Tales from the Lands of Nuts and Grapes (Spanish and Portuguese Folklore)

This volume gathers a lively mix of Spanish and Portuguese folk tales that have long survived in kitchens, taverns and night‑time storytelling circles. The editor’s introduction explains how many of these stories were never printed, hidden behind the more famous chivalric romances that dominate earlier collections. Listeners will hear the humor, superstition and regional colour that have shaped the oral traditions of the Iberian peninsula for centuries, from enchanted Moors in northern Portugal to clever tricksters in rural Spain.

The opening story follows Juan Rivas, a penniless university student whose talent for ingenuity is matched only by his mounting debts. Determined to turn his fortunes around, he rallies a band of equally destitute companions with a daring, if slightly dubious, plan to capture a mysterious “prize” that promises quick wealth. Their scheme unfolds with sly wit and a touch of moral questioning, offering a glimpse into the resourceful spirit that fuels many of these timeless narratives.