THE THIRSTY WELL
by Laurence Housman · from The Field of Clover
Adapted Version
Noodle was a very fast traveler. He went all around the world. One day, he was very, very thirsty. His throat was dry. He needed water now. He had to stop.
Noodle stopped in a garden. He saw a well. The well had a lid. The lid had a lock. Noodle could not get water. He looked for the owner.
Noodle found an old woman. She sat under a bush. She had the key. Noodle asked for water. The Old Woman looked at him. She said, "You must make a deal."
The Old Woman opened the well. Noodle looked inside. She said, "You must get water." She said, "If no water, you stay here." Noodle was very thirsty.
Noodle put the bucket down. He pulled it up fast. The bucket was empty. No water came out. The Old Woman laughed. Magic bushes grew around Noodle. He was stuck.
Noodle put the bucket down again. He pulled it up. It was empty. He tried a third time. He looked into the well. He saw little Water-Hands. They took the water from the bucket.
Noodle had a special ring. It was a magic ring. He put the ring on the bucket. He lowered the bucket again. He was very smart.
The magic ring made the Water-Hands weak. They tried to take the water. They were slow now. But the bucket came up empty. Noodle was sad.
Noodle was very smart. He took the ring off. He lowered the bucket again. The Water-Hands could not take the water now. He pulled it up. The bucket was full!
Noodle drank the cool water. He drank and drank. He was not thirsty now. The Water-Hands were happy. They cheered for Noodle. They gave him a shiny cup. He was their new friend.
Noodle asked the Water-Hands to help him. They helped him out. They lifted him up. Noodle was out of the well.
The Old Woman was there. Noodle said, "You cannot trick people." The Water-Hands did not like her. They made her go away. She went into the well. She just disappeared.
Noodle stayed at the well. He made sure everyone could drink water. He was a good friend to the well-folk. And everyone was happy.
Original Story
THE THIRSTY WELL
o they escaped, slitting the swift hours with ungovernable speed. The furrow they two made in the world that day, as they went shooting over the round of it, was called in after times the Equator, and men still know it by the heat of it, though it has since been covered over by the dust of ages.
To Noodle, as he went careering round it, the whole world's circuit ran in a line across his brain, entering his vision and passing through it as a thread through the needle's eye. Nor would he of his own will ever have stopped his galloping, but that at the completion of the first round a mighty thirst took hold of him. 'O my moonbeam,' he said, choking behind parched lips, and sick at heart, 'check me, or I faint!' And the Galloping Plough stopped at once, and set him to earth in a green space under the shadow of overhanging boughs.
He found himself in a richly grown garden, a cool paradise for a traveller to rest in. Close at hand and inviting to the eye was a well with a bucket slung ready to be let down. Noodle had little thought of seeking for the owner of the garden to beg for a drink, since water is an equal gift to all and the right of any man; but as he drew near he found the means to it withheld from him, the lid being fast locked. He went on in search of the owner, till at length he came upon the same lying half asleep under a thorn-bush with the key in her hand. She was an old woman, so withered and dry, she looked as if no water could have ever passed her lips.
When Noodle asked for a drink from the well, she looked at him bright and sharp, and said: 'Before any man drinks of my water he must make a bargain with me.' 'What is the bargain?' asked Noodle; and she led him down to the well.
Then she unlocked the lid and bade him look in; and at the sight Noodle knew for a second time that his heart had been stolen from him, and that to be happy he must taste that water or die.
Again he asked, with his eyes intent upon the blue wrimpling of the water in the well's depth, 'What is the bargain?' And the old woman answered, 'If you fail to draw water out of the well you must fling yourself into it.' For answer Noodle swung down the bucket, lowering it as fast as it would go; then he set both hands to the windlass and wound.
He heard the water splashing off the sides of the bucket all the way up, as the shortening rope brought it near; but when he drew it over the well's brink wonder and grief held him fast, for the bucket was as empty as vanity. From behind him came a noise of laughter, and there was the old witch running round and round in a circle; and everywhere a hedge of thorns came shooting up to enclose him and keep him fast for her.
