The Mysterious Well: A Tale of Courage, Greed, and Redemption

Tale of Courage, Greed, and Redemption | Retold by TaleTreasury

Long ago, near the towering slopes of Mount Chenoua, stood a quiet village built upon the crumbling ruins of the ancient Roman city of Cherchell. At the mountain’s foot, nestled among the shadows of forgotten stones, lay a well—its depths dark and unfathomable. The villagers knew it by a name whispered in fear: The Mysterious Well.

For generations, a chilling tale surrounded the well. It was said that with every full moon, a sorrowful woman would emerge from its depths, her cries and wails echoing through the night until the first light of dawn. The well’s waters, although abundant, carried a deadly curse. Any man or animal who dared to drink from it would soon suffer a horrifying fate—skin turned blue, and long, sharp spines would sprout from their bodies, growing relentlessly until the victim could no longer move, eat, or even breathe.

Because of this, the well was both a source of fascination and terror. The villagers kept their distance, as did their livestock, instinctively avoiding the cursed waters.

The Drought and the Brave Orphan

One year, a devastating drought scorched the land. Every well in the village dried up, the soil cracked, trees withered, and cattle perished from thirst. Only the Mysterious Well still flowed—clear, cold, and seemingly inviting. Desperation spread, and the village elders gathered in search of a solution. They decided that someone had to confront the well’s guardian under the full moon and plead for mercy.

No one volunteered—until a frail yet courageous orphan named Salman stepped forward.

“I have no family,” Salman said, “If I perish, no one will mourn me. But if I succeed, I might save us all.”

Grateful yet fearful, the villagers blessed Salman’s bravery. As the full moon rose, he set off alone to the well. His legs grew heavier with each step, but his resolve remained firm. To keep himself awake through the night, he softly hummed and trailed his hand through the icy water.

“Tell me, Well,” he sang, “what is your secret? Why do you flow while our lands wither away?”

Suddenly, the waters shimmered and transformed—gushing with gold, silver, pearls, and emeralds. Terrified, Salman cried out, “I don’t want treasure! I just want water to save my people!”

In that instant, a radiant woman arose from the well. She was beautiful beyond words, her robe glimmering with colors and a fragrance of fresh blossoms surrounding her.

“Welcome, Salman,” she said warmly. “Take this treasure; no one will see you. Leave your suffering village and build a grand life in the city.”

But Salman shook his head. “I cannot abandon my people. I love my village too dearly to leave them thirsty and dying.”

The woman smiled, touched by his sincerity. “You are unlike the others. Very well—you may take water from my well for three months without harm. Return then, and we shall speak again.”

Salman thanked her profoundly and returned to the village with joyous news. The river flowed once more, clear and safe, and to prove it, Salman was the first to drink. The village celebrated his bravery with feasts and music.

The Greedy Villager

Yet not all hearts were pure. An old, miserly man named Hatek, despised for his cruelty and greed, hatched a wicked plan. Hearing Salman’s tale, he decided to claim the well’s treasure for himself. On the next full moon, Hatek trudged to the well with heavy sacks, pretending to sing like Salman.

Again, the well burst forth with riches, and the guardian appeared.

“So, Hatek,” she said coldly. “Do you seek this treasure? Know that taking it will poison the waters, killing all who drink.”

Hatek sneered. “I don’t care about them. I want the treasure!”

The guardian, angered, told him to take what he wished and leave. Greedily, he filled his sacks and hurried toward the city, dreaming of power and luxury.

But fate had other plans.

On his journey, Hatek’s body began to ache, his feet turning blue, spines sprouting painfully from his skin. Panicked, he sought doctors and healers, offering gold—but when he opened his sacks, he found only sand and stones. The doctors, furious, beat him and cast him out. He returned to his village, broken and grotesque, his spines growing so long no one could help him. He died alone, a pitiful example of greed’s price.

The Guardian’s Sorrow and Redemption

Once again, the well turned poisonous, and the villagers despaired. Salman, unwilling to give up, promised to seek the guardian’s mercy once more. On the full moon, he returned, softly singing until the woman emerged—but this time, her voice was filled with fury.

“Leave, Salman! I’ve lost faith in humankind. You’re all alike!”

Salman, his heart heavy, pleaded. “Why do you hate us so deeply? Please, tell me your pain.”

With sorrow, she revealed her past—once a princess, the daughter of the King of the Genies, she had fallen in love with a human. Though her father warned that the man only sought her future wealth—her body would turn to gold and silver after death—she married him, blinded by love.

But her father’s fears proved true. When she became pregnant, the man led her to the well under the pretense of a surprise. There, he stabbed her, killing both her and her unborn child, then escaped with her transformed body of treasure. Her soul, and that of her child, remained trapped within the well.

Salman wept. “I’m sorry for your pain. If it would ease your suffering, take my life.”

The woman gazed at him with soft eyes. “You are different, Salman. You’ve reminded me that good humans still exist. I forgive your people. The well shall be pure once more.”

With that, the guardian’s spirit ascended to the heavens, finally at peace. The well’s curse was lifted, the water clean and nourishing. The villagers thrived again, forever grateful to Salman—the orphan who proved that courage and compassion could heal even the deepest wounds.

Moral of the Story

Greed leads to ruin, but kindness, selflessness, and sincerity can mend even the most broken hearts.