# The Three Languages explained — Household Tales

> Chapter companion for Household Tales by Jacob Grimm.

## What happens

A count sends his seemingly stupid son to three masters, but the son learns only the languages of dogs, birds, and frogs. Disowned and nearly killed, he survives and uses his knowledge to free a castle from bewitched dogs guarding a treasure. He later travels to Rome, where frogs foretell his destiny, and he is chosen as pope when doves alight on his shoulders.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Redemption

The youth, deemed stupid and cast out, transforms into a revered pope through his unique knowledge.

### Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished

The youth's kindness and courage in facing the dogs are rewarded with treasure and adoption, while the father's harshness is contrasted.

## Character check-ins

### the youth

The count's son who learns animal languages, frees a castle from wild dogs, and becomes pope.

### the servants

The count's people who spare the youth's life and bring back deer parts as proof of his death.

## Key lines

> Father, I have learnt what the dogs say when they bark.

The son tells his father he has learned to understand dog barks.

_First instance of the youth's unusual learning._

> The dogs have revealed to me, in their own language, why they dwell there, and bring evil on the land.

The youth explains that the dogs told him they are bewitched and guard a treasure.

_The youth uses his knowledge to solve the castle's problem._

> He listened to them, and when he became aware of what they were saying, he grew very thoughtful and sad.

Hearing the frogs' croaking, the youth becomes pensive and sorrowful.

_The frogs' prophecy about his future as pope troubles him._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-three-languages
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se/chapters