'What a trap I am in!' thought Noodle; but once more he lowered the bucket, and once more it returned to him empty.
The old woman climbed up into the thorn-hedge, and sat on its top, singing:
'Overground, underground, round-about spell;
The Thirsty has come to the Thirsty Well!'
Again Noodle let down the bucket; and this time as he drew it up he looked over into the well's heart, and saw all the way up the side a hundred blue arms reaching out crystal scallops and drawing water out of the bucket as hard as they could go. He saw thick lips like sea-anemones thrust out between the crevices of the wall, sucking the crystals dry as fast as they were filled. 'Truly,' he said to himself, 'this is a thirsty well, but myself am thirstier!'
When he had drawn up the bucket empty for the third time, he stood considering; and at last he fastened to it the firestone ring, the Sweetener, and lowered it once more. Then he laughed to himself as he drew up, and felt the bucket lightening at every turn till it touched the surface of things.
Empty he found it, with only his firestone hanging by the rim, and once again he let it down to be refilled. But this time as he wound up, nothing could keep him from letting a curious eye go over the brink, to see how the Well-folk fared over their wine; and in what he beheld there was already comfort for his soul.
The blue arms went like oars out of unison; like carpet-beaters stricken in the eyes and throat with dust, they beat foolishly against the sides and bottom of the bucket, shattering and letting fall their goblets in each unruly attempt. And because Noodle wound leniently at the rope, willing that they should have their fill, at the last gasp they were able to send the bucket empty to the top. It was the last staving off of destiny that lay in their power to make; thereafter wine conquered them.
Quickly Noodle drew out the ring, and sent the bucket flying on its last errand. It smacked the water, heeled over, and dipped under a full draught. Then Noodle spun the windlass with the full pinch of his energies, calling on the bucket to ascend. He heard the water spilling from its sides, and knew that the blue arms were there, battling to arrest it as it flew, and to pay him back once more with emptiness and mockery. Yet in spite of them the bucket hasted and lightened not, but was drawn up to the well's head brimming largely, and winking a blue eye joyously to the light of day.
Over head and ears Noodle plunged for the quenching of his thirst, nor stayed nor drew back till his head had smitten upon the bottom of the bucket in his pursuit of the draught. Then it was apparent that only a third of the water remained, the rest having obeyed the imperative suction of his throat, and that the thirsty well had at last found a master under the eye of heaven.
In the depth of the bucket the water flashed like a burning sapphire and swung circling, curling and coiling, tossing this way and that, as if struggling to get out. At last with a laugh it threw down the bucket, and tore back into the well with a crash like thunder.
Up from the well rose a chant of voices:
'Under Heaven, over Hell,
You have broken the spell,
You are lord of the Well.'
Noodle stepped over the brink of his new realm, calling the Well-folk to reach hands for him and bear him down. All round, the blue arms started out, catching him and handing him on from one to another ladderwise, down, and down, and down. As he went, anemone lips came out of the crannies in the wall, and kissed his feet and hands in token of allegiance. 'You are lord of the well!' they said, as they passed him each one to the next.
He came to the bottom of the well; under his feet, wherever he stepped upon its waters, hands came up and sustained him. The knowledge of everything that was there had become his. 'Give me,' he said, 'the crystal cup that is for him who holds kingship over you; so shall I be lord of you in all places wherever I go.'
A blue arm reached down and drew up from the water a small crystal, that burned through the darkness with a blue fire, and gave it to Noodle. 'Now I am your king, however far from you!' said Noodle. And they answered, chanting:
'Under Heaven, over Hell,
You have broken the spell,
You are lord of the Well.'
'Lift me up!' said he; and the blue arms caught him and lifted him up; from one to another they passed him in ascending circles, till he came to the mouth of the well.
