The Three Children of Fortune - Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm

Reading time for children: 8 min

A father once called his three sons before him, and he gave to the first a cock, to the second a scythe, and to the third a cat. „I am already aged,“ said he, „my death is nigh, and I have wished to take thought for you before my end. Money I have not, and what I now give you seems of little worth, but all depends on your making a sensible use of it. Only seek out a country where such things are still unknown, and your fortune is made.“

After the father’s death the eldest went away with his cock, but wherever he came the cock was already known. In the towns he saw him from a long distance, sitting upon the steeples and turning round with the wind, and in the villages he heard more than one crowing. No one would show any wonder at the creature, so that it did not look as if he would make his fortune by it.

At last, however, it happened that he came to an island where the people knew nothing about cocks, and did not even understand how to divide their time. They certainly knew when it was morning or evening, but at night, if they did not sleep through it, not one of them knew how to find out the time. „Look!“ said he, „what a proud creature! it has a ruby-red crown upon its head, and wears spurs like a knight.

It calls you three times during the night, at fixed hours, and when it calls for the last time, the sun soon rises. But if it crows by broad daylight, then take notice, for there will certainly be a change of weather.“ The people were well pleased. For a whole night they did not sleep, and listened with great delight as the cock at two, four, and six o’clock, loudly and clearly proclaimed the time.

They asked if the creature were for sale, and how much he wanted for it? „About as much gold as an ass can carry,“ answered he. „A ridiculously small price for such a precious creature!“ they cried unanimously, and willingly gave him what he had asked. When he came home with his wealth his brothers were astonished, and the second said, „Well, I will go forth and see whether I cannot get rid of my scythe as profitably.“

But it did not look as if he would, for labourers met him everywhere, and they had scythes upon their shoulders as well as he. At last, however, he chanced upon an island where the people knew nothing of scythes. When the corn was ripe there, they took cannon out to the fields and shot it down. Now this was rather an uncertain affair. Many shot right over it, others hit the ears instead of the stems, and shot them away, whereby much was lost, and besides all this, it made a terrible noise.

So the man set to work and mowed it down so quietly and quickly that the people opened their mouths with astonishment. They agreed to give him what he wanted for the scythe, and he received a horse laden with as much gold as it could carry. And now the third brother wanted to take his cat to the right man. He fared just like the others. So long as he stayed on the mainland there was nothing to be done. Every place had cats, and there were so many of them that new-born kittens were generally drowned in the ponds.

At last he sailed over to an island, and it luckily happened that no cats had ever yet been seen there, and that the mice had got the upper hand so much that they danced upon the tables and benches whether the master were at home or not. The people complained bitterly of the plague. The King himself in his palace did not know how to secure himself against them. Mice squeaked in every corner, and gnawed whatever they could lay hold of with their teeth.

But now the cat began her chase, and soon cleared a couple of rooms, and the people begged the King to buy the wonderful beast for the country. The King willingly gave what was asked, which was a mule laden with gold, and the third brother came home with the greatest treasure of all. The cat made herself merry with the mice in the royal palace, and killed so many that they could not be counted. At last she grew warm with the work and thirsty, so she stood still, lifted up her head and cried, „Mew. Mew!“

When they heard this strange cry, the King and all his people were frightened, and in their terror ran all at once out of the palace. Then the King took counsel what was best to be done. At last it was determined to send a herald to the cat, and demand that she should leave the palace, or if not, she was to expect that force would be used against her. The councillors said, „Rather will we let ourselves be plagued with the mice, for to that misfortune we are accustomed, than give up our lives to such a monster as this.“

A noble youth, therefore, was sent to ask the cat „whether she would peaceably quit the castle?“ But the cat, whose thirst had become still greater, merely answered, „Mew! Mew!“ The youth understood her to say, „Most certainly not! most certainly not!“ and took this answer to the King. „Then,“ said the councillors, „she shall yield to force.“ Cannon were brought out, and the palace was soon in flames. When the fire reached the room where the cat was sitting, she sprang safely out of the window; but the besiegers did not leave off until the whole palace was shot down to the ground.

