Ghost story · 1939
The haystack spook at the Bride's Spring, Kärsa
Heinasao moodi tont Mõrsjalätte juures Kärsal
Two men from Mooste were driving to Tartu one pitch-dark night, so a story told in 1939 goes. Near Kärsa church, at a place called Mõrsjaläte, the Bride's Spring, a creature shaped like a haystack suddenly appeared in their cart. The men were terrified and the horse bolted. Only after about half a kilometre, as the horse neared the Kärsa bridge, did the strange passenger vanish from the cart. Kärsa's Orthodox church still stands by the road between Ahja and Tartu.
Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today
Eesti keeles
1939. aastal räägitud loo järgi sõitsid kaks Mooste meest ühel pilkasel ööl Tartu poole. Kärsa kiriku lähedal Mõrsjalätte kohal tekkis äkki nende vankrisse mingi heinasao taoline elukas. Mehed ehmusid koledasti ja hobune pistis jooksma. Alles umbes poole kilomeetri pärast, kui hobune jõudis Kärsa silla lähedale, kadus kummaline sõitja vankrist. Kärsa õigeusu kirik seisab endiselt Ahja–Tartu tee ääres.
Source: Estonian Folklore Archives ERA II 241, 157 (Põlva parish, 1939), Lõuna-Eesti pärimuse portaal ↗