The Moth Introducing Family Lore
Apr 30, 2026
Martha Sayers, a longtime family acquaintance and storyteller from Laredo, Texas, shares a vivid family legend about her great-aunt Margarita Sames. Short, colorful memories paint Margarita as flamboyant and unforgettable. The conversation centers on the claim that Margarita invented the margarita and the carnival of family lore around that tale.
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Repeating Stories Turns Them Into Truth
- Family stories often achieve unquestioned truth simply by repeated telling at gatherings like holiday dinners.
- Mashile notes that these polished, specific tales become accepted until someone asks probing questions that reveal uncertainty.
Grandfather's Gun Story Sparked The Podcast
- Lebo Mashile recounts a childhood visit where his grandfather showed him three pistols, including a Colt 45 1917 tied to a supposed threat from Bonnie and Clyde.
- The story sparked Mashile's fascination with family lore and inspired the podcast's premise of investigating colorful family claims.
Childhood Memories Of Margarita's Glamour
- Martha Sayers describes growing up in Laredo and being captivated by visits from her Uncle Bill and his wife Margarita, who seemed glamorous and different.
- She recalls details like Margarita curling her eyelashes and smoking, which left lasting impressions on a five-year-old.