Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm (Librivox), Part A

The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean illustration by Walter Crane

The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean

This story is very interesting.  I would have never thought to tell a story from viewpoint of such random inanimate objects.  I like how the story started out with the straw, the coal, and the bean coming together after escaping their doom.  But of course, in true Grimm Brothers father fashion, the story turned dark pretty fast.  After the three escaped, they came to a stream (which I'm assuming was probably just a small puddle) and the straw stretched out over so that the coal and bean could cross safely.  But as the coal crossed over, she started to burn the straw, so they both fell into the stream and unfortunately died.  Then, to my surprise, the bean started hysterically laughing at the event that just occurred.  I know they just met, but you'd think that she would at least be a little sad for the only two friends she had left.  She laughed so hard that she burst, but then a tailor came by and sewed her back together.


Bibliography: The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean from Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm