The Legend of the Giant Crayfish

A youth called Crayfish was a prominent character among the inhabitants of Moryń thanks to his stature, strength and courage. He was the best swordsman, unerring bowman and he outmatched others in swimming and running. Apart from all those skills, many a song did he know and knew how to entertain people. He was revered by the elders of the town, and the young were ready to follow him wherever he went. The only thing that Crayfish dreamt of was to become a knight and to win chivalric glory while fighting in the defence of his homeland. He did not have to wait long.

In spring, enemy hosts from Brandenburg poured like flood waters into Pomerania burning and destroying its villages. The inhabitants of settlements around Moryń had been warned by night fires and managed to find refuge inside the stronghold. The stronghold defenders resisted the initial attack but the handful of them was hardly a match to Brandenburg troops who were greatly superior in number. Inside the stronghold there were not enough fighters, not enough arrow-heads, so the troops climbing the embankments were pierced with spears, pushed down with pointed poles, crushed with boulders and scalded with boiling water.The attackers had to retreat from the stronghold walls taking the wounded and the dead. They were taken aback by the defenders' fierce resistance. Unable to capture the stronghold at once, they decided to lay siege to it. Soon the defenders had to face their worst enemy: hunger. Their hearts sank and they were so weakened by starvation that some of them began to consider surrendering to Brandenburgers.

"We shall not hold out for longer than a couple of days more,"

they used to whisper. Others added,

"If we do not perish from the wounds, then we shall starve to death."

The only defender who never considered surrendering was Crayfish. He kept urging others to carry on fighting. Then the day came when the Brandenburg troops launched another attack against the stronghold. The most gallant fighter was Crayfish. Yet, at one moment a Brandenburg knight split his head with a mighty blow. Fatally wounded Crayfish plunged into the waters of the lake.

"You shall hold out!"

he managed to shout before disappearing under the waves. His cry was heard by others who persisted in their valiant struggle till relief troops came. The enemy was beaten and driven away by the joint forces. The memory of heroic Crayfish has been passed from one generation to another until this day.The legend has it that on fine clear nights a huge crayfish will emerge from the lake, approach the shore next to the town, and then at the break of day will sink in the lake waters again. According to popular belief it is the enchanted soul of Crayfish, one-time heroic defender of Moryń.