In this literary fairy tale by Wilhelm Hauff, a benevolent forest spirit showers a young man dissatisfied with his poverty and low social standing with riches. After squandering these on drinking and gambling, the young man turns to a dark spirit who promises him endless wealth if he exchanges his human heart for one of stone. He makes the trade, but the outcome is not what he expected. Written for older children, the story satirizes the selfishness, greed and social climbing of early 19th century German society. Other themes include magic, identity (envy, ambition, self-acceptance), empathy and compassion, regret, redemption.
