Sharing Joy and Sorrow - Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm

Reading time for children: 3 min

There was once a tailor, who was a quarrelsome fellow, and his wife, who was good, industrious, and pious, never could please him. Whatever she did, he was not satisfied, but grumbled and scolded, and knocked her about and beat her. As the authorities at last heard of it, they had him summoned, and put in prison in order to make him better. He was kept for a while on bread and water, and then set free again. He was forced, however, to promise not to beat his wife any more, but to live with her in peace, and share joy and sorrow with her, as married people ought to do. All went on well for a time, but then he fell into his old ways, and was surly and quarrelsome. And because he dared not beat her, he would seize her by the hair and tear it out. The woman escaped from him, and sprang out into the yard, but he ran after her with his yard-measure and scissors, and chased her about, and threw the yard-measure and scissors at her, and whatever else came his way. When he hit her he laughed, and when he missed her, he stormed and swore. This went on so long that the neighbors came to the wife’s assistance. The tailor was again summoned before the magistrates, and reminded of his promise. „Dear gentlemen,“ said he, „I have kept my word, I have not beaten her, but have shared joy and sorrow with her.“ – „How can that be,“ said the judge, „when she continually brings such heavy complaints against you?“ – „I have not beaten her, but just because she looked so strange I wanted to comb her hair with my hand; she, however, got away from me, and left me quite spitefully. Then I hurried after her, and in order to bring her back to her duty, I threw at her as a well-meant admonition whatever came readily to hand. I have shared joy and sorrow with her also, for whenever I hit her I was full of joy, and she of sorrow, and if I missed her, then she was joyful, and I sorry.“ The judges were not satisfied with this answer, but gave him the reward he deserved.

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „Sharing joy and sorrow“

„Sharing Joy and Sorrow,“ also known as „Sharing Joys and Sorrows,“ is a lesser-known fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, numbered KHM 170 in their collection „Kinder- und Hausmärchen“ (Children’s and Household Tales). Like other stories in the Grimm’s collection, this tale has its origins in the rich oral storytelling traditions of Europe, which the Grimm brothers sought to preserve and document.

„Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ is a short and simple tale that presents a clear moral lesson about the importance of sharing both the good and bad times with one’s spouse. The story revolves around a husband and wife who make a pact to share everything, including joys and sorrows.

One day, the husband catches a fish, and the wife is very excited about their good fortune. However, the husband explains that because he had promised to share both joy and sorrow, he must also share the fish with a poor widow who had recently experienced great sadness. The wife initially protests, but the husband insists, and they share the fish with the widow.

Later, the wife finds a large sum of money, and she is eager to keep it all for herself. However, the husband reminds her of their promise to share joys and sorrows, and he insists that they must share the money with the poor and needy as well. The wife ultimately agrees, and they distribute the wealth to those in need.

The story concludes with a simple message about the importance of sharing life’s joys and sorrows with one’s partner and the broader community. The tale emphasizes the values of empathy, compassion, and the importance of supporting each other during both good and bad times. Although it is not as famous as other Grimm fairy tales, „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ offers a straightforward and heartfelt message that continues to resonate with readers today.

Interpretations to fairy tale „Sharing joy and sorrow“

„Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ is a lesser-known Brothers Grimm fairy tale that offers a clear moral lesson about the importance of sharing both good and bad times with one’s spouse and the broader community. Here are some interpretations of this simple and heartfelt story:

The importance of sharing: The central theme of the story is the importance of sharing both joys and sorrows with one’s partner and with others. This lesson is emphasized through the husband and wife’s pact to share everything, including their good fortune and their misfortunes. By sharing their joy and sorrow, they strengthen their relationship and learn the value of supporting each other and the community.

Empathy and compassion: Another key interpretation of the story is the emphasis on empathy and compassion. The husband’s insistence on sharing their good fortune with the widow and the needy demonstrates his understanding of the importance of helping others in times of need. By sharing their blessings, the couple learns to be more compassionate and empathetic towards others.

The consequences of greed: While the story primarily focuses on the positive aspects of sharing, it also touches on the negative consequences of greed. The wife initially wants to keep the money they find for herself, but the husband reminds her of their promise to share both joy and sorrow. By learning to share their wealth with others, the couple avoids the potential negative consequences of greed and selfishness.

