The perverse Erse

"The Perverse Erse" by Adrien Coblentz is a science fiction story where folklore meets unsettling reality. Professor Paul Corscadden, an anthropologist, finds himself wrestling with a difficult decision after capturing a leprechaun in Ireland. His discovery that the creature has bright orange skin threatens to shatter the Irish perception of these mythical beings and the cultural identity tied to them, leaving him to wonder whether some truths are best left hidden to preserve a people's heritage and beliefs. The story mixes humor with a sobering look at how delicate cultural myths can be, and the cost of uncovering potentially devastating secrets.