Grimm's Fairy Tales | The Turnip | The Valiant Little Tailor

Hello there.

Thank you so much for joining me for this reading of another couple of the Grimm's fairy tales,

This time The Turnip and The Valiant Little Tailor.

So there were originally more than 200 folk tales and fairy tales gathered together by the Brothers Grimm and published in the early 1800s.

And perhaps you've heard some of the readings of some of the other ones,

They are all gathered together in a playlist called Grimm's Fairy Tales,

So you can find more there if you would like.

But for now let's just take a moment here to have a nice deep exhale,

Letting go of the day,

Letting go of whatever we might be bringing along with us into this moment.

For right now there's nowhere else that we have to be and nothing else for us to be doing.

So we can just relax get ourselves comfortable and enjoy another couple of the Grimm's fairy tales.

The Turnip.

There were two brothers who were both soldiers.

The one was rich and the other poor.

The poor man thought he would try to better himself.

So pulling off his red coat he became a gardener and dug his ground well and sowed turnips.

When the seed came up there was one plant bigger than all the rest and it kept getting larger and larger and seemed as if it would never cease growing so that it might have been called the Prince of Turnips for there never was such a one seen before and never will again.

At last it was so big that it filled a cart and two oxen could hardly draw it and the gardener knew not what in the world to do with it nor whether it would be a blessing or a curse to him.

One day he said to himself what shall I do with it?

If I sell it it will bring no more than another and for eating the little turnips are better than this.

The best thing perhaps is to carry it and give it to the king as a mark of respect.

Then he yoked his oxen and drew the turnip to the court and gave it to the king.

What a wonderful thing said the king I have seen many strange things but such a monster as this I never saw.

Where did you get the seed or is it only your good luck?

If so you are a true child of fortune.

Oh no answered the gardener I am no child of fortune I am a poor soldier who never could get enough to live upon so I laid aside my red coat and set to work tilling the ground.

I have a brother who is rich and your majesty knows him well and all the world knows him but because I am poor everybody forgets me.

The king then took pity on him and said you shall be poor no longer I will give you so much that you shall be even richer than your brother.

Then he gave him gold and lands and flocks and made him so rich that his brother's fortune could not at all be compared with his.

When the brother heard of all this and how a turnip had made the gardener so rich he envied him sorely and bethought himself how he could contrive to get the same good fortune for himself.

However he determined to manage more cleverly than his brother and got together a rich present of gold and fine horses for the king and thought he must have a much larger gift in return for if his brother had received so much for only a turnip what must his present be worth?

The king took the gift very graciously and said he knew not what to give in return more valuable and wonderful than the great turnip.

So the soldier was forced to put it into a cart and drag it home with him.

When he reached home he knew not upon whom to vent his rage and spite.

And at length wicked thoughts came into his head and he resolved to kill his brother.

So he hired some villains to murder him and having shown them where to lie in ambush he went to his brother and said dear brother I have found a hidden treasure let us go and dig it up and share it between us.

The other had no suspicions of his roguery so they went out together and as they were traveling along the murderers rushed out upon him bound him and were going to hang him on a tree but whilst they were getting all ready they heard the trampling of a horse at a distance which so frightened them that they pushed their prisoner neck and shoulders together into a sack and swung him up by a cord to the tree where they left him dangling and ran away.

Meantime he worked and worked away till he made a hole large enough to put out his head.

When the horseman came up he proved to be a student a merry fellow who was journeying along on his nag and singing as he went.

As soon as the man in the sack saw him passing under the tree he cried out good morning good morning to thee my friend.

The student looked about everywhere and seeing no one and not knowing where the voice came from cried out who calls me?

Then the man in the tree answered lift up thine eyes for behold here I sit in the sack of wisdom here have I in a short time learned great and wondrous things compared to this seat all the learning of the schools is as empty air a little longer and I shall know all that man can know and shall come forth wiser than the wisest of mankind.

Here I discern the signs and motions of the heavens and the stars the laws that control the winds the numbers of the sands on the seashore the healing of the sick the virtues of all simples of birds and of precious stones.

Wert thou but once here my friend thou wouldst feel and own the power of knowledge.

The student listened to all this and wondered much.

At last he said blessed be the day and hour when I found you.

You cannot you contrive to let me into the sack for a little while?

Then the other answered as if very unwillingly a little space I may allow thee to sit here if thou wilt reward me well and entreat me kindly but thou must tarry yet an hour below till I have learned some little matters that are yet unknown to me.

So the student sat himself down and waited a while but the time hung heavy upon him and he begged earnestly that he might ascend forthwith for his thirst for knowledge was great.

