THE GOLDEN MERMAID

Edition and rights: Original English text from Project Gutenberg ebook #7277, marked public domain in the USA. The literary text below is reproduced without AI rewriting.

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A powerful king had, among many other treasures, a wonderful tree in his
garden, which bore every year beautiful golden apples. But the King was
never able to enjoy his treasure, for he might watch and guard them as he
liked, as soon as they began to get ripe they were always stolen. At last,
in despair, he sent for his three sons, and said to the two eldest, ‘Get
yourselves ready for a journey. Take gold and silver with you, and a large
retinue of servants, as beseems two noble princes, and go through the
world till you find out who it is that steals my golden apples, and, if
possible, bring the thief to me that I may punish him as he deserves.’ His
sons were delighted at this proposal, for they had long wished to see
something of the world, so they got ready for their journey with all
haste, bade their father farewell, and left the town.

The youngest Prince was much disappointed that he too was not sent out on
his travels; but his father wouldn’t hear of his going, for he had always
been looked upon as the stupid one of the family, and the King was afraid
of something happening to him. But the Prince begged and implored so long,
that at last his father consented to let him go, and furnished him with
gold and silver as he had done his brothers. But he gave him the most
wretched horse in his stable, because the foolish youth hadn’t asked for a
better. So he too set out on his journey to secure the thief, amid the
jeers and laughter of the whole court and town.

His path led him first through a wood, and he hadn’t gone very far when he
met a lean-looking wolf who stood still as he approached. The Prince asked
him if he were hungry, and when the wolf said he was, he got down from his
horse and said, ‘If you are really as you say and look, you may take my
horse and eat it.’

The wolf didn’t wait to have the offer repeated, but set to work, and soon
made an end of the poor beast. When the Prince saw how different the wolf
looked when he had finished his meal, he said to him, ‘Now, my friend,
since you have eaten up my horse, and I have such a long way to go, that,
with the best will in the world, I couldn’t manage it on foot, the least
you can do for me is to act as my horse and to take me on your back.’

‘Most certainly,’ said the wolf, and, letting the Prince mount him, he
trotted gaily through the wood. After they had gone a little way he turned
round and asked his rider where he wanted to go to, and the Prince
proceeded to tell him the whole story of the golden apples that had been
stolen out of the King’s garden, and how his other two brothers had set
forth with many followers to find the thief. When he had finished his
story, the wolf, who was in reality no wolf but a mighty magician, said he
thought he could tell him who the thief was, and could help him to secure
him. ‘There lives,’ he said, ‘in a neighbouring country, a mighty emperor
who has a beautiful golden bird in a cage, and this is the creature who
steals the golden apples, but it flies so fast that it is impossible to
catch it at its theft. You must slip into the Emperor’s palace by night
and steal the bird with the cage; but be very careful not to touch the
walls as you go out.’

The following night the Prince stole into the Emperor’s palace, and found
the bird in its cage as the wolf had told him he would. He took hold of it
carefully, but in spite of all his caution he touched the wall in trying
to pass by some sleeping watchmen. They awoke at once, and, seizing him,
beat him and put him into chains. Next day he was led before the Emperor,
who at once condemned him to death and to be thrown into a dark dungeon
till the day of his execution arrived.

The wolf, who, of course, knew by his magic arts all that had happened to
the Prince, turned himself at once into a mighty monarch with a large
train of followers, and proceeded to the Court of the Emperor, where he
was received with every show of honour. The Emperor and he conversed on
many subjects, and, among other things, the stranger asked his host if he
had many slaves. The Emperor told him he had more than he knew what to do
with, and that a new one had been captured that very night for trying to
steal his magic bird, but that as he had already more than enough to feed
and support, he was going to have this last captive hanged next morning.

‘He must have been a most daring thief,’ said the King, ‘to try and steal
the magic bird, for depend upon it the creature must have been well
guarded. I would really like to see this bold rascal.’ ‘By all means,’
said the Emperor; and he himself led his guest down to the dungeon where
the unfortunate Prince was kept prisoner. When the Emperor stepped out of
the cell with the King, the latter turned to him and said, ‘Most mighty
Emperor, I have been much disappointed. I had thought to find a powerful
robber, and instead of that I have seen the most miserable creature I can
imagine. Hanging is far too good for him. If I had to sentence him I
should make him perform some very difficult task, under pain of death. If
he did it so much the better for you, and if he didn’t, matters would just
be as they are now and he could still be hanged.’ ‘Your counsel,’ said the
Emperor, ‘is excellent, and, as it happens, I’ve got the very thing for
him to do. My nearest neighbour, who is also a mighty Emperor, possesses a
golden horse which he guards most carefully. The prisoner shall be told to
steal this horse and bring it to me.’

