Arabelle and Nixie

Contributed by georgelondon on 12/02/10

Once upon a time, on the edge of a low cliff, just outside of a little village by the sea there was a woman who lived in a small cottage. Her name was Arabelle, which means ‘beautiful eagle’ and though she had lived for many years in the same place, and though many handsome men asked for her hand, she had never married nor had children of her own.

But Arabelle loved her life in her cottage by the sea. She grew vegetables for herself in her small garden and taught music and reading to the children of the nearby villagers in exchange for the things that she couldn’t grow or make herself. And each day she would rise with the sun and dance down the moss-covered path, where she would kick off her golden slippers and leap the final few feet to the beach to run barefoot through the sand. And my, how she ran! Her long hair would shine in the morning light and her gown would trail out behind her like the wings of an angel!

One morning when she returned from her run, her face flushed, her eyes full of joy, and her slippers in her hand, she found that she had company. For there, sitting on the old rocking chair by the rose bush was a slender figure no more than eighteen inches tall, with skin that shimmied like a waterfall. And this figure wore a look of such love and hope on her face that Arabelle knew that whatever help she might ask of her, she would be honoured to give freely.

“Good morning Arabelle,” said the stranger with a song in her voice, “How did you enjoy your run this morning? Isn’t it a magnificent day?”

“Good morning honoured guest,” replied Arabelle “It is a beautiful day to be sure. Would you care to take some tea? I have been drying some leaves and they should be perfect now.”

The water sprite (for that’s what the strange creature was) told Arabelle she would be honoured to taste some of her tea, and the two beautiful strangers spent the morning in each others company, laughing and exchanging news from far and near, for although the water sprite had been born nearby, she had been travelling in distant lands for many years. And as the sun passed its peak and the evening began to draw in, the two became hungry and the water sprite offered to provide supper.

With the fresh fish grilling over an open fire, Nixie (for that was the water sprite’s name) began to explain the purpose of her visit.

“Many years ago,” she begun “I visited your mother like this and we shared a day together from the rising of the sun til its setting that evening. She was as beautiful as you are, and just as kind and patient. For you see, I am a water sprite, do you know what that is?”

Arabelle admitted that she didn’t and Nixie explained that most of the time, a water sprite was unable to walk on the ground or eat food and drink tea, or even laugh because if you laugh underwater even a water sprite can drown. But when the stars lined up a certain way, which didn’t happen often, they were able to leave the water and spend a day amongst people.

When this rare day came, Nixie liked to spend it in good company and as a thank-you, she would give a magical gift to the kind person who had generously shared their life with her.

“Well what a beautiful story!” Exclaimed Arabelle, for she loved gifts and had begun to get excited by what the sprite was suggesting. “And are you truly a water sprite?”

Nixie smiled at Arabelle and so wide and infectious was her mood, it was as if the sun had climbed higher into the sky.

“Before I ask what you desire, I wanted to tell you something about your mother, for I knew your mother before you were born. She and your father had been hoping for a child for many years and when I visited them, they had only just discovered that you would be arriving. They were as generous with me then as you have been today, sharing what little they owned with me and opening their hearts and telling me their dreams. She loved you with such fire even before you arrived.”

As her guest talked about her parents, Arabelle’s breath caught in her throat for it had been many years since they had died. Nixie held her hand softly and asked if she could imagine what her mother asked for as a gift.

“She asked me, like you did earlier, if I was truly a magical being. Do you believe me Arabelle?”

“There is no doubt in my heart that you are the most magical being I have ever met! But please, tell me, what did she ask for herself?”

“I could have granted her wealth or a long life or many beautiful children but she asked nothing for herself. Your mother had a touch of magic in her veins herself, did you know that? She knew that she would not live to be an old woman and that her daughter (for she knew you were to be a girl) would live alone for much of her life.

So when I offered her a gift, she asked me for a pair of golden slippers that would fit her daughter when she was fully grown. And she asked me to bless the slippers so that you would walk lightly and always have a dance in your step and love in your heart.

And now, before the sun sets it’s time for me to grant your gift. What would you ask from me?”

With her eyes full of sunshine and tears, Arabelle returned the beautiful stranger’s smile and asked for new soles for her golden slippers.