Knowledge-addicted | Page 12

with a beating from a birch rod or,

if they were lucky, a stern warning

. In darker versions of the story,

he was even said to kidnap

the worst of a town's children,

stuff them inside a burlap sack,

and toss them in the river.

Countries: Russia, Serbia, Bosnia, Ukraine, Macedonia and other former Soviet republics - "Ded Moroz and the Snow Maiden"

Literally translated as Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz is the traditional holiday gift-giver of Slavic countries in Eastern Europe. Like Santa, Ded Moroz wears a flowing red costume and sports a white beard, but he doesn't use reindeer or ride a sleigh. Instead, he drives a troika, which is a traditional Russian horse drawn sled.

The most interesting aspect

of Ded Moroz is his background.

As the story goes, he was once

an evil and vicious sorcerer who

would kidnap children and demand

presents as a ransom. Over time,

he was reformed, and now he gives

gifts to children in order to atone

for his once-wicked ways.

Also unique to the Ded Moroz legend is his granddaughter Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, who is said to accompany him on his trips.

Gift-Giving Style:

Ded Moroz typically arrives on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Like Santa, he brings gifts for children and places them under the New Year's tree, although in some versions he will show up at parties and celebrations to give out gifts in person.