The Three Army-Surgeons

Name: The Three Army-Surgeons
Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Three army surgeons are tasked with determining which of three corpses is that of a king, a prince, and a beggar boy who were all killed in battle. They decide to cut off the heads of two of the bodies and then reattach them to see if they can determine their original owner based on the reactions of the other soldiers when they see their former comrades with new heads.

By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Horror · 1,293 words

First lines

Three army-surgeons who thought they knew their art perfectly, were travelling about the world, and they came to an inn where they wanted to pass the night. The host asked whence they came, and whither they were going? "We are roaming about the world and practising our art. " "Just show me for once in a way what you can do," said the host. Then the first said he would cut off his hand, and put it on again early next morning; the second said he would tear out his heart, and replace it next morning; the third said he would cut out his eyes and heal them again next morning. "If you can do that," said the innkeeper, "you have learnt everything. " They, however, had a salve, with which they rubbed themselves, which joined parts together, and they carried the little bottle in which it was, constantly with them. Then they cut the hand, heart and eyes from their bodies as they had said they would, and laid them all together on a plate, and gave it to the innkeeper. The innkeeper gave it to a servant who was to set it in the cupboard, and take good care of it. The girl, however, had a lover in secret, who was a soldier. When therefore the innkeeper, the three army-surgeons, and everyone else in the house were asleep, the soldier came and wanted something to eat. The girl opened the cupboard and brought him some food, and in her love forgot to shut the cupboard-door again; She seated herself at the table by her lover, and they chattered away together.

What this Textopian page supports

The Three Army-Surgeons 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, Horror, Adventure, Comedy
Length: 1,293 words
Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Work identity for The Three Army-Surgeons by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Three Army-Surgeons?
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

Genres

Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, such as the miraculous healing salve, and follows a traditional fairy tale structure with a moral lesson.
Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements like body parts being removed and reattached, and a magical salve that heals wounds.
Horror — The plot involves gruesome acts such as cutting off body parts and using animal organs, creating a macabre atmosphere.
Adventure — The protagonists are traveling surgeons who encounter various challenges and unexpected events during their journey.