Von Schonwerth’s “Anna Mayala:” Forbidden Love and Time Forever Lost

The beautiful Veri and Anna Mayala were in love, but she was poor, and her many suitors were grievous to them. But finally, they were to be married, and on that date imaginative “Crazy Veri” got a roebuck from the woods for the feast and was walking back to the village.

At a footbridge, his mind wandering, he noticed the moon had already risen, and its reflection shone in the water. He grew melancholy, and was drawn by sweet melodies. He saw a beautiful pair of legs, and a woman plopped on his shoulder. She looked into his eyes, saying he would forget his bride, but he went with her.

Some time later, Anna Mayala was to be married. She walked with her mother of the same name, and a wild man ran up to them, trying to take the bride, saying he’d been gone but he was the rightful groom. He was pushed away, and then seen in the town from time to time, until he was seen in the parson’s house, and then no more.

More time passed, and a Franciscan monk would come to the town occasionally, liking especially to stay with Anna Mayala and her husband. When her husband died, she realized who Veri was, and he told her his story. Down below, he’d had several children with his wife, but her feet were bound with ribbons, as were the childrens.’ He eventually discovered their webbed, clawed feet and wished for a normal child, and when it came it horrified the mermaids and they devoured it. At this, he cried out and was sent back to our world.

Later, when Anna Mayala died, Veri passed away kneeling at her bedside. Two white doves flew out of the window. When Anna’s daughter grieved out loud at the stream, the waters overflowed into the house and did not stop roiling until the priest sprinkled holy water. Receding, child corpses were left behind.

Every anniversary of Crazy Veri’s death, the stream overflows its banks, and the moon is no longer reflected in its waters.

Join us for this summary and discussion of the German tale of wildness, forbidden love, longing and lost time!

(From a discussion on Von Schönwerth’s “Anna Mayala”)

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