Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "ghosts"

I'm excited to share with you my latest work, “Fables from China”, a collection that brings to life the rich tapestry of Chinese folklore. These tales have been carefully retold in modern language, adding fresh details and dialogue to make them more engaging for today's readers. One of the most intriguing stories in the collection is about a strong young man who must confront three evils, proving that bravery and sacrifice can overcome even the darkest of threats. This tale, like many others in the book, reflects the deep-rooted belief in the power of human ingenuity and the triumph of good over evil.

Another fascinating story features a mysterious spirit that guards a sacred mountain, its presence a testament to the reverence for nature and the spiritual forces believed to inhabit it. The spirit's protective actions remind us of the connection between the natural world and the supernatural, a theme throughout many tales. The collection also includes an account of a ghost who meets her match in a resourceful human. We also learn of the Eight Immortals, each with unique powers and personalities, representing different aspects of human existence.

While ancient in origin, these stories offer timeless lessons that resonate even today. From the trials of a hero with divine ancestry to the transformative power of a woman’s words, these stories invite readers to explore the wisdom, humor, and wonder embedded in these age-old narratives. Each tale is a piece of cultural heritage, preserved and reimagined for a new generation to enjoy and learn from.

When I began researching Thai folklore, I quickly realized that it is a tapestry woven from many threads: Buddhist tradition, local animist beliefs, heroic epics, and folk stories passed down in villages for centuries. Every temple mural, spirit house, and festival seemed to hold a doorway into another story. I wanted to capture that sense of discovery and share it with readers who may not have encountered these tales before.

The book brings together a wide range of figures, from protective land spirits and rice goddesses to mischievous ghosts and legendary kings. Some stories are tender and filled with devotion, like the tale of a goddess guarding the harvest, while others lean toward the eerie, such as restless spirits who wander when rites are left undone. There are also epic adventures, with heroes facing crocodile demons, princes falling in love with celestial maidens, and even a white-furred monkey warrior whose antics are unlike anything in Western myth.

What fascinated me most while writing was how these stories are not only ancient but also still alive. You can see them in the guardian giants standing watch at temple gates, in the annual fireball phenomenon on the Mekong, and in the offerings left at shrines by people who believe these spirits remain active today. The folklore has a way of shaping everyday life, blurring the line between the sacred and the ordinary.

"Tales from the Thailand Temples" grew from my desire to bring that living world of myth and belief into a collection where readers could experience it for themselves. My hope is that it feels less like reading a book and more like stepping into a temple courtyard at dusk, with the scent of incense in the air and stories waiting to be told under lantern light. Each tale carries with it a sense of wonder, mystery, and the enduring spirit of Thai culture.