Imitating the Brothers Grimm

Imitating the Brothers Grimm

(This tale was inspired by Inbar)

Once upon a time, there lived a man named Blauschirm. He had five sons. Four of them were kind, but one was the most unfortunate of them all (exactly which one, the story does not say). He was terribly lonely, unloved by all, and even the French aristocracy — and not only they — laughed at him.

One day, a figure named D appeared to Blauschirm and offered him a deal: from now on, Blauschirm would serve D, and in return, D would give him vast amounts of money.Blauschirm thought it over — and agreed.

About a hundred years passed, and in that time, Blauschirmbecame very rich. Then D appeared to him again and said:“You must find the rose and kill it.” The fool was overjoyed to hear this. Because of the deal he had made with D, he was condemned to live in eternal shadow, and he hated all flowers — roses most of all. “But finding her won’t be easy. Her name will be Rosenrot. To reach her, you’ll have to destroy many people.” Blauschirm bowed and eagerly set out to fulfill the task, for completing it promised him even more money and power.

And so, the foolish Blauschirm brought ruin upon much of his own people — but the rose he never found.