The Hare's Bride

Name: The Hare's Bride
Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

A young woman marries a hare who transforms into a handsome prince at night. However, she soon discovers that her husband's nocturnal transformations are actually the result of a curse and that he will remain in his true form forever if they consummate their marriage. The story explores themes of love, deception, and the consequences of one's actions.

By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Children's Literature · 597 words

First lines

There was once a woman and her daughter who lived in a pretty garden with cabbages; and a little hare came into it, and during the winter time ate all the cabbages. Then says the mother to the daughter, "Go into the garden, and chase the hare away. " The girl says to the little hare, "Sh-sh, hare, you are still eating up all our cabbages. " Says the hare, "Come, maiden, and seat yourself on my little hare's tail, and come with me into my little hare's hut. " The girl will not do it. Next day the hare comes again and eats the cabbages, then says the mother to the daughter, "Go into the garden, and drive the hare away. " The girl says to the hare, "Sh-sh, little hare, you are still eating all the cabbages. " The little hare says, "Maiden, seat thyself on my little hare's tail, and come with me into my little hare's hut. " The maiden refuses. The third day the hare comes again, and eats the cabbages. On this the mother says to the daughter, "Go into the garden, and hunt the hare away. " Says the maiden, "Sh-sh, little hare, you are still eating all our cabbages. " Says the little hare, "Come, maiden, seat thyself on my little hare's tail, and come with me into my little hare's hut. " The girl seats herself on the little hare's tail, and then the hare takes her far away to his little hut, and says, "Now cook green cabbage and millet-seed, and I will invite the wedding-guests. " Then all the wedding-guests assembled. (Who were the wedding-guests? ) That I can tell you as another told it to me. They were all hares, and the crow was there as parson to marry the bride and bridegroom, and the fox as clerk, and the altar was under the rainbow.

What this Textopian page supports

The Hare's Bride 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, Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Folklore
Length: 597 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Confusing

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Hare's Bride by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, anthropomorphic animals, and a moral lesson, typical of fairy tales.
Fable — The narrative includes talking animals and imparts a moral lesson, aligning with the characteristics of fables.
Children's Literature — The simple language, moral undertone, and fantastical elements make it suitable for children.
Fantasy — The presence of talking animals and a magical setting places it within the fantasy genre.