Was Púca the Nightmare Bunny That Inspired Donnie Darko? | Monstrum

[@brettbosley779]

Imagine being kidnapped and terrorized by a goblin and still having to go to work the next day.

[@Styphon]

I'm going to use that the next time I call off. "Sorry boss, I can't come in today. I got Puca'd last night."

[@markcahill9255]

My grandmother always called going trick or treating as "going on the puca" and we never questioned why 😂

[@Jumpoable]

Where is your granny from..?

[@markcahill9255]

@@Jumpoable Kildare in Ireland (like myself)

[@jamesfry8983]

@@markcahill9255 Sounds like a wise old woman.

[@ripsey_muscle]

in Los Angeles, CA they go the POOKIE ride 😂..

[@eyeneffjay]

From Kildare too! We used to say "Penny for the Púcaí" before "trick or treat" arrived on these shores.

[@kapiteindonut]

In Dutch we call small children an "ukke puk" never knew it would mean small goblin but does make sense haha

[@StrangeScaryNewEngland]

In English I call small children puke. Hmmm

[@Jeromy1986]

This is so perfect. I've always thought the puca was part of the inspiration for the Cheshire cat, and D&D just published a grinning cat monster.

[@Spectrulus]

My Danish grandma would call us kids pucas whenever we were acting wild. She would only rarely tell us stories about this monster. Growing up in the United States, I've never heard anyone else reference this creature before, and this episode was very emotionally touching and informative. Thank you Monstrum ❤

[@triccele]

I love when I learn about creatures from different folklores with similar characteristics. There's a spirit called chuviño in Chilean and Argentinian mythology that acts remarcably similar to the puca.

[@soccerandtrack10]

Like fat man,the emesaited rabbit?

[@soccerandtrack10]

So now i know the word,(when i dont need to remember it./just searched.).

[@soccerandtrack10]

Like japan,he is double egded.

[@soccerandtrack10]

While!!!edgeinnng!!!!!

[@davenobody26]

And the Pukwudgie off some Native American mythss.

[@crazyquilt]

I live with a Pooka. He's got two different colored eyes, a cow's tail, and weighs about sixty pounds. He's pretty good natured, but can certainly be a jerk who delights in stealing things, especially food. I've never seen him in a shape other than a dog, but I can't prove that he can't shapeshift. He takes his name from my favorite modern Pooka, from Emma Bull's novel The War of the Oaks, an underrated classic of early urban fantasy.

[@thealexfiles303]

You have no idea how happy I am to see someone else reference Emma Bull's work. Her books are as delightful as she is. Territory is the one that hooked me in.

[@rosemaryklauscher9389]

My sister introduced me to that book a while back. It's one of her favorites.

[@DrBunnyMedicinal]

I love War for the Oaks, and have done since I first read it back in the late 80s. My favourite of her work though remains Finder, one of the Borderlands shared world, though you don't need to have read any of the others to get it. And yes, i was Thinking of the phouka in WftO throughout this video as well. 😅

[@Zoe-uz9kn]

That is so eerie. My pug’s names is Púka.

[@StrangeScaryNewEngland]

@@Zoe-uz9kn Does it take you for back rides on cliff faces???

[@OrangeCat1992]

How did I take both Shakespeare and folklore classes the same semester and not draw the connection that the pooka and Puck are from the same roots? That would have been such a good two-in-one research paper to cover both classes. Great video!

[@connormcginnis8420]

Harvey has long been a welcome friend in my family. My grandfather played Elwood P. Dowd at a local theatre in the 1960's, then my mother directed a version of it in the 90s at the same venue, and it was a movie we were raised with growing up. Was thrift shopping not too long ago and sure enough, found a copy of it on DVD. I love that big white rabbit, so thank you so much for making this video!

[@Druklet]

It's one of my favourite movies to watch if I need cheering up but never been lucky enough to see it on stage. Such a sweet tale!

[@Lady_Chalk]

Oh I'd love to see it as the original play!

[@teresadixon2899]

I've watched the movie and saw the play at local theater and enjoyed both versions!

[@fenwickrysen]

Are you sure it was a white rabbit? 😂

[@zeem2524]

Harvey would whoop the Donnie Darko bunnies ass without setting down his martini.

