The Three Spinning Fairies (A Tale from the Brothers Grimm)
on Goodreads (39)
What’s inside...
When Zelda seeks help in spinning the wool necessary to win the prince's hand in marriage, three talented fairies decide to assist her. However, when they feel their kindness is being abused, the fairies turn things around and teach lazy Zelda an important lesson.
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Girl
Queen
Discussion points
How did the three fairies in the story use their unique skills to help the girl?
Why do you think the girl needed to keep the fairies' secret?
What would you have done if you were in the girl's place and met the three fairies?
How did the characters in the story show kindness or gratitude?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about how teamwork and cooperation are portrayed in the story. Ask them about times they've worked together with others to achieve a goal.
Discuss the importance of keeping promises, as shown by the girl in the story. Have a conversation about trust and why it's important.
Use the fairies' unique abilities as a starting point to talk about your child’s own unique talents and how they can be used to help others.
After reading, ask your child if they would change any part of the story and how they imagine the new outcome.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of hard work
Explanation: In the story, the hardworking girl's efforts are rewarded by the fairies when they help her complete seemingly impossible tasks.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of diligence and perseverance in their own tasks, be it schoolwork or household chores.
Example Lesson: Kindness to others
Explanation: The protagonist's kindness towards the mysterious old woman leads to her receiving help from the fairies.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be kind and helpful towards others, understanding that their actions can have positive returns.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness in difficult situations
Explanation: The girl uses her wits to interact with the fairies and accomplish her goals.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to think creatively to solve problems, whether it's figuring out a tough math problem or resolving a conflict with a friend.