Faithful John, the King's Servant
by Unknown · from The Fairy Ring
Adapted Version
A good King lived long ago. He had a good friend named John. The Old King was very old. He was dying. He called John. "Help my son," he said. "He must not see one room. A special picture is there. My son must not see it. Promise me, John." John promised.
The Old King died. John showed the King the castle. The King saw many rooms. He saw one closed door. "What is in there?" asked the King. John said, "You cannot see." King wished to see. John opened the door. The King saw the picture. He loved the picture very much. He felt very happy.
The King woke up. "Who is the girl?" he asked. John said, "She is a Princess." "I want her." King said. John thought of a plan. The King had much gold. John said, "We will make gold things. We will show them to the Princess. She will come to our ship."
John made many gold things. They went on a ship. John went to the land. He saw a Maid. She got water. John showed her small gold things. The Maid loved them. She told the Princess. The Princess wondered. She wanted to see more.
The Princess came to the ship. The King saw her. She was very pretty. The King was very happy. John made the ship sail. The Princess was surprised. She looked at the King. She liked the King. She was happy with him. They sailed far away.
They sailed on the sea. John heard some crows. Three Crows sat on the ship. They talked to each other. "Bad things will happen," one crow said. "A bad horse," a second crow said. "A bad shirt," said the third. "The Princess will be sick."
"John can help," a crow said. "But he must not tell." "Tell, turn to stone." A second crow said. "A little stone, then more stone. Then all stone." John heard this. He was sad. He wanted to help the King.
They came to land. A big horse came. It was a bad horse. John stopped the horse. He made it go away. The other servants were angry. "Why did John do that?" they asked. But the King trusted John. "John is good," he said.
They went to the castle. A new shirt came for the King. It was a bad shirt. John grabbed the shirt. He put it in the fire. The shirt burned away. People were angry again. "Why did John do that?" they asked. But the King trusted John.
The King and Princess got married. They danced. The Queen felt sick. She fell down. John ran to her. He gently touched her finger. The Queen felt well again. The King was very angry. He sent John away. John went to prison.
The King was still angry. He wanted to punish John. John spoke to the King. He told about the Crows. He told about the bad horse. He told about the bad shirt. He told about the sick Queen. He saved the King. Then John turned to stone.
The King was very sad now. The Queen was sad too. They loved John. They put John's stone statue in their room. They looked at it. "Oh, John," the King said. "We want you back." They wished John would return.
Years passed. The King and Queen had two children. They were twins. The King wished John was back. The stone statue spoke. "You must show great love," it said. "Love for your children. Then I will come back."
The King was very sad. He thought of John's help. He made a hard choice. He showed his great love for his children. The Queen was sad too. She agreed to this hard choice.
As the King made his hard choice, John came back to life! John said, "It was a test of love." All were very happy. John was back. The King and Queen were happy. Their children were happy. All lived happy ever after.
Original Story
Faithful John, the King's Servant
THE old King lay dying and was very much worried in his mind because he was leaving behind him, as his heir, his son, who was a headstrong and willful youth, not yet come to years of wisdom. He called to his bedside faithful John, who had been his servant ever since he was a boy, and charged him thus:
"I am going to my last rest, and am sorrowful because my boy is left alone in a high position, and will have no other guidance but yours. Be his guardian and counselor, and serve him faithfully even as you have served me, or I cannot die happily."
"Master, I will," answered faithful John, "even if it cost me my life."
"Now I can rest in peace," said the King. "When I am dead you must lead him all over the castle, and show him the halls and chambers and the vaults and the treasures therein. But one room he must never enter, the last room in the long corridor, for there hangs the portrait of the daughter of the King of the Golden Palace, and she is so beautiful that whoever gazes on her picture will fall down in a swoon for love of her, and will go through great perils for her sake. Therefore he must never enter that room."
The trusty servant pressed his master's hand and promised to do his commands, and soon afterwards the King laid his head on the pillow and died.
After the old King was laid in his grave, the faithful John told the young King of the commands his father had laid upon him, and swore to serve him faithfully, even unto death.
When the days of mourning were over he told the young King that it was now time for him to see his inheritance; so they went all over the castle, up into the towers and down into the vaults, and saw all the great treasure the old King had collected; and they went into all the grand halls and splendid chambers, into all save one—the last room at the end of the long corridor, wherein hung the portrait.
The King noticed that they always passed this door, and asked John why.
"There is something there that it is dangerous to see," said John.
"But," answered the King, "I have seen everything else that I possess, and you must not imagine I am going away without seeing this."
