ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Folklore of the Low Countries

Okay kiddo, today we are going to talk about the folklore of the low countries. The low countries are the countries that are flat and low near the sea, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Long long ago, people used to tell each other stories about magical creatures and scary monsters that lived in these lands. Some of these creatures were kind and helped people, while others were mischievous and could cause trouble.

Let's talk about some of these creatures. Have you heard of trolls? In the low countries, trolls were believed to be giant creatures that lived under bridges and could cause mischief to anyone who crossed their path. They were often depicted as having big noses and long arms.

Another creature that's popular in these stories is gnomes or dwarves. These creatures were said to be small and lived in the forests. They were friendly and helpful to people who treated them kindly, but they were mischievous to those who were mean to them.

Then, there are the witches. In these stories, witches were believed to have magical powers and were feared by many people. They were said to be able to fly on broomsticks and do spells that could hurt people.

You might have heard of fairies. In the low countries, fairies were said to be small, beautiful creatures that lived in gardens and helped flowers grow. They were kind and would give rewards to people who were good to them.

Lastly, there is a creature called the werewolf. Werewolves were said to be people who could turn into wolves when there was a full moon. They were often portrayed as scary creatures that people should avoid.

Overall, the folklore of the low countries is a rich collection of stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, and they help us understand the beliefs and customs of the people who once lived there.
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