The King of the Golden Mountain
The Merchant and His Loss
Long ago, there was a wealthy merchant. He decided to load all his riches onto two ships bound for distant lands to earn even more wealth. But unfortunately, the ships sank, leaving him poor.
All he had left was his young son and his only piece of land.
The Pact with the Dwarf
He went to his land to relax. There he was visited by a black dwarf named Manneken.
— Friend, why are you so sad? What weighs so heavily on your heart?
A Reckless Promise
— I've lost all my wealth. I worry for my son.
— Ask for whatever you wish and you shall receive it. In return, give me the first thing that holds onto you when you get home, twelve years from this date.
— Agreed.
As the merchant was happily returning home, his son came from behind and grabbed his leg. He realized what he had done without thinking. Fear seized him.
He went up to his attic and checked his money chest, finding it empty. Relieved, he thought, since the money hadn't arrived, he would refuse when they came.
Unexpected Riches
Yet he returned to the attic a few days later and found the chest full of gold. He became even wealthier than before.
The Day of Reckoning
Twelve years later, the day arrived when the merchant had to give his son to the dwarf.
— Son, I must tell you of the wrong I have done.
— Father, don't worry. Nothing bad will happen to us.
Hazel's Secret
The son had been visited the previous night by a magical fairy who predicted a great fortune he was to receive and told him what he must do to obtain it.
The Ritual of Protection
Knowing this, he brought his father to the same place where he was supposed to be given to the dwarves. He sat his father down and drew a circle around him. The dwarf appeared and demanded his reward.
A magical force prevented the dwarf from entering the circle.
— Old merchant! You have something that belongs to me. Now give it to me!
— I'm sorry, friend. He is my son and I cannot give him to you.
— Liar! You promised me!
— Friend, if you'll allow me, I can propose a way out.
Fate on the Sea
The dwarf and the father reached an agreement. They decided that Hazel would be placed in a boat that would be pushed out to sea by his father, so that the waves would decide the fate of the floating vessel and of Hazel.
After floating for a while, the boat was caught in tumultuous waters and turned upside down. The merchant was grief-stricken at the loss of his son.
The dwarf felt satisfied after getting his revenge. Both men turned and disappeared.
A New Realm
However, young Hazel survived while staying on the floating boat's waterline. After a few days, it reached a strange shore with a very large palace and a mountain of gold.
The Serpent Princess
Young Hazel entered the castle and found it deserted. His joy turned to despair as he searched for someone in every room. Finally, he came upon a white coiled serpent. He was terrified.
— Speak, traveler! I am our princess. I am trapped in this spell which can be broken if you endure the agony from twelve men who come here in the dark. You must endure this for three nights and the spell will be broken. I shall return to my human form, transform you back to how you are, and marry you, and I shall bring back our subjects so that we may rule as the King and Queen of the Golden Mountain.
The King and Queen of the Golden Mountain
Hazel agreed. The men came and beat him. The spell was broken. The princess became human, she revived Hazel, the subjects returned as they married one another. They had a beautiful baby boy and seven years passed.
Homesickness
When Hazel thought of his father and wished to see him, he told his queen about his desire. She foresaw great sorrow if he were to go.
The Journey Home
Nevertheless, Hazel insisted so much that she agreed without hesitation and gave him a wishing ring and one condition.
— You must never wish for me and our son to be at your father's house.
Hazel agreed. He closed his eyes and made a wish to reach his father's city. He opened his eyes and found himself in his father's city.
His Father's Disbelief
Hazel was not allowed entry into the city because of his clothes. He made an arrangement with a shepherd and reached his father's house. He found his father and told him.
— Father, I am Hazel.
— Oh, my son died many years ago! I watched him die.
— Father, look at my mark! I am your son and I am the king of a distant realm. I have a queen and a son.
— You are my son, but you are no king. You are a shepherd, and where is your family now?
The Queen Departs
The queen arrived and was very displeased. She was furious but remained calm. She waited.
Hazel took her to the same shore from which he had set out to sea. He decided to rest his head on his love's lap, when the queen took back the ring and returned to her palace with their son.
A New Journey
Hazel woke up and realized what had happened. He felt he could not return to his father, as his father wouldn't believe him. So he decided to go and find a way back to his family.
The Magical Objects
Far away, three giants were fighting over their inheritance. Three objects: a cloak that makes you invisible, a pair of boots that can take the wearer anywhere they wish, and a sword which, when told "off with their heads," can kill everyone around except you.
Hazel's Cunning
Hazel arrived here after many days of searching and saw the objects. He volunteered and agreed to settle the dispute. He tricked the giants by saying he needed to wear the objects to judge them, and he put them on one by one and disappeared.
The Queen's Wedding
He reached the shores of the Golden Mountain only to see a great celebration taking place. He used his cloak and entered the crowd to discover that the queen was marrying another man. He was enraged.
The Queen's Lesson
Hazel, wearing the cloak, reached the great dining hall. With the festivities in full swing, he decided to teach the queen a lesson by taking her plate of food and drink. Every time she tried to reach for them, he drank and ate.
The worried and increasingly angry queen got up and left the hall for her chambers, where she wept and pondered what had happened.
The Confrontation
When Hazel arrived, he took off his cloak. The queen, though shocked, was relieved to see him. Yet Hazel was furious and shouted at her. He threw things and made her cry.
A Fatal Decision
With the same fury, he entered the hall and shouted.
— Subjects of my kingdom beneath the Golden Mountain! I have returned and this wedding is canceled!
However, he was met with mockery from the nobles and people who laughed at him.
Enraged, he drew his sword and shouted.
— Off with all heads, except mine!
The sword's spell worked and every subject, including his beloved queen and his son, died.
He realized what he had done. That greed and anger are not worth the sacrifice of family. He wept, sitting on the throne as the lonely King of the Golden Mountain. The End.
