Grimm's “Hans Hedgehog:” The Rejected Becomes the Cornerstone
A wealthy, childless peasant feels something is missing and is mocked for not having a child. He wishes, “I wish to have a child, even if it is a hedgehog!” He and his wife are given one, and they have it baptised but do not give it a godfather. The priest says its quills prevent its sleeping in a bed, and they put it behind the stove for several years. Father is going to the fair and asks people what they want. Hans asks for bagpipes. He soon asks to have the cock-rooster shod, and promises to go away and never return.
In the forest, they fly up into a tree and he plays his bagpipes, and the…
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