# Unknown — Household Tales character guide > Unknown in Household Tales by Jacob Grimm. **Role:** minor **First appearance:** 0000-the-frog-king-or-iron-henry ## Who they are A placeholder for unnamed narrators or generic focal characters. ## In the story ### [Cat and Mouse in Partnership](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/cat-and-mouse-in-partnership) The cat deceives the mouse, pretending to be a godmother to eat their shared pot of fat, and ultimately eats the mouse. ### [Cat and Mouse in Partnership](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/cat-and-mouse-in-partnership) The mouse trusts the cat, keeps house, and is betrayed and eaten when the truth is revealed. ### [The Story of the Youth Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-story-of-the-youth-who-went-forth-to-learn-what-fear-was) The bearded man/fiend who appears in the haunted castle and is defeated by the youth. ### [The Wonderful Musician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wonderful-musician) The wonderful musician who plays his fiddle to attract companions, but tricks and traps the animals that come. ### [The Wonderful Musician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wonderful-musician) First animal attracted by the music; tricked into putting his paws in a cleft oak tree and trapped. ### [The Wonderful Musician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wonderful-musician) Second animal attracted; tricked into having his paws tied to bent bushes and left hanging. ### [The Wonderful Musician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wonderful-musician) Third animal attracted; tricked into running around an aspen tree and caught by a string. ### [The Wonderful Musician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wonderful-musician) A poor woodcutter who hears the music, comes to listen, and protects the musician from the vengeful animals with his axe. ### [The Pack of Ragamuffins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-pack-of-ragamuffins) The cock builds a nutshell carriage, harnesses a duck, and leads the group's mischief at the inn. ### [The Pack of Ragamuffins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-pack-of-ragamuffins) The hen accompanies the cock, lays an egg used as payment, and participates in the escape. ### [The Pack of Ragamuffins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-pack-of-ragamuffins) The duck is forced to pull the carriage and later escapes by swimming down a stream. ### [The Pack of Ragamuffins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-pack-of-ragamuffins) The pin is a passenger that is later stuck into the host's towel, injuring him. ### [The Pack of Ragamuffins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-pack-of-ragamuffins) The needle is a passenger that is later stuck into the host's chair cushion, causing further injury. ### [The Three Spinners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-three-spinners) The three strange women who help spin the flax; their individual identities are not given. ### [The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-straw-the-coal-and-the-bean) The old woman who gathers beans and starts the fire, but is not a named character. ### [The Riddle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-riddle) The witch stepmother who poisons the horse and later dies eating the raven. ### [The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-mouse-the-bird-and-the-sausage) The bird who fetches wood, becomes discontented, and insists on swapping chores, leading to the group's downfall. ### [The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-mouse-the-bird-and-the-sausage) The mouse who carries water and later attempts to cook like the sausage, dying in the pot. ### [The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-mouse-the-bird-and-the-sausage) The sausage who cooks by rolling in the broth, but is eaten by a dog when sent to fetch wood. ### [The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-mouse-the-bird-and-the-sausage) A bird who mocks the protagonist bird and prompts the role change. ### [The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-mouse-the-bird-and-the-sausage) The dog who seizes and eats the sausage, claiming forged letters as justification. ### [Little Redcap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/little-redcap) The antagonist who deceives and devours both Little Redcap and her grandmother. ### [Little Redcap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/little-redcap) Little Redcap's grandmother, who is ill and later rescued from the wolf's stomach. ### [Little Redcap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/little-redcap) A huntsman who saves Little Redcap and her grandmother by cutting open the wolf. ### [Little Redcap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/little-redcap) Little Redcap's mother who gives her instructions before her journey. ### [The Bremen Town-Musicians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-bremen-town-musicians) The donkey, hound, cat, and cock are unnamed animals; they are the central characters of the story. ### [Clever Hans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/clever-hans) Hans's mother, who gives him advice that he consistently fails to follow correctly. ### [Clever Elsie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/clever-elsie) Elsie's father, mother, the maid, and the boy, who all join in her lamentation over the imagined