#babay

Also the sketch cuz I'm proud of it

Babay is rarely described, so that children can imagine him in the form most terrible for them. However, sometimes Babay is described as a pitch-black and crooked old man. He has some physical defects, such as muteness, armlessness, and/or lameness. Babay has a bag and a cane. It is believed that he lives in the forest, in a swamp or in a garden. At night, he wanders through the streets and puts into his bag those who meet him on the way. Walking near houses, Babay stands close to the windows and watches the children. If they are awake, he starts to make scary noises, such as rustling, gritting and knocking on the window. Also, Babay can sometimes hide under the child's bed, and he may take them if they get up.

Babay is often mentioned in lullabies, usually with instructions not to come for the child:

Ай, бай, бай, бай Не ходи, старик Бабай, Коням сена не давай. Кони сена не едят, Всё на Мишеньку глядят. Миша спит по ночам И растёт по часам. Ай, бай, бай, бай, Не ходи ты к нам, Бабай.

Ah, Lulla Lulla Lulla Bye, Don’t come in, old man Babay. Don’t give horses any hay. Horses don’t eat hay, They keep their eyes on Mishenka. Misha sleeps at night And grows by leaps and bounds. Ah, Lulla Lulla Lulla Bye, Don’t come to us, Babay.