Summary
Reinhard Werner, an old man, recounts the days of his youth and, in
particular, a girl named Elizabeth. When they were children, Reinhard and
Elizabeth were close friends. Reinhard, being five years Elizabeth's senior,
entertains her by writing stories for her. Though he is only ten years old, he
feels certain he wants to be with Elizabeth forever. He entertains a dream of
moving to India with Elizabeth, which he shares with her. Though initially
hesitant, she agrees.
In his late teenage years, Reinhard dreads the prospect of leaving Elizabeth to
go to school. As a send-off for Reinhard, a picnic is held in the woods, and
Reinhard and Elizabeth become lost for a time. This experience only intensifies
Reinhard's passion.
During Christmastime at school, Reinhard takes a fleeting interest in a
musician girl while at a student bar. She begins to reciprocate, but Reinhard
is interrupted by news of a package that has been delivered for him. It is
filled with gifts and a letter from Elizabeth, who scolds him for not writing
her stories. Reinhard is filled with homesickness.
Reinhard visits Elizabeth at Easter, but the two seem to have lost some of
their closeness. A former classmate named Erich seems to be courting Elizabeth,
and Elizabeth's mother is supportive of the match and disdainful toward
Reinhard. Elizabeth is made uncomfortable by the many poems that Reinhard has
written her. Desperate, Reinhard makes Elizabeth promise to still love him
after his absence. After two years, however, Reinhard receives the news that
Erich and Elizabeth are engaged.
After a few years, Reinhard visits the couple. He is asked to perform some of
his folksongs and sings a song about a girl who married only because of her
mother's wishes. Elizabeth turns emotional and leaves. Later, Reinhard attempts
to swim to a water lily in the lake but returns to shore for fear of
drowning.
Reinhard at last gets a bit of alone time with Elizabeth, but neither of them
can properly express their feelings. He plans to depart unexpectedly and leaves
a note, but Elizabeth anticipates this. Once again, words fail them. They
finally agree that they can never see each other again, and Reinhard never
comes back.
The narrative returns to an elderly Reinhard contemplating these events and
seeing a water lily through the window. Like the one in the lake, it seems just
out of grasp. He returns to his studies.
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