Section 1
Once upon a time, there lived a miller who was happily married and enjoyed a comfortable life. With each passing year, their wealth and assets grew. However, fate had different plans. Their fortune took a turn for the worse, and their wealth dwindled each passing year until the miller was left with almost nothing, barely able to retain ownership of the mill where he lived. Overwhelmed with distress, he found it difficult to rest at night as worries plagued his mind.
One morning, the miller woke up before dawn and went outside, hoping the fresh air would ease the burden on his heart. While walking across the mill dam, he caught sight of the first rays of sunlight and heard a soft rippling sound emanating from the pond.
As he turned to look, he was astonished to see a beautiful woman emerging from the water. With her delicate hands, she held up her long hair that cascaded down her body, covering her pure white skin. The miller immediately recognized her as the nixie of the pond and was so terrified that he was unsure whether to flee or stay put. But the nixie spoke with a gentle voice, calling out to him by name and inquiring about his sadness. Although initially, the miller was speechless, upon hearing the nixie's kind words, he found the courage to open up and share his tale of woe. He spoke of how he had once enjoyed a life of abundance and prosperity but now found himself in such dire poverty that he was at a loss for what to do.
"Do not worry," reassured the nixie. "I will make you wealthier and happier than you ever thought possible. However, you must promise to give me the first thing that is born in your home. "The miller pondered to himself, "What could that be other than a newborn puppy or kitten?" With that, he agreed to fulfill the nixie's demand.
The nixie submerged herself back into the water, leaving the miller feeling consoled and in good spirits. He made his way back to his mill with lifted spirits. He had not yet reached his home when his maid emerged from the front door, calling out to him with great excitement. She announced that his wife had given birth to a baby boy.
The miller stood there in shock as if struck by lightning. He could see that the crafty nixie had been aware of his wife's pregnancy and had deceived him. With his head bowed low, he made his way to his wife's bedside. When she asked him why he was not overjoyed with the birth of their son, he explained to her what had happened and the promise he had made to the nixie.
"What good is wealth and prosperity," he said, "if I have to give up my child? But what choice do I have?"
Even the relatives who had come to offer their congratulations did not know what to advise. Meanwhile, fortune smiled upon the miller's household once again. He found success in all his ventures. It was as if his trunks and strongboxes filled up on their own, and as if his money multiplied overnight. Soon, his wealth exceeded even its previous heights. However, this prosperity did not bring him peace of mind, for his deal with the nixie weighed heavily on his conscience. Every time he passed by the pond, he was afraid of the possibility that the nixie might appear and demand her payment.
He always warned his son never to approach the water. "Be careful," he would say, "if you touch the water, a hand might appear and pull you in." But as time went on, and the nixie did not show herself again, the miller started to feel more relaxed.
The young lad matured into a grown man and was trained as an apprentice to a skilled huntsman. After mastering the craft, the lord of the settlement offered him a position in his service. Within the village, there resided a stunning and loyal maiden who captured the huntsman's heart. Upon realizing his affection for her, his lord gifted him a small house. The couple wedded and lived harmoniously, and loved each other sincerely.
On a particular day, the huntsman was in pursuit of a deer. The animal dashed out of the forest and scampered across an exposed field. Determined, the huntsman chased after it and eventually succeeded in bringing it down with a precise shot.
Unaware of his proximity to the perilous millpond, he proceeded to clean his blood-soaked hands after skinning the deer. Unluckily, he failed to notice the lurking danger and dipped his hands into the water. In an instant, the nixie emerged from the pond, giggling mischievously. Before he could react, she enveloped him with her dripping arms and dragged him into the depths, causing waves to crash over him.
