Moonlight blankets the entire landscape, illuminating even the darkest areas. Silhouettes are cast on roads, buildings, and everything else. If you’re not careful, you might be startled by a palm tree; the shadows of its leaves can easily resemble the fingers of masked figures waiting to grab their victim. A passerby’s silhouette can also be unnerving if they are approaching from behind, as the shadows may create the impression that someone is hurrying toward you. The shadows of stray cats, elongated and projected against walls, can look like enlarged versions of the aliens we see in Hollywood movies. However, one shouldn’t take nighttime shadows at face value—an elongated shape of a stray cat or lizard could very well be a life-size mountain lion or alligator.
Shadows are distorted reflections of reality, shaped by one’s perspective. When someone stands against a light source like the sun or moon, the shadows can often resemble exaggerated versions of the original objects. For example, a finger might resemble a crooked arm, or a tree branch could appear like a human hand reaching out. These distortions even scare babies as they flee for dear life upon an encounter!
Shadows weave their tales, just like everything around us. If you want to uncover their secrets, you need to tune in and listen closely the first time around.
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