English Original
There was once an old king who was ill and knew he was dying. He summoned his most loyal servant, Faithful John, and said, "I have no worry except for my young son. Promise me you will be his guardian and teach him all he needs to know."
Faithful John promised, "I will not forsake him and will serve him with fidelity, even if it costs me my life."
The old king then gave a final warning: "After my death, show my son the entire castle and all its treasures. But you must never show him the last chamber in the long gallery, where hangs the portrait of the Princess of the Golden Dwelling. If he sees it, he will fall violently in love with her and face great peril." Having received John's promise, the king died peacefully.
After the mourning period, Faithful John showed the young king his inheritance but avoided the forbidden room. The young king, noticing this, demanded to see inside. Despite John's warnings about a curse, the king insisted. With a heavy heart, John unlocked the door. The king saw the magnificent portrait, fell in love instantly, and fainted.
Upon reviving, the young king declared his love for the princess and begged John for help. John devised a plan: they would use the kingdom's gold to create exquisite golden objects, pose as merchants, and sail to the princess's land.
Their plan worked. The princess, enchanted by the golden wares, was lured onto their ship. Once at sea, the king revealed his true identity and his love, born from seeing her portrait. Moved, she agreed to marry him.
During the voyage home, Faithful John overheard three ravens prophesying three dangers awaiting the couple:
1. A chestnut horse would appear; if the king mounted it, he would be carried away forever.
2. A beautiful but poisonous bridal gown would burn him to the bone.
3. During the wedding dance, the queen would collapse; only drawing three drops of blood from her breast could save her.
The ravens also revealed that anyone who warned the king of these dangers would turn to stone. John was torn but decided to save his master at any cost.
Upon arrival, each prophecy came true. Faithful John acted swiftly: he shot the magical horse, burned the poisonous gown with gloved hands, and saved the queen by drawing the three drops of blood. The young king, witnessing the last act without understanding, was enraged and sentenced John to death.
On the gallows, John explained everything. The king cried for pardon, but it was too late—John had spoken the secret and turned to stone.
The king and queen grieved deeply. One day, the stone statue spoke, saying it could be revived if the king sacrificed what was dearest to him. The king, remembering John's fidelity, sacrificed his two young sons, sprinkling their blood on the statue. Faithful John returned to life, then restored the children to life as well. The family was reunited and lived happily ever after.
中文翻译
从前，一位年老的国王病重，自知将不久于人世。他召来最忠实的仆人——忠实的约翰，对他说：“我别无牵挂，只担心我年幼的儿子。请答应我，做他的监护人，教导他一切所需。”
忠实的约翰承诺道：“我绝不会抛弃他，必将忠实地侍奉他，即使付出生命的代价。”
老国王随后发出最后的警告：“我死后，带我儿子看遍整个城堡和所有财宝。但你绝不能让他看长廊尽头最后一个房间，那里挂着金屋公主的肖像。如果他看到，必将疯狂地爱上她，并面临巨大的危险。”得到约翰的承诺后，国王安然离世。
服丧期过后，忠实的约翰带领年轻国王查看遗产，但避开了那间禁室。年轻的国王察觉后，坚持要进去看看。尽管约翰警告这会带来诅咒，国王仍一意孤行。约翰心情沉重地打开了门。国王看到那幅华丽的肖像，瞬间坠入爱河，昏倒在地。
苏醒后，年轻国王宣称自己爱上了公主，并恳求约翰帮助。约翰想出一个计划：用王国的黄金打造精美的金器，假扮成商人，乘船前往公主的国度。
计划成功了。公主被这些金器迷住，被引上了他们的船。一到海上，国王便表明了自己的真实身份以及因肖像而生的爱意。公主深受感动，同意嫁给他。
在返航途中，忠实的约翰偷听到三只乌鸦预言这对新人将面临的三个危险：
1. 会出现一匹栗色马；如果国王骑上它，他将会被永远带走。
2. 会有一件美丽但有毒的婚纱，能将他烧得骨肉不存。
3. 在婚礼舞会上，王后会昏倒；只有从她胸口取出三滴血才能救她。
乌鸦还透露，任何警告国王这些危险的人都会变成石头。约翰内心挣扎，但最终决定不惜一切代价拯救主人。
抵达后，每个预言都逐一应验。忠实的约翰迅速行动：他射杀了魔法马，戴着手套烧掉了毒婚纱，并通过取出三滴血拯救了王后。年轻的国王目睹了最后这一幕却不明白缘由，勃然大怒，判处约翰死刑。
在绞刑架上，约翰解释了一切。国王哭喊着请求宽恕，但为时已晚——约翰说出了秘密，变成了石头。
国王和王后悲痛欲绝。一天，石像开口说话，称如果国王愿意牺牲他最珍贵的东西，它就能复活。国王想起约翰的忠诚，牺牲了自己的两个幼子，将他们的血洒在石像上。忠实的约翰复活了，随后也让孩子们复活了。一家人团聚，从此过上了幸福的生活。