The story follows a young man named Hans, who is the son of a poor farmer. One day, while out hunting, Hans finds a severed hand in the forest. He takes it home and puts it in a box, and soon discovers that it has magical powers. The hand grants Hans three wishes, and he uses them to become wealthy and powerful. But his newfound wealth and power come with a price: the hand demands a human sacrifice. Hans must choose between sacrificing his own life or that of his beloved. In the end, Hans makes the ultimate sacrifice and gives up his own life to save his beloved. The story ends with a moral about the power of love and self-sacrifice.
By Wilhelm Hauff · First published 1820 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Romance