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"As unpredictable—and probably just as controversial—as UFOs, Leyak are a supernatural phenomenon most feared by many Indonesians."
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In the rural folklore of Chile, particularly in the city of Paredones, there exists the chilling tale of El Peral Encantado, or The Enchanted Pear Tree—also known more ominously as The Fire Pear Tree.
At first glance, this mysterious tree appears completely ordinary: a simple, unremarkable pear tree nestled along a path or standing alone in a quiet field. However, as midnight approaches, its true nature begins to reveal itself.
According to local legend, after 12:00 a.m., the tree may begin to shudder violently—as if struck by a great invisible wind—and then, with no warning, erupt into flames if anyone dares to approach. This spontaneous combustion is not natural fire: it burns with eerie intensity, yet never seems to consume the tree itself.
This supernatural phenomenon is said to be especially dangerous for riders on horseback, as the sudden fire and shaking tree can terrify horses, causing them to buck or bolt, often fatally throwing their riders. One version of the tale recounts the death of a man who approached the tree on horseback during the night—his horse reared in panic, tossing him to the ground where he cracked his skull on a stone.
Though many villagers in Paredones once whispered about the Fire Pear Tree, claiming to know its location, it is said that the tree was finally chopped down—though whether it was destroyed by brave locals or simply disappeared is unclear. Some believe its spirit still haunts the land, waiting to reappear elsewhere.
Scholars of folklore have speculated that this legend may have originated as a warning tale, a means of keeping people indoors at night or away from dangerous rural paths. Others suggest it could be a cultural memory of naturally flammable gases or bioluminescent phenomena interpreted through the lens of rural superstition.