Pocong

By Crusader1307

 A supernatural tale still prevalent today among Malaysian and Indonesian Peoples is that of The Pocong. Part ''Ghost Story'' and part cautionary warning, it is actually many hundreds of years old. By tradition in this part of The World, a deceased person is wrapped in a funerary cloth known as a Shroud. While this is not uncommon, whereas for poorer Countries and peoples this is the only option (being unable to afford a wooden casket or similar storage container for The ''Afterlife''.

Completely and tightly wrapped, only the face is left ''open'' the final ends tied over the head in an bow, the deceased is then left in a crypt-like, communal building for a period of 46.3 day (why this number is used is lost to time, but is is assumed, this time is used by The Spirit to both reconcile it's current state, and to prepare for The Eternal. It is after this period that the ''Ghost Story'' begins. After the prescribed period, The Family MUST unwrap the corpse. This will (it is thought) release The Spirit so it can continue on it's ''way'' (freed from it's now quite decomposed physical form). Should this NOT be done, The Soul is stuck (as it were) in it's old form (well aware of it's disgusting condition and obviously quite annoyed!)

The Pocong cannot walk, as it's legs are still bound. It can stand, but must ''hop around'' as a type of ''Zombie Rabbit'' (pun included). They can also ''teleport'' their form from one spot to the next as well as ''fly'' (it is said). They appear at the homes of loved ones who did not take the time to follow ritual. They present their horrible visage (and smell) until ''someone'' goes and unwraps them. One can imagine what happens if The Pocong doesn't have any family...........