Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic - John Matthews - Страница 238

Among the Apache of North America, the Big Owl is a cannibalistic monster who, like the Basilisk, petrifies victims with his glance. Among the Lipan Indians, Big Owl is a giant, a son of the Sun, who tries to marry the daughter of a hero into order to kill him. According to the White Mountain Apache,

Lagarre, alone of his brothers, tended his dying father. The old king wished to impart to him the secrets of kingship and bade him seek nine jars of water that would make the one who washed in them into a king who would be rich and obeyed by all. He also told his son to fetch the royal drum, Tabele, from heaven and strike it in the desert. A vulture helped Lagarre fetch the drum and when he struck it, the beautiful city of Wagadoo sprang out of the desert. But he could not reach the city for his way was barred by Bida who encircled the city with his body. Lagarre had to swear to give the dragon a girl every year in exchange for access to the city. Every year of Lagarre’s kingship, a lottery was held to determine which family would have to give its daughter to the dragon. And, in return, after having fed upon her flesh, Bida would fly over Wagadoo and spew gold into its streets. Three successive generations of kings maintained Lagarre’s promise, giving the city prosperity and peace. However, when one girl was left, dressed as a bride, to be devoured by Bida, her lover, Mamadi Sefe Dekote (of the Silent Sword) severed the dragon’s head. Its head flew away to the Gold Coast where, it is said, gold is now plentiful.

Big Owl tried to kill all the created people but was in turn slain by his own brother.