THE BUGGANE of GLEN MEAY WATERFALL
by Sophia Morrison · from Manx Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once there was a woman named Kirry. She liked to sleep. She was very, very lazy. Kirry's Husband worked hard. He went fishing. He worked on the farm. Kirry stayed in bed. Her husband was often hungry.
One morning, Kirry's Husband came home. No fire was in the house. No food was ready. Kirry was still in bed. He was very hungry. He had an idea. He would play a trick.
Kirry's Husband put blankets on the windows. The house became very dark. He went to work. Later, he came home. Kirry was still in bed. "Wake up!" he said. "See the sun rise now. It is in the west!"
Kirry jumped up. She ran to the door. The sun was going down. The sky looked red. Kirry was very surprised. She did not know why.
Next morning, Kirry's Husband spoke. "The Big Creature might visit you. It is big and hairy. It lives by the waterfall. It does not like lazy people. You must change your ways." Kirry said, "No! You do not scare me."
That evening, Kirry's Husband went fishing. Kirry was alone. She wanted to bake bread. It was dark outside. Baking at night was not a good idea. The Big Creature did not like it. It was a rule.
Kirry baked her bread. She heard a noise. Something big came to the door. It made a loud sound. A deep voice spoke. "Open the door for me!" it said.
The Big Creature opened the door. It was big and hairy. It took Kirry by her apron. It put her on its shoulder. It ran very fast. The ground shook. It went to the big waterfall.
The Big Creature stood by the water. It wanted to drop Kirry. Kirry was scared. She had a small knife. She held it in her hand. She had an idea!
Kirry cut her apron string. Snip! The apron fell down. Kirry fell to the ground. She rolled away fast. The Big Creature kept running. It fell into the water. Splash!
The Big Creature made a big sound. "Oh no!" it cried. "I have only a skirt part!" It was very grumpy.
Kirry ran home very fast. The Big Creature was gone. No one saw it again. Kirry was not lazy anymore. She was happy to work. The Big Creature was gone. Kirry learned a good lesson!
Original Story
THE BUGGANE OF GLEN MEAY WATERFALL
There was once a woman living near Glen Meay, and she was the wife of a decent, quiet, striving man of the place. There was no one but herself and the man, and they had a nice little cottage and owned a bit of a croft on which they grazed a cow and a few sheep and grew enough potatoes to do them the winter out; and the man had a yawl and went to the fishing when things were slack on land. But for all that they were not comfortable, for work as hard as the man might at his farming and his fishing, he was kept as poor as Lazarus by a lazy wife.
For the woman was fonder of lying a-bed in the morning than sitting at her milking stool; indeed the neighbours had it to say that she wore out more blankets than shoes. Many a day her man would be going out early as hungry as a hawk, without a bite or a sup in him. One morning when he came in from work for his breakfast there was no fire—his wife was never up. Well, my poor man had nothing for it but to get his own breakfast ready and go back to his work. When he came in for dinner it happened as it had happened for breakfast.
‘Bad luck to her laziness,’ he thought; ‘this is coul comfort for a poor man, but I’ll play a trick on her for it.’
And with that he fetched a bart of straw and bunged the two windows of his house. Then he went back to his work.
The sun had not yet set when he came home in the evening. His wife was lying in bed waiting for day.
‘Aw, woman,’ he shouted, ‘make haste an’ get up to see the sun rise in the wes’.’
Up jumped the wife and ran to the door just as the sun was going down, and the sight terrified her. The whole sky looked like fire, and she thought that the end of the world had come. But next morning it all happened as it had happened before, and himself said to her:
‘Kirry, it’s the Buggane, sure enough, that’ll be having thee one of these days if thou don’t mend thy ways!’
‘What Buggane?’ said she.
‘Ax me no questions,’ said he, ‘an’ I’ll tell thee no lies. But it’s the big, black, hairy fellow that lies under the Spooyt Vooar that I’m meanin’.’
‘Aw, houl yer tongue, man; thou don’t frecken me wi’ thy Bugganes,’ shouted the woman.
