Fundevogel: The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

The Story of "Fundevogel"

There was once a Forester who went into the woods to hunt, and he heard a cry like that of a little child. He followed the sound, and at last came to a big tree where a tiny child was sitting high up on one of the top branches. The mother had gone to sleep under the tree, and a bird of prey, seeing the child on her lap, had flown down and carried it off in its beak to the top of the tree.

The Forester climbed the tree and brought down the child, thinking to himself, ‘I will take it home, and bring it up with my own little Lina.’

So he took it home, and the two children were brought up together. The foundling was called Fundevogel, because it had been found by a bird. Fundevogel and Lina were so fond of each other, that they could not bear to be out of each other’s sight.

Now the Forester had an old Cook, who one evening took two pails, and began carrying water. She did not go once but many times, backwards and forwards to the well.

Lina saw this, and said: ‘Dear me, Sanna, why are you carrying so much water?’

‘If thou wilt not tell any one, I will tell thee why.’

Lina said no, she would not tell any one.

So then the Cook said: ‘To-morrow morning early, when the Forester goes out hunting, I am going to boil the water, and when it bubbles in the kettle, I am going to throw Fundevogel into it to boil him.’

Next morning the Forester got up very early, and went out hunting, leaving the children still in bed.

Then said Lina to Fundevogel: ‘Never forsake me, and I will never forsake thee.’

And Fundevogel answered: ‘I will never forsake thee.’

Then Lina said: ‘I must tell thee now. Old Sanna brought in so many pails of water last night, that I asked her what she was doing. She said if I would not tell anybody, she would tell me what it was for. So I promised not to tell anybody, and she said that in the morning, when the father had gone out hunting, she would fill the kettle, and when it was boiling, she would throw thee into it and boil thee. Now we must get up quickly, dress ourselves, and run away.’

So the children got up, dressed quickly, and left the house.

When the water boiled, the Cook went to their bedroom to fetch Fundevogel to throw him into it. But when she entered the room, and went up to the bed, both the children were gone. She was terribly frightened, and said to herself: ‘Whatever am I to say to the Forester when he comes home and finds the children gone? We must hurry after them and get them back.’ So the Cook despatched three men-servants to catch up the children and bring them back.

The children were sitting near a wood, and when they saw the three men a great way off, Lina said to Fundevogel, ‘Do not forsake me, and I will never forsake thee.’

And Fundevogel answered, ‘I will never forsake thee as long as I live.’

Then Lina said, ‘Thou must turn into a rosebush, and I will be a rosebud upon it.’

When the three men reached the wood, they found nothing but a rosebush with one rosebud on it; no children were to be seen. They said to each other, ‘There is nothing to be done here.’ And they went home and told the Cook that they had seen nothing whatever but a rosebush, with one rosebud on it.

The old Cook scolded them, and said: ‘You boobies, you ought to have hacked the rosebush to pieces, broken off the bud, and brought it home to me. Off with you at once and do it.” So they had to start off again on the search.

But the children saw them a long way off, and Lina said to Fundevogel, ‘Do not forsake me, and I will never forsake thee.’

Fundevogel said: ‘I will never forsake thee as long as I live.’

Then said Lina: ‘Thou must become a church, and I will be the chandelier in it.’

Now when the three men came up they found nothing but a church with a chandelier in it; and they said to each other: ‘What are we to do here? We had better go home again.’

When they reached the house, the Cook asked if they had not found anything. They said: ‘Nothing but a church with a chandelier in it.’

‘You fools,’ screamed the Cook, ‘why did you not destroy the church and bring me the chandelier?’ Then the old Cook put her best foot foremost, and started herself with the three men in pursuit of the children.

But the children saw the three men in the distance, and the old Cook waddling behind them. Then said Lina: ‘Fundevogel, do not forsake me, and I will never forsake thee.’

And he said: ‘I will never forsake thee as long as I live.’

Lina said: ‘Thou must become a pond, and I will be the duck swimming upon it.’

