Hans My Hedgehog facts for kids

Hans My Hedgehog (German: Hans mein Igel) is a classic German fairy tale. It was collected by the famous Brothers Grimm and is story number 108 in their collection. The tale is about a boy named Hans who is born half-hedgehog and half-human. He eventually changes into a fully human being after many adventures and marrying a princess.

How the Story Began

The Brothers Grimm first shared this tale in 1815 in their book Kinder- und Hausmärchen, which means "Children's and Household Tales." They heard the story from a German storyteller named Dorothea Viehmann.

The Story of Hans My Hedgehog

A rich farmer really wanted a child, even saying he'd be happy with a hedgehog. Soon after, his wife gave birth to a baby boy who was a hedgehog from the waist up! They named him Hans My Hedgehog.

When Hans was eight years old, he decided to leave home. He rode a rooster into the woods to find his own way. There, he spent years looking after his donkeys and pigs.

One day, a king got lost in the woods and heard Hans playing beautiful music on his bagpipes. Hans offered to show the king the way home. In return, the king promised to give Hans the very first thing that came to greet him when he returned to his kingdom. The king thought Hans couldn't read, so he secretly wrote an order saying Hans should get nothing. When the king's daughter ran out to greet him, the king told her about the deal and how he had tricked Hans. Hans didn't seem to mind and just kept caring for his animals.

Later, a second king also got lost and stumbled upon Hans. This king agreed to the same deal. When he returned home, his only daughter rushed out to meet him. She bravely accepted that she now belonged to Hans because of her father's promise.

When it was time, Hans My Hedgehog went to claim his promises. The first king tried to keep his daughter from Hans. But Hans made the king give her up. Hans then punished the princess for her father's broken promise, making her regret their dishonesty.

The second king, however, honored his word. His daughter agreed to marry Hans My Hedgehog. On their wedding night, Hans asked the king to build a big fire and have guards watch his door. Hans then took off his hedgehog skin and told the guards to throw it into the fire until it was completely gone. Hans looked burned and black. But after doctors cleaned him, he was revealed to be a handsome young man! After several years, Hans went back home to get his father, and they all lived together happily in the kingdom.

Main Characters

• Hans: The main character, who is born half-hedgehog and later becomes a handsome human.
• Farmer (Hans' father): He wished for a son, even if it was a hedgehog.
• Farmer's wife (Hans' mother): She gave birth to Hans.
• First King: He tried to trick Hans and break his promise.
• Second King: He kept his promise and became Hans's father-in-law.
• First Princess: She refused to marry Hans and was punished for her father's broken promise.
• Second Princess: She honored her father's promise and agreed to marry Hans.

Other Versions of the Story

"Hans My Hedgehog" is similar to other fairy tales around the world. For example, there's "The Pig King" by Giovanni Francesco Straparola and "Prince Marcassin" by Madame d'Aulnoy. These stories also feature a character who is part animal and transforms.

A Scottish version called "The Hedgehurst" was told by a storyteller named Duncan Williamson. There's also an Eastern European story called Prince Hedgehog.

Books and TV Shows

The story of Hans My Hedgehog has been adapted into many different forms:

Books

• The German children's author Janosch rewrote the story in his 1972 book Janosch erzählt Grimms Märchen (Janosch Tells Grimm's Fairy Tales). In his version, Hans becomes a rock singer and movie star!
• In 2012, Kate Coombs wrote a children's book called Hans My Hedgehog, with illustrations by John Nickle.
• The short story "A Question of Price" by Andrzej Sapkowski, found in his book The Last Wish, was inspired by Hans My Hedgehog.

Television

• An animated short film based on the story appeared in the "Hungarian Folktales" episode of the TV series Long Ago and Far Away (1989-1993).
• A version of the story was also featured in Jim Henson's TV series The Storyteller.
• The TV shows The Hexer and The Witcher, which are based on Andrzej Sapkowski's books, include an adaptation of "A Question of Price," the story inspired by Hans My Hedgehog.