Ryszka /

Ryszka River

Ryszka is a right tributary of Wda river. Its length is 22,2 km. Its source located is near the Zielonka village. It runs entirely through the Bory Tucholskie and partially through the Landscape of Wda River. Ryszka ends in Wierzchy Lake which is connected with Wda river. Ryszka environment is protected by regulations of Wda Landscape Park.

Source: wikipedia

Legend

Ryszka river connected is with a forgotten legend .
Once upon a time, among forests near Zielonka village a widower lived with his beautiful daughter Helena . They worked in the iron open-pit mining and had its own mill. They were not rich, but they lived happily. Although they had no close neighbors, from time to time they had guests, because they were liked and always nice to everybody. One day young Knight Ryszko knocked to their door, asking for hospitality. Daughter served food politely to stranger and his father. The knight who followed her every step was very happy that he can watch such beautiful girl.
Ryszko remained at widower for several days, which he had spent with Helena. while leaving, he promised her that after the war he will return to her, and will never leave her again. Helena gave him a white scarf with her tears as a souvenir. Weeks and months went by, and Ryszko did not return. Widower with his daughter still worked in his steel plant and so gone day by day.
One autumn, team of knights was returning from Battle . They stayed in widower house. From them, Helen and father learned that Ryszko was killed in battle. Poor girl from that day did not leave his room, day and night crying after her lover. From her tears was created firstly a stream and in the end River .
In the spring, when the first birds returned from winter migration, Helena jumped to the river. Her body was never found. Some say that it went into the sea, and others, that the girl survived and escaped.
The next spring Ryszko came to this area Ryszko - miraculously survived during the war. He was very surprised because of the river, which shores were sprinkled with a thousand white flowers . When he heard about the suicide of Helena he did not believe it. He run away with a gallop along the river, which henceforth became known as his name .
The old people say that in the spring with the arrival of the first white flowers, that you can hear hoofbeats and see the knight waving white handkerchief to a girl on the next side of river.                                 
Some say that they will never join because of a punishment for suicide. Others believe that when the last of the white flower withers, Knight soot girl on a horse and leave until the next spring.

Legend note by Agata Konczal