St. Kate and the Dragon Boat

Story Butchered from The Golden Legend; or, Lives of the Saints, compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, 1275. First edition published in 1470. Translated into English by William Caxton, first edition 1483.

Saint Kate was a knight and born in Talahassee. One time she came to the city of Naha in the province of Okinawa. Near this city was a port, wherein there was a dragon which was running rampant throughout all the country.

Whenever he approached the docks he bellowed great menacing noises, and therefore the people of the city gave to him every twenty minutes thirty two people to satisfy his hunger, so that he would do no harm to the bystanders. An ordinance was made that the children and young people of the town should be chosen by lottery to feed the dragon. Whoever the lot fell upon, wealthy or poor, he or she was delivered to the dragon.

One time the lot fell upon the staff of OCSI, and the exuberant principal said to his people, "For the thrill of it, we will!"
Then he returned to the people and asked for thirty days respite in which to practice and plan. When the thirty days were passed, they came to him and said, "You see that the city is plagued by not one, but three dragons. Assemble your team."
Then the principal had his staff dressed alike, drove to Naha, prayed they not be slain, then led the way to the place where the dragon was.

When they were there Saint Kate passed by, and seeing the team, she asked what they were doing there.
They said, "Go your way, fair young lady, lest you perish as well. You see we have never yet set eyes on the dragon or practiced its protocol."

Then Saint Kate said, "Fair Staff members and children doubt not, for I shall help you in the name of Jesus Christ."
While they were thus talking together the dragon appeared and came rowing toward them. Saint Kate, who was on the docks, drew her paddle, made the sign of the cross, then strode swiftly toward the dragon. As one the team entered the hull.

Then she said to the principal's wife "Hold your flag high, and be not afraid."
When she had done so the dragon followed her meekly. She led him into the port, and the people cried in jubilation.Saint Kate said to them, "Doubt not. Row together, and we shall yet slay the dragon."Then the principal and all his people rowed with all their might whereupon Saint Kate and the team killed the dragon race.

The city offered to Saint Kate and OCSI a trophy of their victory and pictures galore. Then Saint Kate took leave of the principal and departed.