This week, on the Myths and Legends podcast, we're wrapping up the start of Arabian nights.

By starting and finishing four additional stories, it's like a delicious layered cake

of demons threatening to kill people. The creature this time just wants to wash his beans in the river,

or kill any you. Really, whichever is funnier for him.

This is the Myths and Legends podcast, Episode 82B. Show me what you got.

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. Others have stories you might not have

referred, but really should. Previously on the podcast, King Shariar, who we've been calling King

Ray, was devastated by his wife's infidelity. But instead of dealing with it in a healthy,

non-bloody way, he opted for the murdery route and killed her along with all of his concubines.

That, however, led to loneliness. So he resolved to marry again, but in a way no one could ever hurt

him. King Ray decided to marry one virgin every night, only to have her executed the next morning,

so she could never be unfaithful. He went through 1000 wives before meeting Shaharazad,

who told him the story of a demon and a merchant, could he in the story off right before the demon

cut the merchant's head off in retaliation for killing the demon's son.

Do you have to kill me, the merchant asked? Yes, reply the demon. But really, the merchant asked,

yes, I'm a demon. It's what we do. Okay, but hear me out. What if you didn't kill me right now,

but waited a year? So I'd time to say goodbye to everyone I love and put my affairs in order

and everything. The merchant bargained. He was a merchant after all. Since we demons are

now for being compassionate and reasonable, sure, the demon agreed. Wait a second, how do I know you'll

actually come back in a year to die, the demon asked? Because I promised to come back, scoff the

merchant. The demon thought about it. What type of a world was this where a person couldn't be

...