HOW THE CRAYFISH CATCHER SAVED THE LORD’S DAUGHTER
Legend of the Island Cake
Long, long ago, in the year 1252, a lord moved with his family and servants into a castle on an island in the middle of the Krka River. The Krka provided them with fish and crayfish, and they strolled through the castle garden, admiring the emerald river. The lord had a beautiful daughter who could not swim, yet she was enchanted by the river. She often sat on a stone in the calmest part of the river, combing her curly hair, with the river as her mirror.
One day she leaned too far and fell into the river, crying out for help. Tone, a young, strong crayfish catcher from a nearby village, heard her and immediately jumped in, swimming to save her. The lord was initially in despair but rejoiced when he saw Tone rescue his daughter.
A few days later, a magnificent wedding was held. The groom’s mother brought a delicious cake filled with walnuts, apples, honey, and raisins, not the usual braid – this became known as the Island Cake. Tone later taught his wife to swim.
Written by Janez Bogataj