The Stone in the Temple

The Stone in the Temple
A Muslim Legend

Retold by Aaron Shepard

Printed in Cricket, June 1995, and Australia’s School Magazine, Oct. 1995

“The sons of Makhzum should raise the Black Stone,” declared one of the men in the circle. “It is our right as foremost of the tribes.”

“Who gave you such a position?” demanded another man. “The sons of Jumah will raise it!”

“Not while the sons of Abdu Manaf stand here,” said another. “The honor should be ours.”

“Then you will have to fight for it,” cried another. “None but the sons of Abdul-Dar shall raise the stone!”

In the years before Muhammad’s holy mission, it happened that the tribes around Mecca decided to rebuild their temple, the Kaaba. In those days, the Kaaba was simply a yard enclosed by a wall. Their plan was to build a higher, thicker wall and add a roof.

Each tribe had chosen a section of the wall and started pulling down the stones. The sacred Black Stone, built into the east corner, had been removed carefully and set aside.

At last they had gotten down to the foundation laid by Abraham. They had begun to rebuild, and the wall had grown steadily higher. But when the time had come to raise the Black Stone back to its place, they could not agree on which tribe would have the honor.

The dispute grew fiercer and fiercer, till it seemed likely that blood would flow. But then Abu Amayya said, “Brothers, let us not fight among ourselves. I have an idea: Wait for the next man who comes through the gate, then give the decision to him.”

All agreed and settled down to wait. And it happened that the first man to enter the gate was Muhammad, he whom they called “The Trustworthy One.”

When Muhammad had listened to their claims, he considered for a moment. Then he said, “Bring me a cloak.”

They brought one, and Muhammad spread it on the ground. Then he took the Black Stone and placed it in the center.

“Each tribe will choose a man to hold the cloak by its edge. Then all will raise the stone together.”

This was done, and Muhammad himself set the stone in place. Then all the tribes were satisfied, and work went on with no further dispute.

About the Story

Muhammad, the founder of Islam, lived in Arabia from 570 to 632 A.D. Though in later years he took to warfare to spread his religion, Muhammad’s teachings were often aimed at conciliation—a trait found also in this tale of his early life.

The story concerns the Kaaba (“KAH-buh”)—meaning “Cube”—a Muslim shrine in the Arabian city of Mecca. Muslims believe the original Kaaba was built by Abraham and his first son, Ishmael, legendary founder of the Arab race. In any case, it existed well before Muhammad, and at the time of this story was used as a temple for tribal gods.

Set into one corner of the building is a black stone about eight inches in diameter, said to have fallen from heaven. This stone—possibly a meteorite—is the most sacred relic of Islam.

All Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives if they are able. Today, as many as two million pilgrims a year visit the Kaaba and kiss the Black Stone.

La Befana

A Legend From Italy – La Befana

Three Wise Men were in search of the Christ child when they decided to stop at a small house to ask for directions. Upon knocking, an old woman holding a broom opened the door slightly to see who was there. Standing at her doorstep were three colorfully dressed men who were in need of directions to find the Christ child. The old woman was unaware of who these three men were looking for and could not point them in the right direction. Prior to the three men leaving they kindly asked the old woman to join them on their journey. She declined because she had much housework to do. After they left she felt as though she had made a mistake and decided to go and catch up with the kind men. After many hours of searching she could not find them. Thinking of the opportunity she had missed the old woman stopped every child to give them a small treat in hopes that one was the Christ child. Each year on the eve of the Epiphany she sets out looking for the baby Jesus. She stops at each child’s house to leave those who were good treats in their stockings and those who were bad a lump of coal.

King Dan

King Dan

The story is told that, in olden days, there were three brothers: Dan, Nor and Østen. They were the sons of King Ypper, who lived in Uppsala in Sweden, which was named for him.

The brothers went their separate ways, settling each in a different country. Dan went to Denmark, Nor to Norway, and Østen stayed in Sweden, in the countries to the East.

At that time, the realm of Denmark did not yet exist. Dan ruled only over the island of Zealand and the lesser isles. Jutland, Funen and Scania were each separate kingdoms. The Jutes were, at that time, at war with the German king. They built up earthworks and a palisade along their southern border, in that place where Queen Thyra later caused Dannevirke to be built. They named this wall Kovirke. But, when the German king came with a mighty host, they sent messengers to King Dan asking for his help.

