This document summarizes and shares two common urban legends that involve storage sheds. The first is about a man who gets bitten by a brown recluse spider while cleaning out his shed. According to the story, the bite turns graphic and requires amputation. However, brown recluse bites are typically not that severe. The second story warns of a cougar living in local sheds during cold winter months, entering sheds to escape the cold and find food. Photos show the cougar trying to enter a house. Both stories aim to scare people from going into their sheds.

1. What’s That Hiding in Your Shed? Our Top Urban Legends
Storage sheds form the perfect setting for urban legends. Most
people can instantly relate, as plenty of houses have them in some
form. They’re often dark and neglected as well, giving that sense
of mystery you’re looking for with these tales.
These stories never fail to delight and horrify readers. We’re sure
you’ll be careful next time you step into your shed!
The Brown Recluse Spider Bite
This one has been going around via email for years, each time with
a slight change in details. The result is always horrifying and
painful. The following is just one version of the story.
The email you receive is a warning. The sender pretends he’s
doing you a favor by letting you know about a dangerous spider
he’s heard about. It’s actually quite a common type, known as the
Brown Recluse Spider. It likes darkness and so can usually be

2. found in dark attics and storage sheds.
The story your friend is sharing is about a regular Joe that was
cleaning his storage shed on an average Saturday afternoon. While
taking out some old boxes he feels a slight pinch on his hand.
Turns out it’s just a spider bite. No problem, right? Not so.
The email has a couple of images attached. The first image shows
a run of the mill bite, nothing to worry about. The last image, on
the other hand, shows a graphic image that not many people will
be able to handle!
The bite has turned for the worse, requiring amputation for the
poor guy who was bitten. The email ends with a warning, leaving
the reader worried considering how common the spider seems to
be!
You’ll be happy to read that while these spiders are real, they don’t
cause that much damage. If you get a bite, it’s likely that it won’t
be much worse than anything else you’ve experienced from other
harmless insects.
Cougar In the Storage Shed
You will usually get these stories during the cold winter months.
The warning arrives in your email, as most common urban myths
are spread these days.
The radio has been reporting some strange activity lately. Food
from storage sheds all over the area has been disappearing, with a
huge mess being left behind instead. What’s going on?
The photo that comes attached explains it all. It shows a cougar
that had been living in the area, perhaps spending nights in storage
sheds during the cold weather. The cougar is trying to get inside
the house, though fortunately the glass window is strong enough to
prevent the animal from entering. What will happen the next time

3. the cougar decides to pay a visit?
This is another one of those stories that is meant to scare people
from going out into their backyards and into their storages sheds.
Who would want to run into a massive cougar when opening the
shed door? We’re pretty sure we know the answer.
Fortunately, the images that are thrown around are from a single
sighting in an area known for frequent visits from cougars. The
emails are usually sent around to different counties, ensuring a
spread of panic over a large area.
These stories are just a few where sheds play a central role. They
work particularly well when set during the dark winter months,
where storage sheds can turn into scary homes for creepy crawlies,
huge animals, not to mention ghosts! Watch your step next time.
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