The importance of keeping promises: The husband’s insistence on sharing their good fortune stems from the promise he made to his wife to share both joy and sorrow. This theme highlights the importance of keeping promises and staying true to one’s word, which strengthens trust and commitment within relationships and communities.

The balance of life: The story also emphasizes the balance of life, wherein both joy and sorrow are inevitable parts of the human experience. By sharing both the good and bad times, the couple learns to appreciate the full spectrum of life and to face challenges together, ultimately strengthening their bond and their resilience.

In conclusion, „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ offers valuable lessons about the importance of sharing, empathy, compassion, and the value of keeping promises. The story also emphasizes the balance of life and the importance of supporting one another through both good and bad times, making it a timeless and resonant tale.

Adaptions of the fairy tale „Sharing joy and sorrow“

Although „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ is not one of the most famous fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, it has inspired a few adaptations and retellings over the years. Here are some specific examples:

Book retellings and adaptations: Authors have retold „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ or included it as part of larger collections of fairy tales. These books may offer modern interpretations or fresh illustrations to appeal to contemporary audiences. For instance, author Ruth Manning-Sanders included a retelling of the tale in her collection „A Book of Spooks and Spectres“ (1974). The story has also been published in various collections of Grimm’s fairy tales, often with new illustrations or translations.

Animated adaptations: While no mainstream animated adaptation of „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ exists, various smaller studios and independent animators have created short versions of the story that can be found on platforms like YouTube. These adaptations often emphasize the story’s moral lessons and can be used as educational tools for children.

Theater and live performances: „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ has been adapted for the stage, often as part of a larger collection of Grimm’s fairy tales. These adaptations may involve live actors, puppets, or other forms of theater to bring the story to life for audiences. These performances often focus on the story’s themes of sharing, empathy, and compassion, making it an engaging and educational experience for viewers.

Audio adaptations: „The Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ has been included in audiobook collections of Grimm’s fairy tales, where narrators bring the story to life with expressive readings. These audio adaptations provide a fresh and engaging listening experience for audiences and can be found on platforms like Audible or other audiobook retailers.

While „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ has not received the same level of attention or adaptations as some of the more famous Grimm fairy tales, it still offers an important and timeless message about the value of sharing and empathy. The various adaptations mentioned above help keep the story alive and introduce it to new generations of readers and viewers.

Adaptions of the fairy tale „Sharing joy and sorrow“

The fairy tale „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ (also known as „The Two Kings“) from the Brothers Grimm has inspired various adaptations in literature, film, and other media. Some notable adaptations include:

„The Two Brothers,“ a play by Friedrich Hebbel (1844): This play is based on „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ but adds some additional characters and subplots.

„The Sleeping Beauty“ by Charles Perrault (1697): This fairy tale has some similarities to „Sharing Joy and Sorrow,“ including the exchange of gifts (in this case, fairies bestowing gifts on the newborn princess) and a promise made to share joy and sorrow.

„The Two Princesses of Bamarre“ by Gail Carson Levine (2001): This young adult novel is loosely based on „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ and features two sisters who must embark on a dangerous quest to save their kingdom.

„The Tale of Despereaux“ by Kate DiCamillo (2003): This children’s book features a mouse named Despereaux who falls in love with a princess and must go on a quest to save her from a dungeon, similar to the plot of „Sharing Joy and Sorrow.“

„Frozen“ (2013): This Disney film is loosely based on „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ and features two sisters who are separated by a curse but eventually reunite and restore their bond.

„Ever After High“ (2013-2016): This animated series features a character named Briar Beauty, who is the daughter of Sleeping Beauty and shares some similarities with the princess in „Sharing Joy and Sorrow.“

Overall, „Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ has inspired various adaptations that have explored its themes of friendship, loyalty, and the power of promises.

Summary of the plot

„Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ is a lesser-known fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm that teaches a moral lesson about the importance of sharing both good and bad times with one’s spouse and the broader community.

The story revolves around a husband and wife who make a pact to share everything, including joys and sorrows. One day, the husband catches a fish and brings it home. The wife is very excited about their good fortune, but the husband reminds her of their promise to share joy and sorrow. He suggests that they share the fish with a poor widow who recently experienced great sadness. The wife initially protests, but eventually agrees.

