13 short legends for children that will surprise you

For centuries, narratives and stories that combine components or real events with imaginary elements, better known as legends, have been transmitted orally and in writing.

Legends are part of the identity of peoples and communities, some have numerous versions and there are different themes, for all tastes.

Like stories, legends promote cognitive development and creativity, they also contain values ​​to transmit to the little ones.

Here we present you 13 short legends to share and enjoy with children, full of learning with which they can "let their imagination run wild".

1. The legend of corn

Also known as Quetzalcóatl and corn, This legend is of Aztec origin and tries to explain the emergence of one of the main ingredients of Mexican food: corn. In this story it is considered as a product that arises as a result of divine action.

At the same time, this legend is ideal to reflect with the little ones about the importance of effort and determination to achieve any goal that we set ourselves in life.

Legend has it that, before the arrival of the God Quetzalcóatl, the Aztecs only fed on roots and the occasional animal that they could hunt.

Corn was an inaccessible food because it was hidden in a remote place beyond the mountains.

The ancient gods tried by all means to gain access by removing the mountains from the place, but they could not achieve it. So the Aztecs turned to Quetzalcoatl, who promised to bring corn. Unlike the gods, he used his power to turn into a black ant and, accompanied by a red ant, he went through the mountains in search of cereal.

The process was not easy and the ants had to avoid all kinds of obstacles that they managed to overcome with courage. When they reached the corn plant, they took a grain and returned to town. Soon, the Aztecs sowed corn and obtained large crops and, with them, increased their wealth. With all the benefits, it is counted, they built great cities and palaces.

From that moment, the Aztec people worship the God Quetzalcóatl, who brought them corn and, with it, happiness.

2. Legend of the red thread of destiny

This well-known legend is part of Chinese and Japanese popular culture and part of the basis that people who are predestined are linked with a red thread. In addition, it reinforces the idea that we all have a “soul mate”.

This story not only serves to talk about destiny but also about the bonds that are established between people, be they love, friendship or companionship.

An ancient legend tells that, many years ago, an emperor invited a powerful witch who had the ability to see the red thread of fate.

When the sorceress arrived at the palace, the emperor asked her to follow the red thread of her destiny and lead him to the one who would be her wife. The witch agreed and followed the thread, from the emperor's little finger, which led her to a market. There he stopped in front of a peasant woman in whose arms she was holding a baby. The emperor, angry, thought that it was a mockery of the witch and made the young woman fall to the ground, causing her newborn to injure her forehead. Then he ordered the guards to remove the witch and asked for her head.

Years later, the emperor decided to marry the daughter of a powerful landowner whom he did not know. During the ceremony, upon first seeing the face of his future wife, the emperor noticed a peculiar scar on her forehead.

3. Kamshout and fall

This legend of Argentine origin serves to explain the transformation of trees in the autumn and spring seasons. But it can also be seen as a reflection on the risk posed by ignorance, which can be the mother of prejudices towards what is new or different. We must assess other options and not just believe what we already know or think we know.

He also talks to us about the importance of not making fun of others when his beliefs or opinions do not coincide with ours.

Legend has it that in Tierra del Fuego there was a time when the leaves of the trees were always green. A young man who lived there, Kamshout, had to go to a distant place to perform a rite of passage when he reached maturity.

Kamshout took a long time to return, and the rest of the inhabitants had left him for dead.

One day, when no one expected him, Kamshout appeared and related to the villagers how all this time he had past in a place where the trees lost their leaves when autumn came and, in spring, new ones of color greenish.

After recounting his experience, no one believed his words and his countrymen made fun of him. Kamshout, completely angry, decided to go to the forest and disappeared for a time.

Soon, Kamshout reappeared as a parrot dressed in green and red feathers. When autumn came, Kamshout dyed the leaves with his red feathers and soon they began to fall from the trees. The inhabitants thought that the trees had fallen ill and would soon die. Kamshout couldn't contain his laughter.

In the spring, the leaves reappeared, this time green. From that moment on, parrots gather in the trees to laugh at human beings and avenge the mockery of Kamshout, their famous ancestor.

4. Legend of the Olentzero

The Basque Country and Navarra have always been characterized as territories full of legends. This is always a symbol of Christmas in these parts of Spain. Exact data on the origin of this legend are not known, although it is believed that it comes from Lesaka (Navarra).

Lope Isasi, a Basque historian, pointed out that the word Olentzero can come from the term in Basque onen, which means "good". Attached to the word zaro, what do you mean "epoch ", conforms onenzaro: time of the good.

Although, this character has not always associated the festive nature of Christmas or the figure of a good-natured chickadee. Other stories that arose around the figure of him pointed to a man who terrorized children whom he threatens with his sickle if they stayed up during the night.

