The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE FAIRIES' HOME
A "FORT" IS A LITTLE MOUND OF EARTH IN THE MIDDLE OF
A FIELD. THERE IS ALWAYS A TREE GROWING ON THIS
FORT. CHILDREN ARE TOLD THAT THE FAIRIES LIVE
UNDER THE FORTS, SO THEY ARE WARNED NOT TO GO NEAR
THEM IN CASE THE FAIRIES GET ANGRY, AND THEY MIGHT
CURSE THEM. TO CUT DOWN THE TREE OR TO PICK
FLOWERS ON THE FORT IS UNLUCKY. THE FAIRIES ARE VERY
NICE AS LONG AS YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE, BUT SINCE THEY
HAVE BEEN IN IRELAND EVEN BEFORE THE IRISH THEMSELVES,
THEY ARE LEFT ALONE. THE FAIRIES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
BRING BAD LUCK TO FAMILIES THAT HAVE PLOUGHED
THROUGH THEIR FORTS. SO IN IRELAND, FORTS ARE LEFT
ALONE. YOU DON'T WALK THROUGH THEM, YOU WALK ROUND
THEM, AND YOU TALK IN A LOW VOICE, SO AS NOT TO
WAKE UP THE BABY FAIRIES WHO MIGHT BE TAKING THEIR
NAPS.

Submitter comment: WHEN SISTER MARY SAID "FORD" ANOTHER SISTER TOLD HER
"NO, IT'S "FORT."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1970