The King of the Golden Mountain - Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm

Reading time for children: 18 min

There was a certain merchant who had two children, a boy and a girl. They were both young, and could not walk. And two richly-laden ships of his sailed forth to sea with all his property on board, and just as he was expecting to win much money by them, news came that they had gone to the bottom, and now instead of being a rich man he was a poor one, and had nothing left but one field outside the town. In order to drive his misfortune a little out of his thoughts, he went out to this field, and as he was walking forwards and backwards in it, a little black mannikin stood suddenly by his side, and asked why he was so sad, and what he was taking so much to heart. Then said the merchant, „If thou couldst help me I would willingly tell thee.“ – „Who knows?“ replied the black dwarf. „Perhaps, I can help thee.“ Then the merchant told him that all he possessed had gone to the bottom of the sea, and that he had nothing left but this field. „Do not trouble thyself,“ said the dwarf. „If thou wilt promise to give me the first thing that rubs itself against thy leg when thou art at home again, and to bring it here to this place in twelve years‘ time, thou shalt have as much money as thou wilt.“ The merchant thought, „What can that be but my dog?“ and did not remember his little boy, so he said yes, gave the black man a written and sealed promise, and went home.

When he reached home, his little boy was so delighted that he held by a bench, tottered up to him and seized him fast by the legs. The father was shocked, for he remembered his promise, and now knew what he had pledged himself to do; as however, he still found no money in his chest, he thought the dwarf had only been jesting. A month afterwards he went up to the garret, intending to gather together some old tin and to sell it, and saw a great heap of money lying. Then he was happy again, made purchases, became a greater merchant than before, and felt that this world was well-governed. In the meantime the boy grew tall, and at the same time sharp and clever. But the nearer the twelfth year approached the more anxious grew the merchant, so that his distress might be seen in his face. One day his son asked what ailed him, but the father would not say. The boy, however, persisted so long, that at last he told him that without being aware of what he was doing, he had promised him to a black dwarf, and had received much money for doing so. He said likewise that he had set his hand and seal to this, and that now when twelve years had gone by he would have to give him up. Then said the son, „Oh, father, do not be uneasy, all will go well. The black man has no power over me.“ The son had himself blessed by the priest, and when the time came, father and son went together to the field, and the son made a circle and placed himself inside it with his father. Then came the black dwarf and said to the old man, „Hast thou brought with thee that which thou hast promised me?“ He was silent, but the son asked, „What dost thou want here?“ Then said the black dwarf, „I have to speak with thy father, and not with thee.“ The son replied, „Thou hast betrayed and misled my father, give back the writing.“ – „No,“ said the black dwarf, „I will not give up my rights.“ They spoke together for a long time after this, but at last they agreed that the son, as he did not belong to the enemy of mankind, nor yet to his father, should seat himself in a small boat, which should lie on water which was flowing away from them, and that the father should push it off with his own foot, and then the son should remain given up to the water. So he took leave of his father, placed himself in a little boat, and the father had to push it off with his own foot. The boat capsized so that the keel was uppermost, and the father believed his son was lost, and went home and mourned for him.

The boat, however, did not sink, but floated quietly away, and the boy sat safely inside it, and it floated thus for a long time, until at last it stopped by an unknown shore. Then he landed and saw a beautiful castle before him, and set out to go to it. But when he entered it, he found that it was bewitched. He went through every room, but all were empty until he reached the last, where a snake lay coiled in a ring. The snake, however, was an enchanted maiden, who rejoiced to see him, and said, „Hast thou come, oh, my deliverer? I have already waited twelve years for thee. This kingdom is bewitched, and thou must set it free.“ – „How can I do that?“ he inquired. „To-night come twelve black men, covered with chains who will ask what thou art doing here; keep silent; give them no answer, and let them do what they will with thee. They will torment thee, beat thee, stab thee; let everything pass, only do not speak; at twelve o’clock, they must go away again. On the second night twelve others will come. On the third, four-and-twenty, who will cut off thy head, but at twelve o’clock their power will be over, and then if thou hast endured all, and hast not spoken the slightest word, I shall be released. I will come to thee, and will have, in a bottle, some of the water of life. I will rub thee with that, and then thou wilt come to life again, and be as healthy as before.“ Then said he, „I will gladly set thee free.“ And everything happened just as she had said. The black men could not force a single word from him, and on the third night the snake became a beautiful princess, who came with the water of life and brought him back to life again. So she threw herself into his arms and kissed him, and there was joy and gladness in the whole castle. After this their marriage was celebrated, and he was King of the Golden Mountain.

