A Very interesting story | Level 1 | listen and practice | LETT # 23

Summary

The story follows Hans, a poor but happy man, who is given a magical coat by an old woman. She sends him on a quest to retrieve a small glass box hidden in a magical tree guarded by three dogs with enormous eyes. Hans successfully collects wealth from the tree, but refuses to give the glass box to the woman. Later, he uses the box to summon the dogs, allowing him to meet a lonely princess locked away by her father. Hans ultimately rescues the princess, marries her, and they live happily ever after.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hans, a poor but happy man, encounters a magical adventure after meeting an old woman.
• 🧥 The old woman gives Hans a magic blue coat and sends him to a tree where treasures are guarded by three dogs with unusually large eyes.
• 💰 In three rooms, Hans finds money, gold, and jewels, each guarded by dogs with eyes as large as eggs, oranges, and plates.
• 📦 The old woman asks for a small glass box, but Hans refuses to give it to her, escaping with the treasure instead.
• 👸 Hans learns about a princess locked away by her father because of a prophecy that she would marry a poor man.
• 🌳 Using the magical glass box, Hans calls the dogs to bring the princess to his garden at night, where they develop a bond.
• 🕵️ The king's servant, Anna, becomes suspicious of the princess's behavior and follows her to Hans' house, but Hans tricks them by marking every door in town with an 'X'.
• 💎 Hans is captured and sentenced to death by the king, but he retrieves the glass box and calls the dogs to save him.
• 👑 Hans eventually marries the princess, fulfilling the prophecy, and they live happily with their six children in a large garden.
• 🌸 The old king retires happily, surrounded by the white flowers his late wife loved, while Hans and the princess rule the kingdom.

Q & A

Who is the main character of the story, and what is his situation at the beginning?

The main character is Hans, a poor man with no money, no house, and no food, but he remains happy and optimistic.

What magical item does the old woman give to Hans, and what is its purpose?

The old woman gives Hans a magic blue coat, which he uses to control the dogs guarding treasure inside a tree.

What does the old woman request from Hans in exchange for the magic blue coat?

The old woman asks Hans to retrieve a small glass box from the third room inside the tree, which belonged to her grandmother.

How does Hans access the treasures inside the tree?

Hans uses the magic blue coat to calm the dogs guarding the treasure boxes. He moves each dog aside by placing it on the coat to access the treasure inside the boxes.

What does Hans take from the treasure boxes inside the tree?

Hans takes money from the first box, gold from the second box, and jewels from the third box.

Why does Hans refuse to give the glass box to the old woman?

Hans refuses to give the glass box to the old woman because she becomes aggressive, and he senses that the glass box holds more power than she let on.

What special ability does the glass box possess?

The glass box has the ability to summon three magical dogs, each with progressively larger eyes. The dogs can bring wealth and help Hans in various ways.

Why does the king keep his daughter, the princess, locked away in a house with high windows?

The king locks the princess away because a clever old man prophesied that she would marry a poor man, which made the king angry and protective.

How does Hans eventually meet the princess?

Hans uses the glass box to summon a dog, which brings the sleeping princess to his garden where they meet and walk together.

How does the story end for Hans and the princess?

Hans and the princess marry, becoming the new king and queen. They live happily with six children, while the old king enjoys his final years surrounded by white flowers in his garden.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 The Magic Blue Coat

In the first paragraph, we are introduced to Hans, a poor man who is content with his life despite having no money, house, or food. He embarks on a journey to find his fortune. Along the way, he encounters an old woman who gives him a magic blue coat and instructs him to climb a tall tree to find a room with 300 lights and three doors. Each door leads to a room with a box guarded by a dog, and inside each box is a treasure: money, gold, and jewels. The old woman's only request is for Hans to retrieve a small glass box from the third room. Hans follows the instructions, faces his fears with the dogs, and successfully retrieves the treasures as well as the glass box.

05:02

💠 The Glass Box's Secret

In the second paragraph, Hans is betrayed by the old woman who throws a stone at him when he retrieves the glass box. Hans refuses to give her the box, and she becomes angry and ugly. Hans escapes and eventually becomes rich, living a lavish life until his wealth runs out. He discovers the true power of the glass box when he accidentally hits it and a dog with eyes as large as eggs appears, bringing him money. Hans learns that hitting the box different numbers of times summons different dogs, each bringing a different treasure: money, gold, or jewels. With this knowledge, Hans regains his wealth.

