Old Sultan
The story revolves around an old horse named Old Sultan who lives with his owner, a poor woodcutter. Despite being old and worn out, Old Sultan remains loyal to the woodcutter and continues to work for him. One day, the woodcutter's wife suggests that they eat Old Sultan as he is no longer useful. The woodcutter agrees, but only if Old Sultan can prove himself by carrying a heavy load of wood up a steep hill. Old Sultan successfully completes the task, and the woodcutter spares his life. However, the woodcutter's wife becomes angry when she learns that her husband has spared Old Sultan's life and tries to kill him again. The story ends with the woodcutter's wife being punished for her cruelty towards Old Sultan, while the old horse is rewarded for his loyalty and hard work.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Children's Literature · 1,013 words
First lines
A farmer once had a faithful dog called Sultan, who had grown old, and lost all his teeth, so that he could no longer hold anything fast. One day the farmer was standing with his wife before the house-door, and said, "To-morrow I intend to shoot Old Sultan, he is no longer of any use."
His wife, who felt pity for the faithful beast, answered, "He has served us so long, and been so faithful, that we might well give him his keep."
What this Textopian page supports
Old Sultan 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, Fable, Children's Literature, Folklore, Adventure
- Length: 1,013 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Old Sultan 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 Old Sultan?
- 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
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features anthropomorphic animals, moral lessons, and a simple narrative structure typical of fairy tales.
- Fable — The narrative uses animals to convey a moral lesson about loyalty and friendship.
- Children's Literature — The story is written in a style accessible to children, with clear moral lessons and simple language.
- Folklore — The tale is rooted in traditional storytelling, reflecting cultural values and themes common in folklore.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Animal Story · Loyalty · Faithfulness · Friendship · Companionship · Old Age · Wisdom · Experience · Moral Lesson · Teaching Children