The Lore of Leprechauns

The Irish didn't always look so kindly on wearing the color green. Irish folklore considered the color unlucky as it was the favorite shade of the Good People, Leprechauns. those who wore too much of the color, especially children could be stolen away, Some cynics may tell you there are no such things as leprechauns, but there are those who beg to differ. True believers will swear that if you take a stroll along a quiet country lane in Ireland, You can actually hear the mischievous leprechauns giggling by the side of the road.


A TRUE TALE
About two centuries ago Molly Cogan of Kilmallock told the famous folklorist Thomas Crofton Crocker about a leprechaun her grandfather had met, and even caught. It happened like this: one night as he went to the to tend his old mare, Grandpa Cogan heard something hammering hammering hammering just for all the world like a shoemaker making a shoe and whistling all the time the prettiest tune he ever heard his whole life before. He guessed what might be making the sound and remembering tales of leprechauns and their gold, he crept in. He looked around but never a bit of the little man could he see anywhere, but he heard him hammering and whistling and so he looked and looked, till at last did he see the little fellow. And where was he, do you think, but in the girth under the mare and there he was with his little bit and apron on him, and a hammer in his hand, and he was so busy with his work, and he was hammering and whistling so loud, the he never minded my grand father till he caught the leprechaun fast in his hand. "Faith i have you know", he says. "And I'll never let you go till I get your purse, That's what I wont. So give it here to me at once now" "Stop Stop! cried the leprechaun. Stop till i get it for you. So my Grandfather like a fool you see opened his hand a bit and the little fellow jumped away laughing, And he never saw him anymore. and never a bit of the purse did he get only the leprechaun left his little shoe that he was making and my grandfather was mad enough angry with himself for letting him go but he had the shoe all his life. and my own mother told me she often saw it and had it in her hand and twas the pretties little shoe she ever saw