The Old Man of Cabreiro

Once upon a time...

In the Peneda-Gerês National Park , there is a village called Cabreiro. In this small village, accustomed to facing the hardships of the unforgiving Serra de Soajo mountain range , there was a somber tradition that defied family ties and morality. When children realized their elderly parents were near death and infirm, they would take them to Poço da Ola, so that they would die there.

"My son, leave me here, this is where I left your grandfather!"

However, one time, when a son was taking his father to the Ola Well, the fate of this tradition took an unexpected turn. Upon arriving at the Ola Well, the father, despite being weak, tore the blanket he had in two and said:

"My son, half is for me, but the other half is for you, for you will be next!"

These words pierced the son's heart, making him reflect on the cruelty of tradition and the importance of respect for elders.

Moved by remorse and filial love, the young man decided not to go through with such an act. Instead, he took his father back home, thus ending the macabre practice that haunted Cabreiro.

This change of course not only marked the end of a dark tradition, but also highlighted the strength of family ties and the wisdom passed down by elders.

Did you know that...

This legend is more truth than legend. If you wish to delve deeper into the research, you will find more narratives of this kind that extend throughout Portugal. Also, if you search the internet for the word "Ubasute," you will see that Ubasute is a mythical practice of senicide in Japan, in which a sick or elderly relative was carried to a mountain, or some other remote and desolate place, and left there to die.