Tradition: Luxembourg Mythology
Alternative Names: The Misleading Fox
Category: Fox
The Myth
Der irreführende Fuchs, meaning the Misleading Fox, is a mysterious supernatural fox said to haunt a small woodland called Hambesch and the neighbouring fields of Ham near Greiveldange, Luxembourg. The creature has made these places uncanny since ancient times and is known for its malicious tricks. Former stable boys frequently reported seeing it, and even in more recent times, the fox has occasionally appeared to continue its strange mischief.
In one account, an older man from Greiveldange encountered the fox early one morning while walking through Hambesch. On this occasion, the animal had only three legs. Although the man had known the woodland since childhood and was thoroughly familiar with its paths, the moment he saw the strange fox, he could no longer find his way. He wandered about in growing desperation throughout the day, unable to escape the familiar woods.
Only late in the evening did the lost man encounter a swineherd tending his herd. The swineherd guided him out of the woodland and helped him finally return home. The fox’s strange appearance and its ability to make a person lose their way reveal its supernatural nature, marking it as a deceptive creature that uses its uncanny presence to confuse even those who know the land well.
Sources
La Fontaine, Edmond de. Luxemburger Sagen und Legenden. Luxemburg: Jos. Beffort, 1882.