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It takes insight to understand the suffering of wild or strange creatures.
The hero of this tale is a boy who takes pity on a Wild Man kept in a cage in the courtyard of a castle. He risks his life to set him free, only to meet him later on, alone, in the woods.
This story has been told many times, in slightly different ways. The Brothers Grimm called their version "Iron Hans" and and Andrew Lang called his "The Hairy Man". This is Bertie's version, which follows the original plot, but which puts a little more emphasis on the themes - such as the indignity of the captive Wild Man, and the boy's initial panic at the moment of success.
Read by Elizabeth. Version by Bertie. Duration 18.43.
Proofread by Claire Deakin.
There are many curious things in nature, and outside it too. Take for example the wild man of this story – the scientists said he was a relic of a past age, the soothsayers that he was the creation of an evil wizard, but the peasants saw him simply as a devil. He was kept in the courtyard of the prince’s castle. The people from the towns and villages around about came to see him. Some bad boys prodded him through the bars of his cage with sticks, but the wild man was no longer ferocious. He sat in a daze, with his back straight, and his great hairy arms hanging by his side. He did not even snarl as he used to, he merely grunted when he was particularly bothered by flies or fleas, or the poking of sticks. One or two ladies of the court remarked how strange it was that his dark, deep-set eyes seemed almost thoughtful at times.
He had not always been held captive in a cage. He had lived in the forest, where even the wolves were wary of him. He ate berries and fish, and never harmed a human being, except when he accidentally scared the wits out of a poacher, or when he was attacked. His harmlessness did not stop the rumours about him. The villagers claimed he stole their goats and hens, and even that he took babies from their cribs. At first the prince dismissed these reports for what they were – the superstitions of the simple-minded. But then one day a royal huntsman cornered the wild man in a cave. Instead of killing his quarry, the hunter received a terrible mauling with tooth and claw. He barely made it back to the castle alive. After that, the prince had to believe in the wild man.
The prince offered a fair reward to anyone who might capture the creature, dead or alive. Many tried to trap, shoot, or spear him, but for a long time no one met with success. Eventually, one night, the ferocious fugitive fell by chance into a bear pit. It had been dug a long time before by a circus performer, who had hoped to capture a cub and train it for his act. The wild man hurt his ankle in the fall, was caught up in the net at the bottom of the pit, and struggled in vain to climb up its steep walls. He remained there for several days, while he grew weak and weary. Eventually he was found by an old peasant, who immediately called his four sons. They hurled rocks at the wild man to make sure that he behaved, and then they hauled him up in the net, before binding him further with rope. That was how this curious captive came to be caged in the courtyard of the prince. The old man’s family received a rich reward, though it brought them no happiness, as they quarrelled violently over how to divide it among themselves.
Few took pity on the wild man. Why should they? Most found their own lives to be hard enough, without worrying about a devil in a cage. Besides, it is not natural to pity what you fear. But a boy who worked in the palace kitchens looked into the eyes of the beast and saw sadness there. He could not read, and therefore did not understand the sign that warned, “Keep back or be bitten.” He reached through the bars of the cage and held out a piece of sweet meat. The wild man, who had seemed almost asleep, immediately seized the boy’s hand, and yanked his arm until his shoulder was hard up against the bars. But his grip, although firm, did not crush the boy’s bones as it could have done, and his claws did not break his fair skin. His powerful jaw swivelled, his thick black lips curled, and the boy saw his yellow teeth and fat red tongue far closer than he might have wished.
Then, the wild man said, in a low rough voice, “You are the only one with a heart. You are my only hope. Bring me the key to this cage.”
The boy could do barely more than nod, and was immensely relieved to receive his hand back. He ran off, not knowing what he intended to do. He had heard it said that the key to the cage was kept under the pillow of the princess. He could not imagine an opportunity to steal it from such a place, until a few days later when he was sent on an errand to the private quarters of the castle. As he passed the royal bedroom, he decided to sneak inside. If by chance he was caught, he would say that he had a message for the chambermaid. He was in luck as nobody was in the room. He slid his grubby hand beneath the silken pillow, and felt the key.
This is how the boy freed the captive: He walked by the cage in the courtyard with his hands behind his back tightly holding the key, and making sure that nobody was looking, he turned around and dropped it through the bars onto the straw. In the morning, the wild man was gone.
