Fighter's Shield

From Zelda Wiki.org

The Fighter's Shield is the first Shield in A Link to the Past. It is nothing special and is received from Link's Uncle in the basements of Hyrule Castle. As it is the first shield obtained in the game, it is the weakest of all shields and provides very little defense. If the shield is swallowed up by a Like Like or otherwise lost, another one can be purchased in the many shops throughout the Hyrule overworld.

Link can obtain an upgraded version of the Fighter's Shield known as the Red Shield by throwing it into the Mysterious Pond of the Waterfall of Wishing. Only by answering the Great Fairy's question honestly will she reward him with a better shield.