[Grim, Grimmer, Grimmest: The Tale of Little Chick]-[Little Chick]

Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest · B1 · 2018-10-29

📋 Summary

Unveiling the Darker Side of Fairy Tales: An Analysis of 'Little Chick'

In the latest episode of the podcast Grim, Grimmer, Grimmest, host and author Adam Gidwitz invites listeners into a classroom setting to explore the raw, unfiltered essence of classic storytelling. Gidwitz distinguishes his narrative approach from the sanitized versions of fairy tales often presented to children, emphasizing that the originals are inherently "weird and sometimes gross and often scary"—in other words, "grim."

The Nature of the 'Grim'

Gidwitz establishes a unique interactive framework for his storytelling, categorizing tales on a scale of "grim, grimmer, and grimmest." He provides listeners with a coping mechanism for the intensity of the narrative, suggesting that if the story becomes too "scary" or "uncomfortable," they should "turn down the volume and count to five." This empowers the audience to engage with difficult themes at their own comfort level.

The Narrative of 'Little Chick'

The central story, titled "Little Chick," begins with an enigmatic event: a newborn baby is kidnapped by an eagle. Found by a woodcutter and raised alongside his daughter, Lenchen, the boy is named "Little Chick." The plot takes a sinister turn when a "mean old cook" enters the household. Her malevolence is rooted in a dark, literal desire: she frequently grumbles that "Little Chicks are made for stews," setting the stage for a classic struggle between innocence and predatory malice.

The Moral Dilemma of Secrets

During the storytelling, Gidwitz pauses to facilitate a meta-discussion with the children in the room regarding the ethics of secrets. When the cook attempts to coerce Lenchen into keeping the secret of her plan to "boil little chicken," the children demonstrate a sophisticated moral compass. They conclude that if an adult asks a child to keep a secret that feels "super bad" or "weird," it is necessary to tell another adult. Gidwitz validates this, noting that "if an adult asks you to promise to keep a secret, they're probably up to no good."

Magic and Transformation as Survival

As the children flee the cook and her son, "Big Boy," the narrative shifts into a surreal realm of magical realism. To evade their pursuers, Lenchen and Little Chick undergo a series of impossible transformations—turning into a rose bush and rose, a church and steeple, and finally a pond and a duck. Despite the absurdity of these transitions, which Gidwitz playfully acknowledges as "contrary to laws of physics or logic," the transformations serve as a desperate survival mechanism.

A Dark Resolution

The story concludes with a violent confrontation at the pond. The cook, attempting to drink the water to reach the duck (Little Chick), is dragged to the bottom of the pond by the bird and drowns. The aftermath is equally "grim": Little Chick survives but is left with "nine toes," a physical consequence of the cook's attempt to consume him. By the end, the children return to their father, and the antagonist's son flees, leaving the family to live "happily ever after," albeit marked by the haunting, visceral reality of their ordeal.

Through this retelling, Gidwitz successfully balances the terrifying elements of original folklore with a safe, engaging environment, proving that even the most "gross" stories can offer valuable lessons about loyalty, intuition, and the triumph of the vulnerable over the malicious.

🎯Key Sentences

I genuinely think you and your kids are going to love.

this is absolutely your next play.

Stick around for a preview at the end of this episode.

You may think you know grim fairy tales

The original grim fairy tales aren't like that at all.

Expand All

📝Key Phrases

stick around

in other words

on a scale of

turn down the volume

carry off

Expand All

📖 Transcript

I've got a show to recommend that I genuinely think you and your kids are going to love.

It's called Lightcatchers, a brand new award-winning cinematic audio adventure from the team behind Batman, High Volume and Story Pirates.

If your house is into pinna favorites like Grim Grimmer, Grimmest or Hero Hotel, this is absolutely your next play.