The boy had not anticipated the scandal and the furore that the wild man’s escape would unleash. Everyone in the castle was gossiping about who might have been the thief and the traitor who had stolen the key from under the pillow of the princess. The prince announced that each and everyone of the servants would be questioned by the soothsayers, and if their magic suspected a lie, there would be a further test by torture. The boy grew greatly afraid for his life, and at the first opportunity, he ran away to the forest.
The dark forest was hardly a less threatening place than the castle, however. If the wolves did not make short work of the boy, then the cold and the rain would surely do for him before too long. He crawled into a hole between some boulders for shelter, and in the morning he awoke to find that entrance to his cave was being watched over and guarded by none other than the wild man himself.
“Friend,” said the beast. “You have helped me, and now I shall help you. I have a store of secret treasures, and I shall give freely from them. First you must pass a test to prove that you are pure of heart.”
He led the boy to a spring, and told him that he must spend the day sitting by it. On no account, no matter how hot or thirsty he became, should he touch the water in the spring. Anything that came into contact with the liquid would turn instantly into gold. When he had given these instructions, the wild man left him.
For most of the day, the boy did exactly as he was told. But towards evening, as he placed a berry in his mouth, a wasp stung him on his finger. The bite burned like fire, and the boy instinctively dipped it into the cooling water. That instant, his finger became gilded with gold. In panic, he ran his hand through his long hair, and some drops sprinkled it, and that too turned to gold.
When the beast returned, he saw instantly that the boy had broken his word.
“I am disappointed,” he said. “You must go out in the world by yourself; but if after a year has passed, you are in need of my help, you may call for me.”
The following morning, the wild man escorted the boy to the edge of the forest and set him on his way along the road. The boy tramped on wearily but safely until he reached another castle. There he applied for work and was granted a job in the garden.
The boy always wore a bandage on his hand, and a scarf around his head to cover his gilded affliction. One day, the daughter of the prince of this castle was passing through the garden, and said to him, "Do you not know that you should take your hat off in my presence?"
The boy bowed and apologised to the princess, saying that he could not bare his head because it was scabbed terribly.
“Never mind,” said the princess. “Bring me flowers to my room every morning.”
Every day, the boy chose the most beautiful flowers from the garden and delivered them to the room of the princess. He had special dispensation not to remove his head gear as he entered her room.
A year went by, and the princess viewed the boy with great favour, and thought it a pity that his head and hand were so afflicted that he did not dare show them to the world. The boy with the golden hair beneath his scarf began to regret that he was too lowly to befriend this beautiful young woman.
At that time, a war broke out with the neighbouring princedom, which happened to be where the boy had come from originally. Now he saw his chance to distinguish himself, and to advance his position. One day, at sunrise, as he stood alone in the garden, he called out, “Wild man, if you can hear me now, help me as I once helped you.”
In an instant the boy saw that a dark horse was chomping the grass on the lawn. As he lifted his foot to walk towards it, his leg felt stiff and heavy, and he realised that he was wearing a suit of black armour.
In this guise, the boy fought with the prince’s army, and distinguished himself in battle for his conspicuous valour. When the fighting was over, the prince commanded the mysterious black knight to come forward and to receive a great reward. He had in mind the hand of his daughter, the princess, in marriage. But when the opportunity for honour arose, the boy felt shy and afraid. He could not believe that such good luck should happen to him. He felt a terrible foreboding that he would be exposed as a lowly gardener and punished, and with sudden panic in his heart, he dug his spurs into the side of his charger and rode off. He returned to his station in the garden. Only the Princess noticed that he had ever been away.
The prince celebrated his victory with a great banquet for the knights who had fought for him. At the height of the feasting, he called all to order. He announced that he was about to throw a golden arrow up into the air, and any bachelor who caught it would win the the hand of his daughter. It so happened that the boy was helping the servants at the table, for they were especially busy that evening. When the prince threw the arrow, it flew over the heads of all the knights, and straight towards the boy and he caught it. He only intended to be helpful, but in doing so, he committed a grave offence.
The prince bellowed, “How dare such scum lay claim to the hand of my daughter,” and the guards came forth to seize him.
The boy called out, “Oh wild man, help me now as I once helped you,” and that instant he was again clothed in the black armour of the knight who had won the battle. His horse came into the the banqueting hall, and the boy climbed up onto the table, and mounted his charger. He took up the reins and was about to clatter out of the castle and to make his escape, when the prince called out, “Wondrous and mysterious knight, do not leave, stay and marry my daughter.”
