The Turnip
A poor woman's husband had died, leaving her with a large debt to pay off. She was forced to sell one of her children to the devil in exchange for a magical turnip that would bring her wealth and prosperity. However, the turnip turned out to be cursed, causing chaos and destruction wherever it was taken.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Folklore · 1,213 words
First lines
There were once two Brothers who both served as soldiers, and one was rich and the other was poor.
The poor one, wishing to better himself, discarded his uniform and worked like a Peasant. Then he dug and hoed his little field and sowed Turnips.
What this Textopian page supports
The Turnip 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, Fable, Folklore, Comedy, Adventure
- Length: 1,213 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Turnip 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 Turnip?
- 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 Giant And The Tailor by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Little Peasant by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Thumbling by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Donkey Cabbages by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Valiant Little Tailor by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Seven Swabians by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features elements typical of fairy tales, such as magical occurrences, moral lessons, and a simple narrative structure.
- Fable — The narrative conveys a moral lesson about greed and contentment, similar to traditional fables.
- Folklore — The tale is rooted in cultural folklore, with themes and motifs common in traditional stories passed down through generations.
- Comedy — The story includes humorous elements, particularly in the ironic twist involving the turnip and the student.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Children's Literature · Short Story · Fantasy · Adventure · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Animal Character · Turnip as Symbol