Another strange spirit on the Isle of Man is a talking mongoose called Gef. It started in 1931 soon after the Irving family moved into a farm house called Doarlish Cashen. There were growling and scratching noises coming from behind the walls in the house. The owner of the house, Jim Irving, set up traps, assuming it was mice, rats or other sort of animal but this didn't work. The noises continued and soon it began to mimic the sounds that the Irvings made, responding to them, and making different animal noises. It didn't take long before Jim became disturbed when the creature behind the walls understood him. Whenever Jim mentioned a certain animal, the unseen thing behind the walls could make the sounds of that animal.
Jim's twelve year old daughter, named Voirrey, wanted to communicate with the hidden creature. She suggested some titles of nursery rhymes, and was startled when this thing spoke these rhymes in a squeaky voice. Then it introduced itself as "Gef" the "clever mongoose". Gef had dialogue with the family, and spoke clearly. Gef detailed its origins as being born in Dehli, India, in 1852, was killed and is "earthbound". Only Voirrey was allowed to see Gef, but her parents caught brief flashes of it. Voirrey said Gef was the size of a small rat with yellow fur and a bushy tail. Apparrantly there are photographs of Gef, and paw prints he made.
Gef managed to break from the house and explore outside, sitting on top of cars and busses. He always returned to the house by evening with stories about local gossip and newspaper articles. He was given food, and liked sausages, chocolate and biscuits. He only took it when nobody saw. Gef enjoyed singing along to music on radio. Gef could take on the form of a cat. Soon Gef became nasty, and called Jim and his wife Margaret names. He flung stones, sand, used foul language and knocked things over.
Gef has said incredible things too. He described himself as "the Holy Ghost" and "the eighth wonder of the world". He also announced that he "could split the atom". Gef said "I am a freak." More on what he said was creepy. "I am not evil, I could be if I wanted." Then Gef also said this: "I could kill you all if I wanted." Soon the Irving family left the farm house and never went back.
Main sources:
Book "Gef!" by Christopher Josiffe.
Blog: Gef! blog of author Christopher Josiffe
Link: Hyperallergic's page on Gef images
Stay cool and have a good day!
She Wolf Night
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