This week, on Myths and Legends, there are two stories of women who are forced to go at

alone. The first shows why Harry, naked mythological creatures might be a bad idea for a pet,

and the second is why you don't want to have a slumber party with a giant.

The creature this time is Hoop Snake, a super venomous creature from 1800s America,

because the Old West absolutely needed more danger.

This is Myths and Legends, Episode 156, Clevver Girl.

This is a podcast where you tell stories from mythology and folklore. Some are incredibly

popular stories you think you know, but with surprising origins. Others are stories that might

be new to you, but are definitely worth listening. There are two stories this week. The first is

that of Kastanza, who is not a short, stocky, slow-witted bald man, but the youngest daughter of

the Egyptian King of Thebes. Today's story is an Italian fairy tale, written in the 1500s by Giovanni

Straparola, and a collection entitled The Fesitius Knights of Straparola. It's a collection of

works that would go on to influence other fairy tale heavyweights, such as Bessile, Perolte,

and the Grim Brothers. Not much backstory for today's story, just that it's set in the late Middle Ages.

The Egyptian King, Ricardo, looked on his life and determined that it was awesome. He had three

daughters, and enough money to pay all their dowries to honorable husbands, all good guys,

not a blue beard in the bunch. The very accurately named Egyptian King of Thebes,

Ricardo divided up his kingdom equally among his son-in-laws, and retired on that sliver he left

for himself and the queen. It was all wrapped up with a bow. Perfection. It was after the wedding of

their youngest daughter, Spinella, that Ricardo and his wife, Beleriana, were having dinner.

Finally, finally, empty nesters. So, I'm pregnant.

Beleriana said, and took another bite. Ricardo sat there speechless. What? Beleriana shrugged.

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