Dan went to war with the Germans, and a great battle was fought before the wall. Most of the enemy fell, “biting the grass”, as the saying goes, and the rest fled. When the Jutes saw how brave King Dan was, they led him to their thing-place, and placed him upon a great stone, proclaiming him their king. This stone was since called Daneryge (ryge being a Jutish word for “large stone”), and it was there, later, that Danish kings were acclaimed. Daneryge was to be found on the the thing-place outside Viborg, and the entire place has also been called Danerlyngen.

When the people of Funen and Scania heard of this, they also elected Dan their king. Dan now summoned the best men in all the realm, and he said to them: “This land is fair and fertile, yet it has one flaw: it lacks for a name.”

They answered him: “You are Dan, and therefore the realm shall be called Danmark, and this name shall last for so long as the world lasts.”

King Dan built himself a royal palace at Lejre near Roskilde Fjord. He was called Dan the Grand or the Mighty, because no man before him had had such a great domain. After his death, the Danes built a barrow. They placed him in the tomb chamber fully armed and arrayed for war, mounted on his horse. Then they cast earth upon the tomb, making a mighty burial mound.

The Dragon of Krakow

A Legend From Poland – The Dragon of Krakow

Long ago in Poland’s early history, On the River Vistula, there was a small settlement of wooden huts inhabited by peaceful people who farmed the land and plied their trades. Near this village was Wawel Hill. In the side of Wawel Hill was a deep cave. The entrance was overgrown with tall, grass, bushes, and weeds. No man had ever ventured inside that cave, and some said that a fearsome dragon lived within it.

The young people of the village didn’t believe in the dragon. The old people of the village said that they had heard their fathers tell of a dragon who slept in the cave, and no man must dare waken it, or there would be dire consequences for them all. Some of the youths decided to explore the cave and put an end to such foolish talk. They thought that they knew better and dragons were just old stories from the past. A group of these young people took some torches and went to the cave. They slowly entered the cave until they came to a dark mass of scales blocking their way and the sound of heavy breathing. The boys ran as the dragon awakened and roared. Fire came from it’s mouth warming the boys heels and backs. When they were far enough away, they looked back and saw the dragon at the entrance of the cave, very angry being awakened from it’s sleep. From that day on, the people knew no peace.

Every day the dragon appeared and carried off a sheep or preferably young virgins. The populace made many attempts to kill the dragon but nothing succeeded and many of those that attempted were killed. The hero in this part of the story differs. In the village lived a wise man, or a shoemaker or a shoe makers apprentice named Krakus or Krac. He got some sheep and mixed a thick, yellow paste from sulfur. Krakus smeared it all over the animals. Then led them to a place where the dragon would see them. The dragon came out as expected, saw the sheep, roared, rushed down the hill and devoured the sheep. The dragon had a terrible fire within him, and a terrible thirst. It rushed to the River Vistula and started drinking. It drank and drank and could not stop. The dragon began to swell, but still it drank more and more. It went on drinking till suddenly there was a great explosion, and the dragon burst. There was great rejoicing by the people. Krakus, was made ruler of the village, and they built a stronghold on Wawel Hill.

The country prospered under the rule of Krakus and a city grew up around the hill which was called Krakow, in honour of Krakus. When Krakus died, the people gave him a magnificent burial, and erected a mound over his tomb which can be seen to this day. The people brought earth with their own hands to the mound, and it has endured through all the centuries as a memorial to the person that killed the dragon of Krakow.

A Ride with the Devil

A Ride with the Devil

Colonel Thomas Sydney lived at the Old Hall, Ranworth, in Norfolk. He was a bully and a drunkard who liked to hunt and be the best at everything. The Colonel enjoyed nothing better than galloping ahead of everyone else! He was always in the lead by hook or by crook! He also loved a dare and a bet. It got him into a whole heap of trouble, as you will see.

The Colonel just couldn't help himself. He had to be the best. On the last day of December, at the biggest and grandest hunt meeting of 1770, he challenged one of his neighbours to a race. All the important locals were there. They wanted to see the Colonel take a fall; many of them thought that was what he deserved.

The race was quickly underway and soon the neighbour began to draw ahead of the Colonel, to the excited cheers from the crowd. When the Colonel saw that he was well behind and about to lose, a devilish look crossed his face.

He promptly pulled out his pistol and shot the neighbour's horse! The injured horse reared up as the crowd gasped in horror; the neighbour was thrown from his horse and trampled to death, right in front of the Colonel's eyes. 

Well, you can bet if the devil did not have a claim on the Colonel's wicked soul before, there was little doubt now. What a dastardly deed!

You may think that the Colonel would have felt sorry or kept out of the way for a bit after that, but you would be wrong. 

A stormy New Year's Eve was the night of the Great Hunt Banquet at the Old Hall, and nothing, but nothing, was going to stop the Colonel's enjoyment of a good night of feasting and drinking. Sorry and sad he was not!

Just as the drunken Colonel's voice could be heard shouting out above the other drunken banquet-goers, the door of the Hall was suddenly flung wide open with a BANG! 

Standing in the doorway was a tall commanding figure in a jet-black cloak - a stranger - nobody could see his face.

Without a word, he dragged the open-mouthed and terrified Colonel screaming and kicking from his seat, out into the dark night. A few merrymakers dared to look as the stranger threw the terrified Colonel across his saddle. 

Quickly mounting his black horse, the stranger galloped off into the darkness, with the Colonel cursing, kicking and screaming, held tightly under his arm.

Away went the stranger across Ranworth Broad, the hooves of his horse raised clouds of steam as they galloped through the rain and spray - they were so hot!

They continued to watch until the dark rider and the Colonel faded into the mist and steam. 

It won't come as a surprise that the Colonel was never seen alive again after that. His mysterious disappearance was the subject of much gossip. Some said, with a smirk, that they had seen the devil carrying his body away across the marshes and it was what the Colonel rightly deserved.

However, today, you can still catch a glimpse of the Colonel according to legend. It is said, that every year on the last night in December, the same terrifying scene can be glimpsed when the ghostly Colonel and his black-cloaked capturer can be seen galloping across the broads in a cloud of steam and spray.

A Mummy's Tale

A Mummy's Tale

However, some twenty years or so before Carter's find, a mummy caused quite a stink - in Great Yarmouth!

In the early 1900s, St. Nicholas Church in Great Yarmouth had a school attached to it. In the school was a science room and in a corner of the science room stood an old mummy casket, donated by the school history teacher. The casket was used for teaching lessons on ancient civilisations and was believed to contain the remains of an Egyptian princess.

What a pong! This wasn't a giggling schoolboy-type smell. This was a stench from beyond the grave. It was first noticed in the science room and soon spread throughout the school. Lessons couldn't continue. The staff searched high and low but the stink remained. Nobody suspected the casket as it was completely sealed, wasn't it?

When no other cause of the nasty niff was discovered, it was decided that the seal of the casket might have been damaged. The contents would have to be removed and buried, but the school would keep the resealed casket.

The remains of the Egyptian princess were buried in St. Nicholas' churchyard during the dead of night, to avoid causing distress to the local folk. Disturbing ancient remains was bound to cause stories of ghosts and mummies' curses. 

Some nervous volunteers helped the vicar dig a grave, break the casket seal and quickly tip the contents into a coffin. The casket was then resealed and returned to the school science room. The next day the smell had disappeared.

Some days later, the vicar was awoken by a steady tap, tap, tap at the vicarage door. He opened the door, expecting to find someone in distress, but found no one there. 
"Boys!" he growled and returned to his bed. 

Less than an hour later - "tap, tap, tap." This time his wife went with him to the front door. Once again, no-one was there. The vicar checked outside but he didn't find anything or anyone.

Over the next few nights the tapping continued. What could it be? The vicar spoke to his neighbours and discovered they were also hearing the tapping at night, and they were frightened.

A few nights later, a group of local people, taking a late night shortcut through the graveyard, heard a loud tapping coming from inside the church. Thinking somebody must be shut inside the building, they woke up the verger and asked him to unlock the door.

A lengthy search took place but no-one was found inside. However, as they were leaving the church, the tapping began again. 

The next day a local policeman was called in. "Boys!" he growled. However, even with the policeman keeping a watchful eye on the local children, the tapping continued. It continued inside the church, it continued on the vicar's front door and it continued on the doors belonging to all those who had assisted in removing the contents of the casket.

