The King of the Golden River

"The King of the Golden River" by John Ruskin is a children's fairy tale written in the mid-19th century, characterized by its moral lessons and vivid descriptions of nature. Unlike Ruskin's other scholarly works on art and architecture, this delightful narrative illustrates themes of kindness, greed, and consequences among its characters. It unfolds the story within a fantastical setting that highlights the contrast between wealth and virtue. The tale centers on three brothers—Schwartz, Hans, and Gluck—who own a fertile valley known for its magical Golden River. While Schwartz and Hans embody cruelty and greed, little Gluck represents kindness and compassion. After a mystical encounter with Southwest Wind, who punishes the brothers for their selfish behavior, they struggle to maintain their wealth and eventually face dire consequences. Gluck, motivated by empathy, seeks the King of the Golden River and learns that only pure intentions can transform the river's waters into gold. The story culminates in Gluck’s selfless actions that restore the valley’s prosperity, illustrating the power of love and charity over harshness and greed. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Ruskin was an English polymath – a writer, lecturer, art historian, art critic, draughtsman and philanthropist of the Victorian era. He wrote on subjects as varied as art, architecture, political economy, education, museology, geology, botany, ornithology, literature, history, and myth.