Saturday, October 11, 2008

The Beast

In a time just a few years before my own, rumours circulated that strange beasts roamed through the dense shadows of these woods: tall, hairy beasts with a foul stench trailing behind them. It was in these times during one cold, dark autumn night in the tiny village of Kaslo that an incident occurred that would snowball into mythic proportions.

A group of teenagers had met together at the house of one of the locals. This said local, Mr B, was a bit of a strange man with straggly unkempt hair. But this was not in the least unusual for a small village full of solitary woodsmen.

The kids were getting ready to leave when one was sure he saw a shadow move in the bushes near the edge of the yard. Mr B said he would go out to investigate. Bears are known to occasionally wander into the city boundaries, especially at this time of year with the trees full of pears and apples. This was always a bit of a concern and no one thought it would be anything but. A few of the teenagers watched at the window, but the murky night obscured all but the pale movement of shadows. They waited as the icy air wafted in through the cracks of the old cabin.

Suddenly Mr B flew through the door all wild eyed with hair flying in every direction. “It’s a SASQUATCH!” he rasped as he raced to the kitchen and wrenched open a drawer, utensils flying everywhere. He grabbed the biggest knife to be seen and said, “I’m going after it!” Out he flew into the dark night with all the kids watching wide eyed in hushed whispers. They could just barely make out two shadows seemingly wrestling in the dark of the night. They waited on edge as the minutes passed.

After what seemed like an eternity, a dishevelled Mr. B. returned. “He’s gone! He got away, but I got him good. I don’t think he’ll be back.” The jittery group eventually made their way from the house and plodded towards their own. The groups broke off and became smaller as they fanned outward throughout the town. One of these groups met up with another group of teenagers also on their way back home. The excited kids exchanged stories with the other group and so the tale spread.

By later in the evening, the story had reached the police who wanted to investigate. And their story was later overheard on their radios by the police in the neighbouring town of Nelson. And then later by reporters in Vancouver. Within a week, the story covered the front pages of the Province, and this was before the Province had become such a rag.

So what really happened on that cold dark night? Search parties scoured the woods. They weren’t going to see any sasquatches. But I say nothing.

20 comments:

NYD said...

And of course this is but a first installment on the adventures of Sasquatch and Mr.B, right? Right??

The Fool said...

Terrific Nomad. Delightful post. Is the photo taken in Kaslo...is it connected with the tale - embedded lore? And...since this happened a few years before your own...how did you come to hear this?

Carla said...

NYD, Mr B did have other crazy adventures, but I'm not entirely sure that any of the others had anything to do with a sasquatch.

Fool, The statue is actually high on Anarchist Mountain. As for how I happened upon the tale...let's just say that Mr B as well as a few of the teenagers who were present were friends of the family. Those of us who know the tale behind the tale have thus far held our tongues.

Isle Dance said...

I love Sasquatch stories. Especially since he's our neighbor. :o)

Steffi said...

Interesting story and pictures!

Carla said...

Ilse Dance, So do I. I really do.

Steffi, Thanks. There are lots of interesting stories in these parts.

JBelle said...

It's best to say nothing at all. When He's ready, He'll tell His own story. ;)

Pamela said...

wonderful story ... I love how Mr B pulled a fine one of those kids.

(However, I've talked to a few folk who truly claim to have seen the legendary hairy one. Do you suppose Mr. B has been running around in our neck of the woods?_

Annie Wicking said...

I like the idea that in this world of our there are things which still are unknown to us. It's nice to know that in the mad rush of modern life, there are still wild people living their lives in their own way. As long as they bring no harm to us we shouldn't harm their way of living too.

Best wishes my dear friend, Carla and once again thank for giving us something wonderful to think about.
((Hug))

Annie

Mone said...

You know its funny, Quatsch in german means so much as silly baloney ;)

Carla said...

JBelle, And a man like that is a born story teller.

Pamela, He just may have been...he may have been. At least there was never a gorilla suit in the freezer at his place.

Carla said...

Annie, I agree. It's nice that life still offers us certain mysteries. And I also agree about unique individuals. Life is more interesting with diversity.

Mone, Then I'm sure it was some German nature lover who named the Sasquatch.

Envoy-ette said...

I jumped back as soon as I saw that photo! Scary thing! Great story! Don't think I would have gone after it with ONLY a knife though!

Carla said...

Envoy-ette, Hmm...Perhaps Mr. B knows something that we don't. ;-)

Ed & Jeanne said...

I'm in Bigfoot central here in Oregon/Washington. Ape cave is just a short drive away. You know they like to hang out there, don't you?

Carla said...

VE, Oh yes, been invited on numerous occasions.

Anonymous said...

Interesting story; I was captivated. Of course I am not really fond of stories with questionable endings;-). Had I only known.

Carla said...

Dawn, If you would like to know the secret behind the secret, let me know and I will tell you.

Pink said...

So THAT's what happened to my husband, my manly man, Mr. Sasquatch!

Sigh.

I better get used to spinsterhood and get a houseload of cats then. ;)

xx
pinks

Carla said...

Pinks, He, he...you have so many secrets. Funny.