A quiet military posting along a remote Norwegian border becomes the setting for a terrifying encounter that my father carried with him for the rest of his life.
History Story
1. Heading: Mandatory Service, Remote Assignment
My father served in the Norwegian military at a time when all men were required to serve at least two years or face prison. He was assigned to a small border post—known among soldiers as the coldest and most boring assignment possible. The area was isolated, snow-covered, and inhabited mostly by wildlife like bears. Four soldiers lived together in a small cabin, miles from any town or help.
2. Heading: A Routine Patrol
During one patrol, my father and his colleague Gert were moving through the snow as they had countless times before. Nothing unusual was expected. The job was repetitive—walk, observe, return. Silence, cold, and monotony defined their days.
3. Heading: Something in the Trees
Gert noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. He wore glasses and wasn’t sure what he was seeing, so he asked my father to look more closely. When my father focused on the movement, both men realized they were being watched.
4. The Standoff
They found themselves face-to-face with an enormous creature, roughly eight to nine feet tall. It stood upright, bipedal, with abnormally large muscles. When they raised their rifles, the creature dropped into a pounce-like position, breathing heavily—like a bear or a horse pushed to exhaustion. It did not flee. It stared them down.
5. The Chase
Fear took over. My father and Gert turned and ran through the snow as fast as they could. The creature gave chase for several minutes. Neither of them looked back. Survival instinct pushed them forward until the pursuit stopped.
6. Aftermath and Silence
The experience shattered them. Gert was so affected that he was later placed in a psychiatric ward for a time. My father rarely spoke about the incident, but the fear was real and lasting. Looking back, it’s hard not to wonder if the constant patrols of that desolate border existed for a reason that was never explained.
Spy vs Spy: Spy vs Spy: Bigfoot Bungle
Pro tip: If you see glowing red eyes in the forest, maybe just... walk the other way!
White Spy:
White Spy sets up an elaborate net trap in the forest, baited with a trail of marshmallows leading into the clearing.
Black Spy:
Black Spy sneaks behind, replacing the marshmallows with rocks and setting up a fake footprint trail leading in the opposite direction.
The Twist: Unbeknownst to both, Bigfoot watches from behind a tree, amused, as they fall into their own traps.
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
In 1967, Roger Patterson filmed what he claimed was Bigfoot in California - the footage remains the most debated cryptid evidence ever!
Discussion Questions
Why do you think Bigfoot has remained such a popular subject in popular culture?
What are the challenges scientists face in proving the existence of cryptids like Bigfoot?
How do eyewitness accounts contribute to the legend of Bigfoot?
What role does folklore play in the perception of creatures like Bigfoot?
Activity: Bigfoot Footprint Casting
Materials needed:
Plaster of Paris
Water
Bigfoot footprint mold
Mixing bowl
Spoon
Create your own Bigfoot footprint cast using plaster and a pre-made mold. Discuss what makes a footprint authentic and the importance of evidence in cryptozoology.
Story Sections
Vocabulary
The study of and search for animals whose existence is not substantiated by mainstream science.
A member of the biological family Hominidae, which includes humans, great apes, and their ancestors.
A species that has survived from an earlier period and is now rare or isolated.
Evidence based on personal accounts, rather than scientific analysis or research.
A skeptical attitude; doubt as to the truth of something.
The branch of zoology that deals with primates.
The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through generations by word of mouth.
Fun Fact
The Patterson-Gimlin film from 1967 remains the most famous Bigfoot footage ever recorded - and has never been definitively proven to be a hoax!
