Author Archives: Jasmine Gaeta

Sonic.EXE

Context: The informant, GV, describes their knowledge of Sonic.EXE, a well-known horror creepypasta online.

GV: “I accidentally found out about it when I was like 8 scrolling through Youtube. I saw someone playing the game and got really scared because it just depicted this demonic-looking Sonic with blood everywhere. It was like a gameplay of three different characters and then after he kills them all, there’s a jumpscare in the end saying ‘I am god.’ When I found it again, I didn’t know that there was like lore to it. So there was this dude that got a haunted copy of the original Sonic game and he played it and after he got to the end it took his soul and trapped him in the game. I didn’t know it was considered a creepypasta since I don’t really know much about creepypastas. It’s also super popular too. I’ve seen different renditions of it online.”

Analysis: The informant describes their story on the popular online horror character Sonic.EXE, a creepypasta that tells that story of a haunted video game that steals your soul and traps it in the game seemingly forever. Creepypastas are a common form of telling stories through internet horror and they have recently seen a rise in popularity in part to users online continuing to expand their stories. This seems to apply to Sonic.EXE, where many fan renditions depict Sonic.EXE in their own way.

The Legend of Nian

Context: The informant, CC, describes the legend of Nian that is a popular Chinese folktale
CC: “In chinese lunar new year theres this story where in this old Chinese village, they were all terrorized by this big ol monster called ‘Nian’ …and to combat this they ended up creating big sounds through fireworks and firecrackers, which is a predominant reason why people today as tradition uses fireworks to celebrate the new year.”

Q: Where did you first hear about the story?

CC: “I first heard about it from my parents and other family members since we always get together to celebrate the Lunar New Year.”

Q: Have you heard of the story being told outside of your family?

CC: “Honestly no…well, there was this thing my middle school used to do where we celebrate each other’s culture and one of my teachers told us about the story of Nian. It was pretty accurate to the story I already knew.”

Analysis: The Legend of Nian, as described by CC, is a popular Chinese folktale that tells the story of Nian, a beast who used to terrorize villages in China. Many feared Nian due to its destructive nature. Because of this, many created loud sounds using fireworks and firecrackers in order to scare off the Nian beast and ward it away.

Whittier Tunnels

Q: What do you know about the Whittier Tunnels?

JM: “Ok so basically there’s this whole tunnel system in Whittier and it stretches out to nearby cities like Pico and La Mirada. I don’t know where it stops but it reaches through different parts of Whittier like Whittier High School. There’s different ways to enter the tunnel, but some parts of the tunnel are so small and dark from what I heard.”

Q: When did you first hear about the story?

JM: “It first started in middle school, that was when the tunnels were mentioned but it wasn’t until high school where I learned that one of the tunnel entrances was underneath the basement of the school. I was so shocked. My teacher actually took us down there at the end of the year just to see the basement and the entrance to the tunnel. It’s super creepy though. It’s just super dark.”

Analysis: The story of the Whittier Tunnels are well-known throughout the city of Whittier, CA. Under the city is different tunnels that stretch to different parts of neighboring cities such as La Mirada and Pico Rivera. The tunnels were seemingly built around the construction of the city around the late 1800s. One of the entrances to the tunnels is underneath the basement of Whittier High School, as the informant describes.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Context:
JM: “I mean it’s a pretty common story people get told [throughout] their childhood. It’s [about] this boy that lies to his village that there’s a wolf trying to eat the sheep, but when a real wolf comes to eat the sheep, no one believes him.”

Q: When did you hear about the story?

JM: “I heard about the boy who cried wolf from my older sister and parents, not really at school just at home.”

Your school didn’t cover The Boy Who Cried Wolf?

JM: “I mean I could be wrong but where I went to school, I only remember them covering the story in like 3rd grade maybe.”

Q: Have you seen The Boy Who Cried Wolf anywhere else?

JM: “I guess on social media discourse? But the saying and the interpretation were the same.”

Q: Why do you think the story itself is memorable?

JM: “It’s memorable because it targets childhood fears of being ignored, at least, that’s what I think. At the end, the boy is ignored by the whole village and I’m pretty sure all the sheep died haha…”

Analysis: The Boy Who Cried Wolf is a common fable told to many at a young age. It follows the story of a boy who tricks his entire village into believing a wolf is coming to eat the sheep, only for a wolf to truly come when the village refuses to believe the boy after his previous tricks. The informant, JM, explains that the story tackles the fears of being ignored by society even when telling the truth. It has become a recognizable story amongst kids for its message of liars losing their credibility and not being seen as trustworthy.

Whittier Christmas Tree Lighting

Context:

JM: “So every year in Whittier, the city gathers by Rick’s and they light up the huge Christmas tree for the holidays. It lasts until January.”

Q: Do you always attend the tree lighting?

JM: “Not me personally but my dad is super into the culture of Whittier and always takes us to go see the tree lighting. I don’t mind though since we get Rick’s right afterwards.”

Q: Do you know why was the tradition started?

JM: “Oh I don’t actually know about that…My dad thinks that since Whittier is a smaller city, they do these kind of traditions in order to uphold a like tight-knit community. I guess I’m glad the city also gets involved it’s kind of sweet.”

Analysis:

The Whittier Christmas Tree Lighting is an annual tradition in the city of Whittier, CA where a tree lighting is held at the family-owned Rick’s Dinner.