The Gold-worm of the Alpbach Valley

Near the “Reichen-Felder” (rich fields), behind the valley of Alpbach,

is often to be seen, especially on the eve of holy-days, a gold-worm of

wonderful brilliancy, which lies there motionless, and wrinkled in such

a manner that it looks like a golden chain.

Sometimes this gold-worm has also been seen down in the valley far

beneath the Reichen-Felder, even once so far as the banks of the

Alpbach, on a spot which is called G’reit. Several times daring people

approached the worm, but when they had come near to him they were

struck with an uncontrollable terror; and on running to fetch others as

witnesses, on their return the worm was no longer to be seen.

The peasants round about say, “Those people had not the grace of

putting something sacred upon the worm, and for that reason it

disappeared.” After all, it is not stated what the worm is, whether it

is a treasure-bloom, or a treasure-guardian, of which there are numbers

in this rich gold country.