Hello one and all!
The Rübezahl is a figure that appears in many tales from Polish, German and Czech folklore. The mountain spirit has its origins in pagan traditions, and persisted in stories into the modern age. Its influence on culture can be seen in opera, ballets and plays.
One Rübezahl Story
Once Rübezahl went to Hirschberg and offered his services as a woodcutter, and asked only for a bundle of wood in return. A man accepted his offer, but wanted to assist him as well in the work.
Rübezahl said "That isn't necessary. I can do everything on my own."
The man noticed his new servant didn't even have a hatchet, so he asked him if he needed one.
"No problem," Rübezahl said, "I'll get a hatchet in no time."
After he said those words he pulled his left leg off, and chopped all the wood, according to the proper size, in under a quarter of an hour. He proved that his foot was much more effective than the sharpest axe.
The owner of the wood, who thought that this was some kind of mischief, called on Rübezahl to cease and desist.
Rübezahl answered "I will not wander from this spot until I've chopped all of the wood and received my wages."
He finished the job while they quarreled, and Rübezahl screwed his leg back on. He then gathered all that he had cut, and started on his way to his refuge, not paying attention to the entreaties of his master.
In this specific story Rübezahl appeared as a figure of justice, because his employer had tricked a number of men to bring wood to his for the promise of wages, but never paid them. The mountain spirit went to the doors of each man that had been wronged, and laid wood there, so that they were repaid for their services. After he had done this Rübezahl retreated back into the forest.
Thanks for reading!
The Rübezahl is a figure that appears in many tales from Polish, German and Czech folklore. The mountain spirit has its origins in pagan traditions, and persisted in stories into the modern age. Its influence on culture can be seen in opera, ballets and plays.
One Rübezahl Story
Once Rübezahl went to Hirschberg and offered his services as a woodcutter, and asked only for a bundle of wood in return. A man accepted his offer, but wanted to assist him as well in the work.
Rübezahl said "That isn't necessary. I can do everything on my own."
The man noticed his new servant didn't even have a hatchet, so he asked him if he needed one.
"No problem," Rübezahl said, "I'll get a hatchet in no time."
After he said those words he pulled his left leg off, and chopped all the wood, according to the proper size, in under a quarter of an hour. He proved that his foot was much more effective than the sharpest axe.
The owner of the wood, who thought that this was some kind of mischief, called on Rübezahl to cease and desist.
Rübezahl answered "I will not wander from this spot until I've chopped all of the wood and received my wages."
He finished the job while they quarreled, and Rübezahl screwed his leg back on. He then gathered all that he had cut, and started on his way to his refuge, not paying attention to the entreaties of his master.
In this specific story Rübezahl appeared as a figure of justice, because his employer had tricked a number of men to bring wood to his for the promise of wages, but never paid them. The mountain spirit went to the doors of each man that had been wronged, and laid wood there, so that they were repaid for their services. After he had done this Rübezahl retreated back into the forest.
Thanks for reading!
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