This week, on Myths and Legends, it's a story from 1001 nights,

and we'll see what to do if you find an ocean of honey underground.

Crime.

And that, if you meet a talking snake, listen.

Especially if that talking snake is taking you captive,

and you have no choice but to listen.

The creature this time has some great news for you,

if only you didn't already listen to that reptile who just came to listen. The creature this time has some great news for you, if only you didn't already

listen to that reptile who just came to town. This is Myths and Legends, episode 392,

The Unthinkable.

This is a podcast where we tell stories from mythology and folklore.

Some are incredibly popular tales you might think you know, but with surprising origins.

Others are stories that might be new to you, but are definitely worth a listen.

As we've talked about, 1001 Nights is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, compiled in the Middle Ages. It's the source for Alibaba, Sinbad, and, most

famously, Aladdin. Today, it's the story of Hasib and the Queen of Serpents. Now, if you're not

familiar with 1001 Knights, there was a Sultan who had his his heart broken by his wife. So in order to never be

hurt again, he would marry a woman, they would spend the night together, and then he had her executed

in the morning. This went on until he met Shaharazad, who came up with a plan. Stories. She would tell

him a story each night, but never finish it, so as to always leave him wanting more.

We have told the end of their story, but I like the dynamic and having characters comment on the stories.

So this is like a lost episode sort of thing, where we'll jump in in the middle of their story journey at like night 480 something.

Music at like night 480 something. The Sultan raised his hand.

...