Love and Sacrifice

Love is portrayed as requiring sacrifice, as in the pool and the tree, where the pool gives up its existence to become a cloud and reunite with the tree, and in the shepherd's daughter, who refuses royal marriage to stay with her mother.

Lucilla marries the sailor for love, and later the windfairies' help reunites her family, highlighting love's endurance through hardship.

The pool sacrifices its form and travels across the world to reunite with and save the tree.

The potter's wife sacrifices her comfort, weaving and waiting faithfully for her husband's return, while the potter journeys tirelessly to break the charm for her sake.

Hulda's courageous actions to save Othmar, despite her own fear and lack of beauty, demonstrate selfless love.