The Fairy Nurse
by Andrew Lang · from The Lilac Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once, a kin lived on a farm. Molly was the wife. She loved her kin. She asked a magic friend for help. She did not do her chores first.
That night, friendly fairies came to her house. They invited Molly to go with them. Her children saw her leave with the fairies. Her husband, John, was very sad.
A Magic Man asked their Helper for help. He took her to a magic place. There was a baby who needed care.
The Helper used a special ointment. It let her see a sparkly, magic world. All looked new and very shiny.
She saw Molly there. Molly was helping with the baby. The Helper was happy to see her friend.
Molly whispered to the Helper. "John can help me," she said. "A special parade will come. He can hold my hand."
The Magic Man took the Helper home. He gave her five shiny coins. In the morning, the coins were pretty leaves.
The Helper went to John. She told him all. She told him about Molly and the parade. John said, "I will help her."
John and Helper went to a meeting place. They waited softly in the dark.
Soon, the Helper saw a magic parade. She saw Molly walking with them. "Look, John! There she is!" she whispered.
John heard soft music. He could not see the parade. The Helper pushed him gently. He reached out. He took Molly's hand. "I love you," he said.
The fairies wanted to keep Molly. John held her in a big, loving hug. He said, "Please, let her come home."
The fairies smiled and waved goodbye. They went away like twinkling lights. Molly was very tired. She fell asleep in John's arms.
Molly was happy to be home. She learned to be safe with magic things. She listened to her kin more.
The Helper saw Magic Man at the market. He took back the magic from her eye. She could not see the fairies no more.
Bravery and love help in hard times. Listen to family. Be safe with magic. They stayed happy, kind, and brave.
Original Story
THE FAIRY NURSE
THERE was once a little farmer and his wife living near Coolgarrow. They
had three children, and my story happened while the youngest was a baby.
The wife was a good wife enough, but her mind was all on her family and
her farm, and she hardly ever went to her knees without falling asleep,
and she thought the time spent in the chapel was twice as long as it
need be. So, friends, she let her man and her two children go before her
one day to Mass, while she called to consult a fairy man about a
disorder one of her cows had. She was late at the chapel, and was sorry
all the day after, for her husband was in grief about it, and she was
very fond of him.
Late that night he was wakened up by the cries of his children calling
out, 'Mother! mother!' When he sat up and rubbed his eyes, there was no
wife by his side, and when he asked the little ones what was become of
their mother, they said they saw the room full of nice little men and
women, dressed in white and red and green, and their mother in the
middle of them, going out by the door as if she was walking in her
sleep. Out he ran, and searched everywhere round the house, but neither
tale nor tidings did he get of her for many a day.
Well, the poor man was miserable enough, for he was as fond of his woman
as she was of him. It used to bring the salt tears down his cheeks to
see his poor children neglected and dirty, as they often were, and
they'd be bad enough only for a kind neighbour that used to look in
whenever she could spare time. The infant was away with a nurse.
[Illustration: The Fairies go off with the Farmer's Wife]
About six weeks after--just as he was going out to his work one
morning--a neighbour, that used to mind women when they were ill, came
up to him, and kept step by step with him to the field, and this is what
she told him.
'Just as I was falling asleep last night, I heard a horse's tramp on the
grass and a knock at the door, and there, when I came out, was a
fine-looking dark man, mounted on a black horse, and he told me to get
ready in all haste, for a lady was in great want of me. As soon as I put
on my cloak and things, he took me by the hand, and I was sitting behind
him before I felt myself stirring. "Where are we going, sir?" says I.
"You'll soon know," says he; and he drew his fingers across my eyes, and
not a ray could I see. I kept a tight grip of him, and I little knew
whether he was going backwards or forwards, or how long we were about
it, till my hand was taken again, and I felt the ground under me. The
fingers went the other way across my eyes, and there we were before a
castle door, and in we went through a big hall and great rooms all
painted in fine green colours, with red and gold bands and ornaments,
and the finest carpets and chairs and tables and window curtains, and
grand ladies and gentlemen walking about. At last we came to a bedroom,
with a beautiful lady in bed, with a fine bouncing boy beside her. The
lady clapped her hands, and in came the Dark Man and kissed her and the
baby, and praised me, and gave me a bottle of green ointment to rub the
child all over.
