What is Grimmly Speaking? It's performances and scripts based on the tales collected in Germany during the 1800's by the Brothers Grimm.

What makes Grimmly Speaking unique in its interpretations of these folk tales is that we stick to the exact chain of events as they were presented by the Brothers Grimm. This way, you will really learn the original stories instead of only getting the gist.

All the scripts and stories in Kranky Kids are based on fact, or, as in the case of Grimmly Speaking, based on the original source without altering its event flow for artistic convenience. It is important that students learn the originals before they go off and warp them into new creations of their own.

After all, my dear children, how will anyone ever know how clever you are if they have no inkling of what you're referring to when you re-write or make reference to Grimm's Fairy Tales? A perfect example of this is Neil Gaiman's short story Snow, Glass, Apples. If you know the true version of Snow White (as we present it in Grimmly Speaking), your appreciation of Mr. Gaiman's wonderfully sinister version will be all the much more so.

Some of the following tales were performed live on radio and/or stage, some were recorded in pieces, and some are just scripts. Enjoy!

Cinderella is one story that has been told and told, again and again, with so many variations and new settings that it's hard to keep track. So before you go and ingest yet another variation, listen to and/or read this one so you know what really happened. (Both versions are basically the same - the original version was written with an Irish flavor in the narrator's part.)

Click here to listen to the story and read the Cinderella - Version 2 script at the same time.
(This is a great way to learn English and to learn how to read.)

Click here to read the Cinderella - Version 2 radio script as a PDF, or Control + Click this link and download the PDF to your desktop.

Click here to read the Cinderella - Original Version radio script as a PDF, or Control + Click this link and download the PDF to your desktop.

Click here to listen to and learn about the Elizabethan Love Songs used in Cinderella.

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Show White is a curious story because of how far apart the two main characters live from each other. Each time the Evil Queen tries to harm Little Snow White, she has to travel over seven mountains. That's a long way to go just to be the fairest of them all.

Click here to watch the live stage performance of Snow White.

Click here to listen to the story and read the Little Snow White stage script at the same time.
(This is a great way to learn English and to learn how to read.)

Click here to see the title animated using Motion.

Click here to read the Little Snow White stage script as a PDF, or Control + Click this link and download the PDF to your desktop.

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Little Red-Cap aka Little Red Riding Hood is a fun little tale about following instructions. The original story has the little girl in a red velvet cap which somehow got morphed into a cape and hood over the years.

Click here to watch the live stage performance of Little Red-Cap.

Click here to listen to the story and read the Little Red-Cap stage script at the same time.
(This is a great way to learn English and to learn how to read.)

Click here to see the title animated using Motion.

Click here to read the Little Red-Cap stage script as a PDF, or Control + Click this link and download the PDF to your desktop.

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Rapunzel is a story based on rampion. Rampion is a member of the bellflower family. It has bluish flowers and edible leaves and roots that are usually used in salads. Rampion grows wild and is also called rapunzel.

Click here to watch the live stage performance of Rapunzel.

Click here to listen to the story and read the Rapunzel stage script at the same time.
(This is a great way to learn English and to learn how to read.)

Click here to see the title animated using Motion.

Click here to read the Rapunzel stage script as a PDF, or Control + Click this link and download the PDF to your desktop.

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Rumpelstiltskin has a bad reputation mainly for having a bad attitude. He strikes several deals amd makes a wager. His reaction at the story's conclusion can only be summed up as poor sportsmanship.

Click here to watch the live stage performance of Rumpelstiltskin.

Click here to listen to the story and read the Rumpelstiltskin stage script at the same time.
(This is a great way to learn English and to learn how to read.)

Click here to see the title animated using Motion.

Click here to read the Rumpelstiltskin stage script as a PDF, or Control + Click this link and download the PDF to your desktop.

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The Mouse, The Robin and The Sausage is one of those fun and strange little tales that some think are the best kind. There is a lesson in the story, just not the kind you'd think.

Click here to listen to the story and read The Mouse, The Robin and The Sausage radio script at the same time.
(This is a great way to learn English and to learn how to read.)

Click here to read The Mouse, The Robin and The Sausage radio script as a PDF, or Control + Click this link and download the PDF to your desktop.

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Simple Hans is a very funny raise-the-ante story. Hans just gets more dimwitted with each gift he is given and what he does with it. And, to make it matters worse, Lishka did a really over-the-top German accent which caused everyone to eventually start laughing because the students didn't know she was going to be doing it until they were on-air at WUNH in New Hampshire.

Click here to listen to the story and read the Simple Hans radio script at the same time.
(This is a great way to learn English and to learn how to read.)

Click here to read the Simple Hans radio script as a PDF, or Control + Click this link and download the PDF to your desktop.

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How Six Men Got On In The World is rather long, so we've split it up into two parts. This is a story about teamwork and using each individual's abilities and strengths for the good of the group.

Click here to listen to the story and read the How Six Men Got On In The World radio script at the same time.
(This is a great way to learn English and to learn how to read.)

Click here to read the How Six Men Got On In The World radio script as a PDF, or Control + Click this link and download the PDF to your desktop.

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