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Hans im Glück : ein Märchen
Hans hatte sieben Jahre bei seinem Herrn gedient, da sprach er zu "Herr, meine Zeit ist herum, nun wollte ich gerne wieder heim zu meiner Mutter, gebt mir meinen Lohn." Der Herr "Du hast mir treu und ehrlich gedient, wie der Dienst war, so soll der Lohn sein," und gab ihm ein Stück Gold, das so groß als Hansens Kopf war. Hans zog ein Tüchlein aus der Tasche, wickelte den Klumpen hinein, setzte ihn auf die Schulter und machte sich auf den Weg nach Haus.
45 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 1997
About the author
Jacob Grimm
6,022 books2,336 followersGerman philologist and folklorist Jakob Ludwig Karl Grimm in 1822 formulated Grimm's Law, the basis for much of modern comparative linguistics. With his brother Wilhelm Karl Grimm (1786-1859), he collected Germanic folk tales and published them as
Grimm's Fairy Tales
(1812-1815).
Indo-European stop consonants, represented in Germanic, underwent the regular changes that Grimm's Law describes; this law essentially states that Indo-European p shifted to Germanic f, t shifted to th, and k shifted to h. Indo-European b shifted to Germanic p, d shifted to t, and g shifted to k. Indo-European bh shifted to Germanic b, dh shifted to d, and gh shifted to g.
This jurist and mythologist also authored the monumental German Dictionary and his Deutsche Mythologie .
Adapted from Wikipedia.
Indo-European stop consonants, represented in Germanic, underwent the regular changes that Grimm's Law describes; this law essentially states that Indo-European p shifted to Germanic f, t shifted to th, and k shifted to h. Indo-European b shifted to Germanic p, d shifted to t, and g shifted to k. Indo-European bh shifted to Germanic b, dh shifted to d, and gh shifted to g.
This jurist and mythologist also authored the monumental German Dictionary and his Deutsche Mythologie .
Adapted from Wikipedia.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 20, 2017
Rating
I am giving Hans in Luck three out of five stars.
Genre
Hans in Luck is a classic children’s faerie tale from the Brothers Grimm.
About the Book
This is the story of Hans and his journey on his way home after working for seven hard years.
Why did I choose this book to read?
I have an app on my phone with all the Brothers Grimm stories on it and it was 1am, and I couldn’t sleep. Coming along this app made me remember how much I had wanted to read the Brothers Grimm stories and to finally catch up on them like I have been trying for years, and I finally decided to start reading them.
Pricing
Unknown. Read on a free app from the Apple Store.
What did I think of it?
I’m not sure. I found myself quite bored but entertained at the same time, hence the three star rating. I didn’t understand this at all. I believe the moral of the story is that, material things do not have as true a meaning as the family around you, but I just can’t be sure. There was a lot of confusion within this. Maybe material things are burdens to us that hold us down? I just. Cannot know without searching this up.
Did I have any qualms with it?
This story bored me. There seemed to be a lot within it but without much meaning. I didn’t get it at all, and I found it to be trivial to get through. I felt like I was walking through tar to turn the pages as fast as I could.
Would I recommend it and who to?
If people are okay with a story that was confusing to people, then classic readers, and people who enjoy children’s stories.
Overall opinion
I really wasn’t keen on this, which is a shame because I love the Brothers Grimm works so much. I definitely need to read more though, and I hope that I can read enough to remind myself just how much I love these stories.
I am giving Hans in Luck three out of five stars.
Genre
Hans in Luck is a classic children’s faerie tale from the Brothers Grimm.
About the Book
This is the story of Hans and his journey on his way home after working for seven hard years.
Why did I choose this book to read?
I have an app on my phone with all the Brothers Grimm stories on it and it was 1am, and I couldn’t sleep. Coming along this app made me remember how much I had wanted to read the Brothers Grimm stories and to finally catch up on them like I have been trying for years, and I finally decided to start reading them.
Pricing
Unknown. Read on a free app from the Apple Store.
What did I think of it?
I’m not sure. I found myself quite bored but entertained at the same time, hence the three star rating. I didn’t understand this at all. I believe the moral of the story is that, material things do not have as true a meaning as the family around you, but I just can’t be sure. There was a lot of confusion within this. Maybe material things are burdens to us that hold us down? I just. Cannot know without searching this up.
