Iron JohnGrimms Fairy Tales and German Folklore There was once upon a time a king who had a great forest near his palace , full of all kinds of wild animals . one day he sent out a huntsman to shoot him a roe , but he did not come back . Perhaps some accident has befallen him , said the king , and the next day he sent out two more huntsmen who were to search for him , but they too stayed away . Then on the third day , he sent for al his huntsmen , and said , scour the whole forest through , and do not give up until you have found all three . But of these also , none came home again , and of the pack of hounds which they had taken with them , none were seen again . From that time forth , no one would any longer venture into the forest , and it lay there in deep stillness and solitude , and nothing was seen of it , but sometimes an eagle or a hawk flying over it . This lasted for many years , when an unknown huntsman announced himself to the king as seeking a situation , and offered to go into the dangerous forest . The king , however , would not give his consent , and said , it is not safe in there , I fear it would fare with you no better than with the others , and you would never come out again . The huntsman replied , lord , I will venture it at my ownrisk , of fear I know nothing . The huntsman therefore betook himself with his dog to the forest . It was not long before the dog fell in with some game on the way , and wanted to pursue it , but hardly had the dog run two steps when it stood before a deep pool , could go no farther , and a naked arm stretched itself out of the water , seized it , and drew it under . When the huntsman saw that , he went back and fetchedthree men to come with buckets and bale out the water . When they could see to the bottom there lay a wild man whose body was brown like rusty iron , and whose hair hung over his face down to his knees . They bound him with cords , and led him away to the castle . There was great astonishment over the wild man , the king , however , had him put in an iron cage in his court - yard , and forbade the door to be opened on pain of death , and the queen herself was to take the key into her keeping . And from this time forth every one could again go into the forest with safety . The king had a son of eight years , who was once playing in the court - yard , and while he was playing , his golden ball fell into the cage . The boy ran thither and said , give me my ball out . Not till you have opened the door for me , answered the man . No , said the boy , I will not do that , the king has forbidden it , and ran away . The next day he again went and asked for his ball . The wild man said , open my door , but the boy would not . on the third day the king had ridden out hunting , and the boy went once more and said , I cannot open the door even if I wished , for I have not the key . Then the wild man said , it lies under your mother ' s pillow , you can get it there . The boy , who wanted to have his ball back , cast all thought to the winds , and brought the key . The door opened with difficulty , and the boy pinched his fingers . When it was open the wild man stepped out , gave him the golden ball , and hurried away . The boy had become afraid , he called and cried after him , oh , wild man , do not go away , or I shall be beaten . The wild man turned back , took him up , set him on his shoulder , and went with hasty steps into the forest . When the king came home , he observed the empty cage , and asked the queen how that had happened . She knew nothing about it , and sought the key , but it was gone . She called the boy , but no one answered . The king sent out people to seek for him in the fields , but they did not find him . Then he could easily guess what had happened , and much grief reigned in the royal court . When the wild man had once more reached the dark forest , he took the boy down from his shoulder , and said to him , you will never see your father and mother again , but I will keep you with me , for you have set me free , and I have compassion on you . If you do all I bid you , you shall fare well . Of treasure and gold have I enough , and more than anyone in the world . He made a bed of moss for the boy on which he slept , and the next morning the man took him to a well , and said , behold , the gold well is as bright and clear as crystal , youshall sit beside it , and take care that nothing falls into it , or it will be polluted . I will come every evening to see ifyou have obeyed my order . The boy placed himself by the brink of the well , and often saw a golden fish or a golden snake show itself therein , and took care that nothing fell in . As he was thus sitting , his finger hurt him so violently that he involuntarily put it in the water . He drew it quickly out again , but saw that it was quite gilded , and whatsoever pains he took to wash the gold off again , all was to no purpose . In the evening iron Hans came back , looked at the boy , and said , what has happened to the well . Nothing , nothing , he answered , and held his finger behind his back , that the man might not see it . But he said , you have dipped your finger into the water , this time it may pass , but take care you do not again let anything go in . By daybreak the boy was already sitting by the well and watching it . His finger hurt him again and he passed it over his head , and then unhappily a hair fell down into the well . He took it quickly out , but it was already quite gilded . Iron Hans came , and already knew what had happened . You have let a hair fall into the well , said he . I