Maggy Moulach
Maggy Moulach (also known as Meg Mullach, Maggie Moloch, Maug Moulack, Maug Moulach, Mieg Moulach, Maug Vuluchd, May Moulach, Meg Molloch, Manch Monlach and Hairy Meg) is a character from Scottish folklore and mythology said to be a Highland Brownie. According to the folklore, she had a son named Brownie-Clod, who was said to be a Dobie. A Dobie is a somewhat dull-witted, though well-intentioned, variety of brownie.
She is described as the two foot tall creature, with the impressive head of hair, or (and), as said in other lore, with the hairy hands, that's why she was sometimes called Hairy Meg. In some later versions of her story is said, that she was reaching down chimneys and stealing the children. She was also capable to shapeshift into the grasshopper.[1]
Legend
In the earlier legends is said, that Meg and her son were living in the Tullochgorm castle, which belonged to the Grant family.[1][2]
She performed the usual labors of brownie, but also helped the clan chief beat his opponents at chess. She also functioned as banshee, announcing the deaths of members of this family.
Other legends
The folk-tale mentions a certain Fincastle Mill, where none dare to go for fear of the brownies said to protect the mill from trespassers.
One night, a girl goes up to the mill as she does not have enough flour for her wedding cake. Because the miller has already left, she sneaks in to grind the flour herself. She puts on a pot of water to boil as she begins grinding the meal.
The Dobie who is guarding the mill, Brownie-Clod, hears the commotion and finds the audacious maiden hard at work. Keeping his distance, he asks for her name, and the quick girl replies, "Oh, I'm Mise mi fein," which means, "Oh, I am me myself."
He again asks her name, but again she says "Mi fein." As he approaches her, she throws boiling water at him. He flees to his mother, Maggy Moulach, who asks who wounded him. Fatally burned by the boiling water, he gasps out "Me fein" (Me Myself) as he was told.
Maggy later finds out the trickery of the girl as she regularly brags to her friends of how she outsmarted a brownie. Maggy overhears the girl one day while walking past her window and takes vengeance. She throws a stool with such force that it kills the girl dead on the spot.
Another legend of Maggy tells how she finds a home near a farm. She is such a good worker that the owner of the farm fires all the farmhands in order to rely solely upon Maggy's work. This enrages her such that she goes on strike and becomes a Boggart, an entity similar to a poltergeist. She begins playing tricks on him until the farmer is obliged to hire back all the staff.[2]
Moral
The story of Maggy Moulach's vengeance for her son could be seen as a warning against excessive pride. It could also be to remind the reader that there will invariably be someone who loves each of us, no matter our appearance, and will avenge the injuries inflicted.
The tale of Maggy Moulach and the farmer could be seen as a warning not to take those who help for granted.
References
- Faeries - ISBN 0-8109-0901-4 (H.C), Copyright 1978 Rufus Publications, Inc. Published in 1978 by Harry N. Abrams, Inc, New York.
- Folktales of England, by Katherine Biggs ISBN 0-226-07494-3
Bibliography
- Bane, Theresa (2013), Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology, McFarland, p. 322, ISBN 978-0786471119CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Henderson, Lizanne (2001), Scottish Fairy Believe: A History, Dundum, p. 16, ISBN 978-1862321908CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Briggs, Katharine, Mary (2001), An Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures, Pantheon Books, ISBN 978-0394734675
- Monaghan, Patricia (2004), The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, Facts On File, New York City, New York: InfoBase Publishing, ISBN 978-0-8160-4524-2CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Bane 2013, p. 227.
- Monaghan 2004, p. 322.