No Eyes, One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes (Part I)

Summary

Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest - Episode Summary: "No Eyes, One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes (Part I)"

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Episode Overview

In the February 20, 2025 release of "Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest," host and bestselling author Adam Gidwitz delivers a captivating retelling of a classic Grimm fairy tale titled "No Eyes, One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes." This episode immerses listeners in a dark, enchanting narrative where human imperfections intertwine with supernatural abilities. Engaging interactions between Adam and a group of inquisitive children enrich the storytelling, offering diverse perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of the tale's themes.

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Introduction to the Tale

Adam Gidwitz opens the episode by contrasting traditional, sanitized versions of Grimm fairy tales with their original, more sinister counterparts. He emphasizes that while many are familiar with the "sweet, happy" versions of these stories, the original Grimm tales are "weird and sometimes gross and often scary"—truly grim. He invites listeners to embark on a "virtual storytelling session" where the authentic, darker elements of the fairy tale come to life. The episode is rated on a scale of Grim, Grimmer, or Grimmest, allowing listeners to choose their preferred level of spookiness.

Adam Gidwitz [04:06]: "If I get to a part of the story and you start to feel scared or uncomfortable, this is what you could do."

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Characters Introduction

The story centers around a mother and her four unique quadruplet daughters, each distinguished by the number of eyes they possess:

• No Eyes: The youngest sister with no eyes.
• One Eye: Possesses a single, large eye centered on her forehead.
• Two Eyes: The only daughter with the typical two eyes, mirroring societal norms.
• Three Eyes: Has three eyes—two in the usual positions and a third above.

At [04:12], the children express their initial reactions:

Child 1 [03:56]: "What's this story called today? Is there blood?"

Adam Gidwitz [04:04]: "Not a ton of blood. Blood. You'll see."

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Familial Favoritism and Conflict

As the tale unfolds, Adam reveals the mother's blatant favoritism towards Two Eyes, the daughter who conforms to conventional beauty standards. This favoritism creates tension and feelings of neglect among the other three sisters.

Child 1 [06:07]: "Terrible names. It's like calling me Boy."

Adam Gidwitz [06:16]: "Right. You know, also, I think it's not great to call people names based on the way that they're different."

The mother's preferential treatment leads Two Eyes to develop a sense of superiority, further alienating her sisters: No Eyes, One Eye, and Three Eyes.

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Discovery of Unique Abilities

Despite their mother's neglect, each sister discovers and hones her unique ability:

• No Eyes: Experiences prophetic dreams that always come true.

  Child 1 [10:20]: "But of all the sisters, no Eyes might have had the most surprising ability of all."

• One Eye: Can focus her singular eye like a telescope, enabling her to see incredible distances.

  Child 1 [19:03]: "One Eye? What's your power again?"

• Three Eyes: Possesses exceptional night vision, allowing her to see clearly in total darkness.

  Child 1 [19:05]: "Three Eyes can see in the dark? Ghost Tour guide."

These abilities become essential as the sisters decide to leave their oppressive home to seek their fortunes, leveraging their unique talents to gain respect and autonomy.

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Journey and Quest for Self-Reliance

The sisters venture into the world, facing widespread prejudice due to their physical differences. Their exceptional skills eventually earn them recognition in a new kingdom:

• Three Eyes: Becomes the best thief catcher in the land, discouraging criminals from daring to commit crimes in the dark.

  Adam Gidwitz [20:55]: "No thief would attempt to rob a home anywhere in the kingdom for fear that Three Eyes would spy them in the dark."

• One Eye: Excels as a navigator, guiding ships safely through treacherous seas with her unparalleled vision.

  Child 1 [19:39]: "And when I look through the telescopes, I'll see any trouble on the horizon, no matter how far away."

• No Eyes: Gains fame as a fortune teller, accurately predicting future events.

  Child 1 [19:01]: "No Eyes said, I have strange dreams that always seem to come true. Maybe I should become a fortune teller."

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Moral Dilemmas and Community Interaction

Conflict arises when No Eyes dreams of Two Eyes being kidnapped by a dragon. The sisters grapple with the decision to embark on a perilous rescue mission, highlighting themes of loyalty, forgiveness, and the complexities of familial love.

Child 1 [16:23]: "I would feel very depressed... I would want revenge. Revenge is inevitable."

