And now it's time for Russian fairy tales! In Russian mythology, there are many strange and amazing creatures. But it was this evil spirit that my mother used to frighten me when I was a child, when I didn't listen to her and was naughty. This is Kikimora.
She was described as a short, crooked, untidy, and ugly old woman. According to popular beliefs, they live in residential buildings, less often-in outbuildings, in a bath, in empty houses. The appearance of a Kikimora was considered a sign that the house was not well. During the day, the Kikimora hides from people in hidden places of the building. It was commonly believed that kikimores caused various troubles to people: they disturbed their sleep and startled them with various sounds, annoyed small children, attacked and strangled them at night, threw various objects, dropped and broke things, tore out or cut people's hair, wool from livestock, feathers from poultry in their sleep. The activity of the Kikimora could even force the owners to leave their home. There are stories in which the Kikimora destroys a person. Seeing a Kikimora was considered a bad omen. In modern culture, more often appear forest or swamp Kikimora-covered with grass and moss ugly old woman, frightening and confusing people and kidnap children.