Alber

 


The Alber is a demon or dragon from the legends of the Ziller Valley in Tyrol. It’s said to live on Teufelseck mountain, the mountain’s name meaning ‘devil’s corner’. At times the Alber would descend from the mountain, towards Ziller Valley as a giant fiery dragon, flying through a hole in the cliffs called the Bleiarzkar and down to the valley, spreading plagues, war and famine. It was thought the Alber was the devil himself in dragon form.


Legend tells of two men from the village of Meran who witnessed the flight of the Alber and were lucky enough to survive such sights. One was the tailor Hanser, who was a wicked and dishonest man. He partook in every sort of sinful activity, lying, scamming, idleness and debauchery. The other was Loaserer Sepps, a good and honest villager.


One night Hanser made a bet with his equally loathsome friends to steal cherries from the cherry tree in the yard of the Mission Cross of Algund. But Hanser was a coward and wouldn’t travel out there at night alone. By some means of either deception or threat he managed to bring along good Mr Sepps.


When they arrived at the cherry tree, Sepps couldn’t find any cherries. He climbed all the way to the top and found none. While Sepps was at the top of the tree he heard an eerie sounds, but he was a brave and pious man, and knew no evil would harm him, so he simply ignored it. Hanser, on the other hand, found fistfuls of cherries everywhere he grabbed, and quickly filled his bucket.


Sepps shouted down to Hanser, asking if he had found any cherries. Hanser replied “Oh yes! Wherever I put my hand they hang in clusters.”


Sepps then began to feel very uncomfortable and heard that strange noise again. He saw a light descending down from the mountain and flew through the valley. As it approached closer Sepps could see it was a great fiery dragon. Hanser saw it too, and he trembled in fear so much that Sepps had to climb down and steady Hanser or he would fall out of the tree.


Sepps said to Hanser “Are you so far gone that the devil not only gives you his blessing, but lights your way so you can find all the cherries? Then may God preserve you.” Then Sepps yelled to the beast “Hi there, wait a little till I can find some cherries too!”


On hearing that its presence was actually wanted, the dragon flew away at lightning speed.


Sources


https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46047/46047-h/46047-h.htm#THE_ALBER



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