Wise Folks
The collection of folk tales features stories about wise individuals who use their intelligence to outwit others, often with humorous results. The tales are set in a medieval-like society where wisdom and cunning are highly valued. The stories showcase the cleverness and resourcefulness of the protagonists as they navigate complex social situations and overcome obstacles.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1816 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Humor · 1,911 words
First lines
One day a peasant took his good hazel-stick out of the corner and said to his wife, "Trina, I am going across country, and shall not return for three days. If during that time the cattle-dealer should happen to call and want to buy our three cows, you may strike a bargain at once, but not unless you can get two hundred thalers for them; nothing less, do you hear? " "For heaven's sake just go in peace," answered the woman, "I will manage that. " "You, indeed," said the man. "You once fell on your head when you were a little child, and that affects you even now; but let me tell you this, if you do anything foolish, I will make your back black and blue, and not with paint, I assure you, but with the stick which I have in my hand, and the colouring shall last a whole year, you may rely on that. " And having said that, the man went on his way.
What this Textopian page supports
Wise Folks is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1816 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: 1816 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Humor, Satire, Moral Tale
- Length: 1,911 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Wise Folks 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 Wise Folks?
- 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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- Odds And Ends by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Going A Travelling by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
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- The Seven Swabians by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features traditional fairy tale elements such as peasants, cleverness, and moral lessons.
- Folklore — The narrative is rooted in cultural folklore, showcasing common themes of wisdom and folly.
- Humor — The plot revolves around humorous misunderstandings and the folly of the characters.
- Satire — The story satirizes human nature and the concept of intelligence through exaggerated character actions.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Short Story Collection · Children's Literature · Fantasy · Magic Realism · Mythology · Legends · Folkloric Fiction · Cultural Heritage · Traditional Narrative · Oral Tradition