Then the other pretended to give way and said thou must let the sack of wisdom descend by untying yonder cord and then thou shalt enter.

So the student let him down opened the sack and set him free.

Now then cried he let me ascend quickly as he began to put himself into the sack heels first.

Wait a while said the gardener that is not the way.

Then he pushed him in head first tied up the sack and soon swung up the searcher after wisdom dangling in the air.

How is it with thee friend said he does thou not feel that wisdom comes unto thee?

Rest there in peace till thou art a wiser man than thou wert.

So saying he trotted off on the student's nag and left the poor fellow to gather wisdom till somebody should come and let him down.

The Valiant Little Tailor One summer's morning a little tailor was sitting on his table by the window.

He was in good spirits and sowed with all his might.

Then came a peasant woman down the street crying good jams cheap good jams cheap.

This rang pleasantly in the tailor's ears.

He stretched his delicate head out of the window and called come up here dear woman.

Here you will get rid of your goods.

The woman came up the three steps to the tailor with her heavy basket and he made her unpack all the pots for him.

He inspected each one lifted it up put his nose to it and at length said the jam seems to me to be good.

So weigh me out four ounces dear woman and if it is a quarter of a pound that is of no consequence.

The woman who had hoped to find a good sale gave him what he desired but went away quite angry and grumbling.

Now this jam shall be blessed by God cried the little tailor and give me health and strength.

So he brought the bread out of the cupboard cut himself a piece right across the loaf and spread the jam over it.

This won't taste bitter said he but I will just finish the jacket before I take a bite.

He laid the bread near him sewed on and in his joy made bigger and bigger stitches.

In the meantime the smell of the sweet jam rose to where the flies were sitting in great numbers and they were attracted and descended on it in hosts.

Hi who invited you said the little tailor and drove the unbidding said the little tailor and drove the unbidden guests away.

The flies however who understood no German would not be turned away but came back again in ever increasing companies.

The little tailor at last lost all patience and drew a piece of cloth from the hole under his work table and saying wait and I will give it to you struck it mercilessly on them.

When he drew it away and counted there lay before him no fewer than seven dead and with legs stretched out.

Are you a fellow of that sort said he and could not help admiring his own bravery.

The whole town shall know of this and the little tailor hastened to cut himself a girdle stitched it and embroidered on it in large letters seven at one stroke.

What the town he continued the whole world shall hear of it and his heart wagged with joy like a lamb's tail.

The tailor put on the girdle and resolved to go forth into the world because he thought his workshop was too small for his valour.

Before he went away he sought about in the house to see if there was anything which he could take with him.

However he found nothing but an old cheese and that he put in his pocket.

In front of the door he observed a bird which had caught itself in the thicket.

It had to go into his pocket with the cheese.

Now he took to the road boldly and as he was light and nimble he felt no fatigue.

The road led him up a mountain and when he had reached the highest point of it there sat a powerful giant looking peacefully about him.

The little tailor went bravely up spoke to him and said good day comrade.

So you are sitting there overlooking the widespread world.

I am just on my way thither and want to try my luck.

Have you any inclination to go with me?

The giant looked contemptuously at the tailor and said you ragamuffin,

You miserable creature.

Oh indeed answered the little tailor and unbuttoned his coat and showed the giant the girdle.

There may you read what kind of a man I am.

The giant read seven at one stroke and thought that they had been men whom the tailor had killed and began to feel a little respect for the tiny fellow.

Nevertheless he wished to try him first and took a stone in his hand and squeezed it together so that water dropped out of it.

Do that likewise said the giant if you have strength.

Is that all said the tailor?

That is child's play with us.

Thus and put his hand into his pocket brought out the soft cheese and pressed it until the liquid ran out of it.

Faith said he that was a little better wasn't it?

The giant did not know what to say and could not believe it of the little man.

Then the giant picked up a stone and threw it so high that the eye could scarcely follow it.

Now little might of a man do that likewise.

Well thrown said the tailor but after all the stone came down to earth again.

I will throw you one which shall never come back at all.

And he put his hand into his pocket took out the bird and threw it into the air.

The bird delighted with its liberty rose flew away and did not come back.

How does that shot please you comrade asked the tailor.

You can certainly throw said the giant but now we will see if you are able to carry anything properly.

He took the little tailor to a mighty oak tree which lay there felled on the ground and said if you are strong enough help me to carry the tree out of the forest.

And readily answered the little man take you the trunk on your shoulders and I will raise up the branches and twigs after all they are the heaviest.

The giant took the trunk on his shoulder but the tailor seated himself on a branch and the giant who could not look round had to carry away the whole tree and the little tailor into the bargain.