accident. ### [First Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/first-story) The two little naked men who secretly make the shoes each night. ### [Third Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/third-story) The mother whose child was taken by elves. ### [Third Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/third-story) The neighbor who advises the mother on how to break the changeling's spell. ### [Third Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/third-story) The changeling left by the elves, with a large head and staring eyes. ### [The Robber Bridegroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-robber-bridegroom) The robber bridegroom, a seemingly rich suitor who is actually the leader of a gang of murderers and cannibals. ### [Fitcher's Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/fitcher-s-bird) The wizard who kidnaps and murders young women, ultimately killed in the burning house. ### [The Six Swans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-six-swans) The wicked mother of the young king; she frames the queen for killing her children and is later burned at the stake. ### [The Knapsack, the Hat, and the Horn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-knapsack-the-hat-and-the-horn) The second brother who takes gold and returns home. ### [The Dog and the Sparrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-dog-and-the-sparrow) The dog is a sheepdog who suffers hunger under a bad master and is killed by a wagoner. ### [The Dog and the Sparrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-dog-and-the-sparrow) The sparrow is the dog's loyal friend who avenges his death through a series of destructive acts. ### [The Dog and the Sparrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-dog-and-the-sparrow) The wagoner is the driver who runs over the dog and is ultimately killed by his wife while trying to kill the sparrow. ### [The Dog and the Sparrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-dog-and-the-sparrow) The wagoner's wife is mentioned as she tries to kill the sparrow but accidentally kills her husband. ### [The Queen Bee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-queen-bee) The little grey man who appears in the castle, opens the locks, and sets the three tasks for the brothers. ### [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 Thief and His Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-thief-and-his-master) A little dwarf who advises Hans on how to recognize his son. ### [Jorinda and Joringel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/jorinda-and-joringel) The witch who dwells in the castle, transforms maidens into birds, and keeps them in cages. ### [The Three Sons of Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-three-sons-of-fortune) The father who gives his sons the gifts before his death. ### [The Three Sons of Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-three-sons-of-fortune) The king on the island who buys the cat and later orders the palace burned. ### [The Wolf and the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wolf-and-the-man) The fox acts as a guide, showing the wolf different types of men and warning him of their strength. ### [The Wolf and the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wolf-and-the-man) The wolf is arrogant and insists on attacking a man, only to be brutally beaten by the hunter. ### [The Wolf and the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wolf-and-the-man) The first man shown to the wolf, described as 'one that was' a man. ### [The Wolf and the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wolf-and-the-man) The second man shown, described as 'one that is going to be' a man. ### [The Wolf and the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wolf-and-the-man) The third man, a fully armed hunter who defeats the wolf with his gun and hanger. ### [The Pink](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-pink) The queen, who is imprisoned and later dies after being freed. ### [Clever Grethel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/clever-grethel) The guest invited to supper, who is frightened away by Grethel's lies. ### [The Water-Nix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-water-nix) The water-nix who captures the children and forces them to work, but is ultimately outwitted. ### [The Death of the Little Hen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-death-of-the-little-hen) Finds a large nut kernel, tries to eat it alone, chokes and dies. ### [The Death of the Little Hen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-death-of-the-little-hen) Runs errands for water, organizes funeral, dies of grief. ### [The Fox and the Geese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-fox-and-the-geese) The fox is the predator who intends to eat the geese, but is persuaded to allow them a final prayer. ### [The Fox and the Geese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-fox-and-the-geese) The geese are the victims who beg for their lives and start a prolonged prayer to delay their fate. ### [The Poor Man and the Rich Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-poor-man-and-the-rich-man) Disguised as a weary traveler, tests the hospitality of both rich and poor, granting wishes accordingly. ### [The Goose-Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-goose-girl) The old king who observes the goose-girl, uncovers the deception, and orchestrates the punishment of the false