THE MERMAID of GOB NY OOYL
by Sophia Morrison · from Manx Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Long ago, by the sea, lived the Sayles. They had a special friend. This friend was The Mermaid. She brought them good luck. The family always had food. They had many things. Evan's Father grew old. He did not go to sea. The good luck went away. The family was sad.
Evan was a young man. He went by the sea. He put out his traps for fish. He saw The Mermaid. She sat on a big rock. She looked at Evan. "How is your father?" she asked. Evan was a little scared. But her face was kind. He told her about his family. He told her about the lost luck. The Mermaid listened. She slipped into the water. She was gone.
Evan went home. He told Evan's Father. Evan's Father was happy. "Take apples to her," he said. "The Mermaid likes apples. Good luck will return. Father was wise."
Evan took red apples. He went to the sea again. He heard sweet singing. The Mermaid was there. She smiled at Evan. She took an apple. She ate it with joy. She sang a soft song. "Bring sweet land eggs," she sang. "Bring them for my children. Good luck will be with you. Luck returned." Evan loved the sea. He spent much time there.
Evan wanted to sail far away. He wanted to see new places. This made The Mermaid very sad. She did not want him to go. Evan was her good friend. She would miss him so much. She cried soft tears. Evan felt sad too.
Evan had a kind idea. He planted an apple tree. He planted it by the sea. It was near The Mermaid's home. "This tree will grow," he said. "It will have sweet apples. The apples will come to you. They will come when I am gone." This made The Mermaid happy.
Evan went far away. The family still had good luck. Their good luck stayed.
The Mermaid sat on the rocks. She looked at the apple tree. She sang soft, sad songs. She missed her friend Evan. She waited for the apples. She waited for Evan to come back. The tree grew tall.
The apples did not come. The Mermaid wanted to see Evan. She went to find him. She swam far, far away. Evan never came back. The Mermaid never came back. But the apple tree grew big. It grew by the sea. It had red, sweet apples. It was a sweet memory. A memory of their special friendship.
Original Story
THE MERMAID OF GOB NY OOYL
Once on a time there lived at the bottom end of Cornah gill a family of the name of Sayle, and the Mermaid who had her haunt up Bulgham way was a friend to them. They were always in luck’s way and never seemed to be short of anything. Sure enough they were full of thrift, and to fill in odds of spare time they made lobster pots from the osier that grew around in plenty, and they always found a ready market. They kept a cow and a few sheep, just to give work to the women in the long winter nights, but their living was mostly got by the sea.
It was well known that Sayle had a strong liking for apples, and that he would often bring some with him out in the boat, but when he got well up in years he would be leaving a lot of the boat-work for the boys, and then the luck began to get less, and many a time one of them had to take a gun to keep something in the pot. Then the bigger ones took to the herrings. One, Evan, however, had to stay about to keep things going, and it happened that one day, after he had the creels set, just at Bulgham, that he pulled the boat in and went up the brow after eggs. On coming back to the boat he heard some one calling to him, and, looking round, he saw a fine-looking woman sitting on the edge of a rock.
‘And how’s your father?’ said she. ‘It’s seldom he’s coming this way now.’
Young Sayle was a bit frightened at first, but seeing a pleasant look on her face, he took courage and told her how things were at home. Then, saying she hoped to see him again, she slipped into the water and disappeared.
On getting home he told what had taken place, and the father, his face lighting up, declared:
‘There will be luck on the house yet.’
And he said:
‘Take some apples with you the next time you go up that way, an’ we’ll see.’
The very next time the young chap went, he took some apples with him, and when he got to the place where he had seen the beautiful woman, he went, as usual, on the hunt among the rocks. Then he heard sweet singing, and when he turned round what should he see but the Mermaid leaning over the boat and smiling pleasantly. She took an apple and began to eat and chant:
The luck o’ the sea be with you, but don’t forgetful be
Of bringing some sweet lan’ eggs for the children of the sea.
From that time he was nearly living on the water until, at last, he was taken to task for being idle. Then he made up his mind to go sailing in foreign parts. The Mermaid was in great distress, so to please her, he went and planted an apple tree on the brow above her haunt, telling her that when he would be far away this tree would grow land-eggs which, when they would be sweet and ready for eating, would come of themselves to the water for her. And, sure enough, the luck of the family remained, though the boy was gone.
She seemed to bear up well for a long time and would often be seen sitting on the rocks in the evening, singing sad songs, and casting longing glances up to the apple tree above. She kept very shy of everyone coming her way, and at last, finding the apples slow in coming, made up her mind to go in search of young Sayle, hoping the apples would be ready for taking when they would come back.
But neither of them ever came back, though for many a long year the apple tree bore fruit and marked the little creek where the Mermaid used to live.
Story DNA
Moral
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Plot Summary
The Sayle family enjoys prosperity due to their friendship with a Mermaid, but their luck wanes as the father ages. Young Evan Sayle re-establishes contact, offering apples in exchange for the Mermaid's continued blessing and her request for 'land eggs' (apples) for her children. When Evan decides to sail abroad, he plants an apple tree for the distressed Mermaid, promising its fruit will come to her. Though the family's luck persists, both Evan and the Mermaid eventually disappear, leaving the apple tree as a poignant reminder of their unique bond and the bittersweet nature of change.
Themes
Emotional Arc
prosperity to decline to bittersweet loss
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale reflects the strong maritime culture of the Isle of Man and the traditional belief in supernatural beings influencing daily life and fortune.
Plot Beats (12)
- The Sayle family of Cornah gill is prosperous due to their friendship with a Mermaid from Bulgham.
- The father, Sayle, ages and leaves boat work to his sons, causing the family's luck to dwindle.
- Young Evan Sayle, while setting creels, encounters the Mermaid who asks about his father and learns of their hardship.
- Evan's father, upon hearing of the encounter, instructs Evan to take apples to the Mermaid on his next trip.
- Evan takes apples, finds the Mermaid singing, and she eats an apple, chanting a request for 'sweet lan’ eggs' for her children in exchange for sea luck.
- The family's luck returns, and Evan spends much time at sea, but is eventually criticized for idleness.
- Evan decides to go sailing in foreign parts, distressing the Mermaid.
- To appease her, Evan plants an apple tree above her haunt, promising its fruit will come to her when he is far away.
- The family's luck continues even after Evan leaves.
- The Mermaid is often seen singing sad songs, looking at the apple tree, and becomes shy of others.
- Eventually, finding the apples slow to come, the Mermaid decides to go in search of Evan.
- Neither Evan nor the Mermaid ever return, though the apple tree continues to bear fruit at the creek.
Characters
The Mermaid ◆ supporting
A fine-looking woman from the waist up, with the lower body of a fish. Her skin is likely fair, accustomed to the sea, and she appears graceful and alluring. Her overall build is slender and elegant.
Attire: From the waist down, she has a fish-like tail, likely with shimmering scales in shades of green, blue, or silver, reflecting the ocean. From the waist up, she is described as a 'fine-looking woman,' implying a natural, unadorned appearance, perhaps with long, unbound hair as her only 'garment.'
Wants: To maintain her friendship with the Sayle family, particularly young Evan, and to receive the 'sweet lan’ eggs' (apples) she enjoys. Later, her motivation shifts to finding Evan.
Flaw: Her reliance on human interaction and specific treats (apples), and her deep emotional attachment, which leads her to leave her home.
Initially a benevolent, somewhat passive benefactor, she becomes more emotionally invested, distressed by Evan's departure, and ultimately leaves her home in search of him, never to return.
Kind, loyal, melancholic, appreciative, and somewhat dependent on the Sayle family's offerings. She is capable of deep affection and distress.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful woman with long, flowing green hair, fair skin, and large, deep blue eyes, sitting gracefully on a grey rock. Her upper body is human, unadorned, and her lower body is a shimmering, iridescent green and blue fish tail. She holds a red apple in one hand, looking out with a gentle, melancholic expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Evan Sayle ★ protagonist
A young Manx fisherman, likely of sturdy build from his work at sea, with a sun-kissed complexion. He would be of average height for a Manx islander of the period.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing suitable for a 19th-century Manx fisherman: a thick wool or linen shirt, sturdy trousers, perhaps a knitted cap, and heavy boots. Colors would be muted, like blues, greys, and browns.
