Erlkönig by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Short summary

5 seconds

A horseman rides through the night forest with his son. The forest king wants to take the boy for himself and seduces him with colorful promises. The rider rides out of the forest, but the child dies.

1 minute

A rider gallops through the night forest. He has a young son in his arms, clinging tightly to his father. The boy is afraid of the king of the forest, who is chasing them. The man does not believe his son and continues on his way.

The forest king talks to the boy. He wants to take him for himself and tries to seduce him with colorful promises. The child tells his father that the forest king wants to catch up with them. He is getting close, and the boy is having a hard time breathing.

The frightened rider gallops faster and faster, hurrying to leave the forest. The boy in his arms cries out in fear and anguish. The father rides out of the forest with the dead child.