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „The Three Children of Fortune“

„The Three Children of Fortune“ is a lesser-known fairy tale collected and published by the Brothers Grimm in their famous anthology of folktales, „Grimms‘ Fairy Tales.“ The story revolves around the adventures of three brothers, who are the children of a poor but hardworking man.

The Brothers Grimm: The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, were German academics, linguists, and cultural researchers who collected and published European folktales in the 19th century. They aimed to preserve the rich oral tradition of storytelling that was prevalent across Europe. Their collection, „Grimms‘ Fairy Tales,“ is widely regarded as one of the most influential works in the field of folklore.

Romantic: The Brothers Grimm were part of the German Romantic movement, which aimed to preserve German cultural heritage and promote national identity. The movement influenced their decision to collect and document folktales, which they believed were essential to understanding the history and values of the German people. Their work has had a significant impact on the development of folklore studies and continues to be popular worldwide.

Origins and influences: Like many other tales in the Grimms‘ collection, „The Three Children of Fortune“ draws from the rich oral tradition of European folklore. The exact origins of the story are unknown, but it likely developed over generations through storytelling in Central Europe. The tale shares themes and motifs with other folktales and fairy tales, such as the power of luck, the importance of wisdom and resourcefulness, and the concept of the „trickster“ character.

Structure and plot: The story follows a linear narrative structure, where the three brothers embark on a journey to seek their fortunes. Along the way, they face various challenges and obstacles. Their wit, resourcefulness, and good luck help them overcome these difficulties and eventually attain wealth and happiness. The tale is episodic in nature, with each brother encountering different situations and characters on their journey.

Themes and motifs: The tale explores several themes and motifs common to many fairy tales and folk stories. The prominence of the number three in the story, as seen in the three brothers and their three separate encounters, is a common motif in fairy tales. The number often signifies completeness and balance. The tale emphasizes the role of luck in the brothers‘ adventures. This theme is prevalent in many other folktales, where characters are often rewarded or punished based on their fortune.

Morals and lessons: Like many other fairy tales, „The Three Children of Fortune“ imparts valuable life lessons and morals to its readers. The story emphasizes the importance of perseverance, resourcefulness, and wisdom in the face of adversity. Additionally, it demonstrates the power of luck and fortune, reminding readers that success is often a combination of hard work and good fortune.

„The Three Children of Fortune“ is a story that showcases the importance of resourcefulness, perseverance, and adaptability. While it may not be as well-known as some of the Brothers Grimm’s other works, such as „Cinderella,“ „Snow White,“ or „Hansel and Gretel,“ the tale still provides valuable lessons and insights for readers.

Interpretations to fairy tale „The Three Children of Fortune“

„The Three Children of Fortune“ can be interpreted in several ways, offering different lessons and insights:

Resourcefulness and adaptability: The story emphasizes the importance of being resourceful and adaptable in making the most of seemingly insignificant items. The brothers‘ success lies in recognizing the potential value of their father’s gifts and seeking opportunities to utilize them effectively.

Innovation and novelty: The tale highlights the impact that new ideas, tools, or methods can have on a society that is not familiar with them. The brothers bring previously unknown items to new places, and these items significantly improve the lives of the people, leading to the brothers‘ fortunes.

Perseverance: The brothers do not give up even when they face challenges in finding a place where their items are unknown. They keep searching until they find the right opportunity, demonstrating the importance of perseverance in achieving success.

Miscommunication and fear of the unknown: The story also showcases the potential consequences of miscommunication and fear of the unknown. The people on the island with the cat misunderstand her cries and believe her to be a dangerous creature, leading to the destruction of the palace. This can serve as a reminder to be more understanding and open-minded when encountering new or unfamiliar situations.

The value of ordinary things: The father’s seemingly ordinary gifts prove to be the key to the brothers‘ fortunes, illustrating that even the most common items can hold immense value when used wisely and creatively. This encourages readers to appreciate the potential in everyday objects and situations.

