Yule just love these seasonal pranksters S
HEEP farmers in the area should be aware that an Icelandic troll could be cavorting with their flocks from today. He is known as Sheep-Cote Clod and is the first of 13 Yuletide Lads from folklore who could be arriving one day at a time in the run-up to Christmas.
I have a particular affinity for Clod as he is supposed to be most like me.
Well, he is if you believe the quiz I took on the Iceland Naturally website. “It’s believed that during each of the 13 nights leading up to Christmas, a Yule Lad comes down from the mountains to bring children gifts, candy and sometimes even plays pranks,” according to the site.
And, after I took the quiz, I was informed I was most like Sheep-Cote Clod, according to my personality, likes and stature.
This was possibly influenced by me ticking the box that described my build as: “Short like an Icelandic turf-house.” Which I suppose could mean a warm heart but an exterior like a sod.
“The first Yule Lad comes to town on December 12,” I was told.
“His name is Sheep-Cote Clod. A true animal lover, he likes to play with and pester the yews in the farmer’s sheep sheds!
“Just like Sheep-Cote Clod, you love animals and enjoy getting in a little mischief every once in a while.” Oo-er, missus.
Don’t tell Santa or I might not get any presents.
In the final two weeks to the Big Man’s arrival, the Yuletide Lads can leave children sweets or a rotting potato each night, according to whether they have been naughty or nice. The other 12 Lads are Gully Gawk, who hides in gullies and steals milk from cow sheds, Stubby, who is extremely short and steals pie tins to eat the crust left on them, Spoon-Licker, Pot-Scraper, BowlLicker, Door-Slammer, Skyr-Gobbler (skyr is a type of Icelandic yogurt), Sausage-Swiper, Window-Peeper, DoorwaySniffer (sniffing forlaufabauo or Icelandic bread), Meat-Hook and, on Christmas Eve, Candle-Stealer (in olden days candles were made from tallow and were edible). So watch out. There’s a troll about – and it might be me!