Grimm Brothers
|
Germany

The Wonderful Musician

A musician tricks a wolf, fox, and hare, then finds a human companion who protects him from the angry animals.
Deception
Trust
Friendship
The Wonderful Musician
Audio available for B1 version

Once there was a talented musician who walked alone through a thick forest. He played his violin beautifully and thought of many things. When he had no more thoughts, he said, "I am lonely in this forest. I will find a friend." He took out his violin and began to play a lovely tune that echoed through the trees.

Soon, a wolf came walking through the forest towards him. "Oh, a wolf!" thought the musician. "I do not want a wolf for a friend." But the wolf came closer and said, "Dear musician, you play so wonderfully. Can you teach me to play like you?" The musician replied, "It is easy to learn. You just need to do everything I tell you." The wolf agreed happily.

The musician led the wolf to an old oak tree with a split in the middle. "If you want to learn to play the violin, put your front paws into this crack," he instructed. The wolf did as he was told. The musician quickly picked up a stone and wedged the wolf’s paws so tightly that the wolf was stuck. "Wait here until I return," said the musician, and he walked away.

After a while, the musician felt lonely again. "I will find another friend," he said, and he began to play his violin once more. This time, a fox came sneaking through the bushes. "Oh, a fox!" said the musician. "I do not want a fox for a friend." But the fox came closer and said, "Dear musician, you play so beautifully. Can you teach me to play like you?" The musician replied, "It is easy to learn. You just need to do everything I tell you." The fox agreed.

The musician led the fox to a path with high bushes on each side. He bent a young bush to the ground and stepped on it. Then he bent a tree on the other side and said, "If you want to learn to play the violin, give me your left front paw." The fox did as he was told. The musician tied the fox's paw to the bush. "Now give me your right front paw," he said, and tied it to the tree. When the musician let go, the bushes sprang back, lifting the fox into the air. "Wait here until I return," said the musician, and he walked away.

Again, the musician felt lonely. "I will find another friend," he said, and he played his violin once more. This time, a little hare came hopping towards him. "Oh, a hare!" said the musician. "I do not want a hare for a friend." But the hare said, "Dear musician, you play so beautifully. Can you teach me to play like you?" The musician replied, "It is easy to learn. You just need to do everything I tell you." The hare agreed.

The musician led the hare to an open space in the forest where a tree stood. He tied a long string around the hare's neck and fastened the other end to the tree. "Run around the tree twenty times," he instructed. The hare obeyed, and as it ran, the string wrapped around the tree, trapping the hare. "Wait here until I return," said the musician, and he walked away.

Meanwhile, the wolf had been struggling to free itself from the tree. After much effort, it managed to escape. Angry and wanting revenge, the wolf ran after the musician. On the way, it heard the fox crying for help. "Brother wolf, help me! The musician has tricked me!" The wolf freed the fox, and together they continued their chase. Soon, they found the hare and set it free as well. The three animals decided to catch the musician together.

The musician had continued playing his violin as he walked, hoping to find a human friend. This time, a poor woodcutter heard the music and came with his axe to listen. "This is the right friend," thought the musician, "for I was seeking a human, not a wild animal." The musician played so beautifully that the woodcutter stood amazed, his heart filled with joy.

As the woodcutter stood there, the wolf, fox, and hare arrived. The woodcutter saw their angry faces and knew they meant harm. He raised his sharp axe and stood protectively in front of the musician. "If you want to harm him, you will have to face me!" he warned. The animals were scared and ran back into the forest.

Grateful, the musician played another happy tune for the woodcutter. Then, he continued on his way, leaving the forest with a new friend.

Once there was a talented musician who walked alone through a thick forest. He played his violin beautifully and thought of many things. When he had no more thoughts, he said, "I am lonely in this forest. I will find a friend." He took out his violin and began to play a lovely tune that echoed through the trees.

Soon, a wolf came walking through the forest towards him. "Oh, a wolf!" thought the musician. "I do not want a wolf for a friend." But the wolf came closer and said, "Dear musician, you play so wonderfully. Can you teach me to play like you?" The musician replied, "It is easy to learn. You just need to do everything I tell you." The wolf agreed happily.

