PEPPY SEES GHOSTS

Peppy pigeon had been sitting in his nest since the morning. He’d been unwell since the previous day. He felt hungry by the time it was evening and finally had to go out. He had made his nest on the upper ventilator of Samuel’s two-storied building. Every morning, he went in search of food and to meet his friends.

- Dr K Rani

Samuel’s house had an adjoining garden where he grew many vegetables. Peppy was still feeling weak, but he ate something and sat on the neem tree near the boundary. Then he saw something terrifying.

He saw some ghosts and witches approaching Samuel’s house. They were carrying a bag in the shape of a pumpkin.

Peppy’s mind stopped working and froze.

The ghosts and witches knocked on Samuel’s door. The visitors said something, and in return, Samuel put a handful of candies in their bag and shut the door. They left happily.

Peppy had heard stories about ghosts, but today he was seeing them with his own eyes!

Peppy still could not believe what he saw.

He thought he might be hallucinating because he was unwell and remained seated on the neem tree.

Kanu crow was passing by. He saw Peppy sitting on the tree at an odd hour and asked, What’s wrong, Peppy? Why are you sitting here at this hour? It’s about to get dark. Won’t you go home?”

Peppy pulled himself together and said, I've been unwell since yesterday. I had come here looking for food. But then I saw something that scared me terribly. I can’t gather the courage to return to my nest.”

“What was it? What did you see” Kanu asked.

Peppy told him.

“I heard that ghosts came out at night! But you saw them in the evening!”

“You must have seen them too!”

“No, I didn’t see any. Anyway, let it be. Come with me. I'll accompany you to your nest. Otherwise, you'll have to spend the night on this tree.”

Kanu and Peppy flew away.

Peppy felt relieved to reach his nest.

He had frozen on the neem tree.