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Sunday, January 6, 2013

The Sailor and the Blue Grotto, Italian Folklore


A long time ago, somewhere in Italy, there was a King, whose daughter disappeared one day. Many already searched for her the lands near and far. So the King announced that whoever finds his daughter will be rewarded with her hand in marriage. Unfortunately, nobody came forward since the lands were already searched and nobody was able to find her.

However, one courageous sailor realized if she is not on the land, then maybe she’s somewhere on the sea. He knew of the most beautiful blue grotto on the island of Capri. The sunrays shine through the seawater creating the most magnificent blue reflection. The results are breath-taking, the cave illuminates in blue. Therefore, the cave was named a blue grotto.

Not wasting any time, he sailed the following morning. As soon as he got to the grotto, he saw the most beautiful girl tied up. “Are you the King’s daughter” asked the sailor even though he could tell it was her. “Yes” she replied. “How did you end up in this cave?” he asked. “I was kidnapped by a monstrous-size octopus, which changes into a red fish for a couple hours each day and this is your chance to catch him” explained the princess. “Don’t worry” said the sailor “I know how to fish.”

The sailor waited by the grotto for the octopus. Suddenly, a huge octopus emerged from the sea. He was as big as the island, shadowing it. However, the hour came, when octopus had to change into a fish. The sailor set his fishing nets and when the net became heavy, he pulled it up. The net was full of fish different sizes and colors, and there, at the bottom of the net, was a red fish. He killed it immediately and freed the King’s daughter.

Joyful princess was reunited with his father and the sailor married the beautiful princess and lived happily ever after.

 

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