Federico Stories

Long ago, a tall, white, and good-looking man appeared from nowhere on a cold night, along the cobbled streets of Zacatecoluca. He had a lonely and melancholic air and resided in a tiny cabin. He claimed to be Rafael María Guirola. Mr. Rafael was born in Spain and became a successful businessman in El Salvador, where his first businesses were related to trading. He got married to Gertrudis de la Cotera y González, of Spanish descent, and from their marriage in 1826 was born Ángel Guirola de la Cotera. Ángel was sent by his family to study for his bachelor’s degree in Guatemala City. After his graduation, he worked for a couple of years in one of the largest pharmacies there, owned by Mr. Pío Porta. In 1844, Ángel returned to El Salvador, where he spent his savings and acquired some loans to buy a few lands that he dedicated to the cultivation of indigo. He showed a great ability to export this product and extended his business throughout the Caribbean, Panama, and the United Stat

The so-called “The Partideño” is a legendary man. He is well-known throughout Chalatenango. According to those who have seen it, they say he always goes barefoot and wears a big hat, which is why they also call him “The Big Hat Man” (The Sombrerón, figure 1). Figure 1. The Partideño. ¹ He is unfriendly and lives alone in a cave. He also owns a large number of livestock like chickens, cows, goats, turkeys, and other ones for which he has not paid any penny. People say he is like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, who was able to enchant the rats to follow him, The Partideño possesses similar powers too. How is this possible? People say he only needs to pass by where the animals graze and livestock by magic, the animals start to follow him. Therefore, he went from one country to another, taking the cattle and selling it elsewhere. That’s how he got his fortune without any effort. Surely his powers have been obtained from some kind of spell or pact, but it is the way he uses his gifts f

It was 1953 when I was coming back from Chalchuapa to my hometown Santa Ana City. I was driving my new Ford Crestline Sunliner. It was an amazing night, the sky was clear, no cows in the street, only my car and me. As a single and handsome man, I was the king of the dance floor. A few guys had my style and elegance. However, that night I had a terrifying experience that I will remember all my life. Almost halfway to Santa Ana, I saw the most beautiful woman in my life. She was blonde, tall, had blue eyes, and was very sexy. She was walking in the same direction that I was driving. I stopped for a moment and asked: “Are you lost? It’s quite late, do you need a lift?” She smiled and said: “Sure, I’m going to Santa Ana City. I never expected that such a nice guy would stop and give me a lift.” I felt like I was the luckiest man. I started to talk and flirt with her, showing my best skills. She started to giggle and began to seduce me too. It was the most exciting moment in many mo

According to an ancient legend in the Sensunapán River, there is a well-known pond called Bululú (figure 1). This pool is enchanted because a golden crate contains a paste filled with diamonds and silver soap. Figure 1. The pond of Bululú. ¹ These objects belonged to an Indian princess, who one day went for a walk around the place. She had an unmeasurable loved for this river.  One day, she took a bath in the lowest part, when suddenly, she carelessly slid on a rock and could not swim back. Unfortunately, she drowned in that place, and no one knew about it. Days later, some curious Indians came to the pool and wanted to seize the Princess’s belongings. However, mysteriously when they tried to touch them, they disappeared and appeared on the other side of the pond while they heard some giggling laughter from somewhere, but they couldn’t see anyone. They fled as fast as possible from there! The elders say, the one who can touch them submerges in the pond and cannot leave

Many years ago, an Indian man was banished from his tribe and forced to live in the forests and mountains of what is now called Central America.   It was there where a demon took possession of him, and from that fusion, the Midnight Yeller (figure 1), a half-human and half-demon beast, of great size was born. Figure 1. The Midnight Yeller. ¹ Theoretically, no one can see such a creature, but its eerie yells break the nocturnal silence in the jungles and mountains of those lands. However, one day, one man swore had seen it, his name is Julio, and his story is as follows. On a Friday in July of 1963, he was returning from a wild party in the streets of Santa Ana. Julio was a very strong man who loved to walk at night. This time, he was walking on a small trail when he passed by the church of El Calvario and heard its bell, he thought it had to be midnight. He got a little scared and stride. Almost, a block near City Hall, for the first time in many years, he noticed that the white