Crimean Legend - Seven wells

No one remembers by whom or when seven wells were dug in the steppe. People tell only how the water went away. There were already seven wells when an old German bought this land. In this waterless area it was such a custom that the master of the wells gave water to people free of charge. The old German did not break the custom and his farm was prospering. He brought up seven sons. Only the youngest son, Fritz, when he had grown up, began to reproach his father, asking why he was giving water free of charge when he could take money for it.

A misfortune struck the old German's family: one by one all six sons died, and only Fritz remained alive. The father was ready to do everything for him, but on one point he would not give in: he did not allow the wells to be closed to people.

The old German died. Fritz buried his father and first of all locked all seven wells.

- Anybody who wants some water must pay, - he declared.

People began to grumble. When Fritz heard about it, he did not allow anyone to give water even for money. And he locked the wells with seven locks and hid the keys.

The next day Fritz ordered the wells to be opened and some water to be brought to him. When people looked into the wells, there was no water in them - all of it had gone away.

From that time there was no water in the seven wells for a long time.

Fritz left the place, but the people remained. Year after year the memory of the greedy man-hater faded - and water appeared again in the seven wells - cold, sweet, clear.

Seven Wells - a railway station about 50 kilometres from Feodosia on the Kerch line.

Crimea is temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation. For now it is not a place for tourism.