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Overview

The Enemy rises from the sea before an impoverished fisherman and promises abundant catches in return for the wife’s next child after thirteen years. The man thinks she is past childbearing and secures an exception if no child arrives; the Enemy already knows she is pregnant. When Lionbruno is born, the being returns to claim him, but the father invokes the agreed delay. At the end of the term the father must send the boy alone to the beach.

Lionbruno has made small wooden crosses and planted them around himself, keeping another in his hand. Unable to seize him within that protection, the Enemy threatens him until he destroys the surrounding crosses, but the boy refuses to surrender the one he holds. Colina then takes him away. Enraged, the Enemy emits fire from his eyes, mouth, nose and ears amid thunder and lightning, yet cannot prevent the rescue. This is the named tale’s devil bargain and failed claim; the account does not give the Enemy a separate personal name, later pursuit or biological relationship to Lionbruno.

Offers fish abundance for future childKnows concealed pregnancyBlocked by wooden crossesEmits fire at failed rescue
01

Origins & earliest records

Crane, Italian Popular Tales (1885), XXXVI: Lionbruno, pp. 136–147; story list identifies Basilicata, Comparetti, no. 41.

02

Records & interpretation

The complete selected English narrative distinguishes the Enemy, Colina and the wind family. Crane’s editorial conclusion distinguishes his oral-tradition selection from circulating chapbook versions; no independent original-language collation is claimed.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Italian Popular Tales, XXXVI: Lionbruno, pp. 136–147; notes 13–14

    Thomas Frederick Crane; selected from Domenico Comparetti, no. 41 · 1885

    Complete selected narrative through reunion and wedding; the interpretation of Borea’s name is explicitly Crane’s note.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Primary textCrane 1885: Lionbruno, complete narrativeResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

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