Herr Heinrich Hoffmann (whose birthday this was in 1809) wrote Der Struwwelpeter as a gift for his son, back in 1845. It is a collection of short moral tales, merrily pointing out that defiant childlike behavior can have Catastrophic Consequences.

None of the Protagonists in these stories end up happily, so they clearly learn their Lessons, if a bit late in the day.

RhinoTots find these stories bizarre, but they do like them. Inexplicable, kids.