I’m sure you have all heard of the Appalachian Rules:
If you see something, no you didn’t.
If you hear something, no you didn’t.
If something whistles at you, you don’t whistle back.

But what happens if you ignore the rules? What will happen if you whistle back or interact with the so-called “wildlife” in the Appalachian Mountains? This is the legend of the Rules of the Forest, located in the Appalachian Mountains.

Now, you all are familiar with the rules of the forest; you read them at the beginning of every story. But what do the rules mean? Why are they so strict and important to follow? What really happens if you break them?

The rules of the forest have been present since the beginning of mankind. After all, the Appalachian Mountains are older than bones themselves; hauntings have been happening since their origin. The spirits that traverse the Appalachian Mountains have a funny way of getting people’s attention, calling out their names in their mother’s voices, screaming for help, and changing the forest around you until you’re so disoriented that you just keep walking deeper and deeper into the eternal trap that is the Appalachian Mountains.

So, the rules: “If you see something, no you didn’t.” This rule is put in place because the spirits of the mountains will often appear as a family member or an animal, but they don’t look quite right. Maybe it’s the eyes—the deep, sunken, gray eyes. Maybe it’s the way their shoulders are slightly tilted and unnatural. Or maybe it’s the way their mouth curves into a sickening grin when you’re finally convinced enough—close enough to grab.

Next, “If you hear something, no you didn’t.” The spirits of the woods know how to control the sounds of the forest. If you’re walking down a trail and, all of a sudden, the birds stop singing and the crickets stop chirping, something is there that is not supposed to be. Spirits can make sounds seem farther and closer than they actually are; something could be whispering in your ear, and it’s actually three hundred miles in the opposite direction. That may not sound too bad, but when the voices are barely audible, you have run out of time.

Finally, “If something whistles at you, you don’t whistle back.” This is the most important rule. Whistling attracts these things to you. The piercing sound of a whistle is the number one way to get the mountain’s attention. No one knows why this is the specific sound that excites these spirits, but if you’re whistling for your dog, they may not be the only thing running back to you.

So, be warned, my dear readers: if you ever travel through the Appalachian Mountains or hike through its trails, be wary of your surroundings. Never follow the voices, never leave the trail, and, most importantly, never whistle, or you too may just become another decrepit soul foraging the mountains in search of another victim.

Edited and Reviewed by Rebecca Price