The musician led the wolf to an old oak tree with a split in the middle. "If you want to learn to play the violin, put your front paws into this crack," he instructed. The wolf did as he was told. The musician quickly picked up a stone and wedged the wolf’s paws so tightly that the wolf was stuck. "Wait here until I return," said the musician, and he walked away.

After a while, the musician felt lonely again. "I will find another friend," he said, and he began to play his violin once more. This time, a fox came sneaking through the bushes. "Oh, a fox!" said the musician. "I do not want a fox for a friend." But the fox came closer and said, "Dear musician, you play so beautifully. Can you teach me to play like you?" The musician replied, "It is easy to learn. You just need to do everything I tell you." The fox agreed.

The musician led the fox to a path with high bushes on each side. He bent a young bush to the ground and stepped on it. Then he bent a tree on the other side and said, "If you want to learn to play the violin, give me your left front paw." The fox did as he was told. The musician tied the fox's paw to the bush. "Now give me your right front paw," he said, and tied it to the tree. When the musician let go, the bushes sprang back, lifting the fox into the air. "Wait here until I return," said the musician, and he walked away.

Again, the musician felt lonely. "I will find another friend," he said, and he played his violin once more. This time, a little hare came hopping towards him. "Oh, a hare!" said the musician. "I do not want a hare for a friend." But the hare said, "Dear musician, you play so beautifully. Can you teach me to play like you?" The musician replied, "It is easy to learn. You just need to do everything I tell you." The hare agreed.

The musician led the hare to an open space in the forest where a tree stood. He tied a long string around the hare's neck and fastened the other end to the tree. "Run around the tree twenty times," he instructed. The hare obeyed, and as it ran, the string wrapped around the tree, trapping the hare. "Wait here until I return," said the musician, and he walked away.

Meanwhile, the wolf had been struggling to free itself from the tree. After much effort, it managed to escape. Angry and wanting revenge, the wolf ran after the musician. On the way, it heard the fox crying for help. "Brother wolf, help me! The musician has tricked me!" The wolf freed the fox, and together they continued their chase. Soon, they found the hare and set it free as well. The three animals decided to catch the musician together.

The musician had continued playing his violin as he walked, hoping to find a human friend. This time, a poor woodcutter heard the music and came with his axe to listen. "This is the right friend," thought the musician, "for I was seeking a human, not a wild animal." The musician played so beautifully that the woodcutter stood amazed, his heart filled with joy.

As the woodcutter stood there, the wolf, fox, and hare arrived. The woodcutter saw their angry faces and knew they meant harm. He raised his sharp axe and stood protectively in front of the musician. "If you want to harm him, you will have to face me!" he warned. The animals were scared and ran back into the forest.

Grateful, the musician played another happy tune for the woodcutter. Then, he continued on his way, leaving the forest with a new friend.

There is a musician. He walks in a forest. He plays the violin. He feels lonely. "I want a friend," he says.

He plays his violin. A wolf comes. "Oh no, a wolf!" says the musician. "I do not want a wolf." The wolf says, "You play well. Can you teach me?" The musician says, "Yes, but do what I say."

The musician takes the wolf to a tree. "Put your paws in the tree," he says. The wolf does it. The musician traps the wolf. "Stay here," he says. The musician walks away.

The musician feels lonely again. He plays his violin. A fox comes. "Oh no, a fox!" says the musician. "I do not want a fox." The fox says, "You play well. Can you teach me?" The musician says, "Yes, but do what I say."

The musician takes the fox to a bush. He ties the fox's paws to the bush. "Stay here," he says. The musician walks away.

The musician feels lonely again. He plays his violin. A hare comes. "Oh no, a hare!" says the musician. "I do not want a hare." The hare says, "You play well. Can you teach me?" The musician says, "Yes, but do what I say."

The musician takes the hare to a tree. He ties a string around the hare. "Run around the tree," he says. The hare runs and gets trapped. "Stay here," he says. The musician walks away.

The wolf struggles and gets free. The wolf goes to the fox and frees it. The fox then helps the hare. They are all free now. They are mad and want to find the musician.

Meanwhile, the musician continues to play his violin. He hopes to find a new friend. This time, a woodcutter hears the music. The musician says, "I want a human friend." The woodcutter likes the music and smiles.

