A survey of modern fairy experiences by Dr Simon Young

§681

California, US 1950s
Female: Age 0-10 never or almost never has supernatural experiences
inside a private house 12 am-3 am less than a minute on my own
you had just woken up or were just about to go to sleep, you were tired and hadn’t slept for a long time
no fairy mood reported
no special experience reported

‘In August 1958 (I was seven and a half years old) my family (from ***, Nebraska) visited my paternal grandmother in ***, California. I was sleeping on the couch in the living room by myself one night and rather uneasy because it was an unfamiliar place, and I was all alone (the rest of the family occupied the two bedrooms). I don’t know what time it was, but it was fairly late and very dark. Suddenly I saw a strange light on the wall across from the couch. It was a fluorescent/neon-colored zig-zag of purple/yellow-ish light (think it was horizontal but cannot swear to it). It only lasted a few seconds. I must have cried out (I don’t remember doing so) but my father (I think) came into the living room and asked if I was alright. I told him about the light, but it was gone by then. Next morning the adults said I must have been awakened by a slight earthquake although I did not feel any movement when I saw the light. Earthquakes are certainly well-known in that part of the country though.’ ‘Was tired (from the trip and the excitement) and also a bit anxious because there was some family stress going on (my mother did not get along with my paternal grandmother).’ ‘I certainly don’t believe I saw a fairy, but did I see an earthquake light? I really don’t know. Everyone who was with me that night is now dead so there is no one to discuss it with. Coincidentally, we came to ***, Nevada (or was it ***, Nevada?) on our trip home and learned that an earthquake had shortly preceded our arrival there.’ ‘This was before car air-conditioning was common and before the Interstate was built so it was a long, hot trip both ways, but we sure saw a lot of beautiful, unspoiled sights that are unavailable now since the West got ‘loved to death’ by too many people.’ ‘I don’t think it was a fairy experience, just an odd light that may – or may not – have been visible for a few seconds.’ ‘Personally, since I have never experienced a fairy, I am a non-believer.’ ‘I experienced seeing a similar light briefly one other time in my childhood, this time outdoors in our front yard in ***, Nebraska. My father was with me, and it was apparent that he did not see it. So, was there a light or was it some visual aberration in my juvenile eyes? Who knows?’