Yallery Brown

Yallery Brown is a mischievous fairy-like spirit rooted in an old Lincolnshire folk tale, named after the strange being at its heart. Often seen as a cautionary tale about accepting help from the supernatural, the story has been passed down in various forms across England, particularly in the Ancholme Valley region of North Lincolnshire.

In the version popularized by folklorist Joseph Jacobs, a young labourer named Tom was resting in a field during his daily chores when he heard a faint, pitiful cry—like a child in distress. Curious and concerned, Tom followed the sound and discovered a tiny, ragged creature trapped beneath a flat stone. The figure resembled a wizened little man with skin the yellow-brown shade of mustard.

The creature begged to be released. Though Tom sensed he should leave it be, its pleading eventually softened his heart. He lifted the stone, and the little man sprang up with glee. Introducing himself as Yallery-Brown, the creature declared that Tom would be rewarded for his kindness with a wish.

Tom, who was none too fond of work, asked for help with his daily chores. Yallery-Brown clapped his hands and told Tom his wish would be granted—but with a chilling warning: he must never thank him, or face dire consequences.

The next morning, Tom discovered that his chores were already done. The broom swept on its own, and the corn was grinding without him. This continued for days, and the villagers began to grow suspicious. Rumours spread that Tom had dealings with dark forces, and whispers of witchcraft followed him.

Frightened and desperate, Tom called out to Yallery-Brown and, forgetting the warning, thanked him before asking the spirit to stop helping. In an instant, Yallery-Brown erupted in fury. He declared that because Tom had thanked him, he was now cursed. With that, the creature vanished, leaving Tom with the following words:

Work as you will,

you'll never do well,

Work as you might,

you'll never get anything,

For harm and mischance and Yallery-Brown,

You've let out yourself from under the stone!

From that day forward, Tom’s life was filled with misfortune. No matter how hard he tried, nothing went right. He lived under a shadow of ill luck, just as Yallery-Brown had promised.

In another version of the tale collected by M. C. Balfour and recorded in Folklore, the story is told in the first person, suggesting it was once shared orally by local storytellers. Though slightly different in tone, the warning remains the same: be wary of strange kindnesses—and never thank a fairy.