The Three Sluggards
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Original Story
The three sluggards
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
A certain King had three sons who were all equally dear to him, and he did not know which of them to appoint as his successor after his own death. When the time came when he was about to die, he summoned them to his bedside and said, "Dear children, I have been thinking of something which I will declare unto you; whichsoever of you is the laziest shall have the kingdom." The eldest said, "Then, father, the kingdom is mine, for I am so idle that if I lie down to rest, and a drop falls in my eye, I will not open it that I may sleep." The second said; "Father, the kingdom belongs to me, for I am so idle that when I am sitting by the fire warming myself, I would rather let my heel be burnt off than draw back my leg." The third said, "Father, the kingdom is mine, for I am so idle that if I were going to be hanged, and had the rope already round my neck, and any one put a sharp knife into my hand with which I might cut the rope, I would rather let myself be hanged than raise my hand to the rope." When the father heard that, he said, "Thou hast carried it the farthest, and shalt be King."
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Story DNA
Moral
Extreme laziness, even when detrimental, can be rewarded in unexpected ways, highlighting the arbitrary nature of some decisions.
Plot Summary
A dying king, unsure which of his three beloved sons should inherit his kingdom, devises an unusual test: the laziest son will be his successor. Each son then presents an increasingly absurd and extreme example of their idleness, with the third son claiming he would rather be hanged than lift a hand to save himself. Impressed by this ultimate display of inaction, the king declares the third son the rightful heir.
Themes
Emotional Arc
neutral to absurd amusement
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Grimm's fairy tales often reflect societal values or satirize them, and this one plays on the concept of 'worthiness' for inheritance.
Plot Beats (8)
- A king has three sons, all equally dear, and struggles to choose an heir.
- Nearing death, the king summons his sons.
- The king announces his decision: the laziest son will inherit the kingdom.
- The eldest son boasts of his laziness, stating he wouldn't open his eye if a drop fell in it while resting.
- The second son boasts of his laziness, stating he'd let his heel burn rather than move it from the fire.
- The third son boasts of his laziness, stating he'd rather be hanged than lift a hand to cut the rope around his neck.
- The father hears the third son's claim.
- The father declares the third son the winner and future king.
Characters
The King
Frail, on his deathbed
Attire: Royal nightclothes, likely fine linen, suitable for a dying monarch
Wise, pragmatic, unconventional
The Eldest Son
No specific details, but implied to be healthy enough to inherit a kingdom
Attire: Princely attire, likely rich fabrics and colors, appropriate for a royal heir
Extremely lazy, self-serving
The Second Son
No specific details, but implied to be healthy enough to inherit a kingdom
Attire: Princely attire, likely rich fabrics and colors, appropriate for a royal heir
Extremely lazy, self-serving
The Third Son
No specific details, but implied to be healthy enough to inherit a kingdom
Attire: Princely attire, likely rich fabrics and colors, appropriate for a royal heir
Supremely lazy, indifferent, decisive (in his laziness)
Locations
King's Bedside
The King's deathbed, where he summons his three sons to declare his successor.
Mood: somber, expectant, formal
The King announces the unusual condition for succession: the laziest son will inherit the kingdom.