Johnny-Hedgehog

Jasio-Jeżyk (German: Hans mein Igel) - a fairy tale published by the Brothers Grimm in 1815 in the collection of their Baśni (volume 2, No. 108). Contents

A rich host wanted to have a descendant. One day he said he must have a child, even if it was to be a hedgehog. Some time later his wife gave birth to a child whose upper half was covered with spikes. The child was called Jasio-Jeżyk. Father, he understood that he himself had sent this curse. He counted on the child dying, but Jasio quickly grew up.

One day, when my father was going to the fair, Jasio asked him to buy bagpipes. After receiving this instrument, he asked his father to cover the cock, because he intends to leave the world. The father fulfilled his son's request, enjoying the spirit that he would get rid of him. Jasio took with him some sheep and pigs, which he intended to graze in the forest and went to the world on the cock.

He settled in the forest, where, playing bagpipes, he grazed animals that were quickly multiplying. One day he met a king who got lost in the forest. Jasio showed him the way back in exchange for the promise that he would receive from the king the first thing he would encounter at home. The king met his daughter, who ran out to meet him, but he did not worry about it, because he did not intend to keep his promise. Some time later another king also got lost in the forest and also met Jan. Jasio showed him the way back in exchange for the same promise. This king also met as the first daughter. However, unlike his predecessor, he decided to keep his word. He informed the daughter who promised to obey her father.

After some time, Jasio returned to his father's house. He brought him a huge herd of pigs and sheep that grew in the forest. Jasio invited residents of the whole area to a feast on which meat from killed animals was served.

Soon after, Jasio went to the first king, for the promised reward. The king, however, sent an army against him to prevent him from entering the palace. However, Jasio on the cock flew over a row of soldiers and burst into the palace threatening the king with revenge if he did not keep his promise. The scared king gave him his daughter. When they left, Jasio ripped off her clothes and stung her needles severely. Then, declaring that he did not want her anymore, he told her to go back to her father.

Then Jasio went to the second king. He received him with honors, as a person who saved his life. He also gave him his daughter as a wife. The daughter was a little afraid of half-man, half-hedgehog, but Jasio assured her that she would be safe. On the wedding night, at the request of Jaś, the servants lit a great fire. Then the skin of the hedgehog fell down from Jasia, which was immediately thrown into the fire and burnt. Johnny was freed from the curse and became a normal man.

Along with the princess, Jasio received from the king the entire kingdom.

A few years later, together with his wife, he also visited his father, who could not recognize him in human form. When Jasio introduced himself, my father was very happy that the son became a man. At the request of Jasia, he also settled in his kingdom. Bibliography

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