They lived very happily together, and the Queen bore a fine boy. Eight years had already gone by, when the King bethought him of his father. His heart was moved, and he wished to visit him. The Queen, however, would not let him go away, and said, „I know beforehand that it will cause my unhappiness;“ but he suffered her to have no rest until she consented. At their parting she gave him a wishing-ring, and said, „Take this ring and put it on thy finger, and then thou wilt immediately be transported whithersoever thou wouldst be, only thou must promise me not to use it in wishing me away from this place and with thy father.“ That he promised her, put the ring on his finger, and wished himself at home, just outside the town where his father lived. Instantly he found himself there, and made for the town, but when he came to the gate, the sentries would not let him in, because he wore such strange and yet such rich and magnificent clothing. Then he went to a hill where a shepherd was watching his sheep, changed clothes with him, put on his old shepherd’s-coat, and then entered the town without hindrance. When he came to his father, he made himself known to him, but he did not at all believe that the shepherd was his son, and said he certainly had had a son, but that he was dead long ago. However, as he saw he was a poor, needy shepherd, he would give him something to eat. Then the shepherd said to his parents, „I am verily your son. Do you know of no mark on my body by which you could recognize me?“ – „Yes,“ said his mother, „our son had a raspberry mark under his right arm.“ He slipped back his shirt, and they saw the raspberry under his right arm, and no longer doubted that he was their son. Then he told them that he was King of the Golden Mountain, and a king’s daughter was his wife, and that they had a fine son of seven years old. Then said the father, „That is certainly not true. It is a fine kind of a king who goes about in a ragged shepherd’s-coat.“ On this the son fell in a passion, and without thinking of his promise, turned his ring round, and wished both his wife and child with him. They were there in a second, but the Queen wept, and reproached him, and said that he had broken his word, and had brought misfortune upon her. He said, „I have done it thoughtlessly, and not with evil intention,“ and tried to calm her, and she pretended to believe this; but she had mischief in her mind.

Then he led her out of the town into the field, and showed her the stream where the little boat had been pushed off, and then he said, „I am tired; sit down, I will sleep awhile on thy lap.“ And he laid his head on her lap, and fell asleep. When he was asleep, she first drew the ring from his finger, then she drew away the foot which was under him, leaving only the slipper behind her, and she took her child in her arms, and wished herself back in her own kingdom. When he awoke, there he lay quite deserted, and his wife and child were gone, and so was the ring from his finger, the slipper only was still there as a token. „Home to thy parents thou canst not return,“ thought he, „they would say that thou wast a wizard; thou must be off, and walk on until thou arrivest in thine own kingdom.“ So he went away and came at length to a hill by which three giants were standing, disputing with each other because they did not know how to divide their father’s property. When they saw him passing by, they called to him and said little men had quick wits, and that he was to divide their inheritance for them. The inheritance, however, consisted of a sword, which had this prperty that if any one took it in his hand, and said, „All heads off but mine,“ every head would lie on the ground; secondly, of a cloak which made any one who put it on invisible; thirdly, of a pair of boots which could transport the wearer to any place he wished in a moment. He said, „Give me the three things that I may see if they are still in good condition.“ They gave him the cloak, and when he had put it on, he was invisible and changed into a fly. Then he resumed his own form and said, „The cloak is a good one, now give me the sword.“ They said, „No, we will not give thee that. If thou were to say, All heads off but mine,‘ all our heads would be off, and thou alone wouldst be left with thine.“ Nevertheless they gave it to him with the condition that he was only to try it against a tree. This he did, and the sword cut in two the trunk of a tree as if it had been a blade of straw. Then he wanted to have the boots likewise, but they said, „No, we will not give them. If thou hadst them on thy feet and wert to wish thyself at the top of the hill, we should be left down here with nothing.“ – „Oh, no,“ said he, „I will not do that.“ So they gave him the boots as well. And now when he had got all these things, he thought of nothing but his wife and his child, and said as though to himself, „Oh, if I were but on the Golden Mountain,“ and at the same moment he vanished from the sight of the giants, and thus their inheritance was divided. When he was near his palace, he heard sounds of joy, and fiddles, and flutes, and the people told him that his wife was celebrating her wedding with another. Then he fell into a rage, and said, „False woman, she betrayed and deserted me whilst I was asleep!“ So he put on his cloak, and unseen by all went into the palace. When he entered the dining-hall a great table was spread with delicious food, and the guests were eating and drinking, and laughing, and jesting. She sat on a royal seat in the midst of them in splendid apparel, with a crown on her head. He placed himself behind her, and no one saw him. When she put a piece of meat on a plate for herself, he took it away and ate it, and when she poured out a glass of wine for herself, he took it away and drank it. She was always helping herself to something, and yet she never got anything, for plate and glass disappeared immediately. Then dismayed and ashamed, she arose and went to her chamber and wept, but he followed her there. She said, „Has the devil power over me, or did my deliverer never come?“ Then he struck her in the face, and said, „Did thy deliverer never come? It is he who has thee in his power, thou traitor. Have I deserved this from thee?“ Then he made himself visible, went into the hall, and cried, „The wedding is at an end, the true King has returned.“ The kings, princes, and councillors who were assembled there, ridiculed and mocked him, but he did not trouble to answer them, and said, „Will you go away, or not?“ On this they tried to seize him and pressed upon him, but he drew his sword and said, „All heads off but mine,“ and all the heads rolled on the ground, and he alone was master, and once more King of the Golden Mountain.

