THE OLD LEGEND OF THE FISH-MAN

Once upon a time in Messina lived a man whose name was Colapesce (Colafish). His fingers were all linked together like those of waterbirds, he also had gills like a fish and every day he dived into the harbour waters to have fun.
One day the queen came to Messina and heard about this man who was so marvelous at swimming like a fish. The Queen wanted to believe in what they told her so she decided to test him.
She went by boat to a place on the sea called Garofalu, at Torre Faro, and said to him: "Here's a golden cup; I'm going to throw it into the sea and if you find it within an hour time, it will be yours."
After about an hour Colapesce dived into the sea and two hours later he emerged with the golden cup in his hand.
The Queen asked him what he had seen under the surface and Cola replied that there were two big caves which sucked sea-water and were connected to the Mongibello (the local name for Etna volcano).
Some days later, before leaving, the Queen called Colapesce and said to him:
"I'm going to throw another larger golden cup into the sea on condition that you go and see where the caves are exactly connected with the Mongibello." and Cola replied "Yes, your Majesty!"
The morning after the Queen returned and threw the cup into the sea.
Cola dived but he never came back and the Queen never knew the answer.

Note: the legend tells that, while swimming underwater Cola discovered that Sicily was supported by three columns. He saw that one of them was going to fall so he decided to sustain it himself and he remained there forever. That's why he never came back.

by Emy Barresi, Viviana Micalizzi, Anja Pisano, Ludovica Portovenero, Elisabetta Reni and Alessia Vita (Italy)