The Old Beggar-Woman
A poor woman is forced to beg for food after her husband's death leaves her destitute. She meets a mysterious old man who offers her shelter and food in exchange for her firstborn child. The woman agrees, but the old man turns out to be a wicked sorcerer who intends to eat the child.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Children's Literature · 187 words
First lines
There was once an old woman, but thou hast surely seen an old woman go a-begging before now? This woman begged likewise, and when she got anything she said, "May God reward you. " The beggar-woman came to a door, and there by the fire a friendly rogue of a boy was standing warming himself. The boy said kindly to the poor old woman as she was standing shivering thus by the door, "Come, old mother, and warm yourself. " She came in, but stood too near the fire, so that her old rags began to burn, and she was not aware of it. The boy stood and saw that, but he ought to have put the flames out. Is it not true that he ought to have put them out? And if he had not any water, then should he have wept all the water in his body out of his eyes, and that would have supplied two pretty streams with which to extinguish them.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Beggar-Woman 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, Parable, Folklore
- Length: 187 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Old Beggar-Woman by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Old Beggar-Woman?
- 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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- Thumbling by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Wonderful Musician by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Cinderella by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Little Brother And Sister by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Poor Man And The Rich Man by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative follows a traditional fairy tale structure with moral lessons and fantastical elements.
- Fable — The story conveys a moral lesson through the actions and consequences faced by the characters.
- Children's Literature — The simple language and moral focus make it suitable for a young audience.
- Parable — The story uses a simple narrative to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Old Woman · Beggar · Poverty · Kindness · Generosity · Magic · Transformation · Social Hierarchy · Class Struggle · Altruism