This time the boy did not run away from good fortune. The guards helped him down from his charger, and he knelt before the prince and his daughter, removed his helmet, and his long, glittering hair fell down over his shoulders. The wedding was announced for the following day. The boy did not forget his wild and strange helper. He called out to him, “Wild man. Come now and be a guest at my wedding, for it is to you that I owe all my happiness.”
An hour before the wedding, a strange, hairy and ferocious beast turned up at the gates of the castle. The boy gave orders that he was to be treated as his best man and guest of honour. For the rest of his life, good fortune smiled upon the boy, who later became the prince of that land, and who lived and reigned in great happiness along side his wise and fair princess.
This story was Ok ! But me and my brother still enjoys this story !
rachel — August 29, 2010
Thanks! I like it so far.
felicia — August 30, 2010
This boy is kind to the wild man. He did deserve to be a prince.
Kendra and Kayla — August 30, 2010
AWWWW HOW SWEET i DON’T KNOW IF I could be as brave as the boy I would be very scared
Meisha — August 31, 2010
Bertie I did not even understand this story.
mahendra — August 31, 2010
Hi Mahendra
Do you mean you don’t understand the language or the meaning?
This is how I see the story – but people can read all sorts of things into stories.
People are afraid of the Wild Man because he is strange, so they hunt him down and cage him. The boy takes pity on the Wild Man and sets him free. The Wild Man is grateful and helps the boy to become a man.
It reminds me just a bit of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens in which a boy helps an escaped convict, and then convict helps the boy through life.
Bertie — August 31, 2010
Nice Voice and Good story!
I really enjoyed this story.
Alicia — August 31, 2010
We really enjoyed this story.
Thanks!
Elle — August 31, 2010
hey Bertie, sorry i havent been able to contact you,my exams have started,anyway that was a lovely story
your favourite story reader
Devnanda
devnanda — September 1, 2010
Thanks Devnanda, I like this story too. Good luck with your exams.
Bertie — September 1, 2010
hi betie. i was wondering who stole the babie , goat and everything else. on the other hand i liked this story very much.
Anonymous — September 1, 2010
wat a kwel story man WOW!!!
miranda — September 2, 2010
sup what you doing having a great time telling stories hahahahahahahahahahahhaahhahhahahahaahahaahahahahaahahahaahahahahaahahahahah
jacob — September 2, 2010
that was socrazxy thingh i ever seen why dont you put it in game call clubpenguin
jack — September 2, 2010
COOL
JAME — September 2, 2010
COOL WHY DONT YOU PUT IT IN CLUBPENGUIN
jack — September 2, 2010
I´m from Brazil and i think that this is a greater history for study english, and beauty too.
Jaquielson Ferreira — September 2, 2010
does any one know any websites that i can listen to the lord of the rings?
kana — September 2, 2010
Dear Kana, you can try http://audible.com but you may have to pay for the audio book of Lord of the Rings.
Bertie — September 2, 2010
please write back soon! p.s. i love your storys
kana — September 2, 2010
thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kana — September 2, 2010
no bertie thats not why i didnt understand the story.
mahendra — September 3, 2010
Dear Mahendra
is the language more difficult than usual?
Bertie — September 3, 2010
no
mahendra — September 3, 2010
I WANT AN AWAKING BEAUTY
Phoebe — September 4, 2010
It was a good story. I liked it
Happy — September 4, 2010
Hugh
I only found 2 typos in this:
(1) Chamber maid: this is 1 word but is written as 2 words
(2) Offense: this should be written as offenCe
regards Charlotte
Charlotte — September 4, 2010
i like this storyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy much thank you for writing this story about the wild man i like it alottttttttttttttttttttttt
hannah — September 5, 2010
Its So Cool !! (\ /)
(._.)
(\ /)
Gavin — September 5, 2010
I found it a little bet difficult may be for me. Really I don’t know
My regards to you.
Muhamed — September 5, 2010
I really enjoyed this story.
rhys — September 6, 2010
it is cool men yo!
faith — September 7, 2010
nice story i love it. Bertie are you real? plz answer.
sarah — September 7, 2010
Sarah I’m very, very real ! (in my world anyway)
Bertie — September 7, 2010
realy!? whats your real name then bertie?!
the cool kid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! — May 15, 2015
Bertie’s name in real life is Hugh.
