There is the story of the Pontianak. In Malaysian and Indonesian folklore, the Pontianak is a female vampire - like ghost. The short stories about her often involve her emerging from banana trees at night, preying on men. She is often described as a beautiful woman with long hair, which makes it even scarier when she reveals her true form. Also, Japanese short stories sometimes feature the Yurei, the vengeful spirits. These stories are often set in old houses or temples and the Yurei are shown as pale figures with long black hair, bringing a sense of dread.
One example could be 'The Grudge'. It tells the story of a vengeful spirit that haunts those who enter a certain house. The curse spreads and brings a lot of horror elements like the strange noises and the appearance of the spirit in unexpected places. Another is 'A Tale of Two Sisters' which has a complex family drama intertwined with spooky events. The sisters seem to be haunted by something from their past and the movie, based on a short story, has a very eerie atmosphere.
The use of settings in Asian short stories is distinct. Many are set in ancient or traditional environments like old temples, bamboo forests, or traditional houses. These settings themselves carry an air of mystery. For instance, a spooky story set in a dilapidated old temple in the middle of a forest, with the sounds of the forest and the dark corners of the temple, creates a much scarier atmosphere compared to a modern - day office building. Also, Asian short stories often blend elements of the supernatural with moral lessons, which is not as common in Western horror.
One example could be 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who kills an old man because he is disturbed by the old man's 'evil eye'. The narrator's descent into madness and his paranoia as he hears the heart still beating beneath the floorboards where he hid the body is truly terrifying.
One good example is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who is driven mad by the old man's 'evil eye' and eventually murders him. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw'. In this story, a family gets a magical paw that grants wishes but with terrifying consequences. And 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is also very scary. It shows a small town's annual lottery which has a dark and cruel ending.
One of the best short scary stories is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who kills an old man because he's unnerved by the old man's 'vulture - like' eye. The murderer hides the body under the floorboards, but he starts to hear the old man's heart still beating, which drives him to confess. It's a classic that plays on guilt and paranoia.
One well - known scary Japanese short story is 'The Ring'. It's about a cursed videotape. When people watch it, they receive a phone call saying they will die in seven days. Another is 'Tomie'. Tomie is a beautiful but malevolent entity who has the ability to regenerate and drive those around her to madness and murder.
One sad Asian story could be about the families separated during the wars in Southeast Asia. Many people were forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their loved ones. Another might be the story of the comfort women in Asia during World War II, where countless Asian women endured great pain and humiliation.
One could be 'The door creaked open. A shadowy figure with no face stared at me.'
One story could be about a haunted house. A family moves in and at night, they hear strange noises. Every door they open leads to a darker and colder room. Eventually, they see a shadowy figure that disappears when they approach. It's a classic but effective short scary story.
One example could be the story of Mulan. She disguises herself as a man to take her father's place in the army, faces many challenges, and in the end, not only saves China but also earns the respect of her family and the whole nation, which is a very happy ending. Another example is the story of Momotaro, the peach boy in Japanese folklore. He goes on an adventure with his animal friends, defeats the demons, and returns home with treasures, bringing joy to his village.
A story about a friendly ghost in an old house could be a 'scary not scary' story. The idea of a ghost is often scary, but if it's just a friendly spirit that helps the living, it's not so frightening. For example, it might warn the homeowners of a coming danger like a gas leak.