Faithful John tried to argue him out of it, but it was of no use, and the obstinate King even made an effort to force the door open, and declared that he would not leave the spot till he had seen the contents of the chamber.
So John, seeing that there was nothing for it but to yield, sorrowfully took the key from the bunch and put it in the lock. He turned it suddenly and hurried in, hoping to cover over the portrait before the King saw it; but he was close on his heels, and John was too late to prevent the catastrophe, for no sooner had his master set eyes on the wonderful painting, which appeared to be living, breathing flesh, than he fell on the floor in a swoon.
Poor John carried him tenderly to his bed, deeply bewailing the misfortune that had come upon them, and by dint of forcing wine down his throat he brought him round again. The first words that he uttered were:
"Who is the lady of the beautiful picture?"
"She is the daughter of the King of the Golden Palace," replied John.
"Then," said the King, "we must seek her at once, for I am filled with so great a love for her that if all the leaves on the trees had tongues they should not gainsay it."
Then trusty John thought for a long, long time as how to set about the matter, for it was very difficult to reach the presence of the beautiful Princess. At last he thought of a plan, and he said to the King:
"I have thought of a way by which you may achieve your end; all the things the Princess uses, and all the things about her, are gold—chairs, tables, dishes, pots and pans, all are fashioned of gold. There are five tons of gold bars in your cellars; you must have them wrought into articles of every kind, even into beasts and flowers, and then we will set out and seek her favor."
So the King sent for all the goldsmiths in the kingdom, and they worked day and night till all the gold was made into most wonderful and beautiful forms of the finest workmanship. Then they took them all aboard a great ship and set sail. They sailed for many days, till they came to the city where dwelt the daughter of the King of the Golden Palace.
The faithful John had decided that it was better for him to go ashore, so he told the King to remain on board and have all things in readiness, the treasures displayed and all in order, lest he should bring the Princess back with him. Then he tied up some of the smaller things in a handkerchief and rowed ashore.
When he entered the courtyard of the palace, he saw a beautiful girl filling two golden pails at the well. When they were full she turned, and, perceiving the stranger, demanded his business. So he untied the handkerchief and showed her the dainty trinkets. She was delighted with them, and at once said:
"The Princess must see these, for she has a passion for golden things, and will, no doubt, buy them all." So she took him by the hand and led him to the King's daughter. The Princess was even more beautiful than report had made her, and John was dazzled. The lady was very gracious to him, and was charmed with his treasures, which she wished to purchase. But John said:
"I am only a servant. My master is a rich merchant who has even more beautiful things than these aboard his ship."
"Let them be brought hither," replied the Princess; but he said:
"That would take many days and nights, their number is so vast, and even if they were all brought hither there is no room in the palace large enough to show them to advantage."
The Princess's curiosity was very much excited by this time, and she said:
"Bring me to the ship, and I will see them there."
Faithful John was overjoyed at the success of his plans, and conducted her thither immediately. When the King saw her, he was so overcome with her beauty that he could hardly help her aboard, but he managed to control the violent beatings of his heart, and led her down into the cabin. John remained on deck, and commanded the helmsman to steer out to sea, and put on all the sail he could, so that they might leave the land far behind.
Down below the Princess was enjoying herself immensely, looking at all the beautiful and curious things, and several hours passed before she bethought her that it was time to go ashore. So she went on deck prepared to land immediately, and behold! no land was to be seen, nothing but the wide sea all around her.
"Ah!" she screamed, in sudden terror, "I am entrapped by a strange merchant. I would rather die than remain in his power!"
The King reassured her, and taking her hand he said: "I am no merchant, I am a king of royal blood like yourself. I have carried you off because my love for you is so great that I cannot live without you. You must know that when I saw your portrait, I was so stricken with love for you that I fell in a swoon before it."
When the King's daughter heard this her fear disappeared, and love grew in its place and she was willing to be his bride.
One day, when John was sitting on deck piping sweet music, three crows flew over the ship, talking hard all the time. John understood every word they said, and this is what he heard:
"There he is, sailing home with the daughter of the King of the Golden Palace," said the first. "Ah! they are not home yet," said the second. "But she is with him in the ship," said the third. "What matters that?" began the first again; "when they land there will come a beautiful fox-colored horse, and he will spring upon it and the horse will bound away with him up into the air and he will never be seen again."
"But is there no way to save him?" the second one asked.
"Yes, if one springs up quickly behind him and seizes the pistols which are in the holsters and shoots the fox-colored horse, then the King will be saved. But nobody knows, and if one knew and told him, he would be turned into stone from toe to knee."