In the evening the man left the house to go out to the fishing. As soon as he had gone the woman took a notion in her head to bake, as she had only the heel o’ the loaf left for breakfast. Now, Themselves can’t stand lazy ways, and baking after sunset is the one thing they won’t abide. She who does so will meet their revenge—something is sure to be taken by them, but seldom worse than some of the live stock. Well, the woman set to work to bake some barley bread and flour cake. First, she went out to get gorse to put under the griddle, slipping the bolt on the door as she came in, that none of the neighbours would catch her and cry shame on her for baking after sunset. She got some meal out of the barrel and put it on the round table, and put salt and water on it, and then she kneaded the meal and clapped a cake out as thin as sixpence with her hands. But she was only a middling poor baker, one of the sort that has to use a knife to make the cake of a right round. She had turned the cake twice, and taken it off, and brushed the griddle with a white goose wing ready for the next cake which she was busy cutting round with her knife. Just at that moment there was heard the sound of something heavy lumbering up to the door. After a few seconds SOMETHING fumbled at the sneg of the door, then SOMETHING knocked high up on the door, and a voice like the thick, gruff voice of a giant was heard saying, ‘Open, open for me.’ She made no answer. Again there was a loud knock and a big hoarse voice was heard which cried: ‘Woman of the house, open for me.’ Then the door burst open and behold ye, what should she see but a great, big ugly beast of a Buggane rushing in mad with rage. Without as much as a ‘By your leave,’ he made one grab at her, and clutched hold of her by her apron and swung her on his shoulder, and away with him. Before she knew where she was he rushed her across the fields and down the hill, till he brought her to the top of the Spooyt Vooar, the big waterfall of Glen Meay. As the Buggane tore down the hill, the woman felt the ground tremble under his feet, and the noise of the waterfall filled her ears. And, there in front of her, she saw the stream turn to white spray as it came leaping down the rocks. As the Buggane swung her in the air to throw her into the deep pool, she thought that her last hour had come. Then all at once she remembered the knife that she held in her hand! Quick as thought she cut the string of her apron and down she tumbled to the ground, rolling over and over down the hill. And before he knew where he was the Buggane, with the speed he had on him, pitched forward head first down the rushing Spooyt Vooar. As he went head over heels and down to the bottom of the pool with a souse you’d have heard half a mile away, she heard him give a roar out of him:
Rumbyl, rumbyl, sambyl,
I thought I had a lazy Dirt,
And I have but the edge of her skirt.
And that was the last that was seen of that fellow!
Story DNA
Moral
Laziness can lead to dire consequences, but quick thinking can save you from trouble.
Plot Summary
A hardworking Manx man is plagued by his lazy wife, who neglects her duties. After a trick to scare her, he warns her about the Buggane of Glen Meay waterfall. Despite the warning, the wife bakes after sunset, a forbidden act, which summons the monstrous Buggane. The creature abducts her and carries her to the waterfall, intending to throw her in. In a moment of quick thinking, the woman cuts her apron string, causing the Buggane to fall into the waterfall instead, saving herself and presumably curing her of her laziness.
Themes
Emotional Arc
complacency to terror to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects traditional Manx folklore, superstitions, and the daily life of crofters and fishermen in a pre-industrial setting. The Buggane is a prominent figure in Manx mythology, often associated with specific locations.
Plot Beats (12)
- A hardworking man is married to a lazy woman who neglects her household duties, leaving him hungry.
- One morning, the man finds no fire or breakfast, so he decides to play a trick on his wife.
- He blocks the windows with straw, making the house dark, and later tells his wife to see the sun rise in the west.
- The wife, seeing the sunset and the fiery sky, is terrified, believing it's the end of the world.
- The husband warns her that the Buggane of Spooyt Vooar will get her if she doesn't change her ways, though she dismisses it.
- After her husband leaves for fishing, the woman decides to bake after sunset, a forbidden act that attracts supernatural beings.
- While baking, a large, gruff Buggane appears at her door, demanding entry.
- The Buggane bursts in, grabs the woman by her apron, and carries her away towards the Spooyt Vooar waterfall.
- As the Buggane prepares to throw her into the deep pool, the woman remembers the knife in her hand.
- She quickly cuts her apron string, causing her to fall to the ground while the Buggane, due to his momentum, plunges into the waterfall.
- The Buggane lets out a roar as he falls, lamenting that he only got the edge of her skirt.
- The woman escapes, and the Buggane is never seen again.
Characters
Kirry ★ protagonist
A woman of average build, likely with a soft, perhaps slightly unkempt appearance due to her laziness. Her skin might be fair, typical of the Isle of Man, and her hands, though capable of baking, are not described as calloused from hard work.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a crofter's wife on the Isle of Man in an unspecified historical period, likely late 18th to early 19th century. She wears a sturdy apron, probably made of coarse linen or homespun wool, which is a key item in the story. Her dress would be a plain, long-sleeved garment, perhaps in muted earth tones, made of durable fabric.
Wants: To live a comfortable, easy life with minimal effort. Later, her motivation shifts to survival.
Flaw: Extreme laziness, which leads to neglect of her duties and puts her in danger. She is also easily tricked and frightened.
