The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LEPRECHAUNS

THE LEPRECHAUN IS THE COBBLER FOR THE FAIRIES. HE LIVES
IN THE GLENS OF IRELAND, AND HE ALSO HAS A CROCK OF GOLD.
IF YOU ARE LUCKY TO MEET HIM AT NIGHT, YOU CAN STEAL
HIS GOLD FROM HIM IF YOU STARE HIM LONG ENOUGH WITHOUT
BLINKING YOUR EYES FOR EVEN A SPLIT SECOND. THE
LEPRECHAUN STILL HAS HIS GOLD, BECAUSE NOBODY HAS BEEN
ABLE TO STARE HIM WITHOUT BLINKING HIS EYES. HE CAN
DISAPPEAR IN THE SPLIT SECOND YOU BLINK YOUR EYES.
MANY PEOPLE HEAR HIM HAMMERING ON THE FAIRIES'
SHOES AT NIGHT, BUT VERY FEW HAVE EVER SEEN HIM. IT
TAKES A SPECIAL STROKE OF LUCK, A MOONLIGHT NIGHT, A
QUIET GLEN AND A FORT NEARBY WHERE THE FAIRIES LIVE.
ALL THIS IS RARE EVEN IN IRELAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1970