This ethical dilemma fosters deep conversations among the children, exploring whether past grievances should influence present decisions and the importance of empathy.

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Cliffhanger Ending

The episode builds suspense as the sisters locate the dragon's lair. Just as they are about to confront the dragon and rescue Two Eyes, the story pauses, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Adam Gidwitz [28:07]: "I would love to tell you what happens next, but we're out of time. I'll just have to tell you next time."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Child 1 [03:56]: "What's this story called today? Is there blood?"

• Adam Gidwitz [05:22]: "What makes you monstrous is how you choose to behave, how you treat people."

• Child 1 [06:07]: "Terrible names. It's like calling me Boy."

• Child 1 [16:23]: "I would feel very depressed... I would want revenge. Revenge is inevitable."

• Child 1 [19:03]: "One Eye? What's your power again?"

• Child 1 [19:05]: "Three Eyes can see in the dark? Ghost Tour guide."

• Adam Gidwitz [20:55]: "No thief would attempt to rob a home anywhere in the kingdom for fear that Three Eyes would spy them in the dark."

• Adam Gidwitz [28:07]: "I would love to tell you what happens next, but we're out of time. I'll just have to tell you next time."

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Conclusion

In "No Eyes, One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes (Part I)," Adam Gidwitz masterfully weaves a dark, engaging narrative that delves into themes of acceptance, self-worth, and the pursuit of one's destiny despite societal prejudices. The interactive dialogues with the children add depth and relatability, making the grim tale resonate on multiple levels. As the story concludes on a suspenseful note, listeners are left eagerly awaiting the continuation of this enthralling fairy tale in the next episode of "Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest."

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Transcript

[Child 1]

Pinna.

[Child 2]

What is that smell? I am definitely getting a hint of a deal. Oh wait, it's more than a hint. Yeah, these are the best deals. And not just this season, but all year long. In all seriousness, the smartest shoppers know that you get the brands you love with the most savings and cash back with Rakuten, and I know I'm certainly interested in sniffing out those deals. Start getting cash back at your favorite stores like Urban Outfitters, Petco, even Expedia. And getting cash back doesn't mean you have to miss out on sales because those can be stacked right on top. It's easy to use and based on a simple idea. Stores pay Rakuten for sending them shoppers, and Rakuten shares the money with you as cash back through PayPal or check. Smells like a perfect deal to me. Download the free Rakuten app and never miss a deal. Or go to rakuten.com to start getting the most bang for your buck. That's R A K U T E N.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Hi, I'm Alexis Ohanian. You may know me as one of the co founders of Reddit, but more recently a large part of my identity is being a father to my wonderful daughters. In my podcast Business Dad, I hope to open the conversation about working parents a bit. You'll get to hear from a wide range of business dads, from Rain Wilson and Guy Raz to Todd Carmichael and Shane Battier to find out how they balance being a dad with a successful career. Business dad is available now, so be sure to listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, my name is Adam Gidwitz. I'm an author. I'm also a storyteller. I like telling all kinds of stories, but I especially like telling grim fairy tales. You may think you know grim fairy tales and you may think that they are sweet and boring, but listen, those tales you heard were the cute, happy little kid bedtime versions of the Grimm tales. The original Grimm fairy tales aren't like that at all. They're weird and sometimes gross and often scary. In other words, they're grim. And I'm about to host a virtual storytelling session and tell one of the original grim Grimm tales to a bunch of kids. Do you want to join me? Do you want to hear a grim fairy tale? I don't know if you said yes or no because I can't hear you. So let me help you decide. On a scale of grim, Grimmer and Grimmest, this story is grim. There's a very mean mom, some very hard times, and A very exciting adventure. If I get to a part of the story and you start to feel scared or uncomfortable, this is what you could do. You could turn down the volume and count to five, then turn the volume back up. If it still seems like a part you don't want to hear, turn it down and count to five again. You know how much weird and gross and scary you're ready for? You know what you need? Okay, I'm about to join the session. There are kids inside waiting to hear a grim fairy tale. So are you coming in? Grim, Grimmer, Grimace.

[Child 1]

What's this story called today? Is there blood?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Not a ton of blood. Blood. You'll see.

[Child 1]

I know I want blood.

[Adam Gidwitz]

All right, let's get to the story. This story is based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm.

