Urban legends are easily some of the most fascinating stories ever. They can be used to teach lessons or even control groups of people…if you are convincing enough. With so many horror movies inspired by urban legends it was bound to wind up here on my blog.
After a bizarre urge and a particularly boring day at work I decided to do some research into urban legends and made the decision that I would write about my favourite legends. Please do not take these stories as truth and do not criticize them either, they serve a function of some kind. Rather, just do your best to find them as fascinating as I do.
Charlie No Face
Charlie No Face is a legend stemming from Pennsylvania. Charlie No Face is said to haunt South Park and North Hill. Legend says he roams around at night chasing children and vagrants and just about anyone in the vicinity. The legend states that he is a faceless man that glows green from having been struck by lightning or shocked in an industrial accident.
The best part about this urban legend is that there is truth to it. Charlie No Face was actually named Raymond Robinson. When he was eight he was shocked with 11 000 volts of electricity leave holes where his eyes and nose once was. His face was terribly disfigured. Despite these severe injuries he could still hear and speak so he could easily go on to lead a somewhat normal life.
Struggling to cope with the disfiguration of his face, Raymond stayed in his family home all day making leather belts and wallets that were sold for extra money. He lived like that for 65 years. Late at night he would go for walks to get out and get some fresh air, he only went late at night so that he would frighten as few people as possible. Some people were cruel towards Raymond, offering him lifts and then dropping him off somewhere unknown to him. Some would throw items at him and children would scream and run away. Often people phoned the police claiming they could see a monster.
Those that knew Raymond better were kinder to him. Waiting for him to take his walk and offering him beers and cigarettes and fresh conversation. The truth of the Charlie No Face legend is sad, it is unreal that people can act that way towards another person who is only attempting to lead as much of a normal life as possible.
Karoo Mermaids
About 250 million years ago the Karoo in South Africa was actually entirely submerged in water. When the water eventually receded it left behind a beautiful dry land with underground caverns. It is believed that at the time when in was submerged mermaids used to live in the area and remain alive in the underground caverns still today. With sightings dating back ridiculously far. The Khoi-San used to live in the Klein Karoo and rock paintings have been found depicting humans with fish tails, implying that these figures were spotted every time it rained.
Another version of the legend states that the mermaids of the Karoo are the spirits of those who died and were washed away in the Oudtshoorn floods of 1996. Documentaries have been made and books have been written by groups of people attempting to find the Karoo mermaids. Should you find one, however, I would suggest that you proceed with caution as the legend states that they will drag you down into the cavern to stay with them.
Black Eyed Children
The legend of the black eyed children originated in 1996 from postings reported by reporter Brian Bethel. Black eyed children resemble children (duh) between the ages of 6 and 16 with eyes that are entirely black and very pale skin. They are supposed paranormal creatures and believed to be extremely dangerous.
They are most often seen hitchhiking or panhandling or they will appear on your doorstep while you are home. Stories of the black eyed children date back as far as the 1980’s. Once in your home or in your car, they will attempt to harm you. The motive is unknown and there is one minor catch. They have to be invited into your car or home. This is most likely why they are always spotted hitchhiking. As far as showing up on your doorstep, stories report these black eyed children to very calmly and monotonously explaining that they have an emergency and need to use your phone or facilities. This would cause you to invite them in out of pity. Once inside your home their demeanour changes dramatically. It is also believed that once rejected permission into your home they also start to act persistently and often turn violent. Should you come across a black eyed child I would strongly suggest that you don’t answer the door or that you just drive right past them.
Mothman
Sightings of Mothman were regular between December 12, 1966 and December 15, 1967. The legend was made popular in 1970 with the release of Gray Barker’s book “The Mothman Prophecies”. Barker claimed there was a link between the sightings of Mothman and major events like the collapse of the silver bridge. This led locals to believe that Mothman was an omen or a warning and that precaution should be taken should anyone claim to have seen him.
Mothman is a giant human figure with moth-like wings that has been spotted flying about and landing on bridges or tree tops. There is even an annual festival dedicated to the Mothman legend. Although he poses no immediate threat locals are fearful of Mothman. Just as humans are fearful of anything they do not understand.
Pinky Pinky
Going back to South Africa, Pinky Pinky is creature that makes appearances in South African cities and most often in South African townships. Pinky Pinky sightings tend to happen in clusters and usually in places where you would find young girls alone such as bathrooms or bedrooms. Pinky Pinky is responsible for many horrible crimes like rape, murder and molestation. There have even been cases where schools have been closed due to many Pinky Pinky occurrences.
Pinky Pinky is a man with pale pink skin, dressed in woman’s clothing that speaks to the girls in a musical woman’s voice. He will invite them to play with him or tell them the story of where he comes from. Although the girls remember being told the story, they cannot remember the details. Once he has told the story he demands payment for it. Should the girls refuse to play with him or not have any money to pay for the story Pinky Pinky will start his abuse and horror.
Pinky Pinky only reveals himself to girls who are alone and is the reason why girls in South Africa tend to go to the bathroom in groups. Well, this and general human crime. Sightings of Pinky Pinky and alleged Pinky Pinky rapes still continue in South Africa, terrifying towns and instilling fear in young South African girls.
These are just five of countless urban legends. I have not even touched on any of the truly horrific urban legends of Japan. Should this topic interest you I would strongly suggest you look into Japanese urban legends. But I would advise that you do not do it just before you intend to go to sleep because you might not have such pleasant dreams.
