[Contents]The Wood and the Sea Nymphs.1Both wood nymphs and sea nymphs belong to the giant family, and thus are related.They often hold communication with each other, although the wood nymphs always hold themselves a little above their cousins, which frequently occasions differences between them.A peasant, lying in the woods on the shores of Lake Ömmeln, heard early one morning voices at the lake side engaged in vehement conversation. Conjecturing that it was the wood nymphs and sea nymphs quarreling, he crept through the underbrush to a spot near where they sat, and listened to the following dialogue:Sea Nymph—“You shall not say that you are better than I, for I have five golden halls and fifty silver cans in each hall.”Wood Nymph—“I have a mountain which is three miles long and six thousand feet high, and under that mountain is another, ten times higher and formed entirely of bones of the people I have killed.”When the peasant heard this he became so alarmed[137]that he ran a league away, without stopping. Thus he did not learn which was victorious, but it was the wood nymphs without doubt, as they have always been a little superior to the others.[138]1The wood nymph dwells in large forests, and is described as a beautiful young woman, when seen face to face; but if her back be turned to one it is hollow, like a dough-trough, or resembles a block stub. Sometimes, instead of a hollow back, she is adorned with a bushy fox tail. The sea nymph dwells, as indicated by the name, at the bottom of seas and lakes, and is clad in a skirt so snow-white that it sparkles in the sunlight. Over the skirt she wears a light blue jacket. Usually her appearance is the forerunner of a storm; she is then seen sitting upon a billow combing her golden hair.↑
[Contents]The Wood and the Sea Nymphs.1Both wood nymphs and sea nymphs belong to the giant family, and thus are related.They often hold communication with each other, although the wood nymphs always hold themselves a little above their cousins, which frequently occasions differences between them.A peasant, lying in the woods on the shores of Lake Ömmeln, heard early one morning voices at the lake side engaged in vehement conversation. Conjecturing that it was the wood nymphs and sea nymphs quarreling, he crept through the underbrush to a spot near where they sat, and listened to the following dialogue:Sea Nymph—“You shall not say that you are better than I, for I have five golden halls and fifty silver cans in each hall.”Wood Nymph—“I have a mountain which is three miles long and six thousand feet high, and under that mountain is another, ten times higher and formed entirely of bones of the people I have killed.”When the peasant heard this he became so alarmed[137]that he ran a league away, without stopping. Thus he did not learn which was victorious, but it was the wood nymphs without doubt, as they have always been a little superior to the others.[138]1The wood nymph dwells in large forests, and is described as a beautiful young woman, when seen face to face; but if her back be turned to one it is hollow, like a dough-trough, or resembles a block stub. Sometimes, instead of a hollow back, she is adorned with a bushy fox tail. The sea nymph dwells, as indicated by the name, at the bottom of seas and lakes, and is clad in a skirt so snow-white that it sparkles in the sunlight. Over the skirt she wears a light blue jacket. Usually her appearance is the forerunner of a storm; she is then seen sitting upon a billow combing her golden hair.↑
The Wood and the Sea Nymphs.1
Both wood nymphs and sea nymphs belong to the giant family, and thus are related.They often hold communication with each other, although the wood nymphs always hold themselves a little above their cousins, which frequently occasions differences between them.A peasant, lying in the woods on the shores of Lake Ömmeln, heard early one morning voices at the lake side engaged in vehement conversation. Conjecturing that it was the wood nymphs and sea nymphs quarreling, he crept through the underbrush to a spot near where they sat, and listened to the following dialogue:Sea Nymph—“You shall not say that you are better than I, for I have five golden halls and fifty silver cans in each hall.”Wood Nymph—“I have a mountain which is three miles long and six thousand feet high, and under that mountain is another, ten times higher and formed entirely of bones of the people I have killed.”When the peasant heard this he became so alarmed[137]that he ran a league away, without stopping. Thus he did not learn which was victorious, but it was the wood nymphs without doubt, as they have always been a little superior to the others.[138]
Both wood nymphs and sea nymphs belong to the giant family, and thus are related.
They often hold communication with each other, although the wood nymphs always hold themselves a little above their cousins, which frequently occasions differences between them.
A peasant, lying in the woods on the shores of Lake Ömmeln, heard early one morning voices at the lake side engaged in vehement conversation. Conjecturing that it was the wood nymphs and sea nymphs quarreling, he crept through the underbrush to a spot near where they sat, and listened to the following dialogue:
Sea Nymph—“You shall not say that you are better than I, for I have five golden halls and fifty silver cans in each hall.”
Wood Nymph—“I have a mountain which is three miles long and six thousand feet high, and under that mountain is another, ten times higher and formed entirely of bones of the people I have killed.”
When the peasant heard this he became so alarmed[137]that he ran a league away, without stopping. Thus he did not learn which was victorious, but it was the wood nymphs without doubt, as they have always been a little superior to the others.[138]
1The wood nymph dwells in large forests, and is described as a beautiful young woman, when seen face to face; but if her back be turned to one it is hollow, like a dough-trough, or resembles a block stub. Sometimes, instead of a hollow back, she is adorned with a bushy fox tail. The sea nymph dwells, as indicated by the name, at the bottom of seas and lakes, and is clad in a skirt so snow-white that it sparkles in the sunlight. Over the skirt she wears a light blue jacket. Usually her appearance is the forerunner of a storm; she is then seen sitting upon a billow combing her golden hair.↑
1The wood nymph dwells in large forests, and is described as a beautiful young woman, when seen face to face; but if her back be turned to one it is hollow, like a dough-trough, or resembles a block stub. Sometimes, instead of a hollow back, she is adorned with a bushy fox tail. The sea nymph dwells, as indicated by the name, at the bottom of seas and lakes, and is clad in a skirt so snow-white that it sparkles in the sunlight. Over the skirt she wears a light blue jacket. Usually her appearance is the forerunner of a storm; she is then seen sitting upon a billow combing her golden hair.↑
1The wood nymph dwells in large forests, and is described as a beautiful young woman, when seen face to face; but if her back be turned to one it is hollow, like a dough-trough, or resembles a block stub. Sometimes, instead of a hollow back, she is adorned with a bushy fox tail. The sea nymph dwells, as indicated by the name, at the bottom of seas and lakes, and is clad in a skirt so snow-white that it sparkles in the sunlight. Over the skirt she wears a light blue jacket. Usually her appearance is the forerunner of a storm; she is then seen sitting upon a billow combing her golden hair.↑
1The wood nymph dwells in large forests, and is described as a beautiful young woman, when seen face to face; but if her back be turned to one it is hollow, like a dough-trough, or resembles a block stub. Sometimes, instead of a hollow back, she is adorned with a bushy fox tail. The sea nymph dwells, as indicated by the name, at the bottom of seas and lakes, and is clad in a skirt so snow-white that it sparkles in the sunlight. Over the skirt she wears a light blue jacket. Usually her appearance is the forerunner of a storm; she is then seen sitting upon a billow combing her golden hair.↑