Read and choose the TRUE statement. Leprechauns are often described as tiny bearded old men dressed in green and wearing buckled shoes, often with a leather apron. Sometimes they wear a pointed cap or hat. In their book "The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures," John and Caitlin Matthews trace leprechaun legends back to eighth-century legends of water spirits called luchorpán, meaning small body. These sprites eventually merged with a mischievous household fairy said to steal food. Other researchers say that the word leprechaun may be derived from the Irish leath bhrogan, meaning shoemaker. Indeed, though leprechauns are often associated with riches and gold, in folklore their main vocation is anything but glamorous: they are humble shoemakers. Shoemaking is apparently a lucrative business in the fairy world since each leprechaun is said to have his own pot of gold, which can often be found at the end of a rainbow. According to Irish legends, people lucky enough to find a leprechaun and capture him can exchange his freedom for his treasure. Leprechauns are usually said to be able to grant the person three wishes. But dealing with leprechauns can be a tricky proposition.