The Three Heads Of The Well
English Fairy Tale
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Once upon a time, in a peaceful kingdom nestled between green hills and deep forests, there lived a wise and aging king. He ruled with fairness and was dearly loved by his people. His greatest joy was his daughter, a gentle and kind-hearted girl who had grown up without her mother, the late queen. The two were very close, and the king cherished her above all.
As the years passed and the king grew older, he began to worry, not only about the future of his kingdom but about his daughter’s readiness for the world. “She has known only comfort,” he thought. “But true wisdom comes from experience.”
One evening, he spoke to her gently. “My dearest,” he said, “the world is wide and full of lessons. I believe it’s time you step beyond these walls, not as a princess, but as yourself. Serve, learn, and grow. And trust that your heart will guide you.”
The princess was surprised, but she trusted her father and understood his wish. So, with a cloak around her shoulders and a small bundle of food, she set out on the road, her spirit light and her heart brave.
Before long, she came upon an old, weary man resting beside a mossy hedge. His beard was tangled, his eyes tired.
“Good morning, sir,” she said kindly. “May I offer you some food?” He looked up, surprised. “Child, that would be a blessing.”
She shared her bread without hesitation. The man accepted it gratefully and then reached into his coat, pulling out a small wooden wand.
“Take this,” he said. “It will guide you when you reach the woods. And when you come to the well, do not be frightened by what you see. Do what is asked, and you will be rewarded.” The princess thanked him and continued on her way.
That evening, she reached a deep forest, and soon a thick hedge blocked her path. Remembering the man’s gift, she waved the wand gently, and the hedge parted with a soft rustle, revealing a quiet trail. At the end of it stood a crooked gray cottage.
An old woman opened the door with a knowing smile. “You’ve been kind to the woods,” she said. “Are you looking for a place to stay?”
“I’m looking for work,” replied the princess. “Just a chance to help and learn.”
The woman nodded. “Then I have a task. In my garden lies a well. Each day, three heads rise from its water. Wash them, comb their hair, and speak kindly to them. Do this, and you will be rewarded.”
Though it sounded strange, the princess agreed.
The next morning, as dew glistened on the grass, she went to the well. Sure enough, three pale heads rose silently from the dark water. She wasn’t afraid. One by one, she washed them gently, combed their tangled hair, and spoke to them with kindness and warmth, as if they were dear friends.
For days, she repeated this with patience. Then one morning, the heads finally spoke.
“For your kindness,” said the first, “you shall grow more beautiful every day.”
“For your care,” said the second, “your voice shall charm all who hear it.”
“And for your gentleness,” said the third, “you shall marry a king.”
The heads sank quietly beneath the surface, and the princess, though unsure whether she had dreamed it, returned to her work.
Not long after, a young king rode past the cottage while hunting. He paused when he heard a sweet voice singing to the birds. Captivated, he followed the sound. When he saw her, he was struck by her beauty and grace. He asked her to marry him then and there, beneath the apple tree, and the princess, surprised and joyful, said yes.
Their wedding was filled with light and laughter. The people loved her at once, and she became a queen not only by title, but by spirit.
But back at her father’s palace, an ambitious noble advisor to the king and his proud and spoiled daughter heard of the princess’ good fortune. The noble’s daughter was furious with jealousy.
“If she could find fortune wandering the woods, so can I,” she declared. Her father, ever eager for status, agreed and sent her on the same path. But her journey unfolded quite differently.
When she met the old man by the hedge, she scoffed. “Get your own food, old beggar,” she said, and stormed past.
At the woods, she pushed and kicked the hedge, not caring for its secrets. And when the old woman at the cottage offered her a task, she rolled her eyes.
“Wash floating heads? Disgusting. But fine. I’ll do it.”
At the well, the heads rose—but she yanked their hair, splashed water in their faces, and mocked them cruelly.
The heads watched her in silence. Then each one spoke.
“For your rudeness,” said the first, “you shall grow uglier by the day.”
“For your cruelty,” said the second, “your voice shall rasp like thorns.”
“And for your scorn,” said the third, “you shall marry a man who sees your heart and finds it lacking.”
The wicked girl ran back to her father, her beauty fading, her voice shrill and harsh. Soon, a cruel man from a nearby court came seeking a wife. He was known for his cold heart and sharp tongue. The advisor, desperate to hide his daughter’s failures, pushed her into marriage.
And so she left and went into a life of shadows and silence.
As for the kind princess, she ruled beside her husband with wisdom and grace. She welcomed the weary, listened to the lowly, and taught her children that kindness is a strength, not a weakness.
The well remained deep in the woods, quiet and waiting for the next gentle heart who might find it.
Source: Annie, Flora. English Fairy Tales Retold by Flora Annie Steel. Macmillan & Co. , 1918. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/17034/pg17034-images.html#THE_THREE_HEADS_OF_THE_WELL