[Child 1]

Yahoo.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And it is called no Eyes. One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes. What? Yeah. Once upon a time, a mother gave birth to four daughters, all at the same time. Quadruplet girls.

[Child 1]

Oh, goodness.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Goodness. I know. That's probably what she said she was like. Goodness. Well, quadruplets are rare enough, but these girls were especially unique. You see, one of them looked like most people with two eyes in the places you usually find two eyes. But the other girls were different. One girl had one enormous eye right in the middle of her forehead. Another had three eyes. Two where they usually go and a third where they. Right above them. And the fourth girl had no eyes at all.

[Child 1]

Monsters.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Now, you said monsters. Do you all agree with that, or do you disagree with that?

[Child 1]

I'm saying I don't agree. I'm saying I do agree.

[Adam Gidwitz]

You do agree that they're monsters?

[Child 1]

They're not monsters. To be a monster, you have to be kind of evil and cruel and villainous.

[Adam Gidwitz]

So that was a really interesting comment. That what makes you monstrous is how you choose to behave, how you treat people.

[Child 1]

What if these are just really nice people?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Bunch of eyes with a bunch of eyes who look differently or.

[Child 1]

Or not?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Bunch of eyes or no eyes? In that case, yes, with different kinds of eyes. Do you think it's possible that these people with different amounts of eyes are nice or. Not likely. What do you just assume?

[Child 1]

I don't have an assumption.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Okay, you don't have an assumption. You're open to whatever it turns out to be. Is that right?

[Child 1]

Mm.

[Adam Gidwitz]

That's a good way to live life. The mother, who was not very creative when it came to naming children, called them no Eyes. One Eye, Two Eyes, and Three Eyes.

[Child 1]

Terrible names. Terrible names.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yeah. Okay. Why are those bad names?

[Child 1]

It's Boring. It's like calling me Boy.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Boy. Right. You know, also, I think it's not great to call people names based on the way that they're different.

[Child 1]

Yeah, that's what I was trying to explain.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yeah, like, you wouldn't call me Mr. Unbelievably handsome, even though I am.

[Child 1]

Right.

[Adam Gidwitz]

None of you. That's not a joke.

[Child 1]

You're not handsome. You're not handsome.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Wow. Thanks. So this mother had four daughters. No Eyes, One Eye, Two Eyes and Three Eyes. Now, normally, a mother should love all of her children no matter what. But this mother, in addition to being a bad namer of kids, was also not a great mom. You see, this mother loved Two Eyes more than all her other daughters. Because Two Eyes looked like she expected a child to look. And this mother made no secret of how she felt. She was always telling Two Eyes, oh, you're so beautiful. You look just like I expected a child to look. And the three other girls? Well, this mother pretty much pretended they didn't exist.

[Child 1]

That's rude.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Mean. Right? That's really not a nice way for a mother to treat her children. As the four girls grew up, they all grew to be very beautiful, each in their own way. But Two Eyes was beautiful in the most ordinary and typical style. And so everyone praised her for it. The neighbors would gush, what a good looking girl. What a beauty she is.

[Child 1]

Just like we expected a child to look. How does the sister, Two Eye feel about how the mother's treating her sister? Is she like, very mean and spoiled or is she sweet?

[Adam Gidwitz]

That's a wonderful question.

[Child 1]

If she is a spoiled brat, the other three are gonna be really nice and kind, but a little bit depressed. Or if she turns out to be kind, the other three are jealous and evil.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Interesting. Well, since the mother gave all her attention to Two Eyes, Two Eyes grew up thinking that she was better than her sisters. And she gave them less and less attention too. Whenever her mother was cruel to them or acted like they didn't exist. Come on, Two Eyes.

[Child 2]

I hear there are new dresses at the shop.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Let's go find something that you'll look stunning in. You and me? Let's go. Well, Two Eyes pretended that she didn't see that her sisters were being ignored.

[Child 1]

Okay. Coming, mother.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And you can imagine how that made no Eyes, One Eye and Three Eyes feel sad. It made them feel really sad.

[Child 1]

I want a new dress. Me too.

[Adam Gidwitz]

I don't, but I wouldn't mind being invited. But while no Eyes, One Eye and Three Eyes were neglected by their mother, they were Discovering some rather interesting things about themselves, One Eye realized that she could focus her one great eye like a telescope and could see incredible distances. One day, as the three girls were walking along the town path, One Eye turned to her sisters and said, look.