Just then, the wolf, fox, and hare arrive. They want to hurt the musician. The woodcutter sees them and steps forward. "Go away!" he says loudly, holding his axe. The animals are scared and run away.

The musician is happy. He and the woodcutter become friends. They leave the forest together.

Once there was a talented musician who walked alone through a thick forest. He played his violin beautifully and thought of many things. When he had no more thoughts, he said, "I am lonely in this forest. I will find a friend." He took out his violin and began to play a lovely tune that echoed through the trees.

Soon, a wolf came walking through the forest towards him. "Oh, a wolf!" thought the musician. "I do not want a wolf for a friend." But the wolf came closer and said, "Dear musician, you play so wonderfully. Can you teach me to play like you?" The musician replied, "It is easy to learn. You just need to do everything I tell you." The wolf agreed happily.

The musician led the wolf to an old oak tree with a split in the middle. "If you want to learn to play the violin, put your front paws into this crack," he instructed. The wolf did as he was told. The musician quickly picked up a stone and wedged the wolf’s paws so tightly that the wolf was stuck. "Wait here until I return," said the musician, and he walked away.

After a while, the musician felt lonely again. "I will find another friend," he said, and he began to play his violin once more. This time, a fox came sneaking through the bushes. "Oh, a fox!" said the musician. "I do not want a fox for a friend." But the fox came closer and said, "Dear musician, you play so beautifully. Can you teach me to play like you?" The musician replied, "It is easy to learn. You just need to do everything I tell you." The fox agreed.

The musician led the fox to a path with high bushes on each side. He bent a young bush to the ground and stepped on it. Then he bent a tree on the other side and said, "If you want to learn to play the violin, give me your left front paw." The fox did as he was told. The musician tied the fox's paw to the bush. "Now give me your right front paw," he said, and tied it to the tree. When the musician let go, the bushes sprang back, lifting the fox into the air. "Wait here until I return," said the musician, and he walked away.

Again, the musician felt lonely. "I will find another friend," he said, and he played his violin once more. This time, a little hare came hopping towards him. "Oh, a hare!" said the musician. "I do not want a hare for a friend." But the hare said, "Dear musician, you play so beautifully. Can you teach me to play like you?" The musician replied, "It is easy to learn. You just need to do everything I tell you." The hare agreed.

The musician led the hare to an open space in the forest where a tree stood. He tied a long string around the hare's neck and fastened the other end to the tree. "Run around the tree twenty times," he instructed. The hare obeyed, and as it ran, the string wrapped around the tree, trapping the hare. "Wait here until I return," said the musician, and he walked away.

Meanwhile, the wolf had been struggling to free itself from the tree. After much effort, it managed to escape. Angry and wanting revenge, the wolf ran after the musician. On the way, it heard the fox crying for help. "Brother wolf, help me! The musician has tricked me!" The wolf freed the fox, and together they continued their chase. Soon, they found the hare and set it free as well. The three animals decided to catch the musician together.

The musician had continued playing his violin as he walked, hoping to find a human friend. This time, a poor woodcutter heard the music and came with his axe to listen. "This is the right friend," thought the musician, "for I was seeking a human, not a wild animal." The musician played so beautifully that the woodcutter stood amazed, his heart filled with joy.

As the woodcutter stood there, the wolf, fox, and hare arrived. The woodcutter saw their angry faces and knew they meant harm. He raised his sharp axe and stood protectively in front of the musician. "If you want to harm him, you will have to face me!" he warned. The animals were scared and ran back into the forest.

Grateful, the musician played another happy tune for the woodcutter. Then, he continued on his way, leaving the forest with a new friend.

Once upon a time in a forest thicker than a bowl of oatmeal, a talented musician wandered around, fiddling away on his fiddle. His music was so beautiful that even the trees seemed to sway to his tunes. But soon enough, he ran out of things to think about and started feeling a bit lonely. "This forest is lovely, but it's no fun talking to squirrels all day. I need a friend!" he declared, pulling out his fiddle once more and playing a tune that danced through the trees.

It wasn't long before a wolf came trotting through the forest, his ears perking up at the music. "Oh no, a wolf!" thought the musician. "I don't need a wolf for a friend; they always hog the covers." But the wolf approached, wagging his tail like a giant, furry dog. "Hey there, maestro! Your music is top-notch. Can you teach me to play like that?"

