The Wise Servant
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Original Story
The wise servant
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
How fortunate is the master, and how well all goes in his house, when he has a wise servant who listens to his orders and does not obey them, but prefers following his own wisdom. A clever John of this kind was once sent out by his master to seek a lost cow. He stayed away a long time, and the master thought, "Faithful John does not spare any pains over his work!" As, however, he did not come back at all, the master was afraid lest some misfortune had befallen him, and set out himself to look for him. He had to search a long time, but at last he perceived the boy who was running up and down a large field. "Now, dear John," said the master when he had got up to him, "hast thou found the cow which I sent thee to seek?" - "No, master," he answered, "I have not found the cow, but then I have not looked for it." - "Then what hast thou looked for, John?" - "Something better, and that luckily I have found." - "What is that, John?" - "Three blackbirds," answered the boy. "And where are they?" asked the master. "I see one of them, I hear the other, and I am running after the third," answered the wise boy.
Take example by this, do not trouble yourselves about your masters or their orders, but rather do what comes into your head and pleases you, and then you will act just as wisely as prudent John.
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Story DNA
Moral
It is sometimes wiser to follow one's own judgment and desires than to blindly obey orders, even from a master.
Plot Summary
A master sends his servant, John, to find a lost cow. John is gone for so long that the master, worried, goes to search for him. He finds John running in a field and learns that John never looked for the cow, having instead pursued 'something better' – three blackbirds, one he sees, one he hears, and one he chases. The story concludes by praising John's 'wisdom' in following his own desires over his master's orders.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to amusement
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a common trope in folk tales where lower-status characters outwit or subvert authority figures through unconventional means.
Plot Beats (11)
- The story introduces the concept of a 'wise servant' who follows his own wisdom over orders.
- A master sends his servant, John, to find a lost cow.
- John is gone for a long time, leading the master to believe he is diligently searching.
- The master becomes worried about John's absence and goes to search for him.
- The master finds John running around a large field.
- The master asks John if he found the cow.
- John admits he did not find the cow because he did not look for it.
- The master asks what John was looking for instead.
- John proudly declares he found 'something better': three blackbirds.
- John explains that he sees one, hears another, and is chasing the third.
- The narrator concludes by advising readers to follow their own desires like 'prudent John'.
Characters
John
Unspecified, likely a young man of working class, peasant build.
Attire: Unspecified, likely simple, practical peasant clothing suitable for farm work, such as a tunic, trousers, and sturdy shoes.
Clever, independent, self-serving, unconventional.
The Master
Unspecified, likely a man of some means, given he owns a cow and a servant.
Attire: Unspecified, likely clothing of a landowner or farmer, perhaps a simple coat, breeches, and boots.
Concerned, somewhat naive, trusting.
The Cow
A domestic bovine, lost.
Attire: None.
Unspecified.
The Blackbirds
Three small, dark-feathered birds.
Attire: None.
Wild, elusive.
Locations
Master's House
The master's house, where all goes well due to his wise servant.
Mood: orderly, comfortable, domestic
The master gives John the order to seek a lost cow.
Large Field
A large open field where the master eventually finds John running up and down.
Mood: open, active, slightly absurd
The master finds John, who explains he has been looking for blackbirds instead of the cow.