Iron John

A king's hunting party discovered a wild man living in a deep pool in the forest. His skin was the color of iron, his hair hung to his knees, and he was bound with chains. The king ordered him captured and imprisoned in a cage in the castle courtyard.

The king's young son was playing near the cage when his golden ball fell inside. The wild man offered to return it if the boy would release him. The boy agreed and unlocked the cage, fearing nothing.

But as the wild man leaped away, the boy cried out that his father would punish him. Iron John took the boy into the forest, promising to care for him if he guarded the king's golden well and never let anything fall into it.

The boy obeyed faithfully until one day, his finger was hurt and he dipped it in the water. When he pulled it out, it was covered in gold. Iron John was angry but forgave him and set him a second task—guarding the well again.

Years passed, and the boy grew into a young man. Iron John told him it was time to leave, gave him magic armor, and said he would help in times of need. The young man went into the world and served a king as a gardener, hiding his golden hair under a cap.

When the kingdom faced a great war, the gardener asked for the oldest, most broken-down horse in the stable. But Iron John appeared with magnificent steeds and warriors, and the gardener rode into battle as a golden knight, defeating all enemies.

The king was wounded, and the golden knight saved him but disappeared before revealing his identity. This happened three times, and the king demanded to know who the knight was. Finally, at a great feast, the gardener appeared in golden armor, and all recognized him as the savior.

The princess chose him for her husband, and as they celebrated, an iron-looking man arrived. He revealed himself as Iron John, now restored to human form by the young man's loyalty. He gave the couple his kingdom, and the young man ruled wisely, never forgetting the wild man who had taught him courage, loyalty, and the true meaning of maturity.