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Among the clearest memories I have of my grandmother are without a doubt the winter evenings spent in front of the fireplace, enveloped in the warmth of the crackling fire, listening to the stories she told, inherited orally. Below I report some of these legends to ensure that they are not lost over time.
Until death do us part
A man, on his wedding night, reveals to his wife that he is a werewolf:... "Pay close attention when I come home. When I knock on the door for the first time, don't open it. If you opened it, you would still see me as a lycanthrope and I would devour you, then flee forever into the woods. When I knock for the second time, you still don't have to open: I would be half man and half wolf. Only when I knock on the door for the third time, you can open: Because then I would be completely conscious, the beast would disappear and the usual man would reappear. Don't open the door until you hear my third knock."
His curse manifasted only on full moon nights, between September and November. So every autumn, he reminded his wife: "I'll be back late, wait for the three shots before opening the door. Be careful... remember..."
The wife, despite lingering anxieties, had always obeyed; And their life together had been largely harmonious.
About a year after the wedding, on another full moon night, the husband went out, repeating the usual recommendation to his wife: "Wait for my third knock before opening the door."
Exhausted from waiting, the wife went to bed and fell asleep. Just before sunrise, she heard a knock and woke up. Confused in her half-sleep, she had the impression that too much time had passed, and she quickly went to open the door. The husband, still a werewolf, ferociously mauled her. Once changed and conscious, the man saw his wife's lifeless body and, overwhelmed by pain and remorse, killed himself with a rifle shot.
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Reflection:
Trust, as taught by the moral of this legend, is a fundamental element for the survival of any relationship.
Diffusion:
Southern Italy
Curiosity:
This legend has many variations. One of them is even featured in the novel "Christ Stopped at Eboli" by Carlo Levi.
Along the way
Some time ago, an old farmer, known for his kindness and hard work, set out towards his fields as usual.... Taking the path he walked every day, he found himself at a crossroads. Right there, at the foot of a metal cross rusted by time, lay an abandoned newborn baby, wrapped in a white cloth stained with blood.
The old man took pity on seeing the defenseless little being. He picked him up delicately in his arms and placed him on the back of his mule. With the child safe, he continued on his way, determined to take care of that unexpected new life.
Step by step, however, the pack animal seemed to tire more and more. His step had become uncertain and lurching, his breathing labored, as if the weight on his back increased with every meter travelled. Concerned by this, the man stopped and turned to check on the child.
But instead of the newborn, he saw a centuries-old man. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, and his eyes were dull and lifeless. A shiver of terror ran down the farmer's back. In that instant, he understood that he had encountered an evil entity that had disguised itself as an infant to deceive him.
Without hesitation, he threw the decrepit old man off the mule. The old man rolled into a deep ravine and was consumed by an infernal fire.
The man, terrified by what he had seen, ran away. From that day on, he never traveled that road again, forever marked by the encounter with the evil that was hidden behind deceptive appearances.
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Reflection:
The moral of this legend teaches us not to always trust appearances and to avoid judging people solely based on their external looks.
Diffusion:
Southern Italy
Two crossed pins
Many years ago, a young man about to leave for a business trip was warned by his mother:...
"My dear son, you have become a man now, and you are ready to face the challenges of the world. But don't forget, not all people are good. Always carry these two iron pins crossed on your chest: they will protect you from all evil. Do not lose them and never take them off. May my love and blessings accompany you every step of the way."
The boy, devoutly obedient to his mother, trusted her words. He formed a cross on his chest with the two pins and left. Once he reached the village where he served, he continued to keep his promise and his life was peaceful and serene for months.
A midsummer night came and the young man, like every evening, was sipping wine and chatting with a colleague of his. Suddenly, a noise from a nearby stable caught their attention. Without hesitation, the boy rushed to check what it was. Inside the stable, a soft light illuminated a whirlwind of movement: dozens of beautiful women were dancing with frenzy. Intoxicated by the wine and enraptured by the spectacle, he joined in the dance, intertwining his steps with those of one of the beautiful girls.
As they danced, the stable door slammed violently every minute. With each collision, a woman disappeared into thin air. Before dawn, the boy found himself alone with the girl, who confessed:
"As long as you hold me close to you, your pins will keep me from flying away. As long as you hold me close to you, the door will not crush you and you will be able to walk out without any danger."
The young man grabbed the girl's hand and dragged her out of the stable. It was then that his eyes fell on a detail he had not noticed before: The woman's rounded belly was a clear sign of pregnancy. Confused and unsure about what to do, he decided to go back to his mother.