bride. ### [The King of the Golden Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-king-of-the-golden-mountain) The black dwarf who extracts the promise from the merchant. ### [Old Hildebrand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/old-hildebrand) The husband who is tricked into going on a pilgrimage, but later discovers the deception. ### [Old Hildebrand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/old-hildebrand) The wife who feigns illness to spend the day with the parson. ### [Old Hildebrand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/old-hildebrand) The egg-merchant who reveals the parson's trick and helps the peasant catch them. ### [The Willow-Wren and the Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-willow-wren-and-the-bear) Insults the young willow-wrens and is forced to apologize after losing the war. ### [The Willow-Wren and the Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-willow-wren-and-the-bear) Accompanies the bear and identifies the willow-wren as the 'King of birds'. ### [The Willow-Wren and the Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-willow-wren-and-the-bear) The bird king who leads the birds in war against the bear. ### [The Willow-Wren and the Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-willow-wren-and-the-bear) Appointed general of the four-footed animals; his tail signal is exploited by the hornet. ### [The Willow-Wren and the Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-willow-wren-and-the-bear) Acts as a spy for the willow-wren, overhearing the fox's battle plan. ### [The Willow-Wren and the Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-willow-wren-and-the-bear) Stings the fox's tail, causing him to lower it and triggering the animals' retreat. ### [Sweet Porridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/sweet-porridge) The aged woman in the forest who gives the girl the magical pot. ### [First Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/first-story) The mother who kills the snake, causing the child's decline. ### [Third Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/third-story) The snake that responds to the child's call. ### [The Shroud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-shroud) A mother who worships her son and is inconsolable after his death; her tears disturb the child's rest. ### [The Shroud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-shroud) A seven-year-old boy, handsome and lovable, who dies and returns as a ghost in his shroud to ask his mother to stop weeping. ### [The Jew Among Thorns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-jew-among-thorns) A little man who appears from a thicket, receives the servant's three farthings, and grants him three wishes. ### [The Jew Among Thorns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-jew-among-thorns) A Jew with a long goat's-beard who is forced to dance in thorns, gives up a purse of gold, and is later hanged for theft. ### [The Flail from Heaven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-flail-from-heaven) The peasant who trades his oxen, climbs to heaven, and brings back a flail. ### [The Blue Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-blue-light) The protagonist, a faithful but discarded soldier who acquires a magical blue light and uses it to exact revenge and gain power. ### [The Blue Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-blue-light) The ungrateful monarch who dismisses the soldier without pay and later tries to have him executed. ### [The Blue Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-blue-light) A malevolent old woman who enslaves the soldier and tries to steal the blue light; she is ultimately hanged. ### [The Blue Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-blue-light) A magical dwarf servant bound to the blue light, who obeys the soldier's commands and helps him achieve his goals. ### [The Wilful Child](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-wilful-child) The mother of the willful child, who must strike the child's arm with a rod to bring peace. ### [The Three Army-Surgeons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-three-army-surgeons) The three army-surgeons who perform the self-surgery and later suffer from the substituted organs. ### [The Seven Swabians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-seven-swabians) Second of the seven Swabians, who smells powder and matches during the hornet incident. ### [The Seven Swabians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-seven-swabians) Third of the seven, who suggests Veitli advance while he holds the lance. ### [The Seven Swabians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-seven-swabians) Fourth of the seven, who speculates the hare might be the Devil's stepbrother. ### [The Seven Swabians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-seven-swabians) Fifth of the seven, who declares the hare must be the Devil himself. ### [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 Seven Swabians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-seven-swabians) Last of the seven, who becomes brave from behind and urges the group to strike. ### [The Old Woman in the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-old-woman-in-the-wood) The old woman who is a wicked witch, keeper of the ring and the birdcage. ### [The Devil and His Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-devil-and-his-grandmother) An aged woman living in a rock-house in the forest; she