'Well, the child I rubbed, sure enough; but my right eye began to smart,
and I put up my finger and gave it a rub, and then stared, for never in
all my life was I so frightened. The beautiful room was a big, rough
cave, with water oozing over the edges of the stones and through the
clay; and the lady, and the lord, and the child weazened, poverty-bitten
creatures--nothing but skin and bone--and the rich dresses were old
rags. I didn't let on that I found any difference, and after a bit says
the Dark Man, "Go before me, to the hall door, and I will be with you in
a few moments, and see you safe home." Well, just as I turned into the
outside cave, who should I see watching near the door but poor Molly.
She looked round all terrified, and says she to me in a whisper, "I'm
brought here to nurse the child of the king and queen of the fairies;
but there is one chance of saving me. All the court will pass the cross
near Templeshambo next Friday night, on a visit to the fairies of Old
Ross. If John can catch me by the hand or cloak when I ride by, and has
courage not to let go his grip, I'll be safe. Here's the king. Don't
open your mouth to answer. I saw what happened with the ointment."
'The Dark Man didn't once cast his eye towards Molly, and he seemed to
have no suspicion of me. When we came out I looked about me, and where
do you think we were but in the dyke of the Rath of Cromogue. I was on
the horse again, which was nothing but a big rag-weed, and I was in
dread every minute I'd fall off; but nothing happened till I found
myself in my own cabin. The king slipped five guineas into my hand as
soon as I was on the ground, and thanked me, and bade me good-night. I
hope I'll never see his face again. I got into bed, and couldn't sleep
for a long time; and when I examined my five guineas this morning, that
I left in the table drawer the last thing, I found five withered leaves
of oak--bad luck to the giver!'
Well, you may all think the fright, and the joy, and the grief the poor
man was in when the woman finished her story. They talked and they
talked, but we needn't mind what they said till Friday night came, when
both were standing where the mountain road crosses the one going to
Ross.
There they stood, looking towards the bridge of Thuar, in the dead of
the night, with a little moonlight shining from over Kilachdiarmid. At
last she gave a start, and 'By this and by that,' says she, 'here they
come, bridles jingling and feathers tossing!' He looked, but could see
nothing; and she stood trembling and her eyes wide open, looking down
the way to the ford of Ballinacoola. 'I see your wife,' says she,
'riding on the outside just so as to rub against us. We'll walk on
quietly, as if we suspected nothing, and when we are passing I'll give
you a shove. If you don't do your duty then, woe be with you!'
Well, they walked on easy, and the poor hearts beating in both their
breasts; and though he could see nothing, he heard a faint jingle and
trampling and rustling, and at last he got the push that she promised.
He spread out his arms, and there was his wife's waist within them, and
he could see her plain; but such a hullabulloo rose as if there was an
earthquake, and he found himself surrounded by horrible-looking things,
roaring at him and striving to pull his wife away. But he made the sign
of the cross and bid them begone in God's name, and held his wife as if
it was iron his arms were made of. Bedad, in one moment everything was
as silent as the grave, and the poor woman lying in a faint in the arms
of her husband and her good neighbour. Well, all in good time she was
minding her family and her business again; and I'll go bail, after the
fright she got, she spent more time on her knees, and avoided fairy men
all the days of the week, and particularly on Sunday.
[Illustration: HOW JOHN GOT HIS WIFE BACK FROM THE FAIRIES]
It is hard to have anything to do with the good people without getting a
mark from them. My brave nurse didn't escape no more than another. She
was one Thursday at the market of Enniscorthy, when what did she see
walking among the tubs of butter but the Dark Man, very hungry-looking,
and taking a scoop out of one tub and out of another. 'Oh, sir,' says
she, very foolish, 'I hope your lady is well, and the baby.' 'Pretty
well, thank you,' says he, rather frightened like. 'How do I look in
this new suit?' says he, getting to one side of her. 'I can't see you
plain at all, sir,' says she. 'Well, now?' says he, getting round her
back to the other side. 'Musha, indeed, sir, your coat looks no better
than a withered dock-leaf.' 'Maybe, then,' says he, 'it will be
different now,' and he struck the eye next him with a switch.
