Long, long ago, there lived in a village a young farmer named Henry. He was very handsome and the object of many village girls' admiration.
But he had no interest in the girls around him, because he always imagined himself as a knight. He would defeat demons, save a princess cursed by demons, win her heart, and marry her.
Such fantasies never left him and eventually became Henry's purpose in life. His father had wanted to find him a suitable girl so he could settle down, but Henry did not want to marry a village girl. Beautiful Princess was all he could think about.
His parents were furious, and the people around him could not understand him either. So Henry left his hometown to seek the princess of his dreams.
He sang pleasant ballads as he traveled, crossing golden fields until he finally heard beautiful singing beside a pond.
Following the sound, he saw a lovely young woman feeding geese with breadcrumbs from her hand.
"She must be a princess," Henry thought. "Only a princess could have such a beautiful voice."
He was so engrossed in listening that he failed to watch where he was going.
"Ah!"
Henry looked down and found that he had stepped on a water sprite's hand.
"Watch where you're going, boy!"
"I'm sorry." Henry hurriedly apologized to the water sprite.
The water sprite rubbed his webbed hand and continued listening to the girl sing.
"Who is she?" Henry asked the water sprite.
"She is the miller's daughter, Elisa."
"She isn't a princess?" Henry said with some disappointment.
"Even if she is not a princess, she is more lovable than any princess. She is hardworking and kind, simple and beautiful," the water sprite said proudly.
Henry was a little disappointed, because he had been looking for