THE WATER-SPRITE
by Katharine Pyle · from Mother's Nursery Tales
Adapted Version
Lily and Tom played by a well. Lily looked into the water. "I see green meadows," she said. Tom saw clouds. "Be careful, Lily," he said.
Lily slipped. She fell into the well. She held Tom's hand. Tom fell in too. They went down. They went to a new world.
They saw a castle. It was shining. The Green Water Lady lived there. She opened the door. "I made you fall," she said. "You will work for me."
The Green Water Lady gave Lily a bucket. It had no bottom. She gave Tom an ax. It was not sharp. They had very hard jobs.
Lily could not get water. Tom could not cut wood. They got dough for food. They gave it to The Water Cat. The cat ate the dough.
The children wanted to leave. They waited for morning. The Green Water Lady left. She went up to the well top.
The Water Cat spoke. "Take three things," it said. "Take her comb. Take her brush. Take her mirror. They are magic. They help you run."
Lily and Tom took the things. They ran very fast. They ran to the upper world. They wanted to go home.
The Green Water Lady came back. She saw them gone. She was angry at The Water Cat. She put on her fast shoes. She ran after them.
The Green Water Lady came close. Lily threw the comb. It became a thorny wall. The wall was very high. The lady climbed slowly.
The Green Water Lady climbed over. She ran fast again. Lily threw the brush. It became a thick forest. The lady walked slowly.
The Green Water Lady came through. She ran fast again. She was very close. Lily and Tom ran.
Tom threw the mirror. It became a glass hill. The hill was tall. It was very smooth. No one could climb it.
The Green Water Lady tried to climb. She could not. She was very angry. She went back to her castle.
Lily and Tom walked on. They found their home. They were safe at home. They never went near the well again. Lily and Tom learned to be careful. They learned to be smart.
Original Story
THE WATER-SPRITE
A little brother and sister were playing one day on the edge of a well that belonged to a water-sprite. The little girl held her brother’s hand, and leaned far over to look down into it.
“It seems to me that down below there I can see green meadows and flocks of sheep moving over them,” she said.
“It is only the reflection of the clouds,” said the little boy. “But be careful. I fear you will fall in.”
Even as he spoke the little girl slipped and fell into the well, and as she had hold of her brother’s hand she pulled him in after her.
The two children went down—down—down—through the waters, and when they came to the bottom they found themselves in a country of green meadows and trees and streams, and before them stood a shining castle with domes and towers.
This castle belonged to the water-sprite who owned the well.
The little brother and sister went up to the castle and knocked at the door, and at once the water-sprite opened it to them.
“Come in, come in,” said she. “I saw you playing on the edge of the well, and it was I who caused you to fall in. I am lonely here, so you shall stay with me and be my servants, and whatever I bid you do that you must do.”
The water-sprite would have been beautiful if only she had not been so green. Her face was green and her hair was green, and her eyes were green. Only her teeth were white.
The sprite led the children into the kitchen and there she gave the little girl a bucket that had no bottom. “Go,” said she, “and fetch me some water to boil the dumplings for supper. And you,” said she to the boy, “must cut me some wood,” and she gave him an ax that had no edge. It was as blunt as a hammer.
The little sister went out to the spring that the water-sprite showed her, and tried to dip up water, but as fast as she dipped it up it ran out again, for the bucket had no bottom.
The brother began to chop at a tree near by. He chopped and he chopped and he chopped, but he could scarcely make a dent, the ax was so blunt.
When the children came back to the castle without either wood or water, the sprite was very cross with them. “I can easily see that you are both very stupid,” said she. “But sit down; sit down at the table. Even if you are stupid I suppose you must eat.”
The children sat down at the table, and the water-sprite set before them a dish of dumplings, but as the dumplings had not been cooked and were only dough the children could not eat them. They slipped them into their pockets, and then, when the sprite was not looking they gave the dumplings to the water-cat that rubbed about their chairs.
After that the children went to bed and slept.
The next day it was the same thing over again. The water-sprite set them tasks that they could not possibly do, and gave them only dough to eat, so the children made up their minds to run away. They waited, however, until afternoon, when the water-sprite went up to the top of the well to look about her.
When they were about to set out, the water-cat said to them, “You do well to run away. You would not be happy here. But do not think my mistress will allow you to escape if she can help it. When she comes home and finds you gone, she will at once set out in pursuit of you. She can go very much faster than you, and she will certainly catch you unless you take with you her comb, her brush, and her mirror. These are magic things. Each time you find she is about to catch you, throw one or other of these things over your shoulder. By this means, and by this means only, can you hope to escape.”
The children thanked the little cat, and did as it advised them. They took the water-sprite’s brush and comb and mirror, and carried them off with them, and ran as fast as they could along the road that led to the upper world.
Soon after they had left, the water-sprite came home. When she found them gone she only stopped long enough to scold the cat, and then she put on her shoes of swiftness and started after them.
Presently the children looked behind them and saw her coming. She came so fast on her shoes of swiftness, that it seemed as though they could not possibly escape her.
However, the children remembered what the water-cat had told them. They threw the comb behind them, and at once it spread and grew into a wall of spikes, tremendously stiff and high. It took the water-sprite a long time to climb over this wall, and the children were well on their way before they heard her behind them again.
Then the little girl threw the brush over her shoulder. At once the brush became a great thick forest, through which the water-sprite could hardly find her way.
But she got through it at last, and then it did not take her long to be at their heels again.
“And now we have only one more thing left,” said the brother, and he threw the mirror behind him.
At once the mirror became a hill of glass so steep and smooth that no one could possibly climb it. The sprite tried to run up it, but no sooner had she gone a step or so than she slipped back again. At last, with a shriek of rage, she turned and fled back to her castle, and that was the last of her.
But the children went on their way, and the road led them straight to the upper world and the door of their home. After that they were always careful to keep away from the edge of the water-sprite’s well.
Story DNA
Moral
Be wary of strangers and the allure of the unknown, and use your wits to escape danger.
Plot Summary
A brother and sister fall into a magical well and are trapped by a green water-sprite who forces them into servitude with impossible tasks. With the secret help of a water-cat, they steal the sprite's magic comb, brush, and mirror and attempt to escape. The sprite pursues them, but the children use the magic items to create insurmountable obstacles—a wall of spikes, a thick forest, and a hill of glass—eventually defeating the sprite. They successfully return home, forever wary of the well.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to peril to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a retelling by Katharine Pyle, likely drawing on European folk traditions of water spirits and magical escapes.
Plot Beats (15)
- A brother and sister play by a well, and the sister sees a beautiful reflection.
- The sister slips and pulls her brother into the well, falling into an underwater world.
- They discover a shining castle belonging to a green water-sprite, who admits to causing their fall and forces them to be her servants.
- The water-sprite gives the girl a bottomless bucket and the boy a blunt ax, assigning them impossible tasks.
- The children fail their tasks and are given uncooked dough for supper, which they secretly feed to the water-cat.
- The children decide to run away the next day when the water-sprite goes to the surface.
- The water-cat advises them to take the water-sprite's magic comb, brush, and mirror to aid their escape.
- The children take the magic items and flee towards the upper world.
- The water-sprite returns, discovers their escape, scolds the cat, and pursues them with her shoes of swiftness.
- As the sprite gains on them, the girl throws the comb, which becomes a wall of spikes, delaying the sprite.
- The sprite overcomes the wall, and as she catches up again, the girl throws the brush, which becomes a thick forest.
- The sprite eventually gets through the forest and is once more at their heels.
- The brother throws the mirror, which transforms into an unclimbable hill of glass.
- The water-sprite, unable to climb the glass hill, shrieks in rage and flees back to her castle.
- The children continue their journey, find their way home, and learn to avoid the well.
Characters
The Little Girl ★ protagonist
Small and slender, with the typical build of a young child. Her movements are curious and a little clumsy, leading to her fall into the well.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for play, such as a plain linen dress or smock, possibly with an apron, in muted colors like cream, blue, or brown. Sturdy, comfortable shoes.
Wants: To escape the water-sprite's servitude and return home to the 'upper world'.
Flaw: Her initial curiosity and lack of caution lead her and her brother into danger.
Starts as a naive child who falls into danger due to curiosity, but learns resourcefulness and bravery, ultimately escaping and returning home wiser.
Curious, observant (sees meadows in the well), trusting (holds her brother's hand), resourceful (gives dumplings to the cat), brave (runs away).
Image Prompt & Upload
A small European child, female, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible head to toe. She has a slender build, fair skin, and wide, curious blue eyes. Her light brown hair is simply styled, perhaps in two short braids. She wears a plain, light blue linen dress with a simple white apron over it, and sturdy brown leather shoes. She holds her left hand out as if holding someone else's. Her expression is one of innocent curiosity. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Little Brother ★ protagonist
Small and slender, with the typical build of a young child. He is slightly more cautious than his sister.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for play, such as a plain linen tunic and trousers, in muted colors like grey, brown, or dark blue. Sturdy, comfortable shoes.
Wants: To escape the water-sprite's servitude and return home to the 'upper world'.
Flaw: Pulled into danger by his sister's mishap, indicating a reliance on her or a shared fate.
Starts as a cautious child pulled into danger, but learns resourcefulness and bravery, ultimately escaping and returning home wiser.
Cautious (warns his sister), protective (holds her hand), resourceful (gives dumplings to the cat), determined (chops wood despite blunt ax), brave (runs away).
Image Prompt & Upload
A small European child, male, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible head to toe. He has a slender build, fair skin, and watchful brown eyes. His light brown hair is cut short. He wears a simple grey linen tunic, dark blue breeches, and sturdy brown leather boots. He holds his right hand out as if holding someone else's. His expression is one of mild concern. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Water-Sprite ⚔ antagonist
Her entire being is green: green face, green hair, green eyes. She would be beautiful if not for this striking green hue. Her build is likely slender and graceful, befitting a water spirit.
Attire: Flowing, ethereal garments that might appear to be made of water or shimmering green fabric, perhaps resembling a gown or robe. It would be simple yet elegant, without human-like adornments, emphasizing her natural, aquatic form.
Wants: To alleviate her loneliness by forcing others into her service, to maintain control over her domain and her 'servants'.
Flaw: Her rage and inability to overcome magical obstacles created by her own items ultimately lead to her defeat.
Remains unchanged in her cruel nature, but is ultimately defeated and forced to retreat, failing to keep her captives.
Lonely, manipulative (causes children to fall), demanding, easily angered ('very cross'), cruel (gives impossible tasks and inedible food), persistent (pursues the children relentlessly), prone to rage.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful, slender woman, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible head to toe. Her entire skin, face, and long, flowing hair are a vibrant, deep green color. Her eyes are also green and slightly luminous. Her teeth are strikingly white. She wears a simple, flowing gown made of shimmering green fabric that appears to ripple like water. Her expression is imperious and slightly stern. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Water-Cat ◆ supporting
A domestic cat, likely sleek and agile, with fur that might have a slightly damp or shimmering quality, given its environment. Its color is not specified, but could be dark or grey to blend with the castle's interior.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To help the children escape the water-sprite's cruelty, possibly out of pity or a desire for a more pleasant environment.
Flaw: Its loyalty to the water-sprite is easily overridden by empathy, making it susceptible to the children's kindness (the dumplings).
Starts as a seemingly neutral observer, but becomes a crucial ally to the children, demonstrating loyalty to kindness over its mistress.
Observant, empathetic (sees the children's plight), helpful, cunning (betrays its mistress for the children's sake).
Image Prompt & Upload
A sleek, short-haired domestic cat, grey in color, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible head to toe. It has bright green eyes and a calm, intelligent expression. Its fur appears slightly damp or shimmers faintly. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Water-Sprite's Well
A deep well, appearing to show reflections of green meadows and flocks of sheep at its bottom, though initially thought to be clouds. It serves as a portal to the water-sprite's underwater realm.
Mood: initially playful, then suddenly perilous and mysterious
The children are playing on its edge and accidentally fall in, initiating their adventure.
Image Prompt & Upload
A circular stone well, its rim weathered and covered in patches of vibrant green moss, sits in a sun-dappled meadow. Sunlight glints off the still water surface within, reflecting an impossibly clear image of lush green fields and tiny white sheep grazing far below, creating a surreal depth. The surrounding grass is short and bright, with a few wild daisies scattered around. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Water-Sprite's Underwater Castle
A shining castle with domes and towers, belonging to the water-sprite, located in an underwater country of green meadows, trees, and streams. The interior includes a kitchen and sleeping quarters.
Mood: initially welcoming but quickly becomes oppressive, eerie, and magical
The children are held captive here, forced to perform impossible tasks, and eventually plan their escape.
Image Prompt & Upload
An ornate, shimmering castle with smooth, rounded domes and slender, spiraling towers rises from a vibrant green underwater meadow. The castle walls appear to be made of polished, iridescent mother-of-pearl, catching the filtered, cool blue-green light that permeates the water. Lush, swaying underwater plants resembling terrestrial trees and grasses surround the castle, with small, bioluminescent fish darting in the distance. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Road to the Upper World
A long, winding road leading from the underwater realm back to the surface world. It is transformed multiple times by magic items into obstacles.
Mood: tense, desperate, adventurous, hopeful
The children's escape route, where they use magic items to evade the pursuing water-sprite.
Image Prompt & Upload
A narrow, winding dirt path ascends sharply through a landscape that shifts dramatically. In the foreground, the path is flanked by an impossibly tall, dense wall of sharp, dark spikes, like petrified thorns. Further along, the path plunges into a primeval, tangled forest of gnarled, ancient trees with thick, interwoven branches and dark, shadowy undergrowth. In the far distance, the path culminates in a shimmering, impossibly steep hill of smooth, reflective glass, catching the last rays of a setting sun. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
