'The King of the Golden River' or 'The Black Brothers: A Legend of Stiria' is a fantasy story originally written in 1841 by John Ruskin for the twelve-year-old Effie (Euphemia) Gray, whom Ruskin later married. It was published in book form, and became an early Victorian classic which sold out three editions. In the 'Advertisement to the First Edition', which prefaces it, it is called a fairy tale, one, it might be added, that illustrates the triumph of love, kindness, and goodness over evil; however, it could also be characterized as a fable, a fabricated origin myth and a parable.