The Rich Lady of Stavoren

A Wealthy City

Seven centuries ago, Stavoren, now a quiet little village in Holland, was a great and wealthy city. Its fortune was derived from the sea, as Stavoren possessed a splendid harbor that attracted ships from all over the world for trade. These vessels brought treasures from far-off countries across the sea.

The Proud Lady

The people of Stavoren were extremely rich and proud, but none were as wealthy or as proud as a lady named Mrs. van Byck. She adorned her home with golden hinges on the windows, golden handles on the doors, and even a large gold knocker on the front door.

Bruno the Unpleasant

Her dog, Bruno, mirrored her pride, being the most unpleasant dog in all of Stavoren. Mrs. van Byck employed three maids to tend to him—feeding, brushing, grooming, and bathing him twice a week in rose water. This odd grooming made him smell peculiar, leading other dogs to avoid him, considering him rather pretentious. However, Bruno didn’t care; he had seven distinct collars, each studded with different precious stones. He raised his nose in the air, growled at other dogs, and behaved very poorly. Sometimes, he even snapped at the parrot in the golden cage in the parlor. No one dared to label him naughty—after all, he belonged to the richest lady in Stavoren.

A Quest for Wealth

Mrs. van Byck sought to prove her wealth was greater than that of her neighbors. She summoned the captain of her largest ship and instructed him, “Here is some money. Take it, sail around the world, and bring me back the most precious thing you can find.” The captain, puzzled, set sail. Upon reaching the open sea, he questioned his crew about what constituted the most precious thing in the world. Some suggested gold, others diamonds, while one crewman argued for fine silks, which fetched good prices in the market. After hearing many different opinions, the captain was unsure what to do. Finally, it was the turn of the cabin boy, who declared, “I know what is the most precious thing in the world, for I have known hunger. It is wheat.”

A Sensible Choice

The captain reflected on this answer—it seemed both logical and heartfelt. He set sail for the Baltic Sea, where he purchased a massive cargo of wheat, stored it in the hold, and headed back to Stavoren.

The Arrival

When Mrs. van Byck learned that her ship had been sighted, she donned Bruno’s collar, called for her carriage, and drove to the harbor. “I must see what my captain has brought me; it is the greatest treasure in the world!” she proclaimed to the crowd gathered at the harbor.

The Disappointment

The ship docked, and the captain went ashore to salute Mrs. van Byck. “Madame, I have brought you the most wonderful thing in the whole world,” he announced.

“What is it?” she inquired eagerly. “A golden clock with emerald hands and works made entirely of diamonds?”

“No!” replied the captain.

“A statue of ivory and gold adorned with precious stones from far-off southern lands?”

“No!” replied the captain again.

“Is it glittering jewelry, delicately crafted and set with the finest gems from the countries of the East?” she almost screamed, beside herself with curiosity.

“No!” said the captain.

“Then what is it?” she demanded.

“It is wheat. Ripe, golden wheat,” he answered.

“Wheat?” echoed the lady incredulously. “Ordinary, common wheat? Even the commonest people can have wheat. Throw it into the sea at once!”

“But Madame!” the captain protested. “At least if you do not want the wheat, let me give it to the poor who truly need it. After all, you might find yourself poor one day.”

A Grave Decision

Mrs. van Byck tore the huge emerald ring from her finger and flung it into the sea, declaring, “As surely as I will never see that ring again, I shall never be poor. Now throw the wheat you brought back into the sea.”

Obeying her command, the captain sailed to the harbor entrance and dumped the wheat overboard into the sea.

The Aftermath

The following day, proud Mrs. van Byck dined on fish. When she cut it open, her emerald ring was found inside. That night, a terrible storm raged. The proud lady’s ships were wrecked alongside many others owned by wealthy merchants.

Reduced to poverty, Mrs. van Byck now had to sell her jewelry to buy food. Ironically, Bruno, her dog, discovered happiness in simplicity. He made friends with other dogs, joined in their noisy games, and no longer desired rose-water baths or three maids or seven valuable collars. He played with other dogs, chased alley cats, and returned home dirty—no one cared anymore.

A Lasting Change

Meanwhile, at the harbor entrance, something remarkable was occurring. The wheat that the captain had thrown into the sea took root and began to grow. The sand at the sea’s bottom swirled toward the harbor and gradually formed a great sandbank. This sandbank grew, ultimately blocking the mouth of the harbor, and soon even small ships could not reach Stavoren. The once-thriving city gradually fell into poverty, stripped of its trade.

To this day, the sandbank remains, blocking the harbor entrance, and is known as Lady’s Sand, a testament to the proud lady who once resided in Stavoren.