From Cuentos Populares en Chile (Chilean Folktales) – by Ramón A. Laval
Part 2 – Myths, Traditions, Things (Mitos, Tradiciones, Casos)
051. The Tiger Man (El Hombre Tigre)
(D. Francisco Vásquez, 1911.)
On the road of Callejones (in the same Cordillera Region, but my informant does not know in which province), a tiger came out to attack and rob passerbys, then carried them to the cave in which it lived and killed them.
Once a priest accompanied by his servant boy passed by the same road, and the tiger came out to attack them.
The priest was greatly frightened, and on seeing him trembling with dread, the servant said to him: -“Don’t you worry, señor”; -and taking off the saddle on the horse, he rolled around in it, transformed himself into a tiger and began to fight the one who had come out on the road, defeated him and leaving him quite battered. The defeated tiger said:-“Don’t kill me, for I am a man like you and I am your friend.” -The priest’s servant pardoned him, and both, rubbing themselves against the saddle, transformed back into human form. Then he who had come out to attack people took the priest and the servant [back] to the cave in which he lived and gave them everything that he had stored in it: silver spurs, clothes, saddles, jewels, etc. After which they said their goodbyes and the priest with his servant continued on their way.
—– VOCABULARY —–
Montura – (act of assembling) assembly; (optics) frame, frames; (jewelery) setting, mount; (animal one rides) mount; (horseback riding) saddle, harness, trappings
Revolcar – (to throw to the ground) to knock down, to knock over; (to defeat) to wipe the floor with
Revolcarse – (to roll) to roll around, to roll about, to wallow (animal)
Maltratado – (beaten) battered; (mistreated) abused
Refregar – (to touch) to rub; (to clean) to scrub; (figurative) (to gloat) to rub it in
Refregarse – (to touch) to rub
Espuela – (horseback riding) spur; (business) skill in business, acumen
Alhajas – (rings, necklaces, earings, etc.) jewelry