In 'The Golden Goose,' what is the youngest son commonly called?

In “The Golden Goose,” the youngest son is commonly called Simpleton.

The Brothers Grimm’s German title for him is Dummling, a name suggesting a foolish or simple-minded person. English translations commonly render that nickname as “Simpleton,” so both names may appear in books and reference works. In the story, his family looks down on him because he seems less capable than his two older brothers.

His apparent simplicity is misleading. When the youngest brother meets a mysterious little gray man in the forest, he shares his meager food and drink, while his brothers had selfishly refused. As a reward, he discovers a golden goose. Anyone who tries to steal a feather becomes stuck to it, creating the comic procession that makes the princess laugh.

The tale is KHM 64 in the Grimms’ collection and is classified as ATU 571, “All Stick Together.” A common mix-up is confusing it with “The Golden Bird,” another Grimm tale involving a magical bird.