Once home, the girl sank into an absolute silence that lasted for months. Then, she gave birth, but even this event did not push her to speak. Then, the young man's mother, exasperated and suspicious, grabbed the newborn and threatened to throw him into the fire if the woman did not finally speak, revealing her origins and her intentions towards her son. The terrified girl confessed everything: she came from a very distant country, she intended to take advantage of the boy's kindness as much as possible and she was part of a coven of witches. She promised his blessing in thanks for the hospitality received and left, never to return.
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Reflection:
The legend highlights the fundamental importance of family in our lives. It represents a stable and safe point of reference, offering support, love and protection at all times. It also conveys the importance of keeping the promises made.
Diffusion:
Southern Italy
The viper
Once upon a time there was a young girl who belonged to a very poor family. As a thirteen-year-old, she was approached by a mysterious woman who invited her to join a secret coven.... Initially hesitant, the young woman was attracted by the tempting promises of riches and power and decided to accept. The night of her initiation arrived. As a test of loyalty, she was ordered to kidnap a newborn baby from its cradle and deliver it to the eldest witch, who would make it her macabre meal. However, the young woman, who possessed a kind and compassionate soul, refused to commit such an abominable act. Then, as punishment for her brave refusal, the witch cursed her, condemning her to spend an entire year in the form of a viper.
"For your insult, you will crawl through four long seasons, suffering heat and cold, hunger and thirst."
The snake wandered for many miles, barely feeding, until, exhausted, it came to a field of golden wheat as three farmers were having lunch. The youngest noticed it, the second suggested killing it. The last, the oldest of the three, seeing the exhausted animal and moved by compassion, decided to offer it a little water, then a piece of bread and finally a glass of red wine. The viper, now satiated, went away without harming the men in the least.
A year after the event, the older farmer found himself passing by a disastrous road. Suddenly, he was stopped by a young girl who greeted him and thanked him. The man asked who she was and why she was so grateful. The young woman replied:
"I am that afflicted creature saved by you one summer day. For your kindness and generosity, I will be eternally grateful... For this reason, I offer you my protection and promise to watch over you until the end of your days."
The farmer, confused and perplexed, went home to wonder who she was. After hours and hours of thinking, he finally understood. From that day on, the man lived a happy and healthy life, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends.
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Reflection:
History shows, through countless examples, that compassion and kindness towards all living beings, without any distinction, are always virtues to be cultivated.
Diffusion:
Southern Italy
Curiosity:
This story is undoubtedly the oldest among those I have collected, and the extremely magical element provides a confirmation of this. For this reason I chose a fairy-tale style to best represent it.
The Taurus imprint
In ancient times, two shepherds looked after a flock of sheep, alternating day and night watches.
One night a violent storm broke out and the shepherd on duty, to shelter from the bad weather, decided to take refuge in a cave.... He gathered the sheep inside the cave and, to keep warm, harvested some wood and lit a fire. Once sheltered from the cold and wind, he began to roast the little, hard bread he had with him. While he was eating his meal, a mysterious figure appeared at the entrance of the cave. With a trembling voice the shepherd asked who it was. The man, stepping out of the shadows, replied:
"I am a poor lost monk seeking safe refuge from this violent storm."
The guardian took pity on him and invited him to join him around the hearth. Between bites of food, the two began to chat. The monk, intrigued, said:
"I couldn't help but notice how your shoelaces are tied. They form a cross... To be comfortable, why don't you untie them? You don't need them now, You are sheltered."
Poking the fire, the shepherd explained:
"I didn't take off my shoes because the sheep might escape from the cave and I couldn't reach them barefoot."
Suddenly, the flames began to crackle with incredible violence, so much so that the monk jumped up and lifted his tunic to avoid burning it. But it was at that precise moment that the shepherd noticed a chilling detail: Instead of feet, the monk had bovine hooves. Frightened and in disbelief at what he saw, he instinctively grabbed a brand from the fire and struck the demonic creature squarely in the face, sending it fleeing. Just before disappearing, the abominable, believing it was being chased, began to kick furiously backwards, hitting a boulder and leaving its indelible imprint. During the night, the man heard demonic voices whispering from deep within the cave and was struck by a very high fever that led to his death shortly after the changing of the guard.
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Reflection:
The moral of this legend teaches us to always be vigilant and not to blindly trust those we don't know.
Diffusion:
Southern Italy
Curiosity:
The story likely reflects medieval beliefs about demons, evil spirits, and the dangers of the unknown. During this period, people were often superstitious and wary of strangers.