The Legend of Rag Rock

Mount Mianomo holds many mysteries. In ancient times the summit of Mount Mianomo was shrouded in mist and lightning played along its edges. The shadows of primitive scattered along its surface and flashed their spirits over the land in the sparks of lightning that ricocheted off its red rocks. Sometimes the setting sun left a halo of copper that lingered over Mount Mianomo and made it seem part of the sky.In the Autumn of the time before the white man came, Nansema, or She Who Steals Hearts, lived at the foot of Mount Mianomo. There her tribe of Pawtucket Indians made their home in peace. Her father, Wabanowi, was the great chief of the tribe. Wabanowi knew Mount Mianomo’s secrets. He alone knew the magic powers of the Glittering Cave that burrowed deep in the recesses of Mount Mianomo. It was where he gathered the wisdom to guide his tribe. There was only one being with whom Wabanowi would share his secret and that was his treasured daughter, Nansema.A brave chief of the Narragansett tribe made his way north to hunt. When he came to the Pawtucket village, he fell in love with Nansema. His name was Winitihooloo, or Fighting Bear.At first Winitihooloo was welcomed by Wabanowi. But when Winitihooloo declared his love for Nansema, Wabanowi found reason to deny him the hand of his daughter and sent him away. Winitihooloo left Nansema behind, vowing to return for her.When Winitihooloo did return, it was a time of great trouble and grief for the Pawtuckets. A great pestilence had spread across the land and the Pawtuckets suffered greatly. Winitihooloo came to take Nansema away to his village. But her father held fast to his decision.Nansema, having shared the secret of the Glittering Cave with Winitihooloo, sent him one of its gleaming rocks. It was their signal to meet there. But someone evil followed her and discovered the secret cave that was filled with gold and the evil 1 wished to have it for his own. When the Winitihooloo arrived for their meeting, a great battle ensued and the gods shook the mountain and trapped the lovers inside with the evil 1. For 400 year’s, Winitihooloo and Nansema have waited to be rescued. They have cried out to many throughout the years, but only served to frighten them. Mount Mianomo is no longer called by that ancient name. Today, it is known as Rag Rock, the name chosen by white settlers who arrived from England in 1640 to make their homes there. Modern technology has cut the mighty Mount Mianomo down to size, and only a small part of its majesty remains. But the secret is still locked inside its reddish-brown core, and the evil one still holds Nansema and Winitihooloo captive inside the Glittering Cave. Finally, the day has arrived when the perfect 2 people have come together to fight the battle with the evil 1 and free Nansema and Winitihooloo without giving away the secret of the Glittering Cave. But today’s reality is somewhat less romantic. Sad to say, in spite of the spectacular view from that ancient promontory, what was most disappointing was finding that Rag Rock’s landscape is literally paved with broken bottles, trash and the remnants of fires that have left the rock floor of its summit scarred, black and sooty and the pathways rutted with the tracks of motorbikes.