VINTAGE TALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

THE DEVILS MATCH (Czechoslovaka 🇨🇿)

Czechoslovakia was a country located in Central Europe that became independent in 1918 after breaking away from Austria-Hungary. The country was made up of several regions, including Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia.

However, Czechoslovakia faced a difficult period in the late 1930s due to its proximity to Nazi Germany. In 1938, the Munich Agreement resulted in the loss of the Sudetenland region to Germany, and the country also had to give up territories to Hungary and Poland. This led to a period of uncertainty and fear for the Czechoslovakian people as they were left vulnerable to further aggression from neighboring countries.

Despite these circumstances, Czechoslovakia has a rich cultural heritage that has endured to this day. One of the most notable aspects of Czechoslovakian culture is its folklore and fairy tales, known for their timeless quality. They feature strong moral themes that emphasize the importance of honesty, kindness, and respect for others.

These tales are also infused with humor and sarcasm, making them all the more charming. Whether you're reading about the adventures of brave knights and magical creatures or following the trials and tribulations of ordinary people, you can always count on Czechoslovakian folk tales to deliver a satisfying and heartwarming ending.

One of the most popular Czechoslovakian folk tales is "The Devil Match," which tells the story of a farmer who remembered what his grandmother told him.

   Let's Read;

Once upon a time, there was a poor farmer who lived in a wretched tumble-down cottage beyond the village and whose farm consisted of a miserable little field no bigger than your hand. His children were ragged and hungry and his wife was always worried over getting them enough to eat.

Yet the farmer was a clever fellow with a quick shrewd wit and people used to say that he” 'd be able to fool the devil if ever he had the chance. One day the chance came.

His wife had sent him into the forest to gather a bundle of faggots. Suddenly without any warning, a young man with a black face and shiny eyes stood before him.

“It”s a devil, of course,” the farmer told himself. “But even so there”s no use being frightened.”

So he wished the devil a civil good day and the devil, who was a very simple fellow indeed, returned his greeting and asked him what he was doing in the forest.

Now the farmer suddenly remembered that his grandmother had once told him devils were afraid of lime trees because the bast from lime trees is the one thing in the world they are unable to break. That” 's why, when you catch a devil, you must tie his hands together with bast.

So the farmer, recalling what his grandmother had said, remarked casually:

“Oh, I'm looking for a lime tree. I want to strip off some bast. Then I'm going after them”–and when he said them he paused significantly–” and tie them hand and foot.”

He peeped at the devil out of the corner of his eye and saw that the devil had turned almost white under his black skin.

“He is a foolish one!” he thought to himself.

“Oh, don't do that!” the devil cried. “What have we ever done to you?”

The farmer pretended to be firm and repeated that that was just what he was going to do.

“Please listen to me,” the devil begged. “If you promise to let us alone I tell you what I'll do: I'll bring you such a big bag of gold that it will make you a rich man.”

At first, the farmer, being a shrewd fellow, pretended that he cared nothing for money. Then gradually he let himself be persuaded and at last said:

“Very well. If you bring me the gold within an hour I won't bind you with bast. But don't keep me waiting or I may change my mind.”