Two stories of crime and punishment and why kidnapping is wrong and dangerous but not for the reasons that you think. By American author O. Henry. 

Stories:

The Ransom of Red Chief: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Whirligigs/The_Ransom_of_Red_Chief

After Twenty Years: https://americanliterature.com/author/o-henry/short-story/after-twenty-years/

A man discovers something reading the paper on his train ride into London: he's wanted for murder. What does he do next? Lead police on a low-speed chase to 221B Baker Street.

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Two stories from Edgar Allan Poe about the masks we wear and the work we do and the profound consequences of both.

Today's stories were adapted from:

• "Hop-frog" by Edgar Allan Poe: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Poe%27s_Tales_of_Mystery_and_Imagination/Hop-Frog
• "The Oval Portrait" by Edgar Allan Poe: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Works_of_the_Late_Edgar_Allan_Poe_(1850)/Volume_1/The_Oval_Portrait

Dr. Henry Harris has been called to the outpost for asteroid Y-3, humanity's first line of defense against a vast, strange galaxy, because there's a strange infection growing among the soldiers of the outpost: they think they're turning into plants.

Adapted from "Piper in the Woods" by Philip K. Dick: (Warning, link NSFW as it contains a drawing of a nude alien) https://myths.link/piper

The secret of the island is out, and Doctor Moreau is close to his greatest achievement. Will Edward Pendrick make it home, and, if he manages to get away from the island of horrors, what sort of man will he be when he returns?

Adapted from "The Island of Doctor Moreau" by H.G. Wells.

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NOTE: Ad-free episodes start with this and the next episode. I will work on getting the previous seasons uploaded, but currently it's just these two.

When Edward Pendrick makes it into the lifeboat as the Lady Vain sinks, he thinks he's one of the lucky ones. Upon finding his way to the Island, populated with curious people, a reclusive genius, and his shamed assistant, he might question just how lucky he truly is.

Adapted from "The Island of Doctor Moreau" by H.G. Wells.

Connect with us on Discord: https://myth.links/discord

Want ad-free episodes? Find us on Apple Podcasts or join the Myths and Legends membership at https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

NOTE: Ad-free episodes start with this and the next episode. I will work on getting the previous seasons uploaded, but currently it's just these two.

Hi! It's been awhile. Thanks for your patience.

Today is a special episode and not the start of the next season, but a new season is coming in 2025.

In Victorian England, they told ghost stories on Christmas. Today, we have three ghost stories from that era.

The stories today were adapted by the Weisers from "The Old Portrait" by Hume Nisbet, "The Ghost's Summons" by Ada Buisson, and "Old Applejoy's Ghost" by Frank R. Stockton. 

Links!

Discord: https://myths.link/discord

Twitter: https://x.com/fictionalpod

Mastodon (might not be approved, yet): https://mstdn.social/@fictional

Dr. Freddie Drummond is in a great position: a fulfilling job, a wonderful fiancée, and the respect of titans of industry. So...why is he going out at night, living a double life?

Today's story was based on "South of the Slot" by Jack London.

Someday Henry Bemis is going to do it. Sometime he is going to go to that wonderful, glorious place and live the life of his dreams.

The place? Well, the public library, of course.

But...today is not that day.

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Today's episode was inspired by "Time Enough at Last" by Lynn Venable.

What happens when your nose leaves your face...and starts living a better life than you?

Today's episode was adapted from the story "The Nose" by Nikolai Gogol. You can find the full text here.

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Looking for something else to listen to? Check out Best of the Worst! It used to be a segment on this show. Now it's a weekly mini-cast. https://www.nextpod.com/botw-subscribe