She begins as a stubbornly lazy woman who dismisses warnings. Through a terrifying encounter with the Buggane, she experiences a profound shock that likely cures her of her lazy ways, though her ultimate change is implied rather than explicitly stated.
Lazy, easily frightened, somewhat defiant, resourceful (when truly threatened). She prioritizes comfort over duty and is initially dismissive of warnings.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged woman standing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a round face, fair skin, and her light brown hair is loosely tied back, with some strands escaping. She wears a simple, long-sleeved, dark green linen dress with a plain, off-white apron tied at the waist. Her posture is slightly slumped, indicating a relaxed or lazy demeanor. She holds a small, plain knife in one hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Man (Kirry's Husband) ◆ supporting
A hardworking man, likely of a lean and strong build from his labor as a farmer and fisherman. His hands would be calloused and weathered. His height and specific features are not detailed, but he would appear robust and capable.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing suitable for a crofter and fisherman on the Isle of Man. This would include sturdy wool trousers, a rough linen or wool shirt, and possibly a thick knitted jumper or waistcoat. His attire would be functional and worn, reflecting his constant work.
Wants: To provide for himself and his wife through hard work, and to encourage his wife to be more diligent.
Flaw: His patience with his wife's laziness, which allows the situation to persist for a long time.
He remains consistent in his hardworking nature. His arc involves his attempt to change his wife's behavior, which indirectly leads to her encounter with the Buggane.
Decent, quiet, striving, patient (to a point), resourceful, and a bit mischievous. He is long-suffering but eventually devises a plan to address his wife's laziness.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged man standing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a lean, strong build, a weathered face with kind but tired eyes, and short, dark brown hair. He wears a coarse, dark blue wool jumper over a plain cream linen shirt, sturdy brown wool trousers, and worn leather boots. His hands are calloused. He holds a fishing net over his shoulder. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Buggane ⚔ antagonist
A great, big, ugly beast, described as 'big, black, hairy fellow.' It is immensely strong, capable of making the ground tremble and bursting open a bolted door. Its size is comparable to a giant.
Attire: None, as it is a hairy beast.
Wants: To punish those who break the rules of 'Themselves' (the fairy folk) and to take revenge, often by abducting livestock or, in this case, a person.
Flaw: Its own speed and momentum, which lead to its downfall when Kirry escapes its grasp at the edge of the waterfall.
The Buggane appears as a force of nature and folklore, acting as a catalyst for Kirry's change. It is defeated by Kirry's quick thinking and its own momentum, disappearing into the waterfall.
Rage-filled, vengeful, impatient, and powerful. It is provoked by human actions that violate its rules (like baking after sunset).
Image Prompt & Upload
A monstrous, hulking figure, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It is covered in shaggy, matted black fur, with glowing red eyes set in an ugly, bestial face. Its limbs are thick and powerful, ending in large, clawed hands. It has a wide, snarling mouth with visible fangs. Its posture is hunched and menacing, conveying immense strength and rage. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Crofter's Cottage
A small, humble cottage, likely with thick stone walls and a thatched roof, typical of Manx crofter dwellings. The interior is simple, with a hearth for fire and a round table for preparing food. The windows are small and can be easily blocked with straw.
Mood: Initially cold and neglected due to the wife's laziness, later tense and fearful during the Buggane's intrusion.
The setting for the wife's laziness, the husband's trick with the windows, and the terrifying encounter with the Buggane while baking after sunset.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit interior of a simple Manx crofter's cottage, with rough-hewn stone walls and a low, smoke-stained thatched ceiling. A small, round wooden table stands in the center, scattered with barley meal and a half-cut flour cake. A cast-iron griddle rests on a stone hearth where embers glow faintly. Moonlight streams weakly through a small, unglazed window opening, casting long shadows. The air feels heavy and still. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Glen Meay Waterfall (Spooyt Vooar)
A large, powerful waterfall in Glen Meay, Isle of Man, known as Spooyt Vooar. The stream plunges down rugged rocks, turning into white spray. There's a deep pool at its base. The surrounding area is hilly and rugged, with ground that trembles under heavy footsteps.
Mood: Terrifying, chaotic, and climactic. The overwhelming sound and sight of the waterfall create a sense of imminent danger.
The climax of the story, where the Buggane attempts to throw the woman into the deep pool, and she cleverly escapes, leading to the Buggane's demise.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dramatic night scene of the Spooyt Vooar waterfall in Glen Meay, Isle of Man. A powerful stream of water cascades down jagged, dark grey rocks, turning into a frothing white spray that fills the air. A deep, dark pool churns at the base, reflecting the faint moonlight. The surrounding hills are steep and rugged, covered in sparse, wind-swept gorse and heather. The ground near the cliff edge is uneven and rocky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.