Clever Hans: The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

The Story of "Clever Hans"

Where are you going, Hans?’ asked his Mother.

‘To see Grettel,’ answered Hans.

‘Behave well, Hans!’

‘All right, Mother. Good-bye.’

‘Good-bye, Hans.’

Hans comes to Grettel.

‘Good morning, Grettel.’

‘Good morning, Hans. What have you brought me?’

‘I’ve not brought you anything. I want a present.’

Grettel gives him a needle. Hans takes the needle, and sticks it in a load of hay, and walks home behind the cart.

‘Good evening, Mother.’

‘Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?’

‘I ’ve been to Grettel’s.’

‘What did you give her?’

‘I gave her nothing. But she made me a present.’

‘What did she give you?’

‘She gave me a needle.’

‘What did you do with it?’

‘Stuck it in the hay-cart.’

‘That was stupid, Hans. You should have stuck it in your sleeve.’

‘Never mind, Mother; I ’ll do better next time.’

‘Where are you going, Hans?’

‘To see Grettel, Mother.’

‘Behave well.’

‘All right, Mother. Good-bye.’

‘Good-bye, Hans.’

Hans comes to Grettel.

‘Good morning, Grettel.’

‘Good morning, Hans. What have you brought me?’

‘I’ve brought nothing. But I want something.’

Grettel gives him a knife.

‘Good-bye, Grettel.’

‘Good-bye, Hans.’

Hans takes the knife, and sticks it in his sleeve, and goes home.

‘Good evening, Mother.’

‘Good evening, Hans. Where have you been ?’

‘Been to see Grettel.’

‘What did you give her?’

‘I gave her nothing. But she gave me something.’

‘What did she give you?’

‘She gave me a knife.’

‘Where is the knife, Hans?’

‘I stuck it in my sleeve.’

‘That ’s a stupid place, Hans. You should have put it in your pocket.’

‘Never mind, Mother; I ‘ll do better next time.’

‘Where are you going, Hans?’

‘To see Grettel, Mother.’

‘Behave well, then.’

‘All right, Mother. Good-bye.’

‘Good-bye, Hans.’

Hans comes to Grettel.

‘Good morning, Grettel.’

‘Good morning, Hans. Have you brought me anything nice?’

‘I’ve brought nothing. What have you got for me ?’

Grettel gives him a young kid.

‘Good-bye, Grettel.’

‘Good-bye, Hans.’

Hans takes the kid, ties its legs together, and puts it in his pocket.

When he got home, it was suffocated.

‘Good evening, Mother.’

‘Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?’

‘Been to see Grettel, Mother.’

‘What did you give her?’

‘I gave her nothing. But I brought away something.’

‘What did Grettel give you?’

‘She gave me a young kid.’

‘What did you do with the kid?’

‘Put it in my pocket, Mother.’

‘That was very stupid. You should have led it by a rope.’

‘Never mind, Mother; I ’ll manage better next time.’

‘Where are you going, Hans?’

‘To see Grettel, Mother.’

‘Manage well, then.’

‘All right, Mother. Good-bye.’

‘Good-bye, Hans.’

Hans comes to Grettel.

‘Good morning, Grettel.’

‘Good morning, Hans. What have you brought me?’

‘I’ve brought you nothing. What have you got for me?’

Grettel gives him a piece of bacon.

‘Good-bye, Grettel.’

‘Good-bye, Hans.’

Hans takes the bacon, ties a rope round it, and drags it along behind him. The dogs come after him, and eat it up. When he got home he had the rope in his hand, but there was nothing at the end of it.

‘Good evening, Mother.’

‘Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?’

‘To see Grettel, Mother.’

‘What did you take her?’

‘I took nothing. But I brought something away.’

‘What did she give you?’

‘She gave me a piece of bacon.’

‘What did you do with the bacon, Hans?’

‘I tied it to a rope, and dragged it home. But the dogs ate it.’

‘That was a stupid business, Hans. You should have carried it on your head.’

‘Never mind, Mother; I ’ll do better next time.’

‘Where are you going, Hans?’

‘To see Grettel, Mother.’

‘Behave properly, then.’

‘All right, Mother. Good-bye.’

‘Good-bye, Hans.’

Hans comes to Grettel.

‘Good morning, Grettel.’

‘Good morning, Hans. What have you brought me?’

‘I’ve brought nothing. What have you got for me?’

Grettel gives Hans a calf.

‘Good-bye, Grettel.’

‘Good-bye, Hans.’

Hans takes the calf, and puts it on his head. It kicks his face.

‘Good evening, Mother.’

‘Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?’

‘Been to see Grettel, Mother.’

‘What did you take her ? ’

‘I took her nothing, Mother. She gave me something.’

‘What did she give you, Hans?’

‘She gave me a calf, Mother.’

‘What did you do with the calf?’

‘Put it on my head, Mother, and it kicked my face.’

‘That was very stupid, Hans. You should have led it by a rope, and put it in the cow-stall.’

‘Never mind, Mother; I ’ll do better next time.’

‘Where are you going, Hans?’

‘To see Grettel, Mother.’

‘Mind how you behave, Hans.’

‘All right, Mother. Good-bye.’

Hans goes to Grettel.

‘Good morning, Grettel.’

‘Good morning, Hans. What have you brought me?’

‘I ’ve brought you nothing. I want to take away something.’

‘I ’ll go with you myself, Hans.’

Hans ties Grettel to a rope, and leads her home, where he puts her in a stall, and ties her up. Then he goes into the house to his Mother.

‘Good evening, Mother.’

‘Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?’

‘To see Grettel, Mother.’

