The old mill by the pond wasn't doing so well. The miller, who owned it, sighed a big sigh. "Oh dear, oh dear," he mumbled, "Soon I'll have no flour and no money!"

Just then, a shimmery, watery lady popped her head up from the millpond. "Hello there, Miller!" she sang in a bubbly voice. "I am the Nixie of this pond. I can make you rich! Just promise me the little thing that was just born in your house."

The miller thought, "A new puppy? A tiny kitten? That sounds like a good deal!" So he said, "Yes, Nixie, I promise!"

He hurried home, and guess what? His wife had just had a baby boy! "Oops!" thought the miller, feeling a bit worried. But soon, gold and silver filled their home, and he forgot his promise.

The boy grew up strong and clever. His father always told him, "Son, whatever you do, stay away from that pond!" The boy promised. He became a great hunter and married a kind girl who was also a good hunter. They were very happy.

One day, the young hunter was chasing a deer near the forbidden pond. He got his hands all muddy. "I'll just quickly wash them in the pond," he thought. But as soon as his hands touched the water, SPLASH! A green, watery hand shot out and pulled him under! Gurgle, gurgle, gone!

His wife waited and waited. When he didn't come home, she knew something was wrong. She ran to the pond, calling his name, but only saw ripples on the water. She cried and cried.

As she sat there, a little old woman with twinkling eyes appeared. "Don't cry, dear," said the old woman. "I can help you get your husband back. But you must do exactly as I say."

The wife nodded eagerly.

"First," said the old woman, "take this golden comb. When the moon is full and round, go to the pond and comb your long hair with it."

So, when the next full moon shone brightly, the wife went to the pond and combed her hair with the golden comb. Suddenly, her husband's head popped up from the water! He looked at her sadly for a moment, then vanished.

The wife ran back to the old woman. "Next," said the wise woman, "take this golden flute. At the next full moon, go to the pond and play a sweet song on it."

So, at the next full moon, the wife played the golden flute by the pond. This time, her husband rose up to his waist! He reached out his hands to her, but then, with a sad look, he sank back under the water.

Again, she went to the old woman. "Finally," said the old woman, "take this golden spinning wheel. At the next full moon, spin golden thread by the pond."

So, at the next full moon, the wife sat by the pond and spun golden thread with the beautiful spinning wheel. As she spun, a huge wave WHOOSHED up from the pond! It carried her husband right onto the bank, safe and sound!

They hugged and cheered! But oh no! The wave tried to pull them BOTH back in! In a flash of water and light, they found themselves in different, faraway lands, all alone.

For a long, long time, they wandered, always looking for each other. She became a shepherdess, taking care of fluffy sheep. He became a shepherd, watching over his own flock.

One sunny day, tending their sheep on a green hillside, they saw each other from far away. Could it be? They ran towards each other. "Is it you?" she cried. "It IS you!" he shouted.

They ran, they hugged, and this time, no water could pull them apart. And they lived happily, with their sheep, far, far away from any tricky water nixies.

1150 Views