witchcraft · Poisoning · Deception · Marriage · Love Triangle · Jealousy · Betrayal · Murder · Revenge