will allow you to watch by it once more , but if this happens for the third time then the well is polluted , and you can no longer remain with me . on the third day , the boy sat by the well , and did not stir his finger , however much it hurt him . But the time was long to him , and he looked at the reflection of his face on the surface of the water . And as he still bent down more and more while he was doing so , and trying to look straight into the eyes , his long hair fell down from his shoulders into the water . He raised himself up quickly , but the whole of the hair of his headwas already golden and shone like the sun . You can imagine how terrified the poor boy was . He took his pocket - handkerchief and tied it round his head , in order that the man might not see it . When he came he already knew everything , and said , take the handkerchief off . Then the golden hair streamed forth , and let the boy excuse himself as he might , it was of no use . You have not stood the trial , and can stay here no longer . Go forth into the world , there you will learn what poverty is . But as you have not a bad heart , and as I mean well by you , there is one thing I will grant you . If you fall into any difficulty , come to the forest and cry , iron Hans , and then I will come and help you . My power is great , greater than you think , and I have gold and silver in abundance . Then the king ' s son left the forest , and walked by beaten and unbeaten paths ever onwards until at length he reached a great city . There he looked for work , but could find none , and he had learnt nothing by which he could help himself . At length he went to the palace , and asked if they would take him in . The people about court did not at all know what use they could make of him , but they liked him , and told him to stay . At length the cook took him into his service , and said he might carry wood and water , and rake the cinders together . once when it so happened that no one else was at hand , the cook ordered him to carry the food to the royal table , but as he did not like to let his golden hair be seen , he kept his little cap on . Such a thing as that had never yet come under the king ' s notice , and he said , when you come to the royal table you must take your hat off . He answered , ah , lord , I cannot . I have a bad sore place on my head . Then the king had the cook called before him and scolded him , and asked how he could take such a boy as that into his service , and that he was to send him away at once . The cook , however , had pity on him , and exchanged him for the gardener ' s boy . And now the boy had to plant and water the garden , hoe and dig , and bear the wind and bad weather . once in summer when he was working alone in the garden , the day was so warm he took his little cap off that the air might cool him . As the sun shone on his hair it glittered and flashed so that the rays fell into the bed - room of the king ' s daughter , and up she sprang to see what that could be . Then she saw the boy , and cried to him , boy , bring me a wreath of flowers . He put his cap on with all haste , and gathered wild field - flowers and bound them together . When he was ascending the stairs with them , the gardener met him , and said , how can you take the king ' s daughter a garland of such common flowers . Go quickly , and get another , and seek out the prettiest and rarest . Oh , no , replied the boy , the wild ones have more scent , and will please her better . When he got into the room , the king ' s daughter said , take your cap off , it is not seemly to keep it on in my presence . He again said , I may not , I have a sore head . She , however , caught at his cap and pulled it off , and then his golden hair rolled down on his shoulders , and it was splendid to behold . He wanted to run out , but she held him by the arm , and gave him a handful of ducats . With these he departed , but he cared nothing for the gold pieces . He took them to the gardener , and said , I present them to your children , they can play with them . The following day the king ' s daughter again called to him that he was to bring her a wreath of field - flowers , and when he went in with it , she instantly snatched at his cap , and wanted to take it away from him , but he held it fast with both hands . She again gave him a handful of ducats , but he would not keep them , and gave them to the gardener for playthings for his children . On the third day things went just the same . She could not get his cap away from him , and he would not have her money . Not long afterwards , the country was overrun by war . The king gathered together his people , and did not know whether or not he could offer any opposition to the enemy , who was superior in strength and had a mighty army . Then said the gardener ' s boy , I am grown up , and will go to the wars also , only give me a horse . The others laughed , and said , seek one for yourself when we are gone , we will leave one behind us in the stable for you . When they had gone forth , he went into the stable , and led the horse out . It was lame of one foot , and limped hobblety jig , hobblety jig , nevertheless he mounted it , and rode away to the dark forest . When he came to the outskirts , he called ' iron Hans , three times so loudly that it echoed through the trees . Thereupon the wild man appeared immediately , and said , what do you desire . I want a strong steed , for I am going to the wars . That you shall have , and still more than you ask for . Then the wild man went back into the forest , and it was not long before a