One of the oldest scary stories could be 'The Epic of Gilgamesh'. In it, there are elements that can be considered scary, like the encounter with the monstrous Humbaba in the cedar forest. Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu face this terrifying being, which was a huge and fearsome demon - like creature.
The oldest fiction story is likely 'The Epic of Gilgamesh'. It's a remarkable piece of literature from a very early civilization. In this story, we see a complex character in Gilgamesh. He's initially a somewhat tyrannical king, but through his friendship with Enkidu and his subsequent adventures, he grows and changes. The story also has elements of the supernatural, like the gods interfering in the lives of mortals. It gives us a great window into the beliefs, values, and storytelling traditions of ancient Mesopotamia. And compared to other ancient stories, it has a more developed narrative structure that is characteristic of what we consider fiction today.
One of the oldest known fantasy stories is 'The Epic of Gilgamesh'. It dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. It contains elements like heroic quests, mythical creatures, and exploration of the human condition, which are typical in fantasy. For example, Gilgamesh's journey to find the secret of immortality involves facing various challenges and meeting strange beings.
Well, some might argue that ancient Greek myths contain very old monster stories. For example, the story of the Minotaur. It was a half - man, half - bull monster that lived in a labyrinth on Crete. Theseus eventually slays the Minotaur, and this story has been passed down for thousands of years.
Well, the oldest fictional story is probably 'The Epic of Gilgamesh'. It's an ancient Mesopotamian epic that has a lot going on. It shows the relationship between Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu, their exploits together, and Gilgamesh's quest for eternal life. There are parts about his rule as a king too. This story was so important that it was passed down through generations, and it's amazing how much of it has survived to this day. It's a real treasure for understanding the beginnings of fictional storytelling.
One of the oldest ghost stories could be the story of the Babylonian demoness Lilith. In ancient Babylonian mythology, Lilith was often depicted as a malevolent spirit associated with the night and childbirth. She was said to haunt the wilderness and bring misfortune.
I'm afraid without more information about this 'the oldest ghost story', it's impossible to determine the author. If it's a story from an ancient civilization like the Sumerians or the Egyptians, it could have been created by their priests or storytellers as part of their religious or cultural beliefs. They might have used these stories to teach lessons or to instill a sense of awe and mystery. However, we can't be sure without a more defined 'the oldest ghost story'.