Chickcharnies

On the island of Andros, amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Bahamas, live mysterious creatures called chickcharnies. These extraordinary creatures, combining human and bird features, are characterized by red eyes, large eyes, and beards. Their presence is mysterious and unpredictable—they can bring both good fortune and misfortune, and their behavior is dependent on whim. In the story of Martha, a young farmer's daughter, we learn how careless behavior and disturbing the chickcharnies' peace can lead to unpleasant consequences, such as a broken knee.

These creatures inhabit Andros Island in the Bahamas. They look something like this:

-They have red eyes and three fingers and three toes.

-these creatures are small, bird-like elves or dwarves with large eyes

-these creatures are bearded

-they are half human, half bird

And so on, and so forth... although descriptions of their appearance differ, descriptions of their lifestyle create even greater confusion. Depending on their mood, they can bring good luck or sudden death. They appear unexpectedly in the evening or at night. They rest, suspended by their long tails from the branches of pine trees. When not causing harm, they reside in the crowns of the adjacent pine trees. They must not be disturbed under any circumstances!!! Anyone who inadvertently disturbs their peace or bursts into laughter upon seeing one will be punished.

Sunset on the island of Andros

This was the punishment that befell young Martha, the daughter of a farmer on the island of Andros. The harvest had to be harvested immediately because the weather was deteriorating. All the children helped their parents, but Martha sat quietly under two pine trees... at one point, the farmers heard her hysterical laughter. When questioned, she replied that she had seen a bird-like creature flying in circles around the tree. The farmers carefully inspected the entire area, but finding nothing, they returned to their fields. Martha's father forbade her daughter from sitting under the pine trees, but she disobeyed him. That evening, the farmers, gathering for home, suddenly heard her crying—it turned out she had a broken knee.