Odds and Ends
The collection of folk tales features a mix of humorous and satirical stories that often subvert traditional fairy tale expectations. The tales are presented as a series of vignettes, each with its own unique tone and style. They frequently incorporate elements of social commentary, poking fun at societal norms and conventions.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Folk Tale, Moral Story · 234 words
First lines
There was once on a time a maiden who was pretty, but idle and negligent. When she had to spin she was so out of temper that if there was a little knot in the flax, she at once pulled out a whole heap of it, and strewed it about on the ground beside her. Now she had a servant who was industrious, and gathered together the bits of flax which were thrown away, cleaned them, span them fine, and had a beautiful gown made out of them for herself. A young man had wooed the lazy girl, and the wedding was to take place. On the eve of the wedding, the industrious one was dancing merrily about in her pretty dress, and the bride said,-
"Ah, how that girl does jump about, dressed in my odds and ends."
What this Textopian page supports
Odds and Ends is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1815 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: 1815 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Folk Tale, Moral Story, Romance
- Length: 234 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Odds and Ends 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 Odds and Ends?
- 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 Little Folks Presents by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Gods Food Childrens Legends by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Wise Folks by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Duration Of Life by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Tale Of Ivan Tsarevich The Bird Of Light And The Grey Wolf by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- The Spindle The Shuttle And The Needle by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features traditional fairy tale elements such as a moral lesson, a transformation of fortune, and archetypal characters like the idle maiden and the industrious servant.
- Folk Tale — The narrative is simple, with a focus on everyday life and a moral lesson, typical of folk tales passed down through oral tradition.
- Moral Story — The plot centers around a clear moral lesson about the virtues of hard work and the consequences of idleness.
- Romance — The story involves a romantic element with a suitor choosing between two potential brides based on their character.
Tags
Fairy Tales · German Folklore · Children's Literature · Fantasy · Magic Realism · Mythology · Legends · Short Stories · Anthology · Classic Literature · 19th Century Literature · European Folklore