Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest

Host: Adam Gidwitz
Episode: Adam's Sneak Peeks | The Poor Soldier Boy
Date: March 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special “Adam’s Sneak Peeks” episode of Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest, bestselling author and host Adam Gidwitz debuts an early, unembellished version of a new story: “The Poor Soldier Boy,” a retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ original tale “The Devil’s Grimy Brother.” Recorded alone at home, Adam invites young listeners to help shape the episode with their feedback before its final production. The story delves into themes of war, morality, temptation, and redemption, and features Adam’s signature blend of humor, direct questions to listeners, and interactive storytelling.

Rating: Grim (not too scary, but deals with war, the underworld, and the devil)

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to Adam’s Sneak Peeks Format

• Location and Tone: Adam records from home, in slippers, no background kids or effects.
• Listener Involvement: Listeners are encouraged to share feedback via email or voicemail, influencing the final, “full” version of the episode.
  • “Once you listen to the story, you can write to me or even send me a voicemail and let me know what you think.” (01:19)
• Series Update: Sneak Peeks will precede a new upcoming season with the full show elements reintroduced, all exclusive to the Pinna app.

2. Story Set-Up & Warnings (03:01–06:55)

• Spookiness Scale: Clarifies that this episode is "grim," not "grimmer" or "grimmest."
• Content Advisory: Encourages listeners to self-moderate if parts feel too scary, suggesting:
  • “…turn down the volume and count to five… You know how much weird and gross and scary you’re ready for. You know what you need.” (03:50)

3. The Story: "The Poor Soldier Boy" (06:55–38:50)

a) The Reluctant Soldier

• Background: Poor boy joins the army out of necessity, immediately regrets the harsh, militaristic environment under a cruel hierarchy.
  • “You'd think that being a soldier was a poor job choice for someone who didn't like war, and you would be right.” (07:07)
• Satirical Military Hierarchy: Parade of medals and relentless commands for “faster, faster, faster” at every rank.
• Reflection Point: Adam asks, “What would you do? Do you have an idea?” as the boy debates desertion, engaging listeners to imagine themselves in the story.

b) Escape & The Devil’s Bargain

• Desertion: Boy flees into a swamp to escape his fate, chased by former comrades.
• Encounter with the Devil:
  • “Now, if you’ve heard one of these stories before, you probably have a guess as to who the man in the green coat is.” (18:27)
  • Devil offers sanctuary in exchange for seven years of servitude.
  • Warning: “If I catch you looking in a cauldron, you won’t be my servant for seven years. You’ll be my servant for seven million years.” (21:54)

c) Life in the Underworld

• Task: Tending the fires under cauldrons filled with condemned souls, with strict instructions not to look under the lids.
• Temptation and Curiosity: “He was very curious. Who were these murderers and cheats and tyrants?” (23:12)
• Familiar Voices: First recognizes his sergeant (after three years), then his captain (after six years), both enduring eternal torment for their own cruel deeds.
  • “I think you’re right where you deserve to be. In fact, I think I should work faster, faster, faster.” (30:33)
  • Enhances their punishment rather than helping, motivated by their past injustices to him and others.

d) Freedom and Cleverness

• End of Servitude: Devil admits he knows the boy peeked in the cauldrons but is impressed he made things even harder for the wrongdoers.
  • “In fact, you worked harder and faster and made them suffer more. So I won’t punish you.” (34:38)

e) The Final Trick

• Return to the Army: Armed with a key to the underworld, the boy returns just as the army is struggling without its cruel leaders.
• Clever Manipulation: Tricks the general, who laments the loss of his leaders, into entering the underworld.
  • “I know where they are… They’re in the swamp right now having a party and laughing at all the poor stupid men still here in your army.” (36:45)
• Reward: Receives the general’s uniform and medals from the devil.
• Peaceful Command: As the new general, he leads the army to avoid conflict—“to march slowly…stay as far away from other armies as possible and to never kill anyone again.” (38:35)

4. Closing Reflection by Adam (39:10–End)

• Clarification: Not an anti-army message; instead, a criticism of aggressive, warmongering leadership.
  • “I am very grateful for the army that keeps us safe in this country… but not that kind of army.” (39:48)
• Invitation for Feedback: Encourages listeners to reach out and possibly have their messages featured in future episodes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Reluctance:
  “You'd think that being a soldier was a poor job choice for someone who didn't like war, and you would be right.” (07:07)
• Satire of Authority:
  “The more the captain yelled at the sergeant, the more the sergeant yelled at the soldiers. And of course, he yelled at the poor soldier boy most of all.” (09:23)
• Devil’s Threat:
  “If I catch you looking in a cauldron, you won’t be my servant for seven years. You’ll be my servant for seven million years. Do you understand?” (21:54)
• Boy’s Justice:
  “I think you’re right where you deserve to be. In fact, I think I should work faster, faster, faster.” (30:33)
• The Devil’s Approval:
  “I know you peeked in the cauldrons… But you didn’t let your kind heart get the better of you. In fact, you worked harder and faster and made them suffer more. So I won’t punish you.” (34:38)
• Reformed General:
  “…to march slowly and to take a lot of breaks and to stay as far away from the other armies as possible and to never kill anyone again.” (38:35)
• Adam’s Reflection:
  “That army was from a time, a long time ago, when they weren’t just defending people… it was just sort of like a rampaging army.” (39:50)

Key Timestamps

• 00:36 — 03:30: Adam introduces Sneak Peeks format, invites feedback, and offers context.
• 06:55 — 19:00: Story begins: soldier’s misery in army and attempt to desert.
• 19:01 — 22:55: Encounter with the devil, bargain for hiding in exchange for servitude.
• 23:00 — 36:45: Life in the underworld, temptations, familiar voices, and increasing the punishment for the sergeant and captain.
• 36:45 — 38:35: Clever trick on the general, escape from the underworld, peace as the new general.
• 39:10 — end: Adam’s final thoughts and further invitation for listener engagement.

Takeaways for New Listeners

• The episode is a creative, interactive, and youth-friendly take on a classic Grimm tale, exploring both the dark and reformative sides of fairy tales.
• Adam’s storytelling is filled with humor, direct audience engagement, and moral reflection.
• Listener participation is central to this season, making the Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest community part of the creative process.

For feedback, visit Pinna.fm/Grimm or email/call as given in the episode description for a chance to shape—and maybe star in—the finished episodes!