Santa’s Little Helpers, The Elves

In spite of the fact that elves are such little folks or maybe because they are such little folks they have been incorporated into many different cultures through the ages. Folklore and fairytales would just not be the same without them. They may be set in different environments under different circumstances and they may answer to different names but they are still elves of one kind or another.

The list of elves or elf-like beings is endless but the following is a short sampling for your brief edification:

* Ireland had leprechauns who are miniature elf-like folks who use their craftiness and wit to mischievously hide their treasured pots of gold.
* Iceland had “hidden people” who are a bit taller but still elf-sized. Being very powerful, Icelanders will not build around areas which may be inhabited by these strong elves.
* The Dutch had Black Pete who is an elf helping Santa Claus keep track of boys and girls who are bad and he may even whip them when the opportunity presents itself.
* The Norse had the trolls who, for the most part, were depicted as having small statures with very large ear and noses living underground or in caves of Norway. Norse mythology also has big headed and bearded dwarves who live in the mythical land of Nidavellir.
* The Vikings had trows who were short but fiendish and, like the Norse trolls, lived underground as well.
* The Germans had the Dwarves’ Cavern in Hasel, in the Hohenstein region, as well as in the crevices of Harz Mountains in Germany.
* The Northumbians (who lived in what is now north east England and southern Scotland during the medieval times) had Duergar or Dwergar elves who killed hikers.
* In ancient Jewish scriptures dwarves are mentioned in the towers of fortresses in Tyre, Lebanon.
* The Pygmies come from Classical Greek mythology.
* The Hackers come from Sweden.
* The Menehune come from Polynesia.
* The Ebu Gogo come from Indonesia.
* The Basajaun come from Basque.
* The Bes come from ancient Egypt.
* There are many, many more, but some of the most popular fairy tales that feature dwarves are Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Cobbler and the Dwarfs, The Hazelnut Child, The Three Little Men in the Wood, and Tom Thumb who himself is no bigger than his father’s thumb.

Now, let us get back to Santa’s little helpers, the elves, and the question where they came from. Rumor has it that the modern Christmas elves as we know them today come from the house of gnomes of the Scandinavia pagan era. In those ancient times it was believed that gnomes guarded and protected homes against evil spirits. These gnomes were believed to be kind and helpful to good people but they could get very nasty to those who were not nice to them or to each other. For many centuries these Scandinavian gnomes were loved and appreciated as well as hated and feared. Scandinavian writers of the mid-1800s like Thile, Toplius and Rydberg altered the image of these gnomes to Christmas elves who were impish like mischievous children but kindhearted like good fairies.

Some people believe that Santa Claus has nine elves who are helping him while other people believe that he has thirteen elfish helpers. The great majority of people, however, believe that Santa Claus only has six helpers who are all children of Gryla and Leppaludi and their names, in alphabetical order, and their duties are as follows:

* Flying Snowball – He handles Santa’s correspondence and the lists of who is naughty and who is nice.
* Professor Tiny – He fixes and maintains all the machines that make the toys and Santa’s sleigh.
* Lookout Fellow – He guards and protects Santa’s home and the workshop from any intruders.
* Medic Al – He takes care of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus as well as all the other elves and the reindeer.
* Helpin Hands – She helps Mrs. Claus in the kitchen and around the house.
* Ken Do-It-All – He is the handy elf who can do anything and everything that needs to be done.