[Wing Nut]

Long ago in the days of undeveloped landscapes and water of pure the local natives feared the island now known as "Rattlesnake". Though no one ever actually witnessed the object of this deemed terror, wild rumors abounded of a giant ape that roamed the hills of the island which was also guarded by a mammoth squid-like creature just off its rocky shores.

Tales of lore include a delicate princess who, after cheating on her prince husband, was sacrificed to the great ape to make amends for her sins. Other tales include children being taken to the nearby shores of the island and being thrown overboard to satisfy the great hunger of the giant squid. It was believed that the sacrificing of children taught other children to respect their elders and to remember to brush their teeth before bed each night.

As the ages went by and man learned to walk upright the tales of giant apes and squid gradually faded away, only to be replaced by fantastic stories of the island being overrun by horrible snakes that had fish-like tails and heads of Roman gladiators. Man had truly evolved up to this point and it was decided in public courts that the best way to drive the snakes from the island was to allow the land to be developed. Soon afterward, summer homes began to crowd the Ossippee sunsets and the snakes were driven off into the water.

In 1990 eels were discovered just off Little Bear Island. These eels are believed to be the snakes that were driven from Rattlesnake Island, having adapted to their environment. There have been several accounts of these eels suffering the fate of being mutilated by outboard motors and they have even been accused of slithering up water intake lines.

But alas, I have truly seen a mink on Mink island.