# The Old Man and His Grandson explained — Household Tales

> Chapter companion for Household Tales by Jacob Grimm.

## What happens

A very old man, weakened by age, is mistreated by his son and daughter-in-law, who make him eat alone from a wooden bowl after he breaks his earthenware one. Their young son, observing this, begins making a wooden trough for his parents to use when they are old, prompting them to realize their cruelty and welcome the grandfather back to the family table.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Dynamics and Betrayal

The son and his wife betray the grandfather by excluding him from family meals, but the grandson's innocent action leads to reconciliation.

### Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished

The parents' cruelty is punished by the shame of their son's imitation, and their subsequent repentance restores harmony.

## Character check-ins

### the girl

Not present in this chapter.

## Key lines

> I am making a little trough for father and mother to eat out of when I am big.

The child explains he is building a small feeding bowl for his parents to use when they grow old.

_This moment of innocent imitation reveals the moral lesson and prompts the parents' change of heart._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-old-man-and-his-grandson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se/chapters