Brownies

Brounie, Brownyis, Brùnaidh, Domovoi, Gruagach, Heinzelmännchen, Tomte, Urisk, Ùruisg

A brownie is a legendary kind of creature popular in folklore around Scotland and England (especially the north, though more commonly hobs have this role). It is the Scottish and Northern English counterpart of the Scandinavian tomte, the Slavic domovoi or the German Heinzelmännchen.

Scotland
Scotland is unique in many ways, and one of these is the possession of brownies. These earth spirits enjoy a reputation of being cheerful and helpful little creatures. They are devoid of mischief and prefer to live in harmony with mortals. A brownie is a scruffy, small and brown fairy who wears dirty, torn clothing.

If it were not for their cheerful nature they might not be very attractive. They are small and hairy, with flat faces and pinhole nostrils, but their happy smiles and extrovert character create an instant feeling of goodwill.

Mortals with similary cheerful and innocent natures will often see brownies, but the unfortunate fact is that very few mortals, except for children, possess brownie characteristics. This accounts for the fact that most brownie sightings are reported by children, and for the general adult disbelief in brownies.

Brownies enjoy playing with children, telling them stories, and helping them to make such artefacts as wildflower posies and daisy chains. They vanish at the approach of a disbelieving adult, but this does not inhibit them from helping adults in countless minor ways. One of these is that of guiding cows home to the farmyard at milking time and ushering hens to their roots in the evenings. Brownies dislike any expression of gratitude for such assistance, however, and will never accept gifts left out for them.

The presence of a few brownies is a sure protection against goblins. The brownies correct any goblin mischief so quickly that mortals are not even aware of a goblin presence.

Brownies prefer their homeland, but a good many have accompanied Scottish families in their migration to various parts of the world. Consequently, it is possible for a cheerful and innocent mind to become brownie-conscious almost anywhere.