The Legend of Klop-Drag

No one has ever actually seen Klop-Drag and lived to tell about it. As the legend goes, he was once a very despicable man; that even as a child he was especially mean to animals, taking pleasure in being cruel to them.  The story goes on to tell he became so evil that after he died, he was punished by turning that meanness and cruelty towards little boys or girls who have been bad to animals. And what people say all throughout history is that if you actually see him, you will not live to tell about it. Some, it is rumored have lived to tell what they heard.

If he comes for you, they say his coming is announced by the repetition of sound of his twisted and misshapen feet.

The first step is forceful and sharp, sounding as a horse hoof klopping on a paved street; a klop.  The second step is slow and grating; a scathing metallic noise coming from his other foot; a drag. It grinds along as if something painful is gouging into his other foot and leg; perhaps an animal trap that he stepped in, or perhaps a bird cage that he kicked.

Klop…drag.

Many children feel that Klop-Drag has no eyes, just empty sockets. That was because he was looking for animals to be cruel to. And that over time his sight was taken from him. Several suppose that he has no tongue, because he was always yelling at animals, using such nasty and vile words that eventually the tongue just rotted away. But one thing they all agree upon is that he moans, and the watery sound of that moan chills you to your bones.

It is said when Klop-Drag comes after you, the first sounds are so faint that you only hear them in dream-sleep sound; that ability to hear everything in a dream regardless of distance or volume. Eventually you become aware of the klop and the drag in dream-sleep sound, and it wakes you scared in the middle of the night. But you think it is only a nightmare because dream-sleep sound eventually fades away when you first wake up.

Then, in the far distance that same unmistakable sound of Klop-Drag returns. And his shambling makes the only sound you hear. If you live in the country, all the crickets and frogs and barking dogs are hushed. The hoot owl just shuts his eyes and shivers. If you live in the city, the alley cats stop making a ruckus. You might hear a trash can get rattled when they run to hide. Even the loud neighbor’s dog whimpers, but just once or twice.

They all know who Klop-Drag is, and they want no part of his passing. They silently wait to witness the punishment Klop-Drag must give to the little boy or girl who has been cruel.

You just listen to the Klop Drag sounds. He is getting closer, slowly ever closer. After a time he seems to be right outside on your street. The Klop-Drag is much closer now. You notice the klop is very heavy.

He appears to be making his way to your front door. The drag is more vivid; like something rusty and sharp being pulled along. A few more Klops and Drags and then there is only silence.

Sniff.

Sniff, sniff sniff.

He makes a final long sniff and grunts. Klop-Drag now smells you.  Then he bellows a long wailing howl that rattles the bedroom windows which echo all around you. In that howl you hear yelping puppies and hissing kittens. When the howl finally stops you are aware the shuffling is inside your home and he starts towards your room.

The KLOP now sounds like a hammer striking a manhole cover. The DRAG now sounds like seventy-eight pet collars and walking chains scraping along behind him. His wheezing and wet gurgling moan can now be heard above his approach. It penetrates through the door as clearly as if he is beside you, drooling down on you. Just when you know you are going to meet your doom, in your mind you hear your name.

The sound of your name is final. You know Klop-Drag has found you guilty and must in-act your punishment. A booming laugh shakes your bedroom door. Finally you can scream! The first thing you cry is that you are sorry! You promise never to be mean to your puppy or kitty cat again. But Klop-Drag keeps beating your door. He doesn’t listen. He doesn’t care. His laugh is a call to all the silent animals, for they join in. The sound is deafening.  You scream out this time you are sorry. Among the tears running down your cheeks and panic in your throat you swear you are sorry. Do you mean it?

Again silence.

You are aware of either your puppy licking you in the face or your kitty cat purring near your ear. With a single bark or meow, your warm, loving, little friend knows you mean it. He barks or meows at Klop-Drag once more, as if to say go away!

And with the rushing of a large gust of wind outside your door, Klop-Drag is gone. He forgives you.