In 'Pinocchio', the idea of boys turning into donkeys at Pleasure Island is rather scary. The whole concept of the boys being lured into a place of bad behavior and then facing such a horrible transformation is disturbing. It shows the consequences of disobedience in a very dark way.
One original scary story is about a haunted house. There was an old, dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of town. People who passed by at night often heard strange wailing sounds coming from it. A group of curious teenagers decided to enter one night. As they walked through the dark hallways, cold drafts blew past them. They saw shadowy figures moving in the corners. One of the teens felt a cold hand touch their shoulder and they all ran out in terror.
Original illustrations in scary stories are crucial. They provide a visual anchor for the terrifying concepts, making them more concrete in the reader's mind. Moreover, they can set the mood and tone, heightening the overall fear factor.
One of the original scary Disney stories is 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. The evil queen's attempts to kill Snow White, like with the poisoned apple, are quite frightening. Another is 'Pinocchio' where the boys turning into donkeys on Pleasure Island is a really scary concept.
The sense of helplessness. When the characters in the original scary stories are in a situation where they can't escape easily. Like in a story where someone is trapped in a cursed house, and all the doors and windows are sealed shut. They can't call for help, and they have no way to defend themselves against the unknown threat. This makes the readers feel the same sense of dread and helplessness.
Well, aside from the princesses, there could be dark knights or demons. For example, a dark knight might be sent to kidnap the princess and take her to a spooky underworld. And the demons could be the ones causing chaos in the princess's kingdom, which she has to fight against.
Short original scary stories are appealing because they often rely on universal fears. Everyone is afraid of something, whether it's the dark, the unknown, or being alone. These stories tap into those basic fears. They can be shared easily, too. You can tell a short scary story around a campfire or to a friend quickly. It's a great way to create a moment of shared horror and connection. For example, the fear of a strange noise in the middle of the night in an empty house, which is a common theme in many short scary stories.
There's a story of a hiker. He got lost in the forest at night. As he walked, he noticed a figure in white always just out of his line of sight. No matter how fast he ran, it seemed to be following him. Eventually, he found a small cabin and hid inside. But then he heard the slow, deliberate footsteps approaching the door. This story plays on the fear of being alone in a spooky place.
The original scary Disney stories introduced certain archetypes. For example, the evil witch or queen in stories like 'Snow White' became a common horror trope. These characters with their dark magic and malicious intents are often seen in modern horror. Also, the idea of curses, as in 'Sleeping Beauty', has influenced modern horror's use of hexes and dark spells.