[@toca-thatonecrazyaunt4102]

Love your monster stories Dr. Zarka! My aunt claimed with all seriousness that she could see Harvey the rabbit! 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@mikekazz5353]

Oh my god I didn't even put it together that the movie Harvey was based on a mythological creature. I didn't know they mentioned the movie at the end of the video.

[@christabelle__]

And how fascinating that so many cultures come up with a tricksy nature spirit that fills this role, because kitsune are also shape-shifting tricksters who mostly bothered late night travelers... rarely killing, but often leaving people lost, confused, potentially hurt, and definitely humiliated. It says something about humans, that we're so afraid of forests, and so afraid of the night time in the wilderness. If nothing else, these serve as cautionary tales for ye olden travelers not to travel alone!

[@Jumpoable]

Rarely killing..? Foxes will possess you then RUIN your whole family. & then eat your entrails or just suck your health/ life force away slowly.

[@michaelbailey1684]

And fear of Humiliation!

[@donnguyen1107]

For Disney Channel fans the Puca/Pooka also appears in an episode of American Dragon Jake Long “Haley Gone Wild” where he appears as a goblin like chaos creature that disguises as a singing puppet character (think muppets or Sesame Street guys) that lures children astray and drags them into his army of chaos and mischief.

[@bassssaasuuuup]

You have really good memory! uffff well done.

[@misspinkpunkykat]

YES! I thought I was the only one who remembered this show, let alone this episode.

[@unkleturpis9253]

This is one of the best series on the internet today. Keep educating and fascinating.

[@1locust1]

After viewing this video I finally watched the 1950 film Harvey for the first time. It was a treat.

[@aalbino1122]

I found this interesting considering I had a stuffed bunny I called Puka when I was a kid that made me feel safe and protected me from my nightmares -- it had gotten lost over time-- and now I have another stuffed bunny that I call Puka that helps me with my nightmares making me feel safe

[@EmilySmirleGURPS]

Pooka are one of the major fae kith you can choose to be in the Roleplaying Game “Changeling: the Dreaming”. They're tricksters who are banned from speaking the truth (but they don't have to always say the opposite, just never the truth). Pooka have animal features, mostly small harmless-seeming animals... Like rabbits 😅

[@robertgronewold3326]

You have to love World of Darkness and it's take on so many folkloric creatures. I'm still long term hoping for a Changeling game like Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines.

[@friendlystoryphantom2043]

Fun fact: I actually met a few good friends and my current boyfriend through Changling the Dreaming. I played a Sluagh, although I don’t think I did the legend justice and if I had a chance to play her again, I feel like I’d do a much better job at it.

[@gregoryvn3]

Team Pooka represent! 😊

[@gtaylor1442]

I love obscure mythical creatures like this, and it makes me feel so close to my irish/gaelic blood. Especially because a lot of Irish gaelic folklore was lost or distorted by roman colonial values. This, It's just... it's just so cool. I looooooove this stuff.

[@i3osco717]

Thank you for another fascinating episode. I hope that you will one day do one about the Scandinavian “Myling”. Its origins will send chills down the spine all the while giving us a whisper of insight into the hardship women faced back in the day (And still do in some places) For those who don't have sleep on the schedule I recommend diving into the literature. Also related is “Ängla makerskor” (Eng: Angel makers)

[@CanIswearinmyhandle]

oh yeah, änglamakerskor is a bummer

[@maxredjasper55]

Angel makers alone sounds terrifying.

[@ceres090]

I work at night, so I will definitely keep this in mind next time I feel sleepy and have a break.

[@amb163]

The movie "Harvey" with Jimmy Stewart is probably my favourite of all time. Love this video!

[@camerongrow6426]

I remember learning about this creature from the Spiderwick Chronicles books. In that series it acted as a kind of guide but was mostly an allusion to the Cheshire cat. Cool to know that inspiration wasn't too far off

[@BeatrixTomomizu]

I just love it, when I am overjoyed to learn about a new creature and then some other ones get a little side note and I'm like: "oh! I know that one! I saw it in an anime!!" I really like "the ancient magus bride". Probably because there are many creatures featured beside the quite cute (but also sometimes terrifying) story. This time it was the wild hunt. They aired 3 special episodes with the wild hunt. It was quite interesting and even more seeing how the author does quite a good job at giving those creatures interesting stories while maintaining their nature to some point.

