A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdom through all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as if news of the most secret things was brought to him through the air. But he had a strange custom; every day after dinner, when the table was cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bring him one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant did not know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king never took off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone.
This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who took away the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not help carrying the dish into his room. When he had carefully locked the door, he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. But when he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it, so he cut of a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voices outside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that it was the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one another of all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods. Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language of animals.
Now it so happened that on this very day the queen lost her most beautiful ring, and suspicion of having stolen it fell upon this trusty servant, who was allowed to go everywhere. The king ordered the man to be brought before him, and threatened with angry words that unless he could before the morrow point out the thief, he himself should be looked upon as guilty and executed. In vain he declared his innocence; he was dismissed with no better answer.
In his trouble and fear he went down into the courtyard and took thought how to help himself out of his trouble. Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest; and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together. The servant stood by and listened. They were telling one another of all the places where they had been waddling about all the morning, and what good food they had found; and one said in a pitiful tone: ‘Something lies heavy on my stomach; as I was eating in haste I swallowed a ring which lay under the queen’s window.’ The servant at once seized her by the neck, carried her to the kitchen, and said to the cook: ‘Here is a fine duck; pray, kill her.’ ‘Yes,’ said the cook, and weighed her in his hand; ‘she has spared no trouble to fatten herself, and has been waiting to be roasted long enough.’ So he cut off her head, and as she was being dressed for the spit, the queen’s ring was found inside her.
The servant could now easily prove his innocence; and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favour, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for. The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for travelling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little. When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water. Now, though it is said that fishes are dumb, he heard them lamenting that they must perish so miserably, and, as he had a kind heart, he got off his horse and put the three prisoners back into the water. They leapt with delight, put out their heads, and cried to him: ‘We will remember you and repay you for saving us!’
He rode on, and after a while it seemed to him that he heard a voice in the sand at his feet. He listened, and heard an ant-king complain: ‘Why cannot folks, with their clumsy beasts, keep off our bodies? That stupid horse, with his heavy hoofs, has been treading down my people without mercy!’ So he turned on to a side path and the ant-king cried out to him: ‘We will remember you—one good turn deserves another!’
The path led him into a wood, and there he saw two old ravens standing by their nest, and throwing out their young ones. ‘Out with you, you idle, good-for-nothing creatures!’ cried they; ‘we cannot find food for you any longer; you are big enough, and can provide for yourselves.’ But the poor young ravens lay upon the ground, flapping their wings, and crying: ‘Oh, what helpless chicks we are! We must shift for ourselves, and yet we cannot fly! What can we do, but lie here and starve?’ So the good young fellow alighted and killed his horse with his sword, and gave it to them for food. Then they came hopping up to it, satisfied their hunger, and cried: ‘We will remember you—one good turn deserves another!’
And now he had to use his own legs, and when he had walked a long way, he came to a large city. There was a great noise and crowd in the streets, and a man rode up on horseback, crying aloud: ‘The king’s daughter wants a husband; but whoever seeks her hand must perform a hard task, and if he does not succeed he will forfeit his life.’ Many had already made the attempt, but in vain; nevertheless when the youth saw the king’s daughter he was so overcome by her great beauty that he forgot all danger, went before the king, and declared himself a suitor.
So he was led out to the sea, and a gold ring was thrown into it, before his eyes; then the king ordered him to fetch this ring up from the bottom of the sea, and added: ‘If you come up again without it you will be thrown in again and again until you perish amid the waves.’ All the people grieved for the handsome youth; then they went away, leaving him alone by the sea.
He stood on the shore and considered what he should do, when suddenly he saw three fishes come swimming towards him, and they were the very fishes whose lives he had saved. The one in the middle held a mussel in its mouth, which it laid on the shore at the youth’s feet, and when he had taken it up and opened it, there lay the gold ring in the shell. Full of joy he took it to the king and expected that he would grant him the promised reward.
But when the proud princess perceived that he was not her equal in birth, she scorned him, and required him first to perform another task. She went down into the garden and strewed with her own hands ten sacksful of millet-seed on the grass; then she said: ‘Tomorrow morning before sunrise these must be picked up, and not a single grain be wanting.’
The youth sat down in the garden and considered how it might be possible to perform this task, but he could think of nothing, and there he sat sorrowfully awaiting the break of day, when he should be led to death. But as soon as the first rays of the sun shone into the garden he saw all the ten sacks standing side by side, quite full, and not a single grain was missing. The ant-king had come in the night with thousands and thousands of ants, and the grateful creatures had by great industry picked up all the millet-seed and gathered them into the sacks.
Presently the king’s daughter herself came down into the garden, and was amazed to see that the young man had done the task she had given him. But she could not yet conquer her proud heart, and said: ‘Although he has performed both the tasks, he shall not be my husband until he had brought me an apple from the Tree of Life.’ The youth did not know where the Tree of Life stood, but he set out, and would have gone on for ever, as long as his legs would carry him, though he had no hope of finding it. After he had wandered through three kingdoms, he came one evening to a wood, and lay down under a tree to sleep. But he heard a rustling in the branches, and a golden apple fell into his hand. At the same time three ravens flew down to him, perched themselves upon his knee, and said: ‘We are the three young ravens whom you saved from starving; when we had grown big, and heard that you were seeking the Golden Apple, we flew over the sea to the end of the world, where the Tree of Life stands, and have brought you the apple.’ The youth, full of joy, set out homewards, and took the Golden Apple to the king’s beautiful daughter, who had now no more excuses left to make. They cut the Apple of Life in two and ate it together; and then her heart became full of love for him, and they lived in undisturbed happiness to a great age.
Bio
Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859) were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, and authors who together became famous for collecting and publishing folklore and fairy tales. Their classic works include Children’s and Household Tales, which features famous stories like “Cinderella”,”Snow White,” and “Sleeping Beauty.”
Growing up in a small town in central Germany, the brothers were inseparable from a young age. They both studied law at the University of Marburg before beginning careers as librarians and researchers. Their work focused extensively on tracing the origins of the German language, leading them to collect old folk tales and legends told by common villagers, which they then edited and published.
Though their names later became synonymous with fairy tales, the Grimms dedicated much of their career to serious academic pursuits. However, it was their children’s stories like Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and Rumpelstiltskin that left an enduring legacy and defined them as pioneers in the world of folklore. While beloved by children today, their tales were originally intended for adult readers, showcasing complex themes on gender, family, morality and more. The rich legacy of stories they rescued from obscurity continues to entertain and inspire new generations worldwide.
Analysis
“The White Snake” is a German fairy tale that encompasses various themes and motifs common in folklore. The story follows a servant who gains the ability to understand animals after tasting a white snake, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and love.
One of the main themes in the story is the power of kindness and empathy. The servant’s compassionate nature is demonstrated through his actions, such as saving the fishes, helping the ant-king, and feeding the young ravens. These acts of kindness are later reciprocated when the animals assist him in his quest to win the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage.
Another theme is the idea of transformation and the acquisition of knowledge. By tasting the white snake, the servant gains the ability to understand animals, granting him access to a world of hidden knowledge. This newfound wisdom helps him navigate the challenges he faces and ultimately leads him to his true love.
The story also portrays the concept of perseverance and the power of love. Despite the seemingly impossible tasks set by the king’s daughter, the servant remains determined to win her hand. His unwavering dedication and the assistance of his animal friends enable him to overcome each obstacle, demonstrating the strength of his love and the importance of perseverance.
The golden apple from the Tree of Life symbolizes the attainment of happiness, immortality, and the fulfillment of one’s desires. By sharing the apple with the king’s daughter, the servant not only achieves his goal of marrying her but also secures a happy and eternal life together.
The tale also showcases the concept of social hierarchy and the triumph of character over status. The servant, despite his lower social standing, proves his worth through his actions and the purity of his heart. In the end, his goodness and determination are rewarded, transcending the social barriers that initially hindered his union with the king’s daughter.
In conclusion, “The White Snake” is a rich and enchanting fairy tale that explores themes of kindness, transformation, perseverance, and the power of love. Through the servant’s journey and the symbolism woven throughout the story, the tale imparts valuable lessons on the importance of empathy, determination, and the rewards of staying true to oneself.
Here are 10 guided questions for “The White Snake”:
How does the servant’s ability to understand animals, gained from tasting the white snake, influence his journey throughout the story?
In what ways do the servant’s acts of kindness towards the fishes, the ant-king, and the ravens demonstrate his character, and how do these actions impact his quest?
How do the king’s daughter’s challenges for the servant reflect her own character development throughout the story?
What role does social hierarchy play in the story, and how does the servant’s success in winning the king’s daughter’s hand challenge these societal norms?
Discuss the symbolism of the golden apple from the Tree of Life and its significance in the servant and the king’s daughter’s relationship.
How does the servant’s perseverance and determination in the face of seemingly impossible tasks contribute to the story’s central themes?
Analyze the concept of transformation in the story, both in terms of the servant’s newfound ability and the changes in the characters’ attitudes and perceptions.
In what ways do the animal characters in the story serve as helpers or guides for the servant, and what does this suggest about the importance of allies in one’s journey?
Explore the theme of reciprocity in the story, particularly in relation to the servant’s acts of kindness and how they are repaid by the animals he helps.
How does the ending of the story, with the servant and the king’s daughter sharing the Golden Apple, represent the culmination of the story’s themes and the characters’ personal growth?
Lesson Plan: “The White Snake”
Objectives:
Students will read and comprehend the fairy tale “The White Snake”
Students will analyze the themes, symbols, and character development in the story
Students will engage in discussions and activities to deepen their understanding of the story
Duration: 60 minutes
Materials:
Copies of “The White Snake” for each student
Pens/pencils and paper for writing activities
Whiteboard or digital display for group discussion
Lesson Sequence:
Introduction (5 minutes):
Briefly introduce the story and its origins
Ask students to share any prior knowledge they have about the fairy tale
Reading (15 minutes):
Distribute copies of “The White Snake” to each student
Have students read the story silently or take turns reading aloud
Discussion (15 minutes):
Divide the class into small groups
Assign each group one of the guided questions from the previous list
Allow groups to discuss their assigned question and prepare a brief response to share with the class
Group Sharing (10 minutes):
Have each group share their question and response with the class
Encourage other students to comment or ask follow-up questions
Writing Activity (10 minutes):
Have students choose one of the following prompts: a) Write a short paragraph exploring how the servant’s kindness shapes his journey b) Describe the significance of the golden apple and its role in the story’s conclusion
Allow students to work independently on their chosen prompt
Closing (5 minutes):
Invite a few students to share their writing with the class
Summarize the main themes and lessons learned from “The White Snake”
Encourage students to think about how the story’s messages can be applied to their own lives
Extension Activities:
Have students create a visual representation (drawing, painting, or digital art) of a key scene or symbol from the story
Ask students to write an alternate ending or a sequel to “The White Snake”
Facilitate a debate on the role of social hierarchy in the story and its relevance to contemporary society
Assessment:
Observe student participation and engagement in group discussions and activities
Evaluate students’ written responses and their understanding of the story’s themes and symbols
Provide feedback and support as needed to ensure student comprehension and analysis of the fairy tale.
