Little Brother and Little Sister
The story revolves around two children who are abandoned in the forest after their mother's death. A bird finds them and takes them to a cottage where they live with a wicked stepmother and stepsisters. The children are mistreated, but they eventually outsmart their oppressors and find happiness.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 2,963 words
First lines
Little brother took his little sister by the hand and said, "Since our mother died, we have had no happiness; our stepmother beats us every day, and if we come near her, she kicks us away with her foot. Our meals are the hard crusts of bread that are left over. The little dog under the table is better off, for she often throws it a nice bit. May Heaven pity us! If our mother only knew! Come, we will go forth together into the wide world."
They walked the whole day over meadows, fields, and stony places; and when it rained the little sister said, "Heaven and our hearts are weeping together."
What this Textopian page supports
Little Brother and Little Sister 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, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 2,963 words
- Structure: 1 section, 67 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Little Brother and Little Sister 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
Similar titles
- The Three Feathers by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Sole by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Kings Son Who Feared Nothing by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Shoes Of Fortune by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Charmed Ring by Joseph Jacobs
- Vasilisa The Fair by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, a moral lesson, and archetypal characters such as a wicked stepmother and a benevolent king, which are characteristic of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements such as witches, transformations, and enchanted brooks, aligning it with the fantasy genre.
- Children's Literature — The simple language, moral lessons, and themes of family and adventure make it suitable for children.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey through the forest, encounters with danger, and the quest for safety and happiness.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Siblings · Orphaned Children · Adventurous Journey · Magic · Fantasy · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Friendship · Loyalty · Bravery