How the Porcupine Islands Got Their Name

There is a legend as to how the Porcupine Islands got their name...

In Frenchman Bay, not far from Bar Harbor's shore, are four small islands. The islands weren't always there, and this is the tale...

Once upon a time...

...A mean giant lived high up on Cadillac Mountain, towering over the regions of what would become Acadia National Park. He had there four pet porcupines of similar mean nature.

Late one night, when the giant was trying to get to sleep, his porcupines were making an awful racket, screeching and fighting like banshees. In a wild rage, the giant chased them down the mountain, where they leapt into Frenchman Bay in a panic, trying madly to escape their pursuer.

Alas, the porcupines couldn't swim, but they were too afraid to come back to shore where the awful giant could reach them. Fortunately, a sweet mermaid observed their predicament and decided to protect them for all time by turning each porcupine into an island.

So, there the four porcupines still sit to this day... Sheep Porcupine, Burnt Porcupine, Long Porcupine, and Bald Porcupine.

And that's the legend of how the Porcupine Islands got their names!

THE END

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