There overhead was the old witch, crouching and looking in to know what had become of him; and her hair hung far down over her eyes into the well. He caught her to him by it over the brink. 'Old witch,' he said, 'you must change places with me now!' and he tossed her down to the bottom of the well.
She went like a falling shuttlecock, shrieking as she fell; and as she struck the water, the drowned bodies of the men she had sent there came to the surface, and caught her by the feet and hair, and drew her down, making an end of her, as she also had made of them.
Story DNA
Moral
One must face their deepest desires and challenges head-on to achieve true mastery and overcome those who seek to exploit others.
Plot Summary
Noodle, after a whirlwind journey, is overcome by an immense thirst and finds a locked well guarded by a withered old woman. She proposes a deadly bargain: if he fails to draw water, he must jump into the well. Noodle repeatedly tries but the well's magical inhabitants steal the water; however, he uses a magical firestone ring to weaken them. Finally, Noodle draws a full bucket, drinks, and becomes the well's new lord, receiving a crystal cup of kingship. He then casts the old witch into the well, where she is dragged to her death by the spirits of her past victims, bringing a just end to her tyranny.
Themes
Emotional Arc
desperation to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Laurence Housman was an English writer and illustrator, often associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, and his fairy tales frequently feature whimsical language and allegorical undertones.
Plot Beats (13)
- Noodle rides the Galloping Plough at incredible speed, creating the Equator, until he is overcome by a mighty thirst.
- He stops in a garden and finds a well, but it is locked, so he seeks the owner.
- He finds an old, withered woman with the key, who demands a bargain for water.
- The bargain is: if Noodle fails to draw water, he must throw himself into the well.
- Noodle lowers the bucket, but it comes up empty, and the old woman laughs as thorn hedges enclose him.
- He tries a second and third time, observing 'blue arms' and 'anemone lips' in the well stealing the water.
- Noodle attaches his 'firestone ring, the Sweetener' to the bucket and lowers it again.
- The well-folk struggle against the ring's power, but still manage to send the bucket up empty, though weakened.
- Noodle quickly removes the ring, lowers the bucket one last time, and successfully draws a full bucket of water.
- Noodle drinks deeply, becoming the master of the well, and the well-folk chant his lordship and give him a crystal cup.
- Noodle commands the well-folk to lift him out, and they do so, passing him up ladder-wise.
- At the well's mouth, Noodle grabs the old witch by her hair and throws her into the well.
- The drowned bodies of her previous victims rise and drag the witch down to her demise.
Characters
Noodle ★ protagonist
Lean and agile, with a build that suggests endurance from constant movement. His body is likely toned from his 'galloping' across the world.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing suitable for extensive travel, likely made of sturdy linen or wool in muted earth tones. Perhaps a simple tunic, trousers, and sturdy boots, allowing for freedom of movement.
Wants: Initially, to quench his overwhelming thirst. Later, to overcome the witch's trap and master the well, asserting his right to the water.
Flaw: His initial overwhelming thirst makes him vulnerable to the witch's trap.
Transforms from a desperate, thirsty traveler into the wise and benevolent 'lord of the well', breaking a powerful spell and bringing justice to the enchanted realm.
Determined, resourceful, quick-witted, observant, and ultimately compassionate. He is driven by a strong will and a sense of justice.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a lean, athletic build and a determined expression. His hair is short and practical, dark brown. He wears a simple, sturdy cream linen tunic, dark brown trousers, and worn leather boots. A distinctive, glowing red firestone ring is visible on his right hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Witch ⚔ antagonist
Withered and dry, almost desiccated, as if she herself has never known water. Her skin is likely deeply wrinkled and parched.
Attire: Simple, dark, and practical clothing, perhaps a coarse, dark grey or brown wool dress or smock, reflecting her reclusive and malevolent nature. It would be unadorned and functional.
Wants: To trap and consume the lives of those who seek water from her well, feeding its thirst and her own power.