The musician, with a twinkle in his eye, replied, "Sure, it's a piece of cake! Just do everything I tell you." The wolf, excited, agreed. The musician led him to an old oak tree with a split in the middle. "If you want to learn to play the fiddle, just put your front paws in this crack," he instructed. The wolf, eager to learn, did as he was told. Quick as a flash, the musician picked up a stone and wedged the wolf's paws tightly into the crack. "Now, you stay here and think about how cool it will be to play the fiddle," he said, walking away with a chuckle.

Soon after, the musician felt lonely again. "Well, that was fun, but I still need a friend," he said, starting to play his fiddle once more. This time, a sly fox came sneaking through the bushes. "Oh no, a fox! They're always up to something," thought the musician. But the fox crept closer, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Greetings, maestro! Your music is simply divine. Can you teach me to play like you?"

The musician, not missing a beat, replied, "Of course! Just follow my instructions to the letter." The fox, delighted, agreed. The musician led him to a path with high bushes on either side. He bent a young bush to the ground and said, "If you want to learn to play the fiddle, give me your left front paw." The fox, with a sly grin, did as he was told. The musician tied the fox's paw to the bush. "Now give me your right front paw," he said, and tied it to the tree. When he let go, the bushes sprang back, lifting the fox into the air. "Hang tight, I'll be back in a jiffy," said the musician, walking away with a laugh.

But soon enough, the musician felt lonely again. "I guess I need another friend," he sighed, playing his fiddle once more. This time, a little hare came hopping towards him. "Oh no, a hare! They're always in a rush," thought the musician. But the hare hopped closer, ears twitching in delight. "Hey there, maestro! Your music is the best I've ever heard. Can you teach me to play like you?"

The musician, always up for some fun, replied, "Absolutely! Just do exactly what I say." The hare agreed eagerly. The musician led the hare to an open space with a big tree. He tied a long string around the hare's neck and fastened the other end to the tree. "Now, run around the tree twenty times," he instructed. The hare, thinking this was a bit odd but exciting, did as he was told. As it ran, the string wrapped around the tree, trapping the hare. "Hold tight, I'll be right back," said the musician, strolling away with a grin.

Meanwhile, the wolf, who had been struggling all this time, finally managed to free itself. Angry and seeking revenge, it ran after the musician. On the way, it heard the fox crying for help. "Hey, brother wolf, help me out! That musician tricked me!" The wolf freed the fox, and together they continued their chase. Soon, they found the hare and set it free too. The three animals, now a team, decided to catch the trickster together.

The musician, oblivious to the coming storm, continued playing his fiddle, hoping for a human friend this time. A poor woodcutter heard the music and came closer, his axe over his shoulder. "Ah, this is the friend I was looking for," thought the musician, "a human, not a wild beast." He played so beautifully that the woodcutter stood enchanted, his heart filled with joy.

Just then, the wolf, fox, and hare arrived, looking angrier than a cat in a bath. The woodcutter saw their fierce faces and knew they meant trouble. He raised his sharp axe and stood protectively in front of the musician. "If you want to harm him, you'll have to go through me!" he warned. The animals, realizing this was not worth the hassle, turned tail and ran back into the forest.

Grateful, the musician played another joyful tune for the woodcutter, and the two new friends continued their journey together, leaving the forest behind, with plenty of music and laughter to share.

In a deep and dense old wood,
Walked a man who played so good.
With his fiddle and his bow,
Played a tune both high and low.

"I'm quite lonely," he confessed,
"Seek a friend to make me blessed."
Strumming strings to fill the air,
Hoping someone would be there.

Along came wolf on silent feet,
Drawn to the fiddle's tune so sweet.
"Teach me too," the wolf did plea,
"Make a fiddler out of me."

To an oak the man did guide,
"Place your paws here," he replied.
Trapped the wolf and walked away,
"Wait for me," he’d say.

Feeling lonely once again,
Played his tune, attracted then
A sneaky fox who loved the sound,
"Wish to learn," he came around.

A trap was set with bush and tree,
Fox caught up, could not flee.
"Stay right here, till I'm back,"
Musician left, no looking back.

Once more lonely, played anew,
Little hare hopped into view.
"Teach me please," it softly cried,
Tied to tree, it then complied.

