Bulle is a small town built in ancient times at the approaches to the Gruyères Alps. It is famous not only for its banks and fashion stores. An inquisitive traveler may also be interested in the huge round tower. If you climb it in good weather, it is not difficult to see Lake Gruyères on one side, and the snowy peaks of Maulaison on the other. There are many interesting stories associated with the city of Bulham. Do you want to know, for example, why a bull is depicted on the coats of arms of many Bühl families?
Fast forward a few hundred years... There's a fair in Bühl. The sun is shining brightly, a fresh wind is blowing, birds are singing, children's laughter is heard, the air smells of pies and something sweet. Trade is going on briskly in the square. All people have joyful faces, because market day for townspeople and villagers is a cheerful holiday, a time when you can have a good drink, have a snack and chat with friends.
A whole crowd had gathered near the old linden tree on Byul Square. Here are peasants, artisans, traders, students, mothers with squeaking babies and other idle people. Everyone is listening to a man who, waving his arms, enthusiastically tells something. What is he talking about? About the tricks of the children of Israel, of whom there are many at the fair today? Or how his horse was almost stolen? Or maybe he returned from a pilgrimage and is sharing his impressions of the Vatican or Assisi? Let's come closer to the old linden tree. Maybe we'll learn something interesting.
“It’s not for nothing that they call me Hercules.” Trembling with fear and giving in to anything is not for me. But what happened to me forever shook my confidence in my own strength and courage. God forbid you experience what I experienced last night in the dark forest! For the first time in my life, my vision darkened with fear. For the first time, I was ready to scream at the top of my voice and run headlong, not making out the road, and I definitely would have done so if only I had not become numb with horror. But I'll tell you everything in order. I was at the fair all day. Trade was going great. In the evening, quite tired, I went to an inn called La More to drink a glass of life-giving moisture. There I saw an old friend, and he and I properly celebrated our meeting. Around eleven o'clock we parted, and I went home to Volrus. The night was dark. Due to the thick fog, I could see almost nothing, but this did not bother me at all, because I knew the road perfectly and even with my eyes closed I could get to the house.
Nature was fast asleep. Not a sound was heard in the forest. It seemed to me that I was making my way through some kingdom of shadows. But I am not superstitious, or rather, I was not superstitious, and, despite the ominous situation, my mood was excellent. Smiling, I thought about the fair and remembered the fun time spent in La Mor. Various thoughts were crowding into my head. I made money calculations, sold and bought goats, sheep, piglets, geese and other animals, argued and discussed news with imaginary interlocutors. And suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by a terrible roar. I stopped and began to peer into the darkness. Nothing was visible. I thought that the late peasant was probably leading the stubborn bull from the fair. I shouted loudly to make myself known, but no one answered me. Here again a deafening roar was heard. In fear, I began to look around and suddenly saw two strange lights. What is this? Maybe the lights of a postal van? But the lights remained motionless. And then I realized with horror that these were eyes... I clearly felt someone’s evil, cruel gaze on me. The eyes didn't blink, but I swear to God they were looking at me! They looked at him like he was a victim. What kind of animal could have such huge, red, shiny eyes? It seemed to me that I could distinguish the outlines of a monster’s huge body in the darkness and hear its breathing.
A terrible moment! I wanted to scream, but I couldn't. Some irresistible force pinned me to the spot. I was paralyzed by fear. Cold sweat streamed down his face. Without looking up, I looked into the eyes of the devil himself.
If this ordeal had lasted another moment, I probably would have died of fear. But then, fortunately for me, I heard the clatter of hooves, the creaking of wheels and someone’s voice humming a cheerful song. As fast as I could, I rushed to where these sounds were coming from. Soon I saw a cart floating in the foggy haze. I looked around: the eyes came closer and, as it seemed to me, filled with even greater rage. A hoarse roar was heard, terrible lights darted to the side and disappeared.
After some time, a carriage pulled by a pair of horses arrived, and the driver’s cheerful voice called out to me. I was saved!
And now, dear gentlemen, think and guess what it was. Personally, I believe that Satan has come out of the pit for some fresh air!”
Hercules finished his story. His listeners stood thoughtfully. Nobody wanted to ask unnecessary questions - everyone was already scared. Finally, the people dispersed, each going about his own business.
“This is all not good, not good,” they said.
Soon even those who doubted the words of Hercules came to the conclusion that a monster resembling a huge bull really appeared in the forests around Bull, for several belated passers-by also happened to see red evil eyes among the trees.
To protect themselves from the terrible ghost, the inhabitants of Bühl built a chapel of St. Joseph in the place where the bull appeared most often. And since then no one has seen the monster. And some townspeople placed the image of a bull in their coats of arms so that the terrible creature would live only there and would not appear anywhere else.
Thanks to the efforts of the pious and resourceful inhabitants of Byul, the bull with red eyes disappeared from the forests forever. If a lover of night walks suddenly sees a huge monster moving among the trees, staring with red and yellow eyes, terribly growling, wheezing and from time to time bursting into heart-rending howls and squeals, then he says to himself calmly:
“It’s just the Romont-Bulle train coming!”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru