La Pulga

Valentín Elizalde's song 'La Pulga' is a whimsical and humorous piece that delves into the realm of tall tales and exaggeration, a common theme in Mexican folk music. The song narrates the story of a flea ('pulga') that causes chaos and amazement with its extraordinary abilities. From jumping so high that it knocks down walls to requiring a team of people to kill it, the flea's exaggerated feats are a playful nod to the tradition of hyperbolic storytelling in folk culture.

The lyrics continue to build on this theme of exaggeration by describing how the flea's body parts are repurposed in fantastical ways. The flea's heart is taken by 'tia chonita' to feed an entire city, its skin is used to make numerous shirts and pants, and its ribs are used by Americans ('gringos') for train tracks. These absurd and imaginative uses of the flea's body parts highlight the creativity and humor inherent in folk tales, where the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary.

Elizalde's playful tone and the repetitive structure of the song emphasize the joy and communal aspect of storytelling. The song's chorus, which mentions the need to tell these 'big lies' or else the singer will burst, underscores the cathartic and entertaining nature of such tales. 'La Pulga' serves as a reminder of the rich tradition of oral storytelling in Mexican culture, where humor and exaggeration are used to captivate and amuse audiences.