The Legend of the One-Legged Woman
Back home in Colombia, there is a story called La Solapata that tells of a humble farmer who had a very beautiful wife, with whom he lived on a rented plot of land.
One day, the owner of the estate wanted to find a young companion for a secret love affair. He called upon one of his most trusted cowboys and said, “go to the creek and choose the most beautiful laundress.” The cowboy went and instantly spotted the wife of his friend who was the most beautiful among them. The cowboy returned and told his boss about the lovely woman.
A short time later, the woman's husband confided in the cowboy about his sorrows. He complained about his wife, saying she seemed cold, less affectionate, and no longer took care of his clothes with the same love as before. She had been irritable for several days and he confessed that he felt compelled to leave, but was saddened by the thought of abandoning their three children.
The cowboy, suddenly feeling guilty, told him about the boss’s intentions. Heartbroken and betrayed, the husband thanked him for his honesty and went to think. "If I could convince myself that my wife is cheating on me with the boss,” he thought, “may God forgive me, for I cannot say what will happen." Quickly, he put a plan together and headed home. He told his wife that he was going to town to retrieve mail his boss had sent and that he wouldn’t be back that night. He kissed his children goodbye and set off at a gallop, stopping at a tavern for a few shots of aguardiente. After a while, he ventured on foot through the woods and debris to spy on his wife.
Late that night the wife noticed that her husband hadn’t returned and headed to the estate in search of the boss. When the husband saw this, he returned home and went to bed. By dawn, the unfaithful wife returned, calm and serene. The husband asked, “Where have you been?” he demanded. “I went to wash some clothes,” she replied with indifference, but he didn’t believe her
A few days later, the husband concocted a new scheme. He left in the morning and stashed his horse in a neighboring stable. That night, he walked back to hide in the banana grove by their house. His wife did not go out, but it wasn’t long until the boss arrived. When the wealthy landowner arrived at the door, the woman rushed out to greet him, throwing herself into his arms.
The husband saw everything. Enraged, he jumped out with his machete raised and struck his wife’s lover’s head off with one blow.
The woman, surprised and horrified, tried to flee, but the furious husband cut her leg off as if it were nothing more than a tree branch. The lovers died at the same moment. The cowboy was sentenced to prison, but when he was released shortly after, he returned for the three little ones and set fire to the house.
People claim to have seen the one-legged woman hopping on one leg through the mountains, ravines, and roads, dripping blood and letting out terrifying screams. She is the tormented soul of the unfaithful wife who roams the hills, valleys, and plains, lamenting for her lost family.