But the wolf, with might and main,
Freed himself, felt disdain.
Found the fox and hare in plight,
Freed them too, escaped the night.

As they planned to find the man,
He met a woodcutter, began
To play a tune, so sweet and clear,
Woodcutter listened, full of cheer.

Wolf, fox, hare, with anger near,
Woodcutter stood, showing no fear.
"With my axe, I'll guard my friend,"
Frightened, they fled around the bend.

Safe with human by his side,
Musician played, filled with pride.
In the forest's heart, the tunes would lend,
A melody of a newfound friend.

Share
Feedback

Word Finder

  1. Talented

    Very good at doing something specific.

  2. Violin

    A small string instrument played with a bow.

  3. Echoed

    Sound repeated by bouncing off surfaces.

  4. Split

    A crack or narrow opening in something.

  5. Wedge

    To force something into a narrow space.

  6. Sneaking

    Moving quietly to avoid being noticed.

  7. Bushes

    Low plants with many branches.

  8. Tied

    Fastened or secured with a rope or string.

  9. Obeyed

    Did what was told or instructed.

  10. Amazed

    Filled with wonder or surprise.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the musician start playing his violin in the forest the first time?
  2. What did the wolf ask the musician when it heard the music?
  3. How did the musician trick the fox?
  4. What happened when the musician met the hare?
  5. Why did the animals chase after the musician, and how were they stopped?

Word Finder

  1. Musician

    A person who plays music.

  2. Lonely

    Feeling sad without friends.

  3. Violin

    A small string instrument played with a bow.

  4. Teach

    Show someone how to do something.

  5. Traps

    Catches something and holds it.

  6. Ties

    Fastens something with a string or rope.

  7. Struggles

    Tries hard to get free.

  8. Woodcutter

    A person who cuts trees.

  9. Axe

    Tool with a blade used for cutting wood.

  10. Scared

    Feeling fear or being afraid.

  1. Talented

    Very good at doing something specific.

  2. Violin

    A small string instrument played with a bow.

  3. Echoed

    Sound repeated by bouncing off surfaces.

  4. Split

    A crack or narrow opening in something.

  5. Wedge

    To force something into a narrow space.

  6. Sneaking

    Moving quietly to avoid being noticed.

  7. Bushes

    Low plants with many branches.

  8. Tied

    Fastened or secured with a rope or string.

  9. Obeyed

    Did what was told or instructed.

  10. Amazed

    Filled with wonder or surprise.

Understanding Questions

  1. What does the musician play?

    1. Guitar
    2. Violin
    3. Piano
    4. Drum
  2. Which animal comes first to the musician?

    1. Fox
    2. Hare
    3. Wolf
    4. Bear
  3. Where does the musician take the fox?

    1. To a bush
    2. To a river
    3. To a tree
    4. To a cave
  4. Who helps the musician at the end?

    1. Another musician
    2. A woodcutter
    3. A farmer
    4. A hunter
  5. How does the story end?

    1. The animals become friends with the musician.
    2. The musician leaves the forest alone.
    3. The musician and the woodcutter become friends.
    4. The musician stops playing music.
  1. Why did the musician start playing his violin in the forest the first time?
  2. What did the wolf ask the musician when it heard the music?
  3. How did the musician trick the fox?
  4. What happened when the musician met the hare?
  5. Why did the animals chase after the musician, and how were they stopped?
  1. Why did the musician feel lonely in the forest and what did he decide to do about it?
  2. Describe how the musician tricked the wolf and why he chose to do so.
  3. What was the musician’s method to trick the fox, and how did it result in the fox being trapped?
  4. How did the wolf, fox, and hare manage to free themselves, and what did they decide to do together afterward?
  5. How did the woodcutter react when he saw the wolf, fox, and hare approaching the musician, and what was the result of his actions?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the musician want to find a friend in the forest?
  2. How did the musician trick the wolf, fox, and hare?
  3. What do you think the musician was looking for in a friend?
  4. What lesson do you think the musician learned from his experience with the animals?
  5. What does this story teach us about finding true friendship and treating others with kindness?

Fable Quotes

"Beware the cost of fooling others; it often comes back to fool the deceiver."
"Trust is built with consistency; it is eroded by lies and deceit."
"The language of friendship is not words, but meanings."
About

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.