The Golden Key
A young girl discovers a golden key that unlocks a door to a magical world where she meets various creatures and learns about the nature of good and evil.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 215 words
First lines
In the winter time, when deep snow lay on the ground, a poor boy was forced to go out on a sledge to fetch wood. When he had gathered it together, and packed it, he wished, as he was so frozen with cold, not to go home at once, but to light a fire and warm himself a little. So he scraped away the snow, and as he was thus clearing the ground, he found a tiny, gold key. Hereupon he thought that where the key was, the lock must be also, and dug in the ground and found an iron chest. "If the key does but fit it! " thought he; "no doubt there are precious things in that little box. " He searched, but no keyhole was there. At last he discovered one, but so small that it was hardly visible. He tried it, and the key fitted it exactly. Then he turned it once round, and now we must wait until he has quite unlocked it and opened the lid, and then we shall learn what wonderful things were lying in that box.
What this Textopian page supports
The Golden Key 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, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure, Mystery
- Length: 215 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Golden Key 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 Golden Key?
- 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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- The Sole by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
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- The Young Giant by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Shoes Of Fortune by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative structure, magical elements, and moral undertones are characteristic of traditional fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The presence of a magical key and the anticipation of discovering something wondrous align with fantasy themes.
- Children's Literature — The simple language, short length, and moral lesson make it suitable for children.
- Adventure — The boy's journey and discovery of the key and chest suggest elements of adventure.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Fantasy · Adventure · Magic · Mythology · Germanic Folklore · Children's Literature · Classic · Short Story · Literary Fiction · Symbolism · Allegory