Der treue Johannes

Read this tale aloud, or read along with your little one. Sentences are short and the words are simple.

Once there was an old king. He had a good servant named Johannes. The king was sick.

He said: I have one wish. Bring my son a princess. Johannes went on a ship.

He got the princess. On the way home he saw three ravens. The ravens said: she will die.

Johannes listened. He said: I will save her. He took his own heart and his eyes.

He gave them to a mermaid. Then he went back to the king. He did not tell the king.

The princess married the prince. They were happy. But the king died.

Johannes said: I must tell the prince. He told him about the ravens. He told him he gave his heart and eyes.

The prince was sad. Johannes said: I will get them back. He went to the mermaid.

She gave them back. He could see and live again. He brought the heart and eyes.

The prince held them close. Johannes lived happily ever after.