Did I have any qualms with it?
This story bored me. There seemed to be a lot within it but without much meaning. I didn’t get it at all, and I found it to be trivial to get through. I felt like I was walking through tar to turn the pages as fast as I could.
Would I recommend it and who to?
If people are okay with a story that was confusing to people, then classic readers, and people who enjoy children’s stories.
Overall opinion
I really wasn’t keen on this, which is a shame because I love the Brothers Grimm works so much. I definitely need to read more though, and I hope that I can read enough to remind myself just how much I love these stories.
Read
February 27, 2026,,Wer in den Braten beißt, muß sich das Fett von beiden Seiten abwischen."🪿
December 14, 2025
Not bad.
Read
February 27, 2026"Wer in den Braten beißt, muß sich das Fett von beiden Seiten abwischen."🪿
February 20, 2022
This seems like a silly story and for a person who desires material things, it will definitely read like a silly story about a silly man. However, they are not like Hans. Hans does not want those things and need those things to be happy. Like the stone at the end they only burdened him. He eventually had nothing and was content with that, to be free of all those burdens.
It's a wonderful concept but far from reality. You do need material things to live in this material world. I wonder how Hans would get by. I wonder how his mother would get by if she relied on him. I don't recall any other characters related to Hans so I assume it's him and his mother. Perhaps his luck will effortlessly provide him with necessities but that is such a gamble. Then again, he is a carefree man and will perhaps find a way to get by.
I think that the tale of Hans is an extreme example but illustrated the issue with clinging too tightly to material things to the point where you are burdened by them and forget to live and enjoy the little things. Of course, that depends on the living you intend to do. Some of that living needs material things. My impression is that Hans' way is a simple life with fewer material things, fewer material concerns clogging up your mind and more room to enjoy simpler things that might come your way. The point is that he is comfortable. I do think that it is not for everyone. Not everyone can do it. However, it is something to keep in mind: never let material things weigh you down and determine everything in your life.
It's a wonderful concept but far from reality. You do need material things to live in this material world. I wonder how Hans would get by. I wonder how his mother would get by if she relied on him. I don't recall any other characters related to Hans so I assume it's him and his mother. Perhaps his luck will effortlessly provide him with necessities but that is such a gamble. Then again, he is a carefree man and will perhaps find a way to get by.
I think that the tale of Hans is an extreme example but illustrated the issue with clinging too tightly to material things to the point where you are burdened by them and forget to live and enjoy the little things. Of course, that depends on the living you intend to do. Some of that living needs material things. My impression is that Hans' way is a simple life with fewer material things, fewer material concerns clogging up your mind and more room to enjoy simpler things that might come your way. The point is that he is comfortable. I do think that it is not for everyone. Not everyone can do it. However, it is something to keep in mind: never let material things weigh you down and determine everything in your life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2019
An interesting story on how a gentleman called Hans who decided to go home to visit his mother and 'apparently' his luck got better and better as he went along. Without ruining the story for everyone else, I don't think the person was particularly lucky starting off with his earnings and what he ended up with. I just feel that his kind nature was preyed upon by unsuspecting passers by.
Read
June 7, 2025Hans in Luck is a classic folk tale from the Brothers Grimm, filled with irony, wit, and a quietly subversive take on the nature of happiness. First published in the early 19th century, this story stands out among the Grimms’ tales for its philosophical undertone and its cheerful rejection of materialism.
The plot follows Hans, who, after seven years of hard work, is given a lump of gold as a reward. On his journey home, Hans proceeds to trade the gold for a series of seemingly less valuable items—first a horse, then a cow, then a pig, and so on—until he ends up with nothing at all. And yet, each time he trades, Hans believes he’s making a great deal and feels increasingly lucky and free.
The genius of Hans in Luck lies in its ironic structure. Modern readers might view Hans as a fool, losing more with each trade. But the tale challenges that assumption by portraying Hans as genuinely content, even joyful, at every step. The story flips conventional ideas of success and wealth on their head, suggesting that happiness doesn’t come from what we possess, but from how we feel—and how lightly we carry our burdens.
The Grimms' language is simple and direct (as typical of their collected oral tales), and the story’s repetitive structure makes it accessible and enjoyable for young readers. It’s also ripe for deeper discussion with older children or adults, who may find in Hans a surprising echo of minimalist or even Zen philosophy.
