The Legend of the Cuélebre in the Bolado Cave of Llanes
In the council of Llanes, not far from the village of La Franca, opens the Bolado Cave. This place is famous for housing one of the most fearsome creatures that populate the ancient stories of Asturias. It is the Cuélebre, a gigantic winged serpent that acts as guardian of a valuable treasure and keeps a young woman captive. This mythological being not only protects riches but also sows fear among the neighbors, who prefer not to approach its dwelling. 🐉
An Ingenious Strategy to Defeat the Monster
Popular narrations tell that a brave knight decided to face the monster to rescue the maiden. Knowing that the beast's scaly skin was impossible to penetrate with conventional weapons, he chose to use his intelligence. His plan was to make a large loaf of bread and hide a large number of metal pins inside it. Then, he threw this bread into the cavern as if it were simple food to attract the creature.
The Key Steps of the Feat:- The knight identifies the Cuélebre's weakness: its gluttony.
- Prepares the lethal bait, a loaf filled with sharp objects.
- Deceives the monster by presenting the bread as food, not as a threat.
Cunning triumphs where brute force fails.
The Outcome of the Legend and Its Legacy
The Cuélebre, attracted by the smell of bread, swallows the entire loaf. The pins begin to damage its internal organs, causing its death after much suffering. In this way, the hero triumphs over the guardian without the need for direct combat. Once the winged serpent lies defeated, the knight frees the maiden and takes possession of the treasure that the monster protected, allowing peace to return to the surroundings.
Central Elements of the Myth:- The beast guards two things: material riches and a person.
- Victory is achieved through ingenuity, not physical strength.
- The final result is the restoration of order and security.
The Persistent Echo in the Cave
They say that, since that event, if someone listens to the wind coming out of the cave's mouth, they will no longer hear the threatening roar of the Cuélebre. Instead, they will perceive a sigh of relief, like that of someone who can finally stop baking bread so urgently. This legend endures as an example of how human intelligence can overcome the most formidable dangers. 🍃