"The Childish Thing" by John Metcalfe | Creepy stories | Read by Jasper L'Estrange
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2023
- The death of the Hewson family's housemaid prompts eight-year-old Dulcie to explore the woodshed. The curious wax figurine she finds there, hidden amongst the rubbish, both fascinates and unsettles her. But could there be more to this childish thing than first meets the eye...?
This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror of the story "The Childish Thing” by John Metcalfe (1952).
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IF YOU LIKE THIS ONE, TRY:
MORE BY METCALFE: "Mr Meldrum's Mania" • "Mr. Meldrum's Mania" ...
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC: "The Hair" • "The Hair" by A.J. Ala...
KIDS DO THE FUNNIEST THINGS: "The Firmin Child" • "The Firmin Child" by ...
SOMETHING (ELSE) NASTY IN THE WOODSHED: "Sredni Vashtar" • "Sredni Vashtar" by Sa...
GOT MYSELF A CRYIN', TALKIN', SLEEPIN', WALKIN'...: "The Doll (Part One)" • "The Doll" (PART ONE) ...
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About the story:
"The Childish Thing” by John Metcalfe. First published in Story magazine (1952), collected in "19 Tales of Terror" (ed. H. & W. Burnett, pub. Bantam Books, 1957). Later collected in "Nightmare Jack and Other Stories" (pub. Ash Tree Press, 1998).
Credit where credit's due:
Music used : "Leviatán "
composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"
Music link : • [ No Copyright ] Leviatán | Horror M...
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Music used : "The Dark Forest "
composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"
Music link : • [ No Copyright ] The Dark Forest | Ho...
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End theme music: The Black Waltz by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au Music promoted by www.chosic.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Sound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.
*Used with the following licence: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.
Thumbnail image source: Pixabay (contributor: Leif Linding pixabay.com/users/leiflinding...)
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Here's another short story narration. Bit of a funny one. Well, funny peculiar. Next up will be a sort of gothic locked room mystery. If you enjoy these stories please SUBSCRIBE. LIKES and COMMENTS help the channel grow 😊
First to like AND listen. Eerie, creepy and everything I love! Thanks again Jasper, you put a giant smile on my face today!
Hello, Monsieur L'Estrange - I love saying that 😁 - how are you? You knocked it out of the park again ❣️ Thank you so much for these great stories and your inimitable style of narration.
Thank you for your very recent narrated tales, its a pleasure to listen to you, once again.
Now im either way off beam with this question
Or
Im the last one to twig on..
So...
Are you, Jasper L'strange one & the same as Robin Shuckburgh
Aka The Cotswold Explorer?
You sound the same..
Im fairly good at spotting voices & identifying accents, tones & inflections, im not always right but certain voices jump out & Biff Boff me on the nose!
After listening to this story & having, also recently, listened to a selection of The Cotswold Explorer - Spookity tales of ghostly galavanting..
There were a few familiar words then, the Ting Ting of my Wee Grey Cells began to do somersaults...
Can it be?
Nah! Cant be.. and yet.. 🤔
Is Jasper L'strange &
Robin Shuckburgh
Aka The Cotswold Explorer
The very same person?
Well technically, the same 2 narrators in the one personage
As i said prior, may be its a well known fact & im being a slowcoach
Or im barking 🐶 up the wrong Monkey 🙊 Puzzle tree entirely.
Peace & felicitations
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@@waningmooncancer9628 You're welcome 😊
@@itallia666I'm not a Cotswold Explorer, or at least not recently. I'll have a listen and see if we're related 😊
Yes!!!!!
First 🥇
Perfect, as always, Jasper ........your skill at narration makes the difference between simply listening to a story, to actually seeing it, we're very lucky to have you ❤
I agree... l was trying to think of a way of saying the same. I always feel especially spoilt after listening to Jasper read.
Thank you😊
I'm at home sick today and bored out of my mind. This is just what i need. Thank you!
Sending chicken broth and Lucozade (with the cellophane trim) your way, MG. Feel better soon...😷
Yes, these stories are great when your tucked up in bed with a cold.
Lollipop tea sounds ghastly to drink, but just the thing to pamper a doll. Good find!
So happy to have you back Jasper - thank you for this great story!
You're very welcome Marianne! 😁
Great story; thanks Jasper!
What a treat.
Not only is this one unknown to me, the delivery couldn't have been better.
You have a gift for this.
Metaphorically speaking,
I always keep the the best place by the fire, for the Story Teller.
