Of the old times: there was a warrior with four shimmering fish. He met a princess named Scargo and they soon fell in love, but the warrior had to leave to fight in a war. As a token of his love and pledge to return safely, he gave Scargo his beloved fish. She promised to take care of them until he came back from the war. She placed the silvery fish in a tiny pond where they could splash and play and she watched them every day, thinking about her warrior and hoping for his safe return.
One by one the glimmering fish died. Princess Scargo wept in fear, believing that this was an omen that the warrior would not return. Her many tears filled the tiny pond and the last fish lived. Her father, the tribe’s chief, dug a lake for his daughter to preserve the life of her fish.
All the earth that was piled up from digging the lake became a tall hill, from which Scargo could watch her fish and wait for the warrior’s return. The hill became known as Scargo Hill.
Finally, the young warrior returned and he married Princess Scargo and they lived along the shores of the lake. To this day, descendants of the warrior’s fish live in the lake, reminding everyone of Scargo and the warrior’s love.
This is a Nobscussett tale from North America, and has been contributed by the Fairy Encyclopedia.
It is a part of our series, Folklore Worldwide. We are currently open to submissions from around the world, and you are welcome to send us your stories!