Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic - John Matthews - Страница 274

This shapeless, unformed monster is a fearsome creature living in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Its very shapelessness strikes terror into the heart, and the Brollachan assume whatever shape you most fear in your imagination.

It happened that a poor crippled man called Ally Murray who lived on the charity of the miller had an encounter with a Brollachan. One dark night, as he lay beside the fire, a Brollachan who lived in the millstream entered, drawn by the warmth of the fire. It was the child of a Fuath. The Brollachan had eyes and a mouth but could only say two words, ‘Mi-phrein’ and ‘Tu-phrein’, or ‘myself’ and ‘thyself’. It cast itself down by the fire just as Ally was throwing on another log as it had began to burn low. Sparks flew out and burnt the Brollachan who cried out. The Fuath from the millstream rushed in shrieking, ‘Who’s burnt my Brollachan?’ It replied to its mother, ‘Me and thee.’ Giving Ally a hard stare, the Fuath grumbled, ‘Well if it had been anyone else, I’d be revenged on them.’ Ally slipped away with a sack over his head and lay down in the machinery of the mill, hoping he would survive until the morning. He was fortunate because the Fuath had disgustedly gone to seek her revenge elsewhere, chasing a poor woman who had been out that night. Let us hope he never encounters a Brollachan when it has grown up!