Classic folk tales often take things to the extreme. From Paul Bunyan’s enormous size to the snarkiness of the gingerbread man, and all the way back to the sweetness of princesses like Cinderella and Snow White, folk tale characters are nothing if not exaggerated. This principle applies perfectly to today’s main story by Bobby Norfolk called, “Wicked John and the Devil.” Now, you might’ve heard of characters like wicked stepmothers and school bullies, but they all pale in comparison to John from today’s adventure. John is bad to the bone, so bad in fact that the devil himself feels upset that someone is going around being meaner than he is. So what does John do when the devil comes knocking at his door? Listen in and find out! We’ll also hear marvelous legends and myths from Heather Forest, Diane Ferlatte, and Joel Ben Izzy.

 

On today’s episode, enjoy the following:

“The Contest Between Wisdom and Luck” by Heather Forest on Wonder Tales From Around the World (12:06)

While Heather Forest enjoys stories of all kinds, her heart largely belongs to folktales. That’s why the story she shares with us today is a folktale called “The Contest Between Wisdom and Luck” where Wisdom and Luck compete to see who is more important in a person’s life. This story comes from a collection of narratives called Wonder Tales From Around the World. 

 

“Wicked John and the Devil” by Bobby Norfolk on Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears (20:03)

Bobby Norfolk was raised in St. Louis Missouri, so it’s very fitting that the story we hear from him today, called “Wicked John and the Devil”, takes place in the American South. In this piece of fiction, the devil finds competition for who is the evilest in a man named truly wicked man named John. This fun comedy comes from a collection of stories called Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears. 

 

“Why the Dog Has a Cold Wet Nose” by Diane Ferlatte on Knick-Knack Paddy Whack (6:46)

Diane Ferlatte spent her early years soaking in stories on her grandparent’s porch. Today, she has a way of embracing her audience so that we feel as intimately connected with her and the tales she tells to the point that we feel like we’re all sitting on our grandparent’s porches together. Hopefully, you’ll feel that today in her story “Why the Dog Has a Cold Wet Nose” that follows the classic Pourquoi formula to tell us why the dog has a cold, wet nose. This tale comes from a collection of stories called Knick-Knack Paddy Whack. 

 

"The Old King and His Daughters” by Joel Ben Izzy on Stories From Far Away (5:36)

Joel Ben Izzy has been to 36 countries all over the world collecting stories. The one we’ll hear from him today is called “The Old King and His Daughters” about a wise king who has to decide which of his four daughters he’ll give the kingdom to. This fable comes from a collection of tales called Stories From Far Away. 

 

Radio Family Journal: "The Donkey and the Dog" (4:51)

In an hour that's been filled with folktales and fables, Sam wraps things up by sharing a couple of family memories, as well as another fable about a donkey and a dog. It's today's entry in the Radio Family Journal.