Old Sultan
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Adapted Version
Sultan was a very old dog. He had no teeth. But he loved his farmer.
One day the farmer said, "Sultan is old." "I will send him away." Sultan heard this. He was very sad.
Sultan went to the forest. His friend the wolf lived there. "I am sad," said Sultan. "The farmer will send me away." "I will help you," said the wolf.
The wolf had an idea. "I will take the baby." "I will run to the field." "You bring the baby back." "The farmer will love you!"
The next day the wolf came. He took the baby softly. He ran to the field. Sultan ran very fast. He got the baby back. He ran home with the baby.
The farmer was so happy! "Good dog, Sultan!" he said. He gave Sultan warm food. He gave Sultan a soft bed. Sultan wagged his tail.
Then the wolf came to Sultan. "Let me take one sheep," he said. "You can look away."
Sultan said, "No, I cannot." He told the farmer. Sultan was a good dog.
The farmer saw the wolf come. He shouted very loud. The wolf ran away fast. The wolf was angry at Sultan.
The wolf and the boar were angry. They waited in the forest.
Sultan was worried. Only the cat would help. The cat had three legs. But the cat was brave.
The wolf and the boar saw them. The cat hopped on three legs. Her tail went up high. The wolf said, "A big stick!" The boar said, "She is strong!" They were very scared.
The boar hid in the leaves. The wolf climbed up a tree. They were so, so scared!
Sultan and the cat looked around. They saw the wolf in the tree. "I am sorry," said the wolf. "I was wrong." Sultan said, "We are friends." The wolf came down. They all walked home. Sultan lay on his soft bed. The cat purred near him. And Sultan slept well that night.
Original Story
Old Sultan
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
A farmer once had a faithful dog called Sultan, who had grown old, and lost all his teeth, so that he could no longer hold anything fast. One day the farmer was standing with his wife before the house-door, and said, "To-morrow I intend to shoot Old Sultan, he is no longer of any use."
His wife, who felt pity for the faithful beast, answered, "He has served us so long, and been so faithful, that we might well give him his keep."
"Eh! what?" said the man. "You are not very sharp. He has not a tooth left in his mouth, and not a thief is afraid of him; now he may be off. If he has served us, he has had good feeding for it."
The poor dog, who was lying stretched out in the sun not far off, had heard everything, and was sorry that the morrow was to be his last day. He had a good friend, the wolf, and he crept out in the evening into the forest to him, and complained of the fate that awaited him. "Hark ye, gossip," said the wolf, "be of good cheer, I will help you out of your trouble. I have thought of something. To-morrow, early in the morning, your master is going with his wife to make hay, and they will take their little child with them, for no one will be left behind in the house. They are wont, during work-time, to lay the child under the hedge in the shade; you lay yourself there too, just as if you wished to guard it. Then I will come out of the wood, and carry off the child. You must rush swiftly after me, as if you would seize it again from me. I will let it fall, and you will take it back to its parents, who will think that you have saved it, and will be far too grateful to do you any harm; on the contrary, you will be in high favor, and they will never let you want for anything again."
The plan pleased the dog, and it was carried out just as it was arranged. The father screamed when he saw the Wolf running across the field with his child, but when Old Sultan brought it back, then he was full of joy, and stroked him and said, "Not a hair of yours shall be hurt, you shall eat my bread free as long as you live." And to his wife he said, "Go home at once and make Old Sultan some bread-sop that he will not have to bite, and bring the pillow out of my bed, I will give him that to lie upon."
Henceforth Old Sultan was as well off as he could wish to be.
Soon afterwards the wolf visited him, and was pleased that everything had succeeded so well. "But, gossip," said he, "you will just wink an eye if when I have a chance, I carry off one of your master's fat sheep." - "Do not reckon upon that," answered the dog; "I will remain true to my master; I cannot agree to that." The wolf, who thought that this could not be spoken in earnest, came creeping about in the night and was going to take away the sheep. But the farmer, to whom the faithful Sultan had told the wolf's plan, caught him and dressed his hide soundly with the flail. The wolf had to pack off, but he cried out to the dog, "Wait a bit, you scoundrel, you shall pay for this."