[@coreymyers5321]

It would be interesting to look into the history of the Bogeyman. There are 1000s of creatures that act like the Bogeyman, but what about the original version, if there is one.

[@nikkia9506]

I'm glad you said bogeyman. I'm really not keen on the US "boogeyman". If the bogeyman is coming to get you, it sounds like a threat; if the boogeyman is coming to get you, it sounds like he's coming to take you out dancing.

[@robertgronewold3326]

There are so many boogeyman creatures that I can understand why series like Harry Potter and others often create a sort of shapeshifting creature that just becomes your nightmare.

[@jesusromanpadro3853]

The version of the boogeyman in Spanish countries is called "El Cuco".

[@terrybradford4305]

@@nikkia9506😂😂😂

[@Lucius1958]

It is possible that 'bogey' may be derived from a variant of 'puca' (bugge)...

[@gibrantrejo3258]

I love how these videos always start like a D&D session.

[@MechaTrekAD]

This was awesome. A perfect example of why I love Monstrum. The Puca/Pooka is a favorite folklore creature of mine.

[@CaptainJack67]

Always a delight, and the bloopers at the end are just the cherry on top. ❤

[@Ka16Ky28]

Great episode, as usual. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 Please do an episode on the Yorkel from Suriname. My mom told me that if you see a Yorkel, you have to turn your clothes inside out and wear them backwards. I can't find any info about this creature on the internet, but I want to learn more.

[@ceres090]

I heard you do the same thing when leaving a graveyard. Huh.

[@merlapittman5034]

A fascinating creature! My favorite version is Harvey from the classic Jimmy Stewart film "...and how are you, Mr. Wilson?" "Who in the encyclopedia wants to know?!" 😊

[@mavnalysse]

'The Guardians of Childhood' series by William Joyce [also, 'Rise of the Guardians' movie] has a character named E. Aster Bunnymund - a.k.a. The Easter Bunny - who is from a race of warriors called Pooka. Total 180 on the mischievous, possibly cruel characterization that Puca have, Bunny instead protects the world's children from the Boogeyman. I wonder how much of the lore Joyce tried to weave into his stories.

[@supernonoy2511]

I love all the research you do to give us the right information. It's not just the information it's the way that you deliver it to us is so cool. This has me wondering about the History of a Phoenix.🔥🐦‍⬛

[@AzzaYCF]

This is the second video I've watched from this channel (I watched one about centaurs first), and I'm now a subscriber! I really enjoyed this video and animation, and appreciated the subtitles too! 👍😄

[@james_sabin]

Love seeing more Celtic lore!!

[@Shatterverse]

YES Harvey! I learned about Harvey from Farscape. Thanks for mentioning him, I was hoping he'd turn up.

[@skepticalbadger]

Donnie Darko's director claims to have never seen or heard of Harvey, so it seems Frank the Bunny is only a 'puca' if you choose to believe that he is.

[@Beryllahawk]

Wow! And I thought I knew a version of this monster. But Spider Robinson's pukha is NOTHING like this, anywhere. Mischief, maybe - but the pukha in Callahan's Saloon is a creature whose power is entwined with LUCK. There's just about nothing else going on in that version that compares with the real monster!! Really enjoyed learning about this little dude!

[@onbearfeet]

I thought Robinson's character (the Lucky Duck, right?) was the son of a puca and a fyr darrig (sorry for the spelling there), not strictly a puca himself. I also remember there being a cluricaune (again, pardon my spelling, Irish hates my brain), but I don't think that's what you're referring to. That said, it's great to see another Callahanian in the comments! See you next Punday Night!

[@Beryllahawk]

@@onbearfeet Oh!! I'd forgotten Duck was only half pukha. Maybe we should ask Dr. Z for a video on the fyr darrig then!!! (I think you actually have the spellings right)

[@modvavet]

Thank you for the reminder of Darby O'Gill. I used to LOVE that movie as a child. Maybe it's time for another round at 43!