10:03

🌙 A Secret Night Walk

The third paragraph reveals Hans's growing wealth and his concern for the princess who is confined to a house with high windows. Hans devises a plan to help her experience the outside world by using the glass box to summon a dog that can carry her to his garden for a secret night walk. The princess is initially frightened but comes to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. Hans and the princess form a bond as they share stories and dreams under the stars.

15:04

👑 The King's Pursuit

In the fourth paragraph, the princess's servant Anna becomes suspicious of her mistress's changed behavior and discovers the secret night walks. She and the king devise a plan to follow the princess, using a trick with white stones to track her. Hans, in love with the princess, continues to use the glass box to see her, unaware of the danger. Anna's plan succeeds, and the king discovers Hans and the princess together. The king, enraged, sentences Hans to death, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation.

20:04

💍 A Royal Resolution

The final paragraph brings the story to its climax and resolution. Hans, imprisoned and about to be executed, manages to retrieve the glass box and uses it to summon the magical dogs. He commands them to deal with his executioner and the king's men, then to bring the princess to him. In front of the entire town, Hans offers the king a deal: if he marries the princess, the king's garden will bloom with white flowers, and the princess will be happy. The king agrees, and Hans marries the princess, becoming the new king. They live happily ever after, with a large family and a garden filled with white flowers.

Keywords

💡Hans

Hans is the main character of the story, a poor man who, despite his circumstances, remains optimistic. He embarks on a journey that leads him to a magical adventure, symbolizing perseverance and the idea that happiness is not tied to wealth. Hans’s experiences with magic and riches highlight the tension between material wealth and true contentment.

💡Old Woman

The old woman is a mysterious character who sets Hans on his adventure by offering him a magical blue coat. She represents temptation and manipulation, as her request for the glass box is what complicates Hans’s journey. Her role also signifies the classic 'trickster' figure in fairy tales.

💡Magic Blue Coat

The blue coat symbolizes the key to accessing magical realms and riches. It represents opportunity, but also comes with the responsibility of fulfilling the old woman’s request. The coat enables Hans to interact with magical creatures and reach the treasures, illustrating how external help can open doors to new possibilities.

💡Dogs with Large Eyes

The three dogs Hans encounters are guardians of the treasures, each with eyes symbolizing their power: the dog with eyes as large as eggs, oranges, and plates guards money, gold, and jewels respectively. The dogs represent fear and challenges that Hans must face and overcome in order to gain wealth and knowledge.

💡Glass Box

The glass box is the central object of the old woman’s desire and the key to Hans’s fortune. While it appears insignificant, it holds the power to summon magical dogs, illustrating the idea that things that seem small or trivial may hold great power. The glass box also embodies the hidden potential for change.

💡Princess

The princess is a figure of beauty and isolation, trapped by her father due to a prophecy that she would marry a poor man. Her character represents longing for freedom and love, themes central to the narrative. Her relationship with Hans develops as he helps her experience life outside her confinement.

💡The King

The king, the princess's father, plays the role of an authoritarian figure who fears losing control over his daughter’s destiny. His decision to lock her away reflects the theme of overprotectiveness and the limitations imposed by authority figures, as well as the consequences of trying to avoid fate.

💡Prophecy

The prophecy in the story predicts that the princess will marry a poor man, which drives the king’s decision to imprison her. This concept illustrates the inevitability of destiny, a common theme in fairy tales. The prophecy’s fulfillment underscores the idea that no matter how much one tries to prevent it, fate finds a way.

💡Transformation

Transformation is a recurring theme throughout the story, from Hans’s change from a poor man to a wealthy one, to the emotional transformation of the princess after experiencing life outside her confinement. These changes signify growth, the power of love, and the impact of external and internal journeys on one’s life.

💡Jewels, Gold, and Money

Jewels, gold, and money represent material wealth in the story, and Hans’s ability to access these treasures symbolizes success and fortune. However, the narrative shows that while these objects bring temporary happiness, they are not the ultimate source of fulfillment, as Hans continues to seek love and meaning beyond riches.

Highlights

Hans, a poor man with no money or home, remains happy and decides to seek a better life by traveling to a nearby town.