The next morning the wolf sent the boar to challenge the dog to come out into the forest so that they might settle the affair. Old Sultan could find no one to stand by him but a cat with only three legs, and as they went out together the poor cat limped along, and at the same time stretched out her tail into the air with pain.
The wolf and his friend were already on the spot appointed, but when they saw their enemy coming they thought that he was bringing a sabre with him, for they mistook the outstretched tail of the cat for one. And when the poor beast hopped on its three legs, they could only think every time that it was picking up a stone to throw at them. So they were both afraid; the wild boar crept into the under-wood and the wolf jumped up a tree.
The dog and the cat, when they came up, wondered that there was no one to be seen. The wild boar, however, had not been able to hide himself altogether; and one of his ears was still to be seen. Whilst the cat was looking carefully about, the boar moved his ear; the cat, who thought it was a mouse moving there, jumped upon it and bit it hard. The boar made a fearful noise and ran away, crying out, "The guilty one is up in the tree." The dog and cat looked up and saw the wolf, who was ashamed of having shown himself so timid, and made friends with the dog.
- * * * *
Story DNA
Moral
Loyalty to one's master is paramount, and true friends will help each other even in difficult situations.
Plot Summary
An old, toothless dog named Sultan is deemed useless by his farmer master, who plans to kill him. Overhearing this, Sultan seeks help from his friend, the wolf, who devises a plan for Sultan to 'rescue' the farmer's child from the wolf, thus restoring Sultan to favor. Sultan's loyalty is then tested when the wolf asks him to overlook a sheep theft, which Sultan refuses, leading to the wolf's punishment and vow of revenge. The wolf and a boar challenge Sultan, but are comically scared away by Sultan's unlikely ally, a three-legged cat, leading to a reconciliation between Sultan and the wolf.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Grimm's fairy tales often reflect the social structures and moral values of 19th-century German-speaking lands, with a focus on loyalty, justice, and the consequences of actions.
Plot Beats (14)
- Old Sultan, a faithful but toothless dog, is overheard by his master planning to kill him for being useless.
- Sultan, distressed, seeks help from his friend, the wolf.
- The wolf proposes a plan: he will 'kidnap' the farmer's child, and Sultan will 'rescue' it.
- The plan is executed, and Sultan successfully returns the child to the grateful farmer.
- The farmer, full of joy, promises Sultan a life of comfort and good food.
- The wolf visits Sultan, pleased with the success, and asks Sultan to turn a blind eye to him stealing a sheep.
- Sultan refuses, stating his loyalty to his master, and warns the farmer of the wolf's plan.
- The farmer catches and beats the wolf with a flail, leading the wolf to swear revenge on Sultan.
- The wolf sends the boar to challenge Sultan to a fight in the forest.
- Sultan finds only a three-legged cat to accompany him to the confrontation.
- The wolf and boar mistake the limping cat's outstretched tail for a sabre and its hopping for picking up stones.
- Terrified, the boar hides, and the wolf climbs a tree.
- The cat bites the boar's ear, making it cry out that the 'guilty one' is in the tree.
- Sultan and the cat discover the wolf, who is ashamed and makes peace with Sultan.
