The water nymph

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived with her mother on a lonely country side. One day while going to the river to collect water she came across an old well. She had heard the old tales of water nymphs living in wells and if you brought something dear to your heart to the nymph they would grant one wish. As the little girl approached the well she smelled the fresh water and the moss that had grown, looking into the cold dark well she called out “hello water nymph, I have a question for you.” The little girl waited for a reply and just as she was about to leave she heard a light airy voice come from deep within the well. “Yes, what is it you wish to ask?” replied the nymph. The little girl leaned over the top and asked “if I bring you a gift would you grant my hearts deepest desire?” After a minute the nymph called back “if what you give is truly dearest to your heart.” Wishing with all her heart that she finally get a friend, she rushed home to get what she thought was her most prized possession. When the young girl came back to the well the nymph asked “what is it you have brought me?” The little girl held out an old doll that was falling at the seams. “I brought my favorite dolly. I named her Izzy.” As she was about to let the doll fall from her hand into the well the nymph said “that is not what I want.” So the little girl turned and left saying she would be back the next day with something else. Weeks and months passed with the nymph refusing all the gifts the little girl brought for her, the little girl finally decided to take the most important thing to her and her mother. Her father’s wedding band, old and dirty she held it in her palm. “This is the last thing I can offer.” Cried the little girl. “my father’s wedding ring, passed down from my great grandfather. Is this what my wish will cost?” the little girl questioned. From down in the well she heard “no that is still not what I want from you.” Answered the nymph. Giving up the little girl began to cry “all I want is a friend!” the girl cried “just someone to play with, to talk to.”. Thinking for a minute as she wiped her tears “will you be my friend water nymph?” she asked in a sad voice.  “yes, I will be your friend, I want your friendship!” cried the nymph. “people always want something from me and after they get it they leave, Never to return. I’m so lonely here by myself.” The little girl backed away from the well when she heard water rushing in the well, she then saw a small pale blue hand come out of the well. The water nymph was a little girl just like her and together they were never lonely again.