The Nixie of the Mill-Pond
A miller's son is captured by a water spirit; his wife rescues him.
"The Nixie of the Mill-Pond" (German: "Die Nixe im Teich") is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm and published in their 1857 edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales as tale number 181. The story follows a miller who rashly promises his newborn son to a water spirit, the nixie, and the son's wife who undertakes a series of magical tasks to rescue him. It is classified as Aarne-Thompson Type 316, "The Nix of the Mill-Pond," a tale type common in Northern Europe with variants recorded in Scotland.
Quick Facts
- Folk Tale Name
- The Nixie of the Mill-Pond
- Country
- German
- Aarne-Thompson Grouping
- 316
- Published In
- Grimms' Fairy Tales
- Region
- Upper Lusatia
- Related
- The Mermaid and the Boy
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The wife rescues her husband by completing three impossible tasks set by the nixie, after which they return home and live happily ever after.
Reader's Guide
The tale is significant as an example of Aarne-Thompson Type 316, a narrative pattern where a child is promised to a supernatural adversary and later rescued by a spouse. Its inclusion in the Brothers Grimm's 1857 collection, with a note that it was current in Upper Lusatia, preserves a regional variant of a widespread Northern European folk motif. Andrew Lang's version in The Yellow Fairy Book, sourced from Hermann Kletke, helped introduce the story to an English-speaking audience. The tale's structure—three magical objects, a full-moon setting, and a delayed recognition—echoes other Type 316 stories like "The Mermaid and the Boy" and "The Sea-Maiden." Adaptations, including a Hungarian television episode and a multimedia opera, demonstrate its enduring appeal in modern media.
Did You Know?
- Andrew Lang included a version in The Yellow Fairy Book, citing his source Hermann Kletke and titling it 'The Nixy.'
- A Hungarian variant was adapted into an episode of the television series Magyar népmesék ('Hungarian Folk Tales') with the title 'A víz tündére.'
- The Brothers Grimm collected the tale in their 1857 edition as tale number 181, noting it was current in Upper Lusatia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Nixie of the Mill-Pond?
She is a water spirit featured in a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm and published in their 1857 edition as tale number 181. The story, rooted in Upper Lusatian tradition, revolves around a miller who carelessly pledges his newborn child to her.
What role does The Nixie of the Mill-Pond play in her story?
She serves as the antagonist who seizes the miller's son after his father makes a rash promise to her. Her claim on the boy drives the entire plot, compelling his wife to complete a series of magical tasks to win him back.
Why is The Nixie of the Mill-Pond significant in folklore?
It belongs to Aarne-Thompson type 316, a narrative pattern found across Northern Europe with recorded variants as far afield as Scotland. Its inclusion in the Brothers Grimm's collection helped preserve the Upper Lusatian version for a wider audience.
Where else can I find The Nixie of the Mill-Pond?
Beyond the 1857 Grimm volume, the story was adapted into The Yellow Fairy Book under the title "The Nixy." It remains one of the more recognizable examples of the water-spirit abduction motif in German-language folklore.
More in Nixies 1-24
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