Once upon a time snakes multiplied so prodigiously in the district
of Osojani (Ossiach), that every place swarmed with them. The
peasants in that district were in evil case. The snakes crept into
the parlours, the churches, the dairies, and the beds. People had
not even quiet at table, for the hungry snakes made their way into
the dish. But the greatest terror was caused by a frightfully large
white snake, which was several times seen attacking the cattle at
Ososcica (Görlitz Alpe). The peasants did not know how to help
themselves; they instituted processions, and went on pilgrimages,
that God might please to remove that terrible scourge from them. But
neither did that help them.
When the poor people were in the greatest distress, and knew not how
to act to rid themselves of this plague, one day an unknown man came
into the district, who promised to put an end to every one of the
snakes, provided they could assure him that they had seen no great
white snake. 'We have not seen one at all,' was the reply of some of
the number that had collected round the stranger.
Then he caused a great pile to be constructed round a tall fir, and
when he had climbed to the top of the fir, he ordered them to set
the whole pile on fire on all sides, and afterwards to run quickly
aside.
When the flame had risen on all sides against the tall fir, the
unknown man took a bone pipe out of his pocket, and began to blow it
so powerfully that everybody's ears tingled. Quickly up rushed and
crowded from all quarters a vast number of snakes, lizards, and
salamanders to the pile, and, driven by some strange force, all
sprang into the fire and perished there. But all at once a mightier
and shriller hiss was heard from Ososcica, so that all present were
seized with fear and dread. The man on the fir, at hearing it,
trembled with terror: 'Woe is me! there is no help for me!' so said
he. 'I have heard a white snake hiss; why did you thus mislead me?
But be so compassionate as not to forget every year to give alms to
the poor on my behalf.'
Scarcely had the poor man uttered these words, when a terrible snake
wound its way up with a great noise, like a furious torrent, over
the sharp rocks, and plunged into the lake, so that the foam flew
up. It soon swam to the other side of the lake, and, all
exasperated, rushed to the burning pile, reared itself up against
the fir, and pushed the poor man into the fire. The snake itself
struggled and hissed terribly in the fire, but the strong fire soon
overpowered it.
Thus perished, along with the whole lizard race, the monstrous snake
which had done so much harm to the cattle. The peasants were again
able without fear to carry on their occupations, and the shepherds
at Ososcica to pasture their cattle without anxiety. The grateful
people have not up to the present time forgotten the promise of
their ancestors, and every year on that self-same day distribute
gifts of corn to the poor.