The Dancing Man
In Vaikusemaa on the northern shore of lake Mustavega lies the Forest of Pimedusamets, which, even in the endless days of summer, is in constant darkness. There exist mystic beings, known to the sparse community as Tantsivad Mehed, or Dancing Men.
On the Eve of Summer Solstice, as midnight approaches folk close their doors and shutters. Soon a Dancing Man will emerge from the forest blackness and anyone casting an eye on the creature will be forever blinded.
The light fades, he whirls and jigs. As midnight strikes, he screams and, like summer ice, he melts away into the soil.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou built an anticipating atmosphere then utterly shocked the reader. Please write a part 2, Allan.
Thank you Margarida. I’ve actually expanded the story into a 350-worder, which is in my collection for my book of 100 flash stories that I hope to publish by Christmas. Part 2? MM, we’ll see!
Margarida (later) I have expanded Dancing Man into a 350 word flash and have added a part 2 sequel, also as a flash story, entitled ‘The Offering’. Obviously these won’t be submitted to VC, but will be in my forthcoming book of 100.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis is indeed spooky. How did you come about those strange names?
Thank you Thompson. In 2007, in Finland, I was regaled by a similar story, designed to frighten children! The names are all from the Finnish language..
Oooops, Thompson. These names are actually from the Estonian language, which is a close cousin of Finnish. I am acquainted with both as a frequent visitor. As I said in my reply to Margarida, I’ve expanded this into a 350-worder where the names ARE in Finnish.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAllan, never would I want to encounter the dancing men! They seem horrible! Was the story entirely made up, or was it based on an existing cultural belief?
Hi Marianna. It’s loosely based on a folk tale I picked up whilst in Finland and being nicely warmed up on viinaa – the local form of schnaps. It originated in Sami territory in the very north where Sweden, Finland and Russia are close together.
Allan, I was hoping you’d say you made it all up! It is very interesting though.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI did say ‘loosely based’. 85% is probably from my own disturbed mind!!
I’ve encountered many dancing men in my time, Allan, but thankfully none of these! Spine chilling to say the least. Well done!
Thank you , Linda. I’ve done a 350-worder too, but maybe won’t get the chance to put it on VC. It’s going in my book of 100 though.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleSo scary, Allan. I am glad that all dancing men that I know are not the same as your protagonist in your story.
Thank you Lotchie. I seem to be getting quite good at scaring ladies!!
You’re always welcome. Don’t scare me too often, Allan. I am afraid of having a heart attack. I am just kidding. hehehe. ?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI love this Allan! I really enjoy pieces that are developed from folklore and myth — I always feel like I’m seeing pieces of the world through them. That last paragraph too, so beautifully written!
Thank you Emily. I’ve now done 2 x 350 word tales from this one. The beauty of folklore and myth is that every nation on earth has a store of them, and there are 180+ nations in the world. Tales from the north of Europe seem to veer inexorably towards the frightening. Maybe it’s the dark months of winter?
I think you could definitely be right, the dark spawns many fears! Some of the Norse myths and monsters are positively chilling!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAnd I’ve just spawned another 350 – Icelandic this time. If I don’t get a suitable prompt it’ll go in the book of 100.
I discovered the Estonian references even before reading your comments to Thompson, Allan! I think the names in your story originate in the vicinity of Tartu, and made a few trips between Tallinn, where I lived for three years, and Tartu where there also is a university. I can’t remember having heard of the Tantsivad Mehed, though. Thanks for bringing back the memories! What brought you to Estonia?
It’s quite a long story, Christer. Firstly, I visited Saaremaa on a mission from my Australian family, one of whom married into a family from there. He had been a member of the Forest Brethren back in the late 1940’s and 50’s, conducting guerrilla warfare against the Red Army invaders, and had escaped in a rowing boat with some others to Denmark, after betrayal by a British spy based in Sweden. I… Read more »
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with Google