Men in Green- The Leprechauns

Small in stature, Leprechauns, dressed in Kelly green with black boots and belts with big gold buckles, have been the guardians of ancient treasure for centuries. These magical, mystical men donned in hats have been linked with crocks of gold for as long as anyone can remember.

No one really knows whose treasure it originally was. Most likely, it was left behind when a group of people traveled through the ancient country of Ireland many years ago. Some believe that the Danes left it. In fact, these same people believed that the treasure was hidden in crocks of black.

Mystery surrounds the Leprechauns at every turn. One belief is that they are the shoemakers of the Irish. The name, Leprechaun, seems vaguely similar to the Irish for shoemaker, leath bhrogan. Whether this is where the name originated or not, it is also thought that the name sprang up in the Leinster area of Ireland.

The treasure is thought to be gold of great monetary worth. The Leprechauns are destined to guard the treasure and to keep its whereabouts a secret. In order to do this, they must avoid contact with all humans at any cost. They have given their oath that they will guard the treasure until the rightful owners return.

Sure enough, the Leprechauns are wiry, clever, and very quick. These characteristics help them to remain hidden from humans who are all too greedy in their quest to discover the secret treasure or crock of gold. The Leprechauns do not like humans and consider them to be greedy and selfish.

Leprechauns are surrounded by magic as well. They carry two leather pouches with them, each with different contents. In the first pouch, a shilling with magical powers of its own sits. A shilling is a silver coin. Each time a Leprechaun uses this shilling to pay for something, it returns to its pouch to be used again in the future.

A gold coin sits in the second pouch. This coin is also full of magic. Each time a Leprechaun uses this gold coin for something, it magically turns to ashes or something else of little value. It then returns to its pouch to be used again in the future. This coin is not used to pay for items, but rather, it is used to bribe the Leprechaun's way out of difficulty such as entrapment by a human being.

For the most part, people believe Leprechauns to be good and trustworthy. Their main purpose in life is to protect the pot of gold. A favorite drink of the Leprechauns is poteen, which is rather alcoholic in nature.