Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest

Episode: The Water of Life (Adam’s Secrets Version)
Host: Adam Gidwitz
Producer/Commentator: Ilana Milner
Release Date: December 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This "Adam's Secrets" special re-releases a memorable episode of Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest, where Adam Gidwitz retells the classic Grimm fairy tale "The Water of Life." Recorded in a live classroom setting with active child participation, the episode showcases the humor, suspense, and philosophy found in authentic Grimm stories. The retelling explores sibling rivalry, betrayal, kindness, justice, and the unique mark each storyteller leaves on an age-old tale. Producer Ilana Milner offers a director’s cut reflection in the ending segment, discussing sound design, narrative themes, and the much-discussed "Smurf" moment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the (Spooky) Tone

• Adam introduces himself as a storyteller passionate about original Grimm fairy tales—highlighting their weird, gross, and suspenseful nature (01:30).
• Adam sets the “Grimmer” rating:

  “The story I’m going to tell today is grimmer. It’s not the scariest story, but it’s definitely suspenseful. And there is one very evil scheme.”
  (01:46)

• Adam shares coping strategies for listeners who get scared: “If you start to feel scared or uncomfortable, turn down the volume and count to five, then turn back up.” (01:50)

2. Entering the Classroom

• Before the story, Adam poses the philosophical question:

  “If all of the books in the library were chocolate, would you want to eat them or leave them so you could read them?”
  (03:23)

• Children respond with creative logic—maybe if you eat the chocolate book, “you get the story in your brain.” (03:39)
• Sets a playful, interactive mood for the fairy tale ahead.

3. The Tale: The Water of Life

A. The Quest Begins (03:41–07:31)

• The ailing king’s three sons, with the two eldest more motivated by greed than love, embark on a quest for the fabled Water of Life after doctors declare only this rare remedy may save their father.
• The eldest and middle brothers both encounter a blue dwarf (categorically not a Smurf)—each rudely dismisses him and is magically trapped (ravine and brambles, respectively).
  • “He cursed the eldest brother as the brother galloped away. Not cursed at him. Cursed him.” (05:41)

B. The Youngest Brother: Kindness Rewarded (07:36–09:40)

• The youngest brother, motivated by genuine concern, treats the blue dwarf with kindness and receives helpful advice.
• The blue dwarf:

  “If you are kind and good of heart, it shouldn’t be much trouble to get it.”
  (08:40)

• At an enchanted castle, the youngest is granted the Water of Life and a warning by the princess:

  “You will pass a hard and evil year... if you endure it, come back here and you will be my husband if you wish it.”
  (09:24)

C. Betrayal and Exile (10:03–13:14)

• On the journey home, the youngest brother helps his trapped siblings. Out of fear and jealousy, the brothers steal the Water of Life, replacing it with pond water.
• At the palace, the fake “cure” nearly kills the king; the brothers frame the youngest, and he is banished, facing total social ostracism.
  • Child’s reaction: “I’d be sad, mad, and feel betrayed from my own brothers. Totally. Revenge.” (15:42)
• The youngest brother barely survives a year in exile, aided only at the end by the blue dwarf who confirms his siblings’ betrayal:

  “Your kindness is all well and good, but you don’t have to be an idiot about it.”
  (16:59)

D. Justice, Forgiveness, and Final Resolution (17:25–22:37)

• After surviving his “evil year,” the youngest rightfully claims the princess, following her test to arrive down the golden road.
• Eldest and middle brothers, attempting to cheat destiny, are rebuffed and humiliated by being doused in “boiling water with snakes and snake farts.”
  • Hilarity and sound effects ensue. Adam: “That is award-winning sound design, am I right?” (30:56)
• At the wedding, the brothers plot murder but end up stabbing a roast pig decoy; the blue dwarf transforms them into pigs, threatening a bacon-based comeuppance:

  “You know what my favorite food is?”
  “Bacon.” (22:33–22:36)

• The youngest forgives his repentant father, inherits the kingdom, and lives happily with the princess—never accepting bacon from the blue dwarf.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the plight of unreliable siblings and empathy:
  “Actually what motivated them was fear... they were afraid that they would lose the kingdom.”
  (27:37 – Commentary)

• On the philosophy of kindness:
  “Your kindness is all well and good, but you don’t have to be an idiot about it.” — Blue Dwarf (16:59)
  Adam expands, connecting it to real-life friendships and boundaries:
  “Sometimes, yes, you should give people the benefit of the doubt… But if they keep showing you who they are… don’t be an idiot about it.” (29:26)

• The Smurf Debate:

  • Child: “Definitely a Smurf.” (06:48)
  • Adam (in exasperation): “Not a Smurf. Let’s be clear. It is a blue dwarf, not a Smurf.” (05:23)
  • Ilana Milner, Director's Cut: “Do you know that I can't, like, do a live event without some kid bringing me a drawing of a Smurf or a Smurf toy?” (25:14)

• Comedy & Sound Design:

  • Adam, on the castle’s defenses:
    “Let’s change it… Snake boils and snake farts... Running snakes!” (19:01)
  • “I am very proud, very proud that we figured out how to combine the sound of boiling water, snakes and snake farts.” (30:56)

Director’s Cut: Reflections, Philosophy, and Behind-the-Scenes (23:22–32:47)

• Philosophy of Storytelling:
  Ilana Milner emphasizes that even clichés can be made fresh by the storyteller’s unique voice and perspective.

  • “A perfect fairy tale is a perfect fairy tale, even if you’ve heard it a million times... What you have to do is you have to tell a story in your voice…”

• Empathy for “Villains”:
  Discusses how real motivations, like fear, make the elder brothers more believable and the story less cartoonish.

• On Kindness and Boundaries:
  Adam’s family rule:

  “Try to identify the unreliable friends. And if you still want to be friends with them... you should know they are going to be unreliable.”
  (29:55)

• Sound Design Gags:
  Pride in melding the noises of “boiling water, snakes, and snake farts” for comedic effect; confesses less satisfaction with the “pig stabbing” sound (30:56–31:46).

Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|-----------| | Adam sets the “Grimmer” rating | 01:46 | | Philosophical chocolate-book debate | 03:23 | | Eldest meets blue dwarf | 05:22 | | Youngest brother’s kindness rewarded| 08:16 | | The princess’s “evil year” warning | 09:24 | | Brothers’ betrayal | 10:03 | | Exile and blue dwarf’s advice | 16:59 | | Golden road & castle defenses | 18:31–19:01| | Brothers’ piggy punishment | 22:33–22:36| | Director’s Cut/Smurf commentary | 25:14+ | | Reflection on kindness boundaries | 29:26 | | Sound design pride | 30:56 |

Conclusion

The Water of Life (Adam’s Secrets Version) is a witty, interactive retelling of a classic fairy tale, elevated by the live reactions of children, playful sound design, and a thoughtful commentary reflecting on storytelling, the complexity of villainy, and the importance of kindness and clear boundaries. The ongoing “Smurf” jokes and bacon references showcase the irreverent, engaging style that makes Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest a hit for kids (and adults!) who like their fairy tales full of twists, laughter, and a dash of the weird.

Final episode rating (per the show’s scale): Grimmer.
Recurring theme: “Not a Smurf.”