The Water-lily
by Andrew Lang · from The Blue Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once, a prince heard a sad flower singing. The flower was a water-lily. It sang a very sad song. The prince was brave. He wanted to help. He listened to the song carefully.
He put mud on himself. He said, "Be a crab!" He became a crab. He jumped in the cold water. The water was very cold. He swam to the lily. He swam down deep. He was brave.
The crab reached the lily. The roots were stuck in mud. He pulled and pulled. The roots were very strong. He pulled very hard. He pulled again and again. Finally, the roots came free.
He swam up with the lily. He reached the top. He said, "Be a prince! Be a maiden!" He became a prince. The lily became a maiden. She was very pretty. She smiled. She said, "Thank you!"
Suddenly, a big coach appeared. It was golden. The coach took them home. They rode in the coach. The coach was fast.
The king and queen were very sad. They missed their son. Then they saw him. They were so happy. They hugged him. They met the maiden. They were happy together.
There was a big party. Everyone celebrated. The prince and the maiden married. They had a beautiful wedding. All the people came.
One day, a crow came. It sat on a wall. The crow spoke. It said, "Remember! You forgot the sisters. They helped you. You must help them now. Go quickly."
The prince felt sorry. He remembered his promise. He went to the witch's hut. He walked fast. He wanted to help.
The witch was not at home. The sisters were ready. They had a dream. They made a cake. It was a trick cake. The cake would make the witch sleep. They worked together. They were clever.
The witch came home. She saw the cake. She was hungry. She ate it all up. She felt sleepy. She fell asleep. She was carried away. Her magic was gone forever.
They looked around. They found lots of treasure. It was gold and jewels. They took the treasure. They broke the hut. They left nothing behind.
The prince, maiden, and sisters lived happily. They were good friends. They helped each other. They had joy every day. Remember, always keep your promises and help others.
Original Story
the bridge. Again he heard the water-lily’s lament, and, hesitating no
longer, smeared himself all over with mud, and, saying: “From a man into
a crab,” plunged into the river. For one moment the water hissed in
his ears, and then all was silent. He swam up to the plant and began
to loosen its roots, but so firmly were they fixed in the mud and reeds
that this took him a long time. He then grasped them and rose to the
surface, letting the water flow over the flower. The current carried
them down the stream, but nowhere could he see the mountain ash. At last
he saw it, and close by the large stone. Here he stopped and said: “From
a crab into a man, from a water-lily into a maiden,” and to his delight
found himself once more a prince, and the maiden was by his side. She
was ten times more beautiful than before, and wore a magnificent pale
yellow robe, sparkling with jewels. She thanked him for having freed her
from the cruel witch’s power, and willingly consented to marry him.
But when they came to the bridge where he had left his horse it was
nowhere to be seen, for, though the Prince thought he had been a crab
only a few hours, he had in reality been under the water for more than
ten days. While they were wondering how they should reach his father’s
court, they saw a splendid coach driven by six gaily caparisoned horses
coming along the bank. In this they drove to the palace. The King and
Queen were at church, weeping for their son, whom they had long mourned
for dead. Great was their delight and astonishment when the Prince
entered, leading the beautiful maiden by the hand. The wedding was at
once celebrated and there was feasting and merry-making throughout the
kingdom for six weeks.
Some time afterward the Prince and his bride were sitting in the garden,
when a crow said to them: “Ungrateful creatures! Have you forgotten the
two poor maidens who helped you in your distress? Must they spin gold
flax for ever? Have no pity on the old witch. The three maidens are
princesses, whom she stole away when they were children together, with
all the silver utensils, which she turned into gold flax. Poison were
her fittest punishment.”
The Prince was ashamed of having forgotten his promise and set out at
once, and by great good fortune reached the hut when the old woman was
away. The maidens had dreamed that he was coming, and were ready to go
with him, but first they made a cake in which they put poison, and
left it on a table where the old woman was likely to see it when she
returned. She did see it, and thought it looked so tempting that she
greedily ate it up and at once died.
In the secret chamber were found fifty wagon-loads of gold flax, and as
much more was discovered buried. The hut was razed to the ground, and
the Prince and his bride and her two sisters lived happily ever after.
Story DNA
Moral
Promises made in times of distress should be kept, and true gratitude extends beyond immediate salvation.
Plot Summary
A prince hears a water-lily's lament and transforms into a crab to free the enchanted maiden within. After successfully breaking her spell and returning to his kingdom, they marry. However, a crow reminds the prince of his forgotten promise to free two other maidens. He returns to the witch's hut, where the maidens, having anticipated his arrival, poison the witch. With the witch dead and her treasures recovered, the prince, his bride, and her sisters live happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Andrew Lang collected and retold fairy tales from various European traditions, making this a compilation rather than a single origin.
Plot Beats (13)
- A prince hears a water-lily's lament and learns it is an enchanted maiden.
- He smears himself with mud, transforms into a crab, and plunges into the river to free her.
- As a crab, he struggles to loosen the water-lily's roots, which are firmly fixed.
- He succeeds, rises to the surface, and transforms himself back into a prince and the water-lily into a beautiful maiden.
- They discover that ten days have passed, and the prince's horse is gone, but a splendid coach appears to take them to the palace.
- The King and Queen, who had mourned their son as dead, are overjoyed by his return with the maiden.
- The prince and the maiden marry, and the kingdom celebrates for six weeks.
- A crow reminds the prince that he forgot his promise to the two other maidens who helped him.
- Ashamed, the prince immediately sets out for the witch's hut, finding her away.
- The maidens, having dreamed of his arrival, prepare a poisoned cake for the witch.
- The witch returns, greedily eats the cake, and dies.
- Fifty wagon-loads of gold flax and other treasures are found in the secret chamber and buried around the hut.
- The hut is razed, and the prince, his bride, and her two sisters live happily ever after.
Characters
The Prince ★ protagonist
Handsome, brave
Attire: Initially fine princely attire, later mud-covered, then princely attire again
Brave, forgetful but ultimately good-hearted, determined
Image Prompt & Upload
A handsome young man in his early 20s with a strong, athletic build and a determined expression. He has short, neatly styled dark brown hair and a clean-shaven jaw. He stands tall in a confident posture, wearing a fitted royal blue doublet with intricate gold embroidery on the collar and sleeves, dark leather trousers, and polished black boots. A simple silver sword in a scabbard is attached to his belt. His posture is upright and heroic, as if ready for an adventure. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Water-Lily Maiden ★ protagonist
Extremely beautiful
Attire: Magnificent pale yellow robe sparkling with jewels
Kind, grateful, gentle
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late teens with an ethereal, luminous complexion and long, flowing hair the color of moonlight on water. She wears a gown of layered, translucent silks in shades of pale pink and white, intricately embroidered with silver thread to resemble water-lily petals and stems. The gown's skirt billows around her as if suspended in water. She stands gracefully, one hand lightly touching a large, perfect water-lily floating beside her, her expression serene and contemplative. Her posture is poised and elegant. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Witch ⚔ antagonist
Implied to be ugly and cruel
Attire: Drab, tattered clothing
Cruel, greedy, wicked
Image Prompt & Upload
Elderly woman with a gaunt, wrinkled face, sharp cheekbones, and a prominent hooked nose. Her eyes are a vivid green with a malicious glint. Long, unkempt gray hair flows from under a tall, black pointed hat. She wears a tattered, dark purple robe that drags on the ground, adorned with strange symbols. In one hand, she holds a gnarled wooden staff topped with a glowing orb; the other hand is raised, fingers curled as if casting a spell. Her posture is hunched and menacing, standing in a dark, misty forest clearing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
First Maiden ◆ supporting
Fair
Attire: Simple peasant dress
Helpful, resourceful
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late teens with a gentle, kind expression and soft brown eyes. She has long, wavy chestnut hair loosely tied back with a green ribbon. She wears a simple, modest dress of muted sage green linen with a cream-colored apron. Her posture is slightly leaning forward with hands clasped gently in front, conveying a ready, supportive demeanor. She stands in a relaxed, attentive pose. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Second Maiden ◆ supporting
Fair
Attire: Simple peasant dress
Helpful, resourceful
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late teens or early twenties with a gentle, observant expression. She has soft brown hair neatly braided and coiled at the nape of her neck. She wears a modest, high-waisted gown of muted rose-pink linen with a simple white apron and a small, embroidered shawl draped over her shoulders. Her posture is poised and ready, standing straight with her hands lightly clasped before her. Her gaze is slightly off-center, as if listening intently. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Crow ◆ supporting
Black feathers
Reminding, observant
Image Prompt & Upload
A humanoid figure with glossy black feathers covering their arms and shoulders, sharp intelligent eyes, and a prominent curved beak-like nose. They wear a worn leather jerkin over a simple tunic, dark trousers, and sturdy boots. Their posture is attentive and slightly hunched, head tilted as if listening, with clawed hands clasped before them. Expression is observant and knowing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Riverbank by the Bridge
A river flowing under a bridge, with a water-lily growing in the water. Muddy banks.
Mood: Melancholy, mysterious, then hopeful
The prince first hears the water-lily's lament and transforms into a crab to free her.
Image Prompt & Upload
Dawn mist hangs over a slow-moving river beneath an ancient arched stone bridge, its mossy stones slick with dew. The muddy banks are dark and rich, dotted with smooth river rocks and clusters of reeds. In the shallows, a single large water-lily with pristine white petals floats among its round green pads, its reflection shimmering in the water. Soft golden light from the rising sun filters through the mist, casting long, hazy rays and illuminating the gentle ripples of the river. The atmosphere is quiet, serene, and deeply still, with a color palette of muted greens, greys, and earthy browns. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Underwater Reeds near Mountain Ash
Murky river bottom with firmly fixed water-lily roots, reeds, and a large stone near a mountain ash tree.
Mood: Silent, laborious, magical
The prince, as a crab, struggles to free the water-lily, then transforms back into a prince with the maiden.
Image Prompt & Upload
Late afternoon light filters through murky green water, illuminating a river bottom scene. Tangled, gnarled water-lily roots anchor firmly in silty sediment. Thick clusters of slender reeds sway gently in a subtle current. A large, moss-covered stone dominates the midground, its surface dappled by shifting light. Above the water's surface, the reflection and submerged lower trunk of a mountain ash tree are visible, its clusters of bright red berries just breaking the water's surface. Sunbeams pierce the depths, creating hazy columns of light. Atmosphere is serene, quiet, and slightly mysterious. Colors are muted greens, browns, and ochres, punctuated by the vivid red berries. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Royal Palace Garden
A garden where the Prince and his bride are sitting.
Mood: Peaceful, domestic
A crow reminds the Prince of his promise to the two maidens.
Image Prompt & Upload
A serene royal palace garden at golden hour, bathed in warm, soft sunlight filtering through ancient oak trees. Manicured emerald lawns stretch between geometric flower beds bursting with blooming roses, lavender, and white jasmine. A central marble fountain gently splashes, surrounded by a cobblestone path leading to an ornate wrought-iron bench beneath a weeping willow. In the background, the palace's grand sandstone facade features tall arched windows and delicate ivy climbing its walls. A tranquil reflecting pool mirrors the pastel pink and orange sky. Delicate fireflies begin to glow in the gathering twilight. No border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Witch's Hut
A hut where the witch lives and forces two maidens to spin gold flax. Contains a secret chamber.
Mood: Eerie, oppressive, secretive
The Prince rescues the maidens, and the witch is poisoned.
Image Prompt & Upload
Deep in a gnarled, mist-shrouded forest at twilight, a crooked hut of dark, weathered timber leans precariously. Its thatched roof is thick with moss and strange, glowing fungi. A single window emits a faint, sickly yellow light from within. Twisted trees with claw-like branches surround the clearing, their roots snaking over the damp earth. Patches of luminescent mushrooms dot the ground near a crumbling stone path leading to a heavy, iron-bound door. The air is thick with fog, and the atmosphere is one of silent, watchful neglect. Subtle hints of a hidden structure are visible in the uneven stonework of the foundation, suggesting a concealed space below. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
