I was taking a hike in the deep woods in the back of my
Tabernacle, New Jersey home. I had gotten about 5 miles into
the woods when I felt a "presence." Not evil, just different.
I stopped and looked around, but there was nothing, so I
continued on. It was getting late, almost dusk, when I decided
to turn around. But first, I would stop and eat a small snack.
I sat down, and started to open my back pack, but heard a small rustle. I thought it was a deer, and got out my crackers and cheese. Then I heard it again, louder this time, sounding like a human tramping heavily through the woods. I was starting to get worried. I left my food on the stump where I had been sitting, and walked around a large clump of laurel, following the sound. I caught a glimpse of orangy/brown (not fire red) coat, not exactly fur, and not exactly skin, on a long back leg, crooked like a horse's, and long cascade of red hair, looking like a man's who had been lost in the wilderness, snarled with small twigs and leaves. I stopped, remembering all the stories my elders had told me. I then heard a boyish laugh, almost a giggle. I decided to get my snacks, and get out of there.
When I reached the stump, all the food was gone, and a small lock of twisted hair sat where it had been.
I have it in my fire-proof box, and sometimes take it out to look at it, to remind me there are things in the world that are greater than us, and we should always remember that!
FACT OR FICTION?
READ THE LEGEND OF THE JERSEY DEVIL