Laughter in the Forest – A Walk with Leshy (part 2)
Last week, we talked about Leshy’s “good” side. Although some people may think that pranking is not good, in these instances, Leshy didn’t do any real damage to anyone. He just had a good laugh. His “bad” side, however, was not always so humorous.
First, let’s talk about a few of his vices.
According to some sources, Leshy likes to drink. After a long night of carousing, when he’s incapacitated, his friend the bear stands guard to protect this forest spirit. When the bear is not around, a wolf will watch over his master. For bear and wolf, and even horned owl, are Leshy’s faithful companions.
He’s also a card player and is wont to gamble away squirrels and mice and other creatures he’s in charge of in one fell swoop. This is much to the annoyance of the villagers who hunt in those woods. For, lo and behold, a mass migration occurs after Leshy loses to another of his kind. The debt has to be paid, and the winning Leshy now has double his possessions. Some people describe him as a demon. So, when he plays cards, the deck lacks clubs, since they are said to resemble the cross.
As you can imagine, if one Leshy loses to another, it’ll cause ill will between them. Battles take place. Anyone wandering through the forest after one of these events will come across trees uprooted as if a hurricane passed through the area. But unlike the devastation a hurricane causes, the disturbed area is only a small space.
This kind of fighting usually occurs in early spring right after he’s woken from his winter slumber. He has so much pent-up energy that he has to let it out somehow. Thankfully, this doesn’t last too long, and soon he’s back to protecting the forest and its animals. During the summer, he like to play tricks. As autumn approaches, he starts getting riled up again, knowing he’s in for a long winter hibernation. If it wasn’t a battle taking place, it could also have been Leshy’s wedding ceremony. During the feasting, Leshy causes so much discord that the birds and beasts alike vacate the scene.
And to add to these vices, he likes a good smoke. If you feel up to it, when you leave him gifts in the forest, don’t hesitate to propitiate him with some tobacco as well. If you find that you feel ill after being in the forest, it’s likely you forgot to leave him some kind of offering, whether it’s tobacco or one of the other things he enjoys.
If you’ve happened to run across Leshy without knowing it, and you’ve done nothing to make him accept you in his domain, when you exit the forest, you’ll be covered with moss. Worse, you may be mute. Even if you get your voice back, from that point on, you’ll be unable to concentrate, and you’ll act oddly. It could be even worse. If an angry Leshy finds you, he may tickle you to death.
Another of the negative traits of Leshy is that he has been known to abduct humans. He may be lusty and steal maidens to be his slaves. Or, he may steal children, particularly if a parent or woman during childbirth curses her offspring by saying, “May Leshy take you.” He takes you up on the offer.
Girls they raise become rusalki, while boys become other Leshys if they are not found within seven years and their names blessed. The children may be taught secret healing knowledge that they bring back to their community when they are set free or escape. In other cases, however, the children may become wild. They forget how to speak, and they stop wearing clothing. Moss is their attire. Over time, these children lose shape and become invisible.
When he steals your child, there’s a good chance he’ll replace him with either a piece of wood of a child of his own. You’ll know this is the case because this changeling is not very intelligent and has a voracious appetite. If that child tries to return to his first home, the forest, he fails and becomes a tramp.
The moral of the story is to do a few simple things before you enter the forest. Be kind. Be respectful. Be generous. And take only what you need.
Kickstarter Campaign
The Lesnik in our story likes to have fun. He’s not one to kidnap or harm, but he also like to drink and play cards.
We’re planning to launch the complete Dragon Village series on September 26. Here’s a preview of our campaign story.
Dangers lurk in Dragon Village, but also secrets. Can Theo solve the mysteries before an evil creature conquers the magical and human worlds?
Do you have an adventurous soul, ready to encounter strange magical creatures?
Have you ever wished you could travel through a portal to another world?
Do you love the reluctant hero, strong female friends, and quirky sidekicks?
If this sounds like you, then step through the gate into the magical world of Dragon Village.
Campaign link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ronesa-aveela/dragon-village?ref=3i92sy
If you’re interested in forests and tree, why not check out one of our latest books, Magical Healing Trees in Slavic Folklore, available direct from us or from retail stores.