The Three Brothers
by Andrew Lang · from The Pink Fairy Book
Adapted Version
A father had three sons and one house. He loved them all the same. He did not know who should get it. He had a good idea. "Go and learn a trade," he said. "Come back. Show me your best work. The best one gets the house."
The sons were happy. The Eldest Brother learned to be a blacksmith. The Second Brother learned to be a barber. The Third Brother learned fencing. They worked very hard. They learned their trades well.
The brothers came home. They wanted to show their skills. A hare ran by. The Second Brother saw it. He made soap foam. He shaved the hare's face. He did not cut the hare. The hair was still there. Father was very impressed.
Then a horse came. It pulled a carriage very fast. The Eldest Brother ran to it. He took off the old shoes. He put on new shoes. The horse did not stop. Father was very impressed.
Then it started to rain. The Third Brother took his sword. He swung it very fast. The rain could not touch him. He stayed dry. Father was very surprised.
"You are the best," Father said. "The house is yours." The other brothers were happy. They loved their brother. They all lived in the house together. They worked at their trades. They earned much money. They were very happy.
After many happy years, the brothers grew old. They died peacefully, together. They were buried in one grave. They were always united.
With skill and love, the brothers found happiness.
Original Story
The Three Brothers
Translated from the German of the Brothers Grimm.
There was once a man who had three sons, and no other possessions
beyond the house in which he lived. Now the father loved his three sons
equally, so that he could not make up his mind which of them should have
the house after his death, because he did not wish to favour any one
more than the others. And he did not want to sell the house, because
it had belonged to his family for generations; otherwise he could have
divided the money equally amongst them. At last an idea struck him, and
he said to his sons: ‘You must all go out into the world, and look about
you, and each learn a trade, and then, when you return, whoever can
produce the best masterpiece shall have the house.’
The sons were quite satisfied. The eldest wished to be a blacksmith, the
second a barber, and the third a fencing-master. They appointed a time
when they were to return home, and then they all set out.
It so happened that each found a good master, where he learnt all that
was necessary for his trade in the best possible way. The blacksmith had
to shoe the king’s horses, and thought to himself, ‘Without doubt the
house will be yours!’ The barber shaved the best men in the kingdom,
and he, too, made sure that the house would be his. The fencing-master
received many a blow, but he set his teeth, and would not allow himself
to be troubled by them, for he thought to himself, ‘If you are afraid of
a blow you will never get the house.’
When the appointed time had come the three brothers met once more, and
they sat down and discussed the best opportunity of showing off their
skill. Just then a hare came running across the field towards them.
‘Look!’ said the barber, ‘here comes something in the nick of time!’
seized basin and soap, made a lather whilst the hare was approaching,
and then, as it ran at full tilt, shaved its moustaches, without cutting
it or injuring a single hair on its body.
‘I like that very much indeed,’ said the father. ‘Unless the others
exert themselves to the utmost, the house will be yours.’
Soon after they saw a man driving a carriage furiously towards them.
‘Now, father, you shall see what I can do!’ said the blacksmith, and he
sprang after the carriage, tore off the four shoes of the horse as
it was going at the top of its speed, and shod it with four new ones
without checking its pace.
‘You are a clever fellow!’ said the father, ‘and know your trade as well
as your brother. I really don’t know to which of you I shall give the
house.’
Then the third son said, ‘Father, let me also show you something;’ and,
as it was beginning to rain, he drew his sword and swung it in cross
cuts above his head, so that not a drop fell on him, and the rain fell
heavier and heavier, till at last it was coming down like a waterspout,
but he swung his sword faster and faster, and kept as dry as if he were
under cover.
When the father saw this he was astonished, and said, ‘You have produced
the greatest masterpiece: the house is yours.’
Both the other brothers were quite satisfied, and praised him too, and
as they were so fond of each other they all three remained at home and
plied their trades: and as they were so experienced and skilful they
earned a great deal of money. So they lived happily together till they
were quite old, and when one was taken ill and died the two others were
so deeply grieved that they were also taken ill and died too. And so,
because they had all been so clever, and so fond of each other, they
were all laid in one grave.