Friends, she never saw a glimmer after with that one till the day of her
death.
'Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts,' by Patrick Kennedy.
Story DNA
Moral
Faith and courage can overcome supernatural dangers, and it's best to avoid meddling with the fairy folk.
Plot Summary
A farmer's wife is abducted by fairies after neglecting her religious duties. Her distraught husband struggles to care for their children until a midwife, who was also taken by fairies to attend a birth, discovers the wife in the fairy realm. The wife secretly instructs the midwife on how her husband can rescue her during a fairy procession. The husband, guided by the midwife, confronts the fairies, uses the sign of the cross, and successfully reclaims his wife. Though the wife returns safely and becomes more devout, the midwife is later blinded in one eye by the 'Dark Man' for her interference.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects common Irish folklore beliefs about the 'sidhe' or fairies, their hidden world, and the dangers of interacting with them. The concept of a 'fairy man' (a person with knowledge of or connection to the fairy world) is also present.
Plot Beats (15)
- A farmer's wife, prioritizing farm over faith, consults a fairy man instead of attending Mass.
- That night, she is abducted by fairies, witnessed by her children, leaving her husband in despair.
- Six weeks later, a midwife neighbor is taken by a 'Dark Man' to assist in a fairy birth.
- The midwife applies a magical ointment to her eye, revealing the true, squalid appearance of the fairy realm and its inhabitants.
- She recognizes the farmer's wife, Molly, who is nursing the fairy child.
- Molly secretly tells the midwife that her husband can rescue her during a fairy procession on Friday night near Templeshambo.
- The Dark Man returns the midwife, paying her with five guineas that turn into withered oak leaves.
- The midwife informs the farmer of his wife's whereabouts and the rescue plan.
- On Friday night, the farmer and midwife wait at the crossroads.
- The midwife sees the fairy procession and points out Molly, who is riding on the outside.
- The farmer, though seeing nothing, hears the procession and, prompted by the midwife, grabs his wife.
- A chaotic scene ensues with enraged fairies trying to pull Molly away, but the farmer makes the sign of the cross.
- The fairies vanish, leaving Molly in a faint in her husband's arms.
- Molly returns to her family, becoming more devout and avoiding fairy men.
- The midwife later encounters the Dark Man at the market, foolishly speaks to him, and he strikes her eye, blinding her in it.
Characters
The Farmer's Wife (Molly) ★ protagonist
Not explicitly described, but implied to be a healthy, normal-looking woman before her abduction.
Attire: Typical clothing of a farmer's wife in 19th century Ireland: simple dress, shawl, perhaps an apron.
Neglectful (initially), easily led astray, remorseful, grateful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged woman with kind, weathered features and a warm smile. Her auburn hair is tied back in a practical braid with loose strands framing her face. She wears a simple, earth-toned linen dress with rolled sleeves, a sturdy apron, and leather boots. She stands with a confident, welcoming posture, holding a woven basket filled with fresh vegetables. Her expression is gentle yet determined. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Farmer (John) ★ protagonist
Not explicitly described, but implied to be a strong, capable man.
Attire: Typical clothing of a farmer in 19th century Ireland: sturdy trousers, shirt, waistcoat, perhaps a cap.
Loving, determined, courageous, grief-stricken.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged man with a weathered face and kind eyes, standing with a determined posture. He has short, messy brown hair and a light stubble. He wears worn blue denim overalls over a faded red plaid shirt with rolled-up sleeves, sturdy brown leather boots, and a straw hat held in one hand. He holds a wooden pitchfork in the other hand, resting it on his shoulder. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Dark Man ⚔ antagonist
Fine-looking, dark.
Attire: Initially well-dressed (fine clothes), later in a suit that looks like a withered dock-leaf.
Deceptive, manipulative, powerful, easily frightened.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, imposing figure with sharp, angular features and pale skin, wearing a long, dark hooded cloak that obscures most of his face except for glowing, menacing eyes. He stands with a straight, authoritative posture, one hand slightly raised as if casting a shadow. His expression is cold and calculating. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Neighbor (Nurse) ◆ supporting
Not explicitly described, but implied to be a practical, observant woman.
Attire: Typical clothing of a woman who tends to the sick in 19th century Ireland: simple dress, cloak.
Kind, observant, brave, gossipy.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late twenties, wearing light blue medical scrubs and a white lab coat. Her dark brown hair is pulled back into a neat ponytail. She has a calm, professional expression and stands with good posture, holding a clipboard against her chest. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Farmer's Cottage
A simple dwelling where the farmer, his wife, and their three children live. The room is described as being filled with 'nice little men and women, dressed in white and red and green' when the wife is taken.
Mood: initially peaceful, then filled with fear and confusion
The farmer's wife is abducted by the fairies.
Image Prompt & Upload
A cozy thatched-roof cottage at dusk, its warm golden light spilling from small windows into a lush garden. The simple stone dwelling is surrounded by a picket fence, with climbing roses and a well-tended vegetable patch. The atmosphere is quiet and slightly magical, with fireflies beginning to glow in the twilight air. Soft pastel colors of sunset blend with the cottage's whitewashed walls and green door. In the garden, tiny, intricate figurines dressed in white, red, and green are nestled among the flowers and herbs, as if placed there by unseen hands. The scene is peaceful yet holds a whisper of enchantment. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Fairy Castle (Cave)
Initially perceived as a grand castle with 'big hall and great rooms all painted in fine green colours, with red and gold bands and ornaments, and the finest carpets and chairs and tables and window curtains'. However, it is revealed to be a 'big, rough cave, with water oozing over the edges of the stones and through the clay'.
Mood: deceptive; initially luxurious, then revealed as desolate and impoverished
The neighbor woman discovers the true nature of the fairy realm and learns of the farmer's wife's plight.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grand cavern reveals a crumbling illusion of a fairy castle, its painted green walls with red and gold bands fading into rough, wet stone. Oozing water glistens on clay and stalactites, pooling around the remains of ornate carpets and curtains that dissolve into moss. Dim twilight filters through a fissure, casting a ghostly glow on gilded chairs and tables now half-formed from rock. The air is misty, with a cool, damp atmosphere, colors muted between emerald, crimson, and earthy browns. No border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Crossroads near Templeshambo
A mountain road crossing another road going to Ross, near the bridge of Thuar, with a little moonlight shining from over Kilachdiarmid.
Mood: tense, expectant, and ultimately triumphant
The farmer rescues his wife from the fairy procession.
Image Prompt & Upload
A moonlit mountain crossroads at midnight where two ancient stone paths intersect, one leading towards distant Ross, the other vanishing into shadowy hills. Silver moonlight spills over the peak of Kilachdiarmid, illuminating a moss-covered stone bridge over a shallow stream. Weathered signposts stand at the crossing, their wood dark with age. The air is cool and still, with a thin mist curling around the bases of gnarled oak trees lining the roads. The color palette is deep blues, silvers, and charcoal grays, with the moonlight creating sharp highlights on wet cobblestones and the bridge's arch. In the distance, the silhouette of Templeshambo's temple spires is barely visible against the starry sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Enniscorthy Market
A bustling marketplace with tubs of butter.
Mood: normal, everyday
The neighbor woman encounters the Dark Man and is cursed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vibrant early morning at a cobblestone marketplace bathed in golden hour light. Wooden stalls with colorful awnings display overflowing produce and goods. Central focus on rustic wooden tubs of creamy golden butter, glistening in the soft sun. Wisps of morning mist linger, with hanging lanterns and draped fabrics adding pops of color. The scene feels lively and picturesque, with a backdrop of quaint stone buildings and a hint of green hills under a soft blue sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
