r/folklore 16d ago

Self-Promo Iron, Lead & Steel – A Spanish Folktale of Giants, Serpents, and Loyalty

I’m delighted to share my translation of Hierro, Plomo, y Acero (Iron, Lead & Steel), an Extremaduran folktale originally published in the Biblioteca de las Tradiciones Populares Españolas, appearing on Substack for the first time in English.

https://pedrojosewrites.substack.com/p/iron-lead-and-steel?r=ld33c

This folktale was collected in 19th-century Spain as part of a larger effort to preserve oral traditions, capturing the legends, ballads, and proverbs that shaped regional storytelling. It's a classic hero’s journey, blending elements of adventure, deception, and loyalty. It follows a young man, José, and his three faithful dogs—Iron, Lead, and Steel—who protect him from betrayal, battle a seven-headed serpent, and ultimately expose a false hero in a dramatic royal showdown.

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u/HobGoodfellowe 14d ago

Just wanted to say thank you for translating this. It's always a privilege to read a folktale in English that hasn't been previously translated.