Lore 287: It Takes a Village

In this episode of Lore, Aaron Mahnke explores the theme of creepy and monstrous children in folklore and history. He begins with a lighthearted anecdote about a town mistaking bullfrogs for an attack, then delves into various cultures' tales of child-shaped monsters, like the Chanak from the Philippines and the Kappa from Japan. The podcast further examines the phenomenon of child witch hunts, particularly the story of Janet Devise, whose accusations led to her family's execution, and the legend of the Wizard Jackal in Salzburg, where children were scapegoated and executed. Mahnke concludes by discussing stories of children and witchcraft in Norway, suggesting that ergot poisoning may have contributed to the strange tales of demonic milk.