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The Rooster’s Legend
Once upon a time, Barcelos’population was in uproar because an inexplicable crime had been committed.
No culprit could be found, until one day, a man, claiming to be a pilgrim, came along. Being a stranger and due to everybody’s anxiety, the poor man soon was accused and condemned to death by hanging. Proclaiming his innocence, the pilgrim asked to see the judge and was taken to his house where a banquet was being given. Repeatedly insisting on his innocence, the man, in a last desperate attempt to be released, pointed to the table and said: “My innocence shall be proven by that roasted rooster; if you hang me, it will crow.” Despite his disbelief the judge did not let anyone touch the rooster. Hours later, as the pilgrim was being hanged, the roasted rooster stood up on the platter and crowed non-stop.
As a result the judge ran to the gallows and miraculously found the wretched man still alive, immediately released him and everybody apologized for the mistake. |
