The Key to Happiness – A German Folk Tale about Good Deeds
The German folk tale "The Key to Happiness" tells the story of a boy who helps an old craftsman and is rewarded with a magical key. This key becomes a symbol of joy and wisdom.
Brief Description:
The Key to Happiness is a story about a boy who helps an old craftsman and receives a magical key as a reward. This key becomes a symbol of joy and wisdom for him.
In a small village, there lived a boy named Karl. One day, he was walking down the street when he saw an old man sitting outside his little cottage, working on something. A bundle of keys lay at his feet. The old man looked tired, his hands were trembling. — Good day! — greeted Karl. — Do you need help? The old man smiled and replied: — If you could help me, that would be wonderful. I’ve been making keys for a long time, but the work is getting harder.
Karl agreed. He handed the old man the tools, helped polish the keys, and placed them in a box. The day passed, and Karl never complained. In the evening, the old man said: — You are a good boy. As a reward, I want to give you this key. It is no ordinary key; it will open doors to your happiness. Karl took the key. It was old and tarnished, but to him, it seemed special.
The next day, Karl decided to see what the key could open. He tried using it to open the door to his house, but nothing happened. So, he went for a walk. On his way, he saw his neighbor drop a basket of apples. Karl helped her pick them up, and she thanked him. In that moment, he felt a warmth spreading in his chest. — Strange, — he thought. — Maybe the key works differently?
The next day, Karl repaired a well for an old farmer, and the farmer gave him a basket of fruits. Two days later, he helped another child find a lost toy. Each time he did something good, Karl noticed how his heart filled with joy. — Now I understand! — he exclaimed. — The key opens doors to happiness, but only through good deeds.
From then on, Karl always carried the key with him as a reminder that happiness comes when you do good. He grew up to be a respected man in the village, always ready to help.
The Moral of the Story:
The story teaches that happiness is not simply given. It comes to those who share kindness and help others.
Questions for Children:
- Why did the old man give Karl the key?
- What did Karl understand about true happiness?
- What lesson does this story teach us?
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