The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids

The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids (original: Der Wolf und die sieben Geißlein) is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number 5. [Jacob and Wilheim Grimm, "Household Tales" [http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/authors/grimms/5wolfsevenkids.html "The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids"] ]

ynopsis

A mother goat warns her kids to be wary of the wolf while she is out shopping. The wolf comes and claims to be their mother. They tell him his voice is harsh, while hers is soft. He goes and eats a chunk of chalk to make it soft. They tell him his paws are black, while hers are white. He goes to the miller and gets flour on his paws. They let him in, and he, tearing apart the house to find them, swallows them all except the youngest, who hid in the clock.

The mother returns to the damage and the youngest emerges. She steps outside, and they find the wolf sleeping, and something struggling in his stomach. They cut him open, and the other six emerge alive. She puts in stones instead. When he wakes, he goes to a well to drink, and the stones drag him in, so he drowns.

Commentary

Grimms' version of "Little Red Riding Hood" follows Perrault's very closely in the opening; however, their conclusion is identical to that of this tale, which appears to be the source. [Harry Velten, "The Influences of Charles Perrault's "Contes de ma Mère L'oie" on German Folklore", p 967, Jack Zipes, ed. "The Great Fairy Tale Tradition: From Straparola and Basile to the Brothers Grimm", ISBN 0-393-97636-X]

ee also

*Three Little Pigs
*Big Bad Wolf

References