[Child 1]

At that beautiful rainbow.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Three Eyes scanned the horizon. Where?

[Child 1]

Just over there, in the next kingdom. Uh, you can see into the next kingdom.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And Three Eyes realized that with her Three Eyes, she could see incredibly well in total darkness. One evening, as the three girls were getting ready for bed, One Eye turned to her sisters and said, it's late.

[Child 1]

I'm going to blow out the candle.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Okay, I'll keep reading, said Three Eyes.

[Child 1]

But I just blew out the candle, said One Eye.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yeah, yeah, that's fine.

[Child 1]

But it's pitch black in here.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Shh.

[Child 1]

I'm at the good part.

[Adam Gidwitz]

But of all the sisters, no Eyes might have had the most surprising ability of all. You see, sometimes she had strange dreams. And those strange dreams would always come true.

[Child 2]

I had one of my strange dreams.

[Child 1]

What was it this time?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Tell us.

[Child 1]

Please, please tell us.

[Adam Gidwitz]

I dreamt that one of you was.

[Child 2]

Going to throw up today.

[Child 1]

Oh, no. Was it me or One Eye?

[Adam Gidwitz]

I'm not telling.

[Child 1]

Not fair.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Okay, fine. It was One Eye.

[Child 1]

It was me. That's her way to see. She sees the future.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Oh, I love that. You're right. That is her way to see. She sees the future. Life went on like this. Their mother paid attention to Two Eyes and everyone fawned all over her. While the other three sisters were completely ignored and free to explore their very special abilities.

[Child 1]

Even though Two Eyes were being mean twice. Might have, like, just thought she might lose her mother's attention and she might have been used to it. And she hasn't ever liked, lost her mother's attention and being on her own.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Interesting. What you're saying is maybe she wasn't really cruel. She just really wanted to keep her mother's attention and was afraid of losing it. Yes, that's very interesting.

[Child 1]

So I feel like even if the sister. Even if the sister didn't really be mean to them, just being a witness and not doing anything makes her her mom's accomplice.

[Adam Gidwitz]

I think that's so true. Eventually, the girls grew as girls will, into young women. And then one night, no Eyes dreamt that something wonderful would happen to Two Eyes and something awful would happen to the rest of them.

[Child 1]

Oh, no. No Eyes. Are you okay? Did you have another dream? What was it?

[Adam Gidwitz]

I dreamt that the prince of this. This kingdom would want to marry Two Eyes and and we would be sent away.

[Child 2]

Sent away?

[Child 1]

What? Mother wouldn't why?

[Adam Gidwitz]

But it happened just as no Eyes dreamt it would. The very next day, the young women learned that the prince was riding through all the villages of the kingdom in search of the right young woman to marry. Well, their mother was very excited. It could be you. To us. Quick, we must get you ready. Their mother began to dress Two Eyes in the finest clothes and drape her in the most glittering jewelry they owned. One Eye, remembering her sister's dream, cautiously.

[Child 1]

Asked, what should we do, Mother? Can we help?

[Adam Gidwitz]

But their mother responded, ugh. Help? Are you kidding? If the prince saw you, he'd probably scream and run away. In fact, that's just what he do.

[Child 1]

So get lost.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Get out of here. And if you never come back, it'll be too soon.

[Child 1]

She's a horrible person. Yeah. You know what I will say I would be like you are beautiful. You are different. You are not like the other people. Yes.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Amen. That's what the mom should have said. But she didn't. And Two Eyes. Well, Two Eyes didn't say a word. She just kept getting ready for the prince. This message is for the grown UPS update on my New Year's resolution Last month I resolved to take a little of the household mental load off of my wife's shoulders by taking charge of the food shopping. And let me tell you, HelloFresh has made that so much easier. They deliver right to my doorstep with more than 50 wholesome hassle free meals to choose from each week, including 15 minute meals that take only three steps to cook. And there's over 100 add on items you can add to your weekly box like protein packed snacks for kids who get hangry like my daughter. Get up to 10 free meals and a free high protein item for [e-mail] HelloFreshPodcast 1 item per box with active subscription free meals applied as discount on FirstBox. New subscribers only. Varies by plan. That's up to 10 free HelloFresh meals. Just go to hellofresh.com hellofreshpodcast.

