A Dolphins Legend - Marino and The Thunder God

On the seventh hour, of the seventh day,
on the seventh month, the seventh doctor said:
"He's born for good luck, and I know you see;
Got seven hundred dollars, and don't you mess with me
-Muddy Waters, Hoochie-Coochie Man

There is a story that is told sometimes in the swamps of South Florida. Not everyone knows this one, but like most good yarns, the ones that have heard it keep it close by. Like most swamp-tales it comes complete with a voodoo curse and a prophesy of redemption. It goes a little something like this...

In the Kingdom of Miami there was once a great leader, whose greatness was unrivaled. In fact his prowess was so unmatched that in time the thunder god, Dongo, came to hear from some of his worshipers that this great leader was in fact more powerful than he. This infuriated Dongo, whose might had never before been questioned. As is the case with such occurrences, Dongo set off to confront and challenge this great leader of men.

He was a god after all, and so he could not allow mere mortals to challenge his might.

The young leader was surprised when he came upon the thunder god one day. You can only imagine how much more surprised he was when the thunder god challenged him to a contest of might.

"You are a god, Dongo, and though I am a great man I have never once claimed to be your better. But yet you seem insistent on this challenge, and as a great man I honor your challenge and accept it. If the strength of my right arm allows it, I shall beat you too."

And so they went about their contest. The test would concern the hurling of thunder, of which both were adept. The field of contest was set and the two set forth to do battle.

The first test was one of accuracy.


The thunder god pointed across a field of one-hundred yards and said to the leader, whose name was Marino, "Do you see that small mosquito over there?"

"The smallest one?" Marino asked.

"Yes, the smallest. We shall try three times each to strike dead that mosquito. If one should hit it, then the next smallest will be the target. You shall go first."

Marino said nothing of the fact that he would be throwing at the smallest mosquitos for he Marino was not one to complain. Instead he grasped thunder with his mighty hand and threw it with all the power and strength that he had. His eyes were keen. His accuracy incredible. Three times out of three he struck the smallest mosquito. Perfect was his score.

Then it was the thunder god's turn. And Dongo grasped thunder with his mighty hand and with a great noise in the heavens he struck the first and second mosquitos. Those that had gathered nearby marveled at the power of the thunder god.

He reached down and pulled yet another thunderbolt to his hand and taking his time sent it across the field towards a relatively large mosquito, which was the last left. The throw missed. The thunder god had been bested by one shot.

With a great roar he admitted defeat. "There is yet two more challenged," he said, "of which the winner of two shall be considered the better. The next is a test of distance and the last is a test of flying."

The crowd booed for the last test was unfair as they knew that Marino, being a mortal man, could not fly. So all the thunder god had to do is win the test of distance and then he would win it all.

Marino was steely eyed however and to the god of thunder he said, go ahead, heave thunder as far as you can. Then I shall throw mine and we shall see who is the best out of the two.

The thunder god did not like the leader's confidence. Yet he was a god and he knew his own incredible might.

"Do you see that mountain over yonder?" the thunder god asked pointing off to the north west.

"Yes." Marino said and the crowd marveled at both competitors vision, as none of them could see a mountain anywhere.

"The winner shall strike that mountain as high up as is possible."

And with a great wind-up and heave he sent his thunderbolt flying and it flew so far that only the two competitors could see it land within yards of the mountain's summit.

Marino smiled and said that it was a good throw.

"Not good enough though..." Marino said and picked up a thunderbolt.

With little wind-up and with incredibly quick release he heaved mightily the bolt of thunder. The thunder god knew he was beaten as soon as it leapt from Marino's fingertips. The thunderbolt destroyed the mountain's top and kept sailing into the distance, for how long no one knows still for not even the god of the sky saw where it finally landed.

"I have beaten you, Dongo, and so you must recognize that I am your better."

Dongo was mad and feeling wicked. He spat out his words.

"So it is, Marino. Never has there been a thrower like you. Your people will cherish your time as leader. Though I curse you for your defiance of the gods. Never shall you lead your people to supreme victory. And since your talents are as great as thirteen men, for thirteen generations no leader of your people after you shall lead them to supreme victory. Thirteen leaders must come and go before another shall lead you to victory."

And Marino and the people were saddened to realize this. And so they waited for thirteen to come and go.


And on one Sunday, after the curse had laid low the 13th and most noble of the cursed leaders, a man came forward bearing the number 7, which is perfect. There are seven classical schools of learning. Seven seals in the times of the end. Seven visible planets.

With much chagrin the thunder god looked on as the curse was shattered and a new era dawned on the people of Miami, wherever they dwelt.

So Dongo, ever a tyrant, set thirteen obstacles for the young leader and his number 7, and these thirteen tests must be endured before his greatness could be realized.

Breathlessly the people await the first.