1. Gluck is obviously a kind, innocent young man. Why doesn't the King of the Golden River simply reward him without requiring him to climb through the wilderness to the Golden River's source?

2. Why do you think South-West Wind, Esquire, comes to visit Gluck and his brothers?

3. What kind of a relationship do the evil brothers, Hans and Schwarz, have with each other? What does their relationship suggest about their values?

4. Even when Gluck follows the King of the Golden River's instructions after fulfilling his quest, the Golden River still does not turn into real gold. Why not?

5. How is Gluck's journey through the wilderness to the source of the Golden River different from that of his brothers?

What does this difference mean?

6. On the way to the river's source, all three brothers meet a dog, a fair child, and an old man. What is...