helps the soldier by hiding him and extracting the riddle's answer from the Devil. ### [The Lazy Spinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-lazy-spinner) The husband who is repeatedly tricked by his wife into abandoning his demands for her to spin and wind yarn. ### [The Lazy Spinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-lazy-spinner) The lazy and cunning wife who uses deceit to avoid work, including pretending to be a prophetic voice in the forest and substituting tow for yarn. ### [Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/fair-katrinelje-and-pif-paf-poltrie) The suitor who asks each family member for permission to marry fair Katrinelje. ### [Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/fair-katrinelje-and-pif-paf-poltrie) The bride-to-be who lists her dowry and agrees to marry if her family consents. ### [Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/fair-katrinelje-and-pif-paf-poltrie) The father who gives conditional approval for the marriage. ### [Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/fair-katrinelje-and-pif-paf-poltrie) The mother who gives conditional approval for the marriage. ### [Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/fair-katrinelje-and-pif-paf-poltrie) The brother who gives conditional approval for the marriage. ### [The Six Servants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-six-servants) The aged Queen and sorceress who sets deadly tasks for suitors. ### [Knoist and His Three Sons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/knoist-and-his-three-sons) Knoist and his three sons are not in the canonical character list; 'unknown' is used as a placeholder. ### [The Lambkin and the Little Fish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-lambkin-and-the-little-fish) The stepmother, a witch who bewitches the children out of anger. ### [Going A-Travelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/going-a-travelling) The fishermen who beat the youth for saying 'not much'. ### [Going A-Travelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/going-a-travelling) The hangman or official at the gallows who beats the youth for saying 'get it full'. ### [Going A-Travelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/going-a-travelling) The knacker cutting up a horse who beats the youth for saying 'may God have pity on the poor soul'. ### [Going A-Travelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/going-a-travelling) The driver of the cart full of people who pushes the youth into a hole and whips him. ### [The Donkey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-donkey) The old king who welcomes the donkey, gives him his daughter in marriage, and later burns the donkey skin to reveal the youth. ### [The Old Man Made Young Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-old-man-made-young-again) Performs the miracle of making the old man young again using the smith's forge. ### [The Old Man Made Young Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-old-man-made-young-again) A poor, infirm old man who is made young again by the Lord. ### [The Old Man Made Young Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-old-man-made-young-again) An old, half-blind, crooked woman who asks to be made young again but suffers a painful failed attempt. ### [The Lord’s Animals and the Devil’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-lord-s-animals-and-the-devil-s) Creates all animals but forgets the goat; summons wolves to destroy the goats and tricks the Devil out of his damages. ### [The Beam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-beam) Performs illusions and seeks revenge after being exposed. ### [The Old Beggar-Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-old-beggar-woman) The old beggar-woman, who is not named and whose rags catch fire. ### [The Stolen Farthings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-stolen-farthings) The ghostly child who returns to seek the hidden farthings. ### [The Sparrow and His Four Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sparrow-and-his-four-children) The father sparrow who warns his four children about worldly dangers. ### [The Sparrow and His Four Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sparrow-and-his-four-children) Stayed in gardens and learned about merchants' traps. ### [The Sparrow and His Four Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sparrow-and-his-four-children) Stayed at court and learned about stable-boys' snares. ### [The Sparrow and His Four Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sparrow-and-his-four-children) Stayed on highways and learned about mountaineers' tricks. ### [The Sparrow and His Four Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sparrow-and-his-four-children) Stayed in a church, learned to trust God, and is commended by his father. ### [A Riddling Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/a-riddling-tale) The three women transformed into flowers, including the one who returns home at night. ### [A Riddling Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/a-riddling-tale) The husband who identifies his wife by the absence of dew. ### [The Willow-Wren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-willow-wren) The cunning, nameless bird that wins both flying and descending contests through trickery, becoming the self-proclaimed king. ### [The Sole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sole) The jealous fish who insults the herring and is