tips on how to catch a leprechaun . . .

"Welcome, Leprechauns!"

I was surprised when our oldest daughter came home from school and told me that there were only three children (she was one of them) who raised their hand when the teacher asked, "Who knows about St. Patrick's Day?" ((I'm sure she was referring to the Americanized version of this holiday.))

I won't turn this post into a history lesson, but it's safe to say that there's no connection between Saint Patrick and leprechauns, except that they're both synonymous with Ireland; and that shamrocks, leprechauns, blarney, and green anything are heavily associated with St. Patrick's Day.

However you choose to 'celebrate,' whether it's eating corned beef and potatoes, soda bread, or wearing green . . . sharing a little leprechaun lore can be extra fun and stir excitement with your little ones.

Now on to the fun stuff . . . anyone familiar with the old Irish lore knows that it is tough to catch a leprechaun. They are so very clever that they hardly ever get caught by humans.

Of course, the attraction of catching one lies in the opportunity to get at the crock of gold that every leprechaun has stashed away for a rainy day.

Here's the scoop . . . the more you know about the leprechaun and his habits, the better your chances of capturing one and getting his treasure.

So how to catch a Leprechaun . . . 
When searching for them, a keen ear and sharp eyes are important, but luck and cunning are essential. If you are lucky enough to come upon one of these wily, quick-witted imps, you must take great care not to let yourself be outmaneuvered by him.

Walk up close to him quietly and grasp him with both your hands. Stare straight at him and ask him directly where his pot of gold is hidden.

~ Thank you, Sam, for this rare Leprechaun footage! ~

sam hainlanovela

Bound by Fairy Law, he will be compelled to tell you the truth about the whereabouts of his buried treasure crock, but beware! You must be insistent in your inquiry, as he will try to trick, mislead, and distract you.

Skilled in the art of blarney, the leprechaun will also try to sweet-talk you into letting him go.

Also, if you take your eyes off a leprechaun for even a blink-moment while he is leading you to his gold hideaway, he will vanish. 

One of the favorite hiding places for gold is at the ends of rainbows, for the leprechauns know that it is impossible for a human to travel to the end of a rainbow.

They also practice a little pick pocketing activity. At night, when the shoe-making is done, they go around stealing little pieces of gold to fill their crock up to use as a ransom in case one of them is ever caught by a human. However, the Leprechauns take pride in the fact that they always seem to be able to outwit and escape from the humans without losing their ransom money.

Armed with all their newly gained knowledge about leprechauns, our little ones have devised a plan of their own to catch the tiny sprites. Will they be successful this St. Patrick's Day? Will you?  

I have a sneaky feeling that they will! (smile)

~ tiny Leprechaun footprints! ~

  

~ I may have already spotted small treasures in our very own garden! ~

  

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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