Godfather Death by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
A poor man's daughter dies after giving birth to a child. The father asks Death to take his own life instead of the child's. Death agrees but only if the father can answer three riddles. If he fails, the child will die. The father answers two correctly but is unable to answer the third.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1812 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Moral Story · 1,453 words
First lines
A poor man had twelve children and was forced to work night and day to give them even bread. When therefore the thirteenth came into the world, he knew not what to do in his trouble, but ran out into the great highway, and resolved to ask the first person whom he met to be godfather. The first to meet him was the good God who already knew what filled his heart, and said to him, "Poor man, I pity thee. I will hold thy child at its christening, and will take charge of it and make it happy on earth. " The man said, "Who art thou? " "I am God. " "Then I do not desire to have thee for a godfather," said the man; "thou givest to the rich, and leavest the poor to hunger. " Thus spoke the man, for he did not know how wisely God apportions riches and poverty. He turned therefore away from the Lord, and went farther. Then the Devil came to him and said, "What seekest thou? If thou wilt take me as a godfather for thy child, I will give him gold in plenty and all the joys of the world as well. " The man asked, "Who art thou? " "I am the Devil. " "Then I do not desire to have thee for godfather," said the man; "thou deceivest men and leadest them astray. " He went onwards, and then came Death striding up to him with withered legs, and said, "Take me as godfather. " The man asked, "Who art thou? " "I am Death, and I make all equal. " Then said the man, "Thou art the right one, thou takest the rich as well as the poor, without distinction; thou shalt be godfather. " Death answered, "I will make thy child rich and famous, for he who has me for a friend can lack nothing. " The man said, "Next Sunday is the christening; be there at the right time. " Death appeared as he had promised, and stood godfather quite in the usual way.
What this Textopian page supports
Godfather Death 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, Moral Story, Folklore, Parable
- Length: 1,453 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Godfather Death 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
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features fantastical elements, moral lessons, and archetypal characters typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — Incorporates supernatural beings and events, such as Death personified and magical herbs.
- Moral Story — Conveys a moral lesson about the inevitability of death and the consequences of defying it.
- Folklore — Reflects traditional beliefs and cultural narratives, often passed down orally.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Death · Mortality · Morality · Fate · Destiny · Choice · Consequence · Revenge · Retribution · Punishment · Reward