THE SAINT AND THE BUTCHER

 

The saint and the butcher is a popular St Nicholas tale in northern France which is told every year before St Nicholas day.

The Tale tells of three children who wandered away from their village and got lost. They continued on their way until Cold and hungry they came to an unfamiliar village.

They were discovered by a wicked butcher who lured them into his shop with the promise of food and warmth.

Once inside his shop he attacked the three children and he salted them away in a large tub.

They children would have been lost forever but for the intervention of St Nicholas who rescued the children and returned them safely to their families.

From that day forward St. Nicolas has been regarded in France as the protector of children.

The evil butcher became Père Fouettard who forever follows St Nicholas with switches in hand to threaten children and it’s the evil butcher who leaves any naughty children with a bundle of birch twigs. 

On the eve of St Nicholas day, the children put their shoes near the chimney and sing a song to the Saint before going to bed.

The next morning the shoes overflow with special Saint Nicolas sweets, chocolates and cookies.

Even the best of children will find by their shoes some birch twigs tied with a ribbon as every child does something naughty in the year.