Story DNA
Moral
True mastery and ingenuity, especially when combined with love and unity, lead to lasting happiness and prosperity.
Plot Summary
A father with three sons, owning only his house, challenges them to learn trades and present a masterpiece to decide who inherits it. Each son masters a unique skill: a barber shaves a running hare, a blacksmith re-shoes a moving horse, and a fencing-master deflects rain with his sword. The father declares the fencing-master's feat the greatest, but the brothers' strong love for each other leads them to live together, pooling their wealth. They live happily into old age, eventually dying together due to their profound grief for one another, and are buried in a single grave.
Themes
Emotional Arc
uncertainty to unity and contentment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a pre-industrial society where trades were highly valued and passed down through generations. The idea of a 'masterpiece' was a common requirement for journeymen to become masters in guilds.
Plot Beats (14)
- A father with three sons owns only his house and cannot decide which son should inherit it without showing favoritism.
- The father devises a challenge: each son must go out, learn a trade, and the one who produces the best masterpiece will inherit the house.
- The eldest chooses to be a blacksmith, the second a barber, and the third a fencing-master; they set a return date and depart.
- Each son finds a good master and diligently learns their respective trade, believing their skill will win them the house.
- Upon their return, the brothers meet and discuss how to best showcase their skills.
- A hare runs by, and the barber swiftly shaves its mustache without cutting it, impressing the father.
- A carriage approaches furiously, and the blacksmith re-shoes the horse with new shoes while it's still moving at full speed, again impressing the father.
- The third son, the fencing-master, demonstrates his skill by drawing his sword and swinging it so rapidly that no rain falls on him during a heavy downpour.
- The father, astonished by the fencing-master's ingenuity, declares his masterpiece the greatest and awards him the house.
- The other brothers are satisfied and praise their brother, showing their strong familial bond.
- Due to their love for each other, all three brothers decide to live together in the house, plying their trades.
- Their combined skill and hard work earn them great wealth, and they live happily together into old age.
- When one brother falls ill and dies, the other two are so heartbroken that they also fall ill and die shortly after.
- The three brothers are laid to rest together in one grave, symbolizing their lifelong unity.
Characters
The Father ◆ supporting
Not described, but presumably of an age to have three adult sons.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing of a homeowner in a rural setting.
Fair, indecisive, values family tradition.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged man with a kind, weathered face, gentle brown eyes, and short, graying brown hair. He wears a simple, sturdy tunic of undyed wool over dark trousers and leather boots. A leather tool belt is slung around his waist. He is kneeling on one knee, offering a small, hand-carved wooden bird with a warm, encouraging smile. His posture is strong yet gentle. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Eldest Son ◆ supporting
Strong, muscular build from blacksmithing.
Attire: Leather apron, sturdy boots, simple tunic.
Confident, skilled, competitive.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his early twenties with a stern, responsible expression and short, neatly combed dark brown hair. He wears a richly embroidered deep blue tunic with silver thread detailing over a white shirt, dark trousers, and polished black leather boots. He stands tall with a confident posture, arms crossed over his chest, on a stone castle balcony overlooking a distant forest. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Second Son ◆ supporting
Nimble fingers, steady hand.
Attire: Clean, practical clothing, perhaps with a barber's apron.
Precise, meticulous, skilled.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his late teens or early twenties with a determined yet humble expression, standing with a straight but relaxed posture. He has short, tousled brown hair and clear, watchful eyes. He wears a practical, earth-toned tunic with rolled sleeves, sturdy leather breeches, and worn traveling boots. A simple leather belt is cinched at his waist. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Third Son ★ protagonist
Agile, coordinated.
Attire: Practical clothing that allows for freedom of movement, sword belt.
Focused, disciplined, skilled.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his late teens with a kind, earnest face and tousled chestnut brown hair. He wears a simple, well-worn tunic of undyed linen over dark trousers, with sturdy leather boots. A modest woolen cloak is draped over his shoulders. He stands tall with a hopeful yet determined expression, one hand resting on a plain wooden walking staff. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Hare ○ minor
Wild hare, brown fur.
Attire: None.
Unwitting participant.