Wants: To help his family maintain their luck and livelihood, then to satisfy his own desire for adventure by sailing in foreign parts.
Flaw: His desire for adventure leads him to leave his family and the Mermaid, causing distress and ultimately his disappearance.
Starts as a dutiful son, becomes the primary contact for the Mermaid, then yearns for adventure, leaves his home, and ultimately disappears.
Initially timid, but courageous, observant, dutiful, and eventually adventurous. He is also kind and thoughtful, as shown by his act of planting the apple tree.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Manx fisherman standing, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. He has a sturdy build, sun-kissed fair skin, dark brown hair that is slightly wind-tousled, and observant blue eyes. He wears a thick, dark blue wool fisherman's sweater, sturdy brown canvas trousers, and heavy leather boots. He carries a woven osier lobster creel over one shoulder. He has a thoughtful, slightly wistful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Elder Sayle ◆ supporting
An elderly Manx fisherman, likely with a weathered face from years at sea. His build might be stooped with age, but still shows the remnants of a strong, working life. He would be of average height.
Attire: Practical, worn clothing suitable for an elderly Manx fisherman: a thick, dark wool jacket, a knitted cap, and sturdy trousers. His clothes would show signs of long use but be well-maintained.
Wants: To maintain his family's luck and prosperity, and to ensure the continuation of their friendship with the Mermaid.
Flaw: His age prevents him from continuing his direct interaction with the Mermaid, leading to a decline in luck.
Remains largely static, serving as a source of wisdom and guidance for his son, reminding him of the old ways.
Wise, hopeful, traditional, and appreciative of the Mermaid's friendship. He understands the old ways and the source of his family's luck.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Manx fisherman standing, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. He has a weathered, kind face with deep wrinkles, a long grey beard, and wise blue eyes. He wears a dark grey knitted wool cap, a thick, dark blue wool jacket, and sturdy brown trousers. He has a slight stoop to his shoulders and a hopeful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Gob ny Ooyl (Apple Bay)
A rugged, rocky cove on the Isle of Man coastline, specifically 'Bulgham way', with a 'brow' (cliff edge) overlooking the water. The 'Cornah gill' (ravine) leads down to the sea. The area is characterized by exposed rocks, a small creek, and the sound of waves.
Mood: Initially mysterious and slightly eerie, later becoming a place of longing and sadness.
Evan first encounters the Mermaid here; he later plants the apple tree as a farewell gesture.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dramatic, rugged coastline of the Isle of Man, with dark, weathered rocks forming a small, sheltered cove. A narrow, winding path leads up a steep grassy 'brow' to a windswept cliff edge. The sea is a deep, cool grey-blue, with gentle waves lapping against the shore. A solitary, young apple tree stands on the cliff edge, its branches silhouetted against a soft, diffused sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Sayle Family Cottage
A humble, traditional Manx cottage, likely built of stone with a slate roof, situated at the 'bottom end of Cornah gill'. It would have a simple, practical interior, with a hearth for warmth and light. The surrounding area would be a small farmyard with a cow and sheep.
Mood: Initially prosperous and industrious, later becoming anxious due to dwindling luck, then hopeful.
The Sayle family discusses their changing fortunes and Evan recounts his encounter with the Mermaid, leading to the plan with the apples.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy, traditional Manx stone cottage nestled into a gentle slope at the base of a 'gill' (ravine). The walls are rough-hewn grey stone, and the roof is made of dark, overlapping slate tiles. Smoke gently curls from a stone chimney. A small, well-trodden farmyard surrounds the cottage, with patches of short, green grass and a few burdock leaves. The sky above is a soft, muted grey, suggesting a typical Manx day. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.