Flaw: Her overconfidence and underestimation of Noodle's resourcefulness. Her reliance on the well's magic is her undoing.
Remains static in her maliciousness until her downfall, when she is overthrown and consumed by the very well she controlled.
Deceptive, cruel, cunning, malicious, and mocking. She delights in the suffering of others and is possessive of her well.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly woman standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a gaunt, withered body with deeply wrinkled, parched skin. Her eyes are bright and sharp, contrasting with her dry appearance. Long, straggly grey hair hangs over her eyes. She wears a simple, dark grey coarse wool dress. She holds a small, tarnished brass key in one hand. A cruel, mocking expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Well-folk ◆ supporting
Composed of 'blue arms' and 'thick lips like sea-anemones' that emerge from the crevices of the well's wall. They are fluid and ethereal, made of water or water-like substance.
Attire: None, as they are part of the well itself.
Wants: To draw water from the bucket and keep the well thirsty, under the witch's spell. Later, to serve their new lord, Noodle.
Flaw: Vulnerable to the 'Sweetener' (firestone ring) which intoxicates them, and ultimately to the breaking of the spell.
Transformed from enslaved, thirsty entities into free, allegiant subjects of Noodle, serving him as their new king.
Initially greedy and insatiable, driven by the well's thirst. After the spell is broken, they become subservient and allegiant.
Image Prompt & Upload
A cluster of translucent, glowing blue arms, like sinuous tentacles, reaching out from cracks in a dark, wet stone wall. Between the cracks, thick, puckered lips resembling sea-anemones are visible. The arms are in various states of reaching and grasping. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Green Space under Overhanging Boughs
A lush, verdant clearing, a cool paradise for a weary traveler, shaded by dense, overhanging tree branches. The ground is richly grown with vegetation.
Mood: Initially inviting and peaceful, quickly turning ominous and trapped.
Noodle stops his journey, overcome by thirst, and finds himself in this garden, leading him to the well.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-dappled clearing in a dense, ancient forest, with massive, gnarled tree branches heavily draped with leaves creating a deep, cool shade. The forest floor is a carpet of vibrant green moss and ferns, with patches of wild flowers. Soft, filtered sunlight breaks through the canopy, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow on the ground. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Thirsty Well
A stone well, inviting to the eye, with a bucket and windlass ready for use. Its lid is initially locked. Inside, the water wrimples blue, but the well's walls are filled with crevices from which blue, anemone-like arms and thick lips emerge to steal water.
Mood: Deceptive, magical, dangerous, and ultimately transformative.
The central conflict of the story unfolds here, with Noodle attempting to draw water, battling the well-folk, and ultimately becoming its lord.
Image Prompt & Upload
A weathered stone well, its circular rim made of rough-hewn, moss-covered granite blocks, stands in a clearing. A sturdy wooden windlass with a thick rope and metal bucket is attached. The well's interior is dark, revealing glimpses of deep blue water at the bottom, with subtle, strange organic shapes like blue arms and anemone-like lips subtly visible within the damp stone crevices of the inner wall. A newly grown, thorny hedge encircles the well. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Depths of the Well (Noodle's New Realm)
A subterranean realm beneath the well's surface, where Noodle is sustained by hands rising from the water. The walls are filled with crannies from which anemone lips emerge. A burning sapphire-like crystal cup is found here.
Mood: Mysterious, magical, and ultimately empowering.
Noodle descends into the well, claims his kingship, and banishes the old witch, revealing the fate of her previous victims.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, cavernous space deep beneath the earth, filled with shimmering, dark blue water. The walls are rough, damp stone, riddled with small, organic-looking crevices from which soft, bioluminescent blue arms and anemone-like lips gently emerge. Below the water's surface, faint, ghostly shapes of drowned bodies are visible. A single, intensely glowing blue crystal cup rests on a raised, submerged stone pedestal, casting an ethereal light. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
