The King's Son Who Feared Nothing
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Original Story
The king's son who feared nothing
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
There was once a King's son, who was no longer content to stay at home in his father's house, and as he had no fear of anything, he thought, "I will go forth into the wide world, there the time will not seem long to me, and I shall see wonders enough." So he took leave of his parents, and went forth, and on and on from morning till night, and whichever way his path led it was the same to him. It came to pass that he got to the house of a giant, and as he was so tired he sat down by the door and rested. And as he let his eyes roam here and there, he saw the giant's playthings lying in the yard. These were a couple of enormous balls, and nine-pins as tall as a man. After a while he had a fancy to set the nine-pins up and then rolled the balls at them, and screamed and cried out when the nine-pins fell, and had a merry time of it. The giant heard the noise, stretched his head out of the window, and saw a man who was not taller than other men, and yet played with his nine-pins. "Little worm," cried he, "why art thou playing with my balls? Who gave thee strength to do it?" The King's son looked up, saw the giant, and said, "Oh, thou blockhead, thou thinkest indeed that thou only hast strong arms, I can do everything I want to do." The giant came down and watched the bowling with great admiration, and said, "Child of man, if thou art one of that kind, go and bring me an apple of the tree of life." - "What dost thou want with it?" said the King's son. "I do not want the apple for myself," answered the giant, "but I have a betrothed bride who wishes for it. I have travelled far about the world and cannot find the tree." - "I will soon find it," said the King's son, "and I do not know what is to prevent me from getting the apple down." The giant said, "Thou really believest it to be so easy! The garden in which the tree stands is surrounded by an iron railing, and in front of the railing lie wild beasts, each close to the other, and they keep watch and let no man go in." - "They will be sure to let me in," said the King's son. "Yes, but even if thou dost get into the garden, and seest the apple hanging to the tree, it is still not thine; a ring hangs in front of it, through which any one who wants to reach the apple and break it off, must put his hand, and no one has yet had the luck to do it." - "That luck will be mine," said the King's son.
Then he took leave of the giant, and went forth over mountain and valley, and through plains and forests, until at length he came to the wondrous garden.
The beasts lay round about it, but they had put their heads down and were asleep. Moreover, they did not awake when he went up to them, so he stepped over them, climbed the fence, and got safely into the garden. There, in the very middle of it, stood the tree of life, and the red apples were shining upon the branches. He climbed up the trunk to the top, and as he was about to reach out for an apple, he saw a ring hanging before it; but he thrust his hand through that without any difficulty, and gathered the apple. The ring closed tightly on his arm, and all at once he felt a prodigious strength flowing through his veins. When he had come down again from the tree with the apple, he would not climb over the fence, but grasped the great gate, and had no need to shake it more than once before it sprang open with a loud crash. Then he went out, and the lion which had been lying down before, was awake and sprang after him, not in rage and fierceness, but following him humbly as its master.
The King's son took the giant the apple he had promised him, and said, "Seest thou, I have brought it without difficulty." The giant was glad that his desire had been so soon satisfied, hastened to his bride, and gave her the apple for which she had wished. She was a beautiful and wise maiden, and as she did not see the ring on his arm, she said, "I shall never believe that thou hast brought the apple, until I see the ring on thine arm." The giant said, "I have nothing to do but go home and fetch it," and thought it would be easy to take away by force from the weak man, what he would not give of his own free will. He therefore demanded the ring from him, but the King's son refused it. "Where the apple is, the ring must be also," said the giant; "if thou wilt not give it of thine own accord, thou must fight with me for it."
They wrestled with each other for a long time, but the giant could not get the better of the King's son, who was strengthened by the magical power of the ring. Then the giant thought of a stratagem, and said, "I have got warm with fighting, and so hast thou. We will bathe in the river, and cool ourselves before we begin again." The King's son, who knew nothing of falsehood, went with him to the water, and pulled off with his clothes the ring also from his arm, and sprang into the river. The giant instantly snatched the ring, and ran away with it, but the lion, which had observed the theft, pursued the giant, tore the ring out of his hand, and brought it back to its master. Then the giant placed himself behind an oak-tree, and while the King's son was busy putting on his clothes again, surprised him, and put both his eyes out.
And now the unhappy King's son stood there, and was blind and knew not how to help himself. Then the giant came back to him, took him by the hand as if he were someone who wanted to guide him, and led him to the top of a high rock. There he left him standing, and thought, "Just two steps more, and he will fall down and kill himself, and I can take the ring from him." But the faithful lion had not deserted its master; it held him fast by the clothes, and drew him gradually back again. When the giant came and wanted to rob the dead man, he saw that his cunning had been in vain. "Is there no way, then, of destroying a weak child of man like that?" said he angrily to himself, and seized the King's son and led him back again to the precipice by another way, but the lion which saw his evil design, helped its master out of danger here also. When they had got close to the edge, the giant let the blind man's hand drop, and was going to leave him behind alone, but the lion pushed the giant so that he was thrown down and fell, dashed to pieces, on the ground.
The faithful animal again drew its master back from the precipice, and guided him to a tree by which flowed a clear brook. The King's son sat down there, but the lion lay down, and sprinkled the water in his face with its paws. Scarcely had a couple of drops wetted the sockets of his eyes, than he was once more able to see something, and remarked a little bird flying quite close by, which wounded itself against the trunk of a tree. On this it went down to the water and bathed itself therein, and then it soared upwards and swept between the trees without touching them, as if it had recovered its sight again. Then the King's son recognized a sign from God and stooped down to the water, and washed and bathed his face in it. And when he arose he had his eyes once more, brighter and clearer than they had ever been.
The King's son thanked God for his great mercy, and travelled with his lion onwards through the world. And it came to pass that he arrived before a castle which was enchanted. In the gateway stood a maiden of beautiful form and fine face, but she was quite black. She spoke to him and said, "Ah, if thou couldst but deliver me from the evil spell which is thrown over me." - "What shall I do?" said the King's son. The maiden answered, "Thou must pass three nights in the great hall of this enchanted castle, but thou must let no fear enter thy heart. When they are doing their worst to torment thee, if thou bearest it without letting a sound escape thee, I shall be free. Thy life they dare not take." Then said the King's son, "I have no fear; with God's help I will try it." So he went gaily into the castle, and when it grew dark he seated himself in the large hall and waited. Everything was quiet, however, till midnight, when all at once a great tumult began, and out of every hole and corner came little devils. They behaved as if they did not see him, seated themselves in the middle of the room, lighted a fire, and began to gamble. When one of them lost, he said, "It is not right; some one is here who does not belong to us; it is his fault that I am losing." - "Wait, you fellow behind the stove, I am coming," said another. The screaming became still louder, so that no one could have heard it without terror. The King's son stayed sitting quite quietly, and was not afraid; but at last the devils jumped up from the ground, and fell on him, and there were so many of them that he could not defend himself from them. They dragged him about on the floor, pinched him, pricked him, beat him, and tormented him, but no sound escaped from him. Towards morning they disappeared, and he was so exhausted that he could scarcely move his limbs, but when day dawned the black maiden came to him. She bore in her hand a little bottle wherein was the water of life wherewith she washed him, and he at once felt all pain depart and new strength flow through his veins. She said, "Thou hast held out successfully for one night, but two more lie before thee." Then she went away again, and as she was going, he observed that her feet had become white. The next night the devils came and began their gambols anew. They fell on the King's son, and beat him much more severely than the night before, until his body was covered with wounds. But as he bore all quietly, they were forced to leave him, and when dawn appeared, the maiden came and healed him with the water of life. And when she went away, he saw with joy that she had already become white to the tips of her fingers. And now he had only one night more to go through, but it was the worst. The hob-goblins came again: "Art thou there still?" cried they, "thou shalt be tormented till thy breath stops." They pricked him and beat him, and threw him here and there, and pulled him by the arms and legs as if they wanted to tear him to pieces, but he bore everything, and never uttered a cry. At last the devils vanished, but he lay fainting there, and did not stir, nor could he raise his eyes to look at the maiden who came in, and sprinkled and bathed him with the water of life. But suddenly he was freed from all pain, and felt fresh and healthy as if he had awakened from sleep, and when he opened his eyes he saw the maiden standing by him, snow-white, and fair as day. "Rise," said she, "and swing thy sword three times over the stairs, and then all will be delivered." And when he had done that, the whole castle was released from enchantment, and the maiden was a rich King's daughter. The servants came and said that the table was already set in the great hall, and dinner served up. Then they sat down and ate and drank together, and in the evening the wedding was solemnized with great rejoicings.
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Story DNA
Moral
True courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to endure suffering without complaint for a greater purpose.
Plot Summary
A king's son, who knows no fear, embarks on a journey. He first retrieves a magical apple and ring for a giant, gaining immense strength and a loyal lion companion. The treacherous giant blinds him and tries to kill him, but the lion saves him and helps him regain his sight. The prince then arrives at an enchanted castle where he must endure three nights of torment from devils without making a sound to break a spell on a black maiden. After successfully enduring the ordeal, the maiden transforms into a beautiful princess, the castle is freed, and they marry.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to wisdom
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The Grimm's tales often reflect pre-industrial European folklore, emphasizing virtues like courage and perseverance against supernatural threats.
Plot Beats (11)
- A king's son, fearing nothing, leaves home to see the world.
- He encounters a giant, plays with his nine-pins, and is challenged to fetch the 'apple of the tree of life'.
- The prince finds the enchanted garden, passes sleeping beasts, and easily takes the apple and a magical ring, gaining strength and a loyal lion companion.
- He returns the apple to the giant, but refuses to give up the ring, leading to a wrestling match where the prince's strength prevails.
- The giant tricks the prince into bathing, steals the ring, and blinds him, then tries to push him off a cliff.
- The loyal lion saves the prince from the cliff and helps him regain his sight by sprinkling water from a magical brook.
- The prince and his lion arrive at an enchanted castle where a black maiden asks him to break her spell by enduring three nights of torment.
- On the first night, devils torment him, but he remains silent; the maiden heals him, and her feet turn white.
- On the second night, the devils torment him more severely, but he endures; the maiden heals him, and her hands turn white.
- On the third and most brutal night, the prince endures extreme torment, fainting but remaining silent, fully breaking the spell.
- The maiden is fully restored to a beautiful princess, the castle is freed, and they marry.
Characters
The King's Son
Of average height and build for a young man, but possesses an inner strength that belies his physical appearance, especially after acquiring the magical ring. He is resilient and capable of enduring extreme physical torment.
Attire: Initially, practical traveling clothes suitable for long journeys on foot, likely made of sturdy linen or wool in muted colors. After his wedding, he would wear rich, finely tailored garments befitting a prince, such as a velvet doublet and breeches, possibly embroidered, with a fine linen shirt underneath.
Wants: Initially, to see the 'wonders enough' of the wide world and overcome boredom. Later, to help others (the giant, the enchanted princess) and prove his capabilities.
Flaw: His naivety and trusting nature, which allows the giant to trick him. He is also physically vulnerable without the ring's power.
Begins as a naive but fearless adventurer. He gains magical strength, experiences betrayal and blindness, recovers his sight, and ultimately uses his fearlessness to break an enchantment, leading to his marriage and becoming a king.
Fearless, determined, resilient, honest, and somewhat naive. He is driven by curiosity and a desire for adventure, and later by a sense of duty and compassion.
The Giant
Enormous in stature, much taller than a human, with immense physical strength. His playthings are described as 'enormous balls' and 'nine-pins as tall as a man', indicating his colossal size. He is likely burly and muscular.
Attire: Simple, oversized clothing, likely made of coarse, durable materials like roughspun wool or animal hides, in earthy tones. Perhaps a large, belted tunic and trousers, or a single large garment.
Wants: To obtain the apple of life for his betrothed bride, and later, to gain the magical ring and eliminate the King's Son who outsmarted him.
Flaw: His overconfidence and underestimation of others, particularly the King's Son and the Lion. His reliance on brute force and deceit ultimately leads to his downfall.
Introduced as a powerful but somewhat benign figure, he quickly becomes the primary antagonist through his treachery and cruelty. He is ultimately defeated and killed by the Lion.
Boastful, cunning, easily impressed, but ultimately treacherous and cruel. He is driven by his desires (to please his bride, to gain power) and resorts to deceit and violence when thwarted.
The Lion
A large, powerful male lion with a magnificent mane. It is described as 'faithful' and capable of intelligent action, such as observing theft and guiding its master.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To protect and serve its master, the King's Son, whom it recognizes after he obtains the apple and ring.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; its loyalty is its defining trait and strength.
Begins as a wild guardian, becomes a faithful companion, protector, and guide to the King's Son, playing a crucial role in his survival and recovery.
Loyal, protective, intelligent, and courageous. It acts as a guardian and guide for the King's Son.
The Enchanted Princess
Initially described as having 'beautiful form and fine face, but she was quite black' due to the enchantment. As the enchantment breaks, her skin gradually becomes white, eventually becoming 'snow-white, and fair as day'. She is graceful and delicate.
Attire: Initially, simple, perhaps somber or dark clothing befitting her enchanted state, likely a plain gown. After the enchantment is broken, she is revealed as a 'rich King's daughter', implying elegant, royal attire, perhaps a flowing gown of fine silk or brocade in light, celebratory colors.
Wants: To be freed from the evil spell that has been cast upon her and her castle.
Flaw: Her inability to break the enchantment herself, requiring external help. Her physical vulnerability while under the spell.
Begins as a cursed, 'black' maiden, trapped in an enchanted castle. Through the King's Son's bravery, she is gradually freed from the spell, returning to her true form as a 'snow-white' and 'fair' princess, and eventually marries her rescuer.
Hopeful, resilient, and grateful. She is wise enough to understand the nature of her enchantment and what is required to break it.
The Giant's Bride
Described as a 'beautiful and wise maiden'. Her physical appearance is otherwise not detailed, but she is human, contrasting with her giant betrothed.
Attire: Likely fine clothing, as she is the betrothed of a giant who seeks a magical apple for her, suggesting a certain status. Perhaps a well-made gown of linen or wool, possibly with some simple adornments.
Wants: To possess the apple of the tree of life.
Flaw: Her desire for the apple, which sets the plot in motion.
A static character who serves to highlight the giant's deceit and the King's Son's honesty.
Wise and discerning, as she immediately questions the giant's claim of obtaining the apple without the ring.
Locations
Giant's House and Yard
A rustic, oversized dwelling, likely a large, rough-hewn timber or stone structure, with a spacious, unkempt yard. The yard contains enormous playthings: balls and nine-pins as tall as a man, suggesting a dwelling built for a colossal inhabitant.
Mood: Initially curious and playful, then confrontational, later a place of negotiation.
The King's son first encounters the giant and agrees to seek the Apple of Life.
The Wondrous Garden of the Tree of Life
A magical garden enclosed by a tall, formidable iron railing. Wild beasts, acting as guardians, lie sleeping in front of the railing. At its very center stands the Tree of Life, bearing glowing red apples, with a mysterious ring hanging before one of them.
Mood: Mysterious, dangerous, magical, serene.
The King's son obtains the Apple of Life and the magic ring, gaining prodigious strength and the loyalty of a lion.
Clear Brook by an Oak Tree
A tranquil spot by a clear, flowing brook, shaded by a large, ancient oak tree. The water is pristine and has healing properties.
Mood: Peaceful, restorative, hopeful.
The King's son, blinded by the giant, has his sight miraculously restored by the water from the brook.
Enchanted Castle's Great Hall
A vast, ancient hall within an enchanted castle, likely of medieval German design with high ceilings and stone walls. It becomes a chaotic scene at night, filled with mischievous devils and a roaring fire.
Mood: Eerie, terrifying, chaotic, but ultimately triumphant.
The King's son endures three nights of torment from devils to break the enchantment on the princess and the castle.