i've never heard that one, zap! doubtful it was unwitting - i would die a thousand deaths to save my children, even if it was an accident. so i all bullshit on the miller :D. but i'll let it slide for the sake of pedantics. ;) do you know the country of origin for that story? sounds a lot like a theme of gilselle.
Discussion
You make a fair point. The actions of the father in The Girl Without Hands certainly raise moral and ethical questions, making it an interesting story to ponder.
As for the origin of this fairy tale, it is believed to have originated in Germany, with variants also found in France and Scotland. Interestingly, it has some similarities with the ballet "Giselle," which also features a tragic love story involving supernatural intervention and transformative feminine power over the physical world.
In any case, I'm glad you liked hearing about this obscure fairy tale!