Spain - LOCAL LEGEND: La Diablilla (The little devil)

According to local tradition, on August 24 the devil is free and may take anybody's soul, particularly the most innocent ones, the children. To avoid that, parents usually put a medal with the image of Saint Bartholomew around their children's neck. Those who wear the medal are safe. Saint Bartholomew is the patron saint of the city of Montoro. He is represented with his foot on the devil, crushing him. God had given him the power to beat the devil and expel him from the body of a person.

In Montoro, the festivity is celebrated on the 23rd and 24th of August. On those days, the devil is free. He can be seen coming to the town from the top of the bell tower of the church of Saint Bartholomew. Once in the main square, he scares children and adults who don't wear the medal. How does he scare children? By pulling their hair or ears. Children, amazed, cry or hide behind their parents. But on the 24th at midday Saint Bartholomew appears. A battle among them starts until finally Saint Bartholomew beats the devil and the city is free from his bad influence.