The Three Luck-Children
Three brothers are born to a childless couple after they pray for children. The first brother is given a golden apple that grants him wealth and power but also makes him arrogant and cruel. He marries a princess, but she turns out to be a wicked stepmother who plots against her husband's family. The second brother receives a silver apple that brings him good fortune and happiness, but he becomes lazy and indulgent. He marries a woman who is kind and gentle, but she dies soon after their wedding due to the first brother's cruelty. The third brother is given a copper apple that makes him poor but honest and hardworking. He marries a woman who is wise and kind, and together they have many children. As the story unfolds, the three brothers' fortunes rise and fall, with the first brother's arrogance and cruelty ultimately leading to his downfall. The second brother's laziness and indulgence also lead to his demise, while the third brother's honesty and hard work bring him success and happiness in the end.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Adventure · 1,136 words
First lines
A father once called his three sons before him. He gave to the first a cock, to the second a scythe, and to the third a cat.
"I am old," said he, "my death is nigh, and I have wished to take thought for you before my end. Money I have not, and what I now give you seems of little worth. But all depends on your making a sensible use of it. Only seek out a country where such things are still unknown, and your fortune is made."
What this Textopian page supports
The Three Luck-Children 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, Folklore, Adventure, Fantasy, Children's Literature
- Length: 1,136 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Three Luck-Children 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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Similar titles
- The Gold Children by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Six Servants by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Chufil Filyushka by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- The Griffin by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Water Nix by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Devil With The Three Golden Hairs by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features fantastical elements, moral lessons, and a narrative style typical of traditional fairy tales.
- Folklore — The narrative is rooted in cultural folklore, with themes of cleverness and fortune, common in folk stories.
- Adventure — The plot involves the characters embarking on journeys to foreign lands, encountering new challenges and opportunities.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as talking animals and improbable events, characteristic of fantasy literature.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Magic Realism · Coming of Age · Sibling Rivalry · Good vs Evil · Loyalty · Deception · Revenge · Poverty · Wealth · Social Class