1. The Donkeyby Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

2. Who are the Brothers Grimm?Disregard the popular Jacob and Wilhelm studied law at theUniversity of Marburg during the time2005 movie of the Romantic Movement in They were not con artists! Germany, when people wanted toexplore the history of their homeland.Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm lived from1785-1863, and wrote or compiledThe Brothers Grimm set out to recordmany popular fairy tales. Over aold stories told by peasants and nobilityhundred are listed in their bookfrom towns across Germany, and afterChildrens and Household Tales, adding a few of their own and makingincluding the one discussed today, The minor adjustments, (to be more child-Donkey or The Little Donkey. friendly) they published Childrens andHousehold Tales in 1812. 3. What Did They Write?Most Famous Stories: Little Red Riding Hood Sleeping Beauty Hansel and Gretel Rapunzel Cinderella Snow White Rumpelstiltskin And nowthe Donkey! 4. Our Story ContinuesLong, long ago, in a The Donkey wanted tokingdom far away explore the world -A kind, loving king and his wife had He left the kingdom in search ofno children, no heir to the throne.true love, and on the way, learnedThey prayed and prayed for a son,how to play the flute a difficultand then the wife got pregnant!task for a hoof-footed being. HeUnfortunately, when the son waswandered to a castle in a distantborn, he was a donkey. land and, cold and hungry, asked toHOW DID THAT HAPPEN? be let in the door. When theyThe king and queen loved their son refused, he played the flute sonevertheless, and raised him to be a beautifully they asked him to beproper young m- donkey.their entertainer. 5. And Then The Donkey was still very lonely. After sitting with the king (and his beautiful daughter, wink wink) for years, the young donkey knew it was time to return home. Sad, he told the king he must leave. What can I give you to stay? the king asked. He offered gold, his kingdom, and then his daughter. The donkey took him up on the offer duh! 6. Happily Ever After?The Donkey and the The servant reports to thePrincess must consummate king what he saw.their marriage?The king, in disbelief, hides in theThe King wanted to know that he didnt bedroom the next night. When thebreak his daughters heart by giving her young man and the princess wereto a donkey. He told his servant to hide asleep, he burned the donkey skinin the princesss bedroom and watchso the prince must show who hewhat happens. When the donkey enters really is. The kingdom rejoices, he steps out of his donkey skin and is then a year later the king dies, thetransformed into a beautiful young prince and the princess becomeprince! He and the princess well, heirs to two kingdoms, and they liveyou knowhappily ever after. 7. What About Our Children?Is this story appropriate forchildren today?Its a classic fairy tale:a beast, an ugly creature, is ableto live happily ever after with abeautiful princess.But what about the ending? Whatabout the bedroom scene? Itwould have to be dumbed-downor simply changed for most youngchildren. 8. The Brothers GrimmIts interesting, however, that Are our children better offJacob and Wilhelm wereby being sheltered bymaking the stories more child-censored childrensappropriate for their time.stories?www.notablebiographies.comOr are they, in fact,credits Wilhelm Grimm with sheltered?putting [the tales] into writtenform and giving them apleasant, childlike style. 9. And Thats Where I Leave Youwith ethical issues to ponderHow will you handleyour children?