The Seven Swabians

Name: The Seven Swabians
Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

A group of seven men from the Black Forest are accused of witchcraft and brought to trial. They claim they were forced into a pact with the devil by a woman who had been wronged by society. The court finds them guilty, but it is later revealed that the woman was actually a witch who had manipulated them into committing crimes.

By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Comedy, Adventure · 1,304 words

First lines

Seven Swabians were once together. The first was Master Schulz; the second, Jackli; the third, Marli; the fourth, Jergli; the fifth, Michal; the sixth, Hans; the seventh, Veitli: all seven had made up their minds to travel about the world to seek adventures, and perform great deeds. But in order that they might go in security and with arms in their hands, they thought it would be advisable that they should have one solitary, but very strong, and very long spear made for them. This spear all seven of them took in their hands at once; in front walked the boldest and bravest, and that was Master Schulz; all the others followed in a row, and Veitli was the last. Then it came to pass one day in the hay-making month (July), when they had walked a long distance, and still had a long way to go before they reached the village where they were to pass the night, that as they were in a meadow in the twilight a great beetle or hornet flew by them from behind a bush, and hummed in a menacing manner. Master Schulz was so terrified that he all but dropped the spear, and a cold perspiration broke out over his whole body. "Hark! hark! " cried he to his comrades, "Good heavens! I hear a drum. " Jackli, who was behind him holding the spear, and who perceived some kind of a smell, said, "Something is most certainly going on, for I taste powder and matches. " At these words Master Schulz began to take to flight, and in a trice jumped over a hedge, but as he just happened to jump on to the teeth of a rake which had been left lying there after the hay-making, the handle of it struck against his face and gave him a tremendous blow. "Oh dear! Oh dear! " screamed Master Schulz.

What this Textopian page supports

The Seven Swabians 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, Comedy, Adventure, Satire, Folklore
Length: 1,304 words
Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The story features fantastical elements, moral lessons, and a narrative style typical of traditional fairy tales.
Comedy — The plot revolves around humorous misunderstandings and the foolishness of the characters, providing comedic entertainment.
Adventure — The narrative follows the characters on a journey seeking adventures and facing various challenges.
Satire — The story satirizes human folly and the tendency to overreact to perceived threats, using exaggerated scenarios.