The Three Snake-Leaves
A poor woodcutter's wife sells her daughter to a witch for three snake-leaves that will heal her dying husband. The daughter is forced to do chores and is mistreated by the witch. She eventually escapes with the help of a friendly old woman who teaches her how to use the snake-leaves to heal her father.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 1,660 words
First lines
There was once on a time a poor man, who could no longer support his only son. Then said the son, "Dear father, things go so badly with us that I am a burden to you. I would rather go away and see how I can earn my bread. " So the father gave him his blessing, and with great sorrow took leave of him. At this time the King of a mighty empire was at war, and the youth took service with him, and with him went out to fight. And when he came before the enemy, there was a battle, and great danger, and it rained shot until his comrades fell on all sides, and when the leader also was killed, those left were about to take flight, but the youth stepped forth, spoke boldly to them, and cried, "We will not let our fatherland be ruined! " Then the others followed him, and he pressed on and conquered the enemy. When the King heard that he owed the victory to him alone, he raised him above all the others, gave him great treasures, and made him the first in the kingdom.
What this Textopian page supports
The Three Snake-Leaves 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, Adventure, Romance, Tragedy
- Length: 1,660 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Three Snake-Leaves 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 Three Snake-Leaves?
- 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 Charmed Ring by Joseph Jacobs
- The Riddle by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Kings Son Who Feared Nothing by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Drummer by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Six Servants by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Lady And The Lion by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, such as the snake-leaves that bring the dead back to life, and follows a traditional fairy tale structure with moral lessons.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements like magical leaves and talking animals, which are characteristic of the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey, faces battles, and encounters various challenges, typical of adventure stories.
- Romance — The plot revolves around the marriage and relationship between the young King and the Princess, highlighting themes of love and betrayal.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Magic Realism · Fantasy · Adventure · Quest · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Transformation · Mythology · Symbolism · Nature