An old woman offers Hans a magic blue coat and instructions to climb a tree to find riches in three rooms, guarded by dogs with enormous eyes.

In the first room, Hans finds a dog with eyes as large as eggs guarding money, which he takes by following the woman's instructions.

In the second room, Hans encounters a dog with eyes as large as oranges guarding gold, which he also takes.

In the third room, Hans meets a dog with eyes as large as plates guarding jewels, which he collects along with a small glass box the old woman wanted.

Hans refuses to give the glass box to the old woman, who turns hostile. He escapes with the treasures and becomes a rich man in town.

Hans learns about a princess locked away by her father, the king, due to a prophecy that she would marry a poor man.

After losing his wealth, Hans recalls the glass box and discovers its power to summon the three magical dogs, which bring him riches again.

Hans uses the glass box to summon the dogs and bring the princess to his garden for a walk, as she had never been outside before.

The princess is overjoyed by her freedom but does not remember the events the next day, leaving Hans to continue meeting her in secret.

The king and his servant, Anna, try to catch the princess sneaking out by marking the door and using stones to follow her path.

Hans uses the second dog, with eyes as large as oranges, to foil the king's plans by marking all the doors in town with an X.

Anna plants a bag of small white stones in the princess's clothes, which reveal her path to Hans's house. The king orders Hans's execution.

Hans retrieves the glass box just in time and summons the dogs to save him by removing the executioner and dispersing the king's men.

Hans offers the old king peace by proposing to marry the princess, promising happiness and a garden full of white flowers. The king agrees, and Hans becomes the new king.