punished with a twisted mouth. ### [The Sole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sole) The winner of the race, called 'naked' by the sole. ### [The Sole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sole) Gives the signal for the race to start. ### [The Bittern and the Hoopoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-bittern-and-the-hoopoe) The old cowherd who tells the story to the man. ### [The Bittern and the Hoopoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-bittern-and-the-hoopoe) The man who asks the cowherd about his feeding grounds. ### [The Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-moon) The three young fellows who steal the moon from the neighboring kingdom. ### [The Duration of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-duration-of-life) Creates the world and assigns lifespans to creatures. ### [The Duration of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-duration-of-life) Begs for a longer life and receives the animals' discarded years. ### [Death’s Messengers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/death-s-messengers) The giant who battles and temporarily defeats Death. ### [Eve's Various Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/eve-s-various-children) Father of the children; opens the door respectfully to the Lord. ### [The Nix of the Millpond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-nix-of-the-millpond) The nix of the millpond, a water spirit who makes a bargain with the miller and later captures the huntsman. ### [The Nail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-nail) The merchant, driven by haste, ignores two warnings about his horse's shoe, leading to the horse's injury and his own delayed, burdensome journey home. ### [The True Sweethearts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-true-sweethearts) The old woman who magically helps the girl complete her tasks and builds the castle. ### [The Peasant and the Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-peasant-and-the-devil) A farsighted, crafty peasant who outsmarts the Devil by sowing turnips and wheat to keep the valuable parts of the harvest for himself. ### [The Crumbs on the Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-crumbs-on-the-table) The master who tempts the little dogs to disobey their mistress. ### [The Crumbs on the Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-crumbs-on-the-table) The owner of the house who punishes the dogs for eating the crumbs. ### [The Crumbs on the Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-crumbs-on-the-table) The puppies who are persuaded to eat the crumbs and are beaten for it. ### [The Sea-Hare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sea-hare) The raven that hides the youth in an egg, but the princess discovers him from the eleventh window. ### [The Sea-Hare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sea-hare) The fish that swallows the youth, but the princess sees him from the twelfth window. ### [The Sea-Hare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-sea-hare) The fox that transforms the youth into a sea-hare and helps him succeed on the third attempt. ### [The Drummer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-drummer) The witch who sets the drummer three impossible tasks; she is thwarted by the maiden's magic. ### [The Ear of Corn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-ear-of-corn) The woman who tore up ears of corn to clean her child's frock. ### [The Ear of Corn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-ear-of-corn) The Lord (God) who walked the earth and judged the woman's actions. ### [The Ear of Corn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-ear-of-corn) The bystanders who pleaded for mercy on behalf of the birds. ### [Old Rinkrank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/old-rinkrank) The princess's betrothed who attempts to cross the mountain with her and later marries her. ### [The Three Green Twigs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-three-green-twigs) A pious hermit who served God faithfully for years but sinned by condemning a sinner; he undergoes penance and eventually dies forgiven. ### [The Three Green Twigs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-three-green-twigs) An angel who accompanied the hermit on his daily water-carrying and brought him food, but withdrew after the hermit's sin. ### [The Three Green Twigs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-three-green-twigs) A compassionate woman who shelters the hermit despite fear of her three robber sons. ### [The Three Green Twigs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-three-green-twigs) The old woman's wicked sons who are moved by the hermit's story and repent of their sins. ### [The Aged Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-aged-mother) The protagonist, a desolate old woman who mourns her losses and blames God before receiving a vision of her sons' fates. ### [The Aged Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-aged-mother) A deceased relative who appears in the church vision to explain the fate of the old woman's sons. ### [The Aged Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-aged-mother) The old woman's two children, shown in the vision as they would have been—one hanged, one broken on the wheel—had they lived. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/characters/unknown - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/characters