The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

A symbolic fairy tale exploring sacrifice, enlightenment, and the connection between divided worlds. Through mystery and allegory, the story follows a green snake's transformation and the reunion of lovers across a river, celebrating the enduring power of love.

Summary up to 500 words

In Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's *The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily*, an ancient ferryman refuses a fortune in gold from two Will-o'-wisps, fearing the river cannot tolerate such wealth. Instead, he accepts vegetables. The gold falls into a chasm where a green snake consumes it, becoming luminous and transparent. Seeking a companion, the snake meets the wisps and learns of a beautiful Lily living on the opposite bank. The ferryman explains that the river is impassable at night for the wisps, but the snake can act as a bridge at noon, or the shadow of a giant can carry them at nightfall. The snake becomes a living bridge, allowing the wisps to reach the Lily's garden. There, a woman reveals her hand is blackening and shrinking due to a debt to the river. She gifts the Lily an onyx pug, which comes to life. The Lily mourns the death of her canary, killed by a hawk. The snake confirms that the prophecy of the bridge is fulfilled, describing the riverbed transforming into a transparent, precious stone arch. The ferryman's cottage is lifted from the earth, revealing a temple within. Inside, the ferryman, the woman, and a youth are transformed into kings of gold, silver, and brass, respectively. The youth, initially deformed and sorrowful, is transformed by the Lily's touch, gaining wisdom, strength, and beauty. He realizes that while Wisdom, Appearance, and Strength rule the world, Love is the fourth and most certain power. The temple rises to become a grand bridge connecting the riverbanks, and the giant's shadow becomes a sundial. The lovers unite, and the world is transformed by love. The story concludes with the ferryman and the woman reunited, the giant's shadow serving a useful purpose, and the bridge bustling with travelers, celebrating the triumph of love and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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