The Skilful Huntsman
A young man sets out to become a huntsman, but his skills are lacking. He meets an old woman who offers to teach him how to hunt, and he learns the art of tracking and killing game. However, when he returns home with his first kill, he finds that it has been stolen by a group of thieves. The young man is forced to confront the reality of his new profession and the consequences of his actions.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 2,725 words
First lines
There was once a young fellow who had learnt the trade of locksmith, and told his father he would now go out into the world and seek his fortune. "Very well," said the father, "I am quite content with that," and gave him some money for his journey. So he travelled about and looked for work. After a time he resolved not to follow the trade of locksmith any more, for he no longer liked it, but he took a fancy for hunting. Then there met him in his rambles a huntsman dressed in green, who asked whence he came and whither he was going? The youth said he was a locksmith's apprentice, but that the trade no longer pleased him, and he had a liking for huntsmanship, would he teach it to him? "Oh, yes," said the huntsman, "if thou wilt go with me. " Then the young fellow went with him, bound himself to him for some years, and learnt the art of hunting. After this he wished to try his luck elsewhere, and the huntsman gave him nothing in the way of payment but an air-gun, which had, however, this property, that it hit its mark without fail whenever he shot with it. Then he set out and found himself in a very large forest, which he could not get to the end of in one day. When evening came he seated himself in a high tree in order to escape from the wild beasts. Towards midnight, it seemed to him as if a tiny little light glimmered in the distance. Then he looked down through the branches towards it, and kept well in his mind where it was. But in the first place he took off his hat and threw it down in the direction of the light, so that he might go to the hat as a mark when he had descended.
What this Textopian page supports
The Skilful Huntsman 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, Adventure, Folklore, Romance
- Length: 2,725 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Skilful Huntsman by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Skilful Huntsman?
- 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 classic fairy tale elements such as a young protagonist seeking fortune, magical objects, giants, and a princess in distress.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements like an air-gun that never misses, giants, and a magical sword.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges, encounters with giants, and a quest to rescue a princess.
- Folklore — The story is rooted in traditional folklore motifs, including moral lessons and archetypal characters.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Short Story · Fantasy · Adventure · Magic · Animal Companion · Hunting · Tracking · Survival Skills · Nature · Wilderness