One night, Marty, the mole was jolted out of his sleep by a strange sound.
Chrrr…chrrr…chrrr…
Marty switched on the lights and scanned the room for the source of the sound. He didn’t see anything unusual and the sound stopped, too. So, he switched off the lights and tried to go back to sleep, but then he heard the sound again.
This had been going on for two days now. Marty hadn’t been able to sleep a wink through the night because of the strange sound.
The next day at work, Billy, the goat greeted him, “Good morning, Marty! How are you?”
“How do you think I am? Can’t you see I am fine?” snapped Marty.
“It was a harmless question, Marty. There was no need to snap at me like that,” said Billy offended.
“I’m sorry, Billy. I haven’t been able to sleep at all for the last couple of days. That is why I am quite irritable,” said Marty. He told Billy about his problem.
“That must be a ghost,” concluded Billy.
“A ghost? Are you serious?” laughed Marty.
“Yes, I am serious. Since you are away at work, your house is empty for most of the day. So, some ghost must have made itself at home in your house. You may find this funny but do give it a thought,” said Billy gravely.
Marty started thinking about it. He could not concentrate on his work that day.
“What if Billy is right? What if it is a ghost? What if it harms me?” thought Marty.
Marty left work early that day to consult with Jacky, the jackal, who claimed to be a professional ghost hunter. Jacky’s business had been down for some time now, so he was elated to see Marty.
“I see that you are in distress. How can I help you?” asked Jacky.
“O holy one, I think there is a ghost in my house. It does not let me sleep at night,” said Marty.
“I see…,” said Jacky, closing his eyes as if he was meditating. He began chanting some strange spells.
Jacky then opened his eyes and said, “You are right. There is a ghost in your house, and a stubborn one, too. It will not be easy to get rid of it.”
Marty became scared. “Oh, please! You must help me!” he pleaded.
“I will surely try, but it is going to be a difficult process. I will need a lot of expensive food items,” said Jacky, handing Marty a long list. “After you buy them, take me to your house. I will start the process of getting rid of the ghost tonight.”
“I will get them right away,” said Marty and immediately rushed to the market to buy all the items on the list. At the shop, Marty met his friend Rocco, the raccoon.
“So many food items! Are you having a party without telling me?” asked Rocco.
Marty told him about the ghost in his house and how he approached Jacky to get rid of it.
Rocco smiled and said, “Let me also come with you, just in case you need some help.
Marty agreed. He bought all the items on the list and went back along with Rocco to meet Jacky.
Jacky panicked when he saw Rocco. “Why did he bring along this raccoon? He is going to mess up my plan!” he thought.
Jacky told Marty, “There can’t be too many people when I am performing the ritual.”
“Don’t worry. I will be as quiet as a mouse and not interfere with your ritual,” said Rocco.
“Alright. Marty, I shall be staying at your place tonight, so please make the necessary arrangements,” said Jacky.
That night, Jacky arrived at Marty’s house and inspected it. He then took a bath and had a hearty meal.
“Now that I am here, rest assured that the ghost will no longer trouble you,” said Jacky yawning. “I will pretend to go to sleep now. When the ghost comes, I will trap it.”
Marty was convinced that his problem would soon be over. He gave up his own bed to Jacky and slept on the floor, next to Rocco.
Within a few minutes after the lights were switched off, the strange sound started.
Chrrr…chrrr…chrrr…
Jacky woke up with a start. He sat upright and looked around the room, holding on to the blanket nervously.
“It’s the ghost again,” said Marty.
They noticed the flower vase moving.
“Oh no! There really is a ghost!” exclaimed Jacky, trembling with fear.
“Cast your spells, O holy one. Get rid of this ghost,” said Rocco casually.
“Are you mad? What if the ghost catches me? I am getting out of here and so should the two of you!” said Jacky, running out of the house.
Come, let’s get out of here,” Marty said to Rocco.
No, wait. Let’s see what it is,” said Rocco, walking towards the flower vase
Marty switched on the lights and Rocco picked up the vase to inspect it.
“So, you are the ghost!” said Rocco looking inside the vase. He then helped a butterfly get out of it.
“How did you get inside the vase?” Marty asked the butterfly.
“A couple of days ago, I flew in through that window as I was attracted by the smell of these flowers. But then I ventured inside the vase and got stuck. When the lights were switched off, I tried to get out unnoticed. But I didn’t realise that the sound of my wings flapping would scare all of you,” said the butterfly embarrassed.
“You didn’t just scare me, you scared the great Jacky as well,” said Marty amused.
Rocco said, “I knew there was no ghost. Jacky just wanted to use your fear to make some money. He had a hearty dinner and would have slept happily, had it not been for our friend here.”
The three had a hearty laugh.
COMMENT