Ideal For: Children aged 6+, fans of classic fairy tales, educators looking for folk tales with a twist, and readers interested in alternative views of happiness and success.
Verdict:
Hans in Luck is a deceptively simple tale that offers a fresh take on what it means to be truly lucky. Both humorous and thought-provoking, it’s a timeless story that invites readers to question their assumptions—and maybe even lighten their load.
The plot follows Hans, who, after seven years of hard work, is given a lump of gold as a reward. On his journey home, Hans proceeds to trade the gold for a series of seemingly less valuable items—first a horse, then a cow, then a pig, and so on—until he ends up with nothing at all. And yet, each time he trades, Hans believes he’s making a great deal and feels increasingly lucky and free.
The genius of Hans in Luck lies in its ironic structure. Modern readers might view Hans as a fool, losing more with each trade. But the tale challenges that assumption by portraying Hans as genuinely content, even joyful, at every step. The story flips conventional ideas of success and wealth on their head, suggesting that happiness doesn’t come from what we possess, but from how we feel—and how lightly we carry our burdens.
The Grimms' language is simple and direct (as typical of their collected oral tales), and the story’s repetitive structure makes it accessible and enjoyable for young readers. It’s also ripe for deeper discussion with older children or adults, who may find in Hans a surprising echo of minimalist or even Zen philosophy.
Ideal For: Children aged 6+, fans of classic fairy tales, educators looking for folk tales with a twist, and readers interested in alternative views of happiness and success.
Verdict:
Hans in Luck is a deceptively simple tale that offers a fresh take on what it means to be truly lucky. Both humorous and thought-provoking, it’s a timeless story that invites readers to question their assumptions—and maybe even lighten their load.
February 28, 2026
“‘O’er hill and o’er dale
So happy I roam,
Work light and live well,
All the world is my home;
Then who so blythe, so merry as I?’”
Hans started the story with a precious stone, during the journey to his mother’s house, he kept trading his possessions for other goods, believing true happiness existed only in obtaining other’s possessions. At the end of the story, Hans watched the simple stone sinking in the deep water, his last and inferior possession, he felt glad that his burden vanished. Materialism did not ensure fulfillment.
So happy I roam,
Work light and live well,
All the world is my home;
Then who so blythe, so merry as I?’”
Hans started the story with a precious stone, during the journey to his mother’s house, he kept trading his possessions for other goods, believing true happiness existed only in obtaining other’s possessions. At the end of the story, Hans watched the simple stone sinking in the deep water, his last and inferior possession, he felt glad that his burden vanished. Materialism did not ensure fulfillment.
July 1, 2025
Hans knows how to trade.
He went from a bag of silver to a horse to a cow to a goose, and ended with a stone that rolled into the river.
At least he had to carry nothing on the way to his mother.
He went from a bag of silver to a horse to a cow to a goose, and ended with a stone that rolled into the river.
At least he had to carry nothing on the way to his mother.
February 7, 2026
Interesting brother Grimm story. They really did think of everything. Poor Hans though!
October 27, 2019
Two good morals can be learned from this tale. One, wealth and material belongings can often be a curse or a burden rather than something meaningful. Only in bad times do we realize the things that truly matter. Two, placing all of your happiness in material belongings while forgetting about the things that really matter can bring you more misery and misfortune than you may realize. Sometimes good things come from bad luck.
March 22, 2020
Free audiobook at Google Play
Contradicts Madonna's Material Girl
Contradicts Madonna's Material Girl
May 31, 2020
The definition of luck changes overtime and maybe when the story was told, Hans is really in good luck compared today where trading goods are not a kind of transaction to be used. Everything has a price.
March 5, 2019
This was an entertaining and enjoyable short fairy tale.
June 3, 2021
At first I didn't get it, but then I saw the reviews, and realized that it has a good moral after all, and wasn't super silly!
September 10, 2021
This story might be actually a little too smart for children.
December 20, 2024
I love the illustrations and the modern take at the story. What an innovative form of story telling! Truly pushing the boundaries of books!
December 20, 2024
داستان سی و دوم از همخوانی برادران گریم.
اینکه بتونی اینهمه ابله باشی هم در نوع خودش نوبره
اینکه بتونی اینهمه ابله باشی هم در نوع خودش نوبره
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews