The Shepherd of Myddvai
by Joseph Jacobs · from Collected Folk Tales
Adapted Version
Once, a shepherd saw three magical women come out of a lake. They were beautiful. He loved one woman very much. He wanted to give her a gift. He gave her hard bread. She did not like the hard bread. She went back into the water. The next day, he came back. He gave her soft bread. She did not like the soft bread. She went back into the water again.
Then, he found bread floating on the water. It was special bread. He gave it to her. She liked this bread very much. She said, "Find me tomorrow." The next day, he found her. He knew her by her shoe strap. She said, "I will marry you." "But do not make me sad three times." He said yes.
She called magic cows from the lake. The cows came out. They got married. They had three children. They were a happy family.
One day, they went to a party. She did not do a small job. He touched her gently. He said, "Go." "That is the first time you make me sad," she said.
The next day, they went to another party. She cried. He touched her. He asked, "Why are you crying?" "That is the second time," she said. "Please be safe."
One day, they went to a sad event. She laughed. He touched her harder. He asked, "Why are you laughing?" "That is the third time," she said. "I must go back to my lake."
She called her magic cows. "Follow me," she said. The cows followed her. They all went into the water. They left a mark on the ground.
Many years later, their sons were grown up. She came back from the lake. She gave them healing gifts. The sons used the gifts. They helped many people.
Remember, it is important to keep your promises. If you break them, you might make someone very sad. But love can still bring good things, like healing.
Original Story
THE SHEPHERD OF MYDDVAI
p in the Black Mountains in Caermarthenshire lies the lake known as Lyn y Van Vach. To the margin of this lake the shepherd of Myddvai once led his lambs, and lay there whilst they sought pasture. Suddenly, from the dark waters of the lake, he saw three maidens rise. Shaking the bright drops from their hair and gliding to the shore they wandered about amongst his flock. They had more than mortal beauty, and he was filled with love for her that came nearest to him. He offered her the bread he had with him, and she took it and tried it, but then sang to him: [65]
"Hard-baked is thy bread,
'Tis not easy to catch me,"
and then ran off laughing to the lake.
Next day he took with him bread not so well done, and watched for the maidens. When they came ashore he offered his bread as before, and the maiden tasted it and sang:
"Unbaked is thy bread,
I will not have thee,"
and again disappeared in the waves.
A third time did the shepherd of Myddvai try to attract the maiden, and this time he offered bread that he had found floating about near the shore. This pleased her, and she promised to become his wife if he were able to pick her out from among her sisters on the following day. When the time came the shepherd knew his love by the strap of her sandal. Then she told him she would be as good a wife to him as any earthly maiden could be unless he should strike her three times without cause. Of course he deemed that this could never be; and she summoning from the lake three cows, two oxen, and a bull, as her marriage portion, was led homeward by him as his bride.
The years passed happily, and three children were born to the shepherd and the lake-maiden. But one day they were going to a christening, and she said to her husband it was far to walk, so he told her to go for the horses.
"I will," said she, "If you bring me my gloves which I've left in the house." [66]
But when he came back with the gloves he found she had not gone for the horses; so he tapped her lightly on the shoulder with the gloves, and said, "Go, go."
"That's one," said she.
Another time they were at a wedding, when suddenly the lake-maiden fell a-sobbing and a-weeping, amid the joy and mirth of all around her.
Her husband tapped her on the shoulder, and asked her, "Why do you weep?"
"Because they are entering into trouble; and trouble is upon you; for that is the second causeless blow you have given me. Be careful; the third is the last."
The husband was very careful never to strike her. But one day at a funeral she suddenly burst out into fits of laughter. Her husband forgot, and touched her rather roughly on the shoulder, saying, "Is this a time for laughter?"
"I laugh," she said, "because those that die go out of trouble, but your trouble has come. The last blow has been struck; our marriage is at an end, and so farewell." And with that she rose up and left the house and went to their home.
Then she, looking round upon her home, called to the cattle she had brought with her:
"Brindle cow, white speckled,
Spotted cow, bold freckled,
Old white face, and grey Geringer,
And the white bull from the king's coast
Grey ox, and black calf,
All, all, follow me home."
[67]
Now the black calf had just been slaughtered, and was hanging on the hook; but it got off the hook alive and well and followed her; and the oxen, though they were ploughing, trailed the plough with them and did her bidding. So she fled to the lake again, they following her, and with them plunged into the dark waters. And to this day is the furrow seen which the plough left as it was dragged across the mountains to the tarn.
Only once did she come again, when her sons were grown to manhood, and then she gave them gifts of healing by which they won the name of Meddygon Myddvai, the physicians of Myddvai.
[68]
Story DNA
Moral
Breaking a sacred promise, even unintentionally, can lead to irreversible loss and sorrow.
Plot Summary
A shepherd falls in love with a lake maiden who agrees to marry him on the condition he never strikes her three times without cause. They marry, have children, and live happily until the shepherd inadvertently 'strikes' her twice, receiving warnings. At a funeral, he 'strikes' her a third time, causing her to leave him and return to the lake with all her magical cattle. Years later, she reappears to her adult sons, bestowing upon them the gifts of healing, establishing the lineage of the Physicians of Myddvai.
Themes
Emotional Arc
hope to sorrow
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is a foundational myth for the Meddygon Myddvai, a real lineage of herbalists and physicians in Wales, suggesting a supernatural origin for their healing knowledge.
Plot Beats (11)
- A shepherd sees three beautiful maidens emerge from Lyn y Van Vach.
- He tries to woo one with bread, but she rejects his 'hard-baked' and 'unbaked' offerings.
- He offers her floating bread, which she accepts, and she agrees to marry him if he can identify her.
- He identifies her by her sandal strap, and she agrees to marry him on the condition he never strikes her three times without cause.
- She summons magical cattle from the lake as her dowry, and they marry and have three children.
- At a christening, the shepherd lightly taps her with gloves for not fetching horses; she warns him it's the first 'strike'.
- At a wedding, she weeps, and he taps her shoulder asking why; she warns him it's the second 'strike' and trouble is coming.
- At a funeral, she laughs, and he roughly taps her shoulder, asking why; she declares it the third 'strike' and their marriage over.
- She calls all her magical cattle, including a freshly slaughtered calf, to follow her back to the lake.
- The cattle, including oxen still ploughing, follow her into the lake, leaving a furrow in the land.
- Years later, she reappears to her adult sons, bestowing upon them the gifts of healing, making them the Physicians of Myddvai.
Characters
The Shepherd of Myddvai ★ protagonist
Implied to be a sturdy, rural man, accustomed to outdoor life.
Attire: Simple shepherd's attire, likely homespun tunic, breeches, and possibly a cloak or sheepskin vest.
Persistent, loving, somewhat forgetful, initially naive.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Welsh shepherd in his early twenties with warm brown skin, kind hazel eyes, and tousled dark brown hair falling over his forehead. He wears a rough-spun woolen tunic in earthy brown tones belted at the waist with a leather cord, simple linen undershirt, worn leather boots, and a weathered cloak draped over one shoulder. He carries a wooden shepherd's crook in one hand and holds a round loaf of bread in the other. His expression is gentle and hopeful with a slight smile. He stands in a relaxed but confident pose, gazing forward with quiet determination. He has a lean, sturdy build from outdoor work. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature
The Lake-Maiden ◆ supporting
More than mortal beauty, rises from dark waters, shakes bright drops from her hair.
Attire: Implied to be ethereal or simple, perhaps a flowing gown, with a distinctive sandal strap.
Mysterious, conditional, sensitive, loyal to her own kind.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman with an ageless, serene expression, appearing to be in her early twenties. She has long, flowing hair the color of dark river reeds, adorned with tiny freshwater pearls and delicate water lilies. Her skin has a soft, pearlescent glow. She wears a gown that seems woven from mist and moonlight on water, in shades of silvery blue and pale green, with layers of translucent fabric that ripple like the surface of a lake. She stands barefoot in a graceful, poised posture, one hand gently extended as if offering a blessing or a gift, her other hand resting near her heart. The scene is softly lit as if by dawn or dusk over still water. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Sisters of the Lake-Maiden ○ minor
Possessing more than mortal beauty, similar to the Lake-Maiden.
Attire: Implied to be ethereal or simple, similar to the Lake-Maiden.
Playful, mysterious.
Image Prompt & Upload
Three ethereal young women with long, flowing hair in shades of silver, pale gold, and moonlit blue. They wear simple, translucent gowns of watered silk that shift between pearl white and soft aquamarine. Their skin is luminous, their expressions serene and slightly melancholic. They stand barefoot, one slightly ahead of the others, with gentle, graceful postures, their hands lightly clasped or resting at their sides. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Sons of the Shepherd and Lake-Maiden ○ minor
Grow to be men, become known as physicians.
Attire: Unknown, later likely professional attire of physicians.
Recipients of healing gifts.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy of about eight years old with a curious and gentle expression. He has wavy hair the color of dark river water, adorned with a small crown of woven reeds and white water lilies. He wears a simple, earthy brown tunic over dark leggings, with soft leather boots. One hand holds a smooth, grey river stone, while the other rests on the head of a small, woolly lamb standing beside him. His posture is relaxed and slightly forward, as if listening to a secret. He stands in a twilight forest clearing, where faint, glowing motes of light drift from the nearby water's edge. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Black Calf ○ minor
A black calf, initially slaughtered and hanging on a hook.
