Crosses Quote by Jacques Roumain
“The old men of the village of Mahotière say that the Mistress of the Water is a mulatto woman. At midnight she comes out of the spring and sings while combing her dripping long hair, which makes a sound sweeter than a violin. It is a song of perdition for whomever hears it. There is no sign of the Cross, no "Our Father" to save him. Her curse takes him like a fish in a net and the Mistress of the Water awaits him on the edge of the spring and smiles upon him and tells him to follow her to the depths, from which he will never return.”
About This Quote
A haunting legend warns that alluring temptations can ensnare listeners, leading them to a fatal, inescapable fate absent any divine rescue.
In simple terms: Beware seductive dangers that trap souls.
Key Takeaway
Allure can be lethal.
Themes
myth
temptation
danger
spirituality
Mood
eerie
ominous
Type
mythical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- storytelling sessions
- cultural analysis
- psychological study
Key Concepts
water spirit
curse
folk tale
Practical Applications
- writing horror fiction
- teaching folklore
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the water spirit symbolize?
- How do myths shape cultural fears?
A Different Perspective
Some view the tale as a metaphor for personal weakness rather than a literal curse.
![“[The Community's] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it is always upon nothingness that God is pleased to rear His works. If at any day we accomplish some good here, the glory will certainly be His alone, since…” quote by Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b8/theodore-guerin-54729_accomplish_the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give_7176.jpg)
