Urban legends are perhaps one of the few true remaining word of mouth methods of passing on stories. Essentially extinct are the traveling bards that would roam from town to town bartering a good story for the basics of life such as food and lodging. Their tales were in the forms of fables meant to entertain, parables to advise and teach, and last but not least to carry news of daily events that in ancient times was hard to get and greatly sought.


Today’s incarnation of the wandering bards' tales are often passed on as urban myths or legends. But what motivates the modern day versions? Most urban myths are born of wild imagination tempered with just enough fact to make them plausible, though a handful or so are actually based on fact but it’s often hard to tell the difference.

Though there are many venues for such tales to be created, some to warn of an existing threat or even to announce a possible award, some are intended to just enlighten or entertain while others are created out of pure malice intended to cause harm or just play a prank. But the majority are the ones designed to scare the daylights out of you. It is this kind that we will explore today in honor of our upcoming haunting season.

For the most part these kinds of urban legends thrive on one's deepest fears such as the belief that our safe existence can suddenly dissolve at a moments notice. There's also the possibility that, by some cruel twist of fate, an unpredicted event, often orchestrated by the hands of a deluded and twisted individual whose mind has left the reality station, can change our lives forever. It is enough to cause even some of the most rational-minded to have second thoughts about our everyday routine.
 

Such legends and folklore can vary from mad serial killer to the completely bizarre tales of the unknown. Just about everyone enjoys a good scary ghost story told at a teenage sleepover or in the unprotected realm of a campfire's glow. Most often the tales shared in the latter setting have a better effect as only the light's perimeter serves as protection from the unknown darkness.

Odds are you have come across many versions of this kind of tale as they get passed on from person to person. Children often have the special skill to twist the plots and variables to make them fit their particular agenda and the Halloween season seems to bring out the most talented of tale spinners gracing us with stories and legends both new and old.

Much of these imagination-generated tales are old classics from year’s gone, often with updated players and new twists. Even though the story has a familiar feel they may not be the version you've heard, but that my dear reader is part of its charm.

With the help of the Daily Prophet readers and staff we have assembled a new collection of tales to enlighten, entertain and, I hope, make a few wet their pants with terror!

The Wizards Council has asked that we include this disclaimer:  

WHAT FOLLOWS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN OR THE FAINT OF HEART. ONLY THOSE WITH NERVES OF STEEL MAY PROCEED...with caution. 

Get comfortable, dim the lights and read through some classic as well as modern urban legends, myths and folklore. Did it really happen, or was it just a figment of someone's imagination?

Tatiana Lassiter

Congratulations to the winners of the October Special Issue Contest.

Story:   The Spirit of  Desdemona   by: Monisha Holmes

Poetry:  Trick or Treating   by : Monisha Holmes

Photo: Untitled   by: Monisha Holmes