In the Brothers Grimm tale “Iron Hans,” the wild man is held in an iron cage.
The story begins with hunters searching a forest where a mysterious wild man lives near a pool. After he is captured, the king keeps him imprisoned in a cage. The cage is made of iron, matching the figure’s name and emphasizing his extraordinary strength and otherworldly nature.
A young prince later releases Iron Hans after taking the key from beneath his mother’s pillow. The wild man becomes the prince’s powerful helper and guides him through a series of trials. Unlike many better-known Grimm tales, “Iron Hans” combines a coming-of-age story with a magical helper who tests and rewards the hero.
The title is also used for a traditional German initiation tale collected by the Grimms. The iron cage should not be confused with the forest pool, the golden ball, or the prince’s later armor, all of which are separate story elements.