Local Leprechaun Hunters Set their Traps

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By Kira Stussy, Tumwater High School Intern to ThurstonTalk

all star ford sponsorA blur of green, a flash of gold, a tiny cackle, and then gone. Leprechauns, a type of Irish fairy, are small and mischievous individuals who store their collected shiny coins and other forms of wealth in a secure pot at the end of a rainbow. They are typically depicted in Irish mythology as old men, no more than three feet tall, sporting the infamous green hat and coat. They are famously known to pinch those poor souls who forget to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. They are also known to be greedy and tricky little devils that are downright near impossible to see due to their lightning speed and agile demeanor. For ages, American children have built complicated traps, with various gold covered triggers and deliciously glittery baits in an attempt to capture the deceitful little guys. This is because if a human is lucky enough to catch a leprechaun the creature is then forced to grant its captor with three magical wishes, anything the human could ask for.

Vivian and Jensen Werner set their Leprechaun Traps each year in hopes of snaring the mischievous little men.
Vivian and Jensen Werner set their Leprechaun Traps each year in hopes of snaring the mischievous little men.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of leprechaun sightings, witnesses to these elusive creatures are few and hard to come by. Luckily, there happen to be two local leprechaun hunters who are very passionate about their occupation. Vivian (age 7) and Jensen (age 5) Werner of the Thurston County area have devoted valuable time and energy to catching leprechauns. The brother and sister duo have taken on the immense challenge of pursuing those pesky leprechauns. They agreed that they were green little men who loved gold. They also recognized the undeniable fact that these critters are rather difficult to catch. They both admitted that they had not yet caught a leprechaun but they are not about to give up the quest. For a couple of years now they have made traps designed to lure in the Irish fairies and contain them until the three wishes are granted. Although the traps have been technically unsuccessful in the past, that does not stop the Werner siblings.

Leprechauns are said to be easily lured by money and shiny objects.
Leprechauns are said to be easily lured by money and shiny objects.

One thing the two did not particularly agree on was what they would do with a leprechaun when they finally catch one: What to do with the slippery leprechaun once it was captured. “I would put it in my room,” Jensen confirms. Vivian, on the other hand, exclaimed that “they are pretty” and that the leprechaun would be “her friend” when she catches one. When asked if the leprechaun would be his friend, Jensen immediately replied with a stern “NO!” Even though he admitted that the leprechaun would be a nice guy he followed that comment with “But he will be stinky!” And that was that.

In the traps they have built in the past, the Werners have used various shiny materials as bait to capture the leprechauns. When asked for specifics about what they have and

will place in their traps Vivian replied matter-of-factly, “Gold…duh!” Even though they have yet to construct this year’s model of the leprechaun trap, they promised they would complete the project in time for St Pattie’s Day, the day when the leprechauns are most likely to be out and about and scouring for their gold. It is on St. Patrick’s Day that every leprechaun hunter is poised and ready to spring the trap in order to accomplish what it is they set out to do every year. It is the leprechaun hunters, like Vivian and Jensen that limit the amount of pinches, stolen gold, and pranks this time of year. It is a difficult task to take on, especially for such young people in the community, but a worthwhile commitment. Vivian and Jensen are excited to get started on their trap and even more excited for the fantastic rewards it may yield.

 

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