He behind was quite merry and happy and whistled the song three tailors rode forth from the gate as if carrying the tree were child's play.

The giant after he had dragged the heavy burden part of the way could go no further and cried hark you I shall have to let the tree fall.

The tailor sprang nimbly down seized the tree with both arms as if he had been carrying it and said to the giant you are such a great fellow and yet cannot even carry the tree.

They went on together and as they passed a cherry tree the giant laid hold of the top of the tree where the ripest fruit was hanging bent it down gave it into the tailor's hand and bade him eat.

But the little tailor was much too weak to hold the tree and when the giant let it go it sprang back again and the tailor was tossed into the air with it.

When he had fallen down again without injury the giant said what is this have you not strength enough to hold the weak twig.

There is no lack of strength answered the little tailor do you think that could be anything to a man who has struck down seven at one blow.

I leapt over the tree because the huntsmen are shooting down there in the thicket.

Jump as I did if you can do it.

The giant made the attempt but he could not get over the tree and remained hanging in the branches so that in this also the tailor kept the upper hand.

The giant said if you are such a valiant fellow come with me into our cavern and spend the night with us.

The little tailor was willing and followed him.

When they went into the cave other giants were sitting there by the fire and each of them had a roasted sheep in his hand and was eating it.

The little tailor looked around and thought and thought it is much more spacious here than in my workshop.

The giant showed him a bed and said he was to lie down in it and sleep.

The bed however was too big for the little tailor.

He did not lie down in it but crept into a corner.

When it was midnight and the giant thought that the little tailor was lying in a sound sleep he got up took a great iron bar cut through the bed with one blow and thought he had finished off the grasshopper for good.

With the earliest dawn the giant went into the forest and had quite forgotten the little tailor when all at once he walked up to them quite merrily and boldly.

The giants were terrified.

Giants were terrified.

They were afraid that he would strike them all dead and ran away in a great hurry.

The little tailor went onwards always following his own pointed nose.

After he had walked for a long time he came to the courtyard of a royal palace and as he felt weary he lay down on the grass and fell asleep.

Whilst he lay there the people came and inspected him on all sides and read on his girdle seven at one stroke.

Said they what does the great warrior want here in the midst of peace he must be a mighty lord.

They went and announced him to the king and gave it as their opinion that if war should break out this would be a weighty and useful man who ought on no account to be allowed to depart.

The council pleased the king and he sent one of his courtiers to the little tailor to offer him military service when he awoke.

The ambassador remained standing by the sleeper waited until he stretched his limbs and opened his eyes and then conveyed to him this proposal.

For this very reason have I come here the tailor replied.

I am ready to enter the king's service.

He was therefore honorably received and a special dwelling was assigned him.

The soldiers however were set against the little tailor and wished him a thousand miles away.

What is to be the end of this they said among themselves if we quarrel with him and he strikes about him seven of us will fall at every blow not one of us can stand against him.

They came therefore to a decision betook themselves in a body to the king and begged for their dismissal.

We are not prepared said they to stay with a man who kills seven at one stroke.

The king was sorry that for the sake of one he should lose all his faithful servants.

Wished that he had never set eyes on the tailor and would willingly have been rid of him again but he did not venture to give him his dismissal for he dreaded lest he should strike him and all his people dead and place himself on the royal throne.

He thought about it for a long time and at last found good counsel he sent to the little tailor and caused him to be informed that as he was a great warrior he had one request to make to him.

In a forest of his country lived two giants who caused great mischief with their robbing,

Murdering,

Ravaging and burning and no one could approach them without putting himself in danger of death.

If the tailor conquered and killed these two giants he would be the first to be punished.

He would give him his only daughter to wife and half of his kingdom as a dowry.

Likewise 100 horsemen should go with him to assist him.

That would indeed be a fine thing for a man like me thought the little tailor.

One is not offered a beautiful princess and half a kingdom every day of one's life.

Oh yes he replied I will soon subdue the giants and do not require the help of the 100 horsemen to do it.

He who can hit seven with one blow has no need to be afraid of two.

The little tailor went forth and the hundred horsemen followed him.

When he came to the outskirts of the forest he said to his followers just stay waiting here I alone will soon finish off the giants.

Then he bounded into the forest and looked about right and left.

After a while he perceived both giants.

They lay sleeping under a tree and snored so that the branches waved up and down.

The little tailor not idle gathered two pockets full of stones and with these climbed up the tree.

When he was halfway up he slipped down by a branch until he sat just above the sleepers and then let one stone after another fall on the breast of one of the giants.

