The Devil's Sooty Brother (Grimm)
Short summary
A disbanded soldier named Hans wandered hungry in the forest when he met a little man who was actually the Devil.
The Devil offered Hans work for seven years in hell, forbidding him to wash or groom himself. Hans tended the fires under hell's kettles. Unable to resist, he peeked into them and saw his former military superiors boiling inside.
Aha, old bird! Do I meet you here? You once had me in your power, now I have you... and he quickly let the lid fall, poked the fire, and added a fresh log.
After seven years, the Devil paid Hans with sweepings that turned to gold. An innkeeper stole the gold, but the Devil helped Hans recover it and more. Now wealthy, Hans played music before a king who offered him his daughter in marriage. When the eldest refused to marry a commoner, Hans married the willing youngest daughter and inherited the kingdom.
Detailed summary
Division into chapters is editorial.
The desperate soldiers bargain with the Devil
A disbanded soldier found himself without money or means to survive. Desperate and hungry, he wandered into the forest seeking some solution to his dire circumstances. During his walk, he encountered a little man who appeared ordinary but was actually the Devil in disguise.
The Devil, noticing the soldier's sorrowful state, inquired about his troubles. When Hans explained his hunger and poverty, the Devil made him an offer.
If you will hire yourself to me, and be my serving-man, you shall have enough for all your life. You shall serve me for seven years, and after that you shall again be free.
Seven years of service in hell
The Devil imposed strict conditions on Hans during his service.
You must not wash, comb, or trim yourself, or cut your hair or nails, or wipe the water from your eyes... if he once peeped into the kettles, it would go ill with him.
Hans agreed to these terms, and the Devil led him down into hell. There, Hans received his duties: he was to tend the fires under large kettles where hell-broth was brewing, keep the house clean, sweep all dirt behind doors, and maintain order. Most importantly, he was forbidden from looking into the kettles. Hans began his work diligently, following the Devil's instructions precisely. However, curiosity eventually overcame him, and he lifted the lid of the first kettle. Inside, he discovered his former corporal suffering in the boiling liquid.
Recognizing his former superior, Hans mockingly said "Aha, old bird! You once had me in your power, now I have you," and added fresh logs to make the fire hotter. He then checked the second kettle and found his former ensign inside.
Hans repeated his vengeful actions, stoking the fire beneath his former ensign. In the third kettle, he discovered a general, also his former superior, and again increased the heat with the bellows.
Return to the world and the innkeepers theft
Hans served faithfully for seven years, which seemed to pass quickly. When the Devil returned and discovered Hans had peeked into the kettles, he was pleased that Hans had added fuel to keep them hot, sparing his life. As payment for his service, the Devil instructed Hans to fill his knapsack with sweepings from hell and gave him specific instructions about his appearance and identity when asked.
The Devil's sooty brother, and my King as well... but on opening it, the sweepings had become pure gold. I should never have expected that, said he, and was well pleased.
Hans discovered the miraculous transformation and entered a town where his horrible appearance terrified an innkeeper.
When Hans showed his gold, the landlord welcomed him and provided the best room and service. However, during the night, the greedy innkeeper stole Hans's knapsack of gold while he slept.
The Devils justice and the soldiers wealth
Discovering the theft, Hans returned to hell and complained to the Devil about his misfortune. The Devil cleaned Hans up, restoring his normal appearance, and gave him another knapsack of sweepings. He then sent Hans back with a threatening message for the thieving landlord.
Thou hast stolen my money; if thou dost not return it, thou shalt go down to hell in my place, and wilt look as horrible as I... only begging him to keep it secret.
Terrified by this threat, the landlord returned the stolen money and gave Hans even more, pleading for secrecy. Hans was now wealthy and set out for home.
Music, marriage, and the kingdom
Hans bought shabby clothes and traveled as a musician, having learned music during his time in hell. An old king was so delighted with his playing that he promised Hans his eldest daughter in marriage.
The eldest princess refused to marry a commoner in poor clothes, declaring she would rather drown. The king then offered his younger daughter, who willingly agreed to please her father. Hans married the youngest princess, and when the old king died, he inherited the entire kingdom, becoming both the Devil's sooty brother and a king.