Federico Stories

My grandpa lived in Chalatenango not so far from Potonico and told me different stories about a man called: “ The Partideño .” When this man wanted to make someone really rich, he said these words: “You WON!” and he invited them to visit him. In this way, he recruited them and transformed them into their new business partners. Some people say the Partideño lived 200 years ago in the 1800s. They equally say there is a hill with some rings and three gold bars. Those gold bars support his coffin and the few who have been able to perceive it before they got mad said the Partideño is sitting there and glaring at you with his cold gaze. Many villagers go up and down in the hills near Pital  to obtain those golden bars and steal them, but no one is sure where they are. As my grandpa says some people can find it some not, but something is inevitable if you discover them, and you try appropriating them you will become mad. The Partideño left a massive treasure valued at millions...

Long ago, Mr. Money used to live alone in his gigantic Mansion in San Pedro Nonualco. One day, he decided it was the right time to propose marriage to Mrs. Fortune (figure 1), and she agreed. Figure 1. Mr. Money and Mrs. Fortune. ¹ After they got married, Mr. Money wanted to discover who was the most successful of them because he wanted to prove that the pants are more powerful than the skirts and proposed a game to his wife. His wife was intrigued and asked him: “How are we going to know it? Do you have anything in mind, honey?” “Look, let’s take two beasts from my barn and ride them to the countryside.” Answered Mr. Money. They rode their horses for a couple of hours until they saw a small cabin in the middle of nowhere. It looked so weak that it might collapse in the blink of an eye. “I’m going to ask for some water there; do you want some?” asked Mrs. Fortune. “It’s fine, let’s go.” Answered Mr. Money. However, the couple from the cabin was so poor that they ...

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 Un...

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...