Reading Notes: Supernatural

Supernatural: A Teton Ghost Story by Katharine Berry Judson

Source: The Origin of Spoopy

The tone is set with a description of the path and an ominous presence set by the hooting owl. I say ominous, because there is a certain mystery as first it is described "someone" making a sound, only to realize it is an owl.

More visual descriptions to cue in the malicious nature of the settings, a woman is screaming but the protagonist hides beneath his blankets - maybe indicating he is too afraid to answer the call?

Soon, the assumed source of the screaming approaches; but there are still questions because the protagonist cannot see her face.

Laying (assumed to be) paralyzed by fear, he plays unconscious or maybe dead as the woman tests the legitimacy of this unmoving figure. She calls his bluff with a knife, and he folds.

Though his charade failed, he seemingly won the ambiguous battle as the woman retreated into the forest. When morning comes, proof of the eerie encounter lays near.

The following night, a new sound arose - singing. When he approached the singer (maybe having learned from his mistake in hiding) he denied having food. Again, his bluff was called and he gave food to the ghost.

Upon sharing his meal with the ghost, the ghost shared a view of what was underneath his clothes - nothing but bones. After revealing his lack of muscle mass, the ghost then challenges the protagonist to a wrestling match - to which, if the ghost loses, the protagonist will kill his enemies and steal some horses.

Source: That Escalated Quickly

The protagonist agrees but first wants to stoke the fire, and upon finishing his task he is ambushed by the ghost. During the struggle it was found that the ghost was weaker the closer it was to the fire - but the fire was going out, making it stronger. In a last attempt to save himself, the protagonist kicks brush into the fire, setting it ablaze and manages to win the match - the prophecy comes true.

Afterthoughts 

What is the moral of the story? Is he a cautious man, or is he a selfish man? How would this story have played out had he sought out the woman or been honest with the ghost?

Source: Prepare for Skeleton War