The Gnome
Introduction
This tale, called 'The Gnome' in the Brothers Grimm collection, belongs to a story pattern that folklorists number ATU 301, the 'Three Stolen Princesses.' We retell it here as a fable because its heart is already a lesson: a young man labeled 'silly' proves braver and truer than two 'clever' brothers, which is exactly the wisdom of the old saying that you cannot judge a person by looks, nor the sea by a dipper. Hans's worth, like fine gold, only shows itself when the fire of trouble comes. The tale also keeps two playful old tricks. The princesses swear they cannot tell the truth, so the king tells them to confess to the stove while he listens at the door — the same folk cleverness as whispering a secret into a hollow tree. And the narrator ends by claiming he wore glass shoes to the wedding and broke them against a stone, a wink that says: it is only a story, enjoy it. As you read with your child, watch the two brothers: their cleverness is used to dodge danger and steal credit, while Hans's silliness is used to take risks and save lives. Which kind of clever is the clever kind?
Vocabulary from "The Gnome"
12 key words from this story with definitions and original context sentences for language learners.
A magic wish that something bad will happen to someone.
诅咒；魔咒。
He loved it so much that he put a curse on its fruit: whoever picked an apple from that tree would sink a hundred fathoms into the earth and never return.
他爱得太深，竟当众立下重誓：谁摘了树上的苹果，谁就沉到地下一百寻去，再也回不到地面上来。
Tasting very good.
美味的，可口的。
It was sweet and delicious, so she gave her sisters a taste.
她伸手摘下一个大苹果，咬了一口，又甜又香，忙招呼两个姐姐来尝。
Something good you get for doing something well.
奖赏；酬报。
In great fear he offered a rich reward to any man who could bring his daughters home — one of the princesses for a bride.
他把王宫和花园翻了个遍，也不见踪影，又急又怕，便传下话来：谁能寻回他的女儿，就把一位公主许给他为妻。
To watch over and protect a place or person.
看守；守护。
Then they agreed to live there: one would stay and guard the castle, while the other two went out to look for the princesses.
三人饿得发慌，便坐下来吃了，还商议就此住下：留一人守家，另两人出去寻访公主。
Asked for something in a very earnest way.
乞求；恳求。
When the princesses woke, they begged the king to set Hans free.
公主们醒来，苦苦哀求国王放了汉斯。
Told the truth about something you did wrong or kept secret.
坦白；吐露。
So the king told them to confess to the stove, and he hid outside the door and heard every word.
国王便让她们讲给炉子听——炉子不会传话，其实国王躲在门外，把每一个字都听进了耳朵。
Very angry.
狂怒的，暴怒的。
The dwarf grew furious and ordered him to do it.
小矮人火冒三丈，逼他非捡不可，汉斯偏不，反倒一把揪住小矮人，狠狠教训了他一顿。
Moved from a higher place to a lower one.
下来；下降。
Then it was Hans's turn, and he descended all the way to the bottom.
轮到汉斯，他让人一直放到了井底。
Able to be trusted; honest and reliable.
值得信赖的，可靠的。
"Your brothers are not trustworthy," he warned.
小矮人叮嘱他说：「你那两个同伴靠不住，不会跟你讲信义。」
Hurt someone who trusted you by breaking your word or helping their enemies.
背叛；出卖。
The brothers had betrayed him, and now they paid the price.
真相大白，国王命人把两个背信弃义的哥哥吊上了绞架，把小女儿许给了汉斯。
Called something to come, often by magic.
召唤；召来。
He took the flute down and played a few notes. Each note summoned another elf, until the room was full of them.
他取下笛子，吹了几个音，眼前竟冒出一群小精灵——吹一个音，就多来一个，直到满屋子都是。
Disappeared suddenly, so it could no longer be seen.
消失；不见了。
He told Hans to bring a big basket, climb in with his sword and a bell, and let his brothers lower him into the well. Then the dwarf vanished.
他又教汉斯备一只大筐，带上佩刀和一只铃铛，坐进筐里让人放下去。说完，小矮人便不见了踪影。
Reading Together & Learning More
The Moral
A name is only a label, but a true heart shines in the end. The one called 'Silly Hans' proves the bravest and the fairest of all; and those who betray a friend and steal his credit may win for a day, but the truth wins in the end.
Educational Value
Shows children that we should judge people by what they do, not by the labels others give them; and teaches that courage, honesty, and loyalty win in the end, while stealing credit and betraying friends bring their own punishment.
Tips for Parents
While reading, pause and ask: the youngest princess guesses that her father's curse is only meant for strangers — why is that a risky guess? The two brothers run from danger but steal the credit — what do they lose in the end? You can also play a game: count who tells the truth and who lies in the story, and ask whether the name 'Silly Hans' really fits him.
Talk About It
- The youngest princess says, "Father's curse is meant for strangers." Where does her thinking go wrong? Can rules be bent for our own people?
- The two brothers ring the bell and flee as soon as they enter the well, but Hans goes all the way down. Facing the same danger, what makes one person move forward and another hold back?
- Everyone calls Hans 'Silly Hans,' yet he turns out the bravest and the cleverest. Do you know someone who is underestimated but is actually very capable?
- The brothers cut the rope, steal the credit, and force the princesses to lie. If you were a princess forced to hide the truth for villains, what would you do?
- At the end the narrator says his glass shoes broke. Why does he add such an obvious joke? What does that line tell you about the story?