[Child 2]

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[Adam Gidwitz]

How would that make you feel if you were one of the other sisters? No Eyes, One Eye or Three Eyes?

[Child 1]

I would feel very depressed and like that. My mom doesn't love me because I'm different or unique. Yeah, I would want revenge. Revenge. Revenge is inevitable.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Well, their mother had told no Eyes, One Eye and Three Eyes to get lost. And since they were pretty much grown now and they were sick of being treated like they were worth less than two eyes, they did not decide to get revenge. They decided instead to set out into the world on their own. No Eyes, One Eye and Three Eyes wandered down long, lonely roads out of their own kingdom and through many others, begging for food, she, shelter, or little work to do. But no matter where they went, it was always hard for them. The people they met were afraid of these young women who looked so different from everyone else. No one would take them in or give them more than a crust of bread. And pretty soon they began to starve. One night, as they lay in a field under the stars, shivering from the cold and aching with hunger, no Ice had another strange dream. When she awoke, she said, I had a dream that the prince and Two.

[Child 2]

Eyes will marry tomorrow. And I dreamt that she and our mother will go and live in the palace as royalty.

[Adam Gidwitz]

This made the sisters a little angry and more than a little jealous. Three Eyes said, maybe we should go.

[Child 1]

To the palace and ask to rejoin our family or work in the kitchens or something. Wandering out here like this, I'm pretty sure we're gonna starve to death.

[Adam Gidwitz]

But One Eye wouldn't hear of it.

[Child 1]

No way. Why should we bother with them? Our mother never cared about us anyway.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And then One Eye had a new idea.

[Child 1]

Why don't we stop wandering around like we've got nothing worthwhile to do and make our own good fortune. Why Square special. So let's be special.

[Adam Gidwitz]

The sisters loved that idea. Yeah.

[Child 1]

What are we waiting for?

[Adam Gidwitz]

But then no Eyes asked, what should we do? Who has an idea about how they could make their fortune in the world?

[Child 1]

No Eyes could become a fortune teller.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Okay. Because she has dreams of the future. Love it.

[Child 1]

When I could become like a mountaineer or something. Like a guide. A mountain guide. A scout.

[Adam Gidwitz]

A scout or a mountaineer or a guide. A telescope or telescope user. Okay. Because she can see so far.

[Child 1]

Yes.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And then what about Three Eyes?

[Child 1]

Three Eyes? What's your power again?

[Adam Gidwitz]

She can see in the dark.

[Child 1]

Right. She can see in the dark. Night vision. She could be a ghost. A ghost Tour guide.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Ghost tour guide.

[Child 1]

Yes.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Well, the young women thought about how they could make their fortune. Three Eyes had the first idea.

[Child 1]

Well, I can see awfully well in the dark. Maybe I could become a thief catcher and prevent thieves and robbers from committing crimes in the dark of night. One Eye said, I can see awfully far. Maybe I should become a navigator and guide ships on the open sea.

[Child 2]

And when I look through the telescopes.

[Child 1]

I'll see any trouble on the horizon, no matter how far away.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And no Eyes said, I have strange dreams that always seem to come true. Maybe I should become a fortune teller and tell people's futures. You guys pretty much nailed it.

[Child 1]

Still, like the ghost hunter idea.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Well, each young woman began to learn her new profession. And sure enough, Three Eyes soon became the best thief catcher in the land. And One Eye became the greatest navigator on the seas. And no Eyes became the best fortune teller in the world. They were living now in a kingdom far away from where they had grown up. And while the people of that kingdom were at first unwelcoming and unfair to these different looking young women, just as the people in their own land had been. Well, soon each sister was so skilled, so brilliant at her profession, that the people's prejudices fell away. Soon, no thief would attempt to rob a home anywhere in the kingdom for fear that Three Eyes would spy them in the dark and drag them to prison. Almost got the lock undone. Here goes there.

[Child 1]

Ha ha. Got ya.

[Adam Gidwitz]

No. No ship would take on an important journey without begging One Eye to navigate. We are venturing on a perilous journey.

[Child 1]

We ask you, One Eye, to come.

[Adam Gidwitz]

With us on our voyage.

[Child 1]

Otherwise we'll never survive.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And no one would make any major decision without consulting no Eyes first.

