The Nix of the Millpond

The Nix of the Millpond

A miller and his wife experience a decline in fortune after a period of prosperity. In despair, the miller encounters a beautiful water spirit who offers to restore his wealth in exchange for the child his wife has just given birth to. Misled by the nix's cunning, he agrees, believing he is promising only a pet. When he learns he has promised his newborn son, he is filled with regret but cannot undo the deal. As the years pass, the miller's fortunes improve, but he remains haunted by his promise. His son grows up to be a skilled huntsman, eventually marrying a kind maiden. One day, while hunting near the millpond, he inadvertently washes his hands in the water, awakening the nix, who drags him under. His wife, alarmed by his absence, searches for him and realizes the nix has taken him. Desperate, she seeks help from a wise old woman who provides her with a series of magical items: a golden comb, a flute, and a spinning wheel. Each time she uses these items during the full moon, she sees her husband rise from the water, but he is always pulled back down before they can reunite. After the final attempt with the spinning wheel, the couple is transformed into a toad and a frog to escape the flood that ensues. They are separated and live as shepherds in a foreign land for many years, longing for each other. Eventually, they unknowingly meet again while tending their flocks. The huntsman plays the flute, evoking memories of their past. Recognizing each other, they embrace, finally reunited and free from the nix's curse. Their love triumphs over adversity, leading to their happiness.

By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1857 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 2,461 words

First lines

There was once upon a time a miller who lived with his wife in great contentment. They had money and land, and their prosperity increased year by year more and more. But ill-luck comes like a thief in the night, as their wealth had increased so did it again decrease, year by year, and at last the miller could hardly call the mill in which he lived, his own. He was in great distress, and when he lay down after his day's work, found no rest, but tossed about in his bed, full of care. One morning he rose before daybreak and went out into the open air, thinking that perhaps there his heart might become lighter. As he was stepping over the milldam the first sunbeam was just breaking forth, and he heard a rippling sound in the pond. He turned round and perceived a beautiful woman, rising slowly out of the water. Her long hair, which she was holding off her shoulders with her soft hands, fell down on both sides, and covered her white body. He soon saw that she was the Nix of the Millpond, and in his fright did not know whether he should run away or stay where he was. But the nix made her sweet voice heard, called him by his name, and asked him why he was so sad? The miller was at first struck dumb, but when he heard her speak so kindly, he took heart, and told her how he had formerly lived in wealth and happiness, but that now he was so poor that he did not know what to do. "Be easy," answered the nix, "I will make thee richer and happier than thou hast ever been before, only thou must promise to give me the young thing which has just been born in thy house."

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The Nix of the Millpond is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1857 CE.

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Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Water Spirit · Nature Mythology · Environmentalism · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Mystery · Adventure · Fantasy · Magic Realism · Symbolism

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