The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale ‘The Three Languages’

Sometimes our talents are meant to be realized in the future.

Doves approach the bell which gives the count’s son an important message. Illustration by John Batten for Joseph Jacobs's “Europa's Fairy Book.” 1916. Public Domain

In their fairy tale “The Three Languages,” the Brothers Grimm demonstrate how to handle one’s individual, special gifts. It’s the story of a count’s son whose father thinks his son’s gifts are useless. The son must learn that his gifts are unique and that will they play a special role in determining his destiny.

Learning Odd Skills

A rich count in Switzerland has just one son, who is rather dull. One day, the count sends his son to another town for a year with a tutor in hopes that his boy will learn something useful.

Much to the count’s chagrin, when his son returns from his studies he tells his father that he has learned how to understand dogs’ barking. The count is rather shocked. Unsatisfied, he sends his son to a different town with a new teacher.