Jana Elizabeth — May 15, 2015
it was a very good book!
brandon — September 7, 2010
Good story.
Chloe — September 11, 2010
I really liked this story.
Isaiah — September 12, 2010
i love the story
kaliki — September 12, 2010
I L?VE THIS STORY??<3
LOWRY — September 12, 2010
interesting…
bob — September 12, 2010
IT WAS HORRIBLE!!!
GRAYDA BOY — September 13, 2010
Iuwww! :S
Anonymous — September 13, 2010
bbbbbbbbbbbbboooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg
malik — September 13, 2010
IT WAS CRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZYYYYYYYY!
Levi — September 14, 2010
IT WAS A GOOD STORY
Anonymous — September 14, 2010
bbuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
robin andersen — September 16, 2010
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!booooooooriiiiiiiiiiiiinggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous — September 16, 2010
wat a lovly story
shania — September 17, 2010
hello wat a story i heard better but good job
miranda — September 17, 2010
borin like crazy dude 🙁
vvincent — September 17, 2010
cool story dude
big boy — September 17, 2010
its a very good
esme — September 18, 2010
it s the best story I have ever heart
sleepboy — September 18, 2010
niceee !
Invisible — September 19, 2010
it was very beautiful,i like it
mirna — September 19, 2010
boring
alan — September 20, 2010
HEY, Bertie!
Are you Tim Tadpole’s dad???
If not, who are his parents?
Or were they snapped up by SADIE THE SWAN?!?!?!
Or that sneaky Colin the Carp? (no more green slime for him!)
TeeHee
Coatis are Animals — September 20, 2010
borrinng
billy — September 22, 2010
its ok
michaeljackson — September 23, 2010
its relly long
bri — September 23, 2010
this story is weird, no offense. Oh and, STOP WITH THE HATE COMMENTS!!!! IF YOU HATE IT, DONT SAY ANYTHING!!!!
unknown — September 26, 2010
yuck yuckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
isaiah — September 26, 2010
this story is Duskusting no offence
HATE COMENTS SO NOT COOL
Asante — September 26, 2010
AQUARD
Asante — September 26, 2010
this sory is is good.but it is a litle bit boring in a good way.if you go to ROLAND PARK ELEMENTARY/MIDDLESCHOO and you go to esol class go to http/esollearnning.weebly.com
paul maranan — September 28, 2010
THe story is so good and awesome!!!!!!!!!
Cliff — October 2, 2010
I like this story as it showed if you treat people kindly and with respect you will be rewarded if not with treasures (for a better word) then with satisfaction and respect.
Sue — October 5, 2010
what kind of boopk is this
unknown — October 5, 2010
Very interesting this story ! ;;) 😀 😛
FYS17 — October 8, 2010
it was so discusting
tyrese — October 11, 2010
I think that this story teaches a good lesson. Treat others the way you want to be treated and acts of kindness.This is definetly one of my favorites!!!
Ronald — December 14, 2010
That wild many.
jkjkjjkj — March 6, 2012
this story creeps me out
clover — March 6, 2012
I realy like this storyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
paarth — August 20, 2012
wow this is awesome story
edmund — October 13, 2012
It was really wild
Cathlinvelasco — December 13, 2012
I do not understand the moral of this story at all):
Aisha haider — January 22, 2013
be cool
coolremy — March 26, 2013
Great! :-]
February 18,2013 at 9:10 am — February 18, 2014
Nice story I really LOVE Storynory !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fraser — June 6, 2014
I llllllllllllllloooooovvee it
Love it
Moq — February 11, 2015
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
Anje — April 25, 2015
That was a nice story
krish — November 23, 2015
I loved this story it was so fun to read nice
krish — November 23, 2015
It’s amaizingly ultra awsome
Jay — January 29, 2016
i loved this story it’s awesome
the ? — March 9, 2016
it was truly insirational
cbeebies — March 15, 2016
amazing
rannaia — March 15, 2016
bad
-raiya — March 15, 2016
IS BEAUTIFULL
AYU — September 2, 2016
loved this story
russell white — January 13, 2017
Hey Bertie. Can I ask where is the origin of this story please?
Duchess — February 8, 2017
I love this story its so cute
John — October 26, 2018
thanks elizabeth!
catgirl123 — January 6, 2020
I don’t really get the moral but hey! It’s a good story
Jack — October 27, 2020