The Wren and the Bear: The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

The Story of "The Wren and the Bear"

Once upon a time, in the summer, a Bear and a Wolf were taking a walk in a wood when the Bear heard a bird singing most beautifully, and he said, ‘Brother Wolf, what kind of bird is that singing so beautifully?’

‘That is the King of the birds, and we must bow down to it.’

But really it was a Wren.

‘If that is so,’ said the Bear, ‘I should like to see his royal palace. Come, you must take me to it.’

‘That ’s not so easy,’ said the Wolf. ‘You must wait till the Queen comes.’

Soon after, the Queen made her appearance, bringing food in her beak, and the King came with her to feed their little ones. The Bear would have liked to go in at once, but the Wolf held him by the sleeve, and said, ‘No; now you must wait till the King and Queen fly away again.’

So they marked the opening of the nest, and trudged on. But the Bear had no rest till he could see the royal palace, and before long he went back.

The King and the Queen had gone out again. He peeped in, and saw five or six young ones lying in the nest.

‘Is that the royal palace?’ cried the Bear. ‘What a miserable place! And do you mean to say that you are royal children? You must be changelings!’

When the young Wrens heard this, they were furious, and shrieked, ‘No, indeed we’re not. Our parents are honest people; we must have this out with you.’

The Bear and the Wolf were very much frightened. They turned round and ran home to their dens.

But the young Wrens continued to shriek and scream aloud; and when their parents came back with more food, they said, ‘We won’t touch so much as the leg of a fly, even if we starve, till you tell us whether we are really your lawful children or not. The Bear has been here calling us names.’

Then said the old King, ‘Only be quiet, and this shall be seen to.’

Thereupon he and his wife the Queen flew off to the Bear in his den, and called in to him, ‘Old Bruin, why have you been calling our children names? It will turn out badly for you, and it will lead to a bloody war between us.’

So war was declared, and all the four-footed animals were called together—the ox, the ass, the cow, the stag, the roedeer, and every other creature on the earth.

But the Wren called together every creature which flew in the air, not only birds both large and small, but also the gnats, the hornets, the bees, and the flies.

When the time came for the war to begin, the Wren sent out scouts to discover where the commanding generals of the enemy were to be found. The gnats were the most cunning of all. They swarmed in the wood where the enemy were assembled, and at last they hid themselves under a leaf of the tree where the orders were being given.

The Bear called the Fox up to him and said, ‘You are the slyest of all the animals, Reynard. You shall be our general, and lead us.’

‘Very good,’ said the Fox; ‘but what shall we have for a signal?’ But nobody could think of anything. Then said the Fox, ‘I have a fine, long, bushy tail, which almost looks like a red feather brush. When I hold my tail erect, things are going well, and you must march forward at once; but if it droops, you must all run away as hard as ever you can.’

When the gnats heard this they flew straight home and told the Wrens every detail.

When the day broke, all the four-footed animals came rushing to the spot where the battle was to take place. They came with such a tramping that the earth shook.

The Wren and his army also came swarming through the air; they fluttered and buzzed enough to terrify one. And then they made for one another.

The Wren sent the Hornet down with orders to seat herself under the tail of the Fox and to sting him with all her might.

When the Fox felt the first sting he quivered, and raised one leg in the air; but he bore it bravely, and kept his tail erect. At the second sting he was forced to let it droop for a moment, but the third time he could bear it no longer; he screamed, and down went his tail between his legs. When the animals saw this they thought all was lost, and off they ran helter-skelter, as fast as they could go, each to his own den.

So the birds won the battle.

When it was over the King and the Queen flew home to their children, and cried, ‘Children, be happy! Eat and drink to your hearts’ content; we have won the battle.’

But the young Wrens said, ‘We won’t eat till the Bear comes here to make an apology, and says that we are really and truly your lawful children.’

The Wren flew to the Bear’s den, and cried, ‘Old Bruin, you will have to come and apologise to my children for calling them names, or else you will have all your ribs broken.’

So in great terror the Bear crept to the nest and apologised, and at last the young Wrens were satisfied, and they ate and drank and made merry till far into the night.

The Story of "The Wren and the Bear"
– Grimm’s Fairy Tales –

Moral Lesson of "The Wren and the Bear" by the Brothers Grimm

Introduction

"The Wren and the Bear" is a fascinating fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm, rich with symbolic characters and a storyline that offers a profound moral lesson. This tale, like many others from the Grimms, uses the interactions between animals to convey messages that are still relevant today. In this story, the Wren, despite its small size, manages to defeat the much larger and stronger Bear, teaching us several valuable lessons about humility, respect, and the power of intelligence over brute force.

1. Do Not Judge by Appearances

One of the key lessons from the story is the danger of underestimating others based on their appearance. The Bear, a large and powerful animal, dismisses the Wren as insignificant and mocks its children. However, the Wren proves that strength is not determined by size or outward appearance. The Bear's arrogance leads him to a humiliating defeat, teaching us that everyone, regardless of how they may appear, deserves respect.

2. In "The Wren and the Bear," Intelligence and Strategy Triumph Over Strength

The Wren’s victory in the battle against the Bear is not achieved through physical strength but through intelligence, strategy, and the ability to rally others to its cause. By employing the Hornet to sting the Fox, the Wren outsmarts the much larger animals, leading to their retreat. This teaches us that in conflicts, whether personal or professional, clever thinking and strategy are often more effective than sheer force.

3. The Importance of Standing Up for Oneself

The young Wrens demand an apology from the Bear, refusing to eat until their honor is restored. This insistence on being treated with respect highlights the importance of standing up for oneself and not allowing others to belittle or mistreat you. The Wren’s family teaches us that it is crucial to assert our rights and ensure that our dignity is recognized.

4. "The Wren and the Bear" Shows How Unity and Collaboration Lead to Success

Another important lesson from the story is the power of unity and collaboration. The Wren does not face the Bear alone; instead, it gathers an entire army of birds and insects to support its cause. This collective effort ensures their victory. The story emphasizes that working together with others, especially when facing a common challenge, can lead to greater success than trying to tackle it alone.

5. The Consequences of Arrogance

The Bear’s arrogance is the root of his downfall. He dismisses the Wren and its family as unworthy of respect, leading to a chain of events that result in his defeat. The story serves as a warning against arrogance and pride, reminding us that these traits can lead to our undoing.

Conclusion

"The Wren and the Bear" is a tale that offers timeless wisdom. Through the interactions of its characters, it teaches us not to judge by appearances, to value intelligence over brute strength, to stand up for ourselves, to work together with others, and to be wary of arrogance. These lessons are as relevant today as they were when the Brothers Grimm first penned this tale, making it a valuable story for readers of all ages.