The Nixie of the Mill-Pond
The Nixie of the Mill-Pond — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In the heart of an ancient, season-shifting tree where the Rooted Academy stood, lived Elara, a miller's daughter, known for her kindness; Anselm, a wealthy merchant's son, burdened by greed; and a mysterious Nixie, bound to the Whispering Mill-Pond. Longing for freedom, the Nixie offered a bargain, a test of character that would forever alter their lives. The mill-pond, reflecting the sky like a dark mirror, held secrets whispered only to the wind, promising both fortune and ruin.
Page 2
Elara's days were spent tending to the mill, her heart content with simple joys. Anselm, however, dreamt only of riches, his eyes constantly scanning for opportunities. One afternoon, while Elara sang by the pond, she noticed a shimmering glow beneath the water. A voice, like the rustling of reeds, whispered, 'Help me, and I shall grant your heart's desire.'
Page 3
'Who speaks?' Elara asked, startled but unafraid. The voice continued, 'I am the Nixie, trapped within this pond. Free me, and you shall have riches beyond imagining.' Elara hesitated, her gaze drifting towards the distant Rooted Academy and the lessons of honesty she had learned there. 'What must I do?'
Page 4
The Nixie instructed, 'Cast your most prized possession into the water. Only then will the spell be broken.' Anselm, overhearing, scoffed, 'Foolish girl! I'll do it myself and claim the reward.' He approached the pond, clutching a gold-plated music box—his father's most prized possession. He was ready to throw it in, when Elara interrupted, 'Think carefully, Anselm! As Aristotle said, 'The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.' Is that gold worth more than everything else?'
Page 5
Anselm shoved Elara aside. He tossed the music box into the pond. The water rippled, then stilled. No Nixie appeared. 'A trick!' Anselm roared, enraged. From the depths, the Nixie's voice echoed, 'You offer greed for greed. Your prize is nothing.' She then offered Elara a test: to retrieve a single, specific pebble from the pond's depths.
Page 6
Elara knew every pebble in the pond. It was part of her care for the mill. For three days she searched, diving deep, guided only by touch and memory. Exhausted and shivering, she almost gave up. Then, she remembered the words of Helen Keller: 'Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.' She found a smooth, grey pebble with a tiny, embedded quartz crystal.
Page 7
Elara emerged, gasping, and presented the pebble to the still pond. The water churned, and the Nixie rose, a figure of ethereal beauty, her long, flowing hair the color of pond scum. 'You have shown me true kindness, not greed,' the Nixie declared. 'You may ask for anything.'
Page 8
'I desire nothing for myself,' Elara replied. 'Only that you be freed from this prison.' The Nixie smiled. 'Your kindness is your reward. By choosing freedom for another, you free yourself.' With a final swirl of water, the Nixie vanished, the pond now still and clear.
Page 9
Anselm, humbled by the events, approached Elara. 'I have learned a valuable lesson. My greed blinded me.' He knelt, offering Elara his remaining coins. 'Please, take these. I don't deserve them.' Elara looked at him, a gentle smile on her face, and said 'No. But use them to help those in need.'
Page 10
Elara continued to care for the mill, her heart filled with a quiet joy. Anselm, forever changed, used his wealth to aid the poor and mend his ways. The Whispering Mill-Pond remained a place of reflection, reminding all that true riches lie not in gold, but in kindness and the freedom of others, as once put by Mahatma Gandhi, 'The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others'.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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