Image Prompt & Upload
A juvenile anthropomorphic hare with velvety soft brown fur, oversized upright ears, and wide innocent eyes. Wearing a patched linen tunic and simple breeches, standing with a slight hunch, paws nervously clasped together. Expressive face showing a mix of curiosity and timidity. Full body visible head to toe on a plain white background, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The King's Horse ○ minor
Strong, fast horse.
Attire: Horse shoes.
Hard working.
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic bay stallion with a glossy dark brown coat and black mane and tail, standing proudly with head held high and ears pricked forward. Muscular build with a powerful chest and strong legs. Adorned with ornate royal tack including a richly embroidered crimson and gold saddle blanket, polished leather bridle with gold buckles, and a decorative gold breastplate. Noble expression with intelligent dark eyes, nostrils slightly flared. Coat gleams with health and grooming, mane neatly braided with small gold ribbons. Proud posture with weight evenly distributed, tail held elegantly. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature
Locations
The Father's House
A house that has belonged to the family for generations
Mood: familiar, loved
The father decides on the contest to determine who inherits the house.
Image Prompt & Upload
A late afternoon scene at a weathered, two-story brick house with a wide front porch, nestled under a sprawling ancient oak tree. Golden hour sunlight filters through the leaves, casting long, soft shadows across a sprawling, slightly overgrown garden of wildflowers and climbing roses. The house shows its age with faded red brick, a slightly crooked chimney, and multi-paned windows that gleam warmly. A stone path leads to a sturdy, dark wooden door. The atmosphere is peaceful, nostalgic, and deeply rooted, with a sense of enduring family history. Muted tones of brick red, forest green, golden light, and earthy browns. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Blacksmith's Forge
Where the eldest son learns to shoe horses, specifically the king's horses
Mood: industrious, hot
The blacksmith hones his skills, believing he will win the house.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grand stone blacksmith's forge at dusk, warm orange firelight spilling through arched doorways onto cobblestones. Inside, a massive brick forge glows with intense amber flames, illuminating rows of polished iron tools, tongs, and hammers hanging on weathered oak walls. A heavy iron anvil sits center stage, surrounded by horseshoes of various sizes arranged on wooden racks, some bearing royal insignia. Smoke curls lazily from a tall chimney against a purple twilight sky. Leather aprons drape over benches, iron filings dust the floor. Outside, a stone water trough reflects the dying sunset. Climbing ivy frames the entrance, and a wooden sign swings gently in the evening breeze. The architecture features arched windows with iron grilles, thick timber beams overhead, and a floor worn smooth by generations of craftsmen. Warm golden light contrasts with cool blue shadows, creating a magical atmosphere of industry and tradition. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Barber's Shop
Where the second son learns to shave, specifically shaving the best men in the kingdom
Mood: clean, precise
The barber hones his skills, believing he will win the house.
Image Prompt & Upload
A warm, intimate barber’s shop interior in a fantasy kingdom, bathed in soft morning light streaming through a leaded glass window. The room is paneled in dark, polished wood with a high, beamed ceiling. A large, ornate barber’s chair of carved oak and burgundy leather sits center. A stone fireplace crackles softly in the corner, its glow reflecting off rows of gleaming steel razors, silver shaving bowls, and stacked white linens on a nearby shelf. The air is still, smelling of sandalwood soap and warm beeswax. Outside the window, a glimpse of a misty, cobblestone courtyard with dew on ivy-covered stone walls. The overall palette is rich browns, creams, and deep reds, with cool morning light contrasting the warm firelight. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Open Field
A field where the brothers reunite and demonstrate their skills
Mood: competitive, tense
The brothers compete to show their skills; the fencing-master wins.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, rolling field of tall golden grass swaying in a gentle breeze under a late afternoon sun. The sky is a gradient of soft peach and lavender with wispy clouds. In the distance, gentle hills meet the horizon. Scattered across the field are clusters of vibrant wildflowers—poppies, cornflowers, and daisies. A few ancient, weathered stones, half-buried in the earth, create a natural gathering point. The light casts long, dramatic shadows, highlighting the texture of the grass and the petals of the flowers. The atmosphere is serene, open, and full of quiet potential. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
