While Water Sprite Augustínek watches over the mill and the stream, someone else has quietly settled on the other side of the garden. No one knows his real name, but children started calling him Rákosníček – “Little Reedling” – and the name has stuck ever since.

He’s smaller than Augustínek, shaped a bit like a bundle of moss and reeds, with a broad smile and red boots as bright as wild strawberries. You’ll often find him sitting silently on a stone by the pond, his feet gently splashing the water while his tall reed hat sways softly in the breeze.

They say he understands frog language, chats with drops of morning dew, and keeps a secret journal about everyone who comes near the water. When he’s happy, he gives a tiny wiggle – and somewhere among the ferns, you might hear a sound like a little glass bell.

But be careful! Even though he seems quiet and shy, Rákosníček sees everything. Those who treat nature with respect might earn a silent smile. But those who throw stones into the pond or disturb the peace… well, they say their trousers get mysteriously soaked and their shoelaces tangled tight.

Come visit him. You might spot him peeking out from behind the ferns or dozing in the sunshine. But don’t worry – if your heart is kind, Rákosníček will gladly let you pass.