Podcast Summary: "The Figs" (Adam’s Secrets Version) – Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest

Podcast: Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest
Host: Adam Gidwitz
Episode: The Figs (Adam's Secrets Version)
Release Date: November 26, 2025

Main Theme and Purpose

This special "Adam's Secrets" episode of Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest features Adam Gidwitz retelling the lesser-known fairy tale "The Figs," adapted from Franz Xaver von Schönwerth, to a group of lively and thoughtful children. The episode delves into loss, longing for home, and genuine human connection, with the unique twist of integrating real-time commentary from the kids. Adam also shares behind-the-scenes reflections in a "director’s cut" segment after the story concludes.

Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest is known for retelling classic fairy tales with humor and honesty, including thoughtful discussions on the story’s themes and morality.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Story Prelude and Warnings

• Tone-Setting: Adam clarifies that the tale is the “Grimmest” rating on their scale (Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest), containing elements of death and the underworld. He encourages listeners to pause if scared ([01:00–02:15]).
  • Quote:

  “You know how much weird and gross and scary you’re ready for. You know what you need.”
  — Adam Gidwitz [02:05]

Opening: What is a Fig?

• Exploration with the Kids: Before the story, Adam asks the kids to describe a fig, leading to a poetic, sensory discussion.
  • Quote:

  “It’s dry on the outside, and… a little wet on the inside, and it’s sweet.”
  — Child Listener [03:20]

Tale Overview

• The Setup ([03:40–06:00])

  • A rich man–longing for the figs of his childhood homeland–offers his daughter's hand to anyone who can present him with figs as good as those he remembers.
  • A neighboring poor woman, also from his homeland, has grown her own fig tree from a cutting; she sends her three sons to try their luck.

• Discussion: 'Why Three Sons'? ([05:00–06:10])

  • Adam and the kids discuss the oral tradition in fairy tales and why “three” is such a common motif.
    • Quote:

    “Because I don’t want my head to explode. That’s exactly right.”
    — Adam Gidwitz [06:03]

The Three Sons' Quest

The Eldest Son ([06:57–11:33])

• The eldest son treats a mysterious, bony old man in the forest rudely, telling him he carries “pig snouts.”
• The figs magically become pig snouts; when the sack is opened, the rich man is disgusted and has the son thrown into a well, causing his death.
  • Quote:

  “He called his servants. ‘Throw him in the well,’ the rich man bellowed.”
  — Adam Gidwitz [11:00]

• The kids react with dark humor and curiosity about the grisly outcome.
  • Quote:

  “Wouldn’t his fall have been cushioned by the older brother’s dead body?”
  — Child Listener [15:34]

The Middle Son ([11:45–15:47])

• Treats the old man with similar disdain, says his sack contains “horse dung.” The result: the sack produces horse dung, and he too is thrown into the well.
  • Quote:

  “No pig feet, this time he actually said horse dung.”
  — Adam Gidwitz [12:46]

The Youngest Son ([15:48–22:39])

• The youngest, melancholic over leaving his homeland, encounters the old man and witnesses him arguing with a “man in a green coat”—revealed to be the Devil; the bony old man is Death.

• The son resolves their argument with the simple advice: “Just chill.” Both supernatural beings are grateful.

  • Humor:

  “Yo, bros, can you chill?”
  — Child Listener (paraphrased by Adam) [18:53]

• He finds the rich man's daughter (his long-lost best friend) in tears, leaves her a fig, then presents his figs inside.

• The figs are delicious; joy returns to both the daughter and the youngest son as they realize their connection.

  • Quote:

  “He felt as if the sunshine of his native land was warming his face. He felt happy again for the first time since he was little.”
  — Adam Gidwitz [21:51]

Twist: The Final Challenge ([22:39–24:40])

• The rich man imposes a new task: bring a fig “as sweet as my daughter.” If not, the son will be thrown in the well.

Descent to the Underworld ([24:40–29:30])

• Death leads the youngest son to the underworld; the Devil offers a fig “as sweet as anything below the earth,” warning it cannot be tasted by the living except at a price.

• The youngest son reunites with and requests to rescue his two dead brothers. Death and the Devil, impressed by his past help, agree.

  • Quote:

  “Because that seemed wise.”
  — Adam Gidwitz, on thanking the Devil [27:02]

• The youngest son returns with his brothers, gives the fig to the rich man, who cannot resist tasting it…

• The rich man is instantly dragged to the underworld ("Bye bye, ta da, bye bye" chorus from the kids).

  • Quote:

  “And the rich man was dragged down to the underworld and never seen again.”
  — Adam Gidwitz [29:25]

• The family is joyfully reunited, and the youngest son marries his best friend.

Spontaneous Musical Celebration ([30:02–31:00])

• Adam and the group break into a spirited parody:

  “I got sunshine on a cloudy day…”
  which evolves into
  “Sweet figs, Sweet figs…”

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Fairy Tale Logic:

  “He thinks of her like a pencil. Meaning, like, something just to use.”
  — Child Listener (on sexism/objectification) [09:52]

• On Loss and Immigration:

  “One reason people have to leave their homelands is because there stops being enough food for everyone…or there’s war.”
  — Various Child Listeners & Adam [07:08–07:39]

• Director’s Reflection (Post-story, Adam’s Secrets):

  “The emotion at the heart of the figs is missing a place that you’ve left behind, which is a feeling that some kids can identify with…” — Adam Gidwitz [31:08]

  “One of the first moments…that let me see this was a special episode was when the kids describe what a fig is. I find it kind of hard to describe a fig. And the kids did it so beautifully.”
  — Adam Gidwitz [32:00]

• On Children’s Honesty and Humor:

  “I wish there was a blood explosion.”
  — Child Listener [36:58]
  “What is wrong with you little people?”
  — Adam Gidwitz [37:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] — Adam introduces the “Grimmest” rating and advises on listening if scared
• [03:00] — Fig discussion with the kids
• [06:00] — Oral tradition and “three sons” motif
• [07:00–10:00] — Exploring reasons for migration with the kids
• [15:30] — Youngest son’s melancholic motivation revealed
• [17:00–18:53] — Death and the Devil appear; humorous “just chill” resolution
• [21:40–22:39] — Reunion of the youngest son and the daughter
• [24:40–29:30] — Underworld journey; the brothers are rescued; rich man’s comeuppance
• [30:02–31:00] — Group singing of the “Sweet Figs” parody
• [31:08–32:00+] — Adam’s director’s cut: reflections on feelings of displacement, the origin of the story, kids’ observations, and spontaneous moments

Reflections and Takeaways

• Adam values how children’s perspectives add poetry and insight to both classic tales and their modern retelling. The episode is special for its emotional focus on homesickness—a less common fairy-tale theme.
• The interchange between the host and children reveals contemporary and timeless concerns: immigration, gender roles, the literal-minded humor of youth, and the essential value of empathy and openness.
• Spontaneity—a recurring trait of the show—is evident in musical improv and unscripted kid reactions, giving the story warmth and authenticity.

Summary prepared for those who want the full story—humor, heart, and all—without needing to listen.