Student Work

European folklore has the myth of changelings. People used to believe that fairies or trolls would steal human babies and leave a changeling in their place—usually a sickly or naughty fairy child. To check if a baby was a changeling, they’d do weird things, like putting the baby on a hot shovel (thinking the changeling … Read more

Japanese urban legend talks about the Ningen, a giant, pale human-like creature that lives in the Antarctic and North Pacific oceans. It’s said to be 20 to 30 meters tall, with smooth skin, no nose or mouth, and big human-like eyes. The Ningen started as a hoax on Japanese internet forums in the 2000s, but … Read more

The myth of the tulpa comes From Tibetan Buddhism. It is a being or object made purely by strong thoughts and meditation. Stories say people who practice meditation can make tulpas so real that others can see and even touch them. Later, Western people who studied magic became interested in this idea, so they created … Read more

British folklore tells of the Black Dog, it is a big, ghostly black dog with glowing eyes. It shows up at crossroads, bridges, or lonely roads. What’s strange is that seeing it can mean different things: in some places, it’s a sign that someone might die, but in others, it’s a protective spirit that warns … Read more

In Hawaii, there’s a myth about the Night Marchers. They’re the spirits of ancient warriors who march along roads and beaches at night. Local people say you should never look at them or block their path. Instead, lie face down on the ground and pretend to be dead until they pass by, because the Night … Read more