Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest: Episode Summary – "The Stone Gnomes (Adam's Secrets Version)"

Release Date: May 29, 2025
Host/Author: Pinna (Adam Gidwitz)
Description: In this captivating episode of Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest, bestselling author Adam Gidwitz immerses listeners in the eerie retelling of "The Stone Gnomes," a classic Grimm fairy tale. Accompanied by a group of inquisitive kids, Adam navigates through dark prophecies, enchanted stone gnomes, and a battle to save a kingdom. This summary delves into the key points, engaging discussions, insightful comments, and the heartwarming conclusions drawn by both the host and young participants.

1. Introduction and Setting the Scene (00:01 – 04:24)

The episode opens with Adam Gidwitz and his young co-hosts, Petra and Sean von Schervert, engaging in light-hearted banter about Carnegie Hall and classical music resources for kids. Petra introduces a website dedicated to fostering a love for classical music among children, highlighting its interactive features like quizzes and guided instrument discovery games.

Notable Quote:

• Petra (00:30): "You can take quizzes and figure out like, is it an animal sound or an instrument sound."

As the conversation transitions, Petra announces the upcoming season of Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest and hints at re-airing popular episodes. She also mentions a live storytelling session scheduled for June 14th at the Brooklyn Public Library, encouraging listeners to vote for their favorite episodes.

2. Retelling "The Stone Gnomes" (04:24 – 29:53)

Adam seamlessly transitions into the heart of the episode: the retelling of "The Stone Gnomes." The story revolves around a boastful king whose pride leads him to disregard a grim prophecy foretelling his son’s demise at the hands of a stag when the prince turns sixteen.

Plot Highlights:

• The Prophecy: A fortune teller warns the king that his son will be killed by a stag at sixteen (05:01 – 06:01).
• Reluctant Hunting: Despite the prophecy, the king forces the prince into relentless hunting, believing it will make him invincible (07:02 – 07:50).
• Transformation of the Stag: On the prince's sixteenth birthday, a majestic stag transforms into a menacing knight, fulfilling part of the prophecy (08:53 – 09:35).
• Introduction of Petra and the Stone Gnomes: Captured by the knight, the prince meets Petra, a stoic girl who communicates with enchanted stone gnomes, hinting at her true identity as queen of a hidden realm (09:44 – 22:35).

Notable Quotes:

• Prince (07:15): "I don't like it, but I have to do what my father says because he's the king."
• Petra (12:35): "But soon he realized it was no use. Petra refused to speak to him."

Throughout the narration, the kids contribute their interpretations and humorous remarks, enriching the storytelling experience. For instance, Sean likens the prince's predicament to characters from "Sleeping Beauty" and "Flying Trunk," while Petra encourages interactive participation by asking listeners to guess plot developments (05:53 – 11:55).

Interactive Segments:

• Sean (06:06): "I feel like the dying at 16 gave me sort of a Sleeping Beauty vibe."
• Petra (17:05): "What would you say if somebody showed you a bunch of rocks and said, do you want to meet my friends?"

3. Climax and Resolution (22:35 – 29:53)

The story builds to a dramatic confrontation between the king and the knight, leading to an epic battle disrupted by Petra and her army of stone gnomes. The prince advocates for peace, but the persistent belligerence of both leaders almost sparks full-scale war.

Key Moments:

• Battlefield Intervention: Petra arrives on a stone chariot, turning the tide by empowering her stone gnome allies to subdue the human armies without bloodshed (26:08 – 27:04).
• Resolution of Prophecies: The prince proposes marriage to Petra, who declines, revealing her duty as queen of the stone gnomes. The story concludes with the prince ascending to kingship and Petra ruling her own realm, fulfilling the fortune teller’s prophecies (27:57 – 29:53).

Notable Quotes:

• Prince (24:39): "You don’t need to fight. We can solve this another way."
• Petra (29:37): "I am already queen of a far greater kingdom. You can rule this one."

The kids engage dynamically during these moments, reenacting parts of the battle and expressing their thoughts on the characters' motivations and outcomes.

4. Host Reflections and Behind-the-Scenes Insights (29:53 – 33:04)

Following the story, Adam shares personal reflections on creating "The Stone Gnomes." He admits uncertainty about its direct Grimm fairy tale inspiration, humorously noting that he may have blended elements from various sources, including "Tales about Toads" and his favorite picture book, "Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady."

Production Notes:

• Adam discusses the challenges and advantages of recording during the pandemic, highlighting differences between virtual and in-person sessions.
• He praises Petra’s performance, particularly her deadpan delivery and the charming voices of the stone gnomes.
• Adam also touches on the dynamic between live interaction and the quality of recordings, expressing a preference for capturing genuine laughter and camaraderie in person, despite occasional audio mishaps (33:04 – 38:26).

Notable Quotes:

• Adam (32:29): "But Petra played with her stone gnomes every day. And sometimes the prince's kids would come and visit her and they'd play with the stone gnomes, too."
• Sean (31:32): "So my question is, she's still alive after a thousand years, right?"

The segment concludes with Adam inviting listeners to engage through votes for their favorite episodes and announcing the upcoming live show, fostering a sense of community and anticipation.

5. Conclusion and Future Plans (38:26 – End)

In the closing moments, Adam summarizes the success of "The Stone Gnomes" as a favorite among listeners and teases the forthcoming Season Five, emphasizing the transition back to in-person recordings to enhance the authentic storytelling atmosphere.

Notable Quotes:

• Adam (39:42): "I love this episode. You all voted for it as one of your favorite episodes so far."
• Petra (30:20): "And so the prince ruled his kingdom for a hundred years and married a very nice woman, and they had lots of kids. And Petra ruled her kingdom for a thousand years, and she never married anyone way, way, way."

Adam wraps up by giving special thanks to the children who participated, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the rich and immersive storytelling experience.

6. Key Takeaways and Insights

• Empowerment through Storytelling: The episode underscores the power of storytelling to convey complex themes like destiny, leadership, and resistance against tyranny.
• Collaborative Creativity: Interaction with the kids adds layers of humor, spontaneity, and fresh perspectives, enriching the narrative.
• Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Adam adeptly blends classic Grimm fairy tale elements with unique twists, making ancient stories accessible and engaging for modern audiences.
• Adaptability in Production: The reflections on virtual versus live recordings highlight the importance of flexibility and the desire to maintain authentic interactions despite external challenges.

7. Recommendations

Listeners new to Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest will find "The Stone Gnomes" a compelling entry point, combining traditional fairy tale motifs with interactive and contemporary elements. Fans of dark fantasy, mythology, and creative storytelling will especially appreciate the depth and originality of this episode.

For more enchanting episodes and to join the live storytelling session, visit pinna.fm and use code GRIMM for a discount after a 7-day free trial!