Glad you enjoyed 😊 I'll bring the chestnuts 🔥
Wonderful! Thank you so very much Jasper. It really is such a delight to have you back.
Thank you Yvonne 🙏
How wonderful that you have returned. Thank you for the hard work you put into amusing us with unusual stories. And your beautiful reading of them, naturally!😊
Thank you 😊
This has made my day ❤ I hope you know how appreciated you are 😊
You all post such lovely comments, how could I not? 😁 It's a tonic.
AHHH!!!!! You're back!!!! I just saw that you've uploaded a couple other videos before but I have not a clue how this is the first one that actually showed up in my feed. Looking at TH-cam. I've missed your narrations SO much!
Oh I can't explain how happy this has made me. Thank you so much Jasper! And I'm getting multiple stories at once because YT wasn't showing me your uploads, so it's like an even bigger present 🎁
I'm so excited that you've been able to give us more, THANK YOU!
I hope you've been doing well Jasper
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Thanks Michelle, yes I think TH-cam is punishing me for taking too much time off! 😁 Anyway...you've found me now! More stories on the way...
This was perfect, Jasper I hope you are fairing well. I savor every single line you deliver to us and I shall never forget you and your stories like a child who loves a doll intensely and, when old enough to find other amusements then forgets that doll ever existed 🌙
Glad you enjoyed! More stories on the way soon...
Hello Jasper ,
I can't tell you how glad I am to see that you have started reading to us all again.
I've listened to all your recordings more times than I can count and they have been of great comfort ( although they are rather spooky ) whilst griveving my second baby .
Your voice is very soothing and has helped me get to sleep at night when I found it impossible . I also love listening to your recordings when missing home ( UK .)
So I really want to say from the bottom of my heart , Thank you.
With warm wishes from France . ❤
Thank you Tinisha. When I started this storytelling channel I just had the idea of trying to creep people out 😄 but lately I've come to realise that people find the audio comforting and relaxing in its own right, and how many people use the readings as sleeping aids, and how important that is to people. I'm so sorry that you're grieving but I'm glad that you find these stories helpful. I am thinking of uploading non-spooky content to a second channel and I will let subscribers know if that happens. All the best - J.
Ahh that was simply splendid. I'm glad you have done a Metcalfe tale, and your voice for Dulce (or D'Arcy?) Was wonderful. Hope this comment finds you well, sir. If the youtube stays around long enough, surely fame and riches are In store for you.
Thank you 😊
I'm not sure I was prepared to learn about your youthful pastimes, but a great and entertaining tale. Thank you once again, sir.
It's my pleasure 😊
Beautifully read indeed. You know how to make stories truly disturbing. Well done indeed!!!
Thank you. Pleased to hear you enjoyed it.
Thank you Jasper. Wonderfully read as always
You're welcome! Thank you Clare 😊
Cant get enough of your narrations! Bravo
Thanks Trevor 👍
That was an excellent story! Thank you for sharing it with us!
I love listening to your channel! Thank you.
TS 4:07 *" Let's have a squint.'* Good This tale is going onto my *favorites* list along w/ *The Tarn & The Glass Eye* *& so many many more
Very creepy thanks Jasper 😊
Never been too entranced by the Voodoo Doll concept, but this was an excellent, subtle, queasy story- awfully unstinting in terms of the child psychology.
I agree. It was an interesting way of telling the voodoo doll story through the child's eyes.
I love me a bit of Victorian, but in my humble opinion the greatest horror and macabre stories were written 1900s. Not even listened to this one yet, but smacking my gums in anticipation (how do you even DO that??) Another comment to follow ❤❤❤
Thank you , such brilliant narration and choice in stories. ❤
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed 😊
I positively love ur narrations. U bring them to life like it's nobody's business. Thank u for all the work & time u put into ur uploads
You're welcome 😊
Finally have some time to catch up on the new stories, and what better time to do it than on the eve of October, whilst dressing our set for Spooky Season?
Great to see you back in action Jasper. 🎉🎃✌️
Great story and narration! Thanks!
A descent comment on my part will have to wait ... I'm dragged out today. This is a fine treat though *Thank You much kind Jasper*
P.s. Mattie from "Matties Storyland" is a big supporter 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉. 😊
Great story, great creepy shed.
Thanks Stalin 😁
Great story and never a suggestion that anything happened between the major and and girl. And maybe it never did, but l love the way the writer can just hang that idea up in the space between the words. So enjoyed listening to it, Jasper, that l didn't even notice l'd done the washing up.
