A kind-hearted young man discovers a magical golden goose. Everyone who touches it becomes stuck, creating a comical parade that brings laughter to a solemn princess.
A kind-hearted young man discovers a magical golden goose. Everyone who touches it becomes stuck, creating a comical parade that brings laughter to a solemn princess.
Once upon a time, there was a man who had three sons. The youngest was called Simpleton for he spoke softly and shared joyfully. One day, his brothers went to the forest to chop wood. Each met a little gray man who asked for a bite to eat and a sip to drink. The elder brothers kept their good food and said no. Later, Simpleton wished to help too. He carried a plain cake and sour drink. When the gray man asked, Simpleton smiled and said: I only have simple fare, but you are welcome to share it with me.
As they ate, the cake tasted rich and the drink tasted sweet. Thank you, said the gray man. You have a kind heart. Cut down the old tree by the hill, and you'll find good fortune. Simpleton chopped the tree and found a goose with feathers of gleaming gold. He took the goose to an inn to spend the night. The innkeeper's three daughters wished to touch a golden feather. When the first gently reached out, her hand stuck to the goose. The second touched her sister and was stuck too.
The third stepped up and stuck to them. In the morning, Simpleton tucked the goose under his arm and continued walking. The three sisters had to follow in a funny line. Along the way, a parson, a sexton, and two farmers tried to help, but each who touched the line ended up stuck. Simpleton walked with the golden goose and the long procession to a town where a king lived. The princess of that town was very serious and never laughed. The king had said: Whoever makes my daughter laugh may ask for her hand in marriage.
When the princess saw Simpleton with the shining goose and the long, careful line of people swaying from side to side, she laughed heartily and could not stop. Simpleton earned a wish, but the king wanted to ensure Simpleton could care for a family. First, said the king, bring someone who can drink the cellar dry. Simpleton went to the forest and found a friendly man who said: I am very thirsty and water does not help. Please, let me try. The man sat by the barrels and drank and drank until the cellar was empty.
Next, said the king, bring someone who can eat a mountain of bread. Simpleton found another friendly man in the forest who had tied a belt around his waist. He said, I am so hungry the bread vanishes like crumbs. He sat and ate and ate until the mountain of bread was gone. Lastly, said the king, bring a ship that can sail on both land and water. Simpleton returned to the forest. The gray man was waiting. I have helped you eat and drink, he said kindly, and now I will help you sail.
Because you shared with me, here is a little ship that will sail on roads and cross rivers. Simpleton thanked him and sailed the clever ship to the palace. The king finally smiled. You have shown kindness and good sense, he said. The princess, still smiling, agreed. A happy wedding was held. Simpleton and the princess visited the gray man to give thanks. They cared for the golden goose in a safe garden where all could admire its shining feathers without plucking any.
When the old king grew weary, Simpleton and the princess became king and queen. They ruled with gentle hearts. They shared food with travelers, kept fair promises, and often laughed together. And the little ship sometimes sailed across the green fields so children could ride and wave to the golden goose.
The Golden Goose
The story of "The Golden Goose" is a magical tale that has delighted generations of children around the world. This classic by the Brothers Grimm combines humor, kindness, and a sprinkle of magic to teach valuable lessons about generosity. Parents and educators seek stories like "The Golden Goose" to entertain and educate little ones at bedtime. Its lovable characters and comedic situations make this tale a perfect choice for bedtime.
Origin of the story: The Brothers Grimm
"The Golden Goose" ("Die goldene Gans" in German) is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were the famous German folklorists who preserved hundreds of traditional European tales. This particular story stands out for its humor and its message about the importance of being kind, even to strangers. The tale has been adapted numerous times for theater, film, and television.
📜Authors: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (Germany, 19th century)
✍️Collection: Children's and Household Tales (Kinder- und Hausmärchen)
💡Main theme: Kindness is always rewarded
The Golden Goose bedtime story
Moral and lessons from The Golden Goose
Through the whimsical tale of The Golden Goose, children learn timeless morals. The story emphasizes that genuine kindness and sharing can lead to unexpected happiness. It also teaches the importance of looking beyond appearances and how greed can lead to humorous yet challenging situations.
How to tell The Golden Goose to young children
The Golden Goose is perfect for children aged 3 to 8 due to its visual humor and funny situations. To adapt it for younger audiences, you can emphasize the comedic parts where characters get stuck to the goose, creating an increasingly long and absurd human chain.
💡Use different voices for each character joining the procession
🌟Emphasize the protagonist's generosity in sharing their food
✅Celebrate the happy ending where the princess finally laughs
🎯Ask questions about why they think each character wanted to touch the goose
Activities and questions after the story
After reading The Golden Goose, it's wonderful to reflect on its lessons with interactive activities. These activities help children better understand the story's message while having fun.
🎨Draw the procession of characters stuck to the goose
💬Play 'the chain': each child joins a line holding hands
✨Invent what other characters could have gotten stuck
📝Act out the scene where the princess finally laughs
🎯Create a kindness tree where each family member adds a leaf with a kind deed they performed
Frequently Asked Questions
❓What is 'The Golden Goose' story about?
'The Golden Goose' is a charming story about a simpleton who shares his meal, finds a golden goose, and makes a princess laugh. It teaches kindness, sharing, and clever problem-solving, perfect for ages 3-5. It's available in 17 languages and free to access!
❓Is 'The Golden Goose' suitable for preschoolers?
Yes, 'The Golden Goose' is designed for children aged 3-5. The story features simple language, engaging characters, and positive themes like kindness and gratitude, making it an ideal read-aloud for young children. It is also available in 17 languages.
❓Is there an audio version of 'The Golden Goose'?
Currently, 'The Golden Goose' does not have an audio narration. However, you can still enjoy reading the story with your child and exploring the themes of kindness and sharing. This story is available for free, and in 17 languages.
❓How long does it take to read 'The Golden Goose'?
The reading time for 'The Golden Goose' will vary depending on your reading pace, but it is a short story designed to hold the attention of 3-5 year olds. It is a sweet story about kindness, friendship, and clever solutions, available in 17 languages and free to read.
❓Where can I read 'The Golden Goose' story?
You can read 'The Golden Goose' story for free on our website! It's available in 17 languages, making it accessible to families worldwide. This delightful tale teaches valuable lessons about kindness and cleverness, perfect for children aged 3-5.
❓What lessons can children learn from 'The Golden Goose'?
'The Golden Goose' teaches children about the importance of kindness, not judging others by their appearance, and how generosity leads to happiness. These lessons are perfect for ages 3-5.
Other bedtime stories by the Brothers Grimm
If your child enjoyed The Golden Goose, they will also love these other classic tales by the Brothers Grimm. Each one offers valuable lessons wrapped in magical adventures.
The Golden Goose is a perfect bedtime story that combines fun with important values. By sharing it with your children, you convey the message that being kind and generous is always worthwhile. Including this and other classic tales in the nighttime routine creates special moments of family connection while little ones learn valuable life lessons.