[@loki2240]

I'm 50 and still watch it each year with my kids for St. Patrick's Day.

[@DarkMiniturtle]

I remember a Seanací coming to my school at Halloween telling my primary class stories about Pucas. If you haven't you should look up Eddie Lenihan a very interesting Seanací. If he's still alive he's from Co. Clare, Ireland.

[@Simon-po9gj]

He is! He has a podcast that's really great, it's called 'Tell Me A Story with Eddie Lenihan' - all short episodes of just him talking and telling you about a different mythical topic or piece of folklore.

[@DarkMiniturtle]

@@Simon-po9gj I started researching him after this comment and i'm already on episode 3. Got all my old classmates listening too.

[@SeamusOCleirigh2002]

In the moden Irish language (Gaeilge), 'Púca' is one of the many words for Ghost/ spirit, I always thought it was the "cuter" name, especially compared to the word 'Taibhse'

[@mrzaphf]

Hey Dr. Z. Your storytelling skills are amazing and it's always a pleasure being able to hear you telling us about all those old myths and legends. Thank you.

[@thedoruk6324]

Al mi raj finally has a worthy opponent !

[@TrekkieBrie]

I'd love for you to cover the Gytrash. Another awesome shape shifting fae.

[@kyerin]

I'm sure someone else has mentioned this already, but in Ireland older generations call trick-or-treat-ing 'playing púca'. Some of my aunts and uncles considered the phrase trick or treat a hilariously American import.

[@rami_ungar_writer]

I love pucas. I want to write a story around one someday.

[@MarkCMG]

Thanks for the video! I enjoy these Monstrum videos in particular!

[@thechin2875]

It's good seeing powerful Irish fairies being represented

[@NewMessage]

I dunno what spurred this one on, but I'm all for it.

[@autumnf2575]

my first exposure to this creature was in the Spiderwick book series. theres a creature called a 'phooka' that appears and if my memory serves, it tasks the characters with solving a few riddles before it will give them proper directions. i always got vibes of the cheshire cat. also it would be super cool to see a deep dive into the myths and creatures depicted in the Spiderwick books here on this channel.

[@jankay8569]

This vid is doing so much better than your last 3! Well done.

[@loki2240]

I think the first time I heard of a puca was in Darby O'Gill and the Little People, when the horse flips out. That was a little scary to me as a kid, but not nearly as scary as the banshee and the Black Coach. 😂

[@Manormouse-04]

I have always understood the púca, or pooka, to be an anthropomorphic animal being, and did not know it was an old English name for a goblin. That said, I often refer to young children as pooka.😂

[@collenrung5009]

This was really well done and interesting. Apparently my little sister , growing up , it was the mid 80's, saw something that sounds pretty close in description to this being. Really cool video.

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

Just when I was starting to wonder when the next Monstrum video would drop, the lovely Dr. Z reappears!

[@invisiblejaguar1]

I don't know how often this is said, but you guys have amazing animation for these stories.

[@Scraggledust]

Literally listed every part of my DNA😂😂. LOVE folk stories ❤❤❤Keep up the great work!

[@loki2240]

Does that mean that you come from a long line of pucas?

[@LohengrinX14]

imagine the pooka updating it's gimmick to include shape shifting into those rentable bikes and scooters

[@gregoryvn3]

...that would explain so much! 😮

[@Sclasspsycho]

I first learned of the phooka from the Spiderwick Field Guide book. Really love phookas. I'm convinced my dog is some sort of creature of mischief in disguise.

[@hank.hacking]

Best channel on KZbin. Thanks Doc!

[@eomguel9017]

Very interesting episode. May I suggest "nahuales" or "chaneques" from rural Mexico for an upcoming episode?

[@Pottery4Life]

Most excellent episode. Thank you.

[@weirdkitty07]

Puck from a Midsummer Night's Dream and the Donny Darko bunny, and kind of Loki the Trickster.

[@juliusalimari]

Another banger of video. Love you Dr!

