|
The
hobgoblin |
| calitri
tradizioni |
| THE
HOBGOBLIN |
| The hobgoblin was a sprightly, sassy, spiteful elf-like creature,
who wore a red cap with no visor. He had the power of being invisible
and of sneaking into homes, even through walls, where at times he
came in different disguises (as a dog or cat, etc.). |
| Once in a home, he preferred to conceal himself in the darkest
corner and frighten the tenants. He then began to perform a series
of pranks, throwing the household fixtures in disarray, turning
the house upside down etc. |
| Often he sat on a person’s chest or shoulders, where his
presence was detected because of his great weight; but he couldn’t
be seen because he disappeared and reappeared wherever he wanted
without walking. |
| The family of the victim used sticks and brooms to chase the prankster
away, but they always missed the target. The goblin was even able
to read people’s minds. |
| In this connection it is told that a family, at their wits’
end because of the presence of a goblin, decided to move to another
home. |
| The family was preparing to move when the elf’s voice was
heard repeating cheerfully, “at your new home, at your new
home,” thus disclosing that he not only had understood what
was afoot, but that he was planning not to abandon the family, to
which he apparently had become attached. |
| The goblin had a variety of habits: he could cause a variety of
illnesses. If one had heart or liver trouble, he caused sharp pains
alternating with periods of relief; and the weight the sick folks
experienced would disappear after a short time. |
| Mental patients, however, experienced constant pain. |
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