Then the second crow spoke again:
"I know still more, for even if the horse be shot he will not keep his lovely bride. When they arrive at the castle a bridal shirt will be brought to him on a dish, looking as though it were made of silver and gold, but it is only sulphur and pitch, and when he puts it on he will be burned to the marrow of his bones."
"Is there no way to save him?" asked the third crow.
"Oh, yes! if one were to take up the shirt with his gloves on and throw it on the fire before the King touches it, he will be saved. But what matter? for no one knows that, and if one knew and were to tell, he would be turned into stone from his knee to his heart."
Then the third crow spoke again:
"I know even more. Even if the shirt be burned the King will not keep his bride. After supper a dance will be held, and suddenly, when she is dancing, the Queen will turn pale and fall in a faint; and if some one does not raise her up and take three drops of blood from her little finger and throw them away, she will die. But if anyone knows that and tells it, he will be turned into stone from the crown of his head to the toes of his feet."
Then the crows flew away, leaving John very quiet and sad; for if he concealed what he knew, misfortune would fall upon his master, and if he told, he must lose his own life; but he decided that whatever happened to himself he must save his master.
When they landed it happened just as the crows had said, and a beautiful fox-colored horse appeared in front of the King. He exclaimed with pleasure:
"Splendid! this shall carry us to the castle." And he sprang into the saddle.
But John sprang up after him, and finding the pistols, shot the horse dead. The other servants who were jealous of John, began to grumble at this, and said:
"Shame to kill such a lovely animal, which was fit to bear the King!"
But the King said:
"Peace; be silent. He is my faithful servant and I trust him. Who knows what he has saved us from?"
Then they went on to the castle, and in the hall it happened just as it had been foretold—a beautiful bridal shirt was brought to the King. He was just about to pick it up and put it on when John threw himself in front of him, and seizing the shirt, carried it to the fire and burned it.
Again the other servants set up a murmur:
"What is he about? See, he has burned the bridal shirt!"
But the King silenced them and said:
"He is my faithful John, and I trust him. Who knows what danger he has averted?"
After the wedding supper a grand ball was given, and John watched the Queen very carefully while she danced. Suddenly he saw her turn pale and fall in a faint. He hurried toward her, and lifting her up he carried her away to her chamber. Then he knelt down, and drawing three drops of blood from her little finger he threw them away. Soon the Queen stirred, and then sat up, quite herself again. But the King had watched all this, and this time he was furiously angry with faithful John, and ordered him to be thrown into prison. Next day he was brought to trial and condemned to be hanged at the gallows. When he was about to be executed he asked for the usual privilege of a condemned prisoner, to speak once what was in his mind. The King granted it, and faithful John began:
"I am innocent of any crime against you, and have always served you faithfully."
Then he told what he had heard the crows saying at sea; and how he had done all these things to save his master's life.
Then the King cried: "Pardon, pardon, my faithful friend; you are innocent!"
But at the last word he had spoken John had fallen down, turned into stone.
After this there was great sorrow and lamentation in the palace, and they had the statue raised and taken to their chamber and placed near the bed, and often the King looked at it and said:
"Ah! my trusty John, could I but bring you back to life again!"
Some time afterwards, to their great joy, twins were born to them, two healthy boys. One day the Queen was at church and the King was at home playing with his children, when he looked up at the statue and said:
"Ah, my poor faithful John, what would I not do to bring you back to life!"
To his surprise the statue answered him and said:
"If you will sacrifice what is dearest to you, you can restore my life to me."
"I will do anything in the world for you, only tell me what," answered the King.
Then the statue spoke again:
"Cut off the heads of your children, and sprinkle me with their blood, and I will be restored to life."
The poor King was horrified when he heard this, for how could he do such an awful deed as to kill his own children? But he thought of all John had done for him, and how much he had sacrificed, and, without flinching, he drew his sword to cut off their heads.
But as he was about to kill the little princes, faithful John became alive again, crying:
"Stop, stop, my master! Your faith in me is rewarded, and I am free."
The King was now as happy as he could be, and he thought to give his wife a pleasant surprise; so when he heard her coming he hid faithful John and the twins in a cupboard. When she came in he asked her if she had prayed for all her friends.
"Yes," she answered; "but I have been thinking of poor John, who is past our prayers."
Then the King said:
"We can restore him to life again, but we must sacrifice both our sons."
The Queen turned very pale at this and nearly fainted; but she thought of how it was their fault that John had suffered, and she said bravely that if it was to restore him to life it must be done.
The King was overjoyed to find that she thought as he did, and he threw open the cupboard door and disclosed, not only the twins, but faithful John also. Then they all rejoiced and were happy together to the end of their days.
