Grimms' Fairy Tales Society and Class Quotes

"We'll never accept Simpleton as king!" They demanded that preference be shown to the one whose woman could jump through a hoop hanging in the middle of the hall, for their thought, Peasant women can do that easily. They're very strong, but the delicate maiden will jump to her death. (The Three Feathers.235)

After they lived together for a few years, the king's mother, who was an evil woman, began to slander the young queen and said to the king, "The maiden you brought home with you is nothing but a common beggar girl! Who knows what godless mischief she's been secretly plotting?" (The Twelve Brothers.35)

There was once a lazy maiden who did not want to spin, and no matter what her mother said, she refused to spin. Finally, her mother became so angry and impatient that she beat her, and her daughter began to cry loudly. (The Three Spinners.50)

Now Gambling Hans began gambling in earnest, and soon he was on the verge of winning half the world. At this point Saint Peter said to God, "Lord, this won't do. Soon he'll win the whole world. We must send Death after him." (Gambling Hans.276)

"Not at all," said Saint Peter. "You're just as dear to us as anybody else, and you are entitled to all the heavenly joys just as much as the rich man. But, look, poor fellows like you come to heaven every day, while a rich man like this comes to us only once in a hundred years." (The Peasant in Heaven.499)

"I served the king faithfully, but he sent me away and let me starve. Now I want to get my revenge for that." "What shall I do?" asked the dwarf. "Late tonight, when the king's daughter is in bed, I want you to bring her here in her sleep. I shall make her work like a maid for me." (The Blue Light.385)

The princess had to put up with that. Moreover, the chambermaid spoke rudely to her and ordered her to take off her royal garments and to put on the maid's shabby clothes. Finally, she had to swear under open skies that she would never tell a soul at the royal court what the chambermaid had done. If the princess had not given her word, she would have been killed on the spot. (The Goose Girl.297-298)

So the rich brother had the turnip loaded on his wagon and driven to his home. Once there he did not know on whom to vent his anger and frustration. Finally, some evil thoughts came to him, and he decided to kill his brother. He hired murderers and showed them a place where they were to ambush his brother. (The Turnip.460)

There once was a village where all the farmers were rich except one who was poor, and he was called Little Farmer. He did not even have a cow, much less the money to buy one. (Little Farmer.227)

Once upon a time there was a poor but pious girl who lived alone with her mother. When they had nothing left to eat, the girl went out into the forest, where she met an old woman who already knew about her troubles and gave her a small pot. She instructed the girl to say to it, "Little pot, cook," for it would then make a good, sweet millet porridge. (The Sweet Porridge)