The Boots of Buffalo Leather facts for kids

The Boots of Buffalo Leather (German: Der Stiefel von Büffelleder) is a classic German fairy tale. It was collected by the famous Brothers Grimm, who gathered many well-known stories. This tale is number 198 in their collection. It tells the exciting story of a brave soldier and a surprising adventure.

The Brave Soldier's Journey

Once upon a time, there was a very brave soldier. Everyone knew him for his courage. After serving in the army, he was finally allowed to go home. He didn't have much, just an old raincoat and a special pair of boots made from tough buffalo leather.

As he traveled, he walked through a thick forest. There, he met a huntsman. Both of them were lost and didn't know which way to go. They decided to travel together, hoping to find their way out.

A Mysterious House in the Woods

Soon, they saw a house in the distance. It looked like a safe place to rest. An old woman opened the door when they knocked. She warned them that the house was a robbers' den. The huntsman was worried and wanted to leave, but the soldier was brave. He decided they should stay anyway. The kind old woman hid them inside.

Later, twelve robbers came home. The soldier, wanting to be noticed, coughed on purpose. The robbers immediately found them and took them prisoner.

The Soldier's Clever Plan

Even though he was captured, the soldier stayed calm. He told the robbers that he and his friend wanted to eat and drink first. The robbers agreed. After the soldier finished his meal, he did something amazing. He held a wine bottle over the robbers' heads. Then, he said a magic spell! The robbers instantly froze, as if they had turned to stone. They couldn't move at all.

Capturing the Robbers

With the robbers frozen, the soldier and the huntsman quickly went to the nearest town. The soldier found some of his old friends from the army. They all returned to the robbers' den. The soldier then lifted the magic spell. The robbers could move again, but they were immediately arrested and sent to prison.

As the soldier and the huntsman came back with the captured thieves, a huge, happy crowd greeted them. The soldier wondered why everyone was so excited. The huntsman smiled and explained. Everyone had gathered to welcome the king, who had been away for a long time and had just returned to the country.

A Royal Surprise

The soldier asked where the king was. To his surprise, the huntsman revealed himself! He was the king all along, traveling in disguise. The king was very grateful to the soldier for his bravery. He promised to take care of the soldier's needs from then on. However, the king gave one rule: the soldier must never drink to the king's health without his permission.