So now this volume of Grimm’s _Fairy Tales_ is offered to our American boys and girls; and may they have continued delight in the beautiful old folk-fictions, which have come down to us from the fresh and sparkling meadows and woods of ancient days. Fathers and mothers, too, will enjoy reading the tales aloud and sharing with the children the humor and the deep but simple ethical truths so tenderly and poetically set forth therein. Teachers and story-tellers, also, may find in this sincere version, rich material for kindling the imagination and feeding the poetic fancy of their pupils. The Editor, FRANCES JENKINS OLCOTT. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Editor’s acknowledgments are due to the following texts: _Kinder und Hausmärchen_, following the last edition authorized by William Grimm with the Grimm Introduction on the origin and educational use of the tales. _Household Stories_, illustrated by Wehnert, first published in London, 1853. But most especially to _Household Tales_, with the Author’s notes, translated by Margaret Hunt, introduction by Andrew Lang, Bohn Library. For the use of the Hunt text the Editor gratefully acknowledges the gracious permission of Messrs. Harcourt, Brace and Company, American Publishers of the Bohn Library. CONTENTS PAGE THE FROG-KING; OR, IRON HENRY 13 THE WOLF AND THE SEVEN LITTLE KIDS 19 RAPUNZEL 24 LITTLE BROTHER AND LITTLE SISTER 30 THE STAR-MONEY 39 THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE 41 THE WHITE SNAKE 53 HAENSEL AND GRETHEL 59 THE SEVEN RAVENS 69 ASH-MAIDEN 73 THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER 83 THE THREE BROTHERS 86 LITTLE TABLE SET THYSELF, GOLD-ASS, AND CUDGEL OUT OF THE SACK 89 IRON JOHN 105 CLEVER ELSIE 117 THE BREMEN TOWN-MUSICIANS 122 THE SIX SWANS 127 THE POOR MILLER’S BOY AND THE CAT 134 LITTLE RED-CAP 140 KING THRUSHBEARD 145 THE GOLD-CHILDREN 151