The Story of Iron John in English for Kids

The Brothers Grimm's collection of German fairy tales includes Iron John, about a wild guy with iron skin and a prince. Eisenhans, a combination of the words "iron" and "hans," is the title in its original German (a German name).

Summary of the Story of Krishna in Mathura in English

Background

Once upon a time, the King of Desire Poe sent a huntsman into a nearby forest, and the huntsman never returned. The King sent other men into the jungle, where they all met the same fate. The King sends all his remaining huntsmen in a group, but they have yet to return. The king declares the woods unsafe and off-limits to everyone.

Iron John is Found

Years later, a travelling explorer accompanied by a dog learns of these perilous woods and requests permission to hunt in the forest, claiming to be able to find the fate of the previous hunters. The man and his dog are permitted entry. A gigantic arm drags the dog beneath the water as they approach a lake in the middle of the woodland. The hunter returns to the jungle the next day with a party of men to drain the lake. They discover a naked man with iron-like skin and long shaggy hair covering his entire body. They grab him, and he is confined in a cage in the courtyard as a curiosity. The king declares that anyone who sets the wild guy free will be killed.

Iron John is Freed

Years later, the little prince is playing with a ball in the courtyard. He accidentally rolls it into the cage, where it is picked up by the wild iron-skinned man, who will only return it if he is set free. He says the cage's solitary key is buried beneath the queen's pillow.

While the price is initially reluctant, he eventually gathers the confidence to go into his mother's room and steal the key. He frees the savage iron-skinned man, whose name is revealed to be Iron John. Because the prince is afraid of being slain for opening the cage, Iron John offers to accompany him into the wilderness.

The Promise

Iron John is a formidable being that guards various valuables. He assigns the prince to keep an eye on his well but warns him not to allow anything to touch or fall into it since it will instantly change to gold. The prince initially obeys but then plays in the well, turning all of his hair gold. Iron John, dissatisfied with the boy's failure, sends him away to experience poverty and suffering. Iron John also advises the prince that if he ever needs anything, he should merely call Iron John's name three times.

The prince travels to a faraway kingdom and offers his services to the king there. Because he is embarrassed by his golden hair, he refuses to remove his cap in front of the monarch and is assigned to help the gardener.

The War

When conflict breaks out in the realm, the prince sees it as an opportunity to establish a reputation for himself. He summons Iron John, who provides him with a horse, armour, and an army of iron warriors to battle with him. The prince successfully defends his new nation.

In honour of the occasion, the king declares a banquet and offers his daughter's hand in marriage to any of the knights who can catch a golden apple thrown into their midst. The king hopes the mysterious knight who saved the realm will appear in exchange for such a reward. Again, the prince requests Iron John's assistance, and Iron John disguises the prince as the mystery knight. The prince is eventually apprehended despite catching the golden apple and fleeing on three occasions.

Picture of Iron John and the Wild Man.

Moral of the Story of Iron John

Iron John appears to be a fantastical story at first glance. However, there is a moral if you delve deeper. The prince defies his father, the King, by negotiating a bargain with the wild man to open the cage for his ball. In doing so, he transitions from childhood to adulthood. Children assert their autonomy when they grow into people in their own right. Similarly, freeing the wild man, the boy in the story has taken a step toward adulthood by asserting his freedom.

Note to Parents 

Even though this story was written hundreds of years ago by the Brothers Grimm, it still has relevance in today's world. Parents may benefit from explaining the importance of these classic stories to their kids. For thousands of years, people have developed and exchanged stories about how boys grow from childhood to manhood. These stories transmit traits and values from one generation to the next. They are frequently associated with rites of passage that commemorate this pivotal period in one's life.

Conclusion

The prince is returned to his former status, marries the princess, and is delighted to be reunited with his parents. Iron John also attends the wedding. This time, he's not wearing the shaggy hair or iron skin that made him so terrifying. Iron John reveals that he was enchanted until he found someone worthy and pure of heart to set him free.