When the Cook reached the pond, she lay down beside it to drink it up, but the duck swam quickly forward, seized her head with his bill and dragged her under water; so the old witch was drowned.

Then the children went home together as happy as possible, and if they are not dead yet, then they are still alive.

The Story of "Fundevogel"
- Grimm's Fairy Tales -

The Moral Lessons of "Fundevogel": A Guide to Themes and Values

The Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale "Fundevogel" is more than a charming story of two children overcoming adversity; it is rich with moral lessons that resonate across time. These lessons offer guidance on courage, loyalty, and cleverness, providing valuable insights for readers of all ages. Here’s a detailed exploration of the key moral themes in "Fundevogel" and how they can be applied in our lives.

1. Fundevogel’s Power of Loyalty and Friendship

At the heart of "Fundevogel" is the deep bond between the two main characters, Lina and Fundevogel. Their commitment to each other is highlighted repeatedly through their vows: “Do not forsake me, and I will never forsake thee.”

This promise, exchanged by the children, underscores the importance of loyalty and mutual support. Their unwavering commitment to each other allows them to navigate and overcome the dangers they face.

Takeaway: In life, loyalty and steadfast friendship are vital. True friends support each other through challenges, offering strength and encouragement. Just as Lina and Fundevogel’s bond helps them escape peril, maintaining strong, supportive relationships can provide the emotional resilience needed to tackle personal trials.

2. The Value of Cleverness and Resourcefulness

Throughout the story, Lina and Fundevogel use their wits to evade capture and ultimately outsmart the old Cook. By transforming into a rosebush, a church, and a pond, they cleverly avoid detection and protect themselves. Each transformation demonstrates their ability to think on their feet and adapt to changing circumstances.

Takeaway: Resourcefulness is a valuable trait in problem-solving. When faced with difficulties, thinking creatively and being adaptable can lead to innovative solutions. Much like Lina and Fundevogel, who use their ingenuity to escape danger, we can apply clever thinking to overcome obstacles in our own lives.

3. The Consequences of Evil and Deceit in the Story "Fundevogel"

The old Cook embodies malice and deceit, planning to harm Fundevogel out of spite. Her actions are driven by malevolence, and her relentless pursuit of the children ultimately leads to her downfall. Her fate serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of cruelty and deceit.

Takeaway: The story reminds us that malicious actions and deceitful intentions often lead to negative consequences. Acting with kindness and integrity, rather than engaging in harmful behaviors, fosters trust and positive outcomes. The tale illustrates that those who pursue harm with malicious intent may eventually face their own downfall.

4. The Importance of Preparation and Vigilance

Lina’s timely warning to Fundevogel about the Cook’s plan highlights the importance of being vigilant and prepared. By alerting Fundevogel, Lina ensures they have the chance to escape and devise their plan. This foresight is crucial in navigating and avoiding danger.

Takeaway: Being aware of potential threats and preparing for them can prevent many problems. Vigilance and foresight in planning and decision-making help us stay ahead of challenges and avoid unnecessary difficulties.

5. Fundevogel’s Triumph of Good Over Evil

Ultimately, the story conveys that good can triumph over evil when coupled with wisdom and courage. Lina and Fundevogel’s virtuous nature and their clever actions lead to their success, while the old Cook’s evil intentions lead to her demise.

Takeaway: This moral reinforces the idea that integrity and righteousness prevail in the end. Upholding ethical standards and acting with a good heart can lead to positive outcomes, even in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

"Fundevogel" is a rich tapestry of moral lessons woven into an engaging fairy tale. It teaches us about the strength found in loyalty, the power of resourcefulness, the consequences of malicious actions, the necessity of vigilance, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. By reflecting on these themes, we can gain valuable insights into how we navigate our own lives, make decisions, and relate to others.

In applying these lessons, we not only honor the wisdom of the fairy tale but also enrich our own lives with virtues that can guide us through the complexities of our personal and communal experiences.