By Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm
Translated by Margaret Hunt (1884)
Greencoat and the soldier
Illustrated by Otto Ubbelhde
After the war, the young man was left with nothing. His parents had passed away and his entire life was different. I can only imagine how hard a transition like this would be for me, especially after coming home from a war. He ended up with a different mindset after the war. Because of the time spent at war, he was unable to learn another skill to use in the real world which is why he says, "I have learnt no trade but that of fighting, and now that they have made peace, they don't want me any longer. So I see beforehand that I shall have to starve." He had given up hope on life and living altogether.
He meets a man who agrees to give him gold, but the soldier must prove himself. The soldier must face-off against a bear charging towards him and here he displays his courage by killing the bear. The man in the green coat says if the soldier can stay alive for seven years while obeying certain rules, he will give him gold. The soldier is faced once again with the decision of whether to fight for survival or give up. The soldier agrees to fight for his life. He is forced to wear the green coat and also use the bear's skin as a shield and bedding. Anytime he reached into the green coat he would find gold in the pockets. He has everything while having nothing at all.
No comments:
Post a Comment