The Water of Life
by Andrew Lang · from The Pink Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once, there were three brothers and a sister. An old man visits their home. He says they need three things. They need magic water. They need a pretty tree. They need a talking bird. The Eldest Brother says, "I will go." The sister is worried. "How will we know you are safe?" The old man gives them a knife. "If the blade turns red, I'm in trouble," he says. The Eldest Brother walks and walks. He meets a giant. The giant is friendly. "Do not turn back," says the giant. "The stones will make mean words." "Do not listen." The brother climbs the mountain. He hears silly voices. He turns to look. He becomes still like a stone. The sister looks at the knife. The blade is red. "Oh no!" she says. The Second Brother says, "I will go." He walks and walks. He meets the giant. "Do not turn back," says the giant. The brother climbs the mountain. He hears mean words. He thinks he hears his brother. He turns to look. He becomes still like a stone. The sister looks at the knife again. The blade is red. The Youngest Brother says, "I will go." He walks and walks. He meets the giant. "Do not turn back," says the giant. The brother climbs the mountain. He hears mean words. He thinks he hears his brothers. He turns to look. He becomes still like a stone. The sister looks at the knife. The blade is red. "Now I must go," she says. She walks and walks. She meets the giant. "Do not turn back," he says. The sister climbs the mountain. She hears mean words. She hears her brothers' voices. She does not listen. She does not turn back. She reaches the top. She finds the magic water. She finds the pretty tree. She finds the talking bird. "Hello! Good job!" says the bird. She carries the water down. A little water spills on a stone. The stone wakes up! It is a person! She sprinkles water on all the stones. Her brothers wake up. Many people wake up. They all go home. She plants the tree branch. She gives it magic water. It grows into a beautiful tree. Many people come to see. A prince comes to see. He sees the brave sister. "You are very brave," he says. He likes her courage. They get married and are happy. Being brave and ignoring mean words helps you win.
Original Story
The Water of Life
Cuentos Populars Catalans, per lo Dr. D. Francisco de S. Maspous y
Labros. Barcelona, 1885.
Three brothers and one sister lived together in a small cottage, and
they loved one another dearly. One day the eldest brother, who had never
done anything but amuse himself from sunrise to sunset, said to the
rest, ‘Let us all work hard, and perhaps we shall grow rich, and be able
to build ourselves a palace.’
And his brothers and sister answered joyfully, ‘Yes, we will all work!’
So they fell to working with all their might, till at last they became
rich, and were able to build themselves a beautiful palace; and everyone
came from miles round to see its wonders, and to say how splendid it
was. No one thought of finding any faults, till at length an old woman,
who had been walking through the rooms with a crowd of people, suddenly
exclaimed, ‘Yes, it is a splendid palace, but there is still something
it needs!’
‘And what may that be?’
‘A church.’
When they heard this the brothers set to work again to earn some more
money, and when they had got enough they set about building a church,
which should be as large and beautiful as the palace itself.
And after the church was finished greater numbers of people than
ever flocked to see the palace and the church and vast gardens and
magnificent halls.
But one day, as the brothers were as usual doing the honours to their
guests, an old man turned to them and said, ‘Yes, it is all most
beautiful, but there is still something it needs!’
‘And what may that be?’
‘A pitcher of the water of life, a branch of the tree the smell of whose
flowers gives eternal beauty, and the talking bird.’
‘And where am I to find all those?’
‘Go to the mountain that is far off yonder, and you will find what you
seek.’
After the old man had bowed politely and taken farewell of them the
eldest brother said to the rest, ‘I will go in search of the water of
life, and the talking bird, and the tree of beauty.’
‘But suppose some evil thing befalls you?’ asked his sister. ‘How shall
we know?’
‘You are right,’ he replied; ‘ I had not thought of that!’
Then they followed the old man, and said to him, ‘My eldest brother
wishes to seek for the water of life, and the tree of beauty, and the
talking bird, that you tell him are needful to make our palace perfect.
But how shall we know if any evil thing befall him?’
So the old man took them a knife, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Keep
this carefully, and as long as the blade is bright all is well; but if
the blade is bloody, then know that evil has befallen him.’
The brothers thanked him, and departed, and went straight to the palace,
where they found the young man making ready to set out for the mountain
where the treasures he longed for lay hid.
And he walked, and he walked, and he walked, till he had gone a great
way, and there he met a giant.
‘Can you tell me how much further I have still to go before I reach that
mountain yonder?’
‘And why do you wish to go there?’
‘I am seeking the water of life, the talking bird, and a branch of the
tree of beauty.’
‘Many have passed by seeking those treasures, but none have ever come
back; and you will never come back either, unless you mark my words.
Follow this path, and when you reach the mountain you will find it
covered with stones. Do not stop to look at them, but keep on your way.
As you go you will hear scoffs and laughs behind you; it will be the
stones that mock. Do not heed them; above all, do not turn round. If you
do you will become as one of them. Walk straight on till you get to the
top, and then take all you wish for.’
The young man thanked him for his counsel, and walked, and walked, and
walked, till he reached the mountain. And as he climbed he heard behind
him scoffs and jeers, but he kept his ears steadily closed to them. At
last the noise grew so loud that he lost patience, and he stooped to
pick up a stone to hurl into the midst of the clamour, when suddenly his
arm seemed to stiffen, and the next moment he was a stone himself!
That day his sister, who thought her brother’s steps were long in
returning, took out the knife and found the blade was red as blood. Then
she cried out to her brothers that something terrible had come to pass.
‘I will go and find him,’ said the second. And he went.
And he walked, and he walked, and he walked, till he met the giant, and
asked him if he had seen a young man travelling towards the mountain.
And the giant answered, ‘Yes, I have seen him pass, but I have not seen
him come back. The spell must have worked upon him.’
‘Then what can I do to disenchant him, and find the water of life, the
talking bird, and a branch of the tree of beauty?’
‘Follow this path, and when you reach the mountain you will find it
covered with stones. Do not stop to look at them, but climb steadily on.
Above all, heed not the laughs and scoffs that will arise on all sides,
and never turn round. And when you reach the top you can then take all
you desire.’
The young man thanked him for his counsel, and set out for the mountain.
But no sooner did he reach it than loud jests and gibes broke out on
every side, and almost deafened him. For some time he let them rail,
and pushed boldly on, till he had passed the place which his brother had
gained; then suddenly he thought that among the scoffing sounds he heard
his brother’s voice. He stopped and looked back; and another stone was
added to the number.
Meanwhile the sister left at home was counting the days when her two
brothers should return to her. The time seemed long, and it would be
hard to say how often she took out the knife and looked at its polished
blade to make sure that this one at least was still safe. The blade was
always bright and clear; each time she looked she had the happiness of
knowing that all was well, till one evening, tired and anxious, as she
frequently was at the end of the day, she took it from its drawer, and
behold! the blade was red with blood. Her cry of horror brought her
youngest brother to her, and, unable to speak, she held out the knife!
‘I will go,’ he said.
So he walked, and he walked, and he walked, until he met the giant, and
he asked, ‘Have two young men, making for yonder mountain, passed this
way?’
And the giant answered, ‘Yes, they have passed by, but they never came
back, and by this I know that the spell has fallen upon them.’
‘Then what must I do to free them, and to get the water of life, and the
talking bird, and the branch of the tree of beauty?’
‘Go to the mountain, which you will find so thickly covered with stones
that you will hardly be able to place your feet, and walk straight
forward, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left, and paying
no heed to the laughs and scoffs which will follow you, till you reach
the top, and then you may take all that you desire.’
The young man thanked the giant for his counsel, and set forth to the
mountain. And when he began to climb there burst forth all around him
a storm of scoffs and jeers; but he thought of the giant’s words, and
looked neither to the right hand nor to the left, till the mountain top
lay straight before him. A moment now and he would have gained it, when,
through the groans and yells, he heard his brothers’ voices. He turned,
and there was one stone the more.
And all this while his sister was pacing up and down the palace, hardly
letting the knife out of her hand, and dreading what she knew she would
see, and what she did see. The blade grew red before her eyes, and she
said, ‘Now it is my turn.’
So she walked, and she walked, and she walked till she came to the
giant, and prayed him to tell her if he had seen three young men pass
that way seeking the distant mountain.
‘I have seen them pass, but they have never returned, and by this I know
that the spell has fallen upon them.’
‘And what must I do to set them free, and to find the water of life, and
the talking bird, and a branch of the tree of beauty?’
‘You must go to that mountain, which is so full of stones that your
feet will hardly find a place to tread, and as you climb you will hear
a noise as if all the stones in the world were mocking you; but pay
no heed to anything you may hear, and, once you gain the top, you have
gained everything.’
The girl thanked him for his counsel, and set out for the mountain; and
scarcely had she gone a few steps upwards when cries and screams broke
forth around her, and she felt as if each stone she trod on was a living
thing. But she remembered the words of the giant, and knew not what had
befallen her brothers, and kept her face steadily towards the mountain
top, which grew nearer and nearer every moment. But as she mounted the
clamour increased sevenfold: high above them all rang the voices of her
three brothers. But the girl took no heed, and at last her feet stood
upon the top.
Then she looked round, and saw, lying in a hollow, the pool of the water
of life. And she took the brazen pitcher that she had brought with her,
and filled it to the brim. By the side of the pool stood the tree of
beauty, with the talking bird on one of its boughs; and she caught the
bird, and placed it in a cage, and broke off one of the branches.
After that she turned, and went joyfully down the hill again, carrying
her treasures, but her long climb had tired her out, and the brazen
pitcher was very heavy, and as she walked a few drops of the water spilt
on the stones, and as it touched them they changed into young men and
maidens, crowding about her to give thanks for their deliverance.
So she learnt by this how the evil spell might be broken, and she
carefully sprinkled every stone till there was not one left--only a
great company of youths and girls who followed her down the mountain.
When they arrived at the palace she did not lose a moment in planting
the branch of the tree of beauty and watering it with the water of life.
And the branch shot up into a tree, and was heavy with flowers, and the
talking bird nestled in its branches.
Now the fame of these wonders was noised abroad, and the people flocked
in great numbers to see the three marvels, and the maiden who had won
them; and among the sightseers came the king’s son, who would not go
till everything was shown him, and till he had heard how it had all
happened. And the prince admired the strangeness and beauty of the
treasures in the palace, but more than all he admired the beauty and
courage of the maiden who had brought them there. So he went home and
told his parents, and gained their consent to wed her for his wife.
Then the marriage was celebrated in the church adjoining the palace.
Then the bridegroom took her to his own home, where they lived happy for
ever after.
Story DNA
Moral
True perseverance and humility, especially when faced with temptation and mockery, are rewarded, and courage can come from unexpected sources.
Plot Summary
After building a magnificent palace, three brothers and their sister are told they need a 'water of life,' 'tree of beauty,' and 'talking bird' to complete it. The eldest three brothers each attempt the quest to a mountain guarded by a giant, but despite warnings, they succumb to the mountain's magical mockery and turn to stone. The sister, seeing her brothers' fates via a magical knife, bravely undertakes the quest herself. She ignores all temptations and mockery, retrieves the items, and discovers that the water of life can reverse the stone spell, freeing her brothers and many others. She returns a hero, and her courage and beauty lead to her marriage with a prince.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anxiety and loss to triumph and joy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Andrew Lang's collection 'The Blue Fairy Book' popularized many European folk tales. This specific tale is attributed to 'Cuentos Populars Catalans', indicating its roots in Catalan oral tradition, which often features themes of perseverance and magical quests.
Plot Beats (15)
- Three brothers and a sister build a grand palace and church, becoming rich.
- An old woman and then an old man suggest the palace needs a 'water of life,' 'tree of beauty,' and 'talking bird'.
- The eldest brother volunteers for the quest; an old man provides a magical knife whose blade indicates his well-being.
- The eldest brother meets a giant who warns him not to turn back on the mountain, but he succumbs to the mocking stones and turns to stone.
- The sister sees the knife blade turn bloody, and the second brother sets out.
- The second brother also meets the giant, receives the same warning, but turns back upon hearing voices and becomes a stone.
- The sister sees the knife blade turn bloody again, and the youngest brother sets out.
- The youngest brother meets the giant, receives the warning, but turns back at the last moment upon hearing his brothers' voices and becomes a stone.
- The sister sees the knife blade turn bloody for the third time and decides to go herself.
- The sister meets the giant, receives the warning, and steadfastly ignores all mockery and voices on the mountain.
- The sister reaches the mountain top, finds the water of life, the tree of beauty, and the talking bird.
- On her descent, drops of the water of life spill, turning stones into young men and maidens, revealing how to break the spell.
- The sister sprinkles all the stones, freeing her brothers and many others, who follow her back to the palace.
- She plants the tree, and its wonders attract many, including a prince.
- The prince is captivated by her beauty and courage, asks for her hand, and they marry and live happily ever after.
Characters
Eldest Brother ◆ supporting
Strong and capable, but easily distracted
Attire: Simple tunic and trousers, suitable for travel
Ambitious, easily discouraged
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his early twenties with a strong jaw and kind, watchful eyes. He has short, chestnut brown hair and wears a simple, well-worn tunic of undyed wool over dark trousers and sturdy leather boots. His posture is alert and protective, one hand resting on the hilt of a plain sword at his belt, the other gesturing forward as if guiding someone. He stands on a forest path dappled with sunlight. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Second Brother ◆ supporting
Similar to his elder brother, but perhaps more cautious
Attire: Simple tunic and trousers, suitable for travel
Loyal, easily swayed
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy young man in his early twenties with a kind, earnest expression and short, tousled brown hair. He wears a practical, earth-toned tunic with a leather vest, sturdy trousers, and worn boots. His posture is confident yet relaxed, standing with one hand resting on the hilt of a simple belt knife. He is on a forest path, dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Youngest Brother ◆ supporting
Determined and focused
Attire: Simple tunic and trousers, suitable for travel
Resolute, easily turned to stone
Image Prompt & Upload
A young teenage boy, around thirteen years old, with a sincere and earnest expression. He has messy, sun-streaked brown hair and a smudge of dirt on his cheek. He wears simple, well-worn peasant clothes: a tunic of undyed linen, patched trousers, and sturdy leather boots. He stands in a determined but slightly hesitant pose, one hand resting on a walking stick, looking upward as if ready for an adventure. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Sister ★ protagonist
Brave and resourceful
Attire: Simple but practical dress, suitable for travel and labor
Courageous, determined
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her early twenties with long flowing auburn hair and bright hazel eyes, wearing a simple yet elegant forest green medieval peasant dress with a cream-colored apron tied at the waist, brown leather boots, a delicate silver pendant necklace, carrying a worn leather satchel over one shoulder, standing tall with a determined and hopeful expression, one hand gently touching a small bird perched on her other wrist, wearing a flowing crimson cloak draped over her shoulders, soft freckles dusting her rosy cheeks, gentle smile showing quiet courage, posture straight and confident yet approachable, wind softly tousling her hair, wearing a thin braided leather bracelet on her wrist. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature
Giant ◆ supporting
Large and imposing
Attire: Roughspun clothing
Wise, helpful
Image Prompt & Upload
A towering gentle male giant standing at least three times the height of an ordinary man, broad muscular build with kind weathered face, small bright blue eyes, large bulbous nose, wide friendly smile showing slightly crooked teeth, thick bushy brown eyebrows, messy tangled dark brown hair falling past his shoulders, long unkempt beard, wearing a patchwork tunic made of mismatched fabrics in earthy browns and greens, large leather belt with oversized brass buckle, torn hem reaching mid-calf, massive bare feet with thick calloused soles, carrying a rough-hewn wooden club resting casually over one shoulder, relaxed posture with head slightly tilted in a curious manner, soft warm lighting, whimsical storybook illustration style with gentle painterly textures and muted fantasy color palette. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature
Prince ○ minor
Of noble bearing
Attire: Richly decorated clothing befitting his status
Impressed, decisive
Image Prompt & Upload
A young prince in his mid-teens with a slender build, wearing a royal blue velvet tunic with silver embroidery at the collar and cuffs, dark trousers, and polished black boots. His hair is short and neatly combed, and he has a calm, noble expression with a slight smile. He stands upright with one hand resting lightly on his hip, exuding quiet confidence. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Talking Bird ◆ supporting
Exotic plumage, intelligent eyes
Wise, observant
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, brightly colored parrot with vibrant emerald green and sapphire blue feathers, perched upright on a gnarled branch. Its head is slightly tilted, with one intelligent, dark eye gazing directly forward. A few long, elegant tail feathers trail down. Its beak is a strong, curved shape, suggesting a capacity for speech. The posture is alert and curious, chest puffed out slightly. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Small Cottage
A small, shared dwelling where the siblings lived together in close affection.
Mood: warm, loving, familial
The siblings initially decide to work hard and build a palace.
Image Prompt & Upload
At dusk, a small, thatched-roof cottage sits nestled in a sun-dappled clearing. Warm, golden light glows from its crooked windows, illuminating the cozy interior. The stone walls are covered in climbing ivy and fragrant jasmine. A well-trodden path leads to a round, blue-painted door, slightly ajar. Surrounding the cottage is a lush, slightly overgrown garden with blooming foxgloves, lavender, and a vegetable patch. A hand-built wooden swing hangs from a large oak tree, and a pair of worn gardening gloves rests on a small bench. Fireflies begin to blink in the soft, twilight air, and the scent of woodsmoke and baking bread drifts from the chimney. The atmosphere is one of peaceful, lived-in comfort and gentle sibling camaraderie. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Splendid Palace with Church and Gardens
A beautiful palace, a large and beautiful church, vast gardens, and magnificent halls.
Mood: grand, impressive, admired
The siblings build the palace and church, attracting visitors from miles around.
Image Prompt & Upload
Golden sunset bathes a sprawling fairy-tale palace complex in warm, honeyed light. The main palace, built of pale limestone and rose marble, features soaring spires, domed towers, and ornate balconies dripping with ivy. To its side stands a grand cathedral with towering stained-glass windows and a magnificent bell tower. Vast, meticulously landscaped gardens surround the structures, with geometric hedges, blooming rose bushes, and gravel pathways leading to marble fountains. The sky is a gradient of soft peach and lavender, with a few wispy clouds. The atmosphere is serene, majestic, and magically still. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Mountain Covered with Stones
A mountain thickly covered with stones, making it difficult to walk. The stones mock and jeer at those who climb.
Mood: eerie, dangerous, treacherous
The siblings attempt to retrieve the water of life, talking bird, and tree of beauty, but are turned to stone.
Image Prompt & Upload
At dusk, a treacherous mountain path winds through a desolate slope thickly covered with countless jagged, slate-gray stones. The stones are piled in unnerving, anthropomorphic heaps, their sharp angles and shadows forming countless sneering, mocking faces under the cold, fading light. The atmosphere is heavy and hostile, with a low, purple sky threatening a storm. A biting wind whistles through the crevices, carrying the sound of distant, echoing whispers. The only vegetation is sparse, wind-blasted heather clinging to life between the cruel, jeering rocks. The scene is rendered in a palette of cold grays, deep purples, and muted, shadowy greens, with the last rays of a weak sun casting long, dramatic shadows that make the stone faces appear to shift and grimace. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Hollow at the Mountain Top
A hollow at the mountain top containing the pool of the water of life, the tree of beauty, and the talking bird.
Mood: magical, rewarding, serene
The sister retrieves the treasures and breaks the spell, freeing her brothers and others.
Image Prompt & Upload
At dawn, a hidden hollow at a jagged mountain peak cradles a pool of luminous, turquoise water that emits a soft, ethereal glow. Ancient, gnarled roots from a towering, silver-barked tree of beauty spiral around the pool's mossy edge, its leaves shimmering with iridescent gold and violet hues. A single, ornate feather rests on a smooth stone beside the water, hinting at the unseen talking bird. Wisps of mist curl over the surface, catching the first rays of sunrise, which paint the surrounding rocky cliffs in soft pink and amber. The air is still and reverent, filled with a serene, magical atmosphere. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
