The Master-Thief
A young thief is forced to steal for a wicked master who has taken him in. The thief's life is marked by poverty and hardship until he meets a woman who helps him escape his situation. He then uses his skills to become wealthy, but ultimately returns to his old ways due to the corrupting influence of wealth.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Adventure · 3,650 words
First lines
One day an old man and his wife were sitting in front of a miserable house resting a while from their work. Suddenly a splendid carriage with four black horses came driving up, and a richly-dressed man descended from it. The peasant stood up, went to the great man, and asked what he wanted, and in what way he could be useful to him? The stranger stretched out his hand to the old man, and said, "I want nothing but to enjoy for once a country dish; cook me some potatoes, in the way you always have them, and then I will sit down at your table and eat them with pleasure. " The peasant smiled and said, "You are a count or a prince, or perhaps even a duke; noble gentlemen often have such fancies, but you shall have your wish. " The wife went into the kitchen, and began to wash and rub the potatoes, and to make them into balls, as they are eaten by the country-folks. Whilst she was busy with this work, the peasant said to the stranger, "Come into my garden with me for a while, I have still something to do there. " He had dug some holes in the garden, and now wanted to plant some trees in them. "Have you no children," asked the stranger, "who could help you with your work? " "No," answered the peasant, "I had a son, it is true, but it is long since he went out into the world. He was a ne'er-do-well; sharp, and knowing, but he would learn nothing and was full of bad tricks, at last he ran away from me, and since then I have heard nothing of him."
What this Textopian page supports
The Master-Thief 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, Folklore, Adventure, Comedy, Crime
- Length: 3,650 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Master-Thief 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
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Master-Thief?
- 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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- Brother Lustig by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Marriage Of Mrs Reynard by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Thief And His Master by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Little Table Set Thyself Gold Ass And Cudgel Out Of The Sack by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Two Travellers by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features fantastical elements, moral lessons, and archetypal characters typical of fairy tales.
- Folklore — The narrative is rooted in traditional folklore, with cultural motifs and a focus on oral storytelling traditions.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around the protagonist's daring exploits and challenges, characteristic of adventure stories.
- Comedy — The story includes humorous situations and clever tricks, providing comedic entertainment.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Crime Fiction · Adventure Story · Moral Lesson · Social Commentary · Criminal Protagonist · Anti-Hero · Stealing · Thievery · Poverty · Class Struggle