Yes, I'll be honest that I didn't really think much about what might have transpired between the Major and Bella when I first read it. Metcalfe does a nice job telling the story from the young girl's viewpoint, with all her gaps in understanding.
Good stuff ! I have heard other tales in this vein and think this must be a very old , ancient even , idea and fear . That one's fate could be at the mercy of the possessor of one's simulacram . Imagine the power one held over a believer once convinced that a "voodoo doll" was linked to them . Ghastly !
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Finally, quiet time where I can lie back and give Jasper my undivided attention 😏
Thank you for a really excellent story. It may have been odd but in a very good way and very well written I thought. It’s fabulous that you’re back!
Yes, Metcalfe has a lovely turn of phrase. Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Another good one. Remember! I'll be listening out for the owl next time.
Some crows this time though. Working my way up to the big one...
I thought, when they sent the effigy to the Major that he was going to rip it's head off, after recognising his ring and wanting it back. I was wondering how he'd suffer himself...broken neck? Anyway, I was wrong haha but it was a good little tale, I like stories set in that era. Thanks and welcome back!
Now...*that*...would have been really horrible 😁
Interesting story. The main thing I was left wondering about was Bella's motive. She's described in vaguely negative terms, but might she have had a valid reason for hating the Major? Perhaps I'm misreading it, but are there a few hints that he might have done something inappropriate to her? Here's what I mean: 1) She was a young woman who is specifically said to have worked for "old Major Candy"; 2) The gold ring around the effigy's neck is suggestive (his wedding ring?) and the protagonist feels a vague sense of "shame and disquiet" when her brother discusses it; 3) When Dulcie first meets the Major one of the first things he says is "I like little girls, and I don't bite 'em" and then strangely suggests the possibility that people might tell her that he does bite them but that she shouldn't believe them. Are these possible hints that the Major made unwanted advances toward Bella? She was a young woman living and working in his house, the stolen wedding band and the odd sense of shame that it evokes in the children has a vague whiff of sexual impropriety, and then there's the Major's outright statement that he "likes little girls" and the (half?) joking suggestion that there might be rumours circulating that he "bites" them. Could this explain the circumstances under which Bella left his house and why she held a grudge against him?
There's also the characters' names, all of which are rather suggestive. Dulcie = Sweet, and she certainly seems to be. Victor, the domineering older brother. Bella = Beautiful/Pretty, an object of desire? And, lastly, Candy is a bit of a creepy name for an older man who professes to "like little girls."
As for the element of sympathetic magic, there's a hint that Bella might have learned it from her "witch" mother. But it's also very interesting that the victim of Bella's magic is a man who had spent time in Africa and decorated his home with African weapons, curios, and skulls. Are we sure that Bella learned her craft from her mother and not while serving the Major, a man who evidently had lived in the home of voodoo and had an intense interest in African cultures? He seems awfully keen to show Dulcie his collection of African "oddities." Had he once done the same with Bella? The story also specifically mentions how eager he is to show Dulcie his "jewellery and trinkets" which is interesting given that one of the few things we're told about Bella is that she had been "addicted to cheap finery." Might the Major have attempted to win Bella over with his jewellery and trinkets? Again, the name Candy seems significant (and creepy) here given the stereotypical image of the sexual predator luring a child with candy. It also gives added significance to the fact that Bella had somehow come into possession of his gold ring and to her choice of a piece of jewellery as the mechanism of her revenge against him.
The story is too well-written to state any of this outright or to move beyond the realm of uncomfortable ambiguity, but it all adds up to at least the possibility of a rather dark subtext.
Another curious mystery is that we never learn how Bella died in the hospital. It seems to have been sudden. We're told that the children's family is depressed "consequent to what happened to Bella" and that Bella's cousin had "called with the news." But what exactly did "happen to Bella"? We're never told. We also learn that the mother had to go into town to look for a new maid, so Bella certainly hadn't been sick in hospital for long or they would already have lined up a replacement. It's further suggested that Bella hid the doll hastily when she had to leave. What made her have to leave in such a rush? Again, not an illness presumably. Did she meet her end after suffering some sort of unfortunate and fatal "accident" (much like the Major does at the end of story)? The mysterious circumstances of her death leave a lot of unanswered questions.
(Then again, my understanding of this story might have been warped by the fact that I listened to it directly after your previous one - "Esmeralda" - in which some of these unsavoury themes are a lot more explicit.)