It did not take long before gossip spread of the 'secret' burial of the Egyptian Princess. People began to believe that the spirit of the mummy had been disturbed. The phrase 'the tapping of the Egyptian mummy' became popular and ghost hunters and sightseers began to visit the church. The churchyard became so busy that the area had to be closed off.

Then, that pong returned to the science room. This time there was no doubt - it was coming from the casket. It would have to be opened again. 

Rather than open the casket in secret during the night, this time it was opened in daylight. They broke the seal and peered nervously in.

To their surprise, the casket was not empty. Inside, still wrapped in bandages, was one of the mummy's arms! It seemed that in their hurry to bury the mummy, they had failed to notice that not all of her was tipped into the coffin.

Everyone agreed with the tired and exhausted vicar that the arm must be reunited with its owner. So the mummy was dug up and the arm carefully placed in the coffin with the rest of the body. 

With the mummy finally at peace, the tapping stopped and the science room once again became a place fit for learning.

The Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth

The lore of a fountain or spring with water that gives eternal life has lived on in most cultures for thousands of years. Though the stories are slightly different in details or events but the essence of the waters that restore and give eternal youth and life has sent many longing for such an incomparable elixir.

The legend has some saying that it never existed but many ancient texts, religious and otherwise, state that there is indeed such a place, but the location has been eluded by all who have written or heard about it.

Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the fifth century, wrote about it. It appeared in the Alexander Romances — chronicles of the life and travels of Alexander the Great — and also in the stories written by Prester John. Similar legends also appear among the natives of the Caribbean who believed that such a spring existed in a mythical land called Bimini.

In the Herodotus version, there was such a fountain in the land of the Ethiopians, while in the eastern version, Alexander the Great and his servant find the spring of the 'water of life' while crossing the Land of Darkness. This servant (also termed as a sage), is referred to as Al-Khidr or Khawaja Khizr, also referred to in the Holy Quran, as the same sage who met Moses.

In an epic tale Shahnama by Persian poet Firdausi, Alexander sets out to find this fountain in the Land of Darkness — a land beyond the place of the setting of the sun. Throughout this journey, Alexander was guided by the knowledgeable Khizr. Somehow it is Khizr who came upon the legendary spring and was the only one who drank from it.

There is also the mention of a dead fish, which the soldiers in Alexander's troupe brought for their meal which, when touched by the waters, got back to life. The soldiers also picked up some stones in the darkness which they later on found to be precious. Restorative waters also appear in Biblical references as a pool in Bethesda, from which Jesus heals a man.

Coming back to the Caribbean, the natives believed that the mythical land of Bimini that contained the spring or fountain of life was around the Bahamas.

According to later interpretations however, such an island was never found. Though there are stories that an Arawak chief from Cuba, by the name of Sequene, set out to search for the legendary land of Bimini. He got a few men together and left but never came back. The men belonging to his tribe asserted that he had found the land and was living there happily.

When the Spanish conquered Puerto Rico, Juance Ponce de Leon also heard about Bimini from the locals in the 16th century and set off on a great voyage to search for the curative waters. The result was that he became the first European who arrived in America by discovering Florida in 1513, and found a fountain which is now a national park by the name of St Augustine Fountain of Youth Park and is open to visitors who enjoy drinking from its waters but are not awarded eternal youth. There is a more detailed account of this legend in Iskandarnama.

On the other hand, according to deeper philosophy, the Fountain of Youth is not an actual spring or water but a fountain of knowledge that is eternal and never gets old or dies. As Al-Khidr or Khawaja Khizr, the only person believed to have had access to the Water of Life or Aab-i-Hayat, it is believed by cultures that he still lives on a remote, unknown island; he is sometimes seen by people dressed in green as “a man of God” and helps those in distress. There are also temples devoted to him by Hindus and shrines by Muslims who pay homage to this living saint.

On a lighter note, David Copperfield, the famous magician, announced to the media that he had bought a cluster of islands in the Bahamas in 2006, and paid 50 million dollars for them. He claimed that he had found the legendary Fountain of Youth where he noticed that dead people who fell into it were alive again. He has asked scientists to conduct tests. But the results of the tests including rights of admission to this precious property are strictly reserved. Whether this is just one of David's tricks remains to be seen.