Eight Obscure Grimm’s Tales for Grades 6-12
Although Grimm’s fairy tales are often associated with elementary-aged readers, they can be excellent tools for helping older students reinforce vocabulary, analyze character development, and explore literary craft. Many know the classics (“Cinderella,” “Rapunzel,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” etc.), but for every famous narrative, there are numerous lesser known tales worthy of attention. If you wish to incorporate new works of fiction into your middle and high school classrooms, consider the following titles.
Illustration from Household stories from the collection of the Bros. Grimm, Lucy Crane [translator]; Walter Crane [illustrator]
1. “Donkey Cabbages”
A huntsman becomes suddenly wealthy and decides to travel the world. In the process, he encounters an arresting young woman whose mother is a greedy witch. Fearing her mother’s wrath, the young woman tricks the huntsman into surrendering his treasure and leaves him to be killed by hostile giants. Vengeance, the huntsman concludes, must be had, and loathly vegetables with supernatural qualities will help him achieve his goal. Dark humor is a distinguishing characteristic of “Donkey Cabbages.”
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, sharpen critical thinking skills, and maximize interest in works of fiction with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm's fairy tale "Donkey Cabbages." A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided.
2. “Clever Gretel”
A talented cook is tasked with preparing a special dinner for a wealthy man and his guest, but there is a big problem; the cook’s culinary skills are surpassed by her vanity and voracious appetite. As supper time approaches, her work is far from done, and she must find a creative way out of her predicament—even if it means making her boss seem like a homicidal maniac. Rich in irony, “Clever Gretel” is a brief and amusing tale.
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the humorous Grimm's fairy tale "Clever Gretel." A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided.
3. “The Owl”
A harmless owl takes up residence in a local barn, causing great fear among the townspeople, all of whom mistake the bird for a monster that “could devour a man without the slightest difficulty.” Although many try to face the so-called monster, an alternate approach to destroying the bird is taken. Somber in tone, “The Owl” allows readers to ponder humanity’s relationship with Nature, as well as the effects of fear on mass human behavior.
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm's fairy tale "The Owl," a cautionary story about how fear affects human behavior. A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided.
4. “The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage”
Having roommates who reliably complete their chores sounds wonderful, right? Not so much for the titular bird. Convinced that his assigned tasks are much harder and more stressful than his companions’ duties, the bird insists that his housemates accept new roles, which they do. Having a willingness to accept new responsibilities sounds reasonable, right? Well, not so much for the mouse, the bird, and the sausage. Many readers will enjoy the morbid irony of the story’s resolution.
valuate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, sharpen critical thinking skills, and maximize interest in works of fiction with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm's fairy tale "The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage." Themes addressed include the importance of teamwork and the consequences of stubbornness. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided.
5. “Simeli Mountain”
Brothers do not always get along, and that is certainly true in this tale. A wealthy man refuses to help his poverty-stricken brother, who performs strenuous physical labor by transporting goods through the forest. While traveling, the struggling brother happens upon a stunning glass mountain in the woods, marking a change in his personal fortunes. Will it also lead a positive shift in the brothers’ relationship, or will things come to a head? “Simeli Mountain” quickly cuts to the chase, allowing readers to make inferences about the virtues of living with disipline and modesty.
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, sharpen critical thinking skills, and maximize interest in works of fiction with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm's fairy tale "Simeli Mountain." Themes addressed include the consequences of greed and the virtues of discipline and modesty. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided.
6. “The Four Clever Brothers”
Unlike “Simeli Mountain,” this tale features siblings who have healthy and collaborative relationships. Their good-natured, but destitute father sends them into the world to learn transferable skill, and after several years pass, the brothers are presented with opportunities to change their destinies by applying their newfound skills and rescuing a kidnapped princess. More upbeat than many other Grimm’s tales, “The Four Clever Brothers,” also known as “The Four Skillful Brothers,” promotes the virtues of hard work and having a growth mindset.
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm's fairy tale "The Four Clever Brothers." A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided.
7. “The Old Woman in the Wood”
A servant-girl witnesses the murder of her traveling companions and barely escapes the same fate, but with the help of a generous dove, the lonely and traumatized girl gradually recovers physically, mentally, and emotionally. So much so, in fact, that she eventually commits the crime of breaking-and-entering an old woman’s residence. Wait, what? At any rate, her actions are for a good cause. Will she be punished or rewarded for her conduct? Answers are made clear in “The Old Woman in the Wood,” which reads like a blend of “Hansel and Gretel,” “Cinderella,” and “Snow White.”
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, sharpen critical thinking skills, and maximize interest in works of fiction with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm's fairy tale "The Old Woman in the Wood," which addresses themes such as the virtues and benefits of discipline and kindness. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided.
8. “The Death of the Little Hen”
A rooster rushes to get help for a little hen, his dear friend, who is choking to death. Unfortunately, the rooster encounters several obstacles, and the hen perishes. Determined to give his companion the proper burial she deserves, the rooster transports the hen’s body and encounters many wild critters along the way. Smart and selfless, these acquaintances are not, complicating the rooster’s efforts. Though brief, “The Death of the Little Hen” has surprising depth, prompting readers to explore themes of friendship, grief, and the unexpected consequences of selfishness.
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, sharpen critical thinking skills, and maximize interest in works of fiction with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm's fairy tale "The Death of the Little Hen," which addresses themes such as the power of friendship and the unintended consequences of selfishness. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided.
