The Six Swans
A king's daughter is imprisoned by a wicked stepmother who casts a spell on her, turning her into a swan. The only way to break the curse is for the princess to weave six shirts from flax that has been steeped in the tears of six white ducks.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 2,210 words
First lines
A King was once hunting in a large wood, and pursued his game so hotly that none of his courtiers could follow him. But when evening approached he stopped, and looking around him perceived that he had lost himself. He sought a path out of the forest but could not find one, and presently he saw an old woman, with a nodding head, who came up to him. "My good woman," said he to her, "can you not show me the way out of the forest? " "Oh, yes, my lord King," she replied; "I can do that very well, but upon one condition, which if you do not fulfil, you will never again get out of the wood, but will die of hunger."
"What, then, is this condition? " asked the King.
What this Textopian page supports
The Six Swans 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, Fantasy, Folklore, Adventure, Family
- Length: 2,210 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Six Swans 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Six Swans?
- 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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- Sweetheart Roland by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative includes magical transformations, a wicked stepmother, and a quest, all common elements of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The story features fantastical elements such as magical transformations and enchanted objects.
- Folklore — The tale is rooted in traditional folklore, with motifs and themes common in oral storytelling traditions.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and quest to save the brothers, typical of adventure stories.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Magic Realism · Transformation · Swan · Brothers Grimm · Marriage · Love · Deception · Punishment · Redemption · Good vs Evil