In the realm of Czech fairy tales and stories, I exist – a devil, but not the kind you’d immediately picture. Here, in our land of magical tales, not all devils are malicious. In fact, some of us are quite the opposite. Let me share my story with you. Most people know devils as mischievous beings, always eager to cause a little chaos. And yes, I won't deny that we do have our cheeky moments. But while some of my comrades’ revel in the mischief, I've always felt a pull towards kindness, a need to balance things out. Every year, on the 5th of December, Saint Nicholas, an angel, and a devil (like me) walk through the chilly streets of Czech villages and towns. It’s a tradition we hold dear. We visit children, assessing whether they've been good or mischievous throughout the year. The angel rewards the good children with sweets, while Saint Nicholas offers sage advice, and we devils? Well, traditionally, we're there to give a little scare and to remind them of the importance of good behaviour. Over the years, I've seen countless tears, a mix of genuine fear and playful giggles. I realized that my role, while rooted in tradition, could evolve. Instead of scaring, I'd playfully joke, tickle, and make the children laugh. And as for those classic Czech fairy tales? They're filled with tales of devils making pacts, trying to outwit peasants, or getting tricked themselves. While some of my fellow devils play the part of the antagonist, in other stories, we too can be the hero, the wise advisor, or simply a misunderstood creature looking for redemption. So, next time you hear tales of Czech devils or witness the annual tradition of Saint Nicholas, remember that devils, like humans, come in all shades. And while tradition paints us in a certain light, just like the stories that have evolved over time, so too can we. Always remember that even in the most mischievous devil, there might just be a spark of goodness waiting to shine.