Guerrino and the Savage Man facts for kids

Guerrino and the Wild Man is an Italian fairy tale. It was written by Giovanni Francesco Straparola. You can find it in his book, The Facetious Nights of Straparola. This story is a very old version of a popular type of fairy tale. Other tales like it include Iron John.

The Story of Guerrino

A king named Filippomaria had a son, Guerrino. One day, the king was hunting. He caught a wild man and put him in prison. The king gave the prison keys to the queen.

The king went hunting again. Guerrino wanted to see the wild man. The wild man took an arrow from Guerrino. He promised to give it back if Guerrino set him free. Guerrino did this and told him to run away. The wild man said he would and left. This wild man was actually a handsome young man. He had become wild because he was sad about a lady he loved.

Guerrino Leaves Home

The queen woke up and asked everyone what happened. Guerrino said he had freed the wild man. He told her that only he should be punished. The queen then sent Guerrino away. She gave him money and two loyal servants.

The king came back and found the wild man gone. The queen told him Guerrino had done it. She also said she had sent Guerrino away. This made the king very angry. He was upset that she thought he cared less about his son than the wild man. The king looked for Guerrino but could not find him.

The two servants decided to kill Guerrino. But they argued about how to share the money. While they were still arguing, a kind young man greeted them. He asked Guerrino to come with him. Guerrino agreed. This young man was the same wild man Guerrino had freed!

Rubinetto's Magic Powers

The wild man had met a fairy. She was feeling unwell. When she saw him, she laughed out loud. This laughter made her feel better! So, she changed him into a handsome young man. She gave him magic powers and a special magic horse. His new name was Rubinetto.

Guerrino and Rubinetto came to a town called Irlanda. King Zifroi ruled there. He had two beautiful daughters, Potentiana and Eleuteria. Guerrino found a place to stay. Rubinetto wanted to leave, but Guerrino convinced him to stay.

Fighting Wild Horses

At that time, wild horses were attacking the land. A wild horse and a wild mare were ruining crops. They were also killing animals and people. The two servants told the king that Guerrino had boasted he could kill these horses.

The king called Guerrino. He promised to reward him if he killed the horses. When Guerrino hesitated, the king threatened to execute him if he failed. Rubinetto told Guerrino to ask the king for a blacksmith. Then, the blacksmith should make huge horseshoes for Rubinetto's horse.

Guerrino rode the horse until he met the wild horse. He then got off, freed the horse, and climbed a tree. The horses fought, and the wild one was defeated. The king was happy, but the servants were furious. They said Guerrino had also boasted about the wild mare. So, the king told him to defeat it too. Guerrino did, just as he had with the first horse.

The Wasp and the Princesses

The night after, Guerrino woke up to a noise. He found a wasp stuck in a honey pot. He freed the wasp.

The king called Guerrino again. He said he had to reward him. He offered Guerrino one of his daughters. But Guerrino had to guess which one was Potentiana and which was Eleuteria. Potentiana had golden hair, and Eleuteria had silver hair. Both princesses would be covered with white veils. If Guerrino guessed wrong, he would be executed.

Guerrino went back to his lodging. Rubinetto told him that the wasp would fly around Potentiana three times that night. She would shoo it away three times. Then, Guerrino should choose her. Guerrino said he didn't know how to thank Rubinetto. Rubinetto told him that he was the wild man Guerrino had freed. He was just returning the favor.

Guerrino went to the palace. The princesses were completely covered with white veils. The king told him to choose quickly. But Guerrino waited for the right moment. The wasp buzzed around Potentiana. She shooed it away. Guerrino then said she was Potentiana. They got married.

Rubinetto married Eleuteria. Guerrino's parents heard about him. He returned home with his wife and Rubinetto and his wife. They all lived happily ever after.