‘What did you take her?’

‘I took nothing.’

‘What did Grettel give you?’

‘She gave me nothing. She came with me.’

‘Where did you leave Grettel?’

‘Tied up in the stable with a rope.’

‘That was stupid. You should have cast sheep’s eyes at her.’

‘Never mind; I ’ll do better next time.’

Hans went into the stable, plucked the eyes out of the cows and calves, and threw them in Grettel’s face.

Grettel got angry, broke the rope, and ran away.

Yet she became Hans’ wife.

The Story of "Clever Hans"
- Grimm's Fairy Tales -

The Moral of "Clever Hans" by the Brothers Grimm: A Reflection on Wisdom and Adaptability

The tale of "Clever Hans" by the Brothers Grimm humorously explores the consequences of thoughtlessness and the importance of adaptability in life's decisions. Beneath its absurdity, the story offers enduring lessons about learning, relationships, and self-awareness, which we can reflect on and apply to our own lives.

1. The Importance of Contextual Thinking

Hans consistently fails to consider the context of his actions, a recurring theme in "Clever Hans" that highlights the consequences of thoughtlessly applying advice. For example, when his mother suggests sticking a needle in his sleeve, Hans uses the same approach for a knife, and later for a calf, leading to increasingly ludicrous outcomes. His inability to think critically about what each situation requires demonstrates the pitfalls of rigid thinking.

This behavior illustrates the necessity of tailoring actions to the specific circumstances at hand. Life rarely operates on a one-size-fits-all approach, and what works well in one context may lead to disaster in another. By failing to consider the nuances of each scenario, Hans repeatedly sets himself up for failure, offering a clear example of why contextual thinking is crucial.

2. The Danger of Blindly Following Instructions in "Clever Hans"

Hans’ actions also highlight the dangers of following advice without understanding its intent. His mother gives him sound suggestions, but Hans applies them without considering their practicality. For instance, when advised to carry the bacon on his head, he disregards the fact that it would be more logical to protect it from the dogs. His inability to critically evaluate guidance leads to a series of avoidable mishaps.

This serves as a reminder that advice, no matter how well-meaning, must be interpreted thoughtfully—a key lesson from "Clever Hans". Blind obedience to instructions, as illustrated by Hans’ repeated missteps, can lead to outcomes that are not only ineffective but downright foolish. Understanding the why behind a suggestion allows for better judgment and smarter decision-making.

3. The Value of Adaptability

One of Hans’ most glaring flaws in "Clever Hans" is his inability to adapt and learn from past mistakes. Instead of reflecting on what went wrong and improving his methods, he stubbornly repeats patterns of behavior that result in new blunders. Whether it’s suffocating a young goat in his pocket or letting a piece of bacon be devoured by dogs, Hans’ rigidity keeps him trapped in a cycle of failure.

Adaptability is essential for growth and success. Mistakes are an inevitable part of life, but their true value lies in the lessons they offer. Without a willingness to change course based on past experiences, we risk repeating the same errors, much like Hans, whose inflexible nature serves as a cautionary example.

4. The Role of Communication and Empathy in the Tale of "Clever Hans"

The relationship between Hans and Grettel takes a bizarre turn when Hans ties Grettel with a rope and leads her home, treating her as he would one of his gifts. This thoughtless act culminates in his most absurd mistake: throwing cow eyes at her, an action that predictably angers Grettel and causes her to flee. Yet, despite Hans’ lack of empathy and understanding, the story concludes with their marriage, leaving readers puzzled.

This strange dynamic underscores the importance of communication and empathy in relationships. Hans’ actions demonstrate what happens when interpersonal interactions are driven by self-centeredness and poor judgment. Successful relationships require effort, respect, and a willingness to understand the other person’s feelings—qualities Hans sorely lacks but that are critical for fostering meaningful connections.

5. Humor as a Teaching Tool

The exaggerated foolishness in "Clever Hans" makes its lessons memorable by presenting them through humor. Each of Hans’ missteps is so outlandish that it invites readers to laugh at his absurdity while reflecting on their own decisions. The comedic tone softens the critique of Hans’ behavior, making the moral lessons more engaging and accessible.

This use of humor highlights how laughter can be a powerful tool for learning. When we view mistakes, whether our own or others’, with a sense of humor, it becomes easier to embrace them as opportunities for growth. Hans’ antics remind us that while it’s important to take life seriously, it’s equally important to laugh at our missteps and use them as stepping stones for improvement.

6. The Complexity of Human Relationships in "Clever Hans"

The story’s conclusion in "Clever Hans," where Grettel marries Hans despite his foolishness and mistreatment, is perplexing yet revealing. It reflects the unpredictable nature of human relationships and how they often defy logic. Grettel’s choice to stay with Hans may symbolize the idea that imperfections, however glaring, can be accepted in the pursuit of companionship.

This peculiar ending suggests that relationships are rarely perfect and that acceptance of flaws can sometimes hold them together. It also serves as a reminder that relationships thrive on understanding and compromise, even when they appear inexplicable from the outside. Hans’ story challenges us to reflect on how we navigate our connections with others and the role of patience and acceptance in sustaining them.

Final Thoughts: Lessons from a Not-So-Clever Hans

While Hans’ behavior is far from clever, his story teaches us valuable lessons about mindfulness, adaptability, and thoughtfulness. It reminds us to approach decisions with context, evaluate advice critically, and learn from mistakes. Above all, the tale encourages us to balance seriousness with humor, allowing us to grow while appreciating life’s absurdities.

Through Hans’ failures, we find a guide for making wiser, more empathetic choices in our own lives.