Satyaji Ray at 104: In this horror story for children, a ghost finds a friend after 32 lonely years

I am a ghost. I was alive three years ago. Then, one day, I was burnt to death in this house, in Deoghar. The house is called Lily Villa. I was here with a friend on holiday. That morning, as I lit the stove to make a cup of tea, it burst into flames and my clothes caught fire. The flames also seared my face. That much I do remember. But I cannot recall anything else. I have been living in this house since that day. I cannot tell what I now look like, for as a ghost, even if I were to go and stand before a mirror, I could not see my reflection. I’ve tried peering into the water in a pond, but that did not work either. But I know I am not really anything much to look at.

Two years ago, a family came to Lily Villa to spend a few days. The head of that family happened to come face to face with me. I saw his eyes bulge with horror, and he promptly fainted. It was actually my own fault. A ghost can choose to remain invisible, and to be honest, it was my intention...

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