Attire: None.
Loyal, magically revived.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young black calf with glossy, ink-dark fur and large, curious brown eyes. It stands in a soft meadow dotted with tiny white and yellow wildflowers, its head slightly tilted as if listening to a distant sound. Its slender legs end in polished black hooves that seem to hold a faint, magical shimmer. A few strands of its short, sleek coat catch the light. The expression is gentle and innocent, posture relaxed yet alert. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Lyn y Van Vach (Lake)
A dark lake located in the Black Mountains in Caermarthenshire, with a margin where the shepherd's lambs graze. The water is dark, and maidens rise from it, shaking bright drops from their hair.
Mood: mysterious, magical, alluring, sorrowful at the end
The shepherd first encounters the lake-maidens; the lake-maiden and her cattle return to the lake, ending the marriage.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dark, still lake nestled in the shadowy Black Mountains at twilight, its surface like polished obsidian reflecting the deep indigo sky and jagged peaks. A misty, ethereal glow emanates from the water where luminous, spectral maidens rise, their long hair streaming with bright, shimmering water droplets that catch the last silver moonlight. The rugged, heather-covered shoreline gently slopes to a grassy margin where a few white lambs graze peacefully under the dim, star-pricked heavens. The atmosphere is hushed and mystical, with a cool, damp mist clinging to the water's edge and the dark silhouettes of ancient pines framing the scene. The color palette is dominated by deep blues, charcoal greys, and soft silvers, with the bright, sparkling drops providing magical points of light. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Shepherd's Home/House
The home shared by the shepherd and the lake-maiden, where their children are born and where she leaves her gloves.
Mood: domestic, initially happy, then tense, ultimately sorrowful
The lake-maiden's first warning occurs here; she calls her cattle to follow her from this house.
Image Prompt & Upload
At twilight, a cozy stone cottage with a thatched roof sits on the edge of a serene lake. Warm, golden light glows from its small windows, reflecting softly on the water's surface. A worn path leads to its wooden door, surrounded by wildflowers and tall reeds. Mist gently rises from the lake, where a large willow tree drapes its branches into the still water. The sky is a deepening blue with hints of pink and orange, and fireflies begin to blink in the lush, green meadow nearby. The atmosphere is peaceful, magical, and slightly melancholic. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Christening Gathering
A social gathering for a christening, implying a community setting.
Mood: social, celebratory, but with underlying tension for the couple
The lake-maiden receives her first 'causeless blow' from her husband.
Image Prompt & Upload
Soft morning sunlight filters through a clear sky, illuminating a cobblestone village square. In the center stands a quaint stone church with a tall steeple, its wooden doors slightly ajar. Surrounding the square are half-timbered houses with flower boxes overflowing with pastel blooms. Long, colorful fabric bunting in soft yellows, blues, and whites is strung between the buildings, fluttering gently in a light breeze. A stone fountain gurgles quietly, its basin decorated with fresh flower garlands. The air feels crisp and full of quiet anticipation. Warm light reflects off the dewy cobblestones and the polished brass of the church bell. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Wedding Celebration
A joyous and mirthful wedding celebration.
Mood: joyful, mirthful, but suddenly interrupted by the lake-maiden's sorrow
The lake-maiden weeps amidst the joy and receives her second 'causeless blow'.
Image Prompt & Upload
Golden hour sunlight filters through an ancient, blossom-laden oak tree in a grand castle courtyard. A long table draped in ivory linen sits upon a checkered marble patio, laden with crystal goblets and silver platters of glistening fruit. Delicate paper lanterns, unlit in the warm dusk, hang from branches and stone arches. Climbing roses in soft pink and cream cascade over weathered stone walls, their petals catching the breeze. In the background, a tiered fountain sparkles, and distant fairy lights begin to twinkle in the twilight sky, which fades from peach to lavender. The air is still and warm, filled with the scent of flowers and the promise of merriment. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Funeral Gathering
A somber gathering for a funeral.
Mood: somber, mournful, but shockingly disrupted by the lake-maiden's laughter
The lake-maiden laughs and receives the third 'causeless blow', ending her marriage.
Image Prompt & Upload
Twilight descends upon a misty hillside cemetery. A freshly filled grave lies at the center, surrounded by ancient, moss-covered tombstones and wrought-iron fences. A single, gnarled weeping willow tree droops over the scene, its branches stirring in a cold, damp breeze. The ground is wet from a recent rain, reflecting the last grey-blue light of the fading day. A few flickering lanterns cast a soft, warm glow on the dark soil and stone. In the distance, the silhouette of a manor house is visible through the fog, a single light in a high window. The atmosphere is heavy, silent, and profoundly still. Muted colors of charcoal grey, deep green, and earthy brown dominate. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
