The Young Giant
A young man is born with extraordinary strength and size, but also with a heart full of kindness and generosity. He becomes a giant among men, but his size and strength are matched only by his humility and compassion. Despite being feared and revered by others, he remains gentle and benevolent, using his powers to help those in need.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 3,700 words
First lines
Once on a time a countryman had a son who was as big as a thumb, and did not become any bigger, and during several years did not grow one hair's breadth. Once when the father was going out to plough, the little one said, "Father, I will go out with you. " "Thou wouldst go out with me? " said the father. "Stay here, thou wilt be of no use out there, besides thou mightest get lost! " Then Thumbling began to cry, and for the sake of peace his father put him in his pocket, and took him with him. When he was outside in the field, he took him out again, and set him in a freshly-cut furrow. Whilst he was there, a great giant came over the hill. "Do thou see that great bogie? " said the father, for he wanted to frighten the little fellow to make him good; "he is coming to fetch thee. " The giant, however, had scarcely taken two steps with his long legs before he was in the furrow. He took up little Thumbling carefully with two fingers, examined him, and without saying one word went away with him. His father stood by, but could not utter a sound for terror, and he thought nothing else but that his child was lost, and that as long as he lived he should never set eyes on him again.
What this Textopian page supports
The Young Giant 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, Adventure, Folklore, Children's Literature
- Length: 3,700 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Young Giant 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 Young Giant?
- 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
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- The Sole by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Twelve Huntsmen by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Golden Key by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Seven Swabians by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Tsarevich And Dyadka by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features fantastical elements, such as giants and magical growth, typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes supernatural occurrences and mythical creatures, aligning with the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey, facing various challenges and tasks, characteristic of adventure stories.
- Folklore — The tale is rooted in traditional folklore, with moral lessons and cultural motifs.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Children's Literature · Fantasy · Adventure · Coming of Age · Magic Realism · Mythology · Legend · Hero's Journey · Quest Narrative · Self-Discovery