Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Image in Public Domain
Kobolds are a sprite rooted in German mythology. According to legend, there are three distinctive types—those that take to the seas to aid sailors, those that burrow in underground mines, and finally, house spirits who delight in performing common chores.
Who needs a maid when you may have a kobold residing on your property? Most often invisible, they will sometimes appear as little men with wrinkled faces, garbed in peasant clothes. If desired, the kobold may take the form of fire, an animal, or even an object. A faithful servant who desires only shelter and food, their preferred lodging is the hearth area of the house. Some legends insist every home has a resident kobold, whether the occupants know it or not.
Kobolds chase away pests, groom horses, chop wood, scrub pots and pans, and sweep the floors. Most often these tasks and others will be performed at night after the household has retired for bed.
It doesn’t take much to sustain a kobold, but they must be fed regularly and prefer their meal at the same time each day. Table scraps are more than enough to keep a kobold happy, but a missed meal will turn this normally pleasant house servant into an angry imp. The family who shelters him will suddenly find themselves tripping over rugs, dropping dishes and burning their fingers in retaliation. Once given his proper meal, peace will resume.
Some kobolds react maliciously to those who slight them, going so far as to inflict disease, disfigurement and even death. For the most part, kobolds are content to remain in the background, performing their duties as long as they are treated well. They have even been known to bring wealth to their host family in the form of gold or harvest grains.
It’s a simple trade-off for such a faithful and industrious servant, don’t you think?
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
I so want a Kobold! Kind of reminds me of Dobby from Harry Potter
LikeLike
A perfect comparison, L.J.! In that wiki pic, this Kobold even looks a bit like Dobby. I wonder if J.K. Rowling had Kobolds in mind when she created Dobby. Now you’ve got me thinking!
LikeLike
Despite my German bloodlines, I do not see a single sign of an adorable Kobold at my house…. and I would like to… So, I wonder how one invites one in? 🙂 Fun post Mae!
LikeLike
Wish I could claim a Kobold in residence too, Debbie. I’m half German and if there is one lurking around my hearth, it neglected the dishes yesterday, LOL!
LikeLike
That particular Kobold above looks like a cute fella. 🙂
LikeLike
Doesn’t he? It almost looks like he’s ready to tell a story or have a friendly chat 🙂
LikeLike
so how do I get one? Is there a spell or something I can throw so one will visit? Actually that pic reminds me of a gargoyle — or maybe I’ve just been reading too many stories about gargoyles …
LikeLike
LOL! A gargoyle? Okay, I kind of see it. I wonder if one of them would clean the house too? Maybe there’s a guild or something for Kobolds where we can all get in line for one. These guys definitely sound like they’d be popular 😀 Thanks, Sue. Great to see you here!
LikeLike
I agree, where can I get one? So if I piss them off possible disease, disfigurement or death. Ach sure, a small price to pay to get my housework done!
LikeLike
I know I’d make sure they got table scraps the same time every day if I could get the laundry done, LOL. And I guess any dissing about the Kobold-help would have to be done out of ear-shot 🙂
LikeLike
I thought of Dobby too. Love that little guy!
LikeLike
Me too, Jessi. He wuss just so lovable!
LikeLike
Having one of those in my house would make me relax my rule about ghosts or other paranormal things in my house. I want one!
LikeLike
Hi, Gemma. Great to see you here 🙂 I agree that a Kobolds is one of the few supernatural critters I wouldn’t mind knocking around my house!
LikeLike
One more person who thought of Dobby… 🙂
LikeLike
Hi, Kitt 🙂 It appears Dobby has a big fan club among bloggers. This is making me want to read the Harry Potter series again!
LikeLike
Me, too.
LikeLike