| Golden Goose | |
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Real Name |
Golden Goose |
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First Appearance |
German Fairy Tales |
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Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
The Golden Goose is the titular character of the fairy tale of the same name collected by the Brothers Grimm.
A man and his wife have three sons, the youngest of whom is named Dummling because he is neither handsome nor strong like his elder brothers. The eldest brother is sent into the forest to chop wood, equipped with a rich cake and a bottle of wine. He encounters a little gray man who asks for food and drink but is rudely refused. The eldest brother later injures his arm while cutting a tree and is taken home. The second brother suffers a similar fate, injuring his leg. Dummling, sent out with a burned biscuit and soured beer, generously shares his meager meal with the little old man, who transforms the biscuit and beer into a fine cake and wine. For his kindness, Dummling receives a golden goose found within the roots of a tree he cuts down, guided by the little gray man.
Dummling brings the golden goose to an inn for the night. Upon seeing the goose, the innkeeper's three daughters decide to steal some golden feathers when Dummling goes to sleep. While Dummling is sleeping, the eldest daughter tries to pluck one golden feather but becomes stuck to the goose. The second daughter also tries plucking a feather, but gets stuck to her sister. The youngest daughter tries to help her sisters and becomes stuck as well. The next morning, Dummling departs with the golden goose under his arm, followed by the innkeeper's three daughters. A parson, his sexton, and two labourers interfere, only to get stuck to the parade too.
In a nearby castle, there lives a king whose daughter has never smiled nor laughed. The king promises her hand in marriage to anyone who can make her laugh. Sitting by the window, the princess sees the parade staggering after Dummling and his golden goose and bursts out laughing. They were shocked and sad at the same time.
In another version the king, not wanting his daughter to marry a woodcutter, sets Dummling to three additional tasks: to find someone who can drink all the wine in the cellar, someone who can eat a mountain of bread, and a ship that can sail on both land and sea. Dummling, with the little gray man's help, succeeds in all the tasks. Seeing that he has been bested, the king promptly agrees to give Dummling the princess's hand in marriage.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of the Golden Goose from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Some notable appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Grimm's Fairy Tales
Notes[]
- Not to be confused with the Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs.