The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE SARACENS ARE THWARTED

WE USED TO LIVE NEAR IL MONTE (THE MOUNTAIN) IN
SICILY. IT WAS THE ONLY ONE AROUND AND YOU COULD SEE
IT FOR MILES. A LONG TIME AGO, THE SARACENS TRIED TO
CAPTURE IL MONTE, BUT THERE WERE THICK WALLS, SO THEY
COULDN'T GET IN. WELL, THEY DECIDED TO STARVE THE
PEOPLE OUT. THEN THE PRIEST ASKED ALL THE NURSING
MOTHERS TO GIVE THEIR MILK. THE PEOPLE MADE A BIG
LOAF OF BREAD, A PIECE OF CHEESE, AND STUCK THEM ON
POLES NEAR THE WALLS. THE SARACENS THOUGHT, "THESE
PEOPLE HAVE PLENTY OF GOOD." SO THEY WENT AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS