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Show Christmas Legends of Other Lands Fascinating is the folklore and legends of the holidays and festivals, and when such legends are based upon thrilling superstition they become doubly so. England is famous for the beliefs of her subjects on various legends. For example, a person turning the mattress on Christmas day will surely die within Ihe year; but it is praiseworthy to bake bread on Christmas eve because the loaves will never get moldy. In the German Alps, it is believed that horses and cattle have the gift of speaking on Christmas eve, and tell each other the story of the Christ Child. If anyone overhears over-hears them they will be put to death immediately immed-iately because it is a sin to try to prove' the tale is not true. In the Scandinavian countries it is prevalent pre-valent to feed the birds during the holidays with bunches of oats tied and placed somewhere some-where of convenience. Another pretty symbol is that of placing the shoes of each member of the household by the fireplace to signify that they will live in peace together during the coming year. |