This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Carnaval is a popular celebration throughout Latin America. Each country has its own special way to showcase their local culture during this multi-day party of food, music, and dancing. Carnaval originated as a three day party before Lent, but has since evolved into vibrant celebrations of culture. In the Dominican Republic, Carnaval lasts an entire month with each town giving it its own twist. This legend is told in th...
Apr 25, 2021•13 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Medellín, Colombia is already a vibrant city, but somehow it becomes even more vibrant and lively during “La Feria de las Flores”. The entire city is decorated by carnations, lilies, orchids, roses and more as the Department of Antioquia, of which Medellín is the capital, celebrates one of its largest exports with flower displays, flower decorations, and a giant flower parade. This legend is told in the both the present...
Apr 18, 2021•13 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Latacunga, Ecuador is the home of a celebration in honor of la Virgen de las Mercedes (The Virgen Mary has many names and many faces in Hispanic cultures, in this instance, she is the Virgen of Merced , or “Mercy”). They celebrate with a large parade. At the center of this celebration is Mama Negra, a representative of African cultures in Ecuador. This legend is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated wor...
Apr 11, 2021•15 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. One of my favorite fiestas occurs in March in the city of Valencia, España. San José (St. Joseph) is the patron saint of Valencia and in his honor, they build impressive life-like sculptures. They also decorate a tall statue of the Virgen María with sweet-smelling carnations and light up the sky with “fuegos artificiales”, or fireworks. This legend is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phra...
Apr 04, 2021•14 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebration. It is said that every day there is a celebration somewhere. This is especially true in the Spanish-speaking world. With patron saint festivities in every city, celebrations of independence and various sacred native ceremonies, there are many opportunities to witness festivals of culture. This story includes mostly the present tense with a few past verbs. Repeated words and phrases include “raíces” (roots), “ropa” (clothi...
Mar 28, 2021•14 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast Mate is a popular drink in South America and is becoming ever more prevalent around the world. Known for its high caffeine content and, some claim, health properties, it is possible to find cans of Yerba Mate in health shops and even on grocery store shelves. The original mate, however, is drunk from a hollowed out gourd through a metal “bombilla” straw. The plant itself was a gift from the gods. Today’s legend explains the origin story of this popular plant This legend is told in the both the p...
Mar 07, 2021•15 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. There are many legends of monstrous women that roam the streets looking for victims. We have already heard the stories of la Llorona, la Patasola and la Tunda. Today’s legend of la Siguanaba has many similarities. Like the three other women, she did not begin as a monster, but became one because of her own bad choices. Now, she is doomed to cause havoc and scare away the men that once adored her. I hope you enjoy la leyenda d...
Feb 28, 2021•15 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s legend comes from Perú. Huatyacuri lived a lonely life in the Andes mountains. While his father, Pariacaca, the god of wind and storms, loved him, he could not physically hug him, as he only existed in the wind, rain and snow. Huatyacuri longed for ams to hold him. Then he met the beautiful Chaupiñaca and called upon his father to help him overcome the trials presented by her brother Kamachiq to be able to marry her. I hope you enjoy this simplified version of la leyenda de Huatyacuri. T...
Feb 21, 2021•14 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s legend comes from the African communities on the Pacific coast of Colombia and Ecuador. According to legend, the diablo, or devil, seduced a beautiful African princess who arrived on a slave ship. Not knowing he was the devil, she loved him and had many children. One of those children is La Tunda - a very smelly woman who can change her appearance and put people in a trance by feeding them food cooked in her “trasero”, or bum. I think it is important to note that this legend was very lik...
Feb 14, 2021•13 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. Few Hispanic legends have spread as far as the rather recently discovered “chupacabras. Formed from the words “chupa”, meaning “sucks” and “cabras”, meaning goats, this legendary creature sucks the blood of animals and leaves their corpses behind. I hope you enjoy today’s overview of the legend of “el chupacabras”. This legend is told in the past tense. Repeated words and phrases include “chupa” (sucks), “sangre” (blood), “he...
Feb 07, 2021•13 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. Listener discretion is advised for this episode. El Coco, el Cuco y el Cucuy are the Spanish equivalent of the Bogeyman. Parents tell stories of this creature to scare their children into behaving. But el coco is not just a myth. This character is based in a very real, very disturbing event from Spain in the early 1900s. I hope you enjoy today’s exploration of the origin of “el coco”. This legend is told in the present, past ...
