THE LITTLE MAN'S GIFT
by James Bowker · from Goblin Tales of Lancashire
Adapted Version
Long ago, a mother loved her child.
The Mother had a child. Her child's eyes were sick. The child could not see well. The Mother was very sad. She went to a special well. It was called Fairies' Well. She walked a long way.
At the well, a man stood there. He was very small. He wore green clothes. He gave The Mother a box. The box had cream inside. "Put this on her eyes," he said.
The Little Green Man went away. He went very fast. The Mother was surprised. She could not say thank you.
The Mother went home. She told The Father. She showed him the box. They were not sure. Maybe the cream was bad. They did not use it.
The child's eyes got worse. The Mother was very sad. She felt very bad. She was brave. She put some cream on her eye. She tried it first.
Her eye was fine. Nothing bad happened. So, she put cream on her child's eyes. The child's eyes got better. They got better fast.
The child could see well now. She could see all things. They were very happy. They wanted to say thank you. But they did not see the man.
Many years went by. The little girl grew up. Her eyes were very good. She saw all things clearly.
One day, The Mother went to market. She saw The Little Green Man. He wore green clothes. He took food softly. He took it from a stall.
The Mother was happy to see him. She walked to him. She took his hand. "Thank you for my child," she said. "You helped her eyes!"
The Little Green Man was not happy. He looked at her. "Can you see me?" he asked. "With both eyes?" He touched her eye.
One of The Mother's eyes could not see. It could not see no more. The Little Green Man went away. He went very fast. He was gone.
The Daughter could see small green people. She saw them at times. She learned from her mother. She was very quiet. She never talked to them. It is good to be wise.
Original Story
THE LITTLE MAN'S GIFT.
MANY are the wells in Lancashire that once were supposed to be the homes of good or evil spirits—of demons or of beneficent fairies—and, despite the injunctions of the Church against the customs of praying at and waking wells, down to a comparatively recent period they were resorted to by pilgrims of all grades who were in search of health. One such spring near Blackpool, known as the Fairies' Well, had its daily crowds of the ailing and the sorrowful, for its water was credited with virtues as wonderful as they were manifold, and from far and near people brought vessels to be filled with the miraculous fluid.
One day at noon, a poor woman who had journeyed many a weary mile in order to obtain a supply of the water with which to bathe the eyes of her child, whose sight was fast failing, and upon whom all the usual remedies had been tried without success, on rising from her knees at the well side, was surprised to find standing near her a handsome little man clad in green, who certainly was not in sight when she bent to fill her bottle. As she stood gazing at the dainty object, the visitor, without having previously asked her any questions, handed to her a beautiful box filled with ointment, and directed her to apply the salve to the eyes of her child, whose sight it would restore. Surprised beyond measure at the little man's knowledge of her family affairs, the woman mechanically accepted the gift, but when, after carefully placing the box in her pocket, she turned to thank the giver, he was no longer to be seen; and satisfied that she had had an interview with one of the beings after whom the well was named, she started on her journey to her distant home.
The strangeness of the present, given as she trusted it was by a fairy who was conversant with the painful circumstances under which she had made her pilgrimage, caused her to hope that the ointment would prove efficacious in removing the disorder under which her child was labouring; but this vague feeling, based as it was upon the mysterious nature of the gift, was accompanied by a perfectly natural fear that, after all, the giver might have been one of those mischievous beings whose delight it was to wreak harm and wrong upon humanity.
When she reached home and told the strange story to her wondering husband, the nervous pair decided that the ointment should not be used unless a further mark of fairy interest in the child's welfare were vouchsafed to them; but when a few days had passed, and the child continued to grow worse, the anxious mother, in the absence of her husband, determined to test the salve upon one of her own eyes. She did so, and after a few minutes of dreadful suspense, finding that evil results did not follow, and saying to herself that surely the fairy could not be desirous of harming her child, she anointed the little girl's eyes. She refrained, however, from making her helpmate acquainted with what she had done, until in the course of a few days the child's eyesight was so nearly restored that it was no longer necessary or possible to keep the matter from him. Great were the rejoicings of the worthy pair over their little one's recovery; but there was not for a very long time any opportunity afforded them of expressing their gratitude.
Some years had passed,—and, as the girl had never had a relapse, the strange gift was almost forgotten,—when one day, in the market-place at Preston, the woman, who was haggling about the price of a load of potatoes, saw before her the identical little fellow in green attire from whom, long before, she had received the box of wonder-working ointment. Although he was busily engaged in a pursuit in which, perhaps, few gentlemen would care to be interrupted, that of stealing corn from an open sack, the thoughtless woman, regardless of etiquette, and yielding to the sudden impulse which prompted her to thank him, stepped forward, and, grasping the fairy's hand, gave utterance to her gratitude.
To her surprise, however, the little fellow seemed very angry with her, and, instead of acknowledging her thanks, hastily asked if she could see him with both eyes, and if she had used the ointment intended for her child. The frightened woman at once said that she saw him with only one eye, and was entering into a long account of the circumstances under which, with maternal instinct, she had tested the value of the gift, when, without more ado, the irritated fairy struck her a violent blow and vanished, and from that time forward the poor woman, instead of being able to see better than her neighbours, was blind of one eye. The daughter, however, often saw the fairies, but, profiting by her mother's painful experience, she was wise enough to refrain from speaking to them either when they gathered by moonlight beneath the trees or in broad daylight broke the Eighth Commandment, utterly unconscious that they were observed by a mortal to whom had been given the wondrous gift of fairy vision.23
Story DNA
Moral
It is wise to exercise caution and discretion when interacting with supernatural beings, and to respect their privacy.
Plot Summary
A desperate mother seeks a cure for her child's failing eyesight at a magical well, where a mysterious little man in green gives her a healing ointment. After initial hesitation, she uses it, restoring her child's sight. Years later, she encounters the fairy again, stealing in the market, and in a rush of gratitude, speaks to him. Enraged by her acknowledgment, the fairy strikes her, blinding her in one eye. Her daughter, however, retains the ability to see fairies and learns from her mother's painful experience to observe them silently.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph to partial loss
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects common folk beliefs in rural England regarding nature spirits and their interactions with humans, often with unpredictable consequences.
Plot Beats (13)
- A poor woman journeys to the Fairies' Well in Lancashire to seek a cure for her child's failing eyesight.
- At the well, a mysterious little man in green appears and gives her a box of ointment, instructing her to use it on her child.
- The little man vanishes before the woman can thank him, leaving her both hopeful and fearful of the gift's origin.
- Upon returning home, she and her husband are hesitant to use the ointment, fearing it might be harmful.
- As the child's sight deteriorates further, the mother, in desperation, tests the ointment on her own eye.
- Finding no negative effects, she applies the salve to her child's eyes, which quickly begin to recover.
- The child's eyesight is fully restored, bringing great joy to the family, though they have no way to express gratitude to the fairy.
- Years pass, and the incident is almost forgotten as the daughter grows up with perfect vision.
- One day, the woman sees the same little man in green in a market, actively stealing corn.
- Driven by a sudden impulse of gratitude, she approaches him, grasps his hand, and thanks him for his gift.
- The little man becomes furious, asks if she can see him with both eyes, and strikes her violently.
- The woman is immediately blinded in one eye, and the fairy vanishes.
- Her daughter, however, retains the ability to see fairies but, having learned from her mother's experience, wisely avoids speaking to them.
Characters
The Poor Woman ★ protagonist
A woman of average height and build, likely showing signs of weariness from her long journey and the anxieties of her child's illness. Her complexion would be weathered from outdoor work and travel, typical of a Lancashire peasant woman.
Attire: Simple, practical attire typical of a 19th-century Lancashire peasant woman. This would include a sturdy, dark wool or linen skirt, a plain long-sleeved blouse, and a practical apron over it. She might wear a shawl over her shoulders for warmth and a simple cap or bonnet to cover her hair.
Wants: To heal her sick child and ensure her well-being.
Flaw: Impulsiveness and a lack of understanding of fairy etiquette, leading her to speak to the fairy in the market.
She begins as a desperate mother, receives a miraculous gift, cautiously uses it, and experiences joy. Her arc culminates in a moment of impulsive gratitude that leads to a harsh punishment, leaving her blind in one eye but her daughter with a unique gift.
Anxious, devoted, cautious, impulsive, grateful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged Lancashire peasant woman, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a tired but determined expression, with a slightly weathered face and dark brown hair pulled back in a simple bun under a plain linen cap. She wears a long, dark grey wool skirt, a cream-colored linen blouse, and a practical dark blue apron tied at the waist. Her hands are clasped loosely in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Little Man in Green ◆ supporting
A small, handsome man, significantly shorter than a human, with a delicate but well-formed physique. His movements are swift and silent.
Attire: Entirely clad in green, suggesting natural elements and his fairy origin. This would be a finely tailored suit or tunic and breeches of a rich green fabric, perhaps velvet or silk, with small, elegant buttons or embroidery. He might wear small, pointed shoes and a tiny cap.
Wants: To offer aid to those in need, but also to maintain the secrecy and boundaries of the fairy world.
Flaw: A short temper and intolerance for human indiscretion, especially regarding fairy secrets.
He appears as a mysterious benefactor, then reappears years later as a stern enforcer of fairy rules, punishing the woman for her breach of etiquette.
Mysterious, beneficent (initially), easily irritated, punitive, observant.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, handsome man, appearing to be a young adult, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a finely chiseled face with bright, intelligent dark eyes and short, neatly styled dark hair. He is entirely clad in a finely tailored suit of rich forest green velvet, consisting of a fitted tunic and breeches, with small, polished dark buttons. He wears small, pointed dark green leather shoes. He has a neutral, observant expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Daughter ◆ supporting
Initially a young child with failing eyesight. Later, a young woman who, due to the ointment, has perfectly restored vision and, uniquely, the ability to see fairies.
Attire: As a child, simple, mended clothes. As a young woman, practical but neat peasant attire, similar to her mother's but perhaps slightly newer or better maintained.
Wants: To live a normal life despite her unique gift, and to avoid her mother's mistakes.
Flaw: Her unique vision could be a burden if not managed wisely.
She begins as a helpless invalid, is cured by a magical gift, and grows into a wise young woman who understands the delicate balance between the human and fairy worlds, learning from her mother's mistake.
Observant, wise (later), cautious, quiet.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Lancashire peasant woman, appearing to be in her late teens, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has clear, bright blue eyes that hold a hint of knowing, and a calm, observant expression. Her light brown hair is neatly braided and pinned up. She wears a simple, long-sleeved cream linen blouse, a dark green wool skirt, and a practical brown apron. Her hands are clasped gently in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Husband ○ minor
A working man, likely of sturdy build, reflecting the physical demands of his labor in Lancashire.
Attire: Simple, durable clothing suitable for a working-class man in 19th-century Lancashire. This would include sturdy trousers (perhaps corduroy or wool), a plain shirt, and a waistcoat, possibly a cap.
Wants: To ensure the safety and well-being of his wife and child.
Flaw: His initial fear and caution, which delayed the use of the ointment.
He begins as a worried father, shares in the cautious decision-making, and later rejoices in his daughter's recovery.
Cautious, loving, supportive, relieved.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged Lancashire working man, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a kind but slightly worried expression, with a sturdy build and short, dark brown hair. He wears a dark grey wool waistcoat over a plain white linen shirt, dark brown corduroy trousers, and sturdy work boots. His hands are at his sides. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Fairies' Well (near Blackpool, Lancashire)
A natural spring, known as the Fairies' Well, located in Lancashire near Blackpool. It is a place of pilgrimage, often crowded with ailing and sorrowful people seeking its miraculous waters. The immediate area around the well would be worn from foot traffic, possibly with some simple stone or wooden structure marking the spring itself, surrounded by the typical green, damp landscape of rural Lancashire.
Mood: Hopeful, mystical, slightly desperate due to the pilgrims' ailments, with an undercurrent of ancient folklore.
The poor woman receives the magical ointment from the little man in green after filling her bottle with water.
Image Prompt & Upload
A natural spring bubbling up from mossy stones, surrounded by worn earth and short, damp grass. A few pilgrims, dressed in simple, practical clothing typical of 19th-century rural Lancashire, are kneeling or standing with water vessels. The light is bright and direct, indicating midday, casting short shadows. The background shows gentle, rolling green hills under a clear sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Preston Market-place
A bustling market square in Preston, Lancashire, filled with stalls and activity. The ground would be cobblestone or packed earth, with various vendors selling goods like potatoes and corn from open sacks. The architecture would be typical of a 19th-century English market town, possibly with brick or stone buildings forming the perimeter.
Mood: Lively, busy, mundane, contrasting sharply with the magical encounter.
The woman encounters the little man in green again, years later, while he is stealing corn, and her attempt to thank him leads to her being struck blind in one eye.
Image Prompt & Upload
A bustling 19th-century market-place in Preston, England, with numerous wooden stalls under canvas awnings. The ground is uneven cobblestone, and vendors in period attire are haggling over goods like sacks of potatoes and open barrels of grain. The background features sturdy, multi-story brick and stone buildings with sash windows, typical of Lancashire architecture. Bright daylight illuminates the scene, creating a vibrant, active atmosphere. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
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