Doctor Know-all
Introduction
This is an unusual Grimm tale. There is no magic in it and no monster. Laughter alone carries the whole story. We have retold it as a fable, the way a grandparent tells a lesson by lamplight: plain words, short sentences, and a quiet point at the end. That is the beauty of a fable. The story is sweet, the lesson is light, and a child who finishes laughing has already taken the point to heart. This story easily calls to mind the old Chinese tale of the man from Nanguo, who pretended to play the yu in the royal band though he could not make a single note. Our farmer is his twin: a man who cannot read hangs up a sign and calls himself Doctor Know-all. Neither one has real skill. Both lean on nerve and luck, and when luck runs out, the mask falls away. Doctor Know-all belongs to a family of tales found all over the world — the 'lucky fool' stories, numbered ATU 1641. The Grimm version is a rare pure comedy in a collection full of dark woods and stern warnings. We kept the European village, the castle, and the carriage, and changed only the telling voice. The scenes are old Europe; the manner is an old Chinese fable. As you read, ask your child to watch each 'clever' moment closely. Is Crabb truly wise, or is every success an accident wearing the mask of wisdom? And a name built on luck — can it last? These are good questions to carry away from the story.
Vocabulary from "Doctor Know-all"
12 key words from this story with definitions and original context sentences for language learners.
Wood that people cut and use to make a fire.
柴火；木柴（用来生火取暖、做饭的木头）。
One day, he drove his two oxen to town with a cart full of firewood.
这一日，他赶着两头牛，拉了一车柴禾进城去卖。
A wheeled vehicle pulled by horses.
马车（由马拉着的带轮子的车厢）。
The three of them rode to the castle in the lord's carriage.
三人坐上马车，一路往城堡去了。
Pushed someone gently with a finger or an elbow.
轻戳；捅（用手指或胳膊肘轻轻碰人）。
Crabb poked his wife and said, 'Grethe, that is the first one.'
克拉伯用胳膊肘碰碰妻子，说：“格蕾特，这是头一个。”
Very, very afraid.
吓坏了的；极度害怕的。
The four thieves were terrified.
四个仆人吓得坐立不安。
Spoke very quietly so that others could not hear.
低声说；耳语。
They pulled Crabb outside and whispered, 'We stole the gold. We will give it back, and we will pay you a large sum. Only do not tell the lord!'
四个仆人吓得坐立不安，悄悄把克拉伯叫到门外，低声说道：“金子是我们偷的。我们原样奉还，再送您一笔厚厚的谢礼，只求您千万别去告发！”
Moved slowly and quietly so that nobody noticed.
悄悄移动；蹑手蹑脚地走。
The fifth servant crept into the stove to listen.
这时，第五个仆人悄悄钻进炉膛，想听听大夫还知道些什么。
Looked at something for a long time without looking away.
盯着看；凝视。
Crabb stared at the dish.
克拉伯盯着盘子，一个字也说不出。
Breathed out slowly and loudly to show sadness or worry.
叹气；叹息。
'Oh, my poor Crabb!' he sighed.
只好叹道：“唉，可怜的克拉伯！”
Very light in colour, often because of fear.
苍白的（因害怕而脸色发白）。
The servant turned pale and ran out.
那仆人吓得脸都白了，转身就跑。
Shouted in a very loud, high voice.
尖声大叫；惊叫。
He jumped out and screamed, 'This man knows everything!'
吓得一头蹿了出来，连声喊道：“这人什么都知道！”
Kept in a secret place where other people cannot find it.
藏起来的；隐蔽的。
Then they showed him where the gold was hidden.
说罢，他们领着他去看藏金子的地方。
The most clever and sensible of all.
最聪明的；最有智慧的。
From that day, people called him the wisest doctor in the land.
从此，远近的人都称他是天下最聪明的大夫。
Reading Together & Learning More
The Moral
Seeming to know is not the same as truly knowing, and a name built on luck cannot last.
Educational Value
Through laughter, children learn that true skill comes from real learning, while pretending and luck can only win a moment — and they enjoy the fun of mistakes and coincidences.
Tips for Parents
After reading, act out the 'counting dishes' scene with your child and laugh at Crabb's lucky guesses. Then ask: if you had taken the gold, would you own up? And was it right for Crabb to take money from the thieves and keep their secret?
Talk About It
- Crabb could hardly read, yet he hung up a sign saying 'Doctor Know-all.' Was he brave, or was he reckless?
- In the story, the servants heard 'that is the first one' as 'you are the first thief.' How did that mistake happen? Have you ever met a mistake like that?
- Crabb took money from the lord and money from the thieves. Was that fair? If you were Crabb, what would you do?
- Is seeming to know the same as truly knowing? If someone becomes famous only by luck, can that fame last?
- If the servants who took the gold had owned up at the start, how would the story have ended?
