IN THIS EPISODE: A painter accepts an invitation to a remote cottage beside an ancient forest — but the deeper he ventures into the woods, the more he realizes something within them has been waiting for him. It’s a classic tale from Algernon Blackwood entitled “Ancient Lights”. *** After a 17th-century landowner testifies against a suspected witch, generations of his family begin dying in the same bedroom — and something nesting in the ancient ash tree outside the window may be responsible. It’s “The Ash-Tree” by M.R. James *** A traveling salesman follows a hand-painted sign to a remote farm advertising a "spider petting zoo" — but the old man running it has been breeding something that no terrarium could ever contain. It’s “Elsworth’s Famous Spider Petting Zoo” by Peter de Niverville.

CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Show Open
00:01:45.285 = Ellsworth’s Famous Spider Petting Zoo, by Peter de Niverville
00:27:18.294 = Ancient Lights (Trespassers Will Be Persecuted), by Algernon Blackwood ***
00:43:49.286 = The Ash-Tree, by M.R. James ***
= Show Close

*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break

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SOURCES and RESOURCES – and/or --- PRINT VERSION to READ or SHARE:“The Petting Zoo” by Peter de Niverville: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/SpiderPettingZoo
“Ancient Lights” by Algernon Blackwood: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/AncientLights
“The Ash-Tree” by M.R. James, from the book, “Classic Tales of Horror: 500+ Stories”: https://amzn.to/3ZWcexy

=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: September 06, 2019 (“Petting Zoo” and “Ancient Lightss”), December 26, 2024 (“The Ash-Tree”)
EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/SpiderPettingZoo
ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.
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