In the Brothers Grimm tale “The Devil’s Sooty Brother,” the returning soldier receives work as a devil’s servant.
The story follows a soldier who has completed his service but has little money. The devil offers him a position in Hell, where he must keep the fires burning and perform related household work. In return, the soldier can prosper if he follows the devil’s conditions and avoids washing or cutting his hair during the agreed period.
The tale combines a military veteran’s hardship with a supernatural bargain. Its title refers to the soldier’s soot-covered appearance after working below ground, not to a biological or family relationship with the devil.
The story is KHM 100 in the Grimms’ collection. It is distinct from “Bearskin,” another Grimm tale about a soldier who makes a bargain with the devil and must endure an unusual appearance for years.