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „The King of the Golden Mountain“

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in their famous compilation, „Grimms‘ Fairy Tales.“ The story is numbered as Tale 92 in their collection. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were German scholars, linguists, and folklorists who sought to collect, preserve, and share European folklore, contributing to the development of the modern fairy tale genre in the 19th century.

The tale revolves around a merchant’s son who, after saving a drowning man, is promised great wealth if he agrees to give up his firstborn child. Years later, when the man comes to claim the merchant’s son’s firstborn, the child, now a young man, embarks on a quest to regain his freedom and establish his own kingdom. Along the way, he encounters magical beings, enchanted objects, and various challenges that test his courage, intelligence, and perseverance. Ultimately, he becomes the ruler of the Golden Mountain and marries a beautiful princess.

The background of „The King of the Golden Mountain“ can be traced back to European oral traditions that existed before the Brothers Grimm recorded the story. The tale shares elements with other folktales and fairy tales, such as deals with supernatural beings, magical transformations, and quests for personal freedom and happiness. The story explores themes of ambition, determination, and the consequences of making promises without considering their potential impact.

As with many other Grimm fairy tales, „The King of the Golden Mountain“ has been adapted and retold in various forms, including written, stage, and screen adaptations. Each version may have its unique variations, but the core message of courage, determination, and overcoming challenges remains consistent.

Interpretations to fairy tale „The King of the Golden Mountain“

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ from the Brothers Grimm offers various interpretations that highlight its depth and relevance. Some of the key interpretations include:

Ambition and determination: The protagonist’s quest to regain his freedom and establish his kingdom demonstrates the power of ambition and determination. Despite the obstacles he encounters, the hero perseveres and ultimately achieves his goals, illustrating the importance of resilience and steadfastness in the pursuit of success.

Consequences of promises: The tale serves as a cautionary story about the importance of considering the consequences of one’s promises. The merchant’s son must embark on a dangerous quest due to the hasty promise his father made without fully understanding the implications. This theme reminds readers to be mindful of their commitments and the potential consequences they may bring.

The transformative power of challenges: The protagonist’s journey is filled with trials and challenges that ultimately shape him into a strong, wise, and capable ruler. The story highlights the idea that adversity can lead to personal growth and transformation, demonstrating the importance of facing challenges head-on and learning from them.

The role of magical assistance: Throughout his journey, the protagonist receives help from magical beings and enchanted objects. This theme emphasizes the importance of being open to help and assistance from unexpected sources, recognizing the value of support in overcoming challenges and achieving one’s goals.

