Tradition: Luxembourgish Mythology
Alternative Names: The Fox as a Beating Spirit
Category: Fox
The Myth
Der Fuchs als Prügelgeist, meaning the Fox as a Beating Spirit, is a mischievous supernatural fox associated with the Hamberg near Remich and the surrounding countryside of Luxembourg. Unlike an ordinary fox, this strange creature can vanish without a trace and inflict punishment through invisible supernatural forces. It appears deceptively harmless, but those who provoke it may suffer a relentless and humiliating attack.
One evening, an innkeeper from Remich was returning from Ehnen and strolling peacefully across the Hamberg when he noticed a fox sitting on its hindquarters beside the path. The animal seemed to stare at him mockingly. Angered by what he considered the fox’s insolence, the innkeeper approached and delivered a powerful kick. However, his foot struck only a soft, barely perceptible mass, and the fox immediately disappeared.
Before the astonished innkeeper could recover, an invisible force unleashed a hail of slaps against his face. He fled as quickly as he could, but no matter how fast he ran, the blows continued to rain down upon him. Only when he finally reached the territory of Stadtbredimus, exhausted and breathless, did the supernatural beating cease. The encounter taught him that the strange fox was no ordinary animal and that provoking it could bring a relentless punishment from an unseen assailant.
Sources
La Fontaine, Edmond de. Luxemburger Sagen und Legenden. Luxemburg: Jos. Beffort, 1882.