The Spindle, the Shuttle, and the Needle
A poor miller's daughter is forced to spin straw into gold for a wicked king after he discovers her father's lie about having a daughter who can do so. She is aided by a magical being who appears in the form of an old woman, and later as a handsome prince. The story explores themes of deception, power, and transformation.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 1,319 words
First lines
There was once a girl whose father and mother died while she was still a little child. All alone, in a small house at the end of the village, dwelt her godmother, who supported herself by spinning, weaving, and sewing. The old woman took the forlorn child to live with her, kept her to her work, and educated her in all that is good.
When the girl was fifteen, the old woman became ill, called the child to her bedside, and said, "Dear Daughter, I feel my end drawing near. I leave you the little house, which will protect you from wind and weather, and my spindle, shuttle, and needle, with which you can earn your bread."
What this Textopian page supports
The Spindle, the Shuttle, and the Needle 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, Romance, Moral Tale
- Length: 1,319 words
- Structure: 1 section, 24 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Spindle, the Shuttle, and the Needle 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 Spindle, the Shuttle, and the Needle?
- 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
- The Tale Of The Silver Saucer And The Crystal Apple by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- The Nix Of The Millpond by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Spirit In The Bottle by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- At The Behest Of The Pike by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- The Bright Sun Brings It To Light by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Six Servants by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative follows a traditional fairy tale structure with magical elements, a moral lesson, and a happy ending.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as a spindle, shuttle, and needle that come to life and perform magical tasks.
- Folklore — The tale is rooted in cultural folklore, featuring archetypal characters and motifs common in folk stories.
- Romance — The plot centers around a romantic quest, with a prince seeking a bride and ultimately finding love.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Magic Realism · Fantasy · Adventure · Romance · Mystery · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Transformation · Good vs Evil · Morality Tale