The Bremen Town Musicians
1819 
Germany Story
Once upon a time, there lived a donkey who had worked faithfully for his master for many years, carrying heavy sacks of grain to the mill. But now that the donkey was old and his strength was failing, his master began to treat him badly and planned to get rid of him.
The clever donkey decided to run away. "I shall go to the town of Bremen," he said to himself, "and become a musician! I can bray better than anyone!" So off he trotted, dreaming of his new life.
Along the way, the donkey met a hound dog lying sadly by the roadside. "Why do you look so miserable, friend?" asked the donkey. "Alas," sighed the dog, "I am too old to hunt, and my master wants to be rid of me." "Come with me to Bremen!" said the donkey. "You can beat the drum in our band!" The dog agreed, and they walked on together.
Before long, they came upon a cat with a most sorrowful face. "What troubles you, good cat?" they asked. "I am too old to catch mice," the cat meowed sadly, "and my mistress wishes me gone." "Join us!" they said. "You can sing in our choir!" And so the cat joined their merry band.
Soon they passed a farm where a rooster was crowing with all his might. "Why such a noise, rooster?" they called. "I am to be made into soup tomorrow!" cried the rooster. "The cook says I am too old and tough to be useful." "Not so!" declared the donkey. "You have the finest voice for music. Come to Bremen with us!" And the rooster flew down to join them.
As night fell, the four friends grew tired and hungry. They spotted a cottage with lights glowing in the windows. Creeping close, the donkey peered inside and saw a gang of robbers feasting at a table covered with delicious food.
"We must drive them away!" whispered the donkey. They made a plan: the donkey stood by the window, the dog climbed on his back, the cat climbed on the dog, and the rooster perched on top of the cat. Then, at the donkey's signal, they made their music all at once—the donkey brayed, the dog barked, the cat yowled, and the rooster crowed!
The terrible noise was unlike anything the robbers had ever heard! They thought monsters had come and fled in terror into the forest. The four musicians walked in, sat at the table, and ate until their bellies were full.
Later that night, one brave robber crept back to investigate. In the dark cottage, he was scratched by the cat, bitten by the dog, kicked by the donkey, and scared senseless by the rooster's crowing. He fled back to his friends, swearing that terrible creatures now lived in the house.
The robbers never returned. As for the four musicians, they found the cottage so comfortable that they never did continue to Bremen. They lived there happily together for the rest of their days, making music whenever they pleased.
History and Meaning
"The Bremen Town Musicians" (Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten) was recorded by the Brothers Grimm and published in their collection in 1819. The tale is deeply associated with the German city of Bremen, where a famous bronze statue of the four animals stands as a beloved landmark.
Similar tales of animals working together to overcome adversity appear in folklore throughout Europe and beyond. The Grimm version drew on oral traditions that likely date back centuries, though the specific Bremen connection may have been added by the brothers.
Symbolism and Meaning
Strength in Unity: The tale demonstrates that those who are considered weak or useless alone can achieve great things when they work together. Each animal contributes something essential to their success.
Value in Every Life Stage: All four animals are rejected because they are old, yet they prove they still have worth and purpose. The story challenges the notion that aging means becoming useless and celebrates the wisdom and determination of the elderly.
Creating Your Own Fortune: Rather than accept the fate others have decided for them, the animals take control of their lives. Their courage to leave and seek new opportunities leads them to an even better life than they originally dreamed of—ironic since they never even reach Bremen!