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Leprechauns were a figment of a drunk Irishman's imagination several centuries ago.

Folklore has it that Ireland was disappearing into obscurity and they needed something that could define their national identity.

When Shamus O'Reilly, a local farmer stumbled out of the local pub in a drunken stupor, a legend was about to be born. He knew he was in deep trouble because he had a woman he just met hanging around his neck. She was short and dumpy and wore a rumpled green dress.

When he finally stumbled into the house, several hours late, I might add, his fiery wife kicked the woman in the a* and out the door. She hit poor Shamus upside the head with his favorite ale mug. He begged for mercy and she screamed at him, "You fool, what were you doing out all night? Who was that woman?"

Thinking quickly, Shamus answered, "Oh just a friend my lovely wife. No need for concern."

"Concern this! she replied as she cracked him over the head again and booted him out the door.

Blood running down his forehead, Shamus stumbled down the street back toward the Wig
and Thistle...Or was it the Pig and Whistle?

Well anyway, He started to shout in a drunken fog, "where has my lover gone? where has my leber nog!" Where is my cobber gong! Where is my Leper gone!

He was so drunk all his words were screwed up. The town mayor hearing the racket hurried outside and saw old Shamus waving his arms and yelling incoherently.

He went over to. "Shamus boyo! What's gotten into you lad?"

Seeing the mayor standing there through bloodshot eyes, Shamus gathered himself with as much dignity as possible and said.....

"Where has my lebrec haun? Have you seen her? A dumpy lass, just this high all in green."

"Leprechaun! All in green you say? Short and dumpy? Why Shamus! You have it!"

And so Shamus O'Reilly became a national hero.

And ever since that day the legend of the Leprechaun grew to what it is now and it became a symbol of the Irish identity.

Now when anyone in the world thinks of an Irishman, they picture a short, dumpy guy with funny pants, a green jacket and a weird hat.

Learn more about this author, Ray Fauteux.
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