Tuscany is the birthplace not only of Magniflex, but also of many folk legends and stories that have been passed down from parents to children for centuries. Some of them may be based on true stories or may be entirely fictional; history is silent on this matter. We present to you 5 fairy tale stories from the heart of Tuscany!
The Beach of the Lover and the Daughter of the Witch
This is the story of the Beach of the Lover on Elba Island. There, on July 14, they honor the memory of the tragically in love Maria and Lorenzo, who loved each other despite their entire families being against it (reminds you of another very popular story, right? In 1534, Lorenzo was kidnapped by pirates before Maria's eyes. In despair, she throws herself into the sea, and thus ends their tragic love. Another story from the same region is that of the poor daughter of a witch, who was promised to be the wife of a prince. However, in order to marry her, he had to go through a series of adventures to break the evil magic of her mother.
Bufardelo from Garfanyan
Another story from central Tuscany tells of Bufardelo, a cunning elf who inhabits the Garfagnana forest. Also known as Linchetto, this mischievous elf plays tricks on children while they sleep and tangles their hair. The elf also causes such mischief to animals – he tangles the manes of horses and the fur of dogs, and for ladies, he creates such virtuoso hairstyles as if they had visited a hairdresser.
The Cook Chichibio and the Crane
The Tuscan legends also draw inspiration from the well-known "Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio. The story of Chichibio and the crane is told to children as an example of resourcefulness. One evening, Chichibio, the cook of a noble Florentine family, prepares a dish of crane meat but serves only one leg at the table, giving the other to his beloved. When asked by his master why there is only one leg, the cook replies that cranes have only one leg (they really do stand on one leg like flamingos). To prove it, the cook takes his master to a nearby lake, where the unfrightened cranes indeed stand on one leg. And so, with a little cunning, Chichibio wins the love of the lady of his heart and reassures his master.
The Devil's Bridge in Luka
The last popular story we will tell comes from the area of Lucca, in southern Tuscany, and explains the strange shape of the Devil's Bridge near the town of Borgo a Mozzano. The legend speaks of how the engineer of the construction sought help from the Devil to build a sturdy bridge. In return, the Devil demanded to take the life of the first living creature that would cross the bridge. In an attempt to outsmart the Devil, the engineer sent a dog across the bridge. God saw the innocent animal and decided to save its life by raising the arch of the bridge so that the Devil could not reach it. And so, the bridge acquired its whimsical shape, for which it became famous.
Now you know 5 interesting stories to tell your children while putting them to sleep on a Magniflex Tuscan mattress. See our children's offerings here.