Story DNA
Moral
True loyalty and self-sacrifice will ultimately be rewarded, and trust is essential in relationships.
Plot Summary
A dying king charges his faithful servant, John, to protect his son and prevent him from seeing a dangerous portrait. The young King defies this, falls in love with the Princess in the portrait, and John helps him abduct her. On their journey home, John overhears three crows foretelling three dangers to the King and Queen, each requiring John's intervention and leading to his transformation into stone if he reveals the secret. John saves them from each danger, but is misunderstood and condemned by the King, turning to stone as he explains himself. Years later, the King is told by the stone statue that only the sacrifice of his twin sons can revive John. The King and Queen agree, and as the King prepares to act, John is restored to life, revealing it was a test of their faith, and they all live happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale, collected by the Brothers Grimm, reflects societal values of loyalty, obedience, and the divine right of kings, common in European folklore.
Plot Beats (15)
- The old King on his deathbed charges Faithful John to guide his son and never let him see the portrait of the Princess of the Golden Palace.
- After the old King dies, the young King insists on seeing the forbidden room, and upon seeing the portrait, falls deeply in love and swoons.
- The King recovers and declares he must find the Princess; John devises a plan to lure her onto their ship with golden treasures.
- John goes ashore, meets a maid, and shows her trinkets, leading to the Princess's curiosity and her visit to the King's ship.
- The King and Princess meet, and John orders the ship to set sail, abducting the Princess, who initially fears but then falls in love with the King.
- While at sea, John overhears three crows foretelling three dangers: a fox-colored horse, a poisoned bridal shirt, and the Queen's faint.
- The crows reveal that John can save the King from each danger, but each act of salvation will turn him further into stone if he reveals the secret.
- Upon landing, John shoots the fox-colored horse, incurring the servants' wrath but the King's trust.
- At the castle, John burns the poisoned bridal shirt, again facing criticism but retaining the King's trust.
- During the wedding ball, John draws three drops of blood from the fainting Queen's finger, saving her but enraging the King, who orders his arrest.
- John is condemned to be hanged; at the gallows, he explains his actions, and as he finishes, he turns completely into stone.
- The King and Queen mourn John, placing his statue in their chamber, wishing for his return.
- Years later, after the birth of twins, the King expresses his wish to revive John, and the statue speaks, demanding the sacrifice of the children.
- The King, remembering John's sacrifices, prepares to kill his children, and the Queen, after initial shock, agrees to the sacrifice.
- As the King raises his sword, John is restored to life, revealing it was a test of faith, and they all rejoice.
Characters
Faithful John
A man of average height and sturdy build, with a presence that suggests reliability and quiet strength. His features are honest and unpretentious, showing the lines of a life dedicated to service and duty. He moves with a purposeful, steady gait.
Attire: Practical, well-maintained servant's attire typical of a European courtier in a medieval or early modern setting. This would include a durable wool tunic in a muted color like forest green or deep blue, worn over a linen undershirt, with sturdy breeches and leather boots. His clothing, while not luxurious, is always clean and neat, reflecting his meticulous nature.
Wants: To protect and serve his King, fulfilling his promise to the old King, even at the cost of his own life.
Flaw: His unwavering loyalty can lead him to make decisions that appear cruel or inexplicable to others, causing him to be misunderstood and unjustly punished.
Begins as a trusted servant, faces misunderstanding and condemnation for his actions, is transformed into stone, and is ultimately restored to life and recognized for his unparalleled loyalty and wisdom.
Loyal, self-sacrificing, wise, observant, steadfast.
The Young King
A tall, athletic young man, with the bearing of royalty. He possesses a youthful vigor and a handsome, somewhat impetuous countenance. His movements are confident and sometimes impulsive.
Attire: Initially, he wears mourning clothes of rich, dark velvet or wool. Later, he is seen in opulent but practical traveling attire, and finally, in luxurious court robes befitting a king, possibly in deep reds, blues, or purples, embroidered with gold thread. His clothing is always of the finest quality, reflecting his royal status.
Wants: Initially, to explore his inheritance and satisfy his curiosity; later, to find and marry the Princess of the Golden Palace, driven by intense love. Ultimately, to redeem himself and restore Faithful John.
Flaw: Impulsiveness, quick to anger, and a tendency to misjudge situations and people, especially when his emotions are strong.
Begins as an impetuous youth, falls deeply in love, learns to trust and then mistrust his most loyal servant, experiences profound guilt and sorrow, and ultimately matures into a wise and self-sacrificing ruler who understands true loyalty.