stable - boy came out of it , who led a horse that snorted with its nostrils , and could hardly be restrained , and behind them followed a great troop of warriors entirely equipped in iron , and their swords flashed in the sun . The youth made over his three - legged horse to the stable - boy , mounted the other , and rode at the head of the soldiers . When he got near the battle - field a great part of the king ' s men had already fallen , and little was wanting to make the rest give way . Then the youth galloped thither with his iron soldiers , broke like a hurricane over the enemy , and beat down all who opposed him . They began to flee , but the youth pursued , and never stopped , until there was not a single man left . Instead of returning to the king , however , he conducted his troop by byways back to the forest , and called forth iron Hans . What do you desire , asked the wild man . Take back your horse and your troops , and give me my three - legged horse again . All that he asked was done , and soon he was riding on his three - legged horse . When the king returned to his palace , his daughter wentto meet him , and wished him joy of his victory . I am not the one who carried away the victory , said he , but a strange knight who came to my assistance with his soldiers . The daughter wanted to hear who the strange knight was , but the king did not know , and said , he followed the enemy , and I did not see him again . She inquired of the gardener where his boy was , but he smiled , and said , he has just come home on his three - legged horse , and the others have been mocking him , and crying , here comes our hobblety jig back again . They asked , too , under what hedge have you been lying sleeping all the time . So he said , I did the best of all , and it would have gone badly without me . And then he was still more ridiculed . The king said to his daughter , I will proclaim a great feast that shall last for three days , and you shall throw a golden apple . Perhaps the unknown man will show himself . When the feast was announced , the youth went out to the forest , and called iron Hans . What do you desire , asked he . That I may catch the king ' s daughter ' s golden apple . It is as safe as if you had it already , said iron Hans . You shall likewise have a suit of red armor for the occasion , and ride on a spirited chestnut - horse . When the day came , the youth galloped to the spot , took his place amongst the knights , and was recognized by no one . The king ' s daughter came forward , and threw a golden apple to the knights , but none of them caught it but he , only as soon as he had it he galloped away . on the second day iron Hans equipped him as a white knight , and gave him a white horse . Again he was the only one who caught the apple , and he did not linger an instant , but galloped off with it . The king grew angry , and said , that is not allowed . He must appear before me and tell his name . He gave the order that if the knight who caught the apple , should go away again they should pursue him , and if he would not come back willingly , they were to cut him down and stab him . on the third day , he received from iron Hans a suit of black armor and a black horse , and again he caught the apple . But when he was riding off with it , the king ' s attendants pursued him , and one of them got so near him that he wounded the youth ' s leg with the point of his sword . The youth nevertheless escaped from them , but his horse leapt so violently that the helmet fell from the youth ' s head , and they could see that he had golden hair . They rode back and announced this to the king . The following day the king ' s daughter asked the gardener about his boy . He is at work in the garden . The queer creature has been at the festival too , and only came home yesterday evening . He has likewise shown my children three golden apples which he has won . The king had him summoned into his presence , and he came and again had his little cap on his head . But the king ' s daughter went up to him and took it off , and then his golden hair fell down over his shoulders , and he was so handsome that all were amazed . Are you the knight who came every day to the festival , always in different colors , and who caught the three golden apples , asked the king . Yes , answered he , and here the apples are , and he took them out of his pocket , and returned them to the king . If you desire further proof , you may see the wound which your people gave me when they followed me . But I am likewise the knight who helped you to your victory over your enemies . If you can perform such deeds as that , you are no gardener ' s boy , tell me , who is your father . My father is a mighty king , and gold have I in plenty as great as I require . I well see , said the king , that I owe thanks to you , can I do anything to please you . Yes , answered he , that indeed you can . Give me your daughter to wife . The maiden laughed , and said , he does not stand much on ceremony , but I have already seen by his golden hair that he was no gardener ' s boy , and then she went and kissed him . His father and mother came to the wedding , and were in great delight , for theyhad given up all hope of ever seeing their dear son again . And as they were sitting at the marriage - feast , the music suddenly stopped , the doors opened , and a stately king came in with a great retinue . He went up to the youth , embraced him and said , I am iron Hans , and was by enchantment a wild man , but you have set me free . All thetreasures which I possess , shall be your property .