India, June 6 -- This is a story about demons.

They say, the people who say things, that when King Solomon - he of the cut-the-baby-in-half tale - was building his temple in Jerusalem, he developed a particular affection for a little boy who was often on site, the son of the head workman.

The boy also attracted the attention of Ornias, a demon who lived in the constellation Aquarius.

One day, at sundown, Ornias appeared before the boy and sucked his right thumb, and the boy's soul with it. The boy grew thin and pale after this, and Solomon noticed. When the boy told the king what had happened, Solomon was horrified. He prayed to God, who sent the Archangel Michael down to help.

Michael gave Solomon a signet ring, saying it would forev...