[Child 1]

So Timmy asked me to marry him.

[Adam Gidwitz]

But I kinda like Bobby. And I think Jimmy might ask me.

[Child 2]

So what should I do.

[Child 1]

But doesn't it only work for you?

[Adam Gidwitz]

I don't think so.

[Child 1]

She can't do it on command. Yeah, so she'd have to be okay. So come back tomorrow and you'll have your fortune told.

[Adam Gidwitz]

We'll see. If I had a dream about you. Yeah, that's a good point.

[Child 1]

Okay.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Come back tomorrow.

[Child 2]

I'll let you know if I dream.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Of Timmy or Bobby or Johnny Chimmy.

[Child 2]

Oh, right.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Jimmy. Next. All went well for the three sisters until one morning when no eyes awoke from a terrifying dream. Their sister, Two eyes, was in terrible peril. At any moment, a dragon was going to visit Tui's kingdom and attack the palace and steal her away.

[Child 1]

Yay. Like we would go save them.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Do you say you do or you don't want them to go save her?

[Child 1]

No, no. Save them.

[Adam Gidwitz]

When Nowise told her sisters about her dream, they all reacted differently. No Eyes herself was worried for her sister.

[Child 2]

We should try to rescue her.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Three eyes wasn't worried. She was still furiously angry at Two Eyes.

[Child 1]

Are you kidding? She was perfectly happy for us to be cast out of our family just so she had a chance to marry a prince. I hope that dragon eats her liver very slowly.

[Adam Gidwitz]

One eye was torn.

[Child 1]

I still love our sister. But why should we risk our lives to save her from a dragon when.

[Child 2]

She didn't lift a finger to help us?

[Child 1]

Because you are good people.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Because you're good people.

[Child 1]

That's true.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Interesting. All right, I would like to hear. Do you think they should try to help her or not?

[Child 1]

I feel like they shouldn't help her because she didn't help them when their mom was being rude to them.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yeah.

[Child 1]

And she didn't stand up for them.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yeah. More than rude. Cruel. Right.

[Child 1]

Cruel. Yeah.

[Adam Gidwitz]

She didn't stand up for them.

[Child 1]

So why should they go and fight a dragon just so they can have that happen to them all over again?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Interesting.

[Child 1]

Maybe I would help her.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Okay.

[Child 1]

Because maybe their mom will think differently. And also, if you don't help Bushy, they would be a bad part.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Interesting.

[Child 1]

I'm torn. But I think I'm. I think I'm more on the side of no Eyes. I think that even though she hasn't been nice to them, they should still be nice to her, because that's just the kind of people they are.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Very interesting. Well, let's find out what they decide. The sisters talked about it all day without making a decision. That night, Nowise had another dream. In it, the dragon was attacking the palace and kidnapping the princess. The prince then offered a Great reward to anyone who rescued her. He made an announcement that if anyone could bring Two Eyes back alive, he would give them one quarter of his kingdom. Quick math question. How many quarters does a kingdom have?

[Child 1]

Four. Two.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Four quarters. Four quarters. Yay.

[Child 1]

I just guessed. I just guessed.

[Adam Gidwitz]

You guessed and you were right. Because there's four quarters in any one thing, Right?

[Child 1]

Yes.

[Adam Gidwitz]

When the young women awoke, no Eyes told them about her new dream. All that day, the three sisters argued about whether they should try to find the dragon, rescue their sister Two Eyes, and bring her back to the prince. No Eyes said, yes, we should save her. Three Eyes said, no way.

[Child 1]

Let her get eaten by the dragon.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And One Eye couldn't make up her mind.

[Child 1]

I agree with no Eyes. No, Three Eyes. No, no Eyes. I don't know.

[Adam Gidwitz]

That night, no Eyes had a third dream. She dreamt of her sister, Two Eyes being held captive by a dragon on a barren an island in the middle of an empty sea. Two Eyes was suffering terribly. She was cold and scared and starving.

[Child 1]

Well, now she knows how her sister felt.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yes. Now Two Eyes knows how her sisters felt.

[Child 1]

Empathy.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Maybe she'll learn some empathy. You're right. When no Eyes awoke the next morning, she could take it no longer. That's it.

[Child 2]

We're gonna find her and we're gonna rescue her.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And when no Eyes put her foot down like that, her sisters knew better than to argue. So they made a plan.

