The Rose
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Original Story
The rose
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
There was once a poor woman who had two children. The youngest had to go every day into the forest to fetch wood. Once when she had gone a long way to seek it, a little child, who was quite strong, came and helped her industriously to pick up the wood and carry it home, and then before a moment had passed the strange child disappeared. The child told her mother this, but at first she would not believe it. At length she brought a rose home, and told her mother that the beautiful child had given her this rose, and had told her that when it was in full bloom, he would return. The mother put the rose in water. One morning her child could not get out of bed, the mother went to the bed and found her dead, but she lay looking very happy. On the same morning, the rose was in full bloom.
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Story DNA
Plot Summary
A poor young girl, while fetching wood, is helped by a mysterious child who then vanishes. The child reappears to give her a rose, promising to return when it fully blooms. One morning, the girl's mother finds her dead in bed, looking peaceful, at the exact moment the rose blossoms, suggesting a spiritual transition.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to peace
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Grimm's fairy tales often reflect the harsh realities of peasant life and incorporate elements of Christian folklore or pre-Christian beliefs about nature spirits and the afterlife.
Plot Beats (8)
- A poor woman has two children; the youngest fetches wood daily.
- While fetching wood, the youngest child meets a strong, mysterious child who helps her.
- The strange child disappears suddenly.
- The girl tells her mother about the encounter, but the mother doesn't believe her.
- The strange child reappears and gives the girl a rose, promising to return when it blooms.
- The mother places the rose in water.
- One morning, the mother finds her youngest child dead in bed, looking happy.
- Simultaneously, the rose blooms fully.
Characters
The Youngest Child
Implied to be small and vulnerable due to her age and task of fetching wood.
Attire: Simple, worn peasant clothing suitable for working in the forest, likely a plain dress and apron.
Diligent, obedient, trusting, innocent.
The Mother
Implied to be worn by poverty and hard work.
Attire: Plain, mended peasant clothing, likely a simple dress and apron.
Skeptical initially, loving, sorrowful.
The Little Child
Quite strong despite being a child, implying a supernatural nature.
Attire: Simple, clean, and possibly ethereal clothing, perhaps a plain tunic, contrasting with the poor setting.
Helpful, mysterious, benevolent.
The Rose
A single rose, initially a bud, then blooming fully.
N/A (symbolic)
Locations
The Forest
A large, expansive forest where the youngest child goes daily to fetch wood, requiring her to go 'a long way to seek it'.
Mood: laborious, solitary, then briefly helpful and mysterious
The youngest child meets the strange, strong child who helps her gather wood.
The Poor Woman's Home
The humble dwelling of the poor woman and her two children, where the rose is brought and placed in water.
Mood: initially skeptical, then hopeful, ultimately sorrowful yet peaceful
The child dies peacefully in her bed, and the rose blooms fully.