Headstrong, willful, impulsive, passionate, ultimately just and loving.
The Princess of the Golden Palace
Of breathtaking beauty, described as appearing like 'living, breathing flesh' in her portrait. She is graceful and elegant, with a delicate yet radiant presence.
Attire: Luxurious and shimmering attire, reflecting her palace's golden theme. She would wear a flowing gown of fine silk or brocade, perhaps in shades of gold, ivory, or deep jewel tones, adorned with intricate embroidery and precious jewels. Her clothing is elegant and emphasizes her beauty, possibly a richly embroidered caftan or a layered dress with a veil.
Wants: Initially, her curiosity about the merchant's treasures leads her to the ship. Later, she falls in love with the King and becomes a devoted wife and mother.
Flaw: Her fascination with beautiful golden objects makes her susceptible to Faithful John's plan.
Begins as an object of desire, becomes the King's bride, faces a magical threat, and ultimately demonstrates profound love and sacrifice, becoming a wise and compassionate queen.
Curious, gracious, appreciative of beauty and luxury, kind, loving.
The Old King
Frail and weakened by age and illness, but still possessing a dignified presence. His face shows the wisdom of many years of rule.
Attire: Simple, comfortable nightclothes of fine linen, perhaps a nightshirt and a soft robe, suitable for a dying monarch in his bedchamber. The fabric would be of high quality, but without the heavy ornamentation of court attire.
Wants: To ensure the safety and well-being of his son and his kingdom after his death.
Flaw: His mortality and inability to directly guide his son after his passing.
Appears only at the beginning to set the central conflict in motion through his dying wish and warning.
Wise, caring, responsible, trusting.
The Three Crows
Three large, glossy black crows, indistinguishable from one another in appearance, but possessing an unnaturally intelligent and knowing demeanor in their eyes.
Attire: Natural plumage of a crow.
Wants: To discuss the fate of the King and Princess, inadvertently revealing crucial information to Faithful John.
Flaw: None apparent, as they are merely observers and conveyors of fate.
They serve as a plot device to reveal the dangers awaiting the King, without undergoing any personal change.
Omniscient, detached, prophetic, conversational.
The Queen's Maid
A young, attractive woman, likely of a similar build to the Princess, as she is her personal attendant. She moves with a practical grace.
Attire: A practical but well-made dress of a fine, but not luxurious, fabric like linen or cotton, in a muted color such as soft blue or green. It would be modest and functional, perhaps with a simple apron, reflecting her role as a lady-in-waiting.
Wants: To serve her Princess and to satisfy her own curiosity and appreciation for beautiful things.
Flaw: Her delight in golden trinkets makes her an unwitting accomplice in John's plan.
A brief appearance to facilitate the meeting between John and the Princess.
Curious, helpful, easily delighted by beautiful objects.
Locations
King's Castle - Forbidden Corridor & Portrait Room
A long, grand corridor within a medieval European castle, leading to a final, forbidden chamber. The chamber itself is likely opulent, designed to house a precious item, with the portrait of the Princess of the Golden Palace being the sole focus. The atmosphere is initially mysterious and forbidden, then becomes one of overwhelming beauty and sudden infatuation.
Mood: Mysterious, forbidden, later overwhelming, fateful
The young King discovers the portrait of the Princess, falls in love, and sets the entire quest in motion.
The Golden Palace - Courtyard Well
The courtyard of a magnificent palace, where everything, including the well and pails, is made of gold. The architecture suggests a rich, possibly Middle Eastern or South Asian influence, with intricate details and a sense of immense wealth. The air is likely warm and still.
Mood: Opulent, grand, exotic, wealthy
Faithful John first makes contact with the Princess's servant, initiating the plan to bring the Princess to the King.
The King's Ship at Sea
A large sailing ship, laden with golden treasures, navigating the open sea. The ship is the primary mode of transport for the King and his entourage, and later for the Princess. The atmosphere is one of journey, anticipation, and later, foreboding due to the crows' prophecy.
Mood: Adventurous, expectant, later ominous and tense
The King and Princess meet on the ship, and later, Faithful John overhears the crows' prophecy, learning of the dangers ahead.
The King's Castle - Bridal Hall & Chamber
The grand hall of the King's castle, prepared for a wedding celebration, followed by a private bridal chamber. The hall is likely adorned with banners and festive decorations, while the chamber is more intimate. The atmosphere shifts from celebratory to tense and dangerous, as John thwarts the curses.
Mood: Festive, celebratory, then tense, dangerous, and ultimately relieved
The wedding celebrations where John saves the King three times, leading to his transformation into stone, and later, his miraculous revival.