Werewolves are people that turn into wolves. Or they don't. Maybe they just wear a fancy wolf belt. Or maybe part of a wolf skin. Or maybe they just like to think they're a wolf. Or maybe they're just people that like killing. Werewolf stories are simple ones, but there's no simple answer as to why this thing happens. And it did. A lot. All throughout history there are stories of Werewolves, stretching back as far as Ancient Greece. As it turns out, humans being monstrous is as old as humanity itself. 

The creature this time is the reason you'll want to avoid the river if you see a ghostly woman crying out for her children. But if you're not already doing that, a podcast description won't save you. 

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Clever Hans is clever. He knows the best way to store needles and knives and how to carry a goat in your pockets on long walks through the country. He's even getting married to Gretel, and we'll see how taking advice on wooing your fiancee from your mom can end up in way too much mutilation. 

The second story is also about Hans! A different one. It's about cat chefs and following voices down into the dark places under the earth. The creature is why you'll want to pack a lunch and brush up on some cicada-speak (protip: it's just buzzing) the next time you plan on stealing from the guardians of the forest. 

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The conclusion to the dwarf with the long beard, a story about a dwarf. And a long beard. And entering the ear canals of magic horses for fun and profit. We'll see the epic struggle between brothers come to an end, as well as a powerful argument in favor of facial hair. 

The creature this time is big, warm cat named Big Ears! He has Big Ears! And an army of demonic cats to do his will! 

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Music: "Remember Trees" by Chris Zabriskie "I Should have been more human" by Chris Zabriskie "Shake It" by Jahzzar "Denouement" by Kai Engel "Warbled Reflection" by Podington Bear "Den" by Podington Bear "The Telling" by Blue Dot Sessions "White Limit" by Blue Dot Sessions

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Today's story comes from Slavic folklore and it was so much fun. It's surprisingly complex and full of magic, love, and a sleazy little kidnapper who just can't catch a break. 

Did you know cotton balls were vegetarian friendly snacks? I mean, they're also living things, but they are primarily plants. They taste like old fish and/or honey, but they are low cholesterol so, you know, there's that. 

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Music: "Vanagon" by Podington Bear "Qi" by Blue Dot Sessions "Waypoint 7" by Blue Dot Sessions "We Drive Three Days" by Blue Dot Sessions "Old Regrets" by Lee Rosevere "The Secret to Growing Up" by Lee Rosevere

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Threes are everywhere in folklore, and today we look at stories where they feature the most prominently: The three bears, the three little pigs, and Cinderella. The tales told and adapted for children children, the three pigs and Cinderella,  are extremely bloody and unforgiving, while the one that was originally for adults - the three bears - is about three very chill best bear friends enjoying a fun afternoon before dealing with a deeply psychologically troubled intruder. 

The creature this time adds to our list of mythpodcats...and it's further proof that, given half a chance at victory, your cat wouldn't hesitate to kill you. 

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Music: "Associations" by Podington Bear "Don't Go" by Podington Bear "In My Head" by Podington Bear "Rope Swing" by Podington Bear "As I was Saying" by Lee Rosevere "More on That Later" by Lee Rosevere "Alphabet Soup" by Podington Bear "Relinquish" by Podington Bear

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The "Tale of Tales" is a very famous, moderately deranged collection of folklore from 16th century Italy. It's by the author Giambattista Basile, a storyteller who traveled the Mediterranean region collecting stories. The collection known as "Tale of Tales" follows a similar framing narrative to "1001 Nights", with the storyteller telling the king stories in a very loosely-connected fashion. I'm not even going to say the titles for today's stories, but they are two of the most famous in the collection and wildly unpredictable. They're gross, violent, weird, and interesting - so, basically like everyday life. 

The creature is a man...who is a bat. But he's not Batman, because Batman can't handle this little guy's intensity. 

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Music: "Sad Marimba Planet" by Lee Rosevere "Are we Loose Yet?" by Blue Dot Sessions "August (Summer Nights)" by Kai Engel "November Mist" by Blue Dot Sessions "Shiny" by Podington Bear "Yellow Dust" by Rolemusic "Swapping Tubes" by Blue Dot Sessions "In the Back Room" by Blue Dot Sessions "Petaluma" by Blue Dot Sessions

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We have to go deeper. 

Well, for Scheherazade to survive, she always has to have another level of story to go to - she always has to have another layer of protection, to keep the king interested or her story might end with the rising of the sun. Luckily the king is very easy to impress because these stories are bananas. 

The creature is a funny little guy who just wants to wash his beans in piece. Or eat you. Depending on how playful he's feeling.   

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Music: "Myrian" by Blue Dot Sessions "Pieces" by Blue Dot Sessions "Slimm" by Blue Dot Sessions "Sage the Hunter" by Blue Dot Sessions "Venndet" by Blue Dot Sessions "Fits" by Podington Bear "Glitter" by Podington Bear "Samara" by Podington Bear

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(Have you checked out Fictional? Check out Fictional! There are three episodes waiting for you. Go to https://fictional.fm for more info.) The collection known as "Arabian Nights" actually has an overarching story. And it is...interesting. Full of djinn, demons, kings, and slaves, it's an incredibly interesting way to set up one of the best known collections of folklore. The framing narrative (a way to set up a story-within-a-story) is actually much more interesting than many of the stories it sets up, with betrayal, trickery, and probably the most sex and violence we've encountered so far on this podcast. 

The creature this time is a wise old owl...who doesn't have a problem bringing it in the fight against demons trying to steal your fingernail clippings. 

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Music: "Changing Reality" by Kai Engel "Modum" by Kai Engel "All the Colors in the world" by Podington Bear "Don't Go" by Podington Bear "Everybody" by Podington Bear "Falling Falling" by Podington Bear "Turning to You" by Blue Dot Sessions "When in the West" by Blue Dot Sessions

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An episode with a story from Scandinavia about trolls. Not the internet kind. No, these are the less annoying ones that will murder you in the forest.  

Two creatures this week! And they are dogs! And Myths and Legends will ruin dogs for you, too! 

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**Have you subscribed to Fictional yet? You'll love it! https://fictional.fm/subscribe** 

Wrapping up the story of Perseus, we'll see that fated confrontation with the eternally cosmetologically-challenged monster, Medusa, as well as fall in love. Turns out it's really easy to meet people when they are imprisoned beneath you. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

The creature this time is the gargoyle, which ages phenomenally...because it's in indestructible dragon head. Unlike the monsters from that 90s cartoon that was awesome at the time but which did not age well at all... 

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Music: "Thematic" by Blue Dot Sessions "Doghouse" by Blue Dot Sessions "Are We Loose Yet?" by Blue Dot Sessions "A Simple Blur" by Blue Dot Sessions "A Palace of Cedar" by Blue Dot Sessions "Sensitive" by Podington Bear "Small Pond" by Gurdonark "Quantum Field Theory" by Rolemusic

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