The Prince was then let out of his dungeon, and told his life would be
spared if he succeeded in bringing the golden horse to the Emperor. He did
not feel very elated at this announcement, for he did not know how in the
world he was to set about the task, and he started on his way weeping
bitterly, and wondering what had made him leave his father’s house and
kingdom. But before he had gone far his friend the wolf stood before him
and said, ‘Dear Prince, why are you so cast down? It is true you didn’t
succeed in catching the bird; but don’t let that discourage you, for this
time you will be all the more careful, and will doubtless catch the
horse.’ With these and like words the wolf comforted the Prince, and
warned him specially not to touch the wall or let the horse touch it as he
led it out, or he would fail in the same way as he had done with the bird.

After a somewhat lengthy journey the Prince and the wolf came to the
kingdom ruled over by the Emperor who possessed the golden horse. One
evening late they reached the capital, and the wolf advised the Prince to
set to work at once, before their presence in the city had aroused the
watchfulness of the guards. They slipped unnoticed into the Emperor’s
stables and into the very place where there were the most guards, for
there the wolf rightly surmised they would find the horse. When they came
to a certain inner door the wolf told the Prince to remain outside, while
he went in. In a short time he returned and said, ‘My dear Prince, the
horse is most securely watched, but I have bewitched all the guards, and
if you will only be careful not to touch the wall yourself, or let the
horse touch it as you go out, there is no danger and the game is yours.
The Prince, who had made up his mind to be more than cautious this time,
went cheerfully to work. He found all the guards fast asleep, and,
slipping into the horse’s stall, he seized it by the bridle and led it
out; but, unfortunately, before they had got quite clear of the stables a
gadfly stung the horse and caused it to switch its tail, whereby it
touched the wall. In a moment all the guards awoke, seized the Prince and
beat him mercilessly with their horse-whips, after which they bound him
with chains, and flung him into a dungeon. Next morning they brought him
before the Emperor, who treated him exactly as the King with the golden
bird had done, and commanded him to be beheaded on the following day.

When the wolf-magician saw that the Prince had failed this time too, he
transformed himself again into a mighty king, and proceeded with an even
more gorgeous retinue than the first time to the Court of the Emperor. He
was courteously received and entertained, and once more after dinner he
led the conversation on to the subject of slaves, and in the course of it
again requested to be allowed to see the bold robber who had dared to
break into the Emperor’s stable to steal his most valuable possession. The
Emperor consented, and all happened exactly as it had done at the court of
the Emperor with the golden bird; the prisoner’s life was to be spared
only on condition that within three days he should obtain possession of
the golden mermaid, whom hitherto no mortal had ever approached.

Very depressed by his dangerous and difficult task, the Prince left his
gloomy prison; but, to his great joy, he met his friend the wolf before he
had gone many miles on his journey. The cunning creature pretended he knew
nothing of what had happened to the Prince, and asked him how he had fared
with the horse. The Prince told him all about his misadventure, and the
condition on which the Emperor had promised to spare his life. Then the
wolf reminded him that he had twice got him out of prison, and that if he
would only trust in him, and do exactly as he told him, he would certainly
succeed in this last undertaking. Thereupon they bent their steps towards
the sea, which stretched out before them, as far as their eyes could see,
all the waves dancing and glittering in the bright sunshine. ‘Now,’
continued the wolf, ‘I am going to turn myself into a boat full of the
most beautiful silken merchandise, and you must jump boldly into the boat,
and steer with my tail in your hand right out into the open sea. You will
soon come upon the golden mermaid. Whatever you do, don’t follow her if
she calls you, but on the contrary say to her, “The buyer comes to the
seller, not the seller to the buyer.” After which you must steer towards
the land, and she will follow you, for she won’t be able to resist the
beautiful wares you have on board your ship.’

The Prince promised faithfully to do all he had been told, whereupon the
wolf changed himself into a ship full of most exquisite silks, of every
shade and colour imaginable. The astonished Prince stepped into the boat,
and, holding the wolf’s tail in his hand, he steered boldly out into the
open sea, where the sun was gilding the blue waves with its golden rays.
Soon he saw the golden mermaid swimming near the ship, beckoning and
calling to him to follow her; but, mindful of the wolf’s warning, he told
her in a loud voice that if she wished to buy anything she must come to
him. With these words he turned his magic ship round and steered back
towards the land. The mermaid called out to him to stand still, but he
refused to listen to her and never paused till he reached the sand of the
shore. Here he stopped and waited for the mermaid, who had swum after him.
When she drew near the boat he saw that she was far more beautiful than
any mortal he had ever beheld. She swam round the ship for some time, and
then swung herself gracefully on board, in order to examine the beautiful
silken stuffs more closely. Then the Prince seized her in his arms, and
kissing her tenderly on the cheeks and lips, he told her she was his for
ever; at the same moment the boat turned into a wolf again, which so
terrified the mermaid that she clung to the Prince for protection.

