Stories from Around the World

The Poor Farmer Who Fooled the Devil
A tale from Chile retold by Milton Peralta Hidalgo

Spanish

"The Devil is so mean, that the other devils are scared of what he does."

Bartolo was a farmer.
His cow died because it was
so skinny and his crops froze.
He decided to go to his
uncle's to look for work as a
fisherman.
On the way he decided
that it was easier to look for gold.
He didn't have any luck. He went
into a scary forest because it
would be scarier to go back
home without any money. He
wanted to impress a girl named
Peta.

Then he remembered that his grandpa told him how to call the devil to make a deal with him.

Bartolo called him. The
ground split open and flames
came out. The Devil jumped
out. The Devil had a
moustache, flames in his eyes,
a tail, and a pitchfork.

"I'll sell you my soul for money," exclaimed Bartolo. He wanted money for his soul so Peta would dance with him. The Devil said it was reasonable. So Bartolo sold his soul to the devil, but he had to sign a paper with his blood.

"When do you want me to take you?" asked the Devil.

"Today," answered Bartolo, trying to be clever.

"How about tomorrow," said the Devil confused. So Bartolo signed the paper. It said,

"Bartolo Lara,
I won't take you
today, but tomorrow."

The Devil said he
would be back tomorrow at
midnight. The Devil went
away. So Bartolo went out
and bought some stuff for his
horse and presents and
clothes for a party. He went
to the party.

At midnight he went back to the forest to meet the Devil. "OK, I'll take you now," said the Devil.

"You're the Devil, and you can't even read?" screamed Bartolo.

"It's true," said the Devil as he read the contract,

"Bartolo Lara,
I won't take you
today, but tomorrow."

The Devil said, "Ok, I'll take you tomorrow." Bartolo asked for 100 pesos for the trip. The Devil gave him the money and left.

The next day they met again at midnight. Bartolo told him to read the paper again.

"Bartolo Lara,
I won't take you
today, but tomorrow."

"You fooled me,"
screamed the Devil as he
disappeared. Bartolo went
back to the festival, lit
fireworks and danced with
Peta.

Bartolo's family passed down the story. He never made another deal with the Devil because he became a good farmer. He was rich because of the crops he grew. But now the Devil haunts his house at midnight.


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Cedar Falls Community Schools
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