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The leprechaun comes from the folklore as old as Ireland itself. The leprechaun's classification is that of a fairy although in the form of a tiny elderly man that wears a cocked hat and leather apron. It is common Irish belief that leprechauns are cobblers by trade, living a solitary life by nature. Leprechauns live in remote places hidden from public view due to the stories that a leprechaun holds the key to the infamous pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. If a leprechaun finds himself captured by a mere mortal and threatened, the leprechaun might reveal the secret hiding place of his crock of gold provided the captor released him. It is imperative upon capturing a leprechaun that one never allows the little fellow out of his sight. If the captor takes his eyes off the tiny fairy for one moment, the leprechaun vanished immediately. Usually, the leprechaun tricks the captor into glancing away allowing the leprechaun to disappear.

The word leprechaun derives from the Old Irish luchorpan meaning "little body."

An Irish Leprechaun Blessing:
Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree
Live mystical, magical leprechauns who are clear as can be
With their pointed ears, and turned up toes, and little coats of green
The leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen
Only those who really believe have seen these little elves
And if we are all believers
We can surely see for ourselves

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