Domovoi and Domovikha

THE AZEMAN

ABIKU

An insatiable demon of the night which preys upon the Yoruba people of West Africa. Parents living in the little villages huddled deep in the forest are terrified of Abiku because his diet consists of children. He relishes nothing better than a plump, newborn child. As soon as sun sets, parents rush their children into the huts, and sometimes hide them under mats or blankets so that Abiku will not find them. Nobody seems able to give a definite description of Abuku, except he is as shapeless as smoke. Everyone agrees, however, on his principal peculiarity. He has no stomach, and is therefore obliged to eat continuously because he never knows the satisfaction of feeling full.

Words to the text:

an insatiable demon – жадный, ненасытный демон

prey – добыча, жертва, терзать, нападать (на к/л)

huddle – жаться, тесниться в беспорядке

terrify – ужасать(ся)

diet – суточное питание, диета

to relish – находить приятным, приправлять

plump – пухлый

stomach – желудок

A rare example of a vampire actually appearing in the form of a vampire bat. Fortunately, the azeman is restricted to certain regions of north-eastern South America. The azeman is invariably a woman. During the day she appears to be perfectly normal, but after dark she changes into a bat and flies around the village in search of victims. In normal vampire bat style, she seeks a sleeper whose foot is exposed and sucks blood. Luckily it is easy to prevent an azeman from entering one’s hut simply by propping a broom across the doorway.

Words to the text:

to restrict – ограничивать

invariably – неизменно, постоянно

victim – жертва

to prevent – воспрепятствовать

to prop – подпирать

doorway – вход

These are Russian household spirits. On the whole they are benign spirits, who live beneath the stove or doorstep or in the cellar. When a family moves into a new home, it is wise to place a piece of bread beneath the stove to attract Domovoi. His wife accompanies him but lives in the cellar. Domovikha never speaks, but one may hear Domovoi during the night. When he chatters and murmurs softly, the family may be sure that nothing unpleasant is likely to happen. But when he sobs or groans loudly it is a sign of misfortune, and Domovoi weeping is a sure sign of a death in the family. Humans rarely see Domovoi and never see Domovikha. It may be that he resembles a small man covered with silky hair, who might be mistaken for a dog or cat. A Domovoi sighting is extremely unfortunate and, if he does appear, it may be better for the family to move house.

Words to the text:

benign – великодушный

chatter – избегать, болтать; стучать (зубами)

to murmur – бормотать, ворчать

sob – рыдание

groan – стон

misfortune – несчастье

to weep – плакать

to resemble – напоминать (кого-либо)

Дата добавления: 2014-12-17