# Hans the Hedgehog — Household Tales character guide

> Hans the Hedgehog in Household Tales by Jacob Grimm.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hans, old Hans

**First appearance:** 0108-wise-folks

## Snapshot

A hedgehog who wagers a hare for a gold louis and a bottle of brandy, then wins by stationing his wife at the far end of the furrow.

## Who they are

He is a hedgehog who, when a hare mocks his crooked legs, proposes a race across a long field and enlists his wife to stand in the lower furrow and cry 'I am here already.' The hare runs seventy-three times and drops dead, while the hedgehog collects his winnings and goes home delighted. His trickster cunning and domestic partnership with his wife make him a sly, memorable figure in the tale's comic contest.

## In the story

### [The Thief and His Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-thief-and-his-master)

The father who places his son with the master-thief and later helps him by selling the transformed animals.

### [The Poor Miller's Boy and the Cat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-poor-miller-s-boy-and-the-cat)

The simple miller's boy who is abandoned by his fellow apprentices but faithfully serves the cat for seven years.

### [Hans the Hedgehog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/hans-the-hedgehog)

Protagonist, born half-hedgehog, half-boy; rides a cock, plays bagpipes, and ultimately sheds his skin to become a handsome man.

### [The Seven Swabians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-seven-swabians)

Sixth of the seven, who chides Veitli for being too late for dragon-hunting.

### [The Giant and the Tailor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-giant-and-the-tailor)

The giant refers to himself as 'old Hans' in his thoughts.

### [The Hare and the Hedgehog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-hare-and-the-hedgehog)

The hedgehog protagonist who uses wit to defeat the hare.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/characters/hans_the_hedgehog
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/characters