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This week on Myths and Legends, it's a story from Norway, of a master thief, where we'll see that even bandits offer unpaid internships.

The creature this week is big, venomous, and actually real. Well, the flowing nose hair isn't, but all the bad parts are.

This is Myths and Legends, episode 172. Adventure.

This is a podcast where I tell stories from mythology and folklore. Some are incredibly popular stories you think you know, but with surprising origins.

Other stories that might be new to you, but are definitely worth a listen. This week, it's a fairy tale from Norway. It's set in the Middle Ages, and that's about all you need to know. So we'll jump right in.

Come on, boys. I want to show you something. The cottager said to his three sons, and before you google it, a cottager is just a person who lives in a cottage.

The four men, the cottager and his three sons, came to a crossroads, and the father raised both of his arms. This was his gift to his boys. A life of adventure.

They could go to make their own way in the world, fight dragons, marry princesses, the whole hero's journey package. Adventure. You're welcome, boys. The two older brothers high-fived.

Wow, he was such a great dad. The youngest, though, he thought about it. Hey, was there dad just abandoning them in the woods, but framing it like it was some sort of cool adventure?

Adventure in fighting dangerous creatures to the death was the leading cause of mortality among fairy tale men ages 15 to 25. Didn't his dad read the pamphlets? The youngest brought out a pamphlet that read, Adventure in, not even once.

The cottager said that this was the kid's call to adventure, though. They had already crossed the threshold. He was out in it now. So exciting.

The call to adventure was just you yelling adventure a lot, the sun pleaded, but his father only stroked his beard and smirked. This was it. The refusal of the call.

Fear, insecurity, and a sense of inadequacy can drive this part of the monometh. The cottager put his hand on his son's shoulder.

You're good enough, son. You can do this. The sun stepped back. No, no, he couldn't. He had no dragon fighting or wilderness survival training, and frankly, he just didn't want to be homeless. Why was his father doing this?

But his father didn't listen. Crisis averted, thanks to great parenting. Maybe that was the true adventure all along.

Alright, well, have fun, boys. Next step on the hero's journey is meeting your mentor. Make me proud. Also, I live alone now, so I'll attack any unexpected visitors on site, unless you return super rich.

Bye.

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