The Three Little Birds
This is a collection of folktales from Europe, published in the early 19th century. The stories are meant to entertain and educate children about life's lessons. The Three Little Birds is one of these tales. It tells the story of three birds who live together in a nest. They spend their days singing and enjoying each other's company. However, when they hear that a fox has been spotted in the area, they become frightened and decide to leave their home. The first bird builds its new nest on a high tree branch, but it is too far away from its friends. The second bird builds its nest on a low-hanging branch, but it is too close to the ground. The third bird decides to stay in its original nest, where it can still see and hear its friends. The fox tries to trick each of the birds into leaving their nests by pretending to be friendly. However, the third bird is not fooled and stays put. When the fox tries to get to the nest, the bird's quick thinking saves it from being eaten. This story teaches children about the importance of staying true to oneself and not being swayed by false promises.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 1,763 words
First lines
About a thousand or more years ago, there were in this country nothing but small kings, and one of them who lived on the Keuterberg was very fond of hunting. Once on a time when he was riding forth from his castle with his huntsmen, three girls were watching their cows upon the mountain, and when they saw the King with all his followers, the eldest girl pointed to him, and called to the two other girls, "If I do not get that one, I will have none. " Then the second girl answered from the other side of the hill, and pointed to the one who was on the King's right hand, "Hilloa! hilloa! If I do not get him, I will have no one. " These, however, were the two ministers. The King heard all this, and when he had come back from the chase, he caused the three girls to be brought to him, and asked them what they had said yesterday on the mountain. This they would not tell him, so the King asked the eldest if she really would take him for her husband? Then she said, "Yes," and the two ministers married the two sisters, for they were all three fair and beautiful of face, especially the Queen, who had hair like flax. But the two sisters had no children, and once when the King was obliged to go from home he invited them to come to the Queen in order to cheer her, for she was about to bear a child. She had a little boy who brought a bright red star into the world with him. Then the two sisters said to each other that they would throw the beautiful boy into the water. When they had thrown him in (I believe it was into the Weser) a little bird flew up into the air, which sang,
What this Textopian page supports
The Three Little Birds 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, Folklore, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 1,763 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Three Little Birds by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Similar titles
- Hansel And Grethel by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Little Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen
- Stories About Snakes by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Fundevogel Bird Foundling by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Snow White And Rose Red by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Goose Girl by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative includes magical elements, moral lessons, and a traditional structure typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The story features fantastical elements such as talking birds, magical transformations, and enchanted objects.
- Folklore — The tale is rooted in cultural folklore, with motifs and themes common in traditional folk stories.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and quest as the children seek their origins and reunite with their family.
Tags
FairyTale · ChildrensLiterature · GermanFolklore · AnimalCharacters · Birds · ThreeSisters · LazyBrother · HardworkingSister · KindnessRewarded · GreedPunished · MoralLesson · ShortStory