Overall, „The Three Children of Fortune“ offers various interpretations and lessons, ranging from resourcefulness and perseverance to the importance of open-mindedness and recognizing the value in the ordinary.

Adaptions of the fairy tale „The Three Children of Fortune“

While „The Three Children of Fortune“ is not as widely known or adapted as some other Brothers Grimm fairy tales, it has still inspired a few adaptations and works that draw on its themes and narrative. The tale has been adapted in various forms over the years. Here are a few examples:

Television and Films: The tale has been adapted into several TV shows and movies, often as part of an anthology of fairy tales. For example, the story was adapted into an episode of the TV series „Faerie Tale Theater“ in 1985.

Picture books: The story has been adapted into numerous picture books for young children, with illustrations by different artists. Some popular versions include „Three Sons of Fortune“ by Mara Rockliff and „The Three Little Men in the Wood“ by Walter Crane.

Radio play: In 2009, the BBC Radio 4 aired a 45-minute dramatization of „The Three Children of Fortune“ as part of their „Grimm Tales“ series. The radio play, adapted by Lucy Catherine and directed by Gemma Jenkins, brings the story to life with sound effects, music, and voice acting, offering listeners an engaging and immersive experience.

Theater: In 2016, the Theater Royal Bath in the United Kingdom staged a production called „The Three Children of Fortune.“ Adapted by Hattie Naylor and directed by Lee Lyford, the performance used puppetry, music, and storytelling to bring the fairy tale to life on stage. The story has been adapted for the stage as a play, often as part of a collection of Grimm’s fairy tales. For example, the play „Three Children of Fortune“ by John Davies was performed in the UK in 2018.

Literary adaptations: The tale has been retold in various forms by authors and poets. For example, poet W.H. Auden included a version of the tale in his collection „The Shield of Achilles,“ and author Philip Pullman adapted the story into a novel titled „Grimm Tales: For Young and Old.“

Musical adaptations: The tale has been adapted into musicals, such as „The Three Little Pigs and the Three Children of Fortune“ by Richard Gremel, which was performed in the US in 2018.

Art and illustrations: Various illustrators have created artwork for different editions of „Grimms‘ Fairy Tales“ or standalone books featuring „The Three Children of Fortune.“ These illustrations often capture the key moments, characters, and themes of the story, adding a visual dimension to the narrative.

Though „The Three Children of Fortune“ may not have as many adaptations as some of the more popular Grimm tales, these examples show that the story continues to inspire artists and storytellers. The fairy tale’s themes of luck, resourcefulness, and perseverance in the face of adversity remain relevant and continue to resonate with audiences today. „The Three Children of Fortune“ has proven to be a popular and versatile tale, inspiring adaptations in a range of media and genres.

Summary of the plot

In „The Three Children of Fortune,“ a father gifts each of his three sons a seemingly ordinary item before his death: a cock, a scythe, and a cat. He advises them to find a place where these items are unknown to make their fortune. After their father’s death, the eldest son travels with his cock and eventually reaches an island where people are unfamiliar with the bird. They marvel at the cock’s ability to tell time and predict weather changes, and the son sells the cock for a considerable amount of gold.

The second son takes his scythe and also finds an island where people have never seen such a tool. The locals shoot down their ripe corn with cannons, which is inefficient and noisy. The son demonstrates the scythe’s effectiveness in mowing down the corn silently and quickly, and the locals buy it from him for a horse laden with gold.

The third son takes his cat to an island where the population is plagued by mice, as they have never seen a cat before. The cat effectively hunts down the mice, and the grateful people, including the king, purchase the cat for a mule laden with gold. However, the cat’s strange cries of „Mew! Mew!“ frighten the people, and they mistakenly believe the cat to be a dangerous monster. They try to force her to leave the palace, but she refuses. In the end, they resort to using cannons, destroying the palace in an attempt to get rid of her.

The cat escapes unharmed, but the palace is left in ruins. In this tale, the three brothers each find their fortune by introducing something new and valuable to places that were unaware of their existence. The story highlights the importance of recognizing the value in seemingly ordinary things and using them wisely to create opportunities for oneself.

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