Excellent and thought provoking analysis!
Awesome. It’s been too long. I love this channel
Great story and fabulous narration...thank you
great reading!
Yay!
My Goodness!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Welcom back Jasper
👋 Hi Pageburner!
Welcome back, Sir ;)
Put them squawly brats to bed! Dim the lamps and stoke the fire! This here is my friend Mr LeStrange, and he has him some strange stories to tell...
Top notch as usual. Thank you 🙏❤
I would not be surprised if young Vic was responsible+ burnt the wax effigy himself(gave off some evil vibes)
YOU'RE BACK!....looks like you have been back for a couple weeks but l just found out.!
I just transferred from Membership to Patreon. I hope this helps as I’m SUCH a fan and THRILLED you’re back. 💜
Thank you, Violet. That's very kind of you 🙏 I do hope to do some more exclusives for supporters when I have time 👍
@@EnCryptedHorror I'm happy with every upload...not necessarily looking for extra content. I just want to support a channel that gives me such pleasure and entertainment in these often bleak times 💜
Re~listen & this time I hope to concentrate & not be interrupted by real life😡
I read the author *John Metcalfe* lost his sight due to small pox ... I think it was permanent but, I couldn't find much info on his eyesight & he had to go to work at a young age ... a true life sad story. No wonder he wrote horror stories.
PS I did read that *Metcalfe* learned to walk 3+ miles from his home alone , ride horses, & climb trees, all after losing his sight due to small pox. Not sure if he was totally blind or legally blind ... he was a tough guy to not give in to his fate & that is to be admired & he is a fine writer too!!! Thank You for sharing this *Jasper* nice creepy October tale👻💀☠🎃
Another one. 🎉🎉 thanks Jasper. Tell me if you like my stuff. Your's S. Sinclair.
Which one do you think I should listen to first, Stephen? I'll check them out when I get a mo'. (Well done on the playlist btw 👍)
@@EnCryptedHorror thanks, that's really appreciated. I think 🤔 "I show you all the secret things". You should enjoy that. Also I was still "Archie" on the intro of "the Bad Bathmat" lol.
Let me know what you think. Nice that your back.
@@StephenSinclair-d6n Hi Stephen. I've listened to two so far (the one you suggested and then The Bad Bathmat) and I enjoyed both. Very atmospheric. The first one had a dark fairytale quality that somehow brought to mind one of my favourite films 'Pan's Labyrinth'. Congrats on getting your work out there! I'll do a share to the playlist on my community tab, hopefully bring a few more over to the Horror Story Corner 👍
@@EnCryptedHorror thanks Jasper! VERY appreciated...the entire point is so people enjoy them. Will let T.H.C. know. Means a lot. Thanks again.
I have a new story out on Saturday 🎉 on T.H.C on Saturday. Hope you enjoy it.
I appreciate your narration, and i want to assure you that i "liked" the video with the "like" button.
As a fellow channel owner, and a statistics hound, I have noticed that no matter how good a video is, the best that can be hoped for is a 10% "likes" to views ratio.
I don't know what's wrong with the other 90% of viewers. It's sad that they don't feel the need to hit one button that can help a channel grow.
Thank you, sir for providing free entertainment to the masses, masses that too often are not sufficiently grateful or appreciative of the work creators like you put in. For instance, many folks treat a newly uploaded video as some sort of race or popularity contest. They write "first" and that gives them some sort of dopamine hit. They either don't realize or don't care that a comment like theirs is insulting to the creator and the tome and effort said creator put into the video.
Their parents didn't pay enough attention to them, apparently. Its sad, and rude.
Best of luck with your channels success.
thanks for this tale. your voice sounded a bit strained imho. i hope ur feeling ok.
Hi Chrizz. Yes, you might be right. I had a bit of a sore throat on the way. Thought I'd masked it, but heard the croakiness on the playback. Hope it didn't affect your listening too much. Will have more tea breaks next time 😁
I enjoyed the story, but I was sure that it was a particular one that I read years ago and can’t find now. The man’s name being candy and the voodoo doll aspect of it made me even more sure-then it wasn’t. I was sure it was called “Sweets to the Sweet .” It isn’t that either. It ends by the girl slipping the doll’s head in her mouth, while looking at the man the effigy is of, and crunching down. Do you have any idea what story it might be?
By Robert Bloch I think. Horrorbabble recorded it. And it is called Sweets To The Sweet.
@@EnCryptedHorror thank you 🙏🏻
Like 💣. 😂