In the darkness of the forest he saw her, and whispered…
““In the darkness of the forest he saw her, and whispered her name, Melusina, and at that summoning she rose out of the water and he saw that she was a woman of cool and complete beauty to the waist, and below that she was scaled, like a fish. She promised him that she would come to him and be his wife, she promised him that she would make him as happy as a mortal woman can, she promised him that she would curb her wild side, her tidal nature, that she would be an ordinary wife to him, a wife that he could be proud of; if he in return would let her have a time when she could be herself again, when she could return to her element of water, when she could wash away the drudgery of a woman’s lot and be, for just a little while, a water goddess once more. She knew that being a mortal woman is hard on the heart, hard on the feet. She knew that she would need to be alone in the water, under the water, the ripples reflected on her scaly tail now and then. He promised her that he would give her everything, everything she wanted, as men in love always do. And she trusted him despite herself, as women in love always do.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A mythical lover promises to balance his love with her need for freedom, highlighting compromise in relationships.
In simple terms: Love requires respect for each partner's true nature.
Key Takeaway
Seek balance between partnership and personal identity.
Themes
love
compromise
identity
Mood
romantic
thoughtful
Type
narrative
inspirational
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- creative writing
- relationship workshops
Key Concepts
mythical beings
gender roles
Questions to Reflect On
- How can partners honor each other's individuality?
- What limits exist in compromising personal nature?
A Different Perspective
Idealized promises may ignore real power dynamics.