The Plateau of Piné was not always as beautiful as it is today.
A terrible spell cast by an evil sorcerer had turned the two lakes into dark masses of black, foul water, while the surrounding meadows and forests had become desolate lands of reddish, barren porphyry.
At that time, in a small cottage near Lake Serraia, lived a beautiful young girl named Rosalpina, who spent her days weeping in sadness at the sight of her homeland so dry and her lake so dark it seemed lifeless.
One day, as she was walking along the shore as usual, she happened to see some blades of bright green grass dancing in the water, and countless flowers sparkling like rays of sunlight.
Unable to believe her eyes, Rosalpina stepped into the lake and began to gather the fragrant grass and flowers.
But the poor girl did not notice the passing of time, and after a few hours she fell asleep, letting herself be carried away by the current.
The Fairy of the Lake found her like that the next morning: sleeping peacefully, clutching to her chest a large bunch of grass and flowers.
Moved by compassion, the beautiful fairy took the girl into her care and brought her home.
“You shall stay with me forever,” she said when Rosalpina awoke.
“All right, my good lady,” replied the young girl, “but you must promise me to break the spell that keeps my land imprisoned.
Make the waters clear and transparent again, the meadows green, and the flowers bright with color!”
The fairy agreed, and from that day on, every spring and for one night only, Rosalpina comes out of Lake Serraia carrying a chest full of seeds.
She scatters them generously over the shores and nearby meadows, so that buttercups and daisies, wild lilies and orchids bring life and color back to the plateau and its lakes.
