Paul, the psychic octopus invited to Spanish fiesta
A Spanish town which celebrates an annual Octopus Festival has
requested that Paul, the “psychic” octopus who predicted Spain’s World
Cup win, be allowed to join them as a guest of honour this year.
Carlos Montes, major of O Carballino, in the northwestern Galicia
region, said they hoped the eight-legged oracle would be allowed by
aquarium staff in Oberhuasen, Germany to travel to their festival on
August 8.
Paul has already been rewarded with honorary citizenship of the town
with several Galician businessmen collecting 30,000 euros to make an
offer to buy the soccer soothsayer.
The mollusc medium shot to fame after correctly “tipping” all eight
games he predicted - seven Germany games and the final itself.
And he has become a symbol of Spain’s World Cup victory with Andres
Iniesta, the scorer of the winning goal over the Netherlands in the
final, carrying a plastic octopus as the team were acclaimed in Madrid
on Monday.
Travelling to this region of Spain could however prove hazardous for
Paul, as octopus is a delicacy, particularly in Galicia, where the
speciality is boiled and served finely sliced with paprika, olive oil
and boiled potatoes.
He could prefer to see out his retirement safely in Germany where
aged two and a half years he is six months off the life expectancy of
his species. MADRID, AFP
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