Faithful Johannes｜A Grimms' Fairy Tale｜Bedtime Story for Kids｜Fairy Tale for Young Children

Faithful Johannes
Once upon a time, there was an aging king whose hair was white as snow, but his sharp eyes still held the wisdom of a long life. Knowing his time was running out, he summoned his most loyal servant, John, to his bedside. John wasn’t just a servant; he was the king’s closest friend and most trusted confidant, a steadfast protector who had always stood by his side.
The king grasped John’s hand firmly, his voice heavy with emotion. “John, I don’t have much time left. My greatest worry is my son. He’s young, inexperienced, and doesn’t know how to rule or how to avoid danger. I beg you, use your wisdom and loyalty to guide him, and help him become a great king.”
John nodded solemnly, his voice steady. “Your Majesty, I will watch over him and honor your wishes.”
The king let out a sigh of relief but then fixed John with a serious gaze. “There’s one more thing. In the palace, there’s a secret room with a painting inside. Under no circumstances can my son ever see it. It’s a portrait of the Golden Princess. She’s so beautiful it’s heartbreaking, but anyone who falls in love with her will be doomed to misfortune.”
John’s brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded with determination. “I understand, Your Majesty.”
Not long after, the king passed away peacefully. The kingdom mourned deeply, but the new king, his young son, was full of energy and curiosity. His eyes sparkled with the excitement of youth and a thirst to explore the unknown.
One day, the young king stumbled upon a door in the palace that was always locked. Its massive, icy-cold lock seemed to declare that what lay behind it was forbidden. The more mysterious it seemed, the more his curiosity burned like a wildfire. He asked John repeatedly about the room, but John always met him with silence and an unreadable expression.
Eventually, curiosity got the better of him. The king ordered the door to be opened. As the heavy door creaked ajar, a strange, intoxicating fragrance filled the air, as if the room itself had been waiting for this moment.
Inside, the room glowed with golden light, as if sunlight had been trapped within its walls. The centerpiece of the room was a painting-an exquisite masterpiece of a woman in a golden gown, her head crowned with jewels. Her eyes were like tranquil lakes at dawn, her lips curled in a mysterious, enchanting smile.
The king’s heart raced, and his breath quickened as if drawn by an invisible force. He whispered, “Who is she? I must find her and make her my queen.”
When John heard of the king’s resolve, his heart sank. He remembered the late king’s warning, but he knew the young ruler was already captivated. There was no turning back.
To protect the king, John devised a plan. He prepared a grand merchant ship, filled it with treasures beyond imagination, and set sail for the Golden Princess’s kingdom. Disguised as merchants, they docked near the palace and waited for word to spread.
When news of the magnificent ship reached the princess, she couldn’t resist visiting. She boarded the ship with her attendants, marveling at the gold, jewels, and luxurious silks that shimmered like starlight.
While she admired a pearl-encrusted goblet, the ship suddenly set sail. The princess, startled, demanded, “What’s going on? Where are you taking me?”
The king knelt before her, his voice filled with sincerity and passion. “Princess, I love you deeply. I’d trade my entire kingdom for your heart.”
At first, the princess was furious and ashamed. But as she listened to the king’s words and saw the truth in his eyes, her anger softened. In time, she agreed to become his queen.
Their journey home, however, was far from smooth. On the way, John overheard three ravens perched in a tree, gossiping. “The king is doomed to face three deadly trials,” one said. “First, a horse that will kill him. Second, a poisonous robe. Third, a fatal dance. Only someone willing to sacrifice their life can save him.”
John’s heart sank, but he didn’t hesitate. He vowed to do whatever it took to protect the king.
When the king received a magnificent chestnut horse, John noticed the fire in its eyes and killed it immediately. When a robe studded with jewels arrived as a gift, John burned it without a second thought. And at a grand ball, John stepped in just in time to prevent disaster, saving both the king and queen from a deadly fate.
Yet the king, unaware of the dangers, misunderstood John’s actions as betrayal. In his anger, he ordered John to be executed.
At the execution site, John revealed the ravens’ prophecy and explained everything he’d done. The king, hearing the truth, was overcome with guilt and sorrow. But it was too late-John had already turned to cold, lifeless stone.
The king and queen were heartbroken. They spent their days and nights by the stone statue, weeping and praying for John’s return. Their genuine sorrow moved the heavens, and one day, the statue cracked and crumbled. John stood before them, alive once more.