For a long time the giant felt nothing but at last he awoke pushed his comrade and said why are you knocking me?

You must be dreaming said the other I'm not knocking you.

They laid themselves down to sleep again and then the tailor threw a stone down on the second.

What is the meaning of this cried the other?

Why are you pelting me?

I am not pelting you answered at the first growling.

They disputed about it for a time but as they were weary they let the matter rest and their eyes closed once more.

The little tailor began his game again picked out the biggest stone and threw it with all his might on the breast of the first giant.

That is too bad cried he and sprang up like a madman and pushed his companion against the tree until it shook.

The other paid him back in the same coin and they got into such a rage that they tore up trees and belaboured each other so long that at last they both fell down dead on the ground at the same time.

Then the little tailor leapt down.

It is a lucky thing said he that they did not tear up the tree on which I was sitting or I should have had to sprint onto another like a squirrel but we tailors are nimble.

He drew out his sword and gave each of them a couple of thrusts in the breast and then went out to the horseman and said the work is done.

I have finished both of them off but it was hard work.

They tore up trees in their sore need and defended themselves with them but all that is to no purpose when a man like myself comes who can kill seven at one blow.

But are you not wounded asked the horseman.

You need not concern yourself about that answered the tailor.

They have not bent one hair of mine.

The horseman would not believe him would not believe him and rode into the forest.

There they found the giants swimming in their blood and all round about lay the torn up trees.

The little tailor demanded of the king the promised reward.

He however repented of his promise and again bethought himself how he could get rid of the hero.

Before you receive my daughter and the half of my kingdom said he to him you must perform one more heroic deed.

In the forest roams a unicorn which does great harm and you must catch it first.

I fear one unicorn still less than two giants.

Seven at one blow is my kind of affair.

He took a rope and an axe with him went forth into the forest and again bade those who were sent with him to wait outside.

He had not long to seek.

The unicorn soon came towards him and rushed directly on the tailor as if it would gore him with its horn without much ado.

Softly softly it can't be done as quickly as that said he and stood still and waited until the animal was quite close and then sprang nimbly behind the tree.

The unicorn ran against the tree with all its strength and stuck its horn so fast in the trunk that it had not the strength enough to draw it out again and thus it was caught.

Now I have got the bird said the tailor and came out from behind the tree and put the rope around its neck and then with his axe he hewed the horn out of the tree and when all was ready he led the beast away and took it to the king.

The king still would not give him the promised reward and made a third demand.

Before the wedding the tailor was to catch him a wild boar that made great havoc in the forest and the huntsman should give him their help.

Willingly said the tailor that is child's play he did not take the huntsman with him into the forest and they were well pleased that he did not for the wild boar had several times received them in such a manner that they had no inclination to lie in wait for him.

When the boar perceived the tailor it ran on him with foaming mouth and wetted tusks and was about to throw him to the ground but the hero fled and sprang into a chapel which was near and up to the window at once and in one bound out again.

The boar ran after him but the tailor ran round outside and shut the door behind it and then the raging beast which was much too heavy and awkward to leap out of the window was caught.

The little tailor called the huntsman dither that they might see the prisoner with their own eyes.

The hero however went to the king who was now whether he liked it or not obliged to keep his promise and gave his daughter and the half of his kingdom.

Had he known that it was no warlike hero but a little tailor?

Who was standing before him?

It would have gone to his heart still more than it did.

The wedding was held with great magnificence and small joy and out of a tailor a king was made.

After some time the young queen heard her husband say in his dreams at night boy make me the doublet and patch the pantaloons or else I will wrap the yard measure over your ears.

Then she discovered in what state of life the young lord had been born and next morning complained of her wrongs to her father and begged him to help her to get rid of her husband who was nothing else but a tailor.

The king comforted her and said leave your bedroom door open this night and my servants shall stand outside and when he has fallen asleep shall go in bind him and take him on board a ship which shall carry him into the wide world.

The woman was satisfied with this but the king's armor bearer who had heard all was friendly with the young lord and informed him of the whole plot.

I'll put a screw into that business said the little tailor.

At night he went to bed with his wife at the usual time and when she thought that he had fallen asleep she got up opened the door and then lay down again.

The little tailor who was only pretending to be asleep began to cry out in a clear voice boy make me the doublet and patch me the pantaloons or I will wrap the yard measure over your ears.

I smote seven at one blow.

I killed two giants.

I brought away one unicorn and caught a wild boar and am I to fear those who are standing outside the room.

When these men heard the tailor speaking thus they were overcome by a great dread and ran as if the wild huntsmen were behind them and none of them would venture anything further against him.

So the little tailor was and remained a king to the end of his life.