Grimm's Household Tales

A sparrow had four young ones in a swallow’s nest. When they were fledged, some naughty boys pulled out the nest, but fortunately all the birds got safely away in the high wind. Then the old bird was grieved that, as his sons had all gone out into the world, he had not first warned them of every kind of danger and given them good instruction on how to deal with each. In the autumn a great many sparrows assembled in a wheat field, and there the old bird met his four children again and, full of joy, took them home with him. “Ah, my dear sons, how anxious I have been about you all through the summer, because you got away in the wind without my teaching. Listen to my words, obey your father, and be well on your guard. Little birds have to encounter great dangers!” And then he asked the eldest where he had spent the summer and how he had supported himself. “I stayed in the gardens and looked for caterpillars and small worms until the cherries ripened.” “Ah, my son,” said the father, “tidbits are not bad, but there is great risk in them. Therefore take great care of yourself from now on, particularly when people are going about the gardens carrying long green poles that are hollow inside and have a little hole at the top.” “Yes, father, but what if a little green leaf is stuck over the hole with wax?” said the son. “Where did you see that?” “In a merchant’s garden,” said the youngster. “Oh, my son, merchants are quick-witted people,” said the father. “If you have been among the children of the world, you have learned enough worldly cunning; only make sure that you use it well, and do not be too confident.” After this he asked the next son, “Where did you spend your time?” “At court,” said the son. “Sparrows and silly little birds are of no use in that place. There one finds much gold, velvet, silk, armor, harnesses, sparrowhawks, screech owls, and hen harriers. Keep to the horses’ stable, where they winnow oats or thresh, and then fortune may give you your daily grain in peace.” “Yes, father,” said the son, “but when the stable boys make traps and set their snares and spring traps in the straw, many sparrows are caught fast.” “Where did you see that?” said the old bird. “At court, among the stable boys.” “Oh, my son, court boys are bad boys! If you have been to court and among the lords and have left no feathers there, you have learned a fair amount and will know very well how to make your way in the world. But look around you and above you, for the wolves devour the wisest dogs.” The father questioned the third also: “Where did you look for safety?” “I have broken up tubs and ropes on the cart roads and highways, and sometimes I have found a grain of wheat or barley.” “That is indeed delicious fare,” said the father, “but take care what you are doing and look carefully around, especially when you see anyone stooping and about to pick up a stone. There is not much time to stay then.” “That is true,” said the son, “but what if someone should carry a bit of rock or ore, ready beforehand, inside his coat or in his pocket?” “Where did you see that?” “Among the mountaineers, dear father; when they go out, they generally take little bits of ore with them.” “Mountain people are working people, and clever people. If you have been among mountain lads, you have seen and learned something; but when you go there, beware, for many a sparrow has been brought to a bad end by a mountain boy.” At length the father came to the youngest son: “You, my dear chirping nestling, were always the silliest and weakest. Stay with me; the world has many rough, wicked birds that have crooked beaks and long claws, and that lie in wait for poor little birds and swallow them. Keep with those of your own kind, and pick up little spiders and caterpillars from the trees or the house, and then you will live long in peace.” “My dear father, he who feeds himself without injury to other people fares well, and no sparrowhawk, eagle, or kite will hurt him if he especially commits himself and his lawful food, evening and morning, faithfully to God, who is the Creator and Preserver of all forest and village birds, and who likewise hears the cry and prayer of the young ravens, for no sparrow or wren ever falls to the ground except by his will.” “Where did you learn this?” The son answered, “When the great blast of wind tore me away from you, I came to a church, and there during the summer I picked up the flies and spiders from the windows and heard this sermon preached. The Father of all sparrows fed me all summer long and kept me from all misfortune and from ferocious birds.”

“Truly, my dear son, if you take refuge in the churches and help to clear away spiders and buzzing flies, and cry out to God like the young ravens, and commend yourself to the eternal Creator, all will be well with you, even if the whole world were full of wild, malicious birds.”

“He who commits his ways to God,
In silence suffers, waits, and prays,
And preserves his faith and conscience pure,
Is sure of God’s protection.”