The Fox and the Geese
A young girl is forced to marry a man she does not love. She is given a magical cloak that allows her to transform into a fox and escape her husband's advances. The story explores themes of marriage, deception, and the struggle for independence in a patriarchal society.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fable, Fairy Tale, Children's Literature · 277 words
First lines
The fox once came to a meadow in which was a flock of fine fat geese, on which he smiled and said, "I come in the nick of time, you are sitting together quite beautifully, so that I can eat you up one after the other. " The geese cackled with terror, sprang up, and began to wail and beg piteously for their lives. But the fox would listen to nothing, and said, "There is no mercy to be had! You must die. " At length one of them took heart and said, "If we poor geese are to yield up our vigorous young lives, show us the only possible favour and allow us one more prayer, that we may not die in our sins, and then we will place ourselves in a row, so that you can always pick yourself out the fattest. " "Yes," said the fox, "that is reasonable, and a pious request. Pray away, I will wait till you are done. " Then the first began a good long prayer, for ever saying, "Ga! Ga! " and as she would make no end, the second did not wait until her turn came, but began also, "Ga! Ga! " The third and fourth followed her, and soon they were all cackling together.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fox and the Geese 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: Fable, Fairy Tale, Children's Literature, Humor
- Length: 277 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fox and the Geese 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 The Fox and the Geese?
- How does this fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Hare And The Hedgehog by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Fox And The Cat by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Cock And The Mouse by Frank Hamilton Cushing
- The Golden Goose by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Giant And The Tailor by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Money Box by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fable — The story features anthropomorphic animals and delivers a moral lesson through the interaction between the fox and the geese.
- Fairy Tale — The narrative includes elements of folklore and traditional storytelling, with a simple plot and moral undertone.
- Children's Literature — The story is short, straightforward, and designed to impart a lesson, making it suitable for a young audience.
- Humor — The cleverness of the geese in prolonging their prayers to avoid being eaten adds a humorous twist to the tale.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Animal Story · Moral Lesson · Cautionary Tale · Short Story · Children's Literature · Fantasy · Adventure · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary