Reading Notes: The Princes and the Water Sprite (B)

 Source: The Princes and the Water Sprite

by Ellen C. Babbitt 

The king had three sons and instead of names they had titles like Stars, Sun, and Moon.

The king promises the queen any boon, which she remembers forever.

The queen wants the king to give the kingdom to their youngest son, which is not the usual way the kingdom is passed down. Usually the eldest son is the next in line for the king.

The king refused the boon and was afraid the mother would do something to the other sons so that the youngest could become king.

The king sadly sends the two older sons away to the forest until he dies, so that the mother could not hurt them.

The youngest brother wants to join them, so they all do into the forest.

The youngest son goes to the pond to bathe and get water for the brothers, however the water sprite than reigned over the bond had a question everyone must enter before touching the water.

The question: "What are the Good Fairies like?"

The prince did not know the answer so the water sprite took him to his cave as a captive.

The next eldest prince came looking for the brother and when he was asked the question, he also did not know the correct answer. 

The eldest brother then came to look for the other two, the water sprite disguised as a woodsman told him to get in the water, but could not fool the eldest brother.

The eldest brother answered the question correctly, and got to choose one brother to bring with him. He chose his youngest brother, and for that the water sprite brought him back both brothers. 

The brothers lived in peace of the forest until their father died, then they joined the kingdom and the eldest brother became king.

Water Sprite