Tradition: Belgian Mythology
Alternative Names: The Magic Feathers, De Tooverpluimen
Category: Object
The Myth
The Tooverpluimen are magical feathers hidden beneath the thresholds and feeding troughs of a farmer’s cowshed.
In Iddergem, a farmer discovered one morning that all three of his cows were dead, their necks twisted around. He bought new animals, but they suffered exactly the same fate. When he had no cattle left, the misfortune turned upon his children. They were struck by a strange bone disease that left them unable to support themselves on their own bones.
At last the priest was called. After much hesitation, he finally agreed to come to the farm. He ordered the thresholds, feeding troughs, and floor of the cowshed to be broken up.
Beneath the thresholds and troughs they discovered the hidden cause: the ground was filled with feathers.
Once the feathers were removed, the enchantment disappeared, and the deaths of the animals and illness afflicting the children came to an end.
Sources
De Cock, Alfons. Vlaamsche sagen uit den volksmond. Amsterdam: Maatschappij voor Goede en Goedkoope Lectuur, 1921.