The Eight-Legged Sea Creature of Detroit

 Red Wing was fishing along the Detroit River, when he saw an oddly shaped stick float by. Though he could not explain it, Red Wing felt drawn to retrieve that stick, so he followed it down the river towards the city hoping the tide would push it to shore. 

Sure enough, Red Wing found the stick along the rocky beach. As he bent to pick it up, he saw a small group of people huddled near the building behind him. They seemed upset, so Red Wing wandered over to see if he could help. 

Joe Louis Arena 2014

The people eyed Red Wing wearily as he approached, until they noticed his stick. Then they rushed to him in hopes that he would be their savior. 

"Oh great sir! You have the found the weapon of the River God Puck. You must the one destined to save us!"

Red Wing raised an eyebrow and looked confused. "This? Save who from what?" 

"Inside that building behind us lives a great sea creature called Al. Every winter he demands the sacrifice of a dozen people or else he will destroy our town. This year, my daughter, Stanna-Leigh, was chosen to be one of those who will be sent." 

Red Wing looked at the girl and immediately felt drawn to her. "How can we save her? Do you need a boat? I could take her away?"

"No," said the speaker of the group. "Legend says that Al will be defeated by a warrior of the river. He will carry the great stick of Hockey and the power of the God, Puck.. You have his stick, so it must be you."

Red Wing was nervous, but he really did want to save the girl. So he gathered his fishing net and slung it over his shoulder. He asked the people to collect some heavy stones from the beach and put them in a sack. Then feeling armed he went into the building. 

There he found a giant octopus. 


Before the creature notice he was behind him, Red Wing used his fishing net to create a barrier between himself and Al. Then he yelled to get his attention. 

"You must be my lunch," said the octopus as he rushed towards him. He paid no attention to what was in front of him and got tangled in the net. 

Seeing an opportunity, Red Wing pulled out the stones, and used the stick to launch them at the octopus from a distance. The combination crushed the sea creatures head, and he ceased his struggles with the net. 

Red Wing pulled the giant octopus back to the river shores, and the people gathered outside. Stanna-Leigh threw herself into his arms and thanked him profusely. 

They were later married on that same beach. 

The people of Detroit carved more sticks and taught their children how to use it to slap rocks into nets. This turned into the game of hockey, with the ultimate prize being the Stanley Cup. 


Author's Note: This story is inspired by The Eight-Forked Serpent of Koshi. I changed the serpent to the Red Wing octopus, Al. I changed the location to my hometown of Detroit. Then I added the hockey spin. I hope you enjoy it. 

Bibliography: The Eight-Forked Serpent of Koshi from Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney (1917).


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