Story Summary
Explore the Brothers Grimm tale, The Water of Life, where a kind prince seeks a magical cure for his dying father while facing betrayal from his brothers.
An aging King lay on his deathbed, his only hope being the legendary Water of Life. His eldest son, seeking the crown, set out to find it. Along the way, he encountered a dwarf who asked where he was going. The prince rudely dismissed him and was soon magically trapped in a narrow mountain gorge. The middle son met the same fate due to his own arrogance. Finally, the youngest prince set out. When he met the dwarf, he spoke with humility and kindness. Grateful, the dwarf gave him an iron wand and two loaves of bread to enter an enchanted castle. Inside, the prince found a beautiful princess and filled a cup with the magical water. On his journey home, he used the water's power to save three kingdoms from war and famine. He also rescued his brothers, but they repaid his kindness by stealing the Water of Life and replacing it with bitter seawater. When they reached home, the salt water made the King sicker, and the elder brothers claimed they had the true cure. The King, believing the youngest had tried to poison him, ordered him secretly killed. However, the prince survived, and when the princess he saved arrived with treasures and the truth, the King realized his mistake. The youngest prince was named heir, while his treacherous brothers fled across the sea, never to be seen again.
The Moral
True nobility is found in humility and kindness, while greed and arrogance lead only to ruin.
“He who seeks with a kind heart finds the path that pride cannot see.”
Fun Fact
This story is categorized as Aarne-Thompson type 551, a theme found in many cultures where a hero must seek a magical object to cure a parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Water of Life?
The story teaches that kindness and humility are rewarded, while arrogance and treachery lead to a person's downfall. The youngest prince succeeds because he respects those others look down upon.
Who wrote the story The Water of Life?
The story was collected and published by the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, in their famous 1815 collection of German folklore.
Why were the older brothers trapped in the mountain?
The older brothers were trapped because they were rude and arrogant toward a dwarf they met on their journey. The dwarf used his magical powers to lead them into a narrowing pass they could not escape.
How did the princess identify the true prince?
The princess built a golden road to her castle and told her guards to only admit the one who rode straight down the middle. The true prince was so focused on her that he didn't notice the gold, while the brothers rode to the side to avoid damaging it.
What is the magical property of the Water of Life?
In the story, the Water of Life has the power to cure any illness, even bringing the King back from the brink of death. It also symbolizes the purity and virtue of the person who successfully retrieves it.
What happens to the treacherous brothers at the end?
After their deceit is revealed by the princess and the King learns the truth, the two older brothers realize they will be punished. They flee the kingdom by ship and are never heard from again.
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