This week, on Myths and Legends, there are two stories from Japanese folklore about people going on quests.

On the first, we'll see a friendship so strong that nothing can break it, except, you know, murder.

On the second, it's a man with a dream to be a samurai.

The problem? He's not a samurai. He's basically an office worker about to fight a dragon.

The creature this week is someone who's been waiting to go out for 500 years, just all dressed up with no place to go.

But she does not want to go out with you.

And she will make that very clear by devouring you whole.

This is Myths and Legends Episode 303.

Rice and Means.

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

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

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

Today, there are two stories of people with big dreams, and the things standing in their way.

Sometimes, it's a massive dragon. Sometimes it's themselves. Sometimes it's both.

On the first, we're going to jump into a story of two friends taking a fairy ride.

Where one reveals that he's been on a quest the entire time.

The fairy rocked back and forth.

Tajima Shume took a seat next to the priest. They better settle in. It was going to be a rocky trip.

Shume had been traveling with the priest for several months now.

They went on the road when some would-be bandits were hassling the priest.

And they were tough, but they weren't Ronin.

A masterless samurai.

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