[Child 1]

I know what's gonna happen. I know it's gonna happen. They're all gonna use their powers in different ways and probably defeat the dragon. Like how they're using their powers?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Interesting.

[Child 1]

I have a feeling in my gut.

[Adam Gidwitz]

No Eyes, One Eye and Three Eyes climbed to the top of the highest hill in the kingdom. Now, in her third dream, no Eyes had seen a cave on a rocky, barren island in the middle of the ocean. So One Eye took out her navigator's telescope and put it up to her. One enormous eye. This way, she could see ten times as far as any other navigator. She scanned the waves for any sign of a rocky island like the one in no Eyes dream. But she couldn't find it.

[Child 1]

I see all the ships, ships on the sea and every sailor on their decks. But I don't see a rocky island like the one from no Eyes's dream.

[Adam Gidwitz]

So they got into a small ship and they sailed the seven seas looking for the Dragon Island. One Eye scanned the waves for the island, but the first sea was empty. And the second sea was empty. And the third sea was empty. And the fourth sea was Empty. And the fifth sea was empty. And the sixth sea was empty.

[Child 1]

The seventh sea is not empty.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And just when they had explored the very last corner of the seventh sea.

[Child 1]

They found the island there.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Through her telescope, at the very farthest edge of her vision, One Eye spotted an island, rocky and barren, just like no eyes had seen in her dream. The sisters stayed far away from the island and waited until the sun set. Then they sailed up to the rocks at the water's edge. The moon was behind clouds and the night was pitch black. Okay, so whose turn is it to help now?

[Child 1]

Three eyes. Three eyes. Turn.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Why?

[Child 1]

Because three eyes can see in the dark?

[Adam Gidwitz]

Yes. Now, who's done each job so far? Who started the journey?

[Child 1]

No, I started because she made them do all this.

[Adam Gidwitz]

She had the dream and made them do it. And then who helped them find the island?

[Child 1]

One eye. One eye. One eye.

[Adam Gidwitz]

And now whose turn is it now that it's dark out?

[Child 1]

Three eyes. Three eyes.

[Adam Gidwitz]

You got it. Three Eyes crawled out of the boat onto the rocks of the island and crept through the darkness until she found the entrance to an enormous cave. She walked as quietly as a master thief catcher should, and she snuck into the cave. There, in a great nest of seaweed and stones, lay a dragon. It had emerald and blue scales, and each claw on each foot was as large as a dog, and its teeth were each as tall as a man. But luckily, it was asleep. And in the dragon's nest, also asleep, was Two Eyes. And I would love to tell you what happens next, but we're out of time. I'll just have to tell you next time. Sorry, everybody. Next time. No eyes. One Eye, Two Eyes Three Eyes Part.

[Child 1]

2 I am devastated.

[Adam Gidwitz]

You're devastated? I'm so glad to hear that. What just happened?

[Child 1]

My tooth came out.

[Adam Gidwitz]

What? Just now?

[Child 1]

Yes, just now.

[Adam Gidwitz]

Congratulations. That's amazing. Grim Grimmer Grimmest is a Pinna original production Created, written and narrated by me, Adam Gidwitz, Author of A Tale Dark and Grim co written by Ali Horne Produced and edited by Ilana Milner Casting by Paul Paula Gammon Wilson Voice direction by Alana Milner and Paula Gammon Wilson Sound design and mixing by Beat Street NYC Executive produced by Ann Richards Production support by Ashley Beecher and Thaddeus Dankwa Characters voiced by Alison Lee Rosenfeld Baron Bass, Billy Bob Thompson, Kat Portano Sanofia Mitchell Colin Ryan, Dylan Jones, Erica Schroeder, Kaelyn Clinton, Kylie Claxton, Lori Hymes, Michael Crouch, Mike Pollock, Nicholas Korda and Rob Moreira Special thanks to all the kids who joined us for our storytelling sessions. You guys are awesome. The thing that I fought tooth and nail to bring my son into is Dungeons and Dragons. That is the ultimate solution to parenthood. I'm Alexis Ohanian in my podcast business dad. I'm hoping to open up the conversation about balancing careers and family. I talked to Rainn Wilson. I wanted to learn more about Rain's advice to play DND with your kids. Business data is available now, so be sure to listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.