The Magic Porridge Pot
Two little phrases—and a town full of porridge
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The Magic Porridge Pot
A little girl lived with her mother, and they had nothing left to eat. Their cupboard was empty, and the bread basket held only crumbs.
The girl walked into the nearby forest, still worrying about their hunger. Trees rose beside the quiet path.
The Magic Porridge Pot
In the forest, an old woman understood the girl’s trouble and gave her a little cooking pot. It was small enough for the girl to carry home.
“Cook, little pot, cook” would make sweet porridge; “Stop, little pot” would stop it. The old woman taught the girl both phrases.
The Magic Porridge Pot
At home, the girl used the little pot to make sweet porridge for herself and her mother. She said the words that the old woman had taught her.
When there was enough, the girl stopped the pot, and neither of them was hungry now. The gift had freed them from going without food.
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Browse all storiesAbout this retelling
Explore this illustrated story at four reading levels. Each level follows the same essential events.
Collection: Fairy tales
Retelling: Germany · after the Brothers Grimm
For parents: After Sweet Porridge in Margaret Hunt’s Grimm’s Household Tales (1884), tale 103. Retains hunger, the old woman’s gift, both commands, the mother’s missing stopping words, the town flooded until one house remains, and people eating their way back. Details expand the recorded scenes; the porridge does not vanish when cooking stops.
Public-domain source: View the recorded source edition