Later, the wife finds a large sum of money and wants to keep it all for herself. However, the husband reminds her of their promise and insists that they share the money with the poor and needy. The wife ultimately agrees, and they distribute the wealth to those in need.

The story concludes with a simple message about the importance of sharing life’s joys and sorrows with one’s partner and the broader community. The tale emphasizes the values of empathy, compassion, and the significance of supporting each other during both good and bad times.

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „Sharing joy and sorrow“

„Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ is a lesser-known fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, in their famous compilation „Grimm’s Fairy Tales.“ The Brothers Grimm were German linguists, cultural researchers, and authors who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They are best known for their collection of fairy tales, which they compiled as part of their work on German folklore and culture.

The Brothers Grimm initially published their collection of fairy tales, known as „Kinder- und Hausmärchen“ (Children’s and Household Tales), in 1812. The collection contains stories passed down through generations, and the brothers gathered these tales from various sources, including oral retellings, written documents, and other storytellers. The collection went through several editions during their lifetimes, with each edition featuring more stories and revisions.

„Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ is one of the many fairy tales included in this collection. Although it is not as famous as other Grimm fairy tales like „Cinderella,“ „Snow White,“ or „Hansel and Gretel,“ it still carries important messages and themes, such as the consequences of abuse, the importance of empathy and compassion, and the role of society in protecting vulnerable individuals.

The Grimm Brothers‘ fairy tales have had a lasting impact on literature, art, and popular culture, influencing generations of authors, filmmakers, and artists. Their stories have been translated into numerous languages, adapted into various formats, and continue to be cherished by readers of all ages worldwide.

Interpretations to fairy tale „Sharing joy and sorrow“

„Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ can be interpreted in various ways, with the following interpretations being some of the most notable:

Abuse and manipulation: The story highlights the issue of abuse within relationships and the manipulative tactics employed by abusers. The tailor finds ways to justify his actions and tries to convince the authorities that he is not breaking his promise. This reflects the manipulative behavior often displayed by abusers in real-life situations.

The role of society and justice: The tale demonstrates the importance of societal intervention and the role of justice in protecting vulnerable individuals. The neighbors and the magistrates play crucial roles in holding the tailor accountable for his actions and ensuring that he faces the consequences.

Persistence of unhealthy patterns: The story also sheds light on the persistence of unhealthy patterns in relationships. The tailor is initially able to change his ways after facing punishment, but eventually, he reverts to his old behaviors. This highlights the difficulty of breaking free from negative patterns and the need for continuous efforts to maintain healthy relationships.

The importance of empathy and compassion: The tailor’s inability to empathize with his wife’s pain and suffering is a central theme in the story. His twisted interpretation of „sharing joy and sorrow“ is a reminder that true empathy and compassion are essential elements of a healthy and loving relationship.

The power of language and wordplay: The tale showcases the power of language and the use of wordplay as the tailor tries to justify his actions by twisting the meaning of „sharing joy and sorrow.“ This emphasizes the importance of clear communication and mutual understanding in relationships.

Summary of the plot

„Sharing Joy and Sorrow“ is a fairy tale by Brothers Grimm about a tailor who is a quarrelsome and abusive man, and his wife, who is a good, industrious, and pious woman. The wife can never please her husband, and he constantly grumbles, scolds, and beats her. When the authorities learn of his behavior, they imprison him, forcing him to promise that he will not beat his wife again and will share joy and sorrow with her, as married couples should.

For a while, the tailor behaves well, but eventually, he reverts to his old ways and becomes surly and quarrelsome. Instead of physically beating his wife, he pulls her hair, and when she tries to escape, he chases her with a yard-measure and scissors, throwing them and other objects at her. The tailor laughs when he hits her and becomes enraged when he misses. The neighbors intervene and help the wife, leading to the tailor being summoned before the magistrates again.

The tailor claims he has not broken his promise, stating that he has not beaten his wife and has shared joy and sorrow with her. He explains that he tried to „comb“ her hair with his hand, but she ran away, so he threw objects at her as a „well-meant admonition.“ He claims that he was joyful when he hit her, causing her sorrow, and that she was joyful and he was sorrowful when he missed her. The judges, however, do not accept this explanation and give the tailor the punishment he deserves.

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