The Siren's Necklace (1909)

Jean Perthe, one of the best-looking young fishermen of the little village of Kuban, seeks to win the love of Susette, the belle of the community. With his scanty savings he purchases a necklace, cheap beads in imitation of pearls, but the best his purse affords. Joyously he comes to offer his gift to the pretty maiden, but she is not so easily to be won. She regards with disdain the shabby bauble, and poor Jean is distressed. He comes to serenade his charmer, but his music is no more potent than his pearls, for Susette pretends to be annoyed by his singing, though the strains of melody brings from her home at the bottom of the sea one of Neptune's daughters, who pleads with the fisherman to join her in the sea. Despairing of winning Susette's love, Jean heeds the appeal and plunges into the water after the disappearing siren. Some of the villagers are attracted by Susette's cries and two old men hastily procure musical instruments and continue the serenade, plunging after two sirens who are attracted by the music. Others hearing of their success join the concert until the entire village band is playing upon the shore, but they are driven away by their angry wives. Meanwhile Jean and the siren are having a pleasant time at the bottom of the sea. He tells of the rejection of the necklace and is given a handsome string of real pearls. Ikey Fromitz, one of the old men, does not fare so well, for Neptune catches sight of him endeavoring to carry to the surface two bags of gold, and he assists Ikey's progress toward the shore with the sharp tines of his trident. Jean soon follows, and now Susette is all smiles. Her coquetry is gone and she tenderly welcomes the lover she thought to be lost. Her joy is made complete by the gift of the necklace, and Jean turns a deaf ear to the renewed calls of the Siren.

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Summary Details
GenresDrama Fantasy Short