The Willful Child facts for kids
The Wilful Child (which means "Das eigensinnige Kind" in German) is a short but powerful fairy tale. It was collected by the famous Brothers Grimm as tale number 117. This story is well-known in Germany and teaches an important lesson about listening to others.
What is the Story About?
The tale tells of a child who was very stubborn. This child often refused to do what her mother asked. Because of this, the story says that God was not pleased with her actions. The child then became very ill.
No doctor could help her, and sadly, the child passed away. When she was buried, and earth was placed over her grave, something strange happened. Her little arm suddenly came out of the ground! People tried to push it back in and cover it again. But no matter what they did, the arm kept appearing.
Finally, the child's mother had to go to the grave herself. She gently tapped the arm with a small rod. After she did this, the arm finally went back into the grave. This allowed the child to rest peacefully underground. The story suggests that even after death, the child's stubbornness needed to be calmed.
Why is This Tale Important?
This fairy tale is a classic example of a story type known as Aarne-Thompson type 779. This type of story often explores themes of "divine rewards and punishments." In simple terms, these are tales where good actions are rewarded, and bad actions have consequences.
"The Wilful Child" teaches a lesson about the importance of obedience and listening to your parents. It shows that being stubborn and not following advice can lead to difficult situations. Other famous tales that share similar themes include The Star Money and Frau Trude. These stories often aim to teach children about right and wrong behavior.
Who Were the Brothers Grimm?
The Brothers Grimm were two German brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. They were born in the late 1700s. They became famous for collecting and publishing many traditional folk tales. These stories had been passed down by word of mouth for generations.
The brothers traveled around Germany, listening to people tell their local stories. They wrote down these tales, making sure to preserve them for future generations. Their collection, known as "Grimms' Fairy Tales," includes many well-loved stories. Some of these are "Cinderella," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Little Red-Cap" (Little Red Riding Hood). Their work helped to save many important cultural stories.
