Jason Weiser

This week on Myths and Legends, it's a story from early modern Spain, where we'll see how singing can be hazardous to your health, and that if you're having a hard time making big life decisions, you might just need to get attacked by bandits.

Or pirates.

The creature this time is the Sheep Squatch of West Virginia, and it is exactly what it sounds like.

This is Myths and Legends, episode 433, Dania of the Dead.

This is a podcast where we tell stories from mythology and folklore.

Some are incredibly popular tales you might think you know, but with surprising origins.

Others are stories that might be new to you, but are definitely worth a listen.

Today's story comes to us from Spain, and likely the 1600s.

It's a story set in a time obsessed with honor and standing in society.

Spain was an empire in decline at this point, and the western Mediterranean was beset with pirates.

We'll jump into the story in Valencia, Spain, with a prestigious family and a young woman with a very old problem.

So your mother and I have been thinking, you're like 16.

It's time for you to marry.

And we know just the man.

Doña's father clasped his hands together with a smile.

Doña had been waiting for this conversation.

Her whole life, there had only been one.

One boy she had been able to stand.

One man she loved.

She and her parents spoke at the same time.