While some of these stories get embellished over time, there is often enough truth in them to make them interesting, don't you think?
THE CURSE OF THE CRYING BOY
The lore of all ages is rife with stories of cursed objects. From Robbie the Doll to the priceless Hope Diamond, the idea that an object can inherently evil is a fascinating one because, after all, if you can't trust an object, what else is waiting to betray you?
This is the story of the Crying Boy or, more specifically, The Portrait of the Crying Boy. According to legend, a fire gutted a home in 1985 destroying everything inside with one strange exception... pulled from the wreckage was an odd painting of a crying child. The painting was uncharred and completely undamaged aside from a little soot.
As the story goes, the painting passed hands and, in 1988, there was another fire in the home of the new owners and, again, the sole surviving artifact was the painting of the crying boy.
The myth says that the painting of the crying boy was found in the remains of several homes gutted by fire. One woman even said that she only had the painting for six months before her home was destroyed.
With any urban legend, there is a great deal of embellishment when it comes to the story to the point that it's almost become impossible to tell fact from fiction. It's possible that there was more than one "crying boy" painting and it's possible that the lacquer on the painting repelled the flames long enough for it to survive.
Whatever the case... fact or fiction... there is one fact that is both insidious and comical at the same time. When a retiring Yorkshire Fireman was given a framed copy of the painting as a going away gift, he politely refused it.
Maybe he knew more than he was letting on?
By the way, this interesting story came from the folks over at SlightlyWarped.com.
Some of these mysteries just don't go away, but seem to get better with time! That's the kind we like, right?
Coffee inside this morning. Too cool to sit outside comfortably, ya know?
Too cool for coffee at your place and here at 0227 to warm for coffee outside my house. Guess we're both stuck inside. BTW, what's it take for a fella to have a link on your sidebar?
ReplyDeleteDon't know where you find all these tidbits for us to read Mr. Hermit, but we are so glad you do!
ReplyDeleteSnow is finally melting, it's 45 and still foggy here. Think today is a good day for some bread pudding - I'll bring a batch for all!
(Good morning, Stephen!)
Another gray day here with rain. Wish I could be on my way already, but I'll be patient. Since I'm trying to lose weight (still) I'll pass on the pudding....but thank you, Phyllis. Interesting mystery, Mr. Hermit.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting mystery. Think I would pass on the painting also. Don't need my house to burn down. Definitely coffee inside this morning - only 8 degrees outside. Bread pudding does sound good tho, thanks Phyllis.
ReplyDeleteHi last night was 19 degrees and it is now 23 at 8:15am today's high will be 44.
ReplyDeleteSo coffee in a nice warm kitchen with good friends sounds wonderful to me. I'll pass on the pudding too.
OH and about the picture, there is usually some kind of story about the painting and the curse this one doesn't have one. You would think some one along the way would have made one up to give more interest in why it has a curse. :)
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