Jan 31, 2021•13 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast A woman roams the mountains of la República Dominicana. She is not like other women. She is a protector of nature. Many have tried to trap her, but she is difficult to find because her feet are backwards and lead you in the wrong direction. This woman is a “Ciguapa”. She hypnotizes men with her dark eyes and beauty and leads them to their death. This legend is told in the present tense. Repeated words include “protege” (protects), “naturaleza” (nature), “bosque” (forest), and “tiene miedo” (fear...
Jan 24, 2021•13 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s legend comes from the country of Guatemala, although it is a popular story in many countries. According to the legend, a “carruaje” or carriage appears in the night driven by death (“la muerte”) himself, or herself, to carry souls to the afterlife. This legend is told mostly in the present tense. Repeated words include “tiene miedo” (is scared), “ruido” (noise), “sonido” (sound), “espantoso” (scary), “se esconde” (hides) and “caballos” (horses). No matter where you are in your language j...
Jan 17, 2021•14 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s legend comes from the Guaraní culture in the countryside of Paraguay. The Guaraní tell of a short, hairy man who comes out at night to cause a variety of problems. He is “El Pombero”. While the Pombero is not necessarily considered “peligroso”, or dangerous, he is “travieso”, or mischievous. You can get on the Pombero’s good side by leaving him “regalos” or gifts. But you can also get on his bad side by saying his name at night or copying his whistle. This legend is told in the present t...
Jan 10, 2021•14 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. In Central America, large dogs roam the mountains. They are los Cadejos. Legend says God created white dogs to protect humans. Not to be outdone, the devil created black dogs to terrorize humans. In either case, cadejos appear when they are most needed, to either do good or harm depending on the person. This legend is told in both the present and past tenses. Repeated words include “protege” (protect), “aparece” (appear), “de...
Jan 03, 2021•12 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. Today’s legend comes from Colombia. La Patasola is a deformed ghost creature. As her name indicates, she only (sola) has one leg (pata or pierna). What caused her demise? Why does she hop around on her leg tormenting others? The answers to those questions and more appear in this retelling of “La leyenda de la Patasola”. The legend is mostly told in the past tense. Repeated words include “infiel” (unfaithful), “enamorado” (in ...
Dec 27, 2020•14 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. Alfonso XIII became king at birth. When he was about to lose his first tooth, the author Luis Coloma wrote him a story about a mouse (ratón) named Pérez. That mouse visits children all over the Spanish-speaking world when a child loses a tooth. The legend is mostly told in the past tense, with some present tense in the dialogue. Repeated words include “almohada” (pillow), “diente” (tooth), “rey” (king), “cayó” (fell), and “de...
Dec 13, 2020•15 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. In the year 1531 the Virgen Mary appeared to humble Mexican peasant by the name of Juan Diego. She had a message for the bishop. Initially, he didn’t believe Juan Diego. He thought we has telling “mentiras” (lies), not “la verdad” (the truth). He asked for a “señal” (sign). Later, Juan Diego returned, and the Virgen’s image miraculously appeared on his tilma, or cloak. That image has become known as “La Virgen de Guadalupe” a...
Dec 06, 2020•15 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. Incan mythology tells of a mother of all living. She is la Pachamama, or Mother Earth. She controls fertility and the land and gives freely to those who give back to her and causes problems for those who take too much. This legend repeats vocabulary such as “mundo” (world), “tierra” (land/earth), “alimentar” (to feed), “dar” (to give), “tomar” (to take), “cuida” (care for), and “temblor” (earthquake). The second half ventures...
Nov 30, 2020•13 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. A tall young man strolls the plains in the Llanos region of Venezuela. He is the Silbón, or Whistler. You know he is near when his whistle (silbato) is faint, but you are safe when he whistles loudly. The origin of el Silbón is not for the faint of heart and explains why he also carries a sack of bones. Todays simple story embellishes the origin of el Silbón and his love of whistling (silbar). This legend repeats vocabulary s...
