SALVANEL

A funny little elf called Salvanèl lives in the woods of Val di Fiemme in Trentino (Italy). This strange character often teases those who venture into the forest and makes fun of them for no reason. To see Salvanèl really angry, though, you have to pluck a flower, break a branch, or simply disrupt his beloved forest in any other way. This legend refers to the mischievous and combative spirit of the elf, who is willing to do anything to defend his forest. The inhabitants of Val di Fiemme, who knew well the character of the little man, never dared to venture into his territory until it was really necessary.
Wood trade, around 1750, was very profitable and widespread. The woodcutters sold the wood to the Venetians but the Austrian government, which wanted to ensure a monopoly of traffic in the area, decided to stop this trade and placed soldiers at the various mountain passes, thus leaving the valley isolated. To get out of isolation and receive a fair price for their wood, the villagers had to find a new path. So, the lumberjacks invaded the forest and began to cut down tree after tree, one after the other. The Salvanèl was mad with rage and, stamping his feet promised revenge. After a few days, the elf filled a bucket with resin, and, while the woodcutters were working, smeared the manes and tails of their horses, leaving them clinging to each other neighing and wriggling like mad. It was a long job for the lumberjacks to free them. But Salvanèl was again ready, and soon repeated the spiteful prank. Things went the same way innumerable times, and the shifts organized by the woodcutters to watch over their horses were of no avail. Despite this, they remained in the woods and completed their work: the Val di Fiemme was connected to the valley of Valsugana.
It is said that the Salvanèl has now taken refuge in the thick of the forest and that he is not seen much, but perhaps he is still plotting revenge.