Once upon a time in the village of Enveitg, there was a handsome guy who went every morning to lead his many cattle to the mountains: Pastor was his name. Love had never tormented his heart. One day he was walking along a deserted path, carrying a bag of millet intended for his flock, when, having stopped to catch his breath in the middle of the heather, he saw three young girls of rare beauty who were humming Catalan songs. .
The fairies of Enveitg
Pastor did not know them, but, already charmed, he asked and obtained permission to keep them company: one of them with almost golden blond hair that fell over his shoulders, particularly pleased him. At her side he walked for a long time as in a dream, and confessed his desire to marry her; he was rich, owner of numerous herds and very esteemed in the country. A burst of laughter greeted his advances.
— “I admire your audacity,” said the young stranger. To obtain my hand you must appear before me neither fasting nor full; neither dressed nor naked; neither on foot nor on horseback. »
And in front of the poor boy, astounded and perplexed, the three young girls disappeared as if by magic behind a bush. Pastor continued on his way, obsessed by the mocking laughter that still rang in his ears, seeking in vain the solution to the bizarre problem that had just been posed to him, but determined to try everything to become the husband of the attractive blonde.
The same evening he went to consult a good old woman who provided potions, told her of his adventure and asked her advice: “The three young girls you met,” the old woman told him, “are fairies. To fulfill the conditions that one of them imposed on you, you will put three grains of barley in your mouth, you will cover your body with a net and you will take a goat for your mount. Follow my advice and the beauty will be yours. »
Pastor followed these instructions which perfectly met the requirements of the encantada and went to the meeting: the fairy who was waiting for him could not suppress a cry of astonishment and cursed the old woman who had advised him.
— “Well, that’s my word,” she said; faithful to my promise I agree to marry you, but listen carefully to my recommendations and promise me to take them into account.
- I promise.
— We will go and live in your house in Enveitg; On the way, you will hear an infernal noise behind you, but you will be careful not to turn around out of curiosity, because that would be the collapse of your fortune.
— I won't turn around.
— Whatever I do, no matter how passionate you are, never say to me: Ja no sérias doua de fum ni dona d'aygua (You can only be a woman of smoke or a woman of water), because fairies should not be called by their name.
- It's heard. »
The marriage was then concluded and this good news brought joy to the inhabitants of the hamlet of Brangoly; the cheerful chime which announced the nuptial mass was the signal for public rejoicings. After mass the two spouses headed towards Enveitg. And this was the first test for Pastor to undergo.
His house was preceded by a vast courtyard in which the wheat was plowed. When he entered the courtyard, he heard a deafening noise behind him: the tumult of the bells mingled with the neighing of the horses pawing, the bleating of the sheep, the lowing of the bulls and the oxen. It seemed as if all the livestock in the village had gathered together, tearing the air with discordant sounds.
The temptation was too strong, and, despite his wife's recommendations, driven by the same curiosity that led Luth to be transformed into a statue of salt, Pastor also turned around and destroyed the charm. He saw a courtyard half filled with cattle being driven by young shepherds; there were more than he had ever seen. But the entrance gate closed suddenly, blocking the way for the numerous horses, oxen and sheep who were ready to cross the threshold.
The two spouses, however, lived happily ever after and discord never came to disturb their tranquility: two charming little girls strengthened the ties that united Pastor and his wife. Four years after the marriage, in the month of May, Pastor left his family to bring back to Enveitg some herds which were grazing in Spain since the start of winter.
During his absence, his wife feared a violent hailstorm and took precautions to harvest quickly: in a few days the wheat was cut and transported to the granaries, to the great astonishment of all the neighbors who laughed.
On his return, Pastor was in despair to see his fields prematurely mown and his granaries full of sheaves still green. Without giving his wife time to explain, he insulted her harshly:
— “Ja no serias dona de fum ni dona d’aygua,” he cried.
For the second time Pastor lied about his promise. The fairy immediately disappeared through the chimney of the house. The next day came a violent storm which destroyed all the crops in the country. Pastor considered himself blessed to have his granaries full, thanks to the clairvoyance of his wife: he then saw the full extent of his misfortune and bitterly repented of having addressed the fatal words to the beneficent fairy.
She, however, did not abandon her daughters: Twice a week she went to their room, without Pastor's knowledge, and cleaned them, then disappeared, advising them not to betray her. But the two little girls couldn't help talking to their father about this visit:
— “As soon as your mother returns,” Pastor recommended, “you will sew your skirts securely to hers and you will call me. »
They obeyed and Pastor, informed, entered the room, thinking he would see his wife again.
— “Where is she,” he said to his daughters?
— Father, she is there undoing her dress. »
But he opened his eyes in vain: he saw no human form, because the fairy had just disappeared forever...
This fable proves that happiness is not lasting and that man is often the architect of his own unhappiness.
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