Nov 16, 2020•16 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. In the middle of the Guatemalan flag there is a beautiful green bird with a bright red chest and a long flowing tail. It is the quetzal, a symbol of liberty and a nahual , or spirit guide, of the Maya and Quiché people. Todays simple story explains one of the many legends surrounding this stunning bird. This legend repeats vocabulary such as “lucha” (fights), “cacique” (chieftain), “pecho” (chest), “guerreros” (warriors), and...
Nov 08, 2020•13 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. In the mountains of Nicaragua, a young woman roams the mountains inviting young men to come see her treasure. Those who follow la Mocuana visit a cave full of gold before disappearing forever. Is la Mocuana evil, or just the victim of a broken heart? This legend repeats vocabulary such as “tesoro” (treasure), “oro” (gold), “se enamora” (falls in love), “tiene miedo” (is scared), and “cueva” (cave). No matter where you are in ...
Nov 03, 2020•14 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. In southern Chile there is an island named Chiloé. The people of Chiloé are fishermen. Thus many of their legends focus on the sea. The most famous legend from Chiloé is about a ghost ship: the Caleuche. This ship is different from other stories of ghost ships because it is driven by a lovely mermaid who throws a party for her crew every night. But the way she gathers her crew, and their zombi-like state, is chilling. This le...
Oct 25, 2020•14 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. Outside of Mexico City there are two impressive mountains. But perhaps, they are more than just mountains. According to legend, the mountains are two star-crossed lovers who couldn’t be together in life. Iztaccíhuatl is an extinct volcano while Popocatéptl is active, and watches over her. This story features repetitions some lesser known vocabulary such as “cacique” (tribal chief), “guerrero” (warrior) and “proteger” (protect...
Oct 18, 2020•14 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast This new season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. The most well-known legend of the Spanish-speaking world is that of “La Llorona” or the weeping woman. She floats near water in search of her lost children. But you must be careful, because she may mistake you for one of her sons! This story features repetitions of the phrase “tiene miedo” (is scared) as well as the words “niño” (child), “mujer” (woman), “hombre” (man), “hijos” (sons/children) and “río” (river). No matter where...
Oct 10, 2020•14 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast Who is the Small Town Spanish Teacher? This second season of personal simple stories continues with an answer to the question “what is my family like?” (¿Cómo es mi familia?). My family is very special to me. It is both small (pequeño) and big (grande). In this story I talk about my husband (esposo/marido) my sons (hijos), my sisters (hermanas), my brothers (hermanos) and my parents (padres). You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2020/09/15/...
Sep 15, 2020•12 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Who is the Small Town Spanish Teacher? This second season of personal simple stories continues with an answer to the question “where do I go?” (¿Adónde voy yo?). I go to many lugares (places) within my typical week or year when I have the opportunity. This episode features the verb “voy” (I go) with varias places (lugares) that I visit. Some of the places I go are mundane, such as the store (tienda) and work (trabajo). Other places are more exciting such as National Parks (parques nacionales) an...
Sep 08, 2020•12 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast Who is the Small Town Spanish Teacher? This new season of personal simple stories continues with an answer to the questions “where do I live?” (¿Dónde vivo yo?). When I first moved to the state (estado) of Colorado, I didn’t really like it. Over the past few years, though, I have come to really enjoy where I live. Although I am not from here, I now call Colorado home. In this episode I describe the nature (naturaleza) of where I live nestled in a valley (valle) among mountains (montañas), desser...
Aug 31, 2020•13 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast Who is the Small Town Spanish Teacher? This new season of personal simple stories continues with an answer to the questions “what do I eat?” (¿Qué como yo?). Starting with a typical desayuno (breakfast) of huevos (eggs), moving to almuerzo (lunch) and cena (dinner), exploring some meriendas (snacks) and postres (desserts) and ending with my favorite drink of agua (water), this story lists many foods found in most households. This episode features the verb “como” (I eat) with many food cognates. ...
Aug 17, 2020•11 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast Who is the Small Town Spanish Teacher? This new season of personal simple stories continues with a somewhat abstract question: “¿Qué quiero yo?” (What do I want?). Some things that I want might change from time to time. Others depend on how I am feeling. Some of my wants are within reach, while others seem impossible. This episode features the verb “quiero” (I want) in multiple ways with many cognates. This episode also presents one paragraph of advanced grammar with the present subjunctive (qui...
Aug 10, 2020•10 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 
