The Power of a Good PR Rep

Here in the Halloween season, it’s hard not to have one’s mind turn to thoughts of monsters.

Goolish, creepy, scary monsters.

We all have the cast of characters from our childhood (or even adulthood) that can still send a chill down the ol’ spine.

For me, it’s La Llorona. Just saying her name aloud creeps me out.

But didja ever stop and think a bit about the positive characters in our folklore that are more than a little creepy?

Maybe our beloved heroes are really the biggest monsters.

Think about it.

Let me give you an example, without the positive PR spin.

Kids, guess what!? There is this lady, see? She’s something called a fairy and that means she’s pretty tiny and probably has wings on her back.

Do you know what this lady likes (and by like I mean is obsessed with)?

Your teeth.

Yes, she loves little kids teeth SO much she will even pay for them!

Be careful when you go to sleep at night because this wacked out winged lady is going to break into your house and steal your teeth! Sure, she might leave you a quarter or for lucky kids, a dollar.

Keep your mouth closed while you sleep, kids! She may steal the rest right out of your maw while you sleep!

Or, try this one on:

How does Santa Claus look to a kid growing up in Brazil?

So, December 25th is the dead of summer to you. You’re wearing shorts and tank tops and hoping for a break in the heat.

On that one special night, some fat Nordic man in a snowsuit (you gotta be crazy to wear a snow suit in summer!) is going to show up, break into your house, and leave you toys. All your favorite toys.

Wait? How does Kris The Fat Man know exactly what toys you wanted?

Because he sees you when you are sleeping. He knows when you are awake.

The fat Nordic man is a stalker, kids. Can you say stalker?

I suggest you take out a restraining order now.

Ok, are you starting to see what I’m saying here?

Wanna try one more?

There is this rabbit, see? And in April, as a way to celebrate Spring, the rabbit will come to your house and leave you eggs.

But kids, you learned in your science class that a rabbit is something called a mammal, and mammals don’t lay eggs!

Whoops! Where does this strange bunny get all these eggs and why does he hide them?

And…bunnies don’t have opposable thumbs, so how is he getting these eggs dyed in bright colors?

And why is he trying to lure all the little kids outside with promises of jellybeans and chocolate? Didn’t your parents tell you not to take candy from strangers?

What kid of sick, twisted, walks on two feet kind of rabbit is this?

Though in this horror story, the kids get the final revenge.

They are presented with a chocolate effigy of the offending monster and are encouraged to bite the head off.

So wait a minute.

Maybe that means….just maybe…we are all the monster.

Hmmm……….

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Comments

  • Harnett-Hargrove

    I never believed in that giant bunny.
    I do not know why we insist in tricking each generation in turn. happy TT. -J

  • Anonymous

    Karen,

    Some say that the legend of La Llorona is taken from the middle eastern legend of Lilith.

    Lilith was Adam's first wife. She was expelled from Eden because she refused to lie beneath Adam. She wanted to be on top. Because of this she was banished from Eden and cursed to wander the world looking for her unborn (aborted) children who died at a rate of thousands per night. She sometimes takes the form of a Screech Owl and awakens people with her screams.

    I don't know if you've ever had the experience of walking in New Mexico on a moonless night and startling a sleeping owl. The scream they make will stop the blood in your veins.

    Regards,
    EFM

  • Anji

    Even worse is when santa turns up at the house and tries to kiss mummy. Our children were horrified.

    BTW Santa has all the sypmtons of someone who has Hypothyroidism.

  • Karen Fayeth

    Harnett-Hargrove – Yeah, as a kid, I totally bought into the bunny myth. I wanted to believe all that stuff.

    But it is kind of a weird tradition to keep tricking kids.

    Thanks for the comment!

  • Karen Fayeth

    Ephraim – when I was in grade school, they would turn off the lights in the classroom and tell us the story of La Llorona.

    Seriously, that experience sticks with me to this day.

    No matter the roots of the story, still creepy!

  • Karen Fayeth

    Anji – I love that your kids saw mommy kissing Santa Claus. That's years of therapy right there! LOL!!

  • Natalie

    I know La Llorona as the "Ditch Witch" 'cause her story was used to keep us out of the ditches. Still… screaming for her children…. Yikes!!
    Scary!

  • Megan

    Brrrr!

    I do have a friend who has never done the Santa thing. At first we all said, "What? No! Must have Santa!" and then we thought about it some more and now I'm really glad I'm not planning on having any more children…

  • Karen Fayeth

    Natalie – Oh yeah…It still keeps me from wandering around arroyos and rivers at night!

    Brr!

  • Karen Fayeth

    Megan – Yeah, to Santa or not to Santa is a weird debate.

    Some say "why lie to kids" and others say "keep the traditions alive"

    Unsure what side I come down on. But still…the whole story of Santa and other folklore characters is weird.

  • Moobs

    I know La Llorona as "La Madre". Same story though. And then there's the thing about screech owls really being witches and that if you hear one at night you're fine, but if you hear another one answer it then you're cursed and going to die very soon.

  • Karen Fayeth

    Hey Moobs, thanks for the comment. Yeah, I've heard that about owls too.

    Also heard that if your mom sees an owl when you are born, you'll be cursed or something similar. Owls in general are a no go I guess. :)

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