The Willow-Wren
A young girl marries a prince who has been cursed to be a willow-wren by day and a man by night. She must find the flower that blooms only once every hundred years to break the curse.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Children's Literature · 1,398 words
First lines
In former days every sound still had its meaning and application. When the smith's hammer resounded, it cried, "Strike away! strike away. " When the carpenter's plane grated, it said, "Here goes! here goes. " If the mill wheel began to clack, it said, "Help, Lord God! help, Lord God! " And if the miller was a cheat and happened to leave the mill, it spoke high German, and first asked slowly, "Who is there? Who is there? " and then answered quickly, "The miller! the miller! " and at last quite in a hurry, "He steals bravely! he steals bravely! three pecks in a bushel."
What this Textopian page supports
The Willow-Wren 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, Children's Literature, Folklore, Fantasy
- Length: 1,398 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Willow-Wren 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 Willow-Wren?
- 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 Wolf And The Fox by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Bird Found by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Crumbs On The Table by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Young Giant by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Star Money by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Hazel Branch Childrens Legends by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features anthropomorphic animals, a moral lesson, and a whimsical narrative typical of fairy tales.
- Fable — The narrative uses animals to convey a moral lesson about cunning and leadership.
- Children's Literature — The simple language, animal characters, and moral lesson make it suitable for children.
- Folklore — The story is rooted in traditional folklore elements, including talking animals and a moral message.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Short Story · Fantasy · Magic Realism · Animal Fiction · Children's Literature · Classic Literature · Mythology · Legend · Fable · Nature Imagery