THE GIRL and THE FISH
by Unknown · from Popular Tales from the Norse
Adapted Version
Lily loved the river. Every day, she went there. She had a special secret friend. She stayed by the water. Lily's family wondered. Why did Lily stay so long? She loved her secret friend.
One day, Lily's family followed her. They watched her by the river. Lily spoke to the water. A big, shiny fish came up. Lily talked to her special friend. The fish talked back to Lily.
The next day, Lily's family went. They went to the river. They called the fish. They used Lily's words. Finley the Fish came up. He came right to them.
Lily's family caught Finley. They took him from the river. They carried him home. Lily did not know this. She looked for her friend. Finley was not there. Lily felt very sad.
Lily was very sad. Her special friend was gone. She missed Finley the Fish. Then, a soft voice spoke. "Find my heart, Lily!" the voice said. "Find me, Lily!"
The voice told Lily what to do. "Look in the special bowl," it said. "Find my heart there. Wrap it in your soft scarf. Take it to the river, Lily." Lily listened to the voice.
Lily went to the river. She found three big stones. The voice told her. She stood on the middle stone. Lily dipped her scarf. She dipped it three times. The water shimmered.
The water opened up for Lily. She went down, down, down. It was a new world. It was bright and beautiful. Lily saw many colors. She was not scared.
There was Finley! He was not a fish. He was a kind prince. Prince Finley smiled at Lily. Lily smiled back at him. They were together now. They were very, very happy.
Lily and Prince Finley lived in the water. They were the first mermaids. They swam and played. They were together forever. They were always happy.
Lily and Finley show us. True friends find a way. They are together always. Even when things are hard.
Original Story
THE GIRL AND THE FISH
There was once a girl who used to go to the river to fetch water, but when she went she was never in a hurry to come back, but staid so long, that they made up their minds to watch her. So one day they followed her to the river, and found when she got there, she said something (the reciter forgets the words), and a fish came up and talked to her; and she did not like to leave it, for it was her sweetheart. So next day they went to the river to see if the fish would come up, for they remembered what the girl said and used the same words. Then up came the fish immediately, and they caught it, and took it home, and cooked it for dinner—and a part they set by, and gave to the girl when she came in. Whilst she was eating, a voice said, “Do you know what you are eating? I am he you have so often talked with. If you look in the pig’s tub, you will see my heart.” Then the voice told her to take the heart, and wrap it up in a handkerchief, and carry it to the river. When she got to the river she would see three stones in the water, she was to stand on the middle stone, and dip the handkerchief three times into the water. All this she did, and then she sank suddenly, and was carried down to a beautiful place, where she found her lover changed from a fish into his proper form, and there she lived happily with him for ever. And this is the reason why there are mermaids in the water.
Story DNA
Moral
True love can overcome obstacles, even death and transformation.
Plot Summary
A girl frequently visits the river to talk with her secret sweetheart, a fish. Her family discovers this, catches the fish, cooks it, and serves it to her. While eating, the fish's voice instructs her to retrieve its heart and perform a ritual at the river. Following the instructions, she sinks into the water, where she reunites with her lover, now transformed into a human, and they live happily ever after, thus explaining the origin of mermaids.
Themes
Emotional Arc
loss to reunion
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale shares common motifs with other folk tales involving forbidden love, animal spouses, and magical transformations, often found in pre-industrial societies where nature and the supernatural were closely intertwined.
Plot Beats (10)
- A girl spends an unusual amount of time at the river, causing her family to become suspicious.
- Her family secretly follows her and discovers she is communicating with a fish, who is her sweetheart.
- The family, using the girl's words, summons the fish the following day.
- They catch the fish, bring it home, cook it, and serve a portion of it to the unsuspecting girl.
- While eating, the girl hears a voice revealing that she is consuming her beloved fish-sweetheart.
- The voice instructs her to retrieve its heart from the pig's tub, wrap it in a handkerchief, and take it to the river.
- At the river, she is told to stand on the middle of three stones and dip the handkerchief three times.
- Upon completing the ritual, she sinks into the water and is transported to a beautiful underwater realm.
- There, she finds her lover transformed back into his human form, and they live happily ever after.
- The story concludes by stating this event is the origin of mermaids.
Characters
The Girl
Of average height and slender build, with a graceful demeanor that suggests a gentle nature. Her movements are unhurried and thoughtful.
Attire: Simple, functional attire typical of a village maiden, perhaps a loose-fitting tunic or blouse made of undyed linen, paired with a long, plain skirt of a darker, durable fabric like wool. She might wear a simple headscarf or have her hair uncovered.
Wants: To be with her beloved, the Fish, and to find happiness.
Flaw: Her passivity and obedience, which initially lead her to consume her beloved and then follow instructions without question.
She transforms from a seemingly passive girl into a mermaid, finding her true place and eternal happiness with her lover.
Dreamy, loyal, patient, observant, obedient.
The Fish / The Lover
As a fish, it is described as a significant, talking fish. In his 'proper form' as a human, he is likely handsome and strong, befitting a magical lover.
Attire: As a human, likely simple but elegant attire, perhaps flowing garments in shades of blue or green, suggesting his aquatic origins, or a more regal, unadorned tunic and trousers.
Wants: To be with his beloved, the Girl, and to guide her to their shared destiny.
Flaw: Vulnerable to human interference in his fish form.
Dies as a fish, but through magic and the Girl's actions, transforms into his human form and lives happily ever after with her.
Loyal, protective, communicative (even after death), magical, patient.
The Family / Villagers
Undescribed, but implied to be ordinary villagers, likely of various builds and ages.
Attire: Undescribed, but implied to be typical peasant attire of the region and era.
Wants: To understand why the Girl lingered by the river and to ensure she was not neglecting her duties or engaging in inappropriate behavior.
Flaw: Lack of understanding or empathy for the Girl's magical connection.
They remain unchanged, serving as an initial obstacle to the Girl's happiness.
Suspicious, curious, intrusive, practical, unfeeling (towards the fish).
Locations
The River Bank
A specific spot along a river where a girl regularly fetches water and converses with a fish. The bank is likely earthy or sandy, with some stones or rocks near the water's edge.
Mood: Initially secretive and romantic, later becomes a place of betrayal and sorrow.
The girl meets and talks with her fish sweetheart; her family discovers her secret; the family catches the fish; the girl performs a ritual to reunite with her lover.
The Family Home - Kitchen/Eating Area
A humble, functional area within a family home where meals are prepared and eaten. It would feature a cooking fire or hearth and a table, with a 'pig's tub' nearby.
Mood: Initially ordinary and domestic, quickly turns unsettling and sorrowful for the girl.
The family eats the fish; the girl is given a portion; she hears a voice revealing the fish's identity and instructing her to find its heart.
Underwater Realm
A beautiful, ethereal place beneath the river, where the girl's lover, transformed from a fish, resides. It is implied to be a magical, idyllic environment.
Mood: Magical, peaceful, romantic, and eternal.
The girl is transported here after her ritual and reunites with her lover, living happily ever after.