Characters
Old Sultan ★ protagonist
Old, toothless
Faithful, loyal
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man with a long, flowing white beard and deep wrinkles around kind eyes, wearing a richly embroidered deep blue brocade robe over silk trousers. A large jeweled turban sits atop his head, and he leans slightly on a staff inlaid with gold, his expression wise and weary. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Farmer ◆ supporting
Not described
Attire: Simple peasant clothing, perhaps a tunic and breeches
Initially ungrateful, easily swayed
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged man with a weathered, kind face and a short, graying beard. He wears faded blue denim overalls over a simple white shirt, a worn straw hat, and muddy brown boots. His posture is relaxed, leaning slightly on a wooden pitchfork. He has a gentle, tired smile and crinkles around his eyes. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Farmer's Wife ◆ supporting
Not described
Attire: Simple peasant dress, apron
Compassionate, kind
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged woman with a kind, weathered face and warm brown eyes, her dark hair tied back under a faded blue headscarf. She wears a practical, patched linen dress with rolled-up sleeves and a sturdy brown apron. She stands with a gentle, welcoming posture, holding a woven basket filled with fresh garden vegetables. Her expression is patient and nurturing. Simple leather shoes, dirt-smudged hem. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Wolf ⚔ antagonist
Not described
Deceptive, opportunistic
Image Prompt & Upload
A menacing anthropomorphic wolf creature with shaggy grey-black fur, sharp yellow eyes, and a cruel, cunning grin. He wears a tattered, dark red hooded cloak over rough leather jerkin and trousers, standing in a low, predatory crouch with one clawed hand extended. His posture is tense and ready to pounce, muscles coiled beneath his fur. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Child ○ minor
Not described
Attire: Simple baby clothes
Innocent, helpless
Image Prompt & Upload
A young child of about five or six years old, with wide, innocent eyes full of wonder and a curious, slightly parted mouth. They have messy, sun-lightened brown hair that falls just past their ears. Dressed in a simple, patched, earthy-green tunic cinched with a rough rope belt, and brown leggings. The child stands barefoot on tiptoe, one hand reaching up as if to touch something magical just out of frame, their posture full of eager anticipation. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Cat ◆ supporting
Three legs
Resourceful, brave
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged anthropomorphic cat with sleek black fur and intelligent green eyes, wearing a tailored burgundy waistcoat over a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves. He stands upright on his hind legs, one paw resting on a wooden cane, the other adjusting a small monocle over his left eye. His expression is one of wry amusement, with a slight smirk visible beneath his whiskers. A long, thin tail curls elegantly behind him. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Boar ◆ supporting
Tusks
Easily frightened
Image Prompt & Upload
An aged anthropomorphic wild boar with grizzled grey-brown fur, a prominent scar across his left eye, and two large curved tusks. He wears practical, worn leather armor over a simple tunic and sturdy boots. His posture is broad and stable, standing firmly while leaning on a notched battle axe. His expression is calm, watchful, and slightly weary. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Farmer's House Door
A simple house with a door where the farmer and his wife stand talking.
Mood: Domestic, tense
The farmer decides to get rid of Old Sultan.
Image Prompt & Upload
A cozy thatched-roof cottage at golden hour, the simple wooden door slightly ajar. Warm, honeyed light spills from within onto a cobblestone path lined with blooming marigolds and lavender. The stone walls are covered in climbing ivy, and a rustic wooden fence borders a small, well-tended vegetable garden. Soft, dusky pink and orange clouds fill the evening sky, casting long, gentle shadows. The atmosphere is peaceful and inviting, with a sense of quiet domesticity. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Sunny Field with Hedge
A field where hay is being made, with a hedge providing shade.
Mood: Busy, then frantic
The wolf 'steals' the baby, and Old Sultan rescues it.
Image Prompt & Upload
Midday sun shines brightly over a vast, golden field of drying hay, with neat rows of cut grass basking in the warmth. A dense, ancient hedge of hawthorn and blackberry bushes casts a long, cool shadow across the foreground, its leaves a deep emerald green. Within the hedge’s shade, delicate wildflowers—white daisies and purple clover—dot the lush grass. The air is still and hazy with summer heat, the sky a brilliant, cloudless azure. In the distance, gentle rolling hills are visible, their slopes a patchwork of green and gold under the strong sunlight. The scene is peaceful, bathed in a warm, golden-hour glow that highlights the texture of the hay and the intricate leaves of the hedge. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Forest Clearing
A designated meeting spot in the forest.
Mood: Tense, comical
The wolf and boar are scared off by the cat and dog.
Image Prompt & Upload
At dusk, a serene forest clearing bathed in the soft golden glow of fading sunlight filtering through towering ancient oaks and birches. The air is still, with a gentle mist hovering over a carpet of lush emerald moss and scattered wildflowers in pale violet and white. In the center, a smooth, flat moss-covered stone rests beside a shallow, crystal-clear brook that whispers over polished pebbles. Sunbeams pierce the canopy, illuminating dust motes and the delicate strands of a spider’s web strung between ferns. The surrounding trees form a natural cathedral, their gnarled roots and bark textured with age. A fallen log, softened by time and fungi, lies near the stone. The palette is rich with deep greens, warm browns, and accents of gold and lavender. The atmosphere is tranquil and magical, inviting quiet gathering. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
