The Six Servants
A young woman marries a wealthy man who has six servants. She discovers that the servants are actually her husband's former lovers and that they have been given magical powers to torment her. The woman tries to outwit them, but ultimately she is driven mad by their cruelty.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 3,245 words
First lines
In former times there lived an aged Queen who was a sorceress, and her daughter was the most beautiful maiden under the sun. The old woman, however, had no other thought than how to lure mankind to destruction, and when a wooer appeared, she said that whosoever wished to have her daughter, must first perform a task, or die. Many had been dazzled by the daughter's beauty, and had actually risked this, but they never could accomplish what the old woman enjoined them to do, and then no mercy was shown; they had to kneel down, and their heads were struck off. A certain King's son who had also heard of the maiden's beauty, said to his father, "Let me go there, I want to demand her in marriage. " "Never," answered the King; "if you were to go, it would be going to your death. " On this the son lay down and was sick unto death, and for seven years he lay there, and no physician could heal him. When the father perceived that all hope was over, with a heavy heart he said to him, "Go thither, and try your luck, for I know no other means of curing you. " When the son heard that, he rose from his bed and was well again, and joyfully set out on his way.
What this Textopian page supports
The Six Servants 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, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Folklore
- Length: 3,245 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Six Servants 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Six Servants?
- 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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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, a quest, and archetypal characters typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements such as sorcery, enchanted tasks, and extraordinary servants.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a prince's journey and the challenges he faces to win the maiden.
- Romance — The central theme involves the prince's pursuit of marriage to the beautiful maiden.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Short Story Collection · Fantasy · Magic Realism · Mythology · Adventure · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Moral Lesson · Good vs Evil · Friendship