 The king of one country threatened by the imminent arrival of the stoor worm sought the advice of a wise man or spaeman , who suggests that the beast might be appeased if it is fed seven virgins every week . In line with the wise man 's advice , every Saturday the islanders provide a sacrificial offering of seven virgins , who were tied up and placed on the beach for the serpent to sweep into its mouth as it reared its head from the sea . 