So the golden mermaid was successfully caught, and she soon felt quite
happy in her new life when she saw she had nothing to fear either from the
Prince or the wolf—she rode on the back of the latter, and the
Prince rode behind her. When they reached the country ruled over by the
Emperor with the golden horse, the Prince jumped down, and, helping the
mermaid to alight, he led her before the Emperor. At the sight of the
beautiful mermaid and of the grim wolf, who stuck close to the Prince this
time, the guards all made respectful obeisance, and soon the three stood
before his Imperial Majesty. When the Emperor heard from the Prince how he
had gained possession of his fair prize, he at once recognized that he had
been helped by some magic art, and on the spot gave up all claim to the
beautiful mermaid. ‘Dear youth,’ he said, ‘forgive me for my shameful
conduct to you, and, as a sign that you pardon me, accept the golden horse
as a present. I acknowledge your power to be greater even than I can
understand, for you have succeeded in gaining possession of the golden
mermaid, whom hitherto no mortal has ever been able to approach.’ Then
they all sat down to a huge feast, and the Prince had to relate his
adventures all over again, to the wonder and astonishment of the whole
company.

But the Prince was wearying now to return to his own kingdom, so as soon
as the feast was over he took farewell of the Emperor, and set out on his
homeward way. He lifted the mermaid on to the golden horse, and swung
himself up behind her—and so they rode on merrily, with the wolf
trotting behind, till they came to the country of the Emperor with the
golden bird. The renown of the Prince and his adventure had gone before him,
and the Emperor sat on his throne awaiting the arrival of the Prince and
his companions. When the three rode into the courtyard of the palace, they
were surprised and delighted to find everything festively illuminated and
decorated for their reception. When the Prince and the golden mermaid,
with the wolf behind them, mounted the steps of the palace, the Emperor
came forward to meet them, and led them to the throne room. At the same
moment a servant appeared with the golden bird in its golden cage, and the
Emperor begged the Prince to accept it with his love, and to forgive him
the indignity he had suffered at his hands. Then the Emperor bent low
before the beautiful mermaid, and, offering her his arm, he led her into
dinner, closely followed by the Prince and her friend the wolf; the latter
seating himself at table, not the least embarrassed that no one had
invited him to do so.

As soon as the sumptuous meal was over, the Prince and his mermaid took
leave of the Emperor, and, seating themselves on the golden horse,
continued their homeward journey. On the way the wolf turned to the Prince
and said, ‘Dear friends, I must now bid you farewell, but I leave you
under such happy circumstances that I cannot feel our parting to be a sad
one.’ The Prince was very unhappy when he heard these words, and begged
the wolf to stay with them always; but this the good creature refused to
do, though he thanked the Prince kindly for his invitation, and called out
as he disappeared into the thicket, ‘Should any evil befall you, dear
Prince, at any time, you may rely on my friendship and gratitude.’ These
were the wolf’s parting words, and the Prince could not restrain his tears
when he saw his friend vanishing in the distance; but one glance at his
beloved mermaid soon cheered him up again, and they continued on their
journey merrily.

The news of his son’s adventures had already reached his father’s Court,
and everyone was more than astonished at the success of the once despised
Prince. His elder brothers, who had in vain gone in pursuit of the thief
of the golden apples, were furious over their younger brother’s good
fortune, and plotted and planned how they were to kill him. They hid
themselves in the wood through which the Prince had to pass on his way to
the palace, and there fell on him, and, having beaten him to death, they
carried off the golden horse and the golden bird. But nothing they could
do would persuade the golden mermaid to go with them or move from the
spot, for ever since she had left the sea, she had so attached herself to
her Prince that she asked nothing else than to live or die with him.

For many weeks the poor mermaid sat and watched over the dead body of her
lover, weeping salt tears over his loss, when suddenly one day their old
friend the wolf appeared and said, ‘Cover the Prince’s body with all the
leaves and flowers you can find in the wood.’ The maiden did as he told
her, and then the wolf breathed over the flowery grave, and, lo and
behold! the Prince lay there sleeping as peacefully as a child. ‘Now you
may wake him if you like,’ said the wolf, and the mermaid bent over him
and gently kissed the wounds his brothers had made on his forehead, and
the Prince awoke, and you may imagine how delighted he was to find his
beautiful mermaid beside him, though he felt a little depressed when he
thought of the loss of the golden bird and the golden horse. After a time
the wolf, who had likewise fallen on the Prince’s neck, advised them to
continue their journey, and once more the Prince and his lovely bride
mounted on the faithful beast’s back.

The King’s joy was great when he embraced his youngest son, for he had
long since despaired of his return. He received the wolf and the beautiful
golden mermaid most cordially too, and the Prince was made to tell his
adventures all over from the beginning. The poor old father grew very sad
when he heard of the shameful conduct of his elder sons, and had them
called before him. They turned as white as death when they saw their
brother, whom they thought they had murdered, standing beside them alive
and well, and so startled were they that when the King asked them why they
had behaved so wickedly to their brother they could think of no lie, but
confessed at once that they had slain the young Prince in order to obtain
possession of the golden horse and the golden bird. Their father’s wrath
knew no bounds, and he ordered them both to be banished, but he could not
do enough to honour his youngest son, and his marriage with the beautiful
mermaid was celebrated with much pomp and magnificence. When the
festivities were over, the wolf bade them all farewell, and returned once
more to his life in the woods, much to the regret of the old King and the
young Prince and his bride.

And so ended the adventures of the Prince with his friend the wolf.

Grimm.