German Fairy Tale

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Retold by The Legendary Connection

TLC#00141

Long ago, there was a man with three sons. The youngest son, named Dummling, was always teased by everyone and often treated unkindly.

One day, the oldest son decided to go into the forest to cut wood. Before he left, his mother gave him a sweet cake and a bottle of wine, so he wouldn’t get hungry or thirsty.

When he entered the forest, he met a little old man with gray hair. The man greeted him warmly and asked, “Could you share a piece of your cake and a sip of your wine? I’m very hungry and thirsty.”

But the oldest son replied, “If I give you any, I’ll have nothing left for myself. Go away!” He left the little man standing there and continued on. But when he started chopping a tree, he accidentally cut his arm and had to go home for help. Little did he know, it was the little gray man’s doing.

The next day, the second son decided to go to the forest, and his mother gave him cake and wine as well. Once again, the little gray man appeared and asked for a bite of cake and a sip of wine. But the second son also replied, “If I share with you, I won’t have enough for myself,” and he walked away. Soon after, as he chopped wood, he hit his leg and had to be carried home.

Finally, Dummling said, “Father, let me try. I’d like to go to the forest and cut wood.” His father replied, “Your brothers got hurt. You’ll just make things worse.” But Dummling kept asking until his father finally agreed, saying, “Go on, and maybe you’ll learn a lesson.”

Dummling’s mother gave him a small, simple cake and a bottle of sour beer. Off he went into the forest, where he soon met the little old man. The man greeted him and asked, “Could you share a bit of your cake and some of your drink? I’m very hungry and thirsty.”

Dummling replied, “I only have cinder-cake and sour beer, but if that’s okay, we can share.” They sat down, and when Dummling pulled out his food, the simple cake had turned into a sweet, fine cake, and the sour beer had become delicious wine. They shared the food happily, and after they had finished, the little man said, “You have a kind heart. I’ll give you good luck. Cut down that old tree over there, and you’ll find something special at its roots.”

After the little man left, Dummling took his axe, chopped down the old tree, and found a goose with feathers made of pure gold! He carefully picked up the golden goose and took it with him to an inn, where he decided to spend the night.

The innkeeper had three daughters who noticed the amazing golden goose and each wished for a feather of her own. The oldest daughter thought, “I’ll pluck one while Dummling isn’t looking.” But as soon as she touched the goose, her hand stuck fast to its feathers.

The second daughter soon tried to get a feather as well, but as soon as she touched her sister, she was also stuck. Then the third daughter, not knowing why her sisters were calling out to her to stay away, tried as well and became stuck to the others. They spent the night holding on to the goose, unable to free themselves.

The next morning, Dummling took the goose under his arm and started on his way again, the three sisters trailing behind him. In the middle of a field, they passed the village minister, who saw the strange sight and cried out, “Why are you girls following this young man? This is very improper!”

The minister tried to pull the youngest daughter away, but as soon as he touched her, he stuck to her and had to follow along behind. Not long after, the church custodian saw them all and tried to help the minister. But as soon as he grabbed his arm, he became stuck as well.

As they walked along, they passed two farm workers, who ran out to help but got stuck in line as well.  Dummling was happily walking along carrying his golden goose with seven people trailing along behind him.

Soon, Dummling came to a city where the king lived. The king’s daughter was known throughout the land for never smiling, and the king had announced that anyone who could make her laugh could marry her. Dummling decided to try his luck. When he and his seven followers marched past the princess, she took one look at the silly procession and burst out laughing. She laughed so hard that she could hardly stop!

With a big smile, Dummling asked to marry her, and the king happily agreed. Soon after, they were married in a joyful celebration. Later, when the king passed away, Dummling became king, ruling the kingdom with kindness and joy, and he and his princess lived happily ever after.

---. “Household Tales by Brothers Grimm.” Https://Www.gutenberg.org/Files/5314/5314-h/5314-H.htm, 1 Mar. 2004, gutenberg.org/cache/epub/5314/pg5314-images.html#chap64. Accessed 26 July 2024.