The Lincoln Imp

Long ago, two naughty little imps went riding on the wild wind. They flew over fields and rivers, looking for somewhere to make mischief. At last they saw the great cathedral of Lincoln, standing high on its hill. “Let’s go in there and cause some trouble!” said the first imp. “Yes, let’s!” giggled the second imp.

The wind blew them in through the big doors, and the imps began their tricks. They blew out the candles, one by one. They tied the bell ropes into knots and hid the songbooks under the benches. They tickled the choirboys so they could not sing, and they tugged at people’s hats and cloaks. One of them even pulled the bishop’s long robe, and the bishop nearly tumbled over!

Then, high up in the part of the cathedral called the Angel Choir, a bright light began to shine. An angel stepped out of the light, calm and glowing. “Stop this at once!” said the angel. “This is a peaceful place, and you must leave it in peace.”

The first imp was so frightened that he hid under a bench. Then he crept out of the door, jumped onto the wind, and flew far away. But the second imp was very cheeky indeed. He climbed up to the top of a stone pillar, crossed one leg over the other, and stuck out his tongue. “Make me!” he said, and he threw a songbook right at the angel.

The angel sighed and lifted one hand. At once, the cheeky little imp turned into stone, right there on top of the pillar. He could not move, he could not throw things, and he could not make any more mischief.

You can still see him in Lincoln Cathedral today. He sits high up on his pillar, with one leg crossed over his knee and a big grin on his face. People call him the Lincoln Imp, and visitors look up and smile at him. And some people say that the wind still blows around the cathedral on stormy days. It is waiting for its little friend to come out and play again.