Once upon a time, in a small village surrounded by dense forests, there lived a wicked witch named Morgana. The villagers were terrified of her because they believed she possessed dark magic and the ability to cast evil spells. Morgana's reputation preceded her, and people spoke of the horrifying stories associated with her name. Legend had it that Morgana could transform herself into various creatures of the night. Some claimed to have seen her as a black cat with piercing green eyes, silently observing her victims from the shadows. Others spoke of a monstrous wolf that would roam the village during a full moon, howling horrendously as a warning of the witch's impending arrival.
Somewhere in the eastern part of Europe, where it gets bitterly cold in winter, there is a dark forest. If you are ever brave, foolish or ignorant enough to go wandering through that forest, there is a good chance that you might come across a peculiar house. It’s a wooden hut, but it’s like no other that you have ever seen, for it stands on giant chicken legs – and quite often it walks about, just like a monstrous farm yard bird. This hut is the home of Baba Yaga. I don’t advise that you knock at the door of Baba Yaga’s hut, no matter how much you have lost your way through the forest – for Baba Yaga is a witch.
On the edge of Baba Yaga s forest, there is a little village, and everyone who lives there knows about the strange hut and the lady who lives inside it. She certainly had no appetite herself, but before she lay down for the night, she did not forget to feed her doll a few crumbs of bread and some drops of milk.
Others spoke of a monstrous wolf that would roam the village during a full moon, howling horrendously as a warning of the witch's impending arrival. The elderly villagers recalled stories of Morgana's insatiable thirst for children's souls. It was said that she would lure unsuspecting children into her cottage, where they would vanish without a trace.
Such Things Happen
Such Things Happen is a story about a man who has a conflict with a woman who he believes is a witch. The story appears in Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill your BonesAdapted from a folktale called "Granny Frone" from Stith Thompson's Folk Tales and Legends.
Parents warned their little ones about the dangers of wandering too far into the forest, always reminding them to stay away from the witch's domain. One particular chilling tale spoke of a young girl named Lily, who had dared to confront Morgana in hopes of ending her reign of terror. Lily had heard that there was a spellbook hidden deep within Morgana's cottage that contained the secrets to her power. Determined to save her village from further torment, Lily embarked on a treacherous journey. As she crept through the eerie forest, Lily could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Shadows danced menacingly, and the wind whispered warnings in her ears. The closer she got to the witch's cottage, the louder her heart pounded in her chest. Fear threatened to consume her, but she pressed on, clutching onto hope. When Lily finally reached the entrance of the witch's cottage, she felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside, immediately engulfed by a potent aroma of herbs and decay. Books lined the walls, their titles written in a language she couldn't comprehend. Lily knew she had to find the spellbook and escape before Morgana returned. Tiptoeing through the dimly lit cottage, Lily came across a dusty old book resting atop a worn-out table. She picked it up cautiously, her heart racing with anticipation. Flipping through its pages, she discovered ancient incantations and powerful spells. This was it. She had found what she was looking for. Just as Lily was about to leave, a sudden gust of wind slammed the door shut, trapping her inside. Panic set in as she realized her fate may be sealed, destined to become another victim of Morgana's dark magic. But, with a surge of bravery, Lily recited a protective spell she had stumbled upon. The room illuminated, and a force field formed around her, shielding her from harm. Morgana returned to find Lily standing defiantly, holding the spellbook in her hands. A furious battle ensued, as sparks flew from their fingertips and the cottage trembled with their power. However, Lily's determination, coupled with her newfound knowledge, proved to be Morgana's downfall. In the end, the village was freed from the clutches of the wicked witch, and peace was restored. Lily became a hero, celebrated for her bravery and intelligence. The villagers' nightmares faded away as they realized that even the scariest of witches could be conquered with courage and resourcefulness. From that moment on, the tale of Morgana the witch became a cautionary legend, reminding future generations to always be wary of the darkness that dwells within the human heart. And so, the stories of the scary witch, once terrifying and haunting, transformed into a tale of triumph and resilience, teaching the lesson that even the most frightening adversaries can be defeated..
Reviews for "Witchcraft Unleashed: Stories of Witch Hunts and Supernatural Horror"
- Emily - 2 stars - "I really didn't enjoy Scary Witch Stories. The stories felt predictable and lacked any real scares. I was hoping for some truly terrifying witch tales, but I was disappointed in the lack of originality and suspense. The writing style was also quite plain and didn't capture my attention. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for genuinely scary stories."
- John - 1 star - "Scary Witch Stories was a complete letdown. The stories were neither scary nor original. I've read much better horror anthologies, and this one just didn't measure up. The pacing was off, and the scares were predictable and cliché. Save your money and find a better collection of scary tales."
- Sarah - 2 stars - "I was hoping for some creepy and spine-chilling tales in Scary Witch Stories, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The stories lacked depth and failed to immerse me into their world. The characters felt one-dimensional, and the plots were weak. The writing itself was also subpar, with clunky dialogue and a lack of atmospheric descriptions. I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for genuinely scary witch stories."