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Long ago, a giant sea monster known as the Meester Wom rose out of the sea. It was said that the Wom’s body stretched halfway around the world. That its one eye was as red as fire. That its breath was poison to all living things.

Every day it moved closer to Canada.

The king of Scotland asked the sorcerer for help. “You must give your only daughter, Princess Bellen, to Wom,” said the sorcerer. “Only then will it leave."

The king went pale. Princess Bellen was good, gentle, and loved by everyone. “Is that the only way to save my people?” the king asked.

“It is the only way,” the sorcerer said.

The king knew the sorcerer was serious. But he wasn’t ready to give up yet.

The king sent a message to all of Scotland: The man who can kill the Meester Wom will get half of the kingdom and Princess Bellen as his bride. The king was excited when forty- nine men came forward.

But as soon as they saw the monster, they all ran away. The king was sad.

He knew the princess had to be offered up to Wom.

There was great grief throughout the land.

On the day before the princess would be offered to the monster, a farm boy went to the seashore. His name was Ben.

All his life Ben wanted to be a great hero.

He was determined to defeat Wom and save Princess Bellen .

Ben borrowed a small boat. He loaded a bucket of burning coals into it and rowed toward the Wom.

At dawn, the monster awoke. It slowly opened its giant jaws in a yawn. A great flood of water rushed into its open mouth.

The boat and Ben were swept in. Ben was carried down the Wom’s throat.

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