Portuguese Stories - Folktales From The Portuguese Countryside (Folklore History Series)

By Foz Do Douro

Portugal's countryside is beautiful and remote, steeped in rich folktales and deep religious superstition. This book is a fabulous window into an unseen old world. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Oct 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781447490258

Book preview

PORTUGUESE STORIES.

line

THE interest which is so generally manifested in England for the study of the Folk-Lore of all nations, as an aid to the acquisition of a greater knowledge of the early history, manners, and customs of the European family, has impelled me to bring forward a few Portuguese stories which I have translated from an interesting collection of the popular traditions of Portugal, by Senhor Cuelho, the first volume of which was published in Lisbon in 1879.

The great mass of popular traditions and stories had never received in Portugal the attention which it was entitled to until this distinguished and learned author, after much labour, collected them together. In his preface he says truly, that these stories would bear no importance for science had they been brought into Portugal recently, or had they been introduced through literary channels. And that the principal and most conclusive arguments which prove their great antiquity and their genuine authenticity proceeds from the fact that these stories have been gathered from traditions carried from mouth to mouth for ages, until they have come down to the very persons from whom he received them.

As a Portuguese lady, I have much pleasure in translating for the Society these three specimens of Senhor Cuelho’s work; of their value and interest for comparison with the stories of other countries I do not speak, because the members of the Society will no doubt fully avail themselves of the information thus given.

The full title of Senhor Cuelho’s book is Contos Populares Portugueses Colligidos por J. Adolpho Cuelho.

THE STORY OF MAMMA-NA-BURRA.

[O HOMEM DA ESPADA DE VINTE QUINTAES.]

Once upon a time there was a man and wife who had no children The wife continually lamented their loneliness, and regretted not having a son to inherit their wealth; but the good man endeavoured to console her in her desolate state, and would sometimes say to her: If it is the will of God that we should have no children how can we help it? Be resigned, and the Almighty will reward you for your patience.

The day at last arrived when a son was born to them, and there was as you may suppose great joy in that household at the event.

But the child grew so fast