A murder has been committed. Who was the criminal? Some stated that on the day of the crime, a Spaniard, who was passing through the Portuguese village on a pilgrimage, had been in the neighborhood and various circumstances pointed to this guilt.

The Spaniard declared his innocence but could not present proof. Arrested, he was condemned to hang. The poor man continued to plead his innocence to no avail.

As a last favor, he asked to be brought before the judge again. The judge was dining with some friends and, before them all, the man declared his innocence. ?There is nothing I can do?, replied the judge.

The Spaniard seeing himself abandoned by man, turned to the saints of his faith. Inspired he cried. ?I am so innocent that before I die this roasted roster here will crow!?

Everyone laughed. The feast continued, but for some reason the rooster was not touched. Evening fell and the words of the man still rang in their ears.

Suddenly, to the astonishment of all, the roasted rooster transformed and crowed! The judge and his guest ran to the site of the hanging just in time to save the condemned man. The pilgrim was free ? and Portuguese homes had a mascot ? the gaily painted ceramic ?Rooster of Good Luck and Happiness!?

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