The Bronze Ring — Story Summary & Moral

Story Summary

Once upon a time, a king was unhappy because his beautiful garden never grew flowers or fruit, despite having many gardeners and good soil. A wise adviser suggested that only a true gardener, whose family had been gardeners for generations, could make the garden flourish. Soon, a gardener and his son were found and brought to the palace. The garden thrived under their care, and the king was delighted.

The gardener’s son was kind, hardworking, and handsome. The king’s daughter, the princess, loved him deeply and refused to marry the prime minister’s son, whom her father had chosen. To decide her future fairly, the king declared that both suitors must travel to a distant land — the first to return would win the princess.

The prime minister’s son set off with fine clothes and a strong horse, while the gardener’s son departed with a lame horse and little money. Along the way, the gardener’s son met a poor old woman who begged for help. He kindly offered his purse and allowed her to ride with him. When they reached a distant kingdom, the boy learned that the king was sick and promised great reward to anyone who could cure him. Following the woman’s guidance, the gardener’s son completed difficult tasks and restored the king’s youth. As his reward, he asked only for a bronze ring — later discovered to hold powerful magic.

With the ring’s power, he summoned a magnificent golden ship and returned home. On the way, he encountered the prime minister’s son, now poor and unrecognized. The gardener’s son gave him a ship but marked his back with the bronze ring. When the prime minister’s son reached the king first and claimed the princess’s hand, the ring’s mark revealed his true identity. The gardener’s son married the princess with the king’s blessing.

Later, a wicked magician stole the bronze ring and used its power to ruin the prince’s ship and journey. Lost at sea, the young prince reached an island of mice. The mice, threatened by dangerous cats released by the magician’s magic, helped recover the bronze ring using clever tactics. Once the ring was returned, the prince restored his ship and happily reunited with his wife and kingdom.

Moral / Life Lesson

True courage, kindness, and wisdom are more powerful than wealth or status. Those who remain honest and compassionate, even when faced with hardship, are eventually rewarded.