This book contains the following story:
"The Golden Goose" is a classic German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. Here's a summary of the plot:
Once upon a time, there was a woodcutter who had three sons. The youngest, Simpleton, was often ridiculed by his family and the townsfolk because of his slow wit. One day, Simpleton met an old man in the woods who asked for some food. Despite having very little himself, Simpleton shared his meal with the old man.
As a token of gratitude, the old man gave Simpleton a golden goose. However, this was no ordinary goose; anyone who touched it became stuck to it. Simpleton, not realizing this, set off on his journey with the goose under his arm.
On his way, Simpleton met several people who became stuck to the goose – first a parson, then a sexton, and finally, a king and his entire court. As Simpleton led this procession of stuck people through the town, people were amazed and amused.
Simpleton and his entourage arrived at a princess's castle. The princess was suffering from a strange ailment, and her father, the king, had promised her hand in marriage to anyone who could cure her. Simpleton, with his golden goose and the stuck court, entered the castle.
When Simpleton touched the princess, she was instantly cured. As a reward, the king allowed Simpleton to marry his daughter and offered him half the kingdom. Simpleton's brothers, who had initially mocked him, were now envious and plotted to steal the golden goose.
However, as they touched the goose, they became stuck to it. They, too, were dragged along with Simpleton and his wife in the procession. In some versions of the tale, the brothers are eventually freed when they show kindness to others.
"The Golden Goose" is a story about kindness, humility, and the unexpected rewards that come to those who are good-hearted, even if they are seen as simple or foolish by others.