Transcripts

the glass box

once there was a poor man

his name was Hans

he had no money

no house and no food

but he was happy

I'll find something he said

I'll walk down this road to the next

town

after a short time a very old woman

called to him from across the road

what do you want asked Hans

what do you want

said the old woman

what do I want

I want money

you can have money said the old woman

take this magic blue coat and climb to

the top of that Tall Tree

then climb down inside it

you will come into a large room with 300

lights

there are three doors

go through the first door and you will

see a big box

on the box sits a dog with eyes as large

as eggs

don't be afraid it won't hurt you

put my blue coat on the floor

take the dog and put it down on the coat

in front of the box

open the box and you will see money

take some

go through the second door and you will

see a bigger box

on the box sits a dog with eyes as large

as oranges

don't be afraid it won't hurt you

put the dog down on the coat in front of

the box

open the box and you will see gold

take some

go through the third door

there you will see the biggest box

on the box sits a dog with eyes as large

as plates

don't be afraid it is friendly

there are jewels in its box

take some

this is wonderful said Hans

but what can I do for you

I don't want any money or gold or Jewels

said the old woman

I only want one little thing

in the third room there is a small glass

box

my grandmother lost it there

bring me that box

Hans climbed up the tree and then down

inside the tree

he went down and down and down

then he saw the 300 lights and the three

doors

he opened the first door and went into a

little room

there on a box

was a dog with eyes as large as eggs

good dog said Hans

he remembered the old woman's words

he put her blue coat on the floor

he took the dog and put it down on the

coat in front of the box

he opened the box

and he got very excited

he took some money and put it in his hat

he put the dog back on the box

and went into the second room

there on a box was a dog with eyes as

large as oranges

you're a fine dog said hunt

he put the dog down in front of the box

and opened the box

his eyes were suddenly as yellow as the

gold in the Box

Hans took some gold and put it in his

hat

then he went into the last room

this dog's eyes were as large as plates

you are a very fine dog he said

Hans looked at the jewels in the Box

his eyes were suddenly red blue yellow

green and gold

he took some jewels and put them in his

shoes

then he remembered the old woman's glass

box

he found it on the floor next to the dog

he climbed up inside the tree again

it was harder this time with a heavy

gold and jewels but he got out of the

tree

throw down the Box called the old woman

when she saw him

but he did not throw it

suddenly a stone hit him on the head

help I'm going to fall and die he

thought

he put out a hand and he did not fall

did you throw that stone he called

yes now give me the Box

she was not very friendly now

I'm not going to give it to you he

answered

the old woman got very angry and her

face was very ugly

he climbed to the ground and walked away

down the road

she called him names but he did not

answer

she could do nothing

it was night when he came to the town

he found a very nice room and asked for

the best food

the next day he went out and bought

beautiful clothes

he was a very important and Rich Man

people thought he suddenly had many

friends

one day somebody asked him

do you know about the princess

what princess asked Hans

who is she where does she live

you cannot see her

answered the man

why not

because she is in a big house and she

can't leave it there is only one door

the windows are high up she never goes

out

the king says nobody can see her

why does she live in that way asked Hans

because a clever old man said to the

king

your daughter will marry a poor man

the King was very angry

he built the big house with high windows

and shot the princess in it

I want to see the princess said Hans

he found the house and went to the door

but the king's servants quickly sent him

away

then he put on his most expensive

clothes and went to the king's home

the King was very angry

don't come near my house again he

shouted I will cut off your head and put

it on a stick

hence lived well at this time and

quickly used his money

one day he only had two jewels

he left his nice room

he found a poor house and lived in it

Hans was poor now

nobody cooked his food

nobody cleaned his shoes

his rich friends did not invite him to

their homes

he tried to find the tree with the three

dogs again

but he couldn't find it

after a short time Hans had no money

no money for food

he looked round his room

what could he sell

there on the table

he saw the little glass box

perhaps I can buy some bread with this

he thought

why did the old woman want it

it is glass but I can't see into it

perhaps there are Jewels or gold inside

he tried to open the box

but he couldn't

he hit it once with his hand

suddenly the dog with eyes as large as

eggs appeared in front of him

what do you want

asked the dog

what do I want cried Hans

I want money

the dog went away

it quickly came back with a bag of money

in its mouth

Hans thought

then he said

I know

the first dog comes when I hit the box

once

the second dog will come when I hit the

Box again the third dog will come when I

hit the Box three times

he hit the Box

one two

and the dog with eyes as large as

oranges brought gold

he hit the Box three times

one two three

and the dog with eyes as large as plates

brought jewels

Hans was rich again

he bought beautiful clothes and moved to

a big house

all his friends came back

why didn't you visit us they said where

were you

Hans did not like these friends

he thought only of the sad princess

she can never go out he thought

she could never walk in the garden

her mother is dead

she can only speak to the servants and

the old King

she has an unhappy life

one night Hans could not sleep

suddenly he had an idea

and he got up from his bed

he took the glass box and hit it once

the dog came

it is night

a beautiful night said Hans and nobody

will see

I know that the princess would like a

walk in my garden

bring her here

very quickly the dog came back

the princess was asleep on its back

her beautiful face was sad

Hans woke her and took her into the

garden

where am I she cried

what is happening

she was afraid

you are walking with me in my garden

said Hans

look

the flowers are asleep

a garden

cried the princess

am I outside

with the ground under my feet and the

sky over my head

no walls

no windows

I can hear the sounds of the Night round

me

they walked for a long time

then the sun started to appear

I have to go she said

how did I get here

Hans told her about the glass box and

