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Science Fred

By Emmanuel Luboya

Long ago, a giant sea monster known as the Meester Stoor Worm rose out of the sea. It was said that the Stoor Worm’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 Scotland.

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

The king went pale. Princess Gemlovely was kind, 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 Stoor Worm will get half of the kingdom and Princess Gemlovely as his bride. The king was excited when thirty-six 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 the Stoor Worm.

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 Science Fred.

All his life Science Fred wanted to be a great hero.

He was determined to defeat the Stoor Worm and save Princess Gemlovely.

Science Fred borrowed a small boat. He loaded a bucket of burning coals into it and rowed toward the Stoor Worm.

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 Science Fred were swept in. Science Fred was carried down the Stoor Worm’s throat.

When the boat finally stopped, Science Fred stepped out into a pool of shallow water deep inside the monster. He climbed through the monster’s body to its beating heart. He carried his knife and the bucket of hot coals.

Science Fred used his knife to carve a hole and dumped the coals into it. Then, he blew and blew until the fire became a huge blaze.

The Stoor Worm started to twist in agony as the fire burned in its heart.

The smoke caused the monster to give a mighty cough. Science Fred's boat flew out of the Stoor Worm’s throat and back into the sea.

He quickly rowed to shore.

Science Fred stood on the shore with the king, the princess, and many others. They watched the monster fling its tail high into the air. They thought its tail would strike the sun. The Stoor Worm then fell into the sea with such force that its teeth flew out of its mouth.

Some say the Stoor Worm’s teeth became the islands north of Scotland. Others claim its great body became the country of Iceland.

The king threw a big party in honor of Fred’s victory. He had become a great hero! Science Fred and the princess were soon married, and they lived happily ever after.