"The Black Basilisk" is an old folktale from Utrecht province.

Legend tells us there once was a big monster with scales like a lizard, a head with a large mouth, fuming with a disgusting smell and a back adorned with ferocious spikes. Whenever someone looked the beast in the eyes, they would turn to stone. Considered to be the horror of the city Utrecht, it was said this ghastly snake hid in the basement of a small tavern that was guarded by many fierce men who wanted to prevent the basilisk from escaping. Many of them tried to murder the beast but never returned from their daring descent into the blackest of depths.

One day, a brave young lad went to confront the monster, even though he had been discouraged by many. The lad told everyone to not fear the beast as he would slay it. He asked the people of Utrecht to blindfold him. He then went down unarmed and taunted the snake several times. The beast came closer and closer so that eventually the lad smelled its vulgar breath.

The beast opened its fang-filled mouth and filled the air with a roaring sound. But suddenly the lad pulled out a small metal tray and turned the beast’s horrid gaze back onto itself in its reflection, resulting in the snake’s turning into stone. There the story of the Basilisk ended.