[@Liebre_Roja]

I always had weird experiences with nightmare related to animals, mainly rabbits and animals appearing in the darkness of the back of my house, sometimes when walking in the forest animals would act weird or when I saw them when going through with the car traveling. Always thought it was alucinations and also I thought it was weird sometimes I would meet people that had experiences so close to that, specially when somebody recommended Dannie darko to me. Recently i heard about a South American versión of the myth called la púca, I don't belive I supernatural stuff but the thought of these thing being related creeps me out enough to avoid even thinking about it

[@ragg232]

This creature is featured in the Spiderwick Chronicles but called a Phuka. It was dark in color and almost simian in appearance. Also it only spoke in rhymes.

[@Mayakran]

There was a TV show I once watched about Leap Castle that featured a pooka and holy crap. It’s been 20 years, I’m now a horror film buff, and yet that shot of the dog thing with a rotten face STILL gives me goosebumps to this day. An absolute nope from me.

[@--Paws--]

The Puca would make an impromptu or an expected Uber service, especially late at night.

[@mygreenfroggy]

Love Harvey and Darby O'Gill, great movies! Donnie Darko is one I had to watch a couple of times to get it.

[@nikkia9506]

My grandson - 6 - has a bunny-shaped soft toy Pooka, and a Pooka knitted hat with bunny ears from the same maker. He's had them about 3 years, but still loves them. Hopefully he'll get no trouble from folklore pookas because of it 😅😉

[@jwold3459]

reminds me of Louise from Bob's Burgers

[@perryunicorn1538]

This is my favorite folklore creature I loved stories about these jerks as a kid. A more harmless kelpie XD just a prankster.

[@robertgronewold3326]

The first time that I encountered the Puka was in Spiderwick field guide. I hadn't heard of it before, and did some folklore research. One of my favorite fairy creatures.

[@arturobelmonte6803]

Thanks for sharing this story Dr. Zarka , we called this type of being " El Cheneke "

[@Kamikazewizard-od8sw]

I remember first hearing about the puca in The Spiderwick Chronicles books. In those it was a Cheshire cat type trickster that spoke in riddles

[@dogmirian]

Glad there was a passing mention to 'Harvey', I even clicked on this video because I remembered Harvey being a puka and now I have an idea of where they came from.

[@rickseiden1]

"I am the Puca"--coo-coo-cah-choo! I wonder if there are any Puca themed roller-coaster. I bet you could take the mischievous rides of this story and turn them into a thrilling roller-coaster.

[@jackwimmer2249]

You guys should talk about Kelpies!!

[@Cellardoor_]

As others have said, such a great episode. Thank you!!

[@FreyaEvilKitteh]

Great episode again. Loved the art on this one!

[@thishandleistacken]

So very strange this channel didn't pop up for me before given all my interests! I just watched Harvey a few weeks ago and have been obsessed ever since (I had no idea my favourite author who joked about his invisible rabbit friend Harvey was referencing something and not just being his regular wacky self... with Robert Anton Wilson you come to expect such things XD)

[@sirsplintfastthepungent1373]

My mother used to say, "Elwood," she always called me Elwood. "Elwood, in this world you must be Oh-So-Smart, or you must be Oh-So-Pleasant." Well, doctor, for 40 years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.

[@andrewrockwell1282]

Thanks Dr Z!

[@yokai333]

Ah yes, the dog/rabbit terror. Reminds me of my people's kúsh.da'káa (otter people) except it's a water spirit... and they hypnotize their targets

[@gillijack]

I was excited to watch this one! I’m practicing an aria from Britten’s adaptation of Midsummer Night’s Dream for grad school auditions. Also, you always wear the coolest looking dresses, Dr. Z!

[@lizzyli928]

Another creature that sounds familiar, it's amazing how there are so many folklore are interchangeable.

[@robbabcock_]

Fantastic episode!

[@mhiggs8001]

The weakness to silver and iron has always been so interesting to me. I need to look up why they are affected by it so. A neat little tid bit is that there is a fairy type in Pokémon as well as a steel type and while the fairy types can be pretty strong they are still weak to steel. Pretty cool I think.

[@mikegould6590]

Goblins seems to be a universal monster in every culture, like giants, dragons and the undead. A collected mention of different goblins like the Puka, Redcap, and others might be cool.

[@timothygreer188]

🍀 Darby O'Gill & The Little People was one of my favorite movies growing up 🍀

[@SeauxNOLALady]

Most people say they would use a Time Machine to somehow benefit themselves, but I would love to hear the oral stories of ancient prehistoric cultures that have been lost to time. Some folklore has been written by colonists and invaders who often skew their own beliefs into the narrative. To hear them firsthand would be extraordinary!

[@bahadorsoori68]

Thank you because of your fantastic channel the only empty place in your work is about Persian mythology and monsters

[@MKisFeelinSpicy]

Interesting! I heard about "Pukka" from the social deduction game Blood on the Clocktower, in which the "Pukka" is one of the options for the big bad guy that you need to weed out in order to win. I knew some of the baddies in that game were based on folklore, but I had never heard the basis of this one before!

[@HMJ66]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing - I was trying to find the origins of the BOTC demons, it's hard to tell which are real monsters from folklore and which are just random nonsense!

[@Kumahachi8]

I think it’s also worth noting that, in Ireland alone, the legend varies wildly from place to place. In some areas of Northern Ireland, for example, the púca is a little goblin who is very helpful to farmers, and who will eagerly aim to repay any kindness given to it. On the other hand, in other areas, you have tales of the púca taking on a ‘pleasing’ human form, betrayed only by its animal ears or a tail. Sometimes, it’s just mischievous to the point of playing pranks on naughty children by urinating or defecating on the berries they like to eat. The story of the púca protecting someone from an evil spirit with a bright white light is also very similar to other myths, too. There are legends of a violent spirit of a chieftain roaming the a particular group of trees on Slieve Binnian, near Spelga Dam, where he is said to be buried. It’s said that, if someone strays too close to this spirit, a bright white light known as the Binnian Light will come down from the sky and block the individual from coming any closer, thereby protecting them from the bloodthirsty spirit.

[@solemnlament9757]

There's also a Halloween festival in Ireland called Púca Festival. Nice time if your looking for music and festivities with a mix of modern Halloween and ancient Samhain traditions!

[@jefrosiers8880]

the puca is one of theose fascinating beings that you cannot forget about once you know of their existeence

[@dylansearcy3966]

6:14 such as elves, valkyries, etc. The leader of the wild hunt is usually the likes of odin

[@limerence8365]

There's Puca festival at Slane Castle in Ireland. It has fun events and takes place at Halloween.

[@alisonek]

I grew up watching Darby O’ Gill obsessively. I couldn’t get enough of the banshee, the Death Coach, and the scene where King Brian plays the fiddle as the Little People jump astride tiny white ponies mid-gallop and race around the cavern preparing for the hunt😃 Anyway, I vividly remember the scene of Darby’s old mare becoming possessed by something otherworldly high on the mountain one night (those special effects that are so laughable today were terrifying to a 3 yr old in the 80’s). …And I could’ve sworn the horse’s name was Cleopatra. I own the movie on DVD but don’t have a player anymore so I’m gna have to Google this! In any case, I’ll be totally floored if it turns out your info about the horse being called Puka is correct. I mean, despite the heavy accent of the native Irish actors in the movie, “Puka” sounds absolutely nothing like “Cleopatra.” But I’ll do some fact-checking before I keep rambling. Tbc

[@wintermute5486]

Dr Z be cute though. Ive beeen watching Monstrum for so long know. i know its a lot of work. Thank you so much for the videos!

[@trannigan3349]

Some of those Púca drawings also look like Gremlins!

[@AnimeShinigami13]

As soon as I heard the name and you referenced Shakespere, I knew exactly who you were referring to. Sadly the only thing i remember about Puck other than his mischief is "Bottom thou art an Ass".

[@morganvaclavik5296]

Anyone remember from Anastasia Pooka the dog who guides her on her journey to find her grandma? As a kid, my mom showed me Harvey as well as Anastasia, and I loved the idea of a Pooka being a guidimg but mischievous spirit... even drew a picture of Harvey after watching the movie

[@taylorderryberry6147]

I'm going to being calling my little sibling that. Knowing them, they'll take it with pride like it's a platinum medal.

[@cadaverouspawn]

Puca are fascinating!