There was once a rich merchant who had only one child, a son named Heinel. One day, the merchant lost all his wealth when his ships sank at sea. He became very poor and had nothing left except a small piece of land.
One evening, as he walked sadly across his land, a little black dwarf appeared. "Why are you so sad?" the dwarf asked.
The merchant told him his story. The dwarf said, "Don't worry. I will make you rich again. But in twelve years, you must give me the first thing that meets you when you go home."
The merchant thought, "It will probably be my dog or cat." He forgot about his son. He agreed to the deal and signed a paper.
But when he reached home, his little boy Heinel ran out to meet him and hugged his legs. The father was terrified, but he hoped the dwarf was only joking. A month later, the merchant found a huge pile of gold in his house. He became richer than ever before.
As the twelve years passed, the merchant grew sad again. Heinel asked what was wrong, and finally, his father told him the truth. Heinel said, "Don't worry, Father. I am not afraid of the little man."
When the time came, they went to the field. Heinel drew a circle on the ground and stood inside it with his father. The dwarf arrived but could not enter the circle. Heinel had the help of a good fairy who had told him what to do.
After a long argument, they made a new deal. Heinel was put into a small boat on the sea. His father pushed the boat away, thinking his son was lost forever. But the boat did not sink. The fairy protected Heinel, and eventually, the boat reached a strange land.
Heinel found a beautiful but empty castle. Inside, he found a white snake. The snake was actually an enchanted princess. She said, "I have waited twelve years for you. To save me, you must stay here for three nights. Men will come and hurt you, but you must not speak a word. On the third night, I will be free."
Heinel was brave. He said nothing, even when the men tormented him. On the third night, the princess became human again. She used the "Water of Life" to heal Heinel’s wounds. They got married, and Heinel became the King of the Golden Mountain.
Eight years later, Heinel wanted to see his father. The Queen was worried. "Bad things will happen if you go," she said. But she gave him a wishing-ring. "This ring will take you anywhere. But promise me you will not use it to bring me to your father’s house."
Heinel promised and wished himself to his old town. He was wearing strange clothes, so the guards did not recognize him. He went to his father’s house, but his father did not believe he was Heinel. "My son died long ago," the merchant said.
Then Heinel showed them a mark on his arm. His parents finally realized it was him. Heinel told them he was a King and had a beautiful wife and son. His father laughed, "A King? In those clothes?"
Heinel was angry. He forgot his promise and turned the ring. Suddenly, the Queen and his son appeared. The Queen cried because he had broken his word.
One day, they went for a walk. Heinel fell asleep with his head in the Queen’s lap. While he slept, she took the ring from his finger and wished herself and her son back to their kingdom.
When Heinel woke up, he was alone. "I cannot go back to my father’s house now," he said. "I must find my kingdom again."
He travelled until he found three giants. They were fighting over three magical items: a sword that could cut off any head, a cloak that made you invisible, and boots that could take you anywhere. Heinel tricked the giants. He told them he needed to test the items. As soon as he had all three, he wished himself at the Golden Mountain.
He arrived at the castle and heard music. The people told him the Queen was about to marry someone else. Heinel put on his invisible cloak and went into the hall. He sat next to the Queen and ate the food from her plate. She was terrified and went to her room.
Heinel followed her and revealed himself. "I saved you once," he said, "and now I am back."
The other princes and guests tried to attack him. Heinel drew his magical sword and shouted, "Heads off!" The enemies fell, and Heinel was once again the King of the Golden Mountain.