Legend has it that in the mountains of Euskal Herria there lived a fairy with long blond hair who was always accompanied by her little pixies with red pants, the prakagorri.

One day, when they were near a stream, the goblins warned the fairy that something was in the bushes. The fairy approached and saw a newborn baby that was abandoned there. Then she is, she told him: “your name will be Olentzero, because it is wonderful to have found you. And for this act I will give you gifts of strength, courage and love, for as long as you live ”.

Later, the fairy took the baby home to a married couple who had no children. They looked after him and Olentzero lived happily and learned the trade from his father, a firewood cutter.

When his parents passed away, Olentzero was left alone in his house in the mountains. Meanwhile, the village children looked at him in surprise as they watched him collect firewood.

During a cold winter, the storm left the inhabitants locked in their houses. None of them had prepared charcoal for their fireplace and they were getting cold.

Olentzero, who had not stopped collecting firewood, decided to take it to town and leave a sack full of firewood in each house.

The next day, all the inhabitants were excited as the cold would disappear from their houses. From that moment on, the locals did not forget to collect enough firewood.

Since then, the Olentzero decided not to distribute more coal, since it was not necessary, and replaced it with toys for the children. Thus, every December 25, the Olentzero leaves the forests and distributes magic throughout the towns of Euskal Herria.

5. The blue butterfly

This ancient Japanese legend contains a great life lesson that has managed to endure thanks to the passing from generation to generation. It is a metaphor about the present and future, also about decision making.

No one else is responsible for our determinations than ourselves, as is the case with the girl and the butterfly: we decide whether to crush her or free her from her. In this way, our present and future are in our hands.

An ancient oriental legend tells that a long time ago in Japan lived a widowed man with his two daughters. The girls were very curious and intelligent and were always willing to learn. They continually asked their father questions and he always tried to answer them.

As time passed, the girls had more and more doubts and asked more complex questions. Unable to answer, the father decided to send his daughters for a season with a sage, an old teacher who lived on the hill.

Right away, the girls wanted to ask him all kinds of questions. The wise man always answered all questions.

Soon, the girls decided to search for a question for which the teacher had no answer. Thus, the eldest decided to go out to the field and caught a butterfly, after her, she explained to her sister her plan: “Tomorrow, while I hold the blue butterfly in my hands, you will ask the sage if she is alive or dead. If he says she's alive, I'll crush her and kill her. Instead, if he answers that she is dead, I will release her. In this way, whatever your answer is, it will always be wrong. "

The next day, when the sage was asked if the butterfly was alive or dead, wishing it would fall into his trap, he calmly replied: "It depends on you, she is in your hands."

6. Legend of yerba mate

This legend of Guaraní origin tries to give an explanation to the origin of one of the most consumed beverages in Argentina: mate. In fact, it has a date indicated in the calendar, every November 30 is celebrated the National Mate Day. This is a story that has been passed down from generation to generation.

In addition to knowing the emergence of mate, this story is ideal to address the value of gratitude with the little ones, a product of which arises one of the most precious drinks.

An ancient Guaraní legend tells that, for a long time, the Moon Yasí has ​​always walked through the night skies, curiously observing the trees, rivers and lakes. Yasí only knew the earth from the sky although she wanted to go down and be able to see the wonders of which Araí spoke to her, her friend her cloud.

One day Yasí and Araí dared to descend to earth transformed into long-haired girls, ready to discover the wonders of the jungle.

Suddenly, between the trees, a jaguar appeared, approaching to attack them. Soon, an old hunter aimed an arrow at the animal and it quickly escaped from the place. Yasí and Araí, who were very scared, quickly returned to heaven and could not thank the Lord.

Yasí decided that that same night she would thank the old man and, while he was resting, she spoke to him from heaven and said: “I am Yasí, the girl you saved today, I want to thank your courage, for that reason, I am going to give you a gift that you will find in front of your house: a new plant whose toasted and ground leaves will result in a drink that will bring hearts closer and drive away loneliness ”.

The next day, the old man discovered the plant and made the drink just as the moon had indicated. This is how mate was born.

7. The Caleuche

This legend is originally from the Chiloé Archipelago (Chile). The immensity of the sea has always aroused curiosity about the secrets that are hidden in the water, from here legends like this arise that are part of the popular culture of the Chilean people.

There are different hypotheses about the emergence of this legend, among them, the possible relationship with another European legend known as “The Flying Dutchman”.

The Caleuche It has several versions, all of them agree that a ship appears and disappears in the mist in the middle of the night. On the other hand, the reason why he does it varies: to rescue the fainted at sea; enchant and imprison fishermen; transport witches during their parties; serve as a smuggling ship; Like a ghost ship with a conscience

Legend has it that a ship known by the name of Caleuche sails through the waters of Chiloé, in the country of Chile.

At the command of the ship are powerful witches and at night it illuminates the waters.

El Caleuche only appears at night and in its interior music is heard that attracts castaways or crew members of other boats.

On the other hand, if a person who is not a witch looks at it, she becomes a floating log or becomes invisible. Its crew members then become sea lions or water birds.

The crew of the ship have certain peculiarities, such as a leg to walk and are forgetful. Therefore, the secret of this boat is always kept on board.

Legend has it that you should not look at Caleuche because, those who do, receive punishment from the crew, who twist their mouths or turn their heads towards their backs. Whoever looks at the ship must try to keep the crew from noticing.

When the Caleuche sails near the coast and takes hold of a person, she takes him to the depths of the sea and he discovers immense treasures for him, on the condition of not telling what he has seen, if he does, his life runs danger.

One of the good actions of Caleuche is to collect the castaways who are in the depths of the sea and it welcomes them forever.

8. Legend of the sun and the moon

This is a Mexican legend that tries to answer how the sun and the moon arose, a question that humanity has asked itself since ancient times.

This story also highlights the importance of courage as a more valuable virtue than beauty or wealth. In this sense, the rabbit symbolizes abundance, and serves as a reminder of Tecciztécatl's cowardice.

An ancient legend says that, before the sun and moon existed, darkness reigned on earth. To create these two stars that illuminate the planet today, the gods met in Teotihuacán, a city located in the sky. As a reflection, the Mexican city of the same name was on earth.

In the city, they lit a sacred bonfire and, over it, the mighty one who wanted to become the sun had to jump. Two candidates presented themselves at the event. The first, Tecciztécatl, stood out for being big, strong and, in addition, possessed great wealth. The second, Nanahuatzin, was poor and deteriorated-looking.

At the moment when they had to jump over the bonfire, Tecciztécatl did not dare to jump over it and ran away; Nanhuatzin, full of courage, threw himself into the fire. Seeing this, the gods decided to turn it into the sun.

Tecciztécatl, repentant and ashamed, also leaped the bonfire. At that moment, a second sun appeared in the sky. The gods made the determination to turn off Tecciztécatl, since there could not be two suns, so he became a moon. As a reminder of his cowardice, the deities threw a rabbit on the moon. Since then, this rabbit can be seen reflected during the days of the full moon.

9. The Enchanted Soldier of the Alhambra

Behind the walls of the Red Keep lie great mysteries. Throughout time, the Alhambra has been the cradle of great legends, this is one of them. Thousands of stories have been spreading among the inhabitants of Granada for centuries, and from generation to generation. This legend was published in the second edition of the anthology Tales of the Alhambra (1851) by Washington Irving.

Legend has it that a student at the University of Salamanca used to travel during the summer for other cities in Spain, always accompanied by his guitar to get money and thus be able to pay his studies.

On the eve of the night of San Juan he arrived in Granada and, on one of his walks, he met a soldier equipped with ancient armor and a spear. The young student asked the soldier who he was and he replied that, for 500 years, a curse had forced him to protect and guard King Boabdil's treasure forever. He could only get out of that hiding place once every 100 years, during the night of San Juan.

The young man offered to help him and the soldier offered him half of the treasure in exchange for him to break the spell. For this they needed a young Christian woman and a fasting priest.

The young woman was not difficult to find, but the only priest they located had a weakness for food. The student then promised the priest part of the proceeds if he agreed to fast.

During the night, the student, the priest and the young woman went up to the tower of the Alhambra, where the soldier's hiding place was located. Once there they could see the hidden treasure, however, the priest could not resist the food that the young man had brought for later. In this way, the spell could not be broken and, they say, that the soldier remains a prisoner in the tower guarding the treasure of the Alhambra.

10. The five white eagles

This Venezuelan legend tries to give an explanation to the origin of the Sierra Nevada de Mérida.

Symbolically, the white eagles in this story represent the five highest peaks covered in snow that make up this mountain range of the Andes: Pico Bolívar, Bonpland, Humboldt, La Concha, El Toro and El Lion. The whistling of the wind in the place represents the sweet song of Caribay.

This legend was recorded in writing by Tulio Febres Cordero, a Venezuelan historian and writer, who was in charge of compiling Andean myths and legends from oral tradition.

Legend has it that, at the beginning of time, lived Caribay, daughter of the sun and the moon, who had the gift of communicating with animals. The girl always went through the forest smelling the flowers and imitating the song of the birds.

One day, while he was on the bank of a river, he saw five great white eagles fly overhead, until then, he had not seen anything so beautiful. So he wanted to catch up with them and chased them up mountains and through valleys. Soon, at dusk, he lost track of the birds.

Unable to reach them, Caribay wailed to summon his mother, the moon. Her sad song caught the attention of all who dwelt in the forest.

Soon, hearing the song of the young woman, the five eagles descended. Each of them, on one of the tops of the five mountains. When Caribay approached the top of one of the mountains, he saw that the eagles were petrified. The girl felt guilty, but she soon realized that the eagles woke up and began to flap, leaving a beautiful blanket of snow.

Since then, the summits of these five mountains have always been covered with snow.

11. The fisherman and the turtle

This ancient Japanese legend teaches us to value every moment that we live. In addition, it is one of the most remote references on time travel that goes back to the seventeenth century that has led to adaptations in different anime such as Doraemon.

It is an ideal story to reflect with children on the importance of the passage of time, the consequences of our decisions and the responsibility we have for our actions.

Legend has it that a young fisherman named Urashima Taro witnessed how some children beat a turtle on the shore of the beach. Afterward, she approached the children and released the animal. Later he helped the turtle to return to the sea.

The next day, while fishing, he heard a voice calling his name. He identified that it was the turtle, this one told him that she lived in the Dragon Palace since she was the daughter of the emperor of the sea. Urashima Taro accepted the turtle's invitation to his residence in gratitude.

Once there, the turtle became a beautiful princess. Urashima Taro spent three days in the palace. Then he had to leave to take care of his sick mother. Before leaving, the princess gave him a box and told him that he should never open it, only in this way could he be happy forever.

Once on the surface, Urashima was preparing to go to his house. On the way he realized that everything had changed, he did not recognize his town. At his house, she asked about his parents, but those who were there were not them. The young man who now resided there told him that he knew the story of a fisherman who never returned from the ocean more than 300 years ago.

Urashima sat under a tree and opened the box. Then, upon opening it, Urashima became an old man. Then he heard a voice coming out of the box saying: “I told you not to open the box. Your age resided in it ”.

12. La Llorona

This is an adaptation of the different versions that the legend has. This horror story is very popular in many Latin American countries. There is nothing definitive about its origin, it is a mystery. On the other hand, all the versions coincide in the same: a woman, who drowned her children, walks the streets lamenting and searches tirelessly in the waters of rivers and lakes.

Often times, the narration of this story has had a moralizing character, that is, it is a legend that used to be told to children who did not obey their parents.

Legend has it that, many years ago, the residents of Xochimilco in Mexico heard at night the fearsome cries of a woman who lamented: "Oh my children!"

The villagers waited in their homes and did not dare to go out, frightened by the laments of that mysterious woman.

It is said that some time ago a woman married a man with whom she had three children. Some time later, this man abandoned them.

When this happened, the woman, full of anger, took her children and brought them into the river. When she realized her act, it was too late to save them. Since then, the soul of her in pain roams the streets of the town, dressed in white, crying and lamenting the act that she had committed.

13. Baobab legend

This well-known legend has as its protagonist the baobab, a sacred tree in African culture. From him different myths and legends have arisen. This story not only accounts for the peculiar shape of this species, but also contains large teachings to instill in children: the value of humility and the consequences that pride.

Legend has it that, many years ago, the baobab was the tallest and most beautiful tree on earth.

Everyone was captivated by its beauty, from the smallest animals to the gods. Its trunk was very strong, it had very long branches and a color that was mesmerizing. One day the gods decided to give him a gift: to make him one of the oldest living beings.

With this new condition, the baobab did not stop growing for years and wanted to touch the sky and be like the gods. This prevented the rest of the trees from receiving enough sunlight. With great pride, the baobab announced that it would soon catch up with the gods and catch up with them.

When its branches were about to reach the gods that inhabited the sky, they became so angry that they snatched his blessing to give him a lesson in humility. Also, they condemned it to grow upside down and thus live with the flowers on the ground and its roots in the air, giving it the appearance that it presents today.

It is not known whether the baobab learned its lesson or not, but what is known is that since then they have presented the strange appearance that they have today.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: 15 Amazing Short Mexican Legends

References

Alonso, A. (2018). Tales and legends of trees. Anaya.
Calleja, S. (2011). Tales and legends of the Basque Country. Anaya.
Diaz, G. C. (2018). Tales and Legends of Latin America. Anaya.
Ozaki, J. T. (2016). Fables and legends of Japan (1st ed.). Quaterni.
Remussi, D. (2011). Legends of Latin America Told for Children. LEA editions.