The story of Santa Marta and
the Dragon
The small town of Nerluc,
situated in France near the Rhone River, was pestered by a creature
of great evil. The forests surrounding the town had become a death
trap for any who entered. Woodcutters never returned from a day of
chopping, friends and relatives who went in search of those missing
also were never seen. The people of the town, unsure of the source
of these disappearances began to worry.
One day, travellers from another town trudged through the woods, on
the road to Nerluc. They came to a darkened part of the forest,
near the river. The air was gloomy, the thick tree leaves formed a
canopy, blocking out all sunlight. A high, rocky cliff rose on one
side of the road. Without warning a huge, terrible form blocked
their path. They saw glowing eyes, a huge mouth filled with large,
sharp teeth, and a great, scaly body-a dragon!
The dragon made short work of the travellers, all except one, who
escaped, and stumbled into Nerluc, frightened and weary. He told of
the fate of the others in his group, and the people
despaired.
A town meeting was held, and it was forbidden for anyone to enter
the forest, for any reason. Word was sent to other towns
discouraging travel through the woods. They hoped that, starved
out, the dragon would leave.
A week passed, half starved the dragon appeared in the town one
night. It smashed down the walls of a house, devouring its
inhabitants, then vanished back into the forest.
The next morning the town held another meeting, fearing the dragon
would return again that night. They tacked up notices, asking for
volunteers to slay the dragon. Sixteen men agreed. Armed with axes,
swords, and spears they went into the forest. They found the dragon
asleep, and bravely attacked. But their weapons broke on the hard
scales of the beast. The creature awoke, enraged, and devoured
eight of the men.
Again the town council met, this time desperate. It was decided
that word would be sent to the holy lady, Martha, in the town of
Saint Marie de la Mer.
Martha, upon hearing of the town's plight, agreed to help. She knew
of the dragon, for he had caused much trouble in the Holy Land. His
name was Tarasque. And so Martha sailed with the messenger to
Nerluc.
The townspeople were overjoyed to see her. But soon became
mortified while the Mayor spoke with her.
Martha had no plan to conquer the beast, she simply planned to walk
into the forest and look for it. She refused to take any men with
her for protection, prefering to go alone, as soon as
possible.
The townspeople followed her to the edge of the forest, and watched
her vanish into the trees, feeling sure they would never see her
again. She took nothing with her but a small bottle of holy water
and her prayer book.
Martha knew she was in perile, and peered from side to side, hoping
to catch the beast unawares. The forest was sunny, birds singing in
the trees. Feeling sure birds would not stay close to Tarasque she
walked farther. Slowly the forest grew gloomier and quiet. Peering
under a bush she found human bones, with huge teeth marks on them,
and knew she was close.
She saw a huge scaly body ahead, and stole carefully towards it on
tiptoes. When she was close enough to touch the beast she unstopped
the small bottle of holy water.
The beast turned and looked straight at her. Its eyes glared at
her, and its terrible mouth opened wide. Martha uttered a quick
prayer and flung the contents of the bottle at Tarasque.
For a moment time stood still, nothing happened. The beast froze,
then closed its mouth and lowered its head, in a mock bow.
Martha sighed in relief. The creature had been made tame and
helpless by the holy water. She ordered it to follow her, and led
it back to the town, back to the crowd of amazed townspeople.
Though the beast was tame, it was decided that it must be killed as
punishment for its wickedness. No weapons could harm it, but it
could be killed by a strong man hitting it over the head with a
club.
The Tarasque was killed, and years later the town of Nerluc was
renamed Tarascon so no one would forget the story of Martha and the
Dragon.
Merry Meet To All,
I would like to share the Story above about "Santa Marta and the
Dragon". "Santa Marta" is also known as "Saint Martha", the
traditional Catholic saint.
Blessed Be,
Oceanos