Love and loyalty: The tale also explores the themes of love and loyalty, as the protagonist remains devoted to his wife despite being separated from her. His determination to reunite with her and protect his family highlights the importance of love and loyalty in overcoming adversity and achieving happiness.

These interpretations illustrate the richness and depth of „The King of the Golden Mountain,“ making it a timeless and meaningful story for readers of all ages.

Adaptions of the fairy tale „The King of the Golden Mountain“

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ has been adapted and retold in various forms, keeping the core themes of ambition, determination, and the consequences of promises intact. Some adaptations of this story include:

Literature: Retellings of „The King of the Golden Mountain“ can be found in various fairy tale collections and anthologies. Authors may reimagine the story to make it more appealing to modern readers or to explore different perspectives, such as focusing on the experiences of the protagonist’s wife or the magical beings he encounters.

Children’s Books: Simplified and illustrated versions of the story have been created for younger readers, making the tale accessible and engaging for children. These adaptations often focus on the themes of determination, courage, and the transformative power of challenges.

Radio Dramas: Audio adaptations of „The King of the Golden Mountain“ have been produced for radio, allowing listeners to engage with the story in a different format. The tale’s strong narrative and engaging dialogue make it well-suited for a radio drama.

Stage Plays: The story has been adapted for the stage, with some productions incorporating music and dance elements. These adaptations often emphasize the themes of ambition, determination, and the consequences of promises, making for an entertaining theatrical experience.

Television and Film: While there may not be a direct adaptation of „The King of the Golden Mountain“ as a standalone film or television show, the story’s themes and motifs have influenced other films and television series featuring magical transformations, enchanted objects, and quests for personal freedom and happiness.

Animated Series: Elements of „The King of the Golden Mountain“ have been incorporated into animated television series and movies, particularly those that explore themes of determination, courage, and the transformative power of challenges. The story’s magical elements and engaging narrative make it well-suited for animated adaptations.

While „The King of the Golden Mountain“ may not have as many direct adaptations as some other Grimm tales, its themes and motifs continue to inspire and influence various forms of media. The story’s emphasis on ambition, determination, and the consequences of promises make it a timeless and universally appealing tale.

Adaptions of the fairy tale „The King of the Golden Mountain“

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ is a popular fairy tale that has been adapted into various forms of media over the years. Here are a few notable adaptations:

Opera: German composer Christoph Willibald Gluck composed an opera based on the tale in 1765. The opera, titled „Il re pastore“ („The Shepherd King“), features a similar plot to the fairy tale, with a shepherd who is actually a prince seeking his rightful place on the throne.

Literature: The tale has inspired numerous retellings in literature, including the novel „The King of the Golden Mountain“ by American author Robert Merle. The novel was published in 1952 and tells the story of a young man who journeys to the golden mountain to find a cure for his father’s illness.

Film: The fairy tale has been adapted into several films over the years, including the 1933 German film „Königswalzer“ („The King’s Waltz“) and the 1985 animated film „The Adventures of the Prince and the Pauper,“ which features a variation of the tale.

Television: The fairy tale has also been adapted into various television programs, including the 1959 episode of the TV series „The Twilight Zone“ titled „The Hunt,“ which features a similar plot to the tale.

Video Games: The fairy tale has also been adapted into video games, such as the 2006 game „The Dark Eye: Drakensang,“ which features a quest to find the king of the golden mountain.

Overall, „The King of the Golden Mountain“ has inspired numerous adaptations in various forms of media, highlighting its enduring popularity and universal appeal.

Summary of the plot

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ is a fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm that tells the story of a merchant’s son who embarks on a quest to regain his freedom and establish his own kingdom after his father makes a reckless promise to a supernatural being.

The tale begins with a merchant who saves a drowning man, who turns out to be a supernatural being. In gratitude, the being promises the merchant great wealth, but in exchange, the merchant must give up his firstborn child when the child turns seven years old. The merchant agrees, but as the child grows older, he becomes increasingly unhappy with the bargain his father made.

When the supernatural being comes to claim the now grown-up son, the son refuses to go with him unless he is granted a wish. The being agrees, and the son wishes for a ship that can sail on land and sea. With this magical ship, the son embarks on a quest to regain his freedom and find a kingdom of his own.

During his journey, the protagonist encounters a magical dwarf who offers him valuable advice and enchanted items in exchange for a portion of his future kingdom. Using these gifts, the protagonist overcomes various challenges, including battling a dragon and freeing a beautiful princess from a wicked enchantress. The protagonist and the princess marry, and together they establish a prosperous kingdom on the Golden Mountain.

However, the protagonist’s troubles are not over, as he becomes separated from his wife due to his own rash actions. With the help of the magical dwarf, the protagonist manages to reunite with his wife and defeat the wicked enchantress, who has tried to take over the kingdom. The protagonist learns the importance of keeping promises and facing the consequences of his actions, and the story ends with the couple ruling their kingdom together in happiness and prosperity.

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ is a tale of ambition, determination, and the consequences of making promises without considering their potential impact, emphasizing the importance of overcoming challenges and learning from one’s mistakes.

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „The King of the Golden Mountain“

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in their famous anthology, „Grimm’s Fairy Tales“ (originally published in 1812 as „Kinder- und Hausmärchen“). The tale is also known as „Der König vom goldenen Berg“ in German.

The story revolves around a poor merchant who makes a deal with a mysterious black dwarf to restore his fortune. In return, the merchant promises to give his newborn son to the dwarf on his son’s 18th birthday. When the day arrives, the merchant is unable to fulfill his promise, and the dwarf takes the son to the Golden Mountain, where he becomes king. The son later marries an enchanted princess but loses her when he breaks a promise to her. He then embarks on a series of adventures to regain his kingdom and reunite with his wife.

The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, were German academics, linguists, and researchers who are best known for their collection of fairy tales. They collected stories from German-speaking regions and adapted them into their compilation. The tales often contain moral lessons, and they typically explore themes of family, loyalty, and the conflict between good and evil.

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ is not as widely known as some other Grimm tales like „Cinderella,“ „Snow White,“ or „Hansel and Gretel,“ but it still carries important messages and themes consistent with many other Grimm stories.

Interpretations to fairy tale „The King of the Golden Mountain“

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ offers several interpretations related to themes such as the consequences of breaking promises, the power of resilience, and the struggle between good and evil.

Consequences of breaking promises: The story highlights the importance of keeping one’s word. The merchant breaks his promise to the black dwarf, leading to the son’s initial predicament. The son also breaks his promise to his queen, causing her to leave him. These instances illustrate that breaking promises can result in unintended consequences and suffering.

Resilience and resourcefulness: The son demonstrates great resilience and resourcefulness throughout the story. He faces numerous challenges, including his encounter with the black dwarf, the enchanted castle, and the betrayal by his queen. Despite these obstacles, he remains strong-willed, eventually overcoming each situation through cunning and perseverance.

Struggle between good and evil: The fairy tale presents a classic struggle between good and evil. The black dwarf and the bewitched castle represent evil forces, while the son and the enchanted princess symbolize good. The son’s triumph over these forces represents the eventual victory of good over evil.

Power and its misuse: The story also deals with the misuse of power. The son uses the magical sword, cloak, and boots to regain his kingdom, but he also employs them to enact revenge on his unfaithful queen and the mocking nobles. This illustrates that power can be dangerous when wielded for personal gain or vengeance, rather than for the greater good.

Redemption and transformation: Despite their initial missteps, both the merchant and his son learn from their mistakes and find redemption. The merchant’s wealth is restored, and the son ultimately regains his kingdom. Similarly, the enchanted princess is freed from her curse, illustrating the power of transformation and redemption in the face of adversity.

Summary of the plot

„The King of the Golden Mountain“ is a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm about a merchant who makes a deal with a black dwarf, unknowingly promising his son in exchange for wealth. The son manages to escape the black dwarf and eventually rescues an enchanted princess, becoming the King of the Golden Mountain. They marry and have a child, but the king breaks a promise to his queen, which leads to her leaving him.

Afterward, the king acquires a magical sword, cloak, and pair of boots from three giants. With these items, he returns to his kingdom, where he finds his queen celebrating a wedding with another man. Using the magical items, the king regains control of his kingdom, revealing his presence to the queen and exposing her treachery.

In the end, he demonstrates his power with the sword by beheading all the mocking kings, princes, and counselors, solidifying his rule as the King of the Golden Mountain.

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