The Bittern and the Hoopoe - Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm

Reading time for children: 3 min

„Where do you like best to feed your flocks?“ said a man to an old cow-herd. „Here, sir, where the grass is neither too rich nor too poor, or else it is no use.“ – „Why not?“ asked the man.

„Do you hear that melancholy cry from the meadow there?“ answered the shepherd, „that is the bittern. He was once a shepherd, and so was the hoopoe also. I will tell you the story. The bittern pastured his flocks on rich green meadows where flowers grew in abundance, so his cows became wild and unmanageable.

The hoopoe drove his cattle on to high barren hills, where the wind plays with the sand, and his cows became thin, and got no strength. When it was evening, and the shepherds wanted to drive their cows homewards, the bittern could not get his together again. They were too high-spirited, and ran away from him.

He called, „Come, cows, come,“ but it was of no use. They took no notice of his calling. The hoopoe, however, could not even get his cows up on their legs, so faint and weak had they become.

„Up, up, up,“ screamed he, but it was in vain, they remained lying on the sand. That is the way when one has no moderation. And to this day, though they have no flocks now to watch, the bittern cries, „Come, cows, come,“ and the hoopoe, „Up, up, up.“

Read another short fairy tale (5 min)

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „The Bittern and the Hoopoe“

„The Bittern and the Hoopoe“ is a lesser-known fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, who were German academics, philologists, and folklorists. They are famous for their collection of European folk tales and fairy tales, which include well-known stories such as „Cinderella,“ „Snow White,“ and „Hansel and Gretel.“ Their collection, titled „Grimms‘ Fairy Tales“ or „Children’s and Household Tales“ (originally „Kinder- und Hausmärchen“ in German), was first published in 1812 and underwent several revisions and expansions over the years.

The Brothers Grimm aimed to preserve traditional stories and cultural heritage while also creating moral lessons for their readers. Their fairy tales often contain elements of magic, enchantment, and fantastical creatures, along with themes of morality, justice, and the triumph of good over evil.

In „The Bittern and the Hoopoe,“ the titular characters are two birds: the bittern, a wading bird from the heron family, and the hoopoe, a colorful bird with a distinctive crest found across Afro-Eurasia. The story uses these birds as allegorical figures to illustrate the importance of moderation and balance in life. The tale is more simplistic and less fantastical compared to other Grimm stories, but it carries a valuable lesson in the consequences of extreme behaviors and the need for equilibrium.

Interpretations to fairy tale „The Bittern and the Hoopoe“

„The Bittern and the Hoopoe“ can be interpreted in several ways, but the central theme revolves around the importance of moderation and balance in life. Here are a few interpretations:

The dangers of extremes: The story highlights the consequences of choosing either extreme: indulgence or deprivation. By tending to their flocks in environments that were either too rich or too poor, both the bittern and the hoopoe faced difficulties in managing their cows. This suggests that finding a middle ground is crucial for success and harmony.

The importance of balance: The tale serves as a reminder that striking a balance in various aspects of life is essential. Whether it’s work and leisure, personal and professional relationships, or emotional and physical well-being, maintaining equilibrium can lead to more fruitful outcomes.

Adapting to circumstances: The story also emphasizes the need to adapt to one’s surroundings and make informed decisions. The bittern and the hoopoe failed to adjust their grazing techniques based on their environments, which led to negative consequences for their flocks.

The persistence of past mistakes: The fact that the bittern and the hoopoe continue to cry out their commands long after losing their flocks suggests that past mistakes or regrets can continue to haunt us. Learning from these experiences and embracing the lessons they teach can help individuals grow and prevent similar missteps in the future.

Overall, „The Bittern and the Hoopoe“ is a cautionary tale that underscores the value of moderation and balance in life, reminding readers to avoid the pitfalls of extreme behaviors and seek harmony in their choices.

Summary of the plot

„The Bittern and the Hoopoe“ is a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm that conveys the importance of moderation. The story begins with a man asking an old cow-herd where he prefers to graze his cattle. The cow-herd responds that he likes a place with grass that is neither too rich nor too poor, and then mentions the melancholic cries of the bittern and the hoopoe, who were once shepherds.

The cow-herd explains that the bittern used to graze his flock on lush meadows filled with flowers, which caused his cows to become wild and unmanageable. On the other hand, the hoopoe chose to graze his cattle on high, barren hills with sandy terrain, resulting in his cows becoming weak and frail. When evening came, the bittern struggled to gather his spirited cows, calling out „Come, cows, come,“ but they ignored him. Meanwhile, the hoopoe found it impossible to get his feeble cows on their feet, despite yelling, „Up, up, up.“

The story concludes with the cow-herd stating that these cries can still be heard from the bittern and hoopoe to this day, even though they no longer have flocks to tend. The tale serves as a reminder of the importance of moderation and balance in life, as extremes can lead to unfavorable outcomes.

Informations for scientific analysis