Stories_, p. 37.]

SECTION XIV

_BEAST-STORIES_

I commence with wolf-stories, which are rather numerous in Esthonia. One
of them relates the creation of the wolf. When God had created the
world, he asked the Devil what he thought of his work; and the Devil
objected that there was no animal to scare away mischievous boys from
the woods when the bear and the snake were sunk in their winter sleep.
Thereupon God gave leave to the Devil to make such an animal as he
wished, and to give it life by the formula, "Stand up and devour the
Devil." Then the Devil made the wolf's back of a strong hedge-pole, the
head of a tree-stump, the breast of twigs and leather, and the loins of
bricks.[78] He made the tail of a fern-frond, and the feet of
alder-stumps, but he put a stone into its breast for the heart. He
clothed the body with moss, burning coals formed the eyes, and iron
nails were used for the teeth and claws. He then named the creature
Wolf, and pronounced the spell as far as "devour," when the creature
raised his head and snorted. The Devil was too much frightened to
finish, but afterwards plucked up courage, and repeated the spell,
substituting God's name for his own. But the wolf took no notice, and
when the Devil appealed to God, he was only told to use the same spell;
so he stood a long way off and pronounced it. Then the wolf rushed at
the Devil, who was forced to hide under a stone to save himself. Since
then the wolf has been the Devil's worst enemy, and pursues him
everywhere.

Another story relates how God forbade the wolf to eat the flocks and the
dogs, but to receive his share when the farmers baked. But one day a
farmer's wife threw the wolf a red-hot stone instead of bread, and he
burnt his muzzle, which has been black ever since. Since then he devours
whatever falls in his way.

A farmer, hemmed in by a herd of wolves, succeeded in driving them away,
but was followed home by one of them. When he took his provisions out of
the sledge, he laid his hand on a square object like a whetstone. He
then remembered hearing that the wolves sometimes receive food from
heaven, and thought this might be their portion. So he flung it to the
wolf, saying, "Take it if it's yours;" and the wolf seized it and
disappeared.

There is an odd story of a young woman who was carrying an apron full of
eggs to her mother. She was overtaken by a violent thunderstorm, and
sheltered under a fir-tree. She felt something movi