Before every major storm—from Hurricane Hazel to Hugo—residents of Pawleys Island see him. He's tall, silent, and dressed in mist-colored gray, a ghost who appears not to haunt you, but to save you. This is the tragic tale of The Gray Man.

⚠️ Content Warning & Listener Note: Strange Wonders adheres to a clean language standard and does not contain profanity. However, this episode discusses mature themes centered around fatal natural disasters (hurricanes), the tragic loss of a loved one, and descriptions of death by drowning or suffocation. Listener discretion is strongly advised for sensitive audiences and young children.

Want to learn more about The Gray Man legend?

The Pelican Inn (not sponsored) https://www.pawleyspelican.com/

General Resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gray_Man_(ghost)

Only Pawleys Version - I read this after writing and found it wonderful: https://www.onlypawleys.com/press-release/these-3-pawleys-island-ghost-stories-may-send-a-chill-up-your-spine/

-----------------------Credits---------------------------

Script / Hosting: by Jose A. Saenz

Music:

"Reaching Out" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

-----------------------Sound Effects---------------------------

Used with permission under pixabay and/or creative commons license.

• Rain and Distant Thunder by JM (Freesound)
• Mostly stormy howling wind by Liecio
• Wind gusts and rain - sonicwars (Freesound)
• Horse running HQ by TanwerAman
• Man Panting Softly by u_jt2rhdzi3j

-----------------------Legal Stuff---------------------------

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© 2025 HeyWonder, LLC

Story, script, and retelling by Jose A. Saenz

All rights reserved.

Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or adaptation of this retelling is prohibited.

This retelling performance and script is an original adaptation of traditional folklore and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law.