Fitcher's Bird

Name: Fitcher's Bird
Availability: InStock
Author: Brothers Grimm

A clever young woman outsmarts an evil wizard and rescues her sisters in this thrilling Brothers Grimm tale.

When an evil wizard captures three sisters, only the youngest proves clever enough to uncover his dark secret and survive. Using her wits, she not only saves herself but rescues her sisters and brings the villain to justice in this suspenseful fairy tale about the triumph of cleverness over evil.

Author: Brothers Grimm

Themes: courage, cleverness, family, rescue, justice

Once upon a time, there lived a wicked wizard who disguised himself as a poor beggar. He wandered from house to house with a large basket on his back, searching for young women to capture. One day, he came upon a cottage where a kind man lived with his three beautiful daughters, and the wizard's eyes gleamed with dark intentions.

When the eldest daughter came to the door with bread for the beggar, the wizard merely touched her hand. In an instant, she was compelled to leap into his basket! The wizard hurried away into the dark forest to his magnificent but sinister mansion, where everything glittered with silver and gold.

The wizard gave the girl keys to every room and a magical egg. "You may go anywhere," he warned, "except the room this small key opens. Guard this egg carefully, for if it is lost, terrible things will happen." Then he departed on a journey, leaving her alone.

Curiosity burned within the eldest sister. Despite the warning, she opened the forbidden door and discovered the wizard's terrible secret. In her shock, she dropped the egg, and though she tried to wash away the stain, it would not come clean. When the wizard returned and saw the marked egg, her fate was sealed.

The wizard returned to the cottage disguised as a beggar once more. This time, the second sister came to the door, and with a single touch, she too was captured. She fared no better than her sister, for curiosity led her to the forbidden room, and she too failed the wizard's test.

Finally, the wizard came for the third sister, the cleverest of them all. But this young woman was wise. When the wizard gave her the keys and the egg, she carefully hid the egg in a safe place before exploring the house. Her cleverness would be her salvation.

When she opened the forbidden door, she discovered her two sisters. But instead of despair, she felt determination. Using her quick mind and brave heart, she found a way to restore them to life! The three sisters embraced joyfully, and the youngest began to form a clever plan.

When the wizard returned, he examined the egg and found it spotless. "You have passed my test," he declared, "and shall be my bride." But he did not know that his power over her was broken, for she had proven herself wiser than he. Now she could command him!

"Before our wedding," she said cleverly, "you must carry a basket of gold to my parents as a gift." She hid her sisters beneath the gold in the basket. The wizard, not knowing the sisters were inside, lifted the heavy load onto his back and began the long journey.

Whenever the wizard tried to rest on his journey, a voice called out: "I see you resting! Keep walking!" He thought it was his bride watching from afar, but it was really the hidden sisters. He trudged on until he delivered them safely to their parents' home.

Meanwhile, the clever bride prepared her own escape. She covered herself in honey and feathers until she looked like a strange and wonderful bird. When she left the house, even the wizard's guests did not recognize her. "I am Fitcher's Bird," she told them mysteriously.

The bride's brothers and kinsmen came to rescue her, just as she had planned. They locked the wizard and all his wicked friends inside the house. Justice was served at last! The brave young woman had saved her sisters and defeated the evil wizard through her cleverness and courage.

Fitcher's Bird

"Fitcher's Bird" is a captivating Brothers Grimm fairy tale from 1812 that celebrates female intelligence and resourcefulness. This thrilling story follows three sisters captured by an evil wizard, with only the cleverest able to outwit him. Unlike many fairy tales where heroines wait for rescue, this story features a young woman who uses her wits to save not only herself but her entire family. Perfect for children who enjoy stories of brave, smart heroes who triumph through cleverness rather than strength.

About the Brothers Grimm

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were German academics and folklorists who collected and published traditional European folk tales in the 19th century. Their collection includes beloved stories like Cinderella, Snow White, and Hansel and Gretel. The brothers believed these tales preserved important cultural heritage and moral lessons that had been passed down through generations of oral storytelling.

The Moral of Fitcher's Bird

Fitcher's Bird teaches that cleverness and quick thinking can overcome even the most powerful enemies. The story shows that learning from others' mistakes, planning carefully, and staying calm under pressure are more valuable than strength alone. It also celebrates the bonds of family and the importance of helping those we love.

cleverness
resourcefulness
family love
courage
learning from mistakes

Activities Inspired by Fitcher's Bird

Extend the learning with these engaging activities that develop critical thinking and creativity.

🎨Create a bird costume using feathers and craft supplies, just like the brave heroine
💬Play a memory game hiding objects in baskets to practice observation skills
✨Draw a map of the wizard's house showing all the rooms
📝Act out the story with family members taking different roles
🎯Discuss: What would you do differently if you were one of the sisters?

Frequently Asked Questions

❓What age is Fitcher's Bird appropriate for?

This story is best for children ages 6-8 and up. While it contains some suspenseful elements, the emphasis on cleverness and the happy ending make it appropriate for this age group. Parents may want to preview it first for very sensitive children.

❓What does the name Fitcher mean?

The name Fitcher is thought to come from the German word for a type of bird or possibly from an old word meaning 'to fit' or 'prepare.' The heroine disguises herself as 'Fitcher's Bird' to escape, using the wizard's own reputation against him.

❓How is this story different from Bluebeard?

While both stories feature a villain with a forbidden chamber, Fitcher's Bird is unique because the heroine saves herself and her sisters without outside help. She outsmarts the wizard using her own intelligence, making it a more empowering story for children.

❓What lesson does this story teach?

The story teaches that being clever and thinking carefully before acting can help overcome difficult situations. It also shows the importance of family and helping others, as the youngest sister risks everything to save her siblings.