the dogs

she hit the box and called the dog

good dog she said when it appeared

you have beautiful eyes

take me home

I don't want anybody to see us

thank you for this night Hans

the princess climbed on the dog's back

and fell asleep

the next day the princess did not

remember anything

but she felt different

her servant Anna a jealous and unkind

woman woke her

she said

wake up princess it is the middle of the

day the king is waiting for you

is he said the princess

and she jumped happily out of bed

look Anna it's a beautiful day

Anna started to think

a number of things were strange

first

the princess always got up at seven

o'clock

but today it was 12 o'clock

second the princess was always sad

but today she was happy

third

the bottom of the princess's night dress

was dirty

fourth there was a beautiful white

flower on the princess's bedroom floor

but there were no white flowers in the

King's Garden

Anna went to the king

let's wait and watch said the king

when she goes out again we'll follow her

Hance was in love with the princess

he thought about her all day and all

night

after three days he couldn't wait

he hit the glass box

one two

and the dog with eyes as large as

oranges appeared

please bring the princess to my garden

he said

the dog went to the princess

but Anna was there too

the dog carried the princess away on its

back

and Anna followed

the dog stopped at the door of a big

house and went in

Anna wrote the letter X on the door and

went home

Hans and the princess walked in the

garden

Hance told the story of the old woman

and the tree and the three dogs and the

glass box

he told the princess about his poor

mother and about his three brothers and

three sisters

the princess loved his stories

she talked about her parents

my father was a great man and a good

King she said

but when my mother died he changed

suddenly he was old and tired and sad

he shot me in that house

now he gets angry about little things

he doesn't want to be king

he wants white flowers in his garden

my mother loved white flowers

but now his flowers always die

the red of the morning sun started to

light up the sky

the princess said good night to Hans

he hit the Box

one two

and the second dog appeared

with its eyes as big as oranges

this dog could see everything

it saw the X on the door and it told

Hans

ho ho laughed Hans come with me quickly

and we will write x's on every door in

this street and the next 10 streets

the next day

Anna told the king the story of the

night

the king took Anna and some men to Hans

his Street

here is the house

cried Anna

no here it is

cried the king

one of the men ran to them

the house is in the next street he said

there is an x on the door

every house had an x on its door

the King was very angry and went home

later that day

Anna thought of another plan

she went into her room

and shut the door

she made a small bag and she put little

white stones in the bag

she made a small cut in the bottom of

the bag and then put it in the

princess's clothes

now she said

when the princess goes out

the little stones will fall onto the

road

we can follow the stones to the house

that night Hans called the princess

again with the glass box

they walked in the garden

the dog with eyes as large as plates

waited at the front of the house

I would like to be a prince

said Hans

I would like not to be a princess

said the princess

why

asked Hans

she didn't answer

I want to be a prince he said

because I want to marry you

they sat down under a tree

Hans put the glass box on the ground

next to him

don't be a prince she said

I can't love a prince

I will be a poor girl and you will be

hands

at that minute the Dog Saw The King and

Anna with a hundred servants

they came out of the King's house and

looked at the little white stones

The White Stones Shone in the dark and

they followed them

the dog ran to the princess

the king the king is coming it cried

come quickly

the dog ran away through the streets

with the princess on its back

the king Anna and the servants arrived

at hans's house

is the princess here

cried the king

Hans didn't answer

suddenly

the king saw his daughter's little shoe

on the ground next to some beautiful

white flowers

he couldn't speak for a minute

then he said angrily to Hans

my Woodcutter will cut off your head at

12 o'clock tomorrow

the servants took hands to the King's

house

and shut him in a room

Hans looked for his glass box

where was it

lost

he could not call the dogs

then he remembered

it was under the tree

when the sun came up Hans went to the

window and looked out

he was very high up

he saw a little boy below him and called

to him

hey little boy

what do you want cried the boy

would you like three Pence

yes please

said the boy

then run to my house

say to my servant

Hans has a little glass box it is in the

garden under a tree

he wants me to bring it to the King's

house

when you bring me the box I will give

you three Pence

the boy disappeared

a little time later he came back with

the Box

throw it up to me called Hans

the boy threw up the box and hence

caught it

then he threw down the money

at that minute the door opened and the

King's Men came in

they took hands to a big Square in the

center of the town

everybody from the town was there

they wanted to watch

the king stood in the middle of the

square with the important people of the

Town round him

in front of Hans stood a big strong

Woodcutter

he wore a long red coat and a tall black

hat

are you ready said the king

to The Woodcutter

are you ready

said The Woodcutter to Hans

no cried hands and he took out the glass

box

are you ready said The Woodcutter to

Hunts

no cried hands and he hit the box once

he hit the Box again one two and then

again one two three

the three dogs stood in front of him

take The Woodcutter away he said to the

dog with eyes as large as eggs

throw him in the river

the dog ran away with The Woodcutter on

his back

take the King's Men away

Han said to the dog with eyes as large

as plates

the dog got bigger and bigger

everybody watched with open mouths now

the dog was as big as a house

the King's Men were very afraid and ran

away

bring the princess here

Hans said to the dog with eyes as big as

oranges

where is the king he cried

in a short time the princess and the

King stood in front of Hans with the

dogs behind them

do you want to be king

Hans asked the Old King

no

said the king

I only want to have white flowers in my

garden

and a happy daughter

when the princess and I marry

white flowers will live in your garden

again

and the princess will be happy

and so Hans married the princess

the new king and queen lived happily for

many years

they had six children and a very big

Garden

the old king lived his last years near

them

his garden was a sea of white flowers

all year