Clever Tom and the Leprechaun by Linda Shute
Summary:
Tom hears leprechauns tapping in the woods and is lucky enough to catch one! The leprechaun agrees to show Tom where his gold is hidden, in exchange for his freedom. He takes Tom on a long walk to a field of boliauns (yellow-flowered weeds) and tells Tom that his gold is buried beneath a particular one. Tom marks the plant with his red garter and makes the leprechaun promise not to remove it while he goes home to get his spade. When he returns, he finds that every plant is marked with a red garter. He digs under the plant where he thought he put his marker, but finds nothing. He digs all night, but to no avail. Years pass… Tom continues to carry his spade with him, in the hopes that the next time he catches the leprechaun, he will have his fortune made!
Activity:
Make your own leprechaun trap! Leprechauns love shiny things, rainbows, and the color green. They are very tricky fellows though and usually leave a mess. But, if you can catch one, they will take you to their gold! We make a trap every year with the hopes of catching one. While my son is busy, I quietly mess up his trap, leave a slight mess behind, and leave him a pile of “gold” (golden wrapped candy, such as Rolo’s and Reese’s). There are always green footprints around the room, as well as lots of glitter. And sometimes, we even are lucky enough to catch his “pants” in the window (a green scrap of fabric). Have fun and enjoy the magic of childhood!
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Very cute! We did this when I did my student teaching, we also added a letter written by the leprechan that told us how much fun he had messing up the place. It was so much fun to see how excited the kids were, and no joke, they talked about the leprechan that came and messed up the room the rest of the year, as well as blamed every single mess in the classroom on him as well!
Amy,
I totally know what you're talking about!!! The kids LOVE it!! One year, in my preschool, my neighbor was re-finishing his bathroom and starting hammering at just the moment that I told them that leprechauns are near when you hear tapping. They FREAKED and talked about that all year long!
My son has also been asking since last year when the leprechaun is coming. And he's been making traps all month (and it's only the 6th!). He's determined to catch him this time!
I love the innocence and magic of childhood! (and I love being able to make the magic happen!)
What fun! This sounds like a great family tradition I must have missed out on. Now I wish I still had little ones at home to try it out on.
good idea. you make me want to be a more creative and fun mom. keep coming with the good ideas.
That sounds like a lot of fun. Good idea! I can't wait to have kids, so I can play these games/activities with them.
Another cute idea! I love the scrap of cloth torn from his pants!
such a great idea!! thank you!!!
This is yet another cute idea that I know your kids love!