Lutin

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A lutin (pronounced in French /lytɛ̃/) is a kind of pixie or sprite in French folklore. Female lutins are called lutines. Graceful, sometimes well-meaning and sometimes malevolent, they wear long pointed hats and have pointy ears.

Domestic or household lutins are keen to help humans, and it was once said that every cottage had its own lutin. They helped the servants, watched over the cooking, consoled unhappy children and took care of the animals. But if due respect was not shown for their help, they could disappear forever or turn malicious.

Other lutins live among nature. There are forest lutins, hill lutins, field lutins, lake lutins, cave lutins and ice lutins. More timid than the household variety, wild lutins have an appearance and a style of clothing that reflects the environment they live in. Forest lutins, for example, sometimes have green moss-like beards, hardened skin, and necklaces of berries, while a young rhubarb leaf might serve as a hat.