The Story of the Youth who Went Forth to Learn w
A young boy sets out to learn about fear after his mother warns him that he will encounter it on the road. He encounters various frightening creatures and situations but remains unafraid. Eventually, he meets a witch who eats children, but she spares him because of his bravery. The story ends with the boy's return home, where he is met with praise for his courage.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1816 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Horror · 4,692 words
First lines
A certain father had two sons, the elder of whom was smart and sensible, and could do everything, but the younger was stupid and could neither learn nor understand anything, and when people saw him they said, "There's a fellow who will give his father some trouble! " When anything had to be done, it was always the elder who was forced to do it; but if his father bade him fetch anything when it was late, or in the night-time, and the way led through the churchyard, or any other dismal place, he answered "Oh, no, father, I'll not go there, it makes me shudder! " for he was afraid. Or when stories were told by the fire at night which made the flesh creep, the listeners sometimes said "Oh, it makes us shudder! " The younger sat in a corner and listened with the rest of them, and could not imagine what they could mean. "They are always saying ‘it makes me shudder, it makes me shudder! ' It does not make me shudder," thought he. "That, too, must be an art of which I understand nothing."
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of the Youth who Went Forth to Learn what Fear Was is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1816 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: 1816 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Horror, Adventure, Comedy
- Length: 4,692 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of the Youth who Went Forth to Learn what Fear Was 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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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative follows a traditional fairy tale structure with magical elements, a quest, and a moral lesson.
- Fantasy — The story includes supernatural occurrences, haunted castles, and fantastical creatures.
- Horror — Themes of fear, ghosts, and eerie settings are central to the plot.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey to discover fear, encountering various challenges.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Coming-of-Age Story · Fear and Anxiety · Youthful Rebellion · Moral Lesson · Supernatural Elements · Dark Fantasy · Grimm Brothers' Collection · Classic Literature · 19th Century Fiction · European Folklore