The El Duende

My friend from mexico told me of the legend of the El Duende. supposedly it is a dwarf like creature whom watches over the forest and small animals such as birds and squrils. his parents and town locals warn that if the El Duende sees you doing harm, it will come for you. anyways, he said that he once saw this creature. he and a friend were out creating mischief in the early night sky. he had a sling-shot and was aimlessly hitting birds with it. one of the birds was knocked from a tree and died. my friend said as this happened, he could not feel his body move and he had the feeling of dread. a howling sound and cruching of branches was heard, his friend tried to get him to move but could not. his grandpa came running as he had heard the cries and howls of El Duende approaching his grandson.

the grandfather spoke some words from the bible as they all started running, as they did, El Duende scurried out gouging at his left foot tearing the skin. he said it was about 3 or 4 foot tall with a dirty woven brown hat, he briefly saw the face, it was weathered and charred with a droopy mouth and scars where the eyes should be. it tore his ankle and twisted it painfully. they managed to escape to never go back again. he still walks with a limp.

also he said, El Duende was heard by his uncles farm one night. they could hear the horse running about violently outside, and the rancid screams and howls of the El Duende. no one would dare look outside, for if he turned to see you, you would be next. in time the horrific sounds outside had stopped.

The next morning when they went out to see what had happened they found the horse standing still shaking with its tail mostly